Bride and Groom by Bride and Groom Oman

THE DEBUT FRAGRANCE

Head to your nearest Home Centre store for the season's latest in furniture and home accessories. When the most vibrant colours and on trend designs are handpicked by Nancy Ajram, it's surely enough to give your home a new look.

City Centre Muscat: 24558063, Al Khuwair: Oasis Mall: 22060170, Sohar: 95119692 / 95119687, Salalah: Gardens Mall: 22009362, Nizwa: Nizwa Grand Mall: 25433356

Publisher’s Note

FASHION Mohammed Ghaddar

CATERING

Shoe Palace

Rahima Ali Al Barwani

La Mer

Lamis

A True Fine Dining Delight

Indian Wedding Planner - famil By The Ministry of Tourism

Destination Wedding By Ashley Wynne

BRIDE AND GROOM OMAN Registered at Creative City - Fujairah Synergy Advertising & Publishing FZE Fujairah Creative Tower PO Box: 4422 UAE Office: Mohammed Khalid Alam Editorial: Maryam Salman Osama Nasreddine Art Studio: Art Director: Kavitha Shen Arabic Layout: Ajith Kumar T.G Media Sales: Dhwani Punjani Maria Vivance Osama Nasreddine Production Coordinator: Nilesh Adhiya Administrator: Salima Rashid Said Al Daffaei IT : Ajith Kumar T.G CORPORATE Managing Director: Sridevi Sivakumar

Knowing it has long been overdue ever since we released our first issue back in 2013 and subsequently branched into the broader Middle East, we decided at Bride & Groom to invest especially in the second (and just as glamorous) half of the marital saga come this summer: grooms! Indeed, this issue is for all you grooms out there – new, old or yet to be – and yes our dear brides, you are as welcome to delve into the features we’ve brought out as are your male counterparts! Delighted as we were by the plethora of extraordinary information and quirky titbits available all over the groom industry in the region, we cannot say that we weren’t a little overwhelmed as well! Nevertheless, we’re excited, determined and rearing to go, so go ahead and dive into this luxury Groom Special, brought to you exclusively by Bride & Groom! What’s more, as the biggest feature we’ve handled in quite some time, we are proud to present the full story and workings of the recently concluded Indian Wedding Planners Roadshow (or Familiarization Trip!) conducted by the Ministry of Tourism in this edition! Yes, everything from the behind-the-scenes action and execution of the event to detailed interviews with MoT officials and wedding planners coming into the country from across the Arabian Sea is packed into the feature, as are glossy pictures and colourful snapshots to better regale the tale! As another fun bite, we’ve had the pleasure of receiving a lovely wedding story that took place in sunny France this June for your eyes to feast on, and we have also included smart and exciting grooms-only articles that range from attire tips and wedding photo pointers to a novel and unique account by experienced husbands giving forth advice to grooms-to-be! Our regular columns stand as well-versed as ever, and as always, we encourage you to drop in your feedback and suggestions to us anytime. And if you have an idea for a feature or would like your personal thoughts published in our next edition, then that’s all the merrier! Read on and enjoy, and do let us know what you think of this very special Groom Special issue at info@brideandgroomoman.com

Cheers.

Marketing Office: Synergy Advertising & Publishing Tel: +968 24787216 / 158 info@brideandgroomoman.com

Disclaimer Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Bride & Groom Oman articles and other information in the book are up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but Synergy Advertising & Publishing FZE does not take any responsibility regarding any errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this directory is not the responsibility of Bride & Groom Oman. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bride & Groom Oman. Unsolicited materials may not be returned. Any incorrect information relating to the content of the advertisements shall be the sole responsibility of the concerned advertisers..

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{Image courtesy of Mr & Mrs Kirkpatrick, married at Sifawy Hotel beach on 25 October 2013}

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Contents

VOLUME 03 | 2016

The French Touch in Oman

Let us bring a little bit of Paris to your wedding with our glamorous and irresistible macarons

Le Petit Paris Oman, Al Mawaleh, behind Holiday Inn Seeb, 00968 2455 3572 www.lepetitparisoman.com

Contents

VOLUME 03 | 2016

WHAT’S NEW

Mazaya Oman Welcomes Weslodge to Dubai! ‘We at Mazaya have always looked to create an upscale luxury segment with a pleasing ambience’, commented Zaher Al Hosni, Director of Mazaya Oman. ‘The launch of the Weslodge Saloon has further instilled in us the belief that we can come up with something new and unorthodox at any time, and the Weslodge Saloon oﬀers just that.’

hink young, hip and Canadian and you’re bound to picture Justin Bieber at a moment’s notice. Though Justin could make for many an exciting conversation, what we have here is a piece of news that will have you dashing to Dubai immediately! Thanks to Mazaya Oman popular Canadian restaurant chain Weslodge has landed in the Middle East, being one of the two restaurants set to open in Dubai this year by the Omani luxury services provider in partnership with Skyhawk, Dubai. Situated at the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai’s Business Bay, Weslodge Saloon opened its distinctive yellow doors this April, and oﬀers a stunning 4500 square foot indoor space that can accommodate up to 140 guests and lets diners enjoy a partial view of the kitchen. Decorated to create a true Deadwood-style, North American saloon feel, the restaurant’s USD 60,000 four metre grille is the largest in the Middle East, and uses authentic hardwood and charcoal to add to the Weslodge glamour.

be described as gutfoundered, a Canadian term meaning ‘very hungry’! The grille prepares loud, brash yet delectable cuts of meat, including large porterhouses, rib-eyes, and striploins, all butchered inhouse and served on large sharing-style platters alongside small, raw salvers of Loch Fyne salmon and beetroot, fennel, Ahi tuna ceviche, yuzu hot sauce and sesame crackers. The menu also features Canadian favourites, including the all-popular poutine, made premium at the restaurant as the lobster poutine.

Mazaya Oman LLC is a home grown Omani enterprise helmed by Sheikh Fawziya Saud Bahwan, an expert in luxury lifestyle services. The company provides a spectrum of luxury services to its clients throughout the Middle East and globally, including Luxury Yacht Charters, Private Jet Charters, Luxury International Property rentals, Exclusive Events Access, fashion wears and now exclusive dining.

Mazaya Oman has been actively involved in collaborating with Executive Chef Ben Heaton in sourcing the highest quality maple syrup from Quebec, Canada to enhance the coulis and desserts experience at Weslodge Saloon for discerning diners. The luxury brand has also bought space on the 71st and 72nd ﬂoors of the JW Marriott Marquis’ Tower B where it shall soon launch Morah, a Mediterranean concept restaurant chain established in Toronto in 2014, where it is known as Byblos.

The contemporary North American food on oﬀer at Weslodge Saloon is what gets throngs of visitors at its doors and can aptly

For more information regarding the Weslodge Saloon at the JW Marriott Marquis in Business Bay, Dubai, please visit www.mazayaoman.com or call: +971 56 501 4920 or email: info@mazayaoman.com

Bride & Groom Ad April 2016 ENG.pdf 1 31/03/2016 12:03:48

Represented by the celestial Chinese dragon, Myths for Man opens with the classical beauty of Chrysanthemum and Orris, paving to an intoxicating heart deﬁned by an interpretation of a thorny rose. The culmination is a base projecting both peace and calamity with Labdanum, Ashes, and Leather. Myths for Woman paints its ﬂoral and green facets with an expression of dark nuances shaded with an ambivalent tone. This fragrance opens with Narcissus laced with green facets of Violets Leaves and Galbanum, while the heart radiates with Carnation and the sultriness of Musk and Patchouli. This surreal journey is adorned by a base of dark nuances of Amber, Moss and Leather for depth and texture.

Amouage Introduces Myths

The enigmatic fragrances are presented in Amouage’s iconic glass crystal bottles in a lavish purple, capped in 24 carat gold.

nspired by surrealism, Amouage has launched its new fragrance, Myths, a scent that explores ‘life as a dream’ through the expressive art of opera.

Available in all Amouage Stores www.amouage.com

La Petite Maison Dubai makes Top 100 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List!

The

annual list for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants was released this June, with La Petite Maison Dubai clocking in at the 99th position in the first round of rankings (number 51 to 100 worldwide) for the fourth time!

win a spot in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list,’ said Antoine Jaillet, General Manager of La Petite Maison Dubai. ‘This is a true testament to the hard work of the La Petite Maison family to deliver a world-class culinary experience.’

‘We are extremely honoured and humbled to be recognized once again by such an esteemed group of industry leaders and

Titled the home of Cuisine Nicoise, La Petite Maison Dubai entered the list along with its Japanese sister restaurant Zuma (at number

Tel. +971 44390505 10

89), making both restaurants the only two from the region to hold positions in the World’s Best list for 2016. ‘We continue to raise the bar at La Petite Maison and are delighted to be included on a list which is voted by industry experts from around the world’, commented Rory Duncan, Head Chef at La Petite Maison Dubai. ‘This world ranking is a great achievement and we owe it all to our dedicated team!’

Golfing stars branden Grace & paul dunne become audemars piguet ambassadors

olf professionals Branden Grace and Paul Dunne were crowned new entrants to the Audemars Piguet Dream Team of Golf Ambassadors this May, bearing witness to the AP family’s unfailing attachment to golf. The brand’s logo now adorns the right sleeve of the golfers’ polo shirts, like it does for the other members of the Dream Team. ‘To break the rules, you must first master them’, reads the Audemars Piguet motto.

paul dunne

“

To break the rules, you must first master them

” South African born Branden has secured four European titles and recently claimed his first PGA Tour victory in April 2016, cementing his position at 11 in the world ranking while Dunne is widely viewed as one of the most exciting young golfers of the generation.

branden Grace

Having captured hearts thanks to his performance last year at the 144th Open Championship at St. Andrews, Dunne turned pro in October 2015, with a promising future ahead of him. Renowned golfers including Byeong Hun An, Keegan Bradley, and recently crowned Major Champion Danny Willett all joined Audemars Piguet in welcoming Branden and Dunne to the Audemars Piguet Dream Team.

www.audemarspiguet.com

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B�� R�� WEARS POMELLATO DURING THE 69TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

ctress Barbara Ronchi wearing Pomellato Nudo rings in rose quartz and lemon quartz, Nudo Solitaire ring with diamonds and Nudo earrings in lemon quartz with diamonds to the photocall of ‘Fai Bei Sogni’ ﬁlm directed by Marco Bellocchio during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival.

(Cannes, France – May 12th, 2016)

www.pomellato.com

Lifestyle Fine Jewelry Inaugurates 30th Store and First Coronet Shop-in-Shop Concept in Dubai!

ifestyle Fine Jewelry inaugurated its 30th store in Dubai this May, along with the first ever Coronet shop-in-shop concept for discerning jewellery lovers! Located in luxury mall Ibn Battuta, the store’s opening ceremony was graced by His Excellency, Abdullah al Saleh, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry, and Dr. Aaron Shum, founder of Coronet Solitaire and the president of Aaron Shum Jewelry. The limelight of the event was the exhibition of the stunning 400 carat diamond Coronet Diamond Guitar, certified at USD 2 million by the Guinness World Records as the ‘Most Valuable

Guitar’ in the world and a case display of the J50 Coronet Solitaire rings, created as a memento to the Jackson 5, the legendary band comprising Michael Jackson and four of his brothers. His Excellency Abdullah al Saleh addressed visitors with highlights of Dubai’s exponential growth in jewellery retail since 2001, while Dr. Shum explained the intricacies of the Coronet diamond. The Coronet diamond is a one of its kind solitaire, comprising six high calibre diamonds surrounding a seventh diamond, set with no prongs to display precision of cut, symmetry and polish. ‘We are honoured to introduce the unique Coronet diamond to Dubai for the first time’, commented Dr. Shum. ‘We look forward to this excellent partnership with Lifestyle Fine Jewelry.’

The Coronet shop-in-shop is a part of the Lifestyle Fine Jewelry store at the Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai. For more information, call on: +971 4 429 3166

Millennium Resort Mussanah Welcomes Christoph Schleissing as New GM

illennium Resort Mussanah announced the appointment of industry veteran Christoph Schleissing as new General Manager of the resort this May! A highly respected professional and hotelier, Christoph brings with him over 28 years of experience, innovation and expertise in the hospitality sector.

“

I am delighted and honoured to join a resort with the prestige and renown of the Millennium Resort Mussanah’, said Christoph. ‘It is a great pleasure to be a part of this family and I look forward to helping my team members achieve greater success in the future.

”

Christoph has managed some of the largest hotels and resorts around the world including four within Hilton Worldwide and two within the InterContinental Hotels Group. Renowned for being a highly motivated and inspirational leader, his results-driven style of management has helped him successfully lead multi-talented teams and secure more than 20 international accolades to properties during his tenure. ‘Over twenty years ago I had the privilege to work in Oman as the Banquet Manager for the InterContinental Hotel Muscat’, continued Christoph. ‘Since then, I noticed the Sultanate’s budding future as a hub for tourism and hospitality. It always remained a goal to come back to Oman and play a role in building the country’s future growth!’

Millennium Resort Mussanah | +968 26871595 15

Clarins Multi Active Day Cream Gel

Sunscreen Face Straight SPF-50

Areej

celebrated its much

The

lauded ‘The Beauty of Skincare’ campaign this May to mark the advent of summer, with dedicated in-ﬆore skincare experts and summer skin product choices for her and him spanning across all Areej ﬆores from the 5 th to the 18 th of the month. The campaign also hoﬆed the launch of exciting new summer skincare collections ranging from mineral sunscreens, toners, anti-aging products, skin sculpting treatments and a lot more, courtesy of brands like Clinique, Clarins, Givenchy and Guerlain. Cuﬆomers were gifted complimentary travel friendly pouches on purchase of any two skincare products to kick-ﬆart their summer in true Areej ﬆyle, along with 100ml beauty containers and other assorted items.

Celebrates BEAUTY OF SKINCARE Campaign

Abeille Royale Lotion

Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Creame

Revitalizing Supreme Light Creme

Superstart Skyline Global

Areej Stores are located in: Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda Mall, Marina Mall; Ajman: Ajman City Center; Al Ain: Al Jimi Shopping Center Dubai: Mall of the Emirates; Mercato Mall; Mirdif City Center; Fujairah: Century Mall; Ras Al Khaimah: Al Hamra Mall; Oman: Muscat City Center

illamasqua must haves!

