bazaar February 2019 Issue

February 2019 | Issue #234 www.bazaar.town

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THE AVENUES - 360 MALL

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I think I must have picked the wrong day to start writing my monthly intro to the magazine. It was Jan 25th which, for us Egyptians, is a day of very mixed emotions and bittersweet memories. And when I woke up that morning and turned on the news, Venezuela was in flames, a lot of boat refugees had drowned overnight, and Emiliano Sala’s (the famous football player) plane had gone missing over the Channel, and all the so called economics experts were warning us all about an upcoming recession, so I quickly turned off the TV to escape from the depressing news, and rushed out of the house to my neighborhood Starbucks to grab a quick coffee before hitting the office. I love my neighborhood Starbucks, since everyone who works there knows me, they all know my drink, know my kids, and know most of my friends. Over the years we’ve become pretty close and I like to think that we’re coffee mates (pun intended).

The bazaar team...

I am thankful for the familiar, for the constants in life. It’s a blessing to live in a country where resilience and the ability to find stability have always been woven into the fabric of society. It’s what keeps us going, every single day. This month we celebrate National and Liberation day. The long weekend is great, but we should remember why the days are holidays and be grateful for everyone who has helped keep that possible. These feelings inspired our trip to Mubarakiya, which you can read about this month. We wanted to revisit a Kuwait in our memories. The old souk and neighboring blocks have stayed faithful to their roots and history. Yet the area has also found a way to grow beyond being a historical space and to remain alive, living, breathing and ever-changing.

Design

But, as much as I enjoy the familiarity, novelty is exciting and exhilarating. This issue, we have an amazing lifestyle shoot of the new brands that are coming to Harvey Nichols. It’s a gateway to rediscover yourself and reinventing your look. Photoshoots are always going to feel new, no matter how many times you have seen the creatives work their magic, and we are always enthusiastic about bringing more of them to you.

Editor

While the Kuwait Towers might be the furthest thing from new, the just-opened Amimoto restaurant is the latest hotspot for Japanese cuisine. The authentic Japanese experience in the heart of Kuwait is the perfect reflection of the local zeitgeist. Respecting tradition and heritage while constantly evolving and moving forward into the world.

We have also tackled issues that are on the more serious side. Ascia, entrepreneur, public figure and social media superstar opened up to us about the upcoming season of Sadeem and the issue of cyber-bullying. Her tips are useful and valid for everyone.

Speaking of fearless women, our Up Close and Personal candidate this month can help you confront your demons head on. Certified Life Coach and creative Samar AlMutawa tells us how she helps people explore life outside their comfort zone.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that we all make a direct impact on the world we live in, whether on the people we share the planet with, or the planet itself. Re-Use, the latest exhibition at the Scientific explores sustainability and tackles pollution in an accessible and interactive way, and we hope that more people take concrete steps in the direction of a less polluting lifestyle. Finally make sure you check out our travel piece on the amazing Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. You’ve still got time to book for the long weekend coming up!

Happy reading!

Ahmed El-Adly

8

Boss Ahmed El-Adly

Operations Tim Burns

Business Development Ihab Mokalled

Content Manager Yasmine El Charif

Mixed Media Solutions Jennifer Cádiz Ahmed Al-Ashab

Staff Writer/Online Media Hallah Danbouh Yasmin Gamal

Online Producer/Project Manager Umika Pidaparthy

Communications Hala Y. Sharara Alia Al Duaij

Contributing Writers Aidha Badr Ayman Nassar Barry Rodrigues Deepa Pant George Tarabay Nejoud Al Yagout Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg

Contributing Photographers

members of:

Caroline Ericson

Syndicates & Sources Baraka Bits Fast Company Kingdome.co LA Times MCT International Newsweek

w w w. b p aw w. c o m The views expressed in bazaar magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff (but sometimes they are).

Printing British Industries for Printing and Packaging tel.2571 6122 info@bazaar-magazine.com www.bazaar.town | Zahra Complex, Salmiya. 8th floor, office 35 @bazaargram bazaarmagazine @bazaartweets

No one likes to be dumped;

recycle me, please.

BREAKING IN

Harvey nicks

GRAND AVENUE - THE AVENUES / HarveyNicholsKuwait |

@HarveyNicholsKuwait |

TEL.: 2228 3008

INDEX FEBRUARY 2019 20

34

24

120

DJ OAC

SAMAR AL MUTAWA

ASCIA AL FARAJ

AMIMOTO KUWAIT

When being a musician, a member in two locally renowned bands, and a DJ is not enough. The multi-talented DJ OAC gives us some insight into his journey towards DJing, and his ever growing love and for music.

This edition of Up Close and Personal with certified Life Coach Samar Al Mutawa will help you confront your demons head on.

Read on to discover how she helps people explore life outside their comfort zone.

Life beyond our social media lives is a matter of perspective. To kick off season 2 of content creation competition Sadeem, renowned fashion blogger and influencer Ascia Al Faraj opens up to bazaar about the issue of cyber bullying.

Japan is fascinating. So much of it is foreign to us even if most of us have had sushi and ramen before. Kuwait Tower's newest restaurant Amimoto brings us an authentic culinary and cultural experience with incredible views!

ESCAPE TO SALALAH

84

HARVEY NICHOLS KUWAIT

126

THE CHOCOLATE BAR REVISITED

100

SAY HELLO TO THE BELLO

Have you booked your beach getaway for the upcoming long weekend? If you're looking for stunning nature, heritage and great weather that's only a short flight away, Salalah is the best place to go. Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara offers you a world of luxury, leaving you feeling relaxed and energized.

There's been a break in! The hottest brands can be seen in Harvey Nichols Kuwait who are smashing it this spring by bringing you striking fashion and bold style. Shatter expectations and discover a new you exploring casual couture, formal flounce, and sophisticated street pairings.

It's comforting to know that some things and places stay true to their roots. The Chocolate Bar is no exception, and their new Snack Attack menu hat takes sharing and snacking to a new level of fun.

A portobello mushroom burger like you've never tasted before! Elevation Burger's latest Local Chef Collaboration with Chef Khaled Al Baker has produced The Bello using the best ingredients included cheddar cheese and locally sourced arugula. Grab it while you can!

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P. 132 A DAY OUT IN K TOWN- PART II 10

Ferrari

bazaar connect Freedom to find us

30,000 readers

With a bilingual audience of both English and Arabic, we cover everything from what’s on, to the bizarre. We print and distribute 10,000 copies of bazaar every month; each copy is read by an average of 3 people, giving us a total readership of over 30,000. bazaar is published every month (with a double issue for July/ August), delivered free of charge to a large subscriber database, and distributed free of charge in all of the following locations: Cafés & Eateries

Baker & Spice Café November Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar, Al Bida’a, Marina Crescent, Spoons

Costa Coffee Outlets: Argan Square Marina Crescent Miral Mall, Mangaf Kuwait Airport Saqran Mall Ghawalli Mall Sahara Shaab

Starbucks Outlets: Abdullah Mubarak Adeliya Airport Mall Al Mowasat Hospital Al Shaya Head Office Aliya & Ghalia Complex Andalouse Coop AUK Bairaq Mall Baitak Tower Behbehani Complex Bida’a Complex BMW Showroom Daiya Co-op Dar Al Awadi Divonne, Abu Hassaniya Four Points by Sheraton Hilton Resort Jabriya Kaifan Khalifa Resort

Kout Mall Marina Crescent Marina Mall Mishref NBK Nuzha Co-op Plaza Hawalli Rosa Castle Salhiya Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak Salmiya Co-op Salwa Co-op Scientific Center Seif Hospital Shaab Shamiya Co-op Sharq Co-op Sheikha Complex Sheikh Saed Al Abdullah Terminal Shuwaikh Zain Headquarters Souk Sharq The Avenues The Palms Hotel Zahra Co-op

Other Outlets:

Crumbs, Shaab Dunkin Donuts, Mall 360 Elevation Burger, Abu Halifa, Al Bida’a, Al-Hamra, Avenues, Mishref, Alseif Haagen Daz- Souk Sharq, Arraya Johnny Rockets- opp. Salhiya Complex, Marina, Salmiya, The Avenues, Alia & Ghalia Complex Juan Valdez Café, Symphony Mall Made Caffe Al Salam Mall November Bakery P.Q. - The Palms, Marina Mall Paul - The Avenues, Marina Mall Prime & Toast - Al Bida’a, Seif Strip

members of: www.bpaww.com

Scoop-A-Cone - Egaila, Fahaheel The Early Bird - Fahaheel, Jabriya Upper Crust Pizzeria

Clinics & Hospitals Al Mubarakiya Dental Clinic - Egaila, Salmiya Al Safat American Hospital Boushahri Clinic Dasman Diabetes Institute Diet Care Center Gulf Clinic International Clinic Maidan Clinic - Fahaheel, Farwaniya, Hawalli, Sharq, Subah Al Salem Noor Clinic Salam Hospital Seif Hospital Soor Center Taiba Clinic The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic

Hotels & Health Clubs Al Corniche Club Crowne Plaza, Farwaniya Hilton Kuwait Resort & Spa Holiday Inn, Salmiya Inspire Pure Fitness Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort Hotel & Spa JW Marriott – Residence Inn, Sharq Millenium Hotel & Conference Center Pilates & More - Salmiya, Mahboula Spaloon The Palms Beach Hotel The Yoga Center

Malls

Arraya Haagen Dazs Galleria Al Hamra Elevation Burger Boulevard Starbucks Costa Coffee The Promenade Caribou Mall 360 Dunkin Donuts Marina Mall Marina Crescent Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar Johnny Rockets P.Q. Paul Souq Sharq Starbucks Haagen Dazs Symphony Mall Juan Valdez The Avenues Elevation Burger Johnny Rockets Paul Starbucks Airport Mall Starbucks Dar Al Awadi Starbucks Spoons Chocolate Bar Salhiya Complex Starbucks

4 Boutique Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai, Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel beau-tique cosmetics British Embassy US Embassy Brush Salon CAP Gallery Cookie Dough Dar Al Funoon Dar.Nur Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra TONI & GUY- Al Corniche TONI & GUY- Cliffs Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges Finesse Nail Lounge Media Elephant Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery THE One The Chairman's Club

Schools & Universities American International School American University of Kuwait Australian College Kuwait Bayan School (Hawalli) Boxhill College BSK - British School of Kuwait Universal American School

Kuwait University Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks

Stand Alones

Al Salam Mall

Khaldiya Adeliya Jabriya Shuwaikh

Artspace Kuwait- Salmiya

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roccocorner

what's on Februaury 2019 RE-USE x TSCK Date: 10 January to 16 April 2019 Location: The Scientific Center of Kuwait A practical approach to the environmental and pollution problems facing Kuwait. The exhibit provides children and adults an opportunity to explore the increasingly complex issues interactively while engaging and pushing all visitors to think deeply. From a tree trunk slice than has been turned into a music-playing to a plant that responds in sounds to touch and a tunnel filled with angry flying plastic bags, the installations are highly sensory and poignant. The Scientific Center will be hosting workshops and lectures during the time, so make sure you check their social media channels and websites for more information.

For more details follow them on Instagram @re____use and @scicenterkw.

THE MEETING POINT FOOD FESTIVAL Date: 22-25 February 2019. 2pm - 11pm.

Location: Julai’ia 245 Road Food, music and fun for everyone. Grab your favorite family members and friends and head out to spend the day in the splendid February weather outdoors for a day of fun.

For more information, check out @themeetingpoint_q8 on Instagram.

9BACH AND NAWAF GHERAIBAH LIVE IN CONCERT Date: 14 February, 2019. 7:30pm Location: Adulhussain Abdulredha Theater The British Council is celebrating Kuwait and the UK’s 120-year relationship. The much anticipated concert will include the Welsh alternative folk group 9Bach who are also influenced

by Middle Eastern and Greek Music. Nawaf Gheraibah who enjoys breaking cultural boundaries with music and his band will also be sharing the stage.

To book a ticket visit the Eventat website. Tickets are free, but registration is necessary for attendance.

FEBRUARY FESTIVITIES AT JACC Date: 7 – 22 February, 2019. 9pm Location: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Culture Centre Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Culture Center is celebrating Kuwait’s National and Liberation days all February by hosting seven live performances by thirteen super stars from Kuwait and across the region. Tickets range from 20KWD to 1500 KWD, with accessibility seating available. Mohamed Abdo will be the first to grace the stage on the 1st of February. Followed by 6 duets. The rest of the line-up includes Sherine Abdulwahab, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, Nabeel Shuail, Rabeh Saqer, Najwa Karam, Majed Al-Muhandis, Mutrif Al-Mutrif, Asala, Angham, Hussain Al-Jasmi, Abadi Al-Johar and Nawal Al-Kuwaitiya. Check the website now and book in advance to make sure you get the best seats in the house.

For more information, visit Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center at jack-kw.com and follow them on Instagram @jacc_kw.

Visit bazaar.town/events for more on what’s happening in Kuwait!

14

DEFINE YOUR STYLE

potterybarn

1st Avenue - The Avenues Tel: 2228 3364

what's trending February 2019

What: @saduhouse Info: An institution preserving and promoting Kuwait’s textile heritage.

Editor’s Note: They have a fantastic gift shop.

What: @dai_kuwait Info: Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyah presents art, literature, talks, and music.

Editor’s Note: Free access to cultural performances and lectures in Kuwait.

What: @alshaheedpark Info: Enjoy outdoor events, culture, fitness and dining.

Editor’s Note: Film nights are a must!

What: @streetsofmind Info: Kuwaiti Street and architecture photographer.

Editor’s Note: Check out his visual travel journal of Japan.

www.bazaar.town

What: @baytoti_kwt Info: Modern Kuwaiti food with football celebrity culture.

Editor’s Note: Find it next to Souq Al-Mubarakiya.

What: @loving.kuwait Info: A new podcast on things to do and places to visit in Kuwait.

Editor’s Note: Perfect for long walks in the pleasant weather.

What: @kuwait.towers Info: See Kuwait from within its most iconic landmark.

Editor’s Note: Try new Japanese restaurant Amimoto.

What: @mufeedasfamily Info: Small, healthy dark cocoa truffles made in Kuwait.

Editor’s Note: Only 3 ingredients never tasted so good!

As much as we work our hardest to give you one rocking print issue after the other, we’re socially active (or try our best to be, we are bazaar humans after all) and we love it!

Find us online: It makes our day when we see your tweets/mentions/likes/comments/shares about your favorite features and more.

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THE EASY GUIDE TO BUYING FLOWERS Saying I love you with roses is much easier with Carriage By bazaar staff

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and whether you have been together with your sweetheart for months or for years, it’s always a wonderful opportunity to show how much you care. And before you start rolling your eyes at the capitalist-created day of love, rethink it in a different way. It’s a great way to signal how much you care by buying a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

With today’s hectic lifestyles it might be easy to forget but modern life has also given us convenience in the form of technology. Just use Carriage to order the perfect floral arrangement. But with more than 70 flower shops, it might feel overwhelming to find the perfect one.

Never fear, bazaar is here with a simple guide that will help steer you in the right direction depending on your recipient’s personality.

Traditionalists These are the people who like things being done by the book. They know the rules and don’t want them to be broken. The perfect bouquet for them is a big bunch of bright red roses. Grey Flowers and Pick a Bunch have just what you need. If you’re willing to tow the line of propriety, you can be bold and order white roses or a mix of pink 18

and red. Or stick to red and get them in a box instead of a bouquet.

Heart on their Sleeve Some people can’t help sharing their emotions and loyalties wherever they go. They are innocent and pure in their love and want to show the world that they are taken and that they partner is the best. Carnation Flowers have a fantastic solution, wearable flowers, in the form of bracelets and brooches. They are elegant, tasteful and the perfect addition to any outfit. And the perfect gift for romantics.

Chocolate Lovers There are two types of people in the world, those who appreciate chocolate and those who are wrong about life. If you’re with the kind of person who loves flowers but still asks where is the food? Then you really need to pair your bouquet with some cocoa based delights.

Camellia and Dolcissimo have got you covered. They offer beautiful floral arrangements that come with gorgeous boxes of chocolates.

Practical People If your sweetie is not lovey-dovey on the outside, but is more on the stoic and responsible side, then you are doubly lucky. They might not be into hearts and teddy bears, but they will always have your back. An extravagant bouquet of roses might irk them more than delight them, instead opt for a practical gift. We

love the Coffee Lovers Box from In House Florist, it includes a bunch of flowers and a great coffee making kit, that will make your favorite morning person think of you every time they get caffeinated.

Every Day is Valentine’s Day These are our favorite people, they treat every day as a gift and don’t feel the need to be tied down to a specific day to show and appreciate love. They deserve a subscription service and not just a single bunch of roses no matter how beautiful they are.

Lavish Collection can send you flowers once a week.

The scent of fresh flowers every morning says “I love you” in its own special way.

Just like restaurants on Carriage, delivery time depends on your location, but most florists can provide delivery in under an hour. However, some arrangements are more intricate and require some extra time since these are delicate fresh flowers that need to be handled with the care they deserve. So check in advance to make sure that they will arrive in time.

For great Valentine's Day special offers check the Carriage app on your phone. Follow Carriage on Instagram @trycarriage and Twitter @trycarriage to stay up to date.

ESCAPE TO A LUXURIOUS OASIS ON SOUTHERN OMAN’S SUNNY SHORES. Spend a luxurious beach escape soaking in the beautiful warm weather at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, the first and only five-star resort in Southern Oman with private pool villas.

Situated on an expansive pristine white sand beach, the resort features a massive infinity pool, three superb dining options and the world-famous Anantara Spa. Located just 15 km from Salalah International Airport and directly adjacent to Al Baleed Archaeological Park, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the adventures of Salalah.

LIFE IS A JOURNEY. Visit anantara.com

al baleed

CAMBODIA  CHINA  INDONESIA  MALDIVES  MOZAMBIQUE  OMAN  QATAR  SRI LANKA  THAILAND  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES  VIETNAM  ZAMBIA

truth or dare

FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC

DJ OAC’s passion is a spark that continues to be lit By bazaar staff

A musician, a member in two bands, a DJ, and a Mechanical Engineer. All of those are just a few elements that make DJ OAC the creative persona he is. A multi-talented musician, and a highly noted perspective on the DJing community that is based in Kuwait.

30-year-old Mohammad Alowaisi is a Mechanical Engineer at The Ministry of Finance by day, but he is a musician every day.

Mohammad’s passion for music grew ever since he was in elementary school, where he joined the school band to play Kuwait’s national anthem every morning. Till high school came around, Mohammad and his friends formed a rock band, taking turns in practicing their music in each and every member's house till they were kicked out for the noise they were making, but managed to continue practicing what they love.

University struck, and that’s when his persona as DJ OAC ignited the spark that started it all.

“While I was doing my studies in University,” he says, “instead of me just sitting around and 20

[Continued...]

working on a graduation project, you know how the last year of engineering is full of stress and all of that. Instead, I sat, saved up some money, and bought a small set-up to create electronic music, and experiment with everything. That’s the thing that basically made me live and feel alive.”

DJ OAC never really decided on becoming a DJ instantly, but rather his love for music is what led him towards that path naturally. “I go to festivals, concerts, on weekends I just wanna sit, listen and enjoy music. So, the idea began when I just decided to create music on my own, alone at home, for myself. Got my own equipment, played my music, and sat between me and myself, and I was at the peak of my happiness, it was something that never happened before, with my own music and lights,” says Mohammad.

The passion grew slowly, and gradually. From suggesting to play music at a friend’s birthday, or BBQ gatherings, towards playing on radio stations and events. Everything happened suddenly yet naturally. As well as being a member of Galaxy Juice Band, which put them all on the map, and the band were in demand just after releasing one album. This offered Mohammad the opportunity

to meet other artists, musicians, and creative minds alike to work together and become more diverse in his music.

His love for old Arabic and Kuwaiti songs paved his way to also becoming a member on Samai Band. To Mohammad, creating different kinds of music, and appreciating sound in varying forms is essential and beautiful at the same time. “To me this is a healthy thing to do, it creates a balance between Galaxy Juice and Samai, using different instruments in both bands, or using a more organic instrument in Samai Band than Galaxy Juice,” he says.

