The Express Tribune hi five - September 29

Ms SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

ISSUE NO. 67

Desi Girlpage

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Nail Art 101

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inside what she said —

The too much information list

domestic goddess — Have yourself some Halwa

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Section In-Charge: Batool Zehra Sub-Editor: Amna Hashmi

Naughty but nice

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Ms

The Buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

Power at your Check out Ms.T’s ideas for some fun and flirty nail art that will keep you on top of the fashion scene. After all, if Beyonce and Rihanna are doing it, so should you! by Nayab Najam

The days of the simple and straightforward nail polish are done and dusted. The fashion world has moved on to using nails as canvases for tiny works of art and with celebrities and youngsters the world over jumping the bandwagon, we recommend you do too. This fall, instead of decking up in jewellery or makeup, let your nails do all the talking. From the classic French manicure to fur nails or newspaper nails, everyone seems to be following just one rule when it comes to their talons: the bolder the better!

French Manicure with a French Twist: If you are apprehensive about being able to pull off fancy nail designs, then it is best to stick with the basics and indulge in a quick French manicure. This type of manicure barely needs an introduction — everyone has had one at least once in their lives. But how about you keep the white nail colour aside and do your tips up with neon red, green or gold instead? Or match the tips to the colour of your outfit and voila! The results will be simple and chic, yet edgy enough to make you stand out from the crowd.

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

strip, allowing the moisture to seep through to your nail and the text to be stamped onto it. Repeat the process for each of your nails (usually takes about 30 to 40 seconds per nail) and your amazing manicure is done.

Chase the Cheetah: If animal print bags, shoes, clothes and hair accessories have already become style statements, why should your nails be left behind? Cheetah-print nails are incredibly easy to do and the colours can be customized as you please. The key to the cheetah manicure is that you don’t have to be too careful or precise with the nail polish; the spots always differ in shapes and sizes so there is never any room for errors. All you need to do is fetch three different shades of nail polish, a dried-up pen and a toothpick. Step one would be to paint your nails with the first colour and allow it to dry. Top this up with tiny dots of different sizes and shapes on your nails by a ball point dipped in the second colour (as done in the polka dot manicure). To add more definition to the cheetah’s spots, dip the toothpick in a third colour and draw wobbly C-shaped blobs around the spots. Remember that you do not need to have a firm hand for cheetah nail art — just do whatever feels and looks right to you. At the end of the manicure, you will be left with an envious set of nails that every other girl will be drooling over.

Polka dot princess: Another super simple yet effective idea would be to go down the retro route and cover your nails with bright polka dot print.

All that is needed are two contrasting shades of nail colour.

After painting your nails with the first (base) colour, pour a little bit of the second shade onto a non-absorbent surface. Dip the tip of an old ball pen in the latter and use it to draw tiny dots over your nails. Your nails are now sorted!

Awesome in Ombre: Bored of the basic stuff? Take your nail art up a notch with this complicated but oh-so-amazing technique for ‘shaded nails’ which go from one colour to the other without an obvious transition. Invest in a tiny sponge and at least two different shades of nail polish. Paint your nails with the first colour (your choice!) and allow it to dry. Once the initial coating has settled, pour a wee amount of the second colour onto the tip of the sponge and dab it onto the lower halves of your nails so as to give the first colour a ‘transitioning’ effect. Note that the sponge will splash some colour onto your skin but this can easily be wiped off using a nail-polish remover around the edges. Remember to seal this masterpiece in with a top coat of clear nail polish and you are all set for the next big night out!

A splash of colour: This quirky style requires a bottle of white nail varnish, other fun and any different shades of polish you may have and one plastic sipping straw. As always, begin this colourful nail ritual by coating your nails in white nail polish to serve as the base.

