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NOVEMBER 8 Over to You 10 The Month in Focus 12 Hot Shots: Things that have piqued the editor’s interest this month
20 30
FASHION
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16 Pick of the Month: Doggone Crazy 18-19 Get The Look: Iconic 80s 20 Trend: Grandpa's Wardrobe 22 Focus: Snuggle Up 24 Essentials: 10 Things to Try 26-27 Backstage Pass: News from the world of fashion
PEOPLE 30 Adhunika Prakash: Facebook Triumph
WOMEN IN AVIATION
34 Women In Aviation Conference: Event details 35-36 Panelists: A stellar line-up of guests 37 Maisa Hazeem: Flying First, Flying Safe
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BEAUTY 52 Tips: Highlight of the Month 56-57 News: Latest products and happenings
LIFESTYLE 46-47 Well-being: Diabetes 101 50 Food: Chef's Special 52 Food: Review 56-57 Homes: Happy Haven 59 Opinion: Vegan View 60 Opinion: Pria Masson Tanwar 61 Opinion: Ouiam Charkani El Hsssani 63-66 Travel: Captivating Canada 72 Competition: Pure Yoga + Cycle vouchers 73 Horoscope: What's in store this month. 74 In Her Shoes: Kena Roldan
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65 For subscriptions visit www.womanthismonth.com Advertising rates are available upon request. Please e-mail sales@womanthismonth.com. The publication of any advertisement in woman this month is not necessarily an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised. Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, woman this month cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor do the opinions expressed by individual writers necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at editor@womanthismonth.com. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed.
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EDITOR’S NOTE
his month has been a bit crazy in the WTM offices. We're planning a major restructure. In response to what you've been telling us, we will be putting much more of your favourite content online, meaning even more regular updates of news from across the worlds of fashion, beauty and all things female-centric. And, as if preparing for that wasn't enough, we've also been organising the inaugural Women In Aviation Conference/Forum. Taking part on the sidelines of the Bahrain International Air Show, it's aimed at women who either are or would like to be in the aviation and aerospace industries. You can read all about it in this month's special feature. One of my favourite things in this month's magazine is my interview with Adhunika Prakash. From the humble beginnings of a confused and lonely new mum, she's built an 85,000-strong Facebook group supporting other women and her efforts have been recognised by the social media giant - selfie with Sheryl Sandberg, oh, OK then! In the well-being section Behnaz reports on an issue that affects huge numbers of people across our region - diabetes. Causes, treatments and ways to avoid it, she's got them all. And, in travel, Suzanne looks at some of the less popular city's in Canada. I must admit, the pictures from Banff had me doing some serious Goodle dreaming. Behnaz has been breakfasting again, this month at Fraser Suites and Apple enjoyed a delightful hamam treatment. Yep, I'm still missing out. Perhaps they'll let me go and try something next month...or not. As always we've got our regular round-up of fashion trends, tips and style ideas plus beauty news and more. I hope to see some of you at the air show and I'd love to hear what you think of this month's mag, hope you enjoy it.
chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA FERNANDA LANGHAMMER SUZANNE NICHOLAS RAPHAEL PRIA MASSON LAHAN SPERINCK OUIAM CHARKANI EL HASSANI print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN The only layout & graphics HATEM MONEM women's media coordinator magazine SARAH ANSARI h media managers distributed wit FARHEEN AHMED the GDN circulation and research ROANNA FERNANDES photography editor MONA ABDUL JABBAR photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press DAR AKHBAR AL KHALEEJ W.L.L., BAHRAIN DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director LINI REGUNATH MADHAVAN Digital Marketing Manager INDIRA VISWANATHAN Content Editors ADNAN SIPRA, SHAMA UCHIL Video Producer DARIO GODIC Art & Animation Director HATEM MONEM Contents copyrighted 2018© Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited. ISBN No: 1 899348 11 5. Licensed by the Ministry of Information, Directorate of Publication and Press. Code: SWTM 410 Woman This Month is here for the modern woman of substance and aspiration, embodying a personal style while exploring the best of all worlds: fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Bahrain office address Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: editor@womanthismonth.com website: www.womanthismonth.com
Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director
Published monthly by Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. P. O. Box 641, No. 1 Seaton Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8JJ Channel Islands, U.K. in association with Al-Hilal Publishing P. O. Box 1100, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain November 2018, Issue 189
Farheen's been busy this month heading to the Orsay Think Pink breast cancer awareness event and popping into Le Meridien's new Au Soleil evening.
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On the cover: Women in Aviation
www.womanthismonth.com
news Most Liked Post on Facebook
Best Reaction on Twitter Most Liked Post on Instagram
On twitter, our post on Forsati by the United Nations received the highest impressions.
On Facebook, our post about Rangelo Ras Dandiya night by the Indian Ladies Association got the highest number of organic likes and reach.
# Trending
What’s caught our eye in the news this month
On Instagram, we ran a competion asking participants to follow our Instagram and tag three friends. This gained maximum reach and interaction.
Letters I have been thinking about re-doing my kitchen, but do not want to spend a bomb as I live in a rented apartment. The Homes section in last month’s issue gave me some inspiration to do this on a budget, and without making any major changes. I’ve already visited some of the retailers you have featured, and am on my way to a brand-new kitchen look in time for the holiday season. Jo, Adliya
Its great that WTM dedicated so many pages to the issue of breast cancer. Its not a new term for women of any age anymore, but it needs to be in our faces often so that we are reminded to get screened regularly, and pay attention to our physical and mental health. It was especially heartening to know that there are women like Shaikha Alanood who are dedicating their time and efforts to affected women. Good job! Najla, Budaiya
Wedding Donation Bride-to-be, Kolbie Sanders, called off her wedding in October, a week before the actual date. She donated her venue and decorations to a couple she had never met before. She wrote on Facebook: “Since my wedding venue has been paid for in full already, I have decided to donate my venue valued at $3,500 to a couple to use for their wedding day! They would need to be ready to get married on the date that my venue is booked for.” The kindly singleton said that it was for couples who love each other and will continue to choose each other for the rest of their lives. From 45 potential entrants, Halie Hipsher’s name was drawn, who was overjoyed to have been picked. www.metro.co.uk
Déjà vu? After a long pause, work on the launch of a replica of the ill-fated RMS Titanic has recommenced, announced Australian businessman and politician Clive Palmer, who is behind the controversial initiative. The new ship will allegedly be an identical copy of the infamous liner, which sank in 1912 following a collision with an iceberg. Titanic II will apparently be outfitted with plenty of life boats, will have a welded hull, plus modern navigation and radar equipment. The ship will follow the original journey, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York, with the first sailing scheduled in 2022. It'll be outfitted exactly like the original Titanic – including the grand staircase that plays a memorable role in James Cameron's hit movie. www.cnn.com We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at editor@womanthismonth.com
We women are thrust with stereotypes more often than not, one of the most common being that we don’t do well with numbers. Well, people are being proved wrong (a lot) these days, thanks to women who are ruling the roost in financial organisations and not willing to rest on their laurels. It’s not said enough that we can crunch numbers just as well as we can be caregivers and nurturers. I enjoyed reading about the work that the women featured in your magazine are doing. Another generalisation that we deal with is that a working relationship between two females is riddled with jealousy, doubt and one-upmanship, but I think it’s on the contrary. Only a woman will have the heart (and common sense) to hold up, support, guide, fill in for and genuinely befriend a lady colleague. Rita, Busaiteen
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November 2018
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news
November in Focus A Taste of Beverley Hills pic in listings
Can’t make it to LA? Never mind, Hollywood’s coming to us in the shape of a pop-up from Wolfgang Puck. The man who caters the Oscars, and already has two rather fab eateries at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, is sending his original diner, Spago, to Bahrain on November 8 and 9. Enjoy the inventive, market-driven menus, buzzing atmosphere and exceptional service. The two-day pop-up event will transform CUT by Wolfgang Puck steakhouse into a faithful representation of this iconic eatery. Each and every detail of the Spago experience will be authentically recreated, from the cocktail list to the staff uniforms and – most excitingly – the two-Michelin-starred cuisine by chef Tetsu Yahigi, who will be flying in from the States to cook up a storm in the kitchen alongside executive chef Brian Becher. Excited much?
Headbangin’ Heaven
It’s A Knockout!
Well, hopefully there won’t be any actual knockouts. But Fight Night is back for round five and we know at least one of the lovely ladies we interviewed before the last event will be in the ring again at Crowne Plaza when the boxing tournament returns on November 1. We love that the organisers at Lift and Bahrain Boxing Club take great pains to make sure there are some female bouts on the card at each of these events. And we’re even more impressed that there are so many women willing to give it a go. Head down and show your support. We may well see you there.
If you like your music loud and your metal heavy (is there any other way?), then you’re in for a treat on Heavy Metal night at Republiq Lounge! Head down on November 19 for a night of metal mayhem featuring three killer bands and possibly even more. The day after is a public holiday so you have no excuse not to show up and bang your head all night long! On stage will be Bloodshel – classic Bahrain heavy metal from a band who’ve just released their album Phase One and are always ready to put on a cracking performance. There’s also thrash metal pioneers Motor Militia. Get yourself a copy of their new album World in Flames, it will pound you into submission. And, after a few years off, Rain In Hell return to performance with their unique brand of extreme metal.
Superstar Sisters
Coral Bay welcomes sisters Mim and Liv Nervo, of NERVO. The pair have written floor fillers for the likes of David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, Aoki and Kylie Minogue and their viral hit Best Friend has become the official iPhone X launch song with 30 million views on YouTube and 40 million streams on Spotify. Turn up and tune in on November 29 to hear for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Christmas is Coming
The holiday season is, indeed, inbound — and that means it’s time for the annual festive fairs and a chance to get your hands on some bargains at the same time as supporting good causes. Awali Festive Fayre is at the Bapco Club on November 10 and the following week the American Women’s Association is at The Diplomat. November 30 is ladiesonly day at the BSPCA Thrift Shop where there’ll be designer frocks, jewellery and other goodies on offer. And on the same day there’s a big boutique sale with designer duds and Christmas goodies at Bahrain Rugby Club, from the ladies who run the Dogfather’s second-hand shop. See, plenty of opportunities to bag a bargain.
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news
HOT SHOTS
es the Liz O'Reilly shar r, ai ch 's or it ed . From the rest this month piqued her inte ve ha at th gs in th
I’m With Swifty
Now, That’s Service
There’s been a bit of rain in recent days. Some of us have rejoiced, though I’m quite put out that it rained in Juffair, where I work, but not at home in my garden. Of course, there were loads of social media posts about it – after all, we see showers so very rarely and almost never in October. I have to say the post featuring a man being pushed to his car in a shopping trolley, apparently by supermarket employees, has to be my favourite. Check it out here https:// www.facebook.com/100011658914450/ posts/714790118919612/ and feel free to share your own videos on our social media pages too.
Is It Fair?
Transsexual cyclist Rachel McKinnon sparked controversy after winning a gold in a women’s world championship race prompting the third place finisher, Jennifer Wagner, to say “It’s definitely NOT fair” in response to a Tweet. McKinnon argues that her eligibility to compete is within the rules and regulations adopted by the International Olympic Committee and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, there is a long-running battle raging in the CAS on the subject of requiring female athletes in some sports to meet an upper testosterone limit – with the use of drugs to reduce the male hormone if necessary. To be honest, I’m really not sure how I feel about this one. On the one hand, I support the right of transgender women to be treated equally. On the other, it does seem unfair for female athletes to be competing against people whose body composition, aside from the realignment surgery, would seem to give them an unfair advantage. I’d love to know what you think.
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Macron’s Mummy Gaffe
The seemingly enlightened French President, Emmanuel Macron, put his foot in it with mums across the globe after claiming educated women don’t have big families. Last year he came under fire for suggesting that Africa’s main problem is “seven, eight children per woman”. And at the end of September, he dipped his toe back into the waters of controversy in a speech to the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers Summit in which he stated: “Please present me the lady who decided, being perfectly educated, to have seven, eight, nine children.” Admittedly, his point was supposed to be that parenthood should be a choice.
Taylor Swift has come in for some flack for sharing her political views, endorsing Democrat candidates for the upcoming mid-term elections in the US. Some would say she should stick to entertainment, while Republican fans have said they feel "betrayed" as if the singer is discounting their long-term support and adoration. The backlash seems a bit hypocritical when President Trump doesn’t seem to have a problem with using performers’ work without their permission – even to the extent that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler had to officially order the Trump campaign to stop using his songs at its rallies! I say, good on Taylor. People in the public eye have a voice, why shouldn’t they use it? But there’s been a backlash from educated mums who’ve taken to bombarding the president in a campaign with Postcards to Macron sharing pictures of themselves and their large families. I have some sympathy with the hapless leader since it seems his heart is in the right place, but you’d think someone in such a high-level position could choose his words more carefully!
Word of the Month
Something we all suffer from time to time, Kakorrhaphiophobia is the fear of failure. www.womanthismonth.com
SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
ASEAN Delights Launch
Lulu Hypermarket & ASEAN Bahrain Council, with the cooperation of the ASEAN Committee in Manama, held the inauguration of ASEAN Delights at Ramli Mall.
The cake-cutting ceremony
Talal, HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo, Shaikha Rana & Faryal
Waleed Al Rayes, Kaleem, Shukoor & Juzer
Lulu American Festival Lulu Hypermarket inaugurated the ‘Discover America’ festival at its premises in Juffair Mall.
The cake-cutting ceremony
Lulu Food Week Lulu Hypermarket held the inauguration of its Italian Food Week at its premises in Juffair Mall.