Everything evolves when it comes to music, and as a musician and a thriving DJ, the audience also helps with the next step. The DJing scene in Kuwait to begin with, as Mohammed himself says is “a small community, we don’t have plenty of venues or places where a person can perform on a weekly basis, for example. I personally don’t see there’s a stable destination.”

As much as the community is growing in Kuwait, on radio, during events, the people’s presence is as important as having a stable location to perform at. The experience of listening and interacting with a DJ at the same

chilli bean

place and moment is different than listening to the setlist in the car or on the radio. “I see the difference than when there’s an audience in front of me, the audience is always the one that directs me to the next direction with my set, so that’s the beauty of playing for people and having them around,” explains Mohammad.

If you’re interested in taking up DJing, here’s a final tip for all of you out there from DJ OAC himself. “Just be yourself, because in the end, the initial job for a DJ, to me personally, is the love of music, and the music you’re playing. It’s the love in what you do and give back that is important." So, play on, music lovers, there’s always going to be one or more supporters out there!

TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE How would your mother describe you in one word?

Messy.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Unconditional love.

22

[...Continued]

What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?

What are we gonna eat?

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Acting for a TV commercial.

What is your theme song?

Mazinger Z theme song.

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?

The word “Chi/ ‫ = چي‬Chethy, ‫ ”چذي‬translated to ‘Like that!”

Where would you like to live?

Barcelona.

What is your dream retirement location?

A beach house.

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? ’Be like water”- Bruce Lee Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?

A Parrot.

Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?

My wild and spontaneous imagination.

If you could change your name, to what would you change it? ‫[ النمر المقنع‬The Masked Tiger].

How would you describe your handshake, in one word?

Inclusive.

What is the toughest part of your character?

Not asking for what I want.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Albert Einstein.

What in the world do you least desire?

More wars.

What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?

Electric cars.

Why do you think most people who do, like you?

Being nice.

Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…”

Doing what you love with who you love.

For more information, follow @lewalid on instagram, and for the latest updates on DJ OAC's music, check out his channel on Mixcloud OAC. Images taken by Abdulaziz safar @abdulazizteddy.

LIVE

THE PERFECT ROMANTIC GETAWAY THIS VALENTINE’S Ask about our various romantic choices at our award-winning restaurants this Valentine’s Day.

jumeirah

+965 22269666 | jumeirah.com @jumeirahmessilahbeach

/JumeirahMessilahBeach

@JumeirahMB

MY STORY WITH BULLYING Ascia Al Faraj on Cyber-bullying and digital content creation competition, Sadeem By bazaar staff

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Ascia Al Faraj requires no introduction.

You’ll easily recognize her as one of the world’s most influential fashion bloggers and influencers, a multi-faceted content creator, business owner, mother and all around bundle of endless positive energy that livens up our social media feeds on the daily. But before all of these labels, she is Ascia the human being.

She, like everyone else on this planet, is flesh and bones, mind and soul, with seemingly normal every day interactions and feelings.

Just as Ascia chooses to share her life with the world, our interactions, in turn, have consequences.

Sure, online experts will tell you that engagement on social media is important and paramount to content creators. But, in utilizing this logic, is all engagement equal in weight? We forget the power that words can have over the recipient. Words are funny this way; they can scar you, lead you to selfdestruction, inspire you, make your day when you’re feeling at your lowest, or even save your life. Sure, it’s so easy to preach that “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” But this is where you are totally wrong. Name-calling, bullying, whether it is online or in real life, is not a joke. A study by Yale university deemed that victims of bullying are 2-9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims—no laughing matter here.

This is why we couldn’t think of a better choice when Ascia was selected as one of the super star judges on the digital content creation competition, Sadeem. Especially when it came to their latest anti cyber bullying campaign under the hashtag “my ‫ت‬ story with bullying” or “#‫”قص�_مع_التنمر‬ to kickstart the ‫ي‬ second season of the show.

Ascia’s experience with cyber-bullying is not necessarily tied to one incident or the other, but she recounts her pregnancy with her baby Adam with so much apparent pain in the campaign video.

“I gained weight, which is normal when a woman is pregnant. As my weight fluctuated, I faced heavy backlash and negative comments in a notorious way; I was told things like ‘you’re too fat, I know you’re pregnant but why are you so bloated! You are gigantic…’, This subject was so hard for me, I couldn’t help it, I was pregnant and my weight was not something I could control. I feel like cyberbullies tend to forget that we are people. I knew that I was pregnant and I was supposed to eat healthy, I tried not to cry. I knew that the negative comments were not the most important thing in my life, but the criticism I faced was not right. I was supposed to be focusing on my pregnancy, instead I turned it to my weight gain, so I was not really happy during my pregnancy, I was not comfortable.

The worst part is that I wasn’t used to people’s criticism on my appearance, I know that my work relies on style and the way I look, but my work does not include me changing myself for someone else.

The most important thing in life, is to be at peace with yourself and not with people.”

Read on to get Ascia’s two cents on cyberbullying and how we can all combat it, as well the upcoming season of the digital content creation competition, Sadeem.

Sadeem has chosen to tackle the issue of cyberbullying in their latest campaign. As a content creator yourself with a global online presence, how often do you encountercyber-bullying?

Due to the nature of my job, I encounter bullying in all its forms on a daily basis. With the rise in social media, the rise in the incidence of bullying has increased to keep pace. People become very bold behind their screens. Sadly, it has become part of the job.

You were very frank in Sadeem’s anti cyberbullying campaign video about your experience.

How difficult was it for you to open up about your experience with cyber-bullying?

I speak openly regarding my struggles about many topics considered to be private. Whether it is about balancing marriage, motherhood, parenting, body image, frustrations with our society or cyberbullying. I am used to the criticism that comes with my opinions and the fact that I express them freely.

You’ve made it your ethos to create a safe space online for like-minded people to express themselves. Realistically, there are times when this space is interrupted by negative naysayers.

How do you move on from this?

I recognize that everyone is on a journey, some are further along that road than others. I also respect opposing opinions, as long as they’re expressed constructively. We can’t progress without an open dialogue.

What are some tips to surpass these hurdles?

Recognize that some people are not open to acceptance and change. They find comfort in the status quo and the only way to battle that, in my opinion, is to keep doing what I’m doing…rebelling daily against things I disagree with by actively continuing to do the things people oppose me for.

Do you sometimes wish you could have your anonymity back?

I love what I do and feel blessed to have the freedom to do it, this job of mine would not be possible without all the amazing people who support me.

However, I will admit that there are times when I am out with my toddler, who is throwing a tantrum [Continued...]

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in the middle of a popular mall, that I do wish to be invisible, but, I imagine that many mothers can relate to that thought process.

We’re constantly overloaded by information online, and people have become desensitized to cyber-bullying. Why should the everyday person care about battling this vicious phenomenon?

Desensitization is a dangerous phenomenon, we only need to look to history to prove that point.

When you have the ability to take a soul and limit it to either a photo online or your definition of them, you’ve essentially disrespected your Creator. That’s a hard concept for me to swallow: That one can preach in the name of religion but forget that we’re all created equally in the eyes of our Creator. How we live our lives in the short time we’re on this planet should really be centered around doing our best to make it wonderfully livable for all.

What do you love most about the content creation process?

That it’s multifaceted and means different things to different creators. It’s a pretty loose term “content creation,” and I love the accessibility that the term provides. It means you don’t need to have a studied skillset to participate, so that process differs greatly from person to person…being able to work on a team and witness that is the most rewarding part of the process for me.

In this day and age, influencers can get a bad rap for posting content that doesn’t quite relate to the everyday person. Why do you think this is becoming so common?

I watched a documentary recently that described an influencer’s job as “the performance of living a successful life,” and it hit me pretty hard because it really is a performance for some people. A performance ending in the culmination of years of carefully created photos, weddings, faked happy moments but potentially no real happy memories. I’m guilty of having participated in it myself for a short span of time before realizing how fruitless it all is.

It’s common because it’s a more accessible celebrity than that of a Hollywood one. And how does Sadeem’s role as a content creation competition play into this?

I think it is important to impress upon the rising content creators that they have an important role in our future. They should take their roles seriously by understanding their impact while still have fun with the medium. It is a fine balance.

As one of the super-star judges on Sadeem, how has your experience been so far?

This is my sophomore year with Sadeem. We, as judges, have worked together with the production team to bring something fresh and fun your way.

There are changes in store that we think our audience will enjoy. We really enjoy what we are doing and I believe that comes across on set.

Tell us about some of your favorite content creators that competed during season 1 of Sadeem.

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[...Continued]

NOT fair, bazaar! That is like asking a mother to name her favorite child. I enjoyed each and every one of the first season competitors for different reasons. They all exhibited talent and brought their personal brand to the table. Trust me, when it got down to the finale, in true Millennial fashion, we wanted everyone to win.

Finally, what advice do you have for anyone looking to successfully launch a career online utilizing social media?

If this is what you want to do, do not let anything or anyone stop you. Take the medium seriously, and come to be collaborative.

How will this upcoming season of Sadeem differ from the previous season?

The playing field has become even more elevated.

The contestants are INSANELY talented and come with their own success stories already. It’s going to be outrageous. Subscribe, pop your popcorn, snuggle in and see it unfold for yourself!

As for cyber-bullies, any final words to them?

Take what you’re about to say, say it to yourself out loud and pretend someone else is saying it to you first. If it still passes that test, then fine.

What knowledge do you hope to impart on Sadeem’s upcoming top 20 candidates?

Stay true to yourself and your audience. Protect your brand and your authenticity at all costs (yes, including the monetary tax of losing out on big projects because it hinders authenticity).

What are you looking forward to the most with this new season?

Discovering new talent in this medium. It’s like I am a member of a team of explorers.

For more information about Sadeem, visit their website www.sadeem.com. Find their latest updates on social media @OfficialSadeem. For more on Ascia Al-Faraj, please visit @Ascia on Instagram.

miriade

PULLING STRINGS

Hooda Shawa and Nabil Bahgat on the magic of puppetry By bazaar staff

Wamda, meaning “spark of light”, was founded by master puppeteer Nabil Bahgat over fifteen years ago, and the troupe has travelled extensively promoting the art of not only shadow puppetry, but also Al Aragoz. Before their regular Friday evening performances held in Bayt Al Suhaymi, an old Ottoman era house situated in one of Cairo's oldest streets, Wamda provides workshops for children. This teaches them how to make the shadow puppets, hopefully passing on an interest to the youngest generation to develop skills that may otherwise be very easily forgotten in this day and age of gaming consoles and smart phone addiction.

“I’d seen one of these [Wamda] shows,” says Hooda Shawa, a storyteller herself and award-winning writer of children’s literature, going on to explain that she had then met Nabil as part of a cultural organization called Al Mawred. “It’s always been my dream to work on a shadow theatre show,” she says. Hooda goes on to describe the fourteenth century Mamluk era puppets on display in a Cairo museum that Nabil encouraged her to seek out. “And then by sheer coincidence Dr. Nabil was given the post of cultural attaché here!” smiles the Kuwaiti writer. Destiny was showing its hand, determined to have these two create something magical together.

“Elephant in the City” was their first collaborative production in Kuwait and played on the TAQA stage, a production house initially founded to to provide a platform in Kuwait for performing arts and local theatre productions.

The tenacious duo is challenging themselves once again with the task of staging for shadow theatre “Julnar and the Firebird” another of Hooda’s children’s stories which has already been published in book form by Saqi Books, Beirut. The protagonist heroine is a princess, Julnar, who wishes to sail on 'booms', the great trading ships on their seafaring routes between Kuwait and East Africa, but being a princess and a female, her adventurous spirit is not encouraged! How does she find her way, and how do they resolve the predicament of Julnar’s pet Firebird’s alopecic tail-feathers on their quest. Nabil is bringing three of his troupe of seven Wamda artists to Kuwait specifically to work on the new production and has already started in the TAQA studio to plot out the staging requirements which will take months to plan, organize and build. Hooda also commissions original music to set the plays to, which is a large investment of time but helps to further promote the work of local creatives in Kuwait.

Interpreting someone else’s stories must be difficult and when asked what the challenges are Hooda confirms that Nabil usually writes his own stories or 28

[Continued...]

Hooda Shawa and Nabil Bahgat

dorothy perkins

adapts traditional folklore tales updated to suit modern contemporary audiences. “I asked him to present the shows in classical Arabic, and his worry was that classical Arabic would be too formal”, “…and maybe not as funny for the kids,” Nabil adds. Hooda insisted though, and the result is a simplified version of the language so that anyone can understand it. “There is a phrase here and there in dialect,” she mentions, “to add a bit of color.” Given the audience feedback, the plays by all accounts are still wonderfully endearing with a range of emotions and humor too.

Nabil has brought with him some samples, and upon closer inspection of the puppet birds it is a revelation to see that the leather shapes are wildly colored with abandon. Holes are stamped strategically along the edges of the birds’ chests and wings, and it’s easy to see how light must play beautifully in and around these simple puppets. The artists draw, cut and craft the puppets that they work with. Working in this medium must be labor-intensive, as every puppeteer has to be the storyteller, actor, presenter and the lighting and stage designer too. “He’s called The Wizard [alsah’er], because he does everything” says Hooda respectfully of Nabil.

Eighteen years of incredibly hard work putting together a shadow theater dossier has recently resulted in Nabil successfully presenting to UNESCO the case for safeguarding the dying Egyptian artform, and having it placed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list under the umbrella of Al Aragoz-an old form of Egyptian theatre using traditional hand puppetry, with the status 'in need of urgent safeguarding'. This now means funding and a future for this highly skilled and creative method of storytelling. “Perhaps even the establishment of a school,” hopes Hooda earnestly. There are currently no institutions in Egypt where you can study the artform academically and how it is a way of maintaining oral tradition, passing down fables, and teaching communities. Only two other Egyptian contributions so far make the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list; an oral poem which recounts the saga of the Bani Hilal Bedouin tribe and its tenth century migration from the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa, and Tahteeb a former martial art turned stick game. Nabil’s contribution is truly historic.

“If I didn’t do this I would die,” says Nabil matter-offactly when asked what got the 43-year-old Generation X’er into this magical ancient art. “It’s a recipe for heartbreak, you just go behind the screen and you are transported.” And it’s a passionate experience which one watches totally mesmerized, first looking at the movement, and then wondering, how does this magic happen. What is even more profound is that Nabil does not have any history of storytelling in his family. He’s the first, and has made a deep impact on the traditional artform, proving his point that it’s desperately important to safeguard this old form of Egyptian theatre using traditional hand puppetry practice as UNESCO is now doing.

For more information on the performance dates of Julnar and the Firebird follow @taqakuwait on Instagram. Find Aragoz Wamda on Facebook and YouTube for more on Nabil Bahgat’s work.

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[...Continued]

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THE ART OF CRITIQUE

Without criticism the creative industries can not grow

By Aidha Badr

Regionally speaking, I feel as though there is too much praise and not enough critique of the practice of art as a profession.

For a while, this enthusiasm seemed essential to support an emergent art scene.

What mattered was less the caliber of exhibition or performance but rather the development of a foundation in which to showcase these events.

A culture of criticism would instill an attitude of resilience between the artist and viewer. With more robust critique, the art world would stop validating mediocre expression or rubber-stamping derivative works with an “A” for effort. It would introduce a culture of questioning, and encourage discourse around imperative social issues - opening up the potential for birthing new ideas and raising the status quo.

Adopting art criticism as common practice on a larger scale paves the way for analysis, especially with regards to overarching binaries that are prevalent in emerging artists’ works today. Whether it initiates a deeper understanding, condenses or

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expands thought, art criticism provokes an intimate conversation to be had; simultaneously inviting the eyes and the minds to explore and interpret. As a practice, art criticism helps to better shape public perception. As a rooted discipline, it works to unveil truth, both from an aesthetic standpoint and an evolutionary one. Implementing a stronger code of critique enables growth for the artist as well as the viewer. It gives people the tool to be able to examine a body of works thus inviting them to participate in it instead of being mere spectators.

The apparent disdain for art criticism within our culture most likely stems from a feeling of division between art and the general public; a possible byproduct of how Middle Eastern societies have evolved over time. The challenge is, partially, that the art community treats visual art as a sort of creative phenomenon, and not the starting point for dialogue. The work presented is treated as a kind of artifact of creative intent and unfortunately, the personality of the artist is of more interest than the artwork itself. Creativity is commemorated and creative enthusiasm is embraced as a means to an end in itself. Thus there becomes this tendency to applaud anything that is merely presented, resulting with anyone who puts up a painting on a wall or

declares the fruit of their solitary markings “art.”

To put it quite simply, it’s not always clear how a work of art is functioning in a gallery. In order for an art scene to progress, a culture of criticism needs to be normalized and negative feedback should not be viewed as taboo. Beyond the art world, people feel a lack of engagement with art production and its exhibition. There is a newfound thirst for building a community around critique; one that has a formative say in what works are presentable and for what period of time. There is a desire for artists to respond to social issues that impact our individual lives and nurture a collective sense of creation, one that is homegrown. That is not something to easily write off. Art demands something outside of itself, a space for reflection, discernment, and a deeper connection within the world at large. Art for art’s sake is fine, if you can get it. But then a tangible connection to time and place can’t be substantiated.

Next time you visit an art gallery, ask yourself: what is the function of this body of work? What is its backstory? What are the artist’s motives and where were they taken from? Asking yourself these simple questions is a first step to engaging with our culture in a more meaningful way.

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up close & personal

SAMAR AL MUTAWA

AND MAKING THE CASE FOR GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE By bazaar staff

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It’s been seven years since I last spoke with the always creative and vivacious Samar Al Mutawa. Sure, we like to catch each other up with random messages on social media here and there, but having a heart-to-heart with the Samar of today was a meeting I really looked forward to. After copious amounts of hot chocolate and chitchatting in the garden, I did note one constant: Her energy always was, and continues to be, truly infectious.

This is precisely what Samar wants to achieve with her every day conversations with her clients as a certified life coach. From coaching, to fitness to art and fashion, Samar naturally gravitated towards using her creativity to inspire others. While Samar always knew that she wanted to help people, she decided that if she was going to embark on the journey of becoming a life coach, she had to do it the right way.

It took Samar a year and a half to find the right school for her, CTI, and she began her studious trips to Dubai every 20 days for three days, totaling five trips to start with. “The first time you go for the weekend, you can actually become a coach and get paid. This is why many people abuse this field of coaching. You require more physical, emotional training to get into the field in depth.” Continuing the process, the third and final qualification professionally certified Samar internationally, after she had completed a set number of hours practicing in the field.

While she enjoys a strong connection with the renowned Soor Center in Kuwait, she could have taken the easy way out if she opted to, but she didn’t. “I agreed with my brother Dr. Naif when he advised me to go all the way and gain all, and not some, of the professional certificates that are required, before I thought of assisting as a life coach at Soor Center.”

Not to confuse life coaching with actual therapy and psychotherapy, Samar is very careful to make the distinction, “Some people require medical help, and I cannot bring it on myself to claim that I am as qualified as a medical professional and take advantage of a client’s trust. I cannot stand it when coaches take on clients who require medical help. The ethics of this field are wildly abused.” This is why she decided to take a step to also set up a private office at her home—a welcoming abode to all.

Also utilizing her strong social media presence,

all it took was word of mouth for Samar’s coaching journey to take flight. “I take the testimony of my clients, whether they are friends or family or not, very seriously.” Interestingly enough, she sees more engagement on her coaching account on Instagram, which features fewer followers than her public profile, which boasts more than 26K followers. “It’s all about the engagement—I am so amazed by how people like to simply stalk you online, without gaining the real benefit of the content being posted.

Some people look down at what I do, wait for me to make a mistake, and others support me. Real people don’t necessarily have a lot of followers, and real change makers with a huge following are super rare to come by.”

Throughout the process, Samar learned so much from the experience, especially that her specialty as a coach is on womanhood and motherhood, “I’m very in tune with my maternal side, and I’m not perfect, but I hold my experience as a mother to a high standard. It’s ongoing, and I’m not afraid to share my knowledge with others.” She coaches her clients on the importance of establishing boundaries, how a mother’s time is important, she even posts videos on productivity and being a guiltfree mom in an effort to support other moms. “As a woman, whether you are a mother or not, it’s so easy for people to judge you mercilessly. When I speak on motherhood, however, I speak from real experiences. Nobody can take that away from me.”

