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10 FASHION & TRENDS
16 Shopaholic
Here Comes the Bride, Elie Saab Haute Couture & Own the Beach
This year designers opted for Off-theshoulder necklines, Tulle skirts, lace wedding dress. Also, Elie Saab looked back to his homeland, Beirut, and a bygone era in his Summer Haute Couture for 2015. Swim suits from Victoria’s Secret collection are Boho, Sporty and glamorous. These are the suits of the season and the trends you’re about to see all over the beach.
BEAUTY
24 Beauty Buzz
The latest & newest beauty products & news you need to know.
26 Beauty Tips
Mahmoud Morshed The Dos and Don’ts of Brides’ Makeup
This wedding issue Lounge brought you makeup artist and beauty expert Mahmoud Morshed to reveal all his tips for the bride and the latest makeup trends for summer 2015
32 Q&A
Pro or Against Marrying NonEgyptian? We’ve all seen Egyptian men opting for blondes, and now many girls too are getting married to foreign men; few couples carried on and other examples failed. This wedding issue, Lounge asks its readers whether they are pro or against marrying a non-Egyptian and why..
ENTERTAINMENT
34 Cover Story Amal Maher The Pearl
This month Lounge brought you non less than the genuine Egyptian singer Amal Maher, the young diva reveals all about her latest album ‘Welad El Naharda,’ the reason for her absence, her patriotism and her acting plans…
38 Star
Vin Diesel in Fast & Furious 7
Playing the role of Dominic Toretto in the 7th and last sequel of the action movie Fast & Furious, the star of the movie Vin Diesel reveals all about the movie where Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.
YOU, LOVE & LIFE
28 Relationships
How to Deal with Your Husband’s Friends
Healthy marriages include supportive friendships for each spouse with other women and men. However, these relationships should not be threatening to either one of you. If these relationships are threatening to you, consider discussing what you feel, and seek to come up with solutions that make you feel a special person in his life, while respecting one another’s need for independent relationships. Lounge brings you tips on how to deal with your husband’s male and female friends..
30 Quiz
How Optimistic Are You?
Optimism is a key to bouncing back from adversity and preventing depression. It’s even good for fighting off heart attacks and other diseases. Take the quiz to find out your optimism quotient, and then learn how simple changes in your thinking patterns can help you become more positive.
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HEALTH & FITNESS
40 Health Desk
The latest & newest health and fitness news you need to know.
42 Ask The Expert
Dr. Heba Kotb: Let’s Talk About Sex
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One of the things that add a lot of pressure and stress to brides is the thought of the wedding night, right after the celebration. This month Lounge brought you non less than Dr. Heba Kotb to give us the best tips for a bride’s sexual health, talk about some of the misconceptions of the sexual life and tell us more about homosexuality and how upbringing plays a role in it.
44 Travel
Miraculous Maldives
If you wish to celebrate your honeymoon in an intimate and a beautiful setting, then the Maldives is the world’s best backdrop. There are endless ways to let the magic of the islands dazzle you on your holiday as a couple. Read on to know more about the Maldives..
EVERY ISSUE
6 Chairman’s Letter 8 Editor’s Letter 10 In The Know
16
Everything you need to know to be in the know, from celebrity to entertainment news to what’s in style, Lounge keeps you fully updated.
62 Horoscope
Happy Birthday Taurus
64 Well Said
12 Signs You are Ready for Marriage
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Wearing the wedding dress is every girl’s dream, or perhaps most girls, but how do you know that this is the right time for you? Or whether you are prepared for taking this step or not, this month Lounge brought you signs you and your partner are ready to take your relationship to the next level.
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Chairman’s Letter CHAIRMAN Ahmed Helal EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sherif Ibrahim EXECUTIVE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Amira Tharwat GENERAL MANAGER Ahmed M. Hanohoum ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER Khaled Ashraf Hegazy PR & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Nevine Helal SENIOR EDITOR Reem El Shennawi
In this month issue, we have brought to you the one and only Amal Maher after her long absence to pose on our cover and tell us more about herself and her latest album ‘Welad El Naharda.’ Celebrating the wedding issue, we have brought to you the latest collection of wedding dresses and Make up Expert Mahmoud Morshid to tell us more about the dos and the don’ts of brides’ makeup. Also, we have brought to you ways on how to deal with your husband’s both male and female friends in our Relationship section. And we didn’t forget about every bride’s concern on her wedding night and so, we have brought to you Dr. Heba Kotb to speak to you about bride’s sexual health, some of the misconceptions of the sexual life and more. Our Q&A asked our readers this month whether they are pro or against marrying a non-Egyptian, check out their views on that issue. After the huge success of Fast & Furious 7, we have brought to you an exclusive interview with star Vin Diesel to tell us more about his role and the movie. We also didn’t forget to bring you one of the best destinations for your honeymoon: The Maldives, check out more about the place in the Travel section.
CONTRIBUTORS Sherouk Nafie ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ikram Zaki ADVERTISING MANAGER Doaa Mostafa DESIGNED BY Nagy F. Ragheb GRAPHIC DESIGNER Wesam Osama EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Noha Hesham Zayed IT ADVISOR Amr Fakhr El-Din
LOUNGE’S COVER: AMAL MAHER
FINANCIAL ADVISOR Ahmed M. Abd el Latif SOCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER Osama Abu Omar DISTRIBUTION Charisma International All rights reserved to Lounge. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Website: www.lounge-eg.com E-mail: info@lounge-eg.com PRINTING International Printing House To subscribe or advertise, please contact our offices at: 17 Nakhla El Motaey St. 6th Floor Apt. 601 Heliopolis, Cairo - Egypt 02-2642 2298/7
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Photography by: Carine Styling: Lana ElSahely Hair: Alaa Makeup: Fady Kataya
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EDITOR’S
letter
MOURNING ABDEL RAHMAN EL ABNOUDY I was really touched to know that the iconic upper Egyptian poet Abdel Rahman El Abnoudy left our world on the 21st of April at the age of 77 years old after a long battle with lung disease. Abnoudy was one of the pioneer poets of the age, he witnessed many modern Egyptian historic events starting with the hopes and dreams that were presented to the nation through Gamal Abdel Nasser and the 23rd of July’s Revolution, and unlike some of his age’s poets he refused to give up or knee after he was imprisoned and after the defeat in 1967th; on the contrary, he wrote one of his master pieces’ Ada El Nahar,’ which was sung by Abdel Haleem Hafez. He also witnessed Presidents Anwar El Sadat, Mubarak, Morsi and Sisi’s Reigns. Despite all the chaos that the political arena witnessed in Egypt during the past couple of years, the vision to him was always clear and he was biased as he had always been to Egypt and the Egyptians. As Abdel Haleem Hafez sang his patriotic songs hailing 1952 Revolution back then, Wust el Balad and Cairokee used his poems in patriotic songs about the 25th of January Revolution like ‘Sot El Horrya.’
I was fortunate enough to meet with the iconic poet. When I first met him he was in Beet El Seheemy in Ramadan, where he was reciting his acclaimed poems about El Sera El Helalya (an upper Egyptian epic from the heritage, which the poet worked on gathering it from local poets in order to document it) in an authentic Egyptian atmosphere and with the Rebab playing. Then, we agreed on doing the interview, despite the fact that the interview was before the 25th of January Revolution, the poet words were predicting what is going to happen; and when I asked him about his philosophy in life he was certain that after all what he witnessed the only realization was that no one and nothing can stand in front of a nation’s will, be it a colonizer or a tyranny, the Egyptians word will always rise, and he was right. May the iconic poet rest in peace, and I am certain that Egypt is able to bring us new generations not less intellectual, talented, or patriotic than the previous ones, figures like the giant poet makes the burden heavy on our generation because we have to be up to the responsibility to save and enrich the legacy they left us.
Amira Tharwat
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in the know
KIM KARDASHIAN VISITS ARMENIA
In the know... Celebrity
Kim Kardashian has arrived in the capital of her ancestral Armenia for a visit expected to draw attention to the centennial of the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians. Armenia formally marks the killings by Ottoman Turks on April 24. Kardashian is expected to visit the vast complex in Yerevan, the capital, that commemorates the victims. A large crowd of journalists witnessed her arrival at the capital’s airport.
NICKI MINAJ CONFIRMS ENGAGEMENT TO MEEK MILL Just a few hours after Nicki Minaj teased engagement news on Twitter by sharing a diamond ring emoji with thewords, “I’ll post it later,” the rapper has now revealed the bling up close. As it turns out, it’s quite the stunning piece from Meek Mill, which is a 15-carat fancy yellow heart modified brilliant cut diamond mounted in platinum with a double halo of white pavé diamonds.
SOFIA VERGARA PUT REESE WITHERSPOON IN THE HOSPITAL
Working with Sofia Vergara on their comedy Hot Pursuit landed Reese Witherspoonin the emergency room. During an appearance on “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Vergara admits that she got a little carried away during one of her fight scenes with Witherspoon. “I sent her to the emergency room,” the 42-year-old “Modern Family” star admits. “Something with internal bleeding.”
JAKE GYLLENHAAL AND RACHEL MCADAMS SPOTTED AT DINNER TOGETHER
Is this the start of a new romance? Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams were spotted getting fairly cozy at dinner recently. The twosome dined at Los Angeles’ Odys + Penelope Brazilian Restaurant on April 12, seemingly in great spirits. They smiled and laughed as they talked throughout the meal. People magazine, though, says there is no romance between the two. “They’re friends and they were catching up,” a source told the magazine.This isn’t the first time romance rumors have surrounded Jake and Rachel — rumors flew around briefly last year as the two filmed “Southpaw.”
