Fashion, lifestyle and beyond
Spoilt for choice Executive Lunch at
Remarkably focused
Lemon Tree
McLaren 650s
Sun and sand vacation Cancun’s beautiful landscapes
Issue 81 - APRIL 2015
Woman of many virtues Silvia Damiani
Race Fever!
2015 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix events listing APRIL 2015
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RACING IN STYLE. MILLE MIGLIA
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MILLE MIGLIA GRAN TURISMO XL
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CONTENTS APRIL 2015
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8 CELEBRITY TIDBITS All the latest gossip straight from Hollywood.
14 A CLASS APART Sylvia Damiani of Damiani Jewellers
16 ART-SPECT Calligraphy artist Aadil
18 RACE FEVER!
Entertainment options at the 2015 Bahrain Grand Prix
20 GLITZ AND GLAM
Star Factor: ASK breaks down who wears what, fashion police style
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26 FASHION STATEMENT Michael Kors, Alice and Olivia, Parfois, Hunkemoller
32 HOME
Artikel at the Jawad Dome, Barbar
34 STYLE
The Glow Brand, Parfois
46 OUT AND ABOUT
Check out all the events which took place last month
66 IN THE DARK Nightlife events around the town
70 PRESS RELEASES Press releases from around the region.
76 LAST NOTE
The most high tech cleaning products
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REVIEWS 36 GLOBE-TROTTER Cancun, Mexico
40 TECHNO REVIEW
Techno Logic – Latest gadgets and what you will love about them
42 AUTO REVIEW
42 34
McLaren 650s
44 RESTAURANT REVIEW Lemon Tree at the Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa
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CEO Letter
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EASTER BLESSINGS
would like to wish our esteemed readers a very happy Easter celebration, showering you with prosperity and joy.
I would like to extend my hearty felicitations to the ruling family on the advent
of the 11th Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2015. We have a special ‘Race Fever’ feature
for the same. We hope you enjoy the exciting features lined up in this month’s issue.
Don’t forget to follow us on our social media pages @sabayamag Happy reading! Warmest regards,
Mamdouh Shehata
CEO - Sabaya Magazine
mamdouh.shehata@sabayamag.com
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From The Editor’s Desk
F
GET SET, GO!
CEO Mamdouh Shehata Deputy CEO Samia Al Mahmood PR & Editorial Manager Omaima Ebrahim Editor Puja Tiwari Business Development Director Rami Khalil
1 Fever has enveloped Bahrain again, with the famed Gulfair Bahrain Grand Prix 2015 marking its 11th year in the kingdom. Check out the exciting events lined for the same.
Sylvia Damiani from Damiani Jewellery gives us an insight into her passion, whereas calligraphy artist Aadil tells us about his intricate art. We review the McLaren 650s in all its glory and Lemon Tree’s business lunch. We have lots of more great reviews, fashion brands and of course, celebrity gossip to keep you entertained. Feel free to drop me a line with comments or suggestions. Happy reading!
Art Director Syed Muhammed Raihan Photographer Santhosh Proof Reader Fayez Abubacker Legal Consultant Younis Zakaria Younis Printed by Arabian Press Distribution Al Ayam Published by Sabaya Company for printing & Publishing ISSN 1985 – 8353 Chairman Abdul Samad Al Nashaba
Sabaya is a monthly publication Tel: +973 77100022 Fax: +973 77100021 www.sabayamag.com Email: info@sabayamag.com Facebook: SabayaMagazine Twitter: SabayaMag
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TIDBITS
Celebrity TIDBITS
CELEBRITY
Ashley Judd pens sexual violence essay
Actress Ashley Judd has written a powerful and moving essay, condemning online threats of sexual abuse and violence, after she was trolled for posting her views on a university basketball game. The 46-year-old received abusive messages, including rape threats, after she claimed on Twitter that the University of Arkansas were “playing dirty” when they took on her old college, the University of Kentucky, on Sunday. That’s what has led to her penning her disgust over the incident, reports femalefirst.co.uk. The essay, entitled “Forget Your Team: Your Online Violence Toward Girls and Women Is What Can Kiss My A**”, enlivens Judd’s own experience of sexual abuse and incest as a youngster and the nine-year journey to recovery that followed. In a piece published on MIC.com, she wrote: “The volume of hatred that exploded at me in response was staggering. I am a survivor of sexual assault, rape and incest. I am greatly blessed that in 2006, other thriving survivors introduced me to recovery.”
Cindy Crawford’s man recalls how Clooney once drunkenly ended up in bed with her Cindy Crawford’s husband Rande Gerber has recalled the night when George Clooney once drunkenly ended up in bed with his model wife. The 52-year-old American entrepreneur claimed in an interview that the Oscar-winning actor “crashed out” after they spent one night drinking tequila at his Hollywood home, the Daily Star reported. Gerber added that Crawford, who thought she had seen her husband passed out on the bed with motorcycle boots still on, got into bed and started rubbing his back and then he turned round, “only it wasn’t me. It was George.” He noted that Crawford shrieked “Oh my God!” Then George shrieked “Oh my God, did I get into bed with you?” Gerber revealed that he and George were hysterical and laughed about the incident which later featured in an advert for their tequila brand Casamigos.
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Celebrity TIDBITS
Shia LaBeouf livestreams his heartbeat ‘Transformers’ star Shia LaBeouf is all set to livestream his own heartbeat for a week. “When people say, ‘listen to your heart’ they are urging us to turn in to the loving side of our selves; the imaginative, the intuitive, the compassionate, the inner wisdom we all possess. They are telling us to listen to our passion,” read a statement from LaBeouf and his collaborators. LaBeouf, 28, is also back with his latest performance art project with #IAMSORRY collaborators Nastja Sade Ronkko and Luke Turner.
James Franco says ‘I’m gay in my art and straight in my life’
Matt Bomer, Cheyenne to star in ‘American Horror Story’
James Franco has cleared up all rumours concerning his sexuality once and for all. The 36-year old actor said that he was a gay in his art but straight in his life, depending on how one defined gay, News.com.au reported. The ‘127 Hours’ star has appeared in several films with gay themes, and would be seen doing a three-way gay sex scene with ‘Star Trek’s Zachery Quinto and ‘Teen Wolf’s Charlie Carver in his upcoming movie ‘Michael’. Franco, who hit on a 17-year old Scottish girl on Instagram last year, added that if sexuality meant whom you have sex with, then he was straight.
Actors Matt Bomer and Cheyenne Jackson join Lady Gaga on the next season of the anthology series, “American Horror Story: Hotel”. The announcement was made at the show’s Paleyfest panel on Sunday, March 15, reported Aceshowbiz. “I love collaborating with Ryan Murphy,” said Bomer. “It feels like this world where there are no bounds.” He will play one of the lead roles, but the characters and plot details are still kept under wraps. Both Bomer and Jackson have had working experience with Murphy. Bomer previously guest starred on the fourth instalment of “AHS” titled “Freak Show”.
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Celebrity TIDBITS
Feminism divides us, says Shailene Woodley
Actress Shailene Woodley believes that equality is for all, but she will never call herself a feminist because it’s just “a label”. “The reason why I don’t like to say that I am a feminist or I am not a feminist because to me it’s still a label. I do not want to be defined by one thing. Why do we have that label to divide us? We should all be able to embrace one another regardless of our belief system and regardless of the labels that we have put upon ourselves,” the 23-year-old star told Nylon magazine, reports aceshowbiz.com. In 2014, she told Time magazine: “I love men, and I think the idea of ‹raise women to power, take the men away from the power’ is never going to work out because you need balance. With myself, I’m very in touch with my masculine side. And I’m 50 percent feminine and 50 percent masculine, same as I think a lot of us are. Amanda Bynes returns to Twitter with ‘self-portrait’
‘Sweatpants’ sole big reason for divorces, says Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes has revealed that if women wanted to keep their marriage alive and husband happy, like she does to Ryan Gosling, “You can’t do sweatpants... ladies!” The 41-year-old actress, who also shared her fitness plan which included yoga, running, interval sprints and lifting weights, said that it might be difficult to swallow, but sweatpants was the utmost cause of most divorces in America, E! Online reported. Mendes, who swears by “no meat” diet for good skin, talked about being a mom, saying that while her sleepless nights and long days with her baby girl Esmeralda have been grueling, it had made her more appreciative of her own mother.