She’s been judged previously for her views; especially when she speaks on the abuse of the coaching profession in general and how women are expected to live by social constructs. “I coach women to live their lives to the fullest. When you do that, everything will fall into place. Good will come to you, whether it be marriage, family, a career— this should be defined by you, and not what society dictates. Many life coaches in Kuwait forget the concept of being true to themselves. Without this sense of authenticity, how could you inspire others?”

Samar decided to take her coaching further with the establishment of Kashtet Samar, where ‘Kashta’ loosely translates to an outdoors picnic or gathering.

“I love being a host,” Samar laughingly explained, “I wanted to create a safe space for women to openly express and to challenge their views, to push them out of their comfort zones.” She hosts and oversees every detail that goes into these monthly gatherings that can cater for more than 40 women. “The first Kashta was a personal one and lasted for hours, where women expressed themselves freely, with both happy and sad stories for all to hear.” Samar brings in inspirational women with challenging stories, from a cancer survivor living life to its fullest, to a woman living and battling Multiple Sclerosis to even a fun session with a renowned local astrologist.

She added that, “everyone’s welcome, and we take on different themes to consider other perspectives.”

The different themes discussed at Kashtet Samar will vary from one month to the other, but Samar essentially seeks usual ways to "break the ice." She said, “I’ll put on a fashion show for the women present to participate in a homemade catwalk to instill a sense of confidence, and I’ll use art as a tool of communication, or even music. Whatever it takes to bring down those walls that many women unknowingly cling on to.” The gatherings are meant to be fun, engaging, inspiring, with a takeaway of learning something new about yourself every time you participate. “Even if you think that your life is perfect, you have to want to improve a part of your life.”

For this month’s campaign, for instance, Samar will be exploring the theme of love for your country, and will encourage the visiting women to make a real, applicable pledge to better their nation.

“Doing something for a greater goal can be a very empowering experience.” She smilingly added, “But we’ll have fun with the process.”

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Samar’s monthly events is how well priced these experiences are, with super competitive prices when compared to other events available in Kuwait.

“I don’t believe in overcharging, and the whole point of doing this is for fun. We tackle heavy subjects in a lighter tone, I’m offering an outlet for expression.”

Masahat Samar, or Samar’s space, is also an initiative that Samar recently launched and will host various local figures who will share their stories, such as astrologist and motivational speaker Haifa Al Fuzai to teach women that they deserve more, no matter their experience or past. She invites women to “consider this space your own canvas for change, but in a non-traditional way to tackle difficult themes like how to overcome failure or loss, how to take on a new challenge in life. There are many women with beautiful stories to tell. I don’t want fiction or fantasy, I want real people.”

Samar likes to bring in one of her other passions, Zumba, as a tool for engagement and change. When I asked how Zumba and life coaching come into play, she replied with an impassioned, “Why not? It’s still a tool for expression.” Zumba is surely a huge part of Samar’s life, as she enjoys her active role as part of the Kuwait Zumba Crew, and she believes that exercise is an integral part of achieving a balanced, healthy life.

Samar is constantly planning the themes for Kashtet Samar and Masahat Samar, with plans to take it regionally to Bahrain this month and Dubai to follow suit. “I love how this humble initiative is organically evolving into an awareness campaign, and I hope to do even more activities throughout the year.”

[Continued...]

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UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE What do you most value in your friends?

Acceptance, respect & SPACE. Need I say more?!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness is being honest with yourself and staying true to your wants and needs, ‫عىل نفسك‬

‫حق‬.

What is your greatest fear?

God created each and every one of us with a purpose to live by, to make the world a better place one way or another, and so my greatest fear is not living my life’s purpose to the fullest.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My sensitivity . I’m very in-tune with myself internally, that I can feel peoples’ vibes and intentions around me, it affects me and disturbs my mood! Work in progress, I suppose.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Hypocrites, users, abusers, egomaniacs , snobs, liars, gossipers…Basically people with no lives!

Which living person do you most admire?

My Mother.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My greatest extravagance is Me! I love investing in ME, always upgrading to a better version, mentally, physically and emotionally. This satisfies me internally and entirely!

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Let’s see what happens. I find this phrase helps to calm my chaos of overthinking and helps me trust the universe’s timings for things to happen.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The talent of saving money. Sigh.

If you could have any job, what would it be?

A lawyer. I have the passion and strength to help people. For this I can put my emotions and sensitivity on the side and I definitely believe that I’d be a good one!

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

My boys. At the end of the day they are my greatest achievements above all ‫مال‬ ‫ راس ي‬.

What is your most treasured possession?

My Kingdom a.k.a. my home.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My big wild hair, sharp features and of course my green eyes! Yup, I’ve got more than one marked characteristic.

Where would you most like to live?

Somewhere in Europe, aiming for Spain.

What are your favorite words to live by?

It is what it is/Take it or leave it/Leave it till Tomorrow/ Tomorrow is a new day. These words are all on point, and I don’t think they need to be explained.

For more information, follow Samar Al Mutawa on Instagram @Samarthecoach.

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[...Continued]

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EARNING ATTENTION IS BETTER THAN PAYING FOR IT Marketing is not a sprint, it’s a marathon

By Barry Rodrigues

Attention is one of the most expensive commodities in today's world, and brands that have it are the ones that get more ears and eyeballs than their competition, maybe not always for the right reasons. But contrary to what has been going on for decades in the past, attention is no longer just a commodity that can be bought by the big players by throwing big money for prime TV commercial slots and premium newspaper advertising.

In today’s digital age, where everything is connected, social media rules the roost and content is available in abundance, it is extremely difficult to amass attention.

This is why some companies have developed clever and memorable ways to showcase their brands without being too obvious. It is an absolute gift which very few brands practice today. Here are a few things brands can do to earn the attention and trust of their customers: #Work on creating original content Nobody wants to be interrupted anymore. Experts are forecasting that in the near future, customers are more likely to buy products and services that they see as part of their daily ecosystem like for instance on their social media feeds or on their smartphone web browsers. And they will be able to buy products that they like by interacting with the media they consume which is a far cry from the interruptive (and sometimes borderline harassment based) techniques that marketers practice toda By creating original content and posting it on their blogs or other social media, brands can not only create experiences that their users can identify with but can also position themselves as industry leaders in their particular field. This in the long run results in existing customers and prospects having more confidence in the brand and further results in sales. #Partner with like-minded businesses and influencers Instead of paying huge sums of money on advertising which more and more people are getting skeptical about, it makes more sense to get into partnerships with businesses that share your business demographic. By co-creating content that both your followers and your partner's followers are interested in, you will start appealing to each other's demographic (if your content is good) and you can start working on creating a bigger community with which you can engage with.

One big let-down is ego. Yes, you read that right – ego. A lot of the big brands nowadays refuse to 38

enter partnerships thinking they are invincible, and that nobody can beat them. The problem is that while nobody may be able to beat them now, the brand ends up alienating itself from the industry and if things aren’t in their favor, they completely lose the trust of the consumer.

As long as you do your research right and share the same values albeit different goals whether it is a collaborative partner, a content creator or influencer, you are on the right track and the content that you co-create will only benefit you in more ways you can imagine. #Get more involved with local communities.

It really surprises me how brands not just in the Middle East but the world over don't get that marketing today is not about paid attention anymore and people are tired of being interrupted with things they aren't interested in or not ready for. And if brands want to make a good impression on their existing customers and prospects, they need to participate in the dialogues and be a part of their communities.

Take social media for example, I rarely see brands responding to comments on their social media feeds with empathy, they just stick to answering questions and don't thank customers for their purchase or even for their compliments

let alone scouring the web for comments that refer to the brand and comment on then to drive some interest to their pages or feeds. Social media is all about networking and making delightful conversations. Just bragging about yourself or your product is simply akin to a sleezy used car or insurance salesman trying to oversell and while you make a few sales happen using this technique, in the long run you will only end up hurting your brand.

I can already feel some CMOs and even some CEO and CFOs cringing as (if) they read this but just like you feel a sense of accomplishment when you earn something by hard work instead of having someone just give it to you, earning the attention and hopefully the trust of your customer will ultimately help your brand in more ways than you can imagine.

At the end of the day it comes down to just one thing – marketing is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Which gives me a good idea for my next article. Watch out!

Barry Rodrigues is the founder of NexGen Digital, a London based digital engagement company that uses using creativity, insights and technology to help their customers tell better stories.

For comments, please email Barry at barry.nexgen@gmail.com. Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.

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GUS EGE'S DEBUT NOVEL IS OUT! Keep the Future in Mind

By Nejoud Al-Yagout

Augustine "Gus" Ege's debut novel—Keep the Future in Mind—was published in January of 2019. The novel revolves around characters who are not necessarily connected, but who develop friendships with one another. Fate requires that they transcend the physical world when the group is called to act on a global scale. And for this month's feature, we're here to discuss Gus's thoughts and views as a writer on the literary process and, of course, his novel.

One question that arises from the novel is: Where do our heroes and guardians come from? It's an essential question. How is this significant to your readers?

I would like the readers to see themselves in a different light after reading the novel whoever they are. And no matter how small their deed, it may end up being heroic to a few or many others.

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You managed to write a novel while teaching ICT and heading a department! How did you juggle both your professional and literary lives?

There is no easy solution to this, and it has been difficult.

However, if you are doing two things you really enjoy then it is both manageable and enjoyable.

based on reality and the inner realms of imagination.

Which one are you more inclined toward in this novel?

I am not sure if it is a blessing or a curse, but I have always struggled to separate reality from my imagination.

The book suggests that the two are much closer than we think and heavily influence each other.

In your book description, you hint at ordinary people with ordinary lives embarking on extraordinary feats that influence the world. How connected are we and how much do you think our individual actions shape the collective?

In an increasingly connected world, we have the ability to contact a wider and more diverse audience than ever before.

I draw inspiration from small isolated communities the world over courtesy of the internet. I then share these experiences with all of the pupils I teach and, of course, it is reflected in my writing.

Finally, in your opinion, does literature have the power to transform the world?

Without a doubt. Over the centuries books (including fictional ones) have created political ideologies and economic systems. On a personal level, every time I read a book, I always come away with a bunch of new ideas to improve myself and those around me.

Authors get influenced both by external experiences

Keep the Future in Mind is available on Amazon (both Paperback and eBooks are available for purchase).

You can reach Gus Ege at gusappdev@gmail.com. For more on Nejoud Al-Yagout, check out @coexistkuwait on Instagram.

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ABOUT THAT ATTITUDE…

“Attitude is the mind’s paintbrush; it colors everything you do.” ~Barbara Johnson

By Dr. Susannah Joy Schuilenberg

A colleague posted recently on Instagram, “What we see depends on what we’re looking for,” (~John Lubbock). So often we don’t realize how much our attitude about ourselves, our lives, the world, others, and events prejudice how we interpret our experiences. For instance, if we have the attitude that “everyone is watching,” and that we are somehow inferior, guess what we see as we enter a room full of people?

A metaphorical spotlight and a critical audience.

An attitude is “…a settled way of thinking or feeling about something.” What we think, what we feel, what we do, together form our attitude.

There are three basic attitudes: Positive, negative, and neutral. Under each attitude are perspectives that color the way we move through our day, and indeed, through life. If an attitude is positive, our perspective might include things like confidence, happiness, sincerity, or determination to name a few. If our attitude is negative, the lens for interpreting the world might include hopelessness, anger, doubt, or frustration.

The filter of a neutral attitude might mean an internal landscape that is unemotional, reserved, or passive.

Let’s just stop right here and dispel a myth.

“Positive thinking” does not mean ignoring anything that isn’t ‘happy clappy’ or filtering out all negativity. Staying positive doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time.

It means that even on hard days you know that there are better ones coming. That, peeps, is an attitude. When we have a consistent attitude, it shows in the choices we make, the things we say, and ultimately, the things we achieve.

‘Bias confirmation’ is a sad reality of being human – we selectively filter out any information, experiences, or perceptions which contradict a prevailing attitude. How many of us have referred to a friend or colleague as ‘Sad Sack’ or ‘Eeyore’ because that person’s attitude was overwhelmingly and consistently negative? (‘It’s okay if you don’t want me to come with you. I know I’m just a bother.’)

The same applies to someone who is consistently positive – even when circumstances or situations are not pleasant, someone with a positive attitude may shrug and say, “Oh well. Tomorrow is another day.”

Or, “Well. This sucks. I guess next time I’ll choose better.” Your friend or colleague doesn’t deny reality but rather maintains a hopeful perspective. A neutral attitude is often infuriating to others. We’ve all had a colleague, friend, or partner who is noncommittal about everything. Good or bad situation, the response is passive blankness or an emotional disconnect that says, ‘Whatever.’

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Our attitude influences how we perceive a situation and that perception colors the story we tell ourselves it. Remember that metaphorical spotlight?

The actual event is entering a room filled with people.

The person with the negative attitude feels anxious, telling him/herself a story that is filled with personal inadequacies and predictions of failure.

Guess what happens? Social awkwardness, no real connection with anyone all evening, and the subsequent (erroneous) conclusion that, ‘I really am a loser and this evening was a total failure.’

The individual with the positive attitude feels slightly anxious but tells him/herself a story that is filled with reminders of past successes, selfaffirmations, and confidence that ‘…at least one person will talk to me and I’ll build on that.’ The evening ends with Mr./Ms. Positive leaving for home feeling satisfied and prepared to call the two or three people s/he really connected with, at a later date.

The neutral peep tells no story and makes no

predictions. S/he goes away untouched by the event or anyone who attended and deems the evening neither a failure nor a success.* A neutral attitude is just that – neutral. Neither positive nor negative.

Lest there be any mistake, this is not always a helpful perspective.

Let’s take responsibility for looking at, and if necessary cleaning that metaphorical lens so that we may live by choice, not by default. How much better might life be if we all did just that? *A neutral attitude is not to be confused with depression which is the absence of pleasure and the presence of profound sadness.

Dr. Susannah is a leading psychologist, registered professional counsellor and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling based in Canada. For more information, please follow @DrSusannah on Twitter and Instagram and stay tuned for her latest news.

Photo by yoav hornung on Unsplash.

the promenade

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HEAVENLY HOURS

BY THE SEA EXTEND THE FUN AT AL BALEED RESORT SALALAH BY ANANTARA

By bazaar staff

Some of us are born in a constant state of wanderlust. We want to travel and visit faraway places and see things that are foreign and awe-inspiring. Exotic lands, strange cuisines and interesting customs call to our souls. The rest of us want to relax in the familiar and bathe in the comfort of home. Which is why Salalah is amazingly a one-destination-fits-all. It’s the capital city of Dhofar province in south Oman, known for frankincense, banana plantations and the stunning beaches of the Arabian Sea. It also has some of the most gorgeous lush green landscapes and seasonal waterfalls unlike anything the world has to offer. But, it’s still an Arabic speaking country that is only a few hours away, where visitors can easily feel at home.

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Breathtakingly beautiful, Salalah also offers visitors culture, heritage and beautiful weather all year round, warm but never blistering. All you need is a two-day break to fully recharge your batteries and tame the wanderlust monster.

With Kuwait’s National and Liberation Day holidays just around the corner, or even for a quick weekend away, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara have curated a fantastic 48-hour break for guests. It’s part escape, and part immersion in the beautiful coastal region of Dhofar.

The five-star hotel is all about luxury and splendor and the current “Extend the Fun” package includes buffet breakfast and a buffet or a la carte dinner at exceptionally competitive rates starting from KWD 117 for two people. And because this is a short getaway, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara are giving their guests a complimentary late checkout at 6 pm, so you can maximize the use of your time during your stay.

And with the only private pool villas in Salalah, you will want to make sure you enjoy and plan every single minute of your trip. With expected temperatures in the mid to high twenties during

[Continued...]

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February, it’s going to be perfect for all of your favorite beach activities including working on a beautiful winter tan. And don’t worry about a change of scenery, the resort is nestled between a private beach and freshwater lagoon, beautiful everywhere you look.

Families will greatly enjoy the wealth of activities that will keep the little ones engaged, entertained and happy. Couples interested in a romantic getaway will enjoy the privacy afforded by the villas and the garden walkways. Valentine’s Day is also rapidly approaching, so this might be just the perfect time to book a vacation for two.

Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara offers you everything in terms of grandeur and extravagance. The architectural design reflects Oman’s coastal fortresses, to keep you rooted in the local heritage and history while you enjoy the gourmet dining and massages at the spa.

Salalah is a versatile destination for all types of travelers. People who want to stay put and just chill, will love all of the activities that are available at the resort premises. From the infinity pool to the white sandy beaches and the cinema under the stars. The picturesque coast is the perfect backdrop for frozen fruity cocktails and relaxing Thai massages and hammams. If you are interested in a little bit more stimulation but don’t want to leave the beautiful resort, consider signing up for a wellness activity or a cooking class. And don’t worry if you have your kids with you, younger children will enjoy the entertainment at the Al Bahhara Kids Club. If you have teens the Al Shirae Club will save you from the bored eye rolling because they will be completely engaged in karaoke, board games and more.

Explorers who want to venture out will realize that they are minutes away from a plethora of different activities. Salalah is home to not one, but four sites that are protected by the UNESCO World Heritage program. History aficiandos will love The Land of Frankincense Museum and Sumhuram Archaeological Park, both archeological dig sites that date back to the trade routes of frankincense.

Outdoorsy people will appreciate available water sporting adventures like fishing, parasailing, diving and might get lucky and meet some dolphins along the way.

Wadi Darbat, the natural spring that gives the lush green valley it is vibrant green hues is a soul-soothing sight. The resort can pack you a luxury picnic that will keep your energy levels up for so you can enjoy the walking trail, watery caves and boat rides. If you want to keep your feet dry, Jabal Samhan is an easy enough hike for most people, albeit an elevated one, or visit Teeq Cave and Tawi Ateer Sinkhole. The Salalalah Gurus at the resort are experts at crafting the perfect itinerary for your needs, make sure to get their advice for a perfect trip.

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[...Continued]

After a full day of exploring, visit the city's local shops for a fun local experience where you can buy aromatic frankincense, bukhoor, spices and souvenirs for your friends and family back home.

By the end of your short trip, you will be refreshed and recharged and ready to go back to your real life, but you might already be booking your next Salalah getaway before you leave, it’s that addictive.

What are you waiting for? Make the best out of the upcoming National and Liberation day holiday at a majestic getaway that offers you fun, relaxation and exploration. Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is the perfect weekend retreat for everyone. Book a reservation at www.anantara.com/en/al-baleedsalalah/offers/extend-the-fun or call +96823228222.

For some amazing eye-candy and updates follow them on Instagram @anantarasalalah.

that salasil

NIGHT VISION

With the release of Glass, M. Night Shyamalan talks about building up his own superhuman defenses

By Yasmin Gagne

Few filmmakers have experienced as wide a range of praise and criticism as M. Night Shyamalan. After finding fame at age 29 with the blockbuster The Sixth Sense, followed by Unbreakable and Signs, he put out a series of misses, culminating in 2013's widely panned Will and Jaden Smith vehicle After Earth. But in 2015, Shyamalan surprised audiences with a twist: He released The Visit, a horror movie he self-financed for $5 million that went on to gross $65 million in the U.S., sparking a professional renaissance.

The next year, his $9 million horror film Split (a sequel of sorts to Unbreakable) grossed $138 million. Shyamalan, who's now producing a psychological thriller series starring Rupert Grint for Apple TV, explains how he regained his moviemaking powers.

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[Continued...]

Glass is the third in a series that started 18 years ago with Unbreakable, an unconventional superhero origin story. The movie was a box-office disappointment, though it was well received by critics and gained a cult following. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your younger self?

You want to be this trailblazing artist, but you [also] want to be accepted. They sometimes don't go together. [I'd] say to myself, Hey, you're on the right track. Just keep going. Your gut is right, even though maybe the marketplace hasn't caught up to it yet.

