Lifestyle magazine

LIFESTYLE

FOOD

FASHION

TRAVEL

KIDS

FINE

LIVING February 2016

www.parknshop.ae

FREEE ISSU

Food Culture 22

INDOOR FURNITURE TRENDS

Beautiful Homes

Fitness

67

ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY WITH CHILDREN AT HOME

PRODUCT REVIEW

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.

PRODUCT REVIEW

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PRODUCT REVIEW

Contents 06 HOME MADE GUITAR

All of us like music, especially that Guitar music. So if you also want to make a guitar that can produce some

07 FASHION TRENDS OF 2016

Change is the only constant in the world of fashion. As far as the global fashion industry is concerned, 2016 holds a lot

68

09 Product review

Versace Stretch Cotton Drawstring Jacket

Interview 11 12 14 16

Jacqueline Meldrum Food Blogger: Jasmine Pereira Logan Junior Chef Cailin Koy

18 HAIR & Makeup

With the onset of the New Year, hair and makeup trends across the globe have undergone drastic changes.

20 Interview

Interview With Ninaubhi

22 INDOOR FURNITURE TRENDS

Working from home is becoming more and more popular because of the internet. Because of this, office

28 TRAVEL GUIDE

Historical Background of Japan and Tokyo

72 36 Movies

Movies of 2016

42 health & Fitness

Health, that word means so much to people. Nowadays, everyone is incredibly focused on taking care of everything connected with his or her health. Washing

46 Why is a Healthy Lifestyle important?

One of the most important questions asked by people who want to start living in a different, more healthy way is: Why is a healthy lifestyle important?

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28

50 interview

Interview with Courtney Locklear Woodside

PRODUCT REVIEW

07 14

54 kids

Activities to enjoy with children at Home

56 love & relationship

February- The Month of Exchanging Feelings

60 pleasure with kids

Activities You Can Enjoy With Your Kids In Dubai

22

62 cartoon

Is your Tiny Tot a Mowgli?

64 PLACES FOR KIDS IN DUBAI

How has the New Year been for you and your tiny tots? We are sure you

67 DUBAI CLASSICS 2016

It is said, music in the soul can be heard by the universe, and also

67 Fitness/ health

Region’s jump-the-gun cycling event is here. Cycling is one of the best

68 Arts/Theatre

Photography lovers from all around the world, this event is just for you.

69 BRIDE DUBAI 2016

Photography lovers from all around the world, this event is just for you.

70 XYOGA FESTIVAL DUBAI

Stretch your body and find inner peace, let your body talk to your soul.

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72 Food and Culture

In our tradition, it is said that Food is something holy. It’s not about nutrients

73 Business

Spend your Friday picking fresh, organic, local fruits and veggies from Fine Living Magazine

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MUSIC

HOME MADE GUITAR All of us like music, especially that Guitar music. So if you also want to make a guitar that can produce some really nice music, then here is a simple Do It Yourself method for the same.

guitar music

SO ARE YOU READY, KIDS? Here’s what you will need:

• A Big Shoe Box with Cover • 6-7 colored Rubber Bands • Glue

• Scissors/Cutter (Use under adult supervision, as your Momma or Papa to look after you when you use them) • 2 Pencils; sharpen only one

• A plastic lid (preferably Classic lid of Pringles Chips or something of similar size) • A small piece of silver aluminum foil

And here we go….

• Remove the cover of the box and wrap the box with a fancy paper.

• Take a small round lid roughly the size of classic round lid of Pringles chips. Use it to draw a circle on the cover with a pencil.

• Now take scissors/cutter to cut along the circle.

• Use the same fancy paper 6 Fine Living Magazine

to wrap the cover.

• Now take some rubber bands and stretch them around the cover in such a way that the big circle that you cut out using round lid, should have 6-7 rubber band s around it.

• Now take an old pencil and wrap a silver aluminum foil around it.

Make sure that the whole pencil should be covered with the foil.

• Now cover the shoebox with the lid and using glue, stick the edges in such a way that the box cannot be opened.

• Now, you can move the pencil over strings of rubber band and produce some nice music.

FASHION

SHOE TRENDS OF SPRING 2016 Shoe lovers have a lot to rejoice this summer as we bring to you some of the hottest shoe trends of spring 2016.

Buckle me up! Yes, buckled shoes with block heels are the rage this season.

Regarding color, ditch gold to embrace silver. Runways across the world are going all silver this summer with their shoes. Be it stilettoes, block heels or wedges, silver is in.

FASHION TRENDS OF 2016 Change is the only constant in the world of fashion. As far as the global fashion industry is concerned, 2016 holds a lot of surprises regarding colors, fabrics, cuts, and even prints.

The global fashion capital gives the world a glimpse of what is to be expected in 2016, what will rule the ramp, and which trends will be followed worldwide. Fashionistas across the globe are all set to embrace the trends for spring 2016.

Also, the flat-headed or round headed shoes have moved aside to welcome the pointy pumps. Sneakers will be staying strong this season. Bold colors, classic shapes are good to go.

You could even pick a pair of pointy sneakers to add some edge to your feet!

Boots across the global runways have received a western makeover. Bling on boots is the rage of this season. Even the simplest outfit can get significant fashion uplift with a pair of brightly colored bling boots. Designers have also experimented with the heelskitten heels, stilettoes, block heels, and wedges- all are welcome additions to this season’s classic boot.

APPAREL TRENDS

O

ld English sleeves will rule the runways across the globe this spring. Ruffled, puffed, in floral prints or simply on the LBD, the bishop sleeve or the leg ‘o mutton sleeve is in.

Lace and sheer are here to stay for spring 2016. One can experiment with sophisticated lace gowns, slip dresses, or go for more fun floral lace outfits to up

the glam quotient.

2016 spring is not about minimalism.

This time, more is merrier. Embroidery, layers, ruffles, embellishments, and retro shapes are all in. It is the time to go in for the vintage redux!

If you have always loved your pajamas, give them a fashion upgrade and you’ll love them even

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FASHION

more. Cotton, silk or satin- Sport your pajamas in every color for the season.

While floralprints rule spring every year, this time, solid stripes are trending. It’s all about coloring right between the lines. Add more drama to your outfit with those bold shades.

In prints and colors, flower power is the trend to the sport. Floral prints are perfect for the spring or summer. Soft pinks, nudes, peaches are the colors to look out for.

Another major fashion trend to look out for in 2016 is the hijab collection unveiled by Dolce and Gabbana. Dubai’s fashion space gets a fresh twist with the elegant hijabs designed in floral prints.

While floral prints and soft colors may rule the day, the night is all game for sequins and embellishments. Glitter away into the spring night in bold colors of red, gold,and blue. Give some drama to the most ordinary clothes with a touch of bling.

Jackets are all set to rule the spring/ summer runway this year. Cropped jackets and voluminous dresses are going to be the trend of the season.

Whether you want to experiment with your dresses, trousers or even hot pants- give them a lively vibe to rock the look. Designers across the globe are adding more drama to their runway looks by balancing a mix of numerous styles in their designs.

If you want to keep it simple and stylish, pair up a beautiful cropped leather jacket with a short skirt. Or you could glam up your bikini look by throwing a bold colored short jacket on top and get set to rock spring 2016.

For the romantic version of you, spring has a lot to offer. While creamy pastels and nudes will rule the color front; feathers, ruffles, sheer, and chiffon are the trends to look outfor this summer. Pick a lovely dress in chiffon with ruffles and feathers to give yourself the romantic look! Whether you are dressing for the day or the night, you cannot go wrong with these oh-sopretty trends.

If you are wondering what accessories to carry with your outfits, let’s have a look at the bag trends of spring 2016.

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While floral prints and soft colors may rule the day, the night is all game for sequins and embellishments. Glitter away into the spring night in bold colors of red, gold,and blue. Give some drama to the most ordinary clothes with a touch of bling.

BAG TRENDS Ralph Lauren has come up with great geometric designs on the bag, in contrasting bold colors. The look is edgy and stands out. If edgy is not your style, then go for the classy leather finish of a basket style bag to make your friends jealous.

Clutch bags in vibrant colors or even in creamy pastels are in this season.

Carry it off with your hot pants or dresses- you won’t go wrong.

The Michael Kors collection also puts

the sling bag in the limelight. The sling bag gets a makeover this season with added feathers anddanglers in mono colors. You could also experiment with the fabric of your sling bag.

If your outfit has a lot of drama, keep your bag simple and minimalistic.

However, if you are going for a simple, minimalistic outfit, you could match it with as edgy of a bag as you want.

Even bags will be sporting feathers and embellishments this spring. Experiment with contrasting colors and textures to add more fun to your wardrobe.

PRODUCT REVIEW

AED

8,264

VERSACE STRETCH COTTON DRAWSTRING JACKET

This stretch cotton drawstring jacket in brown is the ultimate piece for spring/summer 2016. The cotton material is extremely comfortable and comes with hidden front snap closure. The oversized front pockets, notched collar, and cinched drawstring waist complete the look. The contrasting piping accents all over the jacket add a point of interest.

Pair this jacket with a pair of stunning boots and rock your day!

For more information visit: www.modaoperandi.com

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PRODUCT REVIEW

AED

200

PETITE PARTY DRESS We told you bling is in this spring summer. And there is no better way to add bling to your closet than this petite party dress.

It is everything that a girl would love to have.

The color is awesome and the shimmery look is absolutely perfect for the party. Sleeveless and a round neckline, slightly tapered at the waist to flare up in a skirt fashion at the bottom. Wear it with a pair of funky heels and put all your fashion worries to rest!

For more information visit: www.veromoda.com

AED

150

SEQUENCED BLAZER If you are looking for something that will jazz up your simple tunic immediately – we have the answer. This sequenced blazer is perfect for transforming a simple outfit.

Coming from the house of Vero Moda, this long sleeved blazer has sequence all over the fabric.

It is of regular fit and the greyish silver color looks simply stunning!

For more information visit: www.veromoda.com

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INTERVIEW

Food Blogger

Jacqueline Meldrum Q. Would you to tell us in brief about yourself.

tips are: buy a good DSLR, take thetime to set up your shoot, have an uncluttered background, and try shots from different angles.

Always slightly overexpose your photos when editing.

I live in Scotland with my husband and little boy. My son and I are vegetarian, but we eat mostly vegan as my husband is vegan. I am a food blogger and recipe developer. I write a veggie and vegan blog called Tinned Tomatoes, but I also develop recipes for brand websites and write for various magazines both online and in print.

Q. How important is it for a blogger to interact with readers? Had any funny incidents so far?

Q. How and when did you start cooking and what was the first dish?

I started cooking when I left home for art college. I didn’t do any cooking up until that point. My mum taught me how to make a cheese sauce from scratch, so I could make macaroni. My first year at college I mostly ate macaroni cheese, baked potatoes, ready-made salads, and takeaway pizza. The second year, I made more of an effort to learn to cook and took it from there.

Q. Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My first inspiration was the BBC Good Food Vegetarian magazine, which is only printed seasonally now. My second inspiration is Linda McCartney. I had one of her paperback books, which I started to work through.

Q. How did you start your blog – Tinned Tomatoes?

I took a web 2.0 course on social media at a local university and one of the things we covered was blogs.

Thereweren’tas many back in 2007 and a lot of them were U.S. based. I went home that night and set up my blog to encourage me to be more adventurous with my cooking.

Q. Which aspect of food blogging do you admire the most?

The community. I’ve made so many great friends, a lot of them I meet up with whenever I can. The food blogging community is really supportive.

Q. Is there a difference between normal photography and food photography? Would you like to share a few of your tips?

Yes, there certainly is a difference.

We aren’t looking so much at backgrounds. Instead, we are really focusing in on the food. Daylight is a must and we really have to think about our props and what will photograph well. Shiny cutlery reflects everything in the room, so tarnished vintage cutlery is a good buy. Most food bloggers also shoot in portrait so that their images are pinnable for Pinterest. My main

It’s so important to interact with your readers. Answer their comments and any emails and show them you care. You will end up with really loyal readers.

Q. Are there any particular things that you like or dislike about the food blogosphere?

I love the community. I hate how much time you have to spend promoting your content on social media, it takes more time than recipe development and photography.

Q. Any short or long term goals?

Things are going really well for me at the moment, so I hope that will carry on and my readers will continue to enjoy my recipes.

Q. Would you like to give any piece of advice or words of encouragement for a fresher who’s just starting out?

Leave comments on other blogs you enjoy, look at what they are doing, and start chatting with other bloggers. They are your biggest support network and will help you and your blog more than anything else.

Jacqueline Meldrum is a food writer and recipe developer from bonnie Scotland. As well as creating easy veggie and vegan recipes for readers of her award-winning blog Tinned Tomatoes, she also writes for BabyCentre UK, Readers Digest, Great British Chefs, and Vegan Life Magazine as well as developing recipes for top UK brands.

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INTERVIEW

Food Blogger

Jasmine Pereira I love the community. I hate how much time you have to spend promoting your content on social media, it takes more time than recipe development and photography.

Q. Would you like to tell us in brief about yourself?

platform to introduce the amalgamation of cultures in U.A.E, mainly Dubai via the fare of eats stretching from the heart of old Dubai that encompasses historic areas catering unpretentious soulfeeding kitchens fueled by immigrant cultures, towards the glitz and glamorous side, famously labeled as Downtown or New Dubai, all based on my personal experiences. Over the past year and a half, the blog has branched out to feature hospitality and travel writeups. The former updated more regularly due to repeated staycations.

Jasmine Pereira, Indian born and raised in Dubai, currently works in Dubai as a Health Safety and Environment Consultant whilemanaging a food blog, when time permits.

Q. How and when did you start cooking and what was the first dish?

Cooking has always been an integral aspect of growing up. I recall early memories of lending a hand in the kitchen for various tasks and lastly, reaping the benefits of awell-deserved home cooked meal. Chicken in cashew gravy would be the first attempted and successful solo dish prepared.

