Issue 16

Issue 16 / October 2013

from Kuwait to the world!

OCCASIONS

The Monthly Key to Your City

Where to find us?

info@thecitym.com @thecitymagazine @thecitymags theCity Magazine

Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa

Al Raya Mall

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www.thecitym.com

‫ا‬

‫وز‬

‫ﺔ‬

‫ﺟﻴ‬

‫رة اﻟ ﺨ ﺎر‬

99 KUWAITI EMBASSIES WORLDWIDE

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‫قرائنا األعزاء‬ ‫في البداية أود أن أشكر كل من دعانا ألي من المناسبات على الدعوة‬ ‫الكريمة و نحن عائلة ذاسيتي يسعدنا مشاركتكم في كل مناسباتكم و‬ ‫نتمنى أن تدوم األفراح في بلدنا الحبيب الكويت و الخليج و الوطن العربي‬ ‫و في عددنا هذا عدد شهر أكتوبر عدد المناسبات عملنا بجهد و حب كبير‬ ‫لنجمع لكم باقة من المميزين اللذين بإمكانهم إضافة لماستهم الرائعة‬ ‫لمنسباتكم إبتداء من منسقة المناسبات نوف حسين و مصممة األزياء‬ ‫الرائعة شروق سالمين والمبدعة نور الرشيد البدر والمصورة السعودية‬ ‫العالمية تسنيم السلطان و بروزنا عملنا بقصة الكعك األسطورية مع‬ ‫نوف العسكري و ألننا نسعى للتميز لم نكتفي بما سبق بل هناك الكثير‬ ‫من المفاجآت و ما هو جديد و بالطبع مقاالتنا و صفحاتنا الشهرية اللتي‬ ‫يقدمونها لنا عائلتنا عائلة مجلتكم ذا سيتي‪.‬‬ ‫أتمنى أن تستمتعوا برحلتكم مع صفحات هذا العدد و دامت مناسبتكم‬ ‫عامرة ‪.‬‬

‫‪Dearest readers,‬‬ ‫‪What defines an occasion in your mind? A wedding? A birthday‬‬ ‫‪party? This month in theCITY we want to re-imagine all that it‬‬ ‫‪means to celebrate, to enjoy, and to cherish unforgettable mo‬‬‫‪ments in our everyday lives. In the October issue we've brought‬‬ ‫‪you, as always, in-depth, insightful features and monthly pages‬‬ ‫‪that bring out the best in Kuwaiti talents and ambitions. We've‬‬ ‫‪featured the always impeccable, never predictable event plan‬‬‫‪ner Noaf Hussein along with a host of other strong, vibrant ad‬‬‫‪ditions that we hope will convey all the pomp and circumstance‬‬ ‫‪of this season's brightest occasions.‬‬

‫‪Sincerely,‬‬ ‫لنا الرشيد‬

‫‪Khaled Al-Qahtani‬‬

Burj Jassim Al-Soor St. Mezzanine

+ 965 2296 0666

@lavickakw

MEET OUR FAMILY

Asma Al-Mulla

Dalal Al-Janaie

Hisham Al-Sumaiew

Mohammed Al-Rasheed

Dana Al-Tuwarish

Jumana Al-Awadhi

Nouf & Shabari Al-Qahtani

Areej Hamadah

Farah Al-Humaidhi

Jadel & Jawa Al-Awadhi

Nouf Al-Jassim

Ali Al-Khudari

Fadhila Al-Madouh

Jenny Wright

Noor Al-Nafisi

Bashayer Al-Osaimi

Hind Al-Nahedh

Khalil Al-Hamar

Ramez A.Sabawi

Anmar AlAldarmi

Khaled Al-Qahtani

Editor-in-Chief

Lana Al-Resheed Managing Director

Shaza Ayesh Rawan Elabd

Yousef Al-Neemah

Ziad Al-Obaid

General Manager PR & Marketing

Basma Sultan Fashion Director

Joumana Soufi

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Sales Director

Dana Baluch Content Editor

Hussain Al-Qatari Graphic Designer

Hussain Kuwala Head of Photography

Abdulrhman Al-Yousef Khadeija Al-Shimmiri

Hussain Shamou

Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

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GREAT KUWAIT MEDIA FOR ADVERTISING & PUBLISHING For General Enquiries:

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Abduallah Al-Zubairan @q8__punisher

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Hani Al-Mawash @hani_almawash

Statement of Copyright: theCITY™ is owned and published by GREAT KUWAIT MEDIA. Copyright 2012.

All rights reserved. ÂŽ the CITY logo is owned by GREAT KUWAIT MEDIA. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER

Jalil Abdullah Marvin @jalilmarvin

Hamad Al-Ghunaimi

Ebrahim Al-Awadi

@hamad_dndrn

@awadiphotography

@hamad_dndrn

@awadi85

Reasonable care is taken to ensure that theCITY Magazine articles and other information in the magazine are up-to-date and as accurate as possible as of the time of publication. No responsibility can be taken by theCITY Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of theCITY Magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of theCITY Magazine.

The Pink Dream / page 40

About a Feeling / page 18

Spotlights On:

Cake Story / page 60

Going the Distance/ page 114

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theVISIT / page 84

Salmeen Sisters / page 90

It's a Wrap / page 26

What’s In: LIFE

Food

BEAUTY & FASHION

16 What is Reality?

53 ‫الشوكوالتة‬

84 theVISIT 90 Salmeen Sisters 96 Fine Living 100 Rebel Romance

18 About a Feeling 24 Ali Asks: AAA 26 It's a Wrap!

30 Youth Marketing 32 Social Anxiety & You 34 They Live

Where They Love

WELLNESS

54 Chef's Choice 60 Cake Story 64 Anmar is Cooking

ART & Culture 68 Mastering FENGSHUI 69 ‫أيام اإلستقالل‬ ُ

TECH & SPORTS 110 Waki Day 114 Going the Distance 118 Gadgets

70 Amina Al Abbasi

theVIBE

40 The Pink Dream

74 love-made-eternal

122 Kuwait Polo Association

47 ‫!الكنز األخضر‬

78 Sitting Pretty

124 Petite & Sweet's

48 Body Miracles by Rawan

82 theCity Kids

126 Ministry of State for Youth Affairs

38 Smile Renovation

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Takes customers to 360 mall’s “Frozen Planet”

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Z

ain continues to surprise its customers by bringing the latest and greatest in technology to Kuwait. During Eid al-Fitr holiday, Zain took its customers and 360 Mall visitors to an entirely innovative technological experience entitled “Augmented Reality”. This experience was presented among the company’s latest Eid act entitled “Frozen Planet”, by which attracted a great number of audiences from all age groups.

The event was hosted in collaboration with renowned BBC World in cooperation with 360 Mall to present a new technological interface to the public, allowing them to view one of the most advanced technologies of the past decade. The audience gathered around to get a feel of the Arctic polar as well as the species and inhabitants of the Arctic world like the polar bear and polar penguins. These extraordinary species roamed around the mall in a scene that felt both real yet imaginary to

bring to Kuwait an exciting experience for the second time. It is worth mentioning, that Zain previously hosted a similar event that carries the same technological advancement with a theme entitled “The world of dinosaurs”.

Those who hold passion towards the frozen world, and feel curious about exploring its wonderful sides were invited to visit the event to fulfill their dreams of getting close to wonderful creatures in a real world of fantasy. Zain brought this technological advancement experience for the second time to Kuwait, aiming to reaffirm its leading position in the technology sector. This event was also hosted to coincide with the company’s 30th anniversary celebrations indicating that this wonderful experience, which Kuwait hosted once again, highlights the birth of a new era of technology.

The company spared no efforts to provide more modern technology applications and focus on enhancing the cultural aspects, which is currently a main feature that accompanies all

lifestyles. Zain will always continue its pledge of intensifying its efforts to achieve its customers’ needs and aspirations.

Zain’s 30th anniversary celebrations are available all year round. The company invites everyone to be part of its ongoing celebratory activities, with a pledge from the company of creating a Wonderful World of telecommunications experience for every customer in Kuwait. As a leading telecommunications company, Zain has invested heavily to operate its high-speed 4G LTE network in Kuwait, turning the mobile operator into one of the most technically advanced in the world, and making available a whole new realm of exciting high-speed digital content capabilities to its customers.

You can watch a video about this activity on Zain’s official YouTube channel by visiting Youtube.com/ZainTelecom

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Supports Breast Cancer Charity Ecco collaborated with 7 amazing ladies from kuwait as ambassadors for a charity champaign to raise awareness & donation for Breast cancer cause along the side of the respectful Hayatt breast cancer foundation.

Support breast cancer cause, buy any of the SMILE collection at ecco store and help raise donation from 1st of October till 31st of October revenues of collections sales will go to Hayatt breast cancer foundation

Asma Al Mulla Vintage Baza fashion 7 brand retailer

Lana Al Rasheed Co-Founder of The City magazine

Nouf Al Mudhayan TV & Radio presenter

Noha Nabil former TV presenter, Nohastyleicon fashion blogger and editor

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Shorouq Salmeen Sash fashion designer

Abrar Zenkawi Illustrator & stylist

Nouf Hussein PLT event planner

Credential Stylist / Art directory : Joumana Soufi Photographer : Jalil Marvin All outfits are from Al Yasra Fashion boutiques All accessories are from Trinkets – Avenues All watches are from On Time – Avenues @eccoarabia

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Dalal Al-Janaie dalal@marsvenuscoaching.com www.marsvenuscoachdalal.com @marsvenuskuwait @marsvenuskuwait

What is Reality?

The Deception of Perception Hello dearest readers! I am so pleased to meet with you once again. To me, the month of October is magical. For those of you wondering: no my birthday is not in October but this month has brought me amazing gifts. My reality is that October is the month of transformation. October always reminds me of the trees in our backyard changing into a rainbow of colors: red, orange, and yellow leaves so amazingly beautiful. My childhood memories of growing up in Colorado make me smile, hope, dream, and create this perception.

What is Perception?

or rich or unlucky and, if I was to discuss this with you, you may even cite many incidents that prove your point. Although you may think that you are correct and all your friends agree, I am happy to say that these are only perceptions of your reality and not necessarily true at all. Perception is merely your personal translation of your life and yourself. We live our lives looking through a looking glass of perception which affects how we react during certain incidents. It is important to remember that you can choose to see any life event as something terrible and tragic or you can choose to see that event as something that inspires you to make something more of your life. The choice is yours.

Is your Perception Distorted?

Life is defined by you. Happiness is defined by you. Tell me, what is life like for you? How realistic is your perception? Do you tend to bend your reality a certain way? I sometimes meet people who proudly state “I am a pessimist,” and that’s fine. It’s great that they are in tune with their perception of their reality. If you belong to this group, I’m happy to meet you and ask: how has your perspective served you in your life?

Has it? Do you believe it has protected you from expecting too much of the world? Holding on to a perspective that expects the worst may be setting you up to see the world exactly the way you do. I can only imagine the weight of the world on your shoulders when you believe that the world is out to get you and that you are fighting an uphill battle alone. Just remember, perceiving and believing that people are terrible will bring the worst out of them. Believe, perceive, and receive.

Clarifying Reality Remember that perception and reality do not always overlap. It is to your advantage to see the closest possible version of reality. The higher your awareness, the better your ability to translate your perception and the perceptions of those around you, the more successful you will be in life.

As defined by Business Dictionary.com, perception is “the process by which people translate sensory impressions into a coherent and unified view of the world around them… perception is equated with reality for the most practical purposes and guides human behavior in general.”

In basic terms, perception is taking what you see, feel, remember, and translating it to be reality. Remember, just because you see it or believe it, doesn’t make it real.

To understand where you stand, begin by asking yourself:

What is Your Current Perspective?

Through these questions, a clearer understanding of reality will appear.

Every person has chosen their reality. Over time, people’s experiences, environment, and beliefs affect their viewpoint in life. Take a moment to think about yourself and your life. What do you see? What is your perspective, what is your chosen reality? You may feel that you are fat

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• What do I know to be real? What am I interpreting and translating?

• Are my emotions and feelings affecting my perceived reality?

• Are my previous experiences affecting my view of what’s currently happening and affecting my judgment?

Dearest readers, I’m so happy to connect with you and share the importance of perception. I wish you all the best to you in translating your perceived realities. If you have any questions or comments, please connect with me, I would love to hear from you!

About a Feeling

FEATURING NOAF HUSSEIN @pltq8

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www.thecitym.com 19 Photographer : Hussain Shamou

N 20 www.thecitym.com

oaf Hussein has a basic instinct about things. Never quite the rule follower, Noaf is probably one of those people who revels in the idea of jumping into the unknown abyss and seeing where it takes her rather than teetering on the edge of uncertainty her whole life and getting nowhere because of it. She has no fear. Her only guide is her gut. She decided to donate her formerly waist-length hair to Dove's Great Lengths on a whim on one NYC afternoon.

She created her hugely successful, whimsically unique, one-woman show Pretty Little Things because she was fed up with people always saying there was nothing to do in Kuwait. So she set out to change that perception for herself—and, to her, it just felt right. Now she's got a new inspired venture in the works and, as always, it's a project after Noaf's own heart: Qout Market. Upon attending several of Noaf's events you may get the sense that there is a unified structure to every PLT bash, but nothing is farther from the truth. The only unified aspect about PLT and Noaf herself is the intrepid belief in following your own heart no matter what. This belief is the thriving principle in Noaf's life.

Her strength is in her bravery, her heart is in her pretty simplicity, and her soul is in her dreamer’s confidence to be her absolute self.

How and what was Pretty Little Things born out of?

Pretty Little Things started as a way for me to impress a client who wanted to find a way to connect with their customers without being part of a big faceless, generic exhibition. So it actually just started as a way for that one person to connect with their customers. But I just generally like to do things really, really cool so in 3 weeks I came up with the branding, the name, contacted all the other people, found the venue, and I had a vision for how I wanted the whole ambiance of the event to be. I knew that I wanted it to be something pretty because that’s what I like so I figured that was a good place to establish my brand identity and to market myself. So I served tea in ceramic pots, and I brought trees and put them in the yard and I strung them with fairy lights—it’s just about a feeling. If you’re feeling good you’ll want to shop and it reflects on the brand as a whole too.

ways dreaming up stuff. I think a part of my problem with schedules and rules is that I’m a little bit of both. I have that moody, artsy side to me, so if I’m not in the mood to work it’s just not going to happen. But, at the same time, I could be just lying down on a couch somewhere and then suddenly find myself with an intriguing idea in my head—I’ll just immediately sit up straight and start breezing through a bunch of work to get that idea done and off the ground. So, because I think I’m a combination of those two kinds of personalities I have trouble with adhering to one structure or a specific schedule. That’s really how Pretty Little Things developed. It just grew organically. I went with my gut feeling

Tell us about the best event you’ve ever attended.

