Bloom Magazine Qatar

A BRIGHT LIFE STYLE

Distributed with

May 2015

Amulette De

Cartier

Unlock your Wish...

How to Make Your Fragrance Last All Day

Frette Opens STORE AT Lagoona Mall

el: 44431311 • Mob: 556 13550 • Email: dentelle_hautecouture@hotmail.com T facebook.com/dentelle.qatar @dentellecouture dentelle_haute_couture Address: Salwa Road, Midmac Roundabout, Opp. of Almana, Petrol Station www.dentelle.com.qa

O

ne good thing about change is that it is always constant, and everyday offers an opportunity for everyone and everything to change. This month, Bloom is taking that chance to change, to better connect with our readers.

To start with, we have a new magazine format that is easier to carry and much easier to read. The articles are colourful and more visually appealing, featuring local and international topics that everyone can relate to.

We’ve included new pages for Travel and Culture, and added in more editorial features to highlight each section. Martha will continue to dish out her useful tips on Fine Living, with our Technology, Science and Health pages providing readers with useful information that just might come in handy one of these days. Fashion and Beauty pages remain fashionable and beautiful as usual with just the right amount of colours to keep you posted on the latest trend. Browse our pages and see what other surprises are in store for you. Happy reading everyone!

We’d love to hear your comments!

Drop us a word at bloom@qimqatar.com or visit our Facebook page.

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A Better Bloom

A BRIGHT LIFE STYLE

Distributed with

4

May 2015

14 Amulette De

Cartier

Unlock your Wish...

How to Make Your Fragrance Last All Day

Frette Opens STORE AT Lagoona Mall

Little Trends

Fashion

• Baby Dior 2015 Spring Summer

• Chrystelle Atallah S/S 2015

Lalaine Turqueza, Hanan Ghazwani Editorial

Ravindranath Koonath

8

Design

Maria Carbungco Sales & Marketing

For contributions and advertisements please contact:

Tel: 4000 2156 (Editorial) / 4000 2155 (Sales) Email: bloom@qimqatar.com

Beauty

• New Beauty Products To Try

Office address:

P.O. Box: 22345, Barwa Commercial Avenue, Safwa Block, Landmark 6, Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar

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Trends

• Spring/ Summer Style Wishlist

Interior

21

• Frette Opens Store At Lagoona Mall

31

Culture

• Majlis: An Age-Old Qatari Tradition

CAT WALK

CHRYSTELLE ATALLAH S/S 2015 ELEGANT COLLECTION FOR THE WOMAN WHO LOVES TO STAND UNIQUE

Born to an artistic family, Chrystelle Atallah has had a growing passion for fashion since early childhood.

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“Fashions fade, style is eternal.”

—Yves Saint Laurent

Chrystelle ventured into successfully creating her own collections, only at the age of 23.

She fulfilled her life’s ambition by opening her own fashion house where she currently showcases her creations.

Her Spring /Summer 2015 collection features classic and feminine creations made up of fine materials , hand embroidery and delicate material work making each piece unique and exceptional, and is dedicated to the woman who loves to stand unique in her elegant and classy style, regardless of her age. She is simple, very at ease with herself and gives high importance to the value of handworked details, high quality fabrics and proper finishing.

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JEWELS

Amulette De Cartier

Unlock your Wish...

S

6

ince the dawn of time, precious stones have crystallised the virtues that man ascribes to them‌ Amulette de Cartier is a jewellery creation charged with emotional power. Like a talisman, a lucky charm, a padlock-pledge in which the knowing ear hears a personal wish, a very secret message.

The Amulette de Cartier collection consists of natural gemstones, each one different and unique, each carrying a wish that promises to be revealed. Opal, lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian, chrysoprase, mother- of-pearl or onyx, they seal their talents and magic in a jewel of one’s very own. Ringed with gold, their virtues are distilled in the wishes they epitomise.

OPAL

For happiness

Opal, a gem among precious stones, for the joy of being in the world, of a surprise meeting and a heart swiftly beating, for the soft caress of a tender word, the bedazzling smile, this moment that never ends…

LAPIS LAZULI For serenity

CARNELIAN For vitality

Carnelian, the capsule of fire, for the contagious energy, the enthusiasm that lends you wings, the bright mood that sings a song of life, the pleasure of the moment, the intelligence of sensations and desires…

Lapis lazuli, a fragment of sky captured in a deep-blue gem for eternity, for the infinite wealth of the world’s treasures, a promise of gentleness, wisdom and trust…

MALACHITE For luck

CHRYSOPRASE For fulfilment

Chrysoprase, the bright flash of green, for uplifting energy and strength fulfilled, for harmony that spreads, creativity that enlightens…

MOTHER-OF-PEARL For protection

Mother-of-pearl, the pure and sweet innocence of childhood, for the soft touch and tender look, the perfect word that gently reassures, for one hand clutched in another, for kindness and consideration…

Malachite, the gemstone of travellers, for luck and hope, for great expectations, for all that guides and leads, for a chance bestowed, a surprise that makes an impression, for success along the way…

ONYX

For courage Onyx, gem of strength and fundamentals, for the courage of believing against all odds, for perseverance and its imperious demands, for the certainty of success, the subtle intuition that takes you exactly to the right place…

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BEAUTY

How to Make Your Fragrance Last All Day

P

erfume has been described as being the “ultimate sensory experience, calling up emotions and forgotten memories. But one problem the majority faces is how to make scents last all day ..

1. Apply perfume right after a shower or bath. When you take a warm shower, the steam causes your pores to open. If you apply fragrance right after you get out, your pores will soak up the scent better and it will last longer.

2. Prep your skin accordingly. As hydrated pores absorb fragrance more readily than dry skin.

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Moisturising skin with a fragrance-free lotion before applying perfume will further prolong the scent.

