Woman This Month - September 2014

Bahrain Edition woman this month

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

September 2014 | Issue 139 | BD1 / SR10

SEPTEMBER 2014 ı FASHION ICONS ı www.womanthismonth.com

What you’ve been doing Fashion 20 Style Trends Your Pre Autumn Get the look The best Bahrain Beauty YourSummer holiday Destination Everything you need to know About All the Latest Beauty Must Haves Fashion Style 2014 Trends Your Pre Autumn HOSS INTROPIA Get the look The best Bahrain has to THE NEW BLIPP AND WIN IT BRAND offer Your Summer Break Holiday STYLE Destination Everything 20ICONS you need to

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SEPTEMBER 14

Shopping

08 Editor’s Choice: Time me!

10 Pick of the Month: Lanvin 12 Retail Therapy: What’s new on the retail scene

Fashion

14 Fashion Forward: Autumn/winter finds 16 Style Radar: What the stars are wearing 18 Get the Look: Denim mania 21 Trend: The number game 22 Special: Fashion icons through the years 26 10 Tips: In the right frame

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People

34 Annja Mostrup: Hoss Intropia in Bahrain 44 Mai Al Moayyed: The Makeup Manual 46 Suad Mubarak: Women and leadership 48 Community: Dreams Society

Beauty

36 News: The latest products in the stores 38 5 Tips: Nailed it!

34

Blippar

77 Offers: Win exciting prizes!

Lifestyle

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50 Parenting: Tackling teenage drama 52 Column: Temper tantrums 54 Wellbeing: While you were asleep 72 Food: Vegan delights 74 Travel: Secret shopper 78 Horoscope: What this month holds for you 79 He says: The music of life 80 She says: With age comes wisdom

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

Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, woman this month cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor do the opinions expressed by individual writers necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at the address provided on page 4. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed.

2 September 2014

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responsible editor Jubran AbdulRahman chairman & publisher George F Middleton publishing director David M Robertson editorial consultant Dr Paul Balles editor Elma Bartholomew fashion and beauty editor Fernanda Langhammer contributors ANKITA MAMGAIN behnaz sanjana Dr Clare beckett-mcinroy DR JIHAN DARWISH george r vaughan James Claire SIMI KAMBOJ creative director Maryam A Toorani print production manager Sabu Sebastian layout & graphics RODOLFO A. REYES Jr. Dalal Al-Sabbagh media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers farheen ahmed Randa Ghazi Howais sales manager sanhita kar marya circulation FAWAZ AL BALOOSHI photography editor anil Ravi Shankar photographers Shankar Kunhambu Subeesh Kumar NS printing press Union Press, Bahrain

eDitor’s NOTE

T

his month, we take a closer look at the new brand in town — Hoss Intropia. We speak to Annja Mostrup from the Spain office about the brand’s identity and the latest collection. We also got the chance to discuss the launch of The Makeup Manual studio and academy with the founder — Mai Al Moayyed. On a more serious note, one of Bahrain’s first female trade union leaders and equal rights activist Suad Mubarak tells us why it is important for more women to take up leadership roles.

Our excitement for the upcoming season is no secret.

Check out our picks of the most desirable pieces from the autumn/winter collections. Aside from tips on how to pick the right sunglasses for your face shape, we pay tribute to the fashion icons of all time in the September issue of Woman This Month.

However, we don’t stray from the basics. Our fashion editor Fernanda Langhammer tells us how to glam up a regular pair of jeans. Meanwhile, our contributor Ankita Mamgain takes us on a shopping trip around the globe.

In our lifestyle section, we feature simple recipes for the vegans amongst us and speak to experts around town about common sleep disorders. Parents can find tricks on handling temper tantrums and tackling teenage drama.

Happy reading!

Contents copyrighted 2004© 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

Elma Bartholomew Editor

woman this month is here for the modern woman of substance and aspiration, embodying a personal style while exploring the best of all worlds: fashion, beauty and lifestyle. bahrain office address Red House Marketing p.o. box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: wtmeditor@rhm.bh website: www.womanthismonth.com

Debenhams

Very

Bahrain Edition

September 2014, issue 139

What you’ve been doing Fashion 201On the cover: Style Trends Your Pre Autumn Get Hoss Intropia, the new brand the look The best Bahrain Beauty YourSummer town. (Go to page 34 for the holiday Destination Everything you complete story) need to know About All the Latest Beauty Must Haves Fashion Style 2014 Trends Your Pre Autumn HOSS INTROPIA Get the look The best BahrainBLIPP has to THE NEW AND WIN IT BRAND offer Your Summer Break Holiday Destination Everything 20STYLE ICONS you need to know About All the Fashion Style www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014 | Issue 139 | BD1 / SR10

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4 September 2014

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

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I wouldn’t say this obsession can be justified, especially when summer is nearly over.

But I’m in love with the flamingo trend that’s taking over the market.

woman this month

Fashion World

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 224, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Woman This Month

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Bahrain Edition

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

woman this month

August 2014 | Issue 138 | BD1 / SR10

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Write Here Write Now WOMEN ON WHEELS | 10 tips

AUGUST 2014 ı WOMEN ON WHEELS ı www.womanthismonth.com

We Love Cars!

AminA AL ABBAsi

ON BLENDING MODERN ART WITH TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS

3

roTaTe The Wheels

Your tyres don’t wear out evenly. Give it more life by rotating them. Take them off; put them back in different locations. The ones in front should go to the back and viceversa. This helps to wear them off more evenly, making it lasts twice as long.

REVIEW: ARE YOU PROTECTING YOUR HAIR?

7

PEOPLE | cover story

For Art’s sAke

FABULOUS OVER 40

A CHAT WITH THE EXPERTS

by ELMA BARTHOLOMEW

Amina AlAbbasi took a leap of faith and it has been the best decision of her life. Today, she owns her own business and is finding success in every step of the way.

HOME SUBSCRIBERS COPY

FASHION

38 August 2014

2

1

Clean vision

reFill Please!

Rain is not a concern on our island. However, cleaning the dust from your windshield is a common ritual. Change the wiper blades if you feel that they are making a mess instead of cleaning it. Make sure you refill the fluid container. There are some cleansers in the market for better performance.

Cars are not just under the jurisdiction of men. Women are also passionate about them. So Woman This Month has put together 10 tips to improve your relationship with your four-wheeler.

www.womanthismonth.com

Change a Tyre

Make sure you always carry a spare pressured tyre, jack and warning reflector. Before you do anything, leave the handbrake on. Before you jack up the car, slightly loosen the lug nuts.

Another tip to be on the safe side is to slide the spare tyre under the car in case the jack slips or fails.

If by you see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks, look for another station to refill your car. When underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment, which is not good for your car. It can clog the fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly even ruin it.

4

FrequenT CheCk-uPs

The way to keep your car in its best shape is to follow the maintenance schedule. Timing is key. Using an authorised dealer guarantees all the standard procedures. Make sure they point out exactly what they’ve done, so you can track any problem that may occur later.

8

CheCk The Pressure

Avoid a flat tyre or accident by maintaining the correct pressure.

Under-inflated tyres affect handling and grip. It also makes your car use more fuel. The recommendation for how inflated your tyres should be can be found in the owner’s manual. Use the gauge that usually comes with the car to check levels. If necessary, refill the air at a nearby gas station.

5

keeP iT Covered The sun is difficult to avoid in the Kingdom. Try your best to keep it away from the harsh rays. Parking your car in a garage or leaving it under a cover will help maintain the paint and protects it from bird droppings and tree sap.

The sun can also damage the car’s interior.

6

Clever driving

The way you drive your car affects its performance more than you think. Good driving habits save wear and tear, and fuel. Avoid taking off too fast and swiftly coming to a stop.

This type of driving can affect the functioning of the engine, brakes and other parts.

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9

Cushioned roTeCTion

Baby seats can ruin the upholstery of your car. Place a sheet of heavy plastic and an absorbent towel under the seat to prevent damage.

Apply leather protectant formulated for pigmented or top-coated grain leather. It will make it resistant to stains and easier to clean. Pick one that includes conditioners to keep the leather supple.

oil insPeCTion

If you don’t follow the maintenance schedule, there is one thing you cannot forget [DASH] to check the oil. Use the car dipstick (usually has an orange handle or has oil written on it) and dip it into the engine.

Take it out, wipe it clean and dip it again. This time have a look and check the level looking where the oil part ends. If it’s below the bottom line, you need to add a quart of oil.

August 2014

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39

LIFESTYLE | parenting

GET AHEAD OF THE GAmE

ISSUE 138

WOMEN ON WHEELS 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CAR

I

t st univ obje Sad in c unh In util atti mad they dev mak abo are, to li Re mak care mor do t to a stre you

Photograph by: Mariam AlAamer

Star letter

Your article Crunch Time is very inspiring.

Today’s youth are faced with many tough choices about behaviours, values and goals.

Some choices have long-term consequences, and we all hope our youth will make wise decisions, especially when the future is at stake.

Adults can help prepare youth to make good, healthy choices. Open communication is vital to healthy parent-child relationships. A good starting point is to think about your own teenage years.

While a pre-teen or teen is not yet ready to settle on a career choice, this is a great time to begin exploring many different occupations.

Since many children are only aware of the small number of occupations to which they are exposed, like doctor, dentist, teacher and whatever it is their parents and relatives do.

Exploring occupations is a great way to get them to realise that there are many options available to them. There are many ways to explore occupations and parents are a key component in helping their children with this process.

Euna

6 September 2014

26 August 2014

Local talent I think I first saw Amina’s work at a market in Adliya and I’ve been a fan of her designs since.

I am happy to see such local artists having faith in their work and then turning them into businesses. It is a great thing to give Bahrain’s art and craft international exposure. We are a land of rich culture and most people do not even know such a country exists. I believe it starts with small things like these. I wish Amina and all other local artists the courage and strength to find success on a bigger scale.

Rana Driving skills I thoroughly enjoyed your special feature on women driving. Honestly, I’m quite tired of women drivers depending on their family or friends for basic things. I think it is important for a woman to know how to change a tire or at least know where to go to get one changed!

Something I didn’t know was the trick to keep swapping the tyres so that they last longer.

I’ve done them once since I saw your article.

Let’s see if this actually works!

Amaia

Crunch Time!

www.womanthismonth.com

Ca

It’s that time of year when 16- and 17-year-olds are assessing their university choices. What’s your role in ensuring your child is making informed choices to enable long-term career?

56 August 2014

Thin you repo Und sabo hab exp www.womanthismonth.com

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WRITE IN AND WIN Three letters in the next issue will win a dinner voucher worth BD20 each from Nino's. To win this, send us your views on our September 2014 edition either by email to wtmletters@rhm.bh, by fax to 17 813-700 or by post to PO 20461.

The winner will be selected at random. If yours is the star letter this month, please write to the same email address with your full name, CPR number, address and telephone number to claim your prize. www.womanthismonth.com

In-Spaces

SHOPPING | editor's choice

2 1

3

4

7

Tick Tock Our lives are conducted by time.

We have a time to wake up, go to work, cook dinner and even rest.

So pick a cool timepiece to make counting hours a bit fun and fashionable!

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10 9

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11

8 September 2014

1. Roman numbers clock; Bhs, 2. Clock mug; Cath Kidston, 3. Snakeskin strap watch; Karen Millen, 4. Pocket watch; Hermès, 5. Darth Vader digital clock; Design 3000, 6. Map clock; Furniture Village, 7. White and silver watch; French Connection, 8. Wood digital clock; Red5, 9. Watches with colorful cases; Follie Follie, 10. Owl clock; Next, 11. Purple clock; Marks & Spencer

www.womanthismonth.com

C A M PA I G N

shopping | pick of the month

Revisiting the Past Celebrating over a century of impeccable design is not something many brands can do; this fashion house just completed 125 years of success.

Lanvin is the oldest French fashion house still in business. Founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, they celebrate 125 years of inspiring designs. To commemorate this milestone, the number 125 has been added to the illustration

by Paul Iribe, which represents Jeanne and her daughter Marguerite.

Social media channels play the main role in this celebration. Lanvin’s Facebook page brings exclusive material every Thursday.

