JANUARY 2019 - 20 L.E., VOLUME 14, ISSUE 1 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM
WINTER SIZZLE
2019 FASHION
EXPLORE BALI ON A BUDGET
TRENDS
CAIRO SHOPPING Best Boutiques in Town
Making Your New Year’s Resolution Stick
THE BOLD & BEAUTIFUL
BASMA
Dos & Don’ts of Workplace Make up
Comfy Fashion: Look Cozy-Chic
BREAKING THROUGH THE ILLUSION OF SUCCESS
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IDENTITY LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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THE BOLD & BEAUTIFUL
BASMA
S
uccess ……. What are the criteria, who defines it, and when do you know you’ve reached it? Success goes hand in hand with happiness and self fulfilment; it’s relative and varies from one person to another. While professional success may be the ultimate goal for some, a less sparkly career that puts enough food on the table and allows for more family quality time might be more valued by others. There is no rule, no specific rigid definition to what success in life really is. Go for whatever it is that makes you happy, irrespective of what molds society stipulates. Don’t give two cents about who’s doing what and why; be comfortable in your own skin as long as it suits you. What a worthy note to self to kick start the new year with!! 2019 please be kind ☺ 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 January 2019
SAY 'I DO' TO THE CELEBRATION OF A LIFETIME
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IDENTITY MASTHEAD
IDENTITY JANUARY 2019, VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1
Founder & Managing Editor Rola Kamel Editor-in-Chief Nawal Ismail Art director Alia El Abd Copy-Editor Amina El Fayoumy Senior Staff Writer Amina Moustapha Staff Writers Aya Aboshady, Omnia Essawy, Elhusseni Fekry Freelance Writers Amina Elghandour, Rana Ramez Relationship Expert Marwa Rakha Fashion Expert Nahed Kazziha Food Writer Soha Darwish Senior Graphic Designer Sandy Saied Marketing & Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Business Developer Raghda El-Sayed Digital Marketing Manager Youssef Ali Senior Social Media strategist Omar Zydan Social Media Executive Mahmoud Aboudeif Video Editor Ahmed Mostafa 6 January 2019
Identity Magazine Distributor Ashraf Fouad
Villa No. 5, St.265, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt www.deci-cairo.com
IDENTITY CONTENTS
14
ROAD TO SUCCESS
7 The Lust List 8 Six Co-working Spaces
Worth a Visit 9 How to be Successful at
a Young Age
STYLE 10 Makeup for Work 12 The Best Hair Products for Every
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Hair Type! 14 Winter Sizzle: Fresh Hot Trends for Every Day of the Week 18 How to Look Elegant Yet Comfortable 22 The Bold & Beautiful: Basma
OUT & ABOUT
REVAMPING
54 56 60 64
32 Online Dating: The Blessing or
The Curse of The Modern World? 34 Breaking Through the Illusion of
Success 36 Best Boutiques Around Cairo 38 Cheap Alternatives For the 40 42 44
46 48 52
Perfect Home Theater New Year’s Resolution Ideas For 2019 That you Can Actually Keep Jumping Fitness: Jump Your Way To A Better, Healtheir you Eight Reasons Why you Should Read the Book “Still Me’ by Jojo Moyes Travel Guide: Bali, Indonesia Winter Getaways Super Sweet Potatoes
8 January 2019
WINTER GETAWAYS
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Advertorial Snaps Press Releases Horoscopes
THE LUST LIST
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TORY BURCH SHELL-TRIMMED FAUX SHEARLING JACKET Winter basically means cool jackets! Doesn’t everybody already agree? Especially when they are that awesome like this Tory Burch Faux Shearling Jacket that’s not just going to keep you extra warm, but also in style!
JUDEBINHALIM URBAN MAZE NECKLACE It’s all about the class and sass for us women, right?! This amazing black and gold Judebinhalim Urban Maze Necklace will make you look classy, but sassy on all your glamorous nights out!
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PULL&BEAR - PLAID SKIRT AND TROUSERS Plaid patterns just never go out of style! Whether it’s fall or winter, you’re going to rock all seasons wearing this Checked Skirt and those Trousers. They could go with almost everything!
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2 CAROLINA HERRERA CHELLA INSIGNIA BAG Speaking of glam, this really pretty Carolina Herrera Chella Insignia Bag in its pink shade is all you’re going to need to keep your essential stuff and look elegant.
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VALENTINO STUDDED ANKLE BOOTS Whether you choose pink or black, if you want to own this winter like never before, then channeling your inner boss lady in these trendy Valentino Studded Ankle Booties is everything you want! January 2019 9
IDENTITY ROAD TO SUCCESS
addition to events and meeting rooms that can take up to 30 persons. They also organize technical and business training events as well as sessions for entrepreneurs. 3. FALAK BOOKS AND ARTWORKS Falak is a book, arts and crafts store located in Garden City; one of Cairo’s calmest districts. Alongside the amazing displays of arts and crafts from different local artists, the multipurpose venue has a huge library with a spacious area for studying and working over a cup of coffee, with high-speed internet, very friendly staff and a super soothing atmosphere.
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CO-WORKING SPACES
WORTH A VISIT
4. BOOKLET If you’re looking for a place to enhance your creativity and encourage you to start the work, then Booklet Bookstore is the place you’re looking for. Located in Dokki with stylish 70’s inspired Italian décor that makes you feel at home, Booklet is a new experience where you can find whatever you need; music, books, internet, food and coffee. The place also has separate classrooms for private sessions.
5. STARTUP CIRCUS Good news everybody, the circus is here! The country is witnessing a real boom in the field of Innoventures created this coworking space entrepreneurship. With the increasing number of start-ups that has monthly and yearly subscription came a considerable amount of co-working, co-learning packages. The place located in Heliopolis spaces that developed very fast in time and transformed provides the chance to attend educational seminars and courses on entrepreneurship, in into multi-purpose hubs. Here are 6 of the best out there. addition to providing access to a mentors and entrepreneurs’ database. That’s a real haven 1. SUFI BOOKSTORE for all entrepreneurs. The circus offers its Located in Zamalek, Sufi is not your regular visitors free internet, printer and scanner, landline and bookstore. It offers a cozy space perfect for solo fax, recreational space, snacks and beverages. working or group studying. The authentic calm atmosphere is also great for hanging out with friends 6. CREATIVO over a cup of coffee. Since the place has started Creativo offers a beautiful, colourful, peaceful and to recently host some interesting events such as simply wonderful work environment, with the objective musical concerts and garage sales, make sure to of building peaceful creative communities. The venue, check their calendar before heading there, if what located in Dokki, supports talents and innovators, you need is total quietness. enhances cultural exchange, as well as empowers
by Rana Ramez
2. WOORK HUB Combining between the best elements of a workplace and the best elements of a coffee shop, Woork Hub gives its clients the chance to have their own affordable space to work in. Located in Nasr City, the hub has different daily and monthly packages in 10 January 2019
youth and entrepreneurs. It also provides a space for freelancers, entrepreneurs and students to work in a distraction-free place.
Now all you need to do is stop procrastinating and head to the nearest co-working space to unleash your inner workaholic.
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT
a Young Age
by Omnia Essawy
We all dream of quick success and seek to be recognized for our hard work and achievements. However, we always struggle to find the beginning of our road to success. Everyone craves success but few know how to reach it. This is why we have compiled for you a few simple yet essential steps to guide you on your road to a successful future. 1. Get a Head Start If you want to reach the top quickly, you have to start early. Don’t wait until you graduate to start figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Begin in college or even school. Engage in as many activities as you can, try different things, get different part-time jobs or summer jobs. Expand your horizons early on, this way you will find your niche and excel at it at a young age.
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4. Surround Yourself with People Who Elevate You 2. Plan Your Every Move Company is everything, so Define your ultimate target be careful when you choose clearly, divide it into smaller yours. Choosing to surround attainable goals, and then yourself with people who plan every move ahead. don’t challenge you and Prioritize and stick to a settling for the comfort you specific timetable so you don’t find with them will evidently BRUCE LEE lose track of time. Manage leave you in a rot. Comfort your plan with flexibility and is the enemy of progress. So choose to surround commit to it with focus and precision. Shoot for the yourself with people who are smarter, wiser, more stars but remember to land on your feet. And don’t experienced and even more successful than you. This forget to enjoy every step of the way. You are only way, they will eventually lift you up and challenge you young once. to be better every single day.
The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.
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3. Be a Sponge! Absorb EVERYTHING! When we’re young, we lack life experience the most. To make up for that, you have to benefit from others’ experiences. Listen more than you talk, observe, learn, and implement the things that can help you in your own journey. We are often too shy or proud to admit to not knowing something, but shyness will never help us move forward. There is no shame in asking for help, in fact, it’s necessary for progress.
At the end of the day it’s important to remember that success is relative and that it differs from one personto another. So while following these helpful steps, remember to create a unique journey specifically tailored for your own dream and your own definition of success. And again, never forget to ENJOY!
January 2019 11
IDENTITY BEAUTY
MAKEUP FOR
Work
by Aya Aboshady
Whether it’s a casual outing with friends, a fancy night out or even at work, every woman definitely wants to look pretty wherever she goes. Instead of looking like we’re over-caffeinated in the morning because that’s usually how it really is, we just want to at least look decent. However, it’s not always simple which is why we brought you these two effortlessly beautiful looks for work!
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1. For the most amazing set of neatly brushed and
filled up brows, the Glossier Boy Brow is all about filling, fluffing, thickening and shaping your brows. It’s honestly a must use for both looks!
2.
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A little drama won’t hurt anybody, right? The Maybelline Falsies Push Up Drama mascara is awesome for volumizing your lashes the way you want. The creamy formula and the plumping brush give just the perfect length for a sexy yet neat eye look! 12 January 2019
THE CASUAL LOOK
3.
What’s a better lip shade than a pretty nude one? This Mac Satin lipstick is outstanding for completing the casual natural look for work!
4. This RCMA No Colour loose powder is amazing for smoothly setting your foundation without a cakey effect! 5.
This is one of the best bronzers out there, the Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Perfect Tan has a beautiful tinted radiant finish!
6. The perfect natural look requires a healthy looking natural base which is why this Benefit Hello Flawless hydrating foundation is the one for you!
7. This Wet N Wild MegaGlo highlighting powder in
the shade Golden Flower Crown with the beautiful creamy pearl pigmented formula is all you need for this look!
THE FORMAL LOOK 1. Every makeup just NEEDS this NARS Liquid Blush! The beautiful product in the shade Torrid will give you the most naturally flushed cheeks you could ever have, with the shimmery warm coral effect! 2. Want to have lashes that look exactly like you
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have lash extensions on when you really don’t? If so, then this Glossier Lash Slick mascara is perfect for you! It lasts you all day to get you through those working hours!
3. Sometimes, foundations can be heavy on the
skin, especially if you’re breaking out, which is why this IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream with SPF 50 will save you the everyday trouble; giving you the most natural base with medium to full coverage, in addition to a flawless matte finish!