3. Focus on your pulse points. Heat is what activates perfume; therefore Spray strategically on the space behind your ears, the bottom of your throat, your wrists, inside your elbows, and behind your knees.

The pulse points on your body are the best spots to apply a scent because of the warmth of your blood.

4. Don’t rub it in. Many people rub the area where they applied perfume in order to warm the skin or spread the scent, but rubbing actually breaks down and diminishes the fragrance.

New Beauty Products To Try

Revamping your beauty routine has never been easier with a cool new class of fresh products on the shelves. Try out some of the best new products listed below:

A fabulously elegant look from Guerlain

G

uerlain has created the fantasy of a gaze that is even more powerful and intriguing than ever.

En route for unforgettable glances: Maxi Lash So Volume, a sophisticated variation of our iconic mascara, delivers “limitless” volume, boldly overdosed in an indecently dark black.

Her charming co-driver, Écrin 1 Couleur, is a must-have eyeshadow available in numerous shades offering a variety of effects to beautifully enhance your eyelids at full throttle in line with your desires.

At the same speed, original lipstick shades boost the sex appeal of these icons in the making, creating a range of captivating looks that can go the distance.

Beyonce parfums

B

eyonce parfums is proud to launch its latest creation, Beyonce Rise Sheer limited edition, as a new edition of the fragrance Rise!

The fragrance offers all of the gold sophistication of RISE with a more sheer, freshly alluring attitude, enveloped in both the fragrance and captivating secondary packaging.

Nothing more perfect for Spring!

THE FRAGRANCE Top notes : Italian Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, Iced basil sorbet Middle notes: Gold symphony orchid, White peony, Hydroponic Jasmine Bottom notes: Blonde woods, Sheer musk, White amber

Moroccanoil Just Launched the Dry Shampoo of Your Dreams

M

oroccan Oil is the product which will completely change the way we think about every dry shampoo altogether with a transparent, lightweight finish in two versions to flatter both light and dark hair hues. Because the dry shampoo for dark hair colours is formulated with ultra-fine rice starch, a few strategic spritzes will no longer leave you with a dusty afterglow, and the spray for lighter shades is infused with a soft violet undertone to mute out any brassiness around the root area.

Dior Tie Dye Summer 2015 Makeup Collection

T

he Dior Tie Dye summer 2015 makeup collection is without a doubt a gorgeous collection with hues that really bring the sunshine home, bathing the skin in a warm light that is so very much desired after the paling effects the winter months have on our Vitamin D starved bodies. There is no doubt that each individual will find at least one piece that meets her tastes, that is to her liking. The colours vary from jade to a golden brown shade of amber, sandy blues to beige hues. The summer months are not far away, the spring is already in bloom and we are dying to get our toes wet. That’s where the Dior collection comes in, with its refreshingly bold products that will do well to line your makeup case soon enough.

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ADVERTORIAL

Mir El-Chaer Fashion Designer & Style Consultant Dentelle Haute Couture

Dentelle Haute Couture:

It’s all about personal style

D

entelle Haute Couture focuses on flattering the female shape, offering a variety of options that fits, well, all body size - and pockets.

Established only two years ago, Dentelle Couture has already established a name as the most beautiful designer atelier in Doha.

According to Mir Elchaer, fashion designer and style consultant of Dentelle, the future is all about personal style. “We want to offer women the freedom to dress themselves in simplified pieces that are timeless and luxurious.” This concept not only flatters the physical appearance of a woman; it also gives women more confidence – in her body and in her style.

Dentelle’s creations include a full range of fashionable gowns and ready-to-wear dresses that also comes with fashion jewelleries and accessories fit to wear on any occasion. Focusing on creating something that is customised, each design remains exclusive and done only once for a particular client. Gowns, wedding dresses and even traditional garments created by Dentelle are unique, and created following client requirements.

“Our designs are not focused on seasons.

We play with pieces that are both old and new. We combine feminine and masculine.

And we create for all body types, keeping in mind that every woman has her own style,” Elchaer added.

Their latest collection, the BOHO AMICA, was launched recently and featured fashionable outfits that are simple and dreamy, bohemian and romantic. Elchaer is proud that this limited and exclusive collection are imprinted with their signature, with attention given to every single detail. It was almost luxurious.

“At the end of the day, our goal is to offer luxury to our client, at a price they can afford.”

Dentelle Couture is located along Salwa Road.

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Spring/ Summer Style Wishlist TRENDS

Elegant Simplicity And Strong Focus On High Quality

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The limited edition collection of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, embellished with rich and precious crystal insects and flowers – all applications in Swarovski crystals, set in frame one by one.

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The Mask Capsule Collection From Louis Vuitton honours the African masks collected by Gaston Louis Vuitton. This necklace speaks all kinds of statement, it can be paired with a day or night dress.

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From Serpenti, Bulgari created a very elegant scarf.

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Sonia Rykiel

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For the lady out there who sees heels as more than something you put on, but rather a part of who you are, Louboutin Spring/Summer 2015 collection is just for you.

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“No red carpet is complete without the matching jewels,” Red Velvet Rock – Atelier Swarovski by Viktor & Rolf RTW

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7

GIO DIEV is a sculptural footwear collection uniting futuristic designs with timeless luxury

INTERVIEW

I

ngie Chalhoub is not just a style ambassador, pioneer and designer, but is also a businesswoman who capitalizes on her industry expertise to ensure Etoile Group retains its unassailable position as the leading luxury lifestyle purveyor in the Middle East. She is able to inspire others, both on a professional and personal basis, enjoys the loyalty of not just her employees but of her contemporaries and clientele too, and lead from the helm, with an unwavering vision that she is determined to bring to fruition.

She recently talked to Bloom about herself and about her art.