On Pinterest, you can find boards of images and videos illustrating the DNA, codes and

10 September 2014

themes of the Lanvin brand. On Instagram, objects from Jeanne Lanvin’s office are being unveiled, such as embroidery books, magazines and travel journals.

The brand’s website has a new section called Lanvin History, featuring photos charting the fashion house’s heritage since it was first unveiled.

An archive video footage and original gouaches from the founder can also be found online. Take a journey through the many trends that changed with the times. www.womanthismonth.com

SHOPPING | news

Ready for Winter!

Scented Luxury

Gucci Oud is a 100 per cent natural oil developed in Borneo exclusively for Gucci.

The blend of this unique oil brings amber notes and saffron nuances, resulting in a fragrance with depth and character. It celebrates the rich perfumery from the Orient. You can find it in Jashanmal stores.

The Canadian model, Daria Werbowy is the star of Mango’s advertising campaign for the second consecutive season. The shoot presents upcoming trends in which camel, natural and khaki tones play the main roles. The design shows off volume in oversized garments and cocoon structures.

RETAIL THERAPY

New season ahead! Find new collections to die for and products that will ease you into winter mode. Does a long bath and warm soup sound good to you?

Density Delicacy

The Salvatore Ferragamo autumn/winter campaign seeks the balance between nature and humanity. Pure harmony can be spotted in the approaching of dawn in this scenario. Dark shades of black, espresso, chocolate, sand and camel in addition to highlights of brick red, amber and grey embody the mood of the season.

Warm Treat

For soup lovers, Knorr has launched a new range called Gourmet Soups created by the brand’s chefs. The recipes are inspired by cuisines around the world. The new flavours are cream of broccoli with cauliflower floret and roasted hazelnut, cream of white and green asparagus with roasted almonds and parsley, and cream of wild mushroom with garlic, chives and a hint of roasted onion.

Fabulous or Fearsome?

The American designer Jeremy Scott partnered with French fashion house Longchamp to create a limited edition of bags. The collection is inspired by Madballs, the bouncy rubber balls with horrendous faces that used to be popular in the ‘80s. The theme can be spotted on some of the designer’s sweaters as well.

12 September 2014

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FASHION | fashion forward

A Look to Love

This Nina Ricci look is a good way to embrace the cold weather in style. The light-weight dress teamed with a warm coat is perfect for our mild winter. The length is the highlight. Note that the big lapel and laid-back hanging style is the new ‘it’ jacket. It says that you are cool and elegant, without showing off.

WINTER Favourites

The new season is almost here bringing pieces to fall in love with. Check out Woman This Month’s selection of the most desirable picks from the AW ’14 collections.

Dress to Impress

The long sleeved-dress is an icon of cold days. A pair of tights will warm your legs; winter shoes complete the look. Opt for knee-high boots, so that hosiery is no longer necessary. Avoid sandals, they are meant for summer. DKNY has a selection of pieces in different materials and patterns for all occasions.

Stylish Top

A great top can make all the difference. When you pair a shirt or blouse with a nice design and colour with black trousers, there is no way you can go wrong. This Mulberry piece in olive green can shine with a nice tailored white skirt or standout when paired with khaki trousers.

14 September 2014

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In Carmine

The dark red hue is an elegant shade to be worn during the cold weather. It adds contrast the dreary atmosphere, without being too loud.

Versace brought a total scarlet look to the catwalk for those that can pull off the bold style. If this is not for you, opt for one element in the hue, such as a handbag or coat.

Boot Up

Owning a pair of black boots is mandatory! And yes, even in Bahrain.

You may wear it once or twice, but definitely worth the buy. Pick a classic design in a good quality so you can wear it for winters to come. Louis Vuitton makes it easier by combining the classic style with a contemporary twist. These boots can be worn with both skinny trousers and dresses. Extra points for comfort!

Wrapped to Go

Scarves are great to carry along all year long; in winter it’s the best way to warm you up. Karl Lagerfeld opted for a snakeskin pattern in red, blue and white, creating an ideal piece to complement your favourite combo of jeans and a white t-shirt. Shawls are a simple way to transform a look from ‘casual’ to ‘chic’.

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014

15

Style Radar

FASHION | snaps

Looking for some style inspiration? Take a look at our celebrity picks from around the globe. Would you go for black, white or both?

Lea Michelle

A red carpet event demands a long dress. The Glee star opted for a strapless black and white gown from Paule Ka for the opening night of Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The key to this look is the positioning of the colours. The composition gives the impression of a smaller waist. This is why you should opt for visual effects.

Rachel McAdams

For the premiere of her new movie A Most Wanted Man in New York, Rachel picked a Zuhair Murad couture dress. The mini printed number balances the volume of the skirt with the covered shoulder. The blue pattern delivers the wow factor.

16 September 2014

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Natalia Vodianova

Casual’, ‘cool’ and ‘fashionable’ are words that represent the Russian model’s style. For the Berluti Menswear SS15 show in Paris, she chose an Autumn/Winter 2014-15 look from Louis Vuitton.

The printed trousers have a nude background, which looks great with the contemporary black and brown leather jacket.

Eva Longoria

Marbella in Spain received Eva for the 2014 Global Gift Foundation event. The 39-year-old wore a Sportmax top, skirt and belt, rocking an all white look with subtle black details. The uneven top adds volume to the attire and creates an eye-catching effect.

www.womanthismonth.com

Aubrey Plaza

Emporio Armani was the actor’s choice to attend the premiere of the film Guardians of the Galaxy held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

She complemented the black and white look with Brian Atwood shoes. The collar and velvety fabric are the outstanding details of this outfit.

Jennifer Lopez

The singer sat on the front row of the Atelier Versace Autumn/Winter 2014 show during the Couture Week in Paris wearing a Versace outfit. The white strapless gown draws attention due to its creative and unusual design. The thigh high slit works beautifully with the beaded trouser leg, while the metallic straps on the hip add the final touch.

September 2014

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FASHION | get the look

Crazy for Denim

2

1

by Fernanda Langhammer

Hilary Duff

This icon of the casual look can be found in most women’s wardrobes.

It is a favourite when it comes to everyday wear. Get inspired by these different ways to sport your jeans!

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5

1. Top: Juicy Couture; 2. Kimono: H&M; 3. Handbag: Parfois; 4. Jeans: Pull & Bear; 5. Earrings: Hoss Intropia; 6. Heels: Debenhams

6

THE

Ema Stone

Y

18 September 2014

FANCY TWIST

our pair of denims need not be restricted to casual settings. You can easily create an elegant look with a dark shade and a straight cut. Opt for classic colours, such as black, white or any dark hue. A refined top in a nice material or design works well to create an outstanding effect. The trendy kimono is a great option. A pair of high heels adds the final touch to this look. www.womanthismonth.com

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1. T-shirt: Matalan; 2. Jacket: Monsoon; 3. Jeans: Mango; 4. Watch: Oasis; 5. Handbag: Karl Lagerfeld; 6. Oxford shoes: Dune

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1. Shirt: Calvin Klein Collection at Net-a-porter.com; 2. Sunglasses: Massimo Dutti; 3. Trousers: Bershka; 4. Ring: Esprit at A La Mode; 5. Handbag: Marc Jacobs; 6. Shoes: Shoe Mart

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THE LAID-BACK STYLE T

his look is casual with a fashionable twist. Boyfriend trousers go well with cool t-shirts. The problem is you can end up with a boring look. To get a stylish result you need to add funky elements. We love the contrast between a tuxedo blazer and worn-in jeans; only the bold amongst you can make it work.

Leopard-printed oxfords are terrific to be paired with red accessories. Invest in this combination to make your look standout. www.womanthismonth.com

THE

CLASSIC MATCH

Y

ou should seriously consider having light-coloured jeans in your wardrobe. This wash is fresh and perfect for hot places — like Bahrain. It still plays the role of denims, but with some creativity. You can make it look classy when combined with pastel shades. Light blues, pinks and nudes deliver a sophisticated flair, while black creates an amazing effect of contrasts.

September 2014

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Eid Crescent Malabar Gold and Diamonds made this Eid memorable by celebrating 'Eid Crescent' with 30 little girls and their families. Kids enjoyed painting, crafts and a wide range of exciting activities. Children also took part in the competitions organized by the group and had loads of fun. Winners received fabulous gifts and gift vouchers for a henna makeover. The event was held at the Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlet in Riffa

Arshiad, Riya, Ansar & Afra

Nikhil & Arun

Rafeek, Ishaq & Rafeeq with some of the kids

Some of the kids at the event

Junaida, Noora & Sara

Naseer & Rafeeq

Nabeela & Koshy

20 September 2014

Rafeek, Ishaq & Rafeeq

Fatima & Esra

Aneesa & Mohammed

Nadia, Nashmiya & Rajeena

Joys, Eby, Deepu & Meenas www.womanthismonth.com

What’s your

FASHION | trend

number?

Fans of the sporty style can add a twist to the usual greyish mood.

To conquer that extra oomph in your casual look, embrace numbered sweaters, t-shirts and accessories.

MANGO

Tommy Hilfiger

GAP

NEW LOOK

REPLAY

RIVER ISLAND

MATALAN JUICY COUTURE

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014

21

FASHION | feature

All-Time Style Icons

Woman This Month chose 20 trendsetters in the women’s world of fashion through the ages. Check out what we love most about each of their styles.

Farrah Fawcett For being one of Charlie’s Angels Her wild hair with blonde highlights is an icon from the ‘70s and impossible not to love.

Kate Moss

For Calvin Klein’s underwear campaign Her ‘90s style seems to be timeless. Ageing is not on her list of future plans. She transcends trends and years.

Olivia Palermo

For her impeccable wardrobe She is always the best-dressed woman at any event. Even on a casual day, her outfits are inspirational.

Twiggy (Lesley Lawson)

For her androgynous look and big eyes She is one of the first models to be known in the whole world for her career. She basically started the culture of supermodels.

22 September 2014

Grace Kelly

For her flawless, natural beauty She used to carry a leather handbag from Hermès to protect her belly from the paparazzi during her pregnancy. It became so closely associated to her that the brand named the design after the actor. www.womanthismonth.com

Princess Diana For her wedding dress Her charisma was her trademark. With simple designs and stunning fittings, her dresses were always a perfect match for her short hairstyle.

Brigitte Bardot For her sexiness She popularised the bikini and got a neckline named after her. The Bardot design is a wide open neck that exposes both shoulders.

Zoe Saldana

For her role in Star Trek She is a constant figure on the best-dressed lists. Being no stranger to fashion, she likes to experiment with different looks.

Marion Cotillard

For her role as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose Her doll face is adorable and all the Dior creations that she picks look amazing on her figure.

www.womanthismonth.com

Diane Keaton

For her role and style in Annie Hall Her unique sense of fashion let her create a perfect balance while mixing menswear and womenswear. She is our most loved tomboy!

September 2014

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FASHION | feature

Diane Kruger

For her role as a brand ambassador Her flawless looks and strong relationship with Karl Lagerfeld led to the Chanel mentor updating her wardrobe and enhancing her natural beauty.

Jessica Alba

For her part in Fantastic Four Her dress code is not outstanding, but it is just enough to look welldressed. It is always interesting to check out what she is wearing.

24 September 2014

Victoria Beckham For her Posh days with the Spice Girls Being in the front row of the main fashion shows in the globe wasn’t enough for her. So she started her own fashion label and is doing an amazing job at it.

Langley Fox Hemingway

For being the greatgranddaughter of Ernest Hemingway Her style is full of character, which translates her creative personality. It’s young, contemporary and unique.

Sarah Jessica Parker

For her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City There are so many reasons to love her, but mainly so for taking fashion to a complete different level. She has a creative style that is wearable. www.womanthismonth.com

Cate Blanchett

Alexa Chung

For her striking features Being in the fashion industry makes her a fashion dictator, with fans all over the world copying her style. In 2009, Mulberry created the Alexa, a bag named after and inspired by her.

For her role in Blue Jasmine Her face is not flawless, but her make-up, hair and style transform her into the most effortlessly chic woman of her generation.

Audrey Hepburn

For her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s She turned minimalism into elegance with her pixie haircut and impeccable casual looks. She made cropped trousers and ballerina flats a synonym of laidback style.