Management with the Italian Ambassador
14 November 2018
Akram Miknas & Cristina
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FASHION | pick of the month
Doggone Crazy Longchamp and Cloe Floirat have stolen our hearts with these deliciously doggy offerings from the autumn-winter 2018 collection. The little red dog is reminiscent of Santa’s Little Helper and we desperately want to take him home. Available at www.longchamp.com
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showcase LIALI
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November 2018
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c i n o Ic ties h g i E
FASHION | get the look
While time travelling is an imaginary thing in sci-fi movies and TV series, in fashion it is a very common theme. Fernanda Langhammer highlights the ‘80s fashion that has been revisiting our wardrobes. During the nineties and noughties people used to say the eighties were the decade that style forgot (too many things to be ashamed of!). Now, though, this feeling has changed. For the past two to three seasons, colourful ‘80s style has been resurging; a few details here and there or sometimes a whole look inspired by it. Get ready to travel in time to build your fashion future. What are the elements that you remember most? Shoulder pads, stirrup leggings, the colour combinations? Check out this reinterpretation of the period with a few elements from the era when the Internet was just as impossible as time travelling.
Plaid turtleneck sweater, Lacoste,
Black jacket, Zara, 17 112-333.
17 179-530.
Stirrup leggings,
Guess, 17 178-158.
'80s Fashionista. Girls were as stylish as now and mixing trendy elements was a big thing. Turtlenecks, stirrup leggings, pearl necklaces and the iconic quilted bag with chain, inspired by Chanel’s Diana bag, gave the tone to a cool look for a chilled night out. Shoes were painted in bright colours, usually matching the handbag and a possible belt, which in my opinion is a bit too much. A colourful focal point is enough to prove the point. And yes, the necklace is supposed to be worn outside the turtleneck! Pearl necklace,
Princess Diana
Michael Kors Collection, 17 178-630.
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Pink stilettos, New Look, 17 179-406.
Quilted handbag, Parfois, 17 178-054.
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FASHION | get the look
Casual ‘80s. High-top sports shoes had been popular since the 1920s, when basketball
player Chuck Taylor started wearing them, but they only became a real fashion statements in the ‘80s. Teamed with a pair of high-rise denims and an oversized jacket, the look is the ultimate laid-back style of the period. Add polka dot accessories if you want to embrace another symbol of the decade. To finalise and make your look more contemporary, throw on a plain T-shirt with an 80s-inspired print and you are ready to roll in perfect vintage with a style twist.
T-shirt, Printed , Zara
High-rise denims, Mango, 17 581-883.
.
Sarah Jessica Parker
3 17 112-33
Plaid jacket, Mango, 17 581-883.
Polka dot earrings, Accessorize, 17 179-786.
High-top trainers, Bershka, 17 172-303.
Quilted shoulder bag, Gucci, 17 131-218.
Extreme ‘80s. Looking for something even more ‘80s? Experiment with
colours. Bright hues to be more precise. High-rise trousers, a cropped bustier top and a long coat are the key for this feminine look. Shiny accessories complement the outfit while ‘80s sunnies will take you back in time. Another way of embracing colour without looking like a Pantone palette is to choose two bright tones and mix with black or white. When going for this, don’t forget to put odd colours together such as red and purple or orange and green. Black cropped bustier, Bershka, 17 172-303.
Royal blue trousers, Yellow coat, Wallis, 17 583-236.
Lipsy, 17 179-385.
Pink and black handbag,
Slingback pumps,
Debenhams, 17 110-378.
Structured earrings, Next, 17 581-681.
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Pink sunglasses, River Island, 17 110-370.
Gucci AW 2018-2019
Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com.
November 2018
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FASHION | trend
Grandpa’s Wardrobe
If you search your old man’s closet, I’m sure you will find a few pieces with the argyle motif – make sure you steal them! Luckily, they are equally at home in both male and female looks. The diamond pattern is a vintage style lusted after by the most fashionable millennials.
Feeling edgy?
Pair an ordinary cardigan with sequinned trousers for an out-ofthe box look and awesome effect!
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Extra point:
Team your favourite piece with another pattern such as florals. Just keep in mind to look for the same colour scheme.
Must-have:
A long jumper featuring this print is effortless and still the coolest way of embracing the trend. www.womanthismonth.com
Refresh from Within Discover a natural paradise at The Westin City Centre Bahrain. Whether you seek relaxation or invigoration, our Heavenly Spa by WestinŽ offers a menu of services for deep revitalization and invigorating bath experience at our Royal Hammam – ensuring that you leave feeling better than when you arrived. Call 17171122 for bookings or visit www.heavenlyspabahrain.com
FASHION | focus
Snuggle Up Tunics, coats, capes – there are so many stylish ways of keeping warm during the cooler weather, which is finally here. This month, Fernanda Langhammer is exploring the world of jackets. Autumn is the time to prepare yourself for the season ahead. It’s time to don those lightweight coats and enjoy the cool breeze that blows in the evening. Of course this is a reality when living in other countries away from the Middle East. However, we love the idea of throwing a jacket here and there more for style purposes than necessity. The focus this month is to have a look at the designs at mid-stomach length, their different materials and how to wear them at their best.
k
New Loo
The weather might not be that cold yet – some people might say if ever – but, in my opinion, it does get chilly when the wind finds our little island. If you have cold hands and feet (in the literal way) like me, don’t get caught by surprise and make sure you carry a jacket wherever you go. There are fashionable choices and practical ones. Pick the style you like the most and enjoy the outdoors as much as you can before the heat hits us again.
Denim
These are sometimes seen as too casual, but often a relaxed look is exactly what you want. Perfect for mid-season, this jacket is more versatile than it seems. It goes well with flowy dresses, wide-legged trousers and jumpsuits. You can even team it with your favourite jeans and, no, it won’t look weird.
Corduroy
This style of velvet became a big thing during the 1970s and all sorts of clothing was made from it. Its thick property makes it a warm pick for winter and a vintage style-maker to transform and upgrade a casual look.
s
riu Stradiva
n
sto Cath Kid
Shirt
Just as the name suggests, these jackets have a similar fitting to a shirt. The difference lies in the fabric, which is usually thicker, and in the fact that its hem will have a better finish than a regular blouse. Great worn by itself or with a turtleneck underneath.
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FASHION | focus
Padded
This type of jacket comes from the winter’s sports world and invaded our fashion lives through the athleisure trend. It is a warmer option for those colder days, creating a great wind barrier. Perfect to go with your denims or if you want to break some rules (I’m very much in favour of that); wear it on top of your favourite LBD and finalise the look with fabulous heels.
Lacoste
Lipsy
Tweed
A classic and timeless number and a must-have in your wardrobe. It gives elegance to your office look and acts as a great option to your tired, solid and boring suit jackets. Traditional choices come with buttons, while contemporary pieces close with a zipper.
Next
Biker
A popular choice in young girls’ wardrobes, this jacket was born in the motorcycle world and has a transversal zipper to protect the chest from the wind. It is stylish and the best warmer to go with your clubbing look. It can be made in different materials, such as suede, leather and even thick cotton.
Puffer
Not your everyday jacket, but a comfy and out-of-the-box choice that seems to have conquered the racks of many stores this year. Wear it whenever you want to feel warm and stand out as the fashionista amongst your friends. Team it with a boyfriend or skinny denims and high-heeled sandals for pure glamour. Again though, be animal friendly and choose a non-feather option. www.womanthismonth.com
Kors Michaecl tion Colle
H&M
Leather
This jacket represents rock ‘n’ roll, punks and rebels from different groups. It sets a style by itself and grabs all the attention as part of a look. It can be made in real leather (if you care for animals you might think twice) or, as more common nowadays, in synthetic materials. November 2018
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FASHION |essentials
Bershka
10 Things to Try This Month
November 2018
4
6 Layering is the word to stay warm and fashionable!
Dior§
Winter Florals. Flowers are one of the most popular prints in the fashion world. You can count on them during warm and cold weather. The only difference is that during the greyer season, the background is usually dark to match the cloudy days.
Be the heroine you have to be and dress for the occasion. Go for dark hues and a mysterious air.
Dorothy Perkins
Balmain Stradivarius
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Etro
Dune London
Make all your superhero fashion dreams real when wearing a cape.
The Future Is Now. Together with metallic fever, a new visual effect is trending – the holographic sheen. Look to Balmain’s collection for highend inspiration.
Folksy Velvet. Winter has a special selection of fabrics that usually pop up on the stores’ racks at this time, such as wool, fleece and many others. However, corduroy is the one to highlight for its warmth and uniqueness.
Statement headwear, here we go!
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9 Zara
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Autumn is here, maybe not the weather per se, but that’s what the calendar says. Time to have a look at Fernanda Langhammer’s picks for the cold season ahead.
Balenciaga§
1
Heritage Chic. The classic tweed is back! Dust off your tweed suit and place it in a privileged position in your wardrobe.
Glazed Looks. Still in the texture field, brands have decided to make everything glossy. Add a layer of shine to polish your looks and deliver the right amount of diva touch to your closet.
10 Alberta Ferretti
CH Carolina Herrera
3
Prairie Dress. A fluttery, long and loose piece is a must-have in your wardrobe. It can be made in thick knit or paperthin chiffon – pick your favourite. Just look for a part bohemian and part Victorian style to hit the nail on the head! www.womanthismonth.com
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FASHION | fashion forward
Middle East Gets Special-Edition Whitney Bag
Michael Kors is moving its store at The Dubai Mall to a new, expanded location. To celebrate the new Middle East flagship, which will showcase even more of the world of Michael Kors, the brand is introducing a special-edition Whitney handbag, to be available in Michael Kors stores across the Middle East. The Whitney, first introduced this past summer, has become the newest iconic style from MICHAEL Michael Kors. Designed as a group of 24/7, work-to-weekend bags, the Whitney combines sophisticated silhouettes with on-the-go versatility. The subtle but distinctive ‘M’ shape on the front nods to the designer’s initial, a letter he’s been sketching since he was a child. Every bag also features a sleek, distinctive push-lock fastening with pyramid stud detailing.
E G A T S BACK
S S A P
l, trending o o c 's t a h w Our take on fashionable New Victoria’s Secret Collabo
The lingerie giant has teamed up with the ‘Queen of Prints’ to create Victoria’s Secret x Mary Katrantzou. The London-based fashion designer has come up with an exclusive collection that perfectly blends her feminine and innovative design aesthetic with the sexy and glamorous style that Victoria’s Secret is known for. “Everything that Victoria’s Secret creates is about a woman feeling confident and empowered — and also having fun with what she is wearing, This collaboration is going to be bold, fun and playful,” says the designer. Katrantzou has also designed a section for the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Her capsule collection will feature looks from the runway and will be carried in select Victoria’s Secret stores and online this holiday season.
Paula Ka Turns 30
The spring-summer 2019 collection from the iconic French ready-to-wear brand, Paula Ka, has been created by founder Serge Cajfinger to highlight the best of the last 30 years. And in a campaign shot by English photographer Charlotte Wales, Czech supermodel and actress Karolina Kurkova brings the new-old looks to life. Cajfinger says the collection is “inspired by the years when I, myself, was 30. A hymn to love, sensuality, freedom and the joy of living. I had a wonderfully good time recreating the festive spirit that reigned at Studio 54 in New York, at the Palace, or at the Bains-Douches in Paris. I added the graphic style I love from Greece, without forgetting the masculine-feminine theme or the little black dress, a must-have for every wardrobe.”
Cindy’s Shoes
What do you do if you’re a supermodel who loves a certain brand of footwear? Well, if you’re Cindy Crawford, you not only invest in the company but you also get to design your own range. Sarah Flint shoes already has a celebrity following. The brand’s footwear has graced the feet of stars from Jane
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and
Fonda to Blake Lively and even Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Now, designer Flint has teamed up Cindy Crawford to collaborate on a threepiece ‘Jet Set’ capsule, with the model promising three different styles that are beautiful, versatile and easy to throw in a carry-on bag. www.womanthismonth.com
FASHION | fashion forward
Zendaya Signs For Hilfiger
Actress, singer and all-round stylish person Zendaya has been named Tommy Hilfiger‘s new global women’s ambassador. The 22-year-old takes over the role from Gigi Hadid and has said she feels “empowered” to have been chosen to represent the American brand. As well as lending her face to Tommy’s spring 2019 global campaign, she is also creating a Tommy x Zendaya capsule collection which will be available for one season, beginning next February. She told Women’s Wear Daily: “Fashion is more than just wearing cool clothes. It’s a way to celebrate self-expression and individuality, which is extremely empowering. This is why I am proud to partner with Tommy Hilfiger.”
Emre, Alaina, Mark & Mehdi
Stella Still Cares
Marking October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, British designer Stella McCartney has launched the Stella McCartney Cares Foundation – a charity dedicated to the prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease. The designer’s mother, Linda McCartney, lost her battle with the disease in 1998 and Stella has participated in a number of awareness campaigns. Now, with her new foundation, she wants to focus on care for patients as well as survivors and their families. The charity’s first initiative will be the donation of 1,000 of the brand’s Louis Listening postoperative mastectomy compression bras to women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
AccorHotels Luxe Showcase Event
Khalid, Felix & Victor
Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa hosted the AccorHotels Luxe Showcase event at Fiamma restaurant.
Alaina & Mushtak
www.womanthismonth.com
Euna, Annie, Fatima, Abdul Hai & Nesrine
November 2018
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showcase
Hosts
ARE WOMEN OPPONENTS OR ALLIES IN THE WORKPLACE? In the latest in a series tackling women’s issues, Bahrain Credit’s Imtiaz For Her Hosts chats to three inspiring leaders to explore this workplace myth.
JORDANA SEMAAN Head of HR Give us a brief about yourself and what you do for a living.
To be honest, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I started working full-time at 19 and went to university in the evenings to study business management. I fell into a career of marketing and business development on the logistics side. I was lucky that I was working at a place where the HR person left. I took it on as extra work and loved it immediately and, because I have worked on the other side, I knew the problems and the things people didn’t like. I took two courses in labour law, and then certification, and I have been doing this job for seven years now.