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Clint Eastwood was ‘terrified’ when his plane plunged into sharkinfested water in 1950s
Clint Eastwood recently admitted that he was “terrified’ when his plane crashed into shark-infested water back in 1950s. The 84-year-old artist said that during the early 1950s, when anybody could get a free flight by just wearing their military uniforms, he also had hitched a free ride in the aircraft, which led him to face a near death experience when a military bomber crashed into the ocean, the Mirror reported. During an interview for the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and TV, the American actor further mentioned that stark fear, and a stark terror was all going through his mind at that time, even though he did not even know that the water was shark-infested. The actor continued that if he knew that he would have definitely died.
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Celebrity TIDBITS
Kate Hudson praises ‘dependable’ stepfather Russell
Actress Kate Hudson wished her stepfather Kurt Russell a happy 64th birthday and praised him for being a “dependable, strong, authentic, loving and fun” stepdad. The 35-year-old actress paid tribute to the stepfather for always “showing up” to watch her and her brother Oliver Hudson in school plays and sports, despite having a “busy life”, and thanked him for making her childhood such a happy environment to grow up in on his birthday on Tuesday, reposts femalefirst.co.uk. She wrote on photo-sharing website Instagram: “Today in our family we not only celebrate St Patricks Day but the birthday of our Pa!
Amanda Bynes has returned to Twitter and shared a hand-drawn selfportrait. The 28-year-old star turned fashion designer, who last tweeted in mid-January, captioned it writing “Hey my loves! Here›s a drawing I did! ily :D”, E! Online reported. The positive tweet has acted as an indicator that the star, who had been diagnosed as bipolar and manic depressive, was on her way back to get healthy again. A source claimed that the ‘What a Girl Wants’ star had focused on yoga, reading and reconnecting with family, and had been doing great after the judge decided to extend her temporary conservatorship to her mother, Lynne. Bynes said that though she was not legally obliged to live with her parents, she was getting better due to weekly consultation with her psychologist and psychiatrist.
Hilary Duff dyes hair blue, turns into ‘mermaid’
Actress Hilary Duff has dyed her blonde hair blue and flaunted her new look on image-sharing platform Instagram. Duff was spotted showing off her new hair colour as she stepped out to run some errands here on Wednesday, reports aceshowbiz.com. The 27-year-old actress also posted a photograph to reveal her turquoise hair on her photo-sharing website Instagram account, and captioned it: “@Ambahhh turned me into a mermaid last night... love all u girls @ riawnacapri @nikkilee901 @ninezeroone xx. (sic).” 12
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A Class Apart
Edward Maya
A true entrepreneur Silvia Damiani of Damiani Jewellery
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ilvia Damiani, vice president and director of style and communications at Italian jewelry company Damiani is truly an inspiration to women in the region. She visited Bahrain last month and sat down with Sabaya for a quick chat about her jewellery empire. Hailing from the Italian-born Damiani family, Silvia comes from a family synonymous with some of the world’s most luxurious jewelry designs, so it was only natural that a passion for precious stones would pave a glittery future for the petite and poised woman whose prestige one can’t help but admire. The Damiani Group was founded in 1924 in a small Italian town named Valenza , known around the world for the masterful jewelry craftsmanship found there. Starting with a small workshop, it didn’t take long for Damiani’s Grandfather, Enrico Grassi Damiani, to become the local jeweler to the most important local families. “Through hard work and dedication, the brand developed and grew,” Damiani explained, “My father, Damiano Grassi Damiani was a true visionary. He took over and expanded the company’s growth while maintaining its heritage and artisan tradition.”
A Class Apart interchangeable, letting you mix and match according to your mood. What metals and stones are used in creating Damiani jewellery? White gold, which is sometimes mixed with rose gold and diamonds. We love using different coloured precious stones to create signature, special edition pieces.
How Damiani supports female entrepreneurs? This is the first time we have sponsored such an event and the outcome was wonderful. It gave me the opportunity to explore the region and the thriving culture. We have a strong presence in charity events, especially those pertaining to women and children. What do you look for in the countries you visit? Whenever I visit a new country, I love studying the culture and traditions to perhaps find a link between Italian jewellery and the traditional jewellery of the country. In Bahrain, I have found natural pearls fascinating, and it could spell for a beautiful potential collaboration. What tips can you suggest from a jeweller’s point of view on choosing jewellery? Choose something that makes you feel confident, something you can wear often. Most of Damiani’s jewels are APRIL 2015
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Art-Spect
Modern Islamic Calligraphy Artist Aadil Abedi
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Art-Spect
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abaya met with acclaimed London based artist and designer Aadil Abedi during a recent visit to Bahrain to promote his exhibition. His work presents traditional Islamic calligraphy in a contemporary fashion, drawing on Arabic and Indian influences and incorporating stunning Swarovski crystals. Aadil Abedi’s art keeps him very busy. Between exhibiting in Dubai, London, Mumbai and Delhi, and creating pieces for celebrities such as Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan and Shakira, he has his hands full. “This is my first time in Bahrain, but hopefully not the last,” he tells us. “I have to give credit to Ambika Vohra and Kaneka Subberwal of Art Select, the exhibition organisers, for bringing me here.” “The use of Arabic calligraphy as art is growing immensely popular,” he observes. “It takes something timeless and presents it in a fresh and modern manner. Calligraphy is so elegant and yet so versatile because the text can be arranged to create different images. The visual impact is striking, and there is an intrinsic value associated with the text—most people have a favourite verse from the Quran that they like to have on their walls.” “There are a number of artists experimenting with it, but they each have their own distinctive style,” he says. What sets Aadil’s work apart is his use of gemstones, jewellery pieces, and Swarovski crystals on the canvases. He explains that the addition of the crystals was a response to his visit to Dubai. “I noticed that people like some ‘bling’ here, hence the crystals. I find that they also add some texture and depth, especially when the piece is illuminated right. I have some pieces that feature Sufi whirling dervishes, and
the glimmer of the crystals makes it look like the figure is moving.” Choosing a piece Aadil takes commissions from clients, allowing them to customise the size of the canvas they require, the colour scheme they prefer, and the phrase or verse they would like incorporated. As an art consultant, he visits clients’ homes to determine what piece would best suit their space. He advises, “There are two ways
to go about it. You can either choose a colour scheme that blends in with the rest of your interiors so that the artwork becomes an accessory, or you can go the other way and choose something dramatically different. This lets the art stand alone and let it speak for itself.” His final tips: “Trust your artist. If you insist on micromanaging every detail, the piece will not flow from the heart like it should.” To see more of Aadil’s work or to commission a piece, visist www.aadilabedi. com APRIL 2015
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In TheFever Race Spotlight
RACE FEVER GRIPS BAHRAIN! Myriad of activities, concerts and fun-filled festivities lined up for the 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
T
he countdown has begun for the 2015 Formula One Gulf
Air Bahrain Grand Prix, and we tell you all the activities lined up building to the
thrilling 3-day period.
The Bahrain Grand Prix weekend is
scheduled to take place April 17-18-19 in
Sakhir as the fourth round of the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Scheduled on April 2 and 3 will be
a spectacular freestyle motocross show
featuring the Red Bull X-Fighters Jams.
Making a first-time appearance in Bahrain, they will be dazzling crowds with their
breath-taking and awe-inspiring stunts.
The Red Bull X-Fighters Jams will also be held at Amwaj Islands on both days.
Race Fever will then make a grand
finale on April 11, taking place at BIC.
That evening, a fantastic raffle draw will be held for chance to win a brand new
2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe. Also on the
same night, fans will be able to enjoy backto-back live performances from British
pop sensations The Vamps and talented Swedish DJ Otto Knows.
The headlining act will be
international hip-hop sensation Pitbull,
who will be performing live on April 18
of the Grand Prix weekend. Pitbull, also known as Mr. Worldwide, is one of the
biggest stars in the music industry today. He sells out crowds for his concerts all
over the world, and never fails to entertain with his spectacular productions and choreography. 18
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In The Race Spotlight Fever
Some of the Snow Village’s key
attractions will be a synthetic ice rink, a
snow garden, a cross country skiing area, a climbing wall, and a tube and freestyle slide.
A spectacular ice show entitled “The
Ice Queen” will also be performed through the day. The production features a variety
of dynamic ice skating routines combining glamour and fun.
Meanwhile, adding to the Snow
Village’s truly winter feel will be all
kinds of roaming characters, such as The
Penguins who promise to steal the heart of
anyone who watches their playful comedic skits.
Multi-award winning magician and
balloon artist Pop the Balloon Man will
be coming back to the Bahrain Grand Prix to once again inspire race-goers with his colourful creations.