Ingie Chalhoub:

Fashion Artist I

ngie Chalhoub, long established as one of Middle East’s foremost fashion icons due to her innate sense of personal style and her acumen when it comes to the business of fashion, introduces Ingie Paris’ 2015 Spring/Summer Collection to Qatar aptly called Art Blast.

The new collection, inspired by avant-garde artists of the 20th century becomes the canvas for an imaginary art gallery, combining colours, materials and cuts, and creating apparels with much visual appeal.

She started a career in fashion because she was inspired by her mother. Her mother owned a store for kids where she worked as a saleslady. “I was only about 15 or 16 years old then,” she recalled. The experience further enhanced her creativity and showed her the way to the business of fashion.

The style that was showcased in her latest collection was clean and colourful at the same time. The shapes are defined, with a play at femininity that is both very stylish and elegant.

According to Ingie, cut and fit is very important.

Her take on combining Middle Eastern influence with European taste has resulted in a kind of glamour that is luxurious to a point, and different in a beautiful way.

When asked about Qatar and the probability of this Gulf state becoming another fashion capital in the Middle East, she’s been very positive about her observations - a lot is going on in Qatar and the country’s evolution has been at top speed, with people coming in from different places.

Yes, she thinks Qatar is on its way to becoming another fashion haven for people into fashion, and we definitely should take her word for it.

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LITTLE TRENDS

W

hat’s not to love about the new Baby Dior collection for Spring and Summer 2015? It’s the best enchanting fantasy #kidsfashion and we love it. From settings inside rose gardens, and vision of afternoon tea parties, kids’ play dates have advanced to events with meanings and purpose… Kids’ parties just got upgraded to include building lasting memories.

Baby Dior

2015 Spring Summer

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BLOG

How my mom got hacked

M

y mother received a ransom note.

It popped up on her computer soon after she’d discovered that all her files had been locked. “Your files are encrypted,” it announced. “To get the key to decrypt files you have to pay 500 USD.” If my mother failed to pay within a week, the price would go up to $1,000. After that, her decryption key would be destroyed and any chance of accessing the 5,726 files on her PC would be lost forever.

Sincerely, CryptoWall.

CryptoWall 2.0 is the latest immuneresistant strain of a larger body of viruses known as ransomware. The virus will infiltrate your computer and once unleashed, instantly encrypts all your files.

Is there any way to get rid of it besides paying the ransom? No – it appears to be impossible to decrypt your files once CryptoWall 2.0 has locked them.

Should you be handing money over to a bunch of criminals? According to the Internet Crime Complaint Centre, the answer is also no. If you receive a ransomware message, do not follow payment instructions and file a complaint. Right. But that won’t get you your files back.

Can law enforcement do something to stop these attacks? Probably not.

It was already Day 6. My father spent all week trying to convince my mum that losing her files wasn’t the end of the world. It was pointless to argue with her. She had thought through all of her options; and she wanted to pay.

Paying turned out to be not so easy; the CryptoWall hackers take only bitcoins.

Picture the hoodie-wearing member of the technocracy totally comfy with the idea of a cyber-currency.

Now picture the

opposite of that. My mum had no idea how to buy bitcoins. Her ransomers had anticipated this problem and included a link to a step-bystep guide, complete with pictures.

She’d managed to make a cash deposit to the unique bitcoin “wallet” provided, but since bitcoin’s price is extremely volatile, her payment had already fallen $25 short by the time it arrived. The fastest way to send the extra $25 was to make a direct deposit at an ATM that handled bitcoin transactions.

That’s where I came in. Coin Cafe, the bitcoin provider my mother had chosen, had an ATM not too far from where I lived.

The bitcoin ATM was not easy to find. It was housed in the second floor hallway of a cooperative work space, tucked inside an old phone booth.

Inside was a little white box with no buttons, just a screen, a camera eye and a money slot. I scanned in the QR code my mum sent me. “Balance query in progress,” it announced. This query remained in progress for the next 20 minutes. Someone had to come and fix it before I was able to finish my transaction.

The whole experience had not done much to allay my misgivings; what did allay them was Mike Hoats, the nice man Coin Cafe sent over to fix the ATM. He told me that, while no one at Coin Cafe believed people should fund criminal activity by paying the ransom, their job was to broker the purchase and sale of bitcoins, which, like cash, could be used for any purpose. Coin Cafe didn’t like profiting from the victims, but CryptoWall had anointed them their bitcoin providers of choice. My mum found out about Coin Cafe - from her ransom note.

“I think they like the idea they don’t have to pretend they’re not criminals.” Chester Wisniewski, a senior security adviser at a

computer security firm told me when I reached him by phone.

These operators are, as Wisniewski put it, part of “a very mature, well-oiled capitalist machine.”

Even after reading through numerous descriptions of CryptoWall 2.0 as “the largest and most destructive ransomware threat on the Internet,” I still couldn’t help thinking this was mainly a problem for mums and small-town businesses. Wisniewski quickly disabused me of that notion. Although CryptoWall has affected Windows computers and Android cell phones, there is no technological barrier that prevents them from infiltrating Macs like mine.

So what can we do to protect ourselves?

Keep our computers backed up on an independent drive or use a cloud backup service and, Beware the Attachment.

This advice arrives too late for my mum.

And her payment had arrived too late as well: By the time I got home, her CryptoWall ransom had been raised and the $500 in bitcoins she had deposited, gone. In panic, she wrote Mike Hoats for advice. What he told her sounded crazy to me. Use the CryptoWall message interface to tell the criminals what happened.

So she did. She swore she had really tried not to miss their deadline. And then her decryption key arrived.

When I shared the news with Hoats, he was jubilant. “That is great news!” he wrote.

“Whoever these yahoos are, they still have some shred of humanity.”

But Wisniewski had a more pragmatic take.

“From what we can tell, they honour what they say because they want word to get around that they’re trustworthy criminals.”

Welcome to the new ransomware economy where hackers have a reputation to consider.

