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NOVEMBER 2013 - 15 L.E. VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2
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IDENTITY’S EDITOR’S NOTE
T
NOTE
rying to write these days has become a tedious effort. I can’t even think let alone write! Running around through my daily chores leave me exhausted, tired and numb… work, kids, country, errands and family obligations… there is no room even to breathe! Don’t get me wrong I love my life, and wouldn’t have it otherwise. But as I get older I tend to need more space, more free time, more ME time for a change. I feel trapped! Trapped in my endless worries that if I have to be there, things will get screwed up if I am not. I am sure it’s all in my head… I am sure I have competent staff, I am sure I have well raised kids thank God and I am sure I have taught everyone around me how to be responsible. But this sense of being on top of things is driving me insane! I would really love to just pick up and leave… leave everything behind and go on a trip ALONE. No kids to wake you up with infinite demands, no phone, no BB, no emails… simply nothing… I long for NOTHINGNESS!!
Rola Kamel
On The Cover Photographer: Iancu Cristian Cover Design: Mohamed Maher
Managing Editor Rola Kamel Editor-In-Chief Nawal Ismail Senior Editor Sandra Rizk Associate Editor Ahmed Hassan Clinical Psychologist Bonnie Settlage Relationship Expert Marwa Rakha Contributing Writers Nevine A. Abaza Fitness Specialists Train For Aim Omar Wahdan Opinion Column Mohamed Maher & Sandra Rizk Graphic Designer Mohamed Maher Marketing and Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Marketing Coordinator Nourhan Yehia Website Company Afaq Development Distribution Companies Sky Net & Al Ahram Identity Magazine Distributors Ashraf Fouad & Essam Ibrahim Printing House Sahara Printing company Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s life style 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 to Identity is 180 L.E. for one year (12 issues) by Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com
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IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S CONTENTS
Contents NOVEMBER 2013
Identity’s Favourites 8 Check out what our team picked out for you this month! Identity’s Damsel in Distress Read our monthly series of episodes written by an anonymous girl 11 Anticipating Danger Identity’s Tips We bring you tips and bits on how to, well, do anything! 12 Creativity is Free 13 Make Money From Home 14 Money Personalities 15 7 Affordable Dates 16 25 Ways to Pinch an extra Penny 17 7 Reasons to Get Rid of Stuff Identity’s Glamour Our fashion experts bring you the latest fashion and beauty updates, news and tips. Beauty 20 Self Makeover Fashion Closet Shopping Shop Smart Hottest Bags & Shoes Shop Under 300 LE Prepare Yourself for Winter Best of Spring 2014 Fashion Weeks
22 23 24 26 28 30
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MATERIAL WORLD
Identity’s Emotional Path Our psychologist answers your deepest issues and problems. 38 Frugal by Nature Identity’s Interviews 40 The Workshops founder: Rasha Abou El Soud
24 HOTTEST SHOES
Identity’s Show Buzz
42 Top 10 Cheapest Celebrity Tippers Identity’s Shape Up Live a happier life with our food and health tips brought to you by: Train For Aim Fitness Specialists. 44 Training Guide 45 Nutrition: Do it Right Ladies Identity’s Travel Packages Helping you decide where to head to, with incredible offers! 46 Fantastic Travel Deals 47 Christmas Packages
Identity’s Piece of Writing 34 Material World
Identity’s Reviews 48 Affordable Restaurants
Identity’s Marwa Answers Who is better to answer your love and relationship questions? 36 Life With a Big Spender
Identity’s Ay Kalam Sarcastic facts, Egyptian stories, jokes, and anything that will fix your mood! 56 DIY, Fail Until You Die
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S FAVOURITES
Vanessa Bruno Coated wrapeffect wool skirt
EMOTIONALLY BLOCKED
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veryone feels pain and no one wants to be By: Mohamed Maher hurt. We are @MoeMSamed all blocked to some extent due to painful experiences. We put on a veil of secrecy; we don’t want to reveal anything about ourselves and, deal with others in a cold way until we reach a point where we can’t even say “I love you” or “I hate you” to someone. We become extremely hesitant when making future plans and finally end up with a history of emotional withdrawal.
Paul & Joe Hooded cableknit cardigan
DKNY Leatherpaneled lace top
Identity’s
favourite WINTER FINDS Rag & Bone Montrose leatherpaneled stretchcrepe dress Lisa Maree Days End dip-dyed crocheted cotton coverup
...we reach a point where we can’t even say “I love you” or “I hate you” to someone. Emotionally blocked people don’t allow anyone to get close to them because it would involve trusting... they will have to protect their secrets, and having faith... they won’t leave them on their own!
Mulberry Pleated nappa leather mini skirt
Isabel Marant Jayna studded wool-twill jacket 12
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
So I don’t know what to do, I don’t have a clue, I am unable to step out of this phase… I just act happy and put on a big fat smile on my face and when I see someone I just say “Hey loverrr, whatz up!” to confuse them and distract them from how I really feel. I just continue acting like I am okay until I start to believe my own lies… Now I’m walking on the red carpet all glitz and glamorous going to the stage to take the “Oscar’s” for the best actor performance in the “happy life” that I have been playing for all the years I lived, when all I really was… emotionally blocked.
IDENTITY’S FAVOURITES
Donna Karan Draped cashmere poncho
Rick Owens Blister washed-leather biker jacket
Identity’s
favourite WINTER FINDS Donna Karan Draped cashmere poncho
WE LOVE DUMOND
A PAGE OF A
DIARY
By: Sandra Rizk
Loneliness. You don’t @Sandra_Rizk necessarily have to be alone to feel lonely; sometimes you could have the largest family, a boyfriend, a lot of friends and colleagues, and still feel lonely. That’s even worse than having nobody. Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted are the most terrible poverty. You could be lying in the same bed next to someone and still feel as if you’re alone. I believe it’s rejection that creates loneliness. I believe it’s having your heart broken. And I believe it’s about not trusting anyone around you. You could have so much fun with your friends talking about people, but eventually, you’ll be the one they talk about. You could be the best in your career and still get rejected. You could be in a long loving committed relationship while he’s cheating on you. Loneliness will eventually lead to insomnia, the other word for torture. Because when the world is fast asleep, you’ll be up fighting with your mind to stop buzzing random thoughts. When you become aware of the silence around you, that’s when you’ll realise how lonely you are. Soon enough, you’ll start realizing that the only person who’s supposed to make you happy is you. At some point, you’ll understand that some people can stay in your heart but not your life. You will get to feel the most inexplicable feeling which is friends making you feel delighted and loved in your most lonely hours. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. Have you ever felt lonely? Yeah? Good… Now wake up!
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IDENTITY’S DAMSEL IN DISTRESS After disappearing for some time I heard a knock on the door, “Ronzie, whats taking you so long? Come on! I’m starving!” It was Moe. I thanked God that Joey left, grabbed my bag and came out of the room after a long wait, only to find Moe and Joey right outside! He didn’t leave! Why didn’t he leave?! I was not expecting this at all! “Oh! Hi!” I babbled. “Ronzie, this is Joey, he’s my best friend” said Moe insisting that we go out together for lunch so they can catch up, and we can get better acquainted. I knew trouble was ahead but I convinced myself that it’s nothing I can’t handle.
THE DIARY OF A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
Episode 8
MY NAME IS RONZIE. I’M AN ORDINARY EGYPTIAN GIRL IN MY TWENTIES, BUT MY LIFE IS FAR FROM ORDINARY. I’M JUST TRYING TO BE HAPPY, BUT ALL I EVER DO IS GET INTO MORE AND MORE TROUBLE. ALL I EVER WANTED WAS TO LIVE A HAPPY NORMAL LIFE, WORK A DECENT JOB, AND MEET MY KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, AND WHAT I GOT WAS A REAL LIFE DRAMA MOVIE. MY LIFE IS A SERIES OF ADVENTURES THAT I WILL SHARE WITH YOU...
“Anticipating Danger”
I ended up modeling for one of Moe’s shoots one day. Moe and I clicked and started fliritng for a moment, way off our friendship course. I was sure Moe was flirting back, making excuses to touch me, he looked at me differently. But then my mind put me off when I thought maybe he was just trying to make me feel comfortable in the shoot, thats when my ego broke a bit. The shoot was successful, everyone loved it. I was excited about it, yet very intimidated, what if the clients didn’t like it because of me? After all I never worked as a model before. As we wrapped up the shoot I could see a very handsome guy walk in. He’s that perfect tall dark and handsome kind of guy, but with blue eyes! I melted instantly; if there is one thing i can’t ever resist and would die for with no hesitation it has to be a man with blue eyes. I could almost swear that I literally gulped the moment i saw him, butterflies in my stomach and weakened knees, I knew no good would come from knowing him. I was probably staring too much his way that Moe turned around to see what I’m looking at. “Joey!” Moe screamed out with excitement and welcoming. He knows him! He can’t know him! If he knows him I’ll have to know him, and I can’t know him! I don’t want to know him! I decided to rush into the room to change my clothes and hide out until they’ve said their hellos, goodbyes, and everything in between.