Jackie Kennedy For her pearls Her style is timeless. She had two notable moments: the shift dresses and pillbox hats while married to John Kennedy, and then the oversized sunglasses and head scarves.

Lily Collins

For her amazing eyebrows One of the youngest women on our list, she is known for fresh and extremely updated looks.

Definitely a trendsetter!

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014

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FASHION | 10 tips PERFECT FOR:

Valentino THE HEART

Parfois

THE DIAMOND

Kenneth Cole THE OBLONG

Bulgari

THE OVAL

Victoria Beckham

THE TRIANGLE

Prada

Super vision

Are you looking for your next specs or sunglasses?

Take a look at our tips before you choose them to pick the right frame for your face shape.

THE ROUND

Ralph Lauren

THE SQUARE

26 September 2014

www.womanthismonth.com

2 The Type

1 The Template

We all have different features that make us unique.

However, there are only seven defined shapes that classify our face’s format: round, oblong, diamond, oval, triangle, square or heart.

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The Oblong

How can you know which shape is yours? Take a photo of yourself with your mobile, facing the camera directly. Then get a paper and place it in front of the picture and trace the outline of your face.

Now compare the outline with the shapes.

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The Diamond

5

The Square

6

The Heart

This face is longer than it is wide, with a long and straight cheek line. It can also feature a longish nose. For this type, wider glasses such as aviator and square frames with a low bridge are good picks. Avoid rectangular, narrow and short frames.

This is the rarest face shape. The eye line and jaw line are narrow with broad cheekbones. For this kind of visage, you'll want to draw attention to the eyes. Opt for heavier frames such as semirimless or ones with details on the brow line. Stay away from narrow frames.

A square face has a broad forehead and wide jaw line.

Strong features get softer with round and oval-shaped frames.

Thin, angular and square styles with low-set temples or colour accents on the bottom shouldn’t be on your list.

A broad forehead, wide cheekbones and small chin are the main characteristics of this face shape. Go for a pair of eyeglasses that contrasts with your shape. Choose a rectangular or oval frame rather than the aviator design.

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The Triangle

Wide cheekbones that narrow down to a small chin plus a full forehead are the main features in this face shape. To minimise the width of the top, select frames that are wider on the bottom and are made in one colour. Wide tops on frames are not good for you.

www.womanthismonth.com

The Oval

Softly rounded, this face shape is well-balanced with the forehead slightly wider than the jaw and it features high cheekbones. If you have this type of face, consider yourself very lucky!

Most styles will suit your face; so it is just a matter of personal taste.

The Round

A rounded chin, full checks and short frame are the strong features of this face. Rectangular glasses will flatter your face, making it look slimmer and longer. Decorations on the temples are welcome. Don’t pick small, round or oversizedspecs.

The Colour

Another thing you must consider is the hue of the frame. Your eyewear should complement the colour of your skin, eyes and hair.

You may be tempted to buy a shade that goes with everything, but instead you should consider the balance of the palettes on your face.

September 2014

27

MANARY BREEZY pink c

BACK TO School What do you get when you take prints, add innovative protection, take away heavy straps and times it all by a big Kipling difference?

Find all the answers in the brand’s Back to School range.

CUTE Bobble Fruit Pink

CLAS DALLIN SKY BLUE

K

ipling makes the first-day-of-school jitters go away by injecting a little ‘practi-cool’ into their daily bag-wear. It’s all about quality crinkled nylon in new shapes and styles to suit everyone’s tastes. From backpacks to pencil cases, this year there’ll be no kidding around when it comes to educational fun.

Taking the school days from dull to delightful is the Clas Dallin Sky Blue, the partbackpack, part-wheeled school bag with ergonomic panelling and padded straps.

You’ll be prepared for all the school year has to offer with the Azenya, with its roomy interior and featherweight lightness. Its summery print is equally eye-popping and practical. Its ergonomic straps and back panel protects young backs, whilst its king kong structure protects your books.

COLLEGE BREEZY PINK C 100 PENS MINERAL BLUE C

AZENYA SUMMERY PRINT

For the fast-mover, the College Breezy Pink C is the ideal backpack — its cute shape puts the fun in functional.

Special Promotion The brand offers a BD10 gift voucher on every BD50 spent, valid on purchases until September 30. Kipling is exclusively available in Kipling Store, Jashanmal Department Store and Jashanmal Bookstore.

Call 17 178-341 ( Bahrain City Centre), 17 178-407 ( Jashanmal Bookstore City Centre) or 17 581-632 (Jashanmal Bookstore Seef).

28 September 2014

Clas Soobin L Camou Print

FAST BREEZY Pink

www.womanthismonth.com

Timeless Designs At A La Mode you’ll find accessible luxury watches from GF Ferre in a variety of colours and styles. Add some oomph to your look!

I

n the GF Ferre collection you get an array of options to best suit your personal flair.

You can be sporty, chic or casual. The brand’s unique models boast an Italian DNA and Swiss quality.

The watches can be found in metallic, gold and rose gold to complement any of your flattering outfits. The straps are versatile, available in silicone, leather or steel. The material on the strap tells a lot about the image you want to conquer.

For a casual look, the three options can deliver the laid-back essence. However, for an elegant look opt for those in leather or steel.

Call 17 179-854 (City Centre Bahrain) or 17 581-588 (Seef Mall).

30 September 2014

www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION

fOR THE Little PRINCESS Because a princess should have her jewels, check out the new collection of Starlet Jewellery from Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

Starlet Kids Jewellery of Malabar Gold & Diamonds offers a variety of fun designs crafted using the latest childfriendly technology. Designed to capture the imagination and to add a splash of colour and fun in a child’s day, pieces from the collection are perfect gifts for kids of all ages.

Call 17 006-916 (Manama) or 17 007-916 (Riffa)

32 September 2014

www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | cover story

Dreamy Elegance

By Fernanda Langhammer

A new shopping landmark has opened its doors in Bahrain, featuring a selection of versatile pieces that boast a touch of originality. Discover what this brand has to offer.

donated more than 600,000 euros to various non-governmental institutions around the world.

WTM: Where does Hoss Intropia find inspiration to create its new collections?

AM: Inspiration can be found everywhere you look. Our team of designers come from a diverse background of cultures and countries, offering an eclectic take on European style.

For the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, the inspiration comes very much from nature and the world around us.

WTM: What can women expect from shopping at Hoss Intropia?

AM: The new store in the Central Galleria of City Centre Bahrain offers a beautiful shopping experience, with the store furnishings reflecting the aesthetics of Hoss Intropia. The walls are adorned with decorative white flowers. Luxurious fabrics detail the classic furniture, creating a contemporary and cosmopolitan environment. With the effortlessly stylish collection pieces, which can be easily matched together to create classic day or eveningwear looks, shopping at Hoss Intropia is a very pleasurable experience.

T

he Kingdom adds another brand to its long list of fashion hotspots. The Spanish label Hoss Intropia landed on our shores with feminine apparel and accessories. For those looking for precise design and high quality materials, the store in City Centre Bahrain is worth a visit. To get to know the brand’s values and purposes, Woman this Month spoke to Annja Mostrup, communications director from Hoss Intropia in Spain.

Woman this Month (WTM): Who is the Hoss Intropia woman?

Annja Mostrup (AM): Hoss Intropia is a singular and contemporary brand, which caters to the intelligent and innovative woman with a style of her own. Aimed at women aged 25 to 40, each collection offers contemporary styles with classic lines and specifically designed creative prints which

34 September 2014

are unique to the brand. The Hoss Intropia woman doesn’t follow trends but instead recognises the need for affordable luxury and seeks out high quality pieces to add to her wardrobe.

WTM: What makes Hoss Intropia stand out from other fashion brands?

AM: Free from the constraints of following trends, Hoss Intropia is able to produce timeless collections that transition perfectly from day to night and from season to season.

Another key differentiator is the brand’s awareness of ethics.

Hoss Intropia brings fashion with a conscience and the brand focuses much of its energy on corporate social responsibility initiatives around the world. Since its launch in Spain in 1994, Hoss Intropia has supported various non-profit organisations and has

WTM: Why did you decide to open a store in Bahrain?

AM: Launching in Bahrain sees the continued expansion of the brand into the Middle East, which is a thriving market for us. Through our partnership with Majid Al Futtaim — Fashion, we already have stores in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Lebanon and are always on the lookout for new locations within this region.

However, choosing a new store is a carefully considered process. We wanted to make sure we were placing our store in the best location in Bahrain.

WTM: Do you think that Middle Eastern women are fashion-oriented?

AM: This region is incredibly fashionoriented; there is a huge demand for the finest brands and unique pieces. Women in the region also value traditional looks and we work hard with our designers to make sure our pieces come in various options to suit different tastes. For example, we will design a piece in a tunic dress, maxi skirt and jumpsuit, using the same style and fabrics to make each look versatile and inclusive for our customers.

WTM: The collections boast a classic style with a twist of contemporary elements. Is it relevant to the brand to be recognised by its timeless style? www.womanthismonth.com

AM: Timeless elegance is certainly a key aspect of any Hoss Intropia collection. We want our customers to be able to wear our pieces for the workplace, out for lunch or for an evening event — and to not be dictated by a trend. The high quality fabrics and classic cuts mean that these are pieces that can be worn during any season, without going out of style.

WTM: Hoss Intropia offers accessories. How important is it to the collection?

AM: Our accessories are integral to the Hoss Intropia look. We find this of particular relevance in the Middle East, as women love to embellish and dress up a look with beautiful jewellery, shoes and handbags.

For this season, our accessories have the same inspiration as the apparel pieces, stemming from the beauty of nature. You will see shimmering clutch bags adorned with Japanese motifs, sequins or animal print. Necklaces and belts feature metallic flowers, while earrings and brooches are in the shape of small animals and insects, such as hummingbirds and bees. We encourage women to express their personality with our accessories by offering an eclectic mix of classic, elegant and fun pieces.

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014

35

Beauty | news Carolina Herrera VIP RosĂŠ.

This new fragrance has a top note of champagne rosĂŠ, which giving out a fresh and fruity aroma. The heart is of peach flower and its velvety fruit scent. The base note is of queen wood.

Available at all leading retailers.

Make Up For Ever Graphic Liner. This pen eyeliner with its foam tip makes precise lines with the right amount of product. The result is long-lasting with a rich black finish. It allows you to create any style with ease.

Available at Make Up For Ever.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. Working as a four-in-one clearing complex, this product helps treat and prevent future break-outs. The gel can be used all over the face after cleansing, before you apply a moisturiser or as spot treatment. Available at all leading retailers.

Beauty

Essentials

Are you looking for a new cosmetic or perfume?

Our product selection may help you find that missing item in your beauty collection.

Vichy Capital Soleil Invisible Hydrating Mist SPF 50. This alcohol-free mist provides hydration and sun protection to your skin. The product can be used by men and women. Due to its transparent non-sticky formula, this mist is easy to apply.

Available at all leading retailers.

Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm.

These lip balms add a pop of colour in addition to a moisturising and nourishing effect. The formula contains butters and oils that improve the overall condition of the lips.

Available at Bobbi Brown.

36 September 2014

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Beauty Editor's Pick Sephora Moisturiser & Energizing Water. During summer, light-weight textures are best for beauty products. This mist moisturises and revitalises the skin and can be used all day long. It is a good option to use it by the pool.

Available at Sephora.

Chopard Rose Malaki. The perfume is a meeting of western craftsmanship and eastern inspiration. This latest addition to the Malaki line has a spicy floral scent based on a bouquet of roses.

Available at all leading retailers.

EstĂŠe Lauder Clear Difference. The advanced blemish serum targets the source of breakouts, treating and minimising its severity.

The blemish treatment fights existing blemishes by reducing its size, redness and irritation.

Available at all leading retailers.

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014

37

BEAUTY | 5 tips

1.

Layer Up

2.

Read the Label

3.

Tidy Job

4.

5.

38 September 2014

The nail polish must have an even coverage. To get the perfect result, instead of applying one thick coat, make thin layers (as many as necessary). A thick coat will only dry on top, leaving your manicure vulnerable to smudges.

It is very important to check the formula of the products you are using to avoid smudges and dents.

If your nail polish is B3F, make sure your base and top coat are too. If the top coat isn’t B3F it will dry faster than the polish underneath.