Feast your eyes on the stunning Illamusthaves, Illamasqua’s collection of its

best-selling and most loved global products. Frame your face with these eye essentials and discover why Illamasqua’s must haves are the ultimate addition to any makeup bag!

Angled Brush

For a naturally enhanced finish to your brow add in individual hairs by using the Illamasqua Angled Brush to define and create the ultimate precision lines.

Precision Brow Gel

Masquara in Raven

Masquara in Raven’s innovative brush lengthens, defines and adds extreme volume while coating the lashes with the inkiest veil of black known to exist for an utterly otherworldly effect.

Possessing eye-opening, face-changing abilities, Illamasqua’s Precision Brow Gels come in a variety of natural shades allowing your arches to look as subtle or as striking as you want.

Shades: Awe, Glimpse, Strike and Stare. Available in: Abu Dhabi: Areej, Al Wahda Mall: Areej, Marina Mall: Other selected retailers Al Ain: Areej store, Al Jimi Shopping Center: Dubai: Illamasqua Boutique, The Dubai Mall: Areej, Mall of the Emirates: Areej, City Center Mirdif: Bloomingdale’s Dubai, The Dubai Mall. www.illamasqua.com

Bath & Body Works: You had me at Hello Beautiful! Greet summer with this beautiful burst of life from Bath & Body Works, aptly titled Hello Beautiful! A perfect blend of white gardenia, magnolia blossoms and fresh jasmine to invigorate the senses, this BBW Signature Collection fragrance blossoms with Sun-drenched Pomelo, Fuzzy White Nectarine, and Italian Mandarin, then delves into a core of Night-blooming Jasmine. To round off, a hit of White Amber, Driftwood and Cotton Musk deepens this olfactory experience.

The Hello Beautiful Collection includes a moisturizing body lotion, a shower gel and splash.

Hello Beautiful is available in 20 Bath & Body Works stores across the UAE

www.bathandbodyworks.com 17

M Experience Luxury & Power with the 2016

GMC Yukon

orepopularlyknownasarugged,highperformance vehicle, not many expect the GMC Yukon to be associated with luxury, except of course, diehard Yukon aficionadas! A solitaryglanceattheinteriorsandinfotainmentsystemcould haveopinionsbeingrevisedinamatterofsecondshowever, especiallywhenitcomestothehighendYukonmodelsthatare atparwithotherheavyweightsintheluxuryvehiclesegment. Popularforitsarrayofefficientfeaturesfromspaciousinteriors, boldstylingandpremiummaterialstoinspiringcapability,the Yukon,YukonXLandYukonDenali(ofthe2016GMCYukon range)aremeticulouslycraftedtoenhancestyle,comfortand durability to provide the driver and passengers the highest level of comfort while travelling across diverse terrains! The exteriors exude style and confidence with highlights thatincludeadetailedGMCgrilleandchromegrillesurround, brushedaluminiumwheels,foglampswithchromesurroundand aninnovativehiddenrearwipersystemforreducedwinddrag.

Whenitcomestotechnology,thenewlyenhanced next-generation GMC IntelliLink3system seamlesslyintegratesmulti-media,thankstothe premium Bose surround sound system on select modelsandmultipleinfotainmentoptions.Moreover the driver has access to a 4.2-inch diagonal, fullcolourdriverinformationcentrethatcompliments a safe driving experience, along with a full suite of safety and security features, including Driver Alert and active safety technologies that rely on a sophisticated network of cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors. Thevehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sperformanceisunmatchedduetothe improvedhorsepowerdeliveredbytheEcoTecV-8 engine,anditsinteriorsarefinishedtoexcellence with inlaid doors and redesigned mirrors for

reducedwindnoiseandimprovedaerodynamics.The innovativeglasswindowonYukonXLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;srearliftgate opensbyitself,makingiteasytoloadcargowithout havingtoraise the entireliftgate,anexceptionally inventive attribute for all campers and adventure lovers! To sum it all up, the GMC Yukon is a rare combination of luxury and power that is truly worth an experience. While it turns heads and Commands Respect, it also ensures complete peace of mind due to its immensurable safety features. The brand is exclusively distributed by Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co. LLC in the Sultanate of Oman with branches and a service network that covers all major locations across the country. Tel.: 22080800

The All-New 2016 Ford Edge, Now in Oman!

ver since the launch of the Ford Edge in Oman, the Ford Motor Company has proven that a mid-size SUV can be stylish as well as great-looking, and indeed, the 2016 Edge stands as a testament to this ideal. Reimagined with a stronger, more athletic shape, the vehicle has been retooled and reengineered for an unsurpassable driving experience.

What’s more, the vehicle features enhanced active park assist, side parking sensors and a front camera with washer for the very first time, and other key characteristics that re-establish the Edge’s label as a true technology leader. These include Active Grille Shutters, the Air Curtain, Blind Spot Information System, and a 180-degree Front Camera with washer among others.

‘The original Edge was the perfect blend of sedan comfort and efficiency with SUV functionality,’ said Jim Benintende, president of Ford Middle East and Africa on the launch of the 2016 Edge. ‘We are building on that success by offering more of the technology our customers want in a package that meets the highest expectations for quality and craftsmanship.’

‘Edge has remained a market favourite due to its design, features and driving dynamics’,

The vehicle features three engine options, two of which are new powerplants; all three are paired to Ford’s SelectShift® six-speed automatic transmission to switch between two modes of operation – drive and sport. Central to its improved driving dynamics is an entirely new body structure and redesigned suspension as well, developed specifically to better isolate road imperfection and absorb noise for a quieter, more substantial ride. 20

commented a spokesperson for Arabian Car Marketing, the dealers of Ford in Oman. ‘With the new 2016 Ford Edge we are confident that owners will not only love driving this brilliant vehicle but will look forward to experiencing it for even the smallest reason, every day!’ The 2016 Edge will be available in four trim levels – SE, SEL, Titanium, and Sport series. Customers looking forward to experiencing the all-new 2016 Ford Edge are encouraged to visit any Ford showroom today! For more information please log on to www.fordoman.com. Ford vehicles are brought to you by Arabian Car Marketing Co. LLC in Oman.

Attire Tips to Stay

Cool in a

Summer Wedding! L

et’s face it, brides usually have it easier than grooms when it comes to

summer weddings, thanks to flowy gowns and hands-on bridesmaids ready with fans and parasols to beat the heat! The most common complaint we receive from men regarding a wedding in this season is undoubtedly the sweat factor. While on its upside you look smart, put together and photo ready, the flipside of groom attire is that it doesn’t really allow for room to breathe, making you hot, flustered and uncomfortable: a definite no-no! Bride & Groom has compiled a

set of quick pointers for all you grooms out there to stay cool, refreshed and relaxed in your menswear whilst you’re tying the knot during the summer. Read on!

Research the summer weather in advance before ﬁnalising your groom attire, be it traditional Arabic or Western. For example, if you’re planning a wedding in August, pay attention to the forecasts and temperature predictions for that month from as early as April, when you should ideally begin planning your outﬁt. This lets you decide on the material and weight of your attire. 21

Pay attention to the setting of your wedding and venue. For example your bride and family may have decided on a short outdoor brunch after the ceremony and since you shall not be changing outﬁts, plan your attire in a way that allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds: indoors and outdoors! Talk to your tailor/designer on opting for lightweight fabrics in cooler hues with crisper seams.

If you have certain outdoor elements to your wedding (we’re sure the main ceremony will be held indoors!), decide on the amount of time you’ll be spending out in the open because summer in the middle east heralds in a lot of warmth, sunshine and unwanted humidity which can become cumbersome in formal clothing. B&G recommends not more than 20 minutes outdoors during a summer wedding.

Looking formal does not always mean having to sport a jacket, especially during the summer! This tip works great especially if you’re having a Western style wedding; instead of settling on a tuxedo, do away with the jacket and consider investing in some smart suspenders, a pastel waistcoat or a lightweight bowtie – options that will not induce that unwanted layer of sweat!

Let yourself feel the vibe of the wedding! Once the formalities are done with, you are more than free to roll up your sleeves, loosen the bowtie and do away with your waistcoat. If you’re in traditional garb, you can always take off your massar to cool yourself down and relax.

Who W ho said grooms and handkerchiefs don’t go together? Invest in a crisp c risp pocket square, and instead of putting in a pocket square carry a statement handkerchief (this can be tailored according to the rest of your attire) to keep yourself cool and at the ready to brush of that pesky sweat! Not only does it look elegant, but it adds in an extra level of reﬁnement and sophistication to your overall look.

Shoe Palace Completes your look…

The luxury shoe industry has witnessed a flurry of new trends, styles and vogues over the last few years, be it in men’s footwear, women’s footwear or children’s footwear. Established in the late 1970s to cater to the modern Omani locale, Shoe Palace has been witness to a number of such fashions and couture, as well as to the public’s footwear buying habits and preferences! With a range of diverse brands catering specifically to the Omani taste, Shoe Palace has been the forerunner in providing the highest quality of footwear from reputed international brands, such as Baldinini, Barker Shoes, Baccaglini, Di Paolo, Don Uorri, Dr. Mauch, Goldstar, Loriblu, Mauri, Flexx, Speroni, Unisa, Cesar P., Cofra and many others, all paying homage to the most recent vogues in the industry (currently being metallic leather shoes, or so we are told!). Bride & Groom spoke with Mr. Mohammed Ghaddar, owner and Managing Director of Shoe Palace to learn Mohammed Ghaddar, more about the trends the Omani public follows when it Managing Director of Shoe Palace comes to footwear, the various designs, varieties and styles available, and some important fads in latest footwear fashion. Read on and do make sure to visit Shoe Palace to pick your pair; heaven knows they have everything you could look for in a shoe!

Footwear fashion is generally associated as a woman’s domain, but this is continually being challenged today. Certainly! Shoes are the most important accessory a man can invest in, especially when it comes to important events like his wedding. More than a luxury, fashionable footwear is a necessity that cannot be done without. At Shoe Palace we understand that the right kind of footwear can make or break any look. The correct pair of shoes can make all the difference! 24

You make an interesting point regarding weddings. Are Omani grooms fans of international footwear trends? Yes, absolutely. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a number of Omani grooms come to Shoe Palace to locate specific international designs/ styles because we provide a very large range of the latest trends. European designs are always very popular, and leather varieties in footwear are classics. Luxury Arabic sandals are always in trend in this part of the world and we always have them on display to complete the look of the Omani groom.

What varieties of footwear does Shoe Palace stock? All kinds! As per the latest trend we have leather formals in metallic colours and prints, along with casual wear, Arabic slippers, sandals, medical shoes, and much more. Moreover we also provide accessories such as briefcases, travel bags, casual bags, wallets, belts, watch cases and jewellery cases.

You must be updating your collections often! Indeed! Our collections are updated every 45 days. Our team visits exhibitions in Italy, Germany and other parts of Europe to get an idea of new trends and also visits factories to personally inspect and choose the material for shoe production. We are always looking to meet our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs and stay on top of the latest fashions!

So you must be designing customised footwear as well. Of course. Tailor-made designs in footwear are one of our many services. Suppose a new trend comes in that a client wants specifically modified or made as per his/her requirements, we undertake the order immediately. Our team personally visits the production factories to discuss alterations, styles etc. and then follows up with the clients to ensure their complete satisfaction. 25

How do you think fashion in footwear has changed over the years? In terms of workmanship and craftsmanship, a lot has changed. Workmanship is finer now, with more attention to delicacy and detail. Options abound and colour mixing for new shades has developed over time due to enhanced machinery and expertise. We make sure the tiniest detail is perfected. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonderful to witness such change over 37 years!

Qurum - Sabco Commercial Centre, Markaz al Bahja, Bareeq Al Shati, Al Hail, Seeb - Corniche Mall, Al Khoudh, Sohar - Safeer Mall, Salalah - Garden Mall, Mawaleh - Al Rowdha BoulevardŘ&#x152; Al Khuwair Rawasco R/A - Al Hikma Buidling, Building No. 1999

Email: goldenm@omantel.net.om, www.shoepalaceoman.com 26

Get ready to

SUIT UP! Avishmita

a Fashion and apparel graduate of NIFT, Gandhinagar in India will be our quarterly columnist. Having worked with a wide variety of women as a professional stylist, dressing them often from head to toe, she brings a deep understanding of diversity to the issue. Avishmita has worked with a range of brands that include BCBG Max Azria, Liz Claiborne, BEDO and Naot and most recently Myphilosophy in Paris. She is currently delving deeper through a Fashion Marketing program in Montreal, Canada.

“Clothes make the man” - a proverb that spans the ages is one that rings as true today as it did in the time of Mark Twain and Shakespeare before him. That is not to say that all a man needs is to be well dressed. Far from it! Clothing acts as a visual representation of a person’s’ mind. So knowing oneself is crucial to being stylish. This holds true for men as it does for the women who aspire to style. There is a lot of focus on women’s wear - along with the sheer number of options, there is a vast amount of information available to them. Today, let’s turn the tables for a while and talk about menswear… and

what better outfit to start with than the illustrious suit. Since its origins in the early 1800s, it has remained a wardrobe staple of any wellheeled man. The butlers who waited on those heels may have become defunct but a key function of theirs was aiding in the proper accessorization of their employer’s suit. The idea behind the suit extends far beyond mere covering of the body. It is to enhance the visual aura of the wearer in such a way that they immediately exude the power, confidence and dashing of the best imaginable version of themselves. It is crucial to mention that this only works with suits that are well-fitted and wellaccessorized to the personality and body of the wearer.

To the novice wearer of suits, the various styles and details can come as a surprise. I’m here to help. There are essentially two types of suit jackets: single-breasted and double-breasted. Both can be worn in the two-piece, three-piece or tuxedo style. As for what they are The two-piece suit comprises of a suit jacket and trousers. The three piece throws a waistcoat in the mix. As for the tuxedo, It can be either two or three piece but has elements that distinguish it from the run-of-the-mill suit, notably the hints of strategically placed satin. This is what you want for those Black tie events.

