A BRIGHT LIFESTYLE April 2016
Distributed with
CAT WALK
GEORGES HOBEIKA
Happy-Go-Lucky And Whimsical
YOUR WAY TO A
Beautiful, Healthy Hair
JEWELLERY The Jewellery Novelties
BASELWORLD 2016 EDITION ACCESSORIES
A Note From MARC JACOBS FASHION
NUTRITION
SMART DIET to lose weight TRENDS
CAFTAN Silhouettes
S/S 2016 ALEXIS MABILLE
As Bill Cunningham has once said "Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life." we all need some Chic Inspiration that will rescue us from the occasional wardrobemisery, because dressing can be very psychological. Bloom interacts with you on this platform, as it brings to its savvy- readers the latest couture and high trendy styles, offering real solutions for real women on everything from beauty and fitness to homes and health and more.
inside
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FA S H I O N
2016 4 S/S ALEXIS MABILLE
on't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.
EVENING LINE
C AT WA L K
GEORGES HOBEIKA
Happy-Go-Lucky & Whimsical Collection
M E N FA S H I O N
THE LATEST NEWS in Men's Style & Fashion
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TRENDS
10 CAFTAN Silhouettes
J E W E L L E RY
Published by
SUNBURST 12 THE COLLECTION FROM GRAFF AC C E S S O R I E S
14 MARNI EYE WEAR SPRING SUMMER 2016
Managing Editor:
Hanan Ghazwani Editors:
Faten Khalaf Maria Carbungco Design:
Ravindranath Koonath Sales & Marketing:
Zuhaib Siddiqui Sanaa Saghir For contributions and advertisements please contact: Tel: 4000 2156 (Editorial) 4000 2155 (Sales) Email: bloom@qimqatar.com
Office address:
P.O. Box: 22345, Barwa Commercial Avenue, Safwa Block, Landmark 6, Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
P RO D U C T S
16 NARS TAHITI
BRONZE COLLECTION INTERVIEW
18 MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Baccarat Rouge 540 Perfume By
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H E A LT H
22 TEXT-NECK!
Another cellphone affliction
DECOR
30 HOME LIGHTING:
Designers turn to animals and plants for inspiration
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T R AV E L
GOLD TAPS NOT ENOUGH FOR RICHEST TRAVELLERS: They want magic moments
LITTLE STYLE
GUCCI KIDS STYLE: FOR SPRIING 2016
S/S 2016 Alexis Mabille
EveningLine
This new “Evening Line�collection is made for women who are constantly on the move yet appreciate relaxed chic.
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“In that spirit of freedom, I wanted a joyful, high -energy color palette,” he explains. Bright yellow mixes with bubble gum pink and coral, while a watery blue echoes the night.
ion sh Fa
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he evening dress is spontaneous in Alexis Mabille’s Soir/Evening Line collection. “My clients and friends like to dress up to go out and have fun. Whether it’s for a night on the town or a cocktail on the other side of the world, they want cool looks that make them look great. With that in mind, I have created a series of contemporary, comfortable dresses that women can take anywhere and slip on anytime, whenever they want,” the designer says.
CATWALK
The GEORGES HOBEIKA Fall-Winter 2016-2017 Ready-to-Wear collection echoes the glamorous life of the 50s and its icons that animated so many happy days and wild nights. Freedom tinged with joyful sensuality, is expressed in a timeless wardrobe where proportions are distinct, the bust is victorious and curves are decidedly feminine. This bias of gaiety and rockabilly influence draws contours of crisp skirts bells, voluptuous sleeved dresses, gauzy tunics and combination dresses that gracefully explore the game of overlays and the material effect. The technical inventiveness of workshops, Maison, is combined with Couture expertise to masterfully translate the frivolity of this blessed era. The rich color palette alternates a selection of intense shades, such as burgundy red, deep khaki and outright purple, or some cool tones like gourmand caramel, saffron yellow, pink sorbet and green apple, sometimes veiled in mysterious black lace.
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MEN FASHION
Vintage Edition
A limited edition fragrance only for the real connoisseur
The Must Have
Green Loafers Did you know that Loafers, was a shoe design that first appeared in Norway in 1930s. Since then, loafers are synonymous to comfort and style while being timeless and appealing. A lace-less shoe design that never looks old or obsolete, when worn rightly. It comes in a range of materials, styles and colors. The choices are endless. Loafers provide an easy, dressy and polished finish.
Hermès Men’s Spring 2016 Runway Nichanian has a very clear understanding of her role in fashion: to give men clothing staples that will stand the test of time and changing styles. Her offerings are all about subtle changes, designs that will fold easily into an existing wardrobe.
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Dsquared2 Dean and Dan Caten have surfed in Bali and Barbados among other wave-riding destinations. Their surfing and snowboarding instructor was in the front row of their show today. So they knew whereof they spoke when they built their new collection around surfers. But, in typical Caten fashion, it was less the physical standing-on-a-board thing that appealed to them than, as Dean so artfully declared, the notion of surfers as "gypsy heartbreakers, nomad travelers with a techno edge, collecting souvenirs as they tour the world.
The most Anticipated Watch Launches from
BASELWORLD 2016 Girard-Perregaux 1966 Skeleton The Girrard-Perregaux 1966 Skeleton is a transparent showstopper. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal case of the new piece reveals the in-house movement GP01800-0006, a mechanical labyrinth comprised of 173 components.
Harry Winston Premier Moon Phase 36mm The in-house HW5201 quartz movement powers this elegant timepiece, which displays the lunar cycle, hours, minutes and the date. The moon’s movement can be viewed through a crescent-shaped opening, while the hour and minutes are indicated by beveled hands. The date is indicated at 6 o’clock through an open circle, decorated with a yellow gold border.
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TRENDS
Caftan
Silhouettes Revisited caftans invade the runway for an elegance emerging from the Mediterranean and the Orient. Some designers are inspired by the desert. Others by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. And some want to reignite 1950’s Capri style which itself was inspired by the “other shores” of the Mediterranean.