These peddlers of ransomware are clearly businesspeople.

From branding to determining what they can extort, these operators are, as Wisniewski put it, part of “a very mature, well-oiled capitalist machine.”

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WELL BEING

6 Healthy Habits for Heart Health D

espite decades of medical research and public campaigns to ease the problem, heart disease remains the No. 1 killer throughout the world. Make it a habit to follow these guides to keep your heart healthy.

Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.

As a general rule, we need to drink half of our bodyweight in ounces of water daily. For a 150-pound individual, that’s 75 ounces of water. Those who are overweight, or are heavy exercisers or live in warm climates need more.

Take care to drink quality water.

Take ionic sea salt-derived minerals. We all need a diverse range of minerals and virtually none of us get enough. Ionic minerals are the only ones that are completely available for our bodies to use because they are watersoluble and they naturally carry an electrical charge that can be transported through the cell membranes. All sea salt-derived trace mineral products are recommended – at least three grams per day.

Use only vitamin supplements made from 100 percent organic whole foods that have been vine-ripened. All of us need supplements because contemporary food supplies lack adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals, thanks to soil depletion. Most store-bought vitamins include just one component of the many complex molecular elements contained in the naturally occurring vitamin source.

Get your fill of essential fatty acids; raw nuts and/or seeds are a good source. Omega-3 and Omega-6 are considered essential because humans can’t manufacture them within our bodies. Research shows that plantderived Omega 6, and not fish oil, is the best oil for humans.

Eat high-quality proteins. Seafood, eggs, beans, chicken, game meat, duck and turkey are excellent sources of essential amino acids that are the building blocks of every protein molecule, hormone, neurotransmitter, cell membranes and immune molecules.

Walk at least 30 minutes every day. This activity has a huge effect on relieving the physiologic effects of stress on the human physiology. Exercise is good, but walking is amazing.

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NUTRITION

Feeding infants peanut products could prevent allergies, study suggests

A

Paediatricians caution that parents should not feed whole peanuts to infants because of the choking risk, but rather peanut butter or other foods.

new study suggests that peanut allergies can be prevented by feeding young children food containing peanuts beginning in infancy, rather than avoiding such foods.

Infants 4 to 11 months old deemed at high risk of developing peanut allergy were randomly assigned either to be regularly fed food that contained peanuts or to be denied such food. These feeding patterns continued until the children were 5 years old.

Dr Gideon Lack, a professor of paediatric allergy at King’s College London who led the study said that the practice of withholding peanuts from babies “could have been in part responsible for the rise in peanut allergies.”

Lack said he first began to question the conventional wisdom when he gave a talk in Tel Aviv and asked doctors in the audience how many had patients with peanut allergy. Only three hands went up.

“In the UK, every member of the audience would put up their hand,” he said.

Lack conducted a survey that found the rate of peanut allergy in Israeli children was only about one-tenth that of children in Britain. The best explanation – Israeli infants consumed high amount of peanut protein in the first year of life while parents in Britain avoided giving such foods.

Other studies also found that earlier feeding of allergy-inducing foods was associated with lower allergy rates. But

such studies are not definitive.

The new study was a randomised trial in which the only difference between the two groups of children was whether they were fed peanut protein.

530 children did not have peanut allergy on the initial test. Half of the parents were told to avoid giving peanuts to their children. The other half were told to feed their children at least six grams of peanut protein per week.

The children were given another allergy test when they turned 5. Only 1.9% of those who were fed peanuts were allergic, compared with 13.7% of the children in the group that avoided peanuts.

An additional 98 infants had a weak positive test when the study began, suggesting they were on their way to developing a full-fledged allergy. Among those children, only 10.6% developed allergy by age 5, far less than the 35.3% rate for children whose parents avoided feeding them peanuts.

“You got a definitive outcome,” said Dr James Baker Jr, chief executive of Food Allergy Research and Education, an advocacy group that helped pay for the study.

Some paediatricians said that if feeding peanuts to children at risk was beneficial, there would be no reason to withhold such food from children not prone to allergies

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AROMA

MAKE ANY SPACE YOUR OWN

Essential Oils for your home

E

ssential oils are one of nature’s best kept secrets. And now is the right time to pamper our senses, our sense of smell, that is using these essential oils. While the practice of aromatherapy has been around for ages, we are not talking about burning a few candles; rather we are talking about essential oils and all of their essential uses in our home.

The appropriate usage of Essential Oils

With all the choices available, where do you start? We suggest you start small and try just a few of the more well-known oil extracts such as lemon, orange and lavender. These oils have been known (and are quite time-tested) to aid in the cleaning and aromatherapy of your home.

The Disinfecting Power Of Essential Oils

Aside from smelling pretty, essential oils have some magnificent cleaning powers without using a lot of harsh chemicals . Here are some of the more popular cleaning methods that oil aficionados are employing to clean their home: • Tea tree oil mixed with water; pour in a spray bottle and use as disinfectant on toilets, sinks etc…

• Lemon oil applied to showers prevents soap scum build-up • Mix lavender and lemon grass oil and use the mixture to clean windows

18

INTERIOR

Frette Opens Store At Lagoona Mall

T

he Ali Bin Ali Group has just announced the opening of Frette, the leading provider of luxury linens, to the finest hotels and homes worldwide. The store will be housed at Qatar’s Lagoona Mall. Frette carries a superior range of Bed and Bath Collections, Home DÊcor, Clothing and Gifts for clientele with discerning taste. The upscale brand is highly popular not least for its class but also its quality.

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Speaking to the media Leila El Rajji, Brand Manager Frette said “The opening of a Frette store at Lagoona Mall is a continuation of our vision and commitment to bring the world’s best brands to Qatar. Frette serves a wide range of audiences and has over the years captured the loyalty of its customers for its elegance. The store at Lagoona Mall will carry Frette’s latest ranges from the Minimal Collection which is the finest representation of relaxation and understated elegance, right through to more opulent creations, which we are certain will be valued and appreciated by clients.”