4. What’s a formal look without the signature bold
red lips? Maybelline has the most beautiful shade of red in its Colour Sensational Vivid Matte liquid lipsticks line! The Rebel Red will complete the professional yet sexy look in the liveliest of ways!
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5. This cream bronzer stick by MILK is just glorious! It goes really smoothly on the skin and nicely blends to create this shimmery tanned contoured look with a matte finish. It will be perfect for that formal work look!
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Say hello to the one of best brightening concealers in the universe! The Tarte Shape Tape is all for full coverage, hiding imperfections and flawless luminous matte finish. This product has a plentiful amount of shades; it could always be used as a contour if you pick the right one!
7. An intense highlighter is always required for the bold formal look, which is why the ICONIC Illuminator liquid highlighter in the shade Champagne Shimmer is the one! It’ll brighten up your skin and give you that beautiful Hollywood glow! 8. Whether you’re going for the dramatic/formal or the natural/casual, this astonishing Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette could be used to create many beautiful eye looks. The creamy texture and warm shimmery colours could be easily mixed and matched!
January 2019 13
The Best Hair PRODUCTS for Every HAIR TYPE! by Aya Aboshady
A woman’s hair, needless to say, is one of her most important aspects of beauty. But not all women have the same hair type, which makes it a bit hard to find the right product. Also, every hair type has an identified problem which needs to be safely handled. From the tangled up curly locks to the oily straight hair; there are a variety of products to save the day when it comes to those and more hair types. When the cold breeze and laziness strike in winter, taking care of your hair tends to be a lot more difficult than usual, particularly on work days. Which is why we’ve put together this list with the best hair solutions for all the different hair types!
1# TANGLED CURLY HAIR KNOTS Do you want to enjoy your beautiful curly hair without having to deal with the very irritating tangles especially after you wash it? This extraordinary product is the one for you! Everyone with curly hair is basically raving about how awesome the R+Co spray is when it comes to softening the curls and detangling them with its watery moisturizing formula! 14 January 2019
2# STRAIGHT AND OILY Straight hair looks really pretty especially when nicely combed; it has this beautiful shine to it. But the oily shine is not always the one we want! Women with straight hair often have issues with their hair being extra oily that it ruins the whole look, which is why this Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco will not just strengthen your hair and restore its most natural shine, it’ll also give you that movie star look!
4# KINKY COILED
3# FRIZZY DRY WAVES:
Beautiful voluminous curly hair doesn’t always look so beautiful when it’s very oily. Does it? That’s why this Aunt Jackie’s Curls’ Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque is perfect. This product repairs beyond compare as it contains avocado and coconut oils that will soften the locks without making them oily!
Whether long or short, wavy hair is so pretty when it looks soft and natural, but unfortunately not when it’s dry and frizzy. Many women with wavy hair struggle with the constant dryness that visits from time to time, especially in between seasons. And using the wrong hair products makes it worse, that’s why this one won’t! This hydrating Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Serum will give you the softest, glossiest, anti frizz controlled waves, especially when you use it regularly!
6# SHORT AND THIN Isn’t short hair very trendy right now? It just looks really nice and elegant in the winter time! To all of you out there who cut their hair in an attempt to add more volume, give the Sachajuan Stockholm Thickening Shampoo with sea algae extracts a try to make your hair thick, voluminous , shiny and most importantly, healthy!
5# LONG AND GREASY Girls and women with long hair sometimes struggle with either the fuzziness or the greasiness. For those who are tired of their long and greasy hair, don’t cut it just yet! There is definitely hope for an amazing product that will make all the grease go away. Say goodbye to the constant use of baby powder and instead opt for the Vichy Ultra Soothing Shampoo that will leave your hair clean and refreshed!
7# FUZZY AND DAMAGED SO MANY women struggle with extreme hair fuzziness. Their hair looks so damaged, unhealthy and on top of all that, it also keeps falling out like crazy everywhere around the house. But we promise this will no longer be a problem if you start using It’s a 10 Miracle Leave in Product! This spray is very easy to use after you shower and even when you need to quickly get your hair together on the go. It’ll leave your hair looking healthy and repaired!
8# BRITTLE Okay now, brittleness! Who doesn’t suffer from it? Even if we regularly trim our hair every three months like we’re supposed to, our hair still ends up up looking brittle, like it’s detached from the rest of the roots; which makes us go back to the vicious cycle of cutting and cutting! Well, this insane product will make it all better. The Original Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 is such a game changer as it treats damaged hair, stops breakage and strengthens the ends to avoid brittleness! January 2019 15
IDENTITY STYLE
Winter Sizzle FRESH HOT TRENDS FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
by Nahed Kazziha
From the runway, to your closet, this New Year beckons for a quick pick me up. Once the dust has settled on the holiday festivities and the havoc party dressing wreaks on our nerves (and wardrobes!), you can cozy up in some of winter’s hottest trends. Equal parts comfort and edge, this season’s showstoppers will have heads spinning in your style storm. Take queues from the magical catwalk and transport yourself into your own fashion fairytale for the week. Valentino SS19
SUNDAY Ease into the beginning of your week with a fuzzy sweater and pleated skirt combo. Add a vibrant colour to your outfit for a much needed dose of colour therapy to get you started.
Derek Lam
16 January 2019 Stella McCartney
Fendi
Givenchy
Dior
Alaia
MONDAY Time to roll up your sleeves and dive into exciting projects for this year. Opt for an intriguing scarf dress and accessorize with neutrals to accentuate the colour-clad print.
Versace FW18
Madewell
Zara
Valentino Jimmy Choo
TUESDAY Bypass the hump-day slump in cutting edge leather. The sleek black can be perfectly complemented with a side of texture for a pop of fun. Pair with some heels for a day to night transition.
River Island
Sonia Rykiel FW18
Off White
Mango Francesco Russso
Rejina Pyo
January 2019 17
WEDNESDAY As the anticipation for the weekend builds up, grab a checkered carry all. Whether you are running errands or rushing around the office, a pair of comfy utility flats will go a long way.
Asos Design
Moncler
Max Mara Isabel Marant FW18
Burberry FW18
Giuseppe Zanotti Zara
THURSDAY MORNING Missguided
Your all day look is key to seamlessly transition into weekend mode. With little time to spare, all-black cowgirl chic promises ease while the sun is up and sophistication when it sets for the evening.
Zara
Dolce & Gabbana FW18
Miu Miu Ganni
Isabel Marant
Tohum Design Maison Michel H&M
THURSDAY NIGHT
Fendi
18 January 2019
Balenciaga
Let your dress do the talking tonight in this season’s loudest print- leopard. Your wild side is sure to thank you for starting the weekend with a bang.
FRIDAY MORNING Grab a coffee, catch up with the family and stay bundled in shearling. The wooly warmth will perfectly balance out leather sweatpants for the day.
H&M Koché
IRO
See By Chloé
Tod's FW18
Fendi
FRIDAY NIGHT Look no further than your pajama wear for a night out on the town. A luxe PJ inspired set is sure to keep you comfortable and polished looking. Slip on boudoir heels and a romantic coat to amp up the bedroom look.
Etro
Loewe FW18
Bottega Veneta FW18
H&M Staud H&M Attico
SATURDAY Bid the weekend adieu in an all-day ensemble recalling the freedom of the 70’s hippies. Embrace the free spirited magic of lively knitwear as you wind down in preparation for owning the next week.
Missoni
Theory
Loewe
Alexandre Birman
Missoni
January 2019 19
How to Look ELEGANT YET
COMFORTABLE
by Aya Aboshady
E
ver wanted to just go out not worrying about your outfit being too formal or too casual? One of the biggest headaches for working women is their work attire which can sometimes stop them from going on casual lunch dates or even social outing after all the 9 to 5 hassle is over. But we’re here to tell you not to stress, because this list is all about looking really elegant and sophisticated for work, yet pretty and comfortable enough to go on a casual outing. check it out and thank us later!
Topshop
Zara H&M
New Balance
20 January 2019
Topshop
These gorgeous and professional looking Topshop Rose Pleat Sleeve and gray coat styled with H&M’s Skinny Regular Ankle Jeans and those trendy Charm and White New Balance Runnings won’t just make you feel comfortable; but also casually cheeky, especially when accessorized with those Bohemian Gold Filled Etsy Hoop earrings and this pretty Black Zara bag to carry all the important stuff!
Urban Outfitters
Ray Ban Urban Outfitters
Dr. Martens
A little simple white-looking attire for winter never hurt anybody, right? This Urban Outfitters’ White Andi Crew Neck Sweater looks awesome on the Blue-Gray Stitch Carpenter Jeans matched with the rocking black Dr. Martens. And for some cute action, put on those Ray-Bans for the vintage professional look!
H&M
Zara
Topshop
Kate Spade
Winter just screams classic long coats, doesn’t it? That’s why this patterned Belted Check Trench one from Topshop got you covered with those Light Blue Zara jeans and this really elegant Black Kate Spade Double Zip laptop bag, styled with H&M’s Titanium Hoop earings! Whether you’re going to work or to a professional meeting, this outfit is just so comfortably chic! January 2019 21
Pull and Bear Fossil
Want an attire that’d be perfect for both work and a casual outing at the same time? Don’t worry, this Black and Red Rust Buffon Pant Crepe Joggers with the refined turtlenecked Huet T-Shirt from Aritzia are here to gear you up! Just pair the outfit with those classy Black Alexandre Birman Susanna Booties, this stunning Jacqueline Sand Leather Fossil watch, this elegant black Pull and Bear Fanny Pack and you’re all ready to walk out the door!
Aritzia
Aritzia Alexandre Birman
Zara
Sephora Pull and Bear
22 January 2019
Zara
Zara
For an effortless elegant working woman-look with a little pretty comfortable color, this Red and Navy Textured Blazer, dress and Black Micro Stud Sandals from Zara will look stunning, styled with the classic Black Pull and Bear Chain Detail bag and this Liquid Lipstick from Sephora in the shade Red Velvet!
Guess
Aritzia
Aritzia
Aritzia
Who said Purple and Caramel can’t go together? Get the sophisticated look by wearing this smooth Aritzia Babaton Rembrandt turtleneck blouse with the Rosemarie High Waist Plaid dress pants and match it with this really cool Soft Caramel Stedman Wool Coat. And to complete the awesome look, put on those Dark Brown GUESS Cat Eye Sunglasses!
Mango
Nothing more comfortable than a shirt dress, don’t you agree? This beautiful red striped one is perfectly casual yet elegant paired up with the Brown Cowboy Leather Boots from Mango, the cross Brown and Orange Michael Kors bag and the very pretty Gold Metallic Hoop earrings, also from Mango!