Oddly enough it’s not an extravagant event. To me, places like flea markets, farmer’s markets, and just spaces where artisans can really exhibit themselves are really beautiful. So Brooklyn Flea; Smorgasburg; all these stalls where really cool people do really cool stuff with food. You just stand up and eat—nothing glamorous, really! It’s my favorite kind of event because you see people doing something from the heart all around you. There’s no glossiness, no marketing, no fancy stuff. Just good stuff and people who do it for the love it.

So you have no set of rules or process that you follow in your own work?

You know, there are two types of minds in the world, I think: the ones who rely on scientific methods and deep structures, and ones who just live in a really creative realm and are al-

My secret is there is no secret! It goes back to the same idea we were talking about before: I just do what feels right. I ask myself what things would get my attention in a social media campaign if it was for something like, say, Kenzo. When I started marketing Kenzo I had been given a very specific guideline on what Kenzo’s brand was so I marketed it in a way that worked with that preconceived idea and then I kicked it up a notch by including local, fashionable girls in the campaign and making it revolve around the hashtag #KuwaitRocksKenzo. It was about this idea that Kuwaitis can absolutely rock an international brand and are fierce enough to live up to Kenzo’s global image. So, really, each different project organically informs my decision on how I should handle the social media campaign that comes along with it.

I don’t know, I just try to be honest. I try to be real. I don’t speak in marketing terms. I don’t necessarily try to sell stuff. I just find certain things beautiful so I highlight them or I try to make people pay attention to them. So if you like pretty things then come, if you don’t then don’t come, you know? There’s no putting on of airs and no complexity. I just try not to be so in your face all the time. I don’t post continuous pictures of myself on Instagram, and if I come across anything that I think is really cool and really creative then I just want to share it and give that person a shout-out. There’s no reason behind it, and no incentive in it for me. I support people who do great things and I think people appreciate that. Pretty Little Things is not a business to me; it’s so much more than that. It’s my life, and people can see that.

To be honest, trying to formulize the process is what makes that magical ‘it’ factor dissipate on the spot. I just find that the best things are always done on a whim cause that’s when you’re at your most inspired or passionate. So when you try to quantify it and qualify it and formulize it, the magic’s gone.

Does that mean you’re more artistic and spontaneous than structured and predictable?

You have such a unique way of utilizing social media and making it immersive in the event! How do you come up with these consistently cool social media marketing methods?

Why do you think people have taken to you so quickly?

If you had to come up with the perfect event formula, what would it be?

No. My only rule is to keep it pretty. You know, keep it real. If you notice my Pretty Little Things expos—I did 6 in a year and a half— you'll see what I'm talking about. Sometimes I would do one a month apart from the next one, sometimes it’s four months apart. I just do one whenever I feel like the time is right and whenever I feel like I’ve gathered enough of the type of vendors I want.

about it then I worked on making it happen.

"If you really want to do something don’t wait for someone to give you the job—create something that is your own and make it something you truly love! "

Why do you think social media campaigns are so important in pulling off a successful event?

Well, I think social media is a passive way for people to be involved. It’s easy! You don’t have to go out of your way to look for something— it just comes right to your couch or wherever you’re lying down. And also, for me personally, I’m all about the visuals. So, if my brand is all about pretty things, how better to show it off than through visual social media like Instagram, for example. It’s also sort of like I want people to feel what I’m feeling about the event. So I show them the whole process and what truly excites me about the event—I’m cutting my fingers making the invitations, I’m getting the flowers—and, through that honesty, I get them personally invested in me and my work. Then they’re more likely to show

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support and come check it out now that they know how hard I’ve worked and that they’ve followed the process along with me.

Tell us more about your newest, upcoming venture: Qout Market!

Qout Market is something that my partner Budour Al-Qassar and I came up with and it comes from the old Kuwaiti word ‘qout’ which means food (not to be confused with Kuwait’s historic name, ‘Kout’), and it’s going to be a farmer’s market that combines local farmers, local artisans, and local products. I’ve always had a lot of love for the creators in this world—the people that can make beautiful products with their hands and can take raw materials and turn them into something great—along with a lot of national pride as well. A lot of people don’t know we have these kinds of skills in Kuwait so I really wanted a place to show that we

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truly do have these kinds of talented hands here and a place where people can come and learn more about Kuwait’s creative, organic, diverse community and maybe even join it!

Why did you think a farmer’s market was the right fit for you?

Well, I don’t know how much of a hidden fact this is but I’m a big fan of food. Not just food but good food. I’m a food tourist. Whenever I take a trip I do some heavy research on the restaurants and I find out what cuisine or type of food that region is known for and I make sure to try it when I visit. And, as I age, I’ve become more aware of how valuable our health is, and the more I see, the more I read, the more I realize how important and fulfilling it is to surround yourself in a healthy environment if you want to eat better and live better.

It’s not about diets, it’s about lifestyles. And

if nothing or very little in our environment encourages a healthy lifestyle then we just won’t have one. So I really felt like a farmer’s market was a step in the right direction to help create a healthier space in Kuwait and I eventually want to use it as a platform to show people what really good food is and what it can do for them.

Any final words of wisdom to impart to the would-be event planners/farmer’s marketers in Kuwait?

Don’t put yourself in a box. Don’t put parameters as to who you are and what you do. Go where your heart takes you and trust your gut. If you really want to do something don’t wait for someone to give you the job—create something that is your own and make it something you truly love!

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Ali Al-Khudari alialkhudari@hotmail.com @ALIALKHUDARI @alialkhudari

Ali Asks: AAA I had the chance to sit down and talk with Lamia Al Loughani, a BBS graduate and a GUST student and also the founder of Triple A. What is Triple A? Triple A is an educational youth awareness program for students in Kuwait. The program aims to generate awareness for high school students that demonstrate a desire to progress their personal knowledge to another level; thus allowing them to stand on their feet, set goals and achieve their dreams. The students will have the chance to partake in a program that enables them to recognize their capabilities, apply their skills and discover their talents to invest in their future. This program could be viewed as a portal that connects the students’ current educational background to the modern business world in Kuwait. The program is organized into workshops, as each workshop aims to provide certain tasks in specific fields such as: Marketing, Accounting and Finance. The students have a chance to interact with their mentors, express their ideas and communicate their concerns. In simpler terms the name of the program explains itself “Triple A”, which allows the students to “Attempt, Achieve, Ascend”. Triple A aims to be the number one youth educational program

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in Kuwait, that supports local young adults to enhance their knowledge in the modern business world. The Triple A programs’ goal is to provide a sense of direction, clarity and vision for the students in both their short run objectives and long run objectives. It is a program that precisely supports the students ideas and provides the guidance and instructions of professional and experienced mentors to help the students deliver a fully understood and desired outcome. Triple A’s aims is to provide an experience that is both educational and memorable that will reflect on the students career not only during the program but long after they have completed it.

How did you come up with the idea of triple A? I have always been passionate about educating our youth and providing the knowledge that is necessary in order for them to achieve their goals in life. Therefore, I thought to myself, what better way to educate our young adults other than providing a unique program that addresses all their concerns about the business market by guiding them in the right direction and by spreading awareness about how to get to where they want to be. Due to my own personal experience in university and the business world, I came up with the idea of Triple A, which is a program that allows the students to embark on a journey that widens their perspectives and helps them set and achieve their goals by experiencing reality at first hand.

What are the difficulties that you faced while preparing for Triple A? There were a lot of difficulties in the beginning, such as grabbing the kids attention in fully understanding what Triple A is all about, and how it’s such a unique and special program that not only provides knowledge and education but also allows the students to build a prosperous future by acquiring the business strategies needed to succeed.

On what basis did you choose your mentors/businesses?

Triple A 1, had an outstanding group of mentors and businesses involved, they were cho-

sen based on a number of reasons.

How did the application process go through?

The application process was introduced by social media and by word of mouth. Students that were interested contacted us through our email and applied. For Triple A 2, students will be able to apply through our website : www.triplea-kw.com Overall, describe your first Triple A experience?

It was a remarkable and memorable experience that is worth all the time and effort dedicated to such a program. It was a pleasure and an Honor to have such a wonderful, promising and an inspiring group of students, mentors and staff on board. I look forward to meeting many more new students and working with the new businesses that will be participating in the future and joining our Triple A family.

How did the participants interact with the mentors?

The participants loved working with their mentors, they interacted with them very well and completely felt like they could express all their ideas and concerns at all times. All ideas and suggestions are welcomed from anyone of the students in the program, there is no such thing as having an idea that is wrong because the mentors roll here is to guide the student towards a better outcome.

What was the outcome of Triple A 1?

Triple A 1 had a tremendous outcome on all of us honestly including myself. The students have influenced me as much as they have been influenced by their mentors. They have worked so hard on implementing their projects and tasks and they presented projects that were professional and way beyond anyone’s expectations. They have proved that they are indeed a generation that is creative, bright and one that should not be messed with if given the chance to prove themselves.

Will there be a Triple A 2?

Yes there will be a Triple A 2.

What is different about Triple A 2?

Triple A 2, will include a variety of different businesses and mentors that will be participating. There will be a lot of surprises along the way for everyone involved.

The businesses participating in Triple A 2 are: •

Solo Pizza Napulitana

•

Senyar

•

Bellora

•

Elevation Burger

•

David and Goliath

Who inspired you to establish Triple A? No one specifically, it has always been a passion and dream of mine for me to give back to my community and the future generations in any way, shape or form. I believe that it is essential to help the future generations to attain the knowledge they need in different areas, in order to prepare them for the next stage of their life. It is our job to understand what the best way is for the students to reach their optimum potential, and to also embrace what they are passionate about.

@triplea_kw www.Triplea-kw.com

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F

or many of us gift-giving can be very stressful business. Finding the right present, the right wrapping, and the right moment to give a certain gift can be the difference between a regular, everyday occasion and a lasting, life-long memory. Thankfully, the ladies at NINE are here to save the day!

Guided by their own elegant taste, their commitment to quality, and their passion for making every moment beautiful, Dana Baluch and Alaa Al-Najjar created the one-stop gift shop to serve the needs and whims of the modern-day gift giver and to help all those who enter NINE to relax, unwind, and let their inner creativity flourish.

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It's a

Wrap! www.thecitym.com 27

Photographer : Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

What do you want the customer to feel upon entering NINE?

We are two girls: Alaa Al Najjar and Dana Baluch, both born in September, from two different backgrounds yet coincidently we share the same visions. The business first began in Kuwait when we were creating the giveaways for Alaa’s baby twins who were also born in September. Hence the number NINE! For us Nine Avenue is not just a gift shop it’s the gateway to many other NINE concepts on the horizon.

You can say it’s a lifestyle, really.

thought that counts. The best gifts are not the most expensive ones, but the ones that are given from the heart. In our opinion it’s the little details that make a difference. If you’re close to the receiver, something related to their interests or includes there favorite colors usually works well. Wrap it up with a personal quote on top and you’ll have something beautiful yet meaningful. If you’re not very close to receiver its always best to stick to classics like flowers and chocolates, classy pens, or even vouchers. The trick is to get something which the receiver will both enjoy and also link their memories to you.

Why did you decide to open a gift shop as opposed to another kind of business?

How have you found the response from customers so far?

What are the different range of gifts that you offer at NINE?

With the hectic schedules of today we want to encourage the art of giving, so what better outlet than a gift shop? Even before we started this as a business there is something about gift giving that we thoroughly enjoyed. There’s nothing more beautiful than celebrating occasions with gifts; from baby showers, to birthdays, to weddings.

The response from new walk-ins has been very encouraging. We were working at home before so although we don’t have a huge customer base as such, the ones we do have are very loyal. We’ve honestly worked very hard on providing select, quality goods and materials for our customers. We’ve built a strong relationship with them such that they now trust us for all their occasions. We think it’s very important to listen to both good and bad feedback as customers are always the best learning tool for imporovement.

One of our slogans is ‘your one stop gift shop’ and there’s a reason behind it. We really want people to come in and find that perfect gift to suit a range of needs. We specialize in baby and wedding favors as well as corporate gifts, flowers and luxury chocolates. For the art lovers out there we have 3D, exclusive Arwa Baqsami artwork for sale. We also feature Manal Arts hand painted cushions that can be customized. Handpainted candles from local artists which are perfect housewarming gifts can also be found at NINE. You can find a

Tell us the story behind the name Nine what does it mean to you and why does it represent you?

What do you think are the key elements of choosing a perfect gift?

We truly believe at the end of the day it is the

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We want them to come in and feel at home.

We want them to feel like they’ve entered their own creative zone—place for them to relax, roam around, pick things up, and create as they please.

Whether you bring in your own gift to get it specially wrapped, or choose a gift from our collection we want to help you give that perfect gift.

huge range of Yacoub Behbahni products from Triwa watches to Diamacci bracelets, even dainty kids luxenter jewelry at NINE for all your fashionable gift needs. Fondue sets, leather notepads, and even luxury perfumes—so, as we said, NINE really is your one stop gift shop!

We also have plans to introduce a new line of NINE gift sets.

Any advice for would-be entrepreneurs?

Some people want the glitz and glam of opening their own business without doing the hard work. It’s important to be involved in every detail of your business. You may have to abandon your social life for a while but, in the end, it will truly be worth it. With business we believe there’s no final destination. Every

time you think you’re a step closer a thousand miles will randomly unfold. There will always be new obstacle to overcome, new ideas to expand and grow.

That aside, if you love what you do then that in and of itself is the only fuel you need to keep you going. Your passion will always be your biggest supporter, so keep that in mind.

@nineavenue + 965 965 50738233 Al Ghawali Mall Ground Floor Hair & Make Up Bassam Fattouh by @attirantsalonkw Dresses by Haneen Al-Othman @XCII www.thecitym.com 29

Hind Al-Nahedh hindrelations@gmail.com hindrelations.blogspot.com @Hindrelations

Youth Marketing & the Impact of Social Media

Teens are much more likely to report that using social media has a positive impact on their social and emotional lives than a negative one.

Social networking and smartphones will play an all-important role in the youth marketing and media trends for the coming years , as they have become part of the youth lifestyle and culture.

The following trends will make it easy to see why they are and will continue to be a dominant force in the youth market for the years to come .

More than one in four teens say that using their social networking site makes them feel less shy (29%) and more outgoing (28%); one in five says it makes them feel more confident (20%), more popular (19%), and

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more sympathetic to others (19%); and 15% say it makes them feel better about themselves. By comparison, only 5% say social networking makes them feel less outgoing; 4% feel worse about themselves, less confident, and less popular after using their social networking site; and 3% feel shyer.

Very few teens think that using their social network site makes them more depressed.

Among all teen social network users, only 5% say using their social networking site makes them feel more depressed, compared to 10% who say it makes them feel less depressed. Even among the least happy teens in this study (the 10% of all teens

who say they are often sad or depressed and aren't very happy with their lives), 18% say using their social networking site makes them feel more depressed, while 13% say it lessens their depression.