DINA LOHAN SELLING OFF LINDSAY LOHAN’S PROPERTY WORTH MILLIONS
Hot property! Lindsay Lohan may have fewer personal items than she used to, thanks to her mother. Dina Lohan is selling a stockpile of Lindsay’s prized personal possessions in an online flea market. The fire sale isn’t sitting well with Lindsay, though, and she’s apparently threatening to get police involved. The items on the auction block include furniture, clothing, artwork and more.
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in the know
‘BATMAN V SUPERMAN’ TRAILER RELEASED AFTER LEAKING ONLINE
The official “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” trailer has been released after leaking online days before its premiere. Director Zack Snyder tweeted the video on Friday with the hashtag “not pirated.” The leaked version appeared to be shot on a phone camera, and featured Portuguese subtitles. The official debut of the trailer was planned as an Imax special event set for April 20 at select Imax locations, and Snyder said those screenings would go ahead as planned, featuring “a few extra shots plus a little swag.”
ED SHEERAN HOPES TO APPEAR ON ‘GAME OF THRONES’
Ed Sheeran just might be coming to a TV near you. The singer/songwriter revealed that he’s been approached in the past to make a cameo on ‘Game of Thrones,’ but hasn’t been able to take anyone up on their offer due to timing. Now; however, he’s hoping to change things. “There were talks ages ago of me being an extra, which could have been cool. But every time they shoot it’s the time I tour in the UK,” he said. “But I’ve got that time off this year, so I’m going to hound them.”
‘FURIOUS 7’ CROSSES $1 BILLION AT WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE Universal’s ‘Furious 7’ will cross $1 billion at the box office Friday, becoming the studio’s first film to reach that milestone. ‘Furious 7’ has grossed $735.2 million overseas in 17 days and $273.7 million in North America after 15 days, making it the fastest movie to reach $1 billion. ‘Furious 7’ is the 20th film to take in $1 billion with “Avatar” leading the list at $2.79 billion.
RYAN GOSLING TO STAR IN ‘BLADE RUNNER’ SEQUEL
Ryan Gosling is in negotiations to star in Alcon Entertainment’s sequel toBlade Runner, the film that will be directed by Prisoners helmer Denis Villeneuve. Ridley Scott, who directed the original classic, is aboard as executive producer. Shooting begins summer 2016 and Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green have written the original screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Scott. The story takes place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original. Story details, as well as Gosling’s character, are not being revealed.
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worldwide
In the know... Entertainment
PENELOPE CRUZ JOINS ‘ZOOLANDER 2’
Ben Stiller has confirmed that Penelope Cruz has joined the cast of “Zoolander 2,” announcing the news via Instagram and Twitter. Cruz was rumored to be part of the production last year, but this is the first official confirmation of her involvement. The actress joins original stars Stiller, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell in the long-awaited sequel, which is set to hit theaters on Feb. 12, 2016. Stiller and Wilson announced the film’s release date by walking in the Valentino show at Paris Fashion Week in March.
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in the know
NOTHING IS LOST WITH CHIPOLO TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU COMPUTE
Intel Egypt showcased the latest devices based on the Intel® Core™ M processor, which will power new 2 in 1 devices from a variety of manufacturers including: ASUS*, Dell*, HP* and Lenovo* in Egypt. Delivering the optimal blend of mobility and performance, Intel’s new processor was purpose-built for amazing performance in the thinnest, fanless ultra-mobile devices. The Intel Core M processor can power razor-thin devices with Intel Core level performance and deliver up to double the battery life when compared to a four-year old system.
JAWBONE UP24: EAT, SLEEP AND MOVE BETTER
Track your activity and sleep easy with the UP24™ band. Wake up feeling refreshed with Smart Alarm™, or receive an Idle Alert™, a gentle vibration at the wrist—when you’ve been sitting too long. UP24 is your friend-in-fitness, wherever you go, 24 hours a day. It allows you to get credit for your steps, exercise and overall calories burned throughout the day. Knowing is the first step to get more active and stay motivated.
Chipolo is a small, colourful Bluetooth enabled device that easily attaches to your valuable items. With the free Chipolo app, locate any lost or misplaced item in seconds by ringing your missing keys, using Chipolo’s Range Meter or via Chipolo Network GPS. The Chipolo app will automatically update the location of your lost Chipolo if another Network user happens to be within range. And there is a fun part too - with network you can share access to your Chipolo with your family and friends.
In the know... Style & Design
FOR LOVE & LEMONS
A jaw dropping collection by ‘For love and Lemons’ has arrived at WEST L.A. bringing a range of feminine styles for the ladies. With a selection of beautiful laced dresses as well as two set skirts and tops, every girl will be calling dibs on their favorite new number for a night out. Derived from those sun-soaked “Lemonade Stand Days,” designers, owners, and BFF’s Gillian Mahin and Laura Hall are the masterminds behind the line For Love & Lemons. The line taunts with intrigue as a clash of colors and patterns are evoked by chic separates and devious dresses.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARBIE!
What the Beatles are to music buffs, Barbie is to young girls. This iconic doll celebrated its 56th birthday on March 9, 2015. The 11-and-a-half inch doll quickly grew from being just a toy to a personality loved across the world. Over the years, Barbie has seen many transformations in terms of looks, career and her lifestyle. The very first Barbie doll made waves with her black and white striped swimsuit, high ponytail, loop earrings and red lipstick. She was priced at US $3, and came in blond or brunette hair colour.
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FASHION & TRENDS
HERE COMES
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OSCAR DE LA RENTA
This year designers opted for Off-the-shoulder necklines as seen in Marchesa & Oscar de la Renta, Tulle skirts as seen in Monique Lhuillier and of course a wedding dress can’t be glamorous enough without lace as seen in Pronovias. Amira Tharwat brings you the latest trends for your special day off the runway make sure to find your inspiration.
THE BRIDE
NAEEM KHAN
shopaholic
MONIQUE LHUILLIER
LOUNGE
MONIQUE LHUILLIER
Wedding gowns trends for
2015
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PRONOVIAS
OSCAR DE LA RENTA
MARCHESA
FASHION & TRENDS LOUNGE
shopaholic
Elie Spring/Summer Saab Haute2015 Couture
Elie Saab looked back to his homeland, Beirut, and a bygone era – the rose tint of nostalgia to guide him and reimagine the glamour of the Sixties in a sugar-coated foray of a collection: delicate sequins, translucent silks and a ruffle of feathers.
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FASHION & TRENDS LOUNGE
shopaholic
VICTORIA’S SECRET SWIM 2015 COLLECTION OWN THE BEACH
Boho, Sporty and glamorous. These are the suits of the season and the trends you’re about to see all over the beach. Each suit is more daring than the last. Whether you are getting ready for your honeymoon or looking for a flirty piece to swim in, make sure to find your inspiration.
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BEAUTY LOUNGE
news
Y T U A BE
Z Z BU
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MAGNETIC BLACK
Guerlain has created the fantasy of a gaze that is even more powerful and intriguing than ever. Maxi Lash So Volume, a sophisticated variation of our iconic mascara, delivers “limitless” volume, boldly overdosed in an indecently dark black. The charming co-driver, Écrin 1 Couleur, is a must-have eyeshadow available in numerous shades offering a variety of effects to beautifully enhance your eyelids at full throttle in line with your desires. At the same speed, original lipstick shades boost the sex appeal of these icons in the making, creating a range of captivating looks that can go the distance.
NAIL COLOUR TO THE EXTREME
Think of it: your nail colour wardrobe all in one place. Sally Hansen’s Xtreme Wear® collection is revitalized with stylish, of-the-moment shades. The Xtreme Wear® palette update welcomes definitive new additions in must-have shades of nude, periwinkle, mauve, glitter, teal, peach and of course, pink—both hot and blush. Each new shade of Xtreme Wear® features streak free application and extreme shine. Xtreme Wear® is your one-stop-shop for truly unforgettable and ontrend nail looks. Bump up your basics with these newsworthy arrivals.
CLARINS DAILY ENERGIZER LOVELY LIP BALM
For all glamour girls, Clarins has created Daily Energizer Lovely Lip Balm, an irresistible treat with real lip care benefits, to be used without moderation. Thanks to its caring formula, this lip balm provides instant and long-lasting comfort - 8 hours of moisturization- and a smoother, fuller look, perfect shine and a rosy radiance to leave lips looking even more irresistible!
CRABTREE & EVELYN LAUNCHES FRUITS & BOTANICALS COLLECTIONS
This summer season, experience the ultimate indulgence of luxuriously pampered skin with Crabtree & Evelyn’s new Fruits and Botanicals collections. This new freshly picked collections will delight and invigorate your senses with its wide range of bath and conditioning products, including soaps, shower gels, body scrubs, body soufflé, and lotions. Keep your hands nourished and moisturised with award winning hand therapy creams, conditioning hand wash and antibacterial hand gels.
DAISY MARC JACOBS SORBET
A succulent blend of sheer florals with a hint of fruit, Daisy Marc Jacobs Sorbet Edition is lush and playfully fresh. The fragrance opens with a juicy blend of pear and passion fruit, as crisp jasmine brightens the floral muguet. Dewey, fresh and fun, Daisy Eau So Fresh Marc Jacobs Sorbet Edition evokes happiness with a sweet blend offruity florals. The fragrance sparkles with effervescentnotes of juicy mandarin and apple blossom.
CUPID LAUNCHES BLACK, THE MEDIEVAL COLLECTION
The Cupid Black Medieval Collection is a collection of fragrances inspired by epic romances of the past. The six fragrances in the collection are named after prominent lovers, whose stories have been told countless of times and touched millions. The Medieval collection includes, Lancelot & Guinevere, Tristan & Isolde, Paris & Helena, Romeo & Juliet, Cleopatra & Mark Anthony, & Napoleon & Josephine.
