Woman This Month - June 2017

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES

June 2017 | Issue 172 | BD1 / SR10

www.womanthismonth.com

RAMADAN KAREEM • Dos and Don’ts • Iftars and Ghabgas • Gifts and Décor • Fashion

Women In Business Championing the next generation

WELLBEING

Busting the food myths

Hit the Gas

Motoring Safety

NATURAL BEAUTY The latest homegrown organic range

TRAVEL

Great Escapes

CELEBRATE YOUR DRIVE THIS RAMADAN With innovative technologies, premium designs, and thrilling performance across the range, feel empowered and celebrate your drive with our most generous offers.

• Extended warranty for 5 years/unlimited mileage* • 2 years/30,000 km Service contract* • Car protection Nano tech with 3 years warranty*

* Terms and conditions apply.

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JUNE 6 Over To You 8 The Month in Focus

SHOPPING

18

10 Pick of the Month: Shimmering Blooms 12 Editor's Choice: Life's a Beach

FASHION

18 Trend: Bow Belles 20 Fashion Forward: Backstage Pass 22 Get The Look: Modesty Blaise

31

PEOPLE

27 Fehmina Poonawalla Alam: Naturally Beautiful 28 BBBF Women in Business: Championing Women

FEATURE RAMADAN

31-37 Holy Month offers and events

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BEAUTY

38 News: The latest products in the stores

FEATURE MOTORING 43-47 Safety on the road

LIFESTYLE

48 Wellbeing: Food Truths 54 Homes: Seasonal schemes 58 Food: Review 60 Food: Chef's Special 63 Travel: Great Escapes

45

PARENTING

68 Advice: Dr Jinan Harith Darwish 69 Kids' Playground: Graphic Fun 70 Opinion: Ouiam Charkani El Hassani 71 Horoscope: What to expect this month 72 In Her Shoes: Rawia Beyhum

60 For subscriptions visit www.womanthismonth.com Advertising rates are available upon request. Please e-mail sales@womanthismonth.com.

The publication of any advertisement in woman this month is not necessarily an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised.

Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, woman this month cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor do the opinions expressed by individual writers necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

Editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at editor@womanthismonth.com. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed.

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June 2017

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BAHRAIN

R

EDITOR’S NOTE

amadan Kareem to one and all. As we were going to press the Holy Month was just days away and we in the Woman This Month team were gearing up for a period of short working days and long evenings spent with clients and friends reflecting on the spirituality of the season and catching up with people we may not have seen since last year, over delicious Iftar fare. If you're heading out during Ramadan, check out our feature to discover great dining offers as well as ideas for gifts and giving your home that special festive feeling. We've also tackled the Holy Month in the fashion pages with tips on how to style a modest look in keeping with the season.

This time of year brings with it lots of special deals from the motoring world so we've taken a look at one of the most important considerations when buying a new car - its safety rating. Find out more in our special motoring feature.

We're always happy to hear of efforts to promote women in the world of work, so I was pleased to catch up with the Bahrain British Business Forum ladies responsible for setting up the Women in Business special interest group. And our other interviewee this month is someone who might well join - Fehmina Poonawalla Alam, a young mum who couldn't find the organic products she wanted to buy, so now makes them herself here in Bahrain!

If you're as confused as us at the ever changing dietary advice about what's good for us and what's not, make sure to take a look at this month's wellbeing section where Behnaz Sanjana busts some of the food myths (welcome back butter!). And, as always we have recipes for you to try and a review of the latest breakfast to hit the restaurant scene.

There's also our usual round up of news from the worlds of fashion and beauty, advice and opinion and lots more besides.

Happy reading!

The only women's magazine h distributed wit the GDN

Contents copyrighted 2017© Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

ISBN No: 1 899348 11 5. Licensed by the Ministry of Information, Directorate of Publication and Press. Code: SWTM 410 Woman This Month is here for the modern woman of substance and aspiration, embodying a personal style while exploring the best of all worlds: fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

Bahrain office address Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: editor@womanthismonth.com website: www.womanthismonth.com 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

Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide

Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director

Bahrain Edition

Our month: The team met a princess at Guerlain's perfume launch and George and I enjoyed the Wolfgang Puck pre-F1 party at the Four Seasons.

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES

June 2017 | Issue 172 | BD1 / SR10

• Dos and Don’ts • Iftars and Ghabgas • Gifts and Décor • Fashion

Women In Business WELLBEING

Busting the food myths

June 2017

www.womanthismonth.com

RAMADAN KAREEM

Championing the next generation

4

chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA CHARLIE HOLDING PUJA TIWARI DR JINAN DARWISH RAPHAEL OUIAM CHARKANI EL HASSANI head of digital operations NEIL F VAZ print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL JAYATH TEKI media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers FARHEEN AHMED circulation and research ROANNA FERNANDES photography editor MONA ABDUL JABBAR photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press UNION PRESS, BAHRAIN

June 2017, Issue 172 On the cover: Aab modest fashion

Hit the Gas

Motoring Safety

NATURAL BEAUTY The latest home-grown organic range

TRAVEL

Great Escapes

www.womanthismonth.com

news

Over to you Best Reaction on Twitter

Our video tweet about the Rotary Club of Manama handing out food and water to the labourers on the occasion of Labour Day got most likes.

Most Liked Post on Instagram Our post on about primary school student Juwairiya Al Siddeeqi, who invented a device to purify classroom air to help her special needs classmates, was the most popular.

Your Shout I loved the short report on London Modest Fashion Week in last month’s issue and the fact that there was a Bahrain brand represented. I don’t cover but have many friends who do and some of them are among the most stylish women I know, so it’s no surprise that modest fashion is, as you said, going mainstream. I’d like to know more about the designers featured — any chance you could do a follow-up?

Raniah.

Ed: We’re also interested, Raniah, and will try to bring you more news in a future issue.

Win, Win, Win! This month, since Ramadan is here, we’re giving away a delicious Arabic-inspired scent from French brand Guerlain – Ambre Eternal, limited edition eau de parfum.

House perfumer Thierry Wasser drew inspiration from the treasures of the East to create Ambre Eternel, a powerful sillage that makes the ideal scent for men and women alike.

The main ingredient in this amber accord is ambergris, which gives a sensual, voluptuous character. The amber accord then unfolds, roused by the spicy facets of cardamom and coriander, before delicately melting into a blend of orange blossom absolute, leather and woody notes.

Ambergris is a rare and precious raw ingredient, naturally secreted by the whale, with its fine qualities revealed after several years’ oxidation under the action of seawater and the sun’s rays.

For a chance to get your hands on this prize, keep your eye on our social media pages.

I loved your weddings feature in the last issue. I’m getting married this summer and am mired in last-minute arrangements. The idea for a lingerie shower is one I’ve hinted at to some of my close friends — it seems like great fun and thanks for the off-the-wall hen night ideas. I’ll be having two parties, one here in Bahrain and one back home in the UK. I really fancy a gaming night for the Bahrain one and, since it might turn into a sten night, with some of my male friends coming along too, this would be ideal and it’s something I would never have thought of.

Well done, keep up the good work.

Louise.

Thanks for carrying Dr Jinan’s answers to the woman who was experiencing night sweats last month. I’m having the same issue and was feeling very down about it. I’ll be taking her advice and hoping for a cooler summer.

Jen.

Most Liked Post on Facebook On Facebook post on editor’s note received the highest engagement.

# Trending

What’s caught our eye in the news this month. #Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, where women are banned from driving cars, a female university student has heroically driven a bus driver to safety after he suffered a stroke while behind the wheel.

Ashwaq al-Shamri saved the life of the driver in the northwestern city of Hail as he transported her home from university along with several of her female classmates.

"The driver told us that he felt dizzy and then suddenly stopped," Shamri told Saudi newspaper Okaz.

"Me and my colleagues got out, carried him and sat him in the back of the bus. They tried to give him first aid and I drove to the nearest shop on the agricultural road to get him cold water."

She explained that the nearest hospital was miles away so she then took him to his house, where his family were able to rush him to hospital just in time to make a full recovery.

Alaraby.co.uk #Saudi Arabia. Is Driving Next? Saudi Arabia Relaxes Rules for Women.

On May 4, King Salman of Saudi Arabia issued a decree concerning opportunities for women in his country. This decree has two parts. The first part orders government agencies to list services that women can seek from the government without permission from a male guardian (usually a father or husband). Until now women could not obtain government services without the presence and permission of a male guardian. The second part of the decree directs organisations to provide transportation for female employees, in a country in which women are not permitted to drive.

Forbes.

We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at editor@womanthismonth.com Follow us on:

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June 2017

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news

June in Focus What’s on our radar this month?

Rasha’s Reward

We’re very happy to say “Congratulations” this month to Bahrain teacher Rasha Al-Najjar who recently won the prestigious GESS Judges Award 2017 – Education Professional, in recognition of her work as a teacher and efforts to raise youth awareness about conservation and the protection of resources. We interviewed Rasha last year and were very impressed, so it’s no surprise that she caught the eye of judges at the GESS (Global Education Supplies and Solutions) Dubai exhibition and conference, the biggest educational event in the region, who picked just 23 outstanding winners from thousands of entries worldwide.

Retail Therapy

A major shopping festival aimed at boosting the local economy and attracting visitors from across the region is due to open at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) on June 1. The biggest event of its kind, this is the first time the venue has been fully booked for five weeks, with the event running through to the third day of Eid. There will be hundreds of retailers and national pavilions from countries such as Kuwait and Egypt offering unique goods and a wide range of bargains.

Life’s a Beach

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain has announced the opening of The Beach Lounge, where guests can enjoy a new dining experience that does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a beachfront lounge purposely created for diners wanting to enjoy the resort’s gorgeous outdoor scenery. Situated between Kahlo Club and Thai Lounge, the new space is directly on the white-sand beach and will be open every week from Wednesday to Saturday from Eid.

Pop Culture

Dig out your cosplay costumes and get ready for some fun at Animania Bahrain – the annual anime, video games, movies, comics and pop culture convention held at Bahrain International Circuit on June 30.

The event generally includes video game tournaments, table top and card games, comic bookstalls and a cosplay competition. A number of Middle Eastern artists and game developers also showcase their work at the Kingdom’s largest event celebrating Japanese animation (anime), graphic novels (manga), gaming and pop culture.

Business Booster Pretty Things Look out for the ladies only Ramadan Pop-up Market taking place at La Santé in Budaiya from 8pm till midnight on June 9 and 10. Expect yummy treats, abaya and jalabiya designs, fabulous jewellery and more. You can take part as a vendor by contacting 37 119-590, or just go along and join in the fun and shopping as a visitor.

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June 2017

As part of its campaign to engage and educate target segments about the recently launched Bahrain Investment Market (BIM), an equity market for growing business ventures in Bahrain and the wider MENA region, the Bahrain Bourse conducted an orientation session for members of the Bahrain Businesswomen Society, which is headed by Feryal Abdulla Nass.

Women business owners’ share in the private sector has been trending upwards in recent years. According to the Bahraini Women in Numbers 2015 report issued by the Supreme Council for Women, women held 41 per cent of commercial registrations as of June 2014.

The report also found women owned 56 per cent of Bahrain’s sustainable active commercial registrations. The presentation focused on the BIM’s innovative model and numerous benefits which are designed to cater to the needs of companies who are looking to raise capital to fund their future growth. www.womanthismonth.com

alosraonline.com TRUST NARJIS TO PICK THE BEST FOR YOU

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SHOPPING | pick of the month

Shimmering Blooms

As spring approaches, Van Cleef & Arpels is revisiting its Frivole collection, a luminous ode to nature. We love these delicate little flowers which come in nine original creations that seem to quiver beneath the wind’s caress. The different models light up the skin with their precious brilliance giving a breath of spring.

Available at Asia Jewellers Moda Mall 17 534-444, Al Aali Mall 17 581-444, Seef Mall 17 587-888, Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain 17 580-123, City Centre Bahrain 17 179-009 www.asiajewellers.com

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June 2017

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SHOPPING | editor's choice

Life’s a Beach

Summer’s here and the time is right to hit the beach. From figure flaunting bikinis to tummy-toning one pieces, there’s more choice in the stores and online than ever before.

Add a floaty cover-up and a statement beach bag to make sure you get noticed on the sands for all the right reasons – and, of course, don’t forget the sun screen!

Floppy hat, New Look 17 179-406.

Blue crochet back bikini, H&M 17 110-350.

Carla cat-eye sun glasses, New Look 17 179-406.

Graphic high-rise bikini, Bershka 17 172-303.

Tankini, M&S 17 211-309.

Metallic and leather flats, Max 17 179-374.

Creeper Bow Sandals, Fenty Puma by Rihanna puma.com

Floral bowler bag, Cath Kidston 16 686-209.

Oysho Beachwear SS17

Floral kaftan, M&S 17 211-309.

Flamingo inflatable, Sunnylife x Tiffany Cooper Selfridges Selfridges.com

Adorada woven tote, Sophie Anderson Selfridges Selfridges.com

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June 2017

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‫نفس الطعم الطازج‬ ‫شكل جديد مميز‬ SAME FRESH TASTE NEW FRESH LOOK ‫اآلن بحلتــه الجديــدة يقــدم لكــم دجــاج المزرعــة نفــس‬ ‫المــذاق الطــازج الــذي تعودتــم عليــه واســتحق ثقتكــم‬ ‫ إن دجــاج مزارعنــا ينمــو‬.1982 ‫عبــر األجيــال منــذ العــام‬ ‫بصــورة طبيعيــة ووفقــا ألعلــى معاييــر الجــودة لنقــدم‬ .‫ وذو مــذاق مميــز‬،‫ طــري‬،‫لكــم منتــج مغــذي‬

Now in a brand new look, Farm Chicken brings you that same familiar freshness trusted by generations of happy customers since 1982.

Our naturally grown chickens are raised by the highest standards to give you a nourishing product that’s both tender and tasty.

WWW.DAWAJEN.BH | FOLLOW US ON

DAWAJEN.BH

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Etiquette Skills Lecture

The International Ladies Association held a lecture about etiquette skills and art by Dalal Alshooroogi.