Once the first coat has dried, all the fun begins! Pour little bits of the colourful polishes onto a non-absorbent surface, place the tip of the straw onto each one by one (keep it there for about 5 to 10 seconds) and then start blowing the colours onto your nails from the other end of the straw. You can even make this manicure a fun family activity by asking your younger siblings or children to work with the straw. Repeat the procedure with each of the shades you have and try to use contrasting colours like electric blue and mint green to make your nails stand out. A word of warning though: the procedure can lead to colour flying over your furniture or walls so make sure the surrounding area is covered properly to avoid staining. As always, rub off excess nail polish with a remover.

Beads and feathers: Want to go all out and shock the world with your nails? Do away with the typical nail polish and indulge in some cool accessories like micro beads, feathers and jewels (all available at local lace shops), to do the trick. The best part is that you can

The fashion world has moved on to using nails as canvases for tiny works of art and with celebrities and youngsters the world over jumping the bandwagon Breaking News: Attention, book-lovers! This just in: newspaper nails are the hot new favourite with the nerdy bunch. After all, what’s better than having the news at your fingertips? The design is easy to do, looks great and gives an intellectual edge to any outfit. Save some old newspaper, buy a few alcohol swabs from a pharmacy and some white nail polish and you are good to go. Start off by painting your nails completely white (or any other colour, so long as it is light enough for the black text to be conspicuous) Next, cut the newspaper into thin strips and press the strip onto your nails and adjust the placement accordingly. Once you have achieved the right positioning, press an alcohol swab over each

accessorize just one (the ring finger) or alternate fingers and keep the rest simple with a standard colour. Paint your nails one shade as you normally would, leaving out the finger(s) which you want to accessorize. Once the remaining nails are dry, paint the finger(s) you have chosen and sprinkle some micro beads on top immediately — the wet nail polish acts as glue to help the beads stick. Top it off with a layer of clear nail varnish and you are done. You can substitute the beads with almost anything else, be it glitter, flocking powder, sequins, little bows or studs. If you are working with feathers, follow the same process but remember to cut the extra bits of the feather off once your nails have dried.

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Ms

en vogue

Divine in Desi Suman Ali takes you on a journey through the rustic lands of Pakistan with her latest ensembles, infused with traditional embroidery and bright colour schemes Coordination: Umer Mushtaq Hair & Makeup: Nina Lotia Label: Kanav Designer: Suman Ali Photography & styling: Munna Mushtaq Model: Gia Ali

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

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what she said

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

by Our Correspondent

Ever had your lunch meal completely ruined by the gory details of your co-worker’s waxing regime (or the lack thereof)? How many times have you forcefully stomached news about your over-sharing friend’s bowel movements whilst cringing inside? We have all been there, haven’t we? To sum it all up, Ms.T narrows down the top five most awkward things people say. Make sure you keep them to yourself!

1) Birds and bees? No Please!

As much as I appreciate you being my brother’s wife’s little cousin’s second wife, I really do not wish to hear about the grand seminar of procreation that was your wedding night. If I don’t have feelings for your husband, chances are that I see him as a brother which means the only performance I want to associate him with is the one on his report cards. That’s all! Not to mention, whatever happened to the sanctity of marriage and intimacy? Was I misinformed by my mother?

2) Diarrhoea Dilemma

3) Just Too Mooch!

4) Demon in my uterus

Many women seem to be unaware that there is a whole variety of other, classier bodily disorders, ailments and infections that they can use as excuses to get out of work. Please, please pretty please save yourself years of embarrassment and stop calling in at work to inform your boss that you ‘spent hours on the hot seat’ or are ‘entertaining brown floods.’

No one wants to know let alone keep track of your bowel functions because it will make us think of soiled diapers when we meet you next, once you are off the ‘hot seat.’ Next time, how about you try something more vague, like stomach cramps or maybe VERBAL diarrhoea?

Well, we didn’t just assume that green lining guarding your upper lip is not your nose’s shadow. We know all too well that you haven’t been visiting your threading lady because the last time you did visit your threading lady, you made sure that was broadcast across town too. Visual evidence is usually sufficient for this purpose — please do not announce it, especially if we have just met. You see, while your facial hair issues will definitely bring us closer, they are not the most ideal ice-breakers and also make me judge your hygiene levels just a bit.