Key Factors of the ongoing trends that are considered norms now a days : 1. Social media 2014 will see more youth becoming addicted to social networking and more companies targeting the youth through this means, due to its great viral effect.

2. Smartphones Standard phones cannot fully cater to the online and social networking craving of the youth and, as more companies and universities introduce policies that limit the use of social networking sites during the day/working hours, this has led to more youth jumping onto the smartphone bandwagon as a means of countering these restrictions.

3. Apps With Apple alone having over 300 000 applications to choose from and it having opened its Apple Mac application store on 6 January 2011 - with over one million apps downloaded in one day - and with all the new apps for the tablets, apps is here to stay and replace the www (websites) soon 4. BBM & Whatsaap BBM - BlackBerry Messenger - has taken the youth market by storm, and it is easy to see why RIM is one of the fastest growing companies in the world. The youth love sharing and staying connected and this is what BBM does, enabling them to share through instant messaging (IM) As well as Whatsaap the past couple of years.

5. Mobile commerce The youth are getting big on cellphone banking and making payments via their cellphones, so 2014 will see more youth doing mobile transactions.

6. Mobile learning The increase in the number of youth with smartphones and the increase in the time spent online will lead to more institutions and educational heads looking into conveying some of their educational material through cellphones, as a way of making education relevant to the youth culture and lifestyle.

7. Online advertising a continued rise in online advertising, targeting the youth, from both local and

international perspectives. Consequently, we can expect to see an increase in online advertising spend targeting the youth.

8. Corporate social websites We are going to see a rise in website integration for companies or brands that are targeting the youth market. Previously, websites were all about the company; however, the new shift has seen a change to cater to the dialogue with the youth and encourage them mostly to "follow" through Twitter feeds and "connect" through Facebook fan pages.

9. Blogging we will see the rise in the number of youth bloggers, who will post opinions about products and brands, and, with this kind of social activism on the rise, this is really going to keep a lot of companies on their feet.

10. Tablets For the early adopters and those that can afford it, the likes of the Apple iPad and the Blackberry Playbook (Tablets) are going to be the must-have tech gadgets.

With Hewlett-Packard announcing its own webOS-based PalmPad, we can be sure to expect a decrease in price of the gadgets on the local market and more youth being able to afford and taking up these gadgets.

11. Wifi hot spots Wifi hotspots will attract more youth as they strive to stay connected, even when they are out and about. We are therefore going to see more cafes and

restaurants catering to this by enabling wifi on their premises - it's no longer just what you have on your menu, but rather if you can stay connected while you eat and/ or drink.

In particular, teens think that using social media has helped their relationships.

Half (52%) of all teen social media users say using such media has mainly helped their relationships with friends, compared to just 4% who say social media use has mainly hurt their relationships. Similarly, more than a third (37%) say social media use has mainly helped their relationships with family members, compared to 2% who say it has mainly hurt them. In addition, a majority of teens say social media help them keep in touch with friends they can't see regularly (88%), get to know other students at their school better (69%), and connect with new people who share a common interest (57%).

Very interesting Infograph showing the effect of Social Media on the Youth well being .

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Ramez A. Sabawi ramez.sabawi@viva.com.kw

Social Anxiety & You Many of us are terrified of social occasions. We often refuse to go, and if we do go, we usually remain extremely close to someone we already know. For some, social occasions seem like a situation out of a Hollywood movie. If we’re not the center of attention, impressing everyone, emitting cool vibes, are basically liked by all then we assume that we’ve royally embarrassed ourselves. This thought can be quite a heavy, emotional burden on many individuals who are less than comfortable with being the focus of others in crowded social occasions.

It may help to realize, however, that much like them, the rest of the people around them are equally uncomfortable with this scenario. They also do not feel socially adequate in large unknown crowds and don’t really want to meet a "life of the party" type who overwhelms onlookers with sheer brilliance and confidence.

They are quite happy to find someone who is kind, who listens to them and accepts them and who has a reasonable sense of humor.

The fears involved in social occasions are numerous: fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of new people, fear of being unfashionable, fear of making a mistake, fear of crowds, fear of embarrassment, and even fear of the change in routine. Some people tend to withdraw from attending social gatherings for these very reasons but that can be a huge mis-

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take. If we are able to get over the growing feelings of anxiety, self-deprecation, and crippling lack of confidence we will find that social occasions offer a great chance to relax, broaden our horizons, and meet some really great people. Here are some tried and true methods that you can help keep your nerves under control during your next social occasion: 1. Aim low. Set an achievable goal for yourself, such as "have a pleasant evening and meet a few nice people." Don't overload yourself with emotional pressures and expectations from the night.

2. Don't mix career objectives, like impressing the boss, with legitimate social objectives. Impress the boss with quality work and a good attitude in the office. Keep the party as a social event only and it will be much less stressful and easier for you to it all in stride.

3. Don't set yourself up for failure. For instance if you are an average guy don't try be someone else, and never create false achievement and imaginary heroic situations to impress others. More often than not it will backfire sooner or later.

4. Take stronger control of your actions and reactions and don’t let others dictate your next move; make self-control the number one criteria on your list of socializing rules. You don't need the approval of others and their

comments can only affect you as much as you allow them to.

5. Remember, it’s only one social event. It doesn't define who you are, how important you are, and is in no way a measure of your worth. This event does not make or break your place on the social scale. Your worth as a human being is determined by the sincerity and the kindness of your actions over a lifetime not just one night (or even several nights).

6. Always have faith in your beliefs and in your thoughts and have full confidence in yourself.

This will always reflect positively on all your actions amongst others.

Human beings are social creatures by nature.

It is normal for us to interact with others and to get involved in many social gatherings that may make us feel awkward or out of place. In both our general Middle Eastern environment and Kuwait in particular, social occasions can present an opportunity to enrich our experiences and develop a strong social network with countless people in countless situations.

It can seem like an overwhelming inner struggle and, for many of us, the act of stepping into a crowded room can feel like stepping on a battlefield, but remember: half the battle is simply showing up.

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They Live Where They

Love

Dita Wistarini came to Kuwait 6 years ago and, since that moment, she's made beautiful things. A beautiful home, a beautiful family, and very beautiful cakes! In Kuwait, Dita was able to let her talented spirit flourish in her inspired cake-baking skills and, through her very own successful business-the L'EVENTO Company--she's made a visible, unique mark for herself in this beautiful country. With the supporting love of her family and the welcoming Kuwaiti community, Dita has created a home and a life after her own heart

Photographer : Hussain Shamou Creative Director : Zainab bahman

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Where are you from?

What do you love most about Kuwait?

I'm from Indonesia.

I like that it is a fairly laid back city, which opens up a big opportunity for me to create something. Creative businesses aren't quite booming in Kuwait yet, therefore I believe it is a great opportunity for talented young Kuwaitis or expatriates to develop and share their skills.

When did you come to Kuwait?

Me and my little family first came to Kuwait in 2007.

What do you do?

I am a housewife who eventually followed my passion to become a professional, freelance food photographer and cake artist. Those 2 worlds really mean a lot to me. I enjoy baking and fell in love with cake decorating. Baking just makes me relax. My friends and I wrote a book about food photography which was published in Indonesia. We are currently preparing our second book. Sometimes I also do food photography sessions for some local restaurants in Kuwait. I enjoy doing arts and crafts, drawing and experimenting with an analog camera along with my husband as well.

Why did you choose Kuwait as your home?

I have never chosen my place to live. The moment my husband got a job in Kuwait, we were immediately ready to follow him without hesitation, for the sake of life's adventures. We have always been intrigued by unexpected moments which challenge us to live more adventurous lives, and that bring more colors and stories into our lives through a world that is perhaps different than ours. We'd like our children to live a life full of stories, be it happy or sad. To me, it really doesn't matter where I live so long as I have my husband and children with me.

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How much of an impact has Kuwait had on your life?

Very big. Living in Kuwait has given me a lot of opportunities to better know myself, develop my talents and do all the things that I love. I also learned to become more patient and hard working due to the fact that I live so far from home.

What do you think of the Kuwaiti lifestyle and culture?

I think there is a slight Western lifestyle influence here while still having strong local values and traditions. It's a culture similar to other Middle Eastern countries which have semi-evolved into foreign cultures.

What have you gained from Kuwait and given`Kuwait?

Here is where I turned my dream into reality through L'evento Company. I feel so grateful to have met young Kuwaitis who have visions of the future and are willing to achieve them together with me. Ever since living here, my husband and I have been trying to introduce Kuwait internationally through social networks,

I wish for Kuwait to be a safe country. A country that has great young people with big potentials who will always be dynamic in every line of work--especially in developing creativity. And may God always bless this country.

photos (you can check the hashtag #q8dailyphoto on Instagram) and videos (#q8 on Vine).

An international contest has even used our footage of Kuwait to be played during a reputable film event. We would like to let the world know that Kuwait is not just a country in a desert. This country is a dynamic country.

What does Kuwait mean to you on a personal level?

Kuwait is the first country in which we started our adventure away from home. Here we interact with local culture and with people from different nationalities. Here we educate our children amongst an international environment.

What words would you like to say to Kuwait if you could?

I wish for Kuwait to be a safe country. A country that has great young people with big potentials who will always be dynamic in every line of work--especially in developing creativity. And may God always bless this country.

@ditut @theleventocompany theleventocompany@gmail.com + 965 90971139 www.thecitym.com 37

Dr Waleed Al Therban Prosthodontist, Esthetic and Implantology. American Board Certified.

Tufts university school of medicine. Boston USA Bayan Dental Center @bayandentalkw @Bayandental

Smile Renovation Some people only visit the dentist for checkups or when they have toothaches. However, modern dentistry is no longer reserved for oral preventive care and routine maintenance. Today’s dentists are artists as well as doctors.

They can be made of precious metal, ceramic fused to metal or all ceramic. All ceramic crowns leave no dark lines at the gum maintaining an all-white, natural, beautiful smile.

Prosthetic dentistry aims at creating a functional, more aesthetically pleasing, and healthy smile that is uniquely designed to suit each patient’s needs. Even those patients who are precise about their routine dental care can end up having a less than a spectacular smile.

Bridges or dental implants are used as a fixed prosthetic option to replace missing teeth. They will restore the underlying structure that makes your face full and youthful.

Drinking coffee and growing older can have an effect on teeth, causing them to look stained and dull. A safe way to restore your smile is through professional dental cleaning and teeth whitening.

Simple dental procedures can restore damaged teeth, replace a missing tooth, restore the tooth’s natural shape and size, and create the smile that patients have always desired. Cracked, chipped or spaced teeth can be made to look aesthetically better with composite fillings, veneers, or crowns. Crowns can restore patient function and enhance beauty resulting in improved health and smile.

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These dental procedures will not only give a more beautiful smile but they will also restore your full oral function and health along with your confidence.

Teeth are hard workers and a precious part of the body that we should take care of. We should be nice to our teeth, be diligent with our oral hygiene and visit the dentist on a regular base. If you are not happy with your smile and want to improve it, you should consult a prosthodontist.

In dentistry we cannot wait to make you smile.

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Photographer : Hussain Shamou Creative Director : Zainab bahman

W

e couldn't let October come and go without talking about one of this month's most pressing health campaigns: breast cancer awareness month. But instead of bombarding you with endlessly pink, big marketing campaigns we thought we'd bring you the bare essentials from a knowledgeable source that gives both an appealing flare and a meaningful drive to breast cancer awareness. We had the chance to sit down with AAW's Shayma Bakhesh, PR & Marketing Manager of the Pharmaceutical department and talk to her more about the specifics of awareness and why achieving the pink dream of finding a cure is only possible through support and belief in the larger community.

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Introduce yourself and AAW My name is Shayma Bakhesh and I have recently joined Ali Abdul Wahab Al Mutawa Company and I am very proud to be part of the huge Pharmaceutical department.

As a PR & Marketing Manager for this department, I work with all the divisions under the Pharma department from Skincare brands, Mum & Baby products, supplements, medical devices, first aid & bandages and the 20 Pharmacies.

My role is to develop and deliverstrategic and integrated marketing plans and implements proactive communication strategies that will raise the profile of AAW - Pharmaceutical Department.

I know that AAW is known for its Furniture department but it also seems that the company is very huge in its pharmaceuticals.

And much more, Ali Abdulwahab Al-Mutawa Commercial Co. K.S.C.C. is recognized as one of the top trading companies in Kuwait.Maintaining its family owned heritage, today the company specializes in the retail and distribution of renowned brands within the sectors like Consumer Goods, Pharmaceuticals, Furniture and Carpets, Real Estate, Kitchen Furniture, Home Appliances, Outdoor Gear, Sports and Fashion, and having various world class brands in its portfolio like P&G,Roche‫ و‬Pfizer, Nike, TAF, Crocs, Curves, Puma, Reebok, Prince, Shoebox New York, among many others.

So, how did AAW got involved in the breast cancer awareness campaigns?

Tell me more about how you are planning to educate women?

Basically; Roche —the world's leading provider of cancer care products—is distributed through AAW. The Roche anti-cancer medicines are saving lives and significantly advancing the way some cancers are treated. Our Roche portfolio currently includes six innovative cancer products proven to provide survival benefit in a number of different tumor types: Herceptin® (trastuzumab), Perjeta® (pertuzumab), Kadcyla® (trastuzumabemtansine), Xeloda® (capecitabine), MabThera® (rituximab) and Tarceva® (erlotinib). Roche’s personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients.

We partnered this year in October with three big entities for breast cancer awareness: Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC) with a one day awareness event, Cancer Aware Nation (CAN) with its annual awareness, and HAYATTwith its awareness and fund raising activities.

I understand that Roche is more into the treatment side of the disease, however AAW as a Roche agent in Kuwait has decided to be involved in the awareness part, why is that?

This is clearly done for the cause. I knew the new innovations and researches done by Roche are for better treatments, and I understood that prevention is more important and it is best to help through education and awareness. The fact of the matter is that we have a social responsibility towards the Kuwaiti society that we have to fulfill and no responsibility is greater than the health and wellbeing of our friends and families.

We are sharing with those organizations the will to measure the success of the campaigns and Kuwait University Faculty of Pharmacy showed interest in that as well. However this needs more time to study and we will work on it for future awareness campaigns, social behavioral changes and health promotions.

What can you share with us from your findings by working closely with big organisations?

By working with these organizations, I want to talk to you all about the risk factors of developing breast cancer. It just makes me angry that it could be anyone. There needs to be a cure or at least mandatory mammograms before the age of 40. So here are all the factors that put you at risk of breast cancer: • • • •

Being a woman Age Family history of breast cancer Having never been pregnant or having a first baby after age 35 • Menses before age 12 • Menopause after age 55

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Even though cancer can be a frightening concept, I am still hopeful that we can all fight it and win the battle against it! If we all act responsibly and respect our bodies by getting regular checkups we can take control of this unfortunate disease, stop it in it’s tracks, and abolish it once and for all!