Why did you choose to revisit the story with 2016's Split, which only reveals itself to be a sequel at the end of the film, and Glass, which brings together characters from the other two?

When I did Unbreakable, the producers wouldn't let me sell it as a comic-book movie, because they thought it was uncommercial. So it wasn't marketed that way. They said, "Everybody comes to thrillers, so let's make it an ambiguous thriller with your name and Bruce Willis attached." I felt a little hurt by it. I was probably just being immature,

and I put away the idea of making a trilogy, which I had been thinking about. Life went on. I did other movies, and I made some family fare and then I went back to thrillers. While I was making The Visit, I thought, Split will be really good to make that way, super-contained. The low-budget moviemaking was making me feel free.

How so?

I'm doing these films the way I want, because I've paid for them. There's a high likelihood that [the return is] going to be positive, because [the budget is] so low. That's comforting. For Glass, I said, I'm going to put a loan up against my house. I'm setting the tone, for the actors, that it's going to be hard, and they might not have everything they're used to.

The process weeds out people organically, because not everyone is up for that, and spurs a kind of a work ethic from everybody.

You saw success early in your career with The Sixth Sense. Newsweek proclaimed you "the Next Spielberg" on its cover when you were just 32.

What was that like?

I made a movie at 20, called Praying With Anger,

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that failed. I made another movie, Wide Awake, for Miramax and Harvey [Weinstein], and got my ass handed to me when that failed. Then I did The Sixth Sense and wrote [the screenplay for] Stuart Little in the same year. So that pocket of "wow" was narrow.

I had setbacks before and after.

Can you describe a time when you shared your creative vision with colleagues, and they didn't like it?

When I made The Visit, I felt like a film student again, and that was good. When I first showed the [script] to people, everyone said they didn't think it was going to work. They were like, "You can't be this irreverent, you can't have a naked grandmother in this." When I showed people the script for Split, everyone [who read it], even my agent, said, "No way." I've been feeling that fun kind of "I'll prove you wrong" sense when I come to people with an idea and they say no.

Do you find yourself pushing back often?

It's more about following my instinct. If I say, "I'm thinking about doing this, what do you think?" and [the other party doesn't get it], that will actually reinforce my first thought. I'll think, I know you can't see it yet, but I can see it. Whereas when what [the other party says] resonates [with me], I know I need to change something. I remember when I wrote The Sixth Sense, I told my agent, "We're going to put this on sale on Monday for a minimum bid of a million dollars, and I'm attached as director. If we don't get a million dollars, I'm shelving it." We didn't have any 52

[...Continued]

money, so can you imagine? But I was dead serious.

After Earth has an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and did not meet expectations at the box office.

How do you deal with professional setbacks?

I'm in a good place on all of that. I don't read a lot of that stuff. I get a general idea from people who tell me whether a movie was well reviewed or not. . . . I've been surprised by the passion of the hatred sometimes. I tend to look for unifying theories. I had a relationship with my audience that was specific in terms of making thrillers. Then I wanted to go make other stories. I tacked toward kids' movies mid-career and I'm sentimental, I get it. That's not your cup of tea. I wanted to make kids' movies at that time. Now I'm cool with making thrillers again, and there's an expectation and reward that's more in alignment for the audience.

The "M. Night Shyamalan twist" has become a trope of sorts. Has that made you rethink anything when you're writing a script?

The pejorative part of that question is that it seems like it's a dance move, like the moonwalk. That's not what it is. There's always, by the nature of making a thriller, going to be a revelation. All stories have an, "Oh my God, I can't believe that happened" moment, but mysteries have a more defined [one].

You typically write, direct, and even appear in your own movies, but you've also adapted other material, like 1999's Stuart Little. Which do you prefer?

It's more of a challenge to adapt stuff because I want

to please everyone. I feel bad changing anything. My first draft of Stuart Little was a straight adaptation of that book. I didn't want to change it because it was by E.B. White. I thought, I'm just an Indian kid here writing. Then [the producers] were like, it's too quaint. I thought I would rewrite it and just see where my mind went. There was a line in the book: "He looks somewhat like a mouse." That told me the tone of the movie, which was the answer to everything. I used that line, and that humor, as the North Star. I prefer to go through the torture from scratch.

The Visit was a low-budget horror movie. Glass is a superhero movie. It seems like these are the only two types of bets studios are making now. Why do you think that is?

[Watching] a drama can be an insular experience.

It's harder to get you out of your house because, for example, I would want to experience something like [seeing] a couple getting divorced in private.

I don't need 500 people to have that experience.

But being scared or surprised or having an "aha" moment are things you don't want to see alone.

Glass stars two stalwarts from the Marvel universe—Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and James McAvoy (Professor X). Do you feel like you're competing with Marvel and DC? Our movie kind of comments on all of that. It's very self-aware. I want to believe that we have come to a place where originality is again going to be a marketable thing.

gac

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ELEVATING DESIGN SERVICES

Alshaya Design Services located at five brands for your convenience By bazaar staff

Everyone takes inspirations from various platforms for the renovation of their own home, be it a new house, or one that is ready for an exquisite seasonal makeover. A beautiful design goes beyond the facade of just looking pretty, especially with the right complimenting accessories.

Any design requires functionality, and taking advantage of your space.

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This is where the Design Services at these renowned brands, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm and Williams Sonoma are offering their expertise. Generally, home or even room makeovers can be either stressful, or simply confusing. In terms of using the space you have correctly, as well as taking another aesthetical perspective is, occasionally, required.

The design crew at the Design Services team offer complimentary design consultation across all five furniture destinations. Anyone seeking some inspiration can just call any of the stores to book, and discuss a variety of designing topics, including a particular style preference, colors, space usage, the type of products utilized, and much more. They also offer a complimentary visit to the customers’ homes for required measurements, giving the designers a better view and assessment of the space.

Anish Varghese is a designer at Pottery Barn, who’s also been working on designs for customers since 2010. “What I love most about our brands is the uniqueness of our product, and the selection we have to offer. Making the customers vision come true, and turning their house into a home is why I enjoy being a part of the design crew. I recently worked on a onebedroom apartment, the space was empty, and this gave freedom to the customer and myself to maximize the potential of their new home, and make their dream home come true.” Says Anish.

At these excellent five brands, it’s all about the customer’s needs, requirements, and more importantly, their happiness and satisfaction.

Whether the customer has a brand new home, empty room, existing furniture, or individual and sentimental pieces. The design crew will do what’s necessary to incorporate them into the design, as well as providing a floor map of their spaces to demonstrate the selected products, placements of certain pieces, effective usage of space (smaller or larger), and to gain a better view of the designing structure.

Amir Samir Hawa is another design crew member who’s stationed at West Elm. He says, “I have been a member of the design crew for two years now. West Elm provides customers with creativity in how they furnish their home.

Working with the customers, you see how much they love the multiple options we have and the products we offer. I enjoy designing floor plans for a customer’s home, whether it’s a bedroom or living room, going to a customer's home, measuring their space, and working with what’s on their wish list.”

A key element in what makes the Design Services at these five brands unique and powerful, is the fact that they’re all integrated with one another. The customer will have a variety of options to choose pieces from each

Designers Vivin Thomas from Williams Sonoma and Amir Samir Hawa from West Elm

Designer Anish Varghese from Pottery Barn

[Continued...]

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brand, be it a classical setup from Pottery Barn, creative coloring choices of furniture items and accessories from West Elm, or selected dinnerware for a luxurious feel from Williams Sonoma.

The integration works perfectly well for the design crew, as they provide various furniture pieces and accessories within the five brands.

The brands will have designing variations depending on customer tastes and applying them for everyone. Families will be pleased to learn that pieces from Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn Kids can both be included in one room, as well as Williams Sonoma luxurious pieces with the creative parts of West Elm. All of them link back to the customers' preferences and aesthetics. When it comes to an entire home makeover, pleasing every member of the family can be tough, but with the power of the five brand at Alshaya Design Services, everyone’s individual taste is brilliantly catered for.

The design crew makes sure that any customer receives only the best kind of experience. To anyone who’s made a purchase and placed a delivery, the team would gladly make a visit to their home or makeover space, and see through any additional requirements, ensuring their customer’s satisfaction of the purchase till the very last step of the way.

As the designer, Vivin Thomas from Williams Sonoma says “It is great that we can provide our customers with the quality product our brands have to offer. It means something to me personally, when I am providing a customer with a complete solution to their request.”

The Design Services also offer complimentary party planning, which is the perfect service for a quick but also a fabulous party. From decorating for the holidays, birthdays, picnics, or any fun occasion. The design crew will provide their consultation, to help and coordinate your next small or big party.

The design crew have gradually and successfully established a relationship between themselves and their customers. The team certainly shows passion in what they do, let alone the dedication that is displayed towards their guests and visitors. Having the power of the five brands, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm and Williams Sonoma’s contribution with Design Services, broadens the aesthetical perspective for home furnishing and room makeovers. Making room for more growth of the brands, and experiencing a different journey for home makeovers.

Pottery Barn (2228 3364), Pottery Barn Teen (2228 3494), Pottery Barn Kids (2228 3378), and Williams Sonoma (2228 3101) are located at The Avenues. West Elm is located in AlKout Mall (2208 1491) and The Avenues (2228 3069). Photography by Caroline Ericson, @pixbyCaroline.

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[...Continued]

cozmo

THE HANNIBAL RACE

You’ll need more than speed to cross the finish line!

By Ayman Nassar

Once upon a time, races were rather straight forward. You show up at the start line, run in a single direction, turn around, run back and cross the finish line. That definition has long since changed with the emergence of obstacle courses that would have you go vertical, shimmy sideways, and crawl down low before rewarding you with a medal for your achievement.

The latest such race to make its way to the desert of Kuwait is the Hannibal Race. Drawing its inspiration from the infamous Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca (before Barca was cool), who in addition to being one of the greatest military commanders in history, was also one of the first to employ elephants during battle, a monstrous creature never before seen by the likes of his enemies. Suffice to say, he was a genius, and so is the race that is his namesake.

As a seasoned regular runner i.e. one that runs on a mostly even surface, I could never wrap my mind around the appeal of obstacle course races. Why would someone put themselves in such a position, where the slightest mishap could spell the end of your running career? Is the adrenaline rush really that enticing? What is the point if you are not setting a personal record or aiming to break one, since these races rarely have such a commodity as personal bests?

It was not until I journeyed to the Land of the Phoenicians to witness this spectacle for myself first hand, that I finally understood the reason why people opt for such races, and from my perspective at least, it had nothing to do with the race, and everything to do with the racers themselves.

In any given event, there are two types of people; those that attain a podium finish, and those that take part in the experience. Although the former is a small group (3 of each gender, so total 6) whilst the latter boasts a much larger audience, and if you have the power to help someone cross the finish line, then that puts you in a unique new group that can never be replicated in a regular race.

Let’s face it, words can only do so little in terms of motivation. Placards, thumbs up and high fives also, and that is the extent of the assistance you can offer a regular runner during a regular race. In an obstacle course however, you can give them a leg up to jump over an obstacle, grab their hand and pull them up the steep incline or even help them place their feet properly on the giant cargo net on their way to the top. And that provides its own sense of accomplishment that is impossible to replicate even atop the podium.

Obstacle races provide runners with the opportunity to focus on their finer qualities, and not just their speed.

You need a lot more than that to claim victory at the finish line, for it is a challenge to every muscle in your body and every fiber of your being. The specter of failure is always looming beside the next obstacle, and with 25 58

of them, you will feel the constant draw of giving up to spare yourself the pain that tomorrow will bring should you dig down deep and find the courage to climb, crawl, jump, roll and sprint through said obstacles. When that sense of morose kicks in, you need only look to your nearest competitor for the phantom of a smile to renew your determination and shift your gears into overdrive, propelling you forward (and upward, and sideways) towards the finish line.

Of all the medals in my collection, the Hannibal Obstacle Race in Jbeil, Lebanon holds a special place in my heart for it is at that precise moment I understood the appeal of obstacle races. Bear in mind, the

Hannibal Obstacle Race is notoriously famous for its final obstacle; the Mud Bucket. So as not to give away too much, if you are signing up, make sure you pack an extra towel (or two).

The Hannibal race will be making its way to Kuwait for the first time on February 9th. The chosen location is Mutla’a, Kuwait’s most difficult running terrain.

Like the Rubik’s Cube, Ayman Nassar is multi-colored in his interests, from running to organizing races, standup comedy and internal audit, plus a little writing on the side. You can find him on youtube.com/lordaymz or follow him on Instagram @lordaymz.

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THE FIRST MOVE ON THE BOARD Bringing the inner chess game to life

By George Tarabay

For four years (that sounded weird) I have been stuck. Not physically, but literally trapped inside my own head.

Which is a weird statement, from a man who made bold statements in previous articles about “doing more.”

My thing is, I love creating videos. I love filming, telling stories, editing them, watching them and enjoying them.

Not out of vanity, but I do believe my videos are pieces of my soul made into art. Don’t get me wrong: I did not write those articles to meet a deadline, but I believe every word I wrote, every idea I broadcasted. But I’ve been stuck.

Stuck to the point where I doubted every piece of art I created. Notice how my process did not carry the word “publish” in it. It’s because I did not believe in the worth of my effort. I believed in its value and the values it carried, yet not its worth.

A lot happened around me in the past four years: I lost my father in a way that has left me scarred to this day. I fell into depression. I broke out of it but it lingers, then out of a career mold. I established a life outside my practice, got married…

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That’s what you will see, if you are close to me personally. But what you don’t see is the many promises I made to myself to create more content. Again, not to gain a following, but to broadcast my perspective, which I believe, some might use to achieve more with their time on this planet.My biggest enemy is myself. I don’t listen to outside voices, I don’t care for opinions, words can’t affect me. I’m at peace with myself, to the point some deem annoying. I just can’t be bothered.

But every time I create something, here’s the best, least aggressive scenario in my head: It’s nice, loved it, but I literally don’t take anything seriously. What if others also don’t take it seriously? What if they do? If they didn’t what’s the point of publishing or even creating? If they did, they will for now, until they flip, so what is the point again?

And thus, the video gets buried, deep in my drive, in a folder I often visit as a form of retreat.

“Jeez, why so dramatic?” You might wonder…or not.

I’m not being dramatic, I’m just trying to expose my weak side and get it out in the open might I shame myself to cast it off.

I fear the buildup created inside my head. I process things differently, more intensely, I heighten it, pedestalize it, but it never sees the light of day. It’s like I’m playing chess constantly inside my brain, the opponent is my dark side, and myself a mix of a hopeful artist and that same dark side, have been taking too long to make the first move.

The process is so intense, I try to create all the scenarios in my head before that first move, to the point where the first move never happens. It’s crippling, terrifying. Not just for video, but anything I do. I sometimes put myself in positions where I force myself to just do things, especially when it comes to my business, but when it comes to myself, my own brand, I am careful to the point where I don’t even try to get off my seat to see what it could be.

I am a great listener, I listen well, and I give the best advice (fact check: I do). But I also listen to myself so much, I become my own demotivational coach. It’s weird, I always heard: You have to have something to be able to give it. But in this case, I seem to be the exact opposite. I lack motivation, but I’m good at giving it. Text-book weird.

And here’s the last line of motivation for you, but most importantly, for me: Make the first move on the board in real life, otherwise it’s a definite checkmate, not as a result of your opponent’s strategy, but forfeited to the lapsing time you spent thinking about the not so certain check-mate.

This was, hopefully, my first move, what is yours?

George Tarabay is a marketing expert/ Filmmaker/ comedian/Podcaster. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, SoundCloud @GeorgeTarabay.

Featured image courtesy of George Tarabay.

int optique

By:

International Optique

@intoptique

INTERNATIONAL OPTIQUE

KuwaitCL.com

www.intoptic.com

Tel. 25713003 / 97234751

RE_USE X TSCK

The fusion of art and technology to help the environment By bazaar staff

You already know that global climate is taking a hit. You also know that we only get one planet which comes with a “you break it, you buy it” policy and we are already paying for it. The Scientific Center Kuwait has decided to take action. Last June they worked with the UNDP and hosted an event titled “Beat the Plastic” which helped raise awareness, while at the same time pledging to make long-term changes to their policies that would help eliminate plastic pollution, especially the ones caused by single-use-plastics SUPs. Immediately after their collaboration with the UNDP’s sustainability program, they banned the use of SUPs and now use glass cups instead of plastic cups for water in their administrative offices. They have also replaced plastic bags in the Gift Shop, instead they offer their customers paper bags or the option of purchasing reusable canvas totes. Visitors can also purchase S’well bottles to reduce their plastic bottle consumption. And if you are observant, you will have noticed Omniya’s recyclable collections boxes around the premises.

This year they have undertaken a huge project in collaboration with the Re_Use project.

It is part art, part science and part hands-on experience to help the public realize the effect of pollution in Kuwait and offer a thought-provoking platform for change.

The exhibit, which opened on January the 10th and will run through April the 6th, has been in the making since 2018 when they invited creatives and artists to send in their proposals for pieces that would help drive the message to a large audience.

The result is twenty installations that are a beautiful mixture of art and technology to show just how terrible the effects of pollution can be on our immediate surroundings and on the long-term. The exhibit starts before you enter the Discovery Center. The corridor is lined with posters in Arabic and English, giving you specific statistics and numbers on the effects of bad practices on Kuwait. They are an eye-opener.

As you take it all in, you realize that this is a problem in our own backyard, not a faraway global one. 90% of Kuwait’s coral is already gone and Kuwait’s arable land area is shrinking.

The large touch screen installation called Bloom that is located just at the door to enter the exhibit, which responds to your motions and touches utilizing special sensors, mirrors

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Re_Use Exhibit at the Discovery Place

Echoes

Upcycled Music

Bloom

Candy Parti

Storm Tunnel

the consequences of our actions. What we do creates a ripple effect in the world around us.

As you enter you realize that it is dark inside.

The lights and accent colors are yellowish. The vibe screams urgency. An intentional decision by the exhibit’s curator Zahed Sultan, subliminally broadcasting that danger is imminent unless we change.

The installations are interactive, the artists want you to touch them, move around them but most of all they want you to look beyond the artistic and think of the stark reality that we are creating. Storm Tunnel, lets you walk through an approximation of airborne debris in the environment. Echoes uses a section of a Mulberry tree as a record to play music directly from the wood. You can play the drums in the Upcycled Music installation.

Human Sensor is another interesting piece that melds digital technology with fashion, creating a performative and walking art work jacket and face mask that change colors when the wearer is exposed to air pollutants.

While the topic of the exhibit is very serious, the Candy Parti installation is playful and challenges viewers to consider the impact of their consumption of plastic by offering them a choice to eat candy and create plastic waste, of which only 10-13% is ever recycled, or to conserve the candy so that the installation can remain intact for future visitors. A direct parody of the “consume now ignore future generations” mindset that many of us have right now.

The most haunting exhibit was Phonofolium. A mechanized tree reacts audibly to touch. A gentle stroke generates a soft roar while a tug or a hard pull makes the tree scream. It definitely makes you think twice about being rough with plants again, let alone mindlessly pulling off a leaf.

There are many more exhibits to see and explore. And while the themes are mature, children can easily grasp them all by touching and watching.

All of the installations are self-explanatory, but Explainers are available to offer more information if you request it.

The project offers a fantastic spring board for conversation, thought and change. It might be possible to get though the entire exhibit in an hour, but you want to make time to stand, think and let it sink in before you move on to the next one. The Scientific Center will be organizing workshops and lectures that cater to different age ranges so make sure to follow them on social media to stay updated.

We have a long road ahead of us, but The Scientific Center are already leading the way in educating people to the importance of the size of the environmental crisis in Kuwait and to motivate them to make the changes for a better tomorrow.

And that is how change happens.

For more details on the Scientific Center’s Re Use activities, events and workshops follow them on Instagram @re____use and @scicenterkw and Facebook @tsckuwait.

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AN ODE TO A PERSIAN KITCHEN Interview with Chef Atoosa Sepehr

By Deepa Pant

Capturing the myriad colors of Persian food, in recipes and, recollections, food writer and photographer, Atoosa Sepehr's cookbook is an ode to the enchanting flavors from a Persian kitchen. Filtered through a lens of memory, it draws on a childhood spent in the family's kitchen.