Professional face painter Rita Cherry
will give children the chance to transform The night of April 17, an all-star cast
their face into whatever their wild
of four of the region’s leading artists
imagination desires.
show apiece by legendary Kuwaiti singer
stands in Bahrain City Centre and Seef
songbird Najwa Karam, Iraqi singer-
at bahraingp.com or by calling the BIC
will be performing live. They include a
Tickets can be purchased at the BIC
Abdulla Rowaishid, ageless Lebanese
Mall. They can also be bought online
composer Waleed Alshami and Lebanese
Hotline on +973-17-450000.
superstar Amr Zain.
Known as the Snow Village, a special
marquee located in BIC’s Formula One
Village vending area will have plenty on
offer for both children and adults, making for a truly first-of-its-kind thrill at “The
Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”.
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Glitz & Glam
Star Factor Photo credits: Waleed Alshayji and Mohammed Hejres Location: Galleria Sophia
Our celeb fashion police, Ashwathy Shyam Kumar is a true blue fashionista. Multi talented, she is a fashion designer, buyer for a leading apparel brand in the Kingdom, stylist and diva. her fashion blog, www.thestylecounciltaash.blogspot.com is becoming one of the most popular fashion blogs in the region. ASK picks the best and the worst of what our fashion celebs have been wearing.
Lily James
Lily consistently gives me goosebumps with each red carpet look. This time she went the modern route wearing a custom Balenciaga shimmering silver gown inspired by the Pre-Fall 2015 collection. This architectural piece, which perfectly sculpts and contours, is imbued with plenty of highfashion allure elevating her red carpet status to a whole new stratosphere. We still have a very long way to go with it only being mid-March and all, but I am just about ready to crown her Promo Tour Star of 2015.
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Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani turned heads at The Hollywood Reporters’ 25 Most Powerful Stylists in Hollywood Luncheon co-hosted by Jimmy Choo at the Soho House in West Hollywood, California. Like Amy Adams and Zoe Saldana, she was there to support her power stylist, Petra Flannery. And she did Petra proud in a Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015 flamenco-inspired, hourglass frock, emblazoned with black polka dots and finished with a ruffled skirt. Styled with platinum, retro waves, and of course, a bold red lip, this look was my luncheon favourite for its fun nature and spirited edge.
Glitz & Glam
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez resumed her judging duties for FOX’s ‘American Idol XIV’ show in Hollywood, California, where the Top 10 were revealed. Yes, this electric-blue sparkling short jumpsuit is Elie Saab, hailing from the Spring 2015 collection. Embellishments aside, I love how this makes a bold statement with intricate allure. Sexy can often cross the line into tackyville, but JLo managed to avoid that in this gorgeous onepiece. While once again, I’m not a fan of the Casadei nude suede pumps, they do nothing to detract from the outfit. Endless Jewels, neutral makeup and a simple braided ponytail completed this BDOTW-worthy look.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora attended a photocall to mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic Coca-Cola Bottle held at the opening of the Contour Centenary Bar in London, England. Once inside the venue, Rita had a bombshell moment changing into another red gown; this time she wore a more sultry satin halter number from London label Sorapol. Oozing with plenty of sex appeal, what I particularly loved about this look were the Sophia Webster ‘Share A Coco-Cola’ pumps from the designers Fall 2015 collection which couldn’t have been a more apt way to round out her look. APRIL 2015
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Glitz & Glam
Suki Waterhouse
Having her own fairytale moment, the model-actress struck the right chord between sexy and sweet in this enchanted design that was diaphanously ethereal but, fortunately, none too precious. What also made this look work was the gracefully, unforced styling. Relaxed, tumbling waves, barely-there makeup and rows of rings were all that were needed to pull together the mod princess statement of crystals. Here, Lily is the epitome of a modern princess.
Helena Bonham Carter
You won’t be surprised to learn that the actress wore Vivienne Westwood, as this is Helena’s go-to designer. Many will be delighted that her jade-green Couture gown, worthy of a major premiere, doesn’t feature the designers signature corset, instead the drama was imbued via the dark gothic floral print and sculptural design which nips in the waist and exaggerates the hips. With a touch of whimsy added via her butterfly hair brooch, I was very much dazzled by those amazing emerald earrings.
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Beauty
MERMAID EFFECTS W For Modern Day Mermaids By Sephora
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This sea-inspired Colourful Liner enhances the lash line with multi-faceted pigments and frames eyes with iridescent colour. With its longwearing formula, it delivers dangerously captivating eyes in one easy stroke thanks to its incredible precision.
L
ike a dress that glitters with a thousand sparkling scales, Sephora has designed a collection honoring urban mermaids... With captivating eyes, iridescent eyelids charged with particles of light, lashes robed in vibrant, luxurious colors, glossy lacquered nails that echo the rainbow-like shimmer of shells, delicate mother-of-pearl and changing color effects are sure to capture all eyes.
Available in all Sephora stores. Colourful Duo Chrome Eyeshadows 6 shades BHD 7.7
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+973 17 291 293
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SELECT YOUR MOOD
By Mohameed AlNashaba
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Fashion
Alice AND Olivia The print-frenzy Spring 2015 collection
Stacey Bendet’s Spring 2015 collection for alice + olivia takes its inspiration from a visit to Versailles as Bendet reimagines the eighteenth century palace to be a modern art installation where fashion becomes the object to admire. Each item from the collection can stand on its own or at Stacey’s hand be mixed to create a modern romantic, girly rock and roll vibe. Graphic prints derive reference from both Matisse and Picasso along with a digital image of the palace gardens at Versailles. Another highlight is a painted print created by Stacey’s longtime friend Lola Schnabel. These intricate prints are balanced out with bold graphic statement prints and stripes.
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Mixing bright and light, the colour palette for spring uses white and black as its anchor while cool lavender, coral, and aqua tones combine with vibrant shades of sunset orange, canary yellow, and umbrella blue. Playful pastels and sherbets also appear in the lineup as do white on white pairings. Stacey gives fancy pieces with lavish beading and lux volume a daytime casualness resulting in a slightly bohemian feel. Beaded sweatshirts and t-shirts are mixed with cool toned leather pieces and an embellished crop top is seen with a matching straight lined evening skirt with a sheer underlay. A beaded, multi coloured, print long blazer is paired with bold striped pencil pants.
Fashion
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Fashion
GYPSY GLAMOUR Michael Kors Summer 2015
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Fashion
Ravishing Riviera Style Conveys a gypsy spirit in this glamorous group. Clean shades of white, fresh mandarin and deep blue evoke a Mediterranean-chic mood. A feminine, free-spirited offering of tunics, wide-leg pants and maxi skirts are swathed in tie-dye prints, breezy stripes and easy-going embroideries, while smooth leather and rustic raffia accents instill these yacht-perfect pieces with a heritage sensibility.
Côte D’azur Chic The chic streets and vibrant beaches of St. Tropez inspire a collection splashed in sea glass blues, airy whites and timeless blacks. Flirty tailoring like defined waists and playful pleats is showcased in marble prints, graphic stripes and eyelet embroidery.
Retro Romance Sixties glamour fuses with nineties edge in this stylish set. Graphic stripes, contemporary paisley prints and houndstooth are cast in bold blacks and whites with pretty pops of red and pink. High-shine studs and grommets embellish classic coats and shift dresses with modern-day drama.
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Fashion
Parfois Spring/Summer 2015 collection
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Fashion
T
he SS15 collection is highlighted by the ethnic combination shown in the main trends, which led Parfois to choose Morocco as the perfect location for the new SS15 campaign. This campaign was carried out by an Italian team, where the model, Benedetta, and the photographer, Ilaria Orsini, stand out. In the campaign and catalog images, we found a determined woman, who travels physically and in her dreams, finding bits and pieces of all the cultures combined in the collection. In a very feminine and modern collection, the use of materials such as snakeskin and handcrafted details, combined with ethnic motifs, which provides a varied collection, very rich in details and striking patterns, which automatically take us to scenarios such as Morocco, Turkey, Mexico, India or the Balkans. Thus arises the four Parfois proposals for this season: Boho Dream, Future Tribal, Marrakech and Powder Power. The most highlighted theme, Boho Dream, stands out as the most eclectic of the four. This hippie-chic inspiration bets on prints, patterns and organic shapes for women which appreciate bold combinations. A rustic language combined with handmade materials with strict details:
patchwork techniques, silk tassels, ropes, handcrafts and natural details. The colour palette is fresh and summer inspired, including stronger colours such as orange, burgundy, blue and yellow, and neutral tones such as black, white and beige. This trend was inspired on a gypsy environment which transports us to different countries at the same time. Future Tribal trend finds its essence in the “sporty-chic� spirit, where the combination of fringes, perforated details and patterns, brings elegance to the sporty look, which is very present in the catwalks. Knitting techniques and materials such as nylon and leather are combined with bright primary colours geometric patterns. The most sophisticated side of SS’15 collection is represented in this trend through the use of modern and rich materials. Freedom and serenity describe perfectly the Marrakech trend, a fresh and light theme, ideal for women who bet on uncommitted looks, yet sophisticated. Natural materials such as wood, rope, raffia and stones are the main focus of this trend, the colour palette is based on tones associated with the nature, such as brown, red, beige and coral. This is a more relaxed proposal inspired by the warm and rustic atmosphere of Marrakech.
