Woman This Month - February 2015

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | PEOPLE | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES

February 2015 | Issue 144 | BD1 / SR10

SCARF ART

WITH THE ANNADA SISTERS

HOME

CREATE A BEDROOM SANCTUARY INSPIRATIONS

ZAIN AL KHALIFA localppl.com

ROMANTIC DINING THE BEST RESTAURANTS

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the beauty of design

Moroso Spa Udine Milano London Amsterdam KĂśln New York Beijing www.moroso.it Details showroom & office No. 17 Palm square Budaiya Highway Kingdom of Bahrain T +973 17 590171 Take a line for a walk armchair, 2003

by Alfredo Häberli Gentry sofa, 2011

by Patricia Urquiola

FEBRUARY 8

SHOPPING

08 Editor’s Choice: Love is in the Air 10 Pick of the Month: Second Skin 12 Retail Therapy: What’s new on the retail scene

FASHION

14 Fashion Forward: High Street Heroes 16 Style Radar: What the stars are wearing 18 Get the Look: Contemporary Romance 20 Trend: Blue Valentine 22 Now & Then: Two versions, one icon

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PEOPLE

32 Annada Sisters: Wearable Art 34 Fatema and Fatema: A Work in Progress 35 Zain Al Khalifa: Local Inspirations 37 Community: Dr Amy Bowzaylo

FEATURE

57 Dining: Valentine's choices, review, 10 tips

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BEAUTY

38 News: The latest products in store 42 Review: Dessange Spa 44 Advice: Hair colour trends

LIFESTYLE

48 Home: Create a sanctuary 50 Wellbeing: Nagging Niggles 66 Travel: Romantic destinations 68 Food: Chocolate for lovers 70 Horoscope: What to expect this month 72 In Her Shoes: One woman's essentials

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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 the address provided on page 4. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

’m really happy to introduce myself as I’ve joined Red House Marketing, Woman This Month’s parent company, as we head into February, the month of romance. We’ve gone all out to bring you lots of ideas for lovers from the best restaurants for that special dinner for two to super-romantic travel destinations and indulgent beauty treatments to make sure you’re looking your best on the big day.

We’re now a few weeks into 2015 and, I’m sad to say, the resolutions have already gone out the window. If you’re in the same boat, make sure you check out our fashion and beauty features for some inspiration to kick-start the New Year overhaul.

Our interviewees this month are a group of women who certainly don’t lack inspiration from students Fatema and Fatema, on page 34, who are seeing a theoretical college project come to life, to Zain Al Khalifa, on page 35, who has set up localppl.com to give tourists the chance to see Bahrain through locals’ eyes.

And here at Woman This Month we’ve also been inspired to make some changes, the wonderful Fernanda Langhammer, who’s been bringing you the latest in fashion and beauty for the last two years, will be taking over the editor’s chair from next month so you can look forward to lots more cutting-edge news and features in the future.

Exciting times ahead!

chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial consultant STAN SZECOWKA editorial director LIZ O'REILLY fashion and beauty editor FERNANDA LANGHAMMER contributors ANKITA MAMGAIN BEHNAZ SANJANA DR JIHAN DARWISH RAPHAEL HANNA MOORE JAMES CLAIRE creative director ANDRE BIGG print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers FARHEEN AHMED circulation KATHERINE LAO photography editor AISHA SIDDIQA photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press UNION PRESS, BAHRAIN Contents copyrighted 2015© 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: wtmeditor@rhm.bh 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

RayBan

Ralph Lauren

Chanel

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There’s no denying it, today’s woman is not quite fully-dressed without a fancy pair of sunglasses. Of course they don’t have to be of the designer variety, the high street has a huge selection to suit every face shape and pocket. But, to my mind, you really can’t beat good quality shoes and shades. These are my current objects of lust!

Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide

February 2015, issue 144 On the cover: Model wears Annada scarf

Follow us on: @woman_this_month @WomanThisMonthB Woman This Month

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letters

Write Here Write Now

Get in touch by email, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!

I have always looked for more ideas for my walls at home.

My house has large bare walls and since moving in, I have struggled to give the rooms more character.

I especially liked the plate idea in the dining room – so unique and original.

Maggie

Letter Last month you ran a feature on health and wellbeing and I loved the pages on the different things everyone needs to feel good and energetic. As someone who has struggled with food habits over the years it was great to read Muneera Obaidli’s article on how to control your food more by not restricting everything you eat. I have strong emotional connections to food and go through periods of binge eating and starving myself. Knowing that there are healthy, non-addictive equivalent foods to make and find, I really hope I’ll be able to sustain a healthier regime and not be so critical all the time.

Yasmine

WTM Social Buzz

I’m so grateful that you answered my question in your beauty advice page last month.

It helped a lot and has made me more confident about choosing the right hairstyle for my face shape. Thank you!

Jen

Vote for the Best Woman This Month Cover of 2014 contest The #WTMQuote which was most liked on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

The Bahrain Hotel & Restaurant Guide’s new Logo was a hit amongst our fans on Twitter & Facebook.

Fans on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter were asked to vote their favourite Woman This Month cover in 2014 along with a reason why – and true to our word we said they would get featured in the magazine.

The MAY issue of Woman This Month was chosen as the best cover of 2014 by most of the participants.

Teresita Casimiro was the winner of our 'Vote for the Best 2014 WTM Cover' contest.

Teresita voted for May and felt the cover was pretty, simple and smart.

Heartiest Congratulations Teresita!! #TeamWTM

We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at wtmletters@rhm.bh

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La Redoute

SHOPPING | editor's choice

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LOVE IS IN THE AIR

1. Heart decoration: The White Company 2. Dress: BHS 3. Watch: Oasis 4. Cardigan: M&Co 5. Heart puzzle: Tiger Stores 6. Silver bag: Bershka 7. Mini chest: Dotcomgiftshop 8. Napkin holder: Cuckooland 9. Candle set: Red5.

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Inspired by the romantic month, we dedicate this page to the heart. Decorate your house and open up your soul with objects that will make you fall in love all over again. Dress up as a cupid queen and spread the love!

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SHOPPING | pick of the month

Second Skin Women in Bahrain have a new lingerie store to shop at in one of the main malls on the island. Modern designs in a variety of styles and sizes are waiting for you.

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ilavitsa is a European lingerie brand that has been producing women’s undergarments for over 50 years and has over 600 franchising stores in 25 countries.

Bahrain became the 23rd country on Milavitsa’s retail map. The first store was opened in June 2013 at Enma Mall, East Riffa and now the new location is at Seef Mall.

Very soon you will also find a new branch opening at Muharraq Seef Mall.

The brand offers its products in a wide range, taste and budget. The sizes span from

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30AA up to 52G in regular collections and up to 52K, L, M in selected models. This means that most of the models that you fall in love with can be found in your specific number.

The collections differ in style, colour, fabric, accessories and price without losing the guideline of comfort, fit and support.

Milavitsa has three main lines. The Classic collection has a wide selection of everyday styles combining basic designs, comfortable fits and durable materials. The Fashion collection brings delicate lingerie pieces

for a feminine feel with trendy prints and materials, while the Alisee collection is a boutique line made with original designs, embroideries, appliquĂŠ and prints created by French designers.

The brand also offers elegant sleepwear, fashionable swimsuits and a new generation of shapewear to tighten the curves.

Maternity models and cotton rich and nonwired bras are also available.

Call 17 261-515 (Seef Mall).

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SHOPPING | news

BRIDAL COLLECTION

The month of love may be the perfect moment to propose or to upgrade your wedding band. Chopard has a collection of solitaire rings, wedding rings and bespoke jewellery sets to accompany your happily ever after. The designs follow the fine traditions of the brand with elegant modernity.

BATHROOM ACCESSORIES

Give a calm, clean and peaceful look to your restroom, embellishing it with gorgeous accessories. The White Company has a variety of lidded glass jars, white lacquer trays, hand-woven storage baskets and hand-crafted body brushes to help you create a spa feeling in your home.

RETAIL THERAPY Inspire your shopping list with our monthly selection.

Invest in new items for your home and enjoy our special gift to you!

HOME SOLUTIONS

Al Rashid Group just opened a second Home Box at Marina Mall.

Contemporary furniture, home furnishings and accessories for all living spaces with international trends are on the store's shelves. The wide selection of products comes with attractive prices, most furniture has a two-year warranty and is comfortably delivered at your doorstep.

SPECIAL GIFT

To celebrate love and romance, Woman This Month in partnership with Sarah is offering you a BD5 voucher to be spent in the store until February 15. Get a fantastic piece to enchant your Valentine’s Day. To use this gift, just present this page at the store and enjoy your shopping experience.

WINTER’S GLOW

Stuart Vevers’ Coach collection is full of neon brights inspired by New York and Coney Island. This limited edition line brings handbags and accessories with fluorescent rubber, binding and trims juxtaposing the brand’s signature designs. For the first time, a leather and fluorotrimmed bicycle joins the product range.

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PO Box: 50323, Fax :+973-17464844, E-mail : Info@membh.com

HIDD, Kingdom of Bahrain

FASHION | fashion forward

HIGH STREET HEROES Fashion is our passion and every month we fall in love with new must-have pieces. Get inspired by our selection and spice up your wardrobe.

CLASSIC LITERATURE

COOL STUFF

Contemporary designs with casual and easy-to-wear items are Tommy Hilfiger’s trademark and we simply love it! From the denim washes to the variety of jackets and coats, the collection is well coordinated. Sharp patterns and a well-composed colour palette are essential in a modern woman’s wardrobe. It’s all down to the simple pieces that carry the wow effect.

LOOK UPGRADE

Sweaters are a teen’s favourite clothing piece.

However, if your young years are way behind you, picking a more elaborate warmer should be your go-to. GAP has iconic pieces and its metallic option can be paired with nice leggings or mini skirts for a cool look. To finalise the visual concept, rocker boots or oxfords work well.

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The object in question does look like a book but it is actually a funky clutch.

Olympia Le-Tan plays with a fantasy universe to create innovative accessories. It works as an eye-catching element to any white t-shirt and jeans. The whole collection can be found at NET-A-PORTER.COM.

URBAN COWBOY Booties are a great deal for the cold days. They can be worn with leggings, mini skirts and long dresses, giving a dandy tone to your final look. Massimo Dutti has a selection of trendy shoes that pair nicely with its clothing lines. The minimal style of the brand allows intuitive additions to its clean and well-settled collection.

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CHARMING VINTAGE

Colour-blocking is a trend from the sixties that made its comeback a while ago and decided to stay.

The style is spotted in clothes, shoes and mainly handbags. The latter is a must-have in every fashionista’s collection. This pastel New Look squared carrier is certainly a keeper. For a true ladylike look, this is a mandatory element.

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CRUCIAL DETAIL Chunky bracelets follow the oversized necklace trend.

They are statement pieces finely selected to draw attention to your look. We picked this heart bangle from lolaandgrace, which you can find at A La Mode to celebrate the month of love. Add a few more ornaments in different designs to have a packed, stylish wrist.

February 2015

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FASHION | snaps

Style Radar Long dresses and short numbers are the hot picks for celebrities this month. Get inspired by their natural beauty and fashionable style.

HEATHER GRAHAM

The American actress chose an autumn and winter 2014 Paule Ka black carpet dress when she showed up at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball in New York City. The white frock can easily be worn as a simple yet chic bridal gown. The ruffle along the skirt gives the wow effect. But the chunky flower ring is dispensable; it doesn’t complement the finesse of the look.

KATE BOSWORTH

A Coach tangerine leather mod dress from the spring/summer 2015 collection was Kate’s pick to attend the brand’s store reopening party at Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The dress is casual and painted in the colour for the next season; however, the choice of the accessories is questionable. The small delicate clutch definitely clashes with the heavy clogs. Don’t you think?

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KARLIE KLOSS

The model picked a cute black and white column gown to celebrate the closing of the Victoria’s Secret show held at Earls Court in London. To finish the look, she wore Messika’s diamond earrings and bracelet. The front split skirt is a growing trend, with a few celebrities having been spotted sporting the style.