Joey and Moe were so much alike. Watching them catch up, reminiscing the old days, and occasionally teasing each other with embarrassing stories was very entertaining. I could tell they were very good friends, like brothers. Joey basically was a playboy businessman version of Moe. I could tell that Joey wasn’t easy, he knew how to play girls; during the first 5 minutes in the resturant he complimented my nail polish and asked to see it, he held my hand pretending to give a damn about the nail polish! He kept holding onto it as he asked me about useless details: where did I have my nails done, do I put nail polish at home, what are my favorite colors, and then he took one more deep look at them before he finally let them go. I was trying my best not to show that I was starting to quiver. But he knew how he made me feel, he intended me to feel that way, looking deep in my eyes, holding gaze, pretending to be so interested in what I have to say about my nail polish. I reminded myself that Moe was with us, I gazed at him wondering if he noticed what just happened, or if he was able to read my intense feelings at that instant, but he seemed distracted enough. It’s a little strange how attractive Moe is, and yet he never uses his charms with the girls, atleast I never witnessed it. I remembered the moment we had earlier in the day, wondering if he was really flirting with me or just doing his job really well. Recalling that moment I felt a little guilty. As we enjoyed our meal I learned that Joey was in fact Moe’s best friend since kindergarten up to college, but he traveled for some graduate studies and just returned. They hadn’t seen each other for over a year. But their friendship was so tight nothing could break them up, not even a year abroad. As Moe drove me home his mind seemed to be somewhere else. “Tired?” I asked. “Yea, it was a very long day”. I agreed, it was a really long day. I started picturing what I will do when I go home, have a shower, change, wondering if I should watch some TV or go directly to bed. My thoughts were interrupted with Moe’s hand reaching out to my thigh, he just placed it there comfortably as he said with a smile “You did a really good job today, you’re a natural” I smiled and thanked him, but his hands just stayed where they are, as though they were resting on my thigh after a long day, they just stayed there till we reached my house, then he casually farewell me and drove off as I entered my house. I was confused, I had no clue what just happened, was that a friendly pep talk or was he actually making a move?
DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS IN THIS PAGE ARE FICTITIOUS CHARACTERS, BASED ON IMAGINED “WHAT IF...” SCENARIOS, BUT CAN OCCASIONALLY BE INSPIRED FROM REAL LIFE STORIES SEEN OR HEARD.
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S TIPS
CREATIVITY IS FREE! By: Sandra Rizk
ONE THING WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT PEOPLE ADMIRE CREATIVITY AND HANDMADE STUFF MORE THAN VALUABLE, EXPENSIVE THINGS. YOU DON’T NEED TO BE RICH TO REDECORATE YOUR HOME. THESE TIPS WILL INSPIRE YOU TO MAKE SOME SIMPLE CHANGES IN YOUR HOUSE THAT ARE QUICK, EASY, AFFORDABLE, AND HEARTFELT!
EGG CARTON
After having breakfast, don’t throw the egg carton away. Grab some shots glasses that fit the carton’s wholes, fill them with flowers, and place it in your balcony or your kitchen window to give the room some life to it.
BRACELETS BOTTLE
INSPIRATIONAL WIRE
FLOWER BULBS
Take a couple of old light bulbs, fill them with water, add flowers, get a thick flexible wire, and voila!
This one is as simple as shown in the picture.
Stick a wire to your wall, print some inspiring and motivating quotes, hang them on your wire to help you start your days positively.
EARRING STAND
Spray paint cheese grater, put large holed beads onto ceiling hooks, glue into base of cheese grater.
METAL MIRROR
Get a round mirror and a set of spoons, forks and knives. Hang the mirror on your wall and glue your silverware around the mirror in order. There you go!
SCRABBLE FRAME
Grab the letters needed from a scrabble board game, stick them together to a blank paper to complete the sentence “Welcome to our home”, frame it, and hang it on your doorstep. 16
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
CHERRY BLOSSOM ART
You don’t have to be an artist to draw a nice painting. Use the bottom part of a soda bottle to draw flowers on a branch that you drew. Frame your painting and hang it on an empty wall in your house.
IDENTITY’S TIPS
MAKE MONEY FrOM HOME By: Sandra Rizk
WHETHER YOU ARE TRYING TO EXPLORE YOUR PASSION OR MAKE SOME EXTRA MONEY, YOU WILL DEFINITELY FIND SOME INTERESTING IDEAS FOR HOME BUSINESSES IN THE LIST BELOW. BABY SITTING
There will always be parents who are dying to get out of the house and have some time away from the kids. So why don’t you have an online ad, or just tell a bunch of friends that you are willing to babysit, and make a few extra pounds while watching over some kids for a couple of hours?
PET HOTEL
CATERING
If you’re a good cook, spend your extra time after work baking and cooking. You definitely know some single men who live alone that crave a good meal after a long day at work, or a new couple who are having their friends over and want some quick appetizers. Just make sure you know a fast delivery man who will be there when you need him.
CRAFTS
In a world of mass-produced junk, shoppers feel good about buying handmade, one-ofa-kind items. If you’ve got a flair for creativity or an eye for design, get some ideas online, and create some homemade accessories, jewellery, or even some funky frames or ash trays. Crate a page on facebook or a blog where you can sell your stuff!
If you’re an animal person and you have an extra room, you can turn it into a small pet motel. It can include everything from pet sitting while owners are on vacation to doggy day care, pet grooming, dog walking and other pet-related services.
TUTORING
PERSONAL TRAINER
If you’ve been working out for years that you have built some good experience and knowledge to be able to train someone else, invest some money in an extra room at home, and buy some fitness equipment. You can give classes to your neighbours or people around you who are too lazy or can’t afford to go to a gym.
To have a successful tutoring service, you’ll need excellent credentials, competitive pricing, relevant experience, and glowing references. If you have no experience in teaching, you can always teach little kids who are still learning their ABCs and their parents do not have the time to follow up with them at home. IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S TIPS
MONEY PERSONALITIES
PARTNERS THAT YOU NEED TO AVOID!
By: Ahmed Hassan
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR MONEY PERSONALITY? THE KIND THAT YOU USUALLY KEEP TO YOURSELF AND ONLY SHOW AFTER A VERY LONG TIME TO YOUR PARTNER BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT CHANGES THINGS. THERE ARE MANY MONEY PERSONALITIES OUT THERE, SOME YOU CAN DEAL WITH AND OTHERS YOU JUST CAN’T. FIND OUT THE DIFFERENT MONEY PERSONALITIES OUT THERE AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WHAT KIND OF PARTNERS YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO AVOID! BEYOND FRUGAL: This characteristic is usually only associated with cheap men. Well I beg to differ; there are many women out there who make the mistake of adopting a prudent approach that just borders cheap. This kind of personality exists either due to unfortunate financial circumstances or out of a need to save every penny. The latter is worse because not enjoying the money you have turns any flowering relationship to a dry desert of no happiness or hope. CREDIT CARD ADDICT: the stores adore them and they should, they spend outrageous amounts of money (which they don’t have) to get all those beautiful items on display. This personality is dangerous because their debts get out of control and they start looking to their partners for financial help. They have no priorities; they only want to buy as many items as possible to feel good about themselves. LEECH: No job, no responsibilities and just lives mooching off of other people. Unlike the CC addict, the leech can’t even support his/her basic needs. Not only that but they are too lazy to function as productive members of society. They are the vampires of money personalities; they will suck your wallet dry. INDEPENDENT ROLLER: They make money, support themselves and don’t need help from no one! They are too pride to accept it anyway. Feminists, traditional men and more can be listed under this personality. Even in a relationship they will support themselves and might even make a big deal if you’re not willing to split the check. It’s not all bad until independence turns to pure selfishness.
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IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
GOLD DIGGER: Think Jennifer love Hewitt and Sigourney Weaver in the heartbreakers, seducing wealthy men with their sexuality to scam money out of them. This is very similar to the leech personality, except gold diggers only look for and hunt down wealth. Men or women, both look for financial and social climbing opportunities to target and usually get due to their charming abilities.
BIG SPENDER: Bring in the big guns! The show is about to start; want the latest car model? Buy it! Want the new iPhone? Get it! That gorgeous house you passed by? It’s yours! For there is nothing too expensive for the big spender. Their wealth allows them to buy everything they or their partner could want or need. What’s the problem? Priorities! If they don’t keep track of their finances, things could go down the drain. Nevertheless, they believe that materialistic items can substitute for affection which results in even more problems.
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IDENTITY’S TIPS
AFFORDABLE DATES THAT SHE’LL ACTUALLY LIKE!
By: Sandra Rizk
HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO TAKE THE GIRL YOU LOVE OUT FOR AN AMAZING DATE, BUT COULDN’T REALLY AFFORD ANY OF THE ROMANTIC IDEAS OUT THERE? HERE’S WHAT YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW; WE DON’T CARE ABOUT THAT FANCY RESTAURANT THAT SERVES THE FINEST WINE IN THE CITY, WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND THE QUALITY TIME WE SPEND WITH THE PERSON WE LOVE. WANT ROMANCE THAT DOESN’T COST A FORTUNE? HERE ARE SOME GREAT IDEAS THAT WILL ONLY BRING YOU CLOSER TOGETHER. BE SIMPLE We know that this is so cliché, but take her to the nearest beach, grab a bottle of wine, some cheese and chips, music, and just chill. If your originality doesn’t wow her, the stars and the sights surely will.
FIND THE ACTION The way to ensure a fun-filled date is by taking your partner to a place where there is a lot going on. You can maybe go to a place where there is street performers or a circus. This will definitely be a fun and carefree date.
TEACH HER SOMETHING If you can teach your partner something she wanted to do for a while, you will become a hero! Driving, surfing, kick boxing, or even how to paint, she’ll always remember you and you will surely have a blast.
ACT YOUNG Bring out your fun side by taking her out for some games. You can go to a park to swing on swings, or to a laser storm game room, or even for a paint ball fight!
SPOIL YOURSELF What do girls love the most? Shopping. What do guys hate the most? Shopping and spending money. Therefore, a perfect date would be going shopping for yourself, having her with you to help you pick clothes, and you’ll only be spending money on yourself in that case. It’s a win win situation! ENJOY THE DRAMA Let’s admit it, girls LOVE to talk! Invite her over for a drink and snacks, and spend the whole night just asking her questions and listening to everything she has to say. Yes, girls love to talk, but they love good listeners even more.
COOK HER A MEAL A man who knows how to cook is damn sexy. Show her some of your cooking skills by cooking her a nice dinner at your place or hers. BE SENSITIVE If the girl you’re seeing loves animals, take her to the nearest shelter, play with puppies, feed them, and adopt one if you can afford to. This date will not only be fun, but will also reveal the gentle and caring side of you.
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IDENTITY’S TIPS
SAVE UP!
WAYS TO PINCH AN EXTRA PENNY OR TWO!