Single breasted suits

That brings us to the basics.

Single-breasted suits are characterized by a single column of buttons at the center of the jacket with a narrow overlap of the two sides so the buttons can fasten. This most common of suits is also the most versatile and easy to wear. What sets people apart in a single-breasted suit is the fit. A good tailor, well accustomed to suiting, will be the best thing you could ask for. Get inspired by current trends in fits and rely on your tailor’s knowledge to collaborate on creating your own. If you decide to go the ready-to-wear route, make sure that the suit fits well on your shoulders as that is the most complicated part to rework. You will still need the help of a good tailor to make the suit work for your body.

Double-breasted suits are characterized by a double row of buttons in front. The two halves overlap so that the buttons can fasten. This suit is one that will attract attention as it is not often seen about town. Previously known as the attire of gangsters and business barons, it’s making a comeback among men looking to stand out from the crowd. It is important to note that the modern double-breasted suit is slimmer than it’s older counterpart.

Ready to take your suit to the next level? Sartorially speaking, of course. If we’re being honest, as beautiful as suits are, they don’t leave much room for experimentation or expression of personality. That’s where accessories come in. This issue, we’re going to focus on neckwear and pocket squares. Though they appear subtle, they can enhance the suit experience and infuse it with as much of your personality as you choose. The beauty ? They infinitely compound the options available.

Double breasted suits

Neckwear

Most people are familiar with the standard necktie. Chances are, you had to wear one at school or work and don’t think it’s the most exciting thing on the planet. However, once you begin to dabble in colours, patterns and fabric, the game begins to change. The key here is to think of the whole ensemble. Does your necktie stand out jarringly or is it in harmony with your entire look?

Necktie

Long known as a staple of Black-tie events, the bowtie is a classy accessory that is now being used by particularly dapper gentlemen to dress up their daily wardrobe. In this new, more casual setting, patterns and brighter colours are used to inject extra personality to the outfit. However, for more formal settings, stick to darker colours and no patterns. And for Black-tie events, the name is indication of the colour your bowtie should be.

Bowtie

A lesser known form of neckwear, the ascot tie is often seen on particularly suave individuals. Broader than the regular necktie, it makes for a good alternative for those looking to stand out from the crowd. Particularly fitting for summer weddings, it lends a debonair air to the wearer.

Ascot tie

There you have it, a little introduction to the world of suiting. It may take a few tries to be as dashing as James Bond but it’s not out of reach. In the words of Barney Stintson, all you have to do is “Suit up!” Remember, nothing looks better than confidence and having a good time!

Four in Hand

Half Windsor

Windor

Shell Knot

How to Tie an Necktie

How to Tie an Ascot

How to fold a pocket square

Perfectly Suited A HISTORY OF MEN’S SUITS

Infographic Provided by: Mohan’s Custom Tailors Inc., www.mohanscustomtailors.net

Stylish! 31

Behind

ressing up has always been girl play and so it was for rahima ali al barwani, owner of lamis and mother of four sons, who saw her

chance to engage in selling party dresses for young girls after retiring from her teaching position at the sultan

with Rahima Ali al Barwani

Qaboos university almost two decades ago! charming, enterprising and dynamic, this engaging personality first opened her boutique in 1997, now registered as lamis, to share her passion for children dresses with the world. bride & Groom met with rahima to talk to her about lamis, its beginnings, the clothes it stocks, the inspiration behind opening the boutique, and its future aspirations.

Give us a background of yourself and Lamis.

“

My real dream was to have a business of my own ”

I began working as a lecturer at the Sultan Qaboos University after obtaining my Masters in Mathematics from the States. Even though I was teaching, my real dream was to have a business of my own!. After ten years of teaching at the university, I took an early retirement and decided to pursue this dream of mine. It was in 1997 when I opened my first boutique at the Zakher Mall in Al Khuwair. Five years later we moved the boutique to the Al Qurum Complex (formerly known as CCC), where we have been functioning for the past fourteen years! In 2011 we registered our brand name Lamis and last year in May we opened our newest and bigger outlet at the Oman Avenues Mall!

Rahima Ali Al Barwani What made you choose children’s party wear over adult wear? That’s kind of a funny story really! When I retired, I was mother to four lovely sons but no daughter. As a result I would only purchase boy’s outfits. Around the same time a store that was selling beautiful girls party wear closed. I saw my chance then and there and decided that if I couldn’t dress up a daughter of my own, I would dress up everyone else’s daughter!

So you stock all kinds of girl dresses at Lamis?

Lapin House

Indeed! Just as a young girl would dress up her dolls in grandiose outfits, so I dress little girls as elegantly as possible. That is why you can find an abundance of fancy dresses at Lamis and a lack of casual clothing.

However the lack of casual clothing does not necessarily mean a lack of comfort; all our garments are well tailored to the needs of the child to ensure optimum satisfaction.

Do you provide made-to-order designs as well? As of now, no. The dresses available at Lamis come straight from the racks of various international brands. We do not customise dresses but we do hand pick each dress after critiquing its details to make sure it is of the highest standard.

Lapin House

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re told you have partnered with European fashion houses in the past! Yes we have, and we hope to continue to do so in the future! Lamis has aspired to welcome more brands into its family in recent years with an aim to provide customers with beautiful gowns from varied brands. Early this year we partnered with Lapin House

from Greece, a brand known for creating exquisite childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wear collections. Other brands that we carry include Derhy Kids from Paris, the Lamis brand from Thailand, and a collection of brands from the USA and Turkey. It is our hope to continue on this path to achieve diversity and success in the future! We are very excited to welcome Ooh La La Couture from the USA this September into our collection!

Lamis: 22006003 Email : rahibco@gmail.com

“India ties the knot with Oman” T he recent surge in high-profile Indian destination weddings being held in our very beloved Sultanate has been the highlight of the wedding Industries both in the sultanate and the sub-continent. It is not surprising that the wedding planners’ Famil (known in the industry as the wedding planners’ familiarization!) has become an annual event. The Ministry of Tourism has been holding such annual familiarization trips since 2013 to herald in renowned names from the Indian wedding industry. Showcasing the beauty of Oman and its people, the Ministry has been actively involved in introducing to its Indian wedding counterparts Oman’s culture, heritage, locations and luxury venues, and also in establishing strong ties with the Omani wedding market! Scurrying around as we were to obtain all the details and titbits of this year’s Indian Wedding Planners

Familiarization and its prestigious invitees, the Ministry of Tourism was only too kind to agree to a chat with us about the big, fat Indian wedding scene in the Sultanate, as well as introduce us to some of India’s best wedding planners for a discussion on what they think of Oman, its hospitality and culture, and of course its promising wedding market! Complete with glossy photographs and colourful news, this feature will take you through the thick and thin of the 2016 Indian Wedding Planners Familiarization, in the words of our very own Ministry, and the words of our esteemed Indian guests. Enjoy the read and do remember to let us know your feedback at info@brideandgroomoman.com. And oh, do also let us know what you personally think of Oman’s rapidly expanding destination wedding market as well!

Oman has many ideal venues for destination weddings -

Asma Al Hajry Ms. Asma Al Hajry is the charismatic and very inspiring Deputy Director General of International Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism, and one of the key individuals behind the recently concluded Indian Wedding Planners Familiarization trip. Full of talk about the event, the destination wedding scene in Oman, the Indian interest in the country and the promise of the burgeoning market, Ms. Hajry gave us a peek into her thoughts about efforts the Ministry has taken in promoting Oman as a wedding destination and the interest shown by India and other countries in it! The Ministry of Tourism seems to have identified the destination wedding appeal of Oman very well. Indeed it has, especially with regards to India as you have witnessed through the Familiarization trip yourself! I’d say the Omani destination wedding scene took a positive leap when we first placed our representative in India in 2011. This was done for us to best identify the Indian market sectors most interested in Oman, and one of the strongest contenders was the destination wedding market. We began engaging with wedding planners from India once this happened and it opened avenues for us to begin promoting the Sultanate as an international destination wedding venue. The

takes place here! We do not promote them directly, it’s a behind-the-scenes support servicing where we introduce

them to their Indian counterparts and their contracts. We set up meetings

between the Indian wedding planners and very own local ones. Both

response we have received from the Indian market has been nothing short of encouraging! Of course, India has been very enthusiastic about destination weddings in Oman! What about other countries? After India, I’d say it is the European countries that have shown a very keen interest in Oman as a destination, not so much for weddings as they have for honeymoons. We’ve had a lot of interest from Italy and the rest of Europe regarding honeymoon packages and offers in Oman, along with some destination wedding ideas too. India holds the trump card by a large mile in comparison to the rest of the world when it comes to destination weddings in the Sultanate! We’re told that you promote local wedding planners during destination weddings in Oman. Wedding planners in Oman show a lot of interest in every destination wedding that

Omanis and Indians love luxurious

weddings and since the cultures of both countries share a deep bond, wedding planners from both Oman

and India can create fabulous events. How about foreign event planners who bring weddings to Oman? Do you support them too? Again, not directly. Support for

foreign event planners depends on a lot of external factors that are

mostly handled by them directly in

collaboration with tour operators over here. This is true in the case of

the Indian wedding market as well; after the Indian wedding planners

get in touch with local tour operators we come in with our support. Our

online campaign promoting Oman as a wedding destination has received positive response from around the

world and this confirms the potential

Oman holds for destination weddings! Does the Ministry promote Oman as a honeymoon destination? Of course! As I said before, we receive a lot of enquiries from Italy regarding Oman’s honeymoon scene. Europe is very interested in the Sultanate and its scenic beauty as a honeymoon destination hence we are always in efforts to promote it internationally as much as possible.

Lubaina Sheerazi is the Ministry of Tourism’s very own representative in India, stationed in the country of colours since 2010 to promote the Sultanate as a destination wedding and honeymooning hub to the Indian wedding market. Having first started off six years ago with attracting premium leisure travellers from India to Oman for the purposes of touring and holidaying, the next few years saw Lubaina being heavily involved in expanding the very same Omani tourism sphere to Indian clientele, by diversifying into the lesser tapped markets of weddings and films. Thanks to the Indian Wedding Planners Familiarization trip held in the Sultanate this June, we at Bride & Groom had the pleasure of meeting up with Lubaina over a round of coffee and lots of talk! Lubaina was only to kind to tell us more about her involvement in promoting Oman to India in light of the concluded Familiarization trip (or the wedding planner’s familiarization trip – FAM – as she calls it!), the various market segments the Ministry handles in its campaigns, the expansion of the destination wedding scene in the Sultanate and other related knickknacks. Read on!

Lubaina Sheerazi: Oman’s Indian Connection!

Is the wedding market your exclusive responsibility at your MoT Sales Office position? I have held my current position since 2010, and yes the wedding market is one of the many responsibilities I handle. We are involved in the promotion of Oman to the Leisure, MICE, and Wedding & Films markets. Our team works at promoting Oman in the Indian wedding market by conducting regular meetings with wedding planners across India.

planners’ FAM every year. We also actively conduct sales meetings and presentations and attend events associated with destination weddings. All our efforts have slowly but certainly yielded results. In the last two years alone Oman has witnessed seven weddings. We also have confirmation of three weddings that will take place in the last quarter of 2016.

Oman has of course been on the receiving end of high destination wedding interest in the recent years.

What do you think makes Oman so appealing to the Indian market?

Absolutely. We conducted our first wedding planners’ Familiarization (FAM) trip in 2013 to promote Oman in the destination wedding market. Since then we have conducted at least one wedding

The uniqueness it provides as a destination! Currently the choice of venues is a little limited in Oman. We need to develop more venues beyond Muscat. This year’s Familiarization focussed on hotels in

Jebel al Akhdar, including Alila and Anantara. We will also be showcasing the Convention Centre as a venue in the future. With more inventory and hotel brands coming in, Oman will definitely have an edge over other destinations. Your clients must find attraction in the Sultanate’s proximity to India! Indeed, as well as in its scenic beauty and cultural similarities! It’s a mix of all three. Being less than

three hours away definitely works as a major advantage for Oman. Its unique landscape and cultural affinity with India, as well as the availability of Indian food also acts as an added advantage. What locations in Oman are most popular? It all depends on the size of the weddings. Generally Indians prefer a beach wedding when they travel to Oman, but we are quite sure they will fall in love with Jebel al Akhdar’s landscape views as well!

How

about

summer

weddings

here in the Sultanate? Are places like Salalah and Jebel al Akhdar publicised more? Summers are generally not a wedding season in India. Weddings generally take place post September to April

(as per auspicious dates). From this year, we are keen on promoting

Jebel al Akhdar for small weddings as well as for celebrations like

birthdays, anniversaries etc. We are

hopeful to take it to the next level by promoting Salalah in the future!

Wedding Planners From India

Celebrating Marriages with C��u�!

So this is your first visit to Oman!

Noureen Morani

is the vivacious, spirited and energetic Business Head of Cineyug Celebrations, one of India’s most sought after destination wedding planning companies! Bride & Groom had the delight of meeting with Noureen and learning more about Cineyug Celebrations, the numerous locations it has conducted destination weddings in (both local and international!), and Noureen’s personal take on what makes Indians fall in love with Oman! Let’s see what she had to say!

It is, and what a beautiful country it is indeed! I am amazed that people haven’t been aware of the Sultanate. I have been posting pictures continuously on Facebook to acquaint people with the place and its beauty; it is unbelievably stunning and scenic. Is it the beauty that attracts the Indian market to Oman as a wedding destination? Absolutely. Plus the proximity! Couples and their families are always enthusiastic about not travelling too far, and Oman is perfect in that aspect. They want something closer

with clean, pristine beaches and Oman offers just that! Moreover the culture and heritage is very warm and welcoming, something that is very appreciated by visitors.

Do you plan destination weddings for NRIs (non-resident Indians) as well? Of course! We do everything at Cineyug. 15 years of experience has made us handle destination weddings for not only local Indians, but NRIs from different parts of the world! We’ve conducted weddings in London, Barcelona, Indonesia, Paris, Istanbul, as well as in the Indian cities of Udaipur, Goa, Delhi, and Jaipur. We make dream weddings come true, and it is our hope to conduct a beautiful beach wedding in Oman soon!