KATE HUDSON

Donning a feminine Louis Vuitton mini dress from the Resort 2015 collection, the actress coloured the dinner party hosted by the brand during Art Basel in Miami. A pair of Christian Louboutin pumps complemented the sassy look. The box clutch is a signature of the season.

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EMILY BLUNT

The beauty landed on Middle Eastern soil to attend the IWC Filmmakers Award at the 11th Annual Dubai International Film Festival. For the occasion, she wore a forest green lace gown with grosgrain detailing from the Lanvin 2015 pre-summer collection. The long dress is an impact maker – exactly what you want for red carpet events.

JULIANNE MOORE

The famous redhead opted for the edgy New York brand Delpozo to shine at the Palm Springs Film Festival in California.

Julianne wore a short coral dress with off-the-shoulder puffs, tulle pleated hem and sequined beads. The nude Givenchy sandals are the perfect final touch to the detailed garment.

February 2015

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FASHION | get the look

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

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The month of love drives us to a more romantic style, however, our fashion and beauty editor, Fernanda Langhammer gives her own twist to the ladylike look. Are you more of a princess than a modern vintage girl or are you a soft punk-rock diva?

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Dillon Xue

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1. Heart rings: Accessorize; 2. Necklace: Coast; 3. Sunglasses: MICHAEL Michael Kors; 4. Handbag: Bulgari; 5. Platform sandals: Charles & Keith; 6. Kimono dress: Hoss Intropia.

CLASSY FASHIONISTA

Rosamund Pike

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he pinkish shade paired with golden accessories tells us that this girl follows the classic romantic flair. The modern touch is represented by the kimono dress, platform sandals and multiple rings. Keeping the style we love best is definitely a way to tell people who we are and adding bits of new elements makes it look even cooler. A chunky necklace and heavy heels can transform the whole concept, making it edgy and audacious.

The hippie inspiration also creates a refreshing effect. www.womanthismonth.com

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1. Knitted top: H&M 2. Heart bracelet: Tiffany & Co 3. Necklace: Parfois 4. Handbag: Salvatore Ferragamo 5. Skirt: Miss Selfridge 6. Knee-high boots: Louis Vuitton.

DAY DREAMER P

assionate girls and full skirts have been a winning combo for a long time; it is just a matter of updating the style to give this long-lasting relationship a happy ending. The piece can be midi, short or long, depending on taste and body composition. The Aztec pattern gives a breath of fresh air to the look, so search for eye-catching prints if you want to show-off your daring style. The draped detail is a plus to the whole concept. Team it up with a knitted top and knee-high boots to give a winter vibe to the look.

To wear it all year long, opt for ballerinas and short sleeved-tops. www.womanthismonth.com

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1. Biker jacket: Mango 2. Heart shoulder bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 3. Leggings: Monsoon 4. Necklace: Lanvin 5. Dress: Bershka 6. Ankle boots: Hobbs.

LOVE AND LUSH

ho said rock n’ rollers don’t have feelings? The outside rebel look hides a very feminine and romantic woman.

Tight trousers, high heels and a leather jacket put her in charge of her actions while her feminine curves are exposed.

The look has a youngster appeal giving space for funky elements such as a heart shaped shoulder bag. If you enjoy the style but showing-off is not really your thing, opt for a short dress with a vibrant print to pair with the leggings. The composition above is an overview of the classic punk style with some girly touches. Happy Valentine's Day. February 2015

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FASHION | trend 1

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BLUE

VALENTINE

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Instead of fatal red, we've opted for bold blue.

The cold shade can easily warm your heart when painting stylish pieces for a breathtaking look.

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CH Carolina Herrera

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10 1. Hat: Parfois; 2. Sunglasses: Bulgari; 3. Top: Salsa; 4. Night gown: TATI; 5. Sweater: Tommy Hilfiger; 6. Clutch: Charles & Keith; 7. Necklace: Call It Spring; 8. Ring: H&M; 9. Heart bracelet: Koton; 10. Pump: Aldo Shoes

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EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE @

Lulu Centre Tel : 17 250 334 ♦ Juffair : 17 826 884 ♦ Muharraq : 17 343 266 Hamad Town : 17 412 563 ♦ Salmaniya : 17 252 624 ♦ Galali : 17 32 00 25 Segayya (Al Hayat Shopping Centre) : 17 00 30 61 ♦ MegaMart Express : 17 382 511

KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

West Riffa Mall : 17 650 075 ♦ Saar : 17 225 818

FASHION | now & then

A Tale of Two Styles: Anne Hathaway

The Hollywood actress only became a fashion icon after her role in the The Devil Wears Prada. However, her look has changed drastically after appearing in the musical Les Miserables. Check out her evolving style!

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eep V-neck tops and short dresses were part of Anne’s wardrobe at the beginning of her career. Daring photos and very feminine red carpet gowns were her trademark. The long locks and tinted big lips defined her style back then. Her natural beauty was always a plus and definitely the main eyecatching element in her dress code.

1. Ring: Debenhams; 2. Dress: Eucalyptus; 3. Shoes: The Vestry.

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CONFIDENT STAR

fter taking on a bob cut hairstyle to interpret Fantine in the famous musical, her wardrobe was transformed.

Simply-cut dresses, no curves and vintage style were spotted in her everyday and red carpet moments.

Strapless gowns in long or midi length are her favourites. Her post-Oscar success brought Calvin Klein Collection and Lanvin designs into her life.

4. Wide trousers: Mango; 5. Handbag: Chanel; 6. Sandals: Steve Madden.

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Toni&Guy 3rd Anniversary

Toni & Guy, a division of Joz Salon & Spa, celebrated three years of uninterrupted service to the community in Bahrain on December 14, 2014. To mark the special occasion there was a gathering at Toni & Guy, Seef Mall.

Nicole & Liezel

Vinny, Maisa & Abdulla

Julie Ditchfield & Joanne Lund

Liezel, Jordan & Nicole

Holly & Georgia

24 February 2015

Hana, Callum & Adele

Vinny & Nawal

Enas & Farah

Wilma, & DJ Zoie

Aysha & Suaad

Maha & Suraya

Patricia & Hema

Chitra & Angelita

Lubica & Aysha www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION

CLOSE TO THE HEART Leather bracelets are a hot trend and to make them more feminine, lolaandgrace embellished its design with rose gold-tone plated hearts. The same youthful accessory can be found in black leather and golden studs. The brand offers an entire collection of earrings, pendants and bracelets with the same modern approach to romance. Get to A La Mode and check them out!

STYLISH DETAILS At A La Mode you’ll find the ideal jewellery to surprise your loved one. Romantic and unique pieces are the right pick for an unforgettable moment.

TO INFINITY The never-ending symbol has a simple design that pleases most tastes and style. Esprit found inspiration in this modern love sign to develop its creations. This delicate and feminine bracelet is made of steel in silver colour. The piece is the final touch to a casual look or an eye-catching complement to formal attire.

SHE’S THE QUEEN A crown pendant with a beautiful pearl cannot be more majestic. This unique piece combines Misaki’s X-Treme Lustre Pearl, crystals and silver in a fine design. The classic, yet trendy jewel is an eyecatcher. If you are looking for an original gift or just want to pamper yourself with a special accessory, you have just found it!

Call 17 179-863 (City Centre Bahrain) or 17 581-588 (Seef Mall). www.womanthismonth.com

February 2015

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Ahmed, Mounia

Azadea Staff Party Jamal, Haneen, Mike Ebrahim, Maryam, Elias

Yasmina, Ali, Kinda, Amro

Azadea Group organised a Christmas gathering event for both back office and shop employees at Elite Residence, Seef.

Elian, Rayan, Osmat, Dayana Dunia, Fatema

Bradly, Jennifer

Anas, Bader

Razan, Khadija, Osama, Husain, Tufool

Salman, Najat xxxx Jennifer, Grace

Anas, Adam, Karima

26 February 2015

Marvin, Mona, Angelina

Shaima, Abdulla, Asser

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Milavitsa Store Opening

Eastern European lingerie specialist Milavitsa, which has been producing fine ladies' garments for half a century, launched in Seef Mall with a grand opening party on January 8, 2015.

Alaa Fattani [3rd from R] cuts the ribbon at the opening

Farheen, Tatiana, Anna, Elena, Alise, Elena & Lena

Malabar Gold You for Bahrain

Elena & Lena

Olena, Jehan & Tatiana Daniya, Aishwarya, Moomal

Malabar Gold & Diamonds in association with Manama Municipality & Gulf City Cleaning Company, organised a public awareness campaign, “You for Bahrain� at Al Fateh Corniche on December 27, 2014 with the aim of planting 1,000 saplings to green the area.

Neha, Femi, Nourin

HE. Eng Sheikh Monhammed Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, The General Director of Manama Municipality , Mohamed Rafiq

Arif, Rafiq, Hemang, Rafiq, Farheen, Mohammed

Lamya, Ishika

Fahad, Kartik

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instagram.com/redhousemarketing facebook.com/redhousemarketing

youtube.com/user/redhousemarketing

twitter.com/rhmbahrain

FROM A SINGLE BRICK IN 1991...

WE HAVE GROWN INTO A HOUSE

Tel: (+973) 17 813 777 Fax: (+973) 17 813 700 | P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Bahrain | Address: Villa 1533 | Road 2426 | Block 324 | Bahrain

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Ramee Grand Staff Party

Ali, Rania, Ahmed & Houda

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa organised an annual Christmas & New Year lunch for employees at its staff cafeteria.

Michelle & Ahmed

Sajan & Girish

Abdul & Misbah

Nagendra & Kiran

Pankaj & Murukesh

Ali, Nina, Mary & Diana Ramesh, Arun & Kishore

Ayoub & Reynaldo

Cynthia & Giovanna

Mahesh, Henry & Ali

30 February 2015

Kriz & Kyle

Deep

Husain, Mustafa, Hassan & Jaffar www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Dessange Cheque Handover

Al Ghalia:Dessange presented a cheque to Bahrain Cancer Society at Mezzaluna, Adliya.

Jenny, Janeth, Yasmin, Randa, Ahmed, Suzenne, Dadia & Dora

Koton Store Opening

Koton's flagship store re-opened at Bahrain City Center.

Sachin & Vikas

This season's collection on the shop floor

Nadia & Hesham Ariel & Mohammed

Georgie & Farheen www.womanthismonth.com

Mark & Roshan

Mario, Mumar & Mathew

Sarfaraaz, Riya, Nadia, Ariel, Mohammed & Hesham

Inna & Raghavendra

Sarfaraaz & Riya February 2015

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PEOPLE | cover story

A Sister Act: Wearable Art For sisters Nada and Noor Alawi, scarves are what shoes are for many: an obsession.

They talk to us about creating a medium between art and fashion with local talent.

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oing to Riyadat Mall in A’ali is a departure from mass produced, commercial brands and an arrival to the offbeat and the quirky. The mall houses innovative designers and is growing in popularity but in a way that still allows it to be unique.

In the corner of the 1st floor, somewhat hidden but making it that much more exclusive, is Annada’s headquarters where the scarves are presented as if in a botanical sanctuary. Having started in September 2011, Nada and Noor Alawi have gone from strength to strength by putting ornate paintings onto scarves of all sizes.

“A scarf is an accessory that has stood the test of time. It’s a smart accessory; there are so many ways you can wear a scarf. You can pass it down too.

“We found that there is a lot of beautiful art in the Middle East – we approached artists and got their exclusive agreement to print the paintings on scarves. We involve artists from around the GCC – we started off in Bahrain and have branched out to Iraq and Austria. Abbas Almosawi was the first artist we approached with our idea and he was very open to work with us and then more and more artists came on board."

Adding a positive message, Nada and Noor will get the artwork and give it a name and a story if it doesn’t already have them. “The story will always have a personal message: to follow your dreams, to never give up and to find yourself in the things that you love.

We like that because people think of our brand as the perfect gift because it comes pre-packaged with a story inside the box. It speaks to people and their friends.”