Fatima Kooheji & Dalal Alshooroogi

Naima & Noor

Maria, Samia, Fatima & Rasha

Sharifa & Fatima

Suraya, Noor & Khadija

Badria & Safia

Safia & Zubaida

Dalal Alshooroogi

Bahrain held the award ceremony of the National Company Competition 2017 and Annual Award Ceremony INJAZ Appreciation Lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

HH Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa

Usman Ahmed, Nadera & Nader

Anfal & Reem

Hawra, Saima, Jaffer & Ali

14 June 2017

Lathifa, Nabila & Dareen

Munya & Jawahar

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R a m a d a n Ka r ee m

Casa Cucina offers premium quality home & kitchen collections, unique and elegantly designed to perfection that set trends. Leave a remarkable impression in your home and kitchen, from residential to offces, hotels and restaurants.

Seef District, Opposite The Courtyard (+973) 178400707

info@casacucinabh.com

casacucinabahrain

HOME & KITCHEN COLLECTIONS

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Ann, Abdulrahim & Rasha

Golden Tulip Bahrain Hotel hosted Dinner Party The a dinner party at its premises.

Rasha, Babu, Karti & Amna

Rasha, Liz, Ketan & George

Yaqoob, Remy & Akram

Guerlain Launch

Guerlain previewed its latest fragrance, Oud Essentiel, in collaboration with Gallery 21. The launch was held in the presence of HE Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and HRH Princess Esther Kamatari of Burundi, Guerlain’s Brand Ambassador.

Nada, Elvira, Laurent, HRH Princess Esther Kamatari of Burundi, Shaikh Rashid, Baron Henri, Chole & Catherine

Nada, Tulin, Farheen & Hina

16 June 2017

Dalal & Mariam

Marie & Violette

www.womanthismonth.com

Memories are the one gift you give to yourself.

Recharge your body and calm your mind with 90 minutes of tip-to-toe pampering, plus unlimited time in the steam room, sauna, Thalasso therapy pool and relaxation room, rounded off with a tea for two treat at The Ritz Gourmet Lounge coupled with a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, mini cakes & pastries. The treatment includes: soothing back, neck and shoulder massages / express manicure/ body smoother exfoliation, foot reflexology / ESPA pink hair & scalp mud treatment. call +973 17586808 or visit ritzcarlton.com/bahrain.

BHD 70 per couple. Price based on two (2) persons booking. Excluding weekend. Offer is limited and is subject to availability. Advanced appointment is required.

Cannot be combined with any other promotion or membership benefits. No refund or credit for unused portion. Š2017 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

FASHION | trend

BOW BELLES Jean Paul Gaultier SS17 - Look 09

Big ones, little ones, subtle ones and over-the-top ones, there’s no denying that beautiful bows are popping up everywhere this season.

Striped bow front blouse, Splash 38 819-328.

Striped hair band, Parfois 17 178-054.

Palomar wrap mini, ba&sh ba-sh.com

Laughter bag, Aldo 17 582-081.

Bothwell choker, Aldo 17 582-081.

Black and cream top with shoulder bows, Stradivarius 17 172-306.

Tie-waist linen-look pants, H&M 17 110-350.

Criss-cross tie heels, Shoe Express 17 178-959.

This summer’s high-waisted pants are the perfect foil for a bright, eye-catching bow, like this gorgeous orange number from Mango. If you prefer a more subtle look, there are also lots of tie-waist trousers around. Tops range from big and blousy to prettily adorned or use jewellery and shoes to display your on-trend fashion credentials. This is one style that can be adapted to virtually every age, taste and preference.

Orange cummerbund, Mango 17 179-718.

Gucci detail

S T YL E I T Y OU R W A Y

Tie back crop top, Stradivarius 17 172-306.

Metallic lace-up flats, Ballin ballin-shoes.com

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June 2017

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Non-surgical CACI eyelift

Have a non-surgical CACI Eye-lift with complimentary steam room, microcurrent therapy to tighten and tone, whilst smoothing fine lines.

This results-driven treatment uses micro-current therapy to work in harmony with the body’s own bioelectrical field. CACI stimulates and re-educates the muscles, tightening and toning sagging muscles. Facial contours are redefined, whilst smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

BHD 15 for 45 mins Contact details for more information: +973 17460051/52

rejuvenating

movenpick.com

RimalSpaAd.indd 1

5/18/17 6:04 PM

Share an unforgettable Iftar with prizes to be won Share a mouthwatering iftar as the sun sets in Silk’s & The Gallery restaurants and you could win one of four tickets with Qatar Airways to any destination in the world.

At BD 19.9 net, the daily Iftar buffet includes water and juices, with special offers for groups of 15 and above. Our tailored Iftar and Gabga menus start at BD 12 net for groups of 75 or more.

Poolside seating and sheesha is served from breakfast until 1:00 am, with cooled tents available. hotel.bahrain.fb@movenpick.com for bookings, call 17460017

spirit of the season 2.indd 1

movenpick.com

5/17/17 5:41 PM

FASHION | fashion forward

Tree of Life Inspires Fashion Prize Luxury fashion house, Loewe, has announced the winner of the 2017 Loewe Craft Prize, ‘Tree of Life 2’ by Ernst Gamperl.

An annual international award celebrating excellence in craftsmanship, the incentive for the prize goes back to Loewe’s roots as a collective of artisans in 1846. Born in Germany in 1965, Gamperl was selected from 26 finalists evaluated

Couture Carpets

by a distinguished jury composed of leading figures from the worlds of design, architecture, journalism and museum curatorship.

Jonathan Anderson, creative director, says: ‘The work of Ernst Gamperl has something which conveys a unique voice and the physicality of these pieces will be important for many more years to come.’

E G A T S BACK

S S A P he world t m o r f s w e The latest n of fashion

Designer Paul Smith unveiled a number of new floor coverings in his collaboration with The Rug Company at Milan Design Week 2017.

Due to be launched in the autumn, the new additions include the Albemarle rug, which transforms the architectural motif from the façade of the designer’s Mayfair shop into a sophisticated home textile featuring steely grey lines on a matte wool base.

In direct contrast, the Overlay rug (pictured above) explodes with the vibrant multi-colour palette and modern stripe pattern that has become the designer’s signature. The third addition is Carnival Pale, a playful development on the stripes in pastel tones. The collection also includes two new handwoven needlepoint cushions featuring a kaleidoscope of muted colours.

S p an i s h B r an d Cou r t s B ah r a i n Mango adapted its website to Arabic in some areas across the region earlier this year and now that adaptation has been extended to Bahrain, Lebanon and Oman. Features added, to cater to the local market, include store credit, avoiding bank transfers on returns for customers who opt for payment on delivery of items.

Improvements have also been made to the mobile app.

Further illustrating its commitment to the Arab market, the brand has launched a new collection for Ramadan, paying special attention to the colour palette, accessories and silhouettes combined with finishes and materials in an original offering for festive occasions.

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June 2017

UK Modest Fashion Comes to Bahrain

London-based label Aab has launched in Bahrain in collaboration with Debenhams. The brand, which has gained international recognition since unveiling its first collection in 2007, has launched this week in seven stores across Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. After finding it difficult to shop for fashionable modest clothing pieces that were stylish and mirrored her busy modern lifestyle, London-born Muslim Nazmin Alim founded fashion label Aab. The brand has hit the spot for many style-savvy ladies seeking conservative yet practical wardrobe essentials, propelling Aab almost immediately to the forefront in the modest clothing sector across the globe.

The brand offers an elegant range, with pieces including hoodies, turtleneck slips, kimonos and cover-up jumpsuits, as well as a variety of hijabs and abayas for every occasion. It also creates luxurious yet street-style-inspired clothing for the everyday woman.

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase AMBASSADOR STORES

TICKING ALONG WITH STYLE This leading watchmaker offers a wide range of timepieces that make a statement about the wearer.

M

ore than 100 years ago, Seiko produced the first wristwatch made in Japan. Today, the company continues to thrive, thanks to the skill and passion of the craftsmen and women in whose hands the watches are assembled, adjusted and inspected.

This long tradition and high level of craftsmanship were the keys to the creation of the Presage collection of fine mechanical watches.

From its very first watch in 1913 to today’s latest creations, Seiko has continuously honed its skills, increased the precision of its manufacturing and developed new ideas and components in its own, uniquely Japanese style.

The Seiko collection includes several very special creations with dials made of enamel.

The Japanese tradition of enamel work has a long history, embracing both white enamelling and the celebrated cloisonné style.

Consequently, every dial is different and has its own specific beauty. The smoothness, the texture and the rich whiteness of the dials do not change with the years, so the beauty of a Presage enamel dial is forever.

Seiko has a reputation for innovation and, over the years, this tradition has continued.

In 1958, Seiko created its own shock resistance system – Diashock – and in 1959 it introduced the Magic Lever winding system. By 1969, it made the world’s first automatic chronograph with both vertical clutch and column wheel systems, and in 2009 the company created a new hi-beat calibre using its own alloys for the main and hairsprings.

At the heart of every Presage watch are three technologies: Spron, Diashock and Magic Lever. Spron mainspring and hairspring alloys boast superior elasticity, strength, and corrosion and heat resistance, and deliver the reliable and precise foundation for every Presage watch. Diashock is a device that absorbs impact on one of the most vulnerable parts of the mechanical watch, the balance-staff pivot. Lastly, the Magic Lever system increases the winding efficiency and shortens the time needed for the main spring to become fully wound.

IMAGING Center The Ingenia 1.5T S, AMH’s new MRI system, designed to drive ‘First time right’ imaging while also facilitate a faster workflow, with the overall aim of enhancing the patient’s experience during MRI examinations.

The in-bore solution offers patients a comforting, engaging visual distraction and provides the opportunity to personalize their experience and feel empowered. The patient selects a theme to fill the room with a colorful video image which is viewed while in-bore and is combined with soothing audio to enhance the experience and create an immersive experiences.

17 17 77 11 www.amh.org.bh

Call 17 225-513. www.womanthismonth.com

June 2017

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FASHION | get the look

MODESTY BLAISE

The Holy Month of Ramadan brings with it many social functions, both for business and pleasure. Whilst it’s always a good idea to be mindful of local cultures and traditions, for those of us who’ll be attending Iftars and Ghabgas, it’s a time to adopt a particularly modest style – covering shoulders and ensuring skirts are a respectable length. But modest doesn’t have to mean boring; check-out our style options for some inspiration.

Black and metallic shoulder-length earrings, Stradivarius 17 172-306.

Alfie Zigzag bag, Ballin farfetch.com

Etro Resort 2017

Graphic Zara Larsson top, H&M 17 223-031.

Chunky cuff, Desigual 17 178-059.

Weill SS17

Sarah-Paulson

Red suede wedge sandals, Parfois 17 178-054.

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June 2017

Striped bow-waisted pants, Stradivarius 17 172-306.

Perfect Pants Statement trousers are probably the easiest way to achieve a subtly modest look while maintaining your fashion credibility. Marry interesting waist detail with a cropped top – but make sure it meets the top of the pants. Add in comfy, clashing wedges for evenings when you will be on your feet a lot and finish your look with chunky jewellery and a fun clutch. www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION | get the look

Earrings and ring, Purificación Garcia purificaciongarcia.com Dress watch, Michael Kors 17 178-630.

Esme embroidered jacket, Alice and Olivia aliceandolivia.com

Kleyman bug earrings, Aldo 17 179-245.

Deep red bag with rose embellished wallet, Shoe Express 17 178-959.

Shimmering skirt and matching halter top, M&S 17 211-309.

Listolade beaded bag, Aldo 17 179-245.

Butterfly patterned dress and coat combo, Weill weill.com

Coral leg-tie sandals, Call It Spring 16 686-203.

Bi-coloured courts, Stradivarius 17 172-306.

Maxi Style

Dress to Impress

A floor-length skirt is perfect and very versatile. If you’re going to team it with a strappy top, consider adding a statement jacket to cover shoulders or a lightweight wrap.

This look says sophistication to a T. Pick an accent colour from the jacket to match your shoes for a smart option or wear the skirt with a bright white fitted tee for a more dressed-down look. Add in funky, fun earrings and an overthe-top clutch to finish the look.

Whether you go for plain and classic or something a bit more ornate, such as this coat and shift combination, there’s something about a dress that always looks classy.

You could stand out with bi-coloured courts like these but this outfit would be equally at home worn with ballet flats.

With so much going on in the dress and jacket, keep your accessories simple, this combination needs no extra effort to get you noticed.

www.womanthismonth.com

June 2017

23

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Anniversary Blockbuster

Fucom International celebrated Geant’s 16th anniversary and launched its HappyMe programme.

Kavita & Rohan

Farheen, Shahin, Jidesh, Ashdosh, Randa & Mark

Ahmed, Abdulla & Khalifa

Andy & Tom

Dessange Charity Event

Pool Party

Al Ghalia Co announced Dessange’s Spinathon charity event for Bahrain Cancer Society during a press conference held at Monsoon restaurant.

Marie, Dana, Israa & Dawn

Steve & Tracy

The K Hotel held a summer pool party at its premises.

Natasha, Bilal & Ali

Lenses Launch Optica and Carl Zeiss held a talk by Weam Zabar and launched the new Zeiss EnergizeMe spectacle lenses.

Ahmed & Dipanker

24 June 2017

Baudouin & Pranshant

Fatima, Weam & Tarini

www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Veedol Launch

International Motor Trading Agency announced its partnership with Veedol Motor oil during a press conference at the Inter Continental Regency Hotel.

Christalyn, Thomas & Abady Susan Kanoo & KN Singh

Corporate Event

Waseemuddin, Ninad & Suraj

Sheraton Hotel held a corporate event at its premises.

Ric, Alix, Faiza & Juliet

Gulf Hotel Suites (previously Gulf Residence Amwaj) announced its new name as well as held the Bennigan’s Amwaj prelaunch party at its premises.

Launch Party

Nada, Noor & Adeela

Abaya Launch

Nada & Kamila

26 June 2017

Annada launched its very own reversible abaya line.

Shereen

Sunny, Ebrahim & Jagath

Irene & Carol

James & Debbie

www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | interview

Naturally Beautiful Fehmina Poonawalla Alam, the woman behind Bahrain’s latest homegrown organic and vegan beauty brand, explains what drives her.

