Issue 58 january 2014 by TheTalk PH7

Issue 58 - January 2014

PRADA

WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM IN THE HEART OF THE MULTITUDE

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Dear Trendsetters, As a hyper multi-tasker, I never thought I would ever be able to take up myself a project, cut it in the middle, then have the tenacity and patience to go back to it and complete it. Well, a few years back, I decided to do my masters degree, and while I breezed through the courses on time, when it came to writing my thesis, I just could not seem to find the time!! So I stopped.. for years… In 2013, I decided to pick it up again. Truly, I don’t know where I got my patience from. I can assure you I was not born patient!! J Well, I guess, with every year we add in strength, resilience and tenacity. To more virtues in the years to come, Till next issue,

Zeina Mokaddam

ZAINEB AL-MOSAWI

SIMON BALSOM

I grew up with very few idols. One of which was Miuccia Prada! She is so incredibly empowering to women so it is such a delight to have PRADA as our cover story to start the year. She once said, “You have to always work against what you did before, and even against your taste”. It stuck with me and I wasn’t sure I understood it but I wanted to exercise it. It taught me to stay out of my comfort zone and has pushed me to learn things about myself I otherwise would not have discovered. One quote from her led to many lessons for me!

How many of us opened our eyes on January 1st with a ‘new year, new you’ vision in our mind? The start of a new year is a great time to focus on oneself and to use fresh energy to achieve positive change. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Ask yourself one simple question, “What makes you a valuable person”. The best thing any of us could do this year is to express who we really are, instead of who we think we are supposed to be.

CHADI MOUFIED

Hind Nassar

Happy New Year Everyone! May 2014 bring happiness to you and your family.

A new year, a new beginning and many new resolutions. We all hope that every new year would be better than the previous one and wonder what surprises are waiting for us around the corner. Every year we cannot wait to discover the new trends in fashion, health, travel and all life aspects to follow them or create our own. I believe in creating our own trends and statements. After all this is what life is about, to create a mark; our mark. To a new year, a better lifestyle and a whole lot of surprises; good ones I hope; lets embrace this new chapter together.

As we turn a new chapter in life, we must not forget that it is a continuation and not a new book. We cannot build a future without a past. So whether the past year was filled with joy or tragedy, look upon it now and then smile when you remember the moment of a new addition to the family. Smile when you remember the passing of another, for you celebrate their life, not the loss. Smile because we’re humans, and their burst of emotions, negative or positive, are merely the spices of our lives.

THETALK / January / 2014

CONTENTS

Contents January 2014

Local Features 22. Leenoda Interview 26. Owayshi Interview 28. Fahad Al Marzouq & Khaleda Rajab Exclusive 56. Bader Al Mansour Interview 76. Kuwait Exclusives International Features 16. Cover Story 46. Her Style Icon 64. His Style Icon 48. Celebrity Wearing 82. The Street Styles Collective 90. Fashion Feature

Setting Health

Trends 30. Her Trends 60. His Trends 62. Car Trends

Travel

68. Mind, Body & Soul Cleanse

70. A Zest for Life in Zanzibar

Reviews 92. Restaurant Review 94. Book Reviews 96. Movie Reviews

THETALK / January / 2014

CONTENTS

Published by :

Tel: (965) 2572 0810 Fax: (965) 2572 0860 email: thetalk@ph7-kw.com www.ph7-kw.com

Editor-in-Chief NOUF AL -HAJRI Publisher ZEINA MOKADDAM

Audited Since 2011 by

Circulation: 10,000 Copies Readership: 40,000+ as per PARC 2012 Studies Managing Editor SIMON BALSOM Senior Editor ZAINEB AL-MOSAWI Director Sales & Marketing ASSAAD NEMER

Senior Marketing Executive HIND NASSAR Marketing Executive SARA MASOUH Creative Director LARA HOMSI

Graphic Designer CHADI MOUFIED Head of Photography KHALED AL- SALEH Photographer KHALED SANDID Production Manager JAD NAHAS

Legal Consultant KHALED AL-KANDARI Press Agencies - Afp Interview - Viva Press (Uk) Images - Gallo-Getty Distribution Company: International Media Group Printed In Four Films

Special Thank You to Fatemah Al Mosawi. Founder of Spread The Passion.

Reproduction in whole or part of any matter appearing in TheTalk is prohibited by law without prior written approval of the publishers. Opinions expressed in TheTalk do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers and editorial staff of the magazine. The publishers do not hold out any guarantee as to its accuracy, neither do they indemnify any loss arising through use of the information. VISIT OUR WEBSITE ON: WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

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THE AVENUES - 2ND AVENUE TEL: 22597500, EXT: 7050

COVER STORY

In the Heart of the Multitude PRADA

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rada has presented a new project in their long tradition of creative collaborations. The “In the Heart of the Multitude” project for the Spring/ Summer ’14 Women’s fashion show took place in the Via Fogazzaro show space in Milan. Prada invited muralists Miles “El Mac” Gregor, Mesa, Gabriel Specter, and Stinkfish, and illustrators Jeanne Detallante and Pierre Mornet, to engage themes of femininity, representation, power, and multiplicity on the walls throughout the space. The concept originated from an interest in the political wall art from Mexican muralists such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and José Clemente Orozco combined with Prada’s ongoing exploration into large-scale wall installations at the Prada Broadway epicenter and other sites worldwide. Uniting once again with the design studio 2x4, a long-term creative

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COVER STORY

collaborator, Prada conducted an extensive research and commissioned the six young artists and illustrators known for their distinctive style, color sensibility and approach to figurative representation, to work directly in the show space. The walls were reshaped to maximize the structural variation and provide multiple planes on which the artists could realize their visions. The overall spatial concept, imagined by Prada creative partner AMO as an inversion of the traditional fashion show configuration, features a stylized perimeter street that encircles an

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irregularly shaped central island. Rather than looking in to a central catwalk, the audience is seated on the island looking out toward the murals that adorn the outer walls. The streetscape is populated by models weaving under and in front of large blocks, some even looming overhead. The jutting, almost expressionistic walls radically alter the sense of scale in the room. The catwalk is surfaced in industrial rubber as a reference to the urban street and the murals, with their dramatic scale and vibrant colour, lend an exuberant panache to the severity of the surrounding walls.

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COVER STORY

Prada determined early on in the project that they would ask the muralists and illustrators to compose their work directly on the walls of the space instead of using digital reproductions of work done elsewhere. This was quite natural for the four muralists accustomed to working on city streets and they paired the two illustrators with young Italian painters to render their ideas at wall-scale. The challenge was not only to identify these young artists but also imagining the work of all six together in conversation. In many ways this project contradicts the prevailing cultural condition of disembodied, networked communication. There is a creative energy that can only result when everyone is physically working together in one space. It is a fundamentally different experience. The muralists set to work in the Milan show space in a cloud of aerosol, paint and turpentine. The overall space took shape slowly as each claimed a wall space and got to work. The grey undercoating was replaced by fantastically rendered and coloured portraits as they interpreted the broad themes in their own manner. As the work was gradually realized the dynamic juxtaposition of style and technique was revealed. That juxtaposition extends beyond colour, style and technique; each painting depicts a different image of femininity. The women on the walls represent the multiplicity of guises that women assume in the course of a day, or a lifetime. In that way the almost-brutal abutment of one image to the next mirrors the essential modality of fashion.

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‫ ع ا‬/2013/1810/‫ ع ا & ت‬/2013/ 1863 – 1858/‫ت‬

360 Mall

The Avenues Mall

Al-Fanar Mall, Salmiya

Al-Hamra Luxury Center

6th Ring Road, Ground Floor

Shop No. GL106, Phase II, Ground Floor

Ground Floor, Store No. G103

Basement Floor, Store No. B08B

2575 3929

2227 0267

2530 9929

Hotline: 180 4449

2259 8053 Shoeboxnykuwait

@ShoeboxNYKuwait

Shoebox New York - Kuwait

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Local Female interview

The LeeNoda Sisters Lena and Hind Al-Shaya

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We follow the rules and laws as would anyone else in their independent business. â&#x20AC;? 22

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he two Kuwaiti sisters; Lena and Hind, began the idea of designing their own clothing line in 2003. They assessed the market and began with the idea that if their plan didn’t pan out they would not continue. Thankfully it was successful. There were great reactions to the unique designs the duo offered. They began with dresses and Deraree’. They would incorporate new touches to traditional clothing and created special designs for Dishdashas and have designed Deraree’ with heliographic letters; becoming the first to experiment with traditional clothing to this extent. They opened their first store in 2012, launching their brand LeeNoda. How was the feedback towards the experimentation on traditional clothing? Kuwaiti people are funky; they love to try new things and have something unique. They are more open to different styles and always prefer extreme rather than boring. Kuwait is special in that they love to experiment so we had great success with being innovative. How do you choose the sentences that you include in your designs? It depends on the season. I include phrases about life or love or families and fashion.