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BEAUTY LOUNGE
tips
MAHMOUD MORSHED
The Dos And Don’ts of Brides’ Makeup
t
his wedding issue Lounge brought you makeup artist and beauty expert Mahmoud Morshed to reveal all his tips for the bride and the latest makeup trends for summer 2015.
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What are the bride’s biggest faux-pas when applying makeup? There are three mistakes; first thing is that the bride goes to a plastic surgeon for peeling and it’s a fatal mistake to do that right before the wedding because when we apply the makeup the foundation makes it obvious even more, and it doesn’t look good. If a bride wants to do peeling or scrubbing to her skin, it has to be done at least two weeks before the wedding. Another thing is the kind of foods the brides eats pre-wedding; she should avoid eating nuts, chocolate, spices and coffee because with the stress and pressure the bride goes through, it can affect her skin negatively. Third and last thing is that they don’t drink enough water, which is essential for keeping the lively look of the skin. How could a bride match her makeup with the hairstyle? There is great association between hair and makeup, the key word is the contouring of the face; it’s how we play with the dimensions of the features; it can hide any defect in the face like double chin or big nose. It also reshapes the face to make it oval, which is associated with the hair in a way; playing with how we raise the hair plays a role in reshaping the face. What are the facial masks and rituals a bride should do before her special day? All brides and non brides must use sun block before going out in the morning and they must use moisturizing creams, drink water as much as they can and eat green leafy foods because it contains vitamin E, and of course avoid smoking. Is it a must for a bride to apply fake lashes, hair, lenses and nails on her special night? It’s just that we make a certain look for the bride and we agree on how she will look pre the wedding; the extensions give volume to the hair and helps the hairdresser make the hair style he pleases. Also, the eyelashes are a must for any bride because it makes the eyes shiner, it widens the eye’s angel and gives a beautiful shadow plus, it looks amazing in photos. Also, the nails make the bride look more elegant. What are your tips for a girl to hide a defect on her face or skin tone? The makeup art is done for hiding any defects on the face and reshaping it. One of the things that annoy girls the most is the dark colour under the eye; this dark look is originally caused by the blue veins when they appear on the skin, and the best colour to use with blue in order to turn it to beige or the natural skin tone of the face is orange. What are the latest trends for spring/ summer 2015? Gold is strongly back this season in eye shadows as well as purple, as for lipstick; matt tone pinks are very in.
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YOU, LOVE & LIFE LOUNGE
relationships
HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR
HUSBANDS’ FRIENDS
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ealthy marriages include supportive friendships for each spouse with other women and men. Outside support is necessary for the marriage to flourish rather than become a burden. However, these relationships should not be threatening to either one of you. If these relationships are threatening to you, consider discussing what you feel. Explore your fears and concerns together, and seek to come up with solutions that make you feel a special person in his life, while respecting one another’s need for independent relationships that do not threaten your marriage. Sherouk Nafie brings you tips on how to deal with your husband’s male and female friends..
WHAT ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND’S FEMALE FRIENDS THEN?!
First of all let’s talk about your husband male friends, did you know that the majority of men consider their friends’ opinion about you. Yes, his friends’ opinions are a deal breaker to your relationship if they don’t like you! No matter what you think about his friends, whether you like them or not, you just have to realize that your husband likes these people and they’re going to be in his life. So, if you want to keep him, you have to try to know them and give them the chance to be themselves around you. Be sincere Your husband’s friends would appreciate having a female friend that they can talk to, respect and consider as a sister. Get to know them, listen to what they have to say and offer advice if needed, get to know their partners. And since you decided to give them a chance then, be sincere about it, at the end of the day remember that they are going to be around sometimes and you have to deal with it. Give him space You need to not just give him space to spend time with them, but space to talk about them as well. He may come to you later for advice for and/or about his friends if you give him the space to talk about them. Also, your husband and his friends would appreciate the quality time you’re allowing them to have, they will love you for it and they will let him know that they do, think about the good impact of this on your husband. Don’t be jealous He married you and not his friends so, when he asks for some boys’ time don’t be jealous, and that would be a good chance for you to spend some time with your friends as well. It’s important to keep your friends and independence after marriage for you both to flourish and never get bored of each other.
We totally understand that female friends are a bit dangerous. Friendships can lead to some flirtation and who knows what was once normal can become awkward someday, but it doesn’t have to go this way, friendships are just friendships that your husband doesn’t want to lose, and to avoid this hassle first you’ll have to reconsider following certain rules that will help you deal with his friends. Agree on appropriate boundaries Your husband chose you to marry so, you have to make sure that you come first. Meaning, you are his wife, you should make this clear, and you’ll need to do the same. You have to make sure your husband understands that your marriage comes before any friends. However, make sure you are sending your message respectfully and decently. Make some rules that you both understand and can’t break, and that way you’ll save any unwanted drama. Include one another in this relationship You and your husband should encourage gatherings with your and his friends specially his female friends, these types of gatherings make everything clearer and comfortable for you.
WHAT IF YOU THINK IT’S MORE THAN A FRIENDSHIP?!
If your husband talks to a female friend on the phone more often than appropriate, hangs out with her alone claiming “we’re just friends” or “she needs to talk” and these kind of stuff, you should take a step back, think about it wisely and talk to your husband about it. Let him know how uncomfortable you are with this friendship or how you really feel about it. Don’t forget that you both already decided that your marriage comes first, but again, you need to explain your concerns in a respectful manner and straight forward way. No challenge or double standards The rule of ‘if he can, I can’ or the challenge that if he’s going to talk with his best female friend, you’ll talk to a male friend is only going to ruin your marriage and your relationship between you and your husband, it’s neither a challenge nor a war. Marriage is all about understanding, and no matter how your friends are important, remember your partner is more important.
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YOU, LOVE & LIFE LOUNGE
quiz
HOW OPTIMISTIC
? ARE YOU
a b c d
a b c d
a b c d
Your company lays off 10 percent of its work force, including you. Your first reaction to the news: I wasn’t good enough at my job. They needed to make cutbacks; it has nothing to do with me. It’s time I started looking for something new anyway. I’ll never find another job. You’re invited to a friend’s annual party, which you usually enjoy. But you don’t know anyone else going. Do you go? Yes, it will be a great opportunity to meet new people. No, I never meet people at parties. No, but I’ll seek out something that could be more fun. Yes, but I’ll probably stick close the host the whole night. Bad traffic on the highway is going to make you late for work. You think: Tomorrow I’ll wake up 10 minutes earlier. My boss is going to kill me! I knew I shouldn’t have taken this route. At least I didn’t have an important meeting this morning. You’re trying a new low-carb diet to
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a b c d
a b c d
get ready for the summer, but you just can’t lose those last five pounds. It’s because: I must have been wrong about my ideal weight - this is probably where I should be. I must be eating things I’m not supposed to without realizing it. I’m just doomed to be heavier than I want to be. Diets are hard to stick to. I’ll just keep trying. At lunch a waiter spills milk shake on your brand new white shirt. Your immediate hope is that: The waiter will get fired. The restaurant will pay for the dry cleaning. The stain won’t be too noticeable when you get back to the office. The waiter doesn’t feel too bad about a simple mistake.
You’ve been anticipating the release of a new movie; on the day you plan to go, the movie gets a bad review. Do you go see it? a I’ll see something else instead--why waste my money? b I’ll see it anyway--it can’t be that bad! c I’ll see it. I normally love this director, even if this isn’t one of his better movies.
d Forget it. Reviewers always ruin my eve-
ning plans!
a b c d
In a presidential election year, none of the candidates appeal to you. This must be because: The country is in such a bad state, no one can possibly do anything to fix it. I should really be in charge of the country! I just don’t agree with any of them on some major issues. This is just a bad year - I should start campaigning for a candidate early next time. Your kid fails a math exam in school. Your reaction: He must not have been taught the concepts properly. He must not have studied hard enough this time. He must be bad at math. I’m sure he’ll do better next time.
a b c d
You take a chance on a new stock and lose a lot of money in the market. You think: I made a big mistake this time. I must really be bad at picking stocks. I should learn to do more research before investing so much money. At least I didn’t invest even more.
o
ptimism is a key to bouncing back from adversity and preventing depression. It’s even good for fighting off heart attacks and other diseases. Take the quiz to find out your optimism quotient, and then learn how simple changes in your thinking patterns can help you become more positive.
Results MOSTLY As BRIGHT SUNSHINE
Life is great and it will continue that way! Not only do you tend to find the silver lining in every cloud, you also believe that silver lining will stick around for the long term.
MOSTLY Bs SUNSHINE WITH PATCHY FOG
Everything’s coming up roses--most of the time. Your outlook is optimistic, but you tend to think more positively in the short term rather
than in the long run. You see the good side of the present moment but don’t necessarily incorporate that into your overall attitude.
MOSTLY Cs SCATTERED SHOWERS
Your view of life is relatively balanced, but you lean more toward pessimism than optimism. Look on the bright side, even if you think negatively about the short-term but
that doesn’t seem to affect your view of life in general.
MOSTLY Ds THUNDERSTORMS
Your outlook on life isn’t too cheery. Not only do you tend to make the worst of most situations, you also seem to think that mistakes and unfortunate occurrences usually have long-term bad consequences.
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YOU, LOVE & LIFE LOUNGE
Q&A
MARRYING PRO OR AGAINST NON-EGYPTIAN? w e’ve all seen Egyptian men opting for blondes, and now many girls too are getting married to foreign men; few couples carried on and other examples failed. This wedding issue, Lounge asks its readers whether they are pro or against marrying a non-Egyptian and why..
RANDA EL BEHAIRY HANY ADEL
I believe in love, respect and understanding; if these aspects are present in a relationship, it will be a happy relationship, even if they are not from the same culture.