When was Organicare launched?

Organicare was founded in 2012 and launched in 2013 around the same time I had my second baby.

What made you decide to go down this route?

I was searching for the cause of my health concerns, when even doctors didn't have a simple answer. That led me to a path of knowledge and discovery and the overwhelming realisation of how toxic our environment has become along with all the products we use and the foods we eat. Part of the research made me realise that the silver filling amalgams used by dentists contributed towards my health concerns.

How do you develop the products?

Each and every product in the Organicare line has been created by me. I’ve dedicated a lot of time to researching each ingredient, their benefits and their function in the formula.

I created and recreated the formulas till I was satisfied with the result. I didn't want just a natural and non-toxic formula, but also one that can perform as well as its toxic counterparts, so there is no excuse for not going natural. I’ve also made sure the products [which aren’t animal tested] are vegan and halal.

Where are the ingredients sourced?

The ingredients are sourced from reputable and certified companies in the US. They take only the best products from around the world; companies that are ethical and mostly who have sustainable practices.

The products are all made in Bahrain; do you have a large-scale production facility here?

The products are currently handcrafted in small quantities and made fresh. We are working towards getting them produced on a larger scale to fulfil the growing demand and for easier accessibility.

How large is the product range?

Organicare started with a baby care range and expanded to skin care. We also have body care which mainly has body oils and deodorants.

The make-up line has been a recent addition. www.womanthismonth.com

Fehmina Poonawalla

You recently launched “the first ever organic, vegan, natural and toxic free liquid lipstick” – is this a first for the region or for the world and what made you develop it?

As far as I know, this is the only one in the world that is not only vegan and halal, but also has organic ingredients, such as babasu, jojoba, chia seed and sea buckthorn. And the result is the same as expected from any conventional liquid matte lipstick, minus the toxins and with added benefits.

Many customers who’ve bought lipsticks and lip glazes asked if Organicare was coming out with a liquid matte lipstick. Seeing the popularity of this type of product in the conventional make-up market, I thought “Why not?” It was definitely a challenge and I took it up a notch and made it safe and nourishing enough to be used on your skin as a cream blush as well.

We launched Cheeky Lips, Liquid Matte Lip & Cheek Color on May 4 and, since then, customers have returned to purchase more for themselves, as gifts or have sent new customers our way.

What’s next for the brand?

We have gotten so much love and support for

the products that we feel it is time to get them out to as many stores for easier accessibility.

We are working on expanding the company from being home-based to being produced in a bigger facility.

Where can people find your products?

They can be purchased online at website www. organicare.me, through Bodyline Spa in Saar or through Jennifer Perrin, the make-up artist at Beauty Spot Salon in Hamala.

Anything else you would like to add?

As a consumer it’s essential that you read and ask questions from each and every company you buy from. There are many companies which are green washing and using the word “natural” and “pure”, yet they are anything but safe. Many people assume that natural is the same as organic and that if a company says its natural then that’s good enough.

A sunflower oil can be natural, but when a sunflower oil is organic, then it is GMO free and free of any toxic elements, such as pesticides.

Be an informed consumer and read the labels and question every ingredient being used — that includes those from natural and organic companies. Knowledge is power! g June 2017

27

PEOPLE | interview

Championing Women in Business Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) recently launched a Women in Business special interest group, Liz O’Reilly chatted to the ladies responsible to find out more.

Paula, Georgina and Emilia

G

eorgina Munnik, of law firm Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, and Emilia MatevaSmith, Trade and Investment Officer at the British Embassy, are two women for whom life in the world of big business is second nature.

However, they can appreciate that’s not the case for every woman starting out, or even those who have been in the workplace for some time, so they were keen to help set up the new group.

Paula Boast, also of Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, and BBBF deputy chair, proposed the initiative. She explains: “About two years ago a survey asked BBBF members what they would like to see and two areas where more effort was needed were young people and women. A special interest group for young professionals was set up in November 2016 and the women’s section started in March.

“This is about legacy and succession: people were saying ‘we don’t feel there is anything for us’. We were missing out on a catchment area of young Bahraini women and felt that for the BBBF to be effectively fulfilling its underlying objectives that this was an area that needed addressing. .”

However, far from being a group purely for women, Georgina points out: “It’s really not a

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gender specific group per se. Yes it’s there for supporting, mentoring and development of women but it’s also about people of both sexes discussing issues in business from a female point of view. There’ll be a lot of men running businesses and departments and they should be interested in listening to what women think, sharing their experiences and being part of that conversation.”

Paula adds: “It’s about giving both Bahraini and expat women, within the BBBF, a forum where they can discuss the genuine issues they encounter in business.”

Emilia says: “When we first sat down to talk about this group we had to look at how it would function when you take gender out of it.

We knew we wanted men to come, we welcome them and we will have male speakers but it’s about how we, as women, deal in business differently – that’s something for both genders to be aware of.”

“We had 62 people at the first meeting and there have been requests for us to hold them monthly,” says Georgina. “But initially they will be quarterly as we want to ensure the quality of the events and the speakers and presentations we put forward. However, the group will be active between meetings if

anyone needs support, advice or mentoring.”

Emilia adds: “We had great feedback from the first event, which was a panel Q and A. The panellists were asked about their experience and their route to the top – that’s not gender specific – It is aimed to guide and inspire. “In the future we would hope to have a CEO who has women in senior positions to speak on the processes and company way of thinking that has made that happen.

“Our aim is to have people from all levels of business, not just those at the top; we want women to have someone who’s on the next step of the ladder to relate to. We also want to make the meetings networking and knowledge sharing events, by engaging with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and market specialists at all levels ” When questioned about overall attitudes to the establishment of the SIG and its objectives Georgina is realistic : “I do believe we have some challenge ahead but I’m excited about it and, from the response we’ve had, this is an initiative that is needed and the vast majority of people are incredibly positive.”

The next meeting is due to take place after Ramadan and there will be another later in the year, towards the autumn. g www.womanthismonth.com

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RAMADAN SPECIAL | holy month

Offers Galore This month is special for many reasons. Read on to find out more.

The Holy Month of Ramadan is a time of sharing and giving, and the entire gamut of Bahrain’s hospitality and retail sectors gets in on the act by coming up with fantastic offers.

Hotels and stand-alone restaurants set up traditional tents to host Iftar and Ghabga feasts. Delectable Arabian fare and authentic juices are served, paired with scintillating oud music. Many hotels transform the ambiance in their venues to match the theme of the month and serve delightful Iftar repasts on a daily basis.

Private gatherings can be hosted with tailormade menus and entertainment options. It’s a range of feasts too wide to mention but we particularly recommend the K Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, traditional

favourite, the Golden Tulip, the Mövenpick Hotel and Lanterns, which is particularly good for those seeking a departure from the more traditional fare.

Throughout the month, there’s the chance to pamper yourself with special beauty treatments created by many spas and salons, such as Dessange and Joz, and several supermarkets and hypermarkets line up month-long promotions and raffle draws, giving out prizes ranging from cars to air tickets and everything in between. Groceries and other necessities can be bought at discounted prices. Head to Alosra for fabulous deals; you won’t be disappointed.

Furniture and clothing retailers roll out bargains for the entire family. Al Rashid Group encompasses a plethora of brands in

most big malls around the Kingdom and is always a good choice for shoppers.

The ever-competitive telecom industry offers great packages and handsets at unbeatable rates, many without down payment when bought on instalments.

Compare deals from all three providers to bag the best.

If you are looking to buy a vehicle, keep your eyes peeled! Cars are often heavily discounted around this time, making it a popular month for sales. Several dealerships offer new and previous years’ models at a markdown inclusive of car service, insurance and warranty.

Infiniti Bahrain and Euro Motors are top-notch automobile brands you can rely on.

RAMADAN DO’S AND DON’TS Ramadan is the most important time of the year in Bahrain as it is a period for reflection and increased devotion. Since Islam is Bahrain’s official religion, follow these handy tips to steer you in the right direction.

DO: Share a Ramadan greeting Greet your colleagues with salutations such as “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak”.

Accept an invitation for Iftar If you are invited by anyone to dine at their home for an Iftar, it’s polite to accept and a wonderful way to experience authentic culture.

Dress appropriately Cover your shoulders and knees

www.womanthismonth.com

in loose-fitting clothing and be considerately modest when going out.

Be charitable Join in and contribute towards the many fundraising and charitable events organised during the month.

Be patient and respectful Practising patience and kindness is a way of supporting those who are fasting, and will be well received.

DO NOT: Eat or drink in public Refrain from eating, drinking and chewing gum in public.

Turn up your stereo If you happen to listen to music, use headphones and keep the volume low.

Smoke in public areas Just like eating and drinking, do not smoke in public during the fasting hours.

June 2017

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showcase HOME CENTRE

READY FOR RAMADAN The region’s leading home retailer has launched its Ramadan catalogue to give you genius gift ideas, décor tips and Iftar recipes.

H

ome Centre has revealed the royal look of Ramadan this year – shades of purple, white, silver and gold fill the brand’s new 28-page catalogue, which is centrally themed on the spirit of giving. This look-book is an all-rounder, as it also carries mouthwatering recipes fit for the festive season and inspiration to shower loved ones with gifts galore in keeping with the essence of the Holy Month. It is a special time to particularly pay attention to being compassionate towards and care for those around us. What better way to do this than by bestowing thoughtful gifts and coming together for sharing hearty meals?

What you will find in Home Centre’s stunning 2017 Ramadan collection are timeless furniture pieces, Arabesque accessories, festive lighting options, exquisite tableware and kitchen essentials. Play the perfect host in a home that reflects the splendour of the season when you invite loved ones to partake in the festivities with you. The catalogue has a delightful local flavour and will give you ideas to decorate your spaces with styling tips you’ll love.

With Home Centre’s array of aesthetic, high-quality products, it’s easy to be a good guest by presenting meaningful tokens of appreciation to those who’ve welcomed you to their homes. There’s something to suit all tastes and pockets – decorative platters, stylish trinkets, artsy candle holders and lots more. If you’re still unsure of the best choice,

just purchase Ramadan gift cards, available in-store throughout the month, to let your family and friends choose the perfect present for themselves.

In addition to helping people spruce up their homes, Home Centre plans to organise a ‘Share a Table’ Iftar in association with a charitable institution on the island. Through this event, the retailer will highlight the importance of sharing and encourage people to spare their resources and time to add value to the lives of the less fortunate.

Home Centre has two stores on the island – at City Centre Bahrain and Oasis Mall, East Riffa.

Over the years the brand has won the hearts of all those looking to create a beautiful home by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation and exceptional customer experience at all times. Its extensive and impressive selection of furniture, furnishings, decorative accessories, bed and bath ranges, as well as kitchenware and service utensils, has been a hit with a diverse customer base across the MENA region.

Visit www.homecentre.com or follow www.facebook.com/homecentrestores, www.twitter.com/askhomecentre and www.instagram.com/homecentrestores

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June 2017

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase CASA CUCINA

CREATING STYLE STATEMENTS This store offers unique, trendsetting, premium-quality home and kitchen collections.

I

f you are seeking to redefine luxury and give your home the impression of innovation, look no further than Casa Cucina, a store designed for those who want to add a touch of richness to their home or office space.

This Ramadan is the ideal time to visit and discover the regal, Arabic-inspired collections, ideal for beautifying your own home or giving as gifts.

For Iftar, Casa Cucina’s dinnerware collections impart a taste of luxury living, their golden hues transforming the sunset table with reflections of light.

Serve traditional tea with a blend of international style and modern design with this gorgeous stainless steel tea collection – a superbly stylish take on Turkish double tea pots.

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June 2017

At Casa Cucina you can find stylish selections to complement any home and lifestyle and there is also a wide selection of curated gifts, collector’s items and decor pieces.

Casa Cucina home and kitchen collections are brought to you by Kumar’s Group, a well-respected establishment in the Kingdom’s catering sector.

Visit the showroom opposite The

Courtyard in Seef District and enhance your home with top-quality home décor and kitchen collections.

Call 17 840-707 / 17 296-363.

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA

RAMADAN BY THE SEA Enjoy a stunning Iftar experience in this one-of-a-kind setting.

P

erched on the pristine beaches of Zallaq overlooking the Arabian Gulf on Bahrain’s west coast, this five-star luxury hotel boasts the only thalassa sea spa in the GCC. This spectacular hotel and resort blends French art de vivre with traditional Bahraini elegance, offering elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each with private balcony, the latest technology and chic furnishings. All rooms at this luxury beachfront property enjoy unparalleled views of the Arabian Gulf.

The spa complex offers a vast array of seawater-based treatments, including hydrotherapy, massage and wellness.

Restore your inner energy with individual thalassotherapy treatments, wraps, massage, and relaxing or stimulating sessions in the indoor heated seawater pool.

Since the Holy Month of Ramadan is upon us, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa has made some very special arrangements by the sea for everyone to enjoy and make the most of their experience.

www.womanthismonth.com

A spokesman says: “We want to make your Ramadan a memorable one, which is why, for the first time, we have set up the unique Layali Al Zallaq Tent by the sea under our famous night sky with bright stars ceiling.”

Starting at sunset with Iftar, the hotel invites you, your family and friends to relish its traditional Iftar and Ghabga buffets. Break your fast with some delicious dates, traditional drinks and juices and indulge in some lovely Ramadan delicacies, including Oriental salads, a dedicated Moroccan section, manakeesh, shawarma and Arabic bread stations, foul and balila, falafel station and mixed grill as well as some traditional Bahraini dishes such as machbous, madrouba and jareesh. Choose from an array of desserts at the sweet station that features mainly Oriental delicacies such as Turkish ice cream, the famous Umm Ali and plenty of other tasty favourites.

Before moving on to the Ghabga buffet, relax and enjoy the traditional music, smoke shisha by the beach and relish the ambiance. Little ones

are especially taken care of this season as they get to join in with their own camp at the Kids’ Villa, creating Ramadan cards, pinwheels and participating in other arts and crafts, puppet making and more. They can also enjoy some face painting and the girls can pamper themselves with nail painting and Arabic dance classes.

A couple of hours before sunrise, the buffet will end and Layali Al Zallaq tent will embrace a quiet atmosphere awaiting a new sunset and another unique evening by the sea.