Maison Rabih Kayrouz’s discreet charm has a very modern flair with the deconstructed striped caftan below or the nonchalant simplicity of the grey one
Antonio Berardi’s dress reinvents the Orient: a loose long shape with metallic beadings and embroidery under a short-sleeved abaya that looks very contemporary with its luminescent yellow color
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Trussardi’s caftan shapes take us on a trip into the desert with the neutral hues, unfinished hems, and shirt-like robes
Tory Burch’s deep yellow empire silhouette dress dazzles on the runway. The Collection seems inspired by both Mexican folklore and the Levant
Alberta Ferretti’s arabesque knitted ample dress looks like it could be worn either by a queen or by a bedouin
For Dolce & Gabbana it is all about the Mediterranean. The colors are vivid, the glamour is refreshing. A graceful one-shouldered caftan plays on Sophia Loren’s Dolce vita, while a shirt-like striped caftan with turban and flats reappropriates the oriental look in a charming way.
Fisico puts the Moroccan style at the service of a modern fashionista. The looks are feline, with flowing fabrics and earthy colors 11
JEWELLERY
THE SUNBURST COLLECTION FROM THE HOUSE OF GRAFF
A Vibrant And Striking Collection Inspired By The Power Of The Sun
The Sunburst collection is a beautifully vibrant and vivid jewellery collection from the House of Graff. Inspired by the circular form of the sun and the rays that emanate from it, the collection comprises feminine pendants and earrings. The sun is associated with power and strength and celebrated for the energy and warmth it provides, it is these iconic symbols that are emulated in the collection. The design of the Sunburst collection is beautifully symmetrical incorporating exquisite rubies, sapphires or emeralds with exceptional diamonds and creates a striking silhouette as the light passes through its flowing curves and lines. Each diamond and gemstone within the Sunburst collection is cradled within a minimal setting allowing light to reflect through each stone, creating fire and brilliance. Further halos of pavĂŠ diamonds circle the jewels, like beams of light radiating dramatically.
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The Jewellery Novelties:
Baselworld 2016 edition It was a sparkling year for the 2016 Basel edition that just ended. The Eye of Jewelry spotted over 20 talking pieces of 20 different jewelry brands. Time to take a look at the pieces...
Messika Calypso collection
Antonini malibu collection
De Grisogono, allegra collection
Amrapali
Jacob & Co From Espada collection
Vortice collection Chopard
Chopard Precious collection
Pasquale Bruni Garden collection
Chopard Fleurs d'Opales collection
Garrard Tudor Rose collection
Garrad Architectural Cluster collection 13
ACCESSORIES
MARNI EYEWEAR
SPRING-SUMMER 2016
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o big or go home! Spring Summer 2016 eyewear trends suggest flashy sunglasses that are good for anything but going unnoticed! In colorful plexi, with irregular and playful shapes, maxi or mini sizes, they are the detail that makes the difference.Here is the new MARNI SS 2016 collection , which combines sophisticated styles with contemporary volume to embody the brand’s elusive spirit.
UNE FÊTE D’ÉTÉ:
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN STYLES
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ake your visions of grandeur to the dance floor this season with an expansive array of high summer styles from Christian Louboutin. Fresh sandals, low wedges, flats and sneakers take on a new persona in bold, shocking colours and unique embellishments.
Embellished summer styles showcase Christian Louboutin’s playful side, this season channeling mysterious creatures of the deep.
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A Note From Marc Jacobs
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arc Jacobs premieres the J,Marc.: a classic handbag made extraordinary with luxurious materials and a meticulous attention to detail. Built around the signature interlocking “Js� closure, a play on heritage logos, J,Marc. was seen on the Spring 2016 runway in an array of colors and rich materials.
Complimenting the decorative details of the RTW collection, the python offering features Luck, Beauty, Cinema, and Maritime themed patches. With its iconic shape and inspired imagery the J,Marc. perfectly embodies the sophisticated revelry of Marc Jacobs. Featured on the Spring 2016 runway, the Snapshot collection is an innovative, playful and versatile bag. With a classic camera bag shape, the Snapshot is instantly elevated by ambitious design details and interesting materials.
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COSMETICS
An exclusive look at the latest launches in the beauty industry
ROBERTO CAVALLI OUD TRIO
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oberto Cavalli is the brilliant designer of an unashamedly opulent and glamorous universe. His predestined encounter with Oud, the most precious and complex essence in the world of perfumery gave birth to the Oud collection. This exclusive line of fragrances explores the most fascinating oriental scents through the couturier’s sensibility and inimitable sense of style. Oud is a unique scent. More than a simple wood, it is a concentrate of contrasting aromas, from the leathery quality that was featured in the original Oud Edition to the more sensual dimension showcased in Tiger Oud.
Tone. Sculpt. Get in Shape Clinique’s New Sculptwear Contouring Massage Cream Mask And Sonic System Massage Treatment Applicator
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assage your way to better shape. Introducing NEW Clinique’s Sculptwear Contouring Massage Cream Mask, a luxurious cream mask designed to be massaged into skin using NEW Clinique Sonic System Massage Treatment Applicator. This perfect duo helps skin feel lifted and firmer while hydrating and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. “Massaging the skin can increase blood flow resulting in increased radiance,” states Dr. Tom Mammone, Executive Director of Skin Physiology and Pharmacology, Clinique Research & Development Worldwide.
NARS Tahiti Bronze Collection
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his collection inspired by Motu Tane —a small Tahitian island located just off Bora Bora-is a total escape for the senses, combining exquisite new launches with cult favorites.
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BEAUTY NEWS
Chanel’s
Long-lasting Polish
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light.
e Gel Coat in particular is a mustbuy. Despite the name, the top coat dries without UV
The gel coat goes on evenly without looking gloppy, and it's formulated with bioceramics and ceramides, alleged to strengthen and improve nails. All 16 of the original shades have the same reformulation, making this just one more luxurious beauty option.
Rimmel Announces CARA DELEVINGNE
AS NEW BRAND AMBASSADOR
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immel London announces an exciting new addition to its portfolio of brand ambassadors. Multi-talented British model and actress Cara Delevingne is joining Rimmel family. The London born 23 year old will star in a range of advertising campaigns for the cutting-edge colour brand. Talking about her new partnership with Rimmel London, Cara Delevingne comments: “I’m honoured to be working with Rimmel. It’s the first make-up brand I was introduced to as a teenager. I’m a London girl through and through and Rimmel truly captures and represents the city’s edgy, cosmopolitan beauty styles.”
