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TRANQUILIT Y IS CALLING! Get away from your own four walls this summer and spend a royal stay at the Cairo Marriott Hotel. Enjoy your stay in a Deluxe room and indulge in our mouthwatering breakfast. Bask in the sun by the pool and feel the evening breeze in the lush of our palatial gardens by the Garden Promenade CafĂŠ. Choose from 14 restaurants offering a delicious variety of cuisines crafted with love by our culinary team. Only for EGP 1500 including breakfast, parking and all applicable taxes & service charge. Book now to spend an extraordinary summer treat this year! 16 S A R AY E L G E Z I R A S T. , P O B OX 33 Z A M A L E K , C A I R O 11211 , E GY P T. T: 0 0 . 2 0 2 . 27. 2 8 . 3 0 0 0 C A I R O M A R R I OT T H OT E L .C O M A R A B I C . M A R R I OT T.C O M /C A I E G
identity
LETTER
letter
from the editor
A
h well, we’re back! After a couple of months of hiatus courtesy of the Covid-19 global pandemic, it just feels great to be reunited once again with our valuable readers after the lockdown. Like the rest of us, we’re pretty certain you too are taking baby steps to getting back to your normal (however normal that was) lives pre the self-isolation period which seemed like an eternity. Slowly but surely, we’re gradually resuming our social and professional lives but with great caution. Our August issue has it all covered with plenty of tips and advice about making the safe transition while still getting the best of what summer has to offer! Don’t worry; as usual our editorial team has made sure to keep you up to date with the latest beauty and fashion trends so you can still ROCK what’s left of summer! Enjoy your summer & stay safe :)
Rola Kamel
Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s lifestyle, helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities. Published by Beezarre Publishing Ltd. Themistokli Dervi, 6 Papyros Building, 4th Floor, Flat/Office D5 – P.c 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus. The subscription rate is 240 L.E./year (12 issues) through Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Distribution by AL AHRAM, Website: QPIX SOLUTIONS Printing House: SAHARA PRINTING COMPANY Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com
IDENTITYMAGEG
4 August 2020
PURAVIDA. Design by Phoenix Design
The brainchild of Phoenix Design, the design of this extraordinary complete range makes minimalism approachable by giving it a new feminine touch. All lines are gently softened giving the range a poetic lightness. For more info please visit our showrooms in Sheraton +2 02 26968700, Designopolis +2 02 38572041 or +2 0238572042, Sharm El Sheikh +2 06 93664162, or visit www.duravit.com.eg
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identity
MASTHEAD
AUGUST 2020
Founder & Managing Editor Rola Kamel Editor-in-Chief Nawal Ismail Art Director Alia El Abd Senior Graphic Designer Sandy Saied Copy-Editor Amina El Fayoumy Staff Writers Aya Aboshady Nanise Mohamed Nada Abd ElKader Freelance Writer Joanna Neve Relationship Expert Marwa Rakha Food Writer Soha Darwish Marketing & Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Digital Marketing Manager Youssef Ali Social Media Specialist Fatma Ayman Video Editor Ahmed Mostafa Identity Magazine Distributor Ashraf Fouad
6 August 2020
identity
CONTENTS
7 Editor’s Picks 8 Your Tips for Hosting a Safe BBQ Party This Summer! 9 Beach Shopping List, Summer Checklist 10 Tips On Giving Yourself A Quarantine Haircut 12 Beach-Day Beauty Routine 14 Summer Beauty Picks 16 Summer 2020 Top Picks 20 SummerLooks 22 This Season’s Swimwear 24 Bassam Magdy: The Mastermind Behind Bvision Interiors
BASSAM MAGDY The Mastermind Behind BVISION INTERIORS
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32 How To Survive Relationships During a Pandemic 34 Working in The Pandemic: The Exclusive How-To Guide 36 How to: Picture-Perfect for the Gram 38 How to Get Your Social Life Groove Back 40 2020 Faces of the Future! 42 Make It Fancy But Comfortable Perfect Your Summer Home! 44 Summer Entertainment Guide! 46 How to Revamp Your Home Workouts! 48 Post-Covid Cravings 50 Your Five Essential Beach Reads For the Summer 52 Travelling Under a Pandemic 56 Advertorial 58 Press Releases 64 Horoscopes
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Photography: Khaled Fadda
8 August 2020
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DIOR SUNGLASSES Verdict: Protect your eyes from the sun in style with this awesome pair of Dior sunglasses!
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BOBBI BROWN CRUSHED LIQUID LIP IN HAUTE COCOA Verdict: Add a pop of an elegant long-lasting color to your lips, and we promise it won’t budge and ruin your pictureperfect beach look!
5 MIZELE CROCHET-KNIT TOTE Verdict: Tote bags are always essential when it comes to summer vacation. And this pretty crochet-knit one is the pick for you!
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OYSHO FLUORESCENT STRAPPY BIKINI
Verdict: What’s summer without a drop-dead gorgeous bikini in a bright color?
4 Picks
editor’s
6 LANCOME LA VIE EST BELLE COLLECTOR EDITION PERFUME Verdict: This perfume, With its sugary vanilla scent, this perfume smells like glamour and summer combined. Having it in your beach bag is a must!
LOEWE PAULA’S IBIZA EXPLORER BUCKET HAT
Verdict: You already know it, bucket hats are the new summer trend and this colorful one will sure look stunning on the beach!
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ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS LEATHER SLIDES Verdict: Hit the beach with those very chic and comfy leather sandals, they go with pretty much everything!
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YOUR TIPS FOR HOSTING A SAFE BBQ PARTY THIS SUMMER! By Nanise Mohamed
guarantee you the sun shining over every surface, and that alone would possibly lower the chances of any infection. It’ll give you much more space for social distancing and there’s basically nothing better than the summer’s fresh air to give you a mood change. But still, make sure you sanitize each surface you’ll be using, set up your seating area with chairs 6 feet apart and offer your guests hand-sanitizers and face masks!
It’s that warm time again of the year, SUMMER. But this summer is definitely different from any other summer; being sponsored by the Covid-19 pandemic of course. However, the lockdown has been lifted and people are starting to gradually go back to their normal lives and the summer activities are beginning to resume. Now, you’re probably wondering if you can get on with the usual outdoorsy activities at your summer home, like let’s say a BBQ? Well, you definitely can, but here are a few tips for a safer one! PLAY IT SAFE An outdoor gathering is so much safer than an indoor one. An outdoor seating area will 10 August 2020
KEEPT IT SMALL As tempting as the idea of hosting a BBQ party with 30 or 40 people is, it’s definitely a bad idea for the time being. Even with constant sanitizing and wearing face masks, the larger the number of people in one place the higher the rate of the infection. You need to prioritize your safety as well as your family’s and your guests’ over leisure. You can still have the same fun with just your family members and maybe two or three of your friends. And with great food and some hip music, who needs a full house party, really? FOOD SAFETY When it comes to food, things could easily get very messy. For both safety measures and hygiene concerns (we know the struggle), we have a few suggestions for you. How about using disposable dishes, cups and cutlery? They’re safer, that’s for one. And, they’ll also save you a great deal of the dishwashing time. Since you can never be too safe you know, have trash cans handy near your guests. Including some healthy snacks and drinks would also be a great idea, right? We mean, aside from the juicy grilled meat, of course!
BEACH SHOPPING LIST
Summer Checklist
by Aya Aboshady
Before any summer trip, other than the normal packing - there must be a whole day dedicated for all the beach essentials that one must make sure they have before hitting the road and heading to where the sun and water collide. Since we know it’s easy to miss the essentials, we made you a summer checklist of all the items you need to have in your beach bag and absolutely need to shop for prior to travelling! 1. BEACH TOWEL A beach towel is a major necessity you shouldn’t forget about it while going to the beach because as soon as you’re out of the water, the wind gets super chilly. 2. BEACH SLIPPERS In the summertime, the sand is usually sizzling hot. In-style beach slippers is something your summer shopping list should always include. 3. HAIR CARE PRODUCTS Whether you choose to take a swim in the salty sea water or the pool - both are, to some extent, harmful for your hair. Therefore, having your most trusted and protective hair care products on you to fix the damage is a top priority. 4. TANNING OIL Summer is all about a good tan! And tanning oil is an essential in every beach bag for beautiful shiny sunkissed skin. Good times and tan lines, right? 5. SUNGLASSES In order to look fashionable, and at the same time, protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays - a pair of fancy sunglasses should be a staple in your summer bag. 6. A GOOD BOOK Relaxing on the beach is not all about stretching
out under the sun waiting for the tan to sit in. Sometimes, reading a good book in such a peaceful environment is a summer checklistessential! 7. FANCY HAT A fancy hat to match with the fashionable pair of sunglasses is super important for protective reasons as well as for snapping some glamorous Instagram beach pictures. 8. HEADPHONES Sometimes, listening to music while tanning on the beach is all you need to find your own private happy place in your mind. Which is why not forgetting to either buy or pack your headphones before your summer trip is incredibly crucial. 9. COVER-UPS Cover-ups are simply a beachwear must have! And with all the packing details, the chances of forgetting to bring some along are very high. So make sure you pack a few, and make sure they’re nice and colorful! August 2020 11
Tips
ON GIVING YOURSELF A QUARANTINE HAIRCUT by Aya Aboshady Staying at home this summer but can’t help thinking that you need a haircut? Are you usually used to getting your hair trimmed and cut at the beauty salon but can’t visit one now due to the pandemic? Well, we too know the struggle. And that’s why we decided to give you tips on how to give yourself a “quarantine” haircut at home; listing down what you should have by your side and the steps you need to follow!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1. Towel 2. Comb 3. Scissors 4. Blow Dryer 5. Hair Brush 6. Mirror HOW TO: Step 1: Wet or Damp Your Hair In order to cut your hair, having it damp or a little wet is essential. Cutting dry hair is so much harder than you would think. So stay on the safe side and wet your hair before the big action. You got to make sure it’s clean as well with no leave-in hair products, just the shampoo and a little bit of conditioner, then wash well!! 12 August 2020
Step 2: Air Dry It It’s true that cutting your hair while wet is crucial. However, you should wait for a few minutes before digging into it, just so the water is not all over the place after towel-drying! Step 3: Comb It Once it’s only damp and not so wet to the point that water is still dripping, thoroughly comb it and make sure not to have any knots so you don’t mess up the length and style while cutting. Step 4: Part Your Hair and Section It Off
Totally avoid cutting it horizontally. Some hairdressers do it but since it’s very tricky and hard, let’s leave this to the professionals. Vertically cutting your hair is your only option now! Step 8: Blow Dry and Brush! After following the steps and ending up with the results you were aiming for and the trim or length needed, brush your hair, lightly blow dry it for a few seconds, then brush it again to see the accurate and final look in the mirror.