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Although they are responsible for digitally treating the artwork before it gets printed onto a scarf, Nada and Noor work closely with the artist. “We have to treat it in a certain way to make sure the colours come out the right way, while making sure we don’t take anything out of the artwork.”

Nothing is superimposed – instead, Annada wants to make the most beautiful version of the artwork.

Nada is the creative component to Annada while Noor is the business arm within the production. Neither have an art background and none of the paintings are done by them, but they have the administrative and marketing experience that has seen their brand come to fruition.

Despite not having a traditional art background the Annada duo have invested so much time and love into the brand, they’ve become masters of their field.

Do they add their own touch though? “If a painting is really small and we want to scale it up, with the cooperation of the artist, we’ll tweak the colours to get the maximum effect on a larger scale. And sometimes we feel a certain shade of colour works better on a scarf, so again, we work closely with the artist.”

The scarves are limited editions – without any repeats – and they make a small number of each so as to preserve the artistic quality. And what started off as just square scarves, has now turned into an

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entire collection of long, pocket, handbag and winter scarves.

As part of the three-year anniversary at Saks Fifth Avenue (which also stocks the scarves) last year, Annada launched a book – Art is a Gift – which makes for the perfect coffee table volume and has a forward from both Nada and Noor along with a rich visual insight into the makings of Annada and how it came to be. Each scarf’s story is a testament to the emotional quality of the artwork and the poetic inspiration that brought them to life. In recognition of the four best-selling scarves, the book comes in four different covers.

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Something that really stands out with Annada’s collections is the intense use of colours. Put together, the scarves make a rich tapestry of expressive texture. The content and detail with each scarf deserves more than just a fleeting glance, but there are some more subdued and monochrome pieces, which beg the questions: what is Annada’s central aesthetic and would the brand ever launch a plain scarf?

“We feel it would defy the purpose because the scarfs are paintings, but we never object to variety. There have been times when certain scarves have sold out which we wouldn’t necessarily wear ourselves.”

As part of the sisters' all-inclusive local talent spotting, artists can submit their paintings on Annada’s website where a panel of judges decides if the artwork is viable to be printed on a scarf.

So what would make the girls say yes to a painting? “It’s not so much what we’re looking for, it’s what we’re not expecting.

The paintings vary in style: calligraphy, cubism, impressionism and we are always looking to add even more scope to the artistic quality of the brand.” g Visit: www.annadaonline.com or call 33 374 004.

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PEOPLE | interview

A Work In Progress When you’re tasked with a university assignment, you don’t expect it to become a reality.

But for Fatema Abdulazziz and Fatema Ahmed, their app project is making waves.

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atema Abdulazziz and Fatema Ahmed were just going about their computer science degree as normal. And as part of their course, like with any, they were given a term project. That project was to create an app using their knowledge and background acquired through their studies.

“We were told to pair up and think of a useful app,” says Fatema Abdulazziz. And in filling a gap in the market, the girls decided to go close to home. “I have two sisters who are unemployed, and they faced challenges when registering for vacancies at the Ministry of Labour, but I also have two sisters working there too. We wanted to serve the unemployed,” says Fatema Abdulazziz.

Employ Me, aptly named, is an app created to help job seekers find work at the tap of a finger. “We wanted to be a channel between the unemployed and the Ministry whereby the job seekers don’t physically need to go to the Ministry, but can source their interests via the app,” says Fatema Ahmed.

“Considering that most vacancies don’t match the candidate’s background. We want our app to filter through the field selection to tailor the candidate’s criteria,” she adds.

34 February 2015

Although the app is a stand-alone service, the Ministry will be the main channel. The job seeker will register at the Ministry and through it, they will get a list of vacancies appropriate to their skill set.

This project was created in a hypothetical situation until VIVA Bahrain got involved.

Once the girls had prepared their project, they presented it to a panel of judges – you see where this is going?

“We were fortunate enough to have won the best project in the department and now we have been adopted by VIVA Bahrain to make our app a reality,” says Fatema Abdulazziz.

Although the whole project had exhausted every avenue and was fully detailed, the girls are essentially starting from scratch again, but still keeping the concept intact, because the app is actually going to be launched now and not just done for the purpose of getting a good grade.

“We have real plans now, not like in university- we weren’t taken that seriously because we were students but now we are looking at launching the app in six months and we are coordinating with the Ministry at

the moment,” says Fatema Ahmed.

So what’s going to be featured on the app? “When the job seeker logs in they will automatically see the available jobs that meet their qualifications and requirements. It will then go through history of applications – those approved, declined and set up for interviews. Notifications will be available throughout to keep you informed. The essential part is that a job seeker can do it from home rather than going to the Ministry in person – it’s far more productive this way,” she adds. As for the look of the app, the girls are going for simplicity. At the end of the day it has a professional intention and the design reflects that. “We feel a lot of colour and intense graphics would detract away from the purpose of the app,” Fatema Abdulazziz notes.

As the girls are currently in training at VIVA Bahrain, they couldn’t thank the company enough for providing an outlet to materialise their dream. “We need to give our special thanks to VIVA because it opened a gate for us to make this happen and of course the University of Bahrain because without it this really would never have happened…! g www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | interview

Local Inspirations As with most of us at the millennium, Zain Al Khalifa was stuck with what to do next. She had finished college and while she was working at Al Riwaq Art Space an idea came to her – something that would really put Bahrain on the map.

Woman This Month (WTM): How did you come up with localppl.com?

Zain Al Khalifa (ZK): While I was working at Al Riwaq Art Space, we had some resident artists in and we had to show them around. Seeing that they were getting a local experience, beyond the Tree of Life, and having a good time, I thought it would be cool to make this accessible to other travellers too. From a local perspective, there are many knowledgeable locals other than tour guides that can give you an equal or a more raw experience of a place and monetise at the same time.

For example, Khalid Al Jabri is a photographer who is now offering his experience on Localppl and while he is not a certified guide, he is an excellent photographer and if you follow him on Instagram you’ll see that no one knows more about Souq Al Manama than Khalid. With that knowledge he can use our platform to offer tours and, in the near future, accept online payments.

WTM: Were you always a traveller growing up or is this a recent bug?

ZK: I have always had the travel bug. I bothered the hell out of my parents for going to the same place every single summer. Once I had the chance to do things on my own I took full advantage.

I realised how amazing it is to trust strangers. I recently went on a hiking trip and one of the cabins we stayed in www.womanthismonth.com

WTM: What is the main concept of the website?

ZK: Localppl is a marketplace inspiring travellers and helping them find and book authentic experiences (tours and activities) from locals or small tour companies. Think of it as a younger, cooler, cheaper Lonely Planet.

WTM: What makes it stand out in a market where there are lots of travel websites and outlets?

ZK: Well, in this case it isn't crowd-sourced, which a lot of travel sites are. Everything is hand-picked. We invite locals to offer experiences.

In the future we will screen applications. Also, we tell stories to inspire travellers rather than just reading opinions of people who might have completely different interests. We want to tell you more than where the best place to eat is. We’re looking for people to tell unique stories of travel, from making a worm stew (I just made that up) to a group of people you met at a hostel and how you spent the rest of your trip with strangers – now friends.

had 70 people sleeping in it – you’d think it would be a mess but people were so respectful of each other’s space and time. I had a concentration in sociology at college – that’s why things like this really fascinate me.

WTM: Where do you hope localppl.com will be in five years?

ZK: I hope that we’ll be in multiple locations and be the go-to site for the young traveller, whether to get an experience, recommendations, or just be inspired about different cultures. g February 2015

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showcase

STUB IT OUT

Advice on quitting the evil weed from Dr Nada Mohamed, certified counsellor for addiction and smoking cessation at Bahrain Specialist Hospital.

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hether you’re a teen smoker or a lifetime pack–a–day puffer, giving up can be tough. But the more you learn about your options and prepare for quitting, the easier the process will be. With the right game plan tailored to your needs, you can break the addiction, manage your cravings and join the millions of people who have kicked the habit for good.

Questions to ask yourself Take the time to think of what kind of smoker you are, which moments of your life call for a cigarette, and why. This will help you to identify which tips, techniques or therapies may be most beneficial for you.

• Do you feel the need to smoke at every meal?

• Are you more of a social smoker?

• Is it a very bad addiction (more than a pack a day)? Or would a simple nicotine patch do the job?

• Do you reach for cigarettes when you're feeling stressed or down?

• Are there certain activities, places, or people you associate with smoking?

36 February 2015

• Is your cigarette smoking linked to other addictions, such as alcohol or gambling?

• Are you someone who is open to talking about your addiction with a therapist or counselor?

Elements of Successful Quit Smoking Programmes If you are looking to put together or select a quit smoking programme, I suggest you consider four elements in your ‘combination’: 1. Appropriate use of pharmacological products. If you feel you are severely addicted to smoking, you may wish to consider nicotine replacement products so your body gradually gets used to living without nicotine: always talk to a qualified quitting expert first before using these drugs.

2. Advice and support. Advice and support can help you become more self-aware, identify your triggers and when moments of weakness may occur, develop strategies and contigencies, keep you

realistically grounded and on track with your plan and prevent relapse. Examples include one-to-one or in-person counselling, telephone counselling, internet programmes, group support, mentoring and coaching.

3. Measuring and recording. To help you see in black and white how much you smoke, how much it costs you, how much you could save and also keep a journal of your quitting journey.

4. Improving your knowledge: Read the science, talk to experts and learn for yourself how smoking damages your health and the health of those around you.

Learn how others tackled the challenge.

If you have had a health problem, such as a heart attack or stroke or if you are pregnant or planning to start a family, see your doctor and discuss your quit plan before you start.

Dr Nada Mohamed, Psychiatry Specialist Toronto Univeristy, Ontario, Canada. www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | community

Put Your Back Into It

have preventative care patients who use a combination of massage and chiropractic care to maintain and improve their performance in sport.

Dr Amy Bowzaylo is the resident chiropractor at the new InTouch Bahrain clinic. We get to know her and her chiropractic expertise a little bit better.

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ome of us know what our future career will be from childhood, others are inspired by careers talks or TV programmes. For chiropractor Dr Amy Bowzaylo, inspiration came after landing on her head during a somersault! With experience in countries ranging from Canada and the USA to Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, Dr Amy is in Bahrain to provide chiropractic and physical therapy, along with medical massages, craniosacral therapy, hypnotherapy for chronic pain, functional exercise rehabilitation and hydrotherapy. Her clinic has also just introduced pilates.

Woman This Month (WTM): How did you become a chiropractor?

Dr Amy Bowzaylo (AB): I landed on my head doing a double twisting double back somersault and after five days of neck pain and hot poker/ numbness in both arms, I saw a chiropractor who relieved the arm symptoms in one visit and then educated me on how to do my activities of daily living to help me to heal by not aggravating the neck sprain. It was then I decided to become a chiropractor as it was such an amazing change in my symptoms.

WTM: For a lot of people the word www.womanthismonth.com

chiropractor is a little cloudy. What does it mean?

AB: Chiropractic treatment is a natural, conservative and non-surgical form of healthcare which is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the affects of these disorders on the nervous system, general health and wellbeing.

Manipulation of the spine and surrounding joints is the primary focus to restore proper biomechanical function. Chiropractic treatment is established in over 70 countries; and with a strong research base is becoming widely accepted into mainstream healthcare, from hospitals through to Olympic recognition in sports medicine.

WTM: What is your main chiropractic area of expertise?

AB: I treat babies through to geriatric patients who just want to improve their posture to be able to walk better and play with their grandkids. My practice is a mix of sports medicine, women’s health and repetitive postural sprain/strain type injuries. I see a lot of sports injuries of the spine, shoulder, ankle and knee; pregnancy related back pain and upper and lower cross syndromes. I also

WTM: What complaints do patients come with most often?

AB: Sports injuries of the spine, shoulder, ankle and knee; pregnancy related back pain and neck and low back pain related to sitting too much and for post-surgical rehabilitation programmes.

WTM: In the 21st century, we have a lot of vices which impact our bodies. What's the worst thing we do?