MAKE UP FOR EVER
Aqua XL Eye Pencil
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his season’s boldest launch! The new collection of AQUA XL Eye Pencils are a set of 20 highly pigmented, ultra-long-lasting eye liner shades that help you to achieve show-stopping looks, from polished to punk. They are Available in five unique finishes (Matte, Diamond, Satin, Iridescent, and Metallic) and in a full range of electrifying colors.
LANCASTER
Dare to tan in the shower!
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ometimes discouraged by the application method and time that self-tanners may require, some women complain that they still haven’t found the perfect formula that satisfies their desire for an instant tan. And just like all of Lancaster’s self-tanners, this lotion contains Tan Color Adapt Technology.
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INTERVIEW
Baccarat Rouge 540 Perfume By Maison Francis Kurkdjian A Legendary Perfume And Bottle French perfumer Francis Kurkdjian founded his own luxury fragrance house Maison Francis Kurkdjian in 2009 after having created variety of fragrances for some of the biggest names in fashion. At the blue salon, and during the launch of Baccarat Rouge 540, we had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Marc Chaya, CEO and co-founder of perfume line, Maison Francis Kurkdjian . Marc is a good friend and business partner of the famous perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. The two established Maison Francis Kurkdjian in 2009, and since then they have put out many luxury perfumes. In his own words, Marc Chaya tells us the story behind "Maison Francis Kurkdjian".
Bloom: What is the distinctive feature of Maison Francis Kurkdjian? Marc Chaya: Our collection is like as an olfactive wardrobe where every scent is designed to fit a certain mood or occasion.
Bloom: How did you manage to establish Maison Francis Kurdjian along with the creative perfumer Francis Kurkdjian? Marc Chaya: I met Francis Kurkdjian at a dinner after a Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show. I was sitting next to him and asked him casually what he did in life. I learned he was a perfumer, and that he had created iconic scents for fashion houses such as Jean Paul Gautlier Le Male, the bestselling Men’s perfume for more then 15 years, Narcisso Rodriguez for her, Armania Mania and tens of others for Saint Laurent, Dior, Ferraga- mo, Kenzo etc… My immediate reaction was: how come I don’t even know your name? With time we became
The fragrances of Maison Francis Kurkdjian are guided by codes of purity, sophistication 18
close friends and I learned a lot about the fragrance industry. Over time I started supporting Francis and working with him on the roadmap to create a luxury fragrance.
Bloom: Can you tell us more about your partnership with Baccarat for an exclusive fragrance?
Bloom: How do you decide on the names of your perfumes? Marc Chaya: When Francis talks about his creation he says that inspiration is key. He first focuses on a general feeling. Then he tries to envision the final image for the fragrance. The name of the fragrance always comes first. It sums up what we want to say with the perfume. It gives a guideline, a creative path to follow.
Bloom: In the perfume business can we talk about trends like in the fashion world? Marc Chaya: There are trends in every fashion field including perfume. However unlike fashion great scents can survive time and be worn from generation to another.
Bloom: How do you define a great luxury perfume?
Marc Chaya: Baccarat Rouge 540 draws its inspiration from the very heart of the manufactory, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary with this eau de parfum.
Marc Chaya: Our vision of luxury is about being genuine and authentic. Today, luxury is not about price but about dreams – the emotion of the experience comes first.
Powerful and distinguished, its name evokes a metamorphosis of a clear crystal mingled with 24-carat gold powder and gradually brought to fusion at 540 degrees, arousing a glowing scarlet appearance. Its transparency contrasts with the density of this unique and exclusive red colour. It was also a natural choice to include Baccarat Rouge 540 in today's celebration fragrance collection by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Launched in 2014 in only 250 numbered crystal bottles, Baccarat Rouge 540 has now gained new momentum in a new setting, the Maison Francis Kurkdjian signature bottle. 19
HAIR CARE
YOUR WAY TO A
Beautiful, Healthy Hair
Good nutrition The state of our hair is often a reflection of our overall health. Instead of eating food that are low in nutrients, such as fast and highly processed foods, try incorporating foods that contain sulphuric amino acids, iron, vitamin A,C & E, biotin, zinc and selenium. Good examples of healthy foods include nuts, carrots, avocados, blueberries, broccoli, oranges, strawberries, sweet potatoes, cottage cheese, eggs, fish, lentils, spinach, kale, and milk.
Your hair type and lifestyle choices
We all want gorgeous and healthy hair but we don’t all know how to achieve and maintain it. Here are some steps to incorporate in your hair-care routine to obtain those beautiful looks.
How often should I wash my hair? What kind of products should I use? To answer these questions, you need to know your hair. Everything depends on your hair type, how often your scalp is producing oil, and your lifestyle choices.
Invest in the maintenance Obviously, good hair doesn’t just happen. The better care you take of your hair, the better it will look with time.
Shampooing Usually, the curlier your hair is, the longer you can go between washes. The straighter it is, the faster the oil wicks down. Your hair’s natural oils are designed to condition and protect your locks. Going to the gym regularly might affect how often you shampoo. It is understandable that you might not want to skip on a wash after a vigorous workout. There are always ways of cutting back though. A water-only rinse will remove salt and sweat from your hair without stripping the vital oils away. When washing your hair, use shampoo only on your scalp and massage it in to encourage blood circulation while avoiding the ends of your hair.
Avoid hot water Sure, taking hot showers might be one of the most comfortable things to do, but hot water will dry out your scalp, hair and skin. It also creates tangles that could result in breakage.
Weekly hair masks Use a hair treatment that contains hydrating properties to help maintain and restore your hair’s internal structure and elasticity to prevent breakage, repair split ends, and promote growth.
Use heat with caution We all use straighteners and dryers because they make our hair look great, ironically, they can also be the reason why our hair is so unhealthy. Overheating and over-using heated tools can damage and dry out our hair, so try cutting back or using lower temperatures. If you are blow-drying your hair, the air stream should feel comfortable on the back of your hand and should be 2-3 inches from your hair during the process.