Et Voilá!
After combing, start sectioning off your hair. It’s better to divide it in parts so you could easily cut it in the same equal length. However, don’t clip any parts while cutting; this might lead you to forget the exact length you desire as end result as well as the length you already cut some parts into! Step 5: Start With the Front Take the front of your hair and separate it from the rest, then have it right in front of your eyes and start trimming carefully in a vertical direction with the scissors. It’s so risky to cut the front of your hair in large portions, so make sure you’re only trimming it. Step 6: Be Very Cautious With The Hair Portion Cut Moving on to the rest of the hair, you’re not really going to be trimming at this point. Giving yourself a haircut requires actually cutting a good amount. However, still, being careful is crucial and starting small is very important. It’s like you’re tiptoeing around it to test the actual length you want to cut the rest of your hair to. Focusing on the exact length with your eyes and in the mirror is a necessity. Step 7: Carefully Go On In A Vertical Direction After starting small, you’ll gain confidence in what you’re doing and the end result you’re aiming for. So take it from here, while still being careful, and continue cutting your hair in a vertical direction. August 2020 13
Beach-Day BEAUTY ROUTINE by Aya Aboshady
Going to the beach and want to look your best? We’re bringing you 7 makeup tips and products so you can have all the fun you want on the beach, while still looking so untouchably fancy and glamorous!
TIP #1 SUNBLOCK Beach or no beach; applying sunblock is always an essential step for all skin types in any beauty routine for any season, but especially summer - when the sun could be harmful to your skin. This lightweight sunscreen from La Roche Posay has SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and it should be applied right before makeup! 14 August 2020
TIP #2 A SHIMMERY NATURAL BASE For a beach makeup look, avoid going for cakey products. You’ll need your skin to be even, smooth, flawless and most importantly, dewy - as if the sunlight is reflecting on your face. This foundation from Bobbi Brown will give you exactly what you need; a dewy, even and flawless base. It’s also visibly glowy but gives the face a fresh look at the same time!
TIP #3 WATERPROOF EYEBROW GEL The majority of products on this list are waterproof for obvious reasons. Starting with the eyebrows, the foundational frame of a woman’s face, the Beach Staple brush-on gel from MAC will keep your brows bushy, defined, and in place for as long as you enjoy your beach day!
TIP #4 WATERPROOF EYELINER This step is not really an essential for a beach look. However, if you’re after a fancy look, as we already established, hen killer eyeliner is what completes it at this point. Especially if it’s the Better Than Sex Waterproof Eyeliner that lasts longer than you would even need!
TIP #5 WATERPROOF MASCARA Some of us nowadays like to go to the beach for the gram more than taking a swim in the sea! However, after taking a few snaps here and there, hitting the water is sometimes a necessity; it’s summer after all, right? That’s where the purpose of waterproof mascara manifests itself, and this Total Temptation Waterproof Mascara from Maybelline is a life saver when it comes to water and sweat, it doesn’t budge!
TIP #7 FLUSHED CHEEKS AND BRONZED CHEEKBONES What’s summer without tanned skin and natural-looking flushed cheeks? This water and sweatproof shimmery bronzer from Guerlain as well as this gorgeous cream beach stick from Charlotte Tilbury will do the job just right!
TIP #6 WATERPROOF LIPSTICK Like the mascara-situation, every woman needs her lipstick for both the pictures and the essential glam on the beach. This Lip Paint from Tarte works wonders as it dries in seconds and lasts basically forever, no seawater could move it from its place!
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SALLY HANSEN MIRACLE GEL We all want a nail polish that could last long even when we’ve been swimming away in the sea for days, and this Miracle Gel from Sally Hansen is a necessity when it comes to just that!
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RMS BEAUTY EYE POLISH What’s summer without a little shimmer? This non-traditional eyeshadow from RMS is so silky that you could easily dab it on your eyes and glide it with your hands to end up with a beautiful glowy eye-look.
SUMMER BEAUTY PICKS
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by Aya Aboshady Because we all know how most women tend to struggle when picking out their beauty products for the summer, we’ve gathered up a few picks for your face, hair and skin to keep you shinning on the beach under the hot summer weather!
ILIA MULTI-STICK This all-purpose stick from ILIA should be your best friend this summer. Its long-lasting creamy formula could be used on the cheeks and as an eyeshadow base or to give a hint of color on the lips!
16 August 2020
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OUAI WAVE SPRAY
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This rice protein Wave Spray from OUAI is one of the most popular products from the brand. It can be used on both damp and dry hair and can effortlessly create the stylish beach waves look with just a few sprays.
TANNING OIL SPRAY HAWAIIAN TROPIC This SPF 15 Tanning Oil spray from Hawaiian Tropic is perfect for the smoothest sunkissed skin, and it has the most beautiful coconut smell!
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FACE HIGHLIGHTER - HALOSCOPE | GLOSSIER This crystal-infused highlighter from Glossier is perfect for the summertime because of its travel-size packaging and gorgeous dewy formula!
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FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA - CHEEKS OUT FREESTYLE BRONZER This cream bronzer is a perfect pick for summer! Its light non-greasy formula and stunning natural finish will save the day on the beach.
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BAREMINERALS COMPLEXION RESCUE STICK FOUNDATION This stick foundation is not only waterbased, which makes it very suitable for the summer season because of its hydrating effects, but it also provides medium coverage that suits every skin type!
DIOR ADDICT STELLAR GLOSS This balm lip gloss from Dior is such a stunning addition to your makeup bag this summer! It’s going to hydrate your lips all day and give you the most glamorous shine.
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YVES SAINT LAURENT TOUCHE ÉCLAT BLUR PRIMER To add a touch of extra radiance to your summer look, this Yves Saint Laurent Primer will make it seem like you’ve added a shimmery filter that blurs all imperfections to your makeup routine.
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THEY’RE REAL! MASCARA - BENEFIT COSMETICS This water-resistant lengthening mascara from Benefit never gets old! It doesn’t budge with all the hot sweat and you won’t ever lose your lashes trying to take it off.
August 2020 17
SUMMER 2020 Top Picks
By Nanise Mohamed
After that long home stay, we can all finally go out again (with caution) and get on with our SUMMER. But since we’re already half-way into summer, you’re probably wondering what kind of fashion pieces to buy now, right? Worry not; take a look at our summer 2020 top picks list of beach and casual wear, evening wear as well as the right shoes and accessories. It’ll definitely give you an idea of what to pick and add to your cart next time you’re shopping!
Shades & Accessories
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Sleeper
Miguelina
Sleeper
Caravana
D&G
Adriana Degreas
Ganni
AVAVAV
Lisa Marie Frenendez
Beachw ear
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Marysia
Pushbutton
Self Portrait
Valentino
Self Portrait
20 August 2020
Jason Wu Collection
Even
r
Balmain
Saint Laurent
D&G
ea W g n i
Cult Gaia
Gianvito Rossi
Valentino
Naturae Sacra
Alighieri
Gianvito Rossi
oes h S & Bags
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Saint Laurent
Paravel
Dragon Diffusion
Ancient Greek Sandals
SummerLooks
By Joanna Neve
The last few months have been hard for us all. Despite everything though, our favourite fashion outlets have still been able to release some stunning new outfits in their summer collections. We’ve compiled four of the best summer looks in this piece to give you some inspiration. Don’t let the world get you down and stay energised with these vibrant outfits.
BEAUTIFUL IN BOHEMIAN BLUE Don’t be afraid to stand out in this vibrant blue t-shirt dress by Zara. It’s lightweight, comfortable and more than anything looks fabulous! It’s easily paired with some simple black heels, but you can swap these for flip flops if you fancy a trip to the beach. Zara’s blue shell necklace and stunning drop-earrings are amazing at creating an ocean blue colour palette. Head to the pool or make a trip to the beach decision is yours!
PRETTY IN PEARL
22 August 2020
This outfit by Bershka is truly stunning! It’s lovely when shops release new outfits into their summer collection which are genuinely new. Since we’ve never seen this before, you’re sure to capture people’s attention with this look. Ripped jeans are perfect for summer when they’re oversized like this. Glitter heels and Bershka’s unique pearl crop top are a must. Since the look is playful and energetic, add some statement earrings and a cartoon tote bag, you’re good to go! Wearing this, you really will look pretty in pearl.
BACK TO WORK IN PASTEL? Since we might see a return to the office over summer, we thought we’d include a more formal office look from Mango’s summer collection. Swapping pleated skirts for pastel coloured silk, it seems that fashion just isn’t ready to part ways with the long skirts we’ve seen for a while now. This stunning green-blue skirt is one of our favourites and works well with statement purple heels and a simple white crochet top. As pastels make a neutral outfit, you can add almost any accessories you like. If in doubt, white and gold is always a good choice!
BRIGHT, BOLD AND FUNKY Remember last summer when chunky trainers were in? Well, it looks like the trend is returning this year. Pair a crop top and shorts with some chunky flats and you’ll feel instantly taller. We really like this simple red, white and black look. The red flowery crop top works wonders with bright earrings, but could easily be swapped for a bold red necklace or bracelet instead - sometimes “less is more” as they say. What are you waiting for? Head down to Bershka and buy the whole set.
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THIS SEASON’S SWIMWEAR By Joanna Neve
Whether it’s a pool in Cairo or a trip to the coast, we’ve got the best swimwear looks to keep you looking fabulous this summer! People often think that swimwear is boring, it’s just a swimsuit or bikini, right? No. Swimwear isn’t just the swimsuit; it’s also the accessories that go with it. Think big earrings, straw hats, throw overs and chunky shades. When it comes to swimwear, the “world’s your oyster” as they say!
BEACH IN BLOOM There’s certainly a lot going on with this look and we’re really impressed with Mango’s beach inspired necklaces this season. Pair this floral swimsuit with brown slip on shoes and some cute pink sunglasses. If you’re a little on the self-conscious side, vibrant patterns are amazing. Remember, every body is a “beach body”. It’s as simple as that!
RELAX IN RETRO
24 August 2020
Retro is back with this look from Bershka. Release your inner 80’s with a stunning spotty bikini and matching accessories. The frilly bikini top will make you look ever so youthful and goes well with playful heart-shaped shades. Since you’re at the beach, the look needs a sunhat for sure! Add a matching scrunchie hairband to complete the look and keep handy a baggy white crop-top for when you’ve finished swimming.