Although women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistically only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.

Now, let’s share some Kuwaiti numbers: • Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Kuwaiti women. Some organizations support breast cancer funding, and provide free or low-cost mammograms to women.

• 1 in 19 Kuwaiti women have the chance of developing breast cancer during their lifetime • Delayed breast cancer diagnosis in Kuwait compared to the USA and the UK which has its negative drawbacks on survival of patients How can anyone prevent cancer? Or reduce their risks?

• You can help lower your risk of breast cancer in the following ways— • Get screened for breast cancer regularly. By getting regular exams, you're more likely to find breast cancer early.

• Control your weight and exercise. Make

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healthy choices in the foods you eat and the kinds of drinks you have each day. Stay active. Learn more about keeping a healthy weight and ways to increase your physical activity.

cer. If you are age 50 to 74 years, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years. If you are age 40–49 years, talk to your doctor about when and how often you should have a screening mammogram.

• Know your family history of breast cancer.

If you have a mother, father, sister, brother, son, or daughter with breast cancer, ask your doctor what is your risk of getting breast cancer and how you can lower your risk.

• Clinical breast exam. A clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse, who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes.

• Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Some women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the symptoms of menopause. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT and find out if it is right for you.

What do you mean by screening?

Breast cancer screenings mean checking a woman's breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. Three main tests are used to screen the breasts for cancer.

Talk to your doctor about which tests are right for you, and when you should have them.

• Mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast can-

• Breast self-exam. A breast self-exam is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts or underarm (armpit).

I would like to emphasise that mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.

Any last words on the subject?

Even though cancer can be a frightening concept, I am still hopeful that we can all fight it and win the battle against it! If we all act responsibly and respect our bodies by getting regular check-ups we can take control of this unfortunate disease, stop it in it’s tracks, and abolish it once and for all!

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‫‪Jumana Al-Awadhi‬‬ ‫‪@organickuwait‬‬ ‫‪@welovekuwait‬‬

‫الكنز‬ ‫األخضر!‬ ‫احس‪ ،‬بل اجزم‪ ،‬انه في عوامل وايد تأثر فينا و بذوقنا‬ ‫باالكل‪ ..‬منها اكيد شنو غدد تذوقنا متعودة عليه و‬ ‫شلون مبرمجين عقلنا بناءا على اللي نشوفه لذيذ و‬ ‫متعة باالكل و شنو اللي ما يعجبنا و بنصير عسرين اذا‬ ‫قالولنا الزم تاكلونه عشان صحتكم عشان مفيد‪..‬‬ ‫مثل واضح على هالنظرية هو العصير االخضر اللي‬ ‫نسويه من خضارنا و ورقيات محميتنا بالكويت و نقدمه‬ ‫مخصوص حق مشتركين الوجبات الطبيعية في جادي‬ ‫مورغن‪..‬‬ ‫عصيرنا االخضر "طريقة ممتازة للحصول على كنز من‬ ‫العناصر الغذائية المركزة يقوي الدم و المناعة يساعد‬ ‫الجهاز الهضمي و يمد الجسم باالكسجين و يساعد‬ ‫في تكوين الهيمقلوبين بالدم‪ .‬ترى مفعولة على نضارة‬ ‫البشرة و النفسية و التحكم بالضغوطات"‪.‬‬ ‫في نفس اليوم لنفس العصير يوصل لنا مسجات من‬ ‫مشتركين مختلفين‪:‬‬

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‫واايد لذيذ ذكرني بايام كاليفورنيا كنت كل يوم اشربه‪.‬‬‫اهلل اخيرا اكو جذي بالكويت‪.‬‬ ‫استغفر اهلل اهلل يزيد النعمة ما قدرت اشربه كلش‪ .‬يصير‬‫تعطوني عصير عادي؟‬ ‫العصير االخضر ليش ماتحطون فيه عسل وال شي‬‫يخلينا نقدر نشربه؟‬ ‫ ممكن اطلب طلب و مستعدة ادفع زيادة؟‬‫ممكن بدال عصير اخضر واحد تعطوني اثنين او ثالثة‬ ‫باليوم؟‬ ‫ تصدقين اول ما بديت معاكم من شهرين ما كنت‬‫اتقبل العصير االخضر كلش‪.‬كنت اتغصبه نفس الدوا‬ ‫بالبداية‪ ..‬الحين قمت مو بس اتلذذ فيه‪ ..‬بعد اووله عليه‬ ‫و اشتهيه بايام اجازتكم‪ .‬يصير اشتري و اخليه بالثالجة‬ ‫حق الويكند؟‬

‫االكل الطبيعي مو حق الكل‪ .‬ابوي قالنا لما فتحنا‬ ‫التحاولون تخدمون كل فئات المجتمع‪ .‬التحاولون ترضون‬ ‫جميع االذواق‪ ،‬سووا شي يخدم ذويقة الطعام الطبيعي‬ ‫و التتعبون عمركم بالزباين الثانين ‪ ،‬عندهم ناس‬ ‫تخدمهم و تقدم لهم اللي يبون‪..‬‬ ‫ادير مكتبة خاصة بالطفل و مطعم خاص باالكل‬ ‫الطبيعي فتعلمت من شغلي في المكانين ان مو كل‬ ‫الناس تقرأ او يعرفون اهمية الكتاب‪ .‬و مو كل الناس‬ ‫يحبون او يريدون االكل الطبيعي الصحي‪ .‬و الدرس االكبر‬ ‫اللي تعلمته ان هذا شي طبيعي‪ .‬السما ما راح تطيح‬ ‫علينا ‪ ..‬االختالف باالذواق يخلق توازن‪ ..‬يتوازن باختالفاتنا‬ ‫و اختالف اهتماماتنا‪.‬‬ ‫اهلل يحبني الن العمل في المجالين يجذب اطيب و اذرب‬ ‫و ارقى البشر‪ .‬و هذا اللي يخليني احب عملي اكثر و‬ ‫استمتع فيه‪..‬‬

O

ctober is our occasions issue and what better way to celebrate an occasion than with an elegant, time-honored activity that brings joy to its onlookers and beauty to it's performers? I am of course talking about the beautiful art form of ballet dancing. This form of artistic dance activity adds a beauty and physical, mental, and spiritual benefit to the body unlike any other dance form. And, as many women find ballet hard to familiarize with and difficult to introduce into their minds as a viable activity, we decided to gather information about this unique activity and share them in October's issue to help dispel some of the myths many of us have about ballet. Is it as difficult as you always imagined? Who can join and how can you start? We've got all the answers from NOOR BEHBEHANI: ballet teacher and Studio965 owner who started her ballet journey at the young age of 4, and is your star expert on all things ballet!

Project Organiser: @rawanela Attire: @limelightworld Stylist: @Notsiz Art Director: @Saraalrash 48 www.thecitym.com

Ballerina Model: Jude Ballerina Outfit: @Studio965

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When did you start with Ballet?/ How long have you been practicing ballet and modern dance?

I started Ballet at the age of four and have continued since then. It has now become a routine in my life. Ballet and contemporary dance is now engraved in my lifestyle. It has comforted me in times of joy, anger, sadness and stress. It offers me a form of expression and release when I don’t necessarily feel like talking or explaining.

What makes ballet interesting to you and why did you choose this specific type of dance?

Ballet is an art that is beautiful to watch. The effort, discipline required for this art to be performed or practiced takes a lot of time.

And what it offers me in return makes it all worth it.

How did ballet affect your life physically, mentally, or spiritually?

Ballet has a affected my life in such a way that I would not know what my life would be like without it. Physically, it keeps my stamina high, induces flexibility and tones and lengthens muscles. Mentally, it helps improve memory by learning choreography. Personally, when I go to class, I am able to release the daily stresses and focus on other dancers, the music, and myself. This is a great way to release negative energy and express myself.

How do you think ballet differs from other forms of dance?

Ballet is an art form that, once learned, is a key to other genres. It is a demanding discipline that requires dedication. I believe that if you excel at your technique in ballet, it becomes the foot in the door for other genres such as modern, tap, and jazz. Dancers and ballerinas specifically spend their whole life striving for perfection and the one moment that they perfect a specific turn or balance offers an indescribable satisfaction.

Explain the concept of Studio965 and what it offers?

Studio 965 is a boutique that offers ballet apparel as well as what I like to call dance-inspired clothing. Thus, you don’t have to be a strict classical ballerina to find things there. Yoga and loungewear can also be found at Studio965.

Explain the idea of this art display that is hung at the boutique?

This art display is an element of the store that keeps changing every season. When the boutique first opened, my friends and I created a

50 www.thecitym.com Photographer : Hani Al Mawash

tree of dance made of ribbons and old ballet shoes. This time, I decided to create a dancers silhouette of flowers. This gives our regular customers something to look forward to with each returning visit to the store.

Does ballet require a Specific type of person?

There is a standard idea of how dancers are supposed to look and act. However, from what I’ve learned while taking classes throughout most of my life in Kuwait and as well as classes abroad, is that movement is a universal language that anyone can utilize and take up.

Can someone start with ballet at a late age and still do well?

I believe that if people are inspired by dance, movement, and music then they can accomplish ballet at any age. You don’t have to be a professional in order to experience the thrill of dance.

The one moment that they perfect a specific turn or balance offers an indescribable satisfaction.

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‫ﻣﺠﻤﻊ ارﺟﺎن ‪ -‬اﻟﺒﺪع ‪ -‬ﺷﺎرع اﻟﺘﻌﺎون ت‪:‬‬

‫‪222-63164 / 222-63163‬‬

‫‪Hamad Bouqammaz‬‬ ‫‪@makzarah‬‬

‫تاريخ صناعة‬ ‫الشوكوالتة‬ ‫بالشوكوالتة الفرنيسة ولكن السؤال هل هذه‬ ‫ال فرنسيه ؟ او فع ً‬ ‫الشوكوالتة فع ً‬ ‫ال بلجيكيه ‪ !.‬او‬ ‫سويسريه ‪!.‬‬ ‫االجابه طبعًا ال ألن شجرة الكاكاو ال تنبت الي على‬ ‫بعد عشرون كيلو عن خط االستواء لذا التوجد في‬ ‫اوربا كلها شجرة كاكاو واحده! اذًا لماذا سميت‬ ‫بهذا االسم؟ في بداية االمر الشوكوالتة كانت علي‬ ‫شكل شراب ساخن اكتشفت في امريكا الجنوبيه‬ ‫وكانت مخصصة للملوك فقط و مع الزمن اهدا‬ ‫ملك اسبانيا الشوكوالتة الي ملك فرنسا ثم ملوك‬ ‫اوروبا جميعًا بعد ذالك بدا تجار اوربا بعمل مزارع‬ ‫منظمه للكاكاو في امريكا الجنوبيه خصوصًا في‬ ‫البرازيل و فنزويال و بوليفيا وبعد عدة سنوات تمكن‬ ‫مخترع فرنسي بعمل اله تقوم بخلط بودره الكاكاو‬ ‫وتحويلها لقطع صلبه بدالً من المشروب الساخن‬ ‫المتعارف عليه‪ .‬ثم بعد ذالك توالت االختراعات في‬ ‫اوروبا مثل بلجيكا و سويسرا و هولندا لتبدأ صناعة‬ ‫الكاكاو بشكلها الجديد الصلب ولكن المكائن و‬ ‫طريقة خلطاتهم تختلف من بلد الي اخري لذالك‬ ‫اصبح مذاق مختلف من بلد الي اخريز‬ ‫مث ً‬ ‫ال اشتهر الفرنسيون بالكاكاو الصافي‬ ‫بدرجات متعدده من الغامق الي الفاتح و اشتهر‬ ‫السويسريون بخلط الكاكاو مع الحليب بينما اشتهر‬ ‫البلجيكيون بحشو الكاكاو بالمكسرات و الفواكه‪.‬‬ ‫على الرغم من غالء سعر الكيلو للشوكوالتة‬ ‫البلجيكيه لكن تظل هي اشهر شوكوالتة بالعالم‬ ‫و االمر يستحق التكلفه لما تتمتع به من جوده‬ ‫عاليه ستالحظ فرق كبير بين طعم الشوكوالته‬ ‫البلجيكيه بالمقارنه مع شوكوالتة تعتبر ارخص‬ ‫منها‪ .‬من جانب اخر يعتبر السويسريون هم االكثر‬ ‫استهالك للشوكوالتة بالعالم حيث يستهلك‬ ‫الفرد معدل ‪ ٢١.٤‬كيلوغرامات وتعتبر هذه النسبه‬ ‫مرتفعه مقارنة باالعوام السابقه‪.‬‬ ‫وعلي الرغم من االزمة الماليه التي اكتسحت العالم‬ ‫و اغلقت فيه شركات كبرى و صغرى ابوابها حافظت‬

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‫الشوكوالته السويسريه علي مكانتها وسجلت‬ ‫ارتفاع قياسيًا في المبيعات فإن شركات انتاج‬ ‫الشوكوالته السويسريه سجلت زياده في حجم‬ ‫مبيعاتها بنسبه ‪ ٪٢‬ولم يكن هناك اي اثر سلبي‬ ‫علي الطلب من المستهلك السويسري‬

B

@q80chef

anquet is a new catering company in the Kuwaiti market. And, since it’s our occasions issue, they offered us a trial of all their best canapés to try out for the upcoming occasion-filled season. First, presentation wise they were outstanding. Everything was appealing to the eye throughout the great selection which was made up of just the right combination of colors. When I first saw the way the canapés were being presented they honestly looked even more delicious than I had anticipated and that level of presentation alone made me want to step up and try them out. Here’s a list of all the scrumptious canapés I tried out along with my own critique of each one to help you select just the right food to serve at your next upcoming event or personal occasion.

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www.thecitym.com 55 Photographer : Hussain Shamou Creative Director : Zainab bahman

THE FETA CHEESE STUFFED IN WATERMELLON WITH THYME AND YELLOW PEMIENTO: Feta cheese and watermelon are always a good combination in my book. It gave me a childhood flashback of when I would eat this treat on warm, summer afternoons. However, since watermelon is out of season this time of year the combination missed that special kick. I also did not pick up the taste of the thyme as much as I expected.

THE BAKED BEET ROOT, HALLOUMI & SWEET POTATO TOPPED WITH PHILADELPHIA AND THYME: The idea of the beetroot combined with the halloumi and sweet potato was definitely new to me. At the beginning you may find it a weird combination which won’t appeal to you but, trust me, after the first bite you will get pleasantly surprised. The flavors starting from the beet root followed by the cream cheese and ending with the sweet potato have an odd harmony that surprisingly don’t overcrowd your taste buds with too many flavors.