How do you find working
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Jordana is head of HR at APM Terminals, which runs Khalifa bin Salman Port. It has 500 staff and it is a male-dominated atmosphere.
with women in comparison to male colleagues?
new things and bluff their way through.
We women are the ones that say things about each other – it’s a stereotype and I’m generalising a bit but I have seen it happen. I find men a lot easier than women; you have to be more aware of emotions when working with women.
There’s also the issue of people assuming that women have attained good jobs or promotions through means other than their own achievements. I think we all know what I mean. And that is not just men thinking that, again it’s other women.
Another way that we are our own worst enemies is that we don’t push ourselves to take on things we don’t know, new challenges. Guys will take on
How can we overcome the difficulties, perceived or otherwise, for women
I think that at times we [women] are our own worst enemies; we let emotions come into play too much. I find that women don’t bond together as well as men perceive themselves bonding and reacting to each other. I don’t think men are less jealous et cetera, they just don’t show it!
For example, if you stand up to do a presentation and you’re so scared that you get something wrong – if it’s a man, nobody really takes any notice and they just carry on, but if it’s a woman, other women will be the ones commenting on the mistake rather than letting it go the way men do.
working together?
I think we need to trust each other a bit more. All of us need to bond and support each other. It’s not that hard to crack the ceiling, it’s about being more open minded. Bond together; be proud when a girl gets that promotion; support each other and celebrate each other’s triumphs.
Do you have a positive message for women and girls in the workplace?
I would really like women going into the workforce not to feel that they are not equal to their male counterparts. They can achieve anything – and women such as Amal as COO of Tamkeen demonstrate that. Bahraini employers are very pro-women; women just need to stop putting up road blocks for each other.
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showcase
AMAL AL KOOHEJI Managing Director Amal is managing director of Human Capital Development Advisory particulary focusing on youth.
Give us a brief about yourself and what you do for a living.
My journey started in 1994 after college – I was a trainer in leadership management for 12 years and was then involved with the establishment team of Tamkeen Labour Fund. I was there for another 12 years – eventually becoming chief operating officer. I left to go into private practice and am the managing director of Human Capital Development Advisory. I’ve spent the last year exploring what I really want to do, which is a beautiful feeling. My passion is human capital development, especially youth. I thought I would like to help both Bahrain and other countries, possibly through designing start-up ecosystems. I want to focus on youth and get my hands dirty. I’ve also joined the Rotary Club of Adliya where I want to have an impact through introducing youth initiatives and introducing debate between millennials and managers.
How do you find working with females in comparison to male colleagues?
I don’t disagree with what Jordana says but I do feel that fear exists in men; their expression of it is just different, though there are very expressive men as well. If
men are working with strong women, they may be afraid of them and will discount them through fear. Regarding how I feel about working with female versus male colleagues – I feel that they are equal. I look at people, I don’t look at gender. Yes, it may be difficult to talk to some people, but that’s not gender specific; you have to try to understand the human factor rather than gender.
How can we overcome the difficulties, perceived or otherwise, for women working together?
It’s not always a pink and pretty world but you have to believe that there is a slice for everyone. If we start to think this way, we will succeed. And we can support both men and women. Though I admit that saying this and believing it are different things.
Do you have a positive message for girls and women in the workplace?
I celebrate my femininity; I’ve cried in board rooms and been promoted. Don’t shy away from being emotional.
I don’t want girls to work just to ease the family’s financial burden. Work should not be just a job. Try to enjoy what you do, to find your calling, because if you find it you will give it your all.
ARIEJE AL-SHAKAR Senior Vice President Arieje is senior vice president and head of development services at the Bahrain Development Bank.
Give us a brief about yourself and what you do for a living.
I lead on the various support services provided to entrepreneurs and SMEs to help them start and grow their business. We run a unique entrepreneur programme called BDB Rowad which includes coaching, mentoring, funding, events, and special perks.
think that the comparison does not lie with gender, but rather is based on capability, and sometimes that can differ due to circumstances for either gender. It never occurred to me [to judge] by gender, but I prefer working with supervisors that are empathetic and measure capability based on merit and accomplishments.
How can we overcome the difficulties, perceived or otherwise, for women working together?
I have an undergraduate degree in finance and a Master’s in public policy and management. I started my career in mainstream banking and, after living the financial crisis in 2008 as an employee of the infamous Lehman Brothers, I then had a turn in my career toward development and entrepreneurship where I started with the Bahrain Development Bank.
I don’t see any difficulties with working with women. I think it is important to build rapport with colleagues and create a professional work environment where segregation by gender does not become apparent, but rather we are highlighting strengths and capabilities in a merit-based environment.
I think that working with either gender can prove to be very similar. The start of my career was predominantly with male colleagues and only recently do I lead a fully female team. The key to working with colleagues is to identify and respect the individual and work with them based on merit and build a professional relationship. I
I think it is important to be able to silence the noise of stereotypes around women, and women working together, and to focus on your individual capability and growth. By focusing on the core of being able to achieve, it will be easier for you to determine whether you are in the right environment for your individual growth and success.
How do you find working with females in comparison to male colleagues?
Do you have a positive message for girls and women in the workplace?
And never stop learning.
For inquiries please contact the brand managers via email: forher@bahraincredit.com.bh or on whatsapp 34 422-227 / 33 282-228 www.womanthismonth.com
November 2018
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PEOPLE | interview
ADHUNIKA’S FACEBOOK TRIUMPH From frazzled new mum to Facebook community champion, Adhunika Prakash tells Liz O’Reilly what drives her passion for breastfeeding education.
The picture shared by Sheryl Sandberg
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isiting and speaking at Facebook Headquarters, featuring in a picture sent out across social media by the company’s world-famous COO, Sheryl Sandberg, and gaining access to a potential USD1 million in funding for her own voluntary initiative. It’s all in a day’s work for the Bahrain-based breastfeeding champion. Adhunika set up her Facebook group, Breast Feeding Support for Indian Mothers, in June 2013. She explains: “I have always been the sort of person who’s full of questions. When I was pregnant with my oldest child, I wanted to breastfeed because I had read up on the advantages. But, once he was born, I realised there was noone to ask things such as how long do you feed from each breast? I went through lots of websites but there is a lot of conflicting information.
With Ime Archibong, FB's VP product partnerships
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“You see the pictures of motherhood and everything looks perfect – they’re in perfect clothes and there’s no spit-up in sight. But, in reality, it’s hard and there would be long hours where I would just nurse and nurse. “When my son was seven months old, by that
Adhunika time I was in Ireland [with my husband’s job] and I joined an Irish breast-feeding support group. I felt like I wasn’t alone any more. You have people telling you they’re there for you. “About four months after that I founded the Indian group because there are lots of traditions that are followed, for example, in regard to confinement and diet – so I wanted something that was culturally sensitive and non-judgmental. I wanted to have someone on call that you could ask for personal advice when you’ve barely slept and you feel like a zombie!” After one year, the group had around 300 members and Adhunika teamed up with friend Madhu Singh Panda, who was also a member of the Irish group. Adhunika continues: “I wanted the group to be a real support to lots of people and to provide accurate information, because there’s an awful lot of it [conflicting information] out there. More than anything, I wanted to provide a platform that’s respectful – no mommy wars or airs of superiority for different types of parenting. I actually felt bullied on some platforms when I raised www.womanthismonth.com
PEOPLE | interview differing opinions and that made me feel lonely.” These days, the group has grown to 85,000 members with a team of 40 on call to offer advice and support 24/7. And Adhunika says: “I keep reiterating to my team that we’re all doing our best for our children, and I don’t want anyone feeling that they’re not, or others feeling that they’re doing better.” The group has members from the Indian diaspora, and others from across the world but primarily from the sub-continent, and they are a diverse group, from professionals to stay-at-home mums. “But, they’re all women who’ve had that feeling of helplessness,” says Adhunika. In February, Facebook announced its Community Leadership Programme. Adhunika applied and, last month, was delighted to At the Mashable Social Good discover she was among event in evenSummit five chosen from 6,000 entrants to become a community leader – giving her potential access to the massive funding to grow her programme. She says: “To be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s a huge responsibility and I know I have to make plans to use it wisely and come up with a proper strategy. I would like for us to have better before-birth education at the antenatal stage because, once the baby comes along, it’s ‘hello sleep deprivation’. “I’d like to have more meetup groups – we previously had them in 12 cities in three countries: India, Australia and the UAE, and would like to revive them. And more breastfeeding education in hospitals in India. “I’d also really like to reach out to the rural segment in India, but we need to look at how feasible that is – anything new always comes with resistance, even more so when it’s an initiative by a woman. Whatever I do, I want it to be sustainable, to grow over time.
Selfie with Sheryl Sandberg www.womanthismonth.com
Banu Malek
“For now, though, I’m looking at all the options and just feeling incredibly grateful.” November 2018
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Digital Edition
FEATURE | women in aviation
TAKING TO THE SKIES I
t might seem that the role of women in aviation is a recent thing but, in truth, women have been taking to the skies almost as long as men. Just a few months after the first manned flight of the Montgolfier brothers’ hot air balloon, in 1783, French woman Marie Élisabeth Thible became the first female in the basket. Since then, women have shown their determination to take on roles from engineers to maintenance and from air traffic control to pilots chalking up firsts across the board, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries. www.womanthismonth.com
In recent years, our region has been at the forefront of the development of women’s roles in the aviation sector. In celebration of this, Woman This Month and our parent company Red House Marketing, in association with The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain International Air Show 2018, are staging the inaugural Women In Aviation Conference. Over the following pages, we tell you what it’s all about and introduce some of our special guests. November 2018
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FEATURE | women in aviation
WOMEN IN AVIATION CONFERENCE
Introducing the biggest women’s event taking place this month.
T
aking place on the third day of Bahrain International Air Show, this ground-breaking conference takes the theme of ‘Championing the Promotion, Empowerment and Advancement of Women in the Aviation and Aerospace Industries (regionally and internationally)’. It will provide a venue for Middle Eastern women, and others, to openly discuss the serious issues facing them in the pursuit of careers in the aviation and aerospace industries and offer practical solutions. The Women In Aviation Conference (WIAC) will act as a beacon to the current generation of prospective female aviation industry professionals looking for inspiration, leadership and guidance from those already in the field. Delegates have been invited from around the world to take part and the major aims and objectives of the conference are: • To encourage collaboration with aviation industry officials. • The implementation of policies and processes for the empowerment of women through education, training and fast-track development programmes. • To offer a roadmap for those contemplating a career in the industry. Attendees will have the chance to establish a network of successful female aviation professions across all levels who will be able to work together to find creative solutions to the issues facing women in the industry. It will present an opportunity for female aviation professionals to present their concerns to policy makers, both in person and through conference-generated reports. And, very importantly, it will encourage aviation professionals not currently involved in gender equality issues in the industry, to support women in aviation. His Excellency, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed said: “We are proud, in Bahrain, to have women participate in different segments in the value chain of the aviation industry. We see them as air traffic controllers, as pilots, as engineers, within the Civil
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Aviation Authority, we see them even with the ground handling companies.
some solutions that we can consider, here, in Bahrain.”
“However, there is a great opportunity here to expand and increase the number of women participating in this sector. We have not done enough – the whole region – to increase the participation of women and I am looking forward to the outcome of the event [Women In Aviation Conference]. I am sure they will discuss the subject and come up with recommendations or
The two-hour conference will take the form of two panel discussions, featuring a selection of submitted questions. These will be followed by a panelists’ Q&A in which delegates get to quiz our expert guests. The event will be livestreamed to reach an international audience. Taking part in conjunction with the Bahrain International Air Show, those attending also receive admission to the show.
Scan to watch the minister's full interview www.womanthismonth.com
FEATURE | women in aviation
Panel Moderator
Captain Alia Al Twal
A
n outstanding student – she graduated from school in her native Jordan with the second highest mark in the country – Alia convinced her family within a year to allow her to fulfil her dream of becoming a pilot. She started flying lessons in 2006, graduating from the Ayla Aviation Academy in Aqaba as a flight instructor and, at 21, was accepted at the Mid-East Aviation Academy in Amman as the youngest woman instructor in the region. After three years with the academy, Alia joined Royal Jordanian Airlines in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength since. With over 6,000 hours logged in jet aeroplanes, she has flown the Airbus family for Royal Jordanian Airlines as a first officer and is fast approaching the day when she will be handed her own command. Alia also holds the position of governor of the Arabian Section of The Ninety-Nines, the International Organisation of Women Pilots from more than 35 countries, which was founded in 1929 by 99 women pilots. Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to ever fly solo across the Atlantic was its first president. Today, it has more than 3,500 members from around the world and the Middle East chapter now has 40 members from countries including
Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Algeria, Qatar and Kuwait. In 2016, Alia was made a ‘liveryman’ in the Honourable Air Pilot Company – a rare honour bestowed on only three Jordanians before her: the others being the late King Hussein, HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein and HRH Prince Hamza Al Hussein. Despite flying commercial jets for her country’s airline, Alia has not lost her sense of adventure and, indeed, the sense of purpose which made her take up flying in the first place. Whenever she gets the chance, she still flies single-engine planes, performs aerobatics in World War I-era biplanes and goes skydiving at every opportunity she gets. It is that same spirit that made her determined to show not only her family and society, but the world in general, that when a woman sets her mind on doing something, not even a man can equal her passion and professionalism. Alia has just one message for women, in any field, who are told, or are made to feel, that they are in any way lesser than their male peers. “When women, who don’t dare to dream or look ahead hear the stories of other female pilots and see their achievements, it will inspire them.”