SIMPLE BUT STUNNING This look really reminds us of Allie’s iconic beach chic look in The Notebook (a vintage romance). It’s simple, elegant and modest at the same time. Pair the bikini with a simple brown headband to keep your hair from blowing in the wind and slip on some matching shorts for when you aren’t swimming. Over-layers like shorts are important; you don’t want to ruin a beautiful look with a mismatching throw over. Just add laced brown flip flops and a matching beaded necklace for a bit of colour. You’re certain to dazzle wearing this vintage style.
PURPLE IS A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND This look by Zara will not disappoint. While the bikini itself is very simple, it’s flattering in all the right places. High waist bikini bottoms look great on everyone! Ditch the classic straw hat for this funkier alternative – a light pink beach hat. The colours work really well to add Zara’s stunning fish inspired earrings, as well as a beachready blue and white bag. Make sure to pack some black sandals and a white throw over. You’ll be Dahab ready in no time.
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BASSAM MAGDY The Mastermind Behind BVISION INTERIORS Interview by Aya Aboshady Photographer: KHALED FADDA We had the opportunity to have a one on one with Bassam Magdy, Founder and CEO of Bvision Interiors. We chatted about the reasons behind the success of his firm, his strategy for overcoming challenges and dealing with market competition as well as the nature of his target customers and more!
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1. How did you start Bvision Interiors? I’m originally a civil engineer with a passion for architecture and the talent of interior design. Ever since I was still a college student, it was my side hustle to learn more about interiors - taking advantage of my time to increase my knowledge of the field as I aimed to make it my lifetime career. Post-graduation, after spending some time working in my main field, civil engineering, I decided to start working as an interior designer and did some work for people in my inner circle. One project led to the other and from there, Bvision Interiors was born. 2. How do you deal with the competitive field of interior design? And how do you see the challenges that come with such competition? Interior Design is mainly about taste. This is something I always say. It’s also all about identity. A client could look at a certain design and immediately associate it with the designer, without having to check the logo. Therefore, all we care about in Bvision is conveying our identity through the designs we put our hearts and souls into.
28 August 2020
And in the end, based on that kind of taste and identity we’ve created, we’re always certain that our customers will come back for more because they simply found what they really want with us meaning that a connection had already been built. As for the competition, I actually find it healthy because it always pushes us to do our best and focus on being creative and original. Not to mention that our modern and fresh designs are now sparking questions from clients about whether or not we’re actually located in Egypt and that only proves how our quality is now being confused with international brands. 3. Which kind of customers or a specific segment does Bvision Interiors target? Before anything, the way I see it, my customers should always have a certain level of understanding and culture about what exactly is interior design and the kind of work that goes into creating something of really high quality as our products and designs. If my client is aware of such a thing, then they’ll definitely understand how much detail and therefore time naturally goes into finishing their unit and perfecting it, for example.
You could only imagine the amount of time and effort involved; from solving the functionality of spaces to coming up with the concept and matching the materials with the lighting system. Moving on to the technical department, taking into consideration all facilities required, paying attention to the tremendous amount of details and from there the execution drawings, and finally, the site where everything takes place. We also use the finest materials in the market, which, by default, makes our products and designs very expensive and extravagant. So in conclusion, our target customer is someone who has the patience and understands the value they’re going to receive and are aware of the costs involved. And that makes our clients basically belong to the “Crème de la Crème” of the society. 4. Speaking of the identity of Bvision Interiors, how would you describe it in terms of both the vision for the designs and the quality of the products? In terms of the products, as mentioned earlier, they’re the finest in the market. That’s what we often work with. And that’s why we’re on the expensive side. Not to mention that because of
this fact, our clients are always certain that their expectations will not only be met, but exceeded. As for our identity as designers, we always try to match the concepts to the right angles and materials that suit them best, based on the space itself as well as our own imagination. That’s why the designing phase alone could take up to four months in order for it to turn out as expected considering the level of details. We’re also always focused on matching our newest designs to Bvision’s portfolio; so it’s also about living up to our own significant work. 5. As a designer, which style do you prefer working with? It’s important for any designer in the world to be able to execute all forms and types of design styles. However, if we’re talking about a personal favorite to work with, then it’s definitely contemporary. It’s also worth mentioning that most of today’s clients in the Egyptian market also prefer the contemporary style. Mainly because it has a lot of varieties and color palettes that do not at all oppose the quality, which is hardly the case for the classic style.
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It’s important for any designer in the world to be able to execute all forms and types of design styles.
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6. How do you adapt to the local and global changes that affect the market? For example, the whole world including Egypt is going through a pandemic - which is definitely affecting the work process; how do you deal with that? The current circumstances are, without a doubt, affecting the market as we speak. However, we have to admit that every crisis often affects some people more than others. And in our case, considering the fact that our clients are of the triple-A class, such circumstances don’t necessarily affect them much. In terms of the work process itself, it will definitely take a longer time and some projects and designs might be delayed, but that doesn’t mean that the current situation could affect us to the extent of having to halt production altogether. And going back to the point of being adaptive to the circumstances, well, we sure are. However, we always hold on to our top quality and level, regardless. This is why we don’t like to meet a certain budget; we only meet values for the best end results. 32 August 2020
7. From the concept to the finished design, what is the process that leads up to the execution? We first hold the initial client meeting in order to settle on the design orientation, go through the details, pick the materials, the color palette, and all. From there, I hold a workshop with the designers and creative team to discuss the client requirements in order to come up with a concept in the form of a 3D model where we implement our own original ideas as trials until we settle on a theme that meets the required path and then move to the material selection and execution. 8. What’s next for Bvision Interiors? Thankfully, at this stage, Bvision is a big name in the market and has already left a significant mark, especially for the clients who always come back for our top-quality designs. Our aim, right now, is to basically keep excelling and to continue reaching the top. The next step would be making our own furnishing products through our own factories for supplies of furniture and home accessories, instead of relying on trusted manufacturers.
9. What kind of advice would you give to amateur designers who would want to someday have their own designing firms and make it big in the market? My advice would be for them to start by nourishing their eyes. Any amateur designer or a fresh grad in the field should always be focused on the details of any space they enter; in terms of materials, color palettes, the way the space was used.... etc. They should also be constantly looking up ideas and getting familiar with all kinds of design styles. That will ultimately lead to them creating a library of ideas inside their mind which should then lead up to using the imagination and being creative and original, instead of relying on external sources and involuntarily turning into a copycat. From there, things will definitely pick up. And lastly, having patience, not panicking, and respecting the space is key.
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HOW TO SURVIVE RELATIONSHIPS DURING
a Pandemic by Nada Abdelkader
We’re not going to sugarcoat this. The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on us, in a lot of facets of life. It has affected our jobs and our hobbies and even our relationships. Actually, it has especially affected our relationships. When the self-quarantining started, we were particularly a little happy about one thing. We were 34 August 2020
getting increased time to spend with our loved ones, whether partners or family members. Things like these are easier said and expected than done, however. As time goes on and as the pandemic prevails, we’re noticing that our relationships have continued to suffer.
Just because this is happening now, however, doesn’t mean we cannot survive the fallout. That’s actually what we hope to prove to you, as you read these tips on simultaneously juggling a relationship and a pandemic. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BEFORE ANYONE ELSE Though this might not fall under surviving your relationship, but it does in its own way. You cannot take the first step to nurturing any kind of relationship, if you yourself are not well. During your free time, try your best to practice self-care, in any form you feel comfortable with. If you feel good about yourself after you work out or do some yoga, do that. If you feel better after you apply beauty masks and light aromatherapy candles, go for it. There are plenty of options. However, caring for yourself does not mean you have to suppress negative emotions. You’re supposed to experience all of your feelings because, currently, it makes sense to not feel constantly content. GIVE YOURSELVES ENOUGH SPACE Whether you and your partner are living together or not, you’ll need to establish some boundaries in order to not let tensions pile up. This might sound a tad cliché, but you will need to give each other space during the day. If you’re texting or video-chatting and you notice your partner isn’t reacting like they usually do and are giving one-word answers, you can hang up and allow them some space until they feel better and up for a conversation. It’s perfectly healthy and normal to want some alone time and even if you don’t feel like you do, you should still take the opportunity to give yourself some quietness. If you and your spouse are living together and you’re both working from home, create separate workspaces to not overly invade each other’s space during time you usually spend apart and reserve your together-time to the evenings. LEAVE MORE BREATHING-ROOM FOR MISTAKES Assuming that you and your partner are now spending extra time with each other or you’re
simply having more time for more conversations, both of you will probably be hyper-aware of each other’s faults and mistakes. Even if the mistakes seem insignificant. You might even be compelled to criticize them. We recommend you cool it with the critiques, especially if the mistakes aren’t that horrendous. We’re all experiencing a tough time right now, so pointing out mistakes all the time will just be adding to your shared load and it will make the relationship itself more stifling. Remember, the other person is going through a pandemic too and they’re already experiencing their own anxieties. APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS Instead of pointing out little mistakes, you should practice gratitude whenever possible. Sure, no one is perfect but if you’re happy with your relationship, you and your partner should do your best to show that and appreciate each other. You can do this by directing little comments that compliment the hard work they’re doing, whether in their work or around your shared house. Adding to this, you should also appreciate the little things your partner does for you and you should not stop doing the little things yourself either. These things matter, especially in trying times like these. The little things here can be as small as making them coffee in the morning or even sending them a long, thoughtful message that shows your appreciation. DON’T THINK OF THE OTHER PERSON AS A MIND-READER Perhaps the greatest source of conflict during times of turmoil is the fact that a lot of the time one person might assume the other automatically knows what the other person is thinking. However, this is far from the truth. It’s not an exaggeration to say that a lot of us don’t know what to do or think when it comes to our own anxieties or current reality. None of us have lived through an ongoing pandemic before, so this isn’t a surprise. What’s important here is to communicate, instead of to just assume. If something is bothering you or worrying you, don’t stifle it in. Share and let your partner know what is it that you’re thinking about. August 2020 35
WORKING IN THE PANDEMIC: The Exclusive How-To Guide by Nada Abdelkader For all of us, the past few months have been hectic in every sense of the word. This is all understandable, though, and frankly, we would have been more surprised if they weren’t, given that we have been living under a pandemic. This ongoing pandemic has left no area of our lives unaffected either and that includes work too. However, after a long period of working from home, life is now ready to pick back up right where it left off and that means, among other things, that a considerable amount of people will be going back to working from the office. And for those unfortunate few, we’ve cooked up this how-to guide just for the sole purpose of helping you survive the office again. DON’T FORGO YOUR SANITARY PRECAUTIONS As it stands, we’re still going through a global health crisis and although we’re slowly returning to our social and work lives, we cannot forget those safety measures we learned while self-isolating at home. In fact, in this situation, you should maximize your sanitary measures. Whenever you go to the office, make sure you have spare face-masks, just in case, as well as alcohol spray, wipes, gloves, and handsanitizers. Make sure your workstation is thoroughly cleaned and then sanitize it yourself for good measure. It’s always better to be extra safe than sorry. KEEP YOURSELF BUSY AT ALL TIMES Naturally, the best way to take your mind off the current social climate as well as being extra efficient is by keeping yourself occupied. When you do so, time will literally fly by without you noticing and you’ll find yourself acclimating faster. The key to this tip is to have a structured work timetable to making the most of your working hours. This table, of course, will only work if you’re aware of what works for you and your tasks. 36 August 2020
DON’T SKIP MEALS When it comes to office work, a lot of us tend to fall into the trap of skipping meals or even halfeating them so we could goof off during the rest of the break. Doing this, however, is harmful because it will cost you a lot of energy and it only end up impacting both you and your level of productivity negatively. TAKE PERIODIC WALKS DURING THE DAY Even during the regular work-from-home days, staying out at your workstation for the entire workday would have taken a toll on both your body and soul. To combat this at the office, you’ll need to take momentary ten-minute breaks and step away from your computer and/or paperwork to take short walks around your office area. This will not only help refresh your mind but it will get your blood flowing and your tensions eased. Just make sure you take your safety measures. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD Communication, as many people have repeated, is key and this is particularly true when it comes to work. You’re always supposed to be bold and make your voice heard, but this is especially important right now. If you have suggestions on how to improve the workplace to comply with pandemic-events or if you understandably have certain anxieties about the current working climate, you have to speak up. INCREASE YOUR HYDRATION In the same vein of not forgoing meals, you will also need to not forgo something even more important. Hydration. Sure, you don’t forget to hydrate through coffee and tea and other hot beverages but you cannot substitute them for water.