Q. Who has been your biggest inspiration?

In terms of cooking, it would be my dear mother as an inspiration for the creativeness behind cooking and baking. For blogging, I credit growing up in the U.A.E as a source thanks to the various cuisines that have helped my palate explore and grow with thetaste of various ingredients. I also credit the spur of infrequent travel.

Q. How did you start your blog - Pear Tree Diaries?

Pear Tree Diaries was launched in June 2012 as a

Q. Which aspect of food blogging do you admire the most?

I enjoy sharing my dining experience, true to my taste buds and the overall uniqueness of a dish or cuisine relished. The blog has opened many doors that have helped shed a light on the various food related scenesand activities present and yet to be introduced in U.A.E.

Q. Is there a difference between normal photography and food photography? Would you like to share a few of your tips?

Yes, there is a difference, as natural light works best with food photography

capturing the ideal colors and presentation of the dish. Weak lighting, shadows, and flash alter the perception and eventual look of the food, leaving a poorimpression to the eye of the beholder. Ideally, food photography should tempt and create a need to have the dish at the first glance.

Foodpresentation and lighting arekey in my opinion.

Q. Any short or long term goals?

Q. How important is it for a blogger to interact with readers? Had any funny incidents so far?

I enjoy my fair share of interactiononmy dedicated social media platforms, mainly Twitter and Instagram, as I am frequentlyquestioned for suggestions on “where to dine out?” or asked for my opinions of various venues. All of which I am glad to share and so far, have turned out to be ideal suggestions.

Q. Are there any particular things that you like or dislike about the food blogosphere?

A few, but mainly, publishedblog reviews should be true to the experience.

Eventually, I will work on adding more content to the travel section and branch out as my interest peaks as well as take into consideration the content that will grasp a reader’s attention. The website is forever growing, with my own tweaks and suggestions and from the blogs avid readers & well-wishers.

Q. Would you like to give any piece of advice or words of encouragement for a fresher who’s just starting out?

Before launching the blog, figure out the aim of the blog and the initial direction that you wish to pursue. Choose a blog name that relates to your personalitythat is easy to rememberyet a name that stands out. Most importantly, dedicate time and remain true to the ideals of blogging.

“Jasmine Pereira, born and raised in Dubai, U.A.E, is an environmentalist by profession and a food writer and enthusiast by passion. Her blog, Pear Tree Diaries, launched in June 2012 as an independent restaurant review, suggestion, recipe share, along with occasional insight into travel and hospitality website based in U.A.E.” 12 Fine Living Magazine

PRODUCT REVIEW

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INTERVIEW

Interview with

Logan Junior Chef received a ranking of number 6 in my city, and that made it even more fun.

Q: Did you ever think that you would be so successful at blogging when you started?

No, I had no idea what a blog was, to be honest, but after I joined Urbanspoon and could see the countries reading my blog, it really was fascinating. For a long time, the country of Moldova was the leader of my page views.

Q: The photos of your recipes are one of the highlights of your blog. What are the elements that go into each photo?

I take most of the photos myself; it is part of the fun. I am looking to present the food in the best light and to highlight it. I also try for something edgy to keep my readers’ attention.

Q: Do you promote your blog?

How important is traffic to you?

I used to just link into UrbanSpoon, but now I link out to Zomato, and I joined Tabelog. I think of it as the backbone of my social media. Traffic is, of course, very important. I also use my social media profiles to promote my blog.

Q: Are your blog posts impromptu or does a certain amount of planning go into them?

Q: When and why did you start blogging at your website OrderupwithLogan.blogspot. com?

As a homeschooler in third grade, I hated to write. But one day, my Dad suggested that I start a food blog

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and review restaurants. I loved pretending to be a food critic, so I followed his advice. My Blog has been up for 6 years. There was a time when I wanted to quit, but when the blog was added to Urbanspoon, things started to get exciting. I

There is some planning. I pay attention to what is going on in my city and share my personal adventures. It gets a bit much to keep it going. Blogging is really hard work.

Q: Do you try out interesting dishes that you come across

INTERVIEW in restaurants when you go for reviews?

Yes, I also want to hit the food I enjoy, too. But sometimes you can’t resist the house special or an extra item. It makes it more fun to eat out, but it can also make it more work. So there has to be a balance.

Q: Let’s wrap up the interview with a few quick questions1. Favorite savory ingredient to cook with Thyme 2. Favorite sweet ingredient to cook with Chocolate

Q: Have there been any mistakes along the way that you have learnt from?

No one wants to be criticized by a kid, so I have to be careful on how I word any critique. Also, I have learned if I really hate the food, I just don’t write the blog post about my visit. My blog has power and can affect someone’s business, so it is a big responsibility.

I have to be fair.

Q: Out of all the methods of cooking, which is your personal favorite?

I love a perfect pan sear. I know how to sous vide, smoke food, braise, roast, poach, but the pan sear is elegant.

Q: Tell us about an instance when you surprised your family with a really well turned out dish.

I went to a sale and got a mini food processor, I came home and scrounged through the fridge and found some olives from the olive bar, roasted garlic, and oil soaked feta cheese. I pureed these with fresh parsley and covered a pork loin, and grilled it. The cheese made this amazing coating and it was just fantastic. My Dad loved it! It was so good, it got included in a cookbook about kid chefs.

3. When I’m feeling lazy I cook…

Ramen noodles 4. My pick me up dish Chicken noodle soup, homemade from scratch.

5. Favorite dish not cooked by me Mama’s cheesecake or potato pancakes

Q: What do you do when you are not cooking or blogging?

I have my schoolwork, and I am also involved in Boy Scouts, Climbing, and I love playing video games. I mean, I am just a kid.

Q: Which other blogs do you follow?

Really, I don’t follow any.

Q: What advice would you like to give to people who want to start blogging?

Blogging is hard work. If you think you can just start and not commit the time, then your blog will be a forgotten pen pal. It requires care and constant content. You have to be focused, so good luck and keep writing.

Blog: www.orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com Instagram: instagram.com Logan.Jr.Chef YouTube: youtube.com/c/JuniorChefLogan Facebook: facebook.com/LoganJuniorChef Twitter: twitter.com/LoganJrChef LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/LoganJrChef YouTube (Subscribe): tinyurl.com/ojtd2vg

6. For a romantic meal I would want to eat Crab or steak 7. On a winter evening I would cook/eat Beef stew 8. One cuisine you can live on Asian

9. One recipe you want to pass on I don’t really have one, maybe the next one I create.

10. Favorite Color Blue

11. Favorite Movie The Matrix

12. TV Show Old Cosmos with Carl Sagan

13. Favorite Book Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card 14. Favorite Time of Day Night 15. Your Zodiac Sign Leo 16. My Social Media

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Q&A

INTERVIEW

1

Cailin Koy

What is that differentiates your style from other personal style bloggers?

fashionable. Remember, Jackie was the fashion plate, not Marilyn.

8

Do you have any favorite moments or looks?

My style is highly classic, reverent of the style queens of the past like Audrey Hepburn, but it has a sense of humor as well. In essence, it isn't afraid to be fabulous.

I still can't get over Taylor Swift in Elie Saab at the Grammys. If anyone can top that in 2016, it'll be a good year.

2

What has been your inspiration to start your blog – sassydove.com?

9

What new pieces have you picked up for fall that we haven't seen on the blog yet?

Sassy Dove is my second website, and in creating it, I really wanted to make something reflective of who I am inside. I'm literally incapable of not making jokes, so I needed a virtual avatar that was as tongue-incheek as I am.

3

Can you tell us a few of your favorite boutiques that you visit in your area?

I'm very into vintage clothing, so resale shops are key. Turn Styles consignment shop is a popular local pick, and I also love shopping the collections of the local designers featured at Phoenix Fashion Week like Hues of Ego and Clutch Jewelry.

4

We would like to know more about your favorite outfit that you've posted recently?

I got the most fabulous piece from Shabby Apple - their Nutcracker dress - and it made THE perfect holiday party dress. I loved that I could style it down with booties and give it a little kitsch and attitude that took it 16 Fine Living Magazine

beyond the typical party dress.

I've definitely been considering opening my I’m literally In your own boutique, incapable of not opinion, making jokes, but who knows what so I needed a what the future should a girl virtual avatar holds; I know look for to get that was as many girls would tongue-in-cheek the most out of connect with as I am. her budget? the classically The classic advice inspired, truly works: coquettish invest in versatile classics, go pieces I've got in mind. cheap on trends. And ditch substandard dupes of your What trends do you favorite pieces; since they're like and dislike the similar to something we most? love, we tend to be fond of I love that scarves, hats, and them, but it's better to stick the 90s look have all made with the real deal. a comeback. I'm not into bodycon anything. Bodycon What are you does not look fashionable on planning to do in anyone unless they have zero next 5 years? If you body fat. A single curve puts open a boutique in near it over the border of toofuture, what kind of styles can we expect? sexy, and too sexy is never

5

7

6

I have some sequined looks that I'm still fine-tuning the styles on; my newest feature is "Break Every Rule" where I'm going to show readers how every fashion faux pas can actually become a "do." I guess I’m doing this because so many of my newest pieces are so-called "don'ts."

10

Would you like to give any piece of advice or words of encouragement for a fresher who’s just starting out?

Be fearlessly you, because let's face it - we've seen everyone else.

Cailin Koy is a renowned blogger and author who has been blogging since 2008 and has written over 2,000 articles and published 3 books. She's been featured in national brand ad campaigns, traveled internationally with her blog, and interviewed numerous celebrities and public figures.

In her spare time, she likes learning Spanish and trying to pronounce the names of wine.

PRODUCT REVIEW

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HAIR AND STYLE

& Makeup HAIR

W

ith the onset of the New Year, hair and makeup trends across the globe have undergone drastic changes. However, you need not worry as we bring to you some of the hottest hair and makeup trends for spring 2016.

If you want some edgy, bold eye makeup, go for the blue-eyed look this spring. You might think that blue is not the right color for spring, but that is the surprise of this year’s trends.

If blue is too edgy for you, Chloe confirms that black charcoal liners will definitely rule the ramp this season.

Keep your entire look natural and add that grungy vibe to your eyes only!

Some of the eye shadow shades that are trending in spring 2016 are turquoise, white, cyan, and yellow.

Hairstyles will bring in a lot of variety this spring. While childhood pigtails are in, they can be given a lot of variation to experiment with the look. You can try joining the pigtails at the back or curling them overhead. You could also try a more regal look with your pigtails 18 Fine Living Magazine

by decorating them with ornate head accessories.

The classic technique of braiding is in this season. All across the globe, be it Paris, Milan or Dubai, makeup artists focused a lot on the braid and its variations.

The out of pool hair or the wetlook hair is also trending this season.

Combine the two to get a really sleek and modern look. You can do this by applying lots of gel through the braiding sections to get the wet-wavy look right on your head.

Another trend that you will love sporting this spring is the one created by makeup artist Lucia Pieroni. Faux freckles created using shades of oak for the lips and coffee for the eyes.

If you are worried about lip color trends - the good news is red is the star color for the season. Make it fun, flirty, romantic, sensual or classy. The choice is yours!

For those girls who love the ‘boy look’- the tomboyish 80s look is back this spring. It is easy to get this look and with the right outfit, you could be the central point of attraction.

HAIR AND STYLE

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INTERVIEW

“

Some of my favorite products are Anastasia Beverly Hills Dibrow for perfect brows, Oxygenetix foundation is my savior – this is the ultimate flawless foundation that is actually good for your skin! Charlotte Tilbury lip liner in Iconic Nude – the perfect nude that reshapes your lips without looking like you’re wearing lip liner. MAC mineralize charged water – I love this spray, it keeps my skin hydrated and prevents my makeup from looking too powdery.

“

INTERVIEW WITH

1

NINAUBHI

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INTO THIS PROFESSION AND HOW DID IT ALL START?

I have been in the beauty industry for around 15 years. When I was 16 and at school, I was approached by a magazine to model for them.

I modeled for around a year doing shoots and bridal shows, but I was always the model who would sneak off to adjust my makeup because I never liked how the makeup artists did my eyebrows and lips. It got to the point where other models would ask me to also change their makeup! I then realized that I had more interest in makeup than modeling and decided to quit modeling to work backstage and develop my creativity. I started out working at various leading beauty houses such as Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, Kanebo, Aveda, etc.

I didn’t agree with the stereotypical makeup application and soon realized that I needed to be free enough to be as creative as I wanted so decided to go freelance as a makeup artist. I am a self-taught hair and makeup artist, and I believe my years of experience in the 20 Fine Living Magazine

industry reflect this. It was extremely hard to justify myself as a makeup artist when I had no portfolio or training from a makeup school, so I decided to teach myself basic photography, lighting, and styling.

I bought my first basic SLR and asked a pretty upcoming model to model for me. My first ever portfolio images were photographed, edited, and styled by me. They are sentimental to me

and I’m extremely proud of them, so I still have them up on my website after all these years! I approached the UK’s first Asian fashion and beauty magazine Asian Woman Magazine and Asian Bride Magazine to see if they would allow me to do makeup for some shoots. I even told them I wouldn’t take payment as I needed the experience.

Thankfully they agreed, I eventually became their inhouse hair and makeup artist working on all their shoots and covers. They then offered me the position of Beauty Editor, which then lead me to expand my career into beauty journalism. I’ve had the privilege of beautifying many celebrities and interviewing beauty icons such as Laura Mercier and many more.

I’ve since become the leading makeup artist in the UK known for my signature brows and contouring. I decided that I didn’t want to keep my skills all to myself, so I started training people who wanted to become makeup artists.

My work is now regularly featured in the UK’s leading publication Asiana

INTERVIEW Magazine, and I have creatively produced the hair and makeup for the UK’s leading bridal exhibition catwalks.