1. Make your own meals instead of take out at home or work. 2. Buy a travel mug and make your own coffee or tea instead of that Starbucks. 3. STOP BUYING EVERYTHING YOU LAY YOUR EYES ON WHEN GROCERY SHOPPING. MAKE A LIST OF THINGS YOU NEED AND STICK TO IT.
4. MAKE USE OF COUPONS OR OFFERS! 5. Buy items you use a lot such as shampoo or hand wash in bulk. Usually there are packages of three or more and it costs less on the long run. 6. Pay your credit card bills on time to avoid extra charges. 7. Avoid ATM fees, try to cash out from your bank’s ATM or buy at the store right away. 8. CARPOOL AND SAVE ON GAS MONEY (AS WELL AS DRIVING EFFORT & EMOTIONAL NERVE WRECK) 9. Go to the movies early and make use of the lower priced ticket. 10. Save your wallet from the electrical bill, close any lit rooms you’re not using and invest in a mobile fan to use instead of having the AC on all the time.
By: Ahmed Hassan 14. No need to buy a lavish gift and go for a more thoughtful approach when gifting someone. It will save money and it will be remembered more. 15. PUT AWAY FROM 5-10% OF YOUR INCOME EACH MONTH. THEY WILL COME IN HANDY WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY OR WHEN YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING. 16. Stay AWAY from the money you put away every month. Don’t put them in a bank account with an ATM card. 17. Don’t go out every day, host dinners and movie nights and spend a night in without spending extra cash. 18. Compare prices between stores specially when buying electronics. The money difference can be big! 19. Save up and go shopping during sales! You could get double the amount of items you would normally buy.
20. KEEP YOUR TIRES AIRED UP. LESS PSI (TIRE AIR PRESSURE) MEANS MORE FUEL CONSUMPTION. 21. Wrap and freeze leftovers for later use instead of throwing them away.
11. PLAN VACATIONS AHEAD OF TIME BOTH 22. Go for an electronic version of books, THE HOTEL FEES AS WELL AS AIR PLANE FARES magazines and other entertainment. Not only will you save on space but you will also save money WILL BE OF A BETTER PRICE. since digital versions are cheaper.
12. Quit smoking! Your wallet and your lungs will both be thankful for this step (That includes 40 LE Shishas too). 13. Create the perfect mobile plan for your usage. One that suits your needs and saves you money. 20
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
23. Use Mother Nature instead of a gym subscription. Work out at home or go for a run in the streets! 24. Use natural remedies instead of buying expensive beauty products. 25. DON’T BE AFRAID TO RETURN ITEMS YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU DON’T NEED. MAKE SURE TO KEEP YOUR RECEIPT AND KNOW YOUR GRACE PERIOD.
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IDENTITY’S TIPS
REASONS TO GET RID OF STUFF
(YOU DON’T NEED) By: Ahmed Hassan 1. Clutter: Save on space and get rid of all those old VCRs, Cassette tapes and those elusive floppy disks hidden back in every drawer.
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3. Transform it: If you don’t want to get rid of it, then find a new use! Old mugs for pen holders, book stacks as decoration or to support broken picture frames and other items. You can also turn old vinyl records or posters to retro wall art.
Someone else needs it: Think of old bicycles, baby clothes/toys, books and electronics! There are endless items that you could give, donate or resell to someone else who could really make use of it.
Improve your life: Getting rid of old dusty items will help decrease the dust and improve the air you breathe same goes to cigarette packs lying around the house (Whether you smoke or a friend left it) and finally fatty snacks & foods and deadly 1.5 litre soda bottles.
Expired: Many people go years using a product that has expired a long, long time ago. Then again there are those who actually buy items either expired or a month away from expiration without even noticing.
6.No Value: There are things that don’t really have a use or even a monetary and sentimental value. For example, broken pens, old notes and old calendars.
7. A gift from an ex: Last but certainly not least, it’s time to get rid of those gifts your ex gave you that you secretly hated. Not to mention if you’re in a new relationship or trying to look for one, then having old souvenirs of what was won’t really help you move on. Tip: Keep the valuable items; you never know when they might come in handy! Check out stuffthatsleftbehind.com for interesting stories
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S GLAMOUR
FASHIONABLY TRENDY on a BUDGET! THE PAST MONTH ALL THE EID FESTIVITIES HAVE TAKEN A TOLL ON EVERYONE’S WALLET, THAT’S WHY WE BRING YOU THE LATEST AND BEST IN FASHION AND BEAUTY FOR LESS JUST IN TIME FOR WINTER SHOPPING!
WE MIGHT HAVE SNUCK IN SOME OF THOSE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE ‘EYE CANDY’ FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO APPRECIATE THE ART OF FASHION. GUILTY AS CHARGED.
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IDENTITY’S BEAUTY MAKEOVER TIPS
Self MAKE-OVER
By: Sandra Rizk
YOU CAN ALWAYS LOOK FRESH AND PRETTY WITHOUT SPENDING MUCH. WITH THESE EASY SELF MAKE-OVER TIPS, WHO NEEDS PLASTIC SURGERIES?
EYEBROW COLOURING Colouring your eyebrows has always been the perfect way to feel some change without changing much. Just remember to always colour it one shade darker than your hair, you still want it to look natural. We like Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Blonde, Brunette and Dark Brown ($7.50; at drugstores). PERFECT YOUR POUT Not that we encourage pouting or anything, but if you have small lips then try plumping them with products instead of going through some painful injections. Try Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream SPF 30 ($27.50; elizabetharden.com), the peppermintinfused Pout Plump ($24; sephora.com), which temporarily increases blood flow to the lips, or LipFusion Micro-Injected Collagen Lip Plumper ($36; sephora.com), which penetrates lip tissue with dehydrated marine collagen microspheres.
BRIGHTEN YOUR SMILE Whitening discoloured teeth is a simple, affordable way to look younger and healthier within weeks. We like Crest Night Effects Premium for Sensitive Teeth, which contains a hydrogen-peroxide gel that helps remove stains after 18 nights of use ($18; at drugstores). BRIGHTEN YOUR EYES If your eye lashes are long and curled, your eyes will instantly pop. Which means that the most important tool in makeup is an eyelash curler and a mascara and that’s why we recommend (The Folding ILash Comb from Tweezerman, $5.50; tweezerman.com). 24
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TRY PHONY PONY HAIR EXTENSIONS Let’s admit that we all love that long sexy hair, but not all of us can grow it. Hair extensions might be just your thing. They are very easy to use, just attach them on whenever you’re going out and take them off before going to sleep.
MAKE THIN BROWS THICKER Unfortunately, many of us know all too well what it’s like to have thin brows. You can replace that tattoo with Talika Eyebrow Extender ($30; sephora.com). Unlike tinted brow gels, this is a transparent fixative with hair like fibers that cling to your own eyebrows, adding depth and thickness and filling in over plucked spots. PERFECT YOUR SKIN. When it comes to makeup, never wear layers of foundation just to cover up some fine lines or pimples. They will still show and you will look much older and fake. That’s the number one mistake many women make. Instead, look for some new skin-perfecting products that will improve your skin’s clarity like Estee Lauder Prime FX Colour Neutralizing Primer ($25; esteelauder.com).
LOOK SLIMMER Don’t worry we are not going to bore you out with all the workouts and fitness programs, just buy some self-tanning products that will make you look instantly thinner. Self-tanners can definitely help you appear slimmer if applied properly, especially in the leg and thigh areas. They can also help conceal cellulite and other imperfections. For best results, always exfoliate first, paying special attention to knees, elbows, feet and hands, to ensure even, streak-free application. Make sure that your skin is completely dry before applying or else the self-tanning products will go on unevenly. Try Clarins Sheer Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner for Legs ($28; gloss.com); it’s easy to apply evenly since it’s tinted. Or if you prefer untinted, try Shiseido Brilliant Bronze Quick Self-Tanning Gel ($26; sca.shiseido.com). IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S FASHION MAKEOVER
Closet SHOPPING By: Ahmed Hassan
Turn a classic blazer into a sexy top and accessorize it with statement necklaces or brooches Classic trick: Turn your old jeans/ pants to shorts!
WE ALL SOMETIMES FEEL THAT OUR WARDROBE –AS FILLED AS IT MAY SEEMHAS NOTHING TO BE WORN. SO YOU JUST STAND THERE STARING AT YOUR CLOSET AND THE NEED TO SHOP RISES. BEFORE YOU GRAB YOUR WALLET AND HEAD OUT, TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THE ITEMS YOU HAVE. JUMP IN AND DIG OUT ALL THE OLD ITEMS YOU DON’T WEAR ANYMORE AND THINK OF NEW WAYS TO WEAR OR CHANGE THEM. CAN’T FIND ANY IDEAS? THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE TO HELP! LET’S START SHOPPING FROM YOUR CLOSET Use a long skirt as a dress or cut it and turn it into a cute top
Denim shirts are a classic and can be transformed to a vest.
Add buttons, brooches, embellishments or even some cuts to any outfit to spice it up 26
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Add a silk scarf to your hat or bag for a chic & fashionable upgrade.
T-Shirts to tank tops
Use a fabulous scarf as a belt
IDENTITY’S FASHION TIPS
SHOPSmart
By: Ahmed Hassan
MANY LISTS WILL TELL YOU TIPS AND TRICKS OVER AND OVER ON HOW TO SHOP SMART LIKE LEAVING YOUR CREDIT CARDS AT HOME, SETTING A BUDGET AND DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN WANTS AND NEEDS. WELL I’M HERE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE. Keep your wardrobe in mind: you can find items that you didn’t think of before to compliment outfits you already have. Basic items are always a great choice; they are versatile and won’t cost much.
Don’t think seasons, think layers: So what if you buy tanks or t-shirts right before winter? You can match them with shirts, cardigans and jackets for a complete winter look. Not to mention they will cost less.
Break your budget: just don’t empty your pockets or over load yourself with credit card debt. Revisit the previous points to be able to determine whether you’re breaking it for good reasons or you’ll just waste your money.
Make use of technology: there are many online shopping websites available now and most of them have great offers. Check them out before going on a shopping spree. Revisit stores: some stores change the displayed items on a daily basis, especially when on sale. Make sure to revisit the same store to catch a few of those items.