How do you evaluate your experience in fashion design? It is perfect. It has made us more creative.

We travel ourselves to buy fabrics from India, Turkey, Italy and France.

Does physically working on making your items stress relieving?

How often do you release new clothing, is it seasonal?

Absolutely! That is what happens when I design something by hand. I feel relieved from all the stress I have. All the accessories we have are handmade. I really enjoy the process.

We don’t have seasonal items; we offer new items every week.

Where do you get inspiration for designing your accessories?

We have a line L & H by LeeNoda. It is mainly for limited pieces. It is a luxury line with only a maximum of two pieces for each design. We have a great international database of clients from places such as Lebanon, Turkey, London, the US and the GCC so we will also be designing for our clients and those from western countries are in fact western, and we have African clients so we adjust our designs based on the tastes.

When we see chain accessories we make them in our own way and redesign them to our liking. We add stones that we find internationally. For example we used the Misbah and added our touches by adding different stones and touches and played with lengths. We intend to design something unique that is not available in the market.

Where did you get the idea from?

Do you go for special colours or it is based on the season?

I love the way invitation cards for weddings are written, especially for the men. It is also for our love of calligraphy.

Sometimes we choose colours based on the seasonal trends and at times it is the classic colours or preferred colours.

Do you accept special orders?

How can you collaborate together without any creative clashes?

It depends. We are very specific since it must be in line with our designs.

Where do you get your fabrics from?

When one designs something we brainstorm together until we have agreed with an overall design.

Do you design limited pieces?

What was the most bizarre order you have received? The order came from Africa, our client wanted stylish clothing that suits her veiled lifestyle so we showed her our collection and she ordered it all. Not very bizarre but we were very surprised. Would you like to open a store in the GCC area? We take one step at a time, we do not like to skip any. We have been in the market for 10 years but still want to develop a stronger base before expanding. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

Local Female interview

How did you begin?

What are your future plans?

We used to present our clothes in Beit al Bidaa (our family house).

To have a successful local brand name that is recognized internationally.

Whose idea was it to put your collections in Beit al Bidaa?

*They had begun with derareeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and now have a ready to wear line. And they will attempt a mixture with an Arabic touch.

It was my idea because I love the heritage of the house and I love the natural sunlight. At first our grandfather did not accept that we exhibit our designs in the home but he allowed us based on the condition that we do not alter anything in the house. Some designs were made specifically for him in India for the house so he was very protective about keeping it as is. How has your family name benefitted you in your business? It actually is a hindrance. Any supplier who knows our last name will want to sell us items at double the cost. We purposely never use our names to get ahead but we have learnt a lot about business from our familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience. However, generally if you notice we use our first names and avoid using our last. We follow the rules and laws as would anyone else in their independent business. To what extent is it important for women to have their own business? I think it is very important for every individual to be independent. Women will have a higher selfesteem which can be spread to those around them. When a woman is cultured she will benefit society and when having your own business you benefit society even further and broaden your horizon. But when a woman is working within a company the experience is limited to what you are given rather than striving for your own experiences. I have now learnt how to deal with anyone regardless of their gender, age, position, or nationality. It gives women determination.

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We have one item called cotton-stretch. It is very simple but well known which is great for everyday wear that is comfortable yet stylish. It is an easy to wear item which makes for the perfect basic wardrobe addition. Which deigns are your personal favourites? Lena: I designed a Bisht that is very unique, I adore it because of all the hard work I put into it and the result was a great success. Hind: I cannot choose a favourite since all my designs I love as much as the other. The old designs differ from the new designs and

I feel a certain level of pressure to sustain my level of designs but it is difficult when you are constantly using different fabrics and ways of stitching but at the same time that gives every piece a different story. Did you ever think of stopping? We had our moments and have had hardships and have gotten depressed when the procedures were delayed and when there is a lack of encouragement but we would push through nonetheless. Once my father asked us to stop working since he saw us less and less from the amount of work we had. He said it in passing but then made the effort to come to our office for quality time over coffee. That meant a lot to us. Who did you give your first design to? The first design we ever made was for our mother. It was a coloured deraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a. What makes us special in the market is that we were the first

“we were the first to use fabrics from brand names and use them in traditional clothing. ”

to use fabrics from brand names and use them in traditional clothing.

Our parents were our main support system. They were there in ups and downs with no negative feedback. We received constructive criticism but it was always supportive, positive and loving. So were our brothers and lina’s husband. They would always give us positive feedback as well as constructive criticism. Having that loving and positive energy around us was essential to our success. It fed our ambition and allowed us to continue to strive towards our goals. We financially supported ourselves but have emotional support the whole way. Leenoda.com

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Local interview

Mai Al-Owaishi

“Unlike a lot of boutiques, we are affordable.

”

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new online store has launched; bringing us the most exquisite of items from across the globe. The sibling owned site launched in September 2013. The half Syrian, half Egyptian siblings grew up in Canada and are now based in Kuwait and Dubai. They decided to bring their media, finance and fashion expertise into a business. How do you choose the brands you carry? We travel a lot! I would visit many boutiques in New York mostly and my sister searches through London. We would search online but for the most part we would visit the boutiques in person. How is the dynamic working with your sister and brother?

items ourselves. We contact the brands and choose only the best of what we find. What are your favourite brands that you carry? Owayshi of course! But also Paper Dolls and Closet are favourites. They are up and coming brands in the UK. How would you describe your style? My personal taste is based on my mood, the occasion and the season, it all depends. But I guess it is eclectic, classy and chic with a bit of edge.

“It’s a new era in fashion- there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style; wearing high-end, low-end, classical labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.” by Alexander McQueen. Do you plan on expanding further? We will be expanding across the GCC however we are focusing on Kuwait as for now. www.owayshi.com

Who would you consider as your ultimate idols? Patricia Fields. Coco Chanel. Alexander McQueen. There is a quote by McQueen that I love and follow…

I am a full-time financial analyst. My sister works in media in Dubai and has a fashion background. My brother handles the operations. It is the three of us. My other brother is living in Canada so he has not been involved so far. What made you decide to launch a shopping site as well as designing your own clothing? We are a very business orientated family. When we go shopping outside we go to boutiques and independent stores that have very exclusive and unique pieces and that is how it all started. What sets you apart from other independent businesses that have a similar concept? Unlike a lot of boutiques, we are affordable. We have our own brand as well as brands from the UK, US, France and Spain. We choose the

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Local interview

Fahad Almarzouq & Khaleda Rajab for Linda Farrow T

he dynamic duo, Fahad AlMarzouq and Khaleda Rajab have successfully established their names in fashion as a unit as well as individually by continuously pushing the boundaries of what is considered to be the norms. They have triumphed in their collections and caught the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention with their unique personal style and presentation and have been featured in many publications as well as being favourites among the street style elites. Their new collaboration with the London based sunglasses brand Linda Farrow is perfectly fitting as the established brand has been producing luxurious collections that are innovative and cutting-edge since 1970. Linda

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Farrow has collaborated with many other top designers such as Matthew Williamson, The Row, Alexander Wang, Dries Van Noten and Oscar de la Renta! Fahad and Khaleda are the first designers from the Middle-East to design for Linda Farrow. We had the pleasure of sitting down with the lovely designers for a one-on-one on their new sunglasses collection for Linda Farrow at Eye Boutique Kuwait in The Avenues Mall hours before the launch.

How did the collaboration between the both of you and the brand happen? We both love sunglasses, we have been friends for a long time and have always been collaborating together, so when we met the Linda Farrow team it was inevitable that this collection would be made. It has happened naturally. Meeting Simon and Tracy, as they were getting to know us they noticed we literally have every pair of sunglasses of theirs and saw our designs and loved them. They loved us and we already had loved them. This is just the first collection that has been released. You will be seeing more of our designs in 2015.

What is the most unique aspect of your sunglass collection, besides being outrageous?

Fahad: …that includes overalls and tied shirts around the waist and turned around hats. We are loving beanie hats and caps!

The typical cat-eye sunglasses have always been made with two lenses. We designed them with four.

What colours should we be expecting more of in the upcoming months?

Are there any arguments that happen whilst working together? We do banter, we always fight! Who usually wins? Fahad: Khaleda! She always wins. What trends do you foresee catching on this season?

Mostly it will be solids and dark colours. It will be mostly white, black and burgundies. Where are you currently based? On a plane! Where do you find inspiration? We inspire each other.

Fahad: Leather. We are obsessed with leather!

For someone who has not worn a statement piece such as these sunglasses, what styling tips can you recommend?

Khaleda: I think for girls the main trend will be tailored suits in different colours. I see it being very minimal and chic but with accessorizing such as with hats. Loose coats will be big as well. However for Spring/Summer I think stylewise it will be very tomboyish. I think that will be coming back in.

You can stay simple since the sunglasses are such a statement. So you can wear the sunglasses and then stay simple with the rest of the outfit. Or you can make it a head to toe look and style yourself to match the sunglasses. It is always best to experiment and see what feels right for you.