Iftar Buffet at Layali Al Zallaq Tent – sunset till 8.30pm is priced at BD19++ per person inclusive of Ramadan juices and water. The tent is open until 1.30am weekdays and 2.30am weekends.

Ghabga Buffet at Layali Al Zallaq Tent – 10.30pm-1.30am weekdays and 2.30am weekends, priced at BD19++ per person (food only).

Carte Privilege member – special price for Iftar/Ghabga BD 17++ per person.

For reservations call 17 636-363.

June 2017

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showcase MÖVENPICK HOTEL

GENEROUS OFFERS

This popular five-star hotel’s iconic restaurants transform and merge to bring you an exquisite dining experience during the Holy Month.

A

s the moon signing signals the beginning of Ramadan, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain is preparing for its arrival with an extravagant Iftar offering.

Break your fast in an intimate setting and enjoy with your loved ones a delicious, mouthwatering buffet spread across Silks and the Gallery restaurants. Indulge in traditional dishes with an array of cold and hot meze, such as hummous, babaganouj, kebbeh, fatayer and sambousek. Several authentic Arabian and international dishes will also feature on a daily basis. Follow up with a plethora of tantalising desserts for the sweetest ending to a hearty meal. Cakes, tarts and baklawa, to name a few, will keep you coming back for more.

Since Ramadan is all about giving, the hotel has a treat

in store for its diners. Stand a chance to win one of four Qatar Airways return flight tickets to any destination of your choice, when dining in. Make sure to inquire with the waiters for more details.

Iftar is offered daily from sunset onwards and is inclusive of water and juices, priced at BD19.900 per person. Tailor-made Ghabga menus start from BD12 for groups of 75 or more people.

Call 17 460-017.

THE K HOTEL

CELEBRATING A SPECIAL TIME Enjoy a harmonious fusion of traditional Arabic hospitality in a contemporary environment located in the heart of Juffair.

W

ith the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan, The K Hotel’s impressive Kolors restaurant will present an aftersunset experience like no other.

Guests can enjoy a lavish buffetstyle Iftar, with a superb selection of traditional and international dishes alongside Ramadan delicacies from across the region.

To add to the indulgence of this outstanding experience, live cooking and carving stations will be set up.

Tabouleh, hammour preparations, machbous, chicken molokhia, lamb tagine, koftabil laban and Bahrani ouzi are just some of the mouthwatering treats on offer. The dessert bar will be packed with an abundant array of choices to tantalise your taste

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June 2017

buds while providing a fitting end to your meal. Choose from (or better yet, try all) the Oriental delicacies, including Umm Ali, assorted baklava, kunafa and kallaj Ramadan.

This sundown buffet can be enjoyed from sunset up to 8.30pm

for just BD12++ per person.

The offer includes Ramadan juices, coffee and tea, as per your choice. Children aged seven to 12 years eat at half price and those aged six and below dine for free.

The excitement does not stop here; each guest will be entered

into a raffle draw to win a one-night stay or Iftar voucher for two at The K Hotel by filling out the guest satisfaction questionnaire. Winners will be announced every weekend.

“We are proud of our entire food and beverage culinary team, who have professionally and successfully executed small intimate gatherings as well as lavish banquets of more than 100 guests,” says Mathias Narr, director of food and beverage at The K Hotel.

“With our experts taking care of catering and service, you can focus on enjoying the evening with your family and guests.”

Call 17 360-000 or email restaurants@thekhotel.com www.womanthismonth.com

showcase GOLDEN TULIP BAHRAIN

BOUNTIFUL VARIETY

Whether you are looking to break your fast or enjoy an evening at leisure with your loved ones, this fivestar hotel offers three classy options to choose from.

T

reat yourself to sumptuous feasts of traditional Arabic fare during the Holy Month of Ramadan at the Golden Tulip Bahrain Hotel’s many venues.

Al Afandi Ramadan Tent will host daily Ghabgas featuring live cooking stations grilling delicious shawarmas, shish tawook, kebabs and plenty more. A sumptuous buffet spread serving delectable eats will ensure there is something to cater to every palate. The tent can be booked for private gatherings of up to 500 people. Smoking is permitted within the venue.

The Gilgamesh Ballroom provides a similar Ghabga ambiance but in a non-smoking setting. Iftar will be served every day at Al Wasmeyyah Restaurant from 6.30pm onwards.

Other outlets such as the C Club Sports Bar, Mawal Lebanese Restaurant and Platinum Night Club will be closed during Ramadan, while the Kei Japanese Restaurant will keep operating as normal.

A grand family fiesta is planned for the second day of Eid at the property. Expect a fun-filled celebration with food stations, a singer and a DJ to keep the festivities going.

Iftar is priced at BD11.500++ per person and kids aged 6-12 eat at half price. Kids under six dine for free. Iftar will be served from 6.30pm onwards at Al Wasmeyyah Restaurant, and Ghabga is from 8pm-2am, priced upon selection. Special rates for corporate and groups are available.

Call 17 535-000 or 39 995-142/ 39 995-181. www.womanthismonth.com

June 2017

37

BEAUTY | news

Bourjois Rouge Laque. The brand’s first liquid lipstick with ultra-intense colours, it comes in eight different shades and lasts for up to 16 hours. After the matte finish and exquisite comfort that brought Rouge Velvet its planetary success, the satiny shine and intense colours of Rouge Laque celebrate the springtime with a new glow.

Available at Wojooh, Lifestyle, Max and Boots.

Rimmel Provocalips. Promising 16 hours of ‘lasting wild lips’ this is an exclusive two-step lip colour for a kiss-proof, trouble-proof pout. Step one: slick on wow-worthy colour.

Step two: lock it in with incredible shine and moisture. Available in eight shades, the slim double-ended pack has one end opaquely coloured to match the shade inside; the other is white and covered in mischievous lips!

Available at leading retailers.

Enjoy new scents and lotions to keep your body and face ever gorgeous as the weather heats up Jo Malone Star Magnolia. A dual offering from master perfumer Anne Flipo, Star Magnolia comes as a limited edition cologne as well as the brand’s first hair mist. Notes include magnolia leaf and orange blossom with a kiss of lemon, ginger and shiso.

Available at Jo Malone.

Guerlain Terracotta. A reimagined collection offering facial contouring compacts to suit fair to dark skin. There are also two new powders in ultra-matte and ultra-shine options, contained in a stunning gold and white container, and the Terracotta sunless tanning mist to create an even all-over colour without the fear of burning. Available at leading retailers.

Armani Runway. A limited edition from Giorgio Armani and make-up artist Linda Cantello offering the chance to get catwalk looks at home. Cantello has created an ethnic and sensual look across three products: the Runway Palette, Eye Tint liquid shadow, and the Ecstasy Lacquer lip gloss. The Runway Palette comes in two sections – one holding a bronzing powder and the other three shades of eye shadow which are complemented by the electric blue of the eye tint and rosy nude of the lip gloss. Available at leading retailers.

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June 2017

Herrera Confidential Gold Incense.

Created in collaboration with master perfumer Pierre-Constantin Guéros, Gold Incense offers a modern reinterpretation of frankincense; its ethereal and complex fragrance blends nuances of resins, sumptuous leaves and wood.

The intense aroma of Boswellia Sacra Incense opens, giving way to a gloriously smoky and resinous heart. Atlas cedar wood and labdanum dull the edges while marigold and vanilla caviar notes close.

A limited edition for Ramadan, the scent is on offer throughout June. Available at leading retailers. www.womanthismonth.com

Clarins Multi-Active Yeux.

Combining a technology inspired by the latest scientific advances with the power of plants, this new offering smoothes fine lines, minimises signs of fatigue and brightens the eye area. It uses extracts of organic teasel as well as escin from horse chestnut and caffeine to produce an instant smoothing and depuffing effect.

Available at leading retailers.

Lifestyle Nyx Range.

Pocket-friendly brand Lifestyle has come up with a selection of new pieces to see you into the coming season, including the Full Throttle eye shadow palette which comes in shades of tawny browns and golds, perfect for that smoky-eye look, and the HD sparkling blush to bring out your sun-kissed style.

Available at Lifestyle stores.

Tom Ford Private Blend Vert de Fleur. The scent opens with emergent hyacinth and galbanum notes wrapped in a refined embrace of neroli, bergamot and basil. A velvet floralcy lies at the heart of the scent, which includes a luxurious blend of iris butter, jasmine sambac and rose balanced by orange flower. Woody notes include warm vetiver and patchouli against dark oakmoss and brilliant green, harmonising the composition for a seductive finish.

Available at Tom Ford beauty counters and boutiques.

Clinique SPF30 Virtu-Oil Body Mist. The newest lightweight sunscreen offers the same luxurious feel as a dry body oil with the dermatologist-tested sun protection you need against UVA/UVB radiation.

It’s suitable for all skin types, nonphotoallergenic, non-phototoxic, non-acnegenic, allergy tested, 100 per cent fragrance free and dermatologisttested. Key ingredients include the chemical sunscreens homosalate and octisalate as well as avobenzone – an oil-soluble ingredient that absorbs the full spectrum of UVA rays that cause long-term sun damage to skin.

Available at leading retailers.

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showcase

JOZ SALON & SPA

RAMADAN SKINCARE

With the Holy Month falling in the middle of a hot summer, it’s extremely important to look after your skin. Put your faith in some great advice from this popular salon.

R

amadan is right around the corner and, as everybody rushes to adjust their daily schedules and activities, it’s easy to neglect one’s skincare routine, especially in the warmer months.

IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO SMART CHOICES The month of Ramadan can work wonders for your skin or seriously against it. The active choices you make regarding your skincare habits, the type of food you consume and the circadian rhythm you follow during fasting will ultimately decide which way it’s going to pan out for your skin. If you want to flaunt a radiant complexion come Eid, follow these simple tips from Joz Salon & Spa, and reap tremendous rewards.

DEDICATED DAILY SKINCARE To ensure an angelic glow during the Holy Month, switch your regular face wash with a cleanser containing glycolic acid (normal to dry skin) or salicylic acid (oily skin). If your skin is sensitive, use a gentle cleanser daily and a scrub once a week. Go for mild exfoliation facials, which will stimulate your skin while removing any dead cells, giving it a healthy appearance.

TIME TO PLAY SWITCHEROO WITH YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS Switch your regular skincare creams with lightweight hydrating lotions or serums to let

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your skin breathe easy and avoid breakouts.

Reapply a moisturising serum every time you wash your face to ensure your skin stays supple and hydrated. For your daily antiageing skincare needs, look for products with vitamin C and A, as they are the true tried and tested star ingredients that can change your skin from drab to fab within a few weeks.

STICK TO YOUR SUNSCREEN During the day, protect your complexion with a good UVA and UVB sunscreen with SPF 50.

UV rays from the sun are extremely damaging – not only do they promote pigmentation problems, but they also damage the skin’s collagen and elastin – leading to early ageing in the form of wrinkles and sagging skin.

The salon’s best suggested treatment is the diamond peeling facial.

MAKE SMART FOOD CHOICES When beauty experts say, “You look like what you eat”, they’re not wrong. Make a special effort and avoid oily and fast foods, sugar and refined carbohydrates this Ramadan. They are really bad for your skin and complexion. Overconsumption of these food groups can lead to blemishes and breakouts, with early ageing and lacklustre sallow skin. For a healthy body and skin, eat fresh vegetables, proteins and fruit. Eat right and exercise to impart a healthy glow from within. Drink plenty of water (10-15 glasses each night) – not only will it refresh and keep

you hydrated, it will also help get rid of any toxins from your body and skin.

CATCH UP ON YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP Get plenty of sleep (eight to10 hours) every night if you want to avoid dark circles around the eyes and a tired look at the end of Ramadan. Our body goes through multiple changes in our circadian rhythm; different hormones for different purposes are secreted during the day and at night. Research has shown that day sleep is not as beneficial as night sleep because the body only repairs and rejuvenates during the night, with peak repair activity after midnight.

Making these special skincare tweaks during Ramadan will serve you well to look fresh and radiant in the next few weeks of your altered lifestyle.

Call 17 369-133, 16 031-120, 16 031-126 or 17 756-449. www.womanthismonth.com

showcase RITZ-CARLTON, BAHRAIN

FROM TIRED TO TERRIFIC Behnaz Sanjana thought she’d have to travel to Thailand for an authentic Thai massage, little knowing that the real deal is available right on Bahrain’s shores.

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t had been a day hunched over my keyboard, so a chance to be treated to the Ritz-Carlton’s spa was welcome respite. I was lucky to be entrusted to the very capable hands of Gigi, who has been with the hotel for 18 years, and is a legend of sorts in her realm.

While I sipped on fragrant ginger tea and munched on some almonds, she told me that she has a degree in massage therapy and another in mass communication, besides acquiring other internationally recognised certifications to master her craft. Combined with her natural gift of bringing people absolute relaxation, it’s little wonder that her clients range from patrons of the spa to top VIPs and royalty.

Based on a consultation form I’d filled out, Gigi suggested I receive a combination of the Thai Sport and Herbal Poultice massage. My complaining of fatigue was probably her clue.

When she claimed I would have a new body by the time she was done with me, I was sceptical.

Massages leave me sore and tired more often than not.

Once in the Royal massage room, I proceeded to lay prostrate on the wide, four-poster wooden bed, as instructed. Gigi started by using her fingers to apply firm, but relaxing, pressure on the soles of my feet, calves and thighs. www.womanthismonth.com

Then, an energising blend of peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary oils was applied all over my body with firm, yet soothing strokes.

When she reached my back, Gigi found it bunched up with tension. Strategically applied pressure and deft pulling made my muscles and vertebrae crack and pop. I felt my body start to loosen up, still aware of my surroundings, but rapidly letting go of all subconscious inhibitions.

Next I felt something hot and comforting pressing down on my back – the herbal poultice.

Apparently, the herbs have anti-oxidant,

detoxifying properties and help the body to relax. My muscles fully concurred with this tidbit of information, all their stiffness just melting away.