Panelist
Hend Alawadhi
H
end Alawadhi has always had a fascination with aviation which resulted in her determination to defy her society's expectations and take up a career as an aeronautical engineer. Fortuitously, she heard about a new programme, set up by Tamkeen and Bahrain Airport Services, offering scholarships in aircraft engineering. Without telling anyone, she turned down her other (scholarship) offers and applied. Out of 500 hopefuls, she was one of just 30 to be chosen for the fouryear course. Following two years of theory, she embarked on two years with Gulf Air for training. She says: “As a woman in this field, I had to give twice as much as men to prove myself.” She was Gulf Air’s youngest engineer and says: “At the age of 23, I was signing off my first aeroplane as a full B1 engineer.” This means that as the aircraft engineer, she would fully certifying the plane’s fitness to fly. Over 10 years of 12-hour days, working with Gulf Air, one thing she was careful about was to make time for herself and preserve her sense of femininity, saying: “I don’t think it’s necessary to become masculine to succeed in www.womanthismonth.com
a man’s world. You can still look like a woman, get your hair done, visit the salon – it’s about ability to do the job.” Interest in her role has led to TV and media appearances which, in turn, inspired an Instagram account @hend_alawadhi (Red Line Blog) where she shares pictures and lifestyle advice with her 38,000 followers. She says: “I love fashion, so that was a part of it, but I felt it was important because I would often get young girls and women asking me ‘How did you do it?’ and my answer to them is always ‘You have to shut out the negative voices, block some people no matter how close they are for a period of time and just concentrate on whatever it is that you really want.’ “A lot of girls give up and it’s not because they are not smart or capable but because of how men or society will treat them. “I think the main thing that helped me was that I just didn’t listen to the comments, believed in myself, got on with the job, and I learn as I go on.” These days Hend is with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications as a senior airworthiness inspector, the only woman to hold this position. November 2018
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FEATURE | women in aviation
ARAB WOMEN IN AVIATION
A brief timeline of some significant achievements. 1939 Lotfia Elnadi becomes the first Arab woman, first African woman and first woman in Egypt to earn a pilot's licence.
1940 Effat Tejaratchi becomes the first Iranian woman to earn her pilot's licence.
1951 Touria Chaoui is the first woman from Morocco to earn her pilot's licence. Myriam Ben is the first Algerian woman to earn a pilot's licence.
1984 Khatool Mohammadzai is the first Afghan woman to become a paratrooper.
1989 Latifa Nabizada and her sister, Laliuma, become the first Afghan women admitted to military flight school.
2005 Hanadi Zakaria Al-Hindi becomes the first woman in Saudi Arabia to earn her pilot's licence. (It was 2014 before she was allowed to fly in Saudi airspace!)
Panelist
Martyna Al-Qassab
F
ounder and managing director of Yalla Banat, The women’s motoring and development event which recently took place at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). Since obtaining her MSc in sports management in her native Poland, Martyna has worked for more than 10 years in the sport industry fulfilling her passion to help individuals develop their potential by building communities and organisations with the right structure to enable people to excel and strive to be the best that they can be. In 1999 Martyna obtained her gliding licence at the Aero Club, Czestochowa, and became an avid member of the flight community in gliders and single-engine aeroplanes with a passion for the open skies. In 2002 she was the first female to be accepted by the Polish Air Force University, Deblin, to further pursue her aeronautical ambitions. In the following years Martyna’s focus was on competing at international level as part of the Global Taekwon-Do Federation. She won the title at the World Cup Championship in the Semi and Light contact category from 1999 to 2004. Moving to Bahrain as part of BIC’s start-up team to the launch the state-of-the-art karting circuit, Martyna’s passion for all things competitive remained and recently led her to get behind the wheel in the circuit’s 2000cc Challenge achieving a podium finish in the 2017 championship – the only female driver in the last 10 years to have done so. Martyna lives in Bahrain with her husband Ramzi and their two young sons, Talal and Essa and has recently founded the Yalla Banat initiative built as a platform to celebrate women from across the region and inspire the next generation of innovators and achievers to transform their dreams into reality.
2007 Maisa Hazeem gains her wings as Gulf Air’s first woman pilot.
2011 Salma Al Baloushi is the first Emirati woman pilot to complete an Etihad Airways flight.
2014 Mariam al-Mansuri is the UAE’s first female fighter pilot, flying F-16 Fighting Falcons in combat against ISIS in Syria. Kuwait Airways employs Munira Mohammad Bu'erki as a pilot and trainee captain.
Panelist
Captain Maisa Mohamed Hazeen
Chief of Aviation Safety Rules and Regulations at Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority and former Gulf Air first officer. Read more about her later in this feature.
Gulf Air’s first female Bahraini captain, Yasmeen Fraidoon, takes to the skies.
2015 Myriam Adnani becomes the first Muslim woman pilot in Europe.
2018 Sheikha Aisha bint Rashid Al Khalifa becomes the first Bahraini woman to qualify as a fighter pilot.
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A fourth panelist is still to be announced. www.womanthismonth.com
FEATURE | women in aviation
FLYING FIRST, FLYING SAFE Captain Maisa Mohamed Hazeem was Gulf Air’s first female pilot. She now works for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as Chief of Aviation Safety Rules and Regulations. She tells Liz O’Reilly about her amazing journey.
T
hese days Maisa has wide-ranging responsibilities, from issuing approval certificates to air operators to reviewing ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) changes and adapting them into Bahrain CAA’s regulations and procedures. Before that, she was an aircraft operations inspector. So, basically, if you’ve flown out of Bahrain International Airport in the last few years, Maisa probably made sure it was safe for you to do so.
FLYING HIGH
She says: “It all started when I was doing my training to be an air traffic controller. That’s the time I fell in love with aircraft. I decided one day ‘I will be a pilot. I am going to fly those things!’ “Being there in the tower watching the aircraft taking off and landing and hearing all that power, you fall in love; I find them magnificent machines. “During that time, Gulf Air, for the first time in 10 years, opened up the cadet training programme to women. I applied and was called in to go through the selection process and exams and screening. And then I received that call to tell me I was selected. We were 10 and I was the only female in that first group. “It wasn’t what I expected. It was very difficult. It’s a tough, dry, rigid field. I felt I had to put in extra effort and work harder to grasp knowledge of all the machines and the various aircraft instruments. But, eventually I succeeded. One-and-a-half years is actually www.womanthismonth.com
very quick to do the theory, ground school and start flying. “I started at 6am to do classes and then flying. Eventually I adapted, because during that time I realised how much I really wanted it and I pushed myself to succeed and adapt. “Failure would have meant a lot – it would not just be the failure of one of the pilot cadets but rather the failure of the first female on the cadet programme. They [Gulf Air] believed in me and I wanted to make them proud. I was surrounded by great people who lifted me when I was down and, with this sort of attitude, you really want to succeed.” Flight school teaches pilots about small aircraft and, once they’ve done that, they do their type rating, which is where you learn to fly a jet. Soon Maisa qualified and became the airline’s first female first officer.
FLYING SAFE
After some years in the sky, Maisa grounded herself to be around her young family. But, aircraft now very much in her blood, she joined the Civil Aviation Authority threeand-a-half years ago as an aircraft operations inspector. It was while on the ground that she got her captain’s title and took up her current role. She says: “We are responsible for ensuring all the ICAO and Bahrain CAA rules and regulations are adhered to. For example, en route you will get on board and supervise the operation of the cockpit and cabin,
ramp inspection and crew and cabin safety equipment, as well as crew licensing. On the ground, you will look at dispatchers and pilot training [ensuring current qualifications, etc] for operators that are registered in Bahrain. It takes up an awful lot of time; there are hundreds of inspections to do annually. "And, of course, since I am inspecting and assessing pilots, I also need to keep my own type ratings current. "If young women want to come into this field [flying], I would say it’s not always a great career. You have to be strong and tough and able to make decisions, sometimes very quickly. You then come home and you’re not in that role and it’s hard – it can be like having two personalities. "Also, after all the glamour is gone – looking at yourself in your hat and suit – it’s about being away, being alone in hotel rooms. And you don’t have time to recover, specially if you have family. Nobody told me about that side of the job; I learned it on my own so I can tell girls about this. "Sometimes, you’ll be flying through a thunderstorm and it is draining. Or, after a long flight, sometimes you don’t even have the energy to speak! "It’s certainly not as easy as people think, but I wouldn’t change it. I really enjoyed my time flying. Yes, there is the dark side and the difficulties. But it’s also the most rewarding and satisfying job and I am proud of what I’ve achieved." November 2018
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BEAUTY | tips
Highlight of the Month
This month, Suzanne Nicholas brings you up to speed on the dos and don’ts of the highlighting trend that has taken the makeup world by storm in recent years.
Star Style:
Stick It On:
Mainly thanks to Kim Kardashian, the highlighting trend is now a can’tdo-without in the make-up world. How else would one complement that perfectly contour-assisted chiselled face? Highlighting brightens the skin and helps define facial features, thereby shining an instant spotlight on your bone structure. Make-up is a risky business. Everyone wants to avoid committing a faux pas, and this extends to highlighting as well. Done tastefully, it can transform your look. Done badly, the result can be clownish!
Apply your make-up as you would normally, keeping in mind that highlighting succeeds foundation application and the contouring process. Gently drag the highlighter stick across your cheek bones and along the bridge of your nose. With your fingers, blend the highlight in carefully to achieve a subtle glow. Remember: practice makes perfect, so don’t worry if you haven’t got it the first time – patience is key.
Tip: For a more pronounced, dramatic effect, add a bit of highlight just below the arches of your eyebrows, and onto the dimple of your cupid’s bow. Tip: For a Rihanna shine-bright-likea-diamond impact, a dab of powder highlight over your blended-in stick highlight is usually a good shout.
Powder Puff Girls: Powder highlight may be less smooth to apply compared to a stick, but if you’re looking for emphasis, this should be your go-to. Powder highlighters are also great for oily skin as their signature soft texture will ensure you don’t look cakey after a while, but fresh-faced instead. Brushes are also important to think about when using powder-based highlighters. An angled kabuki brush, for example, will contribute towards precision, while a fan brush can be used over areas such as the cheekbones, in a single stroke. A thinner brush is recommended for highlighting smaller areas such as the inner corners of your eyes. Once you’ve applied your make-up as you usually would, dust a little highlighter onto your cheekbones and along the bridge of your nose.
Tip:
For an airbrushed finish, don’t skimp on your base moisturiser and primer. Think of these as a combined canvas for the rest of your look.
Tip:
Know your face shape and understand what areas you’d like to illuminate – don’t underestimate a highlighter’s power to make your facial features appear either slimmer than they are, or fuller.
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showcase
Hello Glow! DESSANGE
W
hen the pre-treatment The Dermalogica Oxygen Facial at Dessange made Behnaz consultation form at Dessange’s plush spa asked the Sanjana’s skin look naturally photoshopped. date of my last facial, I cringed as I wrote "almost a year ago". resurfacing the skin with a microsonic facial all over my Pushing all images of beauticians rolling their cleansing brush. She then applied a gentle, facial epidermis. eyes out of my head, I followed Chenda, my daily-use exfoliating powder that released Combined with therapist, into a pristine white room for the the goodness of papain, salicylic acid and rice the mask, it 75-minute Dermalogica Oxygen Facial I had enzymes to eradicate dead skin cells. is meant to signed up for. nourish skin Using the bt ultrasonic blade, she proceeded and promote First came the pre-cleanse. A fragrant oil to emulsify sebum, dilate follicles and soften collagen growth, was smoothed over my face to lift away comedones. Simply put, she got rid of ugly resulting in blackheads using a pain-free technique. I make-up and other impurities, and wiped plumper, supple, admit she did have to wield the good old off with a warm washcloth. Then Chenda hydrated skin. manual blackhead extractor around my nose used the 'bt-analyze apparatus' over the and chin, but serves me right for slacking Lastly, I was zones of my face to ‘map’ my skin. The off on skin care. A blissful pressure-point prepped to face digital readings proved I have combination massage on the head and shoulders facilitated the hot outdoors with an eye serum, to de-puff skin. Wearing what looked like nightlymphatic drainage, eliminated toxins and and brighten the under-eye area, and a supervision goggles with a small light beam, she relaxed the tissues. hydrating sunscreen. pored over my skin up close. Gone are the days of guesswork in skincare at modern A light, facial toner was spritzed all over The man of the house complimented my fresh establishments like Dessange; they keep up to hydrate and refresh, after which a skin that evening, but I put it down to him with the latest innovations in beauty. She niacinamide ion-active serum (to control and being polite in the knowledge of my beauty found enlarged pores (the bane of my life), prevent adult acne) and a cooling botanical appointment. But his observation of how but no fine lines or wrinkles (hurray!). colloidal mask with hydrating hyaluronic acid bright and dewy my face looked three days were applied to the skin. It did sting a tad, Aware of my exact skin type, she could after the treatment just proved the efficacy of but only for a few seconds. For the next 15 customise the facial with the right Dermalogica’s Oxygen Facial at Dessange. minutes, the bt-accent AIR Oxygen machine Dermalogica products, just for me. A special blew highly concentrated molecules of oxygen Call 17 713-999. cleansing gel was applied, followed by www.womanthismonth.com
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showcase
Polish Perfect
Our nails speak a lot about our health and hygiene. Joz Salon & Spa brings you some essential dos and don'ts for nail care. Are you taking good care of your nails? Are they strong and healthy-looking, or do you see ridges, dents, unusual colours or shapes? All these conditions can be avoided by proper nail care. Others may indicate an underlying situation requiring attention.
DOS
To have your nails looking their best:
►Keep the nails dry and clean – It prevents bacteria from growing under them. Repeated or long-standing water contact may contribute to the splitting of nails. Hot water and soap can be a harmful combination. Wear rubber cotton gloves when cleaning dishes or using harsh chemicals. ►Practise good nail care – Keep nails shaped and trimmed. Use a file or clippers. Cut them straight across, then round the tips in a subtle curve. ►Moisturise – Use a moisturiser or a hand lotion – rub on your nails and cuticles. The cuticles are the only line of protection between the nail bed and the bacteria and fungi of the world. Moisturising them prevents cracking and peeling, which can cause damage to the nail bed. ►Apply a protective layer – Applying a nail hardener can help strengthen your brittle and thin nails, as it fortifies them. Plus, it increases the life span of the nail polish. ►Get zinc and biotin supplements – Research says that if you are suffering from weak or brittle nails, nutritional supplement biotin can help strengthen them. And zinc is essential to help maintain healthy nails, hair and skin. ►Put a clear coat on regular polish – Adding a clear coat really helps keep nails moisturised and prevents splitting.