Since you travel a lot do you have any travelling tips such as how to simplify packing? We really haven’t mastered it. We are constantly over the weight limit. We still have not managed to travel without excessive baggage since we love to change outfits a few times throughout the day and you never know what events may come up so we end up just taking everything! The more the merrier. What are your future plans? Global Domination! We are merging our brands and working on accessories. *Some hints were thrown around but no details on their upcoming projects so we should be expecting a lot coming up from the duo. But for now they are tight-lipped. Besides being present for the launch in Kuwait, Fahad and Khaleda were also at the launch in Eye Boutique in Dubai and in the Linda Farrow Boutique in London. The collection is available across the MiddleEast in Eye Boutique and Hassan’s Optics. For the full list of where you can find the collection internationally visit www.lindafarrow.com

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Setting Her Trends

BURBERRY PRORSUM WOMENSWEAR AUTUMN/ WINTER 2014 PRE-COLLECTION The Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter Pre-collection is inspired by British arts and crafts, an eclectic mix of jacquards, prints and textures. The collection evokes a distinctively romantic mood, while a witty play on maps and landmarks celebrates Britishness in a global context. In an ongoing celebration of British craft, silk jacquard is produced using UK tie looms & the traditional horse blanket jacquard is woven in Scotland.

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setting the watch trends

Setting Her Trends

This seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new additions The winter collections have hit the stores just in time for the beautiful change in weather! This year we are seeing a lot of colours and rich materials. You are guaranteed the best of fall fashion finds from the great variety of brands available in Al Ostoura stores, Thuraya Mall and the online site. Be the first to snag these winter essentials before they are sold out! Visit: www.alostoura.com Reed Krakoff at Al Ostoura Thuraya Mall

Alexander McQueen at Thuraya Mall

Tsumori Chisato at The Avenues Mall

Alice + Olivia at The Avenues Mall

Reed Krakoff at Al Ostoura Thuraya Mall

Tosca Blu at The Avenues Mall

Pollini at Al Ostoura The Avenues Mall 32

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Tata Naka at Al Ostoura The Avenues Mall

Alice + Olivia at The Avenues Mall

Milly at Limelight Zahra Complex Charlotte Sparre at Limelight Arraya Mall

Paul By Paul Smith at Limelight Zahra Complex

Paul By Paul Smith at Limelight Zahra Complex Charlotte Sparre at Limelight Arraya Mall

Coccinelle at Limelight Salhiya Complex

Rocio at Limelight The Avenues Mall

Semilla at Limelight The Avenues Mall

See By Chloe at The Avenues Mall

Obsession Rules at Limelight The Avenues Mall

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Setting Her Trends

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Setting Her Trends

THETALK / January / 2014

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Setting Her Trends

DATE NIGHT

Michael Kors

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t decide which accessories to wear on a night out? Check out our favorite Fall items of the season that take elegance to a whole new level! Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

Swarovski

Burberry

Michael Kors

THETALK / January / 2014

Carolina Herrera

Burberry

Burberry Michael Kors

Carolina Herrera Burberry

Miu Miu

Carolina Herrera

Burberry

Carolina Herrera WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

Setting Her Trends

MIU MIU BIJOUX The latest Miu Miu jewelry collection plays with colors and materials transforming earrings, bracelets and necklaces into unique objects. The iconic pieces revisit classic Miu Miu styles. Brass necklaces and earrings are mixed with multicolor crystals, while plexi bracelets feature a jeweled clasp.

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Setting THE Watch TRENDS

Pierre Balmain’s iconic arabesque testifies to his mastery of style. Classic arabesque patterns are found on all Balmain Iconic Chrono Lady watchcases, on their dials as well as on some straps. Both stylish and discreet, elegant arabesques evokes the taste and talent of fashion master Pierre Balmain. Born in the exclusive world of Parisian High Fashion and founded by Pierre Balmain, the noted Haute Couture master, Balmain brings to time longstanding traditions of taste and elegance. Today its distinctively original spirit drives a watch brand backed by a leading Swiss watchmaking group – the source of invaluable technical and marketing advantages benefiting Balmain timepieces. An example of the latter is the solidly reliable Swiss chronograph movement housed in the 38 mm diameter watchcase, water-resistant to 50 m, of the Iconic Chrono Lady. Available in polished stainless steel or in white ceramics with pink PVD trim, some cases feature a bezel set with 62 Wesselton diamonds. All bracelet attachments feature Balmain arabesque patterns. The variety of dial faces adds to the Iconic Chrono Lady collection’s appeal: with silvered or white background, some with classic arabesque patterns and 12 diamond hour markers, others in polished white lacquer or black. All feature a date aperture at 6 o’clock and three sub-dials: for tenths of a second and chronograph minutes as well as for running seconds, all protected by a clear sapphire crystal.

Balmain’s confirmed creative genius, solidly wedded to Swiss quality and reliability. Technical specifications • Swiss quartz chronograph movement • Case in polished 316L steel, Ø 38 mm or white ceramic with pink PVD trim, some models set with 62 Wesselton diamonds • Sapphire crystal

• Choice of dials silvered arabesque pattern and 12 diamond hour markers, silvered or black, white with arabesque pattern and 12 diamond markers or white polished lacquer • Bracelet in 316L steel, black or white rubberlike strap embossed with arabesques • Water resistance: 50 m

A polished stainless steel bracelet or a white or black rubber-like strap with an arabesque pattern round out the collection’s features. From the simplest to the most elaborate, all Iconic Chrono Lady models embody Pierre

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Setting Her Trends

SPRING 2014 The Michael Kors Spring Collection of 2014 is

SUMMER ROMANCE A SOFTER the juxtaposition of sportif...and romantic; sharply ATTITUDE ...THE tailored meets soft JUXTAPOSITION and fluid. The collection describes summer romance in the city daylight OF SPORTIF AND ROMANTIC ... – slashed dresses, slit skirts and the sensuous SHARPLY TAILORED MEETS SOFT trousers and flirty shorts. Then ANDshirtdress, FLUIDeasy ... LEGS REVEALED... there are the feminine skirts, modern pin-ups SLASHED DRESSES, SLIT SKIRTS at the beach, and the sweater blouse with cosy AND THE SENSUOUS SHIRTDRESS cardigans. At night there are the slinks of draped ... EASY TROUSERS ANDflorals, FLIRTY maillot gowns, micro-paillette the chunky and gusty city sandal with the softly structured SHORTS ...THE FEMININE SHIRT ... clutch and satchel... THE NEW SWEATER BLOUSE ... COZY CARDIGANS ...THE SLINK OF DRAPED MAILLOT GOWNS AT NIGHT...THE MODERN PIN-UP AT THE BEACH ... LUXE TAKES ON DENIM, FROM CASHMERE TO LACE ... USTIC RAFFIA HAND-EMBROIDERIES ... MICRO-PAILLETTE FLORALS ... THE DASH OF A DOT...THE CHUNKY, GUTSY CITY SANDAL ... THE SOFTLY STRUCTURED CLUTCH AND SATCHEL ... SPRING 2014

# A L L ACC ESS KO RS

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LOUIS VUITTON CRUISE COLLECTION 2014 The iconic image of the effortlessly chic French woman pervades Louis Vuitton’s 2014 Cruise Collection. Forever cool, always carefree, at times couldn’t-care-less, she values style over fashion – and her own style is simply the expression of how she feels and who she is. If she wants to wear a man’s coat over a floaty summer dress, then that’s exactly what she’ll do – indeed, Louis Vuitton pushes the idea further, drawing inspiration from the lining of a classic overcoat to create a fluid wrap in double-face cashmere, which she ties nonchalantly over a crepe dress with an artfully faded floral print. The men’s wardrobe provides rich pickings for a woman who loves to confound expectations, as when she shrugs on a white satin blazer over a simple chambray sundress, finishing her look with the season’s chunky clogs. A signature Louis Vuitton tweed is combined with leather and cut into a boyish trouser suit. She slips her bare feet into a pair of flat loafers and – voilà! – she’s good to go.

The essential simplicity of her style is captured in her penchant for the collection’s new take on the suit: an ample T-shirt paired with a miniskirt. There’s nothing simple about the execution, however, as one such ensemble is crafted from duchesse satin with a jacquard motif of tiny dots reminiscent of men’s ties. Likewise, the humble marinière is reinterpreted in mink, while an airy floral-print dress, which sensually slips from her shoulder, is re-embroidered with tiny jet beads. Though what she wears may be precious, the way she wears it is anything but – a rock ‘n’ roll attitude summed up the studded embellishment on an acid yellow dress in fluid crepe.

sometimes switches to a higher heel, choosing two-tone sandals with a pointed toe and sexy cut-outs to reveal her bare skin. The season’s star bag is a reinterpretation of the Fall/Winter 2013 show’s crocodile pochette, this time in sublimely supple taurillon leather. She wears it casually slung across her body, or carries it folded – just so – in her hand. Likewise, Louis Vuitton’s iconic Sac Plat. For evening, the simple shape of a toilet bag, rendered in an exotic leather patchwork, becomes a glamorous clutch, epitomizing her carefree Bohemian style.