The hardest part may be removing the excess of nail polish that paints the skin around the nail. Try applying petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to protect your skin from errant nail polish strokes.

But be careful, if it reaches the nail, the polish may not stick.

On the Shape

Nail files are not supposed to go back and forth, it can weaken the nails.

Instead they should go from the corners towards the centre in one direction. For a smooth and uniform look, you can use a nail buffer to polish and shine the nail.

Pretty Paws

Do you want to become an expert in DIY nails?

Woman This Month has selected five tips that will help you get a salon quality manicure in the comfort of your home.

Manicure Villains

Humidity and wind can affect your impeccable manicure. The annoying bubbles you find after applying the top coat is directly related to the exposure to these elements. www.womanthismonth.com

BEAUTY

Sunless Tanning The key to getting that flawless spray tan seen in ads is using premium products and professional-grade equipment.

T

o most people, every spray tan booth works the same way. After walking into the enclosed capsule and pressing the start button, your body is covered in a lightweight mist that later develops into a gorgeous glow.

Since the entire system is automated, you don’t need to think about the behind-thescenes mechanics that make it happen. In reality, how a tanning booth is designed has a huge impact on the quality and lifespan of your results. With the right system, every procedure can offer you a Gisele-like glow.

In addition to being a leading company in the development of professional self-tanning products and accessories, St Tropez develops some of the best tanning booth designs in the market. Available at Joz Salon & Spa, this booth boasts cutting-edge technology that works well for every skin type and tone.

Filtered extraction units work overtime to

40 September 2014

keep the air clean and remove excess spray residue, while an automated airbrush system evenly covers the entire body with a high-end tanning solution. The machine’s adjustable temperature settings make it easy to instantly adapt to special requests and seasonal changes.

One of the biggest advantages of using the brand is that it turns a simple spray tan into a spa-like experience. Unlike lower quality formulas that can be sticky and cold, St Tropez’s tanning solution feels light and airy.

The system’s custom controls make it possible to change the temperature of the mist as needed, so you never have to worry about being cold or uncomfortable.

As the products are designed to dry quickly, you can be on your way in just a few minutes after application, without worrying about ruining your tan or staining your clothes.

Whether you need a great machine for your tanning salon or just love sunless tanning, St Tropez’s spray tan booth is a foolproof choice.

Keep in mind that any salon spray tan works best when applied to clean skin and paired with the right accessories. While St Tropez’s tanning booth is one of the best designs in the sunless tanning industry, it should only be used on polished skin to avoid uneven coverage.

Tan-enhancing moisturisers should be added as follow-up products to extend the lifespan of the colour in between salon sessions. If you use spray tans on a regular basis, exfoliate your skin before every session. Use daily hydrating moisturisers to keep your skin silky smooth and to hold on to your golden colour longer.

Call 16 031-120. www.womanthismonth.com

BEAUTY | advice

Olivia Wilde

Your Questions Answered

Q: I have oily skin and in the end of the day my face looks terrible.

Any tips, please?

A: I think that the best way to try to control the shine on your face during the day is not washing it or packing it with powder. Having blotting papers always on your hand is the best way to conserve your make-up and just remove the excess of oil. These magical rectangular sheets do a great job soaking up all the grease. There are many brands in the market offering them, pick the one you like most and carry it always with you.

Q

: I just bought a facial toner.

How do I use it?

A: Toners are a skincare product that you rarely see in a girl’s beauty kit. They are traditionally used as part of the cleansing process, applied right after the soap to remove any leftover dirt.

As it prepares your face for moisturisers and anti-ageing products, you can use it for the day and night. I believe that the best aspect of a toner is that it helps to restore the skin’s pH balance.

Some face washes are not gentle to the skin and can alter the natural pH level, which causes irritation. Ingredients like cucumber and vitamin B5 help fight inflammation and calm redness while hydrating and soothing the skin.

Q: My foundation ends so fast.

Any tip to avoid wasting the product and get good coverage?

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

A: You are probably using the make-up sponge that came with your foundation.

It isn’t the best tool for the job. It soaks up more liquid than what ends up on your face. Maybe that is the reason why your foundation never lasts. It also gets ruined easily, forcing you to buy new ones.

Get a foundation brush! You will waste less product and have a more even and precise application than what a sponge would do. Trust me; you will never use a sponge again.

Q: How can I get healthier, beautiful nails?

A: There are a few tricks you can consider to help you deal with battling dry and damaged nails that split, peel or break. A home remedy is to infuse your nails for 10 minutes everyday for a month in virgin olive oil. It helps to fortify them.

When washing the dishes, wear gloves to protect your nails. Don’t use your nails to open soda cans or type; they are not tools to perform chores. Massage your fingernails to stimulate blood flow to the area. It helps them to grow longer and stronger. Try to incorporate the habit of applying moisturising lotion right after washing your hands.

August 2014

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BEAUTY

Total Wellbeing

The Al Ghalia Group recently celebrated a decade of Dessange to thank its loyal clients who enjoy the treatments and expertise offered at the health club in Adliya.

Looking back In 1954, giving free rein to his creativity, Jacques Dessange opened his first salon on the Champs-Elysées — soon to become a famous ‘temple’ where hairdressing and global beauty were reinvented on a daily basis. The generous ambition which has driven the brand forward since its creation is still modelled on this historic salon. With 500 salons spread throughout more than 45 countries, it exerts its influence and know-how across the globe.

Dessange worked alongside top Parisian designers and fashion houses, like Jacques Fath, Balenciaga, Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, envisioning collections with his immaculate hairstyles.

Dedicated to beauty Maison Dessange is an undisputed reference in upmarket hairstylists and luxury. Every day women around the world cross the threshold of a Dessange salon to entrust it with their hair. It has become veritable temples devoted to women’s beauty in its entirety — hairdressing, skincare, make-up, a spa, a fitness centre — a place where women are celebrated.

The branch located in Adliya emulates the same standard of elegance and innovation that is sacrosanct to Dessange. The team lives by the three pillars of quality, service and hygiene. The luxurious retreat provides hairdressing, beauty, fitness, nutrition and spa packages that are exclusive to the brand.

The range of holistic products used during signature treatments is available for purchase for continued nurturing in your daily routine.

Pamper yourself Treat your hair to some tender loving care with a rejuvenating visit to the shampoo bar. Recline in the shiatsu relaxation chair as experts massage a unique conditioning formula into the deep roots of your hair. Look glamorous at events by letting the staff at Dessange take care of your hair and make-up for the evening.

42 September 2014

The Dessange spa is a sanctuary in the heart of the city, where the busy world drifts away while you are wrapped in warm oils and delicate aromas. The health club has a motivated team with one common goal — an active life. Discover new ways to train, like spinning, free motion and pilates, and cool off with a refreshing drink from the fresh juice bar.

Call 17 713-999, visit www.alghalia.com or follow DessangeBahrain on Facebook and Instagram. www.womanthismonth.com

supporting ideas achieving success

Bahrain Development Bank offers a wide range of distinctive financial and advisory services specifically designed to meet SME’s special needs.

Whether your plan is to launch a new entrepreneurial venture, expand or diversify business in the Kingdom, BDB provides you with advice and support in developing the financial resources for your project since BDB’s core mission is to develop SME’s. Over the years, BDB has expanded in delivering an innovative mix of financial products tailored to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and extended to reach out a broader spectrum of economical sectors.

For more details visit: www.bdb-bh.com

PEOPLE | interview

Claiming Our Rights

by SIMI KAMBOJ

One of Bahrain’s first female trade union leaders and equal rights activist, Suad Mubarak tells us why women need to take up leadership roles rather than waiting for men to represent them.

S

uad Mubarak is a far cry from the fire-breathing trade union activist. The soft-spoken accounts supervisor at The Gulf Hotel has spent over a decade campaigning for the rights of working women in Bahrain. Suad is assistant secretary-general at the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU), the largest trade union body in Bahrain with over 60 unions under its umbrella representing 30,000 members. She speaks to us about women’s empowerment, choosing a path less trodden and what it means to sacrifice personal gain for higher ideals.

Woman This Month (WTM): What brought you into trade union activism?

Suad Mubarak (SM): I became a member of the employees committee at The Gulf Hotel back in 1998, which later converted to a union.

I think I joined without knowing what I was getting into. I had some leadership qualities and represented my colleagues in interactions with the management. I ended up getting elected in every subsequent election.

WTM: Has it been worth your while?

SM: Well, this work is really stressful. You devote so much time fighting for the rights of others that you often lose out on your own career. I’ve been working on the same salary for six years and sometimes I feel I should’ve done more for my family.

Also, people expect a lot from you when they’re not ready to do their bit. Sometimes it feels demoralising when we fail, but this role has also opened a lot of doors for me. I feel proud knowing that I represent thousands of workers who trust in me. I’m happy with the work I’m doing.

WTM: Why do you insist on women getting involved in trade unionism?

SM: It’s simple. Women are part of the workforce in Bahrain and as workers they have certain rights. Unless they’re on the board of trade unions they’ll not be involved

44 September 2014

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in the decision making, which is unfair since so many decisions relating to social insurance and medical rights affect women more. Men will not take up these issues as a priority; so we need women in these positions.

WTM: What is your top concern as a trade union leader in Bahrain?

SM: The situation of migrant workers is worrying. Migrant workers are part of our workforce; their numbers are huge and the problems are increasing. For instance, the trafficking of women is going up.

As part of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), we’re signatories to the ILO convention 89, which relates to the rights of domestic workers. This includes providing them with decent working conditions. We have to be involved.

WTM: What form will this involvement take? Are you calling for a revision of the labour law?

SM: The law as it stands protects neither the worker nor the employer. With the awareness levels being where they are, employers won’t apply the law.

We’re starting a series of workshops from September. Families in Bahrain have this mindset that a domestic worker is their responsibility and no further laws are required for their protection. We’re trying www.womanthismonth.com

to convince them that they are workers and should therefore be treated with professionalism, even though they work within the house. Workers have the right to decide when they go on leave, how they spend their money and who they meet after working hours. This is the difficult part for employers.

They cannot treat someone in their house as a professional and honour that.

WTM: Which other segments do you think are underrepresented in trade unions?

SM: Expatriate workers in general don’t take ownership or interest in getting unionised, with the exception of the construction sector.

We don’t know how we can help them unless they come forward.

WTM: What in your view are the top challenges faced by working women?

SM: Implementing the labour law of 2012 has been problematic as it gives women certain rights and privileges with regard to maternity. Companies have shirked from hiring women because they don’t want to provide two months of paid leave. There’s also discrimination when it comes to promoting female staff.

A prominent Bahraini woman told me that although she’s an advocate of women’s rights, when it comes to her business, she thinks twice before hiring a woman. I was quite

shocked. When women themselves refuse to support other women, our job becomes so much more difficult.

WTM: You’ve also been vocal about sexual harassment in the workplace and the lack of acknowledgement about this in Bahrain.

SM: Well, we don’t have any figures because no one reports sexual harassment or wants to talk about it. At the CEDAW convention in Geneva earlier this year the Bahrain government was asked why provisions for dealing with sexual harassment aren’t included in our labour law. To this, the government replied that it’s already included in civil law, so there’s no need for a mention under labour law. But who will go to the police to report sexual harassment, especially when it’s so difficult to prove it in the first place? The only way to address this issue is under labour law.

WTM: What more would you like to accomplish in this position?

SM: Well, we have reached a certain place in terms of women’s rights, but it’s not enough.

I’d like to see at least 30 per cent of GFBTU membership being women. We’re launching a media campaign for this very soon. Before I step down, I would love to see women sitting across all boards of the union. That will make me really happy. g September 2014

45

PEOPLE | interview

For the Love of Make-up

by SIMI KAMBOJ

Helping women put their best face forward is Mai Al Moayyed’s newly launched make-up studio and academy in Bahrain.

F

ormer banker Mai Al Moayyed has always been more passionate about lipstick than ledgers. Make-up has a huge impact on a woman’s confidence and self-esteem, Mai believes. The self-confessed make-up addict trained at the Illamasqua School of Makeup Art in London, but has learned largely by way of experimentation. Following the popularity of her beauty blog, the 29-year-old Bahraini launched a professional makeup studio and academy at Segaya this month. As she readied for the big launch, Mai shared with us her aspirations.