The soft-spoken, nimble masseuse went on to use the pads of her feet, elbows, knees and palms to stretch and bend my body in ways I’d never imagined possible, releasing all shreds of stress hiding anywhere. I must mention here that this was done slowly and tactfully, and did not cause any discomfort. Her dexterous pressing and tugging of my torso, limbs, nape and head, with the intermittent warmth of the poultice, tempted me to slip into Zen-like oblivion.

Gigi’s skillful actions had, in her words, opened up my body and its energy centres. True to her word, I not only felt relaxed, but also sprightlier than I’ve felt in a long time.

Yes, Gigi is probably one of the most skilled spa therapists on the island, but what I most appreciated about her was her warm persona that can put the most wound-up of us at ease.

Just by touch, she was able to tune in to what my body required most, and what was amiss with it, fairly accurately.

I thought my posture and back seemed to have benefited the most, until I saw my skin in the mirror. It looked as if it had a base of foundation on, but in reality, it was the glow from Gigi’s touch. This petite powerhouse of experience and skill is truly a gem at the Ritz-Carlton’s uber luxurious spa for anyone who wants to treat themselves or a loved one to ultimate bliss.

Call 17 580-000.

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showcase DESSANGE

AN EXOTIC ESCAPE This chic ladies salon, fitness centre and spa has a new luxury treatment that guarantees full body rejuvenation and relaxation.

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aving just returned from a hectic trip overseas, I was happy as a clam at high tide driving to Dessange Bahrain to try out a new treatment which uses Green Bar products.

Towelling robe on, phone switched off – it was time to sit back and relax at this amazing spa.

Yem, the therapist, greeted me soon after I’d changed to lead me to the spa area, where I had to fill in a consultation form. I was scheduled to have a 75-minute Organic Island Sanctuary Hammam treatment.

The session started with a hot towel pat down, to open the pores, followed by a head massage with Yem using a few drops of hair elixir — a combination of rosemary, aloe vera and peppermint to stimulate hair growth and revitalise damaged locks.

On one of my travels, I picked up a head massaging tool to use after stressful days or ease headaches.

I was convinced nothing could do a better job – until now! Yem activated pressure points on my scalp that immediately soothed a dull pain that was building up due to driving in the sun. The heady aroma of peppermint lingered in

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the air even after she put a shower cap on me.

The therapist very clearly explained every single aspect of the treatment: what I should expect, the products she was going to use and the ingredients in them.

A full body exfoliation followed next. An earthy-smelling greentinted scrub containing organic jojoba was slathered on to slough away dead skin cells and draw out impurities.

A refreshing cold towel was placed on my eyes to soothe them – much needed after all those hours of staring at my office computer.

After 20 minutes, I was asked to rinse the scrub off in the shower while Yem prepared the next treatment.

A nutty aroma filled the air as she took some Argan oil and poured it over my feet, first administering reflexology and then massaging the different pressure points on the body to release tension. I had requested special attention on my upper back and Yem worked on it expertly easing the knots. The plastic film I was lying on was wrapped around me as the room filled with steam. This was done to

moisturise and soften the skin.

With me still lying down, Yem washed my hair with Elemis shampoo and conditioner.

Needless to say, both smelled divine.

The last step involves a quick splash of cold water to close and tighten the pores. The pleasantries of the past hour and a half overshadowed the bitterness of the chilly water, and it turned

out to be a wonderful mini escape from the midweek blues.

I was given ginger tea to clear the palate and the digestive system along with a skewer of fruits in the relaxation room.

In the end, I was left with a sense of tranquillity, feeling polished from head to toe, ready to take on the world, sans the stress knots.

Call 17 713-999. www.womanthismonth.com

FEATURE | on the road

Hit the Gas As we head into summer it’s time for road trips and Ramadan motoring offers. With a much-quoted Auto Alliance statistic stating that women drive (pun intended) 85 per cent of car purchase decisions, we’ve taken a look at what you’ve told us is one of the most important considerations – safety.

We also checked out the Infiniti Q30, the brand’s most popular model with female buyers, finding much to like. And we’ve got the lowdown on BMW’s unveiling of some autos with serious fashion credentials.

Read on and enjoy the journey.

www.womanthismonth.com

June 2017

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FEATURE | on the road

Safety First There are a number of factors you need to consider when it comes to choosing a family car. Style, fuel economy, infotainment systems and engine variants all play key roles, but arguably the most important factor is safety.

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car with a poor sound system, for example, may be irritating but it certainly won’t kill you. However, a vehicle with a poor safety rating? Well, it certainly won’t do you any favours should accidents occur.

Fortunately, safety is an area in which the automotive industry is making huge strides. Tests and ratings are becoming more stringent than ever, which means manufacturers are hell bent on coming up with inventive ways to outdo each other, thus raising standards across the board.

Technology has played an increasingly important role over the last few years and that trend looks set to continue. From sensors to radars, lane departure warnings to blind spot monitoring systems, cars are undeniably getting smarter.

It can be overwhelming when you’re bombarded with statistics and figures from a plethora of sources, all telling you different things about the car you drive.

Fortunately, the most widely recognised and trusted indicator of a vehicle’s safety credentials is its Euro NCAP rating.

To the uninitiated the Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) consortium performs extensive testing of the crash

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performances of new cars. Vehicles are crashed into obstacles head-on, side-on and slightly offset to one side. The cars are fitted with crash-test dummies covered in sensors, which tell researchers the forces applied to various body parts in an impact. The crash tests give a picture of the overall safety of the car - effectiveness of seatbelts and airbags as well as its body

rigidity during a crash.

The rating system is simple. A one star rating means the vehicle offers marginal crash protection whereas five stars mean your ride provides good performance and is well equipped with robust crash avoidance technology.

According to the latest results posted on the company’s website, the best www.womanthismonth.com

FEATURE | on the road

rated vehicles on the road right now are the BMW 5 Series, Audi Q5, Land Rover Discovery, Toyota C-HR, Volvo’s S90 and V90. Unsurprisingly, they all scored top marks.

Launched late last year, the seventhgeneration BMW 5 Series continues its successful track record in Euro NCAP’s Executive Car segment. The vehicle showed good all-round performance in crash protection and avoidance tests thanks to its new platform, body and updated safety features. Track tests demonstrated that the autonomous braking system can effectively assist the driver in avoiding or mitigating critical rear-end crashes with other cars and pedestrians. With an 81 per cent score, the 5-series impressed in pedestrian safety through its standard-fit ‘Person Warning’ system and active bonnet.

The new Q5’s top score confirms that Audi’s best-selling model is also among the safest automobiles in its class. The model showed off its strengths in every aspect of the assessment programme.

Also contributing to the SUV’s five-star rating were the driver assistance systems, which come as standard and include pre sense city; an emergency braking system that reacts to vehicles up ahead of the car and to pedestrians.

The other SUV that came out on top was the Land Rover Discovery. The passenger compartment of the Discovery remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs for both the driver and passenger. Land Rover Discovery showed that a similar level of protection would be www.womanthismonth.com

provided to occupants of different sizes and to those seated in different positions.

The S90 mid-sized sedan and its station wagon sibling, the V90, both did well during the testing. Adult occupant protection is rated 95 per cent, whereas child occupant protect is a rather impressive 80 per cent. As for pedestrian protection and safety assist, the two Volvos boast 76 and 93 per cent ratings respectively.

As standard, the S90 and V90 are equipped with safety features that include an active hood, both low- and high-speed autonomous emergency braking systems, lane assist, and a pedestrian detection system designed to mitigate or lessen the effects of a crash.

The Toyota C-HR achieved an excellent

95 per cent score for overall adult occupant protection; 77 per cent for child occupants; 76 per cent for pedestrian protection performance; and 78 per cent for safety assist performance. Euro NCAP also commended the car for its good result in the frontal offset test and for achieving maximum points in both the side barrier test and more severe side pole impact.

This crash test performance reflects the fundamental strength of the C-HR’s body, which features strategic reinforcements and widespread use of high-strength steels to absorb and channel impact forces away from the cabin.

So, you’re now well versed on the safest models on the road today. But remember that even the safest car in the world is no substitute for safe driving.

June 2017

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showcase Y.K. ALMOAYYED & SONS: INFINITI

A SLEEK AND STYLISH RIDE We all know that good things come in small packages, and if you’re looking for proof, look no further than the Infiniti Q30.

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his sleek and sophisticated little number is practical with plenty of personality, which means wherever you go, you arrive in style.

When it comes to looking good, ladies, accessorising is key, so it makes sense that a strong, confident woman has a car to match – and this vehicle goes well with any outfit.

The cool and curvaceous Q30 is shaped with dramatic lines and bold proportions; it truly stands out and makes a statement about the driver. Combining the sportiness of a coupé and the stance of a crossover, the Q30 breaks new ground. It’s simply breathtaking from any angle and, from the moment you open the door, it screams class.

The interior is luxurious, elegant and packed with technology. The tasteful colour combinations and fine finishes ensure you’re sitting pretty in this model. Further, the easy-to-use infotainment system responds like a mobile phone. The Q30 uses INFINITI InTouch allowing

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you to read email or text, listen to your playlist, navigate unfamiliar streets or call your friends.

Two USB ports give you twice the opportunities so you can have instant access to your music library, charge your smartphone and listen to tunes on a USB. An optional 10-speaker Bose audio system will transform this into a mobile sound studio, so make sure you have a banging playlist ready!

The Bluetooth interface means you can stay safe on the road and stay connected too. The handsfree system allows you to make and receive calls using voice

recognition. No fumbling. No need for a headset. Just press a button on the steering wheel and away you go.

Safety plays a major role for any motorist, and you’re in safe hands with the Q30. Reinforced with high and ultra high-strength steel in critical areas, this model has advanced front and rear crumple zones that deform gradually – helping absorb the energy of the impact before it reaches the cabin.

There are a number of features that make staying safe even easier.

Sensors help to alert you if vehicles are detected entering your blind

spot area in an adjacent lane and help you avoid them. First, the warning light illuminates, then, if you begin moving toward the occupied lane, a warning sounds.

Parking in Bahrain can often be a challenge but not in this model. Using a combination of 12 sensors, Automatic Park Assistance assesses if a parking space is big enough and enables the Infiniti Q30 to manoeuvre itself into the spot safely. After checking your surroundings with the Around View Monitor, you only need to operate the accelerator and brake pedals and the vehicle will do the rest – even in parallel or reverse-in parking spots.

The Q30 has plenty of power thanks to the 2-litre engine, which is paired with a dual clutch transmission that shifts quickly and smoothly. Boy racers? Lol! Who says men get to have all the fun?

This model is a perfect option for ladies who demand the very best.

Call 17 731-773. www.womanthismonth.com

showcase EURO MOTORS

A GRAND DESIGN Two unique cars were presented by BMW i and Garage Italia Customs to celebrate the groundbreaking work of the now defunct Memphis Design Group during a special event in Italy.

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MW i recently partnered with Garage Italia Customs – a design centre that specialises in tailor-made projects – to give two spectacular vehicles a truly unique makeover.

The collaboration was revealed during a special event celebrating the contributions of the Memphis Design Group – an Italian design and architecture collective, which designed postmodern ceramics, furniture, fabrics, glass and metal objects.

The BMW i3 and i8 both received a dramatic design overhaul that pays homage to the creative hub and its role in revolutionising the world of design in the 1980s.

“Renewing the bond with BMW i is a great pleasure. I fully share their vision of looking at the future and technological innovation as the leading elements in any project,” says Lapo Elkann, chairman and creative director of Garage Italia Customs.

“Creativity, style and innovation have always been the key features of all the work carried out by my team. I can’t help but be proud

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of the result achieved by my creative hub.

Once again, my designers have beaten every expectation; they managed to transfer the real essence of the Memphis Design Group onto these futuristic one-offs.”

Founded in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass, the Memphis Design Group introduced daring lines to furniture that was characterised by unusual materials and original graphic patterns.

Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president of BMW Group Design, says: “During the 1980s, the Memphis Design Group questioned the formal severity and classic functionality of design artefacts both in a somewhat provocative and humorous manner. In this way, Memphis became a symbol of contemporary design. The group challenged existing dogmas, aroused emotions and created designs with high-recognition value.

“The BMW Group pursued a similar approach when designing the BMW i vehicles, questioning typical car design language, breaking new ground and redesigning them from scratch.

“Electric vehicles of the first generation were predominantly intended to attract attention. We also adopted a new approach with regard to materiality.

For example, we were the first car manufacturer to use carbon fibre reinforced plastic as new material for industrialseries production.”

Oblique, horizontal and vertical lines along with

hypnotic patterns and vibrant colours are the main characteristics of the new liveries created

by Garage Italia Customs.

Every element is aligned and the geometrical shapes follow the curves of the bodywork of the two cars. Before the various painting phases, different masking is applied to each car in order to create the patterns.

The different materials chosen for the upholstery (technical fabric, Alcantara and Foglizzo leather) are in strong contrasting chromatic matches. Bright colours, from orange to purple, green and yellow are the main features along with the tailored graphic patterns. Every element of the cabin is an integral part of the artistic language that stirred the ‘80s and influenced design and décor over the following years.

Euro Motors is the BMW Group dealer in Bahrain.

Call 17 750-750.

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LIFESTYLE | wellbeing

Food Truths Should we eat this, that or neither? Behnaz Sanjana takes a look at the most common food myths and gets expert thoughts to some pertinent questions.

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ood fads, they’ve been around for a long while now. Every so often, new super foods are ushered in and old staples are unceremoniously denounced. But what’s really good for us and what’s just the latest hype? Preeti Karunakar, dietician at Middle East Hospital, gives us some straight answers.

BUTTER VS MARGARINE

Preeti says that butter, a dietary staple for centuries, is made by churning the fatty portion of cows’ milk.

Margarine, on the other hand, is a highly processed food that was invented as a supposedly healthier option to butter. Its primary ingredient is vegetable oil, along with emulsifiers, colourants and various

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artificial ingredients.

She continues: “Margarine is made with vegetable oil, when it is liquid at room temperature. To give it a harder consistency and shelf life, it is hydrogenated.

Hydrogenation turns some of the vegetable oils into trans fats. As a general rule, the harder the margarine, the

Trans fats (a.k.a partially hydrogenated oil) raise your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower your good (HDL) cholesterol levels. They hide in baked goodies – cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers – and increase your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. more trans fat it contains.”