I am now based in Dubai and in the process of expanding my business out here as a hair and makeup artist and educator.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT YOUR VENTURE – NINA UBHI BEAUTY & HAIR INSTITUTE? I developed my brand the Nina Ubhi Beauty & Hair Institute (which abbreviated spells N.UBHI) with my husband who is a wealth manager here in Dubai. He is my partner in business as well as life. I started my venture when I started offering training courses in hair and makeup. I offer various courses of which the most popular are my 1-day masterclass for anyone wanting to learn self-application or for makeup artists wanting to refresh their skills and my 5-day intensive course, which includes a photo shoot for any aspiring hair and makeup artists, perfect for kick-starting your career.

Having taught over 3000 students, I felt it was time to expand. I launched a creative management agency that offers hair and makeup artists nationwide in the UK all of whom have been extensively trained by me and hand selected to represent my brand in the UK. I run my agency remotely from Dubai meaning my business keeps running in the UK while I am based out here in Dubai, where I am also expanding my brand.

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WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?

I don’t have just one big inspiration.

There are a few women who inspire me in different ways, Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath, and Huda Kattan all inspire me in their own ways.

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WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR DREAM JOB, IF YOU WERE NOT A MAKEUP ARTIST?

My second creative love and passion is baking! I have always said that if I weren’t a makeup artist, I would be a chef or baker. I love cooking and baking.

My specialties are roasts, lasagna,

cheesecakes, sponge cakes, and muffins!

Wholesome food is my all-time favorite, I love the satisfaction I get from seeing people enjoy my food.

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ACCORDING TO YOU, WHAT ARE THOSE THREE THINGS A GIRL NEEDS IN HER MAKEUP BAG? Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, Benefit Rollerlash Mascara, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner in Iconic Nude.

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WHAT ARE THE COMMON MISTAKES YOU HAVE NOTICED THAT A WOMAN WOULD MAKE ON HER MAKEUP? Brows are so important as they frame the face and sometimes all you need are good brows and you can keep everything else simple. I’ve seen many women who either darken their brows too much, put the wrong color on their brows, over plucked or have too much of a big gap between both brows.

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CURRENTLY, WHICH MAKEUP TREND DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHAT ONE TREND DON’T YOU LIKE SO MUCH?

I’m loving the fact that Red lips are back on trend! I like to mix it up a little by adding some Orange in the center to brighten up a Red lip. I’ll be teaming it up with wet look hair this season. I’m not a fan of the Electric Blue eyeshadow, so I think I’ll be steering clear of that one.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS YOU USE?

Some of my favorite products are Anastasia Beverly Hills Dibrow for perfect brows, Oxygenetix foundation is my savior – this is the ultimate flawless foundation that is actually good for your skin! Charlotte Tilbury lip liner in Iconic Nude – the perfect nude that reshapes your lips without looking like you’re wearing lip liner. MAC mineralize

charged water – I love this spray, it keeps my skin hydrated and prevents my makeup from looking too powdery.

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WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE LOOKS FOR THIS SEASON?

I’m excited that Red lips, lashes, and the bronzed makeup are back in town.

I’m a fan of all three, so I’m looking forward to playing around with these trends. Louis Vuitton, Marni, and Chloe showcased some amazing looks on the runway reflecting these trends.

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CAN YOU NAME A FEW, WHOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET IN YOUR CHAIR?

Lilly Ghalichi, Shereen Mitwali, Mariam Rod, and Huda Kattan.

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WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST HURDLE YOU FACED IN YOUR CAREER AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?

In business there are always hurdles and challenges, so it’s difficult to pinpoint just one. Every day brings new challenges especially as I run the UK side of my business remotely. It can be difficult when I am not physically there to resolve things, but thankfully, I have an amazing team back in the UK. I fly back to the UK for a week every few months to fit in a training course and for my elite clientele, so this in itself is a challenge due to all the traveling on a regular basis. I think if you don’t have hurdles in life then it’s hard to evolve and grow as a person, this goes for business too. Experience is priceless. •

Nina Ubhi Dubai based hair & makeup artist, beauty educator, and expert: Web: www.ninaubhi.com Instagram: @ninaubhi FB: www.facebook.com/ninaubhimua

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HOME AND FURNITURE

INDOOR FURNITURE TRENDS Working from home is becoming more and more popular because of the internet. Because of this, office furniture has also become more important to the average person. Here are a few tips for your home office.

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First of all, you will need a desk with a computer, let us first assume that you already have a computer. The average office desk sold at IKEA is about 900 Dhs. If you want a good desk, then they are usually sold for around 1,500 Dhs.

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With every office desk, you will need a comfortable chair as well.

Currently, the trending chairs are the

Swivel Chair, and they are sold at IKEA for around 300 Dhs. You don’t want it to be too comfortable because if it is, then you will not get much work done.

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Another helpful piece of furniture is a Filing Cabinet. The apparent reason why you would want one is to keep files and records for business use.

Usually, the cheapest filing cabinets are sold for less than 400 Dhs while the

more expensive cabinets are sold for around 3,000 Dhs.

Other suitable storage and paper organization pieces are boxsets and they usually sell for around 30 Dhs for a 2 pack.

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Of course, with every office, you need a mini-fridge for refreshments.

I would expect to pay around 1,500 Dhs for one.

These four things are the primary components of any home office, aside from your tech devices. There are, of course, other accessories that could be used to make organization easier. If you run a type of home office that requires meetings, it would be wise to include a sofa or conference table. Couches for offices sell for around 200 Dhs while conference tables and chairs are available for around 1,000 for the table and close to 150 Dhs for chairs.

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HOME AND FURNITURE

LIVING ROOM ADVICE A common problem around the world is pets causing allergies. To help combat allergies, it helps not to have carpet in some rooms. For those with allergies, having a living room with a wooden floor is far better; it will make it easier to sweep up after the family pet and cause less of a reaction in the guests. If not wood then it would be best to have tile or concrete. Pinterest has a variety of good ideas on how to make your floor stand out to your visitors.

Having a leather couch is a great addition as well. Hair and dander do not linger in the space and it is easier to clean as well. IKEA has the average priced leather sofa costing around 4,000 Dhs. A very popular brand of sofa is by Landskrona; their average price sofa is

around 3,500 Dhs. In the living room, a much-needed piece of furniture is the Coffee Table.

Expect to pay around 500 Dhs for a good one. You can find them cheaper though, if you look around.

Another important addition to any living room is the TV stand. There are several good reasons why you should buy one.

1. You can store things inside of the stand.

2. It holds your TV and other devices.

3. It adds, even more, beauty to your living room.

The most common brand that can be found is Besta, and they have several different styles at an IKEA near you. The most expensive can be found around 3,000 Dhs, and the cheapest is close to 400 Dhs. For this item,

it seems that the more expensive, the more storage space in the cabinets there are. And space can be used for holding CDs, DVDs, video games.

To add more storage space, a bookshelf can be found at IKEA. The most expensive bookcase is around 5,000 Dhs while the cheapest is found for around 150 Dhs. This is a similar case with the TV stand, the more expensive, the more shelves there are for book storage.

A big tip when it comes to looking for the right furniture is to look for matching colors and materials.

Sometimes it is best to have the same brand for every piece of furniture.

When buying leather couches, I would recommend buying black leather because it will match with whatever else you have in the room. Leather is easier to clean, just like the wooden floors.

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HOME AND FURNITURE

OUTDOOR FURNITURE TRENDS With every outdoor garden, a good set of lights is needed to make sure that your garden stands out at night. To do this is simple and can be done by yourself with no help. There are solar lights that can be purchased either online or at an IKEA. These solar lights will help save energy and light your walking path through the night. It would be best to place each light about 1-2 meters apart. These lights will help you see the beauty of your backyard even at night.

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Enjoy yourself on an outdoor furniture set. Relax by your pool or garden in a rocking chair, 530 Dhs, or a sun lounger. Both are great additions to yards in a beige color. Of course, if you have two posts or trees it is great to relax in a nice comfortable hammock.

IKEA has a green one to match your garden for only 130 Dhs. This hammock comes with hooks and can be easily set up if a hammock stand is added.

The Hammock is 265 centimeters long and can easily carry up to 120 kilograms. It is recommended to have an approximate distance of 3 meters between trees or poles. This makes your garden a great place to relax with a loved one and an excellent book to read in a beautiful garden.

An outdoor sofa is sold for 2,000 Dhs or more for a good set, but you would want to buy a covering to keep it protected outside against the elements.

You can purchase a parasol and a wind/sun shield for around 625 Dhs altogether. The shield would have to be taken down when there are heavy winds, and the furniture would need to be secured in place as well.

If you live in an apartment, you can decorate the balcony (if you have one).

This can be easily done by adding a table and chair set. But first, you will need to know how much space you have available.

The average price for a table and chair set is around 800 Dhs at IKEA.

HOME AND FURNITURE

GARDENING Whether you live in an apartment or a house, one thing needed to add beauty is a garden. It is a little bit harder to try growing a garden in an apartment, but it is not impossible. If you live in an apartment, it is easy to set up a small terrarium. This little version of a garden is created by planting a miniature garden in a jar. It gives just the right amount of green and can be placed anywhere in the home. They are perfect and only require a small amount of tender loving care. If you want a plant that needs more attention,

it is not hard to buy a hook, rope, and pot with soil along with a plant to grow. These types of projects tend to be a little messier and tend to be better done on a balcony.

For the homeowner, you have an entire backyard to plant and decorate, but first you need a good irrigation system set up to save energy.

Once you have an irrigation system installed, you need to plant seeds and already grown plants if you want to.

A big recommendation is to plant an aloe vera plant somewhere, whether in a pot or the ground. Aloe is one of nature’s best healers for a variety of

things including sunburns, scars, and scratches. They do not need much work to keep alive either.

Think symmetrical; this will make your garden more appealing to the eyes.

Another type of garden that can be planted aside from one for beauty is a vegetable garden. There are a variety of plants that can grow in different environments, but first you need to make sure that your ground is fresh for growing by adding ashes, mulch, or anything that adds nutrition to plants.

By adding nutrients, you will be able to grow vegetables for a long time.

DIY (Do It Yourself) Irrigation System 1. Dig trenches. Keep the trenches straight and all connected to a central water source.

2. When laying the pipe make sure that there is nothing obstructing the paths.

3. Set up the corners with the correctly angled waterspouts that will cover the most area.

4. Fill in the holes.

5. Test

This is clearly is easier said than done. It will take a lot of work to complete, but once it is done, it will help save a lot of energy and time when watering the garden.

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HOME AND FURNITURE

Homemade Refrigerator It is not a big refrigerator, but it will help save money and energy when it comes to storing vegetables or drinks.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Get two pots of different size, about 10-20 cm in diameter.

Place the smaller bowl in the bigger one.

Add soil to the larger pot with the smaller pot still in. Make sure the rim of the smaller pot is still visible and not filled in with anything. The smaller bowl is the food storage area.

Keep the outer pot filled with water.

You will need a pot lid with an almost equal diameter to the smaller bowl.

This refrigerator works best in a shady area with enough wind hitting it. The wind and shade will cool the water that in turn will cool the inner pot with vegetables or refreshments. It is a perfect addition to the outside furniture, and it will help save a lot of energy for the family.

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Home Hacks 1.

Computer Fixes: When problems with computers happen it can cause a lot of stress. The first thing to recommend would be virus detection and removal. If that does not work, there is a program using too much CPU, this can be found in what is known as the task manager. Ending the program that is hogging bandwidth will help speed up the computer and end the problem.

If none of the above are found and your computer still crashes, then it could be overheating and can be fixed by cleaning out the fan area. By using a leaf blower, it can be cleaned out easily with no stress added.

2.

Unknown smells: This is one reason I recommend having wooden floors. The smells could be caused by something that is easily cleanable. Here are a few places to check. a) Refrigerator: The smell could be

b)

coming from perishable items that have expired in the fridge.

Laundry Area: If you have a pet, there is a big possibility that it could have made a mess on the laundry pile. In that case, you would need a special cleaning agent that not only gets rid of the odors but also gets rid of any enzymes left behind that would attract the animal to go there again.

These are the biggest places where the scent could exist. It can be easily avoided by cleaning regularly.

Home Remedies

What is a remedy? It is any household item that can solve a health problem.

If you have a cold, it can easily be repelled by drinking Lemon Zinger tea with honey. This unusual mix attacks the cold, and the honey soothes the throats.

PRODUCT REVIEW

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TRAVEL

TRAVEL GUIDE Historical Background of Japan and Tokyo

Japan is an island country located in Far East Asia situated in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of 6,852 islands, with the four biggest of them being Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku more than 97% of the country’s population reside on these four islands. The country itself was founded in 660 BC. Nowadays, Japan is one of the strongest countries around the world. It is a member of UN, G7, G8, and G20.

The center of the discussion will be on the capital city of Japan - Tokyo. Tokyo originates from the early XIII century when Tokyo was a small fishing village called Edo. The community developed in a very fast manner and by the 18th century, it had earned the status of being one of the largest cities in Japan. The city took the name of Tokyo in 1869 when young Emperor Meiji moved to Edo and renamed it to Tokyo which in The Japanese language means Eastern Capital.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN TOKYO

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. Thus, it is full of tourist attractions. In fact, if the author of this article were only briefly to describe all of them here it would take far too many pages (probably the amount of pages typical for an average book).

Thus only the most important of them are going to be briefly presented in this article. These are: 28 Fine Living Magazine

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TRAVEL you are a fan of the architecture or art, the Kabuki-Za Theatre is one place that should not be missed.

The National Art Center

The National Art Center is considered one of best museums in the World. Most notable is probably the fact that the museum contains over 600 paintings.

Most of them are from the 20th century and can be considered as important pieces of modern art. It is impressive that the museum opened in 2007 and already has gained an important position in the world. It is worth paying a visit to this place.