In case you haven’t noticed, due to the biological challenge you are experiencing, I am also a woman and fully understand what you go through every month. But that does not mean we have to talk about ‘Aunty Rose’ in detail. Why? Because giving it a cute name does not make discussing it any less gross. And I don’t want to know about your reproductive cycle... period!

(Oops, no pun intended)

5) Chef Obnoxious This Nihari you just made for us smells delicious. Wow, it tastes even better. What’s that? You put goat eyes and cow genitals in it?

Really? Well why don’t I just throw my plate at your face and bathe in hand sanitizer until my skin comes off. And of course, never eat Nihari ever again!

domestic goddess 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

Recipe

Iranian Halwa

With its soft texture and delicate sweetness, Halwa is one the most loved desserts of the East and fits any occasion, be it a tea party, dinner or wedding celebration. In fact, in some parts of the world, it is served at funerals too. Try my recipe for this delicious sweet-dish with an Iranian flavour — addiction guaranteed!

Gulnaz Mondegarian is an expert in Iranian cuisine who has co-hosted Food Diaries alongside Zarnak Sidhwa to celebrate Community Food Week

Method • Boil the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep stirring the sugar until it has dissolved completely.

• Add the rosewater and saffron and cook for a little while before setting it aside.

• In a large saucepan, cook the butter over slow flame and add the flour, stirring occasionally to form a smooth paste.

Continue to cook the mixture for about 5 to 10 minutes and keep stirring until the paste becomes golden.

• Using a whisk, pour the sugar syrup into the flour paste and stir.

• Once the syrup and paste have mixed completely, remove the halwa from the heat and spread it evenly onto a plate, bowl or platter.

• Garnish the halwa with pistachios and almonds and serve hot.

Ingredients:

Sugar 1 cup

Water ½ cup

Rosewater ¼ cup

Saffron 3 -4 threads

Butter (unsalted) 8 ounces or 1 cup

White flour 1 and a ½ cup

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

hottie of the week 8

Status Born

Engaged Karachi, Pakistan

Birthday

26th April

Face

90%

Fahad Mirza

Body

85%

Who is he?

When we first laid eyes on Fahad, we were completely besotted! There is just something spellbinding about his kind eyes and huge, goofy grin that is hard to resist; we knew instantly that we had to share him with you! This sweetheart began his acting career back in 2007 as a means to support himself through college but little did he know acting was his true calling. You may recognize this cutie from the many TV commercials he has graced or most recently, as the delectable Essa from the Hum TV smash hit Bari Appa. But did you know that Fahad is as talented off screen as he is on it? He holds an MBBS degree from one of the top medical institutions of Pakistan, is a qualified General surgeon and is currently training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well. Ladies, if the image of George Clooney from his ER days is flashing before your eyes, you are on the right track.

Talent

85%

Why we love him If you are wondering how Fahad juggles two such demanding careers simultaneously, you aren’t the only one. That is just Fahad for you: amazingly ambitious, he is always on the run and goes to shoots straight after 40-hour shifts at the hospital! He believes in the Sufi concept of Insaan-eKaamil (the perfect human) and pushes himself to be the best. Fahad is blessed to be able to do the two things he enjoys the most but makes sure he gets enough time off to travel, read and eat the Japanese food he loves so much.

With a naughty-but-nice attitude and a whole lot of brains to back it up, what’s not to love? Fahad is a rare treat to both the eyes and the mind.

Despite his heavy schedule, he remains grounded and believes that love permeates every little detail of human life, be it work or family. We are simply in awe of his philosophy in life and the dignified manner with which he carries himself.

What you didn’t know about him Fahad has a habit of pouting in the mirror.

His idea of a perfect adventure is a walk through Istanbul or a camp-out bonfire on a remote island. Anyone out there who would be willing to do it for this handsome hunk?

Fahad values personal growth over everything else. His idea of the perfect woman is one with both beauty and brains who continuously evolves as a person and pushes herself to be her best self, just like him.

Total Package

86%