Her idiosyncratic approach extends to accessories. Her favored shoes are mostly flat: slippers in leather or denim, barely-there twostrap sandals, ankle boots with a studded heel, and slip-on clogs. Her watchword is comfort, since she has the confidence to pull off even the most unlikely combinations. For evening, she

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THETALK / January / 2014

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HER style icon

The Brightest Blonde Blogger Chiara Ferragni

THETALK / December January / 2014 / 2013

he Italian beauty began her major blog ‘The Blonde Salad’ in 2009. Her fashion based blog is a winner in the Street Style category. Chiara’s own personal taste has an eccentric high luxury blend that has yet to be matched. She combines trends, colours and prints in ways that have set new trends soaring. She dabbles with a bit of edge but for the most part her style is ultimately feminine and incredibly chic. So why the name “The

Blonde Salad”? “Because this blog is gonna be a salad of myself. The ingredients will be those which have always characterized me: fashion, photography, travel and lifestyle.” – Chiara Ferragni It is Ferragni’s attention to visual detail that caught the world’s attention. Within a few months the blog was a big success with Flickr and LOOKBOOK as platforms that helped in raising attention to the now twenty-five year old. As she juggles being a full time law student and blogger, there seems to be no signs of being overworked as she expanded her blog to include food recipes and has consistently documented all her travels. As a successful blogger she travels often to attend fashion shows and events and has been a star of many of them. Her constant collaborations with high end designers has inspired many to follow in her footsteps. The upbeat, fun-loving feel of TBS makes the blog a favourite with magazines such as Teen Vogue and her modelesque stature has landed her editorials in major magazines and campaigns such as Vogue Brazil and Burberry. Chiara credits her mother for her early interest in fashion, having worked for Blumarine made fashion an important aspect at home, not only in clothing but in their general lifestyle. From that, Chiara would find inspiration from all experiences and had an ongoing appreciation for art and all things beautiful. She has admitted her addiction to designer bags and shoes and launched her very own line of shoes which has gained popularity with every season. She

has also published a book titled after the blog in which she has included many style tips and outfit inspirations. She currently lives in Milan, Italy with her boyfriend and other love, Matilda, her French bulldog. It is hard to believe that there is nothing short of brilliant about her; however she does claim that she is a terrible dancer with the only dance she knows being the Macarena. Heeey Macarena! Aaahaaa! WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

celebrity wearing

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO JESSICA HART WEARS SALVATORE FERRAGAMO AT THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW

THETALK / January / 2014

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Setting Her Beauty Trends

GILDED AGE

NUDE SPILL

Packed with fine shimmer, Burberry beauty smokey grey eye palette.

Check out Burberry nude beige nail polish.

BRIGHT IDEA

Bobbi Brown Berry blush to illuminate skin.

DOUBLE TAKE

Intense Smashbox dark lipstick from fade to black collection.

IT LIST Welcome the winter season with luminous skin and bold pops of color on lips, tips, and lids. GOLD AGE

GET THE LOOK!

A thick slick of Smashbox waterproof shadow liner for this fall.

COLOR AMBITION

Mix colors together with Smashbox eyeshadow purple palette. 50

THETALK / January / 2014

BOLD BLACK Try out Givenchy Mascara for Phenomenal eyes.

kyu.care life.health.beauty

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special Beauty feature

Lip Gloss Pale Pink

Glitter nail polish

BEAUTY GIVES BACK

FACE VALUE

Glam up & stock your makeup bag with must-have Bobbi Brown beauty items this season!

GET THE LOOK!

Old Hollywood Lip Color

This holiday season, Bobbi Brown introduces Old Hollywood, a collection that celebrates the glitz and glam of iconic American screen sirens. This sultry collection offers something for every type of woman, ensuring you will always be red carpet worthy. “The new rule in holiday makeup—it’s about what makes you feel glamorous.” Bobbi Brown

Old Hollywood Eye Palette

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Coral Pink Blush 52

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Extreme Party Mascara

Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick

Urban Decay – Naked3

Dare to get Naked all over again with Urban Decay’s latest shadow palette. Naked3 debuts 12 insanely beautiful rose-hued neutrals in an impressive range of shades— from pale, shimmery pink to deep black matte with red microglitter—in ultrasmooth matte, pearl, and glimmering metallic finishes. Each shadow features Urban Decay’s Pigment Infusion System™, the proprietary blend of ingredients that gives every shade its velvety texture, rich colour, serious staying power, and blendability.

L’OCCITANE - Hand Indulgences Set

Give your hands some nourishing care and luxurious protection with these must-have 20 percent shea butterenriched formulas. Get carried away by the captivating and radiant smell of the Passionate Jasmine Hand Cream, the sweet and comforting scent of the subtle Violet Hand Cream, and the fresh and velvety fragrance of the Rose Tenderness Hand Cream. These exclusive limited-edition scents are travel-sized to keep hands soft and supple on the go.

BENEFIT COSMETICS - Goodtime Gals

A perfectly portable tint, primer, and luminizer set. Get your complexion bright, perky, and lustrous with these goodtime gals: brightening “That Gal” primer, poppy-pink lip and cheek stain Posietint, and luminizing Girl Meets Pearl. For radiant cheeks, pair Posietint with Girl Meets Pearl for a poppy-pink flush with eye-catching luminescence.

CLINIQUE - Chubby Treats A Chubby Stick duo that delivers mouth-watering moisture, delectable colour, and a hint of soft shine. These two juicy shades of awardwinning Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm are just what dry, delicate lips need to feel comfortably soft and smooth. Pudgy Peony’s warm pink and Voluptuous Violet’s subtle lavender are perfect colours for any season. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

THETALK / January / 2014

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Local male interview

In this interview we get to feature people with great initiatives and projects for the benefit of society. Bader Al Mansour

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I need to make use of the abilities I have been given and put them into good use and this is my drive. â&#x20AC;?

THETALK / January / 2014

In this issue I had the pleasure to interview the

creative artist Bader AlMansour who is famous for his recycled art, including the recycled pieces in Yarmouk Garden. In his solo exhibition at Sadu house this November, entitled Saduing, Bader used Sadu theme for his art pieces that event included designing his own Sadu inspired alphabets. Proceedings from his exhibition are directed to establish Sargon Centre for cultural studies, a non-profit initiative for cultural studies. Tell me about your initiative and the idea behind it? Sargon Centre of cultural studies aims at studying ancient stories and histories and finding geographical evidence and perhaps through findings of remains or artifacts. We want to spark interest in history that goes back beyond our modern age and study aspects of languages and scripts that could tell us more about our begginings. What is the story behind the name and logo? The name is after Sargon of Akkad, the founder of the first kingdom in history and first civilization. He transformed people from their first primitive state and tribes to the civil state under one authority and he invested in people’s talents such as builders, artists, etc to build a state and culture. This man was the initiator of building the first civilization, which was then copied in ancient times, such as in Egypt and Yemen in building their cities and the formation of various civilizations. From tribes and villages to bigger cities. Hence the choice of naming the cultural studies centre in his name. What inspired you to start this initiative? The sadu exhibition is in support of the cultural studies centre and it is an accumulation of 8

months of work. I chose to use the sadu patterns away from traditional sense and different fabrics to create a modern look to sadu. My initiative is about artistic ideas and creative thinking in using different materials and media to convey messages using recycled material. It is more about the concept of taking a piece and changing its identity, moving it from one place or definition to another and into art. So do you foresee any obstacles in achieving your goal? We have interest in many aspects and for some studies we need equipment and training that is available only outside of Kuwait. So I suppose funding is an issue. What distinguished you for success? I had a goal a long time ago, which is to work whether standing or sitting within the 70 cm or so of space that I occupy and be worthy of this capacity that I have been given.