She inherited the cooking gene from her mother.

Her story does not start with a culinary school, but her mom's kitchen. Born and brought up in Iran, Atoosa Sepehr relocated to the United Kingdom in 2007.Outside her day job, Atoosa started cooking and recreating many of the dishes she grew up eating back home in Isfahan.

Cooking was her idea of happiness. She started inviting her friends and colleagues to taste her creations, rooted in Iran. The feedback and adulation that Atoosa received, gave her the confidence to quit her job and work on her debut cookbook: From a Persian Kitchen. It's a book which is already listed as a Gourmand World Cookbook 2019 finalist and has also been declared as Best Food Book of the Year by The Irish Times. The book, a richly evocative memoir, contains simple and delightful Persian recipes that are easy to follow, and should be in every home cook's repertoire. bazaar's Deepa Pant caught up with Atoosa Sepehr to talk about her book, Persian meals and moments. Read on to learn more about the author.

Your debut cookbook hit the stands in September of 2018. It already is a Gourmand World Cookbook 2019 finalist. How does it feel?

It feels great! I have always wanted to write a cookbook that celebrates all of the fresh and local ingredients that we use back home in Iran.

When I started writing the book, I didn’t think this far ahead, I just wanted to write a book that was visually pleasing to the eye and, most importantly, contained easy-to-follow recipes of authentic Persian food.

You've embarked on an unconventional career: from an engineer to a consultant to an accountant to being author of 'From a Persian Kitchen'. Why did you decide to write this book? Can you please speak of your journey?

I have always loved food but I never had the opportunity to explore this interest as a career.

Growing up in Iran, I always wanted to be considered equal to men, so I decided to work in a male-dominated field (import and export), where I was quite successful. However, I ended up in a bad marriage and I decided to move to the city of London and although I settled into my new environment quite well, I began to miss the food of my home country, which I began to cook regularly in my new home in north London. At the same 64

[Continued...]

time, I began experimenting with photography. So, combining these two interests, I decided to write a Persian cookbook.

Kitchen memories are interspersed throughout your book, whether you speak of Persian Omelette or Prawns with caramelized onion, potatoes and saffron. You tend to mention your mother and grandmother a lot in the book. How difficult was the process of writing this book and to recreate the incredible Persian flavors in your London kitchen?

I was always surrounded with good food. Moving to London was great in so many ways but the downside was that I was missing my family a lot. One thing that made me feel close to my family was food and so I began to recreate many of the dishes I grew up

eating in my parent’s kitchen in the city of Isfahan.

Cooking this familiar food became an important part of my daily routine and I spent a lot of time on phoning my mom to learn new recipes and new cooking methods, which, in turn, would serve to inform my book.

Your book is full of impeccable photographs of luscious dishes that aptly convey the beauty of Persian cuisine. How did you manage to take such stunning photographs, especially when you say that you had no prior knowledge of photography?

When I decided to create my book, I made the decision to include interesting photographs that would complement the dishes in the book. I asked my friend to teach me the technical aspects of photography and, drawing on my knowledge of still-

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life painting, which I had studied in Iran, I began to experiment in my sitting room. Before long, I had quite a large collection of photographs that were primed for print. It was hard work because for each image I had to cook the food in my kitchen and then bring it to my sitting room where I had my studio set up and then spend often many hours getting the right shot.

How did you manage to adapt traditional Persian recipes to tastes to the Western palate?

Persian food is so aromatic and despite the use of a wide range of spices, it is quite mellow in taste and is not dominated by any one single flavour.

Paradoxically, Persian food is quite different from other types of food and yet somehow tastes familiar, so, most people in the West who try Persian food for the first time seem to enjoy it and are open to the new flavors.

What's your most favorite recipe in the cookbook?

I love them all like they are my children and so it is not easy for me to choose one! However, if I had to pick one I would probably say Persian noodle and herbs soup (ash-e reshteh).

What’s one recipe anyone - even someone who’s no MasterChef - can nail in your book?

Persian dal (dal adas), it is easy to make, so flavorful and healthy.

If you were having a dinner party and you could invite any five people, living or dead, who would your guests be?

Comic actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin, the 13th Century Iranian poet Rumi, English novelist Jane Austen, American singer, songwriter and pianist Nina Simone, and my partner (with his guitar).

What was the first cookbook what really inspired you?

My mother gifted me an old notebook some years ago that contains myriad wonderful Iranian recipes, which in turn were handed down to her, from her mother.

Do you think the cookbook, as a form is here to stay, given the rise of blogs and food television?

I believe that cookbooks will always go on to coexist with blogs, TV food programs, food apps, and other innovations in the food space.

What's your signature dish?

Rice with broad beans and dill with lamb shanks (baghali polow ba mahiche).

If your current self could give your past self one sage baking/cooking advice, what would it be?

Have no fear while using different ingredients, experiment and don’t worry if things go wrong.

Mistakes are an important part of learning.

For more information on Atoosa Sepehr, please visit her website at www.atoosasepehr.com and follow her on Instagram @_atoosasepehr. Image credit: Atoosa Sepehr.

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[...Continued]

the scientific tsck

10 VIVA MILESTONES IN KUWAIT Get 'more' out of life with VIVA By bazaar staff

W E

ver thought of how your life would look like without an iPhone? Remember when you used to pay for those additional fees every time you received a call from a landline? What was a typical YouTube session on your phone look like before the appearance of 4G on the scene? We have VIVA to thank for making our lives so much better. While the youngest telecom service provider in Kuwait recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary, they have given back to the country in endless ways. From changing the very way we connect with our loved ones, to contributing to the nation’s economy, always giving us 'more'. Join us as we explore 10 memorable VIVA milestones in Kuwait.

CHANGING UP THE COMMUNICATION GAME When VIVA first launched in Kuwait in 2008, this was a game changer for how we communicated with one another in Kuwait. Remember those days when you thought twice about picking up a call from a landline, or an incoming call from another network, due to those additional fees? It never made any logical sense, and thankfully, VIVA came on to the scene and revolutionized the telecom market by being the first company to waive these fees entirely. The result? We communicated more, and as a result of that, our lives became much more efficient, without worrying about extra fees added to our bills.

IGNITING A PASSION FOR SPORT VIVA’s iconic partnership with Manchester United and Real Madrid to launch the world-renowned Manchester United and Real Madrid soccer schools in Kuwait completely elevated the local sporting scene. Not only was this a historic partnership, it truly imparted priceless experiences and training on many young soccer fans. The Manchester United Training program in Abu Dhabi saw the training of 50 lucky winners from Kuwait. If anything, we can’t thank VIVA enough for bringing Manchester loving fans even closer to their favorite teams, as there were also countless prizes, surprise competitions, and promotions that benefited the sports-loving community of Kuwait, including a trip to Old Trafford!

SUPPORTING NATIONAL FOOTBALL As a key sponsor of the Kuwait Football Association since 2011, VIVA is keen on raising the standard when it comes to Kuwait’s football scene. By officially sponsoring all of their soccer tournaments, VIVA is actively seeking to spread the spirit of healthy competition amongst local teams, encouraging local youth to chase after their sporting dreams. In 2017, the Arabian Gulf Cup was held in Kuwait, and VIVA was the main sponsor and supporter of the event and Kuwait's National Football team.

GIVING BACK TO KUWAIT’S STUDENTS Year after year, VIVA looks after Kuwait’s student community in the UK through their sponsorship of the NUKS (National Union of Kuwaiti Students) UK Annual 68

Conference. Let’s face it, being away from home can be challenging at times and it’s always nice to know that Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most developed telecom operator has your back! Last year alone, VIVA helped bring together over 1,000 Kuwaiti students throughout the UK for two days of cultural and entertainment activities, including prizes, poetry readings as well as a national opera, amongst many other festivities.

Rest assured though, VIVA always has students’ best interests in mind, whether local or abroad. Last year alone, there was an unmissable offer for youth on the Macbook Air and mini router, ensuring that students are supported with the best deals available to them to help them succeed in all of their endeavors.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE IPHONE TO KUWAIT We’ve all gotten quite used to the site of endless queues around the Apple store any time a new iPhone launch comes up. If anything, we look forward to seeing the hoards of people battle it out to get their hands on this elusive piece of machinery. Thanks to VIVA's dedication to constant innovation, we first became introduced to the iPhone in Kuwait in 2011 and our selfies looked so much better since that special moment. Remember that!

GIVING LOCAL BUSINESSES A CHANCE FOR SUCCESS Sometimes, even the greatest business ideas can fail due to not having the appropriate tools to help you succeed. The basis for a great business includes great tech infrastructure and communication tools that allow your business to grow, and with VIVA Business— you can rest assured that all of your communication needs are covered. Make your entrepreneurial dreams come true with VIVA Business, and they offer innovative products and services that optimize and facilitate your work related concerns.

RECRUITING LOCALLY In 2016, VIVA was recognized with the “Best Recruitment Program” award by INSIGHTS, Middle East. Prior to this award though, VIVA has been keen on nurturing the upcoming generation ever since its launch in Kuwait in 2008. Since day one, VIVA has been committed to recruiting and developing Kuwaiti talents by

investing in many community initiatives to encourage the youth to enter the telecommunications sector. By creating these opportunities for the youth in the private sector, the Kuwaiti company is dutifully giving back to its country.

The company’s success in hiring locally contributed to its growth, landing VIVA its official listing on Boursa Kuwait in 2014 which allows investors to trade in VIVA stocks.

RECORD-BREAKING SPEED For elevating Kuwait’s telecom market, we cannot thank VIVA enough for this. The accolades are truly endless here, from nabbing the “Best Wireless Broadband in the SAMENA Region” and the “LTE Advanced” awards by the SAMENA Council in 2013, being the very first to introduce the newest broadband network in Kuwait in 2011, pioneering LTE Advanced in Kuwait, and winning Ookla’s “Speedtest 2017” award. We can't wait to see what they come up with next!

KUWAIT SAYS HELLO TO 5G Not only was VIVA the first to launch 4G in Kuwait, they first brought the 5G experience to their customers at a spectacular event at The Avenues. In doing so, VIVA once again celebrates their pioneering success by winning the “Best Operator Network” and “5G Innovator of the Year” award by Telecoms World Middle East.

ALWAYS GIVING US ‘MORE’ With so many accomplishments to VIVA’s repertoire, they constantly give back to the local community. With their ‘more’ campaign, they bring us, the end user, so many innovative offerings, surprises, gifts. But the reality is, they take it on as a challenge of their own, wanting to lead the market as the most advanced telecom service provider by raising the bar higher with every passing day.

With a robust mobile app and a vibrant E-Store, you can rest assured that you will constantly be getting 'more' out of your VIVA experience.

For more information, visit www.viva.com.kw. Download the VIVA app from the App Store or Google Play and visit the VIVA E-Store at https://store.viva.com.kw.

Look out for VIVA's incredible offers coming your way this February!

[Continued...]

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2008

Launch of VIVA in the market, waiving all landline fees.

2009

VIVA launches innovative prepaid offerings and acquires

2011

500K customers in one year.

VIVA is the first to introduce the Apple iPhone in the Kuwait market.

2011-2014

VIVA enters into a strategic partnership with Manchester United and Real Madrid to launch the world-class Manchester United and Real Madrid soccer schools in Kuwait. In addition, VIVA Sponsors Kuwait Football Association.

1m

2013 2m

VIVA gets officially listed on Boursa Kuwait, allowing investors to trade in VIVA stocks.

33%

2

2015

2015: VIVA launches VoLTE and 4G services enabling faster, clearer and more affordable communication to its customers.

VIVA wins

2017

"best operator network" and "5g innovator of the year" VIVA is the 2017 Speedtest Award Winner for Kuwait’s Fastest Mobile Network Category based on Ookla’s analysis of Speedtest Intelligence data in Kuwait.

2018

VIVA Celebrates 10 year anniversary in Kuwait!

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[...Continued]

VIVA crosses the 1-million mark in its customer base.

2014

VIVA sets a new milestone by winning market share with over million subscribers.

2012

2016 VIVA wins the “Best Recruitment Program” award by INSIGHTS, Middle East.

VIVA wins the “Business Innovation in Risk Management” award by Subex Ltd.

fantasy world

LIVING THE MOTORING DREAM Don’t let the fear stop you, let it drive you By bazaar staff

Hitting 150KM/H on the highway with the sun shining, while feeling the wind sneak up between your sleeves and brushing against your motor bike gear, that’s the sensation you get when you think of adding a motor bike to your automotive collection!

Well, it took me almost three winters to finally make the decision and turn one of my lifetime dreams to reality. I seriously thought that I would never own a motorbike. I guess I let the fear stop me rather than push me. “Let the fear drive you to do the things you would want to do, rather than stop you” that is my humble insight on life!

There is no other way of finding out what you like except by trying it out first.

Honestly you cannot compare riding motorbike to riding any other vehicle. Riding a motorbike is a whole different feeling. The whole process of riding my first bike was one of my favorite life experiences.

It’s in this case where peer pressure is actually considered to be a good thing, and thankfully I have great friends! So, peer pressure was a huge factor to getting my first motorbike. Not to mention 72

that I took over about 100 scooter rides in three different countries for three summers until I came down to the decision of finally copping my first bike.

Before you buy your first bike though, you have to keep these factors in mind: 1. Take a few rides on a scooter, and by few I mean over 90 days of riding.

2. Don’t hesitate to select the bike you desire, based on your budget, of course.

3. Sign up at Tri-Star for 10-12 bike riding lessons.

Tri-Star is a driving school, plus they have a great selection of motorbikes for sale.

4. Make an appointment for the “Try” test, go on the test day and don’t be scared. While it’s easy to think that you should get a Wasta, try not to.

Keep trying until you pass it. Good luck!

5. Finally, you can now buy your own bike, a 700 cc is a great first bike. If not, you can also find second-hand bikes for sale on websites like 4sale or q8car. If you are going for the secondhand option, make sure the bike has low mileage, around 10,000 KM or less. Get it inspected first, buy it and…

6. Congratulations! Welcome to the club!

The next step would be to find the right safety gear and accessories for your bike. Leather outfits

with safety paddings are highly recommended, you need to make sure you are taking the right precautions. Think about it, the only technique you need to master is to DRIVE SLOW & ENJOY THE RIDE! Every other technique is easy to handle.

Speed limits are high in Kuwait’s roads and highways, so you need to be careful all the time. Listen to “Drive slow” by Kanye West featuring Paul Wall & GLC for all the hip-hop and Rhythm'n'Blues fans out there and you will get the hint. I cannot recommend this track enough.

Kuwait had a record of 70,000 road accidents in 2017 alone but thankfully this rate has dropped in 2019. Okay, I say this to make you guys feel better, nevertheless you should be careful, wear a helmet and all the required safety gear and again (DRIVE SLOW).

Personally, I always catch myself speeding every now and then, but I always remind myself to enjoy the ride and just cruise. It’s worth it if you want to keep having the pleasure and the luxury of a nice ride on a cool sunny day.

In my humble opinion I think everyone should try to have the experience to ride a motor bike at least once in their life, even if you are not the one riding, just hop on one behind someone.

Remember, it is the only way you will ever find out if you’re a ‘rida’ or not!

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HUMAN-CENTRIC CARS HAVE ARRIVED

The ENTRANZE concept by GAC is designed with families in mind By bazaar staff

Audiences at the 2019 North American International Auto Show were treated to the debut of the new ENTRANZE. The brainchild of GAC Motor’s Advanced Design Center in LA, the concept car was created with a humancentric approach to family vehicles in mind.

The car is inspired by the sleek looks of a bullet highlighting speed, mobility and moving quickly towards the future. The ENTRANZE is a revolutionary step towards better energy consumption, redesigned interiors and exteriors and an upgraded user experience that turns every day commutes and errands to a more enjoyable affair.

Advancements in car design technology and a move towards cars that are used by humans have helped shape the new features. The traditional control panel was replaced with an advanced voice-control interface and dynamic buttons on the steering wheel help drivers make selections without taking their hands off the wheel. The seating arrangement is inspired by aircrafts. Passengers will be entertained with the new curved displays.

And because the designers understand that people don’t just need to get from point A to B, they also usually haul things around, the cargo system has a central movable storage unit in the second row and removable backpacks that double as in-vehicle storage. The folding rocker panel is the extra touch for leisure seating.

“Ultimately, automotive products are a means for people to connect during life’s great journey.

The ENTRANZE concept embodies our vision to provide mobility solutions that enrich lives,” said Yu Jun, president of GAC Motor.

With the announcement of the new California Headquarters, GAC Motor are now much closer to their American customers. The regional headquarters will be responsible for branding, marketing, product planning and financial affairs.

That is not the only new US location. The GAC R&D Center Detroit has officially begun operation.

The center is a US$ 4.4 million investment and encompasses nearly 50,000 square feet of real estate.

The other two facilities are also research divisions, highlighting the automaker’s commitment to constant improvement in technology of their vehicles. GAC Motors’ Silicon Valley R&D Center has been focused on the improvement and development of many futuristic car technologies such as autonomous driving. The location of the center helps bring in the best academic and industry specialists. The GAC Advanced Design Center Los Angeles is responsible for advanced design, UI/UX development and brand visuals for GAC Motor.

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The Detroit hub connects GAC’s two California R&D centers with the GAC R&D centers in China.

The centers help advance the company’s R&D objectives and global reach.

“In the future, we will continue to make our products more intelligent and transform to a mobility service provider so as to share the unique charm and value of new era of “Made in China” with

global consumers,” said Yu. We love fast and flashy cars. But when we actually buy a car, we buy the car that actually makes our life better, not just our drive faster.

For more information call GAC Motor on 1 833 334, visit the website www.gackuwait.com, or follow them on Instagram @gacmotorkwt.

zitaat

DON’T SLIP APP

Banani App helps elevate the rental quality experience for landlords and tenants alike By bazaar staff

Let’s face it, you’re probably renting where you live right now, correct? It’s a big part of the culture in Kuwait, typical in mainland Europe, and increasingly more prevalent globally in the last eleven years than purchasing property. Renters may not want to be tied to the commitment of a monthly mortgage while being forced to move around building a “portfolio career” during this time now when human resources are solely considered an expenditure that should be cut for corporate short-term financial gain. Or, for those without families, or those starting one, renting is often more viable. Many people simply are not best placed to buy a home at the moment. Paying off loans, anyone?

But renting is not the answer to everything, “as one hand giveth” didn’t become a thing out of nowhere. There is an uncertainty that comes with renting that you don’t really get when you own your own place. Moving house is one of the top five most stressful events to occur in one’s life, third only to divorce and a death in the family, so putting your home life in the hands of a landlord who may be unscrupulous or not, is a gamble. The landlord has the final say and can change the locks or throw you out at any time, relatively speaking. Or what if you chose to rent the property because it had certain facilities in it, but they were always busy, irregularly accessible or never available. Of course, there are also any number of landlords out there who can regale you with stories about horrendous tenants whose kids drew all over the walls or who had to be gently reminded to pay the rent every month or left without notice, taking the furniture with them.

Landlords have no idea to whom they are entrusting their property. It is risky for both parties.

And then came Mohammad Al Husaini, one of the co-founders of an app that makes it all a little easier for everyone. His career began after studying abroad, reading architectural engineering and graduating from the notoriously sports-focused Pennsylvania State University. After putting in his time with the family business, Mohammad had other ideas and started Prime Design Studio, an imaginative interior design company specializing in the commercial sector but able to deliver from renovations to restaurants, residential to retail and all other projects in-between. With his knowledge of real estate Mohammad brought a significant contribution to the creation of Banani App, finding 76

the process of solving these kinds of problems energizing and exciting.

So, what is it exactly that Banani App does?

Essentially the main goal is to increase the expectations of what good service quality provided by landlords looks like. It is not a completely “Black Mirror” episode, but in the era of user feedback, Yelp, Trip Advisor, the entire internet, Banani App allows current tenants to evaluate the property in which they live using multiple factors such as cleanliness, available parking and value for money

as well as other factors.