Woman This Month (WTM): Where does the story behind The Makeup Manual blog begin?

Mai Al Moayyed (MA): It all started while I was sitting at my desk in my previous banking job. I deeply regretted taking up investment and finance as a career and decided to change track.

Given the interest Bahraini girls have in make-up and their endless questions about its use, I decided to create a website that reviews new products, provides tips and tells users what is and isn’t worth their money. The blog was born in mid-2011.

WTM: Tell us about the new venture.

MA: There’s much more to The Makeup Manual studio than just teaching and make-up. It’s about beauty, understanding techniques and concepts, consultation, classes and most importantly — confidence. That’s what the girls get once they leave my studio.

46 September 2014

WTM: What excites you most about this venture?

MA: Opening a make-up studio is a dream come true. The most exciting part is the reaction of women when they enter the place.

WTM: What is the Mai Almoayyed signature touch?

MA: My work is simple yet glamorous. It’s non-heavy and non-cakey. I try to accentuate the best features without changing the way a woman looks.

WTM: The beauty market in Bahrain is dominated by big brands, but there are no make-up artists to speak of. What role do you see for yourself in this market?

MA: I agree. However, things are slowly changing. I work with many cosmetic brands in order to help women understand their products. I have worked with Make Up For

Ever and hosted events to introduce their new brushes and products. I represent Sigma beauty brushes in Bahrain.

Over the coming months, we’re adding Bassam Fattouh cosmetics, which are gaining popularity in the region.

WTM: What impact has your work had in Bahrain?

MA: The response is amazing. Girls are being educated about make-up and anyone can notice the difference.

They are becoming more confident. Girls recognise me no matter where I go. It’s funny when they call me ‘The Makeup Manual’ instead of Mai. WTM: Where do you see The Makeup Manual in five years’ time?

MA: I love to think big. I hope to have a bigger team and perhaps another branch in Dubai! www.womanthismonth.com

For a Greener Bahrain

showcase

Anyone who thought gardening in Bahrain was difficult will reconsider once they visit the Nasayem Al Bahrain store at Riyadat Mall.

Zeeba Al Ameer

W

hen it comes to gardening, Zeeba Al Ameer believes that where there’s a will, there’s a way. The former Ministry of Agriculture researcher founded Nasayem Al Bahrain — the first agricultural consultancy in Bahrain.

As part of her services, Zeeba carries out surveys of the client’s land, offering an agricultural plan depending on the client’s budget and suggesting the right species of plants for gardening in addition to stocking plants, seeds and other garden accessories.

What makes Nasayem different from other gardening businesses is that Zeeba has a strong focus on conducting educational programmes for her clients in the areas of gardening and landscaping.

“Our mission is to raise awareness of agriculture and to create an understanding of how a fruitful garden can be achieved, whether for personal or corporate purposes. We try to cater to our client’s requirements, environment and budget,” she says.

Zeeba runs training programmes on the basics of agriculture, with in-depth modules on home-grown vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers.

She also provides expertise in sustainable gardening, large-scale crop production, field preparation and conditioning. With modern agricultural methods, such as hydroponics and aeroponics, in addition to developments in irrigation, farming in dry regions like the GCC has become possible. Nasayem is introducing and implementing these processes in Bahrain.

Located in A’ali, Riyadat Mall is a joint initiative spearheaded by the Bahrain Development Bank in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Women.

Call 66 332-169 or visit www.riyadat.com.bh.

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014

47

lifestyle | community

Eman (fourth from right) with Society board members at the annual Ghabga

Materialising Dreams

by SIMI KAMBOJ

W

Few things in life are as heartbreaking as having a terminally ill child. A group is creating unforgettable memories and hope for these children and their families in Bahrain.

hen a child is diagnosed with a terminal illness, every parent’s priorities change overnight. The focus is on treatment and keeping the child alive. In the process, the child misses out on all the things others are doing at their age. Launched in 2010, the Dreams Society brings cheer to children having all kinds of serious illnesses, ranging from heart conditions and cancer to severe stages of sickle cell anaemia.

“We interview the children to find their innermost desire and then try to fulfil that.

Watching the anticipation and excitement building up to D-day, we realise how much of a difference it makes to the children psychologically,” says Eman Nuruddin, one of the founders and a board member.

The society’s medical committee, comprising Dr Heba and Dr Hala Abdulwahab, is in touch with paediatricians across Bahrain in order to enlist children. The group had fulfilled 24 dreams in the last two years, but this Ramadan

48 September 2014

they undertook their most ambitious project, taking up 30 dreams — one for every day — for 30 children. These included taking children on trips to Disneyland in Orlando and Paris, trips to the Ferrari World Park in Abu Dhabi and even staging a robbery for a boy who wanted to be Spiderman!

“We don’t want children’s dreams manipulated by parents or family members.

Therefore, we don’t tell them that we’re a charity. We interview them asking how can we help, while the parents are told to keep mum. The interview is videotaped, so the child’s original response is recorded to ensure it’s a genuine dream,” says Eman.

A nine-year-old girl, who was blinded after chemotherapy, wanted to travel abroad and was taken to Turkey, where she experienced the sea for the first time.

“There are times when hectic lobbying is required and strings need to be pulled to make a dream come true. But somehow, we’ve

managed to do it, thanks to the commitment of our members and the kindness of people everywhere,” notes Eman.

When travelling, the children are flown — all expenses paid — along with their families, who appreciate the holiday.

Eman says that the children feel incredibly special on their dream day. The society’s fundraising committee headed by Aisha Fakhro has been very active in pooling resources, whether through Ghabgas or Instagram appeals.

“Four children, whose dreams we fulfilled and who survived their illness, have come back to work for us. They are teenagers now and want to make dreams of others come true.

Perhaps it’s their way of providing hope to other sick children,” observes Eman.

Those interested in contributing or volunteering can follow @DreamsSociety on Instagram. www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | parenting

Parents Teens Don't Understand

by DR CLARE BECKETT-MCINROY and MIKE JACKSON

How many times do you hear your child say, “Mom you just don’t get it!” Well actually you do and they don’t “get it”. Here’s why there’s a bridge between understanding each other.

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owerful technologies, such as neuroimaging and advanced brainwave scanners, have shown that adolescent brains undergo considerable structural change particularly in the prefrontal cortex during the teenage years.

The prefrontal cortex is involved in selfawareness and the ability to understand other peoples’ perspective, which is why many young teenagers explore their own self-image and seem insensitive to others’ feelings and concerns.

We also know that adolescents are particularly susceptible to influence by their peer groups. This is why you see predominance of social sub-cultures, such as

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goths, emos, punks and any other trendy things we are out of touch with! This brain change also affects the decision making ability.

Making a choice Trials have shown that adolescents are more prone to making riskier decisions when in a peer group, which probably accounts for the fact that most adolescents commit crimes with peers. Research has also started to show that although the brain is 95 per cent its adult size at age six, the grey matter (or thinking part of the brain) continues to develop throughout childhood.

In the frontal part of the brain, this

development peaks around 11 in girls and 12 in boys, which is roughly about the age of puberty. The grey matter then starts to thin as excess connections are eliminated or pruned. Much research is now focussed around the postulation of the “use it or lose it” principle, namely a premise that those connections that are used will survive and flourish and those that aren’t will wither and die.

So around the critical time of puberty, the young teenager not only has hormones gushing through their system, but the brain functions are also being enhanced or reduced.

All the life choices (sports, art, music or academia) are there, but start getting whittled www.womanthismonth.com

away. We are left with the choices that uniquely define us as individuals. The ability to control risky behaviour is still under construction and the nucleus accumbens that seeks pleasure and reward is fairly well developed.

Risky decisions Dr Jay Giedd of the National Institute of Mental Health in the USA, noted, “This radical behaviour is also due to that the brain regions which put the brakes on risky behaviour are still under construction. During the time of puberty, testosterone-like hormones that are released by adrenal glands will begin to circulate and cause receptors everywhere in the brain. This process then causes an exerting and direct influence of serotonin and other neurochemicals that regulate mood and excitability to hit the teen-brain like a train.

These emotions and waves of thrill seeking are what put teenagers at risk.”

Studies have shown that teenagers use the back of the brain more than the frontal lobes.

When they use the frontal lobe, they overdo it. This is why most adults can arrive at a decision more quickly than many teenagers.

Teenagers use the back of the brain more than the frontal lobes

www.womanthismonth.com

What you can do This work is still very much at research stage and new findings and developments are still being drawn out, but my underlying recommendation to you is to use this knowledge to try and understand your wayward teenager and how mixed up they feel.

It is a cruel irony that when a young mind is at its most vulnerable, it is also most likely to experiment with drugs. An explanation of the brain functions at this stage, if properly articulated, makes a compelling argument to a young teenager that any experimentation with drugs at this stage will have an ongoing effect for the rest of their lives.

Allow them to make mistakes, give them a

safe environment where it is okay to make mistakes and to talk about it. Work with them to find the lessons that can be learned and help them to see alternative strategies and how these may be preferable.

Ask your teenagers lots of questions that challenge their thinking and encourage them to try other sports and the arts. It is also useful to support them with items they are still developing, such as organising their time, creating structure, helping them through tough decisions, creating strategies for problem solving and doing what a parent does best — supplying copious amounts of patience and love. Remember to try and work on equal power relations instead of imposing your views on them. The bottom line? Let them be teenagers!

Interesting facts Male brains are usually 10 per cent larger than female brains, but this does not confer any advantage as the difference is due to different parts being larger or smaller.

Interestingly, females generally have a larger basal ganglia, which relates to executive functioning and the general trend observed is for girls’ brains to mature earlier than boys’ brains.

Mike Jackson is a product of the English public school system followed by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He has been involved in business transformation for the past 30 years and is a seasoned project manager having successfully delivered a number of large enterprise wide implementations/changes across the globe.

Mike has been working in the Middle East for the past eight years and has recently developed a coaching aspect to his consultancy as an organisational executive coach, implementing corporate transformation programmes with embedded coaching to support the transition. g September 2014

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LIFESTYLE | column

Choosing your Battles

by DR JINAN DARWISH

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Temper tantrums. As normal as they are, they can become displeasing to teachers and parents because they are embarrassing, challenging and tough to manage.

very teacher of young children and every new parent can anticipate some temper tantrums in children from one to four years.

On average, temper tantrums are equally common in boys and girls. More than half of young children will have one or more per week.

All young children from time to time will whimper, whine, resist, cling, argue, hit, yell, run and disobey their teachers and parents.

On the other hand, temper tantrums can become special problems when they occur with greater frequency, intensity and duration than is typical for the age of the child.

Toddlers generally understand more than they can express. They are also trying to master their world and when they are not able to complete a task, they turn to one of the only tools at their disposal for venting frustration — a tantrum.

An additional task toddlers are faced with is an increasing need for autonomy. Toddlers want a sense of independence and control

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over the environment — more than they may be capable of handling. This crafts the perfect condition for power struggles as a child thinks: “I can do it myself” or “I want it, give it to me.” When children realise that they cannot do nor have everything they want, the stage is set for tantrums.

Sometimes it will not be possible for you to escape from the public easily. Likewise, you may find it hard to escape if you are standing in a long check-out line at the supermarket with a cart full of groceries. Under such circumstances, all you can do is grit your teeth and hang on.

Ignore the screaming child. Ignore the glares and snide remarks of the people around you.

Keep your cool. Anyway, a near-piercing child in a check-out line speeds it up; so your child is essentially doing everyone a favour. Once you are able to make your escape, chat to the child about their behaviour.

If the tantrums are increasing in frequency, intensity or duration, consult your child’s

doctor. You should also consult a paediatrician if the child is self-injurious, hurtful to others, depressed, showing signs of low self-esteem, or is overly dependent on a parent or teacher for support.

Post-tantrum Management Tips • Never, under any circumstances, give in to a tantrum. That will only increase its number and frequency.

• Explain to the child that there are better means to get what they want.

• Do not reward the child after a tantrum for calming down. Some children will learn that a temper tantrum is a good way to get a treat later.

• Never let the temper tantrum interfere with your otherwise positive relationship with the child.