Cox & Kings:

Wish it, Plan it, Have it! -Anu Chabra

Having run into none other than Anu Chabra, the dynamic head of Cox & Kings Weddings, we at Bride & Groom immediately sat down with this enterprising personality for a quick chitchat about the renowned wedding planning company from India! Established by Richard Cox 250 years ago, Cox & Kings stands on the sturdy foundation of its gracious hospitality, discerning taste, high quality service and attention to detail. With over 20 years of experience in consulting and hospitality, Anu was very hospitable indeed in accommodating our questions! We’re sure this is your first visit to Oman! Yes! I was awed with the potential Oman has for weddings! The experience was very pleasant. Thanks to the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts and their presentation about the Sultanate (which was splendid), I was introduced to this lovely country! The Indian wedding market has of recent taken a renewed interest in Oman. And why shouldn’t it? Oman’s simplicity is what attracts Indians to its shores. Places like Dubai and Thailand offer a more modern, fast-paced experience that is radically different from Oman’s simplistic, ethnic charm and hospitality. This is probably why the Indian market has been taking such a heightened interest in the country!

Is Oman a good summer wedding destination? Especially with regards to places like Salalah and Jebel al Akhdar. I absolutely loved Jebel al Akhdar and the Alila hotel! Their interiors are inspired from the nature surrounding them, and that creates a marvellous landscape to experience a wedding in. I am not aware of other places yet, but I can safely say that if I were to plan a royal wedding, I would do it in no other place than Muscat due to its luxury venues and options. An outdoor wedding in Oman would be just delightful!

Kamal Khera is the inspiring owner of Kamal Khera Hospitality & Infrastructure from India, specialising in numerous verticals including luxury destination weddings in venues spanning the girth of the globe, from Turkey in the west to Bali in the east! We spoke to Kamal regarding his take on Oman, what he believes are Oman’s bestselling points and the suggestions he has for enhancing the beauty, appeal and charm of the Sultanate to the Indian market. Read on!

Kamal Khera:

Luxury Destination Weddings at your Service

We’re told you have visited Oman before. Yes! I came earlier as well to visit the Shangri-La property and I don’t regret coming here a second time. The country has incredible potential. One thing that everyone was very appreciative of during the Familiarization was Oman’s proximity to India. I think it is one of the country’s bestselling features! An average social person in India is invited to about eight or nine destination weddings per year, so it’s no wonder that couples and their families prefer closer locations. I believe Oman holds more potential for destination weddings than its other Middle Eastern counterparts, and the proximity of the Sultanate to India works towards its advantage!

What properties do you most prefer for weddings in Oman? The Shangri-La properties, Grand Hyatt, and the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel are top notch! This season I have already undertaken two destination weddings in Oman, during October of this year to March in 2017. You’ll have to stay tuned to find out what venue my team and I finalise on for the upcoming weddings!

With over ten years of experience in the wedding industry, Ankita Chugh, director of Ankita Chugh Weddings & Events, decided to visit Oman for the very first time this year

and fall in love with the country’s antiquity,

beauty, culture and heritage! Having met up with us Ankita went off into a passionate

ramble about the opportunities she notices in

the Sultanate, its vast potential and what she hopes to do with the venue in the future!

So you solely handle destination weddings! Yes. We’re actively involved fulltime in destination weddings. I do conduct local weddings in India, but destination weddings are my speciality! This has been my first visit to Oman and I love its beaches, heritage and serene beauty. What a place! We’re told you have done desert weddings in India. Can Oman accommodate the same? Of course it can! However I don’t think the Indian market will be keen on such an option since we already have large deserts in India, and the location will seem similar. I have already done a Sangeet in Rajasthan! Queries for Oman always revolve around its scenic wonders and pristine beaches.

Ankita Chugh: From Mumbai to Oman, with Love! What areas do you think can be improved upon?

Not that there is much, but I suppose alcohol and music arrangements could be made more flexible, because Indians love loud weddings! Other than that I’d say small gestures such as added support in organising a Baarat (wedding procession), having camels, providing a choreographer etc. by the Ministry of Tourism would be much loved by Indian couples and their families!

Is it the beauty of Oman itself that attracts the Indian wedding market the most? Not the sole reason, no. Oman is beautiful, and its hospitality and people are very similar to the Indian culture. It is easy to relate to people here, because of the commonness in heritage and warmth, and this draws the Indian market to the Sultanate more than to any other location.

The last decade has seen True Events conduct over 600 functions, with a major share comprising of highend destination weddings around the globe! Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Jaydeep Mehta is the face

of World Wide Weddings (or WWW, for short), one of the numerous verticals under True Events, and the one responsible for conducting lavish, theme-based

ceremonies in exotic locations. Bride & Groom spoke to Dr. Mehta for a background of True Events and

his suggestions on improving Oman’s viability to the Indian wedding market!

Tell us about True Events. True Events is an events management company based in India (Ahmedabad) and the USA (Miami). Our client list ranges from charitable organizations, major social and political institutions, FMCGs, global MNCs, fashion studios, film producers and large corporate houses as well HNI families. We have conducted destination weddings in international venues such as Sri Lanka, Thailand,Macau,USA,Morocco,andGreece, and also in local Indian venues such as Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Goa.

You must have visited Oman multiple times!

Yes! I conducted a number of social events such as fashion beauty pageants at the Al Falaj Hotel, and also conducted a prominent Oman-based NRI’s sons’ weddings in Jodhpur. The country is beautiful and there is no reason why one shouldn’t visit it over and over again.

What property struck you

True Events:

Making your Dream Wedding come True! conducted here in November and I am very excited about this opportunity. The property is lavish, grandiose and absolutely stunning – everything you’d expect it to be!

What do you think attracts the

Indian wedding market to Oman? See, the Indian market is sensitive. Indians are sensitive to culture, to heritage, to warmth and hospitality. Oman fits the bill perfectly; it’s new, and offers peace and serenity. The new trend that has taken charge in India is of Golf & Beach weddings. Oman is the perfect venue for such an occasion! Moreover the Sultanate is yet to be explored fully; most people do not even know where it is located!

most during this this year’s

Any areas you think Oman can

The Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel by far! I have a wedding booked to be

Any location in the world has areas

Familiarization?

improve on?

to improve on! For Oman, I’d say that

- Dr. Jaydeep Mehta

the logistics and customs of handling

large scale destination weddings could be made a little more flexible than

they are currently. The cargo that

comes in during Indian weddings is huge, especially the jewellery! Flexible

logistics and customs handling will make the entire process and experience

smoother, making for a perfect wedding from start to finish.

We’re told you have planned

destination weddings for other nationalities as well!

Oh yes! I have conducted destination weddings for Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans,

Britons, and Americans. Moreover I have conducted three Omani weddings

India as well. You could call them big, fat Omani weddings! They were done at the Jodhpur Palace in Rajasthan and were very well received.

A Truly French Affair! By Ashley Wynne

i had the pleasure of being invited to my friend Johanna stansfield’s wedding in France in June of this year. We went to university together in montréal, canada (which is where i still live), but we haven’t seen each other in many years so in addition to celebrating Johanna’s marriage to thomas Fresneau, i was also looking forward to catching up with my friend! Jo and thom had rented a chateau in the country for the whole weekend, which was lovely because it meant that i could come a few days early to get over jet lag and help them set up. staying in the chateau was a dream – it felt as though i was in a period film set in the 1700s with all its antique furniture and classical music that kept wafting through the walls! the day of the wedding was completely magical! the weather was perfect and the setting was perfect for the family ceremony and reception. the meal was exquisite and Jo and thom had made an amazing playlist for dancing that lasted until 4:30am!

ashley Wynne

needless to say, i decided it was my obligation to share this story, and so i have interviewed Jo for everyone to have a peek through this tale as well! read on, and i hope you enjoy it as much as i did.

so tell me about yourselF and thom! i was born in France to british parents. my family moved to arizona, usa, when i was 10 years old. i moved back to europe to do a masters in translation in 2009, which is when i met thom. thom was born in lyon, France. he went to university in brittany, and then moved to grenoble for work, which is where we both met! hoW did the tWo oF you meet? We met during a new year’s party in a chalet in the French alps, in a small skiing village called the grand bornand. the chalet is quite rustic; it has electricity and heating but no running water. We got to know each other on the morning of January the 1st while cleaning the cold, hardened cheese from the new year’s dinner off of the pots and pans! i remember thom telling me about his grandmother and his job. We immediately felt at ease with each other and spent hours chatting away. giVe me a little Peek into the ProPosal! thom proposed to me during my birthday dinner in a gourmet restaurant in France. he was a little nervous and wasn’t able to concentrate on the menu, so decided to propose right at the beginning of dinner! it was a very romantic setting and we had a fantastic meal that we’ll never forget!

What made you decide on the wedding location? In France you must have a family tie or some kind of connection to the place where you have your official civil ceremony. We decided to have the ceremony in the village where Thom’s father grew up and now lives, called Poncin. The rest of his family also lives nearby, so it was a practical choice in that sense. We also felt much attached to the region as we spent a lot of weekends there mountain biking, climbing and hiking. And now about the location about itself! How would you describe it? For the wedding reception, we chose the Chateau de Montplaisant, which is located about 30 minutes away from Poncin in a neighbouring village. It is an old familyowned castle, very well preserved, with 48

a lush green garden at the back and surrounded by woods. The stone walls of the castle are covered with vines. It has a kitchen big enough to feed about 40 people and a beautiful dining hall with big bay windows giving onto the garden. The bedrooms are all decorated as if they were from the 17th century – with floral wallpaper and king-sized canopy beds.

We felt like we should have been wearing ballroom gowns! The ceremony looks incredible from the photographs! We chose to have the wedding ceremony in the chateau’s garden. We were very lucky with the weather as it had been

raining for days before. the sun came out just as the ceremony began! the theme for the wedding was bikes (we’re avid bikers!). thom’s father built and organized a little bike parade so that we could make a grand entrance! We were pulled along in a chariot by thom’s father on a bike, followed by a host of friends riding a funny assortment of tandem bikes, unusual bike contraptions and chariots – all built by thom’s father! thom’s father also built a dais with a staircase on the far right and far left side. thom stood on one end of the dais

and i on the other. the ceremony began with my mother and thom’s best men telling the story of how we met. For each important step in our lives, we took one step up the staircases and finally met in the middle to exchange our rings. both thom and i love to travel and have lived in many different places. to celebrate our eclecticism, my mother concocted a cocktail made up of a variety of beverages which represented every place we had lived or travelled to. the cocktail was composed of chartreuse (a green, plant-based liqueur made by

monks in the mountains near grenoble), beaujolais wine from the vineyards near lyon, cider from brittany, malbec wine from argentina, tequila from mexico, and many many more ingredients! to consummate our marriage, we both drank the cocktail from a beautifully-designed bowl made by a potter friend of my mother’s! i heard you inVested in a recycled Wedding dress! my wedding gown was actually a handme-down from an acquaintance! i was

having trouble figuring out where I would buy my dress - Geneva is very expensive and I didn’t really know where else to shop. A friend of my mother’s suggested that we stop by to take a look at her daughter’s wedding dress. I didn’t expect much of it as I thought it would be unlikely that we would have similar tastes. I ended up loving it!

“

It was champagne-coloured with a short train that gave the dress an A-line shape. It had a thin tulle top layer, studded with sparkling silver beads and pearls in an elegant plant-like pattern covering much of the dress and train. The dress was too big and needed a lot of adjustments. We quickly contacted a local seamstress to see if she could get it to fit

me properly and she managed to finish the job before the end of our holiday! The daughter who originally bought the dress was very generous and offered it to me for free. We both really liked the idea of having a recycled wedding dress, and she was happy to know that it would be used again! Finally, where will you celebrate your honeymoon? We have decided to go to Patagonia for our honeymoon, in the southern parts of Chile and Argentina. We love spending time in the mountains and Patagonia is well known for mountain sports. We are also planning on having children soon, and want to take the opportunity to do a final holiday in the mountains on our own, before any babies arrive. We will be spending Christmas and New Years in Patagonia, which is summertime over there. We are already counting down the days!

The 7 Most Amorous Ways to Say

‘Will You?’

Come the st 21 century,

and couples in the Middle East have fast become privy to the unique, and very often exceptionally creative methods of proposing to their signiﬁcant other, popularised by media, cinemas, or the good old romantic novel collecting dust in your attic! Whilst the public in this region prides in treading shyly on matters of the heart and expression of love, we can assure you that deep down all of us want to cherish an unforgettable memory of being proposed to; essentially here in the Arab world we are lovers of a good surprise! 52

That is why Bride & Groom has come up with seven of the simplest, yet absolutely heartfelt methods of conveying the sentiment of marriage and popping the question. Delight as your partner revels in a rush of incredulousness, disbelief and happiness and ends up saying ‘Yes!’ almost immediately to any of these tips. What’s more, if you think you’d like to share your very own special proposal or a proposal idea with us, email info@brideandgroomoman.com, and we’d be delighted to share your story and points with our readers.

CHOOSE A

Favourite Place You can never go wrong with deciding to propose in one of your favourite haunts. What makes this method specially fail proof is the fact that your partner will have no knowledge of your intentions due to the habitual visiting of the place; before reaching there, have someone place a large card on a bench, tree or ledge and direct your partner’s attention to it. Whilst she surveys the card (you could decorate it as per your whim, or have something like ‘Look at me!’ written on it), drop down on one knee and when she looks back at you, propose!

BUILD A

Sandcastle Together So you may have already thought of having a destination wedding once your signiﬁcant other says yes, but the question is how do you pop the question? Visit the beach and begin building a sandcastle together (at a safe distance from the shore!); once done, perch the ring on top of the highest tower and watch her face radiate utter surprise! This is also a good way of bonding together, so the moment couldn’t be any less perfect. 53

HAVE A

Surprise Party Make her busy under the pretext of a dinner party with friends and ask your friends to carry a balloon each with the letters from the phrase ; once present, ask everyone to pose for a picture (everyone should be standing in spelling order of the sentence). Let the party roll on and then decide to casually ask for a look through the day’s photographs together; play them out on a projector and be prepared for the waterworks from your now new ﬁancée!