I am pro marrying a non-Egyptian only if I’ve known him for a long time, as we are going to have memories together and situations to remember, and laugh together about it. But, I can’t risk it and marry a non-Egyptian whom I’ve just met because if I’ve only known him for a short period, there won’t be any common grounds to stand on, I might marry him and discover that we have nothing at all in common. The things he was raised knowing as a kid and watching are different from mine. So, I won’t be able to consult him or take his opinion and discuss things with him. We will only talk about our future, but nothing about the past.
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MEMA EL SHAFEY
MOATAZ ALY
Yes because no one can control his heart, soul comfort and satisfaction, so we have to live with our beloved half. We live only once.
I am pro marrying non-Egyptian because for me, I like supportive people in life. Also, I’m addicted to adventures and would love to try different people with different thoughts who are willing to have a different life. I’ve tried hard to find different person here, but can’t find an Egyptian who thinks out of the box.
HAYTHAM SALAH NAYROUZ ADEL
I am neutral. For me, it has nothing to do with the nationality. As long as he is a good person, it is ok whatever his nationality is; it is about morals not nationality.
I am strongly pro marrying non-Egyptian; mingling of different cultures results in an offspring who has more variety and more creativity. History especially when it comes to artistic initiatives is full of amazing examples. Also, genetic wise it is a very good thing to make healthier generation and get rid of the genetic inherited diseases.
ZEYAD RAGHEB
Pro strongly, I see that marrying non-Egyptian has many benefits. First, it’s very difficult and expensive to get married in Egypt. So, you can’t marry unless you are 30 or at least 27, if your parents help you with finances. Second thing, we see in our culture non-Egyptian women who are more attractive than Egyptians and more beautiful. Non-Egyptian girls live a simple life and have a healthy lifestyle, they are very cautious about what they eat; also they go to the gym regularly and go running in the morning to maintain a healthy and good body shape.
SOHA ELSHARKAWY
Against for sure, there is no one better than our Egyptian Eastern men; he will look like me, know my habits and customs; however, I totally respect other girls and guys’ decision to marry non-Egyptian, not for me though.
IMZ KHATTAB
Actually, I don’t find anything attractive about Egyptian men to refuse marrying nonEgyptian.
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ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE cover story Photography by: Carine Styling: Lana ElSahely Hair: Alaa Makeup: Fady Kataya
AMAL MAHER The Pearl t
his month Amira Tharwat brought you non less than the genuine Egyptian singer Amal Maher, the young diva reveals all about her latest album ‘Welad El Naharda,’ the reason for her absence, her patriotism and her acting plans…
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Why was the absence that long? The delay is not from my part, it’s just that we were waiting for the right time with Mr. Mohsen Gaber, the producer of the album. Also, there was a delay from my part for three years since my last album, and I apologize for my fans for that. Tell us more about your latest album ‘Welad El Naharda’? It took me a lot of efforts to come out with the album, every song was chosen carefully, and I would love to thank all the cast for the tremendous efforts they did in the album including Nader Abdallah, Ayman Bahgat Amar, Musical Arrangers: Tamim and Toma, as well as writer Khaled El Shaer, Ahmed Ibrahim, and Tarik Abdel Gaber, everyone was devoted to the album. What distinguishes it from your previous albums? I tried to make it different from the previous album in terms of different lyrics, which is bolder and the music is totally different from the previous one. The rhythm also is faster than the previous one. I hope people will enjoy it as much as I did. What are the surprises that this album will include? There is a song in the album called ‘Seket El Salama,’ which I believe will be the album’s surprise. The song’s style is totally new for me. If you could do a duet with someone, who would you choose? It doesn’t have to be with a superstar, all I care about is that there will be chemistry and harmony between us.
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ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE
cover story
What is your comment on Samira Saeed stating that ‘Etey Rabena Feya’ invests the success of ‘Al Gany Baad Youmen’? Actually, ‘Al Gany Baad Youmen’ has the same spirit and style of ‘Etey Rabena Feya,’ but the musical note and the melody of each song is different from each other. In the past, listening to a song for Um Kulthum used to ring the bell and makes you feel you have listened to a similar one before. Some songs can have the same spirit and mood as long as the musical note is different. Also, I would like to say that even if both songs are close to each other in a way, I believe that Samira Saeed is a legend in the music industry who I have the honour to sing a song that is similar to hers. Why do you refuse to sing in weddings? I said that I do refuse singing in weddings in Amir Karara’s TV programme; however, I now don’t have a problem. How do you feel about the success of your patriotic songs ‘Ya Masreen’ and ‘Toba Foa Toba’? What comes from the heart reaches the heart that was my feeling when I sang for the country. When I sing romantic songs I feel the lyrics and imagine the situation, but I don’t live it. However, singing for Egypt is different, I feel the lyrics and live inside of it with every bit of me so, it comes out sincerely. That explains why you were shinning in ‘Tahya Masr’ concert… This is true. When I sing ‘Toba Foa Toba’ I sing it to myself before I sing it to Egyptians.
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You are one of the singers who support ‘Tahya Masr’ campaign, what do you think the role of Egyptian artists is in such circumstances? Art is a reflection to the country, it should have a mission to support people and push them forward. It also should support Egypt economically and I call all my fellow artists to make concerts and donate its profit to ‘Tahya Masr.’ It is their duty to the country, Egypt has given us a lot and this is the right time to return the favour. You participated in Star Academy prime for the first time, what do you think of talent shows? I watch these shows and I enjoy seeing new talents, but I question what would be the next step after the programme, Unfortunately, their fame fades after the show. If you were ever asked to be a judge, would you accept? Why not! But as long as I have the time. The problem with these shows is that it consumes a lot of time as they shoot in Lebanon. Who are your favourite designers? And perfume? I like Zohair Murad, Elie Saab and Georges Hobeika, who dressed me for Star Academy’s concert. I also like Hany El Behery, who dressed me for ‘Tahya Masr’s ‘concert. As for perfumes, I love Lancome’s ‘La Vie Est Belle.’ What is the thing you can’t leave home without? My hand cream and perfume. How do you master both worlds; motherhood and stardom? I don’t want to lie to you, but unfortunately, my work is taking a lot of time. I feel that work doesn’t allow me to do my duties towards Omar. What are the biggest challenges that face a single mother in Egypt? Being the mother and father for a child is a huge load. You sang several soundtracks of movies, will you ever consider acting? I was offered a lot of roles, and people believe that I actually have a good sense of humor. Director Mohamed Samy tells me that too, he believes that I should consider acting especially comedy roles, he says that this is my nature that no one knows about. I promised him that one day I will consider if I feel satisfied with the role.
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HEALTH & FITNESS LOUNGE
news
SMOKING CAN CAUSE BACK PAIN
Nicotine cuts down on healthy blood flow all around our body, and that includes to our vertebrae and spinal discs that can cause them to break down, causing inflammation and pain. A study published in Human Brain Mapping shows smoking makes you more likely to feel back pain triggers. Quit smoking to reduce your risk.
THE PROBIOTICS IN YOGURT CAN AFFECT YOUR MOOD
HEALTH DESK DRIED PLUMS BUILD BONES
Also known as prunes, these dark shrivelers are rich in copper and boron, both of which can help prevent osteoporosis. “They also contain a fiber called inulin, which, when broken down by intestinal bacteria, makes for a more acidic environment in the digestive tract,” says Bowerman. “That, in turn, facilitates calcium absorption.” Enjoy four or five a day to strengthen your bones and boost your energy.
Lately, probiotics have become pretty well-known in media health reports as crucial bacteria and yeasts that thrive in, and benefit, your digestive system. Unlike the bad bacteria that can cause colds and other diseases, probiotics are the good guys; the beneficial bacteria that are necessary to maintaining good health. Probiotics help treat irritable bowel syndrome, infectious diarrhea, (potentially) some skin conditions, as well as aiding oral health. They’re often found in Greek yogurts and can also be ingested in supplement form to help maintain balance in your gut. While plenty of research shows their value in keeping your gut healthy, there hasn’t been enough research looking into their overall health benefits. But now scientists are beginning to grasp what those are.
SMARTPHONE ADDICTION MAY CAUSE WRINKLES
Over time, keeping your head down when you’re texting or scrolling through Facebook promotes wrinkles that ring your neck. Any movement you repeat over and over eventually etches in lines permanently. Think about where you text most, be it in your office or on your couch, and hang photos (of family, friends, places you’ve been) nearby at eye-level and use those as a reminder to keep your head up while using your phone.
STRETCHING BEFORE WORKING OUT IS PROVEN TO BE WRONG
Performing static stretching (think: bend and hold) before a workout can ruin your performance, and results. One recent Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research study found that young men who static stretched before performing a squat diminished their strength by 8 percent and lower-body stability by 22 percent, compared to those who performed dynamic stretches pre-squat. Before your next workout, try Cosgrove’s favourite dynamic stretch: the bridge. It actively stretches the hip flexors (which are especially tight in desk dwellers) while warming up the lower body and core. Then, after your workout, go ahead and perform your traditional stretches.