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Home
Artikel at Jawad Dome in Barbar
For more information, contact: 17795070
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Fashion
HunkemoĚˆller lingerie
Hunkemoller is located in Bahrain City Centre: 17212623 and The Centre, Nwaidrat: 17703502
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Style
The Glow Brand in Tilly’s Closet at The Jawad Dome, Barbar and seef mall 34
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Style For more information, call: 17008471
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Travel
Capricious Cancun Fascinating landscape of this beautiful island
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Travel
B
ack in the 1970s, Mexico’s ambitious tourism planners decided to outdo Acapulco with a brand-new, worldclass resort in the Yucatán Peninsula. The place they chose was a deserted sand spit offshore from the little fishing village of Puerto Juárez. Its name was Cancun. In the last two decades Cancun has
grown into one of the world’s bestknown holiday resorts. Unabashed and unapologetic, Cancun is a party city that just won’t give up. Cancun’s endless activities offer fun, culture and adventure for all ages. Cancun’s balmy weather is perfect for simply lounging on a beach bed or participating in water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving, jet skiing or parasailing. If you’re the adventurous APRIL 2015
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Travel
type, try zip lining high over the tropical jungle canopy or cave diving in a cenote. This region is the gateway to the Mayan civilization’s archaeological sites, so you can also experience a little ancient history during your vacation. Here is a list of top things to do in Cancun.
Cancun Watersports
Cancun watersports will delight even the most avid watersports enthusiast. Cancun watersports offer some of the best scuba diving, snorkeling and sportfishing in the world! You can even charter your own sailboat with crew and equipment for an adventurous day out on the open sea or a romantic sunset cruise!
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Cancun Adventure
For the most exhilarating adventure tours in Cancun, look no further. Cancun adventure tours are suitable for all the family. You can enjoy some of the longest zip lines in Latin America, go mountain biking, drive through the jungle in open top jeeps and swim in cenotes. Cancun adventure tours can be tailor-made to be as challenging as you choose.
Mayan Culture
Cancun’s Mayan Culture is its crowning glory. The aura of mystery and majesty still lingers around the Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba to mention but a few. These are all within
easy reach of Cancun by bus, or car or on one of the many tours.
Cancun Restaurants
Cancun restaurants offer such a varied choice of cuisine, with everything from downtown traditional Mexican restaurants to ultra-chic restaurants dotted alongside the Nichupte lagoon. You will find something to suit all tastes and budgets, and get fantastic service with a smile wherever you go.
Cancun Nightlife
Cancun nightlife is the main attraction for many of our visitors on a Cancun vacation. The Hotel Zone boasts some of the best
Travel nightclubs in the world playing everything from salsa to disco to R & B and live music venues. You will find something to suit all ages and tastes.
of more than thirty Cancun spa resorts awaiting you to transport your mind, body and spirit to a nirvana of pure bliss.
Cancun Shopping
Cancun championship golf courses are every golfers dream! Aside from the fact that they are located in the some most beautiful natural settings imaginable, the golf courses in Cancun and Riviera Maya meet the highest standards set by professional golf tournaments and expert golfers.
Shop ‘til you drop in the super Cancun shopping malls! You can choose anything from the Mercado 28 – a handicrafts market – to the ultra modern shopping mall Plaza Las Americas or Luxury Avenue filled with designer stores.
Weddings in Cancun
Your Cancun wedding will surely be a one of a kind celebration in one of the most romantic locations in the world. Turquoise waters and powdery white sand together with year-round sunshine will make for an unbeatable venue for your special day.
Cancun Spas
Cancun is one of the premier spa destinations in the world with a choice
Cancun Golf
Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos is a friendly, laid-back fishing village located only 35km from Cancun. You will be seduced by the bohemian, tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty and charm which transport you a million miles away from the glitz and glamour of Cancun.
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Techno Talk Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi
This 2-in-1 laptop takes thinness to a new level
2-in-1 laptops have come a long way over the last few years from their bulky and clunky methods used to transform predecessors. Now, Asus attempts to one up everyone with the Transformer Book T300 Chi, one of the thinnest 2-in-1 machines ever created. Like the Surface Pro 3, this machine’s guts are stashed behind the screen, which lifts away from a Bluetooth keyboard base to be a standalone tablet. But by going with a fanless Intel Core M setup, Asus has brought us a convertible laptop that’s even thinner than some tablets. Don’t mistake this machine’s svelte profile for lightweight performance, though. One of the biggest defining features about the T300 Chi is that it comes with a real keyboard that can split away from the main unit. The detachable keyboard opens up a whole new avenue of use cases, because it can be used even when not attached, thanks to the Bluetooth connection and it having its own battery. The WQHD, or 2,560 x 1,440, resolution display on the T300 Chi is magnificent. Everything you look at on this display is stunningly sharp and clear with great contrast to boot. If you’re a fan
of long vistas or looking at any type of colour photography and video, this screen will make it sparkle into life.
Final verdict
Unlike the Surface Pro 3 and Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, the Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi feels much more like a machine destined for multimedia consumption, which it excels at. It comes with a colorful, 16:9 display to kick back with and watch some movies streaming from Netflix. At the same time, this is a pretty good device to read comics and books through the Kindle app, even if the app has not been optimized for highresolution screens. It was also a pleasure having a beyond-HD touchscreen.
Techno Logic Latest Gadgets and what you will love about them! ZTE Blade S6
Derivative looks do no favours, but there’s a lot to love on the inside
The Android mid-range is a varied and wonderful place to be shopping in 2015. Let’s not pretend here – the ZTE Blade S6 design is a blatant copy of the iPhone 6. From its rounded corners and tapered display to its curved metaleffect edges and back, an initial glance is all that’s necessary to see through ZTE’s act. Unfortunately, a closer look reveals the folly of taking such a shameless approach in a cut-price handset. The inevitable unflattering comparison can only lead to disappointment and a far more critical appraisal than a more modest or generic design might elicit. Check out the press blurb surrounding the launch of the Blade S6, and you might be surprised to learn that ZTE views its Smart Sense function as the handset’s defining feature. I say surprised, because the feature completely escaped my notice for most of the time I spent with the phone. Another defining feature of the ZTE Blade S6 is its dual-SIM set-up. You can sit two nano SIMs side by side the SIM tray, allowing you to run two phone accounts from the one handset.
Final verdict
ZTE has turned out a highly capable Android smartphone for a very reasonable price. In terms of power and photographic capabilities, it wipes the floor with the Motorola Moto G, which is only a little cheaper. However, ZTE could learn a thing or two about design from the current budget champ, as the Blade S6 simply doesn’t look or feel very nice in the hand. It’s not balanced or attractive enough to take the affordable handset crown, then, but power-hungry Android fans on a budget may want to consider it as an option. 40
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Techno Talk Inateck BTSP-10 Plus
A budget Bluetooth speaker that succumbs to sacrifice There’s a fun trend occurring in the Bluetooth speaker market. Expensive Bluetooth speakers are facing endangerment by the growing amount of cheaper models that do nearly as good a job at pumping out music. Case in point, the UE Mini Boom. For just 100 bucks, its fantastic combo of performance, appeal and value make for a smart buy when put up against more expensive options. It might not be the best-looking Bluetooth speaker around, but hey, with a loaded feature set and the ability to let out a loud roar for half the price, it takes the cake, right? Not exactly. What stands out first is the front grille. This red speaker cover is tucked, or rather, obstructed, behind some plastic honeycomb shapes likely aimed to give it some flair. Right above the branding on the bottom right of the front panel is a blue LED indicator. The sound is hollow and flat. Bass and lowend response are almost non-existent, while mids and highs are tinny and abrasive. Regardless of price, it’s fair to expect serviceable audio across a speaker’s range of volume.
Final verdict
The Inateck BTSP-10 Plus takes the cake as one of the cheapest, function-packed options around. It will perform just fine for those looking to amplify their podcasts or music for the shower.