‘Will you marry me?’

THE WORKPLACE

Surprise

If the two of you share the same workplace, this method should be a cakewalk for you – once you’ve ensured enough privacy that is! Come in early and tie a red velvet ribbon from one spot of your partner’s workspace to another and have little notes attached on it to remind her of the special moments in your relationship; stand at the end so when she reaches you, you can present her with the ring.

THE DESSERT

Proposal Why not impress your signiﬁcant other with a special three course meal cooked entirely by you? If you don’t trust your cooking skills hire a professional chef to help you out; not only will this blow away your partner but once dessert commences, you can pop the question for a truly sweet surprise!

THE JIGSAW

Puzzle

Come up with a custom made jigsaw puzzle and pretend to be bafﬂed by its (apparent) difﬁculty and her ease in piecing it together! Once she forms the message in the puzzle take out the ring and present it to her; we’re also told that this method works great with Scrabble.

INSTANT

Messaging No, we’re not advocates of asking someone something as important as their hand in marriage over text; instead, have your friends take pictures of you holding separate posters with the individual words of ‘Will’, ‘You’, ‘Marry’, ‘Me?’ etc. Decide beforehand with your partner to meet at a special place and once she arrives, text the images to her in order, and once she receives the last one, get down on your knee!

Dr. Sayyida Basma Al Said Is the founder of the Whispers of Serenity clinic in Muscat and is a Mental Health Consultant and Psychotherapist by profession. She holds a Masters in Mental Health Counselling, and has trained at Kings College, London and Harvard University and worked with Sultan Qaboos University to garner over 12 years of experience in dealing with people from various backgrounds. If you would like to have any of your pre-marital and/or postmarital queries and concerns addressed in our special column, Ask Ms. B, Please email us at info@brideandgroomoman.com

Whispers of Serenity Tel: +968 24614268 / 99359779 www.whispers-of-serenity.com 55

I am engaged to be married

My wife-to-be is a very

expectations as a husband

person. She has a lot of

modern and outgoing

in 6 months’ time. The

male colleagues at her

on me overwhelms me. My

work place. It makes

would-be wife comes from

a very conservative background, hence

me very insecure, I don’t want my

can I overcome this?

phase in our life or does seem like

as long as it doesn’t affect your

insecurity to affect our marriage. How

I don’t think she can help me.

our worries are absolutely

ealousy has been an issue since

understandable and acceptable.

time began and we have noticed

Each one of us, when we are about

this always. It is a very natural feeling

do to something that is a huge

a situation where there will be new

We have been married

fear and doubt. You need to know

of our couple friends is

for two years now. One

and challenging responsibilities, feels

getting divorced. When

that even if this is unknown to you,

you have all the skills you need. The

we discuss about their

most important thing is to treat your

problems we end up fighting. It worries

though she is from a conservative

same path.

wife with love and respect. Even

background, if you are clear with your communication from the beginning

and clearly state your own expectation and understand what she needs

then it will be very easy for you to

manage. Remember there is always

the option of opting for pre-marriage counselling or even seek counselling

after marriage just to understand each other a little better.

me that we too will be going down the

ry not to analyse your marriage

based on what others are going

through. You are two individuals that have chosen to get married and you need to see your own strengths and weaknesses. Also always remember to not let others’ issues become your issues; there needs to be a

differentiation between that. Having

a discussion is great but learn how to control your emotions because after

all it is necessary to have a discussion objectively rather than getting

completely involved into. Keep the lines of communication open and

honest and it will not create doubts

in your mind that you may be headed down the same path as your friends.

Bride & Groom maintains complete discretion and utmost confidentiality for all questions received. 56

relationship with your wife-to-be. It

is important for both of you to realize that you are each other’s priorities

and to constantly reassure each other both through words and actions that you love each other. This will not let

the securities or doubts creep into the

marriage. Also there has to be trust in the relationship; if there is trust you

wouldn’t worry about the men in her office because your bond is strong. Discuss with her your fears and

insecurities as she is the best person

who can help put your mind at ease.

OMEGA Dives into the Deep, Black & Bold A

s a tribute to the seas’ timeless bond with the ever glowing moon, Omega has revealed its latest ceramic collection for the man unafraid of ocean adventure: the Deep Black. From the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon first released in 2013, Omega has evolved its ceramic expertise to produce the Seamaster Planet Ocean ‘Deep Black’ in four 45.5 mm timepieces, each the combination of a GMT model and a diving watch. Crafted from a single block of ceramic, the Deep Black, driven by the Omega Master Chronometer Calibre 8906, camouflages colour at every few metres under the sea, creating an inimitable aesthetic wave pattern. A technical feat withstanding ocean pressure at depths of up to 2000 feet, the Deep Black Collection is truly a state-of-the-art spectacle that stands unrivalled in the industry.

At the Top of the

Game with Tissot D

edicated to the biggest partnership in its history, Tissot has introduced the Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar NBA Special Edition to illustrate the essence of the NBA. A pure reflection of Tissotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative technology, precision and timekeeping, the watch demonstrates a stunning sporty design and bold attitude as a tribute to the athletes of the association. Available in a luxury gold case and a discrete cool gray one, the timepiece is an original collectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s item, not only because it is a special edition watch, but also because it represents the first time that the NBA has ever had its very own dedicated Timekeeper! Definitely one for the books, the Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar NBA Special Edition is uniqueness and sportsmanship in all its glory. www.tissotwatches.com 58

RADO Reveals 3 Lightweight Minimalist Masterpieces S ‘back to basics’ tyled with an uncompromising

approach, Rado has introduced three new additions to its True Thinline Collection, stripped to their barest essentials. Each piece is crafted in a monochrome colour palette: pure white, stark black, and lustrous plasma, all using Rado’s signature high-tech ceramic. Free of indexes, sub dials and ﬂourishes, the True Thinline’s dial is a beautiful blank slate; even the seconds hand has been done away with! Guaranteeing a fresh and modern impact, the timepieces’ sober, restrained lines and incredibly slim proﬁle create an inimitable new way to make a fashion statement for the connoisseur of vogue and luxury. www.rado.com 59

Christophe Claret Launches X-TREM-1

Pushing the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking, Christophe Claret has introduced the X-Trem-1, the first in a new X-Trem collection. Exceptional in all ways, the X-Trem-1 features a flying tourbillon inclined at a 30° angle, mounted on a three-dimensional curvex titanium main plate, fully equipped with a retrograde hours and minutes display system. Radically different from existing watchmaking conventions, two hollowed steel spheres, isolated within sapphire tubes on the left and right sides of the case band, magically move with no mechanical connection thanks to magnetic fields, making X-Trem the perfect acronym for experimental, time, research, engineering, and mechanism.

For more information, please visit www.seddiqi.com

Christophe Claret Presents Mecca & Layla A keen connoisseur of history and culture, Christophe Claret has introduced a duet of luxury timepieces paying homage to the Middle East’s mysticism and purity this summer for the discerning yet refined chronometric lover, entitled Mecca and Layla!

mecca

Highlighted by the ingenious optical phenomenon of the mirascope, the Mecca watch features a wealth of emblematic elements and references to the Muslim faith, beginning with the holy Kaaba positioned at the centre of the timepiece. Offering a 360-degree view of the famous cube-shaped building erected at the centre of the sacred mosque in the Holy City of Mecca, the watch is decorated with an orientalinspired engraved motif lacquered in gray and green, while its Arabic hour numerals are replaced at 5 o’clock by a natural diamond and at 7 o’clock by a black spinel to add to the chronometer’s symbolism.

The symbolic spectacle is continued on to the back of the timepiece as well, with the circumference of the titanium case subtly revealing the fact that only 63 enthusiasts will have the chance to wear each version of the Mecca timepiece: 63, to correspond with the age of Prophet Mohammed when he passed away.

TheLaylawatchontheotherhandfeaturesaningeniousmechanismthathelpsto ‘predict’ one of nature’s most paramount questions: ‘Does he love me?’ A simple press of the pusher at 2 o’clock brings the watch to life.

layla With each press, a petal subtly disappears under the dial in a smooth action, perfectly depicting the delicate undressing of a flower. The eagerly awaited answer appears at random in calligraphic letters on the dial at 8 o’clock: a little – a lot – passionately – madly – not at all. The striking mechanism is one of Manufacture Claret’s signature complications, blending technical mastery with sublime aesthetics. At the whim of its iridescent reflections, the natural pink mother-of-pearl dial reveals delicately engraved verses penned by the Arab poet, Qays Al Mulawwah. A flower shaped carousel of colours for the woman in love, the self-winding rotor completes the display back of Layla. This stunning watch blossoms in a 20-piece limited edition.

For more information, please visit www.seddiqi.com

The women’s collection echoes the ladies’ winter 2016 Emporio Armani watch collections, pairing oversized chains with accents of gunmetal, rose gold and crystal for a look that’s industrial, yet feminine.

ANNOUNCES ITS AUTUMN 2016 JEWELLERY COLLECTION Emporio Armani presents a captivating jewellery collection of graphic statement pieces that display dynamic masculine style and edgy femininity for Autmn 2016

Evoking the herringbone patterns seen in many best-selling Emporio Armani

watches,

the

men’s

jewellery collection employs the quintessential

Emporio

black-and-silver

colour

Armani palette

to striking effect. Herringboneetched black steel is paired with polished stainless steel and black leather for bold style.

The Emporio Armani jewellery collection will be available in stores and online at Armani.com from 25th July 2016.

EMPORIO ARMANI UNVEILS ITS AUTUMN 2016 WATCH COLLECTION

Echoing autumnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich jewel tones, the Emporio Armani autumn 2016 watch

collection uses deep colours and carefully

considered design, elevating its timepieces to a new level of style. Sleek, slimmed-

down silhouettes and innovative modern finishes update the most popular ranges and launch the newest watches as stars of the Emporio Armani ready-to-wear accessories collection.

AUTUMN GOLD SHADES OF BLUE MIDNIGHT ROSE

The Emporio Armani autumn 2016 watch collection will be available in stores and online from 25th July 2016.

www.armani.com

the BOLT-68 Falcon 2016 Collection

wiss watchmaker Bomberg, renowned for its avant-garde and bold designs unveiled the BOLT-68 Falcon 2016 Collection along with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons early this summer, the third of the BOLT-68 series. The collection contains the Bomberg BOLT68 Automatic Barry, the BOLT-68 Chroma, the BOLT-68 Falcon, and the limited edition BOLT-68 Steel Nails and Black Nails Badass, all bearing the individualistic strong trademark that is Bomberg.

Bomberg watches are available at select Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons stores. For more information, please visit: www.seddiqi.com

The Bomberg BOLT-68 Automatic Barry is the result of the partnership between Bomberg and The Barry Foundation; a specific watch designed to honour Saint Bernard dogs, while the elegant and unconventional BOLT-68 Chroma and Falcon make for the perfect addition to complement the wearer. Moreover with its luminescent skull and numbers which glow in the dark, the limited edition BOLT-68 Steel Nails and Black Nails Badass astonishes with both its originality and quality, becoming a must for watch lovers and connoisseurs!

Automatic Barry

The Bomberg BOLT-68

and Black Nails Badass,

The BOLT-68 Steel Nails

The BOLT-68 Chroma

Bomberg Unveils

Khimji’s Watches Rolex Oyster Perpetual DAY-DATE 40

Available only in precious metals, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is the most prestigious and most exclusive watch in the Oyster collection and has always represented the summit of the Rolex art of watchmaking. FEATURES • Watch of great prestige, available exclusively in 950 platinum or 18 ct gold • nstantaneous calendar displaying the date and the day spelt out in full • Rolex-certiﬁed Superlative Chronometer • Ice blue dial set with diamonds • Manufacture Rolex self-winding mechanical movement, COSC certiﬁed • Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring • Oyster case, waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet)

Calibre de Cartier Diver blue watch 42 mm, steel, leather and rubber The Calibre de Cartier Diver watch is an authentic diving instrument. A powerful accurate watch, it features water-resistance of up to 300 metres, a rubber strap, maximum-precision unidirectional turning bezel coated with ADLC, and time-control displays in Super-LumiNova®. Powered by a 1904 MC movement, it combines the strict technical requirements of ISO 6425 and the striking design of the Calibre de Cartier watch.

For more information, contact Khimji’s Watches at 24699173

www.khimjiswatches.com.

Luxury Quartet for men: Rolex, Chopard, Cartier & Frederique Conﬆant

Chopard Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition Issued in two limited editions of 1,000 pieces in stainless steel and 100 pieces in 18-carat rose gold, the Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition throbs to the tune of a unique ‘engine’: the new Chopard Calibre 03.05-C, a chronograph movement with COSCcertiﬁed precision. Surrounded with a tachymetric scale, the dial revives the aesthetic of vintage dashboards and ensures maximum readability thanks to its large numerals and luminescent hands. Inspired by leather car-bonnet tie-down straps, its beautifully weathered strap in Suportlo® calfskin echoes the legendary spirit of the Italian competition that Chopard has been serving as partner and oﬃcial timekeeper since 1988.

Frederique Constant HOROLOGICAL SMARTWATCH Case: Rose gold plated polished stainless steel 2-parts case , Diameter of 42 mm, Convex sapphire crystal, Water-resistant to 5 ATM Movement: MMT-285 quartz caliber, functions adjustable with the crown 2+ years battery life Dial: Navy dial with applied rose gold indexesHand polished rose gold plated hands Bracelet: Blue leather strap with white stitches and folding buckle FUNCTIONS: • Always-on time & date • MotionX® activity tracking • Sleeptracker® sleep monitoring • Sleep cycle alarms • Get-Active alerts • Smart coaching • MotionX® cloud backup and restore MotionX®, MotionX-365®, and Sleeptracker® are trademarks of Fullpower and are used under license

The Bose Lifestyle SoundTouch 535 Entertainment System The Lifestyle SoundTouch 535 is more than entertainment system that delivers real surround sound power to every seat in the room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is a highly advanced music system as well. The systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proprietary Acoustimass module provides impactful bass even if you hide it out of sight, letting you easily enjoy wireless music when connected to your existing home WiFi network or Bluetooth devices. Stream music services like Spotify and Deezer, Internet radio stations, or your own stored music library!