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HEALTH & FITNESS LOUNGE
ask
DR. HEBA KOTB
Let’s talk about Sex o
ne of the things that add a lot of pressure and stress to brides is the thought of the wedding night, right after the celebration. This month Lounge brought you non less than Dr. Heba Kotb to give us the best tips for a bride’s sexual health, talk about some of the misconceptions of the sexual life and tell us more about homosexuality and how upbringing plays a role in it. Is it more preferable for couples to talk about their sexual life pre-marriage? Actually, I don’t recommend talking about sex during the engagement period at all because you never know if the engagement will last or not, and because it leads to more than talking sometimes, that’s why I recommend making ‘Katb Ketab’ pre-marriage, and that’s the best time for the couple to talk more intimately about their sexual relationship. What are the most common mistakes that the bride and groom do on their wedding night? Each of them draws his own picture and expectations based on what they heard from friends not based on what is real or true, which results in disappointment because they always compare what happens with them to what they hear. Does watching porn movies play a part in these wrong expectations? Of course it does, as we were saying, watching porn makes males and females think that what they see is what happenes in reality while it’s far from being real and has
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nothing to do with what actually happens. It’s a script and there are certain angels taken in the movie from which makes it far from being real. Some brides feel stressed from their wedding night, how can a girl overcome this stress? She should know and be prepared for what is going to happen, and it’s the husband’s role to prepare her and take her step by step to take this fear or stress away. A lot of myth spread about losing girl’s virginity, what are the most common myths and what are the methods that might actually break the hymen? Of course I heard a lot of myths that has nothing to do with breaking the hymen like horseback riding, playing gymnasium, the rinser, or even jumping! I pity girls who were raised by their mothers to believe in this nonsense. Nothing could ever break a girl’s hymen unless a tool penetrates the vaginal opening and goes really deep; some girls are pushed by their curiosity to discover their bodies, or if she falls on something sharp or God forbid her bones were broken in this area. However, I don’t believe that the hymen is the only thing that proves a girl’s morality. In some rare cases, girls are born with a cracked hymen, and some others had an accident that caused it to be penetrated, and even in some cases girls are born with a mutilation in their hymen that its totally closed so, we have to make a hole in it for the period blood to come out. And in that case, she takes a certificate stating everything about her case because she won’t bleed when her hymen breaks by her husband. It’s an obsession; however, medically and religiously wise it is not the only prove for a girl’s morality. What are the things that might turn off a man from his wife or vice versa? What turns her off is totally different from
what turns him off. What turns a wife off is that when she feels that her husband is having sex with her as a mission that he needs to accomplish with no emotions or feelings invloves. Sex to women is taken from a romantic perspective and is a mean of renewing the relationship, which is how it should be and she is right in her expectations. What turns the husband off is when his wife doesn’t care about her hygiene or when she is not emotionally connected; I don’t want to say cold, but not being able to enjoy sex, giving her husband the feeling that she is doing that as a favour for him only. Also, sometimes women use sex as a blackmailing method to the husband like she use it as a tool for getting what she wants, it’s the very wrong timing for a woman to ask her husband for something during an intercourse. Should sexual education be taught in schools? What is the right age? I don’t believe there is something called sexual education, full stop. Sexual education starts with studying the organize and I believe that it should be taught very early, and if so, it will help in reducing a lot of the sexual harassment cases in schools. If a child knows that there are certain areas in his/her body that are sensitive and should be handled with cautious, they will know how to protect it. Some wives complain from their husband’s obsessive sexual drive… Of course every case varies from the other one, but in general it’s not a problem. It’s that a woman is not enjoying the intercourse, or she says so and complains as a mean of playing it cool on her partner to make him do more efforts in order to approach her, or in other cases she doesn’t feel satisfied because he cares only about his own pleasure. Is it ok to give orders during the intercourse? Of course not, it’s not healthy when it’s being
said in the form of orders, but communication about sex in general is very important. The most important thing is how she should say it, and in general, the way things are being said is very important not only in a couple’s sexual life but in any other aspect. After the intercourse, some husbands turn their back on their wives, which results in disappointment… The main reason for that is that men think that after finishing the intercourse “that is it;” they have done what they are supposed to do, while actually they ignored the last stage, which is important to the female, they can thank each other and they can communicate physically or verbally in a nice way away from sex. It makes the intercourse longer and more interesting and helps the woman feel eager for the next time rather than feeling that it’s a burden or the feeling of being abused and being treated as a tool a man uses it to satisfy himself and then throws it away. Some couples ignore sex when under stress; could sex make a couple’s mood better? Of course it does, but unfortunately most people don’t know that. Sex is like any physiological mission the body functions when under stress one forgets to eat so, they forget to have sex as well, the couple have to do it every while and if they push themselves they won’t regret it as it will relief the stress and make their mind clearer. Homosexuality is a phenomenon that have spread in Egypt recently… Actually, it hasn’t spread, it has just been more reported than the past. Yet, it has been
in Egypt and the number has been increasing, I used to see about 5 homosexual patients a week in my clinic, which was ten years ago so the number is really huge, but we don’t have official statistics to know our rank in the world. From both sexes? Yes, I have witnessed around 80% men and 20% girls. Does upbringing and the way we are raised plays a part? Of course a major factor about homosexuality goes back to upbringing and how we raise our kids; unfortunately, the parents don’t communicate or talk with their kids at all these days. Parents should notice how their kids are behaving, how they act and be alert to any changes in their voice or body language. A mother should watch her kid’s tendencies,
and whom he prefers to mingle with; all these things help in detecting the problem at an early stage and make an end to it before it’s too late. Also, it’s very important to notice my kid’s friends, and see if he changes after knowing him or if they close the door on each other for long periods of time because usually homosexuality is encouraged and introduced by a friend. Raising kids is not about providing food and good standards of living only. I wonder when I see moms who have never seen their son’s best friend, you should know your kids friends very well before giving them that trust.
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OUT & ABOUT LOUNGE
travel
MIRACULOUS MALDIVES i
f you wish to celebrate your honeymoon in an intimate and a beautiful setting, then the Maldives is the world’s best backdrop. There are endless ways to let the magic of the islands dazzle you on your holiday as a couple. A dinner under the stars with the occasional flicker of candle light to bring you back into the real world, a daring getaway to a nearby uninhabited island all by yourselves for the whole day, or just lazing around in your private bungalow watching the endless turquoise waters while you are treated to an spa treatment in the room. Read on to know more about the Maldives.. As soon as you step onto your resort island, you will experience an overwhelming sense of calm and tranquility that is a unique characteristic of visiting these beautiful islands. The stresses and pressures of modern life instantly become a distant memory enabling you to totally relax, rejuvenate and unwind like no other place. The resorts combine the isolation of being nestled on the equator in the Indian Ocean and being specifically designed and built with modern facilities and technology with one core purpose; to guarantee that the guests
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experience the most relaxing perfect holiday anywhere in the world. A holiday to your own Maldivian island is the perfect paradise escape. Maldives has deep blue seas, turquoise reefs, white sandy beaches and palm trees. It is also a place full of character, where its people have long spent their days languishing in the very essence of idyll living. While it is the perfect place to sit on a beach and watch a sunset with a cocktail balanced on your hand, it is also a geographical marvel,
knowing that there are thousands of fish swimming around the vivid corals just a few feet away from where you sit. The Maldives lies in two rows of atolls in the Indian Ocean, just across the equator. The country is made up of 1,190 coral islands formed around 26 natural ring-like atolls, spread over 90,000 square kilometers. These atolls structures are formed upon a sharp ridge rising from the ocean, making way for their secluded uniqueness. Ninety-nine percent of the Maldives is made up of
sea. The people of the islands are widely dispersed across the atolls, with about 200 inhabited islands. About 90 islands are developed as tourist resort and the rest are uninhabited or used for agriculture and other livelihood purposes. The islands of Maldives appear in-between the trading route of the Indian Ocean. Thus settlers, and visitors from neighbouring regions and around the world have come in contact with the islands for as long as history has been recorded. Such is the to-and-fro flow of people and their cultures, that a marked effect has been left in the Maldivian people, the language, beliefs, arts, and attitudes. The looks of the Maldivian people may differ from one atoll to the other, attributing to the genes passed on by South and Southeast Asians, Africans, and Arabians. The language, Dhivehi, differs in dialect in some regions in the south of Maldives, possibly due to the secluded nature and subsistent ways of island life. The weather in the Maldives is usually picture perfect: sunlit days, breezy nights, balmy mornings, and iridescent sunsets. The temperature hardly ever changes - which makes packing for your holiday an easy task. With the average temperature at about 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year, the sun is a constant on most days, shining through treetops, creating lacy patterns on your feet, healing cold-bones with its warmth.
OUT & ABOUT LOUNGE
travel
Throughout the day, the sun will make itself known, ensuring that it will be remembered and missed, like an old friend, as you pack up your suitcases to leave. Maldives has two distinct seasons; dry season (northeast monsoon) and wet season (southwest monsoon), with the former extending from January to March and the latter from mid-May to November. You could choose to get to know each other through a swim around a house reef with a mask and fin, or dive among the beautiful, vibrant reefs. It is an experience you will relive for days after you get back home. Indulge in some lighthearted competition on a night fishing trip by seeing who catches more. You will not forget the amazing boat trip you make at sunset before anchoring at a suitable fishing spot. It is as if nature plays with the colours of the setting sun just to ensure that you remember this day, this moment, and this love for the rest of your life. The warm seas of Maldives have high visibility throughout the year, with water clear enough to see the passing fish as far as fifty metres away at times. Add to that the marvellous formation of over 3000 coral reefs and the free flowing tides of the monsoons. The result of these perfect conditions have created one of the world’s richest diving coral reef areas. n a place that is more sea than land, there is no end to the fun things you do in the water. Maldivians swim for recreation, they play water polo with their friends at weekend picnics, they surf addictively. The visitor is not excepted: every single resort of the Maldives has a sports centre that provides a range of watersports activities. These centres are well equipped with masks and snorkels and boards of varying sizes, whether you want to spend the day snorkeling and meeting glances with wide-eyed fish, or feeling the wind in your hair on a windsurfer or catamaran. Some centres offer courses for beginners and advances windsurfers and sailors. You could also chose to parasail, kayak, kite-surf, water-ski, and jet-ski. Just lying on a deserted beach of a Maldivian island, taking in nothing but the continuous rhythm of the waves, the sea salt in the air and feeling the soft white sand on your bare feet is enough to sooth your senses. Each island with its green vegetation and secluded setting is a natural spa in its own right, designed to soothe, caress, and heal.