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SKIN CARE
Secret To A Stunning Skin “Our skin is the largest part of our body and we need to take care of it, from morning to evening, aside from the fact that it gives us confidence and self-esteem to have a beautiful skin. Keeping our skin healthy is also a way for us to prevent the early signs of aging and some skin diseases. The below tips and advices from day to night — on how you could achieve a sensational, glowing skin”
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DRINK A LOT OF WATER - being hydrated with water is a simple act but is often underrated and ignored. No matter how busy your day is, you should always try to drink 8-10 glass of water and actually, the more the better. It cleanses your body naturally and everything that is natural and organic is always the best.
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BERRIES WILL GIVE YOU BLISS! - Any kind of berries is healthy for you. Berries are a powerful antioxidant that eradicates toxins in your body and it is also the trusted fruit if you want to lose some weight.
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AVOID FRIED FOOD - Fried food like doughnuts and french fries should be avoided, I know its hard but you have to give up something to be able to get something. Oily foods can trigger acne and breakouts too. If you are really craving for it, have some alternative such as mash potato or a brown bread topped with dark chocolate.
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ALWAYS USE MOISTURIZER AND SUNBLOCK - Your skin can also get thirsty, mostly when it is hot or humid or even inside an air-condition room. And when we are thirsty, we
have to drink some water. It is also the same for our skin, always apply lotion after taking a shower as it replenishes the moisture that we lose naturally after taking a bath. My tip is to always bring a small bottle of moisturizer that you can use for your face, hands and skin all the time. It is the same about sunblock, you need to apply it 30 minutes before you go to the sun or even before you face your computer as some of them also contains UV radiation. Nowadays, there are many moisturizers that act as a sunblock too so it would be easier and more helpful for all of us.
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NEVER EVER SLEEP WITH MAKE UP - At night, this is a super must - you have to remove your make up, even though how tired you are and even though it is the most expensive make up in the world, most of them have chemicals that will irritate your skin overnight.
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SMILE AND BE HAPPY - A happy life is also good for our skin as when our body releases happy hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin - we tend to glow naturally - perhaps by hanging out with friends and your loved ones, exercising and even spending some me-time alone listening to a good music.
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BE BEAUTIFUL WITHIN - The last but definitely not the least, the best way to be beautiful is to think happy and kind thoughts, not only for yourself, but also for others. It is being thankful for all your blessings and not complaining all the time. Physical beauty is important but inner beauty is the most important. Like what Cinderella said, I believe that you need to be kind and be brave all the time.
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HEALTH
Another cellphone affliction:
You may be suffering text-neck
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Is using your cellphone causing pain in your neck and shoulders? Breaks and stretch exercises can help, experts say.
Maple Syrup May Be Your Brain's
itting hunched over cellphones is causing an epidemic of what orthopaedists are calling text neck. Text neck is defined as pain in the neck and shoulders that comes from staring at our smartphones for long, uninterrupted periods of time. The preventive strategy is simple: take regular breaks and keep the muscles limber. Relaxation exercises against text neck look like this: move your head slowly from left to right, lower your ear to your shoulder, or stretch your head up while pulling your shoulders down. These three exercises stretch the neck and shoulder muscles, helping alleviate tension in the area. Another suggestion is to keep your head still while looking at your smartphone, moving your eyes as opposed to your entire head. Also good: hold your phone up at eye level, say experts at the German Society of Orthopaedics and Trauma. That might make your arms sore at first, but they will get stronger in time.
New Best Friend
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hanks to a new study, you may finally have an excuse to add that indulgent dose of maple syrup to your pancakes. According to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, the sweet treat shows promise in protecting against Alzheimer's disease. At the meeting, a global team of scientists shared the results of 24 studies, which contained promising results for protecting the brain against diseases like Alzheimer's. For the first time, real maple syrup ranked among the list of usual suspects like antioxidant-rich green tea and berries. The benefits of syrup are twofold. Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases are related to two particular types of protein that clump together in the brain in a way that's destructive. When these proteins get together, they form a plaque in your brain, which
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makes it harder for different parts of the brain to communicate. When your brain senses that the cells in those areas are disabled and not communicating properly, it destroys them. Not good. Luckily, not only do the phenol compounds found in the maple syrup prevent these two proteins from tangling up in the first place, they also may be able to help in cases where Alzheimer's has already been diagnosed. The researchers found that the compounds found in maple syrup may be able to prolong the lifespan of people already diagnosed with the disease by reducing those neural blocks. The specific dosage in humans is still unknown, but remember, everything in moderation. It's OK to stop feeling guilty about a maple shot in your morning smoothie or as a sweet addition to your regular roasted veggies. Just make sure you're buying the real stuff and not a maple-flavored imitation.
BLOG
ADDICTION LOOMS FOR MILLIONS OF USERS UNABLE TO TAKE THEIR EYES OFF THEIR SMARTPHONES. THE SATISFACTIONS ARE JUST TOO ALLURING.