According to Leila, Frette has been producing linens and home accessories of unparalleled quality since 1860.

The brand has bases in Monza and Milan. A fact known globally is that Frette employs only the finest fibres and most skilled artisans to craft a range of products that have come to embody luxury, comfort and creativity across the globe. Frette is valued by its clientele for its inimitable finish and feel, and Frette’s bed linen can be found in many of the world’s most prestigious hotels, from Raffles to the Ritz, as well as in the most discerning private homes, yachts and aircrafts.

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FINE LIVING

Removing Stains, Decomposting and more WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REMOVE WATER-BASED-PAINT STAINS FROM CLOTHING?

W

hile oil-based-paint stains are best left to professional dry cleaners, a quick reaction to water-based paints can make this a do-it-yourself job. As soon as you see a stain, remove the garment and rinse it immediately in warm water before putting it in the wash. Don’t put the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone, as the heat will set it.

If a water-based splatter has dried before you notice it, you should rely on professionals. A dry cleaner has the stain-removal agents and tools needed to clean the fabric without damaging it.

BLOOD STAINS

I

t may not be the most pleasant thing to think about, but accidents do happen. If you’re faced with the challenge of removing a blood stain, we’ve got you covered.

What to know: Blood and grass are “organic stains” that require the use of digestants (enzyme-containing detergents) to effectively dissolve the proteins in the stain. You’ll want to apply these with a swab or toothbrush. And remember, it’s never a good idea to use a digestant cleaner on wool or silk, which are fibres that contain proteins in and of themselves. These will almost certainly be damaged by the enzymes in the detergent.

What to do: 1. Simply spray diluted dishwashing-soap solution on the stain and let it sit.

2. Rinse in tepid water.

3. If stain remains, treat area with the enzyme detergent, and wash according to label instructions.

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Your home keeping arsenal should include tricks and supplies for stain removal. You don’t need to fear barbecue sauce at dinner if you know how to tackle spills. Keep your laundry, from towels to delicate, looking fresh with the best stain-removal techniques.

GREASE STAINS

B

utter, oil, mayonnaise -- oh, my!

Read on for our best stain-removal tactics.

What to know: For new stains, you’ll be able to use the quick technique, which involves corn starch -- something you might already have in your pantry. Older stains, however, will generally be better tackled with a solution of water and a watersoluble detergent. It’s also a good idea to have some super-absorbent cheesecloth on hand. And, as with all stains, you’ll want to act relatively quickly.

DIY Stain Remover

What to do: 1. Treat area with a dry solvent (such as mineral spirits or acetone) in a wellventilated room.

2. Using an eyedropper, rinse with isopropyl alcohol; dry well.

3. Spray diluted dishwashing-soap on any remaining residue, and soak the item in an enzyme detergent before washing.

I WANT TO START COMPOSTING. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I CAN (AND CANNOT) COMPOST?

C

omposting helps decrease the amount of trash and can provide an organic fertiliser for your garden.

The essentials of composting are green and brown materials and water. Carbonproviding brown materials include dead leaves, branches and twigs. Green ones, which supply nitrogen, include grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps and coffee grounds. Water provides moisture to assist in breakdown. Here are a few dos and don’ts that might surprise you.

COMPOST THESE: • Natural-fibre clothing (including wool and silk) cut into pieces.

• Corks, except plastic ones.

• Tea bags, but make sure to remove any staples.

NOT THESE: • Cooking oil and butter • Fish bones (their odour attract pests)

1. Scoop up any solids with a dull-edged knife, and blot liquids with a white cloth, working from the outside in to avoid spreading.

2. Dab the stain with cool water, or cool water and nontoxic dishwashing liquid.

3. Sprinkle an oily stain with corn starch and scrape up after 10 to 15 minutes, repeat as necessary, dab with water solution, and rinse.

4. White vinegar, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide are all mild bleaches (test a discreet spot first) that can take care of many spots. Pre-soaking an item in nontoxic laundry detergent or oxygen bleach is another effective treatment.

23

CUISINE

Don’t Caul It A Comeback

Colourless broccoli? Wrong.

Cauliflower is a worthy rival to its green sibling. Its mild flavour lends itself to a countless array of spices and cooking methods, making it infinitely adaptable—and undoubtedly delicious.

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Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Cutlets With Cauliflower Purée And Arugula

W Serves 4.

ho needs mashed potatoes?

Consider this buttery cauliflower puree your new go-to side dish.

• Vegetable oil, for frying (about 3 cups) • 3 cups lightly crushed salted pretzel rods (about 6 ounces) • ¾ cup all-purpose flour • 2 ½ teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning • 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground pepper, plus more for seasoning • 2 large eggs • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • Four 6-ounce chicken cutlets, 1/4-inch thick, pounded if necessary (1 ½ pounds total) • 1 ½ pounds cauliflower, chopped (1 small head cauliflower) • 3 garlic cloves, peeled • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • ¼ cup whole milk, or more to taste • 4 cups arugula or baby spinach • 1 lemon, halved • Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving PREPARATION 1. Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and set aside. Fill a medium saucepan with

1/4 inch of water; add cauliflower and garlic and cover the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until florets are easily pierced with a paring knife, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserve.

2. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil over medium-high heat until it registers 350°F on a deep-fat thermometer, or until a pinch of flour sizzles when sprinkled into the oil.

3. While oil is heating, add pretzels to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until some crumbs are ground fine but some are still coarse pea-sized pieces. Spread pretzel crumbs on a large plate or another rimmed baking sheet. Wipe out bowl of food processor and reserve for cauliflower pureé.