You’ll realise the pros and cons of margarine, as Preeti explains it. “As it is processed from vegetable fat, it contains mono and poly unsaturated fats, which help lower one’s total and LDL cholesterol in the short term. But, if it is hydrogenated [as many brands in the market are], the trans fats in it are far more dangerous than natural, saturated butter.”

Most margarines contain little or no cholesterol and people often worry about the

amount of cholesterol found in butter, animal products, coconut oil and palm oil.

But she brings us good news: “Recent research shows that the body creates cholesterol in much larger amounts than what you eat. Cholesterol in food does not necessarily affect your blood cholesterol levels. As a result, having a measured quantity of one tablespoon of butter, which is a natural product, does less harm than having processed foods, which we need to rule out from our daily diet.” www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | wellbeing NOTHING FISHY ABOUT IT

Our expert endorses eating fish at least twice a week to obtain hearthealth benefits from their omega-3 fats. “Tuna and salmon are both healthy options,” she says. “Tuna is lower in calories and also provides more protein with less fat. Salmon provides loads of omega-3 fatty acids, which are also extremely important for good health.” To put it in a nutshell: “The choice would be tuna, vis-à-vis salmon, but do have salmon in small portions for its abundance in good fatty acids.

However, pregnant women must avoid tuna due to its high mercury levels.”

In the debate over farmed versus wild-caught fish, there is no concrete conclusion yet. Farmed fish are bred in enclosed tanks and contain lower levels of heavy metal contaminants, pollutants and pesticides. But modern-day fish farming can have a negative impact on natural ecosystems. Make a wise choice by buying local seafood and check whether it comes from a sustainable source.

EGGS – FREE RANGE OR FACTORY?

MUCH ADO ABOUT ORGANIC

Preeti says the answer to this lies in the term ‘free range’, as these eggs will be produced by chickens bred in open pastures. The birds are allowed to forage for their natural food and thus their eggs have healthy, organic benefits. She lists the edge that free range eggs have over factory produced ones: twice as many omega-3 fatty acids, three times more vitamin E, seven times more pro-vitamin A beta-carotene, a quarter less saturated fat and a third less cholesterol.

The answer here is clear – it seems wiser to spend the extra money on buying the good stuff for yourself and your family. She informs us that chickens that are caged in cramped spaces, are artificially fed and have no exposure to natural light, are usually unhealthy and lay eggs with much lesser health benefits.

Moreover, they are loaded with antibiotics and unnatural hormones to make them grow very fast and keep them disease-free, something that can be harmful to our health in the long term.

Organic produce is usually grown with the help of naturally derived pesticides that are less toxic than conventional synthetic ones. However, it is often more expensive, so it may be prudent to strike a balance in buying organic and non-organic. Some fruits and vegetables where the organic label matters most are apples, cucumbers, celery, potatoes and spinach. Those for which it’s thought to be less important are asparagus, avocados, cabbage, mushrooms, eggplant, mango and onions.

In general, your best bet is to buy local produce which is in season.

“Fruits and vegetables are the richest source of fibre and are loaded with water-soluble vitamins and minerals. Two and a half cups or two to three servings each day is ideal for the body,” says our expert.

A prudent approach would be to wash and scrub all produce thoroughly and eat a varied, nutrient-dense diet.

RED MEAT – IS IT REALLY THE DEVIL?

Preeti says: “Red meat is a source of animal protein which contains a higher amount of saturation and cholesterol compared with white meats. www.womanthismonth.com

It contains higher levels of fat, but also contains higher levels of vitamins, such as iron, zinc and the essential B vitamins.

The iron present in red meat is

a type called heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body compared to iron found in plant sources.”

However, heavy consumption of red meat has been correlated with increased incidence of certain cancers, specifically colorectal cancer.

What also matters is how you cook it. Our expert says: “High-temperature cooking, like grilling, can form carcinogenic [cancer-causing] compounds in the meat. This is especially true for charred meats.” So, better not overdo the barbeque!

So how much is too much?

“There are certain medical

Choose leaner cuts of beef – the chuck, flank and roasts. When it comes to lamb and veal, chops and roasts are the leanest cuts. She warns against bacon and other processed meats as they are laden with preservatives and salt. conditions where red meat needs to be restricted, so the consumption of each individual varies. A normal, healthy adult can have 70 to 80gm, which is around three ounces of meat, three times a week with no evidence of any medical condition,” she responds.

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showcase BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL

HYPERSENSITIVITY – THE COMMON COLD OF DENTISTRY Dr Akanksha Ostwal, periodontist and general dentis, explains the causes and treatments for a problem that afflicts so many.

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ooth sensitivity may be caused by eating or drinking something hot, cold, sweet or acidic. Normally, the underlying dentin of the tooth, which surrounds the nerve, is covered by the enamel in the crown and the surrounding gums. Over time, the enamel may thin, providing less protection. The gums can also recede, exposing the underlying root surface dentin which contains many pores or tubes that run to the nerve and can be stimulated by changes in temperature or certain foods.

Common Causes • Overbrushing with excessive pressure for a long time.

Wolfgang Puck & Richard

Dr Akanksha Ostwal

• Using medium or hard-bristle toothbrushes.

• Gingival recession resulting from poor hygiene or ageing.

• Using large amounts of toothpaste or reapplying it

during brushing.

• Acidic beverages causing enamel erosion.

• Excessive flossing or improper use of other interdental devices.

• A chipped or fractured tooth.

• Picking at the gumline.

The best way to discover the cause of sensitivity is examination by a dental professional. It may be due to a cavity or gum disease, which can be treated, or due to enamel loss or gum recession.

Treatment • Use of appropriate tooth brush and toothpaste.

• Correct brushing technique to prevent abrasion and gum recession.

• Specially formulated toothpaste to help reduce sensitivity.

• Fluoride foam or gel used in a mouth tray to strengthen the sensitive areas.

• Bonding agent can be used to seal the dentin surface and provide a barrier.

• Restoration of the areas that have lost enamel.

Always seek a dental professional's help – do not try to diagnose this problem yourself. It may be the sign of something more serious; only a professional can give a proper diagnosis.

Call 17 812-000 or email akanksha.ostwal@bsh.com.bh

Richard, Bob, Ameera, Veronika & Anett

The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay hosted an F1 pre-race party with Wolfgang Puck at its premises. Entertainment included The Lion, a six-piece UK band along with internationally acclaimed DJ Jez Pereira.

F1 Pre-Race Party

Chef Brian with the band

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Maria & Alexandra

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase AMERICAN MISSION HOSPITAL

NEW IMAGING FACILITY LAUNCHED One of the island’s longest-established hospitals is keeping up to date with the launch of a major new, first of its kind service.

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he American Mission Hospital has launched a new imaging centre which includes a state-ofthe-art MRI machine. The new facility has the MRI, CT Scan, Dexa and Ultrasound Unit all in one location. This will significantly enhance American Mission Hospital’s imaging and diagnostic abilities, providing more patient comfort, all at affordable prices.

The Philips Ingenia 1.5 Tesla is one of the latest and most versatile MRI machines. This is the first one to be installed in the Kingdom. The imaging time is quicker, with an average of 20 minutes if no contrast is needed.

The machine is less noisy and has the patient’s comfort as an added feature in allowing a

patient to watch a video or listen to music while undergoing the imaging. MRIs can be used for a variety of conditions including imaging the spine, head and

brain, the musculoskeletal system, breast cancer screening and many other issues.

The imaging centre is based at Manama and is available 24 hours

in the event of emergencies; otherwise it operates from 7.30am to 10pm.

Call 17 177-711.

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

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June 2017

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showcase SPIRIT ANTIQUES

BRING HOME A STORY The extraordinary décor pieces from this brand are now easily available in Bahrain’s central business district.

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pirit has made a name for itself with an eclectic collection of antiques and artefacts sourced from exotic destinations around the world. In the last year and a half, the shop has seen great success at its flagship Enma Mall outlet, thanks to the unique products it offers.

Its one-of-a-kind pieces are prized possessions of the discerning, and architects and interior decorators alike have selected Spirit to give a touch of class to their elite projects.

Customers now have access to the entire line of exclusive products at Spirit’s outlet at Bahrain City Centre. Shoppers can conveniently add a touch of distinct appeal to their personal and professional spaces with a variety of natural, handmade and responsibly sourced items.

Located near Gate 1, the outlet anticipates locals, expatriates and visitors from Saudi Arabia and other neighbouring countries will want to see for themselves the premium products and they will be surprised by the

Mariam, Amal & Amina

Amina & Maisa

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good value of all these imported works of art, as all products are extremely reasonably priced.

At Spirit, there is bound to be something that catches your fancy. Unusual furniture, wall hangings and show pieces carved from hibiscus, albesia and sono wood, ceramics, bronze and glass in different styles can add

High Tea Event

Vogue Concept hosted a high tea event at its premises at Al Aali Shopping Complex.

Norlyn & Daisy

a finely balanced classic-contemporary look and feel to your interiors. The products complement emerging trends in decoration and also make for great gifts that will be forever remembered and treasured by family, friends and business associates.

Call 77 721-112.

Sally, Rio & Rose

Ghaneya

Amal Almoayyed & Mohammed Al Kaja

www.womanthismonth.com

NOW AT BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE A premium and inspiring unique collection of interiors artifacts, gifts and authentic furniture, all created with passion from nature, for those who believe art and design is as essential to life as breathing, who will choose extraordinary over normal.

77721112, Enma Mall, 2nd floor - East Riffa , Bahrain City Centre (ground floor - gate 1) / www.spiritantiques.com

RAMADAN MUSINGS

Ramadan is a special time that comes to us once a year. It is a time for attaining self-control, focusing on spirituality and introspection about everything around us. It is also the right time to make amends, whether it is with the self, with others or within our personal havens.

Pic Courtesy: Zara Home

LIFESTYLE | home

As the Holy Month coincides with summer, give your home a breath of fresh air with florals. Pastel hues never go out of style. The key is to mix and match seemingly unlikely combinations for an invigorating look and appeal.

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ransform your home and hearth to mirror the festivities around you. With these snazzy suggestions, from Iftars to Eid, your guests are sure to be impressed.

A Splash of Colour Ornamental vase H&M Home

Bathroom Essentials For toiletries H&M Home Calligraphy Crockery Artistic beauty Lifestyle Spruce Up the Sofa Colourful cushions Marina Home

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Bling on the Lights Assorted lamps and lanterns The One

Drink Up Glamourous glassware Casa Cucina

Very Arabesque Functional side The One

Tier It Buffet staple Home Box

Terrific Tableware Fit for a feast Zara Home

Quintessential Fragrance For welcoming indoors Lifestyle

Ramadan Revelry - Image Courtesy IKEA

Pretty Dispenser The star of the table Home Box

Regal Chest Beauty with purpose The One

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June 2017

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Around Town

Jawad Business Group celebrated the 30th anniversary of BHS at its outlet in Seef Mall.

The Royal Golf Club, in association with Moments & Memories, hosted its second annual South African Family Festival.

The Hublot Roadshow passed by Bahrain to present the Baselworld 2017 novelties.

Events by Elham opened Weekend Pop Up Souq at Seef Mall Bahrain.

Local band, LIKWID, launched an EP during Calexico’s Spotlight Sessions.

Bahraini author, Maryam Isa, held a reading of her book, Gulnar the Cat – A Journey Back in Time to Baghdad’s House of Wisdom, at Marassi Al Bahrain.

Welcome Party

The Domain Hotel hosted a welcome event for artists participating in the Women in Art for peace programme.

Kevin, Iana & Nevena Karina

Frank & Nejib

Rehab, Miranda & Balqees

56 June 2017

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase LANTERNS

FIT FOR A KING Behnaz Sanjana sampled the new breakfast menu at this Juffair favourite and came away fully satiated.

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hile most of the eateries on American Alley were still recovering from the previous night’s revelry, Lanterns restaurant seemed to be abuzz serving breakfast on the famous ‘eat street’. We landed up there, my dining companion and I, all bright eyed and bushy tailed on a warm Saturday morning, hungry after the seven-hour night fast. The first meal of the day is our favourite, so we were raring to go. Walking in was a familiar feeling – this outlet echoes the ethnic Indian vibe of its sister branches.

Those opting for the buffet can start at the cold counter – fruit salad, vine leaves, boiled eggs and a number of dips and sauces. Further on is a great variety of Arabic staples, Danish pastries and breads with a notable selection of marmalades and jams to furnish the sweet section of the buffet. There’s also French toast, sausages and turkey bacon, baked beans and hash browns to accompany the eggs made to order at the adjacent live cooking station, all to be washed down with flavoured water, or good old orange juice for more conventional early birds. The buffet’s constituents change every day and it’s priced at BD3.900 per person, inclusive of taxes.

After a generous cuppa of Indian tea, we decided to go à la carte, starting with my order of the English breakfast combo. My plate proved that the experts in the kitchen know how to make a mean omelette. If you prefer

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slightly more than a smidgen of spice to get your day going, choose the masala version. For those who prefer to steer clear of any heat in the mornings, I highly recommend the cheese omelette. Grilled mushroom, hash brown, toast, beef bacon and sausages make for apt accomplices to the fluffy yellow parcel on the plate. Turkey bacon and chicken sausages are an option for those who want to eat lean.

Although I was quite pleased with my choice, I also had my eye on what my partner was merrily wolfing down. In front of him was a bowl of aromatic aloo subji (a viscous potato curry) flanked with fresh parantha (Indian

stuffed bread) and piping hot puris (deep fried bread) that let off steam when their golden puffs were punctured. There’s yogurt to cool down your palate and tangy pickle if you’d like to crank up the pungency a notch. Dinesh, the genial restaurant manager, told us that the subji recipe comes from a traditional Delhi household. We nodded distractedly, our minds lost in the captivating flavours.

The restaurant also serves up an Arabic Combo – foul madames, balaleet, eggs and tomato and crunchy falafel along with Lebanese bread, olives, feta and hummous.

As a sweet rounding out of our lavish breakfast, we were served a stack of pillowy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, topped with berries and crème fraiche, as well as whipped cream-crowned waffles made more magnificent with the accompanying caramel sauce. Decadent! There’s also French toast, for those who like syrup-coated crusty brown slices that give way to cushy white interiors.