Phone addiction may afflict millions
Therapies rely on time-outs
Y
ou can do virtually everything with your smartphone - chat, surf the internet, play games, shop online and look for a partner - and that precisely is the problem. Addiction looms for millions of users unable to take their eyes off their devices. Computer scientist Alexander Markowetz has conducted research into digital burnout and says it is the way the user-phone interaction works that is addictive. "I carry out an action, and I get a surprise," is how he analyses the conditioned behaviour. The "action" is tapping the screen. The "surprise" varies: Has anyone viewed my party photo? Is there any news? Or the next message from friends, or the latest Like on Facebook or the next level in the online game. All this generates dopamine, the "happiness hormone," ensuring that the user will soon reach for the display again to get another fix.Merely looking at your smartphone frequently does not mean that you are addicted. "There are certain risk factors that people
bring to it," he believes. Some use their smartphone for distraction in stress situations or to avoid unpleasant chores. "You should start to worry if your whole world turns on your mobile phone and you even break into pleasant activities to look at the display. Merely chatting for hours while still going as usual to the sports club or school does not count as addiction. It's when social contacts suffer, or you neglect more important things like childcare, that bondage to the phone becomes serious. Mueller says the risk from a smartphone is greater than from gambling machines or PCs, because it is always there and there are no natural breaks in use. "It's important to lay down definite time-outs," he says. Even where addiction is not an issue, constantly looking at the display means that "productivity and well-being suffer," says Markowetz, who works at the University of Bonn and has developed an app called Menthal that measures smartphone user behaviour. While his figures are not representa-
tive, they do have a certain validity, as the app is running on 300,000 smartphones. The data reveals that users look on average at their phone displays 88 times a day, with an action following in 53 cases. He calls this "anti-yoga," as it undermines concentration and distracts from the essential."With yoga you go into a healthy physical posture and focus the mind. Surfing on a smartphone leads many people to take up an absurd posture and go looking for distraction." Mueller's strategy is to advocate offline days on which the device is turned off. In addition, smartphones have no place in bed or at the dinner table, he argues. There are various apps to help kick the habit, some offering rewards for a timeout. Another trick is to wear a wristwatch, have an alarm clock at the bedside and to carry the mobile in a rucksack rather than in a pocket, making it more difficult to reach.
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LITTLE STYLE
k o o L Ne w
Gucci kids style for spring 2016
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t’s a new look at Gucci kids style for spring 2016 in line with the total revamp of the adults collection with elements of the Gucci designer guru Alessandro Michele injected into the kids style. The whole collection has a similar retro mixed with modern vibe now and a real luxury feel but with a cooler look than before. The luxury fashion label wishes to become stronger in children's fashion, and therefore turned to one of the sector's top specialists, Sandrine Delloye, who joined forces with Gucci last September and will debut in the role of design director for childrenswear with the next winter collection, still under Alessandro Michele's creative supervision. 26
you don’t like…
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arenting a child can be tough, especially when they start bringing new friends home. With all the different friends your child is bound to make, it’s pretty likely you’re going to dislike at least one of them. Here’s what to do to keep this small issue from becoming a big problem. • It’s best to welcome these friends into your home as you would any other. Very subtly keep an eye on things when you have the child over and reinforce the message that your child has your support. • Give the friend a chance – he/she might turn out to be not as bad as you thought. Aim to respect your child’s choice in friends. • Try not to be perceived as angry with your child as he/she’s more likely to alienate herself from you. It’s vital he/she be able to share their experiences with the friend with you, and that you discuss and help them manage the friendship so
that it remains healthy. • Aim to steer, rather than drive, your tween away from trouble! • When peer pressure turns bad however, it’s vital you state clearly where you stand. Offer her boundaries – of course you want her friends to like her, but not at the expense of her changing herself at their will. • The more self-esteem you can foster in your child, the more likely he/she’ll be unscathed by the friendship. • Speak to your child’s teacher if you’re seriously worried about the friendship to gauge what you’re feeling. The teacher can then monitor the situation in this setting, and possibly keep them apart if necessary. • Bear in mind the fluidity of friendships while growing up and feel assured that this more than likely will be a passing phase.
PARENTING
What to do when your kids choose friends
NUTRITION
Smart diet
to lose weight Strategically pair proteins Where does your protein come from and what do you eat it with? That could provide key clues for a successful diet.
W
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hen it comes to losing weight, more and more people are ditching carbs and bolstering their diets with protein. An essential nutritional component, protein is said to help keep you healthy, slim and full for longer periods of time. But how important is protein to a well-rounded diet and how much should you be eating?
average of 120 grams for women and 140 grams for men.
Nicknamed "building blocks," proteins form the basic structure of the entire body. "They are critical for muscles and bones, organs, many hormones, blood and the antibodies of the immune system," said Isabelle Keller of the German Nutritional Society. The science behind how and why proteins provide a faster feeling of fullness compared to other nutrients is still being investigated.For Keller, one thing is certain: "Proteins are essential for the body," she said. Aline Emanuel, a nutritionist, thinks we should be "paying more attention to protein." Not only the quantity but also the quality of protein we eat. In industrialized countries, protein intake is, on average, significantly higher than the recommended amounts, Keller says. "Our diets are extremely saturated with proteins." Since it is easy for most people to meet and exceed their daily protein requirement, the question then becomes: how much protein is too much? The upper limit for daily protein consumption is two grams for every kilogram of body weight. This translates to an
This is a great option for vegetarians. Emanuel also suggests eating animal and vegetable proteins together.
Low-fat dairy products, eggs, lean meats and fish are very good sources of protein. "Eating a combination of protein-rich, plant-based foods, such as grains and legumes, is another option," said Keller, who lectures on health prevention.
"Vegetable proteins are better than animal proteins, which often contain a lot of fat." Animal protein and "bad fats," or saturated fatty acids, often go hand-in hand, hiding in sausage or cheese. Pfeiffer also recommends avoiding protein combinations with starchy foods, like corn or white bread. High in carbohydrates, starchy foods spike blood sugar levels, causing increased insulin production. This is like putting the brakes on fat burning, she said. Whole grains are the better choice. While they still cause blood sugar levels to rise, they do so more slowly and not sugar does not go as high. "The key to managing your weight is figuring out what to combine with protein," Pfeiffer explained. Ultimately, whether a protein-rich diet is healthier than a low-fat or low-carb diet is irrelevant to Keller. The key to a healthy life-style is a balanced diet that is varied with appropriate portions of nutritious and low-calorie foods. Plus, lots of physical activity.
Training Mistakes
FITNESS
The Most Common
Trying to build muscle or lose weight with little or no results? Well, it is possible that you are making some of the most common training mistakes.
SPENDING HOURS IN THE GYM. You spend hours in the gym because you really want to lose weight. The more hours, the better, right? Well, not quite. Longer workouts do not equal better results. Do quality workouts and change your routine regularly. REPEATING THE SAME WORKOUT ROUTINES You notice that the more you exercise the easier it becomes? Your body has an amazing ability to adapt quickly. Don’t allow your body to get accustomed to your routine. Always challenge yourself. BALANCED NUTRITION Have you ever heard someone saying that if you want to eat whatever you want, you can, as long as you work extra hard in the gym? Unfortunately, those notions that elude to working out more to erase a bad diet, is incorrect.