A lack of hydration will affect important factors like your attention span, general energy levels, and productivity, which won’t bode well for any working person. Remind yourself to hydrate every twenty minutes or so and you’ll be good for the day. GO FOR A TEST-RUN BEFORE YOU GO BACK FOR GOOD Going back to the office, if you’re still pondering the step, might seem overwhelming for a lot of reasons. Your office is going to feel like a brand-new space and you might actually have some trouble adapting back to the old system.
have to exit the comfort of your safety bubble at home. Even with all your precautions and safety guidelines, you still run some risk at getting sick. Among other reasons, this is why you should make your own health a priority. When you are not feeling well or you have an inkling that you were in close-contact with a Corona patient, talk to your boss and isolate yourself for fourteen days until you have the all-clear.
To avoid this, talk with your supervisor about possibly working only one day per week from the office before you go back for good. Sort of a test-run of sorts to see how much you’ll need to adapt as well as rework your home-towork schedule to incorporate the office again. SET UP NEW BOUNDARIES Falling under the adapting stage as well, you’ll need to set up new boundaries and ensure them being followed, too. This won’t be anything unusual, if you already have personal boundaries set up. All you have to do is add new rules that ensure your—and others’—safeties. Remind yourself and others to forego handshakes and add distance between your workstations. Remind other coworkers about protective equipment and regular sanitization as well as temperature checks for both staff and any office visitors. PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH Going back to working from the office will mean you’ll August 2020 37
How to:
PICTURE-PERFECT FOR THE GRAM by Aya Aboshady Ever wonder how models and influencers usually get their Instagram feed to be so glamorous and fancy? Want to have fun indoors and take some pretty high quality and instagramable pictures without having to use or resort to extreme measures that require too much effort? We know what you have to do, and we came up with a set of guidelines you can follow and nicely execute wherever you are for the best results! 1. FIND GOOD LIGHTING The secret to any perfect pictures is the lighting! Good lighting and exposure is actually the foundation of any decent picture. Yes, natural lighting where the sunlight hits your face, in some cases, is the best. However, adjusted artificial lighting is also one of the most important components of a perfect picture, especially after sunset!
your face and figure with a depth of field setting - through which the background is still showing while not being the center of the photo.
2. WEAR BRIGHT COLORS
4. MOVE AROUND
If you want to, not only post a gorgeous picture for the gram, but most importantly - catch a lot of eyes and gain many likes, well, bright colors are your only solution! You probably already know that a killer outfit is needed, since that’s what the attention is often centered around. However, it’s mostly not about the outfit itself as much as it’s about the colors, and since we’re currently talking summer - then again, wearing bright colors like red, orange, light blue, and yellow is recommended!
The perfect picture is never taken from the first attemp or even a couple! This requires patience and well, it also requires you and the person taking your photos to have some time on your hands in order to take several shots from different angles featuring different poses and obviously, diverse outfits - if you like. When the picture is being taken, it’s important for you to keep moving around while striking different playful and dramatic poses and looking in various directions so that the end result is beautiful and most importantly, spontaneous - which is what we’re looking for here.
3. SET AT ‘DEPTH EFFECT’ A postable selfie picture should be shot with a depth effect. Meaning that, needless to say, the picture should be of high quality, of course. But the thing is, in order to look fancy and professional, the camera should be focused on 38 August 2020
5. ACCESSORIZE YOURSELF Just like the outfit, accessories are equally important! The more you’re glammed up and the
“
“
You don’t take a photograph. You Make it!
- Ansel Adams
7. SHOOT CLOSE TO NATURE The presence of green sceneries in your Instagram feed is always a bonus. Pictures shot in home gardens or green fields are always a treat for the eye. So if you have a small garden space at your summer home or your main one, taking a few pictures there will be perfect for the shots you’d want! 8. HOLD FLOWERS
more the details in the picture, the better it turns out to be. So feel free to pamper yourself with all the jewelry and hair accessories you’d want from golden chain necklaces to pearl rings, statement earrings, and colorful hair bandanas! 6. PLAY WITH YOUR HAIR This is sort of related to the “Move Around” step, because while you’re striking a pose, moving your hair in different directions, flipping it and playing with it is crucial. Sometimes, it’s what makes a picture so beautifully spontaneous!
Whether in your hands or on your hair as a flowercrown or little petals scattered around while you lie down, having a flower component with its natural and beautiful colors in the picture takes it to a whole new level of perfectionism and femininity. Don’t overdo it though! 9. CHOOSE A THEME FOR YOUR FEED AND EDIT YOUR PICTURE ACCORDINGLY Each one of us has an Instagram theme or palette that we usually follow. Some people like for all their pictures to have the warm tones, others like the blue color scheme, others edit in the Vintage mode...etc. Having a theme or a color scheme for the gram is something that will help you edit your pictures smoothly while adding the right and perfectly-fitted filters! August 2020 39
HOW TO GET YOUR SOCIAL LIFE
Groove Back by Nada Abdelkader
40 August 2020
T
he past few months of 2020 have been a little intense, haven’t they? What, with the current happenstances and the mandatory self-quarantining we’ve all had to endure, that is a bit of an understatement.
See, this quarantine has also made us realize a thing or two. One of those things is, of course, the fact that our social lives have all but gone stale during our extended home-stays. To the point where even gradually going back can seem a little bit nervewracking. Well, going back to being your natural social butterfly self is actually rather easy. And, yes, you can bring back your social groove while still being safe and sound. RANT CIRCLES
OPEN SPACE HANGOUTS If staying in for all this time has made us miss something, we’ve certainly missed nothing more than the great outdoors. Naturally, the fact that we’re gradually going back to normal life in the middle of a breezy summer means that we can get to explore all possible outdoor hangouts now. From beach-side lounging to limited-guest barbecues to garden-wide picnics to outdoor parked-car cinemas, there really is no limit but the sky here and we’ll need to make use of that.
Reading this, you might be a little surprised but we can explain. We know you’ve probably already done this a few times over text or video-chat with your friends, but having ranting sessions together in person will alleviate any tensions you might be feeling.
HAVE A REGULAR BRUNCH
If you’re feeling like you’re out of loop or that you and your friends are out of sync, just rant about it. Preferably with a beach mini-bonfire that will begin as a rant session and will end being an impromptu mini-party for you and your friends.
We know this may not sound like the wildest thing to do, but that’s exactly the point. Now that we are getting to go back to the way things were—while keeping ourselves safe and our environments sanitized, of course—we’re getting another chance to revisit all the things we’d previously taken for granted, which includes brunch and a million other little things.
Here’s the one and only rule. After this rant circle is over, you and your friends cannot and should not attempt to talk about anything negative. It’s all much-needed positivity after this. COMPETITIVE CARD GAMES In the vein of reintroducing fun and games into our lives, how about we start with these? Classic card games, like Uno and the like. The sheer competitiveness will not only make for some vivid post-quarantine memories, but it will also serve for some tension relief as well as breaking all reservation. Not to mention that card games can be played with all social distancing measures kept in mind without any major changes to the games themselves. And this is the kind of normal-with-achange thing we all need.
While we’re talking about a return to normal social gatherings, here’s something we need to take into consideration. Early gatherings over a good brunch and a cup of coffee.
MAKE THE WILDEST POST-PANDEMIC PLANS Returning to regular living and your regular social life doesn’t mean that everything is all fine and dandy now. It just means that we’re still learning how to coexist with the situation and making the most of our summer while we do so.
However, this pandemic will eventually be a thing of the past, so it won’t hurt us to prepare ahead. For this reason, you and your friends can get a head-start on making post-everything plans together, whether it’s travelling or adding more and more items to your bucket list, you’ll need to have a full social calendar when the dust settles.
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2020
FACES OF THE FUTURE! By Nanise Mohamed So far, the year 2020 has been a very rich one when it comes to events, series, films and luckily talents too. Ahead are a number of up and coming rising stars who we think are now all set and ready for some major career kick offs. Let’s take a look at the 2020 faces of the future!
Nihal Nour
We all remember the cute little girl from El Esseliy’s Tarraram, right? Well, she’s all grown up now and she played the young lady Reynad in El Nehaya series last Ramadan and proved she’s got what it takes. Don’t you all just love that comeback?
Zeinab Ghareeb
Zeinab Ghareeb is originally a filmmaker we’re super glad to have in front of the camera lens now. Ghareeb did an amazing job as “Radwa” in the Ramadan series B 100 Wesh and, honestly, we can already see her in bigger roles to come.