Shinjuku District

Shinjuku district encompasses an area of 50 square km and it is one of the wards in Tokyo. The question that might appear here is why this district of Japan is so important? The answer is very simple. The Shinjuku district is a place of “market” in Tokyo. The Shinjuku district is, in fact, one big marketplace where the customer can find just about everything. If something cannot be bought in Shinjuku district, then you are not going to buy it in any other place.

• Ginza District While Shinjuku is a marketplace of Tokyo, Ginza district can be compared to Times Square in New York. Not many people know, but many years ago, Ginza was a central hub where five ancient roads met to connect the major cities of Japan. It is a utopia for those who want to buy something or simply to take a walk. Something interesting is always happening in this one of many hearts of social life in Tokyo. Being in Tokyo and

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not visiting Ginza is like being in Rome and not visiting the Coliseum.

Asakusa and the Senso-Ji Temple

People familiar with the culture of Japan know that religion plays a huge role in their life. The most important symbol of religion in Japan is the Senso-Ji Temple. Dedicated to Kannon the Goddess of Compassion it was built in 645 AD. It is worth to note that the temple retains its original appearance.

Although rebuilt a few times during its history, the temple remains pretty much the same. The temple and the surrounding area (about 50 acres) is a big complex of the religious cult in Tokyo. There are two reasons why the Senso-Ji Temple is a visit you should not miss. Firstly, it is one of the most important Buddhist temples in the country. Secondly, it is a beautiful piece of medieval architecture.

Ueno Park and Zoo

Architecture, places of religious cult, shopping districts, imperial palaces.

Eventually, such a marathon is going to drain all strength from any tourist.

This is the moment when Ueno Park and the Zoo come in handy. Ueno Park is the largest park in the city. While not as big and famous as Central Park in New York, it is still an interesting place to visit. It covers an area of 212 acres. In the park itself, you can find Shinobazu Pond. Furthermore, the park is full of sculptures, shrines and temples. The most important one is Toshogu Shrine, which is filled with 256 lanterns.

This place is breathtakingly beautiful, especially at the night.

If you are looking for an alternative to the calm of the Ueno Park, the Zoo is a great option. Opened in 1882, the Tokyo Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It is particularly famous because of Pandas. The Aqua Zoo is also interesting.

Tokyo National Museum

If someone was to put out a statement that “It is it the biggest museum in Asia.” Then yes, he would be true.

Opened in 1938, the Tokyo National Museum contains pieces of art from such countries as Japan, China, and India. Nowadays, the whole collection presented in the Tokyo National Museum contains tens of thousands of exhibits. Some of them are dated to 6th and 7th century. However, tourists are going to find attractions from various periods of time.

The Tokyo Skytree

It is hard to visit Tokyo and omit this place. The Tokyo Skytree is the tallest building in Japan. This observation and communication tower is 634 metres tall. It is located in the Sumida district and was opened in 2012 and immediately gained popularity among tourists. No wonder, though, after all, it is the highest freestanding tower in the world. With beautiful restaurants and observation decks, visitors to the Tokyo Skytree can see the whole city.

Meiji Shrine

Meiji shrine is another beautiful architectural object that can be found in the Empire of Japan. At the same time,

TRAVEL

it is probably one of the newest among them. It was built for Emperor Meiji and his wife. The construction itself ended in 1926. It is one of the most important religious sites in Japan. It is surrounded by beautiful forest that is full of various species of trees and plants.

Akihabara Electric Town

Tokyo is an interesting city, where religion and medieval architecture works in perfect synergy with fast development and technology. Akihabara Electric Town is sort of a paradise for nerds - or to be more specific, for all people who are fans of technology. Here they can find thousands of shops; all of which contain devices like consoles, laptops, telephones and most importantly all of those peculiar devices that people in Japan produce. Tourists can communicate in English, German, French and many other languages while visiting Akihabara Electric Town because the staff can talk with customers in about twenty languages. Although they offer products from developers across Japan, here in Akihabara Electric Town you can find products from across the world. Thus, tourists should not be surprised if in Akihabara they find devices that were developed in other countries. One primary example might be the Pegasus console, that was produced by engineers in Poland in 1995.

Places to eat in Tokyo

In the city of Tokyo, there are many places where tourists can dine. All of the restaurants listed below are sorted by their overall grade starting from “weakest” up to the greatest. It should also be noted that all of the places presented in here have at least 4.5 grade out of 5.

• Citron (Minato District) • Teppan Baby (Shinjuku District) • Sushikatsu Ichibancho (Chiyoda) • Sushi Bar Yasuda (Minato) • Sushizanmai Tsukijiekimae (Chuo) • Gyuan (Chuo) • Le Chateau de Joel Robuchon (Meguro) • Narisawa (Minato) • Kyubey Main Restaurant (Chuo) • Fuunji (Shibuya) • Umegaoka Sushi No Midori Sohonten Shibuya (Shibuya) • Sawada, Ginza (Chuo) • Tsukiji Kiyomura Sushi-Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku (Shinjuku) • Ningyocho Imahan Shinjukudaiichiseimeibldg (Shinjuku) • Tonki (Meguro) • 35 Steps Bistro (Shibuya) • Ichiran, Shibuya (Shibuya) • Seamon (Chuo) • Il Butero (Shibuya) • Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511 (Minato) • Charcoal Cusine Kobe Beef Ikuta (Shibuya) • Tempra Kondo (Chyuo) • T;s TanTan Tokyostation (Chiyoda) • Sushidai (Chyuo) • Plate Tokyo (Minato) • Kaikaya (Shibuya) • Sushitomi (Chyuo) • Ishikawa (Shinjuku) • Yamazaki (Chyuo) • Annam Indian Restaurant Ginza (Chyuo) • Takazawa (Minato) • Cedros (Shibuya) • Tapas Molecular Bar (Chuo) Fine Living Magazine

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PRODUCT REVIEW

Places to Stay in Tokyo The places collected here are located in various districts with different prices.

Therefore, you can find something for yourself no matter how much money you have in your pocket.

All of these restaurants offer various types of food. Thus, if you do not like sushi, you do not have to eat it.

Choosing just one restaurant is hard.

However, the best restaurant in Tokyo is Takazawa in Minato district. Takazawa is a unique restaurant with just twenty places to sit in it. It is cameral but at the same time mystical and majestic. The food is quite expensive, but according to many tourists, it is the best in Tokyo.

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• Richmond Hotel Asakusa • Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi • Shiba Park Hotel • Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu • Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo • The Peninsula Tokyo • Mitsui Garden Hotel Yotsuya • Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Ginza • Hotel Villa Fontaine TokyoShiodome • Royal Park Hotel The Haneda • Hotel JAL City Tamachi Tokyo • Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station • The Westin Tokyo • Family Inn Saiko • Palace Hotel Tokyo • Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi

• The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo • Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills • Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo • Hotel New Otani Tokyo the Main • Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo • Hotel Niwa Tokyo • Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku • Park Hotel Tokyo • Hilton Tokyo • Mandarin Oriental Hotel

The best hotel out all of them is the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It is not too expensive and at the same time, it has so much to offer. It has excellent customer service, hygienic and beautiful rooms and to top it all off, it has a nice view of the city.

What to do in Tokyo

Luckily there are many things you can do in Tokyo, besides visiting tourist attractions. The very first thing is, for example, walking through the Tokyo Bay. Thanks to newly opened Dinosaur Bridge, you can go on a long walk. Here you will be amazed by the beautiful view of the bay.

If you are thinking mainly with your stomach, then Tsukiji Fish Market might be interesting. After all, it is world’s largest fish market. You can find the famous Fugu fish here. I wouldn’t recommend making it by yourself,

PRODUCT REVIEW though. If you are in Japan, you should also definitely watch sumo fights.

Especially, at the time of three grand tournaments in Tokyo. Trust me. It is the really interesting sport.

Another place that you should check out is Shibuya crossing. Yes, a normal crossing. Why? Because it is a famous Shibuya crossing. A center of living in Shibuya district and even maybe, all of Tokyo. Where else can you find a crossing with various shoppers, musicians, and couples, who decided to go for a romantic walk? Ebisu, on the other hand, is a place in which you can take a break from typical restaurants. A neighborhood with wheel carts offering various snacks? Sure.

One of the most interesting traits of people in Japan is their love for karaoke.

In almost every bar, you are going to find a place for karaoke. And trust me, if you are the newcomer you will be treated like a star. No matter if you are a good singer or a bad one. Having fun is the key here. Furthermore, Japanese people love American music, so don’t be surprised by finding them singing Guns N Roses, Billy Joel or Shakin Stevens.

On the other hand, if you want to buy something, then there is Daimaru department store. Luckily, the biggest department store in Tokyo is located near Tokyo Station. It is impossible to miss it. The place is full of various shops. The Kimono Shop is worth paying a visit. Though there is a huge

chance that prices of these products might result in a stroke.

These days, having a siesta in a capsule is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo. In the Ebisu district, you are going to find a hotel full of specific capsules (similar to the ones you can find in the movie Alien), and you can spend a night there. On the other hand, if you are a fan of retro consoles then there is the 8bit Cafe. This is an interesting where, as the name suggests, you

have the opportunity to play 8bit games on such consoles as Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis.

For book nerds, there is a Jimbocho Book Town. It is filled with books. In the whole place, you can find 10 million books of any type.

The amphibious bus should be big fun for children. After all, there are not many buses around the world that can swim through water. It is obvious that many people are going to be typical otaku who want to learn something about manga and anime. Nakano Broadway is a place where the whole otaku culture shines. A “must be” place for every fan of the anime culture.

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TRAVEL

Frequently Asked Question about visiting Tokyo Visiting Japan is quite a big thing, so this section contains frequently asked questions by people who are visiting Tokyo for the very first time.

• Do I have to know the Japanese language to move easily through Tokyo?

No. Most of the people in Tokyo know the English language. Thus, you can use it and do not need to worry about the fact that they are not going to understand you. Furthermore, in many of best restaurants, cafeterias, and bars you can communicate in other languages like French or German.

• When should I go to Tokyo?

In general, you can visit Tokyo whenever you want. However, the best events are between March and May.

• Does everyone in Tokyo speak English?

While most of the people in Tokyo are capable of communicating in the English language, still you can meet persons who won’t be able to talk to you in this language. It might be mildly annoying.

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• Am I going to be an attraction for citizens of Tokyo?

Well, let’s face it. You are not going to blend into the society of Tokyo. After all, you are not Asian. Well, in Tokyo, they are not going to react to your presence.

They don’t have to reason to. However, in smaller cities, you might be a sort of attraction.

• Should I choose a hotel or hostel?

Well, hotels are quite expensive, but I would not recommend hostels.

In Tokyo, you are going to find special hostels, which have average standards.

They are cheap, so I suggest that you go that route if you do not have enough money for a standard hotel.

• Do trains run 24 hours a day?

Unfortunately not. They stop running between midnight and 1 PM.

• Is it hard to pay with my credit card?

For many years, Tokyo was a rather cashed focused city. However, nowadays it is very easy to pay for almost everything with your credit card.

• I am worried that I might offend someone. What should I do?

Yes, this is a typical question. Tourists are afraid that they might easily offend someone in Japan. However, the people

of Japan give you some credit. Even if you are going to make something in a way in which you shouldn’t, still they are not going to react badly. Unless, of course, you did not do something offending like walking over tatami mats.

• Do I need a visa?

60 countries have an agreement with Japan. For these countries, you do not need a visa. For others, unfortunately, you need to have a visa.

• I can’t use chopsticks, what should I do?

This question is often asked by people who want to visit Tokyo. Let me clarify one thing. People in Japan also use forks and knives.

• Can I take photos of shrines and temples?

Nowadays there is a slight problem with that. In many places, you are going to find signs ‘no photography allowed’ and don’t you dare to break the rule.

Consequences might be severe.

PRODUCT REVIEW

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MOVIE REVIEW

MOVIES OF

2016 Introduction

The New Year has come. Movie fans are ready for anything the cinema wants to give them. With this in mind, we are going to describe movies that appeared in 2016.

These films are widely considered as the best ones so far. However, the final opinion is up to the reader.

50 SHADES OF BLACK Scary movie was a perfect parody of Scream. Space Balls in a perfect way makes fun of Star Wars and Naked Weapon with Leslie Nielsen is awesome when compared to Lethal Weapon. Such examples might be multiplied. However, the parody has been dead for many years.

Nevertheless, 50 Shades of Black is probably the most anticipated movie of this month.

Why? The main reason might be the fact that 50 Shades of Gray has as

many fans as enemies. Interested viewers of this upcoming release simply want to see a parody that is going to point out the most important problems connected with 50 Shades of Gray. Honestly, this task shouldn’t be too hard. After all, 50 Shades of Gray had its many flaws.

In this parody, Marlon Wayans plays the leading role of the protagonist, Christian Black. The success of the movie is going to depend wholly on his performance. While the movie critics haven’t had a chance to grade the film yet (it is still quite new), it is safe to assume that the ratings are going to be rather high.

SHERLOCK THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE Sherlock is probably one of the most important characters in the history of literature. Everyone knows Sherlock Holmes, his cigar, and his extraordinary abilities. For these reasons, countless films have been made about him and his adventures. Some of them were bad, others were good.

For this year, there is another Sherlock Holmes film to entertain the fans. This time entitled, Sherlock Holmes: the Abominable Bride. In this film, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are playing once again the roles of Watson and Holmes. Thus, it is no wonder that the film is so exciting for potential viewers. It is a good idea to check out the trailer. It is interesting and at the same time does not show too much of the plot of the movie. The movie itself is another substantial work of its director and actors. Good Sherlock Holmes movie.

Worth watching!

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MOVIE REVIEW about 200 people attempted the suicide.

Surprisingly there has never been a single attempt to create a movie about Aokighara. Until now.