A negative calorie balance (which is what is required for weight loss) is more easily achieved through a stricter eating plan. In addition, you need to remember that a normal training session may only burn 300 calories. Therefore, there is a good chance that you may not be able to ‘work off’ your bad diet in the gym each day. DOING LONG CARDIO SESSIONS, ALL THE TIME Do you walk into gym and head straight to the treadmills for an hour long run? Yes, cardio is necessary for weight loss but a varied plan is necessary to achieve your best body. Why not alternate your long low intensity cardio sessions with shorter high intensity workouts? For optimal weight loss, combine targeted heart rate zone training, where you keep your heart rate within the 60-70% of maximum zone, along with high intensity interval training, for 20 to 30 minute sessions.
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DECOR
Home Lighting: Designers turn to animals and plants for inspiration
When a new trend begins in furnishing, it often infects other aspects of interior design, which explains why a recent craze for animals and plants in the home is now spreading to lamps. The budding mania among the designers was on display at one of the world's leading lamp-trade fairs in the shape of colourful home lighting in the form of jellyfish, clouds and even trees with bright, glowing flowers. Most of the new lights and lampshades are made from natural materials.
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Claudia Herke from the trend scout office bora.herke.palmisano says wood, paper and glass are the preferred materials. The driving force behind all this flora and fauna, according to Herke, is the desire to bring a more natural look into urban homes. "It's a very clear counterbalance to our hectic lifestyles, to digitalization and our fast pace of life," says Herke. Natural materials, says Herke, help to slow life down and create a peaceful atmosphere. But along with the natural look there were also many futuristic lamps and lights at the Light+Building show in Frankfurt, Germany, including strangely shaped glass lamps and new types of textile and UFO-like lampshades. New 3-D printing technologies have made it easier to create unusual shapes and designs. Herke believes this means lamp designers will have plenty to experiment with in the years to come. Apart from shape and material, Herke says designers are also experimenting with "architectural light." "Lamps are not just being treated as objects to be placed around the home but also as things that can be integrated into walls." New building techniques are allowing designers to experiment "and finally put into practice" what was only possible on the drawing board before. European light makers have been busy in recent years adapting to new EU regulations restricting incandescent light bulbs in favour of LED and energy-saver technologies. "But now they have all caught up and are turning their thoughts to experimenting more with design," says Herke.
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CUISINE
Impress your guests and family with these sea food recipes
Paella Ingredients • 1.2L chicken stock • 5ml turmeric • 125ml olive oil • 175g chorizo sausage, sliced • 200g calamari tentacles • 18 mussels, cleaned • 8 chicken thighs • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 onion, diced • 1 red pepper, diced • 6 sprigs thyme • 2.5ml chilli flakes • 600ml brown rice • 4ml paprika • 1 x 410g tin whole peeled tomatoes • 100g fresh or frozen peas Method • Combine the chicken stock and turmeric in a saucepan and bring to boil. Keep it warm on
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the stove. • Heat a small amount of oil in a large, deep frying pan and fry off the chorizo until crisp and golden. Remove from the pan and set aside • Fry the calamari and mussels in the same oil for 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Discard any mussels that didn’t open. • Fry the chicken in the same pan for 10 minutes per side until golden in colour. Remove from the pan and set aside. • Pour the remaining oil into the pan and fry off the garlic, onion and red pepper until just softened. Add the thyme, chilli flakes and rice. Stir for 5 minutes until the rice is covered with the oil. • Stir in the paprika ., Add half of the chicken stock, chorizo, chicken and calamari and cook for 30 minutes on low, stirring occasionally. Add more stock when the rice cooks dry. • Add the tomatoes and cook for another 10 minutes. Stir in the mussels and peas and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Avocado Terrine with Smoked Salmon Ingredients • 500ml yoghurt • 30ml powdered gelatine • 60ml water • 45ml lukewarm cream • 250ml avocado, mashed • Squeeze of lemon juice • Tabasco sauce, to taste • 8 slices white bread, crusts removed • 80g smoked salmon • Small handful sprouts, to serve Method • For the terrine, place wet plastic wrap on the inside of 3 x 250ml loaf tins or 1 x 1L tin, allowing it to overlap down the sides. Line a sieve with muslin cloth, spoon in the yoghurt and cover. Place in the fridge to drain for at least 4 hours. • Sprinkle the gelatine over the water and leave to bloom for 5 minutes. Heat the gelatine in the microwave • on the defrost setting for a few
seconds until melted. Mix through the cream and season with salt and white pepper. • Add 2/3 of cream mixture to the yoghurt and mix through. Carefully spoon into the prepared tin. • Mix the avocado, lemon juice and Tabasco together. Mix the remaining 1/3 cream mixture through the avocado mixture and spoon on top of the yoghurt mixture. Cover and set overnight. • Preheat oven to 180°C. Roll the bread out with a rolling pin until flat, cut into small triangles and place on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Cool on a wire rack. • When the terrine is set, turn out onto a serving plate. Curl the smoked salmon on top and sprinkle with sprouts. Serve with the Melba toast.
Coconut Fish Tacos Ingredients • 500g firm white fish fillets, skin and bones removed • 5ml paprika • 80ml cake flour • 180ml Panko breadcrumbs • 250ml desiccated coconut • 2 eggs, beaten vegetable oil or coconut oil, for • Shallow frying For The Coconut And Avo Salsa • ½ red onion, chopped juice of 1 lime • 1 avocado, chopped
• 1 jalapeño chilli, chopped • 60ml fresh coconut, finely chopped For The Coriander Sauce • Handful coriander, chopped • 125ml sour cream • 6 flour tortillas • 2 handfuls baby salad leaves Method • Cut the fish into bite-size chunks. Combine the fish with the paprika. Season the flour and mix the fish through. Remove the fish, shaking off the excess flour. • Combine the breadcrumbs with
the coconut. Dip the fish in batches in the egg and then the coconut mixture, pressing gently to adhere. • Heat enough oil for shallow frying on medium and fry the fish in batches for about 4-5 minutes until • golden all over. Drain on a paper towel. • For the coriander sauce, blitz the coriander and sour cream together. Season. Warm the tortillas and layer with the leaves, fish and salsa. Drizzle the sauce over before serving.