What skills you found most useful for work? I am a décor designer; I design and execute the work. I am a graduate of art, so I was exposed to different materials and fabrics that allowed me to manipulate these media and express various concepts. On a bad day what would you say to yourself for motivation to keep on going? I only work on a bad day. My attitude towards work is that I need to make use of the abilities I have been given and put them into good use and this is my drive. Do you believe all dreams come true? On an actual sense, a dream will become a reality if you keep on dreaming and believing in it. What do you think of volunteer work? Volunteering is great for youth although I feel on

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Local male interview

many occasions it is done for roles that should be supported by the state and civil society. If people want to help, it is great. However it would be better if they can utilize their energy in their own field or talent even if in a voluntary basis so they would gain more experience and can have greater benefit drawing from their expertise. What is your tip for people wanting to start their own initiative? Be creative and start against the current. Don’t pay attention to anyone. Last word or wish? I would like to thank you for your support and your presence and I hope more people to see more people who would volunteer within their field and raise the bar through creative work. To catch up on Bader’s latest work and updates you can follow him on instagram @baderart This article was conducted and written by Fatemah Almosawi founder of Spread the Passion, a non-profit organization with the main aim of spreading awareness about the value of volunteer work under the slogan “Make giving part of your living” by connecting volunteers to volunteering opportunities. To find out more, follow @spreadpassion on instagram and twitter. If you have an initiative that you want to be featured please contact me via email: fate@spreadthepassion.org

THETALK / January / 2014

OPEN YOUR EYES TO COMFORT. ACUVUE速 Brand Contact Lenses deliver exceptional comfort, vision while supporting healthy contact lens wear, so nothing comes between you and your world. To learn more, visit acuvuearabia.com

Setting HIS Trends

BURBERRY WITH LOVE COLLECTION ‘Burberry with Love’ is a culmination of an entire season that celebrates love. The campaign is led by beautiful, emotive imagery showcasing festive cityscapes and emotive, festive accessories imagery. This season, retail stores across the Middle East feature prominently on visual assets. Burberry also brings its ‘Burberry with Love’ campaign to life at Mall of the Emirates, one of Dubai’s most iconic malls, with a stunning art installation cascading down from its Fashion Dome. The installation brings together heritage and innovation, taking inspiration from the Burberry trench coat with the message of love articulated throughout. The installation features the special festive collection, now available in all stores across the Middle East as well as online on Burberry.com.

CAROLINA HERRERA 60

THETALK / January / 2014

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Setting the car trends

Al-Zayani: Three regional premiers for Maserati in Dubai Brand new Maserati Ghibli sports executive sedan appeals to the head, the heart and the soul Also unveiled: the pinnacle of sportiness in the Maserati two door line up, the GranCabrio MC and the GranTurismo MC Stradale Dubai International Motor Show saw the premiers of three highly anticipated models, the Maserati Ghibli, The Maserati GranCabrio MC and GranTurismo MC Stradale; which including the sixth generation Quattroporte totals four new models brought to the region by Maserati this year alone. Focus fell on Maserati’s exciting entrance into the E-segment of the sports premium market: The Maserati Ghibli is an entirely new model for the Italian car manufacturer and provides a cornerstone in the Marque’s plan to build 50,000 cars a year by 2015, with the Middle East forming a key market to reach this eightfold rise in production. Derek Davies, Automotive Director at AlZayani, commented, “The coming couple of 62

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years will undoubtedly be full of exciting events and accomplishments for us with Maserati. The Ghibli will tap into new markets for Maserati and this will add to the brand’s popularity and demand in Kuwait.” The sports executive sedan combines fascinating design with exceptional handling and outstanding performance. Both versions of the petrol range, Ghibli and Ghibli S, feature a new-generation twin turbo-charged 3.0-litre V6 engine. With its power output of 410 hp the Ghibli S races to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 285 km/h. The Ghibli delivers 330 hp, a top speed of 263 km/h and an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. The new Ghibli shares much of its core

architecture, its chassis, its suspension architecture, the V6 engine and the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with the flagship limousine Quattroporte, though it is 50 kg lighter, 173 mm shorter in the wheel base and 291 mm shorter overall. It is the second model after the flagship to be manufactured to new benchmark quality standards in Maserati’s new state-of-the-art production facilities in Grugliasco close to Turin. Dynamic and precise handling is guaranteed by the car’s perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution while the sophisticated Maserati Skyhook suspension system and limited slip differential, novel in its class, make every ride even more enjoyable. Achieving five stars on the Euro NCAP crash test, the Ghibli provides

lights themselves. With its elongated wheelbase, a total length of 4.97m and wide tracks, the Ghibli demonstrates a perfect blend of sportiness and elegance that is second to none in its class. The Ghibli enters the market with a tangible advantage in cabin craftsmanship and detailing. It also sets itself apart with a unique, cockpit-inspired dashboard design that perfectly matches its sporty and youthful character without compromising on the highest level of refinement and sophistication. Key elements such as the 8.4» Maserati Touch Control and the fine Poltrona Frau® leather finish underline the cabin’s timeless sporting character. Optional features include the 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkes high end audio system, WLAN based WiFi and a wide range of customization options that cater for the most demanding individuals.

peace of mind for all occupants. While the Ghibli maintains a strong visual link to the Quattroporte, its design emphasizes a more determined personality and muscular lines. The pronounced grille draws a line back to the iconic A6 GCS of the 1950s. The headlights add noticeable feline hints to the front, while their shape converges onto the Trident symbol, with every angle designed to attract the eye to Maserati’s legendary marque. The distinctive C-pillar delivers much of the Ghibli’s coupé-like stance and hosts the classical Saetta Maserati logo. The side profile is dominated by a character line that emerges from the three unmistakable Maserati air vents behind the front wheels and finishes in the rear

The GranTurismo MC Stradale and the GranCabrio MC also made their regional debuts at Dubai Motorshow. The new four-seater GranTurismo MC Stradale takes its inspiration from the racing version which competes in the Maserati Trofeo Championship, offering the perfect combination of sportiness, luxury and elegance, comfort and style, functionality and dynamism that can now be enjoyed by four people. The new aesthetic exterior features, with their clear racing edge, are highlighted by the new carbon fibre bonnet which frames an central air intake and two rear extractors. The GranTurismo MC Stradale is powered by Maserati’s acclaimed 4.7 litre 460 hp V8 engine. Combined with a MC Race Shift 6-speed electro actuated gearbox, the car ensures thrilling high performance -and a top

speed of 303 km/h, which can be enjoyed in the new four passenger configuration. For those who prefer the open top drive with a thrill, Maserati presented the stunning new GranCabrio MC. The four-seater embodies muscular performance blended with the lifestyle, charm and design of the acclaimed convertible. The athletic look of the GranCabrio MC can be seen in each design element in its bodywork, which blends sportiness, dynamism, aerodynamic functionality, elegance and style. The GranCabrio MC also boasts 460 hp and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in swift 4.9 seconds. Underlining the importance of the occasion, Maserati’s Global Head of Design, Mr Lorenzo Ramaciotti had the honour of unveiling the stunning line up to an expectant press cordon. He commented, “It is my honour to be here at Dubai International Motor Show to unveil the new Maserati Ghibli. Inspired by the iconic concept of the legendary Tipo 60, also known as ‘the Birdcage’, the Ghibli design went back to the very core of Maserati’s 100-year heritage. With harmony, dynamism and purity, all captured in the sleek lines and proportions, the Ghibli successfully creates the bridge between the spaciousness of a sedan and the sportiness of a coupe.” Umberto Cini, Managing Director for Maserati General Overseas Markets commented at the launch, “On the eve of its centennial celebration, the Maserati has successfully laid the foundations for an unparalleled strategic and industrial. In 2013 alone we have launched four new models, three of them to the region here at Dubai Motor Show, undoubtedly highlighting the Middle East’s importance to Maserati’s future growth.” WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

his style icon

Fifty Shades of Dornan Jamie Dornan

THETALK / January / 2014

he cast of the Fifty Shades of Grey Movie have been announced and the widely anticipated actor to play the role of Christian Grey was immensely argued over since the best-selling book series was released. Finally revealed, Jamie Dornan has left everyone titillated as it was unanimous that he fits the role perfectly. The Northern Irish actor is a model and musician. His modeling career hit a high when he modeled for Calvin Klein numerously, including cameos by Kate Moss and Eva Mendes. He has also been a favourite with brands such as Dior and Armani. His editorial in GQ magazine along with model Rosie Huntington-Whitely is themed very closely to his current movie snag. As for his acting career, Jamie does not have the most experience in comparison to his Hollywood peers. However, it seems every role he has taken on has been successful. He starred in Marie Antoinette, Shadows in the Sun, Beyond the Rave and the Once Upon a Time television series. He is best known for his role as a serial killer in the hit series The Fall. His band Sons of Jim have toured in support of KT Tunstall. His passion for singing and performing continues along with his serious passion for rugby and football. He played rugby competitively but with football he is more of a fan than a player, he holds season tickets for his favourite team, Manchester United.

few years as a model, leaning against walls and looking depressed while someone takes photographs of you, but God forbid you can also act.’ Once a romancer of the beautiful English actress Kiera Knightly, the thirty-one year old is now happily married to English actress and singer-songwriter Amelia Werner and are expecting their first child. The Fifty Shades of Grey movie is set to be released early 2015.

Jamie struggled as a teenager when he lost his mother to pancreatic cancer when he was sixteen and a year later lost four of his best friends in a car accident. He credits therapy for his ability to cope with the tragic losses. He channeled his energy in acting and his music. His modeling career was completely unexpected. He was approached by an agent and was catapulted into the scene and within a week was walking the runway. ‘It was a fluke,’ says Jamie of his modeling career, ‘I’m not the best-looking guy who was doing that job. I just got lucky.’ He has also recently expressed his worry over the public’s opinion of models who act. ‘You spend a

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Groominig

TOM FORD - Neroli Portofino Vibrant. Sparkling. Transportive. To Tom Ford, this scent perfectly captures the cool breezes, sparkling clear water, and lush foliage of the Italian Rivera. His reinvention of a classic eau de cologne features crisp citrus oils, surprising floral notes, and amber undertones to leave a splashy yet substantive impression.