THE CASPIAN BLACK CAVIAR ON QUAIL EGGS WITH PARSLEY TIE WITH CHIVES: You really can’t go wrong with caviar and eggs. It’s honestly a winning choice and you know you’re about to taste something both decadent and light from the get-go. I’m always delighted whenever I have this little delicacy. The way the subtle taste of the caviar kicks in just upon the first bite of the quail ego is magnificent and gets me every time.

THE MILD CHEDDAR WITH DRAGON FRUIT TOPPED WITH CREAM CHEESE AND PARSLEY: Now, with this combination I must admit a small problem. See, the items offered here are seasonal so if one item is served out of season the whole idea of the food could go from a yay to a total nay. This is what happened with the dragon fruit in this particular case. To be honest, the taste was bland. The only taste saver here was the cream cheese but I would’ve preferred it incorporated with some other ingredients.

THE STRABERRY AND HALOUMMI TOPED WITH BLUE BERRY, CRANBERRY JAM AND PARSLEY: Ah, now here is the absolute star of the whole bunch! A cup of the halloumi-stuffed strawberry presents a very well chosen combination of both salty and sweet flavors that’s not so surprising that it shocks you but not so conventional that it bores you. I can only describe this dish as the very taste of summer on your tongue—delicious!

CHERRY TOMATO STUFFED WITH BROCOLI MOSS, GARNISHED WITH TYME AND PIMENTO: The idea of stuffing cherry tomato was nice and classy but it could’ve been used in other different ways to bring out the sour in the tomato. Also, the broccoli moss can be incorporated with a lot more flavors than was done here. The dish was simple but a bit dry. It seemed like a bit of missed opportunity to me.

THE SMOKED SALMON STUFFED WITH LABNEH, ROLLED WITH NORI, GARNISHED WITH DILL AND CAPERS: I’m personally a big fan of smoked salmon so I was pretty excited to try this one. The idea of the lebnah itself was good in concept but in tasting it needed more flavors to complete the masterpiece.

THE HONEY MELON AND FOIE GRAS TOPPED WITH CRANBERRY, RED CURRENT AND THYME: Honey melon and foie gras are definitely a great combination amongst each other, no doubt about that, but the red current honestly took all the flavors away from it. I think if a small slice of orange was used instead it would have complimented a lot better.

GOOSE LIVER & RED CURRENT TOPPED WITH CRANBERRY JAM & FRENCH PARSLEY SERVED IN A CRISPY SPINACH CONE: Goose liver and red current! This was the very taste of luxury, in my opinion. This one was pretty unbeatable in my book. Everything complimented each other perfectly and the harmony of the tastes was divine. I was willing to eat the whole tray alone.

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+965 2477 4300

BEEF SALAMI AND PALMITO FILLED WITH PHILADELPIA SERVED IN CRISPY PLAIN TART TOPPED WITH PEMIENTO AND THYME

THE YELLOW ZUCHINI STUFFED WITH SPINACH SERVED IN TOMATO FLAVOURED TART TOPPED WITH CHILLY SAUSE & PARSLEY.

THE SMOKED CHICKEN AND MARINATED BEET ROOT SERVED IN ORANGE TART TOPPED WITH FRESH CREAM & PARSLEY.

SMOKED SALMON AND SEA FOOD SALPICON WITH SOUR CREAM, PEMIENTO, AND CAPERS SERVED IN CRISPY TART.

THE FRENCH BRIE CHEESE ROLL TOPPED WITH CRANBERRY & THYME.

THE ROLL OF CHICKEN MORTADELLA AND GOODA CHEESE WITH KIWI TOPPED WITH CRANBERRY AND THYME.

THE FETA CHEESE STUFFED IN WATERMELLON WITH THYME AND YELLOW PEMIENTO.

THE BOURSINI PEPPER STUFFED IN SWEET POTATO BASKET SPRINKLED WITH BLACK SESAME OVER THYME AND PEMIENTO.

THE BAKED BEET ROOT, HALLOUMI & SWEET POTATO TOPPED WITH PHILADELPHIA AND THYME

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THE CAPSIAN BLACK CAVIAR ON QUAIL EGG WITH PARSLEY TIE WITH CHIVES

THE GUACAMOLI STUFFED IN PALM HEART TIED WITH NORI, TOPPED WITH PHILADELPHIA, CHIVES AND POMAGRANATE

THE MILD CHEDDAR WITH DRAGON FRUIT TOPED WITH CREAM CHEESE AND PARSLEY.

THE MINCED ARTICHOKE ROLLED I ARTICHOKE LEAF WITH CHIVE TOPED WITH LABNEH AND CHERRY TOMATO.

THE BABY POTATO STUFFED WITH PHILADELPHIA GARNISH WITH RADISH SLICE AND PARSLEY.

THE BLACK BERRY ON HONEY DEW AND GOODA SLICE TOPED WITH LABNEH AND THYME

THE STRABERRY AND HALOUMMI TOPED WITH BLUE BERRY, CRANBERRY JAM AND PARSLEY.

CHERRY TOMATO STUFFED WITH THE BROCOLI MOUSE, GARNISH WITH TYME AND PIMENTO.

THE SMOKED SALMON STUFFED WITH LABNEH, ROLLED WITH NORI GARNISHED WITH DILL AND CAPERS.

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Cake

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Story

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N

ouf Al-Askary has always been an admirer of decadence. Fancy table settings and beautiful, dainty details strewn with lace and pearls are among her favorite things.

To Nouf, leading an elegant life is an art form that takes a refined touch to perfect and to enjoy.

When she founded Cake Story she set out to bring that elegance and that refined standard of beauty into the hearts and homes of people in Kuwait during their most cherished and memorable of life moments. With a rich rose-pistachio flavor here, a classy Parisian detail there, and the signature bright, warm icing to top it all off, Cake Story is the perfect way to celebrate life’s most beautiful moments in savoir vivre!

What made you want to be a cake designer and a baker?

Since I was a 6 year old girl my sole fascination was in beautiful table settings. I loved lace table covers, shiny silverware, and the sight of brightly colored flowers in a vase on the table. Anytime we go to family gatherings, I sit alone and inspect how the host prepared her dining table. How she presents the food and what the cups and dishes looked like. I used to daydream on how my own home will be and how I will make my dining table better than any classy restaurant. The years passed and my passion for artistic tableware, covers, flowers and dinning accessories continued throughout my life. Today I’ve also discovered an interest in baking and I decided to combine it with my love for artistic design. To me baking pastries is the beginning of creating lovely, delightful moments between friends and families in happy gatherings. I am proud to be a part of those warm cherished moments. That was my story!

When did you start Cake Story and where in Kuwait are you located?

I started in March 2012 from my own home’s kitchen.

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What types of different cakes do you make?

We bake different kinds of assortments on a daily basis. Cakes, and cold and hot desserts are among our wide range of selections. Recently we presented our new cake creations with special designs for special occasions, which was inspired by our love for all things ruffled, lace, flowers, and pearls.

Have you developed your own special, cake recipes?

I always add my own touches to each cake recipe before presenting it to my client in order to make it unique and special in it’s own way.

Is there a particularly popular cake among your customers?

All our cakes and desserts are popular. I honestly can’t specify one kind—they are all on high demand among our customers.

How long does it usually take for you to create a cake? Tell us about the process!

Its depends, really. Creating a cake is part art and part science. First, we think of an idea/ subject from our daily life or an occasion to celebrate a commemorative day. It can be to raise awareness

of an issue, or for a unique event. Either way, we start expressing our creativity for that occasion through baking. Once we choose what kind of cake we want to make we then use the best quality ingredients available to insure a tasty creation!

Do you have a favorite combination of flavors or colors for your cakes?

There are certainly classic combinations like chocolate and peanut butter which is delicious in pies, cakes, cookies, and desserts. But my favorites are pistachios and rose, white chocolate and raspberries, and milk chocolate with caramel.

What is the most rewarding part of being a baker/cake designer?

Creating smiles and lovely delightful moments between friends and families in happy gatherings. Being a part of those warm cherished moments is what keeps me going and is the main reason for following my dream.

Do you have a favorite treat of your own?

Our famous raspberry tart which we’ve called ‘Lilly’s of the Valley.’ We learned this recipe from one of the best chefs in the world in beautiful Florence and it is absolutely delicious!

To me baking pastries is the beginning of creating lovely, delightful moments between friends and families in happy gatherings.

I am proud to be a part of those warm cherished moments. That was my story!

Photographer : Hussain Shamou Creative Director : Zainab bahman

@Cakestory

‫‪Anmar is‬‬ ‫‪Cooking‬‬ ‫من األكالت التراثية في الكويت‬ ‫القبوط والعصيدة تقدم خصوصًا في‬ ‫فترة النفاس للمراة الوالدة وهي تعوض‬ ‫المراة بعد الوالدة وتغذيها‪ ..‬لنحافظ‬ ‫جميعًا على هذه الوصفات ولكي ال تندثر‬

‫أتمنى تطبخونها دائمًا‪...‬‬

‫‪64 www.thecitym.com‬‬

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‫بالعافية!‬ ‫القبوط‬ ‫المقادير‪:‬‬ ‫‪ -١‬العجينة‪:‬‬ ‫كوب طحين‬ ‫ربع كوب زيت‬ ‫ماء‬ ‫ملح‬ ‫‪ -٢‬الحشو‪:‬‬ ‫بصل ناعم‬ ‫ملح‬ ‫فلفل اسود‬ ‫دارسين‬ ‫هيل‬ ‫لومي اسود ناعم‬ ‫الطريقة‪:‬‬ ‫تقطع العجينة الى كرات متوسطة الحجم‬

‫وتحشى بمقدار قليل من الحشو وتترك‬ ‫جانبًا‬ ‫مقادير مرق اللحم‪:‬‬ ‫‪ ٢‬كيلو لحم قطع متوسطة‬ ‫بصل ناعم‬ ‫ثوم مطحون‬ ‫‪ ١٠‬حبات طماطم مقطعة‬ ‫معجون طماط‬ ‫بطاط وباذنجان مقطع طوليًا‬ ‫‪ ٤‬حبات من اللومي االسود الكامل‬ ‫الطريقة‪:‬‬ ‫‪ -١‬يحمر البصل مع الثوم المطحون‬ ‫‪ -٢‬يضاف له اللحم ثم تضاف البهارات‬ ‫الناعمة (فلفل اسود‪ ،‬هيل‪ ،‬دارسين‪،‬‬ ‫كزبرة)‬ ‫‪ -٣‬تضاف الطماطم المقطعة ومعجون‬ ‫الطماط وثم يضاف الماء‬

‫‪ -٤‬بعد نضوج اللحم نضيف اقراص‬ ‫العجين والخضار المقطعة واللومي‬ ‫االسود‬ ‫‪ -٥‬يترك على نار هادئة حتى ينضج‬ ‫القبوط‬ ‫العصيدة‬ ‫المقادير‪:‬‬ ‫‪ ٣‬اكواب طحين اسمر‬ ‫قالب زبدة متوسط‬ ‫دبس التمر‬ ‫هيل‬ ‫زعفران‬ ‫سكر‬ ‫ماء‬ ‫الطريقة‪:‬‬ ‫يذوب السكر في الماء مع الهيل‬ ‫‪ّ -١‬‬

‫‪Photographer: Latifa Madouh‬‬

‫والزعفران ويغلى‬ ‫‪ -٢‬يحمس الطحين في المقالة حتى‬ ‫يشقر وتفوح رائحته‬ ‫‪ -٣‬تضاف الزبدة السائحة الى الطحين‬ ‫ويقلب‬ ‫‪ -٤‬نضيف دبس التمر حسب الرغبة‬ ‫‪ -٥‬يضاف الماء المحلى بالهيل والزعفران‬ ‫الى الطحين تدريجيًا حتى يصبح القوام‬ ‫متجانس وناعم‬ ‫‪ -٦‬بعد استواء العصيدة يضاف القليل‬ ‫من الهيل والزعفران والقليل من الزبدة‬ ‫‪ -٧‬يخفق البيض مع الهيل والزعفران‬ ‫والفلفل االسود والملح ويقلى‬ ‫‪ -٨‬تصب العصيدة في الطبق ويزين‬ ‫السطح بالبيض المقطع‬

‫‪@anmariscooking‬‬

‫‪66 www.thecitym.com‬‬

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Farah Al-Humaidhi @piecesbyfarah @piecesbyfarah

Mastering FENGSHUI Fengshui is all about “organizing and harnessing energy around us for a good life.” FengShui acknowledges that everything in the environment is alive, connected, and continually interacting with us, affecting us either positively or negatively. We will talk about these forces and how they influence our health, wealth, and relationships within a family. Fengshui is an art and a science that has its origin in ancient China, but has become very popular in the western world. Practicing Fengshui successfully however is even more challenging than the brief description I’ve stated here. And for this very reason, I’d like to share with you all a few Fengshui rules that can make your life easier and your spaces more prosperous!

• Welcoming entrance - Ensure that the front of your house is not only appealing but also inviting. That’s because positive energy enters through the front door. Make sure your entrance is organized without any dead plants hanging around or wrecked stuff lying around.

• Colors can impact – Colors have a special significance in fengshui and each color represents something completely different.

For example, green symbolizes nature and is therefore representative of life and hope.

Yellow represents power, and red and purple are said to be lucky. Relaxing colors are best used in living spaces.

• Hanging mirrors. – According to Fengshui, mirrors are believed to reflect not only positive energy but also prevent the flow of negative energy, thereby doubling its po-

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tency. So placing mirrors within your homes are encouraged but do ensure that it is not placed facing a front door as it would direct the good energy out of your home.

• Furniture arrangement – Furniture is to be positioned in a manner that will not restrict free passage through the room as this is a replication of the energy flow. Also one needs to note that people should be seated with their backs facing the wall wherever possible as this adds to the balance and harmony of the space and allows for the free flow of energy.

• •Timely restoration – Any house feature that needs urgent repair or mending needs to be given top priority as worn down stairs, windows, or door could greatly hamper the flow of positive energy.

• Installing water features – Incorporating a water feature is very fundamental to the successful implementation of fengshui, which literally translates as ‘wind-water.’ A water feature promotes a feeling of serenity and peace within any room it is included in.

• De-clutter every room – Central to guaranteeing a harmonious life will be ensuring a clutter free space. Mess or litter can restrict the flow of positive energy an can result in muddled thinking. An organized home extends a feeling of tranquility and harmony as well.

• Fresh plant display – Displaying fresh flowers or plants can promote a positive energy, al-

though it is important that they are flowers without thorns. Placing a basket of fruits in your bedroom especially pomegranates are a symbol of fertility, while placing oranges or lemons at the entrance are thought to bring good fortune and prosperity.

• Separate work & rest area – Office space in your residence should be kept as distinct as possible from your living or sleeping spaces since relaxation becomes impractical with all the work-related materials that stare you down from your bedroom..

• Avoid sharp lines & curves – Roundness is favored in fengshui. Sharp lines and contours are to be avoided. According to the concept of fengshui, they emit negative energy.