Take your credit card: especially when there is a sale. There are certain findings that you won’t be able to get if you wait just another hour! You will save a lot of money and get a lot of items.
Bags & Shoes: even if the item is costly, it is worth it because you will wear it forever. Unlike clothes, you don’t have to worry about sizes. Splurge a little and get the fabulous bag on the mannequin or those beautiful boots calling out to you. No guilt.
Think ahead: try to foresee what you might want or need later on. Maybe there is a birthday coming up? A baby shower? A wedding? If you find an item that is suitable for that occasion with a great price tag buy it and set it aside till the occasion. You’ll save money & effort looking for it then. IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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Hottest 2013 Bags & Shoes IDENTITY’S FASHION BAGS & SHOES
By: Ahmed Hassan
FROM THE CHEAPEST TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE, THIS LIST COVERS IT ALL. THIS MIGHT BE A “BUDGET” ISSUE BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS DREAM OR LOOK FOR A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE. WHETHER YOU CAN AFFORD THE 53,510 LE CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN PUMPS OR THE 200K LE HERMÈS BAG OR NOT, YOU CAN STILL APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY AND FINE CRAFT OF EACH OF THESE GORGEOUS ITEMS. ENJOY! 9
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1- Christian Louboutin 2- Zara 3- Christian Louboutin 4- Valentino 5- F-Troupe 6- New Kid Elma 7- Sophia Webster 8- Zara 9- H&M 10- Zara 11- Alexander McQueen 12- Fendi 13- Barbour Hoxton 14- Isabel Marant 15- Brian Atwood 28
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11 2
1 12 3
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4
14 6
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1- Hermès 2- Kate Spade New York 3- Miu Miu 4- Miu Miu 5- River Island 6- Saint Laurent 7- Zara 8- Religion Union Jack 9- Kenzo 10- Pour La Victoire 11- Zara 12- Kotur 13- House Of Harlow 1960 14- Love Moschino 15- Sandro 16- Chloé IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S FASHION AFFORDABLE ITEMS
Shop Under
300 LE
By: Sandra Rizk
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE FILTHY RICH TO DRESS UP NICELY, HERE ARE SOME FASHIONABLE YET AFFORDABLE ITEMS THAT WE FOUND ONLINE FOR YOU!
Topshop Linen Stripe Long Sleeve Tee £18
H&M Shirt with rivets LE 26
Topshop Vinyl Edge Paint Satchel £28
H&M Fingerless mittens LE 99
ASOS Turban Headband £8
Topshop Scribble Jersey Tapered Trousers £28
Topshop TINIE Canvas Lace Up Pumps £20 30
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H&M Denim shirt LE 199
Forever21 Luxe Fringe Bib Necklace $11
Topshop Waterfall Cardigan £25
H&M Quilted skirt LE 199
ASOS JESSIE Espadrilles £ 8
H&M Patterned blouse LE 229
H&M Bohemianstyle blouse LE 299
H&M Satin blouse LE 299 H&M Denim shirt LE 269 Topshop Tassle Jersey Midi Dress £26
Topshop Twisted Maxi by Love £28 Topshop Sporty Bodycon Tunic £22
ASOS Pieces Egir Earwarmers £12
H&M Jersey dress LE 149
Topshop Geo Aztec Square Scarf £14 H&M Gold Earrings LE 49
H&M 2-pack gloves LE 59 Pieces Emolda Beanie With Bobble £12 asos
New Look Say Blue Two Part Pointed Court Shoes £18
H&M Lowcut chiffon bodice dress LE 99
Forever21 Femme Filigree Collar $9
H&M Denim skirt LE 199
New Look Huddy Studded Zip Black Ankle Boots £ 25
ASOS SATURDAY Heels £ 25 IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S WINTER FASHION KNIT BEANIES: The beanie is one of this season’s favourite runway trend. It’s practical and affordable, not to mention pretty damn cute. You can wear it to work or even to a party, just make sure not to take it off this winter!
Carolina Herrera
Giles
TURTLENECKS: Despite its not-socool reputation, the turtleneck is infinitely wearable. Think about it: It keeps you warm, it’s practical, it goes with any pair of jeans in your closet, and under any heavy coat you own. Trust us, Audrey Hepburn would approve.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Dolce & Gabbana
DKNY
Calvin Klein
Gucci
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR WINTER!
Tntees
Christian Louboutin
w o l l o f t s Mu Trends By: Sandra Rizk
Emilio Pucci
Gianvito Rossi
3.1 Phillip Lim Tom Ford 32
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OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS: Somehow, this trend doesn’t disappear. And somehow, we do not mind! There’s nothing sexier than a knee high leather boots on a short dress or skirt.
SHADES OF GREEN: Pantone called it: Green is officially a thing for fall 2013. From emerald to army, there’s a shade for every skin tone, hair colour, and personal style.
SLOUCHY PANTS: This winter’s must-have trousers are those loose slouchy pants that are slightly narrow at the ankles and sits high on the waist. Pair them with high heels, a clutch, a plain white top and you’re good to go!
Oscar De La Renta
Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein
The Row Cushnie et ochs Marc Jacobs
Peter Pilotto Donna Karan
Creatures of the Wind
Day Birger et Mikkelsen
WINTER WHITE: “More is more” might be the colour motto for the streetstyle set, but on the runway this season, head-to-toe winter white made one of the strongest impressions.
STATEMENT OUTERWEAR: Outerwear came in every shape, colour, and volume imaginable this season, stealing the spotlight from fashion’s usual head-turner: high heels. A statement coat will instantly take your look to the next level.
Proenza Schouler
Derek Lam
Tommy Hilfiger Altuzarra
Anna Sui
Marchesa
T by Alexander Wang IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S FASHION REPORT
ueen
Alexander McQ
ello Anthony Vaccar
The
Balmain
Best of Spring 2014 SADLY, THE SHOW’S OVER. WE ALL KNOW WHO GOT THE MOST BUZZ ON THE LAST DAY OF PARIS FASHION WEEK. BUT ASIDE FROM THE MARVELLOUS MARC JACOBS’ FINALE COLLECTION AND SHOW FOR LOUIS VUITTON, MANY OTHER DESIGNERS BLEW US AWAY! WE BRING YOU A ROUNDUP OF THE BEST OF PARIS, LONDON, NEW YORK AND MILAN FASHION WEEKS!
Elie Saab
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Emilio Pucci
ChloĂŠ Givenchy Jean-Charles de
Castelbajac
lli
Giambattista Va
Fashion Weeks!
By: Sandra Rizk
John Galliano
ltier
Jean Paul Gau
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IDENTITY’S FASHION REPORT
Louis Vuitton
kin
Valentin Yudash
Valentino
Stella McCartney
Zadig & Voltaire Vionnet
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na
Dolce & Gabba 3.1 Phillip Lim
Fausto Puglisi
Zac Posen
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IDENTITY’S PIECE OF WRITING
MATERIAL WORLD
By: Ahmed Hassan
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T
hey say money isn’t everything and life is full of free and fantastic experiences that are worth more than what money can ever buy. I guess I can see where those people are coming from, it’s true; money isn’t everything. Let’s be realistic though, money matters! For every pound you spend or earn there is a whole range of emotions that you get to experience. Excitement after getting that first pay check, happiness when you buy those expensive pair of shoes you’ve wanted, the thrill of affording to travel and see the world and the absolute pride you feel when you are not only able to provide for yourself but for a whole family. So let’s talk money. Many people don’t like to talk about money and have even seen friendships and relationships break apart because of it. What if you didn’t have money? Would you have been able to live these experiences? Would they feel the same if you did? What would change? Why does money have so much power in our lives? I had to break down the various aspects of money in order to understand why we all care about it so much.
Money is security. Probably one of the most important aspects of money, feeling secure and having something to fall back on if something were to happen. Sickness, economic disasters, losing a job, having an extra baby or two… all these situations can deal a much lighter blow if you can afford to take it easily. It opens up many opportunities and allows freedom of experience! Investing in a new company that could take off one day, travelling the world and exploring different cultures, helping out people and finally not finding any chains to prevent you from experiencing what life has to offer. Money buys time; another important aspect of money. If it weren’t for those trust funds our parents kept building up for us since the day we were born, we probably won’t be able to be where we are today on our own. We would spend years and years trying to save up money and at the end it goes to your children and you will find that you missed out on enjoying life because you were too busy saving up for an unforeseeable future. It’s probably one of the greatest gifts a parent can provide for their children.
“... one aspect where I didn’t find that money makes a difference is a person’s value.” Money gives you access to places and cliques that others could never dream of. We spend hundreds and even thousands of pounds on party tickets, alcohol and outfits; all to feel important and special. We end up in a room filled with similar minded people who do more effort showing off what they got than enjoying the party. For some it’s for the mere enjoyment while others have a more complicated plan to socially climb ladders, seal deals or even get on the radar of a hot girl. Just as the designer labels we wear, we as people are defined by labels too. Business man, socialite, heiress and the list goes on; all of which represent status, a status of wealth and power. Money is power. We all know it, the more money a person has generally means more power. Are we talking bribes and multi-million underground deals? No, not necessarily. It simply allows you to do a lot of things. Start a family at the age of 22 without worrying about the future, taking a risk and starting your own business, donating to a charitable cause and changing the world. It’s like your life will always be in a constant state of change; because you can afford it. Money also brings happiness. Many would beg to differ on this and how we can be happy from the simpler things in life. Well that is an illusion. Yeah you can enjoy the simple things but you can also enjoy a penthouse by the Nile or the limited edition Porsche. In any normal case where you don’t use money to fill a void, it is generally used to enjoy everything life has to offer. Being able to buy the things you want, travel and explore the world or to get your kids in the best schools. Who can say that these things won’t raise your happy bar a notch or even ten?