Mango
Mango
Michael Kors
January 2019 23
IDENTITY INTERVIEW
THE BOLD & BEAUTIFUL
BASMA
Photographer: BILO HUSSEIN Makeup Artist: MAHMOUD RASHAD Hair Stylist: SHADY FROM ALSAGHEER SALONS Stylist: AYA EL GANAINY Furniture from: DECI FURNITURE Interview by Amina Moustapha
From the minute we saw her in El Nazer, Basma managed to catch the audience’s eyes and capture their hearts, laying the foundation for a successful and exceptional career! Rasa’el El Bahr, Wahed Sahih, Lelit Sokout Baghdad, Zay El Naharda and many more movies and TV series can testify to what a remarkable talented actress she is. With the recent release of her new movie Leil Kharegy, we had to meet up with Basma to have a chit chat and hear all about the new movie, her absence from the big screen and her comeback, her joining the American political drama television series Tyrant, and of course get a sneak peek into her newest projects. 24 January 2019
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Outfit: Maison69 and Shoes: Rony’s brands
Outfit & Accessories: Maison69 and Shoes: Rony’s brands
26 January 2019
How did your career kick off?
learnt a lot. Now, we switched., Nadia and I are staying in Egypt, and we travel to see Amr and vice versa.
Yousry Nasrallah is a family friend, and while I was still in college and he was preparing for his movie El Madina, his assistant called me to tell me that Nasrallah wanted to see me. I went to meet him; he wanted me to take part in his movie. He did a camera test for me, and he liked my acting and that’s how I got my first role! After graduating, I auditioned for the Nile Television Network test, and I got accepted. I worked as a TV presenter in the Nile Variety channel. Shorty after that I got my second role in El Nazer, with the late Alaa Waley El Din. Things started from there. How do you pick your roles? Each time the criteria are different. Usually, I try to pick roles that have different aspects from my previous characters, but then again sometimes the desire to work with a certain director can take over me, that I can accept not the greatest of roles just for the sake of working with this director and gaining the experience. Moreover, sometimes if I haven’t worked for a period of time, I will be hungry for work, so I will take whatever challenge that comes my way.
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How did you join Tyrant TV series? It was by pure coincidence. My husband was going to give a lecture in LA, and I was to attend it. The organizers asked him what my interests were, and he told them that I am an actress, so they said they would see who to invite that was working in this field and at the same time would be interested to attend the lecture. They invited one of the executive producers of Tyrant and I ended up not attending the lecture because my daughter wasn’t feeling well. A few days later I emailed him to apologize for not showing up, and told him that I would have loved to meet him. We kept emailing each another for a while until he told me that they were working on a project and that they might have a role to offer me. It was beyond any doubts great news! I went to meet him and the other executive producer who is also the Head Writer of the writing workshop. Later, I met the casting director, and this is how it happened.
I have no preference between making films or making series, I simply love acting.
There are many, but if I have to pick I will go with Noura in Rasa’el El Bahr, Rahma in Keset Hob and Nadine in Wahed Sahih. How do you view the period when you were absent from the scene? Do you consider it time off, adjusting to your new life in the US, or maybe quality time with your daughter? It was kind of a combination of all that. After I gave birth to my daughter, Nadia, I joined very few projects. Shorty after that we were faced with a family circumstance; my husband (Amr Hamzawy) was relocated to the United States and we had to move there. I benefited from this period and joined a workshop at the New York Film Academy where I
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What is your favourite role so far?
Did you find working abroad different from working in Egypt?
I used to draw comparisons all the time. Technique wise we are not that different, especially when it comes to the drama genre. The difference is their organizational capabilities. They can literally plan every minute in any project. For instance, we started our negotiations for Tyrant in November, and in December they told that I would be traveling to Budapest to start getting ready for the shooting by March 28. They stated that of course they weren’t giving me an accurate date, but I ended up traveling on March 28 to Budapest. That was their version of a ‘not so accurate’ schedule. Needless to say that working in such an organized environment helps you organize your life better, also what we would shoot here in 18 hours they can shoot in 10 hours due to their exceptional organizing skills. But again, directing, performances, lights, angles…we are not that much different.
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Outfit Villa Baboushka and Shoes: Rony’s brands
28 January 2019
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When me, Amr and our daughter Nadia took the decision that Nadia and I will be based in Egypt, and will be travelling to see Amr every now and then, as soon as I arrived in Cairo, I received a phone call from a friend, telling me that director Ahmed Abdallah was looking for me. He was shooting a new movie, and wanted me for a role. I got very excited, because as I mentioned before it’s not all about the role, I had wanted so much to work with Ahmed Abdallah in his movie Heliopolis, but many obstacles came in the way of that happening. Since then, I followed his work, and wanted to collaborate with him in a project. So we met later on and talked about Leil Kharegy; I was in love with the way he was executing the project and his passion for it. The role is different from anything I played before; for instance it’s the first time for me to appear on screen without an ounce of makeup on, or have my hair styled, it made the acting experience very challenging and yet interesting for me. Furthermore, the features of this character have no resemblance with any of my previous characters, which excited me even more to play it. You mentioned that coming back to Egypt was a mutual decision between you, your husband and your daughter; do you involve your daughter in your decisions? Yes, we do. She is still too young to make actual decisions, but we love to make her feel involved as much as we can. Do you have a preference between cinema and TV? Each one has its own beauty. Cinema is more long lasting for sure, if you were to choose between watching a ten year old movie or a ten year old TV series, most likely you will choose the movie. Yet every medium has its advantages and its drawbacks. For instance, when you’re shooting a TV series you benefit from the fact that the shooting isn’t too compressed. While movies get shot in an average of 4 to 5 weeks, series usually get shot in about 15 weeks, or maybe more, which gives you the space to work with ease. If I happen to be sick while shooting a scene in a series, I know I can make it up tomorrow, but this isn’t the case in movies because of the tight schedule. On the
30 January 2019
other hand, sometimes the way series and movies get shot is different. In series they shoot scene by scene, but in movies it’s shot by shot, and this weighs in favor of movies in my opinion, because it gives you the chance to focus on each sentence you say, and give it your best performance. But in series, you shoot an undivided scene; you must perform it as a whole, so you won’t be able to give each line its due. Yet again, shooting scene by scene gives you the benefit of enjoying the flow of the scene as a whole...I can’t really say which one I prefer, I simply love acting. When will your upcoming movie “Ras El Sana” come out? All being well, it will come out by the end of January 2019 or the beginning of February. What advice would you like to give to aspiring actors and actresses? Love your work, it will love you back, and as much as you give to your work, it will give back to you. What is your next project? There is an independent movie called “Be’ilm El Wosoul”, written and directed by Hesham Sakr. We are done with the shooting, and it is now in the post production phase. We have big hopes for this movie to participate in important festivals. There is also another project but I can’t say much about it yet. I hope it meets our expectations when it’s finished. All I can say for now is that it’s an experience that hasn’t been frequently done in our cinema, one that’s technically so different.
We thank Basma for the lovely interview, and wish her the best in her up coming projects!
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Love your work, it will love you back, and as much as you give to your work, it will give back to you.
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Tell us more about your role in your newest movie “Leil Kharegy”.
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Outfit: Maison69
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Outfit Villa Baboushka and Shoes: Rony’s brands
IDENTITY ADVICE
Online Dating The Blessing or The Curse of The Modern World? by Marwa Rakha
Since internet dating services came to be in the 1990s, more and more serious love connections have come out of them, and today Tinder alone is matching 26 million people a day. Some people have excellent experiences with online dating that end in satisfying relationships. Others have stories filled with confusion and frustration. Thus, much like any other way to date, meeting someone online has both benefits and drawbacks. So, how does someone date online successfully? Here is a tough question for the one who always has our back when it comes to relationship advice, Identity’s Relationship Expert, Marwa Rakha. Is it possible to gauge through an online conversation if a person has chemistry with you or not? There are two main indicators that point us towards, or away from a person; body language and vibes. Body language includes facial expressions, tone of voice, eye-contact, and how a person moves his head on his neck and shoulders, his hands and arms over his face and chest, and how he positions his legs. Vibes, on the other hand, are not as tangible. They are just signals a person sends and they are differently perceived by various people. One could describe vibes as good, cheerful, and pleasant, or dark, uneasy, and negative. 34 January 2019
In an online conversation, especially one that does not involve using a live camera, it is impossible to “read” a person’s body language. Still, you can feel a person’s vibes. You can feel if they are funny, upbeat, serious, or dull. Sometimes you cannot find an adjective to describe a person’s vibes; you can just feel uneasy or at ease. Be warned! Do not let vibes fool you! Some people are way more pleasant and attractive online than in real life. Other than vibes, there are little pointers that would either repel you away from the conversation or draw you in further. For example, a person’s written language. The way a person strings a sentence tells a lot about
how he/she thinks, his/her education, and level of attention to detail. A sloppy writer is not my cup of tea – but other people would not find that a drawback. The type of questions that person asks, the ease and flow of the conversation, the level of eagerness to get to know you, and the speed at which he/she responds to your messages – so many little pointers along the way. It’s quite common on online dating applications such as Tinder to meet many people, is it smart to have many conversations going at once, or you should only pick a few people to talk to? It is normal to start talking to several people at the same time, but as the number, and quality, of conversations increase, it would be hard to continue juggling – unless you are not serious about dating. Just like in real life, some people enjoy being elusive and keep as many options open, in the online world; there are also people who just enjoy chatting and flirting with no serious end in mind. There is no absolute right and wrong advice when it comes to the number of conversations you are having, but it is only ethical to avoid leading people on, and promising things you cannot deliver. If the other person was nice and everything, but wasn’t giving you much to work with, you had to be the one leading the conversation all the time, and you started to get a bit bored, should you stop talking to them, or mention this and risk making them feel self-conscious? Some people are shy, but with a little patience and some encouragement, a shy person would eventually warm up to you. Some people are lost; they literally do not know what they are doing or why they are even talking to you. In that case, back off and save your energy. There are also people who are “not that into you” - slowing down is highly advisable. If you feel bored, take that feeling seriously. It is a sign that “the relationship” is not on track. When is it okay to go on an actual date with someone you met online? It does not matter if you go on a date right away, or after a few chats. There is no correct timing to take an online relationship to the real world. Having said that; let me warn you that people online are not exactly the same as when you meet them in real life. A smooth online chat can be the exact opposite when you meet for a cup of tea. My advice is