AB: Prolonged sitting is the new smoking…so bad for you! Also constant repetitive forward head bending looking at smart phones and tablets is making us old before our time. Both of these issues affect the overall constitution of a human being by decreasing the lung capacity for oxygen intake and stagnating our organ systems, which contributes to congestion.

WTM: On a day-to-day basis how can we improve our back, spine and posture?

AB: “Stand taller, live longer” is a slogan from my certified posture exercise professional programme. Shoulders back and down, pulling your bellybutton to your spine is easier said than done for those who spend most of their time sitting or bent over hand held devices.

Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day – this is your bodies oil; without it the engine doesn’t run right. g Call InTouch Bahrain Chiropractic Clinic: 39 47 3056.

February 2015

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BEAUTY | news

KERASTASE DISCIPLINE. Created to control unmanageable, frizzy and undisciplined hair, the line has a home and salon version. The formula brings a blend of shapeenhancing ingredients which consolidates hair fibre and surface-morphing polymers to smooth out surface roughness. Available at all leading retailers.

VERSACE YELLOW DIAMOND INTENSE. The new perfume is a deep interpretation of its predecessor: Yellow Diamond Fragrance. The notes bring a Mediterranean refinement of sparkling bergamot, Diamante citron and neroli with pear sorbet accents. Available at leading retailers.

Beauty

BOBBI BROWN LIP COLOUR. This limited edition lipstick is inspired by the brand’s original formula. Available in bold reds and rich nudes, the creamy texture is ideal for the winter season. You can apply it straight from the tube or, for extra precision, use a lip brush. Available at Bobbi Brown.

PETER THOMAS ROTH FACE MASK. Designed to moisturise, detoxify, increase circulation and replenish nutrients, these masks are made to provide solutions to skin problems. The 24k gold option helps to lift and firm skin.

Available at Sephora.

38 February 2015

Essentials

Add our new monthly list of products to your beauty routine. Hair treatments, new scents and complexion boosters are in the spotlight.

CHANEL HYDRA BEAUTY MICRO SERUM. This water-light serum has an infusion of hydration for continuous moisturising.

The product is formulated with camellia oil extract to hydrate and plump the skin.

Available at all leading retailers.

www.womanthismonth.com

L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL SERIOXYL. The new line addresses hair density and thickness concerns for both men and women. The hair serum is refreshing and a potent hair boost which needs to be applied directly to the scalp each evening. Available at all leading retailers.

TOM FORD FLAWLESS COMPLEXION COLLECTION. The new range of foundations and concealing pens promises unblemished looking skin. The foundation has SPF15 and hydration ingredients. The concealing pen helps to camouflage under-eye circles and the correcting pen is an on-the-go corrector. Available at all leading retailers.

www.womanthismonth.com

ESTEE LAUDER MODERN MUSE CHIC. The new fragrance is a contrast of floral notes and fruity tempers which juxtapose against the presence of wood accords. Jasmine Sambac is the floral centrepiece blended with tuberose and stargazer lilies. Available at all leading retailers.

February 2015

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BEAUTY | review

Valentine's Pampering Get into the mood for love at Dessange Paris in Bahrain where you’ll be taken care of from head to toe. Woman This Month got treated big time.

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he very epitome of luxury, Dessange Paris in Bahrain is a place where you feel revitalised just by stepping into the reception area. From the get-go you’re given a personalised experience with the staff calling you by name and constantly making sure you’re comfortable.

Once you’re given a locker – which has a soft robe, towel, slippers and shower accouterments – you’re ready for the first part of your Valentine’s Day package: a Moroccan bath.

Entering the room, a light misty steam greets you and the road to relaxation begins.

A Moroccan bath is a fantastic way to exfoliate even the driest skin and give you baby-soft skin.

Enjoy your ‘me’ time where your caring attendant leaves you to breathe in the steam between rounds of exfoliation and applying the clay. Using a kassa glove, your attendant

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will scrub off all your dead cells to let a brand new layer of skin surface. The clay is honeyorange and has a smooth, slippery consistency to cool you off and allow you to absorb all the goodness.

Once you’ve washed it off, your attendant will throw a bucket of ice-cold water over you to complete the treatment as a way of closing your pores. Although it’s freezing, you know it can only be good for you. You’ll no doubt be feeling and looking radiant.

And after you’ve completed this part of the package, it’s onto hair and nails – sat in plush throne-like chairs where your hands and feet soak in tepid water with massage bubbles to get your circulation going. Using a combination of lotions and cuticle creams, your hands and feet are rid of any issues and excesses.

When it comes to your blow-dry, you’re

treated to a clay mask on your scalp before getting an extended wash in the massaging chairs at the washing station. And after deciding what look you want with your blowdry, just sit back and wait for the end result to complete this Valentine’s Day package.

Dessange Paris in Bahrain will offer a Valentine’s Day voucher from February 1 2015.

Call 17 713-999. www.womanthismonth.com

BEAUTY | showcase

FACE VALUE Are you looking for a facial revamp? Joz Salon & Spa offers a wide range of treatments specially created to take care of your delicate complexion.

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facial treatment is not just about the products used; they will not perform the miracle by themselves. The process of cleansing the skin and then applying the correct pressure is essential for any successful beauty care. The massaging action boosts circulation and brings fresh nutrients to the upper layers of the skin. It also aids lymphatic drainage, which reduces puffiness and helps to drain away impurities and toxins. Scheduling a regular facial means giving the special attention your complexion deserves to look its best. Pick your most-wanted treatment at Joz Salon & Spa. YOUNGER-LOOKING SKIN For this kind of result, the professional uses collagen-stimulating ingredients, such as alpha hydroxyl acids, which exfoliate skin and www.womanthismonth.com

encourage new cell production. The procedure begins with a gentle peel, followed by an application of medical-grade collagen to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

DEEP HYDRATION This facial incorporates products such as hyaluronate that naturally binds moisture to the skin. The ingredient is a humectant that draws water to the complexion to make it moist and soft. The mask also contains natural oils for the best final effect. When booking a hydrating facial, make sure you include a gentle exfoliating step so moisturisers are better absorbed by the skin. The treatment is tailored to your skin’s dryness level.

BRIGHTER COMPLEXION To even the skin, a peel or microdermabrasion

to fight sunspots, hyperpigmentation or acne scars is required. At Joz Salon & Spa a lower strength, however still effective, version of these procedures is available. If you have a few light spots here and there and want to get rid of them, this kind of treatment is definitely for you.

STRESS-REDUCING Here you have extra massage time that can include light extractions (or none) and puts its focus primarily on easing muscle tension in the face and elsewhere on the body.

A stress- reducing facial massage can be combined with a hand treatment and warm stone massage for the entire upper body for complete relaxation.

Call 16 031-120, 17 756-449 or 17 369-133.

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WELLNESS EXHIBITION AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS All things health go on show at the latest edition of Bahrain’s big well-being event.

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he 5th Annual Health & Wellness Expo is being organised by Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority and is supported by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Ministry of Health and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Media sponsors include Bahrain This Month and Woman This Month. Last year’s event received positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors equally and the expo is growing in strength year after year. This year BECA is also offering an opening for local companies to sponsor the event and gain more market coverage locally and regionally.

BECA’s Health & Wellness Expo aims to promote well-being and holistic lifestyle

42 February 2015

practices that will make a positive transformation in people’s day-to-day living.

The objective of the event is to increase awareness for the residents of the GCC on how to live a good and a healthy lifestyle with various problems such as obesity and other common lifestyle-related issues being addressed.

At the same time industry professionals will have the option for business-to-business (B2B) get-togethers which will serve as a platform to achieve maximum exposure for their brands enabling them to gain better networking opportunities and increase revenue.

International and regional exhibitors participating include representatives from

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand and Hong Kong with a huge range of buyers, retailers, importers, exporters, distributors and doctors from all sectors.

Bahrain is a multi-national kingdom with many organisations offering a wide selection of health services and products to the public.

Most of these organisations are of high quality providing authentic advice and remedies wherever and whenever required. By bringing together an international group of health and wellness industry professionals, this key event will encourage exhibitors from different parts of the world to consider investing in Bahrain and using its strategic location to enhance their image. www.womanthismonth.com

HOPE FOR DEPRESSION

showcase

Not just a bad day, depression is a medical condition which can be overcome with treatment says Dr Gardenia Al Saffar, Consultant Psychiatrist at Royal Bahrain Hospital.

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epression affects 350million people worldwide and is twice as common in women as men. On the biological level, a stronger genetic predisposition and hormone fluctuations, especially at times of childbirth and menopause, make women more likely to become depressed. Psychologically, they prioritise relationships more, and relationship difficulties are one of the primary precipitating factors for depression.

Women also tend to over-think and ruminate over difficult issues more than men. On the social level, women deal with more stressors than men, since not only are they responsible for managing their homes and children and caring for older relatives, they are also subject to the demands of the workplace.

The word 'depression' is commonly misused. Not simply a bad mood, depression is a disorder that can only be professionally diagnosed. It affects all aspects of life,

making it difficult to function on a personal, social and occupational level. It consists of overwhelming fatigue, low mood and tearfulness or irritability that are associated with loss of interest and enjoyment in activities usually found pleasurable. It impacts biological functioning including appetite and sleep, which are either significantly decreased or increased, and sexual function. In its most severe forms it manifests in death wishes and suicidal ideas.

Depression is not a weakness or a personality flaw. It is a disease that, when recognised and treated, can fully remit with complete recovery. Its treatment includes antidepressants and psychosocial support such as cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy and problem solving.

For more details and inquiries, please contact the psychiatry department at Royal Bahrain Hospital on 17 246-800.

Department of psychiatry

www.womanthismonth.com

February 2015

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BEAUTY | advice

Write to our fashion and beauty editor at fashionandbeauty@rhm.bh for more tips and tricks. Instagram: @ferlanghammer

Nicole-Richie

Your Questions Answered Q: I would like to embrace the trend of

making wild colour highlights in my hair. Any recommendations?

A: Dying parts of your hair blue, purple, green or red is definitely a hot trend. The ombre effect is beautifully done with eye-catching shades. However, you must be ready to consider three things. The first is that you have to bleach the hair before applying any desired tone; so if you have fragile hair you should be careful – it can damage the structure. The second one is that if you decide to do it in a whole section of the hair, retouching the roots can give you a hard time. Third, you must dress up to the style. Forget about boring clothes; you have to be stylish and have a unique sense of fashion.

There is one good way out if you don’t want the effect to be permanent: hair chalks!

Q: Do you have any good tricks for smooth legs?

A: If you shave your legs, try to do it in the shower and wait about 15 minutes before you start shaving; the warm water softens the hair and opens the follicles. Also try to do it in the evening, because as you sleep your legs swell slightly, which can make hair retreat into the follicles. The other trick is to lather up your legs with a moisturising shaving cream or hair conditioner. This will make the razor glide easily for better results. Invest in a four or five blade razor; they let you navigate tricky areas like knees and ankles.

44 February 2015

Q

Q: Can you give me some tips on how to

A: Using extra virgin olive oil in the beautifying process may sound strange, but as a natural oil it does indeed help in some areas. To get smoother skin, add a few tablespoons of it to your bath. For dry cuticles, massage your finger tips with the oil or leave your whole hand immersed in a warm bowl of the product. If you run out of make-up remover, go to the kitchen and put a few drops on a cotton pad – and voila.

A: The first thing to do is to get your brows professionally waxed or threaded every now and then.

Fuller brows usually represent youth, so keep them thick, but shaped. If you have very dark eyebrows and very fair skin, lightening them up is an option to balance the super contrast. You can ask for professional advice on bleaching to have less harsh brows. Never fill them in with black pencil; even if you have very black brows, use dark brown. For a natural look, use powder instead of pencil.

And don’t forget, the whole brow shouldn’t be shaded the same way, only the arc and the tail should be more defined and darker.

: I read that olive oil can be introduced to our beauty routine.

Where could I use it?

take care of my eyebrows?

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase

FJORD Taking its inspiration from a broken shell and the cutaway fissures along the Nordic coastline, the Fjord chair by Patricia Urquiola features deep cuts in its construction which make it an object of interest and even curiosity.