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editorial
MAESTRO AND MAESTRO TERRACE
Your taste of ‘Little Italy’
t
he winning combination of the ‘fine dining’ Maestro, alongside its ‘little brother’ Maestro Terrace, introduces the authentic delights and delicacies of traditional Italian cuisine with the inventive touch that is the hallmark of restaurants at InterContinental Cairo Citystars. Look no further than the InterContinental’s impressive lobby to feel drawn into this vision of Italy. For dinner … Maestro’s chefs have created a la carte and set options, plus the chance to sample and taste from the five-course ‘degustation’ menu. For lunch … Maestro Terrace’s relaxed and casual atmosphere offers an attractive and lighter touch. At Maestro each dish is a speciality. Antipasti tempts with a dainty gnocchi di patate and a delicate blue cheese sauce, or grilled quail, pan-seared duck, seafood lasagne
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and pumpkin ravioli … mouth-watering and exquisite combinations of distinct flavours and aromas. Choose an entrée prepared alongside your table, or select from the chefs’ exceptional seafood grill with succulent salmon and tender prawns. Braised lamb shank or veal osso bucco, or a simple petto di pollo also beckon from the menu, ready to be garnished with a bouquet of crisp vegetables as guitar melodies float through the air. Maestro Terrace is the newcomer to InterContinental’s ‘Little Italy’ … by no means brash alongside the gentle sophistication of
Maestro, but with an individual personality. Maestro Terrace recreates the informal atmosphere of the pavement and terrace bistros that are favourite haunts of Italian towns and cities. The Terrace’s menu is Maestro quality, but with fresh ideas to match the ingredients. Equally suited to a casual meal or a business lunch, diners can choose from a three-course set menu of soup or antipasti, six main courses and dessert or individual dishes. Maestro and Maestro Terrace … two restaurants, two personalities, but unmistakably Italian.
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editorial
An authentic corner of Thailand w beckons
hen mind and body are begging you to de-stress, de-angst and detach yourself from the strains and frustrations of everyday life head for the Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo.
The soon-to-open Devarana Spa at the Dusit is unique in that Spa Manager Sirintra Anusri and her team of eight are all from Thailand. Sirintra says: “This is what makes the Deverana at LakeView unique – nowhere else in Cairo is there a spa offering the complete Thai experience where the staff are all from Thailand. We use Thai products, Thai music will be gently played and there will be Thai scents and aromas in the air.”
was a part of her personality she would turn into a career. Sirintra studied physiotherapy at Chiang-Mai University in northern Thailand, where the course included aspects of massage and therapy. The town also boasts Thailand’s most popular Devarana Spa at the local Dusit hotel. Sirintra’s career path mirrors experience of the eight members of her team … all from
Massage and therapy have played an integral role in Thai culture for centuries. Legend has its founder as Shivago Komarpaj 2,500 years ago, though the techniques have absorbed influences from India, China and South East Asia generally. But this is far from being the most important aspect of massage and therapy that Sirintra and her team bring to Cairo. She explains: “It is set deeply in the Thai personality that we want to take care of people, to make them feel well and happy with themselves. This is not just because it is a job with us … it comes from inside us, to make people feel better, to feel good. “Massage is part of family life for everyone in Thailand for the same reason … to feel happy, relaxed and well. And to show and share hospitality is also important to us, part of our life every day and part of our personality.” Aged 18, Sirintra decided this
Thailand and all with experience in some of the world’s leading hotel groups and Devarana Spas in other exotically-located Dusit properties at Hua-Hin, Bangkok and Chiang-Mai. Two have worked in Russia and one in Jordan. She said: “The time spent in Bangkok was so important for us, not just to learn about their experience in hospitality but also to learn about their attitude and their personality; for us to be certain they are perfect to work the Dusit way – and they are,” she adds with a smile. In Bangkok, Sirintra’s team were thoroughly schooled and re-trained, or refreshed, in the techniques, massage and therapies that will be used at the Dusit Thani LakeView. “Each one has to come up to the Dusit standard, to be consistent and perfect in every treatment, massage and therapy we apply – and always the Thai way.
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“Most importantly, our guests will experience and enjoy Thai hospitality from Thai people. This makes us unique in Cairo. Nowhere else has this …”, Sirintra concludes with a smile. ‘Devarana’ (pronounced te-wa-run) comes from ancient Thai-Sanskrit, meaning ‘garden in heaven’ and was described as situated at heaven’s gate, surrounded by gardens and ponds, with a heavenly scent and a nurturing environment. In the garden, people can hear soft, melodic music played by harp, flute and other traditional instruments. The garden glimmers with silver and gold, and is filled with natural stones and gems. Today the contemporary Thai design and décor invites guests to escape from the stressful hustle and bustle of the everyday world and wraps them in a relaxing and welcoming ambience where the magic of premium spa treatments with traditional Thai service and hospitality. Just as Thailand is famous for its palaces, so the Deverana Spa at Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo is truly palatial. Built over two floors the Spa comprises 13 treatment rooms including six singles, three doubles (for women), and two for specific Thai massage and rooms for manicure, pedicure and facials, all of which benefit from natural daylight. There are separate treatment rooms for men and women, a large joint pool area plus a spacious, secluded salon for couples. Deverana Spa is open to guests, outside visitors and has membership packages offering special benefits and incentives such as vouchers and discounted offers for wellness programmes. The Dusit’s Deverana Spa has nearly 30 treatments, massages, body scrubs, wraps, water treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures to choose from. The ‘signature package’ is the two-and-a-half hour Heavenly Nantha Garden Experience with lotus and chapaca petals, ylang ylang and jasmine oils, combining Thai, Swedish, Ayurvedic and Shiatsu techniques – the ultimate in luxury and pampering.
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editorial
Adds up a touch of elegance
Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria Very soon the Hotel will celebrate adding massive value to Alexandria city by the opening of its convention center, which includes “Alexandrina” ballroom with total area 2650 m² that can accommodate up to 3000 persons and separable into two soundproof sections for smaller events. “Alexandrina” Ballroom is fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and designed to exceed our guests’ expectations
who are either looking for an impressive conference space, large exhibitions or parties and palatial weddings The hotel’s team cares about each and every element as we believe that small details make huge differences. That’s why our Meeting & Events professional team dedicates his efforts, creativity and experience to exceed your expectations….Creating your wonderful memories is our main aim.
As well as the Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria unique location in the heart of the luxuries compound Alex West made it the first choice for all meetings & weddings planners as it offers absolute privacy and elegance.
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seen
ine med Azmy, Sher ira Al Ashkar, Ah o Queens Am i, ns O e rg Ec eo G Nassef & Miss Nakhla, Mariam
Noha, Sh Mariam, ahenda, Miss UK, Miss Egyp M t & Nourh anar, anne
InterContinental Cairo Citystars C elebra tes with Miss Eco Queen
Miss Slov enia
& Simon Stamper
d,
e , Moham a, Simon h o S , a ir any, Na Eco Queens s mira, Am Rania, A& Ikram with Mis e n ri e h S
Miss Eco Queens Mourad Nasry & Khaled Shafik with
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my Ahmed Az Miss UK &
s Guests with Miss Eco Queen
Shahenda Mousta Nourhanne Fadl &fa, Mariam Nassef, Ahmed Al Seginy
Guests with Miss Ec o Queens
med arwat, Ah Ahmed ThHend Mostafa Awad &
Amal & Nora
ndy Amal el Ge
Monalisa
Cairo Boutiq ues
Hana & S eba
ine & Sally Nada, Noura, Yasm
da & Georgina Nada, Fatma, Shereen, Na
Nagla & Rania
adat & Nada El Segermy B Shereen
Ela Nora Abul
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seen
if & Yasmine Sher Nahla Ghoneim , ed al Kh ya on M
Rania, Ha la, Elham , Nada, S alwa, Ma rwa, Rand a, Sara & friend
Charms Mother’s Day Bazaar at JW Marri ott Cairo
Rula Zaki, Randa A ly & frien d
Yasmine Sherif Sahar Khairy, Heba Talaat &
a El herif, Nad Yasmine S ahar Khairy Sadat & S
Rula Zaki with Ch arms Ladies
ts i & gues Rula Zak
ine Sherif Sara Gadelmoula, Rula Zaki & Yasm
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Shahira Salem, Yasm ine Sherif, Sahar Kh airy & friend
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Tamer El Gamal
n Mr. Seung-Ho Yu
Samsung Electronics Egypt
Tamer El Gamal
-Ho Mr. Seung
Samsung
Yun
Raafat Zaki
aki Raafat Z
Guests
Guests
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Spring/Summer 2015 looks by Retail Group Egypt at Baron Empai n Pala ce
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brand news Bollywood Legend at the Cairo Marriott Hotel
As part of the ongoing efforts done by the Cairo Marriott to #Activ8Egypt and support the comeback of tourism, the Cairo Marriott partnered with the Egyptian Tourist Authority and hosted the famous Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. Amitabh Bachchan arrived to Cairo on a three day trip; as the guest of honor for the opening of the “India by the Nile festival” that is taking place between the 28th of March and 15th of April. A press conference for the opening of the festival took place at the Salon Vert Ballroom of the Cairo Marriott Hotel. It was attended by Amitabh Bachchan, H.E Mr. Khaled Ramy Minister of Tourism, and H.E Ambassador NavdeepSuri, Ambassador to India in Cairo among other officials. The conference had great attendance from Amitabh Bachchan Fans who lived by the great inspiration of his movies that were the talk of the town in the eighties
Warm & Loving atmosphere was in Grand Nile Tower during the Orphans Day
Celebrations organized by Grand Nile Tower Management as they spent a nice time with children of (Hakaak Hadafak Association).The children enjoyed their time at the Galleria’s Food Court watching magician, dancing with the Characters then they had their lunch in the hotel. Happily, they received their gifts and toys. Children spent a joyful Day with our respectable attendees who shared in putting a smile on the children faces. Their happiness was completed by the participations of our actresses Leka Sweedan, Dalia Moustafa and Mourad Makram on the Day.