• Teach the child that anger is a feeling that we all have and then teach them ways to express anger constructively, such as drawing a picture. www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | wellbeing

Sleeping

Beauty

by BEHNAZ SANJANA

In our quest to ‘do more’ in our lifetime, we tend to undermine our basic need of quality shut-eye time. There’s a reason it’s called ‘beauty sleep’; so stop making that dreadful mistake in your life — starting tonight!

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f you are one of millions the world over who hate their alarm clock but love the snooze button, maybe it’s time to evaluate if you are getting enough sleep. Often considered a waste of precious hours, adequate sleep is actually important for the wellbeing and functioning of the body during the daytime.

Lack of sleep can cause daytime drowsiness, lapses in attention, and hinders learning, creativity and multitasking. It’s no wonder that sleeplessness is also one of the main causes of fatal road accidents. Our experts explain the basics.

Wide awake

Our expert: Dr Ram Vatwani, neurologist at NeuroCare Sleep is a rhythm of the body’s biological clock. A disrupted biological clock causes excessive or no sleep. Lack of sleep doesn’t allow our cells to regenerate for the next day’s activities. It also leads to other neurological disorders.

Insomnia is the difficulty of initiating sleep at night and is a sign of anxiety.

If this continues over a period of time, it leads to chronic anxiety, relating to fears of the future concerning to one’s career, health and family issues.

“Some patients can fall asleep easily but wake up in the wee hours of the morning.

This is called early morning insomnia, which is a diagnostic criterion of depression,” says Dr Vatwani.

Disrupted sleep can also be caused by amphetamines or stimulants, and severe jetlag. Melatonin is a natural over-thecounter supplement that helps regulate the biological clock for those who want to avoid the effects of jetlag.

It is proven that lack of sleep raises the risk of heart attacks up to three times than someone with normal sleep. High blood pressure can disrupt normal sleep patterns, further raising the risk of heart attack.

“Reduction of sleep by just two hours raises the risk of mortality by 1.7 times,” the expert says. “Over the years, lack of sleep due to incessant use of mobile phones and workaholism has a cumulatively devastating effect on one’s health.” www.womanthismonth.com

Latest medical research blames sleep apnoea to cause hypertension Sleep Apnoea

Our expert: Dr Jitendra Patel, ENT specialist at Sleep Well Clinic Victims of sleep apnoea experience obstructed or shallow breathing for 10-20 seconds while they sleep. This causes a shortfall of oxygen in the body, due to which the brain signals the body to wake up as a defence mechanism. Frequent bouts of low oxygen throughout the night leave one tired, with a headache and anything but well-rested the next morning. “There are three types of sleep apnoea: central, obstructive and a combination of the two called complex sleep apnoea,” Dr Patel explains.

Central sleep apnoea is caused due to the brain failing to send signals to the muscles responsible for breathing to do their job.

Obstructive sleep apnoea patients suffer breathing problems due to a deviated septum (the thin wall separating the two nasal airways) or enlarged turbinates (thin, mucus covered bones on the inside walls of the nose). Some people have an unusually long palate, which falls just behind the tongue when they lie down. This obstructs the airway and causes loud snoring when the palate vibrates.

“A sleep study determines the type and severity of the disorder. While the patient sleeps, their oxygen levels and brain activity are measured to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem,” says Dr Patel.

Due to the brain being frequently deprived of oxygen over time this disorder causes short term memory loss. Latest medical research blames sleep apnoea to cause hypertension.

Dr Patel says that obese adults and children are more prone to sleep apnoea. The fat in the throat region and the thickness of the tongue, narrow the airways. It can be treated surgically or with the use of certain apparatus www.womanthismonth.com

during sleep. Practical precautions like sleeping on one’s side also help alleviate the problem.

Fizzy legs

Our expert: Dr Reyadh Salman, consultant — chest, critical care, sleep medicine at Ibn Al Nafees Hospital Do you feel a strong urge to move your legs along with an uncomfortable leg sensation while you relax, especially during the evening or night? Do you get temporary relief from the urge to move when you do move? If you answered ‘yes’ to the above, you possibly have Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).

RLS affects one in 10 adults in the USA. It is a common problem with women, especially those who are pregnant, with one in four expectant women facing this niggling issue.

Despite its obvious symptoms and easy prognosis, laymen and professionals are unaware of it.

“RSL could affect not only the legs, but the arms as well. Doctors hear different descriptions of the annoying feeling ranging from creepy, tingling, numbness, or even the

feeling of cola in the legs,” says Dr Salman.

Primary RLS is when the cause of the disorder is unknown. In secondary RLS, the cause could be a deficiency in iron, kidney problems or pregnancy. It could also be due to neurological disorders like stroke or Parkinsonism.

Similar to RLS is a condition called periodic limb disorder. It is often a patient’s bed partner who notices jerky, involuntary movements (much like kicking) during sleep; a typical characteristic of this disorder.

The brain waves during a polysomnograph indicate that periodic limb movements lead to arousal from sleep. They fragment the sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue, low concentration and grogginess.

“Sleep has to be consolidated, uninterrupted, and with smooth transition from one sleep stage to another. So it’s not only the amount, but also the quality of sleep that is important,” says our expert.

Thirty per cent of unlucky RLS sufferers also have period limb disorder. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can be treated according to the cause of the disorder.

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Dessange 10th Anniversary Celebrations Dessange in Adliya played host to a number of guests as the exclusive ladies only spa, salon & healthclub celebrated its 10th anniversary

Badia & Suzanne

Fatema, Jumana & Joan

Suzanne & Badia with the Dessange team

Hilary, Suzanne, Randa & Sanhita

Ali, Amina & Yasmeen

Gail, Ketut & Jane

Suzanne, Caoimhe, Irene & Kate

Manahet, Reem, Zahraa & Maryam

Badia, Reem & Suzanne

Wasan & Huda

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Zubeda & Zaheera

Frieda & Masooma

Helen & JM

Nuha & Eman www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

The Makeup Manual Opening The Makeup Manual, a make-up store that does not only sell it, but teaches its clients how to use it was opened in Segaya Plaza. The Makeup Manual is the creation of Bahraini Mai Al Moayyed who started off teaching the art of make-up and now has set up a shop to share the craft

Noora with Mai Al Moayyed

Mai Al Moayyed, 4th from left, with family & friends

Shaikh Talal Al Khalifa, Ahmed & Jassim

Nabeel, Nawal & Hessa

Ali, Nasra & Mr Rafia

Ali & Dalia

Mai, Nouf & Zain

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Ghada, Anne & Eve

Hezam & Marwah

Mai, Marwa & Al Harith

Aroob & Nouf

Nadera & Mashael

Layla & Layla

Sahra & Najata www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

BMW Media Ghabga Euro Motors & BMW hosted a media ghabga at the Al Khayma Tent, Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa

Hussain Aljufairi, Ayoob Karimi, Hera Malik, Shehab Saeed, Rami Khalil, Nick Cooksey, Dorota Prokopczyk, Redia Castillo, David Robertson & Yaser

Shehab Saeed, BMW Bahrain Marketing Manager & Yaser

www.womanthismonth.com

Mr & Mrs Hussain Zaimoor

Randa & Ian

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Conquering the Skies A

One of the region’s most reputed airlines, Oman Air, gets rewarded for its continued excellence in commercial aviation services and standards.

t the recent World Airline Awards, Oman Air was awarded the Airline Staff Service — Middle East Award. Maintaining an exceptional level of customer service, both on land and in-flight, the airline staff has been widely appreciated for their consistent efforts.

Other titles won were Best Airline in the Middle East, Best Airline Seat — Economy Class, World’s Best Airline — Economy Class, Best Airline Catering (for both economy and first class) and Best Airline in the Business Class Comfort Amenities categories.

Oman Air won the second and third place in the Best Onboard Catering and Best Airline Seat in the Business Class category. The commercial carrier also found a deserving spot in the World’s Top 10 Airlines — Business Class.

Mohammed Al Shikely, general manager — marketing, Oman Air, accepted the Best Airline Staff Service Middle East Award from Skytrax CEO, Edward Plaisted. The ceremony was held in the historic Wind Tunnel at the former Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough, England.

The World Airline Awards first took place in 1999 and is organised by Skytrax, the independent airline quality experts. This year’s winners were decided following a 10-month-long World Airline Survey, which covered 41 key performance areas of airline front-line product and service. A total of 18.8 million customer surveys were completed representing more than 100 different nationalities and over 200 airlines.

Visit www.omanair.com.

Premium Quality The Kingdom’s ‘fresh and friendly’ supermarket is now home to one of the best olive oil brands, sourced all the way from down under.

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erving the Kingdom with quality produce for over three decades, Alosra supermarket provides local and exotic items at great value. The store now brings to you an all-natural Australian brand of extra-virgin olive oil — Red Island. Indulge in the raw flavour and aroma of this oil; drizzle it over your meats, breads, salads and pasta.

The oil is manufactured and bottled in a state-of-the-art Halal certified facility.

The experienced staff ensures the finished product meets the highest expectations.

During the last decade, Red Island has picked up a number of awards for excellence in quality and taste, expanding their distribution throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia. This award-winning oil is the perfect healthy fat to incorporate into

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your meal, as it is cholesterol-free and a great source of antioxidants.

Red Island is responsible for farming over two million olive trees and producing over 10 million litres of olive oil per year. The oil is available at select Alosra branches located across the Kingdom: Juffair, Saar, Riffa, Nakheel Centre and Amwaj.

Part of the BMMI Group, Alosra’s prime focus is on delivering quality, boasting a wide range of carefully selected products.

The store focuses greatly on delivering good customer service. The first Alosra opened in Manama in the mid ‘80s; today it is the only supermarket in the country to hold the ISO 22000 certification.

Call 17 697-558 or visit www.alosraselect.com.

www.womanthismonth.com

showcase

Jazz It Up! Elite Seef Residence & Hotel gives you the chance to awaken your senses and leave your worries behind while you enjoy live music like never before.

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very Friday, The Elite Seef Residence & Hotel hosts an all-new theme night. Enjoy jazz and barbecues from 7pm until 11pm every weekend at this popular venue nestled within the heart of the Seef district.

Offering a tranquil setting with a temperature-controlled pool and a kids’ club, it’s a night the whole family can enjoy. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, from Arabic and Indian grills to Italian pizzas and pastas — they serve it all.

The barbecue menu includes seafood with the fresh catch of the day, as well as corn-fed chicken, lamb chops, beef fillets, and organic vegetables grown in-house. Finish your meal with a round of delectable desserts; take advantage of the chocolate-themed station.

While you treat yourself to these delicacies, the kids can get busy in the state-of-the-art children’s centre. Young guests between two to 12 years are introduced to a world of fun, creativity and educational activities. Teenagers can enjoy a dose of entertainment in the gaming room, which is equipped with consoles and the latest games.

Drop in to Oasis, the poolside venue at Elite Seef Residence & Hotel.

The large area is a private natural haven that features a range of entertainment options throughout the week, including salsa nights and outdoor live sports coverage on giant screens.

Elite Seef Residence & Hotel offers the comfort of spacious suites with the fun of city living. Each of the modern suites is elegantly furnished in modern leather interiors with a fully equipped modular kitchen, lavish bathrooms, a home theatre system with HD TV and in-house DVD channels, digital satellite television systems and 24-hour personalised service.

Call 17 583-388.

www.womanthismonth.com

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Sophie's Dressing Room Fashion Event Under the patronage of Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Professional Women's Club held a fashion show highlighting products and accessories from Sophie's Dressing Room at the Al Jasra Handicrafts Center

Mr & Mrs Shamsi

Ameena & Firyal

Shaikha Hind opens the event

Asya, Shaima, Fatima, Zainab, Marwa & Zahra'a

Maryam & Jehan

Jehan, Dr Lulwa & Asma

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Asia, Fouzia, Badriya & Zeeba

Hayat, Shadekh & Maryam

Shamsi & Salah

Shahnaz, Doris & Shohra

Nabeela, Shohra, Shaikha Hind & Zahra'a www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Oman Air Ghabga Oman Air hosted a ghabga during the Holy Month of Ramadan for members of the media and a number of guests at the Al Safir Hotel's Ramadan tent

Eric, Steve, Candy, Sana, Ahmed, Dixon & Fahad

Dixon, Nimmy, Nimi, Charles, Sijith, Leslie & Siraj

www.womanthismonth.com

Rawya, Amal & Zarina

Rheju, Eric, Suheb & Stephen

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Continuously Evolving O

Nestled in the heart of the Kingdom’s bustling business district is Seef Mall, Bahrain’s popular family destination. For over 17 years, it has provided its residents with a variety of entertainment and shopping experiences.

ver these 17 years, the way consumers enjoy the mall has changed. Today it’s a destination with an experience, offering much more than just retail. While shopping will always be the key driver for people to visit malls, consumers are always looking to get something extra out of their time at the mall.