to meet a person you met online, as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and emotional traps. The worst emotional trap is falling in love with the online version of a person and not being able to even like the person in real life. Turnoffs can be as silly as, the way that person eats, laughs, rubs his palms, keeps touching his earlobes, cares for his teeth, smells, walks, drives, etc. The most important thing when you meet a person is safety! For the first few meetings, choose public places, an appropriate time of the day, eat together, see how the check is being handled, and make sure you go in separate cars. Needless to say, whether you are online or offline, do not provide anything that could be used later to blackmail you – pictures, voice notes, text message, videos, etc. What are the red flags you should watch out for? If you are online, watch out for lies, discrepancies, people who agree with everything you say, and relationships that are “too good to be true”! If it is too good to be true, it is either not good or not true. Also, people who talk negatively about their exes, previous partners, other dates, and friends will eventually say similar things about you! Beware of a person you have no common friends with. This is very likely a fake profile. Remember that you are not a saviour; if someone is on drugs, addicted to porn, alcohol, or sex, has unprotected sex, does not have a job and a steady source of income, does not get up in the morning, RUN! That person needs professional help not a relationship. If you start talking on the phone or meeting, watch out for signs that this person is married and hiding it, or dating and playing around. The clearest sign is: unavailability at certain times. For example, weekends, at night, after working hours, etc. If a person is controlling, clingy, or too hasty to suggest sex, stop and think about how you feel and what you want. Too many excuses and apologies are a red flag. Not talking about childhood memories and family is another red flag. My most sincere advice is slow down and remember that trust is earned not given! January 2019 35
IDENTITY REVAMPING
BREAKING THROUGH THE ILLUSION OF SUCCESS by Amina Moustapha
“Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth.” Ludwig Borne. Remember the iceberg that sank Titanic? Only ten percent of the total mass of that iceberg was visible above water, and most of the bulk was underwater. When the “unsinkable” ship, the largest, most luxurious ocean liner of its time, crashed into this iceberg on its maiden voyage in 1912, taking more than 1,500 of its 2,200 passengers to the bottom, the reason behind this disastrous incident wasn’t technical flaws in the Titanic. It was simply because its creators were caught in an illusion of success. 36 January 2019
That treacherous iceberg is the perfect representation of the illusion of success. Sylvia Duckworth, a Canadian author and sketchnoter, created a sketch, an image to illustrate how much work goes on behind the scenes of anything grand and amazing. According to her, success is an iceberg. Our stakeholders, (teachers, students, parents, community, bosses, fellow administrators, and sometimes ourselves) can only see the tip of the iceberg visible above the water, and they identify it as “success,” but they don’t necessarily understand all the factors “behind the scenes” dedication, hard work and good habits; disappointment, sacrifice, failure and persistence. Disregarding all these factors creates an illusion of what success really is. Sometimes failures are masked behind an illusion of success, and sooner or later the grim reality will hit us. COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY “I want to be like (someone you admire), they catch all the breaks.” “How did an idiot like him/her get that promotion?” “I’d trade places with (coworker/ manager) in a heartbeat.” “(Person you envy) must live a charmed life.” Today’s technology constantly bombards us with material that’s ripe for self-loathing and comparison to everyone else. Most people are overly concerned with “beating the other guy,” while they are only beating themselves. When you compete against other people, you judge yourself based on their values and metrics. The problem with this is even if you win, you only do something that’s important to them, not you. What’s the point of success with no joy? YOU DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS You know the old adage “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? Well, the same goes for success. If you’re focusing on what everyone else’s idea of success is, you’ll never achieve it. Success, like beauty, starts from the inside out. Whether success to you is material, or a state of mind, the definition should be one you choose not one that’s chosen for you. Rather than be consumed by what someone else is doing, take stock in yourself, and seek your own value. Remember, the gain or loss of others doesn’t add or take away anything from you. Defining your goals, your dreams, and not base them on what other people are doing is the only way to find your true definition. If success
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Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth. LUDWIG BORNE
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Their illusion was proving how fast and magnificent that ship was, which drove the ship’s deceased captain, E. J. Smith to give orders to race at 22 knots through a known ice field in the dark waters off the coast of Newfoundland, and the rest is history.
to you is having a family and leading a job that allows you to have time with them, go on and do that, and don’t bat an eye toward anyone that undermines your definition. They are not you, and you’re not them. UNDERLYING EXPECTATIONS When asked about the fear of success, most people talk about the expectations that their parents had of them when they were young and their concerns about meeting those expectations as adults. In order to transform our lives, then we must liberate ourselves from the expectations that we think others have of us. The people you care about meeting their expectations should be the ones who care about you, who have faith in you. Even when you fail, they should support you to meet your expectation of you, not theirs. If that’s not the case then these are individuals have their own unresolved issues and their expectations of you are really about themselves. You should unchain yourself from these expectations, and seek your own, that’s the only road to success as you define it, even if you don’t know this definition yet. FEAR IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF SUCCESS; IT’S PART OF IT Being weighed down with the uncertainty of our own skills, self doubt, is part of the journey. You can’t avoid this part of the road; else you’re going somewhere else. To find happiness, sanity, and real measures of success; we must find a way to move beyond our self-imposed limitations about our own capabilities to perform. Your faith in yourself is what will get you from Fearland to your destination. You must become empowered from within, by turning meaningful expectations into personal goals, all while leveraging your strengths to achieve those goals, and to move forward with great clarity, force, and intention.
So if success is your goal, you’d better take a look at what’s underneath the iceberg! January 2019 37
Boutiques
BEST AROUND CAIRO by Omnia Essawy
A
wise woman named Bo Derek once said, “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” And boy was she right! Shopping, when done right, can be a force to be reckoned with. It can have massive therapeutic effects as well as provide a much desired upgrade to your wardrobe. No matter the gender or personality type, there’s no denying that there’s a little shopaholic in all of us whose eyes light up at the sight of a breathtaking pair of shoes or a uniquely designed piece of clothing. This is why we have decided to help you embrace your inner shopper and set it free by compiling a list of the best boutiques in our beloved Cairo. Happy shopping, everybody!
1. THE SAHARA COLLECTION With diversity as their main theme, The Sahara Collection offers several choices for both men and women. Mixing the best of both worlds, their uniquely designed pieces are both comfortable and stylish. They also provide you with everything you need from casual day-to-day outfits to fancy stand-out cocktail dresses. Not only that, but they only make a few pieces of each design, to guarantee you feel as special as possible. To complete your look, Sahara also has a sister company named Nomad that provides beautiful and glamorous pieces of jewelry. Location: 10 Brazil St., Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek. 2. ORO With their funky styles and edgy designs, ORO is definitely the place to shop for those who like to stand out and turn heads. Once you step in their store, you will see that they strive to be different and unique. From their colourful beachwear to their edgy evening outfits, you are guaranteed not to find a dull outfit in their out-of-this-world collection. Location: 20 Horreya St., Heliopolis. 38 January 2019
3. WEAVING GRACE During 2018, Weaving Grace opened its doors to embrace every stressed-out bride and make all her bridal dreams come true. The idea behind this bridal blessing is to turn the stressful wedding preparation experience into a peaceful and even enjoyable one for the bride to be. Saving the bride about a hundred trips, and for the first time in Egypt, this one-stop bridal shop has gathered everything any bride needs and put them together under one roof. Not only that, they can actually take care of everything for you, from dressing you into the bridal gown of your dreams to planning your wedding down to every detail. Whether it’s designer, DJ or photographer, they got you covered. All you have to do is choose! Location: 6 Brazil St., Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek. 4. AGRODOLCE This world-class boutique allows you to have the shopping experience of a lifetime. Not only do they provide you with your favorite international brands at very affordable prices, they also give you the chance to sit with a personal stylist to help give your wardrobe the extra boost it needs. Location: 21 Ahmed Heshmat St., Zamalek. 5. VINTAGE BOUTIQUE This cozy story makes up for what it lacks in space by its vast and diverse collections. From their edgy eccentric clothes to their complementing accessories, they manage to offer everything you could need for your wardrobe under the same roof and present it in style. I guess it’s true that all good things come in small packages. Location: 6 El Gezira El Wosta St., Abu Al Feda, Zamalek. 6. AMUSE Not only do they offer very chic and contemporary designer pieces, they also provide a very selective collection of fashion accessories. They aspire to be as versatile as they can; that’s why their collection goes from classy chic to comfy sporty and carries everything
in between. They also haven’t forgotten about your home with art pieces and home accessories on offer, so you can dress your home as elegantly as yourself. Location: 15 Ismail Mohamed St., Borj Jeddah on the ground floor, Zamalek. 7. BOUTIQUE 51 If what you look for in your personal style is to express your young age and free spirit, then look no further; this is the place you have always been searching for. Boutique 51 aims for their very carefully selected pieces to be both sweet and daring to help every young woman conquer the world in style. Location: 35B Abou El Feda St., Zamalek.
basically everything they could possibly need; from art pieces, home and personal accessories, home decoration to incredible designer clothes, both local and international. Some of the many brands they offer include Deena Shaaban, VNTG Sunglasses, Bashayer, Tajally, Krak Baby and Opio. Location: 2 Taha Hussein St., Zamalek.
In the end, wherever you choose to go, remember that shopping is a therapeutic and spiritual exercise that not everyone understands. So pick your shopping buddy wisely, load up that wallet and ENJOY, ladies.
8. BOHO GALLERY This one-of-a-kind authentic boutique aspires to connect with our culture and nature in everything they offer. Oriental pieces displaying distinctive Egyptian style and hand-painted bags complete the whole unique sense of their collections. Another great thing about them is that they also give a chance for young Egyptian fashion designers to display their work! Locations: 22 Yussef El Qady St., Heliopolis. & 11 El Gezira El Wosta St., Zamalek 9. VILLA BABOUSHKA This very artistic, very high-end boutique managed to mix high fashion and international designer pieces with comfortable streetstyle that fits our day-to-day life. They aim to present art in every way they can through their unique and impressive interiors as well as the art pieces displayed on the walls of their store. It is definitely the place to shop for any artistic sophisticated woman who likes to stand out. Location: 31 Ismail Mohamed St., Zamalek. 10. ABN’G WORLD This incredible boutique aims to provide their customers with January 2019 39
CHEAP ALTERNATIVES FOR THE PERFECT HOME THEATER by Raghda Elsayed & Amina Moustapha
For all movie junkies, going to the movies is your self-treat, but what if we tell you that setting up a home theatre can be cheaper than you originally thought? Yes, your dream can come true without breaking the bank. The most expensive, and important aspect of any home theatre is the big screen. While buying a big screen TV is the ideal situation, if you can afford it, getting an affordable alternative is still an option. A LED Projector Is Your Best Friend! They are not as expensive, yet still as effective as a big screen TV. Invest in an affordable LED projector that you can connect to your laptop, and voila; you have your favourite movie playing as big as you wanted it. A White Wall or a White Sheet You got the projector, now you need a backdrop. If you’re setting up the home theatre in a room with white walls, you can easily use it as a backdrop. If that’s not the case, you can easily use two king sized bed sheets, sew them together and hang them on your wall. Make sure you sew them with white thread, and iron them every-so-often. Stay Lazy with the Perfect Beanbag While the perfect home theatre would command a major recliner to hug us while we watch our movies,
a comfortable beanbag would still do the trick. Depending on your budget, and the number of people joining you, you can find the perfect beanbag for your need. The Perfect Audio Let’s make it clear, a movie watching experience is nothing without a good audio device. If we have to recommend investing in anything, it’s without a doubt a good audio system. That said; you can find numerous reasonably priced options for them. Make sure to check Black Friday deals for a good price! The Extras The whole experience could be ruined without the extras that make it worth the investment. Make sure you buy lights with dimmers since the room has to be dark. It is also recommended to invest in a small fridge, or even a cooling box, because what’s watching a movie without the snacks?