This extensive and relevant information allows potential tenants to determine whether or not they would be interested in the property before they take the time to view it. When many people work sixday weeks, or certainly long hours, the time saving opportunity through engaging with the Banani App is a valuable one. The pool of properties is also larger than the places you would be able to research, given limited time, on your own. And you are not limited to only the properties on an agent’s register either.

Plus you can “follow� the building you are interested in as well as see how many people are following the same one; this almost acts like a waiting list. If the building is popular it will have a number of people following it, which can indicate you should continue looking while you wait for your dream unit to become available. The price ranges of the units within the building, and which ones are available (with the respective price) is listed, along with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

In real time, landlords can also keep an eye on their properties by tracking maintenance repairs, which unit requested these and how or when these have been executed, if at all. Landlords can also take payments more easily via knet on the app and not just rely on collecting the money from the haris when they can find him. This payment method benefits the tenants too who may not be comfortable carrying around a month’s rent in cash in their wallets while they are trying to pay. Bookable facilities can also be managed via the app.

Without doubt, a property with a high Banani App rating would increase in its perceived value. It is not just a case of the quantitative income that can be secured from each unit but a qualitative value that in many cases can be deemed priceless. Landlords, what is it about your available property that makes it just that little bit more appealing than others?

Tenants, maybe you even know of someone who may not have the perfectly located building, but is not willing to give up where they are renting because of some other reason; a parking space, a great haris or even a rooftop pool.

As supply outstrips demand, it is the anecdotal evidence that may be the most important part of the app. Tenants for the first time have the upper hand in Kuwait. Everyone has their own particular demands of property or living space and Banani App holds a wealth of knowledge in one very powerful app. But this app is not an opportunity to pit landlord against tenant, in fact, Banani App switches neatly between the two so the same app is used by both parties, but it is an opportunity to bring the rental market experience out into the open, with increased transparency, trust and communication.

Banani App is offering six months of free usage of any and all features on Banani App to all property owners who sign up in February as part of the pilot programme. Download the Banani app on Google Play and the App store and follow the Instagram and Facebook account @bananiapp for more information.

77

LONGINES’ FIRST BOUTIQUE OPENS IN KUWAIT

Longines inaugurates its first boutique in Kuwait in presence of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan By bazaar staff

Swiss watch brand Longines, with its partner Behbehani Group officially inaugurated its first boutique in Kuwait. Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. The opening was celebrated with the presence of stunning actress, and Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

On Wednesday January 23, 2019, Longines had the pleasure of inaugurating its new Kuwait boutique, located in the renowned Avenues Mall. In celebration to this unique event, Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan honored the opening with her presence to cut the ribbon. Including Mr. Charles Villoz, Longines Vice President, Mr. Patrick Aoun, Longines Brand Manager Middle East, and Mr. Ali Morad Behbehani, Behbehani Group President.

Considered by many as one of the world’s most beautiful women, the Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has embodied Longines’ slogan “Elegance is an Attitude” for 20 years. As in all times, she brought glamour and sophistication to this opening, during which she was wearing a timepiece from the Longines Master Collection Blue Edition, featuring a sunray blue dial with diamond indexes.

The new boutique is a contemporary interpretation of Longines’ traditional values, and illustrates the brand’s innate ability to match elegance and innovation.

Its crystal-clear facade provides an unobstructed view, and illuminates the entire space. A dedicated corner will allow customers to discover The Longines Equestrian Collection illustrating the brand’s longstanding commitment to Equestrian world.

On this occasion, the Vice President of Longines, Charles Villoz said, “We are really proud to have opened our first boutique in Kuwait, at this extraordinary venue. We are delighted to provide our customers with the opportunity to discover our various collections, in an elegant environment reflecting Longines’ traditional values.”

Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and partner of international sport federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products.

With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.

Behbehani Group President Ali Behbehani also added, “Longines is highly appreciated in the Kuwaiti market, marking the importance of opening up its very own boutique at The Avenues.” He continued, “we strive to offer our customers the best shopping experience in Kuwait.”

The Longines Boutique is located at The Avenues For more information, visit their website on www.longines.com.

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invisiboble

Exclusively distributed by beautique cosmetics int’l. Call for more info 2225 1285 beautiquecosmeticsintl.com beautiquecosmetics beautiquecosmetics

EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION AT CARRIAGE A company is only as good as its employees By bazaar staff

Every year, Carriage Kuwait’s fast growing and expanding logistics delivery service celebrates its employees. And this year they have more to celebrate, they have expanded their operations in KSA, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, while still managing to enter new markets in the region like Egypt.

Yousif Abdulaziz, CEO, gave a heartfelt speech which reiterated the company’s success while constantly meeting and exceeding expectations while dealing with challenging obstacles and meeting them all head on.

The past year witnessed the addition of new delivery categories like Electronics and Gaming, Pet Supplies and growth in the older categories like Restaurants, Cosmetics, Groceries, Health Supplements, and Pharmacies. He acknowledged that these accomplishments are owed to the 750 employees in the head office and the 8000+ drivers in the region.

Yousif Abdulaziz also mentioned “One of Carriage’s biggest accomplishment this year was the launch of Carriage Black- the new subscription service that allows users to obtain free delivery on all their orders throughout the month, for a small affordable fee. This service is the first of its kind in the region, as it started in Kuwait and is being developed for launching in the rest of the countries around the region as well.”

The event which took place at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel was an opportunity to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and to look at future goals. Abdulaziz outlined the vision for the coming year and focused on customer satisfaction, ensuring that the key was stronger and better inter-department communications.

The company COO, Bader Al Ajeel highlighted upcoming projects including nurturing and encouraging a community atmosphere for their drivers who are an important backbone of the entire operation.

Acting CMO, Mohammad Itani spoke about the recent rebranding that happened. The changes in the logo and the color are a reflection of the big change that the company has been undergoing. It is a move in the right direction which aligns with the goals that the company has in store for the upcoming year, and it also gives the users a fresh new feel.

It wasn’t just business as usual, this was a celebratory party, after all. The company awarded Carriage’s oldest employees that have remained in the company since its start, which is an amazing feat in today’s quick startup culture. After that was when the real fun started, fun activities during the event like eating contests, stand-up comedy, team building competitions and more.

The company had also invited some of Kuwait’s favorite social media influencers, like Noha Nabeel, Ahmad Al Zamel, Fawaz AL Eissa, and more. Their presence at what is normally an internal company 80

affair is another reflection of Carriage’s commitment to the idea of community and that everyone should be invited, acknowledged and celebrated.

You can download Carriage on your iOS or Android device or visit www.trycarriage.com.

For more information, follow Carriage on Instagram and Twitter @trycarriage.

savanna

IT’S ALL ABOUT THOSE JEANS! New Season Denim at Topshop By bazaar staff

A good pair of jeans will make any outfit go from normal to spectacular, and our favorite high-street house of cool that is Topshop knows a thing or two, or five, about that elusive pair of denim jeans. It’s all about the cut, form and wash when it comes to your choice of jeans. At Topshop, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the latest denim trends.

Think about that perfect rip that gives your denim an added edge, channel your 80s child with acid washes, and discover endless styles for your every mood. Topshop takes its denim collections pretty seriously, and they offer sixteen different denim styles to meet your every outfit goal. So whether you choose to go for a flattering high-rise pair of skinny jeans that offers you endless stretch like the Jamie, a pair of iconic mom jeans for a tapered fit through the leg, or you’re looking to rock the wide-cropped trend for this spring season—you’ll find it all, and so much more at Topshop.

Find Topshop in The Avenues, Marina Mall, Al Fanar Mall, Al Kout Mall. For more inspiration and fashion trends check out Topshop on Instagram @topshop_me.

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Savour the möment

haagen dazs

@HaagenDazskw

Al-Kout Mall ‫ﻣﺠﻤﻊ اﻟﻜﻮت‬

Alraya Center

Murouj ‫ﻣﺮوج‬

Breaking

In

Harvey Nichols Kuwait smashes it for spring. Introducing the hottest brands featuring striking fashion and bold style. Shatter expectations and discover a new you exploring sophisticated street, formal flounce, and casual tailoring.

Harvey Nichols Kuwait

Fashion: Harvey Nichols Kuwait Accessories: Harvey Nichols Kuwait Art Direction: Adel Alansari for bazaar Studios Photography: Faisal Al Bisher Hair: Lee Xiaomei Make-Up: Claudia Cocciobea Models: Eva and Nancy, Wilhelmina Dubai

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Right Suit: Altuzzara Shoes: Malone Souliers

Left Sunglasses: Ahlem

Previous Page: Dress: The Kooples Shoes: Sophia Webster

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Right Bag: Off-White

Left Skirt: Off-White

Left Shoes: Off-White Right Dress: The Kooples Sandals: Sophia Webster

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Left Jeans, Shoes, and Belt: Off-White Blazer: IRO Right Dress: IRO Sandals: Sophia Webster

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Right Dress: The Kooples Shoes: Malone Souliers

Left Top and Skirt: Altuzzara Shoes: Malone Souliers

Left Dress: IRO Sandals: Sophia Webster Right Sunglasses: Ahlem

YOUR SUSTAINABLE DIET FOR THE YEAR 2050 More nuts, less sugar and red meat

By Deborah Netburn

Good news, Earthlings! An international team of scientists reports that it is indeed possible to feed everyone on the planet a healthy and environmentally sustainable diet by the year 2050. All it will take is a wholesale, radical change to what foods we eat and the way we produce them.

“We call it the Great Food Transformation,” said Jessica Fanzo, director of the Global Food Ethics and Policy Program at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. “While that may sound dramatic, we need big transformation and massive cooperation to meet this global challenge.”

In a report published in Lancet, Fanzo, along with 36 colleagues from 16 countries, released a set of scientifically determined targets to guide food producers, food consumers and policy makers toward creating a food system that will improve human health and the health of the planet.

The proposed diet, based on a two-year review of hundreds of nutrition studies, is not as scary as one might think. Insects are not required eating. No one is asking anyone to become a vegan.

The reference diet includes 2,500 calories per day, which is close to the global average today of 2,370. In the U.S., men consume 2,800 calories per day while women consume between 2,000 and 2,200, according to the report.

The authors say that red meat can still be on a globally sustainable menu but in drastically reduced quantities. The diet allows for roughly 1 tablespoon of red meat per day. That’s the equivalent of one decentsized hamburger a week, or one steak a month.

Dairy is not off the table, either. The target diet includes up to one glass of milk or other dairy product per day.

For other protein sources the researchers recommend roughly two servings of fish per week, and 1 ½ eggs per week. The majority of calories on this diet comes from grains as they do today, but the authors emphasize that we need to shift to whole grains.

They also want to see a 100 percent increase in the amount of legumes, nuts and fruits and vegetables most of us consume and for added sugars to become just 5 percent of our total caloric intake.

“It is very consistent with many traditional diets including the Mediterranean diet,” said Walter Willett, Professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who co-chaired the report. “This is not radical at all in many culinary traditions.”

It would also lead to global improvements in human health. If everyone on the planet adapted these dietary rules 11 million premature deaths would be avoided each year, he said.

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In order to keep this diet sustainable as the world’s population grows, the authors set goals for how our food is produced as well.

These include a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production from 8.5 to 13.7 gigatons today to about 5 gigatons by 2050.

Environmental targets also require a 50 percent reduction in food waste, and a strict zero expansion of farmland. Sustainable food production will also require big changes in irrigation and fertilizer use, the authors said.

Of the 7.6 billion people on Earth today, nearly 1 billion don’t have enough food, 2 billion are overweight or obese and another 2 billion don’t get enough nutrients, the authors wrote. In addition, unhealthy diets are responsible for more deaths than unsafe sex, drugs, alcohol and tobacco use combined.

Environmentally, global food production is currently

responsible for 30 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions and 70 percent of freshwater use, the authors said. Meanwhile the conversion of natural ecosystems to farmland is the No. 1 driver of extinction.

Considering that the world is expected to have a population of 9.8 billion people by 2050, it is clear that a massive change is needed, the authors said.

“It’s a win-win,” said Johan Rockström, professor of environmental science at Stockholm University, who worked on the study. “Adopting a healthy diet helps us deal with the climate and meet sustainable development goals.”

Now all they have to do is get everyone on the planet to go along with it.

Photo by Adam Jaime on Unsplash.

talabat

THE BELLO

The Elevation Burger Local Chef Collaboration produces tasty results once more!

By bazaar staff

A clever collaboration between Elevation Burger and Khaled Al Baker has produced The Bello, a burger as delicious as the Local Chef Collaboration initiative is noble. Elevation Burger is dedicated to providing better and sustainable food choices to empower the local community, and has a proven history of producing the tastiest of results while supporting local farmers, suppliers and local chefs alike.

Quality ingredients matter and the LCC initiative is a platform for local chefs to express their unique style and elevate their skills while enhancing the company’s mission to consistently give customers an outstanding, quality Elevation Burger experience. TABCo. Food is committed to delivering quality at all times, and that is why they operate Elevation Burger; there’s a duality of purpose in their missions. Extending this to really make an impact through Local Chef Collaboration was the idea of the CEO of TABCo. Food Abdulaziz Al Turaiji who is admirably focused on continuing this initiative and says, "We at TABCo. Food are glad to launch our second Local Chef Collaboration with Chef Khaled Al Baker. The LCC is something that we will continue as part of Elevation Burger's overall initiative to use better ingredients, support our community and empower local talents. We are looking forward to expanding this program and supporting the culinary scene in Kuwait."

The first LCC landed in April 2018 and was so successful that Elevation Burger to this day references it with a fresh, and made in-house chimichurri sauce. This meant that the second Local Chef Collaboration had a big reputation to follow, so who better to approach than Khaled Al Baker who really knows how to get the best out of 100% USDA certified organic beef. No stranger to working with the best prime cuts, Khaled has a meaty resume behind him reworking dining concepts and finetuning menus. But what would make the local chef, famed for his magically modern Middle Eastern inspired menus, want to collaborate with Elevation Burger? We hurried over to Elevation Burger’s Al Bida’a location on the launch night of The Bello to investigate further the thinking behind this juicy new creation, and also to try to wheedle out of the team exactly how much longer we have to enjoy the limitedtime-only burger.

With a huge welcoming smile Khaled approaches and we quickly steal a chat with the personable chef.

“My favorite ingredient is mushroom so I started with the mushrooms and then started to build slowly what goes well together. I then added onions,” explains the chef, “I needed a sauce so I tried different sauce combinations and then found the right cheese. Finally, I added arugula…because I hate lettuce!”

Unwrapping the burger, you can smell the mouth-watering grill work that has gone into building The Bello. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Let’s start with the bun. It’s the 100

classic potato bun that we have all come to know and love with Elevation Burger, because no matter how much you build your burger, this bun is guaranteed to stay in one piece, ensuring you can take one huge bite with a layer of deliciousness in each mouthful. The bun is slathered with an in-house aioli sauce, made fresh daily and marinated for a minimum of eleven hours before use. There is but a hint of garlic in the mixture with olive oil and parsley, touches of black pepper and the taste of parmesan coming through; the perfect condiment to complement the components of the burger to come. On top of the locally sourced arugula, rests a patty of high-quality 100% USDA certified organic beef cooked to perfection on the grill and delivering a taste and texture that we have come to expect only from Elevation Burger. The grill has also been used to seal in the flavors of the thickly sliced Portobello mushroom, giving a succulent bite after cooking.

Classic, grilled onions sit atop the hot mushrooms, and a significant slice of white cheddar melts over the deliciously meaty patty. Another dash of aioli, and you are all set for a taste sensation.

One bazaarite insists on no bun when indulging in a burger, so how did The Bello fare without this carbalicious element? A super tasty thumbs up! The exact type of cheddar was even more discernible in a lettuce wrap;

turns out The Bello is good news for the turophile and fungophile alike. Chef Khaled also admits to bazaar that, on tests, the lettuce wrap has been given great feedback. It is surprisingly just as popular as when eaten with the bun, but the staff will always respectfully suggest that you try The Bello the way Chef Khaled designed it. The chef disclosed, “I wanted to work with Elevation Burger because they are well known for using quality ingredients.” As always, under the guidance of the visionary TABCo. Foods CEO Aziz Al Turaiji, trusted Elevation Burger has globally hunted down all the best ingredients for you, from the Norwegian Portobello mushrooms to the locally sourced arugula leaves. The only thing you have to do is choose The Bello to indulge in a succulent and savory mushroom burger, and be confident that you and your family are experiencing the best quality there is.

Elevation Burger has locations throughout Kuwait, find out where by visiting www.tabcofood.com. Follow the Elevation Burger Kuwait accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @elevationkw. The Bello is a Limited Time Only offering, so catch it while you can! For more of his culinary adventures you can follow @chefkb on Instagram.

For more on CEO Aziz Al Turaiji read the feature article published in the March 2019 issue of bazaar

boulevard

NEW SEASON GREAT PRICES AT RIVER ISLAND! Ready yourselves for new season style that will fulfill all of your outfit goals By bazaar staff

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Button Cropped Blazer, KD 17.950

Round Cross Body Bag, KD 13.950

Shirt Dress, KD 19.950

Ring Backless Loafers, KD 17.950

Looking for a stylish new wardrobe update? As River Island embarks on a new season, so does the price of its collections, be it women’s, kids, or menswear.

Whether it’s a statement jewelry piece to level-up your outfit, or an awesome pair of shoes, be ready to charge into the new season with full fashion flair at River Island. They’ve got you covered with both great prices and killer pieces for the ultimate outfit inspo to kick-start Spring!

Check Wide Leg Trousers, KD 13.950

River Island is located at 1st Avenue – The Avenues, Debenhams at the Grand Avenue – The Avenues, Marina Mall, Al Fanar, and Debenhams at Souq Sharq. For more information, follow @riverislandme on Instagram and Facebook.

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bazaar apps

1.1.1.1

easyUp

Blizzard Esports

Heimdall Parental Control

Connectpaper

Meme Stickers

1.1.1.1 is a new app from Cloudflare. It lets you connect your device to Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver. The service received big press earlier this year as a good alternative to Google's popular 8.8.8.8. It boasts a privacy-first premise and it's really easy to remember. You simply open the app, flip it on, and you should be connected to 1.1.1.1 instead of whatever it was you were using before.

It's a set-it-and-forget-it type of app so you really only need to use it the one time. Some people have trouble with a few apps, but the experience worked fine for us. It's also entirely free.

Blizzard Esports is Blizzard's official esports news app for all of its games. That includes popular titles like Overwatch, StarCraft, StarCraft II, and even World of Warcraft. There isn't a whole lot to this app other than that. It shows various news and event listings for each game individually if you want.

It's also available in about a dozen languages. It has some early release jitters and a few gesture control mistakes here and there. However, it does what it says it does without too much of a real problem. Plus, it's free with advertising so it's hard to complain too much.

Apple and Android

Connectpaper is a social app for wallpaper enthusiasts. That's a weird sentence, we know.

People sign up for the app and share wallpapers with one another. You can invite people to join with invite codes or join on your own. From there, you can easily send and receive wallpapers from other people. It's not quite like Facebook or Twitter where you can follow people. It's just an easy point-topoint sharing system. The app is still in its earliest stages, but we really like the idea. It's a free app for now. The only thing we'd mention is that it's early and that means bugs. It ran okay during our testing.

easyUp is a new app for professionals. It's basically a video chat service. People can send in regular video check-ins when things aren't going to plan for quick communication. It also boasts features for regular video meetings for when everyone can't be in the same place. You can restrict the length of video check-ins and utilize the Story UI to keep everyone informed. It's a neat little thing, but most normal people won't have a need for it. Those who run small businesses should check it out, though.

Heimdall Parental Control is what the app name says. You install the app on the child's device and control it from your device. You can do things like block new app installations, limit call duration, track your child's network activities, and even block undesired content like specific websites. Most of the features are free, but you need the premium version to get everything. We especially like that you can limit the use of apps already on the device. That helps keep your kids from playing Fortnite literally all night long. It seems to work pretty well.

Meme Stickers is a fun app for WhatsApp users.

It's basically a collection of, well, meme stickers.