On the other hand, one aspect where I didn’t find that money makes a difference is a person’s value. Whether dressed from head to toe in Armani or in a 100 LE outfit, how people value or see you is totally up to who you are and how you deal with them. There are those who try as hard as they can to cover themselves in the most extravagant of items to raise their value, to get people to notice them and forego the fact that they are completely devoid of personality or substance. They may get respect but they certainly can’t buy the love of others. Times are in a constant state of change and at the risk of sounding like a grandpa, I recall a time when 50 LE would be enough for a movie ticket, lunch and cab fare. I would even go home with some change! Now it seems that the more we grow the more money we end up paying on the same things that once cost a lot less. Being able to cope with the inflation and not worry much about what everything costs now compared to what it used to cost is a luxury only few get to enjoy. We are living in a material world. A time when diamond encrusted credit cards give more value to a person than his/her accomplishments or life experiences. It’s good to work and strive for a more extravagant lifestyle but always be grateful for what you have. No matter how much or how little money and possessions you own, always remember that there are people who live an entire lifetime not knowing what a cupcake is. You might not be in the top 1% of the world’s richest, but you at least rank in the top 15% of the entire world population. That really counts for something! Just Google “how rich am I” and you will be surprised. I did for this article and I have only one thing to say: Who are we kidding? Money MATTERS! IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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LIFE WITH A BIG IDENTITY MARWA ANSWERS
By: Marwa Rakha Relationship Expert
SPENDER
Dear Marwa, I’ve been happily married to this man who I really love for 3 years now and we have a 1 year old daughter. There’s this one thing that we never stop fighting about; my husband is a big spender. Whatever he likes, he buys it without thinking. I can’t say we are rich, we are an average family who makes enough money for the three of us. I get that my husband believes that life is too short to not enjoy everything about it, but that doesn’t mean we have to be reckless. He never puts in consideration that one day we might actually need the money for our daughter’s education or something. What if we decided to quit our jobs? Or even worse, get fired? What if one of us got sick and need an expensive operation? Shouldn’t we start saving money from now? Please Marwa I need your help.. How can I convince him that we should start being more careful in what we spend? Karma. Dear Karma, Your husband is one of the very few human beings who are still capable of feeling happy and still appreciate the gift of life. Most people nowadays are either numb or depressed. One way or the other most emails that I get talk about people who are angry, negative, aggressive, or simply frustrated. Your husband is a happy person and this is a great thing! There is also another great thing about your husband; he has faith! He has an inner sense of security; he knows that everything is alright and that 40
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everything will always be alright! This inner sense of security is the reason behind his happiness as a human being. If you look around you today, you will find people who are always worried about what the future might bring. If you compare your husband to those people, you will realize that those who are fearful of tomorrow never managed to stop a disaster before it happened; they were only successful at missing out on the pleasures of the moment. You are very lucky to have an optimistic man in your life! I also agree with you that saving some money aside is an important thing; it is just not important enough to fight over all the time! Stop fighting him over saving money and take charge of this issue yourself. Let him enjoy spending money on his family and save a part of your own salary for those days you dread the most. You might ask him to give you a little sum every month and you make sure to put it in the saving account. Do not treat him like an irresponsible teenager who does not value money because right now he sees you as a grumpy woman who is unwilling to be happy. As long as the money is spent on the three of you having fun together, then it is money well spent; he is doing his best to make his family happy and this is a good place to spend money. If you lose your job, you will find another, if you decide to quit working, think of a backup plan then, and if someone falls ill, you are both insured and will manage to cover your expenses. Whether you set aside a part of your salary or take a part of his salary to the bank, whatever compromise you reach, please stop bothering him about his spending habits.
“THIS INNER SENSE OF SECURITY IS THE REASON BEHIND HIS HAPPINESS AS A HUMAN BEING.” IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S EMOTIONAL PATH
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FRUGAL BY NATURE
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
By: Dr. Bonnie Settlage - Clinical Psychologist
Dear Dr. Bonnie, I’ll get straight to my problem. People think I’m cheap!!! I have never thought about myself as a cheap person, but apparently, people do! I’ve always looked at my friends as irresponsible people who spend a lot of money on pointless stuff. I value money, and I know how hard my dad worked to get that money. So I would feel very selfish if I just throw this money away. I admit it, I’m always saving money, but only because I don’t know where the future will take me. I do not like to eat at expensive restaurants and I avoid birthdays so that I don’t buy gifts. If we are going on a trip I’d rather take a bus than a plane and use the flight money in something more useful. Does that make me cheap? If yes, please let me know what I can do change this trait. Dear Thrifty, There is nothing in your question that indicates that you necessarily have a problem with your personality or your reasoning. If you have similar financial resources as your friends, perhaps you just have a different relationship with money. Our attitudes towards money are complex and can be influenced by a large number of factors. How our parents view and use money, the source of the money, our financial history, and personality are just a few of those factors.
not even an option. But if you are in the position to make other choices, you might weigh the costs and benefits of your frugality not just in terms of money but also in terms of the other less tangible costs and benefits. Is your tendency to conserve limited to money? Or are you also reluctant to give emotionally? Are you generous with your time and affection, or are these things that you are also reluctant to relinquish? If you notice a more pervasive theme of wanting to withhold, your caution with money might just be an example of a larger issue. There are many people who are generous and giving of themselves
“OUR ATTITUDES TOWARDS MONEY ARE COMPLEX AND CAN BE INFLUENCED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF FACTORS.” If your friends perceive you to have similar resources as them, but to be more cautious in spending your money, you may be causing them to be anxious about their own spending. They may view your care with money as an implicit judgment of their spending behaviors and resent the feeling of being judged and criticized. It sounds like you do see them as irresponsible, so they may be defending against that criticism by calling you “cheap.” If this is what is going on, it makes sense that there might be some conflict in your relationships. Try to be mindful of the messages you are sending your friends when you choose not to spend money with them. You may have to be extra sensitive not to give the impression that you are judging them when you make different choices. It may also be that your relationship with money is more problematic than it needs to be. How reasonable is your frugality? It sounds like it has caused some conflicts in your friendships. How consumed are you with saving money? Is it reasonable? What emotional and personal price are you paying to be so cautious? Is it necessary? Can you afford to relax a little bit? It may be that you can’t. Certainly, for the vast majority of people in this country, eating at an expensive restaurant is
but conservative with their money. Just as there are many people who don’t know how to give anything other than money. Typically though, our attitudes and the way we use money are usually connected to our other attitudes and behaviors. After all, money is just one of many currencies in our lives. For most of us, it represents more than goods and services. It sounds like for you it is related to uncertainty about your future and your respect for your father’s hard work. These are likely to be two very powerful themes. If you decide you need to reevaluate your relationship with money, you might start by further exploring these themes. In sum: 1) There is nothing inherently wrong in wanting to save money, 2) If you are more frugal than your friends, you need to be extra sensitive not to make them feel judged about their own spending behaviors, 3) It is probably worthwhile examining your relationship with money to determine if changing some of your attitudes wouldn’t improve your life in other ways, 4) All of us have highly complex relationships with money and exploring what it means to us is likely to involve an exploration of other powerful themes in our lives. Wishing you a meaningful, rich, and abundant life! IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S INTERVIEW
THE WORKSHOPS…
I
It’s always exciting for me to learn about new ideas and places around Cairo. That’s why when my boss asked me to go check out ‘The Workshops’ a platform for cultural, art and literature; I had to know more. I sat down for a fun and lively interview with CEO, founder and published author Rasha Abou El Soud where we talked about life, passion, taking a risk and being one of the 7 finalists in the global Startup Cup competition.
Congratulations on your achievement! It must be thrilling to reach the final stage of a big competition… Oh yes! It’s so great and I’m so proud of where we are today. Startup Cup is a global business model competition for young entrepreneurs in 58 countries around the world and to participate and become on the 7 finalists is a great honor. I’m really happy! Tell us about the birth of ‘The Workshops’… I always had a passion for writing but I never found a suitable place to improve or practice it or even share it with other people. After a lot of searching, I found a workshop for screen writing and I immediately signed up for it. The experience changed my life. It wasn’t like the rest of the workshops, purely academic and boring. The group leader studied at NY film academy and so he used his background in directing us in a more creative, provocative way that cultivated our passion and increased our enthusiasm. It was far from typical and it really influenced the way I think and made me believe in myself. After that experience, I felt like I had to allow others to enjoy it too. And so you decided to start ‘The Workshops’? At first, the idea was more of a cultural center where people can meet and share their passions.
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The idea started changing to finally become the concept of ‘The Workshops’; an integrated creative experience that teaches, motivates and inspires every participant. Not only that but also the convenience of a customized schedule to match every individual lifestyle. That is really interesting! How did you manage to find the time to manage a job, your own business and family life? I didn’t. Haha! Well, no, when we first started operating back in 2012, I had a full time job that I couldn’t bring myself to leave just yet. Even though we had a very good start at ‘The Workshops’ but I also felt that I need a stable income source, specially being a mother of two and with many responsibilities. After a while, I was completely exhausted and spent. I barely had time to manage everything; my mood was really bad 90% of the time and I felt like I was broken. Wow! It must have been really hard to deal with all of this… Yes until I decided not to deal with it anymore! I discovered that I’m responsible for my own unhappiness and it was all out of fear. I decided to quit my job and make my living through ‘The Workshops’ and other various sources. I even sat down with my kids to discuss my choice and they were very supportive, knowing that they might not get the little luxuries they used to get often. Since then I feel like I have control over my life. Yes, it was risky and it still is but so is working at any corporate in this difficult time. Even though I might not be making as much money as I used to but at least now I’m happy 90% of the time. It’s never easy to make such a big decision! How did ‘The Workshops’ develop since it started? We launched ‘The Workshops’ back in October 2012 and ever since then people have reshaped and renewed our idea or concept of
PURSUE YOUR PASSION Interview by: Ahmed Hassan
the workshops because they bring to the table endless options and different passions that I never even thought of. They have so many great ideas and different needs and we try as much as we can to accommodate them. I’ve had people asking for all kinds of workshops, like make-up application and wood work. At first, I used to be really surprised that people would be interested in such things but I started learning to accept all different passions. Now at ‘The Workshops’ we have six different categories, under each 10 different workshops and it’s ever expanding. What is your target clientele? Everyone, anyone with a passion! My bigger passion is allowing people to experience the same experience I had that changed my life. Not just the privileged people who get to travel and experience the world. I’m talking about those people who are completely consumed with their own lives and their children’s lives without having any time to feed their passion or pursue it since they don’t have the time, tools or the place to practice it. I want everyone to pursue their passion. What if there are people who can’t afford to pay for a workshop? Even though we are a self sustained organization, we still care about cultural awareness and make sure to involve everyone in our activities. Aside from the workshops, we have a completely free line of events such as Thursday movie nights, monthly poetry readings, stand-up comedy shows, book fairs and book signing events. Anyone is welcome to join us for all these events and show case their talents! What do you think makes ‘The Workshops’ stand out? Service and personalization; these two are key ingredients to the success of ‘The Workshops’.