A dedicated team of highly skilled chefs serve up this hearty breakfast menu between 6-11am every day at the restaurant. I saw families, young couples, as well as morning work-out buddies digging in to mouthwatering fare to start a laid-back (or busy) Saturday with nothing less than the very best at Lanterns.

With its convenient location and easily available parking spots around this time of the day, it’s a winning breakfast option to kickoff your weekdays on the right note as well.

Call 17 666-517.

www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Dr Nedhal, May, Wilson & Nancy

Breakfast Charity Event

St Christopher’s School held its 4th annual breakfast charity event at the Ramee Grand Hotel.

Kate & Sherie

Demat & Kareena

Rose, Lynne & Lily

Carine, Dana & Nadine

Huda & Manar

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Renata

Aniseh & Suad

June 2017

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LIFESTYLE | food

CHEF’S SPECIAL This Mumbaikar brings his passion for seafood and molecular gastronomy to the kitchen.

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ith over 12 years of cooking experience, chef Angad is an asset to the five-star Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, where he works as chef de cuisine.

Having studied at one of India’s wellknown culinary schools, he was exposed to the UK market early in his career, and, coming from India’s coastal region, he has a passion for seafood.

Chef Angad believes in progressive cooking with strong basics and is a fan of experimental and molecular styles. As well as Tapas, he is responsible for French fine-dining eatery La Mer, where he has catered to events such as the Goût de France – a 15-course degustation menu

TUNA TARTARE

Ingredients • 50g tuna • 40g water melon • 5g lime zest • 5ml lemon juice • 10g sea salt • 2g toasted sesame seeds • 5g citrus cream • 2g Sevruga caviar • Micro herbs for garnish • 2 pc orange segments • 2 pc grapefruit segment • 2 pc pomelo segments • 4g black olives • 5ml extra virgin olive oil • 10g olive soil (made by drying the black olives)

Marinate water melon with lemon and orange zest. Finely dice the tuna, marinate with sea salt, lemon juice and olive oil. Toast sesame seeds in a hot pan.

• To assemble the dish, arrange compressed water melon on the plate, top with black olive soil and arrange the diced tuna.

• Add three to four drops of citrus cream, arrange Sevruga caviar and a few micro herbs on top of the tuna.

Method • Garnish with few pieces • Compress the water melon of grapefruit, orange in a vacuum pack machine. and pomelo.

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that won rave reviews.

An eye for detail, exploration of food and a desire to take gastronomy to another level are among his key strengths and he says that, as a Mumbai boy, seafood is frequently on his mind and his post has given him the chance to explore local Middle Eastern seafood and different styles of cooking.

Chef Angad prides himself on consistency, customer satisfaction, adaptability and the ability to be part of a team. He is dedicated to training and developing his staff and hopes, one day, to take the reins as executive chef.

Here he shares two favourite recipes.

SEAFOOD FREEKEH CASSEROLE

Ingredients • 30g sand lobster • 10g clams • 10g calamari • 20g prawns • 10g green peas

• • • • • •

20g red mullet fillet 2g squid ink crisp 3g cucumber pickle 15g butter 100ml fish stock 60g freekeh

• • • • •

15g diced onion 3g micro herbs 10g diced tomato 10g baby carrot 10ml basil oil

ice cold water to retain the colour.

Method • Heat butter in a pan and add diced lobster • Add butter and diced onion to a pan and tail, calamari, prawns and green peas and cook till translucent; add freekeh and sautée cook till done. Season with salt and pepper. for four to five minutes. Add fish stock and • To assemble, place the seafood freekeh on cook for a further 15 to 20 minutes, until it the plate and top with red mullet fillet and is almost cooked, and set aside. pickled cucumber. Garnish with baby • Prepared one fillet of red mullet by slitting carrot, clams and micro herbs and squid ink the skin to open it up and season with salt, crisp. pepper and olive oil. Cook under a • The squid ink crisp is made with equal parts salamander or high-temperature grill. of cornflour, whole wheat flour, water, oil • Top the red mullet with pickled diced and squid ink, all poured on a hot surface to cucumber. get the desired effect.

• Peel and blanch baby carrots and shock in www.womanthismonth.com

showcase DELMON POULTRY COMPANY

RULING THE ROOST

This decades-old name in the poultry farming business has recently unveiled its new product identity.

D

elmon Poultry Company, a pioneer in the Kingdom’s poultry industry, has recently acquired a new corporate image and has also rebranded its flagship product – Farm Chicken.

At a glitzy ceremony held recently, the company showcased the new look of the iconic packaged chicken brand, which has been on Bahrain’s supermarket shelves since 1982.

The event was graced by senior government officials, business partners, major clients and other VIPs. Farm Chicken has always been known as a trustworthy name in the country, for its use of naturally grown chicken raised on local, independently owned farms. Chicks are hatched in Delmon Poultry Company’s

Isa, Abdulrahman, Yousif & Jawad

Management at the launch

hatchery and then distributed among 20 local farms, along with the required poultry feed. The fully-grown fowl is then purchased back from the farmers for packaging and distribution. This business model significantly contributes to the

growth of Bahrain’s economy and the livelihoods of hundreds of farm workers.

Delmon's general manager, Abdul Hadi Merza Jaafar, says: “Farm Chicken has been our key product for decades. Generations of families in Bahrain have grown

Launch Ceremony

up with it being at the centre of their household meals and local farmers have come to rely on it for income. The idea was to revamp our image to bring it firmly into the modern era. This product will continue to be a staple of home cooking, and be better positioned to connect with the current generations as well.”

The reincarnation of the brand embraces some modern elements, while still retaining the more familiar aspects that have long been associated with it, to grab the attention of a new generation of buyers. Loyal patrons of Farm Chicken will still recognise it as being the same high-quality product that has gained their trust over the years.

Call: 17 608-282.

Nass, Ebrahim & Abdul Hadi

Delmon Poultry Company held a launching ceremony of its new corporate brand identity and products at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain.

Isa & Alya

www.womanthismonth.com

Hussain

Blair, Jassim & Sridhar

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showcase ALOSRA

HASSLE-FREE SHOPPING This reputed retailer makes your busy life easier with its user-friendly shopping website.

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losra believes grocery shopping should be an enjoyable experience, whether it’s browsing through the aisles at the supermarket or virtually discovering products in the comfort of your own home. That is why it has relaunched Alosraonline for your added convenience and to further enhance your online shopping experience. The first of its kind in Bahrain, Alosraonline brings you a wide selection of premium quality products that you can have delivered to your doorstep.

Designed to provide a more personalised interaction to customers, the relaunched portal has more listings of the top items in every category, making it easier than ever to find what you are looking for. You can also search for multiple items at once, by typing them in the search bar. Not only can you save your shopping list, you can reorder the same items the next time you’re shopping. Another exclusive advantage of Alosraonline is that every customer receives the store’s privilege card benefits when they shop online.

Once your basket is full and you are ready to check out, you can easily do so using your credit card, or pay in cash when one of the store’s delivery superstars rings your doorbell. As the supermarket is committed to a worry-free shopping experience, deliveries are ongoing seven days a week, including on holidays. Shoppers can get their Alosraonline

groceries from the shelves straight to their homes on the same day, if the order is placed before noon.

And if you’re looking for healthy food inspiration and exclusive recipes packed with flavour, the website has it all. Start whipping up magic in the kitchen using Chef Susy’s

cooking secrets – a boon for seasoned cooks and beginners alike.

Alosra has built on its solid reputation since it was established in 1987. It currently has seven branches in Bahrain and one in Saudi Arabia, with another store recently opened at Al Safa Centre in Dammam. The supermarket aims to offer customers a feel-good shopping experience, with a unique mix of local and international premium brands and quality foods.

An extensive range of imported and local fresh produce, including an organic range, is available alongside a great variety of grocery and non-grocery items. There is also the fish counter and a deli counter offering premium imported cheese. The butchery section at Alosra has a wide variety of meats to select from and the bakery has a plethora of oven-fresh goodies available to go. Both these departments are manned by trained and certified specialists. The supermarket spares no effort to ensure that every single item on its shelves is as fresh as possible and meets the highest standards of quality.

Now that lack of time is not an excuse, you can bring home the best products for your family at the click of a mouse. Happy shopping!

Call 17 739-739.

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www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | travel

t a e r G s e p a Esc With the Eid break just around the corner, WTM picks three top spots to add to your vacation list.

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LIFESTYLE | travel With its tall palm trees and blue waters, the Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort is a popular choice for those looking for relaxation.

Lukmaan is the best restaurant for traditional Zanzibari food. There's no menu. Just go in and ask for the specials.

Stone Town has a rustic charm and centuries-old architecture, making for perfect photo opportunities.

Perched on top of a Swahili mansion in an intricately carved wooden gazebo, Emerson's Tea House gives you 360-degree views over Stone Town whilst serving delicious cocktails.

r a b i Zanz Oozing with Swahili culture, Zanzibar boasts azure seas, white sandy beaches and adventurous landscapes.

Located just off the coast of Tanzania, the archipelago offers an idyllic getaway for travellers on any and every kind of budget.

Prison Island in the north, with its giant turtles, is a must-see attraction.

The water here is considered to be the clearest, and there are some wonderful coral areas to discover whilst snorkelling. You can assist in feeding the huge turtles by the beach and then head to the fascinating slave trade museum.

Traditional fishing methods are still a way of life for many islanders, look out for the oldfashioned boats coming into harbour with their fresh catch.

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Get acquainted with adorable turtles when booking a tour to Prison Islands.

Be enthralled by the charm of the iconic capital of Zanzibar – Stone Town, which offers a myriad of narrow streets winding their way through galleries, fabric stalls and quaint coffee shops. Explore by foot for a first-hand, authentic cultural experience of the day-to-day life of the people.

The Forodhani waterside gardens are perfect for a long walk in the evenings. Rows of vendors selling delectable street food add to its charm.

www.womanthismonth.com

Batumi features a bustling metropolitan city with tall skyscrapers, top-notch hotels and high-end shopping streets.

Catch a traditional Lezginka performance at one of the many theatres in Tbilisi.

For dessert you can have churchkhela - nuts dipped into different fruit syrups hung to dry - sold by the roadside.

The Lurji Blue Monastery is a 12th-century Georgian Orthodox church built in the name of Saint Andrew. It features stunning art on the walls and ceilings.

a i g r o Ge

Yes, this is the same country your friends (and perhaps you) may have posted Facebook pictures of. With a plethora of geographical wonders such as mountains, caves, beaches and sprawling countryside, Georgia attracts travellers from all over the world. The capital, Tbilisi, is an old city dotted with parks, cathedrals, courtyards and imposing historic buildings, where you can get acquainted with the friendly locals and immerse yourself in their rich culture.

Outside Tbilisi is the town of Mtskheta, which boasts the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dating back to the 11th century.

Down the road is Jvari, a sixth century monastery. Head towards the west and you have Batumi, the Black Sea city with

The old town of Sololaki is dotted with brightly-hued colonial houses and charming shops.

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shimmering beaches and promenades.

When heading to the mountains, make sure to witness the ‘lezginka’, a mesmerising dance native to all the Caucasus Mountains.

Try some delicious Khinkali dumplings and other local fare at Tsiskvli restaurant.

The northern mountainous region of Kazbegi has postcard-prefect settings.

June 2017

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LIFESTYLE | travel

In 2016, over $100 million was injected into the hospitality industry to bolster tourism. The Boardwalk Hotel is a cozy venue if you want to stay in the central part of town.

Go on a street art tour to discover the vibrant creations of artsists from all over the world. Pictured is the 'Night Watcher' by Farid Rueda.

a b u r A

Marvel at the caves and rock formations at the Arikok National Park.

Aruba may be best known for its beautiful Caribbean beaches and perfect weather, but the island is brimming with history, cacti groves, rugged landscapes, chiselled cliffs, exotic local dishes and culture.

With a geographic position just north of Venezuela, it boasts nearly perfect weather all year round. Travellers can ride dune buggies or laze on the single most handsome stretch of sand – Eagle

Beach. Get your scoop on Dutch history around town or feed and pet donkeys at the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary. Set on a pier on the ocean, Pincho’s is one of the most romantic restaurants in town.

Local fish and hearty steaks show off a fusion of flavours. The sprawling Arikok National Park is unquestionably one of the most beautiful parts of the island, with an amalgam of winding hiking trails, turtle nests, old farmhouses, and more.

The butterfly farm is a place straight out of your dreams! Head there to get up close with these winged beauties.

Oranjestad is a typical Caribbean holiday city with everything from swanky bars to cultural retreats.

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Eagle Beach boasts turquoise waters with powdery white sands and lush greenery, making it an amazing spot for pictures.

When at Pinchos, the shrimp ceviche is a must-try.

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase AMERICAN EXPRESS

YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY STARTS HERE Because no one has the inside track on absolutely everything, the Platinum Concierge at American Express Middle East has created this guide to inspire your next holiday.

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ith 40 years of business and a long history of travel expertise in Bahrain, American Express Middle East understands that no two travellers are alike; one person’s idea of fun may be lying beside an endless sea of blue, while another may find joy walking through a busy city. Whatever it is you’re looking for, American Express Middle East Platinum Concierge Services can help you explore your next holiday destination.

The latest American Express Middle East Spending Habits survey pointed to the Asian sub-continent, Middle East and Europe as Bahrain’s preferred holiday destinations.

Digging deeper into insights to find the right range of luxurious experiences and destinations to suit all tastes, this quick guide will help direct you to your next memorable experience.

IF YOU LOVE CULTURE AND ARTS… London is a Charm Explore the vibrant city by foot, while spotting London’s iconic landmarks along the way.

An ideal destination for couples, friends and families, London has it all with plenty of rich cultural attractions not to be missed.

When to go: July-August

What not to miss: London’s East End hotspot, Brick Lane Market, consisting of various stalls selling one- of-a-kind vintage antiques, retro clothing, street food and much more every Sunday. Be sure to make time for contemporary art exhibitions at the Tate Modern and head to the National Theatre for spectacular shows. American Express Invites offers Card members exclusive access to presale tickets and reserved seating for National Theatre productions.