You install the app and add them to your WhatsApp. You then use them in conversations at will. The app itself is riddled with advertising. However, considering how little you actually need the app, we kind of get it. That doesn't make them any less annoying, though. There are a total of 270 stickers across nine packs. The developer promises more in future updates. It's a nice little plugin for WhatsApp.

tomsguide.com androidauthority.com 104

khaneen

big boys toys

AZARIS OFF-ROAD VEHICLE

CAVIAR IPHONE XS TESLA EDITION

ROMOTOW CAMPER

POLARIS SPORTSMAN XP 1000 HIGH LOUIS VUITTON ALUMINIUM EXPLORER LIFTER EDITION ATV TRUNK

The Azaris Advanced Off-Road Vehicle revolutionizes what ATVs are capable of. The six-wheel vehicle frees each wheel from the constraints of a driveshaft, utilizing hydraulicly-powered hub-mounted motors with either an electric or gasoline-powered motor.

This allows unparalleled freedom of movement for each wheel and a double-helix suspension design.

Piping and fluid channels for the hub motors are fully coaxial and 3D-printed, allowing for safety.

With a sleek, futuristic exterior and slick folding design, the Romotow Camper brings camping into the 21st-century and beyond. The curvy body sits on top of an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber chases.

When parked, the inner section pivots away from the base creating a t-shape and exposing a covered terrace. Its 290-square-foot interior offers a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen with a booth that also doubles as an additional sleeping spot.

The main living space is located on the patio.

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The iPhone XS is a dense object, packed with all the technology Apple could fit. Caviar thought they could do even better. Their Tesla edition (no relation to the car company) integrates a thin, solar-powered battery into the back of the phone, letting you charge the device anywhere there's ample light. The extension is made from carbon fiber, with a gold-plated plate at the top displaying the name of the phone and the charging indicator, and a solar panel underneath.

The Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter is made to do one thing, conquer whatever offroad terrain you can throw at it. With 29-inch tires, 13.5 inches of ground clearance, and arched dual A-arm suspension, the High Lifter is able to clear obstacles that would high-side lesser ATVs. A 952cc twincylinder engine puts 88 horsepower through a unique on-demand all-wheel-drive system and automatic CV transmission.

SOLID GOLD FORD GT MODEL CAR

Built to pay tribute to the legendary GT40, the 2006 Ford GT is one of the most sought-after vehicles in the company's history, and only 5,000 were made.

This 1/25 scale model is even more scarce. It features a solid 18-karat two-tone gold body with doors and hood that open to admire the engine, interior, and spare tire compartment. The 7.25-inch model is finished with rimmed rubber functional wheels and a Michigan Ford 1 license plate.

Produced in 1892, only two of these cabin trunks originally made exist today. Meaning only you and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris will have this piece of luggage. But that's not the only thing that makes this item unique. During the time, rather than donning their signature monogram logo, an aluminum exterior was the ultimate status symbol. The material was considered precious to its expensive processing methods.

Source: www.uncrate.com

ihop

A TRIPLE THREAD It’s “buy two get third free” with American Eagle this spring By bazaar staff

There is nothing quite as jaunty as the spring in your step that you get when wearing American Eagle denim. As if ‘True You Sizing’ and a range of new designs were not enough this season! Now they are even helping you get a little more phat American Eagle for your budget. For a limited time only, you can take advantage of the rad offer to buy two pairs of jeans and get the third free!

The comfort you get in American Eagle denim cannot be denied, and this season the range of jeans comes in extended sizing too.

This allows you to celebrate your individuality and explore your fashion sense so you can wear the shape of denim you crave the most in exactly the way you want! With the buy two get a third free offer, you have nothing to lose and will only gain totally stylin’ points at the same time as experimenting with different dope looks and saving dinars.

It’s not just a story about jeans though. This spring American Eagle references the freshest fashion with the slouchiest of pull-on pants introduced in a range of colors and textiles. Do you fancy florals, seek stripes, or pander after polka dots? Take your pick this season and team them with an oversized acid or stonewash denim jacket thrown over a button-down camisole in a range of versatile colors for a modern take on nineties style.

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Acid Wash Denim Jacket and Button-Down Camis

Lightweight Pullover Sweater

Full assortment of AE jeans, including the Jegging and the Tomgirl

Wide Pull-on Pants and Tie-Waist Slim Pants

Buy two and get the third free jeans offer is valid from 6th-19th February 2019. American Eagle is at the following locations: 1st Avenue – The Avenues, The Mall – The Avenues, Grand Avenue – The Avenues (Inside Debenhams), Marina Mall and Al Kout Mall. Keep up-to-date on American Eagle style by following @americaneagleme on Instagram and @americaneaglemiddleeast on Facebook. Main image courtesy of American Eagle.

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bazaar music

HEAD ABOVE WATER

ELECTRIC LADY SESSIONS

Forget all about those sk8ter bois, Avril Lavigne's new album Head Above Water takes a serious look at her personal health struggles.

On the title track – her first one in five years – Lavigne opens up about her battle with Lyme disease, which was so debilitating that she didn't think she would live through it. But with Head Above Water Lavigne explains how the music was able to hold her up when she didn't think she had the strength. Recently in a special letter to fans, Lavigne revealed that she wrote Head Above Water during "one of the scariest moments of her life.

LCD Soundsystem are gearing up to release their Electric Lady Sessions album. They shared a cover of ’80s British new wave band Heaven 17’s “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang.” The track followed their cover of Chic’s “I Want Your Love” and new rendition of American Dream track “Tonite.” Frontman James Murphy explained the release in an Instagram post. “There’s a thing we do, or have done historically, where while on tour and in fine fettle as a unit, we go into a studio and just record ourselves live playing a bunch of the stuff we’d been playing on tour for a while, and maybe a cover song,”.

By Broods

Critically acclaimed indie-pop duo Broods, comprised of siblings Georgia and Caleb Nott, will release their highly anticipated third album titled, Don't Feed The Pop Monster this month.

The announcement comes in tandem with the release of "Everything Goes (Wow)," the second song Broods have shared from their forthcoming album. We wrote "Everything Goes (Wow)" in a tree house in Nicaragua," Georgia shares, "We were there as part of a writing camp and it was one to the best experiences of our careers. It's about accepting the mortality of everything and finding peace in that."

RESIST

THE DELTA SWEETE REVISITED

By Avril Lavigne

BI/MENTAL

By LCD Soundsystem

By Le Butcherettes

By Within Temptation

Le Butcherettes are set to return with a new album. Titled bi/MENTAL. The 13-track collection follows the 2015 full-length, A Raw Youth, and their surprise struggle/STRUGGLE EP released last April. Like that EP, the album features production assistance from iconic Talking Heads and Modern Lovers member Jerry Harrison. The garage punk outfit’s three previous LPs were all produced by Omar Rodríguez-López of At The Drive-In and The Mars Volta. According to a statement, bi/MENTAL tackles the subject of family as well as serves as an ode to mental health. “Essentially, this record was inspired by the death of a living mother but none of that matters anymore,” singer Teri Gender Bender explained.

Within Temptation have announced the release of their new album Resist. With 6 studio albums under their belt – Enter, Mother Earth, The Silent Force, The Heart of Everything, The Unforgiving, Hydra – and more than 3.5 million record sales to their name, Within Temptation (led by Sharon den Adel and Robert Westerholt) are a genuine force to be reckoned with. Simply, one of the world’s most successful heavy rock groups. Within Temptation’s Sharon den Adel: “We are beyond excited to have signed to [Universal Music], the biggest record label!

Combining our strength with such a thriving, forward-looking force in the music industry, we are sure that we can make magic happen.”

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DON’T FEED THE POP MONSTER

By Mercury Rev

Mercury Rev have announced a full reimagining of what they call “one of music’s most over-looked masterpieces,” Bobbie Gentry’s 1968 album The Delta Sweete. The cover of the country-rock opera is due out this month. The band’s Jonathan Donahue and Grasshopper recorded their take on the album in the Catskill Mountains alongside Midlake member Jesse Chandler, with everyone pitching in on performing, rearranging, and producing. Joining the trio on vocals are a number of genre-spanning female vocalists, including Norah Jones, Marissa Nadler, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucinda Williams, Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell, Lætitia Sadier of Stereolab, Kaela Sinclair from M83, Beth Orton, and more.

Source: www.amazon.co.uk

elevation

IT’S SPRINGTIME AT WALLIS

This season, let the power of prints embolden your wardrobe By bazaar staff

Green leopard print dress KD 22.900

Zebra print shirt dress KD 24.900

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Paisley Tunic dress KD 24.900

One thing that can truly uplift an outfit is taking advantage of printed fabrics. Adding prints to a blank slate kind of look, not only gives a statement, but provides a refreshing visual in the wardrobe for those fun days out on the town.

Choosing the kind of print for your own look says a lot about the boldness of your character, be it hidden or visible, depending on which kind of print you’re willing to go for. But the main question is, are you ready to fully embrace your inner boldness with prints? Let’s take a look at what Wallis has instore with their new spring prints collection that will surely grace the blooming season!

Monochromatic Either opt for a simple but dashing Zebra shirt dress, or go for a modern monochromatic look to play around the black and white shades of the dress, skirt, and shirt combo. Create simple but elegant looks with a sleek print and pop of color, that’ll make you fall in-love with monochromes all over again.

Powerful Leopards No print collection is complete without a sprinkle of animalistic power, and that’s where the real bold attitude comes in. A color variation of leopard prints is an item everyone must include in their wardrobe.

A comfortable shirt that is ready to make a bold statement, or a full-on leopard dress that is willing to strike at any moment.

Graceful Tunics Wallis not only provides powerful and elegant prints, but also comfortable and toned down pieces that are just right for those breezy spring days. You’ll be spoilt for choice with their easy to wear color coordinated outfits which are an essential element for the season.

Mix And Match Don’t hesitate when it comes to mixing and matching nude and print pieces together, giving the opportunity to create and play more with a powerful print, to scale it high or low with other pieces such as a belt, a bag, or a simple shirt. All piece are available at Wallis for your own convenience to mix and match, and to start getting your wardrobe ready for the new season!

Green leopard print shirt KD 19.900

Wallis is located at 1st Avenues- The Avenues, Grand Avenue – The Avenues (inside Debenhams), The Gate Mall (inside Debenhams) and Souq Sharq (inside Debenhams) 113

bazaar tries

MACHBOUS VS. MACHBOUS

bazaar enters a battle of machbous wars!

By bazaar staff

We’re all aware of the legacy that is behind a classic machbous dish in Kuwait, be it chicken or meat. We saw it on endless Khaleeji shows, it’s been talked about around the region for ages, and whoever visits town, the hunt for the perfect machbous begins. But the question remains, would you go for an authentic homemade machbous, or a visit to one of the restaurants that can actually nail the dish down? Lucky for you, dear readers, we got to try several versions, and we’re here with some insights, so start taking notes.

For locals, especially when you’re living in a Kuwaiti house, machbous for lunch will always remain the unmissable, holy grail of the weekly meal. Meanwhile, for those visiting to simply get a taste of the famous dish, where would they find it? And would it compete with an authentic homemade version? Other than the idea of hijacking zwara day (that’s the family visit day) or someone’s house just around the block to get an original taste of it.

Locals do tend to shut down the idea of having this dish for lunch at a restaurant, only because their households always do it better.

But, keep in mind, locals grew up with their parents or grandparents cooking, and the first taste anyone had of machbous from childhood was from their beloved’s hands, with flavors deeply touching what your heart craves. This is where nostalgia truly kicks in, and kicks out the taste of machbous from Kuwaiti restaurants.

Yet, the scene of Kuwaiti cuisine grows from the people who grew up knowing the dish’s legacy, essentially a mixture of flavors that originated from all around the GCC area, but slightly more hyped-up in Kuwait. So, have restaurants finally achieved the status of being able to say “Our machbous is better than yours?”

Let’s start with the first restaurant in Kuwait that swept away the locals, and made them accept the idea of having this classic dish in a place other than their homes, Freej Suwaileh.

When they introduced the restaurant as the goto place for Kuwaiti dishes, the star item had to be Chicken Machbous, because everyone would naturally be seeking it.

Add in some mabouch, an essential machbous side-ingredient, and you’re set. Mabouch is basically a various mixture of peppers, be it green, red chili peppers, enhanced with a blend 114

of herbs and olive oil that eventually deliver all that extra spiciness with any machbous. There is Achar, the pickled vegetables or fruits that are usually preserved in salt or vinegar, these also add another type of flavor. Finally, add a tangy side salad, mix and match and have a handful of that savory yumminess!

When homemade businesses also emerged within the market scene, machbous was a must on their selective dishes, and it opened up doors towards introducing a different taste of machbous than the one everyone usually has at home.

You’ll taste flavors unlike the ones you’re used to enjoying from your mom’s house, or even other households, or a mabouch that is on another level of spiciness, maybe even mixed with different kinds of ingredients. These are the small details that are almost always missed in restaurants and can only be experienced with homemade machbous, distinguishing the dish for what it means to every local’s heart and tummy.

Even with the availability of Kuwaiti cuisine on Carriage, as well as Talabat, including restaurants such as Mama Suad, Tabkh AlFreej, Kashounat Al-Bait, Malas Bo Khamas, Dar Hamad, and so much more. All of them are named with a twist of traditional, old, Kuwaiti words, a strategy skillfully used to make Kuwaiti restaurants more relatable, and provide a feeling

that would make their visitors feel closer to their own home cooking with every taken bite.

Sure, it’s easy to get into an entire debate under the headline “Our Machbous is better than yours”, but what was bazaar’s verdict on homemade machbous? Shockingly, the mabouch stole the spotlight next to the homemade chicken machbous, and even our vegetarian team member had to try it out with rice because of the team’s reaction to the spicy mabouch.

One of us experienced machbous for the first time, and the rest couldn’t stop themselves from a fourth serving! We also discovered that two bazaar members are used to having machbous on a weekly basis.

Kuwait is no stranger to introducing a killer chicken or meat machbous, but it really all falls under taking that leap of faith towards trying out a different kind of the classic from restaurants, or going back to the nostalgic childhood taste of your own household’s version. No one’s machbous is better than the other, it’s all about the taste and the feeling you would like to receive when you take a bite, filled with the tenderest chicken and most flavorful rice.

For more information on delicious destinations to try out machbous, visit www.bazaar.town, or follow @bazaargram on Instagram.

lulu hypermarket

bazaar techno

WATERBOURNE SKATEBOARD SURF ADAPTER

MASTER & DYNAMIC MW07 WIRELESS EARPHONES

DJI OSMO POCKET CAMERA

Wireless with a handcrafted tortoise brown acetate body, the MW07 earphones from Master & Dynamic strike a blend of convenience, performance, and style. Inside each 'bud is a custom 10mm Beryllium driver that delivers great sound from a small package.

Silicone "wings" in two different sizes ensure a secure fit, and MEMS mics let you handle calls easily.

They last for 3.5 hours, charge inside the included stainless steel case for 14 hours of battery life.

Part of the secret that makes DJI's drones so great is their rock-steady gimbals. The DJI Osmo Pocket Camera brings the same technology and puts it in a palm-sized form. Similar to the Mavic Air, it has a 1/2.3-inch sensor, mounted on a 3-axis gimbal and capable of capturing 12-megapixel photographs and 4K video up to 60fps at 100Mbps. There's a 1-inch touchscreen for framing and activating features like timelapse, while the accessory port lets you connect your phone for more photoraphic controls.

RUBBER BAND MACHINE GUN

CLOUDNOLA FLIP CLOCK

NATIVE UNION BLOCK WIRELESS CHARGER

Surf the asphalt just like you do the waves with the Waterbourne Skateboard Surf Adapter. This clever accessory attaches to any board, sitting between it and the truck. Once installed it allows the front wheels to turn independently of the board, providing a surf-like feel and facilitating turns that are 3x tighter. It installs in just minutes, and if you want to go back to a more traditional feel, it comes off just as easily and quickly as it goes on.

This all-wooden, hand-assembled, and fullyautomatic rubber band gun functions very much like a Gatling gun, with 17 barrels holding the bands. An electric motor rotates the barrels around a central axis with each trigger pull, letting you fire as many as 204 bands without reloading. Included in the box is: the RBMG, stand, bi-pod, 12 targets, 600 rubber bands, a shoulder strap, and instruction manual.

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Any clock can tell you the time but few will make you appreciate it like Amsterdam's Cloudnola. Their Flip Clock mixes retro styling with a clean, minimalist design to create a timepiece that is just as much an art piece. It uses an open mechanism to rotate a series of number cards as time goes on, inviting you to slow down and watch the minutes flip by. It's tabletop ready but also can be mounted on the wall.

Not since the iMac DV SE has a transparent gadget been done this well. Designed in collaboration with Tom Dixon, The Native Union Block Wireless Charger combines two products in one: a handsome wireless charger and an aluminum valet tray. To set it apart from the competition, the charger has a transparent design, and pops out so you can take it, and the included stainless steel cable, on the road.

Source: blessthisstuff.com Source: uncrate.com

bistro ur

o y p u d Roun ! w e r c e u ‘c

• Grand Avenue & 1st Avenue - The Avenues • Al Fanar Mall • The Gate Mall • Jabriya, Block 1A, Street 105 • Albida’a, Al-Ta’awn Street • Kuwait International Airport • Sidra Restaurants, Mahboula, Coastal Road • Al Kout Mall • Murouj

bazaar books

THE ROAD BEYOND RUIN

HUNT THEM DOWN

TRUE PLACES: A NOVEL

LONG ROAD TO MERCY

For some people in post– World War II Germany, the battle is not over. August 1945. As Stefano, an Italian POW, heads toward home across war-ravaged Germany, he encounters a young child beside his dead mother.

Unable to leave him to an unknown fate, Stefano takes the boy with him, finding refuge in a seemingly abandoned house in a secluded woodland. But the house is far from vacant. Stefano wakes at the arrival of its owner, Erich, a former German soldier, who invites the travelers to stay until they can find safe passage home.

Stefano cautiously agrees, intrigued by the disarming German, his reclusive neighbor Rosalind, and her traumatized husband, Georg. Stefano is also drawn to Monique, the girl in a photograph on Rosalind’s wall, who went missing during the war. But when he discovers letters written by Monique, a darker truth emerges. This place of refuge could be one of reckoning, and the secrets of the past might prevent the travelers from ever getting home.

The dark world he's been fighting against has caught up with him. Will his daughter pay the price? As a former Army Ranger, DEA Special Agent Pierce Hunt is no stranger to violence. Fresh off a six-month suspension, he's itching to hit a notorious Mexican drug cartel where it hurts, even if that means protecting crime boss Vicente Garcia, a witness in the case against sadistic cartel leader Valentina Mieles. But things spiral out of control when the cartel murders Garcia and kidnaps his granddaughter and an innocent bystander, Hunt's own teenage daughter.

Mieles wants the new head of the Garcia family on a plate--literally. Hunt has seventy-two hours to deliver, or Mieles will execute the girls live on social media.

With the clock ticking, Hunt goes off the grid and teams up with Garcia's daughter, a former lover and current enemy. To save the girls, Hunt will have to become a man he swore he'd never be again: an avenging killer without limits or mercy.

A girl emerges from the woods, starved, ill, alone, and collapses. Suzanne Blakemore hurtles along the Blue Ridge Parkway, away from her overscheduled and completely normal life, and encounters the girl. As Suzanne rushes her to the hospital, she never imagines how the encounter will change her—a change she both fears and desperately needs. Suzanne has the perfect house, a successful husband, and a thriving family. But beneath the veneer of an ideal life, her daughter is rebelling, her son is withdrawing, her husband is oblivious to it all, and Suzanne is increasingly unsure of her place in the world. After her discovery of the ethereal sixteen-year-old who has never experienced civilization, Suzanne is compelled to invite Iris into her family’s life and all its apparent privileges. But Iris has an independence, a love of solitude, and a discomfort with materialism that contrasts with everything the Blakemores stand for— qualities that awaken in Suzanne first a fascination, then a longing.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Catch a tiger by its toe. It's seared into Atlee Pine's memory: the kidnapper's chilling rhyme as he chose between six-yearold Atlee and her twin sister, Mercy. Mercy was taken. Atlee was spared. She never saw Mercy again.Three decades after that terrifying night, Atlee Pine works for the FBI. She's the lone agent assigned to the Shattered Rock, Arizona resident agency, which is responsible for protecting the Grand Canyon. So when one of the Grand Canyon's mules is found stabbed to death at the bottom of the canyon, and its rider missing, Pine is called in to investigate. It soon seems clear the lost tourist had something more clandestine than sightseeing in mind. But just as Pine begins to put together clues pointing to a terrifying plot, she's abruptly called off the case. If she disobeys direct orders by continuing to search for the missing man, it will mean the end of her career. But unless Pine keeps working the case and discovers the truth, it could spell the very end of democracy in America.

by Gemma Liviero

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by Simon Gervais

by Sonja Yoerg

by David Baldacci

TOM CLANCY OATH OF OFFICE

by Marc Cameron

Marine officer. CIA analyst.