BEST NEW MOVIES TO WATCH AT HOME ROMANTIC MOVIES 1. Midnight Sun 2. Adrift 3. Forever My Girl 4. The Shape of Water 5. Home Again 6. Everybody Loves Somebody 7. The Space Between Us 8. My Cousin Rachael 40 January 2019
COMEDY MOVIES 1. Ocean 8 2. Deadpool 2 3. Book Club 4. Game Night 5. The Spy Who Dumped Me 6. The Meyerowitz Stories 7. The Big Sick 8. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
DRAMA MOVIES 1. I, Tonya 2. Lady Bird 3. Boy Erased 4. 12 Strong 5. Outlaw King 6. A Private War 7. A Simple Favor 8. Tully
FANTASY MOVIES 1. Fantastic Beats & Where To Find Them 2. Avenger Infinity War 3. Black Panther 4. A Wrinkle In Time 5. Maze Runner: Death Cure 6. Aquaman 7. The Nutcracker & the Four Realms 8. Spider Man: Homecoming
HORROR MOVIES 1. The Nun 2. It Comes At Night 3. Annabelle: Creation 4. The Rituals 5. 47 Meters Down 6. Cult of Chucky 7. Jigsaw 8. Rings
ACTION MOVIES 1. Logan 2. War for the Planet of the Apes 3. The Hitman’s Bodyguard 4. The Mummy 5. Ghost In A Shell 6. The Dark 7. Tomb Raider 8. Death Wish January 2019 41
New Year’s RESOLUTION IDEAS
FOR 2019 THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY KEEP by Amina Moustapha
I
t’s that time of the year, when we make pie-in-the-sky goals for the new year ahead, only to give up come February. You’re not alone in this, dear friend, on average, only 8% of people actually keep their New Year’s resolutions. It is not because we are lazy or quitters, but when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, we’ve been going about it all wrong.
Here are the traps we fall into every time we make that list of goals; we view January 1st as our only start date instead of realizing that every single day offers us a new beginning, a new chance. We attempt to go “cold turkey” on our old habits, failing to realize that new habits take time to develop (at least 66 consecutive days to be exact). We set too many goals for ourselves all at once instead of focusing on just one goal at a time. These goals are also often unrealistic and therefore impossible to attain, and like the domino effect, when we don’t achieve a goal, we give up on the rest of the resolutions. So, shall we throw the towel already? No, sir. A trap is only a trap if you don’t know about it, but if you know all about it, it becomes a challenge. So let’s escape this fat trap. First off, you need to break free from this all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to your goals for the New Year. Second off, start small (like really, 42 January 2019
REALLY small), it gives you a steadier pace. Third off, when you experience setbacks pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back on the proverbial horse. Last but not least, start over (each and every day). Rather than viewing resolutions as a yearly occurrence, let each day be a new beginning towards the lighter, cleaner, more organized life you imagine yourself living. Now that you have your tools, let’s get this list going. Here are some thoughtful New Year’s resolution ideas for 2019 & how you can make them happen. IF YOUR RESOLUTION IS TO GET IN BETTER SHAPE THIS YEAR Walk 1,000 more steps a day. “I tell my patients to walk everywhere,” says Nicole Weinberg, M.D., a cardiologist at Providence Saint
John’s Health Center in California. “Even if you live in an area where you drive to get from place to place, get parked in the parking lot far away from the door and walk there.” Walking won’t just help keep your metabolism humming along—it’s also great for heart health, brain health, joints, and more. Plank two to three times a week. As an alternative to resolving to ‘get fit’ (vague much?), target your core—the center of all your movements, suggests Christi Marraccini, certified personal trainer and instructor at NEO U in New York City. Eat one plant-based meal a day.
love to promote people on my team who raise the performance of everybody around them.” - Joshua Lee, CEO & Founder of StandOut Authority. Avoid office politics and gossip. Not participating in office politics and gossip speaks of integrity and trustworthiness. “Individuals who are able to rise above the temptations stand out most as those I think would be the fairest to others in management roles.” - Souny West, Founder of Chic Capital. Show pride in your work.
That’s one for you, and one for the planet! It will improve your overall nutrition over time, and will help you get enough fiber (hello, better digestion!) and it’s good for the environment too.
Your passion about what you do speaks louder than anything. “The work is what matters, and employees who take it personally, who own their work as a reflection of their values and take pride in doing good work, are the employees I trust with positions of responsibility.” - Vik Patel, CEO of Future Hosting.
IF YOUR RESOLUTION IS TO SAVE MOVEY THIS YEAR
IF YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTION IS TO HAVE MORE FUN IN YOUR LIFE
Make “free” plans every month.
Plan a monthly excursion with your family.
Who said fun must be expensive? “Frugal joy,” a.k.a. a free activity like a picnic in the park or a visit to your local museum during free admission hours are free or inexpensive things that make us really happy. Have them replace something that costs money, and you will see wonders.
Nothing can bring you joy like your family. Think of a new place to visit each month. Perhaps it’s a museum? A theme park or a water adventure park? Plan that each month one of you will pick the destination.
Create a “future expense” fund.
You love music, you’re a bookworm, you’re a runner, you have a soft spot for rom-coms…whatever is your deal, whatever makes you happy incorporate it in your day. “Find your mood shifters, and your life will be different.” - Rhonda Byrnes, author of The Secret.
Want to travel? Need a new car? Here is an idea by Shannon McLay, Founder and CEO of Financial Gym, Inc. “If your rent is currently $800 and the apartment you want is $1,200, save the difference between them; that means you’d set aside $400 a month in a new apartment fund. In six months, you should have the first and last month’s rent you need to score a sweet new den.” Tada! IF YOUR RESOLUTION IS TO GET A PROMOTION, RAISE OR NEW JOB
Incorporate things you enjoy in your day.
Visit a new place each month. “New places always help us look at life differently,” said Joan Bauer, an American author. Going somewhere you’ve never been before makes you look with new eyes, so travel, locally and internationally, explore new places, eat at new restaurants, talk to strangers…let the new and mysterious open new doors in your life.
Raise other team members’ performance. “I look for people who help their colleagues instead of stepping on them in their climb up the ladder. I
We wish you all the best of luck with your resolution, and a very happy new year. January 2019 43
IDENTITY HEALTH
Jumping Fitness
JUMP YOUR WAY TO A BETTER, HEALTHIER YOU! by Omnia Essawy
“I will start working out tomorrow”, “I will go to the gym next month”, and “Maybe I better make this whole healthy lifestyle thing a New Year’s resolution”. Sounds familiar? Of course, it does, because procrastination seems to be the only thing we all have in common when it comes to working out. No matter how big of a health fanatic you might be, there will come a point where regular exercise becomes too tiring or boring for you. This is why we are here, to put an end to all of your working out woes with one simple word; JUMPING. Yes, you can now jump to get fit. And yes, it actually is as fun and awesome as it sounds. 44 January 2019
WHAT IS JUMPING FITNESS OR TRAMPOLINE FITNESS?
refined and sculptured body you always dreamed of with a lot less work.
Jumping fitness, or as some call it Trampoline Fitness, is basically the answer to all our exercising prayers. It’s fun, it’s effective and very very easy. This dynamic training system allows you to lose weight, get your body in shape, all while enjoying yourself! Sounds too good to be true, right? But it’s not!
4. IT’S SOFT ON THE BONES BUT AWESOME FOR THE MUSCLES Jumping on a trampoline is a low-impact cardio exercise that absorbs about 80% of the shock and strain usually caused by exercising on hard ground. This results in stronger back muscles while taking the pressure off your spine and knees. So, if you have bad knees or weak back muscles, the good news is you can now exercise in ease without being terrified of fracturing your spine or snapping a knee; the bad news is you can no longer use them as an excuse for skipping exercise!
Jumping fitness includes a mix of fast and slow jumps, variations of traditional aerobic steps and dynamic sprints, in addition, of course, to the basic fun of bouncing up and down. The versatility and complexity of the exercises are guaranteed to strengthen your whole body at once. REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD START JUMPING REGULARLY: There are a lot of reasons why you should start practicing jumping fitness, other than the pure fun of it; here are some of them: 1. IT’S A FAST, EASY AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO HAVE AN OVERALL HEALTHIER BODY Jumping is three times more effective than jogging. It works over 400 muscles at the same time because of the constant gravitational changes that occur while jumping. Not only that, the structured aerobic movements on the trampoline work on enhancing your breathing which leads to an increased lung capacity. So you will look and feel healthier.
5. YOU WILL LITERALLY BE JUMPING FOR JOY! Needless to say; jumping is FUN! But why? Scientifically, jumping has a drastic effect on your overall mood because it releases a huge amount of endorphin in your body after the workout, causing you to experience a rush of happiness and a sense of well-being. But what if you mixed jumping with some fun workout music and used this exercise time to jump for joy with your best workout buddies? Talk about guaranteed and pure JOY! WHERE CAN YOU PRACTICE JUMPING FITNESS? Now that you have learnt about some of the many benefits of jumping, all you need is to find out where to go to start bouncing your way to fitness. This is why we have compiled for you a list of the places that offer jumping so you can get started ASAP.
2. IT KEEPS YOU YOUNG AT HEART AND APPEARANCE Other than helping you connect with your inner child, jumping also helps you look younger. How? As we age, oxygen levels decrease in the skin tissue, which, in time, results in less elasticity and more lines and wrinkles. Jumping and bouncing, on the other hand, helps circulate more oxygen to the skin tissue and increase elasticity, resulting in a younger healthier looking face. It’s basically a natural facelift.
1. Gold’s Gym 2. Fitiology 3. Our Gym 4. Brass Monkeys Studios 5. Titans Gym 6. Eight Fitness Club 7. Be Fit Gym 8. Jumping Egypt 9. Fibers Club 10. Hers Gym
3. IT GIVES YOU YOUR DREAM RUNWAY BODY IN MUCH LESSER TIME It has been known and proven that 10 minutes of jumping gives you as much health benefits as 30 minutes of running. Not only that, according to NASA, it’s 68% more effective! This means that now you can burn 3 times more calories in the same amount of exercise time! This will easily and quickly give you the
Now, it’s official; you have no more excuses for putting off exercise and ignoring your health and fitness. Working out is not only important, but it is also essential, especially to keep up with our very busy and hectic lives. Now and thanks to jumping, mixing the effect of the exercise with the fun of bouncing up and down is guaranteed to give you an extra boost of energy through your day-to-day life. January 2019 45
IDENTITY REVIEW
8 Reasons Why You Should Read the Book
‘Still Me’ by Jojo Moyes by Rana Ramez
There she is, Jojo Moyes, amazingly striking us again with her recently released book ‘Still Me’. Following the number one international bestsellers of ‘Me Before You’, that turned into a movie, and ‘After You’, the book is the third novel featuring our beloved much missed heroine Louisa Clark. In the previous book, Lou hadn’t actually found herself the way Will Traynor would have liked her to. So here she is again, going through a new adventure and navigating through events and interactions with her habitual clumsiness, pure heart and loving spirit. If you didn’t have the chance to read it yet, keep reading to know why you should.