I care very much about service, I always think about what I would and wouldn’t like when going to a new place. This changed from being just my vision to a manual and a way to be followed. As for personalization, we provide each person with the ability to choose their own workshop (even if we don’t have it), time and whether they would like to take the workshop privately or with a group. Is it hard finding instructors for the workshop requests you receive? So far no, I have managed to get professional instructors for every workshop. I start digging into our networks and the market to find the best instructors in the specific field. Even the instructors were very open to the ways of teaching at ‘The Workshops’, because they usually come with their own curriculum but we reshape and change it to match our teaching approach which relies on ‘free learning’ and creativity. I always hated how boring teachers can be and how dull and generic it gets and this is why I want whoever comes to ‘The Workshops’ to learn in a different way. That is generally the best approach to teaching. And what would you like customers to say about ‘The Workshops’? That it was a life changing experience; that they see themselves and will live their lives differently. Where do you see ‘The Workshops’ in five years? I see it in every neighbourhood in Egypt. In 10 years, I hope in the entire Arab world. We wish ‘The Workshops’ all the best in their future endeavours and their commitment to supporting everyone’s passion. And you our precious reader don’t neglect your passion for all that is fascinating and start feeding it today!
6, 4 Street, El Maadi, Egypt, Cairo, Egypt 01004777809 02-23582150 TheWorkshops IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S SHOW BUZZ
Top 10 CHEAPEST
CELEBRITY TIPPERS! BRITNEY SPEARS Spears is not welcomed in several Los Angeles restaurants, and for a good reason! According to a waitress, Britney once tipped $26 on a $500 tab. She also tipped a valet by throwing change on the ground and making him pick it up. The worst? We heard that, during lunch, Spears ordered a waiter to cross a busy street to pick up a Starbucks coffee for her, and then refused to reimburse him! JEREMY PIVEN According to a story longcirculating on waitress tell-all sites, The Piv showed up at Nobu in Aspen with twelve friends – no reservation – and caused major commotion (sending dishes back, being rowdy, general diva antics). On the way out, he told the manager “Thanks for nothing,” and left behind Entourage DVD set. Apparently, a Nobu employee was so disgusted by Piven’s douchery that he threw the box set at the star as he walked out!
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Mariah Carey According to the New York Post, Mariah Carey once showed up at a Las Vegas restaurant with a massive entourage, and demanded the eatery stay open late to accommodate them. “Mariah and crew were very diva-ish with their demands,” wrote the Post. “Despite keeping staffers jumping and a high tab, no one even left a tip!”
KIRSTEN DUNST In 2008, a waiter hit the internet to expose Kirsten for making repeated visits to his West Hollywood eatery, but never leaving a tip. She once even got a meal on the house!
RACHEL RAY Rachel Ray is notoriously so tight in restaurants that, according to rumours among staff, she only tips around 7 %. Stay home and make your own dinner, missy!
USHER Apparently, the Grammywinning superstar is notorious for bailing on a tip, leaving an autograph at most. Restaurant staff has also noticed that he always tries to get someone else to pick up the bill. Ick!
MILEY CYRUS Miley Cyrus went to Outback Steakhouse back in 2009 with her sister and left without leaving a dime, despite having enjoyed a $70 meal. Cyrus’ spokeswoman told the Daily News, “She didn’t know she was supposed to tip unless she was eating inside.” Huh?
MADONNA The Material Girl has a very negative reputation among the wait staff in London, LA, and New York City. Madge! You’re worth upwards of $650 million dollars -- you can’t show a hard-working server some love? She once tipped : $18 on a $400 bill, Yukii! SEAN PENN Penn and three others had “New Orleans waiters waiting on them hand and foot. The tip left on a $450 tab? Absolutely nothing. There are lots of instances of Sean Penn stiffing wait staff,” Glamorati reports.
BARBRA STREISAND Streisand is mentioned again and again for being a cheap tipper as well as a rude and demanding customer. Glamorati says, “Doesn’t always tip.” Thefrisky.com notes that at a New York restaurant, Barbra once “left a $10 tip for a $457 tab.” That’s not so funny, girl. IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S SHAPE UP
TRAINING GUIDE By: Omar Wahdan - Certified Nutritionist for Train For Aim
99.9% OF EGYPT’S FEMALES WOULD KILL TO ACHIEVE A “TONED” PHYSIQUE WITH FAIRLY MUSCULAR LEGS, SO THEY ATTEND SPINNING CLASSES TO MAGICALLY GIFT THEM THEIR DREAM. SORRY, BUT SOMEONE HAS TO BREAK THAT DOWN: WEIGHT LIFTING AND HIGH INTENSITY CARDIO ARE THE WAY TO GO. WORKOUT PROGRAM So, now you understand that you should swallow your ego and hit the gym, you should find a sound workout plan to reach your goal. For optimal and fast results, I recommend 3 days of High Intensity Interval Training Cardio (HIIT) and 3 days of weight training in the gym with one rest day. Again, that’s for optimal results manipulate the following schedule according to your lifestyle.
Saturday:
Weight Lifting
Sunday:
TFA Cardio workout
Monday:
Weight lifting
Tuesday:
TFA Cardio workout
Wednesday:
Weight lifting
Thursday:
TFA Cardio workout
Friday: Rest
ESSENTIAL WORKOUTS THAT YOU SHOULD INTEGRATE IN YOUR ROUTINE:
1) Squats (Dumbbells or Barbells) 2) Deadlifts 3) Planks (several variations) 4) Dumbbell Shoulder Press 5) Dumbbell Chest Press 6) Barbell Biceps curl 7) Triceps Rope Pushdown 48
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
Nutrition:
DO IT RIGHTLadies!
I KNOW MOST OF YOU DREAM OF HAVING CURVES AND GETTING RID OF LOVE HANDLES, SAGGY ARMS AND THIGHS, BUT HAVING A TONED BODY ISN’T EASY; IT REQUIRES WORK. THESE BODIES THAT YOU SEE THAT NEVER FAIL TO IMPRESS YOU HAVE A LOT OF HOURS OF DEDICATION BEHIND THEM. I WILL LIST SOME TIPS TO COMPLEMENT THE IDEA IN YOUR HEADS.
Stay hydrated:
At home, work or at the gym. I know you’ve been told a lot to drink a certain number of cups of liters during the day, but that shouldn’t be your goal. Your goal is to be hydrated throughout the day. So, being dehydrated all morning then drinking 30 gallons of water later, won’t give you the benefits of water.
Proteins:
Never compromise your protein intake. You will need it due to the lack in the testosterone department.
Caloric Surplus/Deficit:
If you are skinny or underweight, eat at a caloric surplus to gain lean muscle. If you still have a considerable amount of fat, eat at a caloric deficit to lose it.
Calorie Count:
Count calories and be aware of what you eat daily. You cannot imagine how that tip will make you relaxed about your diet plan.
Cheat Meal:
Have a cheat meal every 1-2 weeks to avoid metabolism drop. Try to have more carbs than fats in this meal. Also, try to avoid junk food chains due to the endless harms they do to your body. If you crave a burger, go for a real one. IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S TRAVEL PACKAGES
Fantastic TRAVEL DEALS SUMMER MAY BE OVER BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T TRAVEL ANYMORE! IF ANYTHING, WITH CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS EVE APPROACHING, YOU NEED TO START MAKING TRAVEL PLANS NOW. WE GOT THE BEST DEALS FOR YOU FROM THE BEST TRAVEL AGENCIES IN EGYPT!
Marsa Alam - 5 dsys/4 nights [All Inclusive} for 1102 L.E. (KashTrip.com)
Barcelona – NYE package: 7 days/6 nights for 4,999 L.E. [Facebook.com/Triptanza]
Paris & Rome – 8 days/7 nights for 9800 L.E.