And that is leisure and entertainment.

Seef Mall has adapted to follow this trend and has gone all out to offer a complete experience for families to spend time together. From the moment consumers enter Seef Mall, they are welcomed by 300 local and international brands. Whether it’s dining out, shopping with the family, keeping your kids busy in a play area or watching a movie, Seef Mall has the perfect recipe in store for its shoppers.

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For those focused on shopping, the mall continues to enhance retail offerings to satisfy its increasing number of regular visitors, both local and regional visitors, and their desire for luxury goods. Fashion and lifestyle retailers that have recently found a home at Seef Mall include Giordano, Edc by Esprit, Night Moda, L’Occitane and Florame. Additionally, Tissot and House of Time at Seef Mall make it a destination for fine timepiece connoisseurs from around the world.

There’s good news for sweet addicts. Seef Mall has brought in a delectable range of traditional and modern desserts, shakes and cakes through outlets like German Bakery, Majestea, Janahi Sweets and Shake U Like.

For young visitors, the mall has added to its growing array of activity learning areas with

Pingu — an educational, fun and entertaining children’s English language course based on the enormously popular animated television character.

To keep up with its drive of retail offerings, Seef Mall is undergoing renovations to offer a wider range of attractions, with the aim of offering shoppers a new experience each time they come to the mall.

Seef Mall is open from 10am until 10pm from Saturdays through Wednesdays; on weekends they remain open until 11pm. The food court is open from 10am until 11pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and until midnight from Thursday to Saturday.

Visit www.seef.net, call 17 582-111 or follow Seef Mall Bahrain on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Suzuki Ertiga Launch Mohammed Jalal & Sons, sole dealers for Suzuki vehicles in the Kingdom, held a launch ceremony for the allnew Suzuki Ertiga at the Suzuki showroom in Sitra

The all-new Suzuki Ertiga

Muzammil & Mohammed

www.womanthismonth.com

Ahmed Jalal cuts the ribbon

Raimond, Jamal Al Sayed, Ahmed Jalal & Ian

Randa & Parvaneh

Sarun & Mejo

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Riyadat Mall Ramadan Bazaar Riyadat Mall played host to a Ramadan Bazaar during the Holy Month

Nada & Mary

Faizal, Layan & Lubna

Lamees, Shatha, Haifa, Fatima, Shaima & Faten

Noor & Eman

Jassim, Maryam & Jouri

Zainab

Mariam, Rasha & Hala

Miss Philippines Bahrain Candidates' Screening The Filipina IkawNa (FIN), a women's group in Bahrain under the Filipino Club, held a screening of candidates for the Miss Philippines Bahrain 2014 contest at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun (LPOD) Waterpark

Winston, Gengie, Mylien & Marabell

Stella, Ann, Zack & Jeeya

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JM, VM & Don

Naomie, Jenaya & John

Ada & Amie

Randy, Briget, Lorna & Ella

King & Edwin www.womanthismonth.com

Dine in Style

Setting new standards of hospitality with its worldclass dining and entertainment venues, this hotel presents an unparalleled experience, enjoyed best with the views of Manama’s stellar skyline.

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Lemon Tree

Ruka

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ince opening its doors last year, Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa has been instrumental in reinforcing Bahrain’s position in five-star hospitality sector in the region. Offering spacious environs that are both chic and opulent and some of the best food and beverage venues in the Kingdom, the hotel is a popular draw for families, business travellers, diners and party-goers.

The hotel presents a truly remarkable dining experience inspired by the land of samurais and sushi. At Ruka, guests can dine while overlooking breathtaking views of Bahrain from the 24th floor of the hotel.

The restaurant presents itself as one of the region’s most luxurious venues offering fusion Japanese delicacies prepared with the highest quality of ingredients. You can enjoy an exquisite dinner or even drop in for a business lunch from 12.30-3pm starting

from BD10. Presenting the finest flavours from across Italy is Rialto. The restaurant hosts barbecue night every Wednesday from 7-11pm with live entertainment and selected beverages for only BD15++ and BD7++ for kids.

Rasoi, the hotel’s Indian restaurant serves some of the most authentic recipes from the subcontinent in a grand milieu with live ghazals for you to enjoy your meal in true maharaja style.

Tea Garden offers connoisseurs a selection of tea, pastries, gourmet sweets, sandwiches and cookies. Drop by for a relaxed high tea starting from 3pm. Party-goers unite after hours at the biggest club on the island — Ibrida — to catch the new resident band, Celebration, and in-house DJ Joshua perform live night after night.

Call 17 111-999.

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www.womanthismonth.com

Sleek and Sporty A small vehicle that makes a big statement — this model’s youthful exuberance and dynamic performance is set to shake up the entire coupe segment.

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A Bin Hindi, Kia’s exclusive distributor in Bahrain, launches the Kia Cerato Koup.

This is the car’s third generation model that has become synonymous with striking design, winning admirers from across the globe.

With 2014’s upgraded look, the Koup’s fan following will not be disheartened. Featuring a 161hp engine, its starting price is at BD115 per month and its fully loaded version is one of the most affordable sports cars in the market today.

“Since the Koup’s first generation launch, the car has been praised as having the look of a genuine sports coupe. It brings with it a sense of excitement and freshness to a brand already driven by award-winning design, best-practice engineering, safety and leading customer service and benefits,” says Kia Motors sales general manager Mohammed Bin Hindi.

Beneath its distinctive exterior, the model incorporates all the improved engineering first developed for the Cerato sedan, with an all-new body shell structure and improved quality. The upgraded equipment comes with a host of additional convenience and safety features along with a more spacious cabin

www.womanthismonth.com

and greater refinement. The redeveloped power train line-up delivers outstanding performance and competitive fuel economy.

As with the 2014 Cerato sedan and hatch, the Koup boasts a full suite of safety features, both active and passive. Side airbags are standard as is an innovative flex steering option. The zero to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds is exhilarating. Driver seat ventilation, steptronic gear, paddle shifters, cruise control, leather seats with power adjust, and front and rear parking assists are offered. These coupled with a touch screen audio system make for a fantastic driving experience.

The Koup has benefited from an extensive programme of localised ride and handling to provide owners with the driving experience they demand in the GCC’s challenging road conditions. Koup buyers will also enjoy customer ownership benefits of an unlimited kilometre five-year warranty, and the clarity and convenience of a menu-driven servicing programme.

Call 17 408-800 or email kiasales@ binhindi.com.

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A Coupe for the Ages E

This top tier motoring brand offers car enthusiasts the latest elegant sports vehicle with personality.

uro Motors welcomes the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, the third model to join the 2014 BMW 4 Series product range and the company’s first compact executive coupé with four doors. The car makes an immediate impression. By combining the look of a twodoor with the functionality of its four-door counterparts, passengers are allowed easy access when entering and leaving the vehicle.

The doors are frameless, adding to its sleek and elegant look. At a glance, the typical BMW short overhangs, long bonnet and set-back passenger compartment complement the design to express balance combined with a bold presence.

Xenon headlights are standard, while adaptive LED twin headlights are optional as they team up with the forward-slanting BMW kidney grille. This coupled with twin round circular headlights make the revamped model instantly recognisable as a BMW. Customers who want the utmost in

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exclusivity and aesthetics can select additional options from the brand’s Individual Collection. The range includes fine leathers for the interior, exclusive wood trims, special door sill finishes and unique exterior colours, enabling customers to upgrade the car’s look.

The M Sport package is also available with special body elements, exterior colours, lightalloy wheels, and interior variants in both cloth and leather.

The coupé has a unique combination of intelligent driver assistance systems available as both standard or optional under the brand’s ConnectedDrive feature. This innovation continues to set the benchmark in terms of safety, comfort and infotainment in the motoring industry. These include professional multimedia navigation system, head-up display, driving assistant, active cruise control and lane change warning systems.

Glare-free high-beam assistant and park assist are offered. Collectively, these help keep

the driver more alert, reducing the possibility of accidents and minimising consequences should one occur.

Consumers can choose from the three available engine variants — 435i, 428i and 420i with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology for excellent dynamic performance combined with low fuel consumption. The high-end 435i three-litre, six-cylinder engine delivers 306hp, while the 428i and 420i both come with a twolitre, four-cylinder engine delivering 245hp and 184hp respectively.

The extremely stiff body and advanced chassis technology ensure that the coupé offers sporty performance while offering added comfort for rear-seat passengers.

Thanks to its low centre of gravity and a balanced front-rear weight distribution, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is glued to the road and boasts particularly agile handling.

Call 17 750-750 or visit www.euromotors.com.bh. www.womanthismonth.com

NOW OPEN

Juffair

LIFESTYLE | food

Vegan Delights

by JAMES CLAIRE

Today, vegans can enjoy a wide range of food options thanks mainly to chefs around the world caring about their diners needs and expanding their collective repertoire. Here are a few recipes you might consider adding to your home cooking library, vegan or not.

RED QUINOA WITH TOFU AND MUSHROOMS 500g 300g 3 tbspns 500g

broccoli florets oyster mushrooms oil fresh tofu

For the marinade: 2 tbspns sumac 3 tbspns tamarind paste 3 tbspns fresh ginger, ground to a paste 1/2 tspn black pepper 2 tspns cayenne pepper 2 tbspns maple syrup pinch salt

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For the quinoa: 500g cooked red quinoa 2 tbspns coconut milk 3 tbspns fresh ginger, ground to a paste 60g raisins pinch salt pinch black pepper • Press and dry your tofu and slice into sizeable portions no thicker than 1cm each.

• Mix together all the ingredients for the marinade for the tofu and marinate the tofu for 45 minutes in the mixture. Turn the tofu

every 15 minutes to get a good coverage.

• Heat a fry-pan with the oil and cook the tofu.

Add the remaining marinade mixture and the broccoli when the tofu is cooked. Cover with a lid and leave to steam cook for five minutes.

Add the oyster mushrooms and cook for a further three minutes uncovered. Add salt and pepper to taste.

• With the cooked quinoa in a separate mixing bowl, add the coconut milk, raisins and ginger paste. Salt and pepper the mixture to taste before plating a bed of red quinoa onto which the tofu will be served. www.womanthismonth.com

MUSHROOM AND ARTICHOKE CHOWDER 2 tbspns olive oil 1 white onion, finely diced 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 120g oyster mushrooms 1 tspn fresh thyme 3 celery stalks, finely chopped 2 potatoes, cleaned and finely diced 300ml water 1 vegetable stock cube 1/2 tspn dill 1/2 tspn celery seeds 1 tspn ground black pepper 1 tspn soy sauce 400g artichoke hearts 1 tbspn fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped 300ml soy milk 60g button mushrooms pinch salt pinch black pepper

• In a large soup pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and garlic. Cook until the onions are transparent and the garlic is slightly browned.

• Add the oyster mushrooms and stir.

• Add the thyme, celery and finely diced potatoes into the pot and gently mix.

Let it simmer for three to four minutes. In a separate bowl, mix the water and vegetable stock cube and stir until dissolved.

• Add the stock liquid to the potato mixture with the dill, celery seeds, black pepper and soy sauce. Cook for a further 20 minutes. Increase the heat and add the artichoke hearts, flat leaf parsley and soy milk.

• Finally add the chopped button mushrooms and then simmer another six to eight minutes. The chowder should be a little thick. Remove and serve immediately with a sprinkling of fresh parsley on the top.