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DON’TS
To prevent nail damage, do not:
►Bite your nails or pick at your cuticles – These habits can damage the nail. Even a small cut next to your nail may allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause infection. Not only can it damage the nail bed, it also exposes your mouth to all manner of dirt and bacteria if you bite your nails. ►Pull off hangnails – Pulling hangnails can rip the live tissue and expose the nails to fungi and bacteria. Instead, carefully clip them. ►Use harsh nail care products – Limit your use of nail polish remover and, when using, opt for a formula without acetone. ►Ignore inflammation, a strange growth, colour or texture. Healthy nails should have uniform colour and consistency. If you notice something that looks abnormal, consult a dermatologist, as it may be a sign of something more serious. ►Go barefoot. Running around barefoot will attract fungus and bacteria. Keep your feet free from germs by keeping them covered. Good nail care is pretty simple – keep them clean, dry, polished, trimmed, shaped, and follow basic hygiene principles – you'll have beautiful, healthy nails for life. Call 17 369-133 or 17 756-449.
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BEAUTY | news
Dove Goes Cruelty Free
If you love the feel of Dove’s lush shower gel and skincare products but were reluctant to purchase a brand without the cruelty-free jumping bunny, the wait is over. Long an advocate of non-animal testing on its own products, the company has now rescinded permission for others to test products and ingredients on its behalf, therefore qualifying it for the cruelty-free symbol from PETA. Look out for the seal of approval on your favourite Dove products from 2019. Available at leading retailers.
Lila Grace Joins Marc Jacobs
Proving herself a chip off the old block, supermodel Kate Moss’ daughter, Lila Grace, has signed her first campaign. The 16-year-old is the new face of Marc Jacobs Beauty and the announcement was made via an Instagram photoshoot shot by snapper Davis Simms. The image, reminiscent of an old Dutch painting, shows the teen sporting an exaggerated, purple cat’s eye flick and showcases her luminescent skin. Lila Grace will represent the brand in its 2019 campaign.
Fenty Beauty Does Christma.
This month it’s all about big-name news and festive launches.
New from Rihanna’s brand is a little something you might want to request from Santa. Fenty Beauty’s Chill Owt holiday collection features a new powder puff ornament that’s pretty enough for the tree. The limited-edition Mini Fairy Bomb comes in iridescent pink and is prepacked with body glitter. It’s sure to be a collectible. Available at www.sephora.com
Opi’s Nuts for Disney
As Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms hits the cinemas, you can paint your nails with colours from OPI inspired by the reimagined classic tale. The salon favourite has teamed up with Disney to release a festive Nutcracker collection of 12 polishes and three glitters that features pretty shades and bright, whimsical hues that are perfect as stocking stuffers. Available at leading retailers.
MAC Christmas Countdown Is Out
Festively presented in a shimmering ruby star, this is the ultimate beauty addict’s advent calendar featuring products from lots of big names covering all your skincare and beauty party needs from the likes of Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown and Aveda. We need this now but, be warned, it’s a limited edition so you may have to order online. Available at www.maccosmetics.co.uk
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BEAUTY | news
Victoria Kimani Joins Maybelline
The Kenyan singer, who was not overly pleased recently to be mistaken for Nicki Minaj, joins the likes of Gigi Hadid and Jourdan Dunn as face of the New York based global beauty brand. The China Love hitmaker is the first African artist to partner with the brand and she told reporters it was an honour saying: “If you know me, you know I love make-up.”
Lush launches Ariana Grande Goddess Bath Bomb
This has a fab back story – apparently a fan tweeted Lush begging for a bath bomb resembling the singer’s God is a Woman music video. Lush responded and now, it’s finally here in all its shimmering holographic Goddesslike gorgeousness. It’s scented with oud and jasmine, so it smells as good as it looks. And, as you would expect from Lush, it’s full of nourishment for your skin. Available at Lush.
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Nars Says Never Fake It
That’s the message accompanying the brand's latest release, the Climax Mascara. Promising volume and lift from a lightweight whipped formula that builds without clumping or smudging, it sounds like the perfect companion for the party season. Available at Sephora.
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showcase
Fit for a Queen Apple Sharma walks you through the luxurious Royal Hammam treatment at the Heavenly Spa by The Westin. Take the plunge for an exotic experience!
A
nyone who’s been in this region has at some point experienced a hammam, which essentially means a Turkish bath. But what you might not have tried is a luxe version of the ritual, which I experienced with the Royal Hammam treatment at the Heavenly Spa at The Westin City Centre Bahrain. My lovely therapist, Flavi, welcomed and escorted me to a walk-in hot bath, where I stayed for a few minutes. This was a great start to soften my skin and to help me relax, as I was a tad apprehensive about the treatment, having only had Moroccan hammam before (which can be a tad harsh). Next, walking into the hammam brought back memories of my experience in Casablanca, but this was to be a more refined version of it. The room was like walking into a dream sequence, with a gentle flowing steam all around me. It had a large white-grey, solid rectangular marble counter in the middle with contrasting black round marble sinks on either side. I was told to lie down on a thin mat with a small leather pillow as a headrest, which was surprisingly comfortable. Flavi then brought out the Turkish loofah – essentially a white glove that looked like a rough flannel. I was dreading this part but she reassured me that this exfoliation process would be a lot gentler than the Moroccan hammam. She started by scrubbing my entire body with only hot water and the loofah, starting with my face and then my front and back. I was expecting it to be fairly rough but to my surprise it was much milder than I had expected. It felt slightly abrasive but was tolerable, especially when I reminded myself of its purpose. For someone who takes great pride in personal hygiene, I was shocked to see all the dead skin peeling off me. I embarrassedly told Flavi “I thought I was clean” but she reassured me that this was absolutely normal. I had found a new respect for my loofah!
With the scrubbing finished, it was time for the foam massage, something I was quite curious about. This was my favourite bit of the procedure. She started by dipping what looked like a white pillowcase into a bucket of Turkish shower gel and flung it in the air, making it balloon up. She then squeezed it, producing a huge amount of lather to cover my entire body. This theatrical touch made me smile, not only because it added a bit of fun but also because of how luxurious it felt. As she gently massaged my body, I could feel the softness of my skin as the water rolled off it. Flavi then applied a honey mask on my full body and left it on for about 10 minutes. I thought it would feel sticky but, on the contrary, it felt light and smooth. The sweet nectar made my mind drift into decadent thoughts, and my body into a state of softness. She finished by rinsing the mask off, and shampooing and conditioning my hair. I then braved a quick dip in a chilled pool (to close my pores) and came out feeling absolutely refreshed. My skin was as soft as a baby’s bottom and felt supple and renewed. As the name suggests, this heavenly Royal Hammam treatment gives you a majestic yet relaxing experience of what must’ve been a daily ritual for past queens. Give it a try! Call 17 171-122, 17 171-000, email heavenlyspa.bahrain@westin.com or visit www.heavenlyspabahrain.com
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showcase BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL
THE ISSUE OF FIBROIDS Dr Ripal Manish Madnani, obstetrics, gynaecology and IVF specialist explains myomectomy.
T
he uterus, or womb, is an organ in women for childbearing, it has enormous capacity to expand during pregnancy. Its main bulk is due to the muscles in the middle layer which is known as the myometrium (other layers are inner endometrium and outer serosa). This layer has, again, further layers of smooth muscles, which help during childbirth
to deliver the baby and prevent bleeding thereafter. Some women may develop benign masses in the myometrium, known as fibroids or leiomyoma, they can occur inside or on the surface of the uterus.
Symptoms include: • Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding which can cause aneamia; • Low backache, pelvic heaviness or pain; • Frequent urination; • Problems in conceiving; • Acute pain due to twist and bleeding inside fibroid.
Fibroids can be detected by your gynaecologist on clinical examination, ultrasound or MRI. Myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus. It can be done by conventional open or by a minimally invasive laparoscopic or hysteroscopic approach depending on the location, under spinal or general anesthesia. The procedure is safe with a low complication rate. But, as it causes scarring in the uterus, you may be advised to delay conception afterwards and caesarian delivery may be recommended. Other options for treatment are hormonal medicines or hysterectomy. The decision on treatment should be decided jointly between patient and doctor. Sometimes, your doctor may leave the fibroids alone, as not all require treatment. However, since they do not always cause symptoms, it is best to see your gynaecologist if you are planning to conceive. Call 17 812-000 or 17 812-222 or email ripal.madnani@bsh.com.bh
Press Conference Bahrain Specialist Hospital held a press conference regarding its visiting surgeons from Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, India.
Sunny, Lucy, Lolita, Rineesh & Nadim
Subramanyam
Dr Kasim & Dr Najah
Dr Manish & Dr Bashar
Dr KJ Reddy
Dr Alok & Dr Abdul Kareem
Shubhra & Dr Ardan
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LIFESTYLE | wellbeing
The Sweet Sword
In light of November 14 being World Diabetes Day, Behnaz Sanjana attempts to demystify the disease that afflicts a large number of people the world over, and particularly in our region.
I
magine not being able to freely dig into that giant piece of cake. Or refusing that delicious beverage, even though you crave it. Having diabetes can rob you of some simple pleasures in life, unless your lifestyle proactively works to avert the disease today. Dr Maria Emerita Co-Deleon, who deals with internal medicine and cardiology at the American Mission Hospital, explains how the body handles sugar: “Once sugar has been processed by the digestive system, the
pancreas is stimulated to release insulin in our bloodstream,” she says. “Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar enter the cells, where it is used for energy; without it, sugar will remain in the bloodstream. If you have more sugar than your body requires, insulin also helps store this sugar in the liver, to be released once the blood sugar levels become low.” Sometimes, this process sees a glitch. Dr Emerita explains: “There are two types of diabetes: in Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, there is a primary lack of insulin production by the pancreas to process sugar. In Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, patients have insulin resistance. This means that there is enough insulin, but the body’s cells don’t respond to it and can’t take in glucose from the blood. This will lead the pancreas to produce more insulin to help sugar enter the cells, keeping glucose levels at a normal range. Eventually the required insulin production falls short, leading to elevated blood sugar.” Given how much we love our sweet treats, we ask the expert if sugar is the sole culprit. She says: “Excessive sugar consumption contributes to weight gain, which increases risk for Type 2 diabetes. But it is not solely sugar – calorie-rich, starchy food [carbohydrates], can also contribute to the development of diabetes.” If you are wondering whether you will ever fall prey to this disorder, know that both genes and lifestyle are important. Generally, the risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are inherited from both parents. Type 2 also
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has a strong link to family history, coupled with lifestyle factors – namely obesity and physical inactivity – that contribute to insulin resistance. Studies show it is possible to delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes by exercising and weight loss, explains Dr Emerita. She continues: “This chronic medical condition is a lifelong disease that can be controlled by lifestyle changes and medication(s). There is no known ‘cure’ yet. It can be progressive if not adequately treated or controlled.” Uncontrolled diabetes often leads to complications. “Acute complications can lead to a coma, or even death. Chronic complications are slow, progressive damage to the body brought about by uncontrolled sugar. It can involve the nerves [neuropathy], causing either pain, abnormal sensation or numbness or haemorrhages on the retina [retinopathy] that can lead to blindness,” Says Dr Emerita. “It can also cause kidney damage [nephropathy], that can lead to renal failure and requires dialysis. Uncontrolled diabetes also increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.” www.womanthismonth.com
LIFESTYLE | wellbeing
Symptoms:
Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, frequent thirst, and frequent hunger (medically known as the three Ps – polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia). Nocturia, or frequent urination at night; extreme fatigue or weakness; slow-healing wounds; blurry vision; and abnormal sensations like tingling, pins-and-needles or numbness of the hands and feet are other signs. Weight loss is a common manifestation of Type 1 diabetes. However, symptoms of Type 2 diabetics may be mild and go unnoticed. Anyone who shows symptoms should be tested as soon as possible. In the absence of any symptoms, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends screening irrespective of age in adults who are overweight and have at least one risk factor for diabetes – namely, physical inactivity, positive family history (in a firstdegree relative), hypertension, elevated triglycerides and/or low HDL (the good cholesterol), a history of cardiovascular disease, and high-risk ethnicity (AfricanAmerican or native American). Healthy adults without any risk factors should undergo checks starting at age 45, every three years if results are normal. The good news is that diabetics need not completely avoid sugars and starches. Dr Emerita explains: “The ADA does not totally restrict sweet or starchy food. The key lies in having very small portions of food like bread,
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potatoes and pasta on special occasions. It’s important to know your limits. Fruits are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibres, but are high in natural sugar that can still raise blood glucose levels. A limit of three servings of fruit a day is usually recommended, keeping in mind that a serving size depends on the fruit. Consultation with a dietician is advised to know the amount, frequency and types of food that can be eaten, based on individual cases.”
Prediabetes:
Prediabetes is when your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. It is the alarm bell that allows you to make lifestyle changes to avert full-on diabetes.
To Dodge the D word:
- Lose the extra kilos - Exercise regularly - Eat a plant-based, fibre-rich, low-carb diet - Go easy on the sweeties - Limit food portion sizes - Ensure optimum vitamin D levels - Quit smoking
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AL HILAL HOSPITAL
Not So Sweet Dr Vidya Vijayan, consultant in internal medicine at Al Hilal Hospital Muharraq explains how diabetes affects women differently and why we should watch out for it.