Bose: More Than A Headset, More Than An Entertainment System Bose has introduced two new summer gadgets for the discerning tech lover this summer: the new QuietComfort 35 (QC35) around-ear headphones, and the Bose Lifestyle SoundTouch 535 Entertainment System!

The Bose QuietComfort 35 True to its name, the QC35 offers the best noise cancellation available anywhere, in both wired and wireless forms, and also features a customengineered Bluetooth system for a strong and consistent connection all around. Sporting up to 20 hours of battery life from a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the QC35 is packed with proprietary technology for performance. The headphones consist of two microphones inside and outside the ear cups that sense, measure and send unwanted sounds to two proprietary digital electronic chips (one for each ear) which respond with a precise, equal and opposite signal in less than a fraction of a millisecond. The result is dramatic and exclusive to Bose. In an instant, the rumble of a subway car, plane engine, or the commotion from rush hour all but disappear, leaving behind complete silence for you to enjoy your music in!

Tel.: 24470497

www.ohielec.com

Indeed, I SPA takes pride in these training programmes, optimised to ensure high service standards for every client and exceed expectations every time. The stringent measures incorporated by the spa to guarantee excellence at every step including a rigorous three month training programme for its therapists, encompassing 10 weeks of theoretical and practical training and two weeks of practical training with model guests!

Focussing exclusively on the use of completely organic and internationally branded products created in conjunction with traditional Asian therapies, I SPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treatment menu features not only a variety of massages and body therapies, but intensive body training programmes as well!

That is why we believe that you should be a part of this experience as well! If you would like to experience the magical sanctuary of care and wellness that is I SPA Thailand, head down to the Hormuz Grand Hotel at the soonest.

egend has it that the ancient wellness therapies discovered, perfected and administered in the Orient drew their inspiration from treating the human form as a precious vessel, a temple that required constant maintenance and strength to face each new day with zeal, vigour and energy. And so it is at I SPA Thailand!

An institute of wellbeing and body care situated at the Hormuz Grand Hotel in Muscat, I SPA imparts its holistic approach of self-improvement in a luxurious setting to complement the luxury of its practices, derived from Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai and Japanese wisdoms.

It is no wonder that I SPA renders the best of the best when it comes to body care, with guests returning to relive the Balinese Massage, Thai Massage and I SPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Signature Massage repeatedly.

I SPA Thailand: A Holistic Sanctuary

For booking an appointment and further information, please contact 24350662

Congratulations & Celebrations at

Al Murjan !

amed for its luxurious style and distinct ambience in hosting an array of high end events and functions, the Al Murjan Hall has recently announced the launch of unique offers designed as an exclusive addition to Oman’s hospitality services and created to enhance the experience of customers looking to have their dream occasion turned into a reality! With a promise of excellence and professionalism at each step, Al Murjan’s new offerings enable its clients to rejoice in stateof-the-art parties, celebrations, soirées and ceremonies, as well as engage in corporate meetings and business conferences that are as successful as they are proficient, thanks to the hall’s cutting edge facilities and contemporary sound and light technologies. Be it a wedding reception or an engagement bash, the Al Murjan Hall offers an unprecedented level of quality in all of its services, with its event management team always present with all hands on deck to give clients the service they deserve! Thanks to its stunning dais, soaring ceilings, a seating capacity that runs in the hundreds (as per the event’s requirements) and superior lighting, the Al Murjan Hall truly sets the mood for a lavish celebration. Moreover as a part of the newly announced offers, the hall lays significant emphasis on its catering and food services! Be it cuisines ranging

from Arab to Orient or Mediterranean to Indian, there is not much that gets in the way of Al Murjan Hall’s skilled kitchen staff and reputed chefs in creating delectable delicacies that guarantee the highest level of satisfaction and dining pleasure for one and all. Indeed, for all those seeking a luscious venue to host their dream event in and making 68

memories of a lifetime, the Al Murjan Hall is the ultimate venue of choice! For further information on the hall’s new offers, services and packages, and/or booking details, direct all queries to the contact below. Al Murjan Hall, Civil Aviation Club Contact: 92043278 www.caaclub.org

a dream venue for your wedding

Al Murjan hall offers you Convenient Location, Dedicated Parking Facility, Wide choice of Menus from In house Catering with Service Support and to add Perfect Ambiance for your wedding, State of the art Lighting Fixtures and Modern Sound / Public Address System and Overhead Projector including Audio Visual Entertainment.

a perfect venue for both traditional & modern wedding.

AL MURJAN HALL

Al Murjan Hall, Civil Aviation Club PO Box 261, PC 111 Seeb, Sultanate of Oman Contact: 92043278 Find map on: http://www.caaclub.org/MurjanHall.aspx

Clear, Healthy, Handsome! Having healthy, clear skin is no more exclusive solely to women, as men too have begun showing an interest in looking after their face and appearing unblemished and spotfree, no matter the occasion! Thanks to the availability of specialised centres and the presence of many simple ways to take care of skin, men can now incorporate simple skin care routines into their life without affecting any of their daily activities! Dr. Amal Alhinai, Senior Consultant of Dermatology and Cosmetology at the Muscat Dermatology & Laser Center has put together a set of pointers as an advice to all men seeking a clear, healthy complexion every day. Invest in the appropriate kind of facial wash, designed exclusively for men. Identify your skin type – oily, dry, combination – and select the wash accordingly. Always use sunscreen! Again, select this based on the nature of your skin. Sunscreen is a must if you expose yourself to the sun a lot. Choose the right moisturiser, especially if your skin is dry. Talk to your pharmacist or dermatologist to guide you in selecting the most appropriate one. In case you suffer from pimples it is best to seek early advice from a specialist in order to receive appropriate treatment. Try not to manipulate your pimples as this can result in pigmentation/scarring. If your skin complexion is uneven or you suffer from dark spots, consult with your dermatologist to invest in special whitening creams and/or chemical peels.

In order to get rid of unwanted hair, the Muscat Dermatology & Laser Center recommends using its laser hair removal technique to save time from repeated shaving sessions. Get the perfect beard borders and make the back of your hairline and neck hair-free and handsome for a long time! Or if you’d like to get rid of excessive body hair, you can opt for the same laser technique for optimal results.

Wrinkles can result in a low self-conﬁdence and embarrassment, and so the Muscat Dermatology & Laser Center recommends Botox injections by an experienced dermatologist.

It’s very important to have regular facial cleansing sessions to get rid of black/white heads and an overall shiny appearance. The Muscat Dermatology & Laser Center recommends sessions of Crystal Derma Abrasion to maintain the fresh look of your skin.

Derma Rollers and Fractional Laser can help in improving the texture of skin, especially if you suﬀer from deep scars or open pores.

To maintain the healthy appearance of your skin, special chemical peels or platelets rich plasma injections along with other rejuvenation techniques can be used as directed by your dermatologist.

Botox injections can also assist in getting rid of excessive body/sweat odour from the armpits or palms for several months at time!

Last but not the least, achieving healthy skin is a continuous process of care using the right methods. Avail of the best ways to look after your skin by taking appropriate advice from any specialized dermatology/ cosmetology centre.

Muscat: Azaiba, Sahwa Towers, Next to Bank Muscat entrance ( 24527099 - 24527126 Barka: Al-Farsy Complex, Next to Mars Hypermarket ( 26883450 - 26883416 Salalah: New Salalah, Al-Baz commercial Center, Opposite Sultan Qaboos Mosque, 2nd floor ( 23369169

www.muscatderma.com Email: muscatdermatology@gmail.com

‫ﻣﺮﻛﺰ ﻣﺴﻘﻂ ﻟ ﻣﺮاض اﻟﺠﻠﺪﻳﺔ واﻟﻌﻼج ﺑﺎﻟﻠﻴﺰر‬

Muscat Dermatology & Laser Center

muscatderma muscatderma @muscatdermato muscatdermatology@gmail.com www.muscatderma.com

Tel : 93260704. Email: dimple.mankani@dimplecouture.com

Ms. Dimple Mankani Owner, Dimple Couture

Tel : 93260704. Email: dimple.mankani@dimplecouture.com

The New Laura Mercier Face Illuminators The Collection Seduction Devotion Addiction Indiscretion

Crave the runway glow?

Look no further than the new Laura Mercier Face Illuminators! A collection to truly illume your senses, the new illuminator is a beautiful face illuminating hybrid product, perfect for highlighting. Its unique lightweight formula features high pearl levels to provide buildable long-wearing colour for an ethereal glow and silken texture that complements all skin tones

Laura Mercier collections are available in: ABU DHABI : Areej Store, Al Wahda Mall; Areej Store, Marina Mall; Al AIN : Areej Store, Al Jimi Shopping Centre; DUBAI : Areej Store, Mall of the Emirates; Harvey Nichols Dubai, Mall of the Emirates; Bloomingdale’s – Dubai, The Dubai Mall; UAE, Oman, Kuwait; Other selected retailers

www.lauramercier.com

partnered with celebrity makeup artists Pati Dubroff and Jenn Streicher to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary in commemoration of its distinct artistic vision. Laura’s passion continues to inspire makeup artists across the globe, making the brand’s 20th anniversary the perfect moment for partnering with Dubroff and Streicher.

Laura. ‘I am so excited for them to express our brand through their artistry.’

makeup artist whose clients include the likes of Emily Blunt and Claire Danes.

Dubroff creates classic, yet distinguished looks that have graced the pages of toptier publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Allure, while Streicher is a seasoned editorial and red carpet

‘I am honoured to be joining Laura Mercier and her team’, said Streicher. ‘I have always admired her philosophy of making women look as beautiful as possible while making them look like themselves.’

Jenn Streicher

‘We chose Dubroff and Streicher because we think their aesthetic is beautifully on-brand and we applaud their artistic talents’, said

Laura Mercier partners with Pati Dubroff and Jenn Streicher for 20th Anniversary

Pati Dubroff

Cosmetics giant Laura Mercier has

The New Tea Menthe Citron Collection

by Laura Mercier

Inspired by the Moroccan leisure of tea-time, Laura Mercierʼs new Tea Menthe Citron Collection captures the freshness of hand-picked mint and earthy tea leaves, perfectly balanced to leave behind a refreshing sensation for the body and senses in an olfactory pyramid that opens at the top with spearmint, lemon and cardamom, indulges with orange flower, mate and almond, and closes at its depth with cedar wood, sandalwood, skin musks and brown sugar.

The Tea Menthe Citron Collection encompasses the Tea Menthe Citron Crème Body Cleanse cleanser, the TeaMenthe Citron Gel Body Moisture moisturiser, and the Tea Menthe Citron Eau de Toilette. Laura Mercier collections are available in: ABU DHABI : Areej Store, Al Wahda Mall; Areej Store, Marina Mall; Al AIN : Areej Store, Al Jimi Shopping Centre; DUBAI : Areej Store, Mall of the Emirates; Harvey Nichols Dubai, Mall of the Emirates; Bloomingdale’s – Dubai, The Dubai Mall UAE, Oman, Kuwait; Other selected retailers

Summer

2016 Colour Story

Relax and enjoy this cocktail collection of easy, effortless essentials perfect for the end of a warm summer’s day at the beach. Beautifully bronzed and salty from the fresh ocean air, your skin is ready for the ripe, juicy colour-washes of Cocktails Á St. Tropez by Laura Mercier for a look that is glowing, healthy and spirited!

Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Bronze 01 Colour Dots Lip & Cheek Sheers to add a dewy ﬂush of colour across lips and cheeks in Sangria, Fruit Punch, and Tequila Sunrise

Baked Blush Illuminé in Rosé to highlight and accentuate your cheekbones

Laura Mercier collections are available in:

Bronzed Butter Face & Body Veil in Gold Lust

ABU DHABI : Areej Store, Al Wahda Mall; Areej Store, Marina Mall; Al AIN : Areej Store, Al Jimi Shopping Centre; DUBAI : Areej Store, Mall of the Emirates; Harvey Nichols Dubai, Mall of the Emirates; Bloomingdale’s – Dubai, The Dubai Mall UAE, Oman, Kuwait; Other selected retailers

Diptyque Do Son Collection D

iptyque has introduced its enigmatic new Do Son collection, a fragrance set flush with contrasts and freshness. Breathing the heady, full-bodied scent of the majestic tuberose, the scent radiates an Indian variation, chosen for its bright green, spicy facets to infuse a fresh, natural plant aura throughout the range. Enigmatic and dizzyingly captivating, the heady flower emanates a narcotic sensuality, completing the Do Son collection in a new ritual of fragrance and wellbeing.

The Collection

Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, Solid Perfume, Roll-on Oil Perfume Candles, Home Fragrance Spray Shower Oil, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Fragrant Soap

Diptyqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Do Son Collection is available at: Dubai Diptyque Boutique, The Dubai Mall, Bloomingdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dubai Harvey Nichols Dubai, Abu Dhabi Areej, Marina Mall www.diptyqueparis.com

An explosion of colour, creativity and fearless self-expression. Illamasquaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirited new collection celebrates the diverse ways of expressing our individuality by being bright, bold and fearless while conjuring feelings of fun, freedom and unity.

DOLLY LASHES

Handmade and cruelty free, Illamasqua False Eye Lashes are the go to for adding subtle volume and length to your natural lashes.

The Illamasqua festival spirit lives in your heart, whether its full body paint Woodstock craziness, or a Coachella princess basking in the Californian sunshine. Hypnotica is a carnival of colour that binds the brightest pigments, psychedelic hues and slick textures with a playful festival spirit.

SLICK STICK

A colour intense, retractable lip crayon that creates longlasting definition.