But if the BTSP-10 Plus is to be your first or primary Bluetooth speaker, know that you could throw another 50 or so bucks on an all-around better (but still budget) option.
Sony Alpha A6000
What do you get if you cross the A7 with the NEX-6? The A6000! It’s been a few months since Sony took the decision to officially drop the NEX moniker from its E-mount compact system cameras, renaming all of its interchangeable lens cameras with the Alpha brand, regardless of whether it is an A mount or an E mount (those formally known as NEX) camera. This means that some Alpha cameras (such as the A6000) take E mount lenses, while others take A mount lenses. Sony expects NEX-7 customers will head in the direction of the A7, while NEX-6 customers will be catered for by the new A6000. The A6000 has a similar look and feel to the A7. It features a newly designed 24.3 million pixel APS-C CMOS sensor. Like the device in the A7, the sensor has a gapless on-chip design, which is supposed to increase light collecting efficiency. The sensor also has 179 autofocus points, of which all 179 are used for phase detection, but 25 are also contrast detection points for the camera’s hybrid auto focusing system. This autofocusing system facilitates Sony’s claim that the camera has the fastest AF in the world, for those cameras with APS-C sized sensors at least anyway – and that claim stretches to DSLRs as well as other compact system cameras. With the A7 it also shares features such as Lock on AF, Eye AF and AF area settings.
Final Verdict
Sony has come within touching distance of creating the perfect compact system camera, but it’s not quite there yet. Fantastic image quality, a small and sleek system, customisable buttons are all great to have, but there are a couple of niggles keeping it from true greatness.
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Auto Review
MCLAREN 650S
REMARKABLY FOCUSED
By Fayez Abubacker
INTRODUCTION
Otolith organs are the tiny acceleration-sensing parts of your inner ear that are extremely effective at telling your brain when you are at changing velocities. They make easy work of elevator rides, subway trains and most roller coasters, but my otolith organs were completely overpowered by the 2015 McLaren 650S whose acceleration left it overwhelmingly dazed and confused. The 650S is essentially a facelift for McLaren’s first mid-engined supercar, the 12C. But there’s a lot more to it. The revised styling pays tribute to the P1 hybrid, lighter body, and about 25 percent of new parts. 42
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OUR 6 POINT REVIEW 1. EXTERIOR
Inspired by McLaren’s Spectacular P1 hybrid super-supercar, the 650S’s front end appears infinitely mean with a sculpted front bumper and serpentine grille that features a thin band of LED-based combination headlamps evocative of McLaren’s swoosh-shaped logo. Most body panels are shared with the 12C, but plenty of new stuff is attached to them, including carbon-fiber lower door blades, gaping side scoops to feed the hungry engine, and a recalibrated dynamic rear wing that, along with the new visage, is said to contribute to a 24-percent increase in downforce at 150 mph. McLaren credits the aero-sculpted nose cone for providing better high-speed turn-in. There are lighter forged five spoke alloys which take in Pirelli tires exclusive to the 650S.
Auto Review of 22 mpg driving to our photo shoot. Apart from the front and side air bags for the driver and passenger; the carbon fibre chassis tub is extremely stiff and strong, so crash safety is top notch. Its Electronic Stability Program is highly sophisticated that it forgoes the need for any other active safety systems, which add needless weight and extra complexity. The rear wing deploys under braking to help scrub off speed. The same wing is also used to keep up stability at charging speeds.
2. INTERIOR
It’s an intimate space with surprisingly good outward vision. The ceiling, the seats, and the doors are swathed in faux suede, with soft leather available as an upgrade along with vast chunks of carbon-fiber including carbon-fiber racing seats, which are very comfortable. As automakers move to add more and more buttons, switches and dials, McLaren has minimized and simplified the way the driver interacts with the vehicle. An oversized analog tachometer is sandwiched between color digital displays on the primary instrumentation, with a colour multifunction display heading the console’s stack that includes dials and buttons for vehicle controls. All climate-control functions are located on the driver and passenger door, respectively. There is a deep and wide boot in the nose that can carry at least two large weekend bags.
3. PERFORMANCE
The mid-mounted twin-turbo charged 3.8L V8 engine with new pistons and cylinder heads powers to 641hp and a torque to 500lb ft to give it the wallop of Thor’s own hammer right up to the 8,000rpm redline. Other changes include revised cam timing, new exhaust system, stiffening the springs 22 percent in front and 37 in back, and mounting forged 19-inch-front and 20-inchrear wheels. The 0-62mph is bang on 2.9 seconds and every split-second gearchange from the paddle-controlled seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox is punctuated by a thunderclap followed by a sonorous inrush of air to the engine forced through by the turbochargers. And when you come off the power, there’s an evocative sigh as the turbos vent unwanted pressure. There are very few cars that could keep up with the sheer pace of the McLaren 650S top speed of 327 km/h. Meanwhile, the huge carbon-ceramic brakes, supplemented by a
rear spoiler that shoots upright to serve as a high-speed air brake, are powerful enough and wonderfully visceral.
4. RIDE & HANDLING
If the engine is close on perfect then the ride and handling is more than a match. The steering is astoundingly lucid: direct, to the point, crisp, articulate. And the overall balance of the car has been shifted slightly to create a more rear-biased feel. For all its intensity, the 650S is eminently comfortable on the road. The comfort of Normal (Normal? Oh, never mind) was such that they could stiffen the springs without compromising the lovely ride. In the Sport chassis mode, the active and intelligent damping is better than ever. The stability control and brake-steer set-ups have a steely resolution to clamp the car to the path you’ve taken. Switch to the Track mode, and body control is even tighter, but the nose will wash out a bit if you’re clumsy and the tail swishes around a little more under power. It’s the thing only the greatest supercars can do: embracing you and working with you, dancing around the edges of grip.
5. SAFETY
The trip computer said we earned in excess
6. EQUIPMENTS
The Spider version uses a folding metal hard-top which can be operated at speeds up to 30km/h and takes 17 seconds to either stow or unfurl. The cabin is remarkably a civilized place in which to rapidly pass the miles and enjoy the Meridian sound system. Although I can’t say I listened to this system much, as the engine note became the star of this show. The touchscreen shows the crystal clear graphic Iris infotainment system, which includes typical features such as navigation, hands-free phone and stereo controls, but also adds native apps and connectivity.
VERDICT
This car is streets ahead in design, technology and power. Racing knowledge and technology can certainly come together to produce tremendous sports cars, and exotic experiences. The experience of the 650S is one we won’t soon forget...At any speed, it feels more alive, energising you with a vivid sense of its synapses firing and its muscles tensing. The McLaren 650S Spider is the most comfortable, fastest and greatest handling vehicle we have tested. It’s not even the fastest, greatest handling vehicle that McLaren makes... and that thought warps our mind, yet makes us smile.
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Restaurant Review
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS LUNCH
An extravagant lunch deal at Lemon Tree, Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa (RGHS) 44
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L
Restaurant Review
emon Tree is the sumptuous all-day dining restaurant at Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa, set in an ornate, airy and spacious atmosphere.
When it comes to lunch, most of us don’t
have much time for more than a quick bite before we get on with the rest of the day. However, the lush buffet spread paired with an unbeatable Executive Lunch deal will keep you coming back for more at Lemon Tree. Priced at BD 9 net including soft beverages, you can enjoy a variety of Indian, Mediterranean, Asian and Arabic delicacies, leaving you spoilt for choice. Another attractive feature is the live cooking stations set up with different victuals every day, ranging from risotto to tangy Indian chaat. Chef Ghosh explained that the ingredients are locally sourced to guarantee freshness except for the beef and a few varieties of seafood, which are imported. The buffet menu is changed every three months, which includes two kinds of poultry, red meat, fish and various vegetables. The dishes are also chosen according to the type of food the customers prefer. Different stations are set for each course of the meal. I started with cold cuts, cheese, salad and bread, making my way on to the main course, which consisted of a myriad of rice, chicken, vegetable and meat victuals, delicious and fresh. The dessert section is a haven of all things sweet, providing you the perfect way to end a great meal. The restaurant manager, Mr Anton, explained that Lemon Tree also hosts the hugely popular Friday Family Brunch, priced at BD 18 plus taxes for adult and half price for kids, a delectable Seafood Night every Thursday, for only BD 14 plus taxes. The Executive Lunch is available on all weekdays from 12:30pm- 3:30pm, price at BD 9 per person.
For reservations, call: 17111999 APRIL 2015
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Out & About
Ecco opens at City Centre Bahrain Al Rashid Group opened its Ecco store in City Centre Bahrain in the presence of members of the media and management from ARG.