MOON Yoshioka’s Moon presents aesthetic simplicity with flowing lines designed to create harmony with the surrounding space. Its originality lies in the visual movement it generates when hit by light which it absorbs producing an almost lifelike quality.

BOUQUET This small armchair by Tokujin Yoshioka blooms on a slim metal stem with the cover resembling petals made up of fabric squares folded by hand and sewn one by one with practised care and infinite patience to cover the entire seat, creating the illusion of a bouquet.

BANJOOLI An explosion of colour in a collection of chairs, sofas and tables designed for outdoor use is the latest member of Moroso’s M’Afrique collection from designers such as Patricia Urquiola and Sebastian Herkner. Inspired by the courtship dance of the male ostrich, the chair coverings are made in Senegal from the handwoven nets of local fishermen making each design unique with different colours and pattern weaves available on request. www.womanthismonth.com

TAKE A SEAT

A quirky chair or seating arrangement can form an interesting talking point. Details at Palm Square came up with this selection from Moroso: the beauty of design.

SMOCK Another design from Patricia Urquiola, the Smock armchair features stylised detail with intricate use of fabric on a utilitarian frame. The ruched sides and use of colour make this a fun object that will, at the same time, add an unmistakable designer touch to your home.

LOWLAND Easily adapted to any modern decorating scheme, the clean lines and minimalist shape of Lowland, by Patricia Urquiola, lend a sophisticated feel while at the same time offering comfort and durability.

February 2015

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LIFESTYLE | home

STEP INTO YOUR SANCTUARY

Without a doubt, your bedroom is your personal haven. Here are our ideas on how to make the most out of your space.

THROWING ABOUT

At the foot of your bed, a throw is essential. Sometimes during the day when you’re tired and want a nap but don’t want to crinkle up the whole bed set, a throw is the perfect ‘snuggle up’ blanket (but so much more comfy) for a few winks.

46 February 2015

www.womanthismonth.com

PLUMP IT UP

Besides the pillow(s) for your head, a couple of rows of throw-cushions will make your bed that much more inviting. Hotel beds do it best with two to four massively plush pillows with a series of square pillows in front. When you’ve got it arranged nicely, dive!

PACK IT ALL IN

It’s a problem even the most spacious rooms suffer from: storage. Part of the issue is our perennial hoarding habit, but with new innovative ways to store our clutter, we can organise ourselves better. Having drawers underneath your bed is such a good way to keep things in check and also out of sight.

SLOW BURNERS

Let’s get the health and safety out the way: always be cautious with candles and don’t leave them unattended!

Now, the beauty of candles lies in the ambience they create. Bunch up a group of decorative candles on your nightstand or on top of your drawers and let your room transform.

HAVE A SEAT WHO’S THE FAIREST?

A lot of people don’t actually enjoy having full-length mirrors in their bedroom. Part of it is down to selfconsciousness; but the added illusion of space that mirrors give to a room really changes the entire feel of it. It’s also a really classy touch having a big mirror – plus, you won’t have to jump and stand on your tippy toes to assess your whole outfit. www.womanthismonth.com

Not only is an extra place to sit ideal for guests, it is also a great place for you to unwind.

Rather than just sitting on your bed, create a little alcove in your room and place your chair as another focal point in your room.

February 2015

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LIFESTYLE | parenting

Tu Me Manques "One hundred years from now, It won't matter what car I drove, What kind of house I lived in, How much I had in my bank account, Nor what my clothes looked like, But, the world may be a little better Because I was important in the life of a child." – Anonymous.

Dr Jinan Harith Darwish pays tribute to one of her cystic fibrosis patients.

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he abrupt course of respiratory failure that led to the demise of Sukaina Hamed Fadhul on December 2, 2014, during her last admission to Salmaniya Medical Complex a fortnight after she celebrated her 14th birthday, urged me to pay tribute to her and to her two siblings who lost their lives to cystic fibrosis (CF) at the ages of 26 days and 14 years respectively.

The Fadhul family became accustomed to

48 February 2015

having their children surrounded by medical paraphernalia, using bizarre-looking flutter devices and taking an array of nebulisers and medications.

Sukaina had great hope to go abroad to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for advanced medical care and an ultimate lung transplant, so she could grow to become a lung transplant surgeon and cure people who

share her disease. One cruel twist is that CF can be a lonely and solitary condition as CFers are advised not to meet face-to-face for fear of making themselves more ill from crossinfection (different people can carry different bacteria). It means they cannot socialise easily or give each other regular support; therefore she reverted to utilising social media through her Instagram account to communicate with www.womanthismonth.com

her CF counterparts and to search for a cure by following global medical professionals treating the disease. As much as she despised her daily health battle, it had given her a perspective on life that many people may never attain or will only encounter later in life. Sukaina, with her life-threatening condition, had a pronounced ability to not only identify but fully appreciate magic moments, as they contrasted so strikingly with her usual daily hardship. Death, as heartbreaking as it was to each person whose life she blessed, liberated her from a disease that was eating her away. On her last eve, she addressed her father with a living will that confirmed for a final time her altruism.

Cystic fibrosis is one of Bahrain's not so uncommon, life-threatening recessive inherited diseases. An individual must inherit two defective CF genes, one from each parent, to have the disease. Each time two carriers conceive, there is a 25 per cent chance of passing cystic fibrosis to their children; a 50 per cent chance that the child will be a carrier of the CF gene; and a 25 per cent chance that the child will be a non-carrier.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the incidence of CF in Bahrain is 1:5,800.This is based on a 1998 study published locally. Cystic Fibrosis affects around 56 people that we know of that follow up at Salmaniya Medical Complex, with ages ranging from 10 months to 23 years. There are others who are overwhelmed with the diagnosis and travel to

www.womanthismonth.com

Bayan Hameed Abdulla Fadhul (1998-2012)

Sukaina Hameed Abdulla Fadhul (2000-2014)

their countries of origin for treatment.

In 1962, the UK predicted the median survival age was 10 years. The median predicted survival for someone with cystic fibrosis currently stands at 41 years. According to the statistics in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's national patient registry, currently half of those with CF will live to over 41 years – many people even live into their fifties and sixties.

A baby born in the UK today can be expected to live longer. Yet, today in Bahrain, we don't have any statistics on the median predicted survival; but less than a handful have made it past their childhood into adolescence.

In the UK, since October 2007, all babies are offered screening for CF shortly after birth as part of the heel-prick blood test. Unfortunately, that's not the case in Bahrain. The National Newborn Screening Programme encompasses sickle cell disease, thalassemia, G6PD reduced activity and congenital hypothyroidism only.

Cystic fibrosis is a chronic progressive and life-threatening genetic disease that produces very thick and sticky mucus. This mucus can clog and/or affect multiple organ systems but primarily affects the lungs and pancreas.

The leading theory is that for people with CF, ions and water do not move across the epithelium, the thin layer of tissue that lines all parts of the body. This makes it harder for tiny hair-like structures called cilia to wave around or ‘beat’, which would normally move mucus and the airborne bacteria it traps out of the lungs and airways.

When mucus clogs the airways of the lungs it can make breathing very difficult. It also provides a great breeding ground for bacteria that gets stuck in the airways and causes

inflammation and serious, frequent, and sometimes life-threatening lung infections.

When an individual with cystic fibrosis gets reoccurring lung infections, irreversible lung damage results.

The pancreas releases important enzymes that help us digest our food. These enzymes are not able to be released in CF patients because of the thick mucus. This makes it very hard to retain important nutrients and fats which in turn makes it very hard to gain and maintain weight. Supplemental enzymes are taken before each snack and meal to help in the digestive process.

People with CF have a variety of symptoms including: very salty-tasting skin; persistent coughing, at times with phlegm; wheezing or shortness of breath; an excessive appetite but poor weight gain; and greasy, bulky stools.

The disease has contributed much more to science than science has contributed to the disease. There is currently no cure for CF. In 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration declared Ivacaftor, the drug approved for CF sufferers, is showing promising results. Existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure.

Gene therapy is a way of treating or curing a disease by adding a copy of a healthy gene to do the job of a faulty one. Gene therapy is not a cure for cystic fibrosis, but effective gene therapy could halt or prevent the lung damage that causes 90 per cent of deaths. Gene therapy would benefit most people with cystic fibrosis and works regardless of age as it replaces the faulty gene mutation with a correct version.

Although it cannot reverse lung damage, it would stop lungs from deteriorating further. g February 2015

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LIFESTYLE | wellbeing

Nagging Niggles As women, our bodies and minds go on rollercoaster rides in the course of our years.

Behnaz Sanjana sheds some light on some of the most common issues women face.

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ry as one might, it’s a distant dream to have a Jenifer Aniston-like beach bod.

Even the most disciplined of us divas have to face some ugly body truths.

Here are three annoying issues that particularly have women on their radar together with advice on what you can do about them.

COTTAGE CHEESE THIGHS - CELLULITE Although not a medical issue, this is one farfrom-pretty problem that 80 per cent of all women have. Cellulite is the fat trying to push through the connective tissue under the skin, giving that unsightly, bumpy effect. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite strikes not only behind the thighs and buttocks but also around

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the abdomen and upper arms.

And here’s the juice on the subject – as cellulite occurs mainly due to weakened connective tissue, thin girls can get it as well.

“Another cause is an acid-alkaline imbalance in the body. Surplus acid is laid in the form of waste in the body which first becomes visible at the exterior of the thighs as an ‘orange peel’ structure,” says Evelyn Mahner, beauty therapist at the German Skin Care Centre.

Men manage to evade the wrath of cellulite as their connective tissue is stronger and runs parallel to the skin, versus that of women, which runs vertically. This causes it to be more tear resistant.

Women are not so lucky when it comes to maintaining smooth skin, as their

connective tissue is more elastic. In addition, the hormone oestrogen promotes the development of cellulite.

If you think the products on the supermarket shelves will live up to their cellulite-banishing promises, you may be mistaken. “Baths, massages and anti-cellulite creams can help, but cannot erase cellulite alone,” says Evelyn.

She recommends treatments like cupping, radio frequency, cavitation and electro stimulation together with well-balanced acidic-alkaline nourishment and specific muscle-building exercises to banish cellulite.

A healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise is primary. Radical diets that swing the body from fat to thin to fat again put the body’s connective tissue in extreme duress, so www.womanthismonth.com

Contrary to popular belief, cellulite strikes not only behind the thighs and buttocks but also around the abdomen and upper arms you might want to lose weight the correct way.

Evelyn also believes in drinking plenty of water and unsweetened tea to help flush out toxins from the body, keeping the skin supple.

“Swimming, cycling, walking, rope jumping and dancing are cellulite killers,” she says. So there you go ladies – take your pick!

THE RUDE SHOCK – HAIR LOSS A woman’s hair is her crowning glory. When you see more of your hair on your pillowcase, in your hairbrush or in the bathroom drain, it’s bound to send anxiety levels skyrocketing.

Remember that there are certain times during which women typically lose more hair than usual – childbirth, menopause, illness (especially if there is fever), nervous shock, extreme dieting and with certain medications.

But hair loss is temporary.

“Hair loss resulting in thinning is known as alopecia. Male pattern alopecia is characterised by a receding hairline and/ or hair loss on the top and front of the head.

Female pattern hair loss results in thinning hair on the vertex (top) of the scalp and is generally less severe than it occurs in males,” explains Dr Mehta, dermatologist at AMH, Bahrain.

Iron deficiency, thyroid disorders and certain drugs are common causes of excessive hair fall. But how much is too much? Dr Mehta states that losing more than 100 strands a day signals a problem, and warrants a visit to the neighbourhood dermatologist.

Once the underlying cause is identified, appropriate medical care can be administered to save your mane. Bahrain’s desalinated water can damage the hair shaft, leading to breakage and lacklustre hair. Some of Dr Mehta’s patients claim to have benefited by www.womanthismonth.com

using ‘sweet water’ to wash their hair.