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INNOVATION
Anonymous social media lets users create different personas
Smart shopping bag could eliminate queuing
Self-scan checkout machines have sped up the consumer experience at many supermarkets. But now, two companies — Twyst and QueueHop — are going even further and eliminating the checkout line altogether. With the help of smart shopping bags and QR codes that use RFID technology, shoppers can scan and pay for their items as they shop without queuing for a cash register.
New wearable uses sound to maintain deep sleep
Multiple studies have shown the benefits of a good night's sleep relative to improved memory and cellular regeneration. The recent launch of Rythm and the introduction of its Dreem device add a new approach to combat that problem, by detecting when a sleeper is in a deep sleep state and maintaining that state through the use of sound. Dreem consists of a series of proprietary sensors and a sound-emitting device built into an adjustable headband made of a lightweight silicone polymer. The sensors act like a portable EEG (electroencephalogram) and monitor a sleeper's brain waves in real time. When the device detects that a sleeper has entered a deep sleep state, the device emits a sound against the skull, which reportedly prolongs that state. No earplugs are necessary.
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Galaxia is a private social media app where users create multiple personas for different groups and profiles. Social media has become a part of most people’s daily routine, and many use multiple social media channels to show different sides of themselves. But now, a new social network is encouraging people to hide their real identities entirely. Instead, it wants users to embrace their online personas. Galaxia is a new social platform where users create multiple personas from one account that they then use to interact with different ‘worlds’ within the platform. Users connect their personas to different social networks, which can be made public or private, and have their own set of rules. In this way, the app tries to bridge the gap between an instant messenger and a social media profile page; private groups can be small social media groups, while public profiles, under a different persona, can have thousands of views and interactions. The developers say the ‘no real name’ policy is to let users express themselves more freely, and to improve privacy. The app can also allow users to charge ‘entrance fees’ for their Galaxia worlds. Founder Moshe Hogeg said: “We’re trying to build a platform that will allow us to be who we want to be, in each context.” We have already seen anonymous social media sites helping users find therapy and support. Could more anonymous forms of social media be the answer to online privacy?
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CARS & DRIVING
Prestige pushbikes from automakers: Some cost more than a car
AS AUTOMAKERS TRY TO PROJECT A GREENER IMAGE, A RAFT OF STYLISH NEW BICYCLES CARRYING THE BADGES OF FAMOUS CAR BRANDS ENTER THE MARKET
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s automakers try to project a greener image, there are rafts of stylish new bicycles to choose from, all carrying the badges of famous car brands. Carmakers see bicycles as lifestyle multipliers which help to bring home the brand message even if the firms have no two-wheel tradition. Porsche and BMW cycles may seem pricey compared to common pushbikes, but they are still bargains compared to the like-branded cars. The sophisticated two-wheelers fit in with a range of ancillary products from car companies which include cuddly toys, plastic pedal cars for toddlers and sports bags. The aim is to boost the manufacturer's image and keep the marque in the public eye. The bicycles are a zero-emission
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symbol of mobility and for many a car buyer; there is an attraction in having a bike which complements the car and projects the same corporate image. In some cases though the bikes are little more than trophies for rich owners to hang on the garage wall. Starting at the bottom end of the market, Volkswagen - a name that stands for "people's car" - offers a black city bike with the VW logo for 670 euros (762 dollars). With its 28inch wheels and suspension seatpost the aluminium framed bike is a sporty all-rounder but not really special. Bikes from BMW are for the wellheeled: Top slot goes to one of the latest generation of electric steeds equipped with a Bosch battery of up to 250 watts.
CR BM U IS W ER B I N KE BG III THE LIMITED EDITION ROTWILD GT S BICYCLE COSTS 11,400 DOLLARS
Around 1,000 dollars is needed to buy a BMW bike cruiser NBG III in fetching aqua blue with matching cognac-coloured saddle. The low-rider frame is in socalled bullneck design. Prices for bicycles with the Porsche emblem are nearly three times as great.The snow-white Porsche Bike with elegant hydro-formed frame can be had for 3,000 dollars. The new Porsche RS in black with orange highlights - the same as a real-life Porsche 911 GT3 RS - sports a lightweight carbon-fibre frame which tips the scales at a feathery 10 kilograms. It costs 7,400 dollars. Mercedes-Benz offers trekking bikes which bear the famous three-pointed star.
A limited-edition pushbike to match your AMG high-performance Merc will cost you about the same as Daimler's bottomof-the-range car, the two-seater Smart. Only quality parts from world-leading companies such as Shimano, Continental and tyre-maker Schwalbe are used on the prestige pushbikes, and for good reason. "That's why carmakers do not make junk bikes," said German cycle product expert Heiko Truppel. Most car firms concentrate on their own products and buy in the know-how and skills from bicycle firms for their prestige pushbikes. The range of two-wheelers from the carmakers is limited: they can supply just small, medium or large frames with nothing in-between."
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CHAT
Nanoparticles in cosmetics
won't hurt you, says watchdog. ! l u f e r a c But be Many of us already coat the skin of our eyelids and armpits with artificial nanoparticles every day, but are they safe? Should we believe the assurances of skin-care manufacturers, or listen to the dire warnings of certain environmentalists?