4. Place flour on another large plate or rimmed baking sheet and use a whisk to gently blend in 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a shallow bowl, beat eggs, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until blended. Working with one cutlet at a time, coat with flour on

• • • • • •

Buffalo Cauliflower

W

ho needs chicken wings?

This Buffalo sauce-coated cauliflower is so good, you’ll forget you’re actually eating vegetables..

1 head cauliflower, leaves removed 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon canola oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper ½ cup hot sauce ½ cup Asian chili sauce ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces • 1 tablespoon crumbled blue cheese or more to taste PREPARATION 1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375°F. 2. Cut the stalk end of the cauliflower so that the head sits flat and place it on a large baking sheet. Rub 2 tablespoons of the canola oil all over the cauliflower, season to taste with salt and pepper, and roast until the outside starts to brown, about 30 minutes.

3. Transfer the cauliflower to a cutting board and let cool. Once the cauliflower is cool enough to handle, cut or break it into small florets. DO AHEAD: The cauliflower can be roasted, cooled, and

both sides, then dip in egg (allowing excess to drip off), then dredge in pretzel crumbs, pressing them to adhere.

5. Working in batches if necessary, fry cutlets until golden brown and fully cooked, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer cutlets to wire rack to drain, and season them with salt.

6. Once cauliflower and garlic are cooked and drained, add them to the bowl of the food processor along with the butter, milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Purée until smooth, adding more milk if necessary. Season to taste.

7. To serve, divide arugula among four plates.

Season with salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon, and a drizzle of olive oil. Divide cauliflower purée among the plates, and top with chicken cutlets.

Do ahead: The cutlets can be breaded and refrigerated up to 2 hours in advance of frying. The cauliflower puree can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance; reheat before serving.

cut into florets several hours in advance.

Cover the florets and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to use. You may need to sauté them slightly longer if refrigerated.

4. In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, bring the hot sauce and the Asian chili sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer then slowly whisk in the butter until fully incorporated, about 5 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let cool.

Do Ahead: The Buffalo sauce can be prepared, cooled, and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, up to 3 days.

5. In a large, deep sauté pan over moderate heat, warm the remaining 1 teaspoon canola oil. Add the cauliflower florets, season to taste with salt and pepper, and sauté until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add enough Buffalo sauce to coat the cauliflower and continue sautéing until both the cauliflower and the sauce are hot, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the cauliflower to a platter and garnish with the crumbled blue cheese.

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INNOVATION

Digital cobbler allows customers to order perfect fit, 3D printed shoes from home

s r o t i s i v d n i Bl

can touch masterpieces at Madrid gallery

A

E

veryone has experienced the pain of having to wear new shoes, but recent developments in 3D printing could put an end to that misery — by enabling companies to manufacture shoes to perfectly fit customer’s feet.

Feetz is currently welcoming Beta customers who want to try out the personalised shoes. To begin, users sign up on the website and download the Feetz app. They then take three photos of each foot as directed by the app, which are used to create a model of the customer’s feet. Next, they can customise their design — choosing from a variety of colours for the sole and main body. The shoes are then created using additive manufacturing.

To begin with, Feetz will be made in the USA using American-made materials and labour, but eventually Feetz hope to have pods worldwide, so that they can complete orders at a local source and reduce the environmental impact of shipping footwear around the world.

26

n unusual exhibition at Madrid’s Museo Nacional Del Prado is currently displaying six 3D replicas of famous paintings by Goya, Velazquez and more, which visually impaired visitors can explore through touch, enabling them to experience the masterpieces directly.

The exhibition is called Touching the Prado and was created by Spanish printing studio Estudios Durero using a printing technique they invented called Didú. The replicas are produced through a painstaking forty hour process which sees the printers selecting textures and volumes, including tiny details which will help to guide the blind person’s hand around the painting, helping them to understand the composition. The textures are printed first and a chemical method gives the image volume. After this, the original image is printed on top. The 3D paintings will be on display until June 28th.

HEALTH

Vascular Surgery Consultant

Dr. Joseph J Naoum from Royal Medical Center talks about Varicose Veins

T In the last few years, the use of endovenous ablation procedures has become an accepted alternative to surgical stripping to treat varicose veins.

here are no accurate figures for the number of people who currently suffer from complications that started only with varicose veins. Some studies suggest that 3 in 100 people suffer from them at some time in their lives.

Other studies suggest that this figure could be much higher. Some times we may feel that they occur for no apparent reason. Most people with bulging varicose veins will have an underlying problem with the valves in their veins.

Have you always thought varicose veins and spider veins are one-and-the-same?

Did you hesitate in getting your varicose veins treated because you thought the procedure was cosmetic when actually it might be a serious health problem? To know more about this issue, we met with Dr. Joseph J. Naoum, Vascular Surgery Consultant at the Royal Medical Center.

Before Treatment

After Treatment

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What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Most people with varicose veins have no symptoms. Some people are concerned about the appearance of the veins. Larger varicose veins can ache, feel heavy or itch.

Who is at risk of CVI? Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) can affect anyone. Gender and age are large factors that may increase your risk for developing the disease. For example, women older than 50 are more likely than others to develop venous disease that can lead to CVI. The disease is often hereditary and can affect several members of the same family.

The following factors also increases your risk: heredity, gender, age, sedentary lifestyle, occupation that requires prolonged standing, obesity or excess weight, current or previous pregnancies, and smoking.

Can you describe your experience with Royal Medical center, and what are the common cases you treat in Qatar?

The cases I commonly do here at Royal Medical are specifically focused on the treatment of varicose veins, cosmetic and symptomatic. I also deal with the treatment of unwanted veins, especially since a lot of patients want some of the veins at the dorsum of the hand removed. Those veins are normal veins but for cosmetic reasons some patients would like to have them removed.