THETALK / January / 2014

HERMÈS - Eau d’orange verte Moisturizing Face Balm

ACQUA DI PARMA - Colonia Bath and Shower Gel

Hermès Colognes are generous, figurative expressions of simple pleasures - written as olfactory snapshots. Eau d’orange verte is the founding Eau de cologne in the Hermès Colognes Collection. Sparkling and invigorating, it carries the green freshness of an explosion of oranges with a woody signature. This product captures the delectable fragrance in the form of an alcohol-free, moisturizing face balm.

An elegant timeless scent filled with a fresh, luminous blend of natural ingredients like Bulgarian rose, Sicilian citrus fruits, lavender, and verbena. The notes include: Bergamot, Citrus, Lemon, Bitter Orange, Sweet Orange, English Lavender, Bulgarian or Damascene Rose, Verbena, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Oakmoss. The style is Classic, Timeless and Natural.

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HEALTH

Mind, Body & Soul Cleanse The New Year is not only about new gifts and a new wardrobe but the need for an inner awakening for a newer, healthier perspective! With the years rolling by it is this time of year that we all try to make permanent changes in our health. Whichever form it may be in, there are different aspects to consider! It is not just about your physical health but also mental and spiritual. To target all three there are the main basics to consider… 1) Nourishment. Foods that naturally cleanse your system and that should be incorporated in your every day diet include: Apples Avocados l Beetroot l Blueberries l Cabbage l Celery l Cranberries l Flax Seeds & Oil l Garlic l Grapefruit l Lemon l l

2) Physique. Exercise is essential, but one way to connect more with your body is to practice more mindful exercises such as Yoga or Pilates. When balance is required your psyche stabilizes along with them and your core is strengthened. Dry Brushing circulates your blood flow as well as eliminating dead cells from the surface of your skin. Taking care of the largest organ you have strengthens your relationship with your body. Practice before showering and reap the results of softer skin that will thank you. Massages are also incredibly beneficial to blood circulation as well as an added bonus of relaxation and the feeling of indulging ones self. We recommend showering before a massage and sleeping with the essential oils still on your skin. 3) Cognition. Your mind is the most powerful tool. In order for it to strengthen you need to exercise it. The way you form your thought patterns can result in happiness or sadness. Keeping your mind clear of negative thoughts 68

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means clearing your body of negative emotions.

“Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ear, by the heels or any other way you can manage it.” -- Mark Twain

One way of ridding negative thoughts that are overbearing is to write them all out, read over them, throw the paper away and write on another focusing only on positive thoughts and keeping that paper nearby. Have positive people and experiences abundantly present in your life. 4) Vitality. In order for your soul to incorporate your positive energy and channel it in the best way possible, try the following: 1. Meditation 2. Daily Gratitude 3. Mindfully Helping Others Connecting with the world, although secondary, is just as important as connecting with yourself!

TRAVel

THETALK / January / 2014

A Zest for Life in Zanzibar Zanzibar, an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, and is a breathtaking escape from the world. There are many small islands that surround it, all connected by clear, turquoise-blue water and white sandy beaches. With tourists newly discovering the islands there is a lot of adventure to be had with a guarantee of connecting with nature in peace and tranquility.

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TRAVel

Considered the top beach location in the East of Africa, Zanzibar also offers lush plantations and a fascinating history and culture. In the north of the islands there is a road lined by banana palms, mangroves and coconut trees. This is where traditional craftsmen can be seen whilst at work. The east and west of the island is where the best beaches for laying and soaking up the sun are, as well as water activities. The locals are from a mixture of ethnic backgrounds with the main language spoken being Swahili where it is the most pure since this is where the language first originated. Other common languages are English, French and Arabic. The delectable cuisine is focused only on local availability so there is plenty of freshly caught seafood to be enjoyed. Coconut and spices are featured in most dishes. The cultural heart of Zanzibar lies in Stone Town where not much has changed in the last twohundred years. The labyrinth of winding narrow streets and alleyways lead to bazaars that are the best of attractions. Surrounded by grand houses, there is a lot to be admired in Stone Town, especially how the one-upmanship has

THETALK / January / 2014

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TRAVel

withstood the test of time and beauty. There are no large wild animals and most wildlife is contained within the forests, however there are a great number of butterflies in rural areas and a variety of birdlife. The marine life is one that must be explored whether it is by snorkeling or scuba diving. The vast diversity of underwater living is rich within the coral reefs surrounding the islands.

THETALK / January / 2014

There are many tours on offer whether you would like to explore the Stone Town, Spice Plantations, Jozani Forest, North Coast, Prison Island or enjoy a dolphin tour, all of which provide refreshments and all the insights you will need to know. There are also day trips to the islets surrounding Zanzibar and whilst travelling throughout the islands you are sure to see a family of giant tortoises that are around all year round. Hotels and resorts are spread across the islands with some within the centre of Stone Town and many spread across the coasts. Music and culture resonates through the hotels onto the shores of the beaches. There are major festivals and events that happen continuously in Zanzibar so choosing where to stay would be dependent on what festivities you would like to be part of!

Zanzibar Fact Sheet: Tanzanian Visa Required. Tropical Island Vaccines Required: Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and Yellow Fever. Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) $1 = 1,578 TZS 1 KD = 5,588. Time Zone: (GMT+3) Dialling Code: (+255) *January & February are after the rain season. Weather is slightly humid with clear skies and sunshine.

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Kuwait Exclusives

Kuwait Yacht Show 2014 Is Destined To Be Three Times Bigger than 2013!! PH7 Group unveiled the latest updates concerning the preparations for Kuwait Yacht Show 2014 which will be launched on Feb 2nd at the Marina Crescent under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah-Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. The press conference was held in presence of the show’s official sponsors, major local participants and Kuwait media representatives. “Kuwait Yacht show 2014 is three times bigger than its first edition in 2013 in terms of the allocated space, the number of participants and exhibits. It will host a large number of local, regional and international exhibitors”, confirmed Nouf Al Hajri (KYS Project Manager) from PH7 Group, the organizers of the show.

THETALK / January / 2014

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Kuwait Exclusives

Royale Hayat Hospital Celebrates 7th Anniversary More than 400 guests attended Royale Hayat Hospital celebration on December 5, 2013. Attendees gathered at Missoni Hotel, in celebration of Royale Hayat Hospital 7th years of dedicated, and personalized luxurious medical care to the Kuwaiti society. Royale Hayat Hospital chairman, deputy CEO, board members, doctors, staff, administration, nurses, and the many other dedicated team members were welcomed in a classical themed ceremony and dinner. Recognizing the hospital’s achievements, Royale Hayat Chairman and board members presented awards to staff members with outstanding performance, dedication and commitment. “These awards are for meeting and exceeding the highest standards and supporting Royal Hayat since the beginning of its journey. I thank you all at Royale Hayat Hospital for making it happen; your contribution paved the way to reach our current status. However, now we have more responsibilities as the market expects more from us and we jointly must exceed the expectations.” said Pradeep K. Handa, Chairman, Royale Hayat Hospital.

bimba & lola 4 fabulous days Dagher & Co International’s Bimba & Lola held an exclusive promo event offering a wide variety of Bimba & Lola products at premium prices at Olympia Mall in Salmiya from the 5th till the 8th of December 2013. Guests included a group of officials of the company, in addition to representatives of the media and television exclusive coverage including TV host Claire from “Stylak” TV show. The event also hosted live music for a special welcoming atmosphere in appreciation for its guests.

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LINDA FARROW INTRODUCES KHALEDA RAJAB & FAHAD ALMARZOUQ Linda Farrow partners with Khaleda Rajab + Fahad Almarzouq for the first time for the spring-summer 2014 collection. For the collaboration, a unique shape is created, where a frame within a frame results in an oversized cat-eye with a double lens. A fun exaggerated shape, this style is not for the faint of heart. To celebrate Linda Farrow’s collaboration with Khaleda Rajab + Fahad Almarzouq the Eye Boutique stores will welcome press and VIP clients for a very exclusive launch both in Kuwait, on the 9th December 2013, and Dubai, on 12th December 2013. Guests will be invited to discover the new collection with the designers on hand to talk through the glasses during the store events, with an exclusive after party at Eye Boutique Dubai.