THE REVENANT Another chance for Leonardo DiCaprio to win an Oscar? It might be. The Revenant is an adventure movie set in the 19th century and based on a true story. Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) was a fur trapper. At one point, Glass is mauled by a Grizzly Bear. And instead of helping him, his friends robbed him and left him for dead. Despite all odds, he was able to survive the harsh weather and his wounds. Once fully healed, he sets out to find revenge on the people whom he considered as his friends. The Revenant is interesting mainly because of its unlikely plot. The legend of Hugh Glass is a fascinating representation of the power of human spirit. This film’s depiction of Hugh Glass is a perfect example of pure male strength, making it a perfect film for men. Leonardo DiCaprio was chosen for this role. While some people think that Dwayne Johnson or Vin Diesel would fit this role better, for many Leonardo DiCaprio is a good choice. Well, he is a great actor. Maybe it is a chance for him to get an Oscar. After all, not without the reason, this movie is considered one of the best from January 2016. The grade of 81% on Tomatometer means quite a lot in this context.

THE FOREST

Aokighara is probably one of the weirdest places on the entire Earth. The forest is reportedly the most popular site for suicide in Japan and among the top three most popular sites for suicide in the world. Statistics vary, but there were around 30 suicides documented every year during the period leading up to 1988. Thus, the forest itself was called suicide forest. With each year, statistics grew worse and worse. In 2003, 105 bodies were found. In 2010,

The Forest is a psychological thriller that focuses on the story of the Sara (Natalie Dormer). In the story, Sara’s sister has mysteriously disappeared.

Despite all of warnings, she decides to enter the legendary suicide forest. Soon, she realizes that the secret behind the woods is going to affect her too. The plotline is fascinating for the audience.

People are probably going to seek this film out for the eerie climate of the forest joined with beautiful landscapes and climate of mystery. The problem is, however, that the director of this movie wanted to grasp too much of the content. Too many topics are touched

of the beautiful trailer. It seems that not all of demons that Streak sees are real.

It seems that the director wanted to create a movie that is going to play with the viewer. Surprisingly he was able to.

The film is not obvious, and it is hard to find what is real and what is fiction for the main character of the movie. What seems like a run of the mill horror film turns out to be an excellent psychological thriller. However, the last five minutes of the film are not as great as the rest of the film. Unfortunately, the director was not able to conclude this movie in a good way. Still it is worth seeing it and 80% on tomatoscore tends to agree with that.

JERUZALEM on. Thus, he fails to close all of the loose ends created by the plotlines within the story. That is why scores of the movie on rotten tomatoes are quite low, 40% out of 100. Still, I recommend watching this film because of the concept.

THE ABANDONED

Horror films are probably one of the most exciting genres of films. A vast diversity within the genre itself is making it so popular among the audience. The Abandoned is at first sight a typical horror film. The plot itself is rather pathetic. The story is about Streak (Louisa Krause) who is trying to get back to a normal life. She takes the job of a security guard on the graveyard shift in an abandoned apartment complex.

As always these types of movies, she is hanging out against the rules in the restricted area. Of course, this leads to mysterious events. As it can be seen, the plot is pretty typical. However, the audience is drawn to the movie because

The second and at the same time the last horror movie, which is going to appear in January of 2016. The plot of the movie focuses on two American girls who decided to visit the city of Jerusalem, where they meet a handsome student of anthropology. Suddenly they

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MOVIE REVIEW find themselves trapped in the middle of a biblical apocalypse.

The movie is mainly interesting because of the plotline. It covers the theme of biblical apocalypse. This is a unique film since everything is so politically correct nowadays. There are not too many people willing to make such movie. Thus, the director might be able to gain huge popularity or fail miserably with such a risky step.

KUNG FU PANDA 3

This film is a continuation of the Kung Fu Panda saga. This time the plot focuses on the father of Po, who suddenly reappears.

The film centers on the duo traveling to a mysterious panda paradise to settle a score with a few people. The main problem with animated series is the fact that usually, the third part of such series is the worst one. Many people from the audience were also afraid of how this installment would turn out. However, Kung Fu Panda is an excellent series. For this reason, we think it is worth taking the risk. It is going to be worth seeing this movie. The movie has just appeared in the cinema and the tomatometer scores have not yet been published.

IP MAN 3

Donnie Yen. For people familiar with Asian cinema or with action movies, this name should sound familiar. He was responsible for choreography in such cinema classics like Blade. He is also a great actor by himself. One of his most

DEADPOOL Probably, the most important premiere of the year. Ever since the film has been mentioned, fans have gone nuts. Nowadays, Deadpool is probably one of the most popular comic heroes. Breaking the fourth wall, overall sarcastic, and a simply lovely character. However, the movie itself is gearing up to be the premiere of the year. The trailer was great, and it turns out that the movie is going to be R-rated. In the case of such character like Deadpool, it is critical. PG-13 simply wouldn’t work in case of a movie like Deadpool. The

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notable movies is IP Man. This January another movie from this series is going to appear.

It is designed specifically for fans of fighting movies.

Donnie Yen is still in great shape, despite having aged over the years.

RIDE ALONG 2

It was quite a long time since Ice Cube played in a movie. This time, he is going to be working alongside Kevin Hart. The plot of the movie is simple and can fit into one simple sentence. A secondgrade teacher has to deal with his wife’s cop brother.

This simple plot provides the audience with various interesting comedic moments.

Anyways, this movie is so popular among the audience mainly because of the appearance of Ice Cube that it is worth watching. story itself follows the plot of the comic.

Mercenary Wade Wilson is a victim of a rouge experiment. After this, Wade realizes that he has new, healing powers (and many other abilities). He creates his alter ego, Deadpool, to hunt down the person responsible for destroying his life. The actor chosen for the role of Deadpool is Ryan Reynolds. The role requires quite a hard task as the role of such a charismatic person as Deadpool is problematic. However, judging by the trailers, Reynolds can handle this role. If both the director and actor are going to handle this, then the movie might be the best in the year of 2016.

MOVIE REVIEW

UPCOMING MOVIES PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

There is a thin line between horror and comedy. There are many movies that are able to be both scary and funny at the same time like Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead, and Braindead. However, the majority of these films have failed. Seems that Burr Steers is going to take a shot at this hard topic. “Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies� has a similar title to the phenomenal book written by Jane Austin.

Well, that is because it is the story of the book itself. However, slightly altered.

This time, the main protagonists not only have to deal with the problem of class segregation and banned love but they also have to deal with a horde of zombies, hungry for their brains. Interesting idea that might become an awesome fusion of horror and comedy. On the other hand, it might be a complete flop. Whatever the final outcome, it does not change the fact that people are waiting for this movie.

GODS OF EGYPT

Nowadays, mythological movies are quite popular, if you judge based on how many of them have appeared in the last few years. This time, the movie is going to touch on the mythology of Egypt. It is quite interesting because this theme is rarely presented in the cinema. The plot is simple. Bek and Horus try to fight with Set, who wants to destroy Egypt and the other

gods. That is the whole plot. It might be a good action movie if it is handled properly. We are going to find out soon enough.

SOUTHBOUND

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: SWORD OF DESTINY

This movie is the most important premiere for fans of horror films.

Southbound is not your typical horror movie in the context of plot. The film contains five stories set on desolate stretches of a desert highway. Two men on the run from their past, a band on its way to a gig, a man struggling to get home, a brother who is looking for his sister, and the final story is about a family on the vacation. Five separate stories.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was one of the most important action movies in the world. A real gem! Thus, it is not a surprise that someone decided to make another part of this movie series. The new movie is similar to the previous one.

This time, however, Donnie Yen is going to play the role of main protagonist.

The Green Destiny sword is stolen. It is up to Yu Shu-Lien and Gray Wolf to find the sword. Following the original will be a hard task for this movie. However, Donnie Yen might be able to pull this off.

The question that the viewer is going to ask is: What is the main link between them? It is relatively straightforward.

In this weird place, they will be forced to deal with the ghosts of their past and their own fears. This horror movie is mainly interesting because of its plotline.

However, it might also be another generic horror flick.

CABIN FEVER REMAKE

A lot of people are quite curious about this movie. Cabin Fever is not an old movie.

It was released in the year of 2002 by Eli Roth. While not a great flick, it still was a decent production. It presented an interesting disease while using the same, old history of teenagers in woods.

However, it was literally butchered by another part of the series. Each one of them was more and more stupid than the previous one. That is why it is so surprising that someone actually decided to make another film of the series. Even more interesting is the fact that it is the remake of the first Cabin Fever. It follows pretty much the same plot. The only difference is slightly changed characters and a few different scenes.

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MOVIE REVIEW Winslet. It might be interesting movie if executed properly.

WE ARE TWISTED FUCKING SISTER Twisted Sister is a legendary rock band who was very popular in the 80s and early 90s. The movie is a sort of biography of the band itself.

It is a never before told story, about 10 amazing years of the band. It is an interesting movie, especially for fans of the band. However, it might lack popularity among the majority of filmgoers. Still, it is worth seeing if you are a fan of this band or Rock music history in general.

on the character of Jesus or people who stood by his side. This time, the story will be told from eyes of nonbeliever, Clavius. Clavius is a high-ranking Royal Military Tribune. Together with his aide Lucius, he was send to Pilate on the grave of Jesus. He was supposed to protect the body from being stolen.

When the body went missing, he was forced to search for it in order to stop the uprising in Jerusalem. Risen touches on a very interesting theme from a different angle. Instead of focusing on

These are a select few of the movie premieres However, it should be noted that these are only a few premiers that will be appearing in theaters next month. In total there are a few dozen films being released. So it is always a good idea to check out the films being shown in your area.

CONCLUSION

the character of Jesus or his followers, it tries to show the reactions of people, who did not believe in Messiah. If theme is covered properly, then it might be a great religious movie

TRIPLE 9 RISEN Religious themes are not too often chosen by filmmakers. The reason behind that is the fact that the topic itself is rather hard. It is very easy to offend religious people, thus the game is not always worth of the risk.

However, Paul Aiello still decided to make a movie that touches on the theme of the Christianity. The history itself focuses on the death and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This time though, the topic is not going to focus

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Another interesting premiere is a criminal movie, Triple 9. The plot of the movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. A crew of dirty cops is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. They have only one chance to pull this trick off. They have to make a 999 police code, which means officer down. The plan ultimately backfires when the rookie, who was set up for this sacrifice, is not killed. The movie is filled with double crossing, action, and male drama. It might be an interesting movie for people looking for a good action flick. In the main roles, you are going to see such actors like Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, and Kate

It seems that January 2016 was an exciting month in the context of movies. The Revenant stole the spot of the best movie of January 2016 with its great plot. Once again, Leonardo DiCaprio has knocked it out of the park with exceptional skill and dedication to his craft. His role of Hugh Glass has been hailed as simply perfect. He was able to show what a person of mettle is capable off.

Barely alive and on a quest on revenge. His character is real.

February of 2016 is going to be an awesome month for movie fans. While most of us are waiting for DeadPool, which is the most anticipated movie of 2016, still February has so much to offer.

Probably the most interesting among all of these movies is Southbound. Touching an interesting theme of dealing with the spirits of the past. Another interesting premiere might be the film, Triple 9. An action movie with such an interesting theme is going to draw a lot of people to the cinema. However, it has to be executed properly.

PRODUCT REVIEW

refreshingly different Cordials, presses and world domaine

AVAILABLE AT Fine Living Magazine

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HEALTH & FITNESS

GOOD HEALTH Health, that word means so much to people. Nowadays, everyone is incredibly focused on taking care of everything connected with his or her health. Washing their hands after every meal, using anti-bacterial products all the time. But at the same, it is surprising how little we truly know about health. Ask yourself, what are you supposed to eat, how much should you exercise per day, what vitamins should you take? Most people do not know the answer to these questions.

Healthy Recipes These are not only a good choice for people who want to go on a diet but also for those of you who have problems with health.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Salsa Spaghetti Easy and fast to make! It is a great dish for when you are working and do not have time for complicated cooking. For this dish, you are going to need: • 320 g of dried spaghetti

• • • • • • •

600 g mixed ripe tomatoes 12 black olives One bunch of fresh basil One clove of garlic Extra virgin olive oil Two Tbs. of red wine vinegar 20 g of hard Italian cheese

To make this dish, you just need to cook the spaghetti until al dente (8-10 minutes), chop everything up and throw it in a pile. The last step is pouring vinegar over everything and putting a few basil leaves, tada! Dinner is ready in 15 minutes. With only 400 calories it is going to be great for you.

Chickpea Curry It is a perfect snack that you can make in about 30 minutes. To make this dish, you are going to need: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 medium onions 400 g of canned chickpeas 1 or 2 fresh green chilies 2 Tbs. of sunflower oil 1 tsp. of mustard seeds Half tsp. of asafoetida 1/2c 400 g canned tomatoes 1 tsp. of red chili powder 1 tsp. turmeric 1 tsp. dhania jeera powder 1 tsp. sugar A few sprigs of fresh coriander ½ tsp. garam masala

1. First, you have to slice and peel the onions and green chillies and drain and rinse the chickpeas.

2. The next step is heating the oil in the saucepan over the medium heat.

3. Add mustard seeds, when they start to crack, add asafoetida.

4. Stir in the onions. Fry until onion turns golden around the edges.

5. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for another five minutes.

6. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for another five minutes.

7. The last step is to stir chickpeas into the pan, add 250 ml of water and cook for about seven minutes.

Snack is ready. The total amount of calories is 149.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Veggie Fish Finger Sandwiches • • • • • • •

Do you need a healthy breakfast? Well, I have something for you. A perfect dish.