Although it is not practical to completely avoid sharp corners one should try to do so as much as possible. Corners are never to point towards chairs or beds, as the negative energy is channeled towards those objects and will thereby prevent calmness and relaxation.

Fengshui is a very holistic system that has been practiced in China for hundreds of years and which not only takes into account the effects of energy on the physical world, but it also considers the influence of energy on the emotional and intellectual aspects of daily life as well. This ancient art has helped millions around the world to organize their lives in a manner that promotes well being.

‫‪Nora Al-Ajmi‬‬ ‫‪noraalajmi86‬‬ ‫‪nora.a.alajmi@gmail.com‬‬

‫أيام اإلستقالل‪،‬‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أيام سعادة‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫تحتفل المكسيك بيوم استقاللها من اإلستعمار‬ ‫األسباني في السادس عشر من سبتمبر من كُ ل عام‪.‬‬ ‫فترى العلم المكسيكي‪ ،‬والمشابه بألوانه للعلم‬ ‫الكويتي في كُ ل زاوية ومنزل‪ .‬ويستعد الشعب‬ ‫لنوعين من اإلحتفال‪ .‬األول ُقبيل الساعة الثانية عشرة‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫حيث يتواجد الرئيس المكسيكي "بينيا نيتو"‬ ‫مساء‬ ‫في القصر الرئاسي القديم ليطل على الجمهور الذي‬ ‫ينتظره في ساحة "سوكلو" و الذي يبلغ عدده كل‬ ‫سنة المليون تقريبًا‪ .‬فيبدأ الرئيس بتحية الشعب‬ ‫و ِذكر اسم كل رؤساء المكسيك السابقين لينهي‬ ‫كلمته ب‬ ‫"تحيا مكسيكو"‬ ‫‪.Viva Mexico‬‬ ‫فتنطلق بعد هذه الجملة المشهورة المفرقعات‬ ‫النارية و صرخات الفرحة لتعم البهجة في المكسيك‬ ‫الجميلة‪.‬‬ ‫أما النوع الثاني من اإلحتفاالت فيبدأ بعد تلك الليلة‬ ‫بسبع ساعات فقط‪ ،‬حيث يبدأ اإلستعراض العسكري‬ ‫بنوعيه البري و الجوي أمام الرئيس وزوجته وابنائه‬ ‫الخمسة‪.‬‬

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‫وبعد أن ينطلق اإلستعراض من ساحة "سوكلو"‬ ‫الشهيرة و التي تعادل بشهرتها ساحة ترافلغار‬ ‫اللندنية و التايمز سكوير النيويوركية‪ ،‬يخرج الحرس‬ ‫والشرطة والطاقم الطبي بأطبائه وممرضيه من‬ ‫الجنسين بالمشي من الساحة إلى شارع الريفورما‬ ‫"شارع اإلصالح" ليحيوا الجمهور الذي ينتظرهم منذ‬ ‫طلوع شمس يوم اإلستقالل‪.‬‬ ‫قد تشرح الصور المرفقة بعض اللحظات التي تحدثت‬ ‫عنها‪ .‬والجدير بالذكر أن الشعب المكسيكي‪ ،‬و كأي‬ ‫شعب ُمحب لوطنه‪ ،‬لم يمنعه مطر أو برد قارص في‬ ‫ذلك اليوم من الخروج لتحية الجنود و المنظمين‬ ‫للحفل و اإلستعراض‪.‬‬ ‫وختامًا‪ ،‬فيفا مهيكو‬ ‫‪Viva Mexico‬‬ ‫المكسيك‪2013 ،‬‬

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MAI AlKHALIFA meets

AMINA ABASSI www.thecitym.com 71

F

act: one of the most interesting and inspiring moments of my month was when I got to interview Amina Al Abbasi for our October issue. Getting to know the brilliant artist who became instantly well known for her talent in combining the modern with the traditional, and understanding her process was an intriguing thrill. The truth is that we can all read about renowned women who made history and climbed their way it to the top of the world, but when you get to meet a young female artist who is inspired, determined, and focused, it is different kind of pride that you feel. You feel empowered and motivated in an entirely new and refreshing way.

I could not help but feel that surge of motivation, inspiration, and full dose of positive energy during my conversation with Amina, a young, Bahraini female artist who has built her own thriving label, “Amina Gallery,” and made a distinguished name for herself. She has been creating beautiful oil paintings on canvas and acrylics using the traditional, the well-known, and the beautiful Bahraini costumes and jewelry in such a way that evokes history in modernity and fashion in culture. However, Amina's ultimate goal is to present exceptional artwork that is known internationally and reflects her abilities on a larger scale. She has taken brave steps in her life to find her true happiness and follow her passion for art and I am beyond thrilled to share with you my exceptional conversation with this young, bright, innovative female and to let you know why Amina Al-Abbasi is the one to watch out for!

What is your background?

I am proud to say that I am finally a full time artist. I am a Banking and Finance graduate and I have worked at a large local bank for 2 years, but I followed my instincts and the advice I got from people I admire and respect and decided to take the plunge and focus on my art work full time! My days are full and it is nice to be productive towards something that is adding to my life every day.

Tell me about the early days of Amina Gallery.

I have been painting since I was a little girl— it was always my passion and the class I look forward to most in school. But, never in my wildest dreams had I imagined to be an artist and to have my artwork hanging on the walls around Bahrain and the Gulf. I started my business, Amina Gallery, two years ago and when I started exhibiting my work at local, mini exhibitions, and when I saw people’s feedback towards my work, I realized that there was something special there. I started doing commissioned original artwork, which helped me establish contacts and expand my network. My customer base today has expanded from Bahrain to almost every country in the GCC! Who is your typical customer or website visitor?

My customers are people who are, in short,

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looking for something creative. They are art lovers and people who are looking for something unique, with a traditional touch.

Instagram: @aminaalabbasi Facebook: Modern Art with a Traditional Touch

What are some interesting statistics?

To me, art is about giving back. I have recently participated in “Noor Dubai” which is an organization that helps restore the gift of sight to people around the world. Christies auctioned my paintings and all proceeds go to the charity organization.

I mainly depend on word of mouth and social media to market my work. My Instagram account has many of my updates and links that go directly to my website where you can place an order. I try to walk people through my art experience and my exhibitions, and update them with my latest products through Instagram and Twitter. It has been a very useful marketing strategy as I have a follower base of more than19,000 followers, and website visitors of 16,000 monthly average and growing.

What is unusual or unique about your business, in comparison to your competitors or similar businesses?

My art focuses on modern art with a traditional touch so I offer a product that makes old into new and boring into stylish. It is amazing how, no matter how much globalization has affected or thoughts and way of life, I’ve seen that people always go back to their roots and their history. So a marriage between the past and the present is what people love about my work. I do not only offer paintings that you hang on the wall, I offer paintings on many different Medias, and look at it from an interior design perspective and a modern angle.

My product line includes: cushions, phone covers, iPad covers, acrylic side/coffee tables and trays, handbags, passport covers, jewelry boxes, and I am always on the lookout for new products.

How would an outsider looking in describe your work?

Unique.

Is there an experience you are most proud of?

I am proud to be the first Bahraini to sell their designs and products at Harrods, London. I am also proud to have my artwork auctioned by one of the most prestigious auction houses in the world: Christies.

How do you find the market in Bahrain and how are people responding to your products?

People in Bahrain appreciate creativity and art, which leaves a very positive feedback on my work. Although I do not see Bahrain as my only market—I look at the GCC countries as my market on the whole. We currently have retailers in almost every country in the GCC. Does your business have an online presence on other social web spaces like: Facebook?

Twitter? YouTube? Instagram?

Website: www.aminagallery.com Twitter: @MT_ARTBahrain

Do you do any charity or non-profit work?

What is an interesting story about a customer interaction you had?

Every client feedback is special and motivating in its own way! I receive many emails and messages from people telling me how my work inspires them to start their own business and that means a lot to me—it really makes all the hard work worthwhile.

How did your friends and family react when you decided to work on Amina Gallery fulltime?

I am lucky to have a very strong support system from my direct family and in laws, which motivates me to work harder and try to make them proud.

What are the goals you would like to accomplish?

I would like my work to be international, and to reflect the real image of the Arab working woman who has a dream, strives to fulfill it, and making it happen.

What are some of your greatest challenges in your business?

The most difficult and most exciting part of setting up my business was deciding to move out of a secure full time job in one of the largest local commercial banks and dive into the unknown. The psychological prison and sense of false security I had in my mind made my shift difficult at first, but the rush I get every morning I wake up now is priceless.

What other countries is Amina Gallery available in? Tell us about how you expanded outside Bahrain.

My artworks are made in Bahrain of course, but they are shipped around the GCC. Through my website and social media such as Instagram and Facebook, many retailers approached me and I have selectively chosen to deal with some in Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai. Retailers look for unique ideas, which I offer and I look for unique vendors to sell my products. I try to exhibit as much as possible in different countries and local exhibitions. You can find me in the following retailers around the GCC and London: Bahrain: Amina Gallery, Riyadat Mall Kuwait: The Walk-In Closet Riyadh: Maison Bo M, Nujood Mall Jeddah: Maison Bo M, Star Avenues Al-Khobar: Dessert Designs Dubai: 1915 by Siddiqi Oman: Soon at Boutique Mascat London: Harrods How long does it take you to come up with an idea and see it into fruition?

A: Everything around me inspires me, but it is that transformation of ideas, from something as simple as a drive to work that could start the train of thought to a meaningful beautiful painting.

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love-made-eternal

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TASNEEM AL-SULTAN

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"It's not always about the settings of the camera or the backgrounds and colors—it's about the story."

F

or many of us, weddings are the most joyous occasions of our lives. We call it ‘The Night of a Lifetime.’

Such a lofty, exuberant, life-affirming experience is not an easy one to capture truthfully and entirely. It takes a special eye to catch those instances of intimacymade-public, vulnerability-made-brave, and love-made-eternal. And this is exactly where Tasneem Al-Sultan comes in.

As a woman with meticulous attention to detail and mind that imagines and enthralls with conceptual depth, Tasneem is the woman you want right there in those unforgettable yet transient moments of love shared, promised, and immortalized on that special day. She is not just a photographer but a true romantic and, because of her well-seasoned hand with a camera, she is an eternal dream weaver. We at theCITY are beyond proud to bring you this exclusive interview with Saudi Arabia’s leading wedding photographer and a global star in her own right: the impeccable Tasneem Al-Sultan

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Tell our readers a little about yourself and what you do.

I'm a wedding photographer. I document details, moments, emotions and all the in-betweens. I was born and raised in the US and UK to Saudi parents so I'm always the thirdculture kid trying to combine elements from both the East and the West.

How many weddings do you average per year?

I've been very fortunate to shoot around 40 weddings every year.

How would you describe your style?

Clean, modern, and romantic. Capturing passionate, joyful and classic moments that tell the beautiful story of a couple’s special day.

What inspires you to create such beautiful imagery?

Everything! Fashion, music, art, literature, nature. The list goes on...

How do you make the bride, groom, bridal party etc. feel comfortable in front of your camera?

Almost always, I meet up with bride and groom months before the wedding. They get to know me, and I get to know them. It's then and there that they understand that it's all about them enjoying their day and forgetting about the cameras. I'm there to capture the subtle emotions and gestures that you can never recreate or pose.

Describe a favorite recent image you’ve shot at a wedding. Why is it so special?

I love them all! I loved the latest shoot I did for a couple’s honeymoon in Santorini. I had shot their wedding a few weeks before but since the wedding was small and at home, the couple thought it best to have a shoot with the outdoors as their background. The image of them just sitting there on a Greek rooftop reminds me of innocence and childhood.

What do you think is the most challenging thing about wedding photography?

Running around and trying to be everywhere, catching all the details at once.

The most rewarding thing?

I love the adrenaline rush once I've succeeded in doing so.

Is there a particular wedding photographer that inspires you?

Lately I've become a fan of Susana Barbera.

I've had the pleasure of knowing her as a friend, but her documentary photography is just spectacular.

If you could be invisible for one day with your camera, what would you shoot?

I would shoot the families and children living on the borders of the Gaza strip.

Any words of wisdom to aspiring wedding photographers out there?

If your images trigger an emotion, then you’re on the right track. It's not always about the settings of the camera or the backgrounds and colors—it's about the story. @tasneemalsultan

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Sitting Pretty 78 www.thecitym.com

C

hairs are among the most basic of essentials in our lives. For many of us, they are strictly utilitarian. But there’s something about sitting on a personal throne of sorts, and feeling uplifted. Or feeling represented. Or being transported to an entirely new place and time. This is where Awatif Al-Refai’s 7 July chair designs come in. Awatif understands the need we all have to sit, take a load off, and relax for a while and she’s utilized this need to not only comfort our bod-

ies, but transport our minds and souls as well. Her chair designs range from the whimsical and otherworldly to the classic and decadent and, in this exclusive interview with theCITY, she talks to us more about how she can take utility and turn it into fantasy.

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Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Awatif Al-Refaie. Kuwaiti. Interior designer. I graduated from the University of Applied Sciences in Jordan, and am now working in the Ministry of Public Work.

When did you start ‘7 July’ and what is it about exactly?

7 July Designs stared around 9 months ago as a platform to give information and share techniques about interior design and decorating within Kuwait. In the future I hope to also make space for my own designs inshallah.

As an interior designer do you have any favorite architecture or favorite, famous rooms?

Well, I think that all kinds of architecture are necessary and have the potential to be beautiful. We need to preserve all forms and styles of architecture because, in the end, the specific place and environment governs the design outcome and makes it stand out in its own

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way. We need to make sure that this diversity of identity is maintained throughout our architectural expressions because then we will find beauty and inspiration in every single one.

However, if I had to choose, I’d say that Islamic architecture is my very favorite.

Why is designing chairs interesting to you?

I’m generally a huge fan of furniture design and I’m in love with the whole process and all the elements of it. But, I decided to start with chairs because well… we have to sit down!

Why not sit somewhere unique; somewhere that represents us; or somewhere that just makes us escape? I also design coffee tables for these chairs.

Why did you decide to design an Eiffel tower chair?

Well, first off, I really wanted to do something unusual, unique, and visually interesting. And, second: I absolutely love Paris!

What elements of inspiration go into your choice to create a chair?

Everything beautiful! Anything from sites I visit during my travels; famous places that define the histories and identities of the world; ancient stories that set-off my imagination; strong, bold colors that bring out a certain emotion or vibe.

Do you offer other services at 7 July besides chair design?

Yes, of course. I consult on interior design projects, help people to choose their room layouts and furniture selections, and I also design all kinds of furniture by order.

What is the next step you’d like to take to expand 7 July?

I’d really like to do a furniture show that kind of resembles a fashion show. The same method of display and the same energy level of innovation, creativity, and versatility. But, I’d sure need support and motivation to get to that point, and this will be my next step inshallah.