I
t has been well established that diabetes is rampant across various cultures, but did you know that women can be worse affected by it than men? “Generally, women do not pay much attention to their health,” says Dr Vidya. “They overlook the consequences of Type 2 diabetes and fail to prevent or control the disorder in the early stages.”
mother has elevated sugar levels, the baby’s body increases its insulin production. This results in a very big baby, at times over nine pounds (around 4.1 kgs), which may lead to a difficult birth. Studies say that these babies have a higher chance of developing diabetes in adulthood. The mother regains normal blood sugar levels after delivery, but is advised to undertake regular screening due to the likelihood of becoming diabetic in the future.”
Explaining the connection, Dr Vidya says: “It is a hormonal imbalance that causes [among other things] obesity, which results in insulin resistance. So, it is common for patients of PCOD to develop diabetes.” Dr Vidya puts the high incidence of PCOD and, in turn, diabetes, down to lifestyle, explaining: “A sedentary life, excessive junk food, smoking and uncontrolled weight gain are risk factors. Global statistics show that one in 11 people are likely have diabetes. Out of this, one in two people go undiagnosed. Nearly 450 million people worldwide have this health condition and by 2040, one in 10 people will be diabetic.”
The condition has certain fallouts that are specific to women. “High blood sugar can Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD), a cause frequently occurring vaginal or urinary syndrome afflicting many young girls, raises tract infections. Sugar is food for bacteria their chances of getting diabetes over time. to grow, making women with diabetes more susceptible to the complications arising out of such infections.” says Dr Vidya. Al Hilal Hospital’s CEO, Dr Sharath Chandran, encourages women to act now to stem the epidemic of diabetes. “Women are important Gestational Diabetes is a decision makers in the household and their actions – like shopping condition that afflicts pregnant for wholesome, healthful groceries, and making exercise and women, mainly due to the physical activity a way of life for the entire family – can bring internal bodily changes. Our positive results. Mothers play a significant role for a healthy expert elaborates: “Pregnancy community by educating their children on the repercussions of hormones cause the body’s cells lifestyle diseases and how to keep them at bay. A small change in to become insulin resistant food habits like the amount of cooking oil used, the right choice [meaning that they do not of meat and reducing sugar and salt intake can go a long way in absorb sugar from the blood positively impacting the community.” effectively], at around 24 weeks of pregnancy. When the
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A healthy way of life, keeping a watch on one’s weight and incorporating something as simple as 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week, can do wonders to prevent it. Dr Vidya recommends a healthy, high-fibre diet, full of natural, unprocessed foods, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. “Prevention is definitely better than cure,” she says. Call 17 344-700. www.womanthismonth.com
showcase
Learn from the Best Y
Banu Malek joins Pure Yoga + Cycle (PYC) to teach students the art of yoga.
oga has been a part of Banu’s life since a young age, as her parents and grandparents were all ardent practitioners. Her mother’s involvement in holistic healing, through Ayurveda and yogic practices, embedded a strong seed of passion in Banu for helping people improve physical and mental fitness or achieve peace of mind. This yogi, who has held a top position in hospitality in Bahrain, has undergone an intense 500-hour physical training programme in the freezing Himalayan mountains in India where she got to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama himself. The meeting left her moved, and she realised her true calling. “While I trained hard and overcame obstacles, I learnt that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. That is what happened with me,” she recalls.
Banu has taught in various countries, experimenting with ways to attain peace and happiness in each. She has integrated this knowledge into the Vinyasa style of yoga, which she teaches at PYC. Besides having completed the 200- and 500-hour teacher training through the international Yoga Alliance, she is a certified Spinning and NOFFS (Navy Operational Fitness and Fuelling System) instructor and is certified in food and nutrition. Her students appreciate her powerful practice, intuitive understanding of the body and her creative, engaging teaching style which focuses greatly on the movementbreath connection. Call 33 992-236.
Aisling, Trevor, Oksana, Anna, Zee & Raphaelle
Mirela & Merhan
Au Soleil Launch Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts launched Au Soliel: a Summer Soirée by Le Meridien at Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain.
Cristalyn, Leslie, Farheen & Bharti
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Georgina & Tulin
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LIFESTYLE | food
CHEF’S SPECIAL J
anardan Das brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to his role as executive chef at Al Areen Palace & Spa. Having graduated in hotel management, catering technology and applied nutrition in 1992, he started his kitchen career at the five-star Hotel Taj Bengal in Kolkata where he mastered a wide range of sauces. Heading to the Middle East in 1997, he joined the prestigious Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, Oman, specialising in banquets, buffets and large-scale functions. Moving to Dubai, he continued to build his experience at two top-ofthe-range properties assisting the executive chefs and filling in for outlet chefs where necessary. In 2011 he moved to Sharq Village and Spa in Doha in the role of executive sous chef, second in command in the kitchen. From preparing dishes for royal patrons to overseeing the full banqueting and restaurant operation for the property, the role enabled chef Das to really get a feel for running large-scale, high-class operation. This led to his move to Al Areen Palace & Spa in January 2016 as executive chef with overall responsibility for the venue’s multiple award-winning outlets, including devising menus and adding the final touches to uphold
the hotel’s exacting standards. His speciality is building long-term relations with both guests and colleagues through high levels of knowledge and expertise coupled with a flair for innovation. Here he shares a simple but delicious dish from his repertoire.
TANDOORI MALAI RUBIAN
5 pieces of jumbo prawns, devein with tail left on 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp turmeric powder 3 tbsp garlic 2 tbsp ginger 200ml plain yoghurt 4 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp mustard oil 6 tbsp cream 4gm mozzarella cheese 3gm parmesan cheese 5gm butter Salt to taste
Method:
• In a bowl, add yoghurt, ginger and garlic paste, red chili powder and turmeric powder. • Add garam masala, lemon juice and mustard oil and mix well. • Marinate the rubians (praws) and make sure they are coated very well. • Add two tablespoons of cream to give a smooth texture. • Refrigerate for 30 to 40 minutes. • Put the rubians on a skewer and cook in a tandoor or on a charcoal grill. • Once the rubians are cooked, make a sauce with cream and cheese and keep aside. To make the sauce • Take a thick bottom pan and add butter. Pour in the cream and bring it to simmer, add the grated mozzarella and parmesan cheese and bring it to a pouring consistency. Remove from the heat and add a dash of lemon juice.
Plating
• Arrange the rubians one after another with the head on top. • Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the top and gratinate with a blow torch. • Serve with mint chutney, tandoori bread or rice.
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showcase RAMEE GRAND HOTEL & SPA
CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS D
iwali, also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, is a big event on the calendar, filled with celebratory fireworks and prayers for prosperity and protection. Several speciality sweets are traditionally shared between family and friends to mark the day. Kumar Ashwani, the hotel’s resident manager, describes this grand festive season as: “A time when old and young look past their differences and come together to observe this auspicious time.” Head chef Faraz Patel has come up with an exciting menu for the hotel’s Indian restaurant, Tanatan. It is priced at BD9 for three courses with soft drinks and timehonoured delicacies made with a twist by the culinary team. Every measure has been
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Ramee Grand is honouring the Indian festival of Diwali with an exciting menu tailor-made for the occasion.
taken to ensure attention to detail. A live band will be playing traditional Indian songs and some popular favourites to get your feet tapping. The promotion runs from November 7 to 9. Additionally, throughout November, spend BD25 across the food and beverage outlets and get a BD5 voucher. Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of Seef Mall and City Centre Bahrain, as well as other the major shopping arcades and local attractions. The hotel offers world-class features and services that include 166 rooms and suites, with exclusive access to the club lounge, a spa, fitness centre and the infinity swimming pool. Call 17 111-999.
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LIFESTYLE | food
BREAKFAST DONE RIGHT F
aced with morning hunger pangs and a long day ahead, I decided to pop into The Gallery Restaurant with a colleague for a quick bite of breakfast. Located on the seventh floor of Fraser Suites Seef Bahrain, the venue looks and feels comfortable, with soothing, textured wallpapers adding several layers of warmth to its ambience. Add to that the view of the cityscape, and you have a perfect, idyllic spot for an early morning breakfast. Breakfast here is always laid out at 6.30am, which is extremely convenient for business guests, who prefer an early start to their day. The hotel is, after all, the preferred choice of accommodation for guests who visit the island for lengthy periods of time. The restaurant has direct access to a colourfully eye-catching kids’ playroom, which attracts young ones and keeps them engrossed in activity while their
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Behnaz Sanjana gives her take on starting the day with a scrumptious meal at The Gallery Restaurant at Fraser Suites Seef Bahrain.
parents enjoy a relaxed morning meal. Taking in the easy-going atmosphere that the restaurant provides, we headed straight to the breakfast buffet table, which, I must say was a sufficiently large spread. Offerings included pancakes, balaleet, morning staples like breakfast cereal, fresh cut fruit and vegetables served with olives, hummus and mutable, deli meats, an entire cheese board, different kinds of jam and breads. Various fresh juices and flavoured yoghurt were also at hand, for the more health-conscious among us. Once our plates were piled with the items from the generous spread, we headed straight to the live counter, where the chef whipped up the perfect eggs to order – a component without which my breakfast is incomplete. The cheese omelette with a smattering of
mushroom, tomatoes and capsicum that I had requested for was skillfully cooked, and went well with the delicious buttered corn, sausages and baked beans already on my plate. My colleague, who had opted for Arabic foul and a chickpea preparation along with a frothy cappuccino, drew my attention to the Saj counter, right next to the egg station. The Gallery is famed for serving freshly prepared hot cheese and zaatar Saj bread and, despite being already quite full, we certainly did not want to miss out. To give us a taste of this unique gastronomic experience, the chef served us some simple, crispy Saj with cheese and Zaatar, the taste and texture of which I am going to remember. I think it would be fair to say that the deliciously hot flat bread oozing with melting cheese topped a great breakfast and laid out the foundation of a perfect day for us.
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showcase
YAQUBY STORES
Food Prep
Made Easy
Imagine all your food preparation needs in one machine; everything from mixing, stirring and blending to food processing and cooking! With the Kenwood Cooking Chef, you can save time in the kitchen while it stirs and cooks simultaneously. Great for both savouries and pastry recipes, this extra set of hands allows you to enjoy family and friends while entertaining. With the combined planetary mixing and precise temperature control, it is easy to cook fresh, healthy meals for you and your family in this culinary centre. The electronic speed control allows ingredients to incorporate well before mixing them at high speeds, so they stay in the bowl and not all over your countertop. The four attachment hubs around the machine enable you to customise your machine with a multitude of optional attachments. Included with the machine are a ThermoResist glass blender and a food processor with www.womanthismonth.com
The Kenwood Kitchen Machine range is like having an extra pair of hands in the kitchen.
chopping blade and six stainless steel slicing and shredding discs, making it the ultimate kitchen machine. Additionally, the included steamer basket, which fits inside the bowl, turns this kitchen machine into a steamer, so you can steam fresh fish, meat and vegetables on your countertop. The Cooking Chef also includes five stainless steel, professional-quality bowl tools; each has been designed for high performance mixing to deliver perfect results with any recipe. With eight mixing speeds, three stirring speeds for cooking, pulse and fold functions for controlled mixing, accurate temperature between 70°F and 285°F and a three-hour timer, you are in control of your culinary adventures. Adored by world-class chefs and everyday epicureans alike, the Kenwood Cooking Chef understands your passion for food. Yaquby is the proud distributor of Kenwood in Bahrain
and appliances are available in all leading hypermarkets. Keep your eyes on our social media at womanthismonth and on Instagram at yaqubystores and Facebook Yaquby Stores for information on an exciting cook-off competition by Kenwood, in association with WTM, which will be announced on November 1. Visit www.yaquby.com/kenwood
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Fatima, Sawsan & Romana
Orsay Think Pink Event
The German brand, Orsay, hosted its first #ORSAYcares think pink event at its premises in City Centre Bahrain.
Dr Mariam & Dr Noof
Abeer, Zainab & Shaima
Linah, Sheree, Mary Grace & Rhinna
Alison & Amrita
Staff of German Orthopaedic Hospital
Speakers with their tokens of appreciation
54 November 2018
Leslie, Farheen & Grace
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showcase
DETAILS
OUT OF THE BOX
If you’re looking for home décor with a unique, groovy twist, Details has just the stuff you need.
H
ave you yearned to decorate your home with eclectic items that create a stir and command a second look? From extraordinary artefacts that pay tribute to distant cultures and mural fit-outs that lend elegance to your passageways – you’ll find all this and more at Details, located at Oasis Mall Juffair. Established in 2008 in Bahrain, Details is a key player in the field of contemporary design, showcasing a choice of brands offering trendy furniture, lighting, accessories, and flooring and finishes, all under one roof. The store upholds an ethos of excellent design, quality and service, with the objective to give shoppers accessibility to premium products suiting various budgets. A wide collection of high-quality items by design brands such as Diesel Living in collaboration with Moroso and Seletti are available. Lifestyle objects from Vondom fit in with any theme and are ideal for indoor and outdoor use, while the inimitable pieces from iBride invite you to daydream away.
wooden trays, tableware, key chains and decorative paraphernalia. Items from Bali Angels Bahrain are available; they were born out of a love for the beautiful Indonesian island, its culture, people and wonderful creativity. The shop has also partnered with Yalla Habibi where artists transpose their work onto beautiful, embroidered handmade cushions for your home. Eco-friendly medium-density fibreboard (MDF) products with high-resolution digital printing and a UV hardening protective paint are available at Details. They make for trendy and long-lasting furniture and home accessories suitable for adults and children. The company’s team of experts offer solutions that promote contemporary
design and prioritise customer service. They take the time to understand exactly what the client needs to be able to offer a full spectrum of solutions, thereby fulfilling your project requirements. Besides this, Details is committed to working only with manufacturers that share its passion for superior products and services. The concept’s outstanding reputation spans the Middle East, India and North Africa by working with some of the world’s leading brands and famous designers of high-end products for the residential and commercial markets. Call 17 593-616 (extension 525), visit www.detailsonlineshop.com or follow on Instagram @detailstrends and @imagesdorientbahrain.