LIPS

Colour intense, marbled lipstick designed with a unique recipe developed from our highly pigmented Lipstick shades.

www.illamasqua.com 80

SKETCH STICKS

A multi-use crayon with powerful pigment pay off.

llamasqua has always stood firm on its core principles in the beauty industry and wider world, with one of its fundamental values being a strong stance on animal testing. In recognition of this commitment, Illamasqua is proud to announce the ‘Cruelty Free Brand’ accreditation from PETA, the largest animal rights group in the world! Producing high quality makeup products that push creative boundaries while respecting the world and its ecosystem has enabled

Illamasqua’s diligence to be recognised by PETA, a feather in the cap of the brand that celebrates diversity in both nature and beauty. Indeed, Illamasqua continues to challenge the status quo and speak on matters that affect human fundamentals, while also promoting a cruelty free lifestyle and encouraging other beauty brands to follow in its footsteps. For more information on the Brand’s Beauty not Brutality campaign www.illamasqua.com.

Wear Vintage,

Wear Vanitas

llamasqua has launched Vanitas, an exclusive makeup collection

inspired by the dark romance of 17th century still life painting. Washed-out rose blended with heavy purples and burnt warm browns

Matte Lipstick Shades

mingle together to create a stunning pairing of both delicate and

Wanton, Resist, Born,

dramatic makeup looks in this limited edition range that will have

Shard, and Moth

heads turning. Dipped in rose gold, this capsule collection includes a neutral eyeshadow palette alongside a selection of romantic matte lipstick shades.

Rose Gold Palette Shades Slink, Stealth, Servant, Vernau, Bronx, Tango, Forgiveness, Wolf, Fist, and Rim

The Vanitas Rose Gold Palette and Matte Lipsticks will be available from August 25, 2016 in: Abu Dhabi: Areej, Al Wahda Mall, Areej, Marina Mall; Other selected retailers; Al Ain: Areej Store, Al Jimi Shopping Center; Dubai: Illamasqua Boutique, The Dubai Mall; Areej, Mall of the Emirates; Areej, City Center Mirdif; Bloomingdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dubai, The Dubai Mall

While popular Hollywood movies may have most you grooms convinced that marriage is nothing short of an effortless transition into a new chapter of your life, ground reality may slightly differ. Marriages aren’t a sprint through the park; they are instead an ultramarathon, a marathon of your life that if embarked on the right way can pave the road for a successful, healthy and rewarding relationship with your signiﬁcant other. As a novel endeavour, Bride & Groom asked 7 seasoned husbands in the country their secret to a happy and fulﬁlling marriage to give you and your bride the right pointers to begin your joint journey on the right footing! Enjoy.

‘

l u a H g n o L e h T m o r f e c i Adv enced i r e p x E ! s d n a b Hus

Repeat to yourself: I shall put the other person ﬁrst, and then repeat it again!’

says Osama who’s been married since 1987. ‘Regardless of any situation, putting your spouse before yourself is one of the ﬁrst steps in ensuring the building of a strong bond. It has to be wreciprocated of course for your relationship to develop into a lasting one!’

‘

Compliment her!’

says Farooq who tied the knot in 1991. ‘This does not mean merely commenting on your spouse’s appearance, but making them feel appreciated. Random gestures like bringing in ﬂowers or a box of chocolates, or even whipping up their favourite coffee while they’re busy makes all the difference. Small gestures mean everything.’

‘

Everyone loves surprises’,

comments Roshan who got married in 1991. ‘Your spouse may not expect it from you to keep planning surprises, but it should be your duty to gift them that! My personal favourite is taking my wife back to the same spot where we ﬁrst met and reliving our favourite memories. I’ve found out that this makes our bond stronger.’

‘

Mutually agree to disagree and develop a set of core values that you share solely between yourselves’,

says Mark, married since 1989. ‘This means that no matter what situation arises, you and your spouse are on the same page and decide on the same methods to tackle any problem. Your interests and views may clash, but realise that you wanting to arrive at a consensus is what strengthens the relationship.’

‘

Compromising is everything’,

adds Abdullah who got married in 2001. ‘I’ve found out that it is compromising on the little everyday things that really matters. Compromising should never be done as chore or a last resort; rather make sure your signiﬁcant other knows that you genuinely care and are supportive of their wishes.’

‘

I have two words for you: forgive and forget’,

says Khalid, married since 2000. ‘Always be willing to forgive and forget easily. There are days where my wife may do something that bothers me, but I realise then that she probably has more to do on her ‘list’ than I have on mine. Do share your concerns with your spouse regarding what bothers you, but be willing to move on from it quickly.’

‘

Always give than you get’,

comments Ismail. ‘I got married in 1998 and till date I have made sure that my wife wasn’t giving me more than I was giving her. She knows this of course! The best part is the affection and care you receive in return and the mutual happiness that arises. Share in your partner’s successes and failures; trust me it goes a long way!’ Names have been changed on request

Signature s

id she from

PALAK CHHOLAY RECIPE INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • •

Chickpeas soaked and boiled 2 cups Spinach roughly chopped 1 medium bunch Ghee 1 tablespoon Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon Coriander seeds 1 teaspoon Onion diced 1 large Ginger choppped 1 inch piece Sea salt to taste Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon Green chilli silt 1 Juice of lemon 1

METHOD Heat ghee in a non stick pan, add cumin seeds, coriander seeds and onion and sauté till onion is lightly browned. Add ginger, spinach leaves, salt and turmeric powder and mix well. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Add chana, ½ cup water and green chilli. Mix well and add lemon juice. Mix well and cook till dry. Serve hot.

Serve immediately.

Trained under Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Chef Manoj Radi is a name that epitomizes quality and high standard in the ﬁeld of authentic Indian cooking. Chef Manoj shares with B&G readers a series of recipes of TYC signature dishes which are ideal for weddings and other special occasions.

www.mazayaoman.com

Chef Manoj Radi Head Chef - The Yellow Chilli

LAL MURGH RECIPE INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chicken cut into 12 pieces 800 grams Salt to taste Garlic paste 1 tablespoon Ginger paste 1 tablespoon Red chilli paste 1 tablespoon Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon Chaat masala 1 tablespoon Egg beaten 1 Refined flour (maida) 2 tablespoons Corn flakes 3 tablespoons Lemon juice 2 tablespoons Oil 3 tablespoon Red Button Chillies 1 cup

METHOD Place the chicken pieces in a bowl, add salt, garlic paste, ginger paste, red chilli paste, garam masala powder, half of the chaat masala, egg and refined flour and mix. Crush cornflakes and add. Add lemon juice and mix Heat three tablespoons oil in a kadai. Add red button chillies and sauté for a minute. Strain the extra oil and place the chillies in a bowl. Heat sufficient oil in a kadai and deep fry the chicken pieces till crisp. Drain and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle the remaining chaat masala and mix. Place them on a serving plate, cover them with the fried chillies and serve immediately.

Serve immediately.

LaMer : A True Casual

Dining Delight Having recently been stationed under Al Jarwani Hospitality, LaMer stands as a unique concept to mark the launch of a distinct and sophisticated casual dining experience on the grounds of Bait Al Reem, one of the Sultanate’s most prestigious business centres and Muscat’s very own Ministries quarter! Though its name literally translates into meaning ‘the sea’, LaMer specialises in an inspiring fusion of Mediterranean and Arab cookery alongside (locally sourced) seafood delicacies, and also expedites in an exclusive business lunch and set

dinner menu. Moreover, the restaurant also offers pleasing live entertainment for guests to revel in while enjoying the superb food creations exiting the restaurant’s kitchen! Bride & Groom met with LaMer’s Executive Chef Adel Ali Ahmed to learn more about the restaurant, its distinctive flavour style, the services it proffers its clientele, and its catering facilities for grand occasions, as well as to sneak in a peek at the stunning décor and exceptional timber, stone and patterned wall interiors! Delve in to find out more!

Let us start with a background of yourself for our readers! Of course! I am the Head Chef at LaMer, and have been a part of it since its inception. Prior to joining LaMer I worked at a number of internationally reputed hotels in the Middle East such as the Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons and Crowne Plaza in Jordan, and Shangri-La and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Incidentally I was a part of both the Grand Hyatt and Four Seasons hotels in Jordan at the time they were newly launched in the country as well! LaMer initially opened in Qurum. Yes. LaMer opened its very ﬁrst outlet on the Shatti al Qurum beach road, before expanding and taking over Café Barbara here at Bait Al Reem.

Our new Shatti al Qurum branch is the LaMer café, which was inaugurated after the launch of the LaMer casual dining restaurant here at Bait Al Reem! It’s a delight like no other when you know you have been a part of something right from its inception and see where it stands today! We’re told you specialise in Mediterranean delicacies. Completely! Our menu is designed and executed as per our understanding of our clients’ tastes and demands. Being situated in a prestigious business centre acquaints you with numerous nationalities, and the demand for Mediterranean food is the highest. We are also planning to include Indian delicacies in the future to expand our diversity and be able to cater to a wider audience. What would you say makes LaMer stand out from other competitors? Our exceedingly high standards and our ability to maintain them! We maintain the utmost level of quality when it comes to the food we cook and serve; ensuring the most optimum eating experience for our clients is our number one priority.

“

..... It’s a delight like no other when you know you have been a part of something right from its inception and see where it stands today!

All of our meats and fish are 100% fresh and of superior quality, as are our herbs and vegetables. Moreover we utilise locally sourced Omani seafood to prepare our seafood specialities! Our staff is fully trained and skilled as per the requirements of the catering and hospitality industry. Being now under the management of Al Jarwani, your outdoor catering services will receive an added support! Absolutely. As you are aware, Al Jarwani Hospitality is one of Oman’s leading hospitality companies and it is a great honour for us to be a part of its reputed vertical, The Catering Partner. Now that we are under their management, our capacity to cater has increased, thus catering for any event will become an easier exercise. We already handle all kinds of outdoor caterings. Earlier we were limited to catering for only business and family events, but now thanks to the Al Jarwani umbrella, we can handle grander functions! I am proud to say that we can cater for any size of wedding, anywhere in Oman! And do you provide other related services when it comes to catering for weddings? Certainly. We offer cutlery, crockery, seating accommodations and linen as per the demands of our clients for any event, as 90

well as a full service staﬀ. We are very able to provide all kinds of support services in addition to the catering, whether the event be a small scale family gathering, or a large scale wedding celebration! To round oﬀ, what other events can LaMer cater to? As I said before, any type of corporate event, business event, family event (big, small, intimate or celebratory, theme parties, outdoor events; anything! Name it and you have it. We can also cater for children’s parties!

For table bookings and outdoor catering Call: 24699545 / 95724272 Timing: 8:00am - 11:00pm | www.lamer-muscat.com

Conversations to have before

Tying the

to have before

Knot

oomunication, and the right kind, is the integral part of forging a new relationship, or maintaining an old one. Friendships, family ties, professional acquaintances and even daily niceties shared with your newspaper delivery boy are all based on this inherent ethos of happiness and wellbeing. More so when it comes to something as intimate, personal and life bound as marriage!

You could have enrolled in premarital counselling without telling your folks, or surely rented a number of marital guidance books, but the crux of the matter remains that discussing some of the most important (and sometimes sensitive) issues dear to you with your soon to be spouse is the surest and fail proof way of avoiding unnecessary frictions after youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tied the knot.

We talked to a few marital therapists to ascertain the subjects you should always clear up before taking to the aisle, so consider these 5 expert pointers as a guide to counsel yourselves. Meet up at a cafĂŠ or talk these through during an evening stroll; just remember, do not brush these under the carpet because unspoken matters have the bad habit of rearing their (usually ugly!) head in the future. 91

Talk about

Children

If you already haven’t, this is a good time to do so! Talking about having children should not be limited solely to when you want to start a family or how many new members you’d like; au contraire, most couples only decide on the number of children after they’ve had their ﬁrst child. This issue is not as much a priority as other related facets, such as being open to adoption (if the need arises), disciplining the children and rewarding them for good behaviour. It may sound a tad too trivial, but believe us when we say it out of experience that such issues can become quite a drag in the future and the cause of many avoidable ﬁghts between you and your spouse.

Talk about

Finances

Money has been defamed as the root of all evil, and it surely becomes one of the most hotly contested topics amongst couples if not cleared up beforehand. Make it a point to fully explain your financial situation and background, your outstanding loans/debts (if any), and if you want to invest in a joint account or keep your separate accounts. Talk about what account will be used for household expenses, and come up with a financial plan to help you through your early marital days (refer to our article on Managing your Money as Newlyweds in our previous issue). If one of you is a saver and the other is a spender, choose amounts to set aside for the future and for personal spending that you’ll both be satisfied with.

Discuss your

Careers

If one of you has a demanding job where you’re spending at least 12 of your waking hours in the ofﬁce, this could become a major issue in your marriage, especially in the earlier stages. No spouse likes to be kept waiting at home, so before you jump in to tie the knot, inform your partner of your work schedule and how best you’re looking to manage it; you might be surprised at how accommodating your spouse can be when he/she is entrusted with your career plan. Moreover ﬁnancial stability is a must for most newlyweds, so make sure to reassure one another that trading off a few hours now is all in the best interest of your happy future.

Talk about

Morals and Values We all have our morals and values passed on to us from our families, and we all have our own set of individual beliefs, but these can be radically different from our spouse’s. They may not seem a big deal, but morals and values more often than not become the subject of ﬁghts and arguments, especially if one of you is more principle-centred than the other. Add children into the equation and disagreements based on the values you think are best for raising them could come to a clash with your partner believes in. Set aside an hour or so to freely talk about one another’s views, beliefs and ideals so that you can learn to accommodate to them in time.

Talk about

Handling Fights Arguments and quarrels are inevitable and are also the sign of a healthy relationship sometimes (honestly, if neither of you ever fight, then that is a sure symptom that something is wrong!); it is how you deal with them that matters the most. Try to understand each other’s way of handling conflicts and make sure to differentiate between what is acceptable and what is off-limits. It is alright to disagree on who will do how many chores around the house or fetch the children from school; these can be easily handled if you keep your communication open, no matter what. Turning silent is a recipe for disaster, so try to avoid it after a fight as much as you can; instead focus more on bringing things to normal again. 93

Forget the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary! The 4Men Salon & Spa offers not just the basics of grooming for all you men out there, but an array of services that will have you looking and feeling spruced up and spiffy! Enter at your leisure for a cut, hair colour rejuvenation, a full service shave or a relaxing indulgence in the 4Men spa services. It’s just that little bit of extra confidence you need that comes with looking your best, and the 4Men Salon & Spa offers you just that! Visit the spa at the Jasmine Mall in Al Khuwair, or call 94776092 to book an appointment at the earliest.