NOT SO VEIN – VARICOSE AND SPIDER VEINS “Varicose veins are large, raised, swollen blood vessels that twist and turn. They usually develop in the legs and can be seen through the skin. Spider veins are smaller, red, purple, and blue vessels that also twist and turn and are typically visible on the legs and face as well,” explains Dr Bashar Saleh, consultant general surgeon at the Bahrain Specialist Hospital.

These unsightly veins target those who stand for long hours in the day. Think of your teacher, hair stylist, nurse and the factory worker. And yes, they do tend to surface in women more so than men.

Of course, this condition also depends on heredity, obesity, use of birth control pills, hormonal changes of the body and a history of blood clots. Other factors such as conditions causing increased pressure in the abdomen or trauma or injury to the skin and exposure to ultraviolet rays can also contribute to this issue.

“The most conservative approach is simply to wear properly fitting support hose, especially when the veins cause painful or uncomfortable symptoms,” says Dr Bashar.

These stockings are available at surgical

supply stores and at some pharmacies. They come in below-the-knee, above-the-knee, and pantyhose styles.

Other simple solutions are good skin hygiene, weight loss (if needed) and walking.

Not everybody with varicose or spider veins has pain or other symptoms. They might want the veins removed, however, for cosmetic reasons.

A medical procedure called sclerotherapy is simple, relatively inexpensive, and can be performed in an outpatient setting. It involves a highly concentrated saline (salt) solution or a specially made detergent that is injected directly into the vein, causing the vein to disappear gradually over three to six weeks.

Endovenous laser treatment and radiofrequency occlusion are other ways to get rid of your spider or varicose veins. They require some form of anaesthesia. Surgery is an option to treat very large varicose veins.

Surface laser or intense pulsed light treatments involve devices that use heat energy to selectively damage or destroy abnormal veins. An advantage of these treatments is that no needles or sclerosing solutions are required; however, there may be some minor discomfort. “Side effects do occur, including discoloration or staining and blister formation. The results are often disappointing,” warns Dr Bashar.

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showcase

Cupid’s hideaway From award-winning dining to breakfast in bed and spa pampering, Albander celebrates the month of romance.

W

hether you are reawakening that tingling feeling you had when you first met or developing a new romance, the special February pampering package in the seafront splendour of Albander Hotel & Resort is Cupid’s perfect choice to make your loved one feel extra special.

Enjoy an early check-in from midday and spend the afternoon relaxing in one of the fully-equipped, beach-side cabanas or making the most of the resort’s many facilities from watersports to tennis, squash and a well-equipped games room. You could even take a trip out to the Paradise Island in the Albander Lagoon to watch the sun go down over the water as the stars come out above.

Then don your gladrags and head out for a gourmet dinner for two dining on the hotel’s award-winning fare or tuck into a feast served on your own private terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

From flowers in the room, a petal strewn bed and chocolates from Lilou Artisan Patisserie to breakfast in bed, and a specially designed pampering package from DESSANGE for ladies and a late 4pm check out, Albander Hotel & Resort provides the perfect romantic retreat with this special offer throughout Valentine’s month.

Call 17 701 201 or email reservation@albander.com

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www.womanthismonth.com

supermarkets

Supermarket Spotlight In Bahrain shopping is almost a national pastime, whether it’s heading to the mall or popping out for groceries we spend much of our time in pursuit of the perfect ingredient for our latest culinary adventure or the ‘must-have’ electronic gadget. Here we spotlight three retailers who are going out of their way to bring us the best in imported ranges, artisan foods and one-stop-shopping.

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showcase

SPOILT FOR CHOICE Be it fresh produce from around the world or the latest gadgets and fashion, Lulu Hypermarket is where you can find many of your favourite things, all under one roof.

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t’s no secret that shopping can be quite fun, but long traffic hauls, the struggle to find a parking spot and the frenzy of moving from one store to another can make this delightful experience rather painful. Here’s a store that has all the items on your shopping list under one roof. Everything from the latest fashion, gadgets and home decor to your monthly groceries can be found at Lulu.

Located in Hidd, East Riffa, Ramli Mall and Dana Mall, this hypermarket promises variety and great quality at extremely competitive prices. Lulu stores are present across 113 stores in the GCC and the brand enjoys a loyal customer base that continues to grow.

“We offer a novel experience to shoppers.

We have a wide variety of world-class brands present in a state-of-the art ambience,” says Juzer Rupawala, regional director, Lulu Hypermarket Bahrain.

“In addition to the extensively laid out

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counters, we have a sprawling parking space, play areas for children, a massive food court, money exchange and bank counters besides a plethora of international and regional brands that aptly justify our tagline – 'where the world comes to shop'.”

Known to offer great value for money, LuLu Hypermarkets have become one of the most preferred shopping choices in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India.

THE GOOD LIFE What began as a small supermarket in Abu Dhabi in 1995, now houses an exhaustive range of goods. The store imports some of the best products from around the world with a choice of approximately 5,000 international lines from the UK, US, Philippines, Malaysia and India available on display.

Another factor that has contributed in Lulu’s

immense popularity is its deli and cooked food section. From Indian snacks and sweets to fresh cakes, pastries, pies and breads, each day thousands of customers are offered an enormous range of fresh preparations.

Lulu’s apparel line brings you the latest international trends along with ethnic clothes that have become one of its main attractions in the Kingdom. And next time you are looking for a gadget you’ve seen online or in a magazine, head straight to Lulu as your chances of finding it there are much higher than almost anywhere else on the island.

The hypermarket is also great for those who’ve just arrived in Bahrain, are moving to a new home or are just looking to revamp their existing place, offering a wide variety of furniture and home decor pieces to suite all tastes and budgets.

Visit www.luluhypermarket.com www.womanthismonth.com

showcase

THE PERFECT MATCH You might have the perfect roast, but it’s often the humble sides that can make or break a meal. Alosra supermarket brings to you delicious side dishes that could well become the main attraction on your dinner table.

H

ow often does it happen that after spending the entire day cooking for a dinner party you realise you’ve run out of time to get started on the side dishes? Happens to the best of us!

Racing against time, the decision to fix the house, and maybe even yourself, usually wins over spending another 30 minutes in the kitchen.

Fortunately, you can now avoid this situation by making a quick run to your nearest Alosra supermarket to purchase Mash Direct, one of the UK’s most popular ready-to-serve food brands, now available in the fresh and friendly supermarket across the kingdom.

“Mash Direct is the market leader when it comes to quality and homemade dishes, like vegetable and potato sides,” says Pavlos Babiolakis, Alosra’s marketing and product development manager.

Tracy and Martin Hamilton have owned their farm in County Down for many years and ensure the most delicious and ripest vegetables are selected for the Mash Direct range. In addition to this, the range is suitable www.womanthismonth.com

for microwave and oven heating. However, the unique selling point of the line is that it is free from artificial preservatives, flavourings and colourings, as well as being low in salt.

Baby Bakes (baby potatoes sprinkled with breadcrumbs and seasoned with herbs), Colcannon Gratin (mashed potato and Savoy cabbage with a creamy garlic sauce), Red Cabbage and Beetroot, and Spicy Potato Wedges, are just some of the products available in-store.

With the quality and convenience attached, you might think that these products would come at a high cost, but the retailers have priced them at a moderate BD1.595 to BD1.995.

FRESH AND FRIENDLY Serving the Kingdom with quality produce for more than three decades, Alosra supermarket provides local and exotic items at great value. Part of the BMMI group, the store’s primary focus is on delivering quality over quantity, boasting a wide range of carefully selected products.

“We have always focused on offering the most premium-quality products in the Kingdom, to

satisfy all the needs and tastes of our diverse base of loyal customers,” says Pavlos.

“This quality is evident in products such as the 100-per-cent New Zealand lamb and beef, which we have purchased from farmers who operate with a proven record of animal welfare, food safety and quality.”

The meat comes from healthily reared animals and is free of hormones and artificial substances.

“Another main focus is to provide great customer service. We adopt a rigid philosophy of continuous improvement. This is the foundation of our working culture,” he adds.

The organisation has a strong, socially responsible character, which comes to light through its various campaigns for local charities and its own in-house charitable foundation, established in 2009. The latest branch, in Juffair, is the group’s sixth outlet on the island in addition to its stores in Saar, Amwaj, Riffa Views, Durrat Al Bahrain and Nakheel.

Call 17 697-558 or visit www.alosraonline.com February 2015

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showcase

EVERY LITTLE HELPS Partnering with one of the UK’s biggest retailers, Mega Mart adds another feather to its cap with a range of premium-quality, British products.

O

ne of the UK’s leading supermarket chains, Tesco, brings its collection of products to Bahrain at Mega Mart stores, making it the only retailer in the Kingdom selling the complete range of Tesco products.

Close to 2,500 of these goods are currently available in the eight Mega Mart and two Macro Mart outlets.

“Our goal is to offer the best to our customers. With the addition of Tesco products to our portfolio, we are now leading the way by bringing the best British food to Bahraini consumers,” says RV Waghnani, Mega Mart’s general manager.

The supermarket has introduced frozen goods such as ice cream, vegetables and readymade meals as well as dry groceries, cereals, canned goods, nuts, confectionery, oils, sauces, cosmetics and items from the Tesco Organic and Tesco Finest ranges.

Expect to see seasonal, fresh British produce

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and a range of short-shelf-life perishables, such as dairy, fine English cheeses, cold cuts and bakery items in the stores in the near future.

QUALITY AND CONVENIENCE With over eight stores across the Kingdom, Mega Mart is one of the most popular supermarkets in Bahrain. The group’s latest venue opened its doors last year in Segaya at the Al Hayat Shopping Centre.

“Staying in line with our business objectives, we strive to offer variety, convenience and quality at a reasonable price,” says Waghnani.

“We pride ourselves on the fresh produce, sourced both locally and from abroad,” he adds. “In addition to fruits, vegetables and packaged foods, we have an extensive variety of local and imported dairy products and meats.”

Mega Mart is famous for its fresh breads, pies and pastries making the fully-equipped

in-house bakeries at the stores a huge hit with customers. The delicatessens are equally popular with a large menu of dishes including pre-marinated meats and kebabs. Recently introduced fresh, ready to eat salads and mixed fruits at certain outlets have been appreciated by customers as well.

In addition, you can find electronics, stationery, dinner sets, kitchenware and other household products at the supermarket.

There is special emphasis on customer service and if you are not able to find a product, the managers and sales staff are happy to assist and can even order a product if it’s not available in store at that moment. And Mega Mart regularly offers a number of special discounts, promotions and deals on products so you get the best value on your purchase.

Call 17 003-061 or email megamartseg@babasons.com. www.womanthismonth.com

FEATURE | dining

The Lovers' Food Guide www.womanthismonth.com

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FEATURE | dining

Camelot

Dinner in your very own castle; what could be more romantic?

OK, Camelot isn’t actually a real castle but the impressive exterior, plush furnishings and a menu with a decidedly French feel coupled with a rather superior cellar make this an obvious choice for that romantic dinner for two. Call 17 717-745.

Fusions

Described as ‘where East meets West’, Fusions, at The Gulf Hotel, would make this list on its views alone without the eclectic interiors and a menu that includes something to suit almost every palate. Get there early and watch the sun go down over the rooftops of Adliya as you share a glass of bubbles. Call 17 713-000.

Love Actually

La Fontaine

The original and still one of the very best, once described as a place where even dinner for one would be romantic, La Fontaine has serious credentials on the loving front since it even hosts weddings in the gorgeous outdoor courtyard. Whether you want to dine al fresco, beside the fountain which gives the place its name, or in the glass-fronted terrace, you can expect some seriously good food in beautifully atmospheric surroundings. Call 17 230-123.

La Mer

One of the island’s prettiest settings, La Mer sits above the water upstairs from Tapas at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. The restaurant itself has excellent service and a varied fish menu but, to really add to the romance factor, ask for a table downstairs on the outdoor terrace. Gently lapping waves and candlelight are just what Cupid ordered. Call 17 636-363.

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It’s the month of moonlight and music and love and romance, so we’ve picked our top ten of the island’s most romantic venues for that all-important dinner à deux.