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Ferrari FF Tailor Made press conference Ferrari in Bahrain and Ferrari MEAheld a press conference featuring the FF Tailor Made collection which was held at the Euro Motors Showroom. At the conference, one of the only five in the world truly exclusive examples of the flagship FF was unveiled.
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Out & About
New 18,620sqm food court opens in Oasis Mall East Riffa Al Rashid Group opened on Sunday a brand new food court in Oasis Mall, East Riffa. The 18,620sqm food court features four world-class outlets offering cuisine from all around the world. For the occasion, Al Rashid Group invited its partners for an exclusive food tasting event followed by a raffle draw: guests were to pick their favorite outlet to get a chance to win a flight ticket to New York, Beijing, New Delhi or Rome to explore the local cuisine even more!
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Bahrain International Garden Show at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre
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Out & About
29th Inter-Gulf Netball Championship Gala Dinner at Elite Seef Residence & Hotel
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Out & About
‘Experience France’ at Jawad Supermarket, Jawad Dome in Barbar
A display and sampling of French products took place at the supermarket in presence of invited guests and members of the media. French Ambassador to Bahrain H.E. Mr. Bernard Régnauld-Fabre visited the supermarket with other dignitaries and Mr. Faisal Jawad, Chairman and CEO, Jawad Business Group.
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Out & About
Lost paradise reopening ceremony
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Out & About
Mercedes CLA-Class Launched at Al Haddad Motors
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Out & About
Kelly Armatage unveils her therapy kit at the Domain Hotel
Kelly Armatage, CEO of Kelly Armatage Inc - a Therapy & Coaching Company in Bahrain, launched a therapy technique titled ‘A Serenity Kit’ or A.S.K at the Private Room located at the Domain Hotel. It was attended by various invited guests and members of the media. Kelly has spent the last last 14 months designing this three-step therapy technique.
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Out & About
Top five-star hotel opens at Bahrain Bay
The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, the centrepiece of the $2.5 billion Bahrain Bay development, opened with a grand inauguration which was attended by VIP guests, members of the media and invited guests. It was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
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Out & About
Damiani Announces Support For World Business Women’s Congress In Bahrain
The Damiani Group, the renowned international jeweler, today announced its support for the 63rd World Congress of Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM), which was held in March. Silvia Damiani, Vice President of the Group listed at the Milan Stock Exchange, attended the conference, taking place under the theme “Our Bridges to the World”, that will bring together more than 500 leading business women and entrepreneurs from al the world.
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Out & About
The New Family Car from ISUZU now in Bahrain off-road meets family
Motorcity Holding launched the all new ISUZU mu-X7-Seater SUV that comes loaded with advanced technologies and design features. The launch gathered Motorcity top management, ISUZU officials as well as ISUZU customers in a special event at the Motorcity Commercial Vehicles Showroom in Nuwaidrat.
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Out & About
Italian restaurant Rosso opens at ART Rotana, Amwaj island
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Out & About
Double Tap 2 launch at Malja The exhibition was the second edition in the series curated by art consultants Stafford & Sharabi. Double-Tap presents a variety of digital and more ‘traditional’ mediums in a unified exhibition, exploring how social media can act as a bridge between the two worlds of physical and digital art and, in turn, expose new ways that global communities of artists are presenting their work.
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Out & About
Aesthetics Jewellery & Couture inaugurates premises in Hoora
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Out & About
Amwaj Marina Boat Show 2015
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Out & About
Car show at the K Hotel
American Eagles Group hosted an event for classic cars and modified cars and The K Hotel in presence of invited guests and members of the media.
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Out & About
Al Hawaj honours Mother’s Day winners
Six lucky winners were awarded for the sweetest messages sent to their moms on the occasion of mother’s day. The “I Love My Mom” campaign ended with a grand awarding ceremony held by Al Hawaj held at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.
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Out & About
Sailing Arabia award ceremony at Dragon Hotel, Amwaj Island
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Out & About
Media Breakfast with celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
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In The Dark
Diana King performs live in Ibrida
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In The Dark
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at Bennigan’s restaurant, Juffair
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In The Dark
Weekends at Bushido Restaurant and Lounge
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In The Dark
Soulja Boy performs live in Ibrida
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In The Press
Instinctively different – CLA-Class Launched at Al Haddad Motors
The CLA-Class is set to establish a new segment, with world-leading aerodynamics (Cd = 0.22), avant-garde coupé design and 4MATIC all wheel drive. As a new four-door coupé it follows the idea of the CLSClass, whose design concept has spawned more than its fair share of imitators since its debut in 2003. With its frameless doors, the coupé adopts the design of the Concept Style Coupé into series production. The newcomer features a radar-based braking system as standard which is able to warn the driver of an obstacle from a speed of 7 km/h and to initiate precision braking when the driver steps on the brake pedal. Following overwhelming response to the Concept Style Coupé and feedback to “please put this car into series production” the CLA-Class has now arrived, with its sporty design expected to attract a new target group of drivers and owners.
Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Goes Dark For Earth Hour 2015 As Part of Worldwide Movement Forthe Environment
It’s lights out for Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. The hotel joined millions around the world in turning off lights for Earth Hour 2015 to illuminate a powerful message about environmental awareness and action. Earth Hour 2015 takes place on March 28 at 8:30p.m. local time.The annual global environmental awareness event was created and instituted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2007 to emphasize the threat of global warming and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Sheraton Bahrain Hotel participated by turning off lights which may include: turn off exterior signage lighting; dim or turn off non-essential interior lighting; use candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars; and use in-room voicemail messages and in-room television messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances. 70
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University of Bahrain team wins 3rd place in Coca-Cola’s regional ‘Ripples of Happiness’ program
A team from the University of Bahrain has been awarded $5,000 by The Coca-Cola Foundation for securing third place in the 7th edition of the ‘Ripples of Happiness’ program. Selected from a wide variety of projects submitted by Universities from across the region, the University of Bahrain’s submission, entitled “Avenir” was recognized for its environmental initiative to raise awareness and promote recycling in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Over 400 Students from 29 Universities across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine and the United Arab Emirates participated in the ‘Ripples of Happiness’ Program. ‘Avenir’ – French for “future” - was designed to be a highly sustainable project that incorporated education and entertainment to condition people to recycle. The product is a recycling bin that emits a fun sound once waste is disposed. The bins also collect points for the recycler so that they can be redeemed for awards. Using social media and public relations the students generated a lot of buzz.
Just Falafel opens first store in Bahrain
Just Falafel, the Middle East’s home grown fast-casual restaurant brand, announced a new market entry with the opening of their first store in Manama, Bahrain. This store opening marks the next phase in the company’s expansion strategy and new business direction. Just Falafel initially launched in late 2007 - with its first outlet in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE - by a group of friends who set out to create innovative sandwiches and is now available in 35 locations worldwide. The first store in Bahrain will be located in Seef Mall’s food court and expected to start operation by the end of March. A second store is scheduled to open later this year in the Seef Mall Muharraq, as part of a series of planned stores to open across Bahrain, joining the other 35 Just Falafel outlets operating in US, Canada, Australia, Middle East and Africa.
In The Press
Elite Excellence Award
The Elite Hospitality Group held its “Elite Excellence Award”ceremony 2015 for the hotels performance based on guests comments for the year 2014. Elite Grande Hotel was the winner with the highest score amongst the Elite Hotels and the competition set identified at the start of the year. “With the growing influence of social media and guest reviews on guest decisions on bookings not only from online channels but even direct bookings, we started consolidating our comments and reverts at the start of 2014, said Mr Sarosh Aibara, COO Elite Hospitality.” We were very happy to see the same efforts adopted by the Ministry of Tourism and even though all out hotels are well above the defined benchmarks we set higher goals for our hotels.” The award was presented by Mr Shabeer Dadabhai, Managing Director of Elite Hospitality Group. He also presented a runnersup trophy to Elite Seef Residence & Hotel. “I am very proud of the teams efforts, which has resulted in all our hotels getting higher rating than most 5 stars as well, I am sure 2015 will be a year of even better scores”, he said at the occasion.