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anoparticles have been used in manufacturing for quite some time to make plastic products more durable and in the beauty industry to extend the lifetime of mascaras and eyeliners. Sunscreen lotions contain pigments in the form of nanoparticles. "They cover the skin forming a kind of mirror that reflects light," explains dermatologist Uta Schlossberger. A nanoparticle is one thousand times tinier than the thickness of a human hair. The word "nano" comes from Greek and means dwarf. The skin care industry uses nanoparticles extensively. "Nanoparticles made from silver have anti-bacterial properties," says Schlossberger. That is why they are to be found in many deodorants. However, their use in skin-care products has become controversial. "We still know too little about the possible long-term negative side-effects of nanoparticles," charges Rolf Buschmann from Friends of the Earth Germany. At the moment there are too few
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studies to say for sure if nanoparticles can damage health. "There are products where it makes complete sense to use nanoparticles, including skin creams. The risk of contracting skin cancer from sunburned skin is much higher than the theoretical risk from nanoparticles," admits Buschmann."But we should be asking whether it's right to use nanoparticles in certain other products." Buschmann says his list of doubtfuls includes anti-aging creams that contain what are called fullerene molecules. Fullerenes are nano-sized carbon particles that absorb free radicals. Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment favours using nanoparticles, provided it is done responsibly. At the agency, which provides neutral
advice to the public on scientific controversies, Andrea Haase researches the effect nanoparticles have on cells. "It is true that we do not entirely know how nano-sized substances affect the human body or the environment," she says. However, Haase says she believes we do not need to be overly worried about them. "According to what we know, we can say that human skin is a reliable barrier that can prevent nanoparticles from getting into the bloodstream."Conversely, damaged skin should not be exposed to nanoparticles. If you cut yourself shaving, don't smear on nanoparticle after-shave cream. Nanoparticles pose a possible risk when they come in the form of a spray."There's a risk of inhaling nanoparticles when they are released from a spray can," says Buschmann. "That could not only lead to the air passages becoming irritated, but to the particles entering the bloodstream via the lungs."
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TRAVEL
Gold taps not enough for richest travellers: They want magic moments Today's deluxe travellers are demanding designer vacations that rock their souls
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"The trend is increasingly going in the direction of non-materialistic luxury," comments Steffen Boehnke, head of Airtours, the luxury travel unit of Germany's Tui Group. There needs to be that one magic moment that sticks in one's memory. "This could mean spending a night under the open sky in an elephant camp or enjoying a candlelight dinner on the shore of a river in a rainforest." Luxury-oriented consumers have changed with regard to their attitudes and spending behaviour. Today, according to the Boston Consulting Group, they are asking for "experiential luxury" - especially in the form of travel arrangements to places no one else could afford to go. High on the list are cultural and historical sites as well as the out-of-doors.
bathtub on an Indian Ocean lagoon in the Maledive Islands. Luxury vacationers want magic-moment memories. Gold-plated taps at the hotel and mounds of caviar served at breakfast are not enough for today's de luxe travellers. The creme de la creme are now demanding designer vacations that rock their souls. There was a time when conspicuous consumption, ostentation and one-upmanship were the way to go. You travelled expensively (and bragged about it later on). But industry insiders say the rich have been there and done that. The upper-one-per-cent folks with good money to spend are, if the latest research findings are correct, now interested in more subtle, perhaps more emotional or spiritual thrills. They have the pockets deep enough to reward travel operators who can provide them with the extraordinary, the exclusive and the unique vacation experience.
Huge luxury suite on a Sea Cloud Cruises boat 40
Doerte Nordbeck, tourism industry expert at the consumer research company GfK, notes how luxury travel has become a major part of the overall travel market. "In the segment of beyond 3,000 euros (3,300 dollars), tours are clearly the most important product, accounting for a 40-per-cent share," she says. Also greatly in demand with well-heeled travellers are beach vacations (21 per cent) and cruises (19 per cent). So what does the luxury-seeking traveller desire most? Personal tastes and definition of luxury can play a role, says Marion Aliabadi, chief executive of a specialized firm called Designreisen (design travel) in Munich. "Some people want the full programme - first-class flight, the most expensive suite in a six-star hotel, culinary delights, and spa treatments of the very best standard," she says. "Others are completely satisfied with a stay on a remote island. To them, the luxury is being able to slow down." At the annual International Luxury Travel Market fair in Cannes last December, experts sketched out the rising trends they foresaw for 2016. These include multi-gen-
erational travel, fitness and adventure trips, family-oriented offerings, luxury cruises and exclusive private houses The desire for exclusivity is also showing above-proportional growth in the cruise sector. According to the cruise shipping association Clia, companies are responding to the demand with yacht tours, and with special on-board services - concierge, gourmet chefs and butlers. "The trend in luxury cruises is toward unusual destinations and smaller ports," says Bernhard Jans, a sociologist involved in the working group of excursion cruise researchers at Dresden Technical University. "Current catalogues list countless harbours that previously were extremely rarely, or never, visited." But whether it's about exploring Myanmar's ancient culture, making an expedition voyage to the Arctic or relaxing in a de luxe hotel on Bali, luxury travel operators see golden times ahead. "People will increasingly be ready to spend more on their private travels," says Marion Aliabadi. "Time, relaxation and the feeling that things are being taken care of - this is what true luxury looks like in the 21st century."
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ADVICE
Are you letting life pass you by?
Here's how to Flourish, rather than just survive... It’s easy to slip into the same routine. But does this mean we aren’t living life to its fullest potential? Ahead of the Ignite Your Life event. Here are a few top tips on how to thrive in life, rather than just simply live. SELFAFFIRM ‘When you use affirmations regularly, you are essentially re-programming your brain to strive for the things that you want,’ says yoga and nutrition teacher Julie Montagu. ‘It brings your goals and desires to the forefront of your mind and you will start to pay much more attention to these things in your day to day. If you use an affirmation that promotes self-worth and self-love, then you are going to notice positive things about yourself that you might usually overlook.’
REINVENT YOUR MORNING ‘Do you battle with a shrill alarm clock before you even get out of bed? That’s no way to begin your day,’ ‘Leave your curtains open a little bit and start waking up with the sunrise, or set your favourite song as your wake-up call. Get up 15 minutes earlier and meditate while the house is quiet, devote yourself to a few minutes of writing down the dreams you just had, or even list out your hopes for the day.’
LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION Thriving doesn’t mean saying ‘yes’ to everything, as author Kris Carr explains: ‘When someone suggests doing something new or an opportunity comes your way, take time out to ask yourself: ‘how does this make me feel?’ Even if it sounds amazing, if the thought of it honestly makes you feel tired, say no. And if you feel inspired, even though it might not look like an obvious thing to do, of course you have to!
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