What's the Tea? Issue 5 - November 2023 - Black Friday Special

FOREWORD Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the most wonderful time of the year! As the air turns chilly and the streets illuminate with dazzling lights, we step into the enchanting realm of the Christmas shopping season.

With hearts filled with joy and excitement, it is my pleasure to introduce this magical season, where family and friends come together, spirits soar, and generosity knows no bounds. The Christmas shopping annually brings cheer, warmth, and an abundance of retail therapy.

The season officially commences with the much-anticipated Black Friday, where eager shoppers to seek out incredible deals and savings. Arkadia Commercial Centre comes alive with an electrifying energy, as people embark on their quest to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones.

Yet, the Christmas shopping season isn’t just about the lights, sales, and online bargains. It’s about the moments shared while searching for that exquisite present, the laughter when stumbling upon unexpected surprises, and the joy of finding something truly special for someone special.

Arkadia has prepared a calendar of special events, from kids activities to live music and just a Christmas spirit you can’t resist.

The Christmas shopping season also serves as a reminder to explore the beauty of Gozo during Christmas. From Christmas events and activities to music concerts and plays, Gozo has so much to offer.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, let us not forget the true essence of this season: love, gratitude, and giving. The Christmas shopping season is a window of opportunity to extend kindness, donate to those in need, and brighten someone’s day through a thoughtful gesture.

So, as we embark on this wondrous journey through the Christmas shopping season, let us embrace the magic it brings. May it fill our hearts with joy, create unforgettable memories, and allow us to spread the warmth and spirit of Christmas to every corner of the world.

Welcome to the Christmas shopping season, where dreams come true, and every gift holds the promise of love and happiness!

SHIMMER & SHINE THIS CHRISTMAS If you are looking forward to the party season and can’t wait to have the opportunity to shine, then here are a few great make-up tips to go by; for that something special 1. Glittery and sparkling makeup: Christmas is the perfect time to rock some shimmer and sparkle. Glitter eyeshadows, highlighters, and lipsticks are all popular choices for festive makeup looks.

2. Bold and festive lip colors: Red, burgundy, and deep berry shades are classic choices for the holiday season. A bold lip color can instantly make a statement and complete your Christmas look.

3. Metallic nail polish: Metallic shades like gold, silver, and rose gold are popular choices for Christmas-themed manicures. You can also experiment with glittery or holographic nail polishes for a more festive touch.

4. Smokey eyes: Smokey eye makeup is always in style, but it particularly suits the dramatic and glamorous atmosphere of Christmas parties and gatherings. Experiment with different shades like deep grays, purples, or even a pop of metallic.

5. Glowing skin: Achieving a radiant complexion with a healthy glow is always on-trend, and it works particularly well during the holiday season.

Opt for luminous foundations or try using a liquid highlighter to achieve a natural-looking glow.

6. Festive hair accessories: Add a touch of Christmas spirit to your hairstyles with festive hair accessories like sparkly hair clips, velvet bows, or crystal headbands. These accessories can instantly elevate any holiday look.

7. Classic winged eyeliner: A timeless beauty trend that never goes out of style, a perfectly winged eyeliner can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your Christmas makeup look.

8. Bold brows: Well-defined and groomed eyebrows continue to be a popular beauty trend for the Christmas season. Fill in your brows with a brow pencil or use a tinted brow gel to achieve a more defined look.

9. Glittery hair: Sparkly hairstyles are an emerging beauty trend for the Christmas season. From glitter roots to glitter braids, you can experiment with different ways to add some shimmer to your hair.

10. Faux lashes: False lashes are a great way to create a dramatic and glamorous look for Christmas parties. Opt for voluminous or wispy lashes to enhance your eye makeup and complete your festive look.

LOVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS LUSCIOUS LOOKS AND SPARKLING MOODS

HOLIDAY OUTFITS For the many invitations for Christmas parties this Christmas, finding the perfect outfit to fit the mood and atmosphere is crucial, so here are a few ideas to get the party preparations going…..

When it comes to Christmas parties, there are endless outfit options to choose from. Here are a few ideas for the best holiday outfits: 1. Classic Elegance: A little black dress (LBD) is always a safe and sophisticated choice. Pair it with some statement jewelry and heels for a timeless look.

2. Sparkling Sequins: Embrace the festive spirit with a sequin dress or skirt. Opt for silver or gold tones to really shine at the party. Complete the look with neutral accessories to let the sequins take center stage.

3. Festive Jumpsuit: If dresses aren’t your thing, consider a stylish jumpsuit in a holiday-inspired color like deep red or emerald green. Pair it with heels or ankle boots and accessorize with statement earrings.

4. Velvet Glamour: Velvet is a quintessential fabric for the holiday season.

Choose a velvet dress or jumpsuit in rich jewel tones like burgundy or navy blue. Pair it with metallic heels or ankle boots for an extra touch of glamour.

5. Cozy Chic: If you prefer a more casual outfit, opt for a cozy sweater dress paired with leggings or tights and knee-high boots. Add a statement belt or chunky scarf for some extra style.

6. Statement Skirt: Choose a skirt in a standout print like tartan or plaid for a festive touch. Pair it with a simple blouse or sweater and heels for a polished look.

Remember, the best holiday outfit is one that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, patterns, and textures to create your perfect Christmas party ensemble.