Royal Medical Center has state-of-the-art equipment and facility; it has an outpatient operating room, so patients can come in, get the procedure done; after the procedure they recover for one to two hours and they go home. It’s a very simple, easy way for them to get their procedures done and the quality of care that we deliver is state of the art.

We know that overweight can lead to various health problems, such as diabetes blood pressure ... what is not highlighted is that obesity can lead to varicose veins.

As I have noticed over the years, obese people sometimes don’t realise that they have varicose veins, as the swollen veins are not visible on the surface of the skin, due to the

Before Treatment

SELF-ASSESSMENT Only a healthcare professional can diagnose and treat your vein problems.

Use this self-assessment to help start the conversation.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Do you experience any of the following signs and symptoms in your legs or ankles?

excess subcutaneous tissue - in other words, the problem is hidden from view. Over time, the pressure in the leaking veins can cause damage to the skin on the lower leg. Only then the patients will go and see a specialist. This is a major problem in the overweight population, who are at greater risk of leg ulceration.

What being overweight does is increase the hydrostatic pressure, meaning that as we stand, the blood has to flow up from the legs into the abdomen. So for being overweight, what happens is there’s increase pressure in the abdomen so blood has to flow up with the higher force, which it can’t. Weight loss can reverse some changes of CVI in these patients.

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?

Spider veins, like varicose veins, are caused by dysfunctional vein valves and biochemical changes.

However, spider veins appear as a nest of blue or red veins just under the surface of the skin and typically do not bulge above the skin’s surface like varicose veins. Varicose veins are a sign of venous disease and should be diagnosed and treated by a vein specialist to avoid progression to CVI. Spider veins are generally regarded as a cosmetic issue.

What are the treatment options for varicose veins and CVI?

Before Treatment

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After Treatment

Today, there are a number of available treatment options for CVI that are covered by many insurance plans. While

After Treatment

• Leg pain, aching or cramping • Burning or itching of the skin • Leg or ankle swelling, especially at the end of the day • “Heavy” feeling in legs • Varicose veins • Skin discoloration or texture changes, such as above the inner ankle • Open wounds or sores, such as above the inner ankle • Restless legs

conservative treatments like compression stockings are often first prescribed to manage symptoms, there are a variety of other therapies that can treat the underlying disease to eliminate varicose veins and halt the progression of CVI. Common treatment options include sclerotherapy injections, laser therapy, endovenous ablation, and microphlebectomy.

What about endovenous therapy to remove varicose veins?

I think the most important thing now a days is the fact that vascular surgery is a field that’s evolving, it’s not only now non-open surgery, there are a lot of minimally invasive vascular procedures for venous disease, the technology is rapidly changing and treatments are becoming less invasive, less painful, and now we are able to offer patients different modalities to really try to take care of the problem. We call these procedures - hybrid approaches to treating disease. We still get the opportunity to do medical management for patients with problems that don’t necessarily need an operation.

In the last few years, the use of endovenous ablation has become an accepted alternative to surgical stripping to treat varicose veins.

Vascular therapy can be performed in a physician’s office in less than one hour and the patient is encouraged to walk immediately following the procedure. Endovenous ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a diseased or “refluxing” vein to seal it shut using heat. the treated vein dries up, shrinks and resorbed by the body.

www.rmcdoha.com

Vascular Surgery License No. 6665

• Treatment of VARICOSE and SPIDER VEINS of the LEGS with the latest MINIMALLY INVASIVE techniques including venous ablation and micro-phlebectomy • Treatment of spider veins, telangiectasias and reticular veins with targeted SCLEROTHERAPY

DR. JOSEPH J. NAOUM, FACS, RPVI Vascular Surgery Consultant Board Certified American Board of Surgery

Visit Date : May 3 to 7

• Treatment VARICOSE, SPIDER and RETICULAR veins of the LEGS with LASER • Minimally invasive treatment of BULGING VEINS using the latest techniques with little to no DOWNTIME • Treatment of VARICOSE, SPIDER and RETICULAR veins in the CHEST or ABDOMEN with NO INCISIONS or LASER

Permit No. 6/2015

• Treatment of unwanted HAND VEINS with MINIMALLY INVASIVE techniques

Before Treatment

After Treatment

LIKE US

Royal Medical Center

Before Treatment

After Treatment

Before Treatment

After Treatment

4450 2050

CULTURE

Majlis: An Age-Old Qatari Tradition

I

According to local tradition, drinking coffee was a symbol of protection, where once consumed, the host would guarantee your peace and safety while in his care

30

n 2009, students from the Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar (VCU-Q) did a research on one fascinating aspect of Qatari culture - majlis. The study revealed some very interesting facts - 77 percent of Qataris gather in a majlis at least once a week and 45 percent every day.

The tradition of majlis is intermixed with the religious practices of Muslims. Usually, it is a place outside of the main house and only men may enter it at any time of the day, without disturbing the privacy of the house.

Female members have their own space within the house where they entertain female guests.

In the past, majlis chiefly served as a venue for gathering people, for education, resolving conflicts, and prayer. Nowadays, entertainment has been added as an essential function of the majlis. With 75 percent of majlis gatherings involving 10 or more people, the majlis has become a very important part of Qatari hospitality and a forum for exchange of ideas and opinions.

In an article written by an American guest invited to one of the local majlis gathering, he wrote that he was pleasantly surprised to the inside of a majlis. It was, he observed, similar to ‘hanging out’ with friends, except that they never drank any alcoholic beverages and instead had coffee.

Majlises, according to one of the locals interviewed for the research, are something in the local culture, something they grow up with. It is quite common to find a majlis within the residential dwellings of Qatari people, even if some of these majlis are not big.

With the mushrooming of posh places for gatherings like coffee shops, it seems likely that they might replace the majlis. But it was not to be, as it was very clearly stated in the research that despite the proliferation of alternative meeting places, they will never replace the majlis in the same way that the majlis will never replace these coffee shops, as each has its own purpose.