“Journeys with Louis Vuitton” Celebrating 30 Years in Kuwait Louis Vuitton has explored new frontiers since 1854, from the beginning its story has been defined by a pioneering spirit, with distant lands a favored destination. Today Louis Vuitton is celebrating its 30th Year in the Middle East, having first arrived in Kuwait in 1983 with Habchi & Chalhoub. As a celebration of the Maison’s journey in the region and in collaboration with Hia Magazine, some outstanding personalities of the Middle East participated in a photographic essay with their Louis Vuitton products as companions. Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, Alamira Noor Bani Hashim, Ali Mustafa, Buthaina Al Mazrui, Dana Al Khalifa, Elham Al Qasimi, Haifaa Al Mansour, Khalid Shafar, Leila Kashanipour, Sheikha Lulu Al Sabah, Mohammed Al Turki, Mohammed Saeed Harib, Muna AbuSulayman, Noor Fares, Raha Moharrak, Raja Alem, Sami Al Jaber, Shadia Alem and Tanaz Dizadji express in this photographic work their own personality set by their personal journey and accomplished by the Italian photographer Giovanni Squatriti. The photographic essay was launched with a special VIP preview at Louis Vuitton, Prestige, The Avenues, on December 10th 2013. Visitors will be able to view the exhibition of images at the store until the 21st December 2013.

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Kuwait Exclusives

MILLY FALL/WINTER 2013 “ILLUMINATION” Michelle Smith, designer and founder of MILLY presents her Fall 2013 ready-to-wear and accessory collections at The Stage at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, February 13. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of urban landscapes at night, Smith’s photorealistic prints glow against a rich palette grounded in glistening charcoals and metallic blacks. Innovative fabrics and textured layers set the foundation for a collection of elevated iconic sportswear silhouettes. Collection highlights include laminated hologram pullovers and pencil skirts, menswear-inspired bonded wool overcoats and acid wash stretch plongé leather bomber jackets. Embossed studded leather, metallic fringe taffeta and luxurious oversize hardware add an angle of modernity.

SHOEBOX NY KUWAIT DEBUTS 2013 UGG COLLECTION IN FIERCE RUNWAY STYLE-OFF AT THE AVENUES MALL Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW) and one of its high-fashion brands, Shoebox New York, today gathered more than two dozen of Kuwait’s fashion stylists, enthusiasts and devotees in an exciting “UGG Style-off competition” at The Avenues Mall to help inspire the country’s best 2013 winter looks. Kuwait’s fashion icons created their UGG-inspired winter looks of the season using high-end pieces from DKNY and presented them to hundreds of guests, as well as a panel of judges. They were then judged based on creativity, style, and how well they were able to matchup the dynamic UGG boots. Shoebox New York Brand Manager at AAW, Besma Al-Mutawa said: “Every season, we anxiously eye global brands to find out new fashion trends, but I believe fashion enthusiasts in Kuwait can also inspire the local community, and they are able to provide us with adorning styles that will help make a statement and stand-out every day.” “The “UGG Style-Off” is a way to help local stylists initiate their own trends and also help the community adopt unique ideas they can show off during family gatherings, lunches and other outings.”

THETALK / January / 2014

Zafran launches its exciting new Winter menu In the presence of local media representatives and invited guests, Zafran, the contemporary Indian restaurant by Foodmark today celebrated the launch of its new autumn winter menu. The popular restaurant is now tempting food lovers with an exciting new winter menu with the introduction of an array of delicious creations from its culinary team which has become an instant hit with the connoisseurs of Indian cuisine. Zafran’s brand Chef Gaurav Singh has concocted a menu with seasonal delights, adapting classic traditional dishes and complementing the ingredients with the restaurant’s signature contemporary twist. Chef Gaurav Singh along with the entire restaurant team welcomed the local media representatives and other guests to an afternoon of good food and friendly service. Speaking about the new menu Chef Gaurav Singh said: “We’re delighted to introduce our new dinner menu and hope that it is as well received as our original menu. We have put in a great deal towards maintain the spice levels of dishes and not using any preservatives or coloring. The new menu reveals an unmatched level of creativity and imagination as we have put together various recipes and ingredients to offer an unforgettable dining experience to our guests. We use a simplistic cooking approach treating ingredients with care and use the best-suited cooking techniques. Ensuring the taste of each dish is kept clean and simple, our ground rule is to ensure the spices used are maintained to a level where they can be distinctly identified and enjoyed, and are not over-empowering.”

Coach Celebrates 1st Year Anniversary with Ascia Al-Faraj To mark its first year anniversary at The Avenues, Coach – a leading New York design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle collections – celebrated in style with renowned fashion blogger Ascia Al-Faraj of The Hybrids. Taking place in-store, guests were treated to a live cellist performance, as well as a complimentary monogramming service and a competition that gave one lucky customer the opportunity to win their favourite Coach item. Throughout the evening, as guests enjoyed the delicious canapés and mocktails on offer, they also had the chance to meet and mingle with Ascia – who topped off a great night with a memorable cake cutting ceremony. Continuing the celebration, the store will be giving one additional customer the opportunity to win their “Wish List” – bag, shoe and accessory – up to 28th December 2013. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

THE STREET STYLES COLLECTIVE

the street styles collective A new season and a new dose of inspiration! This time we have hit all the major capitals around the world; not just London, New York & Paris but Copenhagen, Tokyo, Milan and more. From local to international, we are bringing you an assortment of fashion styles and combinations. As with every season, do not miss out on the fun of experimenting!

THETALK / January / 2014

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THE STREET STYLES COLLECTIVE

THETALK / January / 2014

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THE STREET STYLES COLLECTIVE

Kuwait street styles Time and time again we bring you Street Style inspirations from across the globe. However, we cannot steer away from the fashionable crowd here in Kuwait. Whether it is how they dress to work, lunch, events or parties, whichever the occasion, these trendsetters always look stylishly chic!

THETALK / January / 2014

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THE STREET STYLES COLLECTIVE

THETALK / January / 2014

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FASHION FEATURE

KENZO Celebrate the launch of the kalifornia bag at an event in los angeles KENZO’S Creative Directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon celebrated the launch of their new Kalifornia Bag with a dinner and party in Downtown LA on Wednesday, October 30. The event was hosted by Carrie Brownstein, China Chow, Gia Coppola, Rashida Jones and Riley Keough. Guests were invited to an intimate candlelit dinenr party at an indoor skate park in downtown LA and dined on a French-inspired menu created by Root of All Food. Other notable guests included Jessica Alba, Cash Warren, Fergie, Rose McGowan, Annie St. Vincent, Miranda July, Devon Aoki, and Ellie Stuart Hunter. Kalifornia is relaxed, yet precise, blending KENZO’S French Atelier craftsmanship with Humberto and Carol\s Pacific Coast nonchalance. The soft, deconstructed design is punctuated by two “K” zip details flanking either side of the bag that double as pockets, an ode to the ultimate biker’s perfecto.

THETALK / January / 2014

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Restaurant REVIEW

Little Ruby’s Restaurant From the heart of Mulberry Street, New York City, Little Ruby’s, located in Grand Avenues, serves deliciously fresh food with an Australian influence. Its digital Ipad menu includes a variety of fresh salads, healthy appetizers and main dishes cooked with healthy Gouttes De Truffle oil, directly imported from Italy. The Pumpkin and Pine Nuts Salad does not only include a tasty flavor due to its Balsamic Vinegar, which gives a tingling taste. However, the color combination between the golden roasted pumpkin and the greenery baby spinach creates a beautiful contrast that will feed the eye before the stomach. The addition of the goat cheese adds nutrition and great taste. Another eye catching salad is the Greek Salad that includes an amalgamation of colors through its fresh ingredients of: mixed bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, Frisee lettuce, Iceberg lettuce and romaine lettuce. Also, the fried halloume cheese and the herb dressing with the sharp mint taste will make you fall in love with salads. Yes, healthy food has never tasted so good! As for the appetizers, there is a wide selection that compliments everyone’s taste. The

THETALK / January / 2014

Mushroom Crostini comprises of a combination of wild mushrooms with the creamy sauce along with the sour dough grants a scrumptious taste. The must-try appetizer has to be the Crispy Shrimp Cake with Spicy Mayo. The finely chopped shrimps and the mashed potatoes create a crispy taste from the outside and soft texture from the inside. As for the taste the lemon zest adds more flavor with the spicy mayo. The best Mushroom Risotto will be found at Little Ruby’s because it does not have a starchy feeling whatsoever. The Wild Mushroom Risotto includes four different types of mushrooms: Enoki Mushroom, Porcini Mushroom, Ottolenghi Mushroom and Oyster Mushroom. While cooking it with the mushroom stock, it makes the Risotto even more wild!