(Thomascookegypt.com)
Sharm El Sheikh – 4 days/3 nights [All Inclusive] for 600 LE (www.travelyalla.com) 50
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
CHRISTMAS
Packages
Istanbul(5 Days/4Nights) 3,500 LE
Paris(5 Days/4Nights) 4,999 LE
Barcelona(5 Days/4N ights) 4,
490 LE
,450 LE ys/5Nights) 4
Prague(6Da
Rome (5 Days/4Nights) 4,450 LE
Athens(5 Days/4N ights)
4,400 LE
FOR RESERVATION AND MORE INFO PLEASE CONTACT US: Bookn.f@gmail.com 01003107895/01006885564
Beirut (5 Days/
50 LE 4Nights) 3,5
Budapest(5 Days/4Nig hts) 3,75
0 LE
Please like our Facebook page : www.facebook.com/ booknfly IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S REVIEWS
Affordable RESTAURANTS By: Ahmed Hassan
DINE IN WITHOUT FEARING THE BILL! HERE’S A LIST OF RESTAURANTS & CAFES THAT WON’T EMPTY YOUR WALLET. THIS LIST IS BASED ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY PAID ON ORDERING A MAIN DISH, A DRINK AND THE ADDITION OF TAX AND SERVICE TO EQUAL A 100 EGYPTIAN POUNDS OR LESS. Bistro: For a nice and affordable Italian meal, look no further than Bistro. They offer a range of items for you to create your favourite meal. Order: Steak Pepper Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and mix salad (53.95), Soft Drink (5.95) and Moonlight Vanilla Cake (11.95) Pay: 87.6 LE Address: 16, Abou Daoud El Zahery st., Nasr City
Grizzly Diner: The American style diner serves dangerously delicious selection of food that will keep you wanting more. Order: Fried Chicken Mushroom (49.99) , a refill soda (9.99) and top it off with Turtle Brownies (19.99) Pay: 97.47 LE Address: Club 33, Abou El Feda, Zamalek
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Spectra: An all time favourite, Spectra differentiated itself from other restaurants with their big portions and relatively cheap prices. Order: Classic Onion Soup (7.99), Italian Chicken Mozzarella (44.99), Blueberry Cheese Madness (24.99) Pay: 95.07 LE Address: Residence Hotel, 11 Road 18
Retro: This cozy restaurant in the heart of Mohandessin serves up a large variety of dishes that cater to every taste. Order: Oriental Seafood (49.50) and lemon mint (17.00) Pay: 82.93 LE Address: 2 Soliman Abaza st., Mohandessin
Asian Corner: Travel to the east and indulge in some Asian cuisine without the price of a plane ticket. Order: Chicken Massala (35.00), Vegetable Fried Rice (10.00), Shrimp Spring Rolls (18.00) and Soda Can (6.00) Pay: 84.8 LE Address: City Stars, Phase 2, Food Court
Jambalaya: Head to one of the newest additions to the island of Zamalek If you’re in the mood for a meal en Español. Order: Macarrones con Pollo y Salsa de Champinones (44.00) and Guacamole (22.00) Pay: 80.50 LE Address: 37A Ahmed Heshmat Street, From Hilton Zamalek
Cairo Kitchen: For a more traditional and ‘home cooked’ meal, try the oriental dishes of Cairo Kitchen. Order: Chicken Platter with two sides (40.00), Crème Caramel (12.00) and Cold Infusions Drinks (10.00) Pay: 75.64 LE Address: 15 El Merghany st., in front of Heliopolis club. Trianon: One of the classic restaurants that to this day still stands proud. Go for brunch and make use of their all-day breakfast menu. Order: Smoken Salmon & Onion Omlette (39.99), Jam Mille Feuille (12.99) and Fresh Juice (13.95) Pay: 79 LE Address: 7 stars mall, fifth settlement
TGI Friday’s: Fill up your belly with delicious and flavorful food at a reasonable price. Order: Shrimp Fajita (66.99), Refill Soda Drink (15.00) Pay: 99 LE Address: Americana Boat, 26 El Nil St., Giza
Bert’s Café: Have a little taste of French cuisine. Order: Grilled fish with almond butter (50.00), French Millefeu Carmlized Vanilla (16.00) and a soda (7.00) Pay: 89 LE Address: 63 Syria St., Mohandessin
Taboula: The Lebanese favourite spot is now open in our beloved Zamalek! Order: ‘Lahma Bel Agine’ (27.00), eggplant salad (18.00), spicy potato cubes (18.00), ‘Mohalabiya’ (14.00) Pay: 93.94 Address: 14 Taha Hussein Street, Off El Meraashly St., Zamalek IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S CAIRO’S HAPPENINGS
Cairo’s Happenings Zumba Pink Party at Cairo Marriott Hotel Cairo Marriott Hotel hosted the Third Annual BCFE Zumba Fitness Pink Party as part of the Spirit to Serve the Community Marriott initiatives and support efforts to combat breast cancer. Fairmont Nile City Wins Excellence Award Fairmont Nile City, Cairo received the 2012 Booking.com’s “Guest Reviews Award.” This prestigious recognition was awarded to Fairmont Nile City for an amazing guest satisfaction index of 9.1.
Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences Received the “Award of Excellence” The Egyptian Minister of Tourism His Excellency Hisham Zazou has awarded the hotel as sign of appreciation for the remarkable efforts in promoting tourism to Egypt. Lifebuoy sponsors the Global Hand Washing Day in the presence of 4000 school children and participation by the Health Insurance Authority, Ministry of Education, 57357 Hospital and a group of famous celebrities 54
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
Sunset Bar At InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort Ranked Among “The TopTen” Best Sunset Views At InterContinental Worldwide. Dusit Thani Lakeview Best 5 Star Hotel In Greater Cairo Dusit Thani LakeView Hotel was honoured by the Minister for being the best 5 star hotel in Greater Cairo in implementing the new standards set by the ministry as well as offering the highest quality service to hotel clients. New promotions at Kempinski Hotels Egypt Kempinski’s management is pleased to name Mr. Alexander Suski, as Kempinski’s new Area Director for Sales and Marketing in Egypt. The hotel is also delighted to announce the promotion of Ms. Eman El Yasaky as Kempinski’s new Area Director for Public Relations in Egypt. Design and Win Competition was inspired by Lady Design collection For the second time this year, Jotun has launched a new social online competition on its Facebook fan page. The main theme of the competition is centered on Jotun’s latest product innovation “Lady Design”. The competition challenged every participant to design his/her own mood board.
Fight Hair Fall in Just 14-Days with Pantene’s New 3-Step Solution
Kimidar Tours Garners Top Honours as ‘Oscar of The Travel’ Excitement is reverberating across Egypt’s travel scene as Kimidar Tours scoops the title of ‘Egypt’s Leading Travel Agency’ at the World Travel Awards. Often referred to as Oscars of the Travel, the awards are widely hailed as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the travel and tourism industry, and scooping this title has further cemented Kimidar Tours’ leadership position. Much of this success has been placed at the guiding feet of Adel Taha, General Manager of Leisure Travel at Kimidar Tours, who developed and pursued a strategy of constant promotions and technological innovation, focusing the organisation’s policies on customer oriented attitude of business.
Rixos Sharm El-Sheikh Hosts Ukrainian Travel Writers The writers’ trip focused on visiting Sharm El-Sheikh’s renowned. The writers expressed their gratitude for the great hospitality of the hotel’s staff, and they asserted that Sharm El-Sheikh is one the most beautiful cities they have ever been to. .Sheraton Miramar Wins Award of Excellence On the Occasion of the World Tourism Day, Sheraton Miramar has been awarded as the best hotel among the top five star hotels in the Red Sea.
The Pantene Anti Hair Fall collection composed of shampoo, moisturizing conditioner, and repairing oil-replacement leavein treatment promises to reduce hair fall in as little as 14 days. The new formula directly targets the root of the hair fall issue which is damage. Take the Pantene 14-Day challenge to see the difference for yourself! Award of Excellence for Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria In line with Rezidor Hotel Group philosophy in maintaining the global environment and the hotel’s staff belief in the importance of their role in this area. The Hotel has received the award for playing an active role this year in the field of rationalization of water consumption.
Sonesta St. George 5 Star Nile Cruise Ship Sonesta St. George I Nile cruise is proud to announce that it is the first boat on the Nile River to be re-classified as five star new norm boat by the Ministry of Tourism.
Maadi City Centre and Alexandria City Centre Host Back to School Charity Drive. IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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Volvo and Ezz Elarab Launch All New Volvo Range in Egypt. Volvo’s recent redesign is the most extensive makeover of existing models in Volvo’s history. Each of the enhancements is designed around customer’s needs. “ la Gondola” An Unforgettable Italian Experience Experience the authentic Italian cuisine, at one of the best Italian restaurant in Cairo “La Gondola” at Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casio.
Alexandria Film Festival Royal Tulip Alexandria hotel Hosted the 29th Alexandria Film Festival event. It was wellorchestrated and all guests were impressed by light and fire show during the closing and the opening ceremony.
Metropolitan Opera Live On Screen in El Gouna As part of its efforts to enhance touristic and cultural activities, El Gouna is hosting the eighth season of the New York’s Metropolitan Opera in Egypt for the second consecutive year. The high-tech live stream opera show of the Technical University of Berlin (TUB) in El Gouna will take place on October 5, 2013 to May 10, 2014 at the TUB glamorous AudiMax Conference Hall which caters around 400 guests. Giza Governor Visits Crédit Agricole Egypt Supported CSR Initiative in Imbaba El Matar Area The Governor of Giza, Dr. Ali Abdel Rahman, inaugurated yesterday the Imbaba El Matar Development project, which is funded by Crédit Agricole Egypt and implemented by Rotary Club Cairo North. The inauguration was attended by members of the Crédit Agricole Egypt CSR Committee along with members of the Rotary Club Cairo North. 56
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
Lamia Assem Appointed as Director of Marketing Sofitel Historical Hotels in Egypt welcomes Lamia Assem as the newly appointed Director of Marketing. Lamia held the title of Regional Marketing Communications Manager for 3 Hotels brands: Iberotel, SolYmar and Jazz Hotels & Resorts taking the responsibility of 32 properties in Egypt, Jordan and Abu Dhabi. Box Appeal Brightens Lives. Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis has given its whole-hearted support to this year’s Box Appeal charity campaign, which is brightening the lives of children across the city for the third year. The Box Appeal asks people to ‘give back to those who need it most’ and is running for the sixth consecutive year in the Middle East region.
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 3
YOUR BUSINESS COMPANION Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is truly a welcome addition to the Galaxy Note series, as it holds immense precision and power over its predecessors by increasing its screen resolution, beefing up its power, and adding extra tricks to its already smart pen. The 5.7-inch Super Amoled screen has grown by 0.15 inches and has upped the resolution from 1,280x720 to FHD 1,920x1,080 pixels. The old screen looked great, but this new one is outstanding, with rich and vibrant colors. The sheer size means that it’s one of the best handsets to make use of Samsung’s Multi Window feature, which allows you to run two apps on the same screen at once, you can even open the same App. Twice and drag & drop text /images between Apps as well. Moreover, Samsung decided to add a touch of class to the device’s design, offering it in a fauxleather look that feels almost like the real thing. The multi-tasking innovations offered by the Note 3 are endless, and the state-of-the-art S Pen makes these innovations even more efficient. Resting softly in a slot at the bottom is the new enhanced S Pen, which can be used for writing, drawing, or navigating your way through the phone in much easier fashion than before. With its unique features, including the Air Command, the Note 3 can truly be your personal assistant. With the Air Command feature, there is no need to toggle between screens, memorize commands or look up different menus. Just by hovering on the screen, you can access a world of various possibilities that can help optimize the efficiency by which you carry on your everyday work and daily tasks.
•Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 (N9005, N9002)/ Quad-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 & quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 (N9000) •5.7” 16M-color 1080p Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen; Adobe RGB mode •Android OS v4.3 Jelly Bean with TouchWiz UI •13 MP autofocus camera with LED flash and a 2 MP front-facing camera, 1080p video recording, Samsung Hub, ChatOn, WatchOn •3GB of RAM with 32GB/64GB of built-in storage and a microSD card slot •Air Command, Action Memo, Scrapbook, S Finder, Pen Window, Multi Window, Direct pen input, S Translator •Group play: share music, pictures, documents, videos, and play games •Samsung Knox •NFC •Bluetooth V4.0, which includes a port for remote control functionality •Accelerometer and proximity sensor •Barometer, thermometer, hygroscope •IR gesture sensor for Air gestures, including Smart gestures: Smart Stay, Smart Pause, Smart Scroll •Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic •Ample 3,200mAh battery with great endurance •Smart volume and Adapt Sound features for the music player, S Voice
The Note 3 is the first device to have 3GB Ram, which will be needed with so much information stored inside of it. This is also supported by the new Knox security feature, which helps keeping all of your information secure. Features •Quad-band GSM/GPRS/ EDGE; quad-band 3G with HSPA; LTE (N9005 only) •Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (N9005, N9002)/ Exynos 5 Octa 5420 (N9000) IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
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IDENTITY’S COVERAGE
MAKADI MALL OPENING
Event
During the Eid vacation, the opening of the Makadi mall event was all Makadi could talk about! Countless number of guests and some of the Egyptian best known talents such as Swaggers, percussion show, Ressala, and Karakeeb.
GOUNA KIDS
Fiesta
The event took place at the most renowned destination in El Gouna, Club House. Families made sure to clear their calendar in order to attend the kids fiesta where they enjoyed the spectacular entertainment and specialy designed activities that delivered nothing but fun.
The FASHION RUNWAY Competition
May be the first competition of its like but, hopefully, it won’t be the last. Before you go out and buy your wedding dress abroad, head on down to the SofitelCairo El Gezirah and find a one-of-a-kind dream gown. Make no mistake: talented Egyptians are here and finally there is a platform to show off their fashionable gear.
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Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Launches B 180 Launches B 180 Launches B 180 for the First for the First for the First Time in the Time in the Time in the Egyptian Egyptian Egyptian Market Market Market
A Leader in Compact Family Cars A Leader in Compact Family Cars A Leader inB180 Compact Cars The Mercedes enjoysFamily an array of features making it the best choice
The Mercedes enjoys an array of features making it thedesign, best choice among family B180 car enthusiasts. It boasts a sleek exterior new The Mercedes B180 enjoys an array of features making it the best choice among family car enthusiasts. It boasts a sleek exterior design, new interior spaciousness standards for more passenger comfort and two among family enthusiasts. Itfor boasts sleekthe exterior design, new interior spaciousness standards more passenger comfort and two integrated childcar seats in the back seat to ameet needs of all family interior spaciousness more passenger comfort and two integrated child seats standards intothe backforseat to meet the needs of all family members, in addition a variety of new comfort features such as integrated child seats in the back seat to meet the needs of all family members, in addition to a variety of new comfort features such as leather seats, a dashboard with a 5.8” screen with BLEUTOOTH members, in addition togiving a variety new comfort features such as leather seats, a dashboard withdriver aof 5.8” screen technology. with BLEUTOOTH handsfree Connectivity, the the highest leather seats, a dashboard withdriver a 5.8” screen technology. with BLEUTOOTH handsfree Connectivity, giving the the highest handsfree Connectivity, giving the driver the highest technology.
Strong Performance and Economic Consumption Strong Performance and Economic Consumption Strong Performance Economic Consumption The B-Class redefines theand concept of efficiency and strong performance The B-Class redefines the concept efficiency strong performance thanks to its new four-cylinder engine,of7G-DCT dualand clutch transmisThe redefines concept of7G-DCT efficiency strong performance thanks to its new four-cylinder engine, clutch transmission B-Class developed with thethe finest technology for dual highand efficiency and thanks to its new four-cylinder engine, 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission developed with the finest technology for high efficiency and super smooth performance, direct gasoline injection and sion developed with the finest for high injection efficiency super smoothThe performance, direct gasoline and turbocharging. B-Class alsotechnology features economic fuel consumpsuper smooth performance, direct gasoline and turbocharging. The B-Class also features economic injection fuel consumption of 5.9 liters per 100km thanks to BlueEFFICINECY technolturbocharging. The B-Class also features economic fuel consumption of 5.9 liters per 100km thanks to BlueEFFICINECY technology, marking a 12% consumption decrease from the first generation liters perthe 100km thanks to BlueEFFICINECY ogy, marking a 12% consumption decrease from the first technolgeneration, of in 5.9 addition to ECO start/stop function, which reduces ogy, marking a 12% consumption decrease from first reduces generation, in addition toand the ECOemissions. start/stop function, which fuel consumption CO2 The B180the generates 122 tion, in addition to the ECO start/stop function, which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The B180 generates 122 HP with a torque of 200 newton meter at low revs, while the B200 fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The B180 generates 122 HP with a torque of 200 newton meter at low revs, while the B200 generates 156 HP with a torque of 250 newton meter. HP with a torque 200anewton low revs, while the B200 generates 156 HPofwith torque meter of 250atnewton meter. generates 156 HP with a torque of 250 newton meter.
Intelligent Driving Systems Intelligent Driving Systems Intelligent The Mercedes Driving B180 also Systems offers a host of support systems to provide the greatest safety for this compact family car’s
The Mercedesincluding B180 also offers a host of support systems to providetothehelp greatest compact family car’s passengers, COLUSSION PREVENSION ASSIST designed driverssafety avoidfororthis mitigate collisions, and The Mercedes B180 also offers a host of support systems to provide the greatest safety for this compact passengers, including COLUSSION PREVENSION ASSIST designed to help drivers avoid or mitigate collisions, and ATTENTION ASSIST which notifies the driver in case of tiredness and drowsiness. Additionally, ACTIVE PARK family ASSISTcar’s that passengers, including COLUSSION ASSIST designed to help drivers avoid orACTIVE mitigate collisions, and ATTENTION ASSIST which notifiesand thePREVENSION driver in case ofvehicle tiredness drowsiness. Additionally, PARK ASSIST that finds appropriate parking spaces Maneuvres the intoand located spaces automatically and with great precision. ATTENTION ASSIST which spaces notifiesand the Maneuvres driver in case tiredness drowsiness. Additionally, ACTIVE PARK ASSIST that finds appropriate parking theofvehicle intoand located spaces automatically and with great precision. finds appropriate parking spaces and Maneuvres the vehicle into located spaces automatically and with great precision.
Different packages for Varying Tastes Different packages for Varying Tastes Different packages Varying Tastes The B180 comes in threefor different packages including the B180, B180 Premium and B180 Luxury in addition
The B180 comes in three different packages including B180, B180 Premium and B180 Luxury in addition to the B200 Exclusive, which has enjoyed great successthe in the compact car segment. Mercedes-Benz’s again The B180 comes in three packages including the B180, B180 Premium and B180 in addition to the B200 Exclusive, which enjoyed great success in the compact carunderstanding segment. Mercedes-Benz’s again confirms its leadership indifferent thehas Egyptian automotive market and it’s fully toLuxury customer needs to the B200 Exclusive, which has enjoyed great success in the compact car segment. Mercedes-Benz’s again confirms its leadership in the Egyptian automotive market and it’s fully understanding to customer needs through its advanced and integrated capabilities to cater to family needs. confirms leadership the Egyptian automotive market and it’s fully understanding to customer needs through itsitsadvanced andinintegrated capabilities to cater to family needs. through its advanced and integrated capabilities to cater to family needs.
/MercedesBenzEgypt /MercedesBenzEgypt /MercedesBenzEgypt /mercedesbenzeg /mercedesbenzeg /mercedesbenzeg www.mercedes-benz.com.eg www.mercedes-benz.com.eg www.mercedes-benz.com.eg
IDENTITY’S AY KALAM
DIY...
FAIL UNTIL YOU DIE! By: Mohamed Maher
IT’S EASY TO FIND A DIY PHOTO ON PINTEREST AND THINK, I CAN MAKE THAT. THE REAL HARD PART COMES WHEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO MAKE IT. THESE MANY CRAFTERS PUT THEIR SKILLS TO THE TEST ONLY TO BE GREATLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN SOMETHING DOESN’T TURN OUT QUITE RIGHT. WE DON’T WANT TO DISAPPOINT YOU, WE JUST WANT TO PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND DON’T FORGET THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING.
Expectation
Expectation
Fail Expectation Fail
Fail
Fail Expectation
Expectation 60
IDENTITY NOVEMBER 2013
Expectation
Fail
Fail
Duravit Showrooms
Best place to decide
Happy D Washbasin + Toilet + Bidet + Bathtub + Bath Furniture
IN HOUSE
bathroom design for selective
SHOWROOMS. Our NEW CONCEPT in Egypt is a COMPLETE bathroom in all aspects : clients in our top-end special Duravit
furniture, fittings, accessories and sanitary ware.
Happy D, design by Sieger design
We can help you in designing your bathroom.
Visit us at DESIGNOPOLIS | SHERATON
Designopolis El Haram District - H-206 KM 38 Cairo Alexandria Desert Road, Sheikh Zayd City 6th of October - Egypt Phone +2 02 38572041 +2 02 38572042
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Sheraton Showroom
. St
Sheraton Building Elmosheer Ahmed Ismail st. Phone +2 02 26968700 Fax +2 02 22681298