Traditions Within a typical Majlis you will find a traditionally decorated room, with seating using either the time-honoured sadu that has been part of Qatar’s history, or a contemporary design. This seating can either be soft and long upon the floor, or more modern sofa type seats. Either way, you will find misnads (cushions) to rest against, the takiyya (squared cushions) to rest your arms on, and the dallah (coffee pot), dates, and medkhan, where scented wood is burned.

The host will always start by welcoming his guest – offering coffee and dates to the eldest guest, then to the one at his right, then the next to his right until the last guest. The host will then remain standing, and will not sit until he is sure that all his guests have had enough coffee. The same steps is followed when serving tea or camel milk. It is not customary to ask guests whether they would like to drink coffee or not, nor is anyone expected to refuse.

According to local tradition, drinking coffee was a symbol of protection, where once consumed, the host would guarantee your

peace and safety while in his care.

After serving drinks comes the time for alfowala (refreshments), where the host will serve nuts, fruits and sweets, along with tea and coffee.

Refreshments are usually followed by the main meal where lamb is served with rice, accompanied by a drink of laban. Meals traditionally would be taken upon the floor, with a central tray upon which the main meal is served. All would gather around the single tray, and share from this. All would then start to eat with their right hand only, with the host ensuring that each guest had taken enough rice and meat. It is also a tradition to eat from that part of the tray in front of you, without taking food from that in front of other people.

After the meal the host will bring out the Medkhan and will refresh the air around with Oud and rose water. This is often a sign that that the end of the night has arrived.

31

TRAVEL

Azerbaijan shines this summer with night lights and fireworks A

zerbaijan, a country at a crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia welcomes the summer season with a bang! The capital city, Baku, enriched with history, culture, music and great food, is the perfect vacation spot this year. Famously known for its active spirit and sport traditions, a bonus to the tourist are the European Games that will be held in Baku from 12 to 28 June 2015, and will feature over 6,000 athletes from 50 NOCs competing in 20 sports.

A country that prides on its history with sports and competition, this summer be a part of the European Games at the multi-sport centre with free Wi-Fi coverage, and ongoing light festival every night of the games. This summer will be an extra vagant and don’t miss this international shopping centre of the year for any chance.

Before the spectacular light festival, immerse yourself with the stunning summer sunsets at the beautiful beaches of Baku, which is number two on the list of reasons to visit Azerbaijan. Plently of warm sunny days makes Azerbaijan the centre of beach tourism.

Beach season opens at the Absheron seaside in May and lasts till the end of September.

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The rich architecture of the city further compliments its natural beauty, and supports the title of a World Heritage Site. Built on a site inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, the Walled City of Baku is shaped by Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian civilizations. For this cultural richness it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The Inner City still has preserved much of its 12th-century fortifications like the defensive walls or the legendary Maiden Tower. Among other famous architectural attraction includes the Opera houses, branded boutiques, magnificent gardens and art galleries and museums.

Another reason for to spend summer at Azerbaijan is for its unique climate and pleasant weather, as 9 out of 11 world climatic zones are found in Azerbaijan. Find the most of the existing in the world climate types from dry and humid subtropical in Lankaran up to mountain tundra. At the same time the most part of the territory of Azerbaijan is situated in the subtropical zone. This allows planting oranges, tangerines, lemons, feijoa, kiwi and other exotic fruits. In south regions Lankaran and Masally one may often see growing banana trees with green fruit ovaries.

Other must-visit sites include the Mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan. They occupied the 5th place in the international contest of “Seven natural Wonders� hold by a non-commercial Swiss organisation. In 2004, the largest mud volcano of the World located in Azerbaijan was registered in the Guinness Book of Records.

Another hot spot on the list is Park Boulevard, the well-known trade and entertainment centre.

The guests are attracted here by a wonderful landscape design, shadowy alleys, comfortable cafes, which offer the most delicious ice-cream, deserts and appetizers of any kind, tea, Yachtclub, many amusement arcades for children and adults.

33

CHAT

Good Advice A

bout 45 percent of our behaviour is repeated almost daily because we never really want to divert from our routine. These habits, while not generally bad, almost always include routines that are unnecessary and sometimes could even be harmful for our overall well-being. How do we make sure we’re making a habit of the right things?

“Knowing what’s good for you is all a matter of knowing yourself well,” according to Gretchen Rubin, author of Better than Before, Mastering the Habits of our Every Day Lives. Once you learn to deal with your inner issues, you’ll learn how to deal with un-healthy habits in your life.

Some solutions are really quite simple, it’s just that most people would rather dwell on the complicated, thinking that any easy solution won’t work because it’s obvious and it’s too simple. But simple actually works.

Follow these guidelines and you’re good to go.

When in doubt, don’t. If you’re shopping and you found something you like, and right there and then you want to buy it, go ahead and buy it. But if you had this doubt, even one teeny, weeny doubt, don’t. Simple.

Applies on a lot of other situations, too.

Be objective. Separate facts from fiction. Facts are objective. Opinions, on the contrary, could be very subjective and as such, might not be truthful. Get the facts straight and list it down, along with a list of your own opinions. Believe me, you’ll see the light.

Be critical. Filtering your thoughts and keeping your personal opinions to yourself is always a prudent way to practice self-control. Escalating an issue, especially if it’s subjective doesn’t help you one bit.

Prioritise. What is more important to you? Work is important. So is your family. Choose your priority and manage your time. Prioritisation is always a matter of good management.

Be kind. Chances are, you’re luckier than other people in some way. Be thankful for what you have.

Understand that everyone have their own issues.

Own up to your mistakes. People who doesn’t own up to their mistakes are lame. Blaming someone for something you overlooked might get you off the hook but doesn’t raise your respectability level one bit.

Respect is earned. So earn it.

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