Officine Panerai Makes Its Debut In Bahrain
Officine Panerai continues the expansion and qualification of its distribution network with the opening of its first boutique in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in collaboration with its long term respected partner Asia Jewellers. The brand is thus consolidating its presence in the GCC and in one of the world’s high-end shopping destination. The new boutique opened its doors in Moda Mall, Bahrain’s latest modern shopping location, placed on the ground floor of the Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) and at the heart of Manama City. Situated on the first floor of the mall, the new Panerai boutique is designed with a sophisticated rich interior which includes stunning Venetian walls, Italian furniture and a gold Calacatta marble stone floor; all of which offers a welcoming luxury feel to all its visitors. The façade décor features a back lit watch mechanism which is a new decoration installed only in Dubai Panerai boutique. On this special occasion, Milvin George, Panerai’s regional managing director commented: “We are delighted to launch our first boutique in Bahrain in such a significant location and in cooperation with one of the leading dealers, Asia Jewellers. This will strengthen our core mission to be closer to our existing and potential customers in the Kingdom.”
Azadea Group opens its first UPlaystore in Seef Mall, Muharraq, Bahrain
Guess launches Summer’15 Collection
Guess, the iconic young and adventurous global lifestyle brand previewed its new summer collection at an in-store trunk show in Bahrain City Centre. Embracing the latest trends, the new collection features the ultimate summer reverie with vibrant colors and unique designs, offering some great wardrobe inspiration. The event attended by fashion savvy customers and bloggers saw models showcase more than 30 looks from the new stylish collection. Welcoming the warmer weather, the collection features flirty florals, signature animal prints, understated black and white monochrome and the eye-catching patterns on casuals. The season’s color palette ranges from summery pastels to clean white and neutral tones. The key pieces include romantic off shoulder tops, distressed denim jeans, floral leather jackets and elegant white evening dresses, to last you all season long. The collection is now available at GUESS stores across Bahrain.
Azadea Group, a leading fashion and lifestyle retail company in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced the launch of a new brand UPlay, the first official gaming and electronics trade in store in the region. UPlay is a new brand concept for the region, where you can sell your old products, and earn credit to put towards purchases of new or pre-owned gaming and multimedia items in store. The brand will address the need within the Middle Eastern community for a trusted trade-in solution. The store currently offers trade in options for games, consoles and accessories but will soon expand this to also encompass a wide variety of multimedia products such as smart phones, tablets and laptops. UPlay employees are experts with a passion for gaming and multimedia, and are there to assist and advise customers, offering a high level of customer service and a unique store experience. UPlay is located in Seef Mall, Muharraq, and is open seven days a week, 10am-10pm Saturday to Wednesday and 10am -11pmThursday and Friday. You can reach customer service at the new store by calling+973 17 328 934. APRIL 2015
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In The Press
Damiani announces support for World Business Women’s Congress In Bahrain
The Damiani Group, the renowned international jeweler, today announced its support for the 63rd World Congress of Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM), which was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain between 23-26 March 2015. Silvia Damiani, Vice President of the Group listed at the Milan Stock Exchange, attended the conference, taking place under the theme «Our Bridges to the World», that will bring together more than 500 leading business women and entrepreneurs from all around the world. Ms. Silvia Damiani addressed international delegates and attending dignitaries from the Gulf and MENA region at the event›s Gala Dinner on 25th, where she will speak on Damiani. Damiani was born in 1924, in 90 years of history has become an international company present and appreciated all over the world for its quality and craftmanship.
Gripping conclusion to EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015 as Zain wins final leg and EFG Bank (Monaco) crowned champions for second year in a row
Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) headed by seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny won the final leg of the Oman Sail-organised EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015. Even more commendable is the fact that the crew consists of enthusiastic novices, formed mainly from employees of Zain – one of the Middle East’s leading mobile telecoms operators. They managed to take the lead during the night on the windy, 90nm leg from Doha, and engage in a tough battle with Team averda in the closing stages. Team averda took the lead for a while, but some smart moves by Zain Sailing Team put them ahead and they crossed finish line off Bahrain in first place, completing the course in 18 hours, 31 minutes. After the challenging race, the organisers held a closing ceremony and prize giving at The Dragon Hotel & Resort under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa President of the Arab Sailing Federation, and President of Bahrain Maritime Sports Association and H.E. Abdullah Rashid Al-Medailwi, Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain. 72
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EARLY ROSES – by TEO CABANEL: A Light, Subtle Floral Fragrance Wearing one of TEO CABANEL perfume creations means entering into a world of quality and refinement. Early Roses, a light, subtle flowery fragrance … Just close your eyes and picture yourself walking leisurely in a rose garden still bathed in delicate morning dew. Spring fresh, the first notes of dew and jasmine softly reach the fullbodied personality of the rose. Then, coming in contact with spicy pink peppercorn and soft jasmine, the velvety multifaceted rose from Bulgaria reveals its full dimension. The feminine woman you are will be drawn to Early Roses’ final harmony when touches of amber and musk softly play with woody notes. TEO CABANEL full range is exclusively available at “The Perfume Lounge”, Seef Mall, Gate No. 4, 1st floor. Tel no. 17 140 147 Instagram: the_perfume_lounge
Kanoo IT And Cyberoam Hosts Customer Meet At The Bahrain International Circuit
Kanoo Information Technology, Bahrain’s leading Information Technology Services Company, in partnership with Cyberoam, a leading global provider of network security appliances conducted a Technical Workshop for select customers, showcasing Cyberoam Information Security portfolio, focusing on Cyber Security. Bahrain International Circuit was chosen as the venue for the half day and attended by more than 25 Cyberoam prospects and customers from Bahrain. It was a day full of fun-filled activities including karting races for the attendees at the Karting circuit, along with businessand technology focused sessions. During the event, Cyberoam discussed its future roadmap and expansion strategy with all the challenges awaited for the region with the gathered community.
In The Press
Land Rover Reveals Second Instalment of My Journey, My Inspiration’ Film Series Featuring Professional Athlete and Social Entrepreneur Michael Haddad
Premium SUV manufacturer Land Rover has revealed the second instalment of its ‘My Journey, My Inspiration’ film series with the moving story of Lebanese paraplegic Michael Haddad who defied all odds to become a professional athlete, including completing record-breaking walking and climbing challenges to raise awareness for those with disabilities. Land Rover MENA launched the series earlier this year as part of its MYLAND creative communications platform, as a way to showcase the unique and inspirational stories of achievers from across the region. The achievers, from Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and the UAE, all share one thing in common: inspired by the culture and heritage of their land, they have succeeded in truly going above and beyond in their accomplishments.
10 years of success for Exide Batteries in Bahrain
Exide Batteries, the battery solutions for all driving needs, is celebrating 10 years of success in Bahrain and is having a special offer with great prizes to commemorate the occasion. Ebrahim K. Kanoo B.S.C© has been representing Exide Technologiesfor the past decade in Bahrain. Building the Exide brand and securing the market leadership position in the Kingdom. Mr. Gurcharan Singh, General Manager - Parts at Ebrahim K. Kanoo said: “We at EKK value our partnership with Exide technologies as they are the world’s number 1 in batteries.” He added: “We reiterate our commitment to our customer by offering them high quality products and an excellent service.” Currently, with every purchase of Exide batteries, customers get a scratch & win card to win 40″ LED TVs, iPhones, Samsung Galaxy Tablets, Philips Tablets and other valuable prizes.The offer is valid from March 1st until April 30th, 2015.
Twenty lucky couples win at City Centre Bahrain during themed campaign for loved ones
Gulf Hotel breaks Guinness record for the World’s Largest Tiramisu The Al Dana Ballroom of Gulf Hotel erupted with applause as Project Manager for the Middle East and North Africa, Guinness World Records, Samer Khallouf declared the hotel had successfully made the world’s largest Tiramisu.Khallouf handed over the certificate to General Manager of Gulf Hotel, Rahim Abu Omar, in the presence of Italian Ambassador, Alberto Veechi. Though the Gulf Hotel authorities initially planned to prepare a Tiramisu weighing 1600 kg, to beat the previous record of 1555 kg, they ended up making a mammoth one weighing 1969 kg. Executive Chef of Gulf Hotel, Carlo Cirone said, about 100 chefs of the hotel worked for the success of the project. The Tiramisu making started at 10am and the humongous delicacy was ready by 2pm, he said. He stated they went for a Tiramisu, which is 30 per cent bigger than one initially planned, to avoid any setback at the last moment.The 30-metre-long Italian dessert, which contains the same ingredients as an ordinary Tiramisu, was prepared at the pastry shop of the hotel and later assembled at Al Dana Ballroom. To make the weighing task easier, it was prepared as blocks weighing 6kg each. A scale, officially calibrated by the Guinness World Record authorities, was used to weigh the Tiramisu blocks.