Images d'Orient highlights the modern charm of Mediterranean heritage. Its meticulously selected original home accessories comprise personal miscellanea, home décor and daily must-haves, like coasters, placemats, trivets, tea boxes, www.womanthismonth.com
November 2018
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LIFESTYLE | home
Happy Haven
And suddenly, in the blink of an eye, your little one is not little anymore. When your fledgling has blossomed into a young adolescent, cutesy needs to give way to trendy, including in their bedrooms. Their sanctuary needs to be their own, cosy place where they can allow their minds and imaginations to be playgrounds for great ideas and, yes, also to just hang out with their friends. Now’s the time to step up their bedroom décor to reflect your teenager’s personality, along with being functional and space-saving at the same time. Don’t feel too bad if they love it but don’t let you inside.
Comfy Tongue Cushion Namshi.com
Funny Floors
Rugs Illulian
IKEA
Light Up Your World Table lamp Home Centre
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November 2018
Take Me With You Picture frame THE One
On A Limb
Flamingo ornaments Namshi.com
MisuraEmme www.womanthismonth.com
LIFESTYLE | home
Do the Locomotion
From Outer Space
Pen stand Details
Astronaut accessory Details
Catch the Eye Wall dĂŠcor THE One
Angular Face Mirror Smania
Pretty Little Things
Cabinet THE One
Sweet Dreams Bed Home Centre
Stretch Out Bean bag Home Centre
www.womanthismonth.com
November 2018
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Coffee Morning
The French Association Bahrain held its first coffee morning event at The Westin City Centre Bahrain.
Sohaila, Claudine, Nada, Kim, Aziza, Ada & Razia Corinne & Maryse
Laura & Rana
Isabelle, Ebru & Kaori
Tatyana, Nada & Sara
Shibbu, Dr Khalil & Dr Asma
Mubeen, Dr Kamala & Dr Arun
Breast Cancer Awareness
Middle East Hospital & Medical Centers held a breast cancer awareness event and health talk by gynaecologist specialist, Dr Asma Al Ansari, at its premises.
Dr Asma & Dr Sai
58 November 2018
Mariam & Dhuha
Rizza & Fatima
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Vegan View
Indonesian Batik Workshop Retnani Rahardjo, wife of the Indonesian Ambassador, hosted a Batik Workshop and Show at their residence.
Nanang Sharna & Retnani
Namrin & Laily
Rose & Arnavaz
Lahan Sperinck wants to talk about protein.
I
f you’re a vegan or know one, chances are you’ve asked or been asked the question ‘’Where do you get your protein from?’’
Let me start by saying this: all nutrients come from the sun or the soil. Not burgers. Vitamin D is created when your skin’s exposed to sunlight. Minerals come from the earth and vitamins from the plants that grow from it. That means all essential amino acids originate from, you guessed it, plants. One might refute this with ‘’But surely you can’t get enough by eating just plants?’’ Oh, how wrong you are. The largest study in history comparing vegans, meat eaters and other diets looked at how much protein each group would have a day on average. Based on a recommendation of 42g a day, every single group consumed way more than needed, with vegans and vegetarians having an average of 70 per cent more than necessary. In fact, only three per cent of people don’t meet the daily requirement, most likely because they aren’t eating enough in general. Even the American Heart Association says we don’t need animal protein. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (only the largest organisation of nutritional professionals in the world) says that a vegan or vegetarian diet, when planned right (aka not just junk food), is not only nutritionally adequate but that its healthy and can help treat and prevent certain diseases.
Mandy, Nabila & Mamta
Regina & Rihab
Masako & Jeanie
For those who feel like they would need supplements to be healthy, know that it is impossible – not hard, not unlikely – impossible to design a diet of whole plant foods that’s sufficient in calories and deficient in protein. You can put the whey scooper down now. At this point, your carnivorous friends are probably fuming and grasping for what might be the last rebuttal they have: ‘’But protein gave us our big brains!’’ Using this logic, you’d think breast milk which we consume during our infancy, the time of our most rapid growth, would have lots of it. Nope. It has the lowest concentration of protein out of every animal, of less than one per cent by weight. We just don’t need excessive protein. In conclusion, unless someone is starving or living off cotton candy, sincerely do not ask them about their protein consumption. www.womanthismonth.com
Perwin & Sarah
Amal
November 2018
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LIFESTYLE | opinion
BULLS, BEARS AND MULTIPLIERS M
FINANCIAL EXPERT PRIA MASSON TANWAR BREAKS DOWN THE JARGON.
y four-year-old thinks bears are among shares of a company, the higher its price and Mutual funds are essentially another the most frightening animals and, for its multiples. sector within this larger market space. Here, some reason, she really likes the bovine family large financial organisations specialise in On an aggregated level, a bull market is one and assumes they are docile and loving. Part identifying companies with the required where more people expect the aggregate of facts, part conditioning – but accurate when it companies listed on the stock exchange to balance of risk and returns, to create a comes to stock markets. As adults, we have all portfolio of companies they invest in. perform well. A bear market is the opposite heard of bull and bear markets, about market The companies within that portfolio keep i.e. the majority of people believe in a fall of rallies and falls, returns, ratios and multiples. changing based on various parameters driven the market. Since its essentially a created It’s an overwhelming world for people by the market and the technical knowledge outside the financial space. of the mutual fund manager. What It Means While this is partially due to The customers of these Bull Market Rising stock market trends conditioning, it is a technical mutual funds are essentially Bear Market Falling stock market trends space, and, for anyone who retail investors who, rather Multiplier between shareprice and the profit of the company i.e. was not trained in it, it’s a than investing in the exact Price to Earnings (P/E) shareprice = profit times the earnings per share unique language comprised shares, invest in another Profit of the company divided by the total number of shares issued of complicated jargon. Let’s created product or “mutual Earnings Per Share by the company to everyone begin by breaking down fund” the entire corpus of Market Capitalization Price per share times the number of shares issued by the company which is then invested in a that jargon. Liquidity The number of shares being traded in the stock market portfolio of companies. The The “stock market” is A created market space where an aggregated sum of money retail investors don’t own essentially a created market collected from many individual investors is invested together in shares, they own “units” in space where companies with Mutual Fund the stocks of a specific set of companies the fund. It’s an added layer actual businesses in the real The mutual fund equivalent of share holding i.e. a single share in of security since the company world, create a new product Mutual Fund Unit the mutual fund performance is protected to be traded – their own further by the fund manager’s performance. They do this ability to evaluate companies and to balance when their own core products and services marketspace, this belief drives the demand their holding within his portfolio. cannot generate the money that they need to and hence the prices creating bull rallies grow the business. They can do this, because their ability to operate and grow a business has a certain value that investors (financial institutions, high net worth/large investors as well as the common or retail investor) are willing to bet on.
In exchange for this money rendered to the company, these investors own small parts of the company or “shares” and hence make money (or not) based on the company’s performance. The “multiples” one reads of is the perceived value that aggregated investors attribute to the company’s performance. And like most trades, the more the demand for the
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or bear rallies whichever the case may be. A sort of self-fulfilling prophecy until enough companies over- or under-perform expectations.
The number of shares traded multiplied by the price of the share is the “market capitalisation” of a given company. Stock markets hence are segregated into bands of performance i.e. large caps, mid-caps and small-caps which are nothing but indicators of the size and track record of the companies within those bands. The higher the capitalisation, the less risky a company usually is and vice-versa.
The thing to remember is this: The stock market is essentially a created space to trade the performance of companies – the ‘fundamental product’ is still the products and services that ‘listed’ companies sell. So, common sense says if you are familiar with a specific country, sector or product, choose a company or a mutual fund that focuses on that space. While it’s great to trust your fund managers, if the fundamental product is familiar, you have your required edge of knowledge. If not, leave it to experts – but remember to ask questions. If your expert can’t or won’t answer, you just added a layer or risk to your investment plan.
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P Is For Potty!
LIFESTYLE | opinion
Ouaim Charkani El Hassani addresses the thorny issue of toilet training.
O
ne of the biggest milestones in the life of a child is potty training. It is something they all have to go through at some point in their lives, yet it is something all parents are stressed and overwhelmed by. Before I dig any deeper, I first would like to talk about the kids’ incredible awareness at this very early stage of their lives. Contrary to what we might think, they can sense and figure out when we – as parents – have our own agendas and projects when it comes to their lives or their little bodies. They know exactly when we are trying to make them do something, or when we are trying to make something happen, and the one thing they know very well how to do is to resist. This is their way to individuate. Resisting these agendas is an essential part of their development and the first step to learn how to emancipate themselves from their parents, and towards some more autonomy, which is very healthy and important. Now if we get back to the subject of toilet training, every mother takes this matter very seriously. There is a whole world out there about toilet training. There is a lot of literature about the subject, tons of books that make bestsellers just because the title includes the words “potty training”. There are mysterious tricks and tactics about how to do the whole thing in three days, there are different methods and philosophies out there, yet if we want to really understand the whole toilet training idea, it is something that we CAN’T control, nor can it be forced www.womanthismonth.com
on someone, let alone a child who, by nature, is going to resist every single action you take as their guardian. The solution is way simpler than we think. As simple as: Let the child decide their own fate. Simply have no agenda and allow this to be the child’s agenda and decision. Give them all the power and the time they need in this situation and let them know that you believe in them and that you trust that they will do it whenever they are ready, whenever they feel empowered by their bodies to do so. One of the many reasons that children might not be ready for toilet training is when they feel that they are still babies, and they still want to be babies, especially when there is another baby at home. Another reason is that this period is already a very confusing time for a two- or three-year-old toddler – therefore very sensitive and overwhelming – and any attempt to add anything to that mix will be doomed to failure. There is also much scientific research around the subject, stating that kids need to be physically ready before
starting that very agonising process, and that early training can be harmful or at least take much longer than when the kids are ready. Usually early training results in accidents all over the place, disappointed parents and uncomfortable kids. Children can sense when their parents are not too happy with them, and will simply go into denial mode, which will only create a very unsafe environment for the child, and will expose them to the true definition of failure, as opposed to honouring and empowering the child by trusting them to move at their own pace and by trusting them to do it whenever they are ready. Allowing children to achieve these developmental stages in their own way and time is essential for their confidence and self-esteem in the future. So, before you get all geared up and ready for the ‘Ultimate Potty Training’ experience, please check first if your child is ready and willing to go down this path with you. Chanelmama November 2018
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LIFESTYLE | travel
Captivating Canada
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The second-largest country in the world has a lot for the avid traveller. Catering to different vacation ideas – adventure, relaxation or hearty exploration – Canada has them all.
November 2018
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LIFESTYLE | travel
Authentic dim sum in Chinatown is a must try!
Book a boat trip to whale watch but also keep your eyes peeled for other marine life.
Take a tour around the picture-perfect Butchart Gardens.
The Gate of Harmonious Interest gives access to Victoria’s Chinatown.
The Victoria Parliament building is truly a sight to behold.
Victoria
The capital of British Columbia province, Victoria used to be the epitome of an English city in Canada until changing times saw brightly coloured, picturesque buildings, cafés and the like, draw visitors in. At the Royal British Colombia Museum, tales of natural and human history are shared by way of galleries, exhibitions and authentic artefacts. The Woolly Mammoth exhibit, a Chinatown featured walk-through, and currently, The Time of Pharaohs exhibition are some of the viewing options you shouldn’t miss. If you have time, try to watch a documentary screening at their popular IMAX theatre. While away some time at Victoria’s Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, on Fisgard Street, the entrance of which is marked by The Gate of Harmonious Interest in traditional red and gold architecture. Very different to the rest of the city, you’re bound
to wander through historic buildings, tourist spots and Chinese cultural attractions. You’ll find this diverse neighbourhood provides a great cheap shopping experience. Head to Don Mee’s for some amazing dim sum, because, after all, what’s a visit to Chinatown without sitting down for some authentic Chinese chow? Make your way to Miniature World, famous for its miniature dioramas and displays. From tiny doll houses and the Valley of Castles to a mini Great Canadian Railway and Classic Car Rally, both adults and children will be fabulously entertained. If you’re looking for something exciting and adventurous, well, Victoria has something for that too – escape rooms! So detailed (with high-tech props) are these rooms, you won’t even notice time fly by as you piece together clues to uncover a mystery.
The picturesque Victoria inner harbour.
Craigdarroch Castle, once a stately home, invites tourists to marvel at its extravagant interiors and exterior.
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LIFESTYLE | travel
A spectacular panorama of Lake Minnewanka, second only to seeing it in person.
T
he town of Banff, in Alberta, is more of a resort destination famous for outdoor sports and panoramic views. For those seeking to experience nature and its wonders, unspoiled Banff is the place to be. You simply cannot visit this area without stopping at Banff National Park. With endless hiking, mountain biking, camping and other opportunities, the park warmly welcomes adventurous tourists. Every year, however, along with the outdoors lovers come writers and artists galore, drawn to the serene landscape – a source of inspiration. Book a canoe tour or a guided hike to make the most of your time at Banff National Park. Enjoy a relaxed picnic while canoeing down Lake Minnewanka. As winter approaches, you can
Banff
The mountains invite snowboarding and ski enthusiasts.
explore the area around the pristine lake on skis or snowshoes. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see the magical Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Visit the Upper Hot Springs Pool where a soak in the steamy waters will instantly revive your holiday spirits. Take some time out to check out Banff Avenue where you’ll come across a few historic buildings, one of which is the Banff Park Museum. A hop-on hop-off bus would also be a fun way to explore the area and take some snaps while you get to enjoy the cool autumn breeze on your face. Wild tales of spooky events and Banff’s hidden history come out at night on ghost walks, making for an eventful evening on the streets.
The Banff Gondola takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain in a cable car.