Lanterns

Put some spice into your evening with a Valentine’s meal at Lanterns in Adliya where you can enjoy the pretty garden, complete with heaters, or move inside to the authentic - looking Indian interiors for some of the finest sub-continent food on the island coupled with sitar music and subdued lighting. Call 17 250-999. www.womanthismonth.com

Monsoon Mai Tai

Part of Trader Vic’s but a much more intimate option, Mai Tai offers super comfortable seating, subdued sounds and lighting and a bar-bites menu that’s made for sharing with dishes such as beef cho cho that you cook at the table for a little extra togetherness. Call 17 586-555.

The Asian eatery, with its wooden pagoda exterior certainly looks the part. Inside you’ll find intimate booth-style seating, perfect for getting away from the crowd, gentle orange-hued lighting and food to Thai for, if you’ll excuse the pun. The menu does include a sprinkling of other Asia cuisines, all done with flair, but the Thai fare is truly exceptional and guaranteed to put a smile on your lover’s face. Call 17 749-222.

Soie Passion

The clue with this one really is in the name. In the heart of Adliya, Passion offers a varied menu of dishes prepared with love in a venue that provides plenty of talking points with its eclectic collection of wall art, trinkets and antiques – testimony to the owner’s love affair with travel. If you fancy something a little different for Valentine’s Day, this could be the ideal spot. Call 13 632-103.

You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped through the ‘bamboo curtain’ to old Beijing from the decor at Soie. Lacquered panelling and antique-style china perfectly complement the extensive Chinese menu, and the influence continues in the kitchen with chefs who have actually learned their craft in China. There’ll be a special Valentine’s menu as well as roses for the ladies to add to the romance of the Orient. Call 17 533-533.

Vinoteca Barcelona

A relatively new kid on the block, Vinoteca is fast making a name for itself with its authentic Spanish food and wines. Opt for a plate of pinchos which not only look beautiful but are great for a Lady and the Tramp moment of partner feeding that would be over the top at any other time of the year.

With mood enhancing lighting and genuine Catalan guitar music, you’ll get the genuine feel of an evening on Las Ramblas.

Call 17 007-808.

www.womanthismonth.com

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DINING FEATURE | review

Italian Master Chef Woman This Month was treated to a gastronomic treat of epic proportions at Primavera at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa.

Chef Simone and supervisor Sajjad

T

he moment we walked in, we were, true to the Ritz-Carlton service, whisked into an airy and light restaurant and were taken care of from the word go. It’s always personal with the Ritz – you always feel like you’re in good hands – which is helpful when you’re not familiar with the menu items!

Sajjad, the restaurant’s supervisor, brimming with energy and knowledge, talked us through the Italian specialities on the menu. From home-made bread to European-sourced seabass and locally fished hammour, Primavera

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WTM's Farheen and Georgie prides itself on its genuine produce.

Before diving into the menu, though, you can’t help but muse over the surroundings.

On a weekday with little chaos and noise, the restaurant looks out onto the expansive leafy grounds with a bit of the skyline poking through. We were in awe of how tranquil and peaceful the setting was but could also imagine how romantic it would be for an evening meal – hint, hint!

After taking in the scenery we sat and let Sajjad take over and make some

recommendations in light of food allergies and personal taste. Despite being an Italian restaurant, where there is inevitably a domination of spaghetti and bread, Primavera is highly accommodating to gluten, dairy and wheat intolerances – there are plenty of substitutes and vegetarian/vegan options.

To begin our hearty feast we had burrata cheese with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and generous drizzles of olive oil. Believe us when we say this was the best variation of mozzarella cheese we have ever tasted. Before we go on www.womanthismonth.com

it’s vital to tell you that everything served at Primavera is in a deep bowl-style plate, where it seems the food never ends – you won’t want it to! Back to the burrata, it was honestly the milkiest, creamiest, air-like softness found in a cheese we had ever experienced. It really felt like we were biting into a cloud. And although it’s dairy, burrata has a very light quality to it. Accompanying this delight was smoked salmon salad with julienne of zucchini, olive and mustard. It was equally as light and fresh and somehow (because smoked salmon has the contrary tendency) not too fishy in taste and smell. Of course, we had a selection of warm and pillow-like breads to keep us going between courses with some fine olive paste to go with them.

Now, at Primavera it’s not just your typical three-course meal. After your antipasti, you’ve essentially two rounds of the main course. Our first, or primi piatti, was a coupling of lobster linguine and ravioli stuffed with veal porcini and mushroom sauce. Packed with your favourite Italian flavours, both dishes did the cuisine justice and rather than leaving us a little sleepy (you know sometimes Italian food can do that to you) it sprang our energy levels up, and got us excited for more! There was nothing heavy about the aforementioned plates. They were beautifully presented, minimal but elaborate, and cutting into them was like slicing a knife through soft butter.

For our second round, or secondi piatti, we were treated to two types of fish: seared hammour on a bed of fresh greens served with lemon sauce and wild seabass scallop with zucchini – fresh from France. And so we tucked into each other’s food and shared it all round and by this point we knew we were in for yet another elegant dish full of flavour. All the while Sajjad was quick to fill any gaps in food knowledge as we were schooled on the restaurant’s extensive history in cooking style and produce sourcing. Needless to say both fish were refined in taste, silky in texture and filling in quantity.

To round up the whole affair, a sinfully delicious dessert trolley came wheeling along. The most intriguing of them all was the chocolate salami.

If you want a ‘death by chocolate’ experience with the added sweetness of marshmallows and cookies, you’ve got to make room for this bite of heaven. Don’t forget about the rest though: almond cookies, tiramisu, macaroons (the pistachio was supreme) and other creamy and stomach-satisfying dolci delights.

Your experience at Primavera will not be short of excellent. From the service to the ambience to the timely transition between courses, we couldn’t fault any part of the lunch. Many special thanks to sous chef Simone for cooking up our wonderful and carefully prepared meals. www.womanthismonth.com

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DINING FEATURE | 10 tips

HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS Want to bring the restaurant scene to your dining room? Here are our tips on how to prepare and host a successful dinner party.

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1

SET A THEME Having a concept running through all your courses will help you focus on what you want to prepare and how to best execute it.

2

3

DON’T COOK NEW FOOD

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Resist the temptation to whip up an exotic platter of a cuisine you’re barely familiar with because disaster will strike. If you’re Julia Child in the kitchen, however, then do what you will.

There’s nothing worse than having a vegan at the table and not having anything appropriate for them. Make sure you know in advance who can eat what.

5

You will understandably have a lot on your plate (oh yes we did), and you’ll be a real perfectionist about the whole thing, but pace yourself because errors are made in haste.

8

INTRODUCE YOUR REST FOR AN GUESTS TO EACH HOUR BEFORE THE OTHER NIGHT BEGINS

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Always have enough ice on hand to go around for the whole evening. Imagine sipping on tepid G&T!

TAKE YOUR TIME

But not too loudly! Make sure you have a set CD or a preprepared playlist to croon through the night.

You are the hostess for a reason.

Be sure to not make any of your guests feel left out. Of course you can’t mollycoddle them the whole time but once you’ve done your bit the rest sorts itself out.

ENOUGH ICE

6

TURN UP THE MUSIC

7

4

Think of that hour before it all kicks off as the calm before the storm because it will get hectic and you will feel like you don’t have enough hands.

9

10

LITTLE EXTRAS

CUT THE CLUTTER

Remember you don’t have to make everything from scratch!

Little tidbits like supermarketbought cheeses and olives are totally acceptable.

We’re not opposed to dinner decor but don’t go overboard with the table ornaments, especially if they obstruct views.

Keep it clean and simple.

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DINING FEATURE | showcase

SLICE OF THE GOOD LIFE If a visit to Rome or Venice is not an option this Valentine’s Day, a delightful meal in the plush settings of Ramee Grand's Italian restaurant Rialto could be a great idea for an evening with your special someone.

I

talians do seem to know something about love and romance that the rest of the world hasn't figured out yet. Almost obligated to live up to this reputation, they seem to attach romance to all parts of their lives. Food of course acts as a catalyst igniting flames and the Italians take theirs very seriously. So it’s no surprise that for Valentine’s Day, the most popular choice of cuisine is Italian.

Get a taste of ‘la dolce vita’ this month at Rialto at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa. Bringing you raw, uninhibited and fresh flavours from the north and south of the country, this restaurant promises a delicious time.

Its chic yet comfortable and warm ambience strikes a delicate balance between luxury fine dining and a sense of being at home. A choice of three separate seating areas – the terrace, the lower level and the upper higher level – ensures a different

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dining experience with each visit.

The menu covers the time-honoured classics while at the same time displaying the genuine creativity of the kitchen team with some innovative preparations.

Expect to take a culinary journey across different regions of Italy; from Rome to Venice, Milan to Naples and Bologna to Trento. The dishes retain the apparent simplicity of Italian home-style cooking, however are loaded with gutsy flavours that burst onto your palate and can be perfectly teamed with the selection of beverages on offer.

The pasta is created in-house everyday and is served with delicious, rich sauces.

The menu also offers antipasti and traditional Italian pizzas. Outdoor seating allows for a flavoured shisha during late afternoons and evenings.

Valentine’s Day celebrations start early

at the restaurant, as you and your special someone can enjoy a decadent spread on Thursday, February 12. Enjoy this carefully selected menu designed to spark the magic for a romantic weekend ahead.

The restaurant also hosts a ravioli promotion this month, so drop in to sample a wide variety of freshly prepared ravioli in a sauce of your choice.

“Rialto is the most convenient choice for rich textured flavours, with an emphasis on authentic recipes prepared by our chef combined with our chic ambience, and bespoke service," says Wolfgang Brandl, Director of F&B at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa. “We source the freshest and highest quality ingredients to create recipes and this is what has helped us develop such a loyal customer base.”

Call 17 111-999. www.womanthismonth.com

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MAKING AN IMPRESSION Combining raw power with finesse and grace is no easy task, but BMW may have cracked it with the latest 7 Series.

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ith its revamped looks and wide range of technologies, this model not only commands respect on the road, it makes an impression that lasts.

Perhaps this model’s greatest accomplishment is that it can seamlessly combine the practicality and versatility of a family car with enough sophistication to ensure you’re always sitting pretty.

The flagship model series of the BMW fleet embodies sporting elegance, refined powertrain technology and luxurious comfort in equal measure, its makers say.

Some of the highlights include new LED headlights, an upgraded interior with optimised soundproofing, improved ride comfort, a comprehensive selection of optional equipment and state-of-the-art safety technology.

A line-up of either new or optimised drive systems, including the world’s most powerful six-cylinder inline diesel engine and the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7, sets new performance and efficiency benchmarks.

High quality design, top-class materials, quality workmanship and practicality define the interior of the new model. The driver and www.womanthismonth.com

front passenger can relax into leather seats that offer optimum lateral support and long-distance comfort.

Rear passengers are also taken care of in this sleek sedan as they are largely cocooned from outside noise. Individual seats are available as an option for the rear and can be adapted to passengers’ needs – ideal for families.

There is an optional rear seat entertainment package with a new 9.2-inch flat screen monitor to ensure the kids are kept occupied during extended journeys. All passengers can appreciate the new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen surround sound system.

The interior is sophisticated and comfortable, with a range of easy to use infotainment features. Extended black-panel technology opens up a new range of display options through the 10.25-inch screen.

The instruments are presented using different colours and graphics – depending on the driving mode selected – and provide situation-specific information such as status and function displays. The control display in

the centre of the instrument panel has visual and technical improvements and now uses high-resolution 3D graphics.

Alongside the flagship BMW 760i with its 12-cylinder powerplant, there is a choice of the BMW 740i with a new TwinPower turbo sixcylinder inline engine or the BMW 750i with a revised V8 petrol engine.

Meanwhile, making its debut is the new BMW 750d xDrive. Rounding off the range is the second generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7, which combines a new TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder inline petrol engine with a 40 kW/55bhp electric motor for significantly reduced emissions.