LIME AND AVOCADO SALAD 300g farfalle (bow-tie) pasta, cooked 2 avocados, ripe 4 tbspns coriander leaves, roughly chopped 3 limes, juiced 3 limes, zested 3 tbspns mayonnaise 1 tspn garlic paste pinch salt pinch black pepper 1 purple onion, finely diced garnish coriander leaves 3 tbspns fresh chives, chopped • Drain the cooked pasta and chill before preparing further.

• Peel and pit the avocado. Put it in a food processor together with chopped cilantro, lime juice and zest, mayonnaise and garlic paste. Blend it until it’s smooth and creamy.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

• Transfer the avocado sauce to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked pasta and toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Add the finely diced onion and toss to combine evenly.

• Spoon the salad into a serving bowl and garnish with additional coriander and chopped chives. www.womanthismonth.com

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LIFESTYLE | travel

It’s a Secret!

by ANKITA MAMGAIN

Fashion capitals and their annual shopping carnivals beckon the most dedicated shoppers. But some of the truly unique pieces in a fashionista’s closet seldom emerge from London, New York or Paris. Here are some destinations that are a fashion-monger’s delight.

SAN FRANCISCO, USA he colourful city welcomes the bohemian chic to indulge in its grand department stores, flea markets and funky boutiques. Each neighbourhood in the city has its own distinct character and this reflects in the overwhelming choice of different shopping districts in San Francisco.

When the pockets run deep, you should head to the opulent Westfield Centre, where a plethora of tiny fashion vaults come to your rescue. Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques.

Bargain hunters can dig through record shops and thrift stores in the Mission district and the Haight. The local shopping opportunities are a true reflection of the city’s various personalities, from the anarchist bookstore to the mouth-watering food at the Ferry Building.

What you’ll definitely need to bring on this holiday is an empty suitcase. When your inner shopper needs a break, head to the Marina district, which boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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www.womanthismonth.com

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO trolling, shopping and sipping tequila along the Malecon boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta sounds like the ideal vacation. Courtesy of the steady stream of cruise liners passing through its harbour, Puerto Vallarta is geared toward the shopper, with anything Mexican-made being readily available.

Shopping here is fun in terms of what you can buy, but more in terms of where you can find it. Unique artefacts from all over Mexico await you in both ultra-modern and traditional stores and galleries spread throughout the city.

The Municipal Flea Market offers a bevy of colourful stalls while the downtown Malecon and the streets surrounding it are rich with galleries, jewellery stores and designer shops specialised in casual wear.

The charming cobblestone streets of Old Vallarta are perfect to browse handmade crafts. Whenever you want to put your shopping bags down, the calm, warm waters of the Bay of Banderas make for excellent diving. The cluster of fine art galleries in El Centro are perfect spots to have a self-guided art tour. Owing to its arsenal of great restaurants, it’s often contested whether Puerto Vallarta is a shopper’s heaven or a foodie’s paradise.

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HONG KONG, CHINA Its incomparable skyline, floating islands and delectable dim sums are just some of the attractions that bring millions of visitors to Hong Kong each year. This is indeed a destination for the experienced shopper.

Tsim Sha Tsui offers the densest concentration of shops in the crowded city. Take ‘dense’ as an enormous variety of almost everything under and surfers should to the the sun. But those who wantSwimmers a more relaxed experience canhead try the eastern beaches.

Central Area.

Most goods from all over the world, except wine and cigarettes, are tax-free and prices are relatively low. The best three buys are clothes, cosmetics and electrical appliances. Canton Road and Beijing Road have the famous brands while Granville Road has cosmetics and factory outlets.

Along with the shopping spree one gets an eyeful of traditional Chinese architecture in Ngong Ping Village and the tram to Victoria Peak offers some truly unparalleled views.

www.womanthismonth.com

July 2013

September 2014

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OFFERS

WIN WITH Ramee grand hotel & spa

Blipp & Win a Dinner for Two

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa gives away dinner vouchers for two lucky winners. Blipp this page for a chance to dine at the five-star hotel’s Lemon Tree Restaurant.

Fill in the contest form before September 10

LAST MONTH'S WINNERS

Conrad Pereira won a return trip to Muscat courtesy of Oman Air. He receives the prize from Eric Almeida and Maria Lazarus at the Oman Air office.

Judith Tiamzon and Anscily Menezes collect dinner vouchers from Cynthia Narvaez and Bhaskar at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa. Each voucher entitles the winner to a dinner for two at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Rialto.

How Blippar Works

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2014

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horoscopes

Star

Gazing

by RAPHAEL

Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 20

Sagittarius Nov 23 - Dec 21

Taurus Apr 21 - May 21

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 20

The seeds you have sown over the last few months are beginning to sprout positive shoots and you will see all your long term planning in a relationship finally come together. Happy days lie ahead, so enjoy them.

There could also be a move of house on the cards and before the end of the year you may find yourself in a new place.

Gemini May 22 - Jun 21

Illustration by LIM Designs

Find out what September has in store for you…

Virgo Aug 24 - Sept 23

Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb 19

Cancer Jun 22 - Jul 23

Libra Sept 24 - Oct 23

Pisces Feb 20 - Mar 20

Leo Jul 24 - Aug 23

A lot of you are just trying too hard when it comes to romance. After another disappointment brings your relationship ambitions to a premature end, it might be worthwhile taking a breather from the dating game to get a better idea of just where things are going wrong. On the family front, things have been a little frosty lately.

You can only dig your heels in for so long when trying to pretend that someone you have fallen out with no longer exists. The time has come for you to finally face up to this issue and seek out a resolution once and for all. On the financial front, money may be tight so watch the pennies until you can steady the monetary ship.

It looks like you’re in for some wonderful news towards the end of September when something you’ve been planning comes together in a spectacular fashion, leaving you feeling more satisfied with life than you've been for some time. Celebrations are set to follow. After this event, your life will never be the same. Prepare for major changes.

This month you are going to have your hands full following a traumatic family episode that, whilst not directly connected to you, affects many of those close to you. Throughout, you will be looked upon as a rock to help relatives negotiate this trying period. You will surprise yourself at how well you deal with the issues before you.

78 September 2014

If you are having difficulty with a family member, perhaps you need to address where the real problem lies rather than placing blame on other people. It could be that the root of all your difficulties lies with you rather than someone else. Never one to take criticism well, you should take on board what others say concerning this issue.

The next couple of months are going to be all about change as some painful goodbyes are on their way as you head to different shores and new adventures. Whilst this might seem exciting it won’t be without its compromises and you are going to have to get used to someone very important no longer being around as much as you’re used to.

One of the major problems with your sign is that you just won’t be told, no matter how much people try to help you. With this in mind perhaps you should think about turning over a new leaf and consider accepting the good advice presented to you in relation to work this month. It might help ease you through a troublesome time in your life.

It’s been a long time coming but finally, after what has felt like an eternity, you will be turning the corner on a long-term project and closing up matters in a very positive fashion.

However, you won’t have much time to sample the rewards on hand because another project you have been working on is also set to turn in your favour.

Many of you will probably be thinking that life is all about work and not much else. Whilst it is perhaps fashionable to knock the fact that you are busy, there is no doubt you will see the benefits in your pay packet. The occasion could arise in the near future when you will cry out for a little extra over-time, without the option being available.

You are hampered by a general feeling of dissatisfaction in your life at the moment, particularly where a relationship is concerned. Everyday pressures have taken their toll on a long-term partnership. There is every indication that you are going to start making a few changes that will cause ripples through the lives of those around you.

A clear-out at home is going to lead to the discovery of some interesting material from your past that sets your mind thinking of a lover you have lost contact with. Many of you will have moved on emotionally, but there will be a few who are still tempted to consider the “what if” scenario. Resist the temptation to dwell too long on memories. www.womanthismonth.com

he says

Our Life’s

Soundtrack

by JAMES CLAIRE

Movies are a hit and miss affair. So why take the risk? And why have things changed so much?

I

n the early years of Hollywood, there was no chance a film production would not be a true success. The costs were and remain prohibitive. But in the old days, there was no chance to recoup these financial disasters through DVD sales. If a movie flopped at the theatres, it remained hidden forever.

Perhaps such technology made producers and directors lazy. Money recouped whether the movie was a success or failure!

A massage with soft music in the background had me realising that an important part of movies has changed. It’s probably why they never succeed into longevity. A famous quote states it perfectly, “Music is what feelings sound like.”

I remember the movies of my youth and still long to see many of them over again; not just for the great actors but also because I can remember their soundtracks. Certain days, certain emotions evoke a tune of memorable quality of a movie of great viewing magnitude.

Doctor Zhivago had Lara’s Theme, while Gone with the Wind had Tara’s Theme. For the Boys had Bette Midler belting out her rendition of In My Life. Beaches reminds us all of Wind beneath My Wings. And could any of us forget Top Gun’s, Take My Breath Away.

Songs of numerous musicals and movies shaped my early youth; they are part of who I am. I could never forget the words to the tunes of The Sound of Music, even if I wanted to. So why don’t modern movies have a single song I can remember?

In the ‘80s, the Hollywood blockbuster was born. In the ‘90s came the idea of selling the www.womanthismonth.com

high-powered soundtracks that accompanied them. But do I remember as many movies from the past two decades as I do of the decades prior? No! So what differs between them? Trends.

Music for most modern blockbusters is momentary, taken from popular artists of the day. But our thought patterns are fleeting today. We are not old school romantics anymore.

There are few movies that I can think of from modern times that fill my memory banks, like Dances with Wolves and Gladiator.

They used powerful music to evoke feelings, emotions and in my case, tears.

To have a movie relegated to the historical

trash bin is easy. It is hard to have a movie generate enough emotion, feeling and freedom within us to stay for the remainder of our days.

Too many children are growing up without these powerful emotional tools. To be able to reflect and truly miss something is a nice feeling. Movies today are blockbusters trying to get folks in the door on opening weekend. They succeed, sadly without music and soundtracks to reflect upon. Memories of magnitude, feelings of awe and emotion, reflections of happiness are abandoning the children of tomorrow. Let’s hope Hollywood wakes up soon and fills our ears with happy memories for the future again.

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she says

Vintage Valuables

by BEHNAZ SANJANA

Did you know that Grandparents’ Day falls on September 7 this year?

While Mother’s Day and Father’s Day evoke much gratitude and fervour, here’s why we should spare their folks a caring thought as well.

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hanks to my parents, my sister and I enjoyed a happy childhood. But what particularly made a world of difference to our wonder years was our grandmother.

We would have endless, interesting conversations, as Grandmum unassumingly taught us about life and its ways. While our IQ was being adequately fuelled, she was there to nurture our EQ. She was the one who, through her own life’s examples, taught me about humility, passion, compassion and how to stay strong without any malice in my heart.

Her stories sparked our imagination and her velvet voice comforted. And with time, the stories turned to chats on religion, science and human behaviour.

As I grew out of my dungarees and into my teen years, she became more of a friend. I could talk freely about anything that my shy yet rebellious mind would be consumed with.

And she would never judge; she would only gently steer me on the right path with simple, practical reasoning.

Memories of my grandmother make me want to be a better mother myself — colouring my children’s world with wonderful, imaginative thoughts, stoking their inner fires to make them strong, grateful and humble beings — just like her.

I have come to realise that while a mother is the beginning and the end of each child’s day, a loving grandparent’s heart is the candy along the way. In this fast track life we live, we

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are nonchalant about the elderly.

A line in Despicable Me has the abominable Mr Gru exasperatedly ask his aged, hard of hearing assistant Dr Nefario: “Why are you so.....old?” This best reflects our impatience towards the wiser ones of our lot. Growing old has come to be a ‘condition’ and ‘geriatric’ is almost a bad word.

To give them due credit, those in the sunset of their lives are free-spirited enough to laugh at themselves. In a cult TV series, when an old man was asked whether he’d like to take a seat, he replies, “Oh no my dear, I just spent the first half of my day trying to stand up!”

But there’s a lot more to shaky movements and cataract than walking sticks and reading glasses. There is a person who has lived, laughed and learnt their way through many, many years of trials and triumphs — a person who has a wealth of quiet wisdom under all that grey hair.

I have observed through my own and my children’s case that the presence of a grandparent can truly enrich a child’s life.

If you are privileged to have a vintage heart in your midst, give them the honour and respect they deserve. Now that’s what would be really ‘classic’. www.womanthismonth.com