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Hassan Malik
It was such a pleasant surprise when we all learned that “Mazen” from La’bet El Nesyan is Ahmed Malik’s brother in real life. But what surprised us even more was the fact that he’s such a spontaneous actor; which only proves that talent runs in the family.
Hassan Abou El-Rous
Another B 100 Wesh discovery is Hassan Abou El Rous. To be honest, who didn’t like Zizo El Tayyar? Hassan Abou El-Rous’s appearance was light and significant and we can’t wait to see more of him in the near future.
Mahmoud Omar Yassin
Get ready to see a lot more of Mahmoud Omar Yassin in the next few months. The young actor who’s so much more than just the grandson of veteran actor Mahmoud Yassin. He has got serious acting skills and we think it’s just a matter of time!
Hadil Hassan
We first got a glimpse of her in the popular series Sabe’a Gar a few years back. Now, Hadil Hassan is back with a bigger role and we’re just glad we got to see more of her fresh and heartfelt talent. Kudos to her for her role as Nadine in La’bet El Nesyan 2020! August 2020 43
MAKE IT FANCY BUT COMFORTABLE Perfect Your Summer Home! By Aya Aboshady Whether you’re staying in Cairo or travelling to your summer home in Gouna or the North Coast this summer; redecorating your space and giving it a fancy yet cozy vibe with a very summery theme is always a much needed step for a better mood and a fresh feeling come summer. That’s why we brought ten different ideas and items we think you can feature in your home and use to redecorate your summery space!
THREAD WALL HANGING Threads are the new essential wall hangings in town! Thread wall hangings are usually handmade, and they often come in beautiful nude colors. They’re so pretty and would definitely make a great addition to your summer home.
WALL PAINTING Wall paintings are always a great addition to any household. And for your summer home, aim for blue paintings that feature the sea. Trust us; just by taking a glance at them, you’ll immediately be in a better mood!
VINTAGE VASE WOODEN BOOKSHELF Quarantining at your summer home? Perfect! Then you’ll have all the time in the world to lose yourself in a good book. So whether in Cairo, Gouna, the North Coast or anywhere in the world; building a wooden bookshelf to organize your book collection is a must! 44 August 2020
A vintage piece is necessary if you want to achieve an overall chic style! And in that case, we would gladly recommend a pretty vintage vase to hold your flowers!
INDOOR PLANTS
SEA ORNAMENTS
Who wouldn’t want their space to be full of greens? Indoor plants are certainly one of this year’s home décor trends. Having pretty plants in cute pots around the house is not only cheerful for the eyes, but a really healthy habit as well!
Want your house to feel like summer? Then adding sea ornaments all around should be top priority. From little golden starfishes and seashells to seahorse figures; your house will shine with the playful summer vibes.
FANCY LAMP There’s hardly ever any house that doesn’t have cute lamps scattered around here and there. That being said, to cozy up your summer home and make it look lavish at the same time, you definitely need to get your hands on a little elegant lamp, maybe moon-shaped?
BOHEMIAN TAPESTRY Tapestries have been a home decorating trend for so long now! However, such pieces could never go out of style - especially if that style is bohemian. A colorful tapestry with a bohemian vibe is just the right fit for your summer home!
COZY ARMCHAIR No home is complete without a cozy elegant armchair that would set the vibe and act as both your comfort zone around the house as well as your little cozy reading nook!
GREEK STATUE Statues are usually cool to have around the house! But Greek-themed ones are not only cool, they’re also really pretty, ornamental, and will make you feel like a Greek goddess staying in her castle, even if that castle is only your beach house. August 2020 45
SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT
Guide! By Nanise Mohamed
While the country is opening up pretty much everything, we realize it’s still not that safe out there. Some of us may indulge in some outdoor activities and that’s fine. But we’ll all probably continue to spend the majority of our time indoors, still. That’s why we felt the need to provide you all with a staying-in guide to keep you well entertained! SHOPPING SPREE Online shopping never felt better, right? Here’s some of the stuff we feel everyone has been buying during quarantine, and you probably don’t want to miss out! Hair coloring spray Foreo facial cleanser Mani & Pedi home machine
CELEBRITY CRUSHES You know how all you want to do is tuck in bed and scroll the night away on Instagram the two hours right before you sleep? Well here’s where you’ll find all the cool stuff, from TikToks and workouts to fashion reviews and food recipes! Raya Abi Rachid, Mayan El Sayed, Reham Ayman, Hannah El Zahed, Ahmed Helmy, and Asser Yassin.
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FEEL-GOOD MOVIES What’s a better time to watch movies all day long? We bet you want to watch something light and fluffy and nothing too serious, right? We got you covered! Book Smart, Ibiza, Little Women, Someone Great, Crazy Rich Asians, Julie & Julia, Legally Blonde, Clueless, Sex and the City, and Mamma Mia! are a few examples.
BEST SHOWS TO BINGE WATCH Between reality shows and mini-series, the options are totally unlimited. Here are some of our recommendations for great series! Anne With An E, Euphoria, Unorthodox, Modern Love, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Too Hot To Handle, and Love Is Blind.
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HOW TO REVAMP YOUR HOME WORKOUTS! by Nada Abdelkader We’ve been staying put in our own homes for quite some time. Naturally, we’ve all picked up a new trick or two when it comes to enjoying ourselves, cooking new and improved meals, and finding new forms of entertainment. And so, naturally, it’s about time we started working on improving our home-based workouts as well. See, we all know that working out does not stop just because all gyms are, at the time of writing this, shut down until further notice. We can still exercise and meet our workout goals and milestones from home—no, it’s not a myth. It can be done and it can be done in ways that will revamp and add tons of fun to your working out routine. You can start now by adding free workout applications and following these instructors’ online, free-of-charge classes, too. AMAZING ABS – PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINER APP A free Apple app, this app don’t exactly exist for Android users, but it may just convince you to change your phone type. In this app, you will find features like extensive information overviews about exercising your abs and different HD workout videos for different fitness levels, making the app more challenging as you train as well as keeping you on your toes. The Amazing Abs app also has full descriptions for each and every ab-related exercise, so you can use up these exercises to their fullest.
it to recommend a series of workouts that it thinks will match your level. Of course, you can always choose to peruse through the many other workouts available, but it doesn’t just stop at that. One of the best features of Nike Training Club is that it helps you customize your very own personal workout plan, according to what you would like to focus on and what exercises you would like to include in your daily and/or weekly plan. To top all of this, this app’s coveted premium level is now being offered for free because of the current quarantine situation. FITON Found in the Android App Store, FitOn is the one app to rule them all! As a disclaimer, we’d like to mention that there are premium features you can only access via purchase but, generally, FitOn is a free app. In it, you begin by setting your profile and your workout and/or weight goals and then you follow that by testing the waters in FitOn’s many recommended workout videos in all its different workout styles. And here’s another great tidbit. FitOn also has a YouTube channel, in which it shares little tips and tricks that will help adding to your regular workouts. 7-MINUTE WORKOUT
NIKE TRAINING CLUB
If you’re busy or on the move, this free Apple app is perfect for you! Beginning with a pretty basic setup, you will have three options available. A basic 7-minute workout, an ab-focused 7-minute workout, and the high-intensity 7-minute workout.
Another free iPhone app, Nike Training Club has been hailed before as “one of the best and most realistic apps out there”. The app begins with taking your personal information and using
While working out, you can read specific moves’ descriptions and see animated pictures displaying how to perfect them, leaving no room for confusion.
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is pretty simple. You will have regular, daily workouts and trainings that will help you achieve the backside you want. In this app, you will also be able to track your progress as well as be able to do pretty basic exercises anywhere you please. YOGA WITH FARAH NOFAL After all this training, you must be dying to relax those sore muscles and we happen to have just the treat for that. We all know Farah Nofal as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach as well as an athlete and the Yogi everyone aspires to imitate. That last descriptor is more important here, since Farah Nofal can now be your Yogi too. DAILY BUTT WORKOUT An app that is available for both Apple and Android users, Daily Butt Workout is here just in time for us to perfect our summer bodies. With this app, you will basically be carrying your very own personal trainer wherever you go. The setup
With an active YouTube channel dedicated to teaching Yoga in all its forms, Nofal is giving you intensive Yoga training that you can commit to from the comfort of your own home. The perfect end to the perfect list.
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POST-COVID
CRAVINGS by Soha Darwish Blogger, Food Writer & Menu Consultant Member of UK Guild of Food Writers Diploma in Food Journalism - London, UK
It has been a while and I’m not sure where to start from?! Let’s just say: No, it’s not a cheesy Sci-Fi movie! It is real and is still happening, hopefully we’re at the end of the tunnel. But we must acknowledge the collective anxiety across the globe, our weariness of e-learning, working online and conducting virtual meetings with pyjama bottoms! However, I think we can agree that despite the monumental difficulties of these unprecedented times, it taught us valuable lessons. We are somehow adapting to a muchneeded slower pace of life, while reflecting on our pre-Covid busy life admitting that it was neither healthy nor sustainable. I truly hope that we don’t come out of this unchanged and to eagerly bounce back to ‘normal’ life, because our ‘normal’ was not perfect. Now, time to talk food! Millions of families have found themselves in a lockdown leading their new quarantined life from their kitchens to nurture their families - kitchens have never been busier. To make the best out of the current situation, family members of all ages got together engaging passionately in baking and cooking. It certainly became the favourite part of the house – in my opinion it should always be. This time I thought about recipes that are ultimately nutritious and easy to make, however I can see the divide in people’s food choices. So, I decided to cater for all: the takeaway craver, the clean eater and the comfort eater. Here are the recipes: 50 August 2020
My One-Pan Beef
Shawarma
with instant marination
Serves 2 or 3
It’s one of those dishes that were created in a cooking frenzy; I wanted to satisfy a family craving for take-away shawarma with zero preparation ahead and minimal time to spare. So I set it up as a challenge for myself; a complete shawarma feast in one pan to be served straight in rolled bread or on a bed of rice..triumph! SHOPPING BASKET: 500g beef fillets, thinly sliced – 1 large onion, thinly sliced – 3 tbsp olive oil – ½ tsp nutmeg – ½ tsp sumac – ½ tsp cinnamon – ½ tsp mixed Arabic/Levantine spices – ½ cup of white vinegar - 2 garlic cloves, minced – 3 tbsp Tahini – 1 tomato, diced – handful of fresh parsley, chopped - salt & black pepper. STEPS: 1. In a bowl, mix the beef strips with all the spices, white vinegar, garlic and 3 tbsp olive oil. Season well. 2. In a hot pan, squeeze out the excess liquid from the meat and sear until browned. 3. Add in the remaining juices from the marinade then stir in the tahini. Mix well. 4. Add ¾ cup of water and simmer for few minutes. 5. Meanwhile in another pan, stir fry the onion slices until light golden colour on high heat. 6. Transfer the onions to the meat pan and stir in the diced tomato together with the chopped parsley; turn off the heat. Serve immediately. It has it all!