I think that all kinds of architecture are necessary and have the potential to be beautiful.

We need to preserve all forms and styles of architecture because, in the end, the specific place and environment governs the design outcome and makes it stand out in its own way.

Photographer : Khadeija Al-Shimmiri

@awatifdeco

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By Latifa Madouh

CITY KIDS

the

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Make-up is a fickle matter. Too much of it can be overkill. Too little, unnoticeable. Then you have the added dimensions of different complexions, facial angles, and appropriate occasions. There are as many styles, looks, and combination of make-up techniques as there are faces, and knowing which one works for you can take a lifetime to get down. For every woman, even the most simple and unvarnished of us, make-up is going to be an essential element in at least handful of major occasions in our lives. In such moments, the make-up artist is your lifesaver and finding the right person is beyond crucial. And, in our Occasions issue, we have just the woman for the job. Noor Al-Rasheed Al-Bader: a Kuwaiti make-up artist whose talented touch and classy taste brings an air of decadence, skill, and timelessness to every face she touches with her brush!

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When and how did you know a career in beauty was for you?

About 12 years ago when people began asking about the make-up I applied to my close friends and family members and requesting that I do their make-up for them.

How long have you been practicing make-up and what has been the hardest part of building your career?

Since 2002. The hardest part was satisfying my clients because each client has different facial features and each person has her own taste in make-up.

Thankfully, I’ve been able to overcome this challenge over time and through experience.

What is the easiest/quickest way to turn a day/work look into something that works for a night out?

The easiest way to turn a day/work look into a night out look is by applying a darker shade of lipstick and eyelashes. It’s very easy, quickly transforms you, and almost anyone can pull it off!

What are five make-up items that no woman should leave home without?

No woman should leave home without foundation, a compact, BB cream, mascara, and lip gloss.

Can you offer one tip to women with problematic or acne prone skin?

My tip to women who suffer with these problems is to take extra good care of your skin by following up with a dermatologist ASAP. That and making sure the kind of make-up they use isn’t low-quality, chemical ridden stuff.

What is the biggest challenge of being a make-up artist?

As a passionate make-up artist, I don’t find any real challenges in my work because nothing is too hard to overcome. I actually challenge myself to satisfy all my clients and make sure they leave with the exact kind of make-up they want, with my own special touch.

What are the main make-up trends for Fall 2013/2014?

The main make-up trends for Fall

2013/2014 are thick eyebrows, contouring, and eyelashes.

Give us one beauty secret you have or use.

My secret is confidence. Feel confident and love yourself, even without make-up!

That’s the real secret to feeling and looking beautiful.

Which type of make-up do you enjoy doing more (bridal, evening, casual)?

Well, to be honest, I enjoy doing all types of make-up! Because I’m so passionate about make-up I find enjoyment in applying each different type and working in the various techniques for each kind of makeup.

Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring make-up artists?

My advice for aspiring make-up artists and the general public (whether or not they want to work in make-up or any other field) is to follow their passion and what they enjoy doing most! If you do that then you will be sincere and you will enjoy the process.

Photographer : Hussain Shamou

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"The main make-up trends for Fall 2013/2014 are thick eyebrows, contouring, and eyelashes."

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My

secret

is

confidence.

Feel

confident

and love yourself, even without make-up! @noormakeup

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the

SALMEEN SISTERS

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Photographer : Hussain Shamou Creative Director : Zainab bahman

D

ress to impress. That’s the motto of every would-be fashionista the world over— and especially so in Kuwait.

In a time where everyone flocks blindly after a transient culture of endless trends, the most impressive outfit a girl can wear today is an outfit that personifies her and her alone. This is where Sash Designs comes in.

Headed and designed by the impeccably styled, brightly confident Shurooq Salmeen, Sash has built a reputation that is defined by quality and individuality. At Sash you know that your frock is literally one of a kind—as Shurooq does not replicate any of her designs once they are sold to her customers. With such a glaring commitment to personalized craftsmanship, commercial sincerity, and, of course, innate style, we had to sit down with Shurooq Salmeen for our October issue to find out more from her about SASH and why the best accessory a girl can wear in any occasion is her own personality.

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Tell us more about Sash designs and why you were so interested in starting a fashion line.

SASH started with a dream. A dream that took around 10 years to mature, become a reality, and play a huge part in my life. Since I was little, I always enjoyed playing dress up while other girls my age enjoyed playing with dolls more. My mom played a great role in my fashion development as she always encouraged me and supported me. I first started by making changes to my daily clothes with my own design touches. Many people would stop me to ask me about these pieces I had made for myself which made me proud and very happy. I graduated from college and experienced different industries with different jobs, but none of them felt like a career. My passion for fashion grew as I continued to educate myself about that specific industry from all aspects, and then one day I knew I was ready enough to take the plunge!

When and how did you decide to start working in the fashion business?

In Feb 2002 I decided to start my fashion career and quit my job. It was time to bring my dream to reality! So I quit my day job and jumped right into my fashion career, taking all the risks that came with it.

What is your working process like when creating a new piece or garment?

What inspires you to come up with new, interesting designs?

I’ve found that putting myself in my client’s shoes has created a very strong bond between me and my customers. I always want my pieces to speak my customer’s language but with my own words. So I share my time! The first time I meet a customer I ask many general questions just so I can understand the person I’m designing for. I believe that the kinds of clothes we wear are a hidden language that we all speak and use to give first impressions. So I take all the shared information and I transform it into a new piece, unique to that specific customer.

That’s the main reason I do not repeat any piece or design I share with any customer.

Everything! Weather, food, fashion, colors, materials and all my surrounding environment!

What do you think are the elements that contribute to a good design?

Every design has to be worn at the right time and place. Body shape is a major player as well.

To me a good design is a design that fits my customer’s unique body shape and even more special personality—we’re all different and we should embrace it!

How do you want a woman to feel when wearing your creations?

Like a proud, beautiful, elegant lady.

If you could sum up your work in three words, what would they be?

Unique, different, and creative What can your customers expect from your upcoming line and the future of Sash?

All I know is that I like change. So the new line will definitely be different, unexpected, and will push me to new heights design-wise.

Shurooq @sash2002

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R

ight jab: mascara, left jab: lipstick.

That is the world that experienced Kajukeno player and skilled make-up artist, Shahad Salmeen, lives in. In this world, beauty is powerful and power is beautiful. As a young woman of many talents and ambitious dreams, we see a bright, diverse future for this upcoming double threat!

You're a professional make-up artist AND an experienced kajukenbo player! How did you get interested in two such different ambitions at once?

Being a Gemini, I love trying different things that I’m good at and that can develop me in one way or another, even if they seem contradictory or out of place. I like the contrast of experiences and skills it gives me.

What did you find so appealing about Kajukenbo?

Kajukenbo is a sport that effects the body, mind, and spirit. So, naturally, it appealed to every part of me. I especially liked having the control over my mind and body, while allowing the freedom of my spirit to flow.

What about makeup?

Makeup is my hobby and it’s actually where I started to explore myself as an artist.

In what way do you think Kajukenbo and make-up complement one another?

Kajukenbo and makeup complement each

other greatly, although in subtle ways.

Kajukenbo gives me peace and confidence to give more and do well for myself before anyone else. With that boost of power and inner peace, Kajukenbo also gives me more confidence to be more creative and daring in my work as a makeup artist.

What different attributes does doing kajukenbo and applying make-up offer you, respectively?

Kajukenbo gives me strength, both mentally and physically. Make up stirs my creative, artistic side and helps me think outside the box.

Where do you find yourself most comfortable: in the world of beauty or the world of power?

Both, to be honest. It all depends on the kind of day I’m having and my mood. Sometimes, I derive greater strength and confidence from the power and peace that Kajukenbo has instilled in me, sometimes I find myself reveling in the appreciation for subtle beauty and

decadence that doing makeup has taught me.

How has doing both Kajukeno and make-up made you view masculinity and femininity?

Many have told me that Kajukenbo is a masculine sport and that fighting isn’t for girls. I strongly disagree with every single one of those people. Having physical power and being able to fight for myself doesn’t make me any less feminine than any other Barbie doll out there—if anything, it makes me more confident and daring in my femininity. Make up also has masculine and feminine sides to it since, nowadays, both sexes use makeup and it’s not very uncommon to use makeup to enhance beautiful masculine qualities in someone’s face.

Do you have any other fascinating hobbies/interests?

I’m very passionate about my art. I try everything to improve my skills and evolve. My other hobbies are drawing and painting.

Shahad

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FA

ine Living

with Asma Al-Mulla

s luxury hunters, we look for the most exclusive, the best, and the finest boutiques to splurge at. Lucky for us we have such a boutique in Kuwait called Al-Othman.

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Al-Othman boutique opened its doors in the mid-fifties introducing luxury shopping to Kuwait for the first time, and being the first multi-brand high-end boutique in the region.

Throughout the half century AlOthman boutique maintained their success in retailing high fashion to Kuwait.

Located in the heart of Salmiya’s trade zone in a charming old building away from all the crowded shopping centers it is intriguing to shop at the boutique and find the latest international collections and an A-class service.

Al-Othman boutique has always been the go-to place for buying designer brands. The brand selection covers both luxury brands as well as hipster, contemporary brands. Some of these high brands and my personal favorite include Oscar de le Renta, Balmain, Marchesa, Alessandra rich, Elie Saab, Erdem and so much more. The boutique always stocks the latest collection fresh off the runways chosen carefully by their amazing buyer Noor Al-Sabah who tours the showrooms and fashion shows

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all over the world selecting the collection to be stocked in AlOthman boutique.

In addition to having the most exclusive designer collection, Al-Othman boutique is expanding their services with a first class bridal salon within the boutique, which provides a very exclusive and luxurious experience for brides-to-be. Al-Othman also offers a personal one-on-one service and offers huge range of designers like Monique Lhuilier.

On top of that Al-Othman provides a personal shopping service free of charge offering their clients a state of the art VIP shopping experience and complimentary alterations to any purchased item is provided at the boutique as well. The boutique also has a designated area for coffee and tea and a cozy open air garden to enjoy a lovely break between shopping and selecting.

Plans to expand the boutique are confirmed by the boutiques’ staff, and soon Al-Othman boutique will be more than just a shop, but a shopping institution in and of itself.

Despite this, the heritage has not been lost at this Kuwaiti hallmark. Al-Othman is still a family run business comprising of three generations of loyal clientele. Al-Othman truly pride themselves upon their reputation of excellence and exclusive level of service, unrivaled the world over.

Photographer : Khadeija Al-Shimmiri Al-Othman clients are more conscious of international fashion trends and are very style savvy. The boutique has a wide selection of clients with whom they have developed longstanding, mutually rewarding relationships. The clients share their fashion beliefs and this allows them to take more risks and chances with their clothes and accessory selection and allows them to cater to the customer’s needs on a personal basis.

Al-Othman also has a strong presence on Social Media networks with over 77,000 followers on Instagram, and thousands of followers on Twitter, Pintrest, Tumblr, and Facebook.

Additionally, Al-Othman launched an interactive blog to maximize its presence online. The blog keeps clients updated on new arrivals, designer news, and fashion picks.

Al-Othman boutique is truly the one local destination for every fashionista to splurge on a dream shopping spree. We as shoppers have enjoyed half a century of successful retailing with Al-Othman boutique and are looking forward to 50 more years to come and beyond!

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REBEL ROMANCE

Dark but beautiful. Subversive Chic. A powerful woman. An urban fantasy. It's not quite romance--its a rebel romance.

Creative Director: Joumana Soufi Photographer: Jalil Marvin Graffiti Artwork: Monstariam Wardrobe: Black Boushiya Accessories: Stylist's Own Model: Promodel Services Hair: Aziza 'Zizi' Skaff Makeup: Mona Dulaimi @monadbeauty Set Equipment: Your Events Management Video Production: 01 Production & Media Services Augmented Reality Video: Khayal Application

@snippkhayal Download Khayal app Load AR button or view Augmented Reality Point the phone at the whole page Watch behind the scenes video of this photoshoot!

@jalilmarvin

@monstariam

@blackboushiya

@promodel_service

@blushkwt

@yourevents_kw

@01production

THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL Dress: Marchesa

LA BELLA DONNA Dress: Basix Black Label

SIREN SONG Dress: Gattinolli Couture Shoes: Zuhair Murad

ALL IN STRIDE Dress: Gattinolli Couture Shoes: Zuhair Murad

DIVINE Dress: Tarik Ediz

STAR GAZING Dress: Badgley Mischka

LEGEND OF THE FALL Dress: Basil Soda

BUSTLE AND DRAMA Dress: Gabriela Cadena

WAKI DAY It’s October which means time is starting to run out for those of us who are water-prone, fun-in-the-sun summer enthusiasts. So before we give the summer season its final send-off for 2013, we thought we’d bring you one of Kuwait’s most anticipated, adrenalinepacked water sport event of the year: Waki Day 2013! We had the chance to sit down with Kuwait Wakeboard Team Captain and Co-Founder of Balance Marine Equipment, Bader Al-Juhayem, and sports enthusiast, wakeboarder, and Waki Day 2013 organizer, Najat Al-Sayegh, to talk to them more about this exciting, one-of-a-kind event.

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Photographer: Abduallah Al-Zubairan

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Kuwait Wakeboard Team was founded in June of 2006 by Bader Aljuhayem (Current Team Captain) and was officially recognized by the Kuwait Sea Sport Club in August 2008.

Tell us a little about Balance and The Kuwait Wakeboard Team?

Balance was created in October 2011 by 3 Kuwaiti watersports enthusiasts. Balance is dedicated to promoting water sports locally, regionally and internationally through the use of advanced equipment and techniques. Balance fosters a safe and enjoyable environment for children to develop their water skills along with safe qualified training for all levels of riders both male and female. Kuwait Wakeboard Team was founded in June of 2006 by Bader Aljuhayem (Current Team Captain) and was officially recognized by the Kuwait Sea Sport Club in August 2008. The team slowly formed from riders around Kuwait joining together to better their skills. Most of the riders on the team have progressed over the past year from an intermediate rider to a competitive rider. The current wakeboard team is made up of both men and women all of which represent a wide variety of style, design and determination within Kuwait.

Tell us about the Waki Day event. When did it start?

For the past few years Balance has been working behind the scenes to promote several water sports In Kuwait. Balance has been the creative force for the WAKI Day events hosted in 2010, 2011, and 2012. This event focused on wakeboarding and highlighted local riders. The whole idea is to encourage young talent to participate and represent Kuwait as a country in international competitions.

What's different about Waki Day 2013 and what can people expect from the event?

Waki Day 2013 is different from previous Waki Days; it is a beach activity with a mini carnival atmosphere for kids, young individuals, families and elderly people. This year Waki Day has decided to do it bigger by adding more activities planned for the participants and families visiting the event. We have paddle boarding competitions, a special mini aqua park with water inflatables for the kids, football and volley ball courts to play, DJ for entertainment, and special food court area.