300 g leftover mash 6 spring onions Olive oil 100 g fresh breadcrumbs 50 g sweet corn kernels 50 g fresh peas 50 g leftover cooked vegetables

You can choose to add whatever you like. I choose: • Broccoli • ½ lemon • 4 Tbs. plain flour • ½ tsp. sweet smoked paprika • 3 large free-range eggs • 1 soft rounded lettuce head • 2 tablespoons free range mayonnaise • 2 Tbs. Greek-style yogurt • 6 soft bread rolls

Apple Banana Smoothie It is my favourite health recipe presented here. Though, maybe it is because I simply love and admire bananas? It can be made in 5 minutes and it is both refreshing and tasty.

For this dish, you are going to need only four things.

• 1 frozen banana

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• ½ cup orange juice • 1 gala apple • ¼ cup of milk

You are also going to need a blender. First, you have to chop and peel the banana and apple.

You just throw it all into the blender and mix it. It has only 132 calories. Personally, I have made this smoothie thousands of times. Always tastes great.

1. The first step is to preheat the oven to its lowest temperature.

2. Place the mash in the bowl, slice the onions.

3. Set the medium saucepan over medium heat.

4. Add a little spoon of oil and onion.

5. Cook for ten minutes.

6. Spread breadcrumbs on a baking tray.

7. Bake in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes.

8. Raise the temperature of the oven to 200°C. 9. Add the onion to the food processor, with corn and other vegetables. Remove the leave of parsley from the stems; add the leaves to the processor.

10. Pulse it to combine the ingredients.

11. Scrape the mixture into the bowl with potato. Mix it together.

12. Next step is to season it with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.

13. Add the lemon zest. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

14. Divide the mixture into twelve sections.

15. Roll each section into a ball.

16. Place it on the tray and place in the fridge for ten minutes.

17. Tip the flour into a shallow bowl and mix the paprika.

18. Crack the eggs into another bowl and whisk them.

19. Tip breadcrumbs into another bowl. Take the mixture from the fridge.

20. Coat it with flour, dip in the egg mixture, and roll into the breadcrumbs.

21. Bake it for about fifteen minutes.

22. Prepare the lettuce and mix of mayonnaise and yogurt.

It will take approximately 55 minutes to make it.

These are three easy to make healthy dishes, which are relatively cheap, and most important of all, they are good for your health.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Exercise of the Month This month, we are going to talk about yoga and meditation techniques. Yoga and meditation are perfect if you want to release your chi energy and find inner peace. This section will focus on basic figures, which all of you can make:

Mountain Pose

Stand tall, join your feet, shoulder relaxed. Weight should be evenly distributed through arm sides and soles. Take a deep breath, raise hand overhead, palms should face each other with arms straight. Fingertips point out towards the sky.

Downward Dog

Put your hands directly under your shoulders and knees under hips. Walk with your hands about few inches forward and spread fingers wide, all the time press fingers to the mat. Next step is to curl toes under and pressing hips toward the ceiling, making a shape similar to the letter V. Shoulders should be pressed forward, away from your head. Take three full breaths. Trust me, even if it sounds hard, this position is not going to break you in two.

Tree pose

It is probably the most popular Yoga position. Known widely in the world.

Ask anyone about the tree pose, they should have at least some basic knowledge of it. Anyway, I am still going to describe this.

First you have to stand with arms at sides. The second step is to place sole of the right foot, inside left thigh. Hips should be facing forward. When you can catch your balance, raise your hands. Stay in this position for about thirty seconds. All the time you should focus on

proper breathing. Repeat this with your opposite leg.

Child’s pose

I am confident that you know this position very well; after all, we were all children. First, you have to sit comfortably on your heels. Move your torso forward and put your forehead on the bed or mat. Lower your chest as close to your knees as possible, and extend your arms. Hold the pose and breathe.

The positions described here were connected with yoga. The second half of this chapter will focus on meditation positions. Just like yoga positions, these are specifically for beginners:

Quarter Lotus

This is one of the primary positions in meditation. You just have to sit with your legs loosely closed and both feet should be directly below the opposite knee.

Half Lotus

This is another lotus position that you can use in your meditation. It is rather similar to the quarter lotus. Only, this time, you have to put one of your legs on the opposite thigh; the second leg should be straight.

Full Lotus

Full lotus is probably the best-known meditation position around the world.

Full lotus is a little bit harder than quarter lotus. Each foot should be on top of the opposite thigh.

The Burmese Position

This position was designed specifically for people who are not able to achieve a full lotus. You just sit in a relaxed position, similar to Lotus but with your feet lying on the ground. If you can’t complete the full lotus, just use this instead.

Seiza

In this position, you don’t sit with your legs crossed. You have to kneel and place a cushion or yoga prop between your legs. It is a rather easy and interesting meditation position.

These are the most basic positions you can find in both yoga and meditation.

Even if you are not trained, you still can use them without too much stress on your body. Meditation and yoga are going to help you to relax. You will focus your chi, thus feeling better. I recommend working on developing this skill. It will be helpful for you.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Why is a Healthy Lifestyle important?

One of the most important questions asked by people who want to start living in a different, more healthy way is: Why is a healthy lifestyle important? The following sections are going to encourage you to lead a healthy life.

Live longer First one is quite evident. In general, a healthy lifestyle is going to prolong your life. Typically, a healthy lifestyle will increase your lifespan by about 5-10 years. This will depend on many, various factors. However, it is safe to assume that a healthy lifestyle is going to help you live longer.

You are going to feel better Yes, this is also pretty obvious. Your life is going to be better in general. Imagine if you stopped smoking, drinking, and eating unhealthy food. Your body is going to be very grateful because of that.

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YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK BETTER Do you have a problem with finding a girlfriend?

Well, not anymore. It turns out that having a healthy lifestyle is going to improve your appearance. First of all, you are going to lose weight. This is quite obvious. Secondarily, if you smoke, now is the time to stop it. This will help in changing your appearance and making your hair stronger. Also, your teeth will look better.

Have more energy Have you ever felt drained of all of your energy? You didn’t know why?

Well, your bad lifestyle might be the reason behind that. Thus, if you are ready to make a change, there is a huge possibility that you are going to have more energy.

Better sex life

Yeah, this is probably one of the most important reasons. In general, a better lifestyle is going to increase your sexual abilities. First of all, you are going to last longer. It will be great for your girl.

Second, your orgasms are going to be better. Furthermore, you will increase your ability to have a baby.

HEALTH & FITNESS

More money Yes. I am not referring only to cigarettes and alcohol. These two are quite evident. However, you might be surprised to know that the most expensive thing in the world is unhealthy food. Just think how much money does the hamburger at McDonald’s or a pack of chips cost. Are you surprised?

Less risk of cancer

This point is also quite evident. Both unhealthy foods and cigarettes significantly increase the risk of getting cancer.

Thus, if you are going to remove both of these things, your life will become much better and the likelihood of disease will decrease.

Less probability of getting sick

Your body is going to be in a better condition. Thus, it is going to be much more successful in the battle against viruses and bacteria that attack your body.

Possibility of seeing your grandchildren growing up

Quite brutal but let me ask you: Do you want to see your grandchildren growing up? If you are not going to live a healthy lifestyle, you might not be able to see this. However, the decision is up to you.

Self Confidence

Another great reason to live a healthy life. You are going to be self-confident. After all, you will look better and feel better. What else do you need to become aware of your greatness? That is the whole point!

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should live a healthier lifestyle. Not only will it prolong your life, but you are also going to raise the quality of your life significantly. Besides, you are going to save quite a lot of money. Thus, it is worth deciding to take this next step. You are not going to regret it.

Home Remedy

Nowadays, people usually use various drugs and other medical tools to fight diseases, sicknesses, etc. However, earlier home remedies were used much more often than various drugs. Grandmothers and mothers were able to use homemade substances that were able to deal with most ailments.

From my experience, when I was a kid, my mom always made onion syrup. It tasted great and at the same time, it gave me the strength to fight the cold or flu. In this paragraph, I am going to provide you with one such remedy.

Trust me, it works.

Onion Sy rup

Onion syru p is known widely in World. No most coun t without tries of th a re ason. For m known as e the best re any years, m it was e dy for a co relatively easy to ma ugh and fl u. It is also ke. The in gredients • 1 red o are: nion • A cup o f honey • Brown or white su gar (I reco better tast mmend bro e) wn, has a 1. The firs t step is to slice the o base of th nion and p e onion in lace the a jar.

2. You ha ve to pour h o ney over th 3. Pour in e onion la the sugar yer. and mix it 4. Cover with the h the jar and o n e w y. a it 7-12 ho 5. By tha urs. t time, it sh ould turn into a liqu 3 spoons p id. er day sho u ld problem w be enough ith your co to handle the ughing.

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PRODUCT REVIEW

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PRODUCT REVIEW

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INTERVIEW

COURTNEY LOCKLEAR WOODSIDE MPH, RD, LDN RDN AT PHYSICIAN ASSISTED WEIGHT LOSS

Why did you decide to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics? Tell us where your interest in the field began and how your career unfolded Growing up, my food choices were pretty typical for an American household.

While we ate a variety of fresh healthy foods, the convenience foods, sugary drinks, and high-calorie snacks were a significant part of our diet as well. Combine this with a sedentary lifestyle, and I struggled for years with my weight, blood sugar, and

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digestion, with no concept of how to turn things around.

After becoming fascinated with the human body through an anatomy and physiology class, I decided to pursue a degree in Exercise Science.

After changing my own lifestyle based on what I had been learning, I was losing weight and feeling better.

However, I soon realized that food and nutrition were a huge piece I still didn’t completely understand. So, I changed paths a little, and finished my degree with a minor in nutrition. Knowing I had to get a graduate degree in the field, I continued on to get my Master’s in Public Health Nutrition. Through

my own self-learning and academic education, I really fell in love with the field and the idea of helping others.

Because of my personal journey, I knew weight loss/ weight management was the area in which I wanted to work. After graduation two years ago, I was very fortunate that my path led me to the incredible obesity medicine practice where I work today.

What has been your greatest professional success and biggest setback?

I honestly can’t say that I’ve had any professional

INTERVIEW

setbacks yet, but I would say my greatest success is definitely being hired at the company I work for now. The staff is wonderful and I believe our approach and what we do is truly ahead of its time.

Who have been the biggest inspirations for your career and why?

Several of my professors throughout college inspired me to continue on and keep my thirst for learning. Also, Dr. Eric Westman, a well-known obesity researcher and practitioner, was an incredible mentor. He made me question things, always had time to listen, and helped me connect with people and resources that have been invaluable.

of struggles and setbacks, so my approach must be tailored to each individual. Not everyone needs to hear the same information; being a good listener allows me to hone in on what the real issue is so time and efforts are not futile for the patient or myself.

What do you enjoy the most? What are the greatest stresses while working?

The most enjoyable part of my job is seeing a patient in the office who is adhering to the program, losing weight, and feeling better.

It is so rewarding when I know they just “get it,” and they express

What exactly do you do in the field of nutrition and dietetics? What are your daily responsibilities?

I am a provider in a familyowned practice where we work with patients who have varying degrees of weight/body fat they need to lose. My main emphasis is educating on ways to improve our patients’ diets, including strategies on how to structure it, discussing calories and nutrients, and explaining the hormonal impact of it all. During their monthly visit, I also measure their body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI), and help set goals for the next four weeks. In our clinic, we do prescribe medications, so often I refill those during their follow-up visit as well.

According to you, what are the most important skills that your job demands?

Listening is by far the most important skill. It is so important to remember that everyone is different and has their own set

their appreciation for my help and support. The most stressful aspect would be when a patient does not see progress, and is unwilling to change their behaviors and choices. Sometimes people come to our practice in search of a quick fix and have difficulty implementing the long-term changes.

What are some of the most challenging phases in your job?

Probably the biggest challenge for me is explaining certain concepts to patients in a way that they can understand and that will really resonate with them.

It is difficult at times to relay information regarding metabolic

and physiological processes to a layperson. That is something I have strived to improve upon and I think can only continue to get better with time and experience.

What do you refer to as professional organizations for nutrition and dietetics, and how are they important for professionals like you?

There are many organizations where professionals like myself can stay up-to-date on research, trends, policies, and current events in the field of dietetics.

The main one is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA). I am not a member, however, due to the lack of bias in the information distributed and research conducted by sponsors of the organization. I prefer to look outside of the usual, and seek continuing education from organizations like the Obesity Medicine Association, the Institute for Natural Resources, and Wolf Rinke Publishing.

What are the best ways to find a job in nutrition and dietetics?

I don’t know that there is a best way - my recommendation is never underestimate the power of networking and making connections. Look for professionals and establishments that are doing what you’re interested in, and place yourself in close proximity. Observe, shadow, ask questions, and keep in touch with everyone. The best positions, in my opinion, are the ones that aren’t well advertised. Otherwise, my suggestion is to continue searching online through as many job posting services as possible.