1.
The writing style will take you elsewhere Jojo Moyes, the English journalist who became romance novelist and screenwriter, is one of very few authors to have won twice the Romantic Novel of the Year Award. Her novels had been translated into 28 languages. As described by the Daily Mail, the book is “Wonderfully written and completely engrossing, with exquisitely drawn characters in a brilliantly plotted narrative.” The language used is easy, inviting readers into the story and her style of writing is naturally flowing with humor and unknown expected conflict. Furthermore, Jojo Moyes is a master storyteller that can make you laugh and cry on the same page.
2.
You fall for Lou Clark and there is nothing you can do If that didn’t already happen to you from the two previous books, which is highly doubtful, this novel will definitely bring down your walls. You just cannot help it; Lou is a great fun mix. She is silly yet brilliant; naturally funny with a pure heart.You will feel reunited with an old friend who has an eccentric sense of fashion. She was successfully able to keep her upbeat character, adorable personality and amazing sense of humor, while she is going through a process of selfgrowth and healing. In addition to that, your affection towards her grows uncontrollably when she finds herself in a world where her kindness is either mocked or overlooked.
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3.
The complexity of feelings While reading the book, you will experience a roller-coaster of feelings and emotions. It will make you laugh out loud hysterically, weep like a baby and shatter your faith in love before building it all over again. The storytelling is very real-life like; it’s joyful, funny, humorous yet sad, heartbreaking and sorrowful. It shows the different aspects of life of the main character, her assorted interactions, how she is struggling with keeping her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend back in England on one hand, and how she is worrying about her growing friendship with her employer on the other hand. The story presents a tender, heart-warming and hopeful look at life. Besides that, ‘Still Me’ shows the progression of moving forward and taking risks.
4.
Non-avoided aftermath Not like many other writers, the author of ‘Me Before You’ was not afraid to tackle the aftermath of her first book. She was bold enough to let us explore how Lou’s life has changed after the heartbreaking end of book one. And now she does it again by sending our Lou to a new adventure to the United States, where her enthusiasm from one side and her struggles from the other side are skillfully drawn.
5.
Blending worlds As she comfortably managed before to bring people from different backgrounds and diverse
social classes together, the writer was perfectly capable of blending two different worlds together in her latest book. This was clearly witnessed through the heroine’s adventure from London to New York, where two diversified worlds came together. Moreover, the description of New York City by Clark’s fresh eyes is so amusing that you will feel you’re already there in the same moment.
6.
No need to read ‘After You’ If you haven’t read ‘After You’ (book 2) yet, you can jump directly to ‘Still Me’ without feeling lost. The book will still make perfect sense as a direct follow-up to ‘Me Before You’. The heroine’s mind, registering her senses in the first chapter, will take readers directly to her world and will make them see the world through her eyes.
7.
And if you already did and hated it, here’s a second chance Basically, many readers and reviews have claimed that though they loved ‘Me Before You’, the book ‘After You’ was not as enjoyable as its previous one since many events were predictable and opinionated. So here’s another chance for you all to visit the world of Lou Clarke and her everyday ups and downs once again, in a very different setting, with new characters.
8.
But most importantly, do not compare One thing that might leave you really disappointed is comparing ‘Me Before You’ to ‘Still Me’. Look at it as a completely different book with the presence of some familiar characters, without any expectations. But if you are expecting another ‘Me Before You’, you will only feel frustrated reading ‘Still Me’. ‘Me Before You’ was the most deep and dramatic chapter of
Louisa’s life. But this sequel affirms that life goes on beyond the perfect ending. As Emilia Clarke, the star of ‘Me Before You’ movie, assured, the newly released book is a must-read. With her honesty, humor and empathy about what it is to be human, Jojo had managed - as usual - to bring a big smile on her face. This book is a romantic fiction where romance is not the central point. It is more about overcoming obstacles than finding love. Our dear Louisa Clark goes through it wearing her big smile on her face, her heart on her sleeves and her bumble bee tights on her legs. If you are a fan of both Jojo Moyes and ‘Me Before You’, this is your book. It is surely the perfect choice if you are looking for a light, fun, fast and uplifting read. January 2019 47
IDENTITY TRAVEL
Travel Guide:
BALI, INDONESIA by Rana Ramez
HOW TO GET THE VISA? 1. Multiple Entry Visa is valid for 1 year on the first date of arrival with no more than 60 days per visit. Requirements are to complete the visa form on the website, a valid passport for 6 months, copy of the return flight and a receipt for payment.
intention to stay longer. Visa on Arrival can be extended for another 30 days. The requirements are to have a passport valid for at least 6 months and have a round-trip airplane ticket. The fees for Visa on Arrival are:
2. A 30 day Visa on Arrival can be obtained at most major ports of entry. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you need to mention your
• 15 USD for 7 days • 35 USD for 30 days • 35 USD for extension of stay for up to 30 days
BEST PLACE TO STAY IN IS SEMINYAK Seminyak is one of the perfect places that suits couples with a lot of private isolated villas, intimate calm beaches and spa retreats; solo travelers as well with the lit nightlife, the jungles and the various art galleries. The travel from Seminyak to Bali’s top destinations is very easy through various day trips excursions. 48 January 2019
TOP DESTINATIONS IN BALI • Ubud jungle where you can try white-water
rafting on the Ayung River and visit Ubud Monkey Forest. • Lembongan Island in the Nusa Penida district, south-east of Bali, for watersports, parasailing and visiting beaches like Dream Beach. • East Bali where you can discover the local Balinese life and cultures at the markets like
Bedugul Market and temples such as Pura Besakih, Tanah Lot Temple, Pura Goa Lawah Temple and the Kertha Gosa Pavilion at Klungkung Palace. • Get a decent coffee from the two outposts of Revolver in Seminyak, Butter Cake and Coffee Shop in Canggu and Seminen and Anomali in Ubud.
THE BALINESE CUISINE • Though it’s not world-renowned, it’s very tasty and inexpensive. The restaurant scene in the city is
world class and has some incredible food hardly found anywhere else. • Never drink tap water and only use bottled water even for brushing your teeth. ETIQUETTE AND CUSTOMS • Dress modestly covering the knees and the
shoulders. • You can bargain but respectfully with a smile on your face. • Avoid excessive drinking. • Pack a sarong and a sash if you plan on visiting temples. Men and women need to cover their legs below the knee with the sarong and wear the sash around the waist. WEATHER IN BALI
• The locals don’t expect tips but still you should.
Learn to say thank you “Terima Kasih” as they highly appreciate you learning some words in Indonesian. • Beachwear isn’t highly accepted in Bali where many clubs, high-end bars and restaurants have a certain dress code. • Respect their religious customs and culture as it’s taken very seriously.
• Dry season is from May to September • Wet season is from October to April
The best time to visit Bali is from May to August. Bali is hot year-round with an average temperature of 32, so make sure to bring cotton comfy clothes. Keep in mind that there are no travels during Saka New Year, which usually comes in March, but the day varies every year based on the Saka lunar calendar.
TRANSPORTATION IN BALI • Due to their convenience and
availability, taxis are the safest, the most reliable and viable choice for getting around the city either by flagging one down on the roadside or by making a prior reservation. • Most taxis are metered, so try to avoid the unmetered ones. • Blue Bird Taxis are the most reputable operator. • With a fixed prepaid rate table, Ngurah Rai Airport Taxi has a monopoly over transfers out of the airport. January 2019 49
Winter GETAWAYS
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA, MONTENEGRO, SLOVENIA 14 DAYS/13 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 37600 EGP For more information visit: www.destination31.com
PACKAGE INCLUDES • Accommodation for 10 nights in standard hotels in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Montenegro. • Accommodation for 2 nights in a standard guesthouse in a forest village in Croatia. • Accommodation for 1 night in a mountain hut in Bohinj, Slovenia. • All mentioned activities and tours. • All land transfers between the 4 countries in a private vehicle. • Airport pickups.
NEPAL: GATEWAY TO THE HIMALAYAS 9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 14500 EGP For more information visit: www.destination31.com 50 January 2019
PACKAGE INCLUDES • Airport transfers. • Accommodation in standard hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara for 5 nights. • Accommodation for 2 nights in mountain lodges in Dhampus & Sarangkot. • Accommodation for 1 night in the Last Resort, camping in tents. • Nepal travel permits. • All mentioned activities: Rafting – Mountain Trekking – Paragliding – Canyoning. • All transfers in a private vehicle.
DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL 6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS Departure: 21-1-2019. Starting from: 6800 EGP For more information visit: www.travelchoiceegypt.com
PACKAGE INCLUDES • 5 night accommodation in a standard room on bed and breakfast basis.• Round trip economy class airline ticket on Etihad Airways excluding airline taxes. • Round trip transfers airport/hotel/airport by private bus.• City taxes. • Travel insurance coverage for the package duration.
BALI, INDONESIA 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 17900 EGP For more information visit: www.travcoholidays.travel
PACKAGE INCLUDES • Roundtrip economy airfare on Emirates Airlines regular flights, including taxes. • 2 night accommodation at Bali Prime Villas including breakfast. • 4 night accommodation at Kila Infinity 8 Resort including breakfast. • Roundtrip airport transfers in Bali.
January 2019 51
LONDON AND PARIS 9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 8000 EGP For more information visit: www.travelchoiceegypt.com
PACKAGE INCLUDES • 4 night accommodation in London in a standard room room on bed and breakfast basis. • 4 night accommodation in Paris in a standard room on bed and breakfast basis.
HONG KONG 6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 19900 EGP For more information visit: www.travcoholidays.travel
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PACKAGE INCLUDES • Roundtrip economy airfare on board regular flights, including taxes. • 5 night accommodation in Hong Kong, including breakfast and taxes. • Roundtrip airport transfers in Hong Kong.
BARCELONA, SPAIN 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS Departure: 11-1-2019. Starting from: 14350 EGP For more information visit: www.dealandpack.com
PACKAGE INCLUDES • Flight ticket on regular flight including taxes. • Roundtrip airport transfers. • Accommodation for 6 nights including breakfast.
PHUKET AND BANGKOK 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 18800 EGP For more information visit: www.travcoholidays.travel
PACKAGE INCLUDES • Roundtrip economy airfare on board regular flights, including taxes. • 4 night accommodation in Phuket including breakfast and taxes. • 2 night accommodation in Bangkok including breakfast and taxes. • Airport transfers in Phuket and Bangkok.