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LIFESTYLE | travel

When Love Comes Calling

Meeting someone on a holiday abroad and falling hopelessly in love is what modern-day fairy tales are made of. This Valentine’s Day, Ankita Mamgain uncovers three beautiful destinations that could very well springboard you out of Singleville.

CZECH MATE he cobbled stone streets, charming old-world architecture, cathedrals and castles bathed in soft hues as if each building had a lighting director of its own – Prague belongs to the poets, writers, wanderers and romantics. This city is magical, ethereal and somewhat lost in time. With stunning views, a central river, fantastic wine, incredible art, and grand countryside retreats, you'll see why Prague offers the same dose of l'amour as Paris, but often at a much better price. Add to this one of the best nightlife scenes in the whole of Europe and there’s every reason to believe that love is just around the corner. When you do find yourself with a special someone, take a walk down Charles Bridge at night and you’ll really feel like you’re in a different era. Catch a puppet show together, which are popular and not always for kids, surrender to the city’s picture-perfect vistas and let love take over.

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SCINTILLATING SYDNEY his city down under beckons a wide range of travellers; including adventureholics, culture connoisseurs and those looking for love. Sydney’s urban topography offers some of the best beaches in the world, an international heritage site, great restaurants and throbbing night life. It boasts a tourist population that converges from across the world and with its enviable wineries, breathtaking landscapes and a bustling party scene, you will never run out of things to do. One of the best things about

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being in love in Sydney is that you are only an hour or two away from a plethora of romantic getaways. From Hunter Valley to the Blue Mountains, pack your bags for a weekend full of romance. The city provides the perfect backdrop for an outdoors date, be it lazing on the beach, walking through the streets or even kayaking. Clear blue skies and warm temperatures are good news for those who like to spread a rug in a nice spot for a picnic. This gets even better towards the end of the day, as you capture the spectacular play of colours in the evening sky.

TWO TO TANGO ow here’s a city where going out is pretty cheap, clubs and restaurants are open all hours, and that is home to one of the most sensual dances of all – the tango.

The people of Buenos Aires have European roots mixed in with South American genes and, when you add to this equation their reputation for being good at romancing, you’ve got yourself a killer destination to fall in love in. The city bounces with energy and vigour by day and turns mysterious and sultry at night. A slight sense of danger and unpredictability ensures your heart is beating a bit faster than normal as you uncover the city’s vibrant, heady and intoxicating character. Everywhere you look you’ll see love, as it’s common for couples of all ages to get cosy on benches throughout the city. From its innumerable night clubs to sexy restaurants, quaint galleries and even the race courses such as The Palermo and San Isidro, the capital city of Argentina is where love can be found in its most passionate and irresistible form.

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LIFESTYLE | food

Denying the Inevitable Feeding his way into your heart this month, James Claire cannot resist the urge any longer and goes for the one thing he has avoided though he knows it hits the spot every time: chocolate.

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or years I have tried not to make a food column about Valentine’s, simply about chocolate. I have covered dinners for two, options for the lonely at heart and every conceivable meal plan possible. This year I am not denying the inevitable any longer. Valentine’s is as much about chocolate as it is about roses and a smattering of pink fluffy toys and about human touch and love to one another. Why deny chocolate when it’s Valentine’s, right!

If we indulge once a year what’s the harm? There really is no better surefire way to a person’s heart than a direct cupid shot of chocolate, whether that be in the form of a cake, brownies or a local favourite like Mahalabia. For some of us, the only comfort we might actually have at Valentine’s is the chocolate cake that we make ourselves.

Certainly it can be far more satisfying and far cheaper than the Hallmark options. Happy Valentine's to you all.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE 200g 85g 115g 3 210g 60g 1 tspn 1 tspn 1 tspn 1 tspn 250ml

white sugar brown sugar unsalted butter eggs flour cocoa powder bicarbonate soda salt baking powder vanilla essence milk

Chocolate Frosting 500g cream 500g dark chocolate 150g corn syrup • Preheat the oven to 175° Celsius. Grease and line the base of three 20cm diameter cake pans.

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the white sugar, brown sugar and softened butter with the vanilla essence until light and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time and combine well between additions.

• Sift together the flour, soda, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder. Add half the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then half the milk, followed by the second half of both. Mix to combine well.

• Divide the mixture between the three pans and bake for 25-30 minutes each, or until the top springs back when touched. Remove when baked and allow layers to cool in tins.

• To make the frosting, melt the cream, chocolate and corn syrup in the top of a double-boiled bowl over a saucepan of hot water, stirring as it heats.

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• When all chocolate is melted, place the mixture into a shallow pan and place into the refrigerator. Stir the mix every 10 minutes over approximately 1 to 1 and 1⁄2 hours until it is thick enough to ice the cake and hold its shape.

• Join the layers with the icing and decorate the sides and top with the remaining chocolate frosting.

• Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour before serving.

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CHOCOLATEY BROWNIES 110g 90g 200g 2 2 tspns 60g pinch 100g 60g 80g

unsalted butter, melted cocoa powder sugar eggs vanilla plain (all-purpose) flour salt dark chocolate chips white raisins walnuts, chopped

• Preheat oven to 175° Celsius.

• Grease a square cake pan and line with baking parchment.

• In a medium bowl combine melted butter and cocoa and stir until cocoa is dissolved.

• Add the sugar and mix well.

• Add the eggs one at a time and stir until well combined.

• Stir in vanilla, flour and salt until you no longer see any flour but do not overmix.

• Finally, fold in the chocolate chips, nuts and raisins. Spread in pan and bake for approximately 25 minutes.

• Cool completely before cutting into squares or serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

CHOCOLATE MAHALABIA 1½ litres water 450g milk powder 210g sugar rosewater to taste 90g cornflour 180ml milk 200g dark chocolate • Bring the water, milk powder, sugar and rosewater to the boil.

• Stir the cornflour and milk together and mix to a smooth paste.

• Whisk the cornflour mixture into the boiling liquid and boil 2-3 minutes.

• Remove from the heat and stir in the dark chocolate until completely melted.

• Pour immediately into serving dishes and dust liberally with grated pistachio nuts.

• Refrigerate overnight before serving.

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horoscopes

Star

Gazing The month of cupid is upon us. Raphael reveals what you can expect from love…

Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19

Gemini May 22-Jun 21

Libra Sept 24-Oct 23

Pisces Feb 20-Mar 20

Cancer Jun 22-Jul 23

Scorpio Oct 24-Nov 22

The start of 2015 came with a number of financial worries for you and cash flow could continue to be a problem until late February.

It might mean tightening your belt but eventually things will sort themselves out.

Just don’t allow yourself to get down about matters you have no control over.

After a hectic January, things should be a little quieter for you, although that isn’t necessarily how you always like it. Early February could see a mysterious letter raise your curiosity and there could even be some harmless flirting thrown into the mix. Just be careful how far you take things!

Aries Mar 21-Apr 20

With the new year well and truly under way your thoughts are already turning towards holiday plans and you have a few exciting trips organised for the days ahead. With Valentine’s Day also just around the corner some of you could be in for a bigger than expected (but pleasant) surprise!

Taurus Apr 21-May 21

Relationships are important for your sign and with February being the month of love it won’t be an exaggeration to suggest that many of you will already be planning that special event. On the work front, big news and big opportunities will reach you towards the end of the month and you will have to hit the ground running to get the best from them.

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It’s been a difficult introduction to the new year for you – especially where your career is concerned – but by the end of February you will be feeling more like your old self, with your confidence returning and new doors opening as a consequence. Just navigate the month the best you can.

Love is the number one issue on your mind this month and I guess that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, when you consider that you are quite the romantic anyway. A chance encounter whilst travelling is going to prove the catalyst for something very special in your life and heralds the start of exciting times for you.

Leo Jul 24-Aug 23

Some of you may have suffered a setback on the health front and the start of 2015 may not have opened as well as you would have liked. However, the key to getting yourself back on track is self-belief and a strict adherence to any instruction a key medical advisor gives you.

Virgo Aug 24-Sept 23

You will find yourself being thrown straight into the deep end, where work is concerned.

The scale of the project you will be presented with is something you may not immediately appreciate but there’s no turning back; so engage the challenge. This is something you need to embrace, not shy away from.

Some of you may have bitten off a lot more than you can chew this month and much of that could be down to bad advice and a degree of naivety on your own part. Before blaming others, take responsibility and analyse the best way you can get out of the financial mess you’ve landed in. There’s no quick solution!

That major purchase you have been pondering over these last few months is about to be made this February. However, the outcome could be a little different from what you expect. Suffice to say, you are going to be a happy customer nevertheless – although your good fortune might not please some rivals close by.

Sagittarius Nov 23-Dec 21

Finances, work, relationships and health all present challenges for you but none are insurmountable. If you believe in your own abilities there shouldn’t be any hurdle you can’t manage. The real question here is just how much do you want to meet the challenges?

Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20

The early part of this year is going to see you re-associating yourself with a face from the past that still retains a significant pull on your life. This person’s arrival is set to raise all manner of questions and you could be led down the road of temptation, under the guise of one act, when in truth, your real intentions could be much more carnal. www.womanthismonth.com

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BACK TO THE FUTURE Toyota is building on its legacy of producing eco-friendly cars and looking towards the future with its latest offering, the Mirai.

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he Mirai (which means future in Japanese), is Toyota’s new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) and it looks set to join the iconic Prius – the marque’s fully hybrid electric mid-sized hatchback – as the cars of choice for eco-friendly drivers.

Using hydrogen to generate electricity, the Mirai achieves top environmental performance and combines it with the convenience and driving pleasure expected of any car. It has an immediately recognisable design; driving exhilaration stemming from superior handling stability achieved by a low centre of gravity; and quiet but powerful acceleration provided by the electric motor.

Proving that it’s more than a one trick pony, www.womanthismonth.com

the Mirai competes with traditional internal combustion engines, but uses no gasoline and emits only water vapor. The Mirai re-fuels in about five minutes and travels up to 450km on a full tank.

Takayuki Yoshitsugu of Toyota’s Middle East and North Africa Representative Office believes that the Mirai represents a pivotal moment in automotive history as the new, environmentally-friendly car has zero emissions.

“Based on Toyota’s steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability, the Mirai was designed to diminish our dependence on conventional fuels and reduce harm to the environment,” explains Takayuki.

“With the Mirai, Toyota is taking the opportunity to really make a difference for future generations with this bold and inspiring vehicle.”

FCVs are able to generate their own electricity from hydrogen, which can help make a future hydrogen-based society a reality. Hydrogen can be generated using a wide range of natural resources, renewable energy sources and man-made byproducts.

When compressed, it has a higher energy density than batteries and is relatively easy to store and transport, therefore it has potential uses for a wide range of applications.

The Mirai will hit the streets of Europe and the USA late this year.

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last word

In Her Shoes

In the first of our new series, assistant marketing manager Cynthia Narvaez from Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa reveals her daily must-haves.

GREEN DELIGHT

I’ll pretty much have everything green tea related: ice cream, cake or even body wash!

SIGNATURE SCENT

Escada’s Absolutely Me. It has a very refreshing fruity smell and a girly touch too.

FASHION ICON

It’s got to be Kristin Davis from Sex and the City. With her collection of vintage-style dresses, princess coats and A-line skirts, she has a way of dressing age-appropriate and in a classy way.

FAIL-SAFE OUTFIT I’d opt for a little black or white dress with a blazer and a pair of stilettos to finish off the look.

MAKE-UP MUSTS I cannot live without Rimmel lasting finish matte lipstick

by Kate Moss and MAC mascara.

IN THE BAG

I always carry a little notebook, hairbrush, and my Samsung S5 – it’s quite large which is good when you’re always on the go and need to send emails!

FOOTWEAR FEVER

I love shoes. Flats, boots, heels, ballet pumps, sandals, clogs, platforms, wedges, strappy, buckled – you name it, I love it! I feel my heart race when I’m ready to buy a new pair. It’s like a jar of happiness opens when I wear them.

MOVIE NIGHT

I am a hopeless romantic. You’ve Got Mail and Amélie are my absolute favourites.

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