My Warm Couscous Salad Serves 2
I love couscous and I wanted to use it in a quick & delicious recipe. It is incredibly easy to prepare - no cooking needed. I honestly couldn’t recommend a tastier or a more nutritious recipe than this Moroccan inspired Warm Couscous Salad. Give it a go and see for yourself! SHOPPING BASKET: 1 cup dried couscous – 1 large onion, sliced – 1 red pepper – 1 large zucchini, sliced – 1 eggplant, sliced vertically – ½ can of chickpeas, drained – 4 dried apricots, finely chopped – handful of roasted almonds – 2 handfuls of baby spinach leaves - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil – salt. DRESSING: ½ tsp Harissa paste (Tunisian chili paste) – ½ tsp cinnamon – ½ tsp cumin – ½ tsp dried parsley – ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar – 2 to 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil - salt & black pepper. STEPS: 1. In a glass bowl, add 1 cup of boiling water to the couscous. Season with salt, drizzle with olive oil, then immediately seal the bowl tightly with cling film for about 10 mins. Remove the cling film and fluff it up with a fork – it’s ready! 2. Brush all the vegetables with olive oil then grill either in the oven or on an electric grill until charred and cooked – sprinkle with salt. Grill half of the onion and chop the remaining raw half. 3. When all vegetables are cooked, dice them. 4. Prepare the dressing by just mixing all its ingredients separately in a bowl. 5. Assemble the salad, start by laying 5 big spoons of couscous then add the grilled vegetables, raw onions, chickpeas and baby spinach leaves. Drizzle the dressing and mix well. Finely, top it with almonds and apricot slivers. Tuck in!
Spaghetti & Meatballs - My Way! Serves 4
This is the epitome of happy comforting food in all households around the world. Still remember my Meatza recipe? It’s almost the same ingredients just swap the oat bran with breadcrumbs and when you shape the meatballs, put some grated mozzarella in the middle - melted cheese inside meatballs is never a bad idea. Right? SHOPPING BASKET FOR THE MEATBALLS: 500g minced beef - 3 tbsp breadcrumbs - 1 egg - ½ grated onion – 1 garlic clove – ½ tsp oregano – ½ tsp basil – ½ tsp paprika – drizzle of olive oil – salt & pepper. TOMATO SAUCE: 3/4 cup of passata - splash of balsamic vinegar - 2 minced garlic cloves - olive oil – ½ tsp basil – ½ tsp oregano - 1 tsp sugar - salt & pepper. STEPS: 1. Blitz all the meatball ingredients in the food processor, then shape into medium balls with a pinch of grated mozzarella cheese in the middle. 2. In a large saucepot, sear the meatballs on both sides in olive oil until browned. 3. Mix all the tomato sauce ingredients in a bowl, then add in the garlic and tomato sauce mix to the seared meatballs in the pot. 4. Simmer until meatballs are cooked through. Serve on a bed of spaghetti and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.Yum! August 2020 51
Your
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ESSENTIAL BEACH READS FOR THE SUMMER by Nada Abdelkader If you’ve noticed the sizzling heat and you’re already planning your trip to your summer home, then you already know what it is. It’s time for you to let go of your worries, relax by the beach, and enjoy your beach read as you listen to the waves crash in. But here’s a thought. Why should you only get one decent book as opposed to five essential, gripping reads you’ll be burning through like lightning? Don’t worry, we’ve already picked for you the best of the best beach-reading recommendations.
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NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro This book by British-Japanese Kazuo Ishiguro isn’t like any other on this list. For one thing, it’s about clones. And for another, it doesn’t at all start out that way. Reading ‘Never Let Me Go’, you will find yourself introduced to Hailsham House, a British boarding school, and the children who go there. As you read about these children and their memories, narrated by an adult alum, you will find yourself lost in their world before you discover the truth.
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None of them are real and they’re all clones. And that isn’t all what the story is about, either. As you read more, you will discover that Kazuo Ishiguro also dives into the world futuristic-medical science, adult restlessness, and friendships that last lifetimes.
WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE? by Maria Semple Maria Semple outdoes herself in this novel. The perfect comedy-mystery beach read, ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’ revolves around phobia-stricken mom and architect—the titular Bernadette—who suddenly goes missing on a family trip.
Don’t worry, though. Rather than tap into family dynamics, the novel taps into an investigation conducted by Bernadette’s daughter Bee, who collects documents like emails, magazine articles, transcripts, and the like to piece together the mysteries surrounding her mother’s life and possible whereabouts. The result to all of this lead-finding and interesting prose is a heartwarming, funny introspective look at one woman’s life and how she decided that it isn’t too late to try to discover herself one last time. 52 August 2020
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THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt
A combination of a detective story and a gripping “film noir” movie, ‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt is a novel that makes you hold your breath from cover to cover. We’re not exaggerating. The story itself is about a group of college friends who bond under a classical literature professor’s teachings as they discover new worlds far beyond their scope of humdrum living. Naturally, everything doesn’t stay cool and collected as tensions mount between friends to turn what was once a close-knit circle into traitors trying to solve a murder mystery. This isn’t all that Donna Tartt offers us in ‘The Secret History’, though. Reading it, you’ll also find that it is ripe and full to the brim with prose that is as beautiful as it is quotable.
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LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng Only on her second novel, Celeste Ng has already secured her spot in our favorite authors list because of this gift to readers. ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ takes place in a quasi-Stepford 1990’s American society, in which two families are tangled in each other’s lives by their children. Although this novel is short in length, by most novel standards, Little Fires Everywhere is a riveting tale that delves into motherhood, mystery, and town-dividing debacles. And all of this, of course, is without mentioning the mysterious titular fire.
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AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie
Although most Agatha Christie works have gained near-legendary status, ‘And Then There Were None’ is, the best you’ll ever read. The novel starts out as a regular mystery set in 1930’s Europe in which ten strangers are invited to go to an island that is all but isolated from the mainland. Suddenly, these ten strangers with nothing in common notice that all their rooms are the same, with copies of one nursery rhyme in place, and that something strange is happening on the island. Someone is hunting them one by one – this is where the novel turns into a haunting suspense-ridden tale about the last man standing and who is actually responsible for the strangers’ fates. Not only is this book the perfect beach read, but it will also spin your gears into overdrive as you try to answer the classical Agatha Christie whodunnit mystery, all while uncovering shocking plot twists.
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identity
TRAVEL
Travelling
UNDER A PANDEMIC
by Nada Abdelkader
If there’s one thing that is always in the back of our minds, travelling is just that thing. But who can blame us, right? Given the chance, everyone will drop everything they’re doing to head off on an impromptu trip to any country they can visit. Of course, right now this is easier said than done, what, with the pandemic still going on. Since life eventually goes on, however, we’ve discovered that we cannot sit by and allow circumstances to rule us or our airmiles. Airports are opening up and travelling is coming back with a vengeance, so we’ll have to make sure we’re all equipped and ready to make our returns as well. For that, naturally, we’ve rounded our sources to come up with the ultimate travelling guide under this current pandemic. 54 August 2020
Pre-Trip Métier
Naturally, the pre-travelling stage is the most important in this day and age for a good reason. Although, it goes without saying, the most important tip here is to postpone your trip if you don’t feel well, but there are more useful tips, too: GET A MEDICAL CHECKUP
A pretty important first step is to go to your nearest hospital or medical center to test yourself for Coronavirus so you can make sure you’re not a symptom-less carrier. If you don’t have a report that proves you’re not sick, there is a likely chance that you won’t be able to travel. You also won’t be eligible for travelling if you’d recently been in contact with a COVID-19 patient and/or host. GET MEDICAL AND TRAVEL HISTORIES
DO EXTENSIVE RESEARCH
Since you are traveling under a pandemic, after all, you should make sure you don’t skip out on any important document, like your updated medical history, needed here to prove that you haven’t been ill recently, and your travel history, in case you’ve traveled anywhere in these past few months.
Another tip that we practiced before the pandemic, before you book your tickets to anywhere, it’s best if you make extensive research about your preferred destination, what sights you can see, and how that country is doing pandemicnumbers-wise.
MAKE SURE TO GET VACCINATED
WORK ON YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
This tip is a must before every trip and its importance only grows now. After getting tested, get yourself vaccinations that are up-to-date.
If you have some time before you travel, start working on improving your diet by adding more and more healthy, organic foods so you can boost your immune system and be marginally healthier when you make for the airport.
Kilometre Paris
What To Pack
Now that the first step of the traveling process is over, it’s time for our favorite step. The packing, of course. It’s not widely different from our pre-2020 packing processes, save for a few exceptions: UNIQUE LUGGAGE
While this is more of what-you’ll-pack-in rather than what-you’ll-pack, you should probably change your luggage before you travel. Make sure you get suitcases that match your tastes, but also make sure that they stand out and are unique enough you don’t accidentally confuse them with someone else’s luggage at the baggage claim. SEASON-APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND A LIGHT JACKET
As part of your pre-trip planning, you’ve probably already figured out what the weather is like in the country you’re visiting this time of year, so you should be prepared. Pack your favorite clothes, but don’t go overboard. Don’t forget sunglasses and comfortable running shoes. August 2020 55
EXTRA MEDICINE AND ESSENTIALS SIM CARDS AND PHONES
Loewe Paula’s Ibiza
Aside from the necessary items, you’ll need to make sure you have packed medicines for headache-relief or the like (and pre-existing conditions, if any). Also, make sure to pack extra handsanitizers, alcohol wipes, face-masks, gloves, and goggles. If the last option isn’t available, sunglasses will do.
Since communication is a must, you should make sure to pack your gadgets (i.e.: phones, laptops…etc.) with you and you should make sure these gadgets have no problem connecting to the internet where you’re headed.
Safety Tips
AT THE AIRPORT AND AIRPLANE…
GENERAL TIPS…
• Make sure you wear gloves and sunglasses in addition to the face-masks of course. • Upgrade to first-class, if possible, to avoid being seated near other passengers. • Even though your seat is already sanitized, sanitize it again before sitting. • If you can, avoid airplane food and pack your own snacks. • Carry your essentials in your personal bag or your carry on.