Little Ruby’s Restaurant managed to combine vegetables, poultry, and fruits all in one dish by serving the Mango Chicken Salad. Deliciously fresh mangos pieces add a sweet taste to the grilled chicken and Roca leaves. With a touch of Mustard Balsamic Dressing, it adds a sour taste to complement the sweetness of the mango. You can order it without chicken too! The Creamy Chicken + Truffle Pasta cooked with truffle oil is not only healthy, but tasty with the mix tomatoes and parsley and penne pasta that will fill up any growling stomach. They are to die for. Sweet meat? Little Ruby’s can do anything and it is proven through the Sticky Beef Rib that is cooked for three hours to ensure a tender taste from the inside and fried with brown sugar and rib stock to create sugary

crunchy mouthwatering taste. Also with Little Ruby’s enjoy two different sauces, Mushroom and Romesco sauce, with Rib Eye Stake New York Stake served with buttered broccoli, potato crusts and carrots. As for the California Burger, the assortments of the burger with mild shedder cheese, pickles, tomatoes, Boston lettuce, and avocado creates a divine taste that create reminiscing memories of your California vacations. Then for the chicken lovers, the Crispy Rice Fried Chicken with Coleslaw cabbage, pickles and truffle mayo with its rich flavor. The rice creates a crunchy texture and the chicken is tender from the inside. Both burgers are made with special homemade sauce. THETALK ended its delightful visit to Little Ruby’s with Banoffee Pie made with sugar free coconut biscuits and homemade vanilla icecream. You must dig deep to taste guilty-free pleasure of Dulce de Leche and bananas. We enjoyed the marvelous atmosphere with great music selections with Vanessa Carlton, Nolita Fairytale song stuck in our heads “the poses that I see through Ruby’s in the afternoon”. Enjoy Little Ruby’s Restaurant food at home by calling 22496526 and it is also available at Talabat.com.

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BOOK REVIEWs

The Best of Holiday Entertaining 23 Anti-Procrastination Habits: How to Stop Being Lazy and Get Results in Your Life – by S.J. Scott

Choose Yourself! – by James Altucher The world is changing. Markets have crashed. Jobs have disappeared. Industries have been disrupted and are being remade before our eyes. Everything we aspired to for “security,” everything we thought was “safe,” no longer is: College. Employment. Retirement. Government. It’s all crumbling down. In every part of society, the middlemen are being pushed out of the picture. No longer is someone coming to hire you, to invest in your company, to sign you, to pick you. It’s on you to make the most important decision in your life: Choose Yourself. New tools and economic forces have emerged to make it possible for individuals to create art, make millions of dollars and change the world without “help.” More and more opportunities are rising out of the ashes of the broken system to generate real inward success (personal happiness and health) and outward success (fulfilling work and wealth). This book will teach you to do just that. With dozens of case studies, interviews and examples– including the author, investor and entrepreneur James Altucher’s own heartbreaking and inspiring story–Choose Yourself illuminates your personal path to building a bright, new world out of the wreckage of the old. 94

THETALK / January / 2014

Do you struggle with completing projects or specific tasks? We›d all like to get things done and become more productive. But what often happens is we put off important tasks and let them slip through the cracks. The end result? We get overwhelmed by the amount of things to do. In other words, «procrastination» causes you to feel stressed when you›re not completing tasks in a systematic manner. It’s not that hard to stop procrastinating. Really, all you have to do is form the same habits used by countless successful people and make them part of your routine. While these people often have the same fears and limitations as you, they›re able to take consistent action because they’ve trained themselves to do so. In the book «23 Anti-Procrastination Habits», you will discover a catalog of ideas to help you overcome procrastination on a daily basis. Whereas many books provide a simple list of tips, you’ll learn why a specific strategy works, what limiting belief it eliminates and how it can be immediately applied to your life. In short, you will learn the root causes of your procrastination and how to overcome them.

Wake Up Successful - How to Increase Your Energy and Achieve Any Goal with a Morning Routine – by S.J. Scott Having trouble achieving your goals? The reason most people aren’t successful is they fail to follow a day-by-day strategy. Instead they start each day, “hoping” they will have enough time to take action on their goals.

If you closely examine the world’s most successful people you’d see they start each day in an energized state, ready to accomplish any goal. What’s their secret? The *one thing* they do differently is they prioritize each day so the most important task is completed first. Put simply, successful people have morning routines that help them feel energized and ready to focus on their most important goal. In “Wake Up Successful” you’ll learn how to live every day like it’s your last. No longer will you stumble out of bed and waste the first few hours. Instead, you’ll learn how to start the day by creating energy and harnessing this power to focus on ONE breakthrough goal that will make a difference in your life.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business – By Charles Duhigg In The Power of Habit, award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. With penetrating intelligence and an ability to distill vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives, Duhigg brings to life a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential for transformation. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. Habits aren’t destiny. As Charles Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.

The Productive Person: A how-to guide book filled with productivity hacks & daily schedules for entrepreneurs, students or anyone struggling with work-life balance. – by James Roper Anyone privileged with the choice of how they spend their time is cursed with a common struggle...work-life balance. Whether you›re a student, entrepreneur, or even stay at home parent, dividing your free time between productivity and personal time can be difficult. How do you maximize each hour of productivity so that you are only focused on the task at hand, leaving you free to do other more enjoyable things? And...how do you make sure your free time is truly FREE...free of guilt, free of stress, and free

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead – by Brene Brown Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable, or to dare greatly. Whether the arena is a new relationship, an important meeting, our creative process, or a difficult family conversation, we must find the courage to walk into vulnerability and engage with our whole hearts.

of feeling anxious for not being «busy»? Both of these things require practice and can be tough to implement and manage with your already overloaded schedule. In this practical, lighthearted and action-oriented book, James Roper and Chandler Bolt explain how you can be productive with your time without sacrificing your social life and the freedom you cherish.

In Daring Greatly, Dr. Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability. Based on twelve years of research, she argues that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection. The book that Dr. Brown’s many fans have been waiting for, Daring Greatly will spark a new spirit of truth—and trust—in our organizations, families, schools, and communities. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM

movie RevIEws

movies showing this month

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Lone Survivor

Labor Day

Ride Along

I, Frankenstein

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Eric Bana

Cast: Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith

Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter

Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Miranda Otto

Cast: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley

Director: Peter Berg

Director: Jason Reitman

Director: Tim Story

Director: Stuart Beattie

Genre: Action | Drama | Thiller

Genre: Drama

Genre: Action, Comedy

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Synopsis: Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited.

Synopsis: Fast-talking security guard Ben joins his cop brother-in-law James on a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta in order to prove himself worthy of marrying Angela, James’ sister.

Synopsis: Frankenstein’s creature finds himself caught in an all-out, centuries old war between two immortal clans.

Director: Kenneth Branagh Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller Synopsis: Jack Ryan, as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.

Synopsis: Based on the failed June 28, 2005 mission “Operation Red Wings”. Four members of SEAL Team 10 were tasked with the mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd.

THETALK / January / 2014

Brought to you by

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Horoscopes CANCER

(June 22-July 22) There could either be enormous pleasure associated with a significant friend and/ or relationship or enormous pain. As a consequence of this, 2014 may see Cancer people consciously revamping their attitudes towards others who are less conventional than they are.

LEO

(July 23-Aug 22) 2014 will bring some disharmony within the family circle. There may be delays in home improvements which will cause you a lot of frustration, but also your commitments to younger family members will be heavy and in danger of becoming quite burdensome for you.

LIBRA

(Sept. 24-Oct. 23) Family and friends of Libran people may undergo a deep transformation in 2014 my horoscope shows. If an elderly parent was in your care, it is likely they will become independent of you this year. There are big changes around the home and there will be difficult choices to make.

2014 is a year of dramatic change for Capricorn people. You will be extremely energetic and the support from your family and friends will be second to none. Your family looks as though it could expand in some way. You will have a greater need for privacy this year and around you there may even be fewer friends, but good ones you can totally rely on.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

This year will be an interesting one for family and friends. For one, the past may rear its head and you could easily find yourself rubbing shoulders again with exes…..be they ex lovers, ex business associates, ex partners, ex spouses.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) This year will be a very social time with the focus on fun, creativity and children. It could be the year when you are more inclined to get in touch with friends from the past. There is much physical and mental activity indicated which will prove beneficial to your self-esteem.

TAURUS (Apr. 21-May 21) Certainly it is a year when interest in matters of a spiritual nature will come to the forefront. Things will happen for a reason in your circle and despite the fact that you will be asking questions about certain occurrences, you will enjoy some very special and intimate moments with your loved ones.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 23) There will be lots of social events where you will meet and make lasting friendships. You will also enjoy existing friendships and bonds will be strengthened even further. You will be very content and will be in a bold and gregarious mood.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) 2014 will generally be a positive time for existing friends and family within the Aquarius circle. Friends will be especially helpful to you and you could find yourself more involved in community projects which will be very rewarding.

ARIES (Mar. 21-April 20) In 2014 you will be thinking of new space for your ever increasing offspring or making the most of your current property by extending it. Your time with family and friends will be happy, fulfilling and full of fun and laughter.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Friends and family of Gemini folk may find them more fidgety and flighty than usual in the early months of 2014.It will be as though they are still wrestling with the host of multifarious delights that life has to offer.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Rifts and misunderstandings that have happened in the past will have healed and past wrongs will be forgotten and forgiven. Relationships will be harmonious and disagreements quickly overcome. Channels of communication with relatives will be excellent. WWW.THETALK-ONLINE.COM