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INTERVIEW

How is the job market right now? How do you think it will be in the next five years? 10 years?

research and we really cov ered think of organic foods all aspects of nutrition - acu te/ and genetically modifie chronic disease, clinical/p ublic d health nutrition, nutrition foods? for women/children/older adu lts, To keep it brief, I think, wh etc. It was very challengin enever g pos sible, we should be choosi and all encompassing. I also The job market right now ng for organic and steering away appreciated how much sup dietitians is decent I believ fro m port e; it genetically modified (GM we were given by our pro is much better than it use ) foods. fessors d to be Org anic doesn’t automatically and other faculty. Whether it and will only continue to was grow mean the “best” or “health just an email or an in-per alongside the demand. It iest” son is not cho ice, but it does ensure a meeting, they always ma difficult to find a job in the de field, certain level of effort and time for students. One asp but it can be extremely dif care ect ficult on the manufacturers’ part I wish my program (and to find THE job you really other want. that produces a higher qua university programs) wo The bulk of open positions lity uld these pro duct. The jury is still out on incorporate is an emphasi days are typically in a hos s on pital, GM foods, but there is evi more holistic, alternative long-term care facility, foo dence to , and d sug gest they can be harmful, integrative practices within service, or dialysis clinic. or at Over the the least very poor in quality. field of nutrition and dietet next 5 to 10 years, the ma Also, rket will ics. the fact that companies are This really comes down to explode as the appreciation n’t for req uired to label those foods our services rises. having the perspective of that are genetically modif viewing bodily systems as ied, a com bined with the fact that the How has this whole rather than as sep y arate are fighting to keep it tha combination of degrees parts. It would’ve also been t way, makes me suspicious abo great to learn more about ut the contributed to your integrity and trustworthin interpreting labs results ess in the professional success? of those companies. Obvio private practice setting to usl y, allow there can be a tremendous for better recommendati cost For me personally, having ons difference, so I encourage a around deficiencies and others background in Exercise Sci to ence shop locally, like at farme sup plementation. r’s has been quite beneficial in markets, to get the fresh food at combination with a Public Health What fa a lower cost while suppor ting ctors should graduate degree. Understa nding the community. pr both of these areas to thi os pective students s depth is rare, and I am abl co ns id er when choosing Is there anything els e to e help others in a different way a school? you can tell us about than most. I can explain the yourself, your career, connection between exerci Time to completion and tui se tion and nutrition in regards to or your profession that losing are probably the top factors to body fat, and can help pro con sid er, practically speaking. gram would be interesting an exercise routine for pat After that, look at the cou ients rse or helpful to others at any fitness level. It is nic curriculum, and verify tha e to t the bring something a little dif as piring to enter and ferent program qualifies students to the table within the com su cc eed in nutrition and to sit for the exam to becom pany e I work for; my employer a and the Registered Dietitian upon dietetics? patients seem to appreciate graduation. This will req it. uire This is more just general an internship along with What did you like and adv ice than anything else, bu several courses required t by dislike about your non etheless valuable. Some the Commission on Dietet ic lessons I’ve learned for my Registration. Having the education? self RD du ring college and throughou credential is not required t in I like that my education wa my short career thus far every state, but it is the bes sn’t are t wa y as predictable as I though t it was to get respected, recognized, and to keep an open mind, know going to be. We were enc your strengths and weakn ouraged employed in this field. esses, to question things and thi and pursue your passion. Mo nk st outside of the box. We we importantly, don’t be afraid re also From a nutritional taught based on more rec to speak up, and never sto ent p perspective, what do yo u learning.

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KIDS

Activities to enjoy with children at Home We can have a blast of fun with our tiny tots while we are out but when at home, we are restricted by choices. Isn’t that right?

Here are a few activities that are easy to do and irresistible both for children and “Big children”!

Cartoon time!

Now if you think that your creativity has reached its limit, and none of your so-called creative ideas is succeeding at keeping your tiny tots amused, you always have a ready solution in the form of Cartoon shows. You could just switch on the TV and watch the cartoon but why not dramatize it a bit?

Pop some popcorn and close all the windows of the room, switch on the TV and watch the cartoons with your tiny tots while enjoying the popcorn.

Guess what’s there?

This is one of the cutest, simplest, yet most fascinating games that will give your kid and you a valid reason to roll in laughter. Take a maximum of nine different objects of food and show your child.

You can select food items that look identical such as a bar of chocolate and breakfast bar. Now show your child all of these things. Remember; don’t take more than nine items, as that is an ideal quantity to challenge a child without overwhelming. Give your child two minutes to see all of the food items. Then blindfold the child and ask him or her to touch the food item and guess what it is within a second. Any right guesses and you will reward him/her with a treat.

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KIDS Example: You show the child 5 items: chocolate bar, breakfast bar, Pen, Pencil, and small wrapped candy. Let the child see and feel the items for two minutes. After that time, blindfold him/her and ask him/her to touch the items and instantly tell the name of the food item that is being touched. Remember that this is a Rapid-Fire-Round so no mercy at all, a delay by a fraction of a second and the game is over. Now, if your kid can correctly guess three items, it will win him three candies, but if he/she guesses incorrectly any of the last two items, then he loses one candy per incorrect item. This is a carry forward game.

Special Note: For those Moms who love their children’ teeth, the candies can be changed with any other tasty food item for children (But no Spinach, Please!)

Throw a Ring

Give your kid a small ring and place 5-6 different items in front of him or her on a table. Make sure that there is sufficient distance between the child and the table. Now tell him/her to throw the ring and if the ring perfectly encircles any item your tiny tot is a winner. So make sure that you place only those items that are relevant to him/ her. You will give the child 3 chances if s/he is unable to get it right in any of the chances, then you will take out 1 item each time.

For example, you placed 5 different items on a table: a candy, a breakfast bar, a chocolate bar, a sketch color pen and a pencil. Now if your child is able to throw the ring and perfectly encircle the chocolate bar, s/he is lucky. In the second chance, if he is unable to encircle any item in three chances, then you can take out any one item from the table, the Pencil, for instance. You will keep on taking off one item every time he misses 3 times continuously.

Act out a story

This is another game that will be equally liked by you and your children. Have some good-sized soft toys (especially animals and cartoon characters) and spin a good story around them. Then tell the story to your kid and in the

For example, you placed 5 different items on a table: a candy, a breakfast bar, a chocolate bar, a sketch color pen and a pencil.

middle of the story, you can also participate as a character and soon invite your kid into the story. Try to give your child a chance to start developing the story using his/her imagination. It will also help your kid to become more creative.

For example: You can start with three soft toys such as a cat, a lion, and a monkey. Now begin the tale: Two friends, a cat and monkey, live in a jungle. But the Lion is jealous of their friendship. It calls the cat one day and tells her that she belongs to Lion’s family, and is not related to monkey at all. Then you can enter the story saying, “Mom who was also there to visit the jungle heard the Lion and approached him saying that …” Now from this point, you will make the story more interactive. At one point in the story, you should make your child a character in the story and give him/her the liberty to exercise the best creative skills for taking the story further.

You can also use lots of dialogues to improve the vocabulary and communication skills of the child.

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RELATIONSHIP & LOVE

FEBRUARY- THE MONTH OF

EXCHANGING FEELINGS The month of February is considered as the month of love and romance. Weather adds the missing ingredient to it, doesn’t it? A cold breeze gives you chills and so does that special someone. That feeling when your heart is open, and you are stuck in a moment, and the other person tells you that they feel the same. When you feel safe around them, when they hold you, or even the touch of hand could make you blush.

And while this intense passion may slow to a simmer with the passing years, these lovers will probably still adore each other after years of relationship/ marriage.

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RELATIONSHIP & LOVE

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RELATIONSHIP & LOVE Love doesn’t have a day or month, but still we all choose a day to tell that special someone how we feel about them, how lost we would be if they were not around. We all have February 14th marked as Valentine’s Day in our calendar. People all over the world exchange gifts, flowers, cakes, greetings and feeling on this day. And if you are in Dubai, you can make this special day even more adorable.

• You can visit Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and enjoy the sunset followed by dinner. It’s the most romantic place to be with your

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special someone.

Or you can enjoy a couple’s Valentine’s spa at Millennium Resort Mussanah. They have sea view rooms that will take your breath away.

Or you can go for a long romantic walk at The Palm Jumeirah beach, followed by a private beach dinner experience at Waldorf Astoria, Palm Jimeirah.

Andiamo - Grand Hyatt Dubai, a four-course menu that includes a bottle of amazing wine, red roses, and a box of rich chocolate pralines.

AED200 per person, including soft drinks, AED300 per person, including a bottle of sparkling wine per couple. Timings are from 6pm11.30pm. (source: www.stepbystep. com) Amaseena Restaurant, the fabulous Valentine’s dinner on the beach offers couples a private cabana, a four-course dinner, flowers, and bubbly. AED3,000 per couple (premium bubbly), AED5,000 (bottle of Moët & Chandon Rose),

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AED7,000 (super premium bubbly and a private harpist) Timings: 7pm-11pm (source: www. stepbystep.com).

• Al Mansour Dhow has its own charm. Even though it is a floating restaurant, it is also well-known for its amazing service. Enjoy a romantic dinner while making memories on this cruise. Timings: 8pm. (source: www.stepbystep. com) • Al Hambra Restaurant, fall in love at Al Hambra Restaurant.

Dinner includes a three-course

menu. Al Hambra Restaurant is offering AED250 per person, which includes a glass of wine or a soft drink. Timings are 7pm11.30pm (Tuesday). (source: www. stepbystep.com) • There’s the most cliché fantasy of being proposed at The Eiffel Tower, Paris. But if you are in Dubai, you need not go all the way to Paris.

Who needs The Eiffel tower when you can propose to somebody at the top of Burj Khalifa? Haha just make sure not to jump off from excitement. Or you can even book a cruise.

Well Valentine’s Day is incomplete without exchanging gifts. There’s a wide variety of gift ideas in store for you.

• Arabic culture is passionate about gold, so you can always go for jewelry with European touch. Be it a neckpiece or a bracelet.

• If you are planning to propose marriage, a ring is your thing.

• Fabrics can also do wonders. A scarf or a leather jacket is a perfect

gift idea for him and her.

• Fall in love with fragrance. You can gift perfumes like Paco Rabanne, Lady million, or Versace Crystal Noir. They have a mild intimate fragrance and are just the right thing to gift.

• Soft toys are another way to express how much you care – and girls love them. Be it a doll or a huge teddy bear, it’s totally going to draw a smile on her face.

• You can also get a personalized hamper of their favorite stuff and you’re good to go.

• And if you can’t figure out an ideal gift, then flowers and greeting cards play the trick.

• If you are slightly low on budget, then you don’t have to worry at all, as there are international websites with offers on gifts too. Check out giftsnideas.com and groupon.com • Gift Express Dubai Gift Express Dubai - [Dubai Shops] Gift Express is one of the trending gift shops in Dubai. They provide deliveries on all occasions and even on casual days. Be it any occasion, The Gift Express Dubai has got your back. (Source: www.dubaishops.ae) • Gift Shop Dubai Gift Shop Dubai [Dubai Shops]

They offer a vast variety of gifts for all occasions. To pick a perfect gift for special someone, this is just the perfect place. (Source: www.dubaishops.ae) This is the day when songs like Thank you by Led Zeppelin are the star. Play a warm ballad for your lover, like the lovely valentine to Robert Plant’s wife, “If the sun refused to shine, I would still love you. When the mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.” Or play a song like Yellow

by Coldplay, I want to hold your hand by the Beatles, Sweet Child O’mine by Guns’n’Roses or the best of all, Wonder wall by Oasis.

And, in closing, there’s this timeless verse from The Bible (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) that discusses the enduring and true nature of love: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts always hopes, and always perseveres.

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PLEASURE WITH KIDS

ACTIVITIES YOU CAN ENJOY WITH YOUR

KIDS IN DUBAI

W

hen visiting Dubai, there are many places where you can go with your children. But “visiting” is not enough.

You should also know what you would like to “do” with your tiny tots.

So here are a few places in Dubai famous for the activities that they offer for the kids and guess what…Moms can join in on the fun, too!

Dubai Metro

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We are sure you might be confused as to how riding the Metro can be a pleasant experience for your kids. But believe us, if done in the right way, your children will love this ride more than any other activity. But that’s possible only if done in a right way. So avoid rush hour on any weekday since that will certainly spoil your day. Go for a weekend and choose a time that is not during rush hour (no office hours, please!) Our favorite ride for kids is from Dubai Mall to Dubai Marina. Choose a trip where your child can easily see outside the window.

PLEASURE WITH KIDS

Kayak on Kite Beach Well, a simple warning we would like to issue, this activity is only for the kids with “Big, Strong Hearts” and Moms with lots of guts. The turquoise waters of Umm Suqeim’s Kite Beach present a perfect platform for people to show off their “adventurous side.” These tranquil waters are especially suitable for kids, as they offer the best conditions for Kayaking. Just get your kid equipped with a Life Jacket but not before consulting the staff about what kind of activity would be suitable for your child according to his/her age and “guts.” We promise, you will be surprised at seeing how brave your tiny tot is, and you used to think that s/he is “just a kid”!

Show your wild side at Jump Box

Moms, sure you stop your kids from climbing the walls at home, but we are sure that you will love them bouncing off the walls at Jump Box. And don’t worry, the huge trampoline is always there to save you and your kiddos! However, there is only one requirement: Bring out your wild side when visiting Jump Box!

So avoid rush hour on any weekday since that will certainly spoil your day. Go for a weekend and choose a time that is not during rush hour (no office hours, please!)

Our favorite ride for kids is from Dubai Mall to Dubai Marina. Choose a trip where your child can easily see outside the window.

A small dose of knowledge is never harmful for your kids: Historic District “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” right? But all play, too, will make your “Jack” a dull boy. So all the moms who don’t want to make their little Jacks dull boys will absolutely love the Historic District that was formerly known as Al Bastakiay. This historic place with its particular brand of old

world charm might remind your tiny tots of the old Arabian Fables. There is everything that a fairy tale or children’s story should ideally have: traditionally built, beautifully ornate dwellings in sand color, towering windmills, and winding lanes reminiscent of the past.

And yes, there can be a lot of walking.

So, don’t forget to catch your breath and enjoy a snack in one of the cafés that you find in the courtyards of this place.

There are hot soups, salacious entrées, and yes, mouthwatering ice creams, too.

The place is an excellent source for your kids to expand their knowledge.

Embrace simplicity at The Polo

Though there are many places to enjoy and have a blast of fun in Dubai for kids, this one place is particularly recommended if you want to spend some precious moments with your children and the whole family. Enjoy dining in the open, lush green gardens while appreciating the stunning views of the messengers of speed (yes, we are talking about the Horses!) and the players would certainly result in a gush of oxygen in your family life.

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CARTOON

Is your Tiny THE SUPERSIZE CROC

Studies show that children who love animals and birds tend to grow up to be kind-hearted adults. But you need to cement this love and offer them a platform to forge this liking into a strong bond.