HOLIDAY TIME SPARKLE ALL THE WAY

GINGERBREAD COOKIES The warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread cookies fills the air with Christmas spirit. Baking is the perfect way to bring family and friends together this festive season and spready the holiday cheer. Have fun cutting them into different shapes and sizes and decorating them to your liking.

Time: 2 – 2.5 hours Makes: 24 – 36 cookies (depending on the size of your cookie cutters) Ingredients: - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 3/4 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup molasses - 1 large egg Method: 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

3. Add the molasses and egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

5. Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

7. Roll out one portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.

8. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown.

9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Once the cookies are cool, you can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or other festive decorations.

BAKING UP SOME CHRISTMAS SPIRIT GINGERBREAD COOKIES ARE THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF SWEET AND SPICY.

THE RETURN OF CHASING PANDORA TO MALTA’S MUSIC SCENE

CHASING PANDORA Short Bio about the band Chasing Pandora are made up of singer/songwriting duo Melissa and Keith.

In May 2007, Chasing Pandora released their debut album, “Mocking the Mocking Bird”, receiving great local acclaim. In December of that year, the band also received three Malta Music Awards. They later released the EP “Two” in April 2008.

Notably, “Two” featured in the popular track “Memories” and was nominated for “Best Song” at the Malta Music Awards. Throughout 2008, Chasing Pandora performed at various concerts around Malta and London, and in November they released their second EP, “Wide Eyed Beautiful”. With the launch of Chasing Pandora’s second full album, “The Driver and the Dancer” in June 2009, where they performed a series of gigs in London and received positive reviews from “The Fly”, “Acoustic Music Magazine” and “Rock N Reel”.

The end of 2009 marked the release of the first Chasing Pandora single to be released in the UK, “Running in Circles”, which was subsequently played on BBC Radio 2 and featured in another week of London-based gigs. The success paved the way for “The Driver and the Dancer” to also be released in the UK in 2010, which was then performed live to a full house at the RoundHouse Music Room.

The album was received reviews in UK based magazines Q and was performed live as part of the Janice Long BBC Radio show.

After the release of their fourth EP, “People”, Chasing Pandora were invited to perform at the North by North-East Festival in Toronto, being chosen from 600,000 applicants to be amongst 6,000 bands to perform at the event. The year 2023, saw Chasing Pandora comeback for a reunion concert in Gozo called ‘Memorji’ a performance which brought back memories to the audience as they performed their most notable hits.

With many of their loyal listeners asking for a comeback, Chasing Pandora have been planning on making this reunion worthwhile and so have made appearances at Teatru Unplugged and a full concert at Strada Stretta’s programme at The Embassy.

How did your musical journey start out?

Melissa : I was working for artist management company owned by Steve Brown who managed renown comedian Billy Connolly and who previously managed and produced with Elton John. Steve Brown encouraged me to sing my own lyrics and to work with musician and songwriter Keith Anthony, who at the time was putting together a home studio for Steve Brown. It started out with one song but in a few weeks, we put together enough songs for an album.

Keith: I’ve had a few bands before chasing Pandora and when I heard there was this great producer on the island I started hassling Steve Brown to listen to music from a band i was in back then and after a while he gave in and had a listen.

Nothing Happened but a few months later he called me to setup a studio for him and eventually to work with Mel on some tunes and here we are.

CHASING PANDORA What are your ambitions for your next project?

Our next project would be taking time and writing an album that we would be totally happy to release. The aim is to release it for the Maltese market but also internationally promote it with a couple of gigs abroad as well. Getting our work out there to a larger audience, so we would be able perform our work and have more experiences with different audiences.

What are your biggest artistic influences?

Mel: Tori Amos, Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, Neil Young, Nirvana, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave and nowadays my taste has changed a bit to Billie Eillish, Phoebe Bridgers & Bon Iver. I really love artists who give a lot of importance to their words, so it’s a fine line of poetry and music that go together really well.

Keith: I’m a lot into harmonies so tunes by Crosby Stills Nash and Young and Fleet Foxes kinda is my thing. Other artists I grew up with are Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman and Jeff Buckley.

Tell us what you enjoy most about being a musician?

Mel : I enjoy the writing process, putting ideas and words to a melody and then hearing them being produced and whole into a complete song. The creativity in the studio is what I enjoy the most while working and building chemistry with the musicians around you. Performing live is a bonus as you get to transmit a lot of energy and high emotion live and connect with an audience. There’s something very special about that.

Keith: What she said.

What’s your next step?

Next step is putting down ideas, recording demos, putting together the arrangements that best suits the songs. Once the writing process is complete, its recording the album and putting a proper PR campaign behind it once released.

An album launch would probably be in the works and of course a well thought out way of the best way to reintroduce Chasing Pandora to the music market.

Our main focus is making music at the moment and that will then be the stepping stone of where and what Chasing Pandora should be doing in the next year or so.

What is your writing process like?

It’s usually music first, melody and lyrics second , or else having some lyrics already written and writing a melody to them, usually it starts with voice and guitar or voice and piano, but sometimes the song will be taken to a whole new level and you add the percussion before.

CHASING PANDORA WHAT’S THEIR NEXT CHAPTER? PHOTO BY MATT HUSH

YOUR MOST AWAITED SHOPPING WEEKEND

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PEARL HEALTH & BEAUTY BLACK FRIDAY DISCOUNTS ON SELECTED ITEMS BETWEEN 24TH & 26TH NOVEMBER

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2ND TO 24TH DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS MAGIC LIVE PERFORMANCES

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