Take a leisurely stroll down Banff Avenue with a hot cocoa warming your hands.
A wildlife tour in Banff offers the chance to see animals in their natural habitat.
Hike the Canadian Rockies for an unparalleled scenic view.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs pool is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
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LIFESTYLE | travel
Visit during the festive season and see the whole town lit up.
Calaway Park is a fun destination for adults and kids alike. Poutine – a French fries and cheese curd dish, topped with gravy – is an absolute essential.
Calgary
Also found in Alberta, Calgary is its largest city and possibly your easiest place of entry into Banff. However, Calgary has so much more to offer as a major city. Visiting during the autumn months would be a good bet, as the scenery is almost snow globe-like, and hotel prices are at their lowest. Calgary is a great place to sightsee for those of you who want to cross a few items off the bucket list. A drive down Centre Street gives you a glimpse into the diversity of this city, while you also get to see the famous Calgary Tower. For those brave enough to tackle great heights, you can even make your way up to the observation deck for unparalleled views of the Canadian Rockies. Spend a little time at the Inglewood Bird
Sanctuary and Nature Centre if you’re into birdwatching and wildlife appreciation. As night falls, head to Crescent Heights – this trip will not disappoint as you take in the Calgary skyline in all its glory. Calgary is also nicknamed ‘Cowtown’, for one, because this is a primarily beef-eating city. Therefore, head to Caesar’s Steak House & Lounge for some killer cuts. However, don’t limit yourself – you’re on holiday, after all! Kickstart one of your mornings in a good way by heading to OEB for a delicious breakfast poutine that will make your day. Grab a milkshake at Peter’s Drive-In, known for its extensive menu of unconventional milkshake flavours – go bold, and try one you wouldn’t usually dare.
The Peace Bridge – Often referred to as the Finger-Trap Bridge, this unique design provides a nice photo-op.
Enjoy underground nightlife at Sub Rosa, but make sure you book in advance.
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The Calgary Tower is a spectacular sight when it’s illuminated at night.
The snowy banks of River Bow resemble a Christmas decoration.
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BE
HA HBE
OR RS P
SCH
E
N I O J S LETE
NI B
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E OTH
ATH
Y L I M A F E H T
Porsche has added two new GTS models to the Panamera line-up. With a powerful performance from the four-litre V8 biturbo engine (338kW/460hp), extra dynamic chassis systems, including three-chamber air suspension, and their own unique design elements and equipment, the Panamera GTS and Panamera GTS Sport Turismo harness a one-of-a-kind performance package. For example, the Sport Design package with black exterior elements and large Alcantara surfaces in the interior is included as standard. What’s more, Porsche has expanded its portfolio of comfort and assistance systems to include a head-up display with various configuration options for the entire Panamera range.
Emotion and Efficiency
At the heart of both of the new models is a four-litre V8 engine with 338kW (460hp) of output and maximum torque of 620Nm. The biturbo engine, which features a gasoline particulate filter, outperforms its predecessor by 15kW (20hp) and 100Nm, accelerating the Panamera GTS and Panamera GTS Sport Turismo from 0 to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds. The two models achieve a top speed of 292 and 289km/h respectively. There are no interruptions in tractive force as power is transmitted to the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system by the eight-speed PDK dual clutch gearbox. Their exceptional performance is achieved with moderate consumption of just 10.3 litres/100km (Sport Turismo: 10.6 litres/100km); the CO2emissions are 235g/km (Sport Turismo: 242g/km).
Performance and Comfort
The chassis systems are impressively dynamic. www.womanthismonth.com
showcase
The adaptive air suspension with threechamber technology is fitted as standard, which results in flexible control and optimum spring rate spread. The sports chassis in the two GTS models has been lowered by 10mm, while the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) function has been adapted for an even sportier calibration. Large brakes deliver outstanding deceleration.
That Distinctive GTS Look
The new Panamera GTS models’ basic equipment package has been significantly upgraded. The Sport Design package with a new black front end, black trim at the bottom of the rear, and a variety of darker elements highlights the more athletic appearance. The GTS models are equipped with 20-inch Panamera Design wheels as standard. The interior features hallmark elements of black Alcantara and anodised aluminium. The standard package also includes a heated multifunction sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and Alcantara trim and the Connect Plus module for a wide range of digital services. With the optional Interior GTS package, drivers can customise their vehicle with various design elements, such as a rev counter, designer seams and GTS logos in the contrasting shades of Carmine Red or Crayon.
projects all relevant information directly into their direct line of sight in full colour.
Better Day-to-Day Driving
As is tradition at Porsche, GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport. Porsche’s first road-approved sports car, the 904 Carrera GTS, was launched all the way back in 1963, bringing racing technology to the streets. The first generation of the Panamera GTS came in 2011, initially available as a sports saloon only. Now, the new Panamera GTS is also available as a Sports Turismo. With a large boot lid, low loading sill, increased luggage compartment and four-plus-one seating configuration, the new GTS variant based on the 2017 model meets the highest of standards for everyday driving, while also delivering outstanding performance. The new GTS models are available to order now. Call 17 459-911.
A First for the Panamera
The GTS models offer all the same innovations as the second-generation Panamera range. These include the digital Porsche Advanced Cockpit, assist systems such as Porsche InnoDrive including adaptive cruise control, and optional rear-axle steering. The GTS also features one highlight that is new to the entire Panamera range – the head-up display. This can be configured by the driver and November 2018
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Maryam & Huda Margeret & Martyna
Yalla Banat Event
Madeegah, Dalal, Rizqa, Jawaher & Zainab
Fajar, Rana, Hajer & Noor
Emily, Sara & Sara
Khalid & Nawal
Yalla Banat organised the ‘Women In the Driver Seat’ event at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Vipin, Rihan, Jipsy & Bryan
Yaqoob & Ahmed
Basma & Hanan
Eman
Budoor, Nawal & Ahlam
Toni & Guy crew
68 November 2018
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
The ribbon-cutting ceremony
New Mazda Showroom International Motor Trading Agency held the official opening of its new state-of-the-art Mazda showroom in Sitra.
Anil, KN Singh & Suzy Kanoo
Wani’s Baby Shower Wani, wife of the Malaysian Ambassador, held a baby shower at their residence.
Tosin, Naz & Mandy
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Osugi, Doi, Adel Kanoo & KN Singh
Ladies at Wani’s baby shower
Nada, Asha, Flora & Maya
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Zina & Christy The ribbon-cutting ceremony
LBC Bahrain branch opening took place at its LBC Opening The premises in Gudaibiya.
Hassan, Mare, Richard & Ali
JB, Leslie & Jess
Around Town
Yalla Banat held an interactive panel with mother influencers from Bahrain at Centrepoint, Oasis Mall, Juffair.
Amazon Web Services and C5 Nebula held an interactive event to discuss ways to increase women’s representation in technology and develop a more inclusive workforce.
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The Spadaro Parfum launch took place at the Capital Club Bahrain.
Jihan and Perwin celebrated their birthdays at LNT Gastropub. L-R: Anne, Sherin,Jihan,Perwin & Rihab
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LIFESTYLE
WIN BIG
AND GET FIT P
ure Yoga + Cycle (PYC) is the coolest new fitness hangout for islanders and has quickly gained recognition for its excellent Spinning and yoga training facilities. Proprietor Fatima Batook is a Spinning master instructor herself and also the founder of Tima, the first Arab / Saudi brand for fitness and sport apparel in the Middle East which debuted in 2015. PYC is currently the only premiere hot yoga studio and licensed Spinning facility in Bahrain. It is located in Hamala, close to the British School of Bahrain and Batelco. The centre boasts new instructors, new offerings and a sleek retail area full of healthy and ecofriendly items, including Tima apparel. The outlet offers various styles of yoga,
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We at Woman This Month are feeling generous and we’ve teamed up with the lovely folks at Pure Yoga + Cycle to give you the chance to get fit and fab, all by entering our social media competition. including Bikram, Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Odaka, Kundalini, Sivananda, Nidra, Rocketflow, Glow-in-the-dark, Yin, Restorative, Power and Crossfit Yoga to suit your needs. There are separate classes for males and females, as well as mixed groups. Mats, showers, a changing area and towels are all available for your use. PYC brings Spinning in its original form for the first time to Bahrain, and is enthusiastic to show residents its effectiveness in achieving a fit, toned body. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, PYC immediately puts clients at ease. In the pipeline are new sessions, corporate yoga classes, a weight-loss programme, workshops and new partnerships at the friendly space.
COMPETITION TIME
We've partnered with Pure Yoga + Cycle to help kick-start your journey to a healthy life by giving away two gift vouchers worth BD100 each to two lucky readers. To enter: 1. Follow us on Instagram @ womanthismonth 2. Tag three friends.
Last month's winners were: Romiyeh Abdulrahman Abdullah Maryam Khalid Alshaikh
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Star
horoscopes
Gazing Sagittarius
Raphael tells us what’s written in the stars this month
It looks like you could be burning the candle at both ends. You are doing a fine job; however, life cannot continue like this and you are reaching extremes. It is time to simmer down, before you burn yourself out. It appears a fiery woman full of passion and spark is influencing your actions, your behaviour, your beliefs and your feelings: she is tempting you to act slightly out of character. Take control of the current situation to curb your actions..
Capricorn
As far as your family is concerned, many of you will have reached a crossroads this month as you are forced to make a difficult decision on your future. Whilst either option will inevitably prove beneficial for you and a partner, the same may not be said for children that rely on you. However, you need to accept that responsibility does not fall with you alone and if you want to find the stability and happiness you seek then certain sacrifices must be made.
Aquarius
The message this month is for you to surrender to your creativity and grab the opportunities that this will open-up. Your sign is a great organiser; you always manage to rally others to your tasks by using the natural resources around you and this will help you succeed; you won’t be able to achieve it without team work. Get the balance right and it will be a great ending to the year with a huge amount of promise for 2019.
Pisces
Your sign is creative, emotional and compassionate and this month you may need to demonstrate all of these qualities as you tackle a difficult family issue, revolving around a young relative. Only an empathetic approach will aid this delicate matter and no one is better equipped than you to achieve it. On the work front, things could be less clear cut and you may have to adopt a more political stance to negotiate a tricky path so all parties are happy with the final deal.
Aries
A long-standing dispute is finally going to reach its conclusion this month and the good news is that the ending will fall in your favour. You deserve the recognition for all the hard work and energy you have applied but it has www.womanthismonth.com
also proven a drain on your resources and what you now need to do is to increase your income generation. This might sound difficult but fortunately you are adept at raising revenue.
to be committed and honest about what you expect to achieve. You have always said that having your own business has been a particular ambition of yours, so now you really have to prove it.
Taurus
Virgo
You are at the peak of your inspirational powers right now, focused on present ideas and continually scanning and searching for additional outlets for your creative energy. This may be in the form of a new project of your own or helping someone with an exciting undertaking. Whatever you decide to do you can be sure that initiating it now will produce the very best results possible.
Gemini
Love can be a difficult emotion to discover but it is often an even more challenging thing to keep fresh. Many of you may be feeling disillusioned because career and a hectic family life have interrupted your previously close relationships and it has resulted in you moving apart rather than closer to your partner. Take some time out and try to rekindle that fire. For most of you it is still very much there.
Cancer
As one door closes, so another one opens. You need to keep this in mind because some of you may get some bad news on the work front this month but you should view it as a temporary problem because another, much bigger opportunity is waiting for you. The most important thing is that you do not allow yourself to get disheartened because you can sometimes be prone to depression.
Leo
Some of you may be embarking on a new venture and the good news is that despite a slow start, things are really going to take off for you this month so prepare for a demanding few weeks ahead. For this to work, you need
If someone comes to you this month with a tip or the notion of a “safe bet” then you should follow your instincts and go with them for there is much to be gained financially. The benefit may not be immediate but when it does come it may be overwhelming. The principal thing to bear in mind here is that whatever you hear or are told you need to keep strictly to yourself. Sharing the information – no matter how tempting – will jeopardise everything.
Libra
A new partnership could be on the horizon but it may not be the kind you were expecting and could serve more as a bridge to other things rather than develop into any kind of long-term relationship. Still, the offer of companionship – even on a purely platonic level – could be exactly what you need now and you would be foolish to turn it away because you may still be clinging on to a past hope. You would also do well to curb any physical temptation put in your path since no eventual good will come of it.
Scorpio
Whenever we face a challenge or have an important decision to make, there are generally two main paths to take. This is exactly where you will find yourself this month, experiencing conflict between your intellect and the less rational, intuitive aspects of yourself. I suggest you open your eyes and focus on what you really want, sticking your head in the sand will not help and avoiding important issues will not make them go away. Raphael November 2018
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last word
In Her Shoes Kena Roldan, Pure Yoga + Cycle studio manager, shares some fast facts about her life. Last big splurge on your credit card?
Early bird or night owl?
A laptop for my mom.
Early bird definitely!
Is there a skill you would like to learn?
If you could have any car, regardless of price, what would it be?
How to paint.
Mercedes-Benz G550.
kena Most frightening thing you’ve ever done?
Go through the uncertainty of lupus attacks.
Dream holiday destination? Maldives.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Tell us a secret about yourself. I’m a Lupus Warrior
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November 2018
As tiny as I am, I would still like to be an ant as they are hard workers and the ultimate team players.
Favourite ice cream flavour? Avocado.
www.womanthismonth.com
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N E M O W N O I T A I V A N I
Be p
E
RENC E F N O C
2018
mber16 Nove
EDUCATION FINANCING EMPOWERMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT Seek out opportunities for women looking for careers in the aviation and aerospace industries MAJOR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE:
• To encourage collaboration with aviation industry officials. • Implementation of policies and processes, for the empowerment of women through education, training and fast-track development programmes.
• The conference will provide a road map for those individuals contemplating a career in the industry.
#WomenInAviationME2018
www.Womeninaviationconference2018.com
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