Pamper Yourself at the 4Men Salon & Spa! Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah’s innovative perfume house The Fragrance Kitchen (TFK) Sheikh Majed’s grandmother has also influenced TFK’s direction because, at the Launches in the UAE heart of its scents, are rare ingredients, indigenous to the Gulf Region, from which Exclusively at Bloomingdale’s-Dubai Bloomingdale’s-Dubai invites you to experience the art of fragrance with Sheikh Majed AI-Sabah’s innovative perfume house, The Fragrance Kitchen (TFK). Inspired by his ‘East meets West’ philosophy, Sheikh Majed has conceived TFK’s scent collections by uniting traditional aspects of Middle Eastern perfumery with the unrivaled expertise of a laboratory in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital. “My grandmother taught me how to mix oils from the souk and source precious ingredients from India,” explains Sheikh Majed. Centuries-old family perfume recipes, he adds, “are closely guarded secrets” among Middle Eastern families and “handed down through generations. I have hundreds.” 94

she has always created her own perfume at home and also taught him to do so. “If TFK is to be in Dubai, Bloomingdale’s is THE PLACE to be!” exclaims Sheikh Majed. TFK’s shop-in-shop can now be found in the UAE, exclusively in the newly re-launched Fragrance Hall at Bloomingdale’s-Dubai, The Dubai Mall.

aise a golden-roast marshmallow this fall as a toast to luxurious adventure inspired accessories and camp essentials brought to you exclusively by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons! With a checklist of products to help adventure lovers of both sexes get packed and ready this fall for new expeditions, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons present a display of adventure must-haves, including Q Display smartwatches and Poptastic timepieces for him and her, along with season spanning favourites such as high quality backpacks, saddlebags, and take-everywhere bifolds. Curious? Join their expedition, where function meets fashion and soaking up the outdoors is always in. Let the Fossil adventures begin!

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L I S S O CAMP F ! 2016

Discover

Oman

Common perception reads that the possibilities of planning a summer holiday in the Middle East are, for lack of a better word, slightly remote due to the scorching heat and high temperat�res! Whether it is a personal vacation you are intending to embark on, or a romantic honey�oon with your sig�iﬁcant other, you (like most other people!) could end up spending a considerable amount of time nit-picking destinations outside the Gulf Cooperation Council count�ies, rather than one within them. This need not be the case, however, thanks to t�o precious summer destination gems t�cked away in the conﬁnes of the GCC’s easter� most count��, Oman, where the ambush of the Arabian summer t�r�s t�anquil and leisurely, and yes, even chilly as we’re told! Say hello to honey�ooning and holidaying in mist� Salalah and spectacular Jebel al Akhdar! Indeed, the Omani gover�ment has worked fast and hard to ex�and the tourism scene of both these beautif�l locations to the world and thus spectacular lux�r� proper�ies, lavish resor�s and indulgent hotels have opened their doors to visitors, honey�ooners and vacationers alike! Bride & Groom has nar�ated the distinct feat�res of both Salalah and Jebel al Akhdar below for your pleasure, as well as enlisted a number of reputed hotels for you to book your stay in once you decide to spend your summer in Oman, a count�� where mountains meet the sea, and rains g�eet the peaks! Read on and enjoy, and do let us know your feedback at info@brideandg�oomoman.com. 96

thisSummer

he southern Omani governorate of Dhofar is home to the lush

wilayat of Salalah, a colourful subtropical city that owes much of its character to its cultural East African history and the world famous Khareef season! About two hours away from the United Arab Emirates by flight, this charming city is fondly called

Salalah, Dhofar

The Switzerland of Oman ,and for good reason. Graced

monsoonal

showers

over a period of four months in the summer (known as Khareef), Salalah’s temperatures dip as low as 25° Celsius, thanks to continual light drizzles that cool the air. This time also marks the annual Khareef Festival or the Salalah Tourism Festival to celebrate the monsoon and highlight the city’s unique tradition and heritage. Adding to its scenic beauty are the Khawrs of the Salalah Coast Reserve, a group of eight natural reserves consisting of stunning blue lagoons along the city’s coastline that is also home to spectacular beaches such as the popular Al Mughsail Beach and the adventurous Salalah Beach, where water sports, snorkelling and dolphin watching are held with much gusto!

Note: Salalah is accessible via a 12-hour road journey from Muscat or a short 1h30m flight from the Muscat International Airport, and a 1h55m flight from Dubai.

ising as a grand spectacle of rocky slopes and

loved one can spend personal time enjoying the serenity of

barren ridges (which could cause some confusion

this scenic mountain range.

due to its name meaning Green Mountain) is the spectacular peak of Jebel al Akhdar in the A’Dakhiliyah Governorate of Oman. With a temperature that is up to 20 degrees cooler than that on land, Jebel al Akhdar runs almost 300 kilometres inland from the picturesque Gulf of Oman coast, making for famous scenic wonders, the most magnificent of which is

If you love flowers and watching them being cultivated, B&G recommends taking a saunter through the world famous Omani Damask Rose gardens of Jebel al Akhdar.

Jebel al Shams (Mountain of the Sun)! Used to make Omani rose water and possessing incredible Standing at an imposing height of 3000 metres, Jebel al Shams

medicinal properties, we’re told that there is nothing quite

meets Jebel al Akhdar as a popular sightseeing area less than

like them! Pick a few for your partner as a memento of your

240 kilometres from Muscat and about 420 kilometres from

time together at this wonderful peak.

Dubai, where temperatures in the summer plummet to a frosty 20° Celsius. With its peaks accessible only via 4WD vehicles, Jebel al Akhdar’s charming loops and winding roads open to the breath taking Saiq Plateau, a hidden paradise full of gardens, vegetation, and romantic orchards that are secreted from view among the mazes of flowing wadis and terraces. Each terrace opens up to another, finally ending with the Jebel al Shams peak, close to which lies the infamous An ’Nakhar Balcony, a deep ravine with chiselled formations that are best viewed from atop the rocks! Moreover, tourist guest houses have been built where you and your

Jebel al Akhdar, A’Dakhiliyah Note: Jebel al Akhdar is best accessed via a direct 2-hour road journey from the Muscat International Airport.

elight in utter indulgence at the Juweira Boutique

greet the palette and the eye alike when entering the room,

Hotel where romance is the all-say for newlyweds

as does a delectable honeymooners’ cake, presented as a

looking to escape into the amorous, misty wonders of

congratulatory gesture on behalf of the hotel. And if that

incredible Salalah. From specially discounted candlelit dinners

wasn’t all, Juweira also provides complimentary upgrades

and daily breakfasts in bed to rebated pampering massages,

to the Marina Suite or its lavish single bedroom apartments,

Juweira’s three day honeymooner package is the ideal choice

subject of course, to hotel availability.

for couples seeking a private recluse on the shores of the idyllic Salalah Beach, where nestled is the luxurious property

An itinerary that carouses the magic of love, the Juweira

of the Juweira Boutique Hotel!

Boutique Hotel is an irrefutably luxurious getaway for all honeymooners looking to savour the taste of Salalah’s beauty.

Indeed, Juweira understands that time has no beginning

For further information about the package and booking

and no end in the celebration of love, and therefore early

details, please direct all queries to the contact below.

check-ins and late check-outs (till 1800 hours) become the norm. Handpicked fresh fruits and gorgeous flower bouquets

Juweira Boutique Hotel +968-23239600 | info@juweirahotel.com

Experience Juweira!

waken your senses, uplift your spirit and discover the heavenly Arabian escape of the Fanar Hotel & Residences with your significant other through the hotel’s unsurpassably romantic three day honeymooners’ package! Celebrating and uniting the emotions of love and romance in an atmosphere of utter quintessence, Fanar stands proud on an eight kilometre long stretch of golden, sandy shore in the land of mystic frankincense, proud heritage and astonishing scenic beauty: Salalah. Indulge in this lush majestic haven that offers not only beautifully amorous dinners and soothing massages at discounted rates, but delectably satisfying daily breakfasts in bed for you and your partner to delight in while cherishing one another’s company. Avail of the complimentary honeymooners’ cake, offered as a signatory of the hotel’s best wishes to you and your spouse, and treat your eyes to fruit baskets and charming bouquets of fresh flowers centred in your room upon arrival!

The Ideal Honeymoon with Fanar If you get lucky, you could get upgraded to a gorgeous deluxe room that opens out onto a tranquil view of the ocean! Moreover, with the Fanar honeymooners’ package you’re free to check in early and check out as late as you like (till 1800 hours)! What are you waiting for? Jump head first into a world of honeymooning possibilities and adventures in beautiful Salalah through the luxurious Fanar Hotel & Residences today. For further information and booking details, direct all queries to the contact below. Fanar Hotel & Residences +968 23276800 | info@alfanarhotel.com

100

The View

Treat yourself to an experience of a lifetime at The View, Hail al Shas. Situated 1400 metres above sea level, The View is strategically located just over a couple hours’ drive from Muscat, and a mere fifteen minutes from Nizwa! A perfect getaway with 30 exclusive rooms, the hotel isn’t just an Eco Luxe retreat, but an experience where nature holds pride of place. Visitors are encouraged to take part in The View’s adventurous trekking expeditions and excursions towards Jebel al Shams, the highest peak of Jebel al Akhdar!

www.theviewoman.com + 968 24400873 reservations@theviewoman.com

Nestled amongst the stunning peaks of Jebel al Akhdar, Alila stands as a deluxe destination resort for all you honeymooners seeking a 5-star home-away-from-home experience! Contemporary in design but astonishingly devout to the local culture and heritage, the hotel provides spectacular views of one of Oman’s most remarkable areas to delight in with your significant other. Book your stay today for an experience as magical as it is unforgettable and benefit from the specially designed _Alila Experiences_ to make memories that last a lifetime.

Alila, Jebel Al Akhdar www.alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar | Email: jabalakhdar@alilahotels.com

101

Salalah Rotana Resort

Book your honeymoon stay at the luxurious Salalah Rotana Resort, situated on the shoreline of the Salalah Beach! Only 20 kilometres from the Salalah Airport, each of the Salalah Rotana Resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxury rooms and suites are located directly on unique lagoons to immerse you in an experience that is lavish as it is unforgettable. With a promise of treasured time, the resort truly provides five-star opulence synonymous with the Rotana brand, infused with traditional Omani hospitality to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning guest.

www.rotana.com/salalahrotanaresort

102

contacts Company

Page

Company

Page

4men Salon & Spa - 94776092

Khimji Ramdas Watches - 24699173

Al Murjan Hall - 92043278

68, 69

La Petite Maison (Dubai) - +971 4 439 0505

Alila Jabal Akhtar - www.alilahotels.com

101

Lamer - 24699545

88-90

Amouage - 24560533

Lamis - 22006003

32, 33, 34, 35

Areej - 24558752

Laura Mercier - www.lauramercier.com

76, 77, 78

Al Jarwani Hospitality - 80050044

Book Mark

Le Petite Paris - 24553572

Ask Ms. B (Whispers of Serenity) - 24614268

55,56

Lifestyle Jewelry +971 44293166

Audemars Piguet - www.audemarspiguet.com

Mazaya Oman - www.mazayaoman.com

8,9

Bath & Body Works www.bathandbodyworks.com

Millennium Resort Mussanah - 26871595

Bloomingdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-Dubai

Muscat Dermatology Centre - 24527099

70,71

Bose (OHI Electronics) - 24470497

Muscat Pharmacy - 24600138

Inside Front

Camp Fossil - www.seddiqi.com

My Bomberg - www.bomberg.ch

Christophe Claret ( Mecca & Layla) www.seddiqi.com

60, 61

Oman Bride Show - 91390800

Costa Coffee - www.costa.co.uk

104

Omega - www.omegawatches.com

Destination Wedding

45-51

The New Diptyque - www.diptyqueparis.com

Dimple Couture - 93697507

72-75

Pomellato - www.pomellato.com

Emporio Armani Watches & Jewelry www.armani.com

62, 63

Rado - www.rado.com

Fanar Hotel & Residences - 23276800

100

Sadolin Paints - 24446218

Salalah Rotana Resort - 23275799

102

18,19

Shoe Palace - 24562571

24, 25, 26 Inside Front

Home Centre - www.homecentrestores.com

Sifawy Boutique Hotel - 24749111

Hormuz Grand - 24360662

Back Cover

The View Oman - www.theviewoman.com

101

I Spa - 24360662

The Yellow Chilli - www.mazayaoman.com

86,87

Illamasqua - www.illamasqua.com

17, 80, 81, 82

Tissot - www.tissotwatches.com

Juweira Boutique Hotel - 23239600

Zahrat Al Rose - 24486431

Ford (Arabian Car Marketing Co. LLC) www.fordoman.com GMC (Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co LLC) - 22080800

103

It’s Your Day... It’s Your Choice

Shoe Palace is the main center for all footwear and leather accessories in the Sultanate of Oman offering latest designs while granting maximum quality products in both Arabic and international styles.

Men’s Sandals & Shoes

Shoes & Sandals

Briefcase & Leather Acc.

Shoes & Sandals

Slippers & Sandals

Medicated Sandals & Shoes

Men’s Sandals & Shoes

Men’s Shoes

Established 1880

Qurum - Sabco Commercial Centre: 24562571, Markaz al Bahja: 24558689, Bareeq Al Shati: 24605594, Al Hail: 24551237, Seeb - Corniche Mall: 24424798, Al Khoudh: 24541561, Sohar - Safeer Mall: 26853024, Salalah - Garden Mall: 23202678, Mawaleh - Al Rowdha Boulevard: 24187038, Al Khuwair Rawasco R/A - Al Hikma Buidling, Building No. 1999, Tel - 24486296 Email: goldenm@omantel.net.om, www.shoepalaceoman.com