• Avoid touching your face, especially the eyes or nose. • Sanitize your hands regularly. • Cover your nose and your mouth when you sneeze or cough with a tissue, or if you can’t reach for one, with your elbow and wash it afterwards. • Don’t share sanitizers. • Change your face-mask every four hours.
What To Do in Other Countries Kilometre Paris
Onto the best part of the trip, you’re now at your destination and you’re ready to enjoy yourself, which we heavily recommend. However, while you do so, you should keep some things in mind: DON’T CARRY CASH
While you’re on your trip, avoid carrying cash with you and if you can, keep yourself limited to cashless transactions. If cash is needed at any point, though, make sure you have gloves on when you visit your nearest ATM. You may also use toothpicks while pushing the ATM buttons for a better measure. REMEMBER YOUR GUIDELINES
DON’T USE BATHROOMS IN PUBLIC
While you go about your business, make sure to keep up your social distancing and other guidelines, like avoiding crowds and washing your hands regularly.
For all intents and purposes, if you’re not sure if the bathroom in question is properly disinfected, it’s better to wait until you’re back in your hotel room to use the bathroom. However, if you must, make sure you have alcohol wipes with you.
KEEP A HIGH-ALERT WHEN IN RESTAURANTS
You’re on vacation and you’re in a new country, so it’s understandable you want to sample local cuisine. And while you do so, you should check your restaurant’s safety precautions. Check if the staff is wearing face-masks and gloves, there’s a good air flow in the restaurant, the tables are spaced apart and disinfected, and if the utensils used are disposable. 56 August 2020
WHEN VISITING IMPORTANT LANDMARKS, SIGHTS, PLACES OF WORSHIP…ETC.
Arguably, the most important tip of all is seeing where crowds are and immediately avoiding that place. Naturally, this is doubly stressed when it comes to touristic sites, where crowds are likely. To avoid this, make sure you’re on the same page with your tour guide so you can put together a program where you can visit all the places you want, while avoiding the crowds too.
AVOID PEOPLE WITH COLDS AND PEOPLE NOT WEARING MASKS
Since COVID-19 is a tricky virus, there’s a big chance that some people are carrying it without showing symptoms. And while all you have to do in most cases is keeping an appropriate distance between yourself and others, you should be careful to not directly deal with people not wearing masks or showing symptoms of colds/flus.
Post-Trip Phase If you’ve followed all of these general tips we’ve given so far and you’re all but done with your trip, then you’re probably on your way home. And so, here are some things to keep in consideration after your landing back:
YOU SHOULD ISOLATE YOURSELF FOR 14 DAYS AFTER RETURNING
Even if you have kept up with the safety measures and generally feel fine and not sick, you should still keep yourself isolated for two weeks after your return.
YOU SHOULD GET ANOTHER MEDICAL CHECKUP
If the two weeks pass and you’re okay, you should take the extra step and get a medical checkup, if you can. It’s better to be safe than sorry. GET BACK TO YOUR REGULAR LIFE
After the two-week self-quarantine passes and if you’d gotten checked and are now all but greenlit, you can pick up your pace and go back to regular living. Just keep up the social distancing.
August 2020 57
identity
OUT&ABOUT
OPPO Launches OPPO A92 in Egypt and Shines Once Again with Innovation Breakthrough OPPO Wins at A’Design Award & Competition with OPPO Enco W31 OPPO, the leading global smartphone brand has announced the arrival of the new handset of A series OPPO A92 to the Egyptian market. OPPO has always been a brand that puts young people around the world at the top of its priorities. Today, OPPO A92 has launched a refreshing design with powerful settings in both hardware and software, aiming to deliver advanced technology in everyday usage.
Samsung names Egyptian star Ahmed Helmy as new brand ambassador Samsung Electronics Middle East and North Africa (MENA) announced that popular Egyptian star and TV personality Ahmed Helmy will stand as the new Samsung brand ambassador for the smartphones and wearables segment. Ahmed will represent the Galaxy S20 Ultra as part of his role.
Samsung Electronics Leading the TV Sector in Egypt By obtaining global safety certificates for “Samsung” QLED TVs & launching its latest innovation The Crystal UHD TVs
Otlob Partners with Visa to offer discounts on online payment to their customers. Otlob announces cooperation with Visa to provide their customers with more discounts Otlob, Egypt’s leading food delivery platform announced its latest partnership with Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, to encourage its customers to pay with their Visa cards instead of cash in light of the spread of COVID-19. 58 August 2020
After being ranked as the No.1 TV brand for 14 years, Samsung Electronics announced its QLED 8K and 4K TVs have received “no photobiological LED hazard” verifications from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading safety science company in the U.S., and “eye safety” certification from Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) in Germany. By this Samsung becomes the first in the TV industry to receive verifications proving that various types of lights emitted by its QLED TVs pose a no Photobiological LED hazard, based on classifications
under the (IEC) International Electrotechnical Commission’s standards for Photobiological safety and eye.
SODIC East Construction Update EGP 1.2bn in Awarded Contracts, 15 Contractors onsite SODIC’s Managing Director Magued Sherif provided an update on SODIC East, the leading real estate developer’s largest project in East Cairo during a management team’s site visit to the project. “Since breaking ground in 2018 SODIC has awarded over EGP 1.2 bn in construction contracts. All launched parcels are well underway with construction on schedule for delivery to start in 2021. There are 15 contractors and over 2500 workers on site.
Every Summer Has a Story Create yours in a safe and luxurious way.. Enjoy Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo’s summer package for only EGP 550 per person/night in a double room with breakfast and enjoy a FREE day use the next day. Chill and relax around the pool with our Day use package for only EGP 750 per room (accommodating up to 2 adults and one child). Enjoy extra privileges of 25% discount on your food and soft drinks orders from La Gondola Restaurant and the Pool Bar and Lounge, FREE access to the gym and FREE WiFi in all areas, on all above packages.
THE NILE RITZ-CARLTON CELEBRATES TRAVEL & LEISURE WORLD’S BEST AWARDS This year, The Nile Ritz-Carlton iconic hotel on the shores of the Nile, celebrates being honored for World’s Best Awards as one of the top ten city hotels in the Middle East and North Africa by the renowned Travel and Leisure magazine. The results reflect guests’ experiences before the pandemic, in the hope that this year’s honorees will inspire traveler’s trips to come. The property was rated on facilities, location, service, food, and overall value.
ancient history. Accommodations with historical photographs, dining that stays true to traditional flavors and lush gardens overlooked by the iconic Egyptian Museum tell the story of a Cairo hotel bridging the past with the present. The elegantly appointed 331 rooms including 50 suites are designed to pamper your senses with the finest amenities. Overlooking either the legendary Nile or the historical Egyptian Museum with timeless design details.
It is no wonder, that the landmark property has made it to the top ten of such a prestigious magazine; the hotel offers a gateway to Egyptian luxury lifestyle in a legendary setting, which reopened under the stewardship of The RitzCarlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. The hotel offers leisure and business travelers an opulent retreat in the heart of Cairo that is rich in history and intuitive in service.
The iconic property offers visitors from around the world a fabulous experience to witness one of the world’s most famous historic destinations. The Nile Ritz-Carlton carries a rich legacy of tradition and luxury. The hotel marries the “bucket-list” city with world-class services; offering splendid amenities including more than nine distinctive restaurants and bars, a lavish spa, Olympic-sized pool and fitness center, large ballroom with space for 1,200 guests, outdoor event space with stunning view of the Egyptian Museum, luxury rooms overlooking the River Nile and unprecedented services promising you an unforgettable getaway.
As the first luxury hotel in Egypt, The Nile RitzCarlton, Cairo has hosted generations of guests throughout the years. Set along the River Nile, the downtown hotel upholds its legacy and the city’s
August 2020 59
L’Oréal Egypt to donate tens of thousands of locally-produced hand sanitizer to fight the spread of COVID-19 In line with global efforts already launched by the Group around the globe, L’Oréal Egypt is launching a solidarity program to support the fight against coronavirus. In the framework of this program, L’Oréal’s Cairo Plant started production of hand sanitizers under its natural beauty brand Garnie,r joining 28 L’Oréal plants around the globe to support community needs.
seeing an investment of EGP 2 Billion. 1-NINETY’s Office Park facility is designed to attract remarkable enterprises, it provides clients with highspeed, fiber-optic Internet, heavy-duty elevators, certified fire protection, an electric car charging station, CCTV systems, food and beverages options, a gym, and post-delivery facility management solutions.
Marriott Mena House, Cairo Unveils Special Staycation Packages Marriott Mena House is delighted to introduce its relaxing staycation packages. Unwind in the beauty of Cairo’s legendary and iconic location while experiencing the hotel’s luxurious accommodations.
The Arab African International Bank (AAIB) Invests EGP 2 Bn in its New Administrative Premises at 1-NINETY, Landmark Sabbour’s Latest Mixed-Use Project Landmark Sabbour, a premier real estate developer, announced that The Arab African International Bank (AAIB) has recently joined its latest project, 1-NINETY in New Cairo, by establishing an office space covering 52,000m2 in its administrative complex 60 August 2020
Conveniently located in the shadows of the Great Pyramids, Marriott Mena House is nestled in the prominent neighbourhood of Giza. This provides guests with quick and easy access to a variety of popular attractions, activities and dining options – from The Pyramids of Giza to Sakkara and much more. The hotel boasts beautiful views of 40 acres of landscaped gardens and boasts 139 restaurant offering a wide range of cuisine, The Moghul Room for authentic Indian dishes in addition to a majestic swimming pool and gym.
Sallam: The Egyptian real estate sector has proven to be remarkably resilient in comparison to other sectors with great opportunities for growth Minka Development plans to launch its latest and largest projects in East Cairo soon Abdullah Salam – CEO of Minka Development – one of the latest Sallam family owned ventures – announced that the company is currently working on putting the final touches of its latest and largest project in East Cairo. The project, planned to be launched during the coming two months, will set a new benchmark for property innovation and livability in the Egyptian real estate market. Moreover, the company plans to expand in West Cairo and coastal areas during upcoming years.
OPPO launches 125W flash charge, 65W AirVOOC wireless flash charge and 50W mini SuperVOOC charger OPPO launches a new flash charge lineup with new highpower wired and wireless charging technologies as well as high-power ultra-small chargers, consolidating OPPO’s leading position in flash charge.
Spotify Launches ‘Soundtrack Your Workout’: The Ultimate Destination for Personalized Playlists for Your Workout Now more than ever people are finding creative ways to stay active -- from new workout environments to creative athome workouts designed by themselves. And with the variety of workouts that now exist, people are looking for ways to replace their previous mainstay workout audio to stay motivated as they embark on new workout routines. Spotify knows that the best workouts go hand in hand with a great playlist, so Spotify created Soundtrack Your Workout - an interactive destination that will generate new, fresh personalized playlists each time you take the tailored quiz.