City Centre Bahrain, the largest shopping, leisure and entertainment destination in Bahrain, owned and managed by Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, captured the ‘look of love’ for twenty lucky winners during a special themed promotion this week. For the occasion, City Centre Bahrain showcased an exciting promotion offering visitors who purchased a BD60 gift card, a complementary BD10 gift card as well as treats, in partnership with the Westin Hotel. Roaming the mall to capture great moments for shoppers in the month of February, photographers randomly selected 20 lucky couples who were shopping together, presented them with themed props to create a fun and original photo, which was then printed on a ‘Red-Velvet’ cake and presented to the couple. Lucky winners were also rewarded instantly with complimentary BD20 gift cards and additional treats. APRIL 2015
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In The Press
Jaguar F-TYPE S Coupe, the Chosen Grand Prize for Race Fever Raffle Draw by Bahrain International Circuit
Euro Motors has been chosen by Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) to add more excitement to the eagerly awaited 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. BIC will now be holding a Race Fever raffle draw with the Grand Prize being a brand new 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE S Coupe. All those who purchased tickets during the Early Bird Promotion period will have twice the chance to win, per ticket, whereas those who purchased their tickets after and up until the draw date will have a single chance per ticket. Ticket holders irrespective whether it is a one day or a three day ticket will be automatically enrolled in the raffle draw with a chance to win the 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE S Coupe. The F1 Gulf Air Grand Prix will be a three day event held from 17th April to 19th April 2015. The draw will be held on 11th of April 2015 and the winner of the Grand Prize, the spectacular 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE S Coupe will be announced on the final day of the race.
Enma Mall Celebrates Mother’s Day With Teddy Bear Picnic!
Following the launch of Enma Mall’s Bear Bonanza family campaign, an action-packed Mother’s Day teddy bear picnic was held at Enma Mall on the 21st March, 2015. Families and friends joined in for a fun morning of activities including a tea party, face painting, balloons, a cupcake decorating competition, a teddy bear drawing competition and an exciting prize raffle. The event was an overwhelming success with over 94 children and 67 parents in attendance at the festivities. The event, which was held on the second floor of Enma Mall began with a themed drawing competition, where little ones were asked to draw their favourite teddy bears, or a greeting for Mother’s Day. Shortly afterwards, the kids and parents took part in a cupcake decorating competition, adorning cupcakes with various sprinkles, icing and fresh fruit.
Moda Mall Announces Winner Of ‘Shop And Win’ Promotion
InterContinental Regency Bahrain Receives Appreciation Award for its Support of the Annual Al Shurooq Children’s Camp for Diabetes for the 4th Consecutive Year
InterContinental Regency Bahrain, one of the leading 5 star hotels in the Kingdom, received an appreciation award from the Bahrain Diabetes Society (BDS) in recognition of its continued support of the Annual Al Shurooq Children’s Camp for Diabetes for four consecutive years. The camp in its 16th edition was held under the patronage of Shaikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of Bahrain Diabetes Society, from the 12th to the 14th March 2015 at the Bahrain Football Federation premises in Isa Town. Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Mohammed Sanad, Hotel Manager of InterContinental Regency Bahrain said: “We are honoured to receive this appreciation Award for our continuous support of Al Shurooq Children’s Camp for Diabetes. We take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to all members of the Bahrain Diabetes Society for the noble and humane role they play in supporting both Adults and Children with diabetes and spreading awareness in the whole of the Bahraini Society about the risks of this type of illness and its preventative measures”. 74
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MODA Mall announced the winner of the exciting ‘Shop and Win’ promotion. Peter Gaynor, General Manager of Cushman & Wakefield, the property managers of BWTC and MODA Mall, presented the winner, Bahraini Yasser Al Jar, with the keys to the latest 2015 Maserati Ghibli. The winning ticket was drawn under the supervision of a representative from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The ‘Shop and Win’ promotion ran from 1st January to 28th February 2015 when for every purchase of BD 50 from any of MODA Mall’s boutiques, restaurants and cafes, shoppers received one raffle ticket to enter the Grand Draw.
In The Press
Bahrain World Trade Center (Bwtc) Participates In ‘Earth Hour’
Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC), the Kingdom’s iconic landmark and a testament to sustainable architectural design, turned off its lights for one hour from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on 28th March 2015 in support of ‘Earth Hour’ 2015, the world’s largest campaign to protect the environment. This global environmental initiative was started by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2007, and is supported by the United Nations. Earth Hour aims to encourage an interconnected global community to share the opportunities and challenges of creating a sustainable world. The BWTC is the world’s first integration of large scale wind turbines in a commercial development. Earth Hour is aligned with the objective of promoting Bahrain’s efforts in sustainability to local, regional and international audiences. The structure of BWTC itself is a testament to its underlying commitment to the environment and sustainability.
Dadabhai Travel supports BPW
Dadabhai Travel announced its support for Bahrain Business & Professional Women International Federation as an official travel partner for one year. Commenting, Shahnaz Al Qaseer, General Manager of Dadabhai Travel - Bahrain said: “We are delighted to be the official travel partner for BPW and the many incubators supported by the Club. We stand behind Bahraini entrepreneurs as a part of our commitment to corporate social responsibly and the development of Bahrain›s economy.» Also commenting, Shaikha Hind Bint Salman Al Khalifa, President of BPW Bahrain added: “We would like to thank Dadabhai Travel for their generous support. We strongly believe that this collaboration will help incubator owners to develop their businesses and support their growth”.
Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover Launches ‘Rapid Drop-off & Collection Service’
Sense Of Celebration – Songkran Festival At Banyan Tree Bangkok
From April 13 – 15, Songkran Festival will be in full swing at Silom with locals and tourists swinging their water buckets and aiming their water guns and hoses at everyone in their sight. Just a short Tuk Tuk ride away, Banyan Tree Bangkok is the perfect location to celebrate this special occasion. After a day of fun and adventure, round off your evening with a romantic riverside dinner under the stars, where you and your partner will enjoy Thai Cuisine at its best. Valid for bookings from now until 17 April 2015 and for stays from 11 April 2015 until 18 April 2015. For reservations, please call Banyan Tree Bangkok at Tel: +66 2679 1200 or Email: reservations-bangkok@banyantree.com or visit banyantree.com
Euro Motors, the exclusive dealer of Jaguar and Land Rover in the Kingdom of Bahrain, is set to launch a new Customer ‘Rapid Drop-off & Collection Service’ whereby existing customers who wish to service their Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles can now opt for themselves to be dropped off to their intended destination and subsequently, collected from their current location once the servicing is done with, by employees of the leading automotive dealer. Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover has launched this service to enhance customers’ experience by offering Jaguar and Land Rover owners a deserved five-star experience while complementing the current mobility services already available at the showroom such as the courtesy car extended to customers who have pre-booked service and repair appointments. APRIL 2015
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Last Note
6 of The Most High-Tech Cleaning Tools
M
odern technology is now facilitating most of our tasks, including house chores. Here is a list of the 6 most powerful cleaning inventions which simplify house chores.
drill brush solves that problem by ensuring you don’t have to feel the muscle pain anymore. The brush cleans up to 2 times faster than manual scrubbing. It delivers 60 scrubs per second to clean all those hard to reach places.
This soft magic gel, picks the dirt of almost any device. By pressing the gel on the surface of the device, its picks up dead skin, hair, food scraps and any other tiny unreachable particles. The antibacterial and slimy texture reaches into cavities where conventional cleaning products may not. Made from a unique antibacterial formula, it also neutralises and sanitises germs and dirt.
The ScumBuster has a powerful motor roller brush for fast and quick cleaning in corners and deep areas. The three-in-one extension handle can reach anywhere.
1. Slimy Gel
2. Drill brush
Most people might end up with soaring arms after a thorough scrubbing work. The 76
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3. ScumBuster Xtreme with 3 in 1
4. The Dyson DC35 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
This cordless vacuum cleaner can reach places - top or bottom of an area and everything in-between. Removing the wand allows for flexible usage and the anti-static carbon fiber brush absorbs the dust from floors for meticulous cleaning.
5. CleanWave Sanitizing Wand
This portable magic wand can kill up to 99.9% of germs, allergens and odour causing bacteria on hard surfaces. The UV-C light from the wand is also used in hospitals for sanitising medical equipment. It is not intended for people, pets or food, but for surfaces, countertops, keyboards, upholstery and such. This magic wand ensures you have a germ-free, clean environment for your family and yourself.
6. Williams-Sonoma Pop-Up Sponges
This eco-friendly sponge would only take up minimal storage. Compressed into flat rectangular shape, the sponge can be used for washing dishes after being soaked with water for few seconds.
Credits: www.helping.com
ONE MAN, ONE MACHINE. G.P.M.H. GRAND PRIX DE MONACO HISTORIQUE CHRONO
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