IF YOU LOVE CITIES… Dubai is Buzzing Its stunning growth from a Gulf port to a world-famous futuristic city in the space of a single generation has made Dubai the number one luxury shopping destination in the world according to the American Express Middle East Spending Habits study. It’s a city of superlatives with a self-indulgent haven of magical hotels, unparalleled restaurants and extravagant shopping malls.

When to go: September-October What not to miss: Fashion Avenue at the Dubai Mall, home to more than 1,200 retail outlets where you can shop till you drop in a lively progressive space. If you are looking

for some serious fun, head to the megaattractions, starting with IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world's largest indoor theme park, and Hub Zero to experience a new way of interactive gaming. Explorers should also discover the wonders of the ecosystem at the Green Planet museum of zoology.

IF YOU LOVE BEACHES… Head to the Maldives Take an unforgettable trip to one of the most picture-perfect destinations in the world.

Made up of hundreds of islands, it’s known for its beaches, blue lagoons, extensive reefs and a whole lot of barefoot luxury for couples and families alike. Here’s an insider tip: If you are an American Express Card member, book your holiday using the Platinum Card concierge service and your memorable journey will start to take shape before your flights takes off with a long list of complimentary privileges to enjoy.

When to go: November-December What not to miss: A beautiful sunset from a beach villa at the One&Only Reethi Rah, a full day of pampering at the spa island of Cheval Blanc Randheli, a sunrise boat cruise and a fun cultural expedition trip to a local island.

hutterstock.com

Image Credit: S.Borisov/S

Image Credit: Maryna Patz

en/Shutterstock.com

Image Credit: Zohaib Anjum/Shutterstock.com

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LIFESTYLE | advice

Need to Know!

Dr Jinan Harith Darwish is a paediatric allergy specialist and clinical immunology fellow at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Each month she answers your health questions.

Q

My little girl is six months old, she goes to daycare, as I'm at work, and seems to be constantly coming down with coughs, colds and other illnesses.

Is there anything I can do to boost her immune system or something else I should be looking at?

A

Numerous typical illnesses found in day-care settings, including the common cold, stomach bugs, red eye and hand, foot and mouth disease, are caused by viruses. These bugs are effortlessly spread through direct and indirect contact between infants and toddlers in close proximity, who are likely wiping their noses, sneezing and coughing, while sharing toys, furniture and food. There is also a lot of contact between parents or caregivers and children: holding hands, picking up, feeding, changing diapers and so on.

The ‘common cold’ is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and sinuses. Infants get lots of colds, some as many as eight to 10 each year before they turn two. Colds tend to be more common in autumn and winter, when children are indoors and in closer contact with each other, so it may seem like your child has one cold after another all winter long.

Young children have more colds than older children and adults because they haven’t built up immunity to the 100plus different cold viruses.

Cold viruses can live on objects for several hours and can be picked up on the hands of other children who touch the same object. These children then get infected when they touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Caregivers can get viruses on their hands and spread them between children by touch.

If a child gets many colds, it’s not a sign of a weak immune system. It just means she’s exposed to many viruses.

The only reason to have a child’s immune system tested is if the colds often lead to more serious problems.

Serve foods that are rich in protein, zinc and vitamin C, and free of refined

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sugar. Also consider supplementing her diet with immune-boosting vitamin D and probiotics.

Q

My cousin's little one was a very sickly child, had contracted one infection after another and, sadly, passed away a few weeks ago. We're all struggling to come to terms with this and wondering if there was something that could have been done differently?

A

First and foremost, I am extremely sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a loved one, especially a child, can be devastating because no parent expects to outlive their child. I am positive the parents and you, as an extended family, did everything within and beyond your capacity.

Many primary immunodeficiency disorders are passed down from one or both parents. Problems in the DNA , the genetic code that acts as a blueprint for producing the cells that make up the human body, cause many of the immune system defects in primary immunodeficiency.

There are numerous types of primary immunodeficiency disorders. In fact, research has led to a dramatic increase in the number of these disorders recognised in recent years, so they're not as rare as once thought, especially in societies with consanguineous marriages. They can

be broadly classified into six groups based on the part of the immune system that's affected.

In an attempt to facilitate clinical reasoning concerning when to suspect primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) in clinical practice, the USA’s National Primary Immunodeficiency Resource Center developed a list of 10 warning signs: • Four or more new ear infections within a year.

• Two or more serious sinus infections within a year.

• Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.

• Two or more pneumonias within a year.

• Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally.

• Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses.

• Persistent thrush in mouth or fungal infection on skin.

• Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.

• Two or more deep-seated infections including septicemia.

A family history of PID. Diagnosis of specific PID from a large spectrum of disorders requires expertise in clinical and laboratory evaluation. A wide array of investigations is available for evaluation of the immune system which help immensely in the diagnosis of PIDs. At King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center we have a molecular genetics panel that includes 264 genes known to cause PID. Our panel supersedes the 70 gene TIGER panel in the UK. We also, have a faster turnover time of four to six weeks for the results. Once, we have a known gene defect we offer genetic counselling and refer the family, if willing, for pre-gestational diagnosis to prevent having more affected children in the future.

If you have a question for Dr Jinan, please email editor@ redhousemarketing.com www.womanthismonth.com

Level Kids SS17

PARENTING | kids playground

vigator Lime green Na ators bi Ba s, se sunglas babiators.com

Square print top, Lacoste 17 179-530.

t tee, Cactus tie-fron e ar rc he ot M 17 110-363.

Fish bandana, Okaid Obaibi 17 178-049.

GRAPHIC

ess, Cat print tutu dr s.com elkid Level Kids lev

FUN

, Okaidi Smile pyjamas 049.

817 17 bi ai Ob

For youngsters, summer means getting together with pals and having fun. Of course, they’ll also want to look the part and this season’s style has taken a lesson in graphics from some of the adult runways. Look out for acid brights, statement tees and off-the-wall messages to keep your little ones bang on trend. nky Pack of three fu socks, Lacoste 17 179-530. e, Little Long-sleeved te joe.com eli m bs co Ja c ar M

gings, Donut print leg e ar rc he ot M 17 110-363.

Scotch & Soda

Acid coloured ti skate boards, Ta 17 217-470.

otch & Bug print tee, Sc Soda Shrunk m scotch-soda.co Grey and orange sneakers, Okaid Obaibi 17 178-049.

www.womanthismonth.com

kers, Decorated snea 360.

2Shoemart 17 17

June 2017

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

Mothering in Bahrain

Chanelmama blogger Ouiam Charkani El Hassani says raising kids on the island is a uniquely rewarding, if sometimes painful, experience.

B

ahrain is such a lovely place to raise children; the people are so warm and kind, always welcoming and pretty much OK with crazy mums running all over the place, chasing their little rascals. So before deciding to start a family, my husband and I discussed whether Bahrain was the right place or not. We both said yes with great confidence, as we knew that the island and its people offer a great community for families with kids. Three years later, I still believe strongly that Bahrain is a wonderful place to raise a child. However, now I have more insights from my own personal experience that are almost too funny not to be shared. Along with their generosity and kindness, the people of Bahrain have their own way of making you feel at home. Let me take you on a journey of discovery of things that only happen on this blessed island.

Sharing/offering food. People here are so generous, they will never eat in front of you without offering some of what they have.

When it comes to children they almost feel obliged to offer them candies and chocolate whenever they see them. It’s not ideal for parents who are already looking forward to that quiet time when the kids are in bed, sleeping soundly, or for the parents who don’t want a trip to the ER, because their kid ate something he was not supposed to. I’ve learnt to pull off Jackie Chan-style moves and quickly take away the candy with a smile promising ‘’He will eat that later! Thank you!”

Free hugs, kisses, and those pinches on the cheeks. The first time the pinch happened, I cried! I didn’t know quite what was happening or how to stop the person who was obviously taking immense pleasure in torturing my baby’s soft little cheeks! I just wanted to

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'I learnt firstly to keep my baby at a fair distance and to always have an arm ready to block any unwanted hands coming for my baby’s cheeks' scream: “Why!” Why would anyone want to do that to a baby? As if he didn’t cry enough already! With time I learnt firstly to keep my baby at a fair distance and to always have an arm ready to block any unwanted hands coming for my baby’s cheeks. Now my threeyear-old son is pretty good at telling people that his cheeks are NOT FOR PINCHING! So I just watch the scene and secretly laugh because I am off the hook, and my son is doing a great job protecting those beloved chubs. The same goes for the kissing, hugging, stroking the hair or even asking to take pictures with the little ones. It does irritate me at times but I do know deep down that people here love children and like to be around them — they feel the need to show you that they like your child, which is very sweet and loving.

Throughout the last few years I have learnt to

understand where they come from, and that it is totally harmless. Now try asking a mother in the US, UK or in Europe if you could take a picture of her son… You will surely enjoy a little visit to jail for child abuse lol!

The kids’ nightlife. One thing that will never cease to amaze me is seeing young children in malls and restaurants at 9, 10, 11pm and even midnight! They probably just sleep in the next day, and get more memories made at night as opposed to kids who sleep early, I guess. It is also not unusual to see babies at cinemas because… hey, they shouldn’t miss anything, right?

There is nothing I love more than raising my child in such a warm, generous and very kind environment. Once the culture shock wears off, as a mum you will always find ways to divert pinching fingers or develop a nice phrase to repeat each time you decline an offer of candy, chocolate, or a picture, and it will all give you such funny stories to tell when you go back home.

Check out Ouiam’s new weekly column on our website www.womanthismonth.com from June.

See more from Ouiam at her blog Chanelmama. www.womanthismonth.com

horoscopes

Star

Gazing Raphael tells us what’s written in the stars this month

Gemini

Someone appears to have developed a crush on you but they’ve kept their identity hidden and only made contact via letters or flowers thus far. The mystery has excited you but things are set to change as the infatuated romantic finally makes himself known. You’ll be surprised – not only because he is someone you know – but also because you were expecting someone different! It will pose the question of whether two people with such differing opinions can actually get on.

Libra

Leo

Scorpio

The next few weeks are set to be a period of reflection as you come to terms with past actions, which still snap at your conscience.

You will also be give the opportunity to make amends and, if you feel you have been unfair, now is the time to do so. If you leave it much longer, it may be too late. On the home front concerns over finances could force you to take out a loan. Make sure you don’t overestimate on the repayments.

Virgo

It appears some of you didn’t heed the advice from last month and consequently there could be heartache coming. Whilst you may be able to find comfort from your family, the embrace of a current partner is not something you can warm to any longer and you need to speak the truth. You really want to be with someone else.

It seems some of you cannot get the past out of your system. The alternative is to seek out what you want. www.womanthismonth.com

Your sign can be a very political animal and you may need these skills over the coming weeks as you become embroiled in a power struggle at work. Choose your side well and make sure those around you can be trusted.

There’s dishonesty to overcome if you’re to succeed. Beware a blonde woman with dark eyes who could be planning to bring you down.

Aquarius

You seem to be involved in a constant process of change in your appearance, your environment and your job. The truth is that the real reasons behind your actions have deeper rooted foundations and you are only glossing over a more pressing concern. Until you face the real demons inside yourself, you will continue to drift aimlessly. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can’t do this alone.

Cancer

Capricorn

You’ve been putting in a lot of hard work over the last few months and while you may be reaping some rewards, there is still more to achieve. Others may be taking the credit and you need to assert yourself and claim not only all the recognition but also the financial gains.

In matters of love you have probably never been closer to the person dearest to you so if you sense there is something wrong, don’t be afraid to ask?

A loved one has needed your support for the last few months and now, as they are standing on their own feet again, they want to make it up to you. You can look forward to a surprise that may leave you feeling very emotional.

At work a colleague may present you with an opportunity to change direction and you should consider this. Some of you may be troubled with a back complaint and you should be quick to see a doctor.

Pisces

You will be praised for achieving success with a project. However, for some, the credit could be for someone else’s work. Examine your conscience before leaping into the limelight, the truth will be revealed. On the family front, try and make an effort with a parent since you have been putting all your energies into other things and forgotten some of the people who love you the most. They won’t be here forever so don’t leave it until it’s too late.

You may get a nasty shock this month as someone who’s set upon disrupting your life delivers a blow to a current relationship.

You’re far from blameless in the motivations behind their actions, but there’s more at stake here than just your feelings, people you care about could be hurt unless you can think on your feet. Your only hope is to accept the mistakes of your past and admit any indiscretions before they come out from someone else.

Aries

Sagittarius

If you have been feeling down recently, things will look up for you over the coming weeks.

Your main concerns are likely to be about career and the home, with both in a bit of a mix up at the moment. You need to make a couple of strong decisions on your future and stick to them. Things have been moving along well but you may not see it. Come the latter part of the year it will become clear and then the fun can start.

If you’ve got your heart set on something special this month, you may be disappointed as crossed-wires lead to things turning out differently. However, matters will rectify themselves so long as you don’t get angry.

In matters of love you may find someone’s feelings for you run deeper than you realised.

In the coming months you will need to take the initiative if you want things to progress.

Things are not completely stable in your life at present, with many issues causing you concern and causing you to question your ambitions and desires. Chaos is not unfamiliar, many of you thrive on uncertainty, but you need to consider the feelings of others. A partner or loved one needs more attention you should take a moment to appreciate that all relationships require effort.

Taurus

June 2017

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last word

In Her Shoes

Rawia Beyhum, high-performance leadership coach, PR consultant and author of The Brand that is You, shares a little of what makes her tick.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Quit my 9 to 5 job to follow my dreams.

Which three items would you take camping?

If you were an animal, what would you be?

My pocketbook of Rumi verses, a notebook and pen and an astrolabe to read the stars.

A bat or a swan.

Rawia Beyhum

How do you spend your evenings?

What song is guaranteed to make you dance?

Any traditional belly dance or drum solo.

72

What do you have to do before you die?

Get my own nautical licence to travel by yacht.

Writing a coaching manuscript to help others live comfortably within the paradox of passion and discipline — joy and duty.

What’s the last splurge on your credit card?

What would be your dream holiday destination?

What scares you the most now?

My own high-performance mentor who lives around Yellowstone National Park.

On my own yacht through the volcanic islands of Sicily.

Dying with any part of my song still inside of me.

June 2017

www.womanthismonth.com