OSN organizes workshop to encourage healthy lifestyles at American International School in Egypt
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative and its commitment to make a positive difference to the community, OSN, the region’s leading pay-TV network, continues to encourage healthy lifestyles under its flagship ‘Live More’ campaign. To strengthen awareness on healthy living and all-round wellness, OSN organised a workshop at the American International School in Egypt (AIS), which was attended by 300 students aged 11 to 14 years. Led by certified nutritionist and experienced fitness expert Dr. Alhussein El Shennawy, the workshop underlined the message of the OSN’s ‘Live More’ campaign, which encourages families especially children to adopt healthier lifestyles by making simple day-to-day changes that contribute to greater health and well-being.
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“Helwa Ya Baladi” Second round Supporting Sports Tourism in Egypt
“Helwa ya Baladi Sports Tourism” is the first initiative to bring together Sports and Tourism as one activity attracting the youth for vibrant and patriotic activities. This is the second round for Helway ya Baladi which will bring forward the top ten different sports building more awareness around them by means of the final event on June 4th and 5th at the Smart Club of smart Village, Cairo Alex Road. Sports tourism is a fast-growing sector of the global travel industry and equates to $600 billion a year and is acquiring more engagement in Egypt both from the local and international tourism consumers. In order to compete in the growing sport tourism market, it is crucial for communities to develop a profound understanding of its benefits and impacts. Helwa ya Baladi will gather in one event sand boarding, diving, wind surfing, kite surfing, cycling, mountain climbing, camel trekking, fishing, in the form of exhibitors, workshops, entertainment shows and demonstrations.
Kérastase introduces Discipline to Egypt – A Revolutionary Hair Treatment
Kérastase announced its first revolutionary anti-frizz formula and treatment during its official launch event this week at the Fairmont Heliopolis Hotel in Cairo. The new formula, named Kérastase Discipline, works to tame damaged, unruly, exhausted and frizzy hair with no chemical treatments, leaving hair smooth, fluid in motion, and full of life. According to Kérastase field research, 9 out of 10 women that have tried the product claim that it is revolutionary. Discipline was announced as the first in-salon protocol for lasting discipline of hair with no additional chemical treatments, and promising to preserve and enhance the true nature of hair. With modern day hair-styling tools, including blow dryers, curling and straightening irons, chemical shampoos, relaxants, and sprays, the hair fibers endure a great deal of damage in addition to the everyday woes of pollution, UV rays, and climatic changes.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence Receives Award of Excellence for the Booking. com Guest Review Awards 2014
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence, a leading luxury hotel in Cairo has been recognized as a top performing hotel based on guest reviews on Booking.com, the world leader in online accommodation booking. Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence received an overall review score of 8.8 on Booking.com for 2014, taking number two position in Cairo with thousands of reviews by guests from around the world, who have consistently praised the outstanding hospitality, superior comfort and world class facilities of the hotel. “We are extremely proud of our achievements and accomplishments; added Mahmoud ElKeiy General Manager, this accolade is a result of our team’s commitment of offering superior quality and unrivalled personalized hospitality to our Four Seasons guest”. The Award of Excellence is given out by Booking.com to properties on an annual basis in honour of their achievements over the past year as measured by their overall guest review score.
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brand news E.F Consulting and Hand & Nail Harmony announce the launch of GELISH in Egypt.
E.F Consulting, Hand & Nail Harmony exclusive co-distributor today announced the launch of the latest products, innovations, newest nail enhancement and Soak Off techniques Gelish. Due to its great achievements and high consumer demand, Gelish has now reached Egypt and has pleased its crowd with its quality products. “Our mission at E.F consulting is to provide the Egyptian market with high quality beauty products, compatible to meet both the customers’ expectations & demands. We always strive to work on making the customers’ needs available instead of creating a need for the available brands” said Ezz Fayek, Managing Director of E.F Consulting. The event was dynamic having the beautiful expert Mrs. Ghenna Gonzales; Harmony’s Dean Educator who came especially to this event to instruct and demonstrate her knowledge and experience in the hottest creations in nail extensions and nail art.
Booking. com award to Sofitel El Gezirah
Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah has been recognized as one of the top performing hotel based on guest reviews on booking.com the online accommodation booking website.The award is given annually for the achievements over the previous year as measured by the overall guest review score. Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah achieved an overall score of 8.2 for year 2014 on booking.com. Seen in the picture Hesham Mohamed, Booking Senior account Manager,Bishoy Nassif, Booking Account Manager, Egypt Hotels giving the award to Jean Gabriel Personne, Revenue Manager, Sofitel El Gezirah.
“Let the Energy Out” Juhayna Zabado Sponsors Cairo Runners’ Half Marathon
Zabado Juhayna sponsored Cairo Runners’ half marathon which was held under Zabado slogan “Let the Energy Out”. The marathon was a unique experience;it gave the chance to athletes to run in Cairo streets. The marathon was divided into 3 categories: 21km half marathon, 7km half race and 1km family run. The event included various activities and was attended by a number of public figures, social media influencers and celebrities. Such as Abdel Moneim El Sawy, founder of El Sawy Culture Wheel, who is always keen to participate in the marathon each year,the young adventurer, Galal Chatila, who is sponsored by Juhayna sponsored his 7000KM cycling tour around Egypt and was honored during the event by Cairo Runners team. The event has ended with a concert performed by Wust El-Balad band. The runners were totally surprised with the presidential convoy thatstopped for the runners and found President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi stepping out of the convoy and took photos with runner.
A Fairytale Wedding Night at Radisson Blu Cairo
Laughter and music fill the air, smiling faces, a gorgeous bride and a handsome groom, friends and family dance, clap and sing, wedding days are filled with memories and emotions that last a lifetime and the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis is an idyllic location to begin married life. At the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis you can choose a ballroom for a grand and sumptuous occasion for up to 300 guests, sparkling fresh and modern, the ballroom is fitted with up to the minute amenities and facilities to guarantee success of the special day. For an occasion little more relaxes and easygoing, then pool side on the ninth floor terrace is a wonderful location for between 100 guests or up to 120 inside, for afternoon or mid night celebrations. Whichever choice is made, bride, groom, parents, family and friends can rely on the unique levels of service and cuisine that make Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis the outstanding choice for weddings in Cairo.
Asian Ambassadors group in Cairo at Ramses Hilton
Ramses Hilton was chosen to host the meeting of the Asian Ambassadors group in Cairo (AAG) organized by the Embassy of Malaysia, the meeting was held at the Falcon room followed by lunch at Windows on the World roof top restaurant. The Ambassador of Malaysia thanked the hotel management for the extraordinary high quality of dishes and the amazing service. Shown in photo: Mohamed Ismail Director of Business Development, Noura Ragheb Director of Sales and Mariz Nazmy Sales Manager welcoming the Asian Ambassadors group (AAG)
SODIC Continues to Build Bridges through Art Westown Hub hosts Caravan’s travelling exhibition “The Bridge”
A Saturday marked the opening of the 7th CARAVAN travelling exhibition of visual art titled “The Bridge” at the Westown Hub, SODIC West’s upcoming entertainment hub that will boast some of Cairo’s finest restaurants and entertainment venues. Sponsored by SODIC, the exhibition began in Paris on February 2nd showcasing the work of 47 premier contemporary visual artists of various nationalities and faiths. The opening was hosted by SODIC’s managing director, Ahmed Badrawi, Caravan Founder, Reverend Paul-Gordon Chandler and attended by dignitaries Sheikh Abdael Aziz Al Nagaar ,Bishop Mouneer H. Anis, and the special guest, award-winning actor and peace ambassador Khaled El Nabawy , as well as a number of renowned artists, public and social figures. An intercultural and inter-religious arts initiative with the goal of fostering better understanding and building genuine relationships between individuals of different faiths and cultural backgrounds.
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zodiac
Capricorn Dec.23 - Jan.20 This month will bring you magnetism, sexual force, passion and chance. Depending on the situation you are in and on what you want, you can now start a new relationship or you can re-launch the existing one. You’ll have irresistible capacity to seduce, you’ll benefit from favorable circumstances and, very important, the astral configuration will lend you courage and will free you of complexes and inhibitions. It will now be a good moment to explore your sensuality, about which you can still find out interesting things. You follow your goals with tenacity and diplomacy. You know how to attract the other people on your side and you have high availability for collaboration. In May 2015, you can establish new partnerships and close profitable deals. In competitions or litigation, you will have an advantage. You’ll have a lot of work though, the pressure will be high and critical situations may occur, which will require prompt decisions and fast interventions. The tasks will pile up, and in order to cope with them, you’ll have to set your priorities and work in a very organized way.
Aquarius Jan.21 - Feb.19 In May 2015, things will take an exciting turn, and even go crazy at one point. The first week in May 2015 will be sensual and playful. On May 12th 2015, you can expect higher libido, lust for adventure, burning passion, troublesome love or crazy romantic gestures. Career wise, May 2015 will be a favourable month. You will pass through a period in which you like what you’re doing, you’re working with pleasure, you have good relationships with your colleagues, and new elements appear that improve the atmosphere or the comfort of your workplace. Projects that have to do with talent and creativity will be privileged. Collaborations will remain a strong point all throughout May 2015. Your family will support you, and your role within the family will become more obvious also. You will earn well, especially from partnerships, but you will need prudence in managing the money. In general, you will have a good physical shape in May 2015.