January 2019 53
SUPER
Sweet Potatoes
by Soha Darwish Food writer & Critic - Menu Consultant. Diploma in Food Journalism - London, Uk
I just can’t get enough of this long-forgotten root vegetable, which is making a strong comeback to our kitchens, as well as the restaurant dining scene. It has also been proclaimed as a ‘Superfood’!
HERE ARE TWO UNUSUAL RECIPES THAT TAKE SWEET POTATOES TO ANOTHER LEVEL:
Roasted Sweet Potato Soup (serves 8)
A simple recipe but nevertheless, it still delivers mellow and soothing flavours that linger on your palate and memory. I like to roast the sweet potatoes first, to intensify the flavour, as I believe they are most glorious when roasted. Enjoy this velvety soup, with all the comfort soups always bring us! Steps: 1. Lay the sweet potatoes on a roasting tray, skin on. Place in a preheated oven (200 C), and roast until core is soft and oozing with caramelised syrup. Leave to cool down, so you can take the skin off easily. 2. In a big sauce pan, sauté the chopped onion with the butter, until translucent. 3. Add the sweet potatoes, chopped carrots and all the seasoning listed in the shopping basket. Cover with chicken stock or water, and simmer until carrots are soft. 4. Take the cloves and bay leaf out, blend the mixture with a hand blender, until the consistency is thick and smooth. 5. Put it back on the heat, bring it to boil, then add the cream, and simmer for 5 minutes. 6. Serve hot in soup bowls topped with melted Parmesan shavings! 54 January 2019
Shopping Basket: 1.5 kg sweet potato-1 large brown onion- 2 carrots - 1 bay leaf-3 cloves - 1 litre of chicken stock or water - 200 ml double cream - 50g of salted butter- pinch of nutmeg – Parmesan or Gruyere shavings – salt & pepper.
SWEET POTATO is a sweet root vegetable, native to the tropical regions in the Americas. The outer smooth skin colour ranges between yellow, orange, red, brown and purple. Its flesh ranges from beige through white, red, pink, orange and even purple.
may be one of nature’s unsurpassed sources of beta-carotene – a vital anti-oxidant. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A (retinol), which we need for healthy skin, a strong immune system and for good eyesight.
Nowadays, with the health consciousness craze, more people are becoming mindful of their food choices, and its impact on their physical and mental state. Ultimately, this humble vegetable came under the radar for its superiority in nutrients, flavours and versatility. As besides simple starches and fibers, sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and micronutrients e.g. vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and manganese. The orange-fleshed sweet potatoes
Traditionally sweet potatoes have been baked, roasted and mashed - as a side dish, but now we see them in salads, risottos, curries and in baby food purées–even as a healthier alternative for the infamous French fries. This is, of course, in addition to their starring roles in scrumptious desserts and pies for their distinctive earthy sweetness, that when baked or even simmered on the hob, they ooze with irresistible caramelised syrup.
Glazed Sweet Potato Pavlova (serves 8)
A heavenly dessert that doesn’t require any pastry chef skills to make. I have tried it so many times, and every time it adds a wow factor to my table and haunts my guests for weeks!
Shopping Basket: 3 large sweet potatoes - 1 cup of brown sugar – 1 cup of icing sugar- 6 large meringue nests – 1 litre of whipping cream- 150g of slightly salted butter200g of peeled roasted pecans.
Steps: 1. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into big cubes. 2. Place the cubes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 12 minutes, or until just tender. 3. In a heavy skillet, combine brown sugar, water and butter. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. 4. Add the sweet potato cubes to the brown sugar mixture. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until well glazed, turning frequently to keep them from scorching. Leave it to cool down. 5. Whip the cream and the icing sugar using a hand mixer, until reaching soft peaks. 6. In a small pan, caramelise 2 tablespoons of caster sugar, just by heating until liquidising into a brown caramel syrup. Roughly crush the pecans, and then stir them in caramelised syrup. Remove from the pan to cool down. 7. In a big serving bowl, lay some lightly crushed meringue baskets, then a layer of the glazed sweet potatoes, and a big dollop of the whipped cream. Repeat until the bowl is almost full, then crown it with the remaining cream. 8. Finally, sprinkle the top with the caramelised pecans for an added crunch and nutty flavour. Tuck in! January 2019 55
IDENTITY OUT & ABOUT
WEDDING FAIRY TALES COME TO LIFE AT THE NILE RITZ-CARLTON CAIRO At the Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, weddings are fairy tales brought to life, creating memories that will shine bright for all the guests. It is the day when perfection is the norm - from reception to ballroom decorations, from welcome drinks to lighting. Every wedding has a unique story and The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo creates bespoke moments that showcase the distinct story of each couple, be it grandiose or intimate, traditional or themed. With three spectacular venues ideal for pre-wedding and wedding celebrations, the hotel’s location, overlooking the eternal Nile, and rich history add a touch of sophisticated elegance to the bride and groom’s big day. For old-school elegance and opulence, the hotel’s sweeping ballroom Alf Leila Wa Leila is without par. Cairo’s most popular ballroom has been the venue of hundreds of high-profile weddings over the past 50 years; it’s exquisite chandeliers and sumptuously upholstered walls adding a touch of class and luxury that time cannot fade. Spanning 924 square meters, the ballroom can accommodate up to 600 guests. For smaller, more intimate affairs or pre-wedding functions, the ballroom can be divided into three smaller venues. For weddings epic in scale and style, the lavishlyproportioned Al Qahira ballroom sets the scene
beautifully. With a dramatic fountain leading guests to its spacious foyer as well as exquisite chandeliers, upholstered walls and dreamy lighting creating a magnificent ambience in the main ballroom, the space welcomes guests with grace and refinement. For couples looking to add an extra touch of romance to their summer weddings, the lavish Garden City offers awe-inspiring views of the Egyptian Museum as a stately backdrop. With capacity for over 1,000 guests, the verdant gardens create the ultimate wedding scene during the summer season. The hotel is offering appealing and very enticing wedding packages during the summer month starting April 2019. The venues don’t make the day and the Ladies and Gentlemen at the hotel enhance the experience through a series of bespoke services, from intricate floral arrangements to breathtaking wedding cakes to professional photography and videography.
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“Weddings are a celebration of love and family and at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, we understand the importance of making each and every guest feel special. For the bride and the groom and their family and friends, we always aim to create an experience that is special and joyful,” stated Walaa Emam, Director of Catering and Conferences Services, The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo.
MARRIOTT HOTELS SPARK NEW PERSPECTIVES WITH FIRST EVER TED FELLOW SALON IN EGYPT
Meaningful Conversations Explore “Egypt’s Cultural Past and Present” at the Marriott Mena House, Cairo, Against the Inspiring Backdrop of the Mighty Pyramids of Giza Marriott Hotels in partnership with TED, hosted its first ever TED Fellows Salon in Egypt, sparking meaningful conversations on “Egypt’s Cultural Past and Present” at the Marriott Mena House, Cairo. Against the dramatic backdrop of the Mighty Pyramids of Giza, renowned TED Fellows, educational entrepreneur, Karim Abouelnaga, and East African singer and songwriter, Meklit Hadero, led the innovative and thought provoking discussion providing guests the opportunity to engage and be inspired. “At Marriott Hotels, everything we do is guided by our belief that travel expands the mind and triggers new and creative ways of thinking,” said Julius Robinson, Senior Vice President & Global Brand Leader, Classic Premium Brands, Marriott International. “We know that travelers today look for more in a hotel. Our partnership with TED allows us to be the catalyst for intellectual conversations. Hosting a TED Fellows Salon at Marriott Mena House, Cairo is a great opportunity to celebrate the historical and cultural wealth of this incredible destination.” “Our TED Fellows program was established to bring together innovators and thought leaders to address
some of the world’s most pressing issues through the sharing of ideas and strategies,” said Shoham Arad, Director of TED Fellows. “Our partnership with Marriott Hotels was a natural extension of what we were trying to create. The speakers at this Marriott salon represent some of the brightest thinkers of their generation who are working towards making positive, meaningful and lasting change in their communities and we are delighted to bring this edition of TED Fellows Salon series to Cairo.” TED Fellow Karim Abouelnaga is a Global Shaper and Echoing Green Fellow, as well as the founder and CEO of Practice Makes Perfect, a full-service summer school operator that partners directly with schools to deliver high quality education program to low-income communities. Joining Abouelnaga, as a speaker was TED fellow Meklit Hadero, an Ethiopian American singer and songwriter who makes music living the cultural in-between, both in her own luminous compositions and as a co-founder of the Nile Project. The Nile Project explores the music of the Nile basin, combining the differing styles from other countries along the river and unites hip-hop, traditional, and contemporary music with instruments and traditions from the past and present. Meklit is known for her soulful performing style, and for combining jazz, folk, and East African influences in her music. January 2019 57
Heliopolis Towers Hotel Brings the Freshness of Alexandrian Seafood to the Heart of Cairo! Heliopolis Towers Hotel recently hosted a mouthwatering event bringing Alexandria to the heart of the Cairene capital. Celebrating the best of the Mediterranean city, the world-renowned hotel has pulled off an unrivaled seafood day under the theme of “a piece of home”, gathering celebrities and influencers originally from Alexandria to enjoy the themed seafood event and feel home again. Towers did not just offer a plethora of seafood including calamari, shrimps, crabs, clams and lobsters, but also charged its best. Their chefs with a reputation for creating the best authentic seafood platters from around the world were on hand to cook for the attendees. The secret to this enchanting event was “freshness” as fish was brought straight in from Alexandria ahead of the event, providing a real taste of the exquisite seafood Alexandria is best known for. “Aqua e Luce”, the restaurant which hosted the event, is not the only savoury dining house in the hotel, as Heliopolis Towers Hotel has 17 other fully-fledged restaurants. Eight of which are authentic ones with the chef from the restaurant’s country of origin, bringing the traditional genuine taste of these countries to Heliopolis Towers Hotel’s guests. Events, such as this continue to confirm why Heliopolis Towers Hotel is everyone’s destination of choice for a great food experience and authentic dishes that bring you unforgettable flavours from all over the world. 58 January 2019
MAKE YOUR DREAM WEDDING COME TRUE AT MARRIOTT MENA HOUSE, CAIRO Celebrate your dream wedding at Marriott Mena House, Cairo in the most elegant manner. This oasis of serenity enjoys an iconic location with a unique view of the great pyramids of Giza. Marriott Mena House, Cairo is skilled at creating majestic weddings where historical grandeur blends with innovation and perfection. Particularize the exquisiteness of your special day with customizable venue spaces, professional wedding planning services, impeccable catering options and stylish accommodations. If you are seeking a majestic outdoor wedding, 139 Gardens is Cairo’s most celebrated outdoor wedding venue, set on an area of 2746 square meters of landscaped gardens, reflecting pools and fountains, framed with the picture perfect view of the Pyramids and the Historic part of the hotel.