So, here are some of the amazing animals that can be found in Dubai that your child will surely love. And guess what?

Your little one can also have some great interactive sessions with these four-legged friends (feeding, swimming, and more!)

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If your little one is interested in reading tales about the “fish queen” or “underwater kingdom,” then Dubai Mall Aquarium is a place that you just cannot ignore while planning an outing for your little tot. Home to various sea animals as mesmerizing as the characters of their “little tales,” all but one: The Giant Supersized Croc! This huge crocodile is as heavy as 750 Kg, and its length is formidable, to say the least. But don’t worry; everyone is under the glass, so it is completely safe.

TURTLES

Turtles have a certain charm and innocence to their appearance. We are sure your kids should be in complete love with them. Why not “graduate” them in their love for turtles.

Why don’t you take them to DTRP (Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project) situated at Burj Al Arab and Madina Jumeirah? You

CARTOON

Tot a Mowgli?

can feed the turtles and once you fill the stomach of Turtles why not head for Toscana to feed the Turtle inside your stomach! Please check with the authorities before visiting as there are certain scheduled days when you can feed the turtles and mainly Wednesdays are the “lucky days” for turtles. But to be sure, give a call to the authorities before visiting the sanctuary.

GIRAFFES

If a turtle is near to you dear one’s heart because of its innocent face and simple appearance, then the Giraffe is likely dear to them because of its intimidating size and distinctly painted figure. Why not take your small ones to Al Ain Zoo? This zoo is famous for its giant giraffes, who are also quite gluttonous. So take your some lettuce or carrots and bring your tiny tots face to face with these Gentle Giants. Let your

kids treat these majestic animals. And remember, you can also tell your kids the benefits of the foods that s/he dislikes (carrots and lettuce) one benefit is “Sky-touching Height”!

DOLPHINS

Dolphins are recognized as one of the most intelligent mammals. They can whistle, laugh (in their own way), and even understand the feelings. If your child is fascinated by these creatures, you can give your child the opportunity to make a closer connection with these intelligent mammals at Dubai Dolphinarium. If your kid is over the age of five, then s/ he can also swim with these wise creatures. Don’t worry that would not be a deep diving. It is a Shallow Pool and a swim of 20 minutes is allowed when accompanied by an adult (yes, we are talking about you!)

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PLACES FOR KIDS

PLACES FOR KIDS

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IN DUBAI

PLACES FOR KIDS

How has the New Year been for you and your tiny tots? We are sure you had lots of cake and ice cream and many other snacks. So you enjoyed the New Year’s Party? If you want to enjoy the same joy every week, then here are some of the places in Dubai that you must head for‌ we are sure your tiny tots will enjoy them and you will too!

These places are especially great for Kids. They will offer fun for your children and will allow you the opportunity to relive your own childhood memories.

SO, here we go:

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PLACES FOR KIDS

Njoi If your tiny tot is a Mowgli-inthe-making, then NJoi is the place to be. It offers not only one but four places where you can bump in to have a full dose of fun.

• Adventure Playground: Plan on heading there with a couple of little friends and, of course, Mama and Papa!

But before that, you can prepare a list of different activities and games you can enjoy together. Go there and have a blast!

• Glow in the dark Golf Course: This small golf course actually glows in the dark! I’m sure we don’t need to tell you how "Fun" it is playing on this course.

Head on over and enjoy for yourself. We are sure you will simply fall in love with the fun course!

• Trampoline Area: If you like Jumping and lots of it, then the Trampoline area is the best area for you. Go there and enjoy what you like the most: Jumping, twirling and having a good time.

• Indoor Skate Ramp: If you like skating (...and who does not like it!) then this is the best thing you will find there! Just put on your skates, go there, and show the world all of your awesome talents!

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Cheeky Monkey.

J3 Malls. Al Wasl Road Cheeky Monkeys, as the name suggests the place will "make you a monkey" with its giant jungle gym and soft play zone.

For smaller siblings, it has a separate area where babies and toddlers can enjoy interactive activities. There are many kids' games that you have never seen before, and that can be enjoyed by the “elder children” too. But we will not let the cat out of the bag! Just a few games we will tell you about, the rest you can "discover" on your own when you visit. For toddlers, there is a squiggly water effect trampoline where he can jump to his heart’s content without tiring.

Kid HQ, Umm Suquein Road

Are you looking for a vast area where your kids can run, jump or play I-Spy? If yes, then we have a surprise for you that you would certainly like. The Kid HQ located on Umm Suquein Road is a perfect place to go with your kids to have a blast of fun.

It is situated in a large building on two floors. The play area is colossal. You can see many kids playing a variety of games. Your kids will be able to quickly join in and start making new friends.

EVENT CALENDAR

DUBAI CLASSICS 2016

I

t is said, music in the soul can be heard by the universe, and also music is safe kind of high, isn’t it?

Let your soul speak to music as you witness three most talented artists Jozsef Lendvay, Stefan Horvath, and Sergey Krylov play live. These violinists take music to an entirely different level and create magic. Every note they play is pleasurable to the ear. Jozsef Lendvay’s music can give you chills.

Music expressing unbounded shades of grief. The night can’t get any better as legend of classical music, Maestro Fabio Mastrangelo and the “Northern Sinfonietta” Chamber Orchestra will be joining too. It’ll be one great night to

remember. So be a part of it and make a beautiful history.

Different range of passes is categorized as under:

• Silver- AED 200, • Gold- AED 275, • Platinum- AED 350, • VIP- AED 500, • Royal- AED 950 The event will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai on Thursday, 11 February 2016 at 7pm.

Be a part of this legendary event and get carried away by the mesmerizing music.

Luzia Von Wyl Ensemble - More than Jazz

Feat Special Guest: Faisal Al Saari Fitness and Health

Von Wyl has brought together likeminded musicians who love playing as an ensemble and who collaborate with her to refine and present her compositions.

Luzia von Wyl elevates the concert with uniqueness and innovation. Special guest for this evening will be, Faisal Al Saari, Emirati Oud Player, performing a brand new piece of music composed by himself and von Wyl. The event will be held at Madinat Theatre Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai on Saturday, 6 February 2016 at 8:30 pm.

Admission fee will be AED 50.

Dubai Tour 2016

Fitness/ health R

egion’s jump-the-gun cycling event is here. Cycling is one of the best ways to exercise and get in shape yet enjoyable. But with the change in our lifestyle, it has vanished somewhere.

Weren’t we all fond of cycling back in our childhood days? Well this event might bring nostalgia to some, you never know. RCS Sports and the Dubai Sports Council together presents to you a professional cycle race named Dubai Tour. The event might sound familiar as it has taken place in past too.

This 4-day event will be taking place from Wednesday, 3 February 2016 to Saturday, 6 February 2016 and there is no admission fee.

Challenge Dubai 2016 Through the city to the sand dunes of the Nazwa Desert, athletes will swim 1.9km, followed by a 90km bike ride starting from a dip in the Arabian Gulf. 21km run along the white sandy coastline the race will end. Past the marina towards the Palms before doubling back and finishing in the green oasis of the Jumeirah Beach Park Dates for this event will be announced soon followed by other necessary information.

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EVENT CALENDAR

Arts/Theatre GULF PHOTO PLUS 2016 Photography lovers from all around the world, this event is just for you.

The thing about photography is that a picture speaks the story behind it, which varies from a photographer’s perspective.

The theme of the picture depends upon the photographer for the way he clicks it.

Presenting the region’s biggest event The Gulf Photo Plus brings the world’s renowned photographers to Dubai to share their wisdom and experience. Most of the events and activities are free of charge including workshops. Photography students from across the globe fly all the way to be a part of this event. Photographers such as Zack Arias, Tamara Lackey, Sara Lando, Mike Kelly, RC Concepcion, Steve Simon, Tim Wallace and more are going to be here as part of this highly educational program on photography.

This 8-day event will be held at Dubai Knowledge Village, from Friday, 5 February - Friday, 12 February 2016.

Admission is absolutely free.

BACCALÀ COMPAGNIA PHYSICAL THEATRE Baccalà is about two modern-day clowns playing their amusing comical pas de deu through sign language and expressions. Even though it is a mute act, these two characters sweep us up into their outstanding and award-winning performance with all the seriousness, innocence, and callousness of the human condition. Baccalà Clown has travelled the world with this charming and irresistibly funny story where almost anything goes.

These are basically poetic, ironic and acrobatic and definitely amazing.

This event will be held at Madinat Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai on Friday, 5 February 2016. Admission charges are AED 50.

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EVENT CALENDAR

BRIDE DUBAI 2016 L

ife is just incomplete without accessories. And jewelry tends to be a woman’s best friend. This event is more like a Ta-Da moment for all the ladies out there. Unfurling the prime in the wedding, fashion, beauty, jewelry, and honeymoon travel industries, there’s something for every woman at these events. This event will feature over 300 regional and international exhibitors, new bridal and couture fashion shows, hair and beauty manifestations, young designer awards, celebrity makeup artists, informative question and answer sessions, and lectures on skills from the who’s who in the wedding and lifestyle industry. Experience a glittering day of fashion, beauty, shopping and get spoiled at the BRIDE show.

This 4-day event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai from Wednesday, 10 February – Saturday, 13 February 2016.

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EVENT CALENDAR

XYOGA FESTIVAL DUBAI

S

tretch your body and find inner peace, let your body talk to your soul.

Yoga is one of the best exercises, it connects your soul and body while helping you to feel fresh all day long and also helps your immune system to function well. Hold your breath because Dubai adds a yoga event to its list of festivals. Anybody can participate in the Xyoga Festival Dubai festival, which features renowned international Yogis as part of the event.

This two-day event will be held at Burj Park - Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai from Friday, 19 February - Saturday, 20 February 2016 and admission is absolutely free.

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EVENT CALENDAR

Food and Culture

Dubai Food Festival 2016

In

our tradition, it is said that Food is something holy. It's not about nutrients and calories. It's about sharing. It's about honesty. It's about identity. Extending throughout the city is The Dubai Food Festival, which is held every year to memorialize Dubai's evolution. The event underlines the amazing dining experience of

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Dubai's cultural food. The Dubai Food Festival is organized by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). It's like a feast for foodies.

This 17-day event will be held from Thursday, 25 February - Saturday, 12 March 2016

EVENT CALENDAR

Business The Ripe Food & Craft Market Spend your Friday picking fresh, organic, local fruits and veggies from a Ripe Organic Stall. This extraordinary shopping place is stationed in the center of Dubai. It is renowned for getting the whole community involved, with over 100 local passionate businesses including foodies, artisans, designers, jewelers, entertainers, and live acoustic musicians. Under the guardianship of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Executive Council, the Ripe Food

and Craft Market is stationed under most natural environment surrounded by greenery of Zabeel Park’s Gate 2. Enjoy mouthwatering food, buying handmade art, engaging in a cooking class, and Friday morning shopping for veggies, all while the kids can enjoy the zoo.

This event will be held just for a day at Zabeel Park on Friday, 26 February 2016.

Gulfood 2016 Well, this event is more like an opportunity for all the businessmen/ women out there. If you are looking forward to luring

your customers with unique and amazing flavors or you simply want to expand your business, then this event is just for you. Gulfood is a well-known event and has an amazing reputation in the food and hospitality industry with suppliers from all over the country attending this event. A perfect event to grab the opportunity.

This five-day event will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, from Sunday, February 21 to Thursday, 25 February 2016. Cost of registration might vary. There will be online pre-registration for AED 150 but at the door - AED 250.

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PRODUCT REVIEW

ENJOY 20% DISCOUNT on your total bill in Cucina

THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN KITCHEN Cucina is a cozy trattoria style restaurant complete with rustic exposed brick, open kitchen and the heady chefs serve up a delicious variety of traditional Italian antipasti and salads, accompanied by home-made pastas, pizzas and risottos.

Daily, 12pm - 11:30pm.

Terms and conditions: Valid until 31 July 2016 BOOKINGS REQUIRED, call: +971 4 607 7977 / 7588 or email: jwdubai.dining@marriotthotels.com web: marriottdiningatjw.ae

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JW Marriott Hotel Dubai : Abu Baker Al Siddique Road Hamarain Centre, Deira, Dubai, UAE.

PRODUCT REVIEW

Chef Mauro Sanna

Born in the province of Sassari in 1962, Mauro joined the JW Marriott Dubai, Deira with a wealth of culinary experience.

Since his childhood Mauro showed a great passion for food. He was lucky to have both his grandmother and mother as good cooks. He got enrolled at the hotel school of Arzachena, one of the best hotel schools in Italy. It houses the Grand Hotel and the restaurant of the Costa Smeralda.

After years of professionals experience throughout Italy and at the court of the great Italian chefs, he began directing the kitchens of some of the most renowned restaurants and hotels of the peninsula. He was about to acquire Michelin star of the famous Michelin guide and judge the premises and lead the Brunelleschi Hotel kitchen in the historic center of Milan.

He still speaks highly of his great teacher and chef Gualtiero Marchs.

Since 2009, when he moved to the UAE he ran the kitchens of various signature Italian restaurants like Amalfi in Abu Dhabi at the Le Royal Meridian and Segreto at the Souq, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

In April 2014 he joined the JW Marriott Dubai as the Italian Chef at the famous Cucina restaurant. His flair for fresh ingredients, traditional and authentic Italian cuisine and fresh homemade pastas keep the regular guests coming back.

Mauro is always ready to meet the guests at Cucina and enhance their culinary experience.

He would even customize a menu for them. The Cucina Ambassador program in which he actively plays a role is unique. He selects one authentic Italian ingredient per month, creates a full menu based on it and even gives a presentation and cooking demonstration on that item. It is worth a try!!

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PRODUCT REVIEW

AVAILABLE AT 76 Fine Living Magazine