Pisces Megan Fox, May 16, 1986
Feb.20 - Mar.21 Haste, lack of reflection, domestic responsibilities, problems related to the accommodation or properties, parents or other family members, they can all be at the root of some difficult or confusing situations, marked by wrong decisions, delays, changes of heart, atypical reactions. The past could be rummaged, an older love could reappear in the picture. You will have a period with intense activity at the professional level. Even if you sometimes think you are advancing at a slow pace, in reality you build very solidly, and the results will last in time. In May 2015, you’ll be successful with creation, promotion and hobbies, and you can shine when it is about the mind, communication and information. You will earn well, but a lot of money will go towards the house, real estate or family. Collaborations could be erratic. Beware! Your stress will be caused especially by home and family: maybe you’ll move house, build, redecorate or repair, maybe a parent or a relative will experience a problem and will need help.
Aries Mar.22 - Apr.20
Happy Birthday
Taurus LOUNGE 62
The first week of May 2015 will bring in your lives a lot of communication and movement: exchange of ideas, heartfelt conversations, many small messages regarding practical issues, small negotiations, walks taken together or even one-day or two-day trips around etc. Starting May 8th 2015 your relationships will step into a quieter and more isolated area, orienting the interests of the couple towards family, home, properties. The consensus will be difficult to reach though. You may experience some frustrations, jealousy or attempts at emotional manipulation, and the possibility of some changes of situations or unexpected events. However, there will still be a romantic current underneath. A situation of the past can come back to the present. Also, money will mobilize you very well in the first two decans of May 2015.
Taurus
Gemini
Apr.21 - May 21
May.22 - Jun.21
May 2015 highlights the importance of relationships, bringing significant situations and events. It will also stimulate your desire and passion, but it can sometimes be rather rash and authoritarian. Some more tact would be welcome. After May 12th 2015, things will change leading to feelings of fears and difficulties; it can also bring confusing situations, disappointments or instability. Until May 12th 2015 there will be a lot of action in your life: you’ll have initiative, ambition, and a competitive spirit. You know what you want and you’ll go straight for it. After May 12th Mars will leave Taurus, there will occur delusional or unprofitable projects, confusing circumstances, hostile or dishonest people. You cannot rely on other people’s help, you’ll have to manage on your own. As regards work, tasks and work conditions, the atmosphere will be rather tense in May 2015 and there can be sudden changes and unexpected situations.
Until May 8th 2015, you’ll enjoy the presence of sex appeal, sensuality and sentimental opportunities. If you already have a steady relationship, you can count on harmony and understanding. On May 12th 2015 Mars, situations will become more tumultuous, the emotions more fervent, and the desires more urgent. You’ll be able to take the initiative and you can get the big prize. There is also the risk, though, of acting impulsively or ending up in tension and conflicts. Even if there are obstacles or crisis moments, May 2015 will be full of activity and initiative. You can do great things, but only with calm, patience and attention. It seems that you won’t be short of money. Also, this month you’ll have plenty of physical energy, and you’ll prove initiative and determination, as well as strength in your self-confidence. However, May 2015 will imply higher risk for misunderstandings, incidents and accidents. Take it easy and think twice before you act!
Cancer
Leo
Jun.22 - Jul.23
Jul.24 - Aug.23
This month, you’ll need love and you’ll be looking for your soul-mate, whom you can now find. If you have a relationship, May 2015 will stay under the sign of desire for harmony, tenderness and understanding. Unfortunately, however, in spite of your good intentions, in certain moments the situation can become tense or confusing and it’s not excluded that misunderstandings occur, maybe even hot arguments. All you need to do is go over the small (or not so small) troubles with grace and tact. In May 2015 you’ll find the necessary resources to reach your professional objectives relatively easily. You will enjoy your success, especially through the enhancement of your social abilities, diplomacy and personal charm. And if you have a job that has to do with the audience, art, beauty, elegance or comfort, you’ll even have a bigger advantage.
In May 2015, you’ll be in need for affection will be big, and emotions will be expressed with enthusiasm and passion. You won’t lack sentimental offers and circumstances in which relationships can bud. Unfortunately, May 2015 won’t be a very happy month, you can expect communication faults, disagreement, and, in some cases, even conflicts, wrong choices, empty hopes and disillusion will not be excluded. In terms of goals and status, your career is on the right track. You’ll have a lot of determination, you’ll impose and shine. The first decan of May 2015 will be the most favourable to you, the most predisposed to success. As concerns your daily work, you’ll have to make some extra efforts, to overcome an obstacle, a crisis or some enmity. It is still now that the importance of group activities or activities involving an audience will increase.
Virgo
Libra
Aug.24 - Sep.23
Sep.24 - Oct.23
Love will look good on you! In the first week of May 2015, there will be some sort of sentimental comfort and control over one’s own sentimental situation. After May 8th 2015, you might be able to enjoy some romanticism, emotional sensibility or maybe even new hopes. In general, in May 2015 you’ll tend more towards a stable and balanced relationship. You’ll want peace and safety, accompanied by tenderness, of course. You don’t seem to be looking for adventures or to take special pleasure in wild passions. If any inconvenience occurs (it doesn’t have to!), this could be related to sexuality. Studies, cultural or spiritual activities and trips will be part of your life and can bring them satisfactions all throughout May 2015. You’ll do very well as concerns popularity and you can benefit from support from a woman or from someone you are in a romantic relationship with.
This month will highlight the importance relationships. There might be an intersection between sentimental interests and the career ones, or that you will advance with someone’s help you have a relationship with or that an affair is starting to take shape with somebody well-known or with a superior social status. You might experience some worries in the first decan of May 2015, but it will provide you with the ability to understand some subtleties of your relationship or of your partner’s psychology. In the last two decans of May 2015, ypur love and couple life will have to do with distances, culture and spirituality. By the side of your dear person (or due to them), you can explore new territories, mental or geographical. In May 2015, you can have nice satisfactions without big efforts. Chance will come in the shape of the support on behalf of a woman or of someone who likes you.
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Oct.24 - Nov.22
Nov.23 - Dec.22
The couple life will be in your center of attention and will motivate most of their decisions and actions. It might also be an active period for your partner, when they take initiative and prove their qualities. If you wish, it is now time to take the first step towards someone you like, or join efforts with your loved one to reach a shared objective. May 2015 can even bring you a distance relationship or a trip with a sentimental purpose. Cultural and spiritual affinities are important factors in your sentimental choices as they can create connection bridges and can open gates to other horizons. In May 2015, collaborations will have higher importance. You’ll have the opportunity to make new allies or to win an important contract. However, May 2015 will have a special significance from the financial point of view, which can cause accountancy troubles, problems with banks, with the IRS or insurance companies.
The following period will be troubled for your relationships in general, which can affect their sentimental life as well. This month will bring you some communication problems, risks of error in assessing situations, duplicity, indecision, unstable or complicated situations. It is possible that more delicate, older issues will be brought under discussion again, in need of analysis and clarification. On May 12th 2015, you will become passionate and full of desire, but hasty, rash, imprudent and aggressive. The likelihood of quarrels and misunderstandings will be big. In the happiest of cases, this month will cause a lot of discussions meant to bring agreement in Sagittarians’ couple life and shared efforts for a common purpose. In terms of career, your efforts will be appreciated, your authority recognized, you’ll have a lot of autonomy at your workplace and you can achieve nice results.
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well said
earing the wedding dress is every girl’s dream, or perhaps most girls, but how do you know that this is the right time for you? Or whether you are prepared for taking this step or not, this month Lounge brought you signs you and your partner are ready to take your relationship to the next level.
12 SIGNS
YOU ARE
A I R
READY R FOR A M
You accomplished yourself, have already 1 found your path in life, did your own achievements that you are proud of and are
ready to share your success with your partner. You know exactly what you are looking for in your partner, and you are willing to spend the rest of your life with his flaws as well as his good traits Motherhood to you is not a scary thought, getting married doesn’t mean you will have a kid on your shoulder right away, but at least having the thought doesn’t scare you because eventually, this is where things will lead to sooner or later. You started noticing other women’s rings more often, suddenly the ring in a married or engaged couple’s finger is vivid and shinning. Unusually, this means that psychologically your subconscious is trying to tell you something. When you think of your future you picture it with a man beside you, when talking about where you see yourself in 5 years you picture a home, kids and a hubby, not a pencil skirt and you giving your BMW i8 keys to a valet. You allow yourself to be vulnerable, having that special one in your life means that you will share your bed, your bathroom,
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and your emotions as well as the troubles of course. You are not afraid to show your partner your tears or your weak moments because that is what a serious, sincere relationship is all about, sharing your downs before your ups. Your partner’s number is in the favourite list on your phone and you call him first when something good happens. When in emergency he is the only one you can think of and you know he will not disappoint you and he will handle the situation properly, also when you get that raise you were dreaming about he will be the first one you call (sorry mom). You have very good reasons why your past partners are your ex partners now, and you never regret breaking up with them. Being in various non working relationships taught you more about yourself and what you need in your future husband so, you know now what exactly you were looking for and know all about how to compromise without victimizing yourself. You trust your partner; a serious relationship is not complete and is not going anywhere without mutual trust, if you have a problem trusting your partner or he showed signs that he is not trust worthy
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then, you need to think before taking the relationship to a higher level. You don’t question whether he loves you or not. We all have this uncertainty, but only at the beginning of the relationship. If you still doubt his feelings towards you or whether he is the right one for you or not then, you are still not ready to settle down with him. Its okay to marry your partner even if you won’t have a wedding ceremony. Some girls already imagined how their wedding dress will be like, where they will do their lavish wedding party and who will put the makeup for them and where they will be spending their honeymoon before even meeting their significant other, and that is a scary thing to have your husband as a piece of accessory to match the dress, if you feel like you can sacrifice all this for your partner just to be with him for the rest of your life then, he is the right one for you. The idea of spending your youth nursing your husband doesn’t make you panic and you know he will do the same for you if needed. Because after all, you know that your husband will be there for you and you are willing to be his back bone if anything bad happens, God forbid.
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