Are you targeting both genders equally or do you target each gender in a specific way?

Our competition is for kids, males and females. We are targeting both genders equally by giving them equal opportunity within the competition.

We have levels for every category such as novice and open level.

Where do you see Waki Day and The Kuwait Wakeboard Team in 5 years?

Firstly, The Kuwait Wakeboard Team will have a higher number of individuals representing Kuwait as a country in international competitions. And Kuwait as a country will win a lot of championships and appreciation in the outside world As for Waki Day, it will be a day which everyone would anticipate during the year for fun and entertainment. It would also be a day where we can identify new talents in terms of wake boarding and prepare them to participate in international competitions.

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Going the Distance @q8enduranceteam

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P

ushing yourself to the farthest limit is no easy feat. In sports this need to push and challenge your body beyond its comfort zone is not uncommon and, in Kuwait, diverse sports communities are flourishing and gaining ground both on a regional and international level. In this exciting, motivating time in Kuwaiti athletics, we’d like to introduce you to one of Kuwait’s best kept secrets. The Kuwait Endurance Team: a group of young, ambitious, and highly skilled endurance riders with big hearts and even bigger dreams.

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Introduce the team and tell us more about what you do.

How did you get into endurance riding and why did you find it so appealing?

Kuwait Endurance Team was established in July 2012. The team consists of 6 members: Abdulwahab Al-Sarraf, Mousa Al-Mansour, Mubarak Al-Mansour, Amira Al-Mujaibel, Dana Bahrami, and Reem Al-Theferi.

Endurance riding is the most competitive out of all the equestrian sports. Also the competition is not only between the rider and his opponent, but also between the rider and himself as he has to push himself to new extremes during every race. It is a timed test against the clock of an individual rider and the team’s ability to cross a marked, measured track. It is also not widespread in Kuwait, therefore any rider who likes a challenge finds it so appealing.

The Kuwait Endurance team is a non-profit team, it is founded by a group of skilled and experienced riders in the endurance riding field that have all completed full programs of riding on high and off seasons to sustain the skills of the riders.

The team comes from diverse backgrounds that are unified by a shared love of horses, who aspire to represent Kuwait in all major equestrian tournaments, and who strive to be in the league of the best. We want to establish an international image and reputation for Kuwait in endurance riding.

Photographer : Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

Supported By :

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How does endurance riding differ from other forms of equestrian sports, and what special attributes does it build?

First of all, endurance riding needs a high level of communication between a rider and his horse, this differs from other equestrian sports which limit the communication process to only sending and receiving signals. In these kind of sports the training process is

centralized more on the riders skills than the horse. On the other hand, in endurance riding both the rider and horse are inseparable. It is a team effort in which there should be complete synergy.

Does your team participate in competitive trail rides or just endurance rides, and what is the difference between the two?

No we do not participate in competitive trail rides, as our main concentration is endurance riding. The goal of competitive trail rides is to demonstrate the partnership between a horse and rider. Unlike endurance, factors other than speed are considered. In a timed ride, horses may not come in under or over a certain time, and veterinary checks, rider behavior and other elements play a role in the placing. The main difference between competitive trail rides and endurance rides is that the winner of an endurance ride is the first horse/rider team to cross the finish line and pass a veterinary examination that deems the

horse “fit to continue,” whereas competitive trail rides usually consider additional factors and penalize a horse and rider that finish in too short or too long a duration.

In your experience, what type of horse is best suited for endurance riding?

Mostly Arab horses because they have broad ribcages which perfects their respiratory system, making them more tolerant through long distance races. Also their smaller size makes them more agile. Their large nostrils and dished face make for better air circulation, thus it enhances their breathing. They have superiority as their bone structure and measurements are more consistent throughout their bodies. Any horse which is not a pure Arab but has some of the same qualities can also be used for endurance races. Also one of the most important factors is how well you train your horse. Even if it possesses all the qualities needed for an endurance horse, if it is not put through an arduous training program it will

not be fit enough for endurance riding.

How can you train yourself and your horses to withstand such long, grueling ride periods?

Through a set schedule of riding and constant training for long distances and riding periods.

This is where the rider and horse get to know each other better and, through working with each other’s traits, the team captains decides which horse is best suited for which rider.

Has your team participated in any international competitions (like the World Equestrian Games or the Endurance World Championship)?

No, unfortunately the team has not participated in any international competition, which is the team’s main aim. The team has been trying but lack of support needed from the Public Authority for Youth and Sport has set obstacles in reaching our main aim.

What is the longest endurance ride that your team has ever done?

The longest ride the team has ever done is a 100KM ride in Kuwait at the Cultural Heritage Festival in the last two years.

What are your plans for the future of the team and your larger goals?

Our shorter plan is to qualify for the World Equestrian Games in France, Cannes 2014. In order to qualify we need to participate in six races; one 1-star race, and five 2 (or above) star races.

Our long-term goal is to develop and set up endurance sports and athletes in Kuwait along with the pursuit of excellence in international endurance championships. The teams’ main goal is to set Kuwait as a destination for all endurance riders and to encourage organizations in Kuwait to support and improve conditions for this sport and place it in the league of endurance giants around the world.

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Khalil Al-Hamar khalil.alhamar@edges-kw.com @khalilalhamar

Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Samsung's latest addition to the Galaxy Note series offers you a faster, smoother, and simpler Android experience. With more powerful hardware and new software features for the S Pen, the Galaxy Note 3 is the perfect companion for multitaskers out there.

You can explore the Internet at extreme speeds using the Note 3's 4G LTE network. The S Pen has been redesigned to give you more features, accuracy, and allows you to slide it into your phone regardless of its rotation. The phone has no real difference to the Galaxy Note 2, except for the size of the phone itself, screen size, and the shape.

• Internal memory

3 GB

• Bluetooth

Yes

• Battery type

Li-ion

• 3.5mm jack

Yes

• Card slot

up to 64 GB

• Radio TBC • Battery Life, Stand-by • USB

145 hours

Yes

• Network

4G LTE

• OS

Android Jelly Bean 4.3

• Loudspeaker

Yes

• WLAN

Yes

• GPS

A-GPS

• Memory Size

32 GB

• Screen Resolution

1920 x 1080

• Camera Resolution

13 MP

• Processor

Quad-Core 2.3 GHz

• Sensor gyro, proximity • Screen Size

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5.7-inch

• Dimensions

151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm

• Weight (grams)

168 g

WATANIYA TELECOM MOVES TO TURBO 4G-LTE DATA Did you know that Wataniya Telecom now offers turbo 4G-LTE data services to all Wataniya subscribers? The 4G-LTE network supports speeds up to 75 Mbps, but depending upon the network load, the average speed would be from 06-25 Mbps. With 4G-LTE, you will not have to wait a single second for the page to load or for videos to buffer.

Through the speed test I did, the speed I got in Kuwait City on the 14th floor of a high-rise building was 6Mbps. From what I can see, Wataniya 4G-LTE is starting to improve and it looks like it will be fully active by end of this year. To enjoy their services you should have a 4G-LTE smart-phone such as iPhone 4G/5/5s/5c or a Samsung Galaxy S4.

TABLETS VS BOOKS

AIRDROP

The Airdrop feature added recently on iOS 7 is the same feature in Mac PC. The Airdrop simply send’s any file you require to either to your other phone, a friend’s phone, or anyone next to you. The transmission works through Bluetooth functionality and it makes for a pretty neat addition to the ambitiously re-designed iOS.

Tablets are designed to make life easier for the users to carry more than one book in one convenient, lightweight place. In advanced universities/schools the tablets is one of their resources for daily use as they allow for a more enhanced learning experience. Using tablets seems to be the easier, safer, quicker and simpler way to carry around your books and study materials. This seems like a natural transition to me as technologies are built to make things easier to humans and are built to help us lead better lives through easier resources.

If you are a university student, I recommend the iPad mini as the one of the best, most functional, lightweight options for taking lecture notes and other on-the-go study needs.

KHALIL’S TIPS

ALWAYS SYNC & USE YOUR APP STORE TO ADD/UPDATE YOUR APPS ON YOUR PHONE. IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER TO BACKUP YOUR PHONE ON A REGULAR BASIS IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES OR ACCIDENTS.”

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the VIBE

Kuwaiti Polo in England. The 7th of September 2013, is the day where the first step for the Kuwaiti Polo movement will take place. Kuwait is located next the land where Polo was first played in 600BC. As Kuwaitis, and Khaleejis in general, our land is best known to be the home of the finest horses around the world, and horseback riding being a sport and a hobby for many Kuwaiti’s, Polo started to grab the interest of many, and it is time to set foot to start the Kuwaiti Polo Movement. What is better than the Kuwaiti flag and Polo enthusiasts to be recognized in the most prestigious Polo Club in the World. The Queen’s Guards polo club in Windsor, England. Where the 7th of September 2013 will be recognized as the Kuwaiti Polo Day, where the most important match of the season will take place, and some Kuwaiti Polo players will take part in the field. The Queen’s Royal Box at the Guards Polo Club will accommodate 30 Kuwaiti guests from different back grounds. It is finally time to bring Polo to Kuwait. For more information about the Polo Club of Kuwait and the Event, please contact us on: +965 65999700 kuwaitpoloassociation@gmail.com

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the VIBE

Nothing shows the meaning of joy and happiness like a child's happy smile!

And at the opening of Petite & Sweet's kids beauty salon in discovery mall it was all smiles and playtime!

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‫‪the VIBE‬‬

‫انطلقت وزارة الدولة لشئون الشباب ببادرة تعتبر بأولى لقائتها في الشرق األوسط وهي بمفهوم الحكومة المفتوحة " ‪ "Open Government‬وجاء ذلك من خالل لقاء مفتوح‬ ‫بعنوان ‪ ٦١‬مع مجموعة من الشباب النشط وسائل التواصل االجتماعي وتم مناقشة بعض األفكار والمشاريع التي تم وضعها من قبل الوزارة‪ ،‬كما انه تم سماع أبرز المشاكل‬ ‫والهموم التي يواجهها الشباب الكويتي‪.‬‬ ‫وكسرت الوزارة جميع الحواجز مع الشباب من خالل األسس التي وضعتها وهي الشفافية والمسئولية واألداء‪ ،‬وهنا األمر الذي أدى الى تفاعل الحضور وتشجيعهم في طرح قضاياهم‬ ‫بكل جراءة وشفافية‪ ،‬كما ان الوزارة تؤكد انها سوف تعمل على االبتكار المؤسسي لتحقيق أعلى مستوى من الكفاءة والجودة لتحقيق أهدافها التي تصب نحو االستثمار الحقيقي‬ ‫في الشباب الكويتي بشتى المجاالت وكانت البداية اللقاءات التي ستقوم بها الوزارة ‪ ٦١‬وذلك إليمانهم بهذه الشريحة التي تعتبر األكبر في المجتمع الكويتي وهي شريحة الشباب‪.‬‬ ‫وفي ختام كل لقاء تقوم الوزارة بوضع جدار حاص لكتابة اي اقتراحات الشباب وتطلعاتهم‪ ،‬األمر الذي سوف تقوم الوزارة بتحويله الى خطط قابلة لتطبيق ببرامج الوزارة وخططها‪.‬‬

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the VIBE

Bourdon Bright Single-Zip Document Case& Slim Single-Zip Briefcase Exclusively launched for the gifting season, the Bourdon collection brings a pop of colour for the Winter months.

Crafted from a heavy grain Italian cowhide leather, the Bourdon collection provides a relaxed and bright approach to business leather. The unstructured design offers a modern alternative to the traditional briefcase, with durable construction and complete functionality. Each bag boasts multiple interior compartments and is finished with stainless steel hardware subtly branded with the ‘AD’ logo.

The Single Zip Briefcase is perfect for the office or business trip, with an extendable shoulder strap and soft grip handles. Available in an additional slim Single Zip Briefcase the Bourdon bright range brings essential colour for the gifting period and is available in royal blue, red, green, orange and turquoise.

Bossini launches Autumn Winter’13 collection Launching its new season collection Bossini has reintroduced fashion that beautifully combines comfort and style. The news season features a collection that takes inspiration from the season’s biggest trends including checks, color pants, florals and stripes.

The latest line allows men, women and kids to flaunt the key trends for this season and the range varies from madras shirts and rayon blouses for women to plaid shirts and photo print tees for men and polo’s to check shorts for kids.

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1933 — 2013 LACOSTE CELEBRATES ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY In celebration of its 80th anniversary, LACOSTE has created an exclusive collection, revisiting the timeless style of the brand, reinventing the symbols, materials and codes that epitomize “Unconventional Chic”. There will be various deliveries throughout the year, each one featuring new products highlighting a special aspect of the brand’s personality.

Production-Corporate Events-Exhibitions-weddings Your Events Management Company Kuwait established in 2004, is a full service Events Management company in Kuwait; offers premium management solutions from concept to completion. Our quality services include all kind of party planning services, corporate events planning, creative event planning, product launch events, concerts, wedding party, private functions and much more. Events are always very important and they leave a life time impression on the customers and people attending the event.

Office: +965 2571 4666 Fax: +965 2571 1378 Email: events@yourevents.com.kw www.yourevents.com.kw

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OCTOBER READS Thank You for Your Service

By David Finkel The wars of the past decade have been covered by brave and talented reporters, but none has reckoned with the psychology of these wars as intimately as the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Finkel.

The Signature of All Things: A Novel

By Elizabeth Gilbert In The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction, inserting her inimitable voice into an enthralling story of love, adventure and discovery.

One Summer: America, 1927

Provence

Bill Bryson

By Luke Barr

In One Summer Bill Bryson, one of our greatest and most beloved nonfiction writers, transports readers on a journey back to one amazing season in American life.

Provence, 1970 is about a singular historic moment. In the winter of that year, more or less coincidentally, the iconic culinary figures James Beard, M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, Richard Olney, Simone Beck, and Judith Jones found themselves together in the South of France.

Allegiant

By Veronica Roth The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

The Night Guest

By Fiona McFarlane A mesmerizing first novel about trust, dependence, and fear, from a major new writer Ruth is widowed, her sons are grown, and she lives in an isolated beach house outside of town. Her routines are few and small.

Humans of New York

The Circle

By Brandon Stanton

By Dave Eggers

Based on the blog with more than a million loyal fans, a beautiful, heartfelt, funny, and inspiring collection of photographs and stories capturing the spirit of a city.

The Circle is the exhilarating new novel from Dave Eggers, best-selling author of A Hologram for the King, a finalist for the National Book Award.

In the summer of 2010, photographer Brandon Stanton set out on an ambitious project: to single-handedly create a photographic census of New York City

When Mae Holland is hired to work for the Circle, the world’s most powerful internet company, she feels she’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Source : amazon.com

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Sharq Alghawali Mall Ground Floor