Whether you dream of an intimate wedding or a more extravagant reception, Alfredo Garden is beautifully located in the middle of landscaped scenery. Taking up to 400 guests and set on 3650 square meters overlooking the famous Kefren pyramid, it is the perfect location for a fairytale wedding. A dedicated team of professionals is always ready to deliver an impeccable service looking into every detail to orchestrate your big day while couples just enjoy the celebration with friends and family. Menus are tailor made with cuisine that showcases infinite varieties of savory, sweet or spicy creation, featuring main courses, carvery station, Chinese, Indian, Italian dishes and exclusive selections from the Levant. Marriott Mena House, Cairo ensures to provide a worldclass hospitality for an unforgettable wedding day.
Al Khalifa ballroom with its spacious 1000 square meters, gigantic crystal chandeliers and gold leaf teak wall paneling, will enhance your dream wedding in a palatial ambiance. If you aim for a more intimate event, Churchill Garden which enchanted Kings, Queens, Presidents and celebrities for over a century, with its breathtaking views of the Pyramids and the beautiful landscape is a cherished venue for up to 200 guests.
January 2019 59
Taking an iconic step in the group’s 25-year history: Libya Oil begins operations under a new commercial name “OLA Energy” in Egypt and Africa. Libya Oil Group has unveiled its new commercial trade brand “OLA Energy” taking effect on all the Group’s outlets and products, representing a turning point in the Group’s 25-year history. The rebrand reflects the true African spirit of “Ola Energy” committing to being Africa’s preferred shopping destination in the oil distribution field.
“Emotional Health” Session For The Charms Jw Ladies Society JW Marriott Hotel Cairo was delighted to welcome Personal Development Expert Cherif Cotta to provide insightful ways to “Emotional Health”, hosted for the exclusive Charms JW Ladies Society club. The session included an approach to the seven different kinds of love and learning how to deal with our emotional health whether they are positive or negative.
60 January 2019
Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences Honours Egyptian Media and Press Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences organized a recognition Media Event to honour the Egyptian Media and Press for their usual support in promoting Hilton Zamalek during 2018 at the Time lounge, while more than 30 members of the media and key figures attended the event from the local press and recognition awards distributed to all media in a Christmas atmosphere full of joy and happiness.
January 2019 61
Hilton Welcomes 2019 with a Positive Outlook and an Ambitious Plan Continuing its annual tradition of welcoming the New Year while bidding farewell to a year full of achievements, Hilton hosted its esteemed partners from the media to a lavish celebration. The end of year gala took place at Heliopolis Towers Hotel, the latest addition to Hilton’s portfolio in Egypt. Mohab Ghali, Vice President of Operations, Egypt and North Africa, was in attendance to welcome the media, along with other senior Hilton officials from Egypt’s Team Members.
Grand Nile Tower celebrated Festive Season with its media partners Grand Nile Tower hotel held an exclusive dining event to celebrate the festive season at the most spectacular Restaurant in all of Cairo, the Revolving Restaurant located on the 41st floor. The event was attended by media figures and food bloggers who enjoyed the Christmas inspired menu dishes which were skilfully prepared by the Executive Chef Ernest Frank. The Invited guests admired the marvellous panoramic view of the City of Cairo from the Revolving Restaurant in addition to the live entertainment, elegant décor and sophisticated mood lighting, all of which make this beautiful Cairo restaurant an outstanding dining spot. 62 January 2019
Toyota EGYPT Launches Toyota Genuine Motor Oil in the Market Global Quality for Perfect Performance Economically Efficient in Gasoline Consumption. Toyota Egypt” Group has affirmed the continuation of its expansion plan in Egypt by providing the market with the original Toyota Genuine Motors Oil (TGMO), which meets the highest internationally accredited quality standards, including the European Automobile Manufacturers Association and the American Petroleum Institute.
Wadi Food Celebrates Egypt’s Third Annual Olive Harvest Festival The Festival’s Guests Participate in Olive Handpick at Wadi Farms and Visit the Olive Press Facility for Extracting the Finest Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ovs, Italy’s Leading Fast-Fashion Brand, Opens Its First Store In Egypt
As part of its participation in the activities of the year for Disabilities Henkel Egypt supports Egyptian athletes with disabilities for Tokyo 2020 Henkel Egypt participated in a number of events to mark the “Year of Disabilities” to support them and contribute to their integration into life and society, an initiative launched by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi early this year. The company has participated in the Paralympics race organized by BP and Red Rock with three teams, one of which won the second place in the race, which included teams from a large number of companies operating in the Egyptian market
“Realme” smartphones to launch in the Egyptian market starting in 2019 “Realme” combines the power of performance, modern design and affordable prices The company is targeting youth through a large number of different versions of smartphones Realme, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, will launch in the Egyptian market in January 2019 to introduce a number of smartphones combines between the powerful performance and stylish design for young people, as the Egyptian market is one of the leading markets in the field of smartphones.
OVS, Italy’s number one brand for men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, opened its first store in Egypt on December 8th in City Stars Mall, Cairo.
A 70,000 LE Order On Otlob Application
Now in Egypt!! Start something fun …start something fresh with Skittles & Doublemint!!! Mars-Wrigley confectionary, the number “1” company worldwide in confectionary; celebrated the launch of their famous Skittles®which is a chewy candy along with the icon of freshness Doublemint® gum.
This year, Otlob Application, for food ordering and delivery services, set the tone for a record breaking online order value. Otlob’s General Manager Waleed El Saadany pointed out that “During our reviews of the annual online food orders made by our valued customers, we discovered that one of our top users made an order of 70,000 LE” And he continues “We have made our normal checks that the order successfully reached our customer in timely manners” January 2019 63
Inertia Egypt Reveals Latest Updates on Joulz, A Sunlit Neighborhood in the Heart of West Cairo
World Title and US Open holder Raneem El Weleily regains 1st place in PSA’s World Rankings
Inertia Egypt, the leading real estate developer revealed today the latest updates surrounding one of its flagship residential developments, Joulz – a neighborhood in the heart of West Cairo with a mixed-use area. Strategically located in the heart of West Cairo, Joulz is just 2 KM away from the ring road, 7 KM away from the 26th of July Corridor and 20-30 minutes away from downtown Cairo. Joulz consists of 1,150 residential units containing an array of apartments, townhouses, twin houses, and stand-alone villas.
WD Clubs held a press conference to celebrate announcing the squash champion Raneem El Weleily as Women’s no.1 after the PSA World Rankings were released on December 18th. El Weleily was handed an honorary trophy during the ceremony that was attended by Head of the Squash Federation, Assem Khalifa, Captain Karim Darwish, Head of Sports sector in Wadi Degla, and Hussein Abaza, CEO of CIB, the official sponsor of WD’s Darwish Squash Academy.
The Most Natural Shoes in the World Introducing the latest evolution of Trigenic for AW18. The foot supports our weight, keeps us balanced and absorbs shock with every step we take. It meets a constant and fundamental need for adaptation and motion. So with biomechanics at the heart of the Trigenic collection concept, our designers pioneered the most natural shoes in the world.
Realme smart phones will launch in the Egyptian market on January 9th, 2019
GROHE Rapido SmartBox: Universal Solution for More Individuality in Showers
Emirates Heights delivering over 600 units in 2018 and confirms their commitment to deliver more within the promised dates
Space is often limited making it very valuable. Flush-mounted installations provide more space in the shower without sacrificing functionality or comfort. They also offer additional practical advantages: cleaning is quicker and more convenient. With its concealed installation, the new GROHE Rapido SmartBox not only offers more space in the shower, but also allows a higher degree of flexibility as well as a high scope of planning and installation security. 64 January 2019
Yafa Mac Touristic Co., Emirates Heights North Coast Developer, announced to unit holders their delivery of 600 units in 2018. The company is expecting to deliver higher number of units during 2019. Emirates Heights’ Chief Commercial Officer, Ramy Haggar, explained that even though the Egyptian real estate market is facing difficulties due to the price fluctuations of raw material, Emirates Heights remains committed to their delivery schedule.
Realme is introducing a number of smartphones, targeting young people, which focus on strong performance and modern design in conjunction with the latest technology in the smartphone industry. Realme Egypt will break through the Egyptian market by introducing Realme 2 Pro and Realme C1 on January 9th on Jumia shopping website. The products represent premium versions of smartphones in terms of features and prices. They will combine powerful performance, stylish design, technological sophistication and competitive pricing for different user categories.
IDENTITY SIGNS
CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January
STRENGTHS: Organized, determined, liable, self-poised, loyal, persistent and disciplined. WEAKNESSES: Cynical, greedy, rigid, pessimist, unimaginative, fearful and dictatorial. CAREER: To get the job done on time, a Capricorn born will push himself beyond his limits. They don’t take no for an answer and know deep down that there’s always a way to achieve the impossible. MOST COMPATIBLE WITH AT WORK: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio and Cancer
VIRGO Virgo is the perfect co-worker for a Capricorn. The hard-working helper Virgo will make the career journey of Capricorn so smooth and easy.
WORK COMPATIBILITY
LIBRA Capricorn has an overly serious approach to work which annoys the playful Libra. Finding a middle ground will do these two good.
ARIES Capricorn admires the energy and motivation of Aries at work but gets annoyed by their risk-taking and recklessness in achieving some tasks.
SCORPIO These two are a very productive work match. Capricorn relies on Scorpio to get information while Scorpio relies on Capricorn to present the work in the best way.
TAURUS Both share the same work values and enjoy having a profitable and stable job. And that’s why they make wonderful work colleagues.
SAGITTARIUS This one is not an easy partnership. The relaxed attitude of Sagittarius distracts the professional Capricorn, and the hard-worker Capricorn makes Sagittarius uncomfortable.
GEMINI This work relationship can be successful though it’s not the easiest one. Gemini can’t deal with routine tasks while Capricorn is passionate about making plans and sticking to them. CANCER As a professional team, they operate so well, even though they’re opposites. The workaholic Capricorn needs the calmness of the sensitive Cancer. LEO Leo is considered as a challenging colleague to deal with for Capricorn. Both are hard workers, but they have very different needs and expectations. 66 January 2019
CAPRICORN From experience, you know how dedicated, hardworking and capable Capricorn is. Though things can get dull between these two, they make perfect work partners. AQUARIUS The playful Aquarius can get on the nerves of the too serious Capricorn, but they both admire each other’s work ethics and values. PISCES The changeful Pisces can drive the work-oriented Capricorn crazy. In case of reaching a middle ground, the imaginative Pisces can fuel the creativity of Capricorn.
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껾볾 폾 䘆✆ ㌆軾ꃾ釾 軾
P3 COMFORTS. Design by Phoenix Design P3 Comforts offers products with many comfortabl features: the separation of wet and dry areas, generous surface areas for bathroom essentials and elegant design with gently curved edges and soft pleasant transitions.
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