10 million plastic packaging saved: GROHE launches initiative to reduce plastic GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, launched its initiative to replace plastic in product packaging with more sustainable alternatives. Until today, approximately 10 million items of product packaging made from plastic could be eliminated; by 2021, this figure is to be significantly increased to up to 35 million.
Madinet Nasr for Housing & Development Inks Service Station Land Rental to Total Egypt in SARAI Madinet Nasr Housing & Development (EGX: MNHD. CA, “MNHD”), a leading urban developer in Egypt, announced today that it had signed the previously announced a land rental contract with Total Egypt inside its SARAI development. It is worth noting that the board of directors meeting held on the 3rd of November 2019 has accepted an offer from TOTAL Egypt to rent a land plot in SARAI on El Amal Road (main access from Suez Road to the New Administrative Capital) for a period of 25 years. Uber launches 10 safety measures and new on-trip protocol as Egypt moves to coexist with COVID-19 Uber announces the launch of 10 new safety measures and a new on-trip protocol in Egypt as cities reopen and people begin to move again. Uber is taking unprecedented actions to help everyone who uses its app stay safe and healthy while on trip, including requiring face masks for riders and drivers in accordance with government mandates, facilitating a vehicle disinfection service, and launching a new tech tool to verify if drivers are wearing a mask.
vivo announces the launch of exciting & affordable new devices Y50 and Y30 for the Egyptian market Both devices feature innovative technology and exquisite design at reasonable prices vivo announced the launch of its exciting new devices – the Y30 and Y50 in Egypt. Both devices feature a well-crafted blend of innovative technology combined with elegant design, and will be available to Egyptian audiences at a reasonable price.
VOX Cinemas, Ski Egypt, Magic Planet, Little Explorers and MELT Bistro & Cafe will reopened in Egypt Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, is pleased to announce that VOX Cinemas, Ski Egypt, Magic Planet, Little Explorers and MELT Bistro & Cafe reopened in Egypt on Saturday, 27 June following a directive from the Egyptian Cabinet. To ensure that guests can enjoy a comfortable experience with added peace of mind, all brands have undertaken extensive precautionary measures and put in place an all-encompassing sanitization and physical distancing plan. August 2020 61
FDA Authorizes Marketing of IQOS as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today authorized the marketing of IQOS, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) electrically heated tobacco system, as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP). In doing so, the agency found that an IQOS exposure modification order is appropriate to promote the public health.
Carrefour gets creative for International Plastic Bag Free Day with new reusable bag designs The initiative aims to encourage the community to switch to a sustainable alternative to plastic bags Carrefour operated in Egypt by Majid Al Futtaim marked the International Plastic Bag Free Day on 3 July 2020 with the release of four striking new reusable bag designs. The new bag designs are available in a 62 August 2020
choice of sizes, materials, and prices to fit each customer’s preferences. The Soft bag, priced at EGP 3, can carry up to 10kg, while the Cloth bag — made from a washable material and priced at EGP 25, can carry up to 18kg. The Woven bag, which is also made from a durable washable material, can carry up to 20kg and is priced at EGP 12. Shoppers can also choose the Non Woven bag, which is priced at EGP 10 and carries up to 15 kg of items.
concept store. As part of the brand’s ambitious expansion plan, Carrefour will also launch a 1,200 square metre store in Al Azhar, and a 1,100 square meter location in Alexandria’s Wingit neighbourhood.
Carrefour Boosts Local Economies and Communities with New Egypt Store Openings
COVID-19 and Type 2 diabetes: Regional experts shed light on the latest scientific updates and clinical practices in disease management for patient education
Carrefour, operated in Egypt by Majid Al Futtaim, has opened the doors to its fifty-third location in the country with the arrival of a new supermarket for shoppers in Alexandria. The opening emphasises Carrefour’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the Egyptian community while providing access to a great choice of quality products at affordable prices. The new location spans over 900 square metres and is located in the Zaki Ragab neighbourhood of Alexandria. Further cementing its position at the centre of the community, Carrefour is also on track to open new outlets in Cairo, which are expected to welcome shoppers during the third quarter of the year. The Cairo expansion includes a 500 square metre location set to be unveiled in Mivida — the brand’s second ever
Boehringer Ingelheim - one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies - held a regional media webinar titled ‘Managing Type 2 Diabetes during COVID-19’ with the participation of leading healthcare professionals who provided the latest updates on type 2 diabetes (T2D) management during the pandemic. The regional media event formed part of the ‘Regional Interchange on Diabetes’ (e-RID) internationallyaccredited digital program, organized by Boehringer Ingelheim, targeting more than 5,000 international and regional healthcare professionals in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region. By hosting international healthcare experts from the USA, Canada and UK, the scientific program aims at exchanging experiences and practices in managing type 2 diabetes and its complications during COVID-19.
80th anniversary of Maserati’s Targa Florio victory. Maserati tests an MC20 prototype on the roads of the world’s oldest race Maserati celebrated a fantastic four wins in a row at the Targa Florio. In fact, a House of Trident car was first over the finishing line of the prestigious Sicilian race for the fourth consecutive year. The driver who added his name to the winners’ board was Luigi (Gigi) Villoresi, at the wheel of the Maserati Tipo 4CL. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of this historic victory, Maserati went back to Sicily with an MC20 prototype, and drove it over some of the roads where the history of the Targa Florio was written, such as the stretch where the famous Floriopoli stands are located.
Jaz Hotel Group Opens its Doors for Summer 2020 Following the recent thrilling news from the Egyptian government that gradually hotels and resorts will start to once again open their doors to local guests - as a first step
to get back to normal lifestyle whilst applying the obligatory precautionary measures - Jaz Hotel Group took the lead in preparing its family of properties to welcome back their esteemed guests in different hotels among different attractive destinations. The group has already started with three properties, Jaz Crystal in Almaza Bay, Jaz Little Venice in Ain Sokhna and Iberotel Borg Al Arab during Eid El Fitr holiday, to be followed by Jaz Belvedere and Sharm Dreams Resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Jaz Makadina in Madinat Makadi and Jaz Aquamarine in Hurghada on July, 1st 2020!
Huawei soars in brand value, goes up in BrandZ World’s Most Valuable Brands rankings Underpinned by an unrelenting drive for innovation, Huawei makes the top 50 for the fifth consecutive year Huawei is steadfast in its commitment to innovation and driving value for global consumers. In the latest BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Brands study, published by WPP and Kantar, Huawei is ranked 45th, up two places from last year, with a US$29.4 billion brand value (nine percent increase YoY).
Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences Receives Health And Safety Certificate Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences certified for meeting the general safety regulations for hotels and tourism resorts and is licensed to receive guests with a maximum of 50% of its total capacity as set and authorised by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health & the Egyptian Hotel Association. “The team and I are very proud of this certificate which is reflecting that our guests comfort and safety is our priority. We are carrying out daily sanitisation work with all- new standard for hotels cleanliness and disinfection to provide clean, safe and hospitable environment.,” said Tarek Zaki, Hotel Manager, Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences.
Wonders Food books its place among the top players in the snack industry with “Poplay” Over the past years, Egypt’s snack sector has witnessed significant growth and owned a compelling market share, an insight that kept attracting more and more investors to penetrate the market with a wide array of products. Yet when it came to fine snacking, imported products have been more dominant, and the challenge of preservatives and artificial colors has caused many snack products to be denounced among the powerful international wave of healthy nutrition. August 2020 63
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identity
SIGNS
Leo
July 20 – August 22
STRENGTHS: Imaginative, confident, bold WEAKNESSES: Competitive, impatient, stubborn FRIENDSHIP: Naturally magnetic, Leos make friends even when they don’t realize it! Bold and opinionated, you will get to enjoy debating with Leos over many things, especially if you’re both on the same level of intelligence. Leos will go to bat for you and will largely leave you wondering what you ever did without them! MOST COMPATIBLE WITH IN FRIENDSHIP: Aries, Gemini, Libra, and Sagittarius
FRIENDSHIP COMPATIBILITY ARIES: This friendship is full of energy and fun times. Constantly pushing each other to reach for the stars, Leos and Aries may initially have problems with competition but they will push through. TAURUS: Any Taurus-Leo friendship is a friendship based on mutual respect. Even though they may not have much in common, both signs will appreciate each other’s company and specific interests. GEMINI: There are a lot of laughs to be shared in this friendship. At first, they might run into a few disagreements, considering their differences, but as time goes on, both signs will surely mellow out! CANCER: These are two sides of a different coin. Where Leo is confident, Cancer may be timid and so on but deep down, these two signs are more alike than they think. Once they get past the surface, they will start off lifelong friendships. LEO: Double Leos may seem ideal, but beneath the façade, we don’t think this friendship will work without a few explosions! With double the dynamics of boldness and stubbornness, the two Leos might compete excessively before they become friendly. VIRGO: Friendships between Virgos and Leos are exceptional because they don’t happen often. They won’t have anything in common and they might live in very different lanes. This doesn’t mean there isn’t 66 August 2020
mutual respect, but friendship is a long shot. LIBRA: Leos and Libras will hit it off so instantly, a lot of people will find it uncanny! With Libra’s bubbliness and Leo’s vivacity, it’s really no wonder why. They simply seem to understand each other without words. SCORPIO: Many would assume Leos and Scorpios would be rivals, but they will actually connect instantly and will delve off into a perpetually strong friendship from the get-go. SAGITTARIUS: A friendship between a Sagittarius and a Leo will be one worth watching! All Sagittarius will give Leos all the unconditional support and admiration they need! CAPRICORN: Leos and Capricorns is an odd match. Usually, these signs will be extremely competitive. In other circles, though, a Leo-Capricorn friendship could blow you out of the water! AQUARIUS: Despite being wildly different, Leo and Aquarius are two sides of a different coin. With a great deal of respect involved, these signs will be generally amiable even through multiple debates. PISCES: Leos and Pisceans walk two different paths in life. Though sometimes they will have great friendships, Leos and Pisceans will mostly end up being simply acquaintances.
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years payment plan At New Alamein City
A True Coastal World A va r ie t y o f b r e a t h t a k in g a l l y e a r- r o u n d h o m e s s t a r t in g f r o m c o nv e n ie n t 49 m 2 s t ud i o s t o a p a r tm e n t s a n d v illa s s u r r o u n d e d by t h e d e e p e s t s h a d e s o f b lu e.
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