President. Jack Ryan has devoted his life to protecting the United States. What if this time, he can't? President Ryan and the Campus return in the latest entry in Tom Clancy's #1 New York Times-bestselling series. Freedom may have finally arrived in Iran. As protests break out across the country, the media rejoices over the socalled Persian Spring. Western leaders are ecstatic. Members of Congress and the Cabinet clamor to back the rebels. Only President Jack Ryan remains wary. He has plenty to handle at home. A deadly strain of flu is ravaging the United States as spring floods decimate the Southeast. An unethical senator wants to bring down the Ryan presidency and is willing to lean on fabricated bot-planted stories to do it.

But the scariest story is the most closely guarded one. Two Russian nuclear missiles have been hijacked. The Campus gets their first break when Jack Junior connects with a rogue Russian intelligence officer in Afghanistan, only to be abducted soon after arriving.

Source: www.amazon.co.uk

blaze

bazaar goes dining

AMIMOTO Hidden in Kuwait’s most iconic landmark, a truly authentic Japanese experience awaits By bazaar staff

For many of us, Japan is a mystical land of sushi, politeness and Anime. It is one of the few countries around the world that have managed to keep their culture comparatively uncontaminated. The Japanese are proud of their heritage and their customs, especially their food. Many of the Japanese restaurants in Kuwait have modified menus that suit local tastes, but the newly opened Amimoto stands out by insisting on creating a truly authentic Japanese experience.

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The Japanese expat community in Kuwait has welcomed the opening of Amimoto, and deemed it a taste from home because the dining experience is so authentic.

When we think of Japanese food we automatically think of sushi. It is so deceptively simple. Starchy white rice and raw fish. The Japanese are wary of cooking their fish.

In the book Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art, which has been the Japanese cooking bible for decades, the author Shuzuo Tsuji writes “… you must learn to look for the subtle, natural aroma and flavor of ingredients.” This summarizes the country’s eating philosophy, flavors don’t need to punch you in the face to be enjoyed.

They also value presentation and ambience, Shuzuo goes on to say that “No Japanese, however humble, would think of serving food on just any old plate, relying on flavor alone to please.” The concept creators of Amimoto used this notion as their guiding light while they were developing the concept. The restaurant boasts the best location and view in the country, guests will enjoy a gastronomic exploration of Japan above the clouds from a height of 82 meters in the Kuwait Towers.

They have used the decor and color scheme to evoke the feeling of being in the mountains next to a river. Muted grays, browns and whites with the backdrop of blue from the Kuwait Tower’s water tank makes imagining wood, stone and running water automatic. Even the Japanese Jazz playing the background is unobtrusive but fits in seamlessly with the rest of the ambience.

The Japanese master Executive Chef behind it all is Fumikazu Onuki. Onuki San is a classically trained Sushi chef. Despite having great knife skills as a child because of helping his father in their fishing business, he still practiced making tea for a year, rice making for three, and two years preparing fish before he was even allowed to touch sushi. The journey is long, but the dedicated man has been making sushi for over three decades now and is still just as passionate.

He has helped create the menu and the atmosphere. From the hanging silk and rice paper shoju screens to the linens, the serving dishes and even the flatware, everything was painstakingly chosen to be authentically Japanese. For example, the chopsticks are not bamboo, they are made of solid, splinter free Hokkaido wood. Amimoto does not cut even the smallest corners.

Specially designed freezers were brought from Japan, where food can be stored in -60 degree temperatures to keep everything fresh, with the taste, texture and nutritional value pristine.

The Bluefin Tuna is flown in from Japan, which incidentally is the chef’s favorite type of fish.

Vegetables that can be grown locally are sourced from local farms, however spices and other fresh produce are imported from Japan. Sauces are all made in-house, from scratch. Soy Sauce or shoyu, a staple condiment in Japanese dishes,

takes three weeks to ferment properly. And it tastes worlds away from the bottled store-bought kind. The brewed liquid is lighter in color, has a whiff of balanced sweetness and saltiness, it is over all very smooth, you could easily drink it on its own.

The chefs start work hours before the doors open every day. Prepping the fish alone is a

two-hour job and the chef prefers the quieter environment to focus. Watching him wielding his samurai-sword like knife is like watching a magician. The knife is custom-made for him and he was on a two-year waiting list before he got it.

Every two years he has to take it back to Japan for the natural wood handle to be replaced as it wears out, but the blade is for life.

[Continued...]

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It is almost like a performance. The team behind Amimoto agree that the food is only half the experience, the culture makes up the rest.

As with any Japanese restaurant you have your choice of sushi rolls, yakitori and more but their Omakase is a must-try! Omakase, short for "omakase shimasu", is not a testing menu, it translates to “I trust you” and is putting your faith and trust in the chef to create a unique experience just for you. Guests are seated at the counter across the chef while he creates ten nigiri pieces that are unique to the group and that experience. Onuki San asked us if we had any allergies or special dietary requirements.

One of our group told him that she didn’t eat raw fish.

A beautiful curved wood plate was placed in front of us with a mound of Gari, the pickled ginger which is the perfect food-chaser. You are meant to have some after every piece of nigiri to reset your palate. The plates are made from the same wood, that wooden fermenting barrels are made from. No detail is too small at Amimoto.

First on the plate was Yuzu zested squid.

The citrusy aroma of the fruit complemented the seafood and gave it an interesting flavor. Our non-raw friend sampled boiled snow crabs. The sushi kept coming, we got to try eel, bluefin tuna, salmon and marinated salmon. Most surprising was the Okaido scallops, so tender and light despite being totally raw. Everything tasted as fresh as a sea breeze. All of the seafood melted in our mouths. It is an interesting experience.

The chef works quickly but you still have time to enjoy the company of your friends. And because you only get one piece of each, you savor it, slowly feeling how it tastes, you use all of your senses to enjoy the flavors, the textures, colors and aromas. And with the changing seasons, you know that your next visit the chef might curate a totally different menu for you. It truly is a one of a kind experience.

For dessert we dove into Matcha Tiramisu.

It is sweetness is subtle like Japanese cuisine.

The matcha enhances the taste of the coffee and is complimented with Anko, sweet red beans all tied together nicely with a big bow of cream. We washed it all down with a cold bottle of Ichi, wheat flavored non-alcoholic beer that is exclusive to Amimoto in Kuwait. It is free of artificial sweetness and bettering agents.

A visit to Amimoto is not about eating, it is about appreciating a foreign food culture without trying to transform it into something it isn’t. It is about understanding and embracing different things and realizing that the core essence of Japan is respect and enjoyment.

Amimoto is in the Kuwait Towers and is open every day except Tuesday’s from 1pm – 11pm.

For more information and to stay up to date with their news visit them on Instagram @amimoto.kt.

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angus

bazaar movie night

The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in February

COLD PURSUIT

TAKE POINT

THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART

VS.

WHAT MEN WANT

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL

Release Date: Feb 7th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller Cast: Emmy Rossum, Liam Neeson, Laura Dern Synopsis: Quiet family man and hard-working snowplow driver Nels is the lifeblood of a glitzy resort town in the Rocky Mountains because he is the one who keeps the winter roads clear. He and his wife live in a comfortable cabin away from the tourists.

The town has just awarded him "Citizen of the Year."

But Nels has to leave his quiet mountain life when his son is murdered by a powerful drug lord. As a man who has nothing to lose he is stoked by a drive for vengeance.

Release Date: Feb 7th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Music Cast: Connor Swindells, Emily Taaffe, Fola EvansAkingbola Synopsis: Quickly being hailed as the ‘8 Mile of Southend’, VS. is the battle rap movie that the the world has been waiting for. A troubled foster-teen is introduced to the “no limits” world of UK battlerap, where his aggression and sharp lyricism quickly makes him a controversial fan favourite. But when he contacts his biological mother after twelve years in care, he’s forced to face his toughest opponent yet: his past. VS. is an urban rites-of-passage drama set in the hostile and exciting UK rap battle scene.

Release Date: Feb 7th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Thriller Cast: Jung-woo Ha, Sun-kyun Lee, Jennifer Ehle Synopsis: Take Point is a 2018 South Korean action thriller film directed by Kim Byung-woo and starring Ha Jung-woo, Lee Sun-kyun, Jennifer Ehle and Kevin Durand. On the day of the U.S. presidential election in 2024, Ahab (HA) and his team of elite mercenaries embark on a secret CIA mission to abduct North Korea's Armed Forces Minister in an underground bunker below the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

They get caught in the crossfire which causes tensions to escalate to the brink of World War III.

Release Date: Feb 7th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Max Greenfield Synopsis: Inspired by the Nancy Meyers hit romantic comedy What Women Want, this film follows the story of a female sports agent who has been constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. Passed up for a promotion, Ali Davis wonders what else she needs to do to succeed in a man's world. Hoping to find answers from a psychic, Ali drinks a weird concoction that suddenly allows her to hear what men are thinking. Using her newfound ability, she turns the tables on her obnoxious male colleagues.

Release Date: Feb 7th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure Cast: Jason Momoa, Alison Brie, Chris Pratt Synopsis: Five years after the events of the first film, the Duplo invaders have turned Bricksburg into a post-apocalyptic wasteland which everyone now nicknames Apocalypseburg. Emmet, the Master-Builder who saved the world from President Business, maintains his livelihood completely unaffected by this dramatic change and pretends everything is still awesome, unlike everyone else, who have been toughened and hardened, making them ready for more fighting.

Release Date: Feb 14th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance Cast: Rosa Salazar, Mahershala Ali, Jennifer Connelly Synopsis: Alita is a creation from an age of despair.

Found by the mysterious Dr. Ido while trolling for cyborg parts, Alita becomes a lethal, dangerous being. She cannot remember who she is, or where she came from. But to Dr. Ido, the truth is all too clear. She is the one being who can break the cycle of death and destruction left behind from Tiphares.

But to accomplish her true purpose, she must fight and kill. And that is where Alita's true significance comes to bear. She is an angel from heaven. She is an angel of death.

For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit Cinescape at www.cinescape.com.kw. *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice.

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taco eataco

SNACKING JUST GOT SWEETER

Nothing satisfies our cravings like a visit to The Chocolate Bar By bazaar staff

There are constants in life, like the laws of physics and chocolate. And The Chocolate Bar has been a constant in Kuwait’s chocolate and food scene since 2004. It was a year of lowrise jeans, cowl necked sweaters and a lot of chocolate fondue with our friends. With new restaurants opening left, right and center, it has remained high on our list of favorite places and a source of amazing sugar-induced memories.

Despite the name, the restaurant serves more than just desserts and sweet concoctions.

The newly introduced Snack Attack section in the menu is all about the quick bites that will satisfy your cravings and still leave room for a Hot Fudge Sundae, or two.

We love living on the edge of what is new and trending but we also appreciate the good things that have proven their worth over time. When we visited The Chocolate Bar, it was a cold grey winter morning, Hot Cocoa season. Which is exactly what we started with. The oversized piping hot mugs with the swirling melting chocolate were like Alice’s magical looking glass, a doorway into another world.

A world of memories and futures.

Our 2004 selves were probably wearing cargo pants when they went to The Chocolate Bar, but now we are better dressed and have the foresight to start with a salad. The Quinoa Tabbouleh is generously loaded with healthy quinoa, pomegranates and a pomegranate molasses vinaigrette dressing that transforms a classic into something new and exciting, much like our transformations over time.

Next, the Almost Pizza arrived. A cross between a quesadilla and a pizza, there’s a generous helping of cheese and pepperoni between two tortillas, topped with cheese, marinara sauce and a healthy sprinkling of oregano. The ratio of sauce to cheese is just right, even Goldilocks would be happy.

As we were fighting over the last slice of pizza, the Spicy Asian Chicken and the Crispy Chicken buns arrived. Even though they were both chicken sandwiches, they could not have been more different. The chicken in the Spicy Asian Bun is a beautifully chargrilled chicken breast perfectly cooked and tender. The in-house secret Asian sauce coupled with the sriracha gives it a flavorful kick.

Shredded carrots, avocados, parsley and lettuce bring it all together for a light, delicious sandwich.

For fried chicken lovers, the Crispy Chicken is everything you never knew you really needed in your life. It tastes like comfort, home and your mother’s hugs after a long day. Both chicken sandwiches came in toasted potato buns that complimented each filling really well. With fries on the side, it is a really satisfying meal.

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Our vegetarian friends don’t need to feel left out because the Halloumi Beetroot wrap arrived.

Halloumi can be really intense and salty, but it turns out that when you add sweet soft beetroot and zaatar, it mellows down without losing its character.

The rocket and beetroot salad on the side made us feel really grown-up about our healthy choices in life.

As we sat at the table reminiscing about the past and making plans for the future, the showstopper arrived. The Chocolate Alaska is a beautiful creation. Tall, majestic, torched Italian meringue covers a scoop of chocolate ice cream that sits on dark moist chocolate cake. And then it becomes even grander, when the salted caramel sauce is poured over it. It was the softest fluffiest meringue that showed great culinary mastery. The caramel had strong hints of butterscotch and clotted cream toffees. We couldn’t stop. It was an all-out spoon war and everyone emerged victorious in a haze of sweetness.

One of our favorite things about The Chocolate Bar is how it appeals to everyone. Whenever you walk in you will notice how diverse the clientele is. From families with chocolate-smeared-faced toddlers to older friends, bonding and catching up over the delicious dishes and desserts. It is a place for sharing food, secrets, and dreams.

And over the years they have kept their classic menu but regularly updated it. Mention the Chocolate Bar to a friend and they’ll probably say I really want Pink Pasta. Yet, they have also added new things like Gluten Free options for people with dietary restrictions.

We ended the meal with a classic. The Chocolate Molten cake, but this time we ordered the dark chocolate. Our palates have matured with time and we have learned to respect and appreciate the more meaningful things in life. The vanilla ice cream added the perfect amount of sweetness.

We have grown older, but we will never outgrow The Chocolate Bar.

The Chocolate Bar is located in Marina Crescent (9722 4491); Al Bida’a Complex (9722 4492); 1st Avenue-The Avenues (9722 4493); Spoons MallMahboula (9744 2278), Murouj (9744 2280), Al Hamra Tower (9662 6589), Jahra Gate (9712 5605,) KOC- Al Ahmadi, and Ahmed al Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition (9974 9748) and opening soon in Argania, Shuwaikh. The Bakery shop is located in Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak Street (9893 1518). Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @Thechocobar and on Facebook: thechocolatebarkw. Order online via Bleems, Talabat, and Carriage.

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CHICKEN CHICKEN

The new fried chicken menu hits the spot at Shawarma Matic By bazaar staff

Shawarma Matic are well-known for their wide variety of shawarmas. Be it wrapped chicken or beef shawarma, with a vast selection of savory sandwiches and vegetarian, such as their grilled halloumi wrap, crunchy shrimp sandwich, chicken fajita sandwich, and much more to choose from. But, Shawarma Matic are also expanding their menu into a new dimension, beyond the grilled chicken and meat options, there comes the world of fried chicken.

Perfectly in line with the fried chicken trend in Kuwait that is surely showing no signs of slowing down, Shawarma Matic’s new Chicken Chicken menu introduces their first ever fried chicken burger. It’s served in three forms, each owning its flavors perfectly. All of the burgers come in a potato bun and are fried chicken, but not all of them have the same sauce or ingredients.

Intrigued by these new arrivals, we chose a beautiful day to head out to Shawarma Matic’s Mahboula location to sample the different fried chicken sandwiches, and we didn’t regret it! Always remember, that you can order Shawarma Matic for delivery, you can even visit their Salmiya location on Baghdad street, or other locations at Bneid El Gar and Ardhiya.

When we came to choose which crispy chicken burger to try first, we didn’t know where to begin.

With three burger offerings, the Dynamite, Buffalo, and Classic, all burgers serve one fullfilling purpose: perfect crunchy chicken with distinct toppings and delicious sauces.

For example, what makes the Dynamite burger different, is its explosive dynamite sauce. With a spicy texture unlike any other the addition of turkey bacon gives the Dynamite an extra protein-kick to indulge in with this fried chicken burger. On top of the perfectly, golden, crispy chicken is a red coleslaw salad, tomato and a slice of cheddar cheese to complete the burger at hand.

For lovers of piquant sauces, the Shawarma Matic’s Buffalo burger provides a beautiful mixture of buffalo and blue cheese sauce. Completing the combination of these two is, of course, the shining star of it all, a crispy chicken fillet in a brown potato bun. With the blue cheese to tone down the spice level of the buffalo sauce, a great balance is achieved with this burger.

The third and final burger on the Chicken Chicken menu is the Classic chicken burger, with truffle aioli sauce. This offering is a classic choice for tuning down the heat of the last two rich and flavorful burgers. Plus, as much as we’d like to turn the heat with the two previous burgers, sometimes we got to chill it down to a classic burger.

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[Continued...]

the kitcen

Now that we’ve wrapped part one of the Chicken Chicken menu, ironically part two revolves around the ultimate wraps and grabs! Our personal favorite is the Spice wrap, it includes two ingredients that truly spiced us up, and made us a bit reluctant on taking more than just one bite, but we eventually did. The wrap is served with spiced crispy chicken tenders, lettuce, pickles, and the two beloved ingredients that generated a lot of heat: Spicy fries with Mabouch mayo.

As every local in Kuwait knows, the heart to a spicy burger, wrap, or just a sandwich is to add a bit of heat here and there. But, the sauce that is a mixture of mabouch and mayo is just the right spice to get a head start on being our favorite wrap at Shawarma Matic.

The two other wraps on the new menu also include a variety of sauces. The BBQ wrap comes with crispy chicken tenders, and the BBQ sauce is drizzled on top of red coleslaw, lettuce, pickles, and cheddar cheese. The last item on the menu is the Ranch wrap, a lighter wrap than the other two, and a bit more savory. So, make sure to wrap and grab fries and a drink while you’re at it for the full combo meal at Shawarma Matic, to finally fully embrace their Chicken Chicken menu.

With Shawarma Matic, you’ll definitely have a variety of items for every occasion. You can place an order for the Mini Matics, if you’re having a gathering and in need of quick finger foods. For a light snack, you’ll find their appetizers menu more than enough. Yet, make sure you don’t miss out on the new Chicken Chicken menu, and its full-of -flavor options that will satisfy several gatherings.

Plus, with their offering of vegetarian sandwiches, this makes an inclusive snacking destination for all.

Shawarma Matic is located in Salmiya, Mahboula, Bneid El Gar, and Ardiya. For more information call on 2225 6444 or head to www.shawarmamatic.com.

Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates @Shawarmamatic. Deliveries are available on both Carriage and Talabat.

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RVB

A DAY OUT IN 1

K TOWN - PART 11 DISCOVERING AND REDISCOVERING THE NEW AND OLD SPOTS AT MUBARAKIYA

By bazaar staff

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We’re back with another walk around K-Town! In our previous issue, we’ve taken the walk over Ahmad Al-Jaber Street and relived its hidden treasures. Now, as we’ve ended the walk on Mubarak Al-Kabeer Street, here’s what lies within and behind the richest street in Kuwait City.

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Taking a turn from Ahmed Al-Jaber Street, we decided to pause the walk by Moo Milk Bar, only because what follows on Mubarak AlKabeer street is an even bigger array of trendy and vintage spots. Along one side of the street, you have the continuation of what is called the ‘caffeinated road’. This is where VOL.1, Toby’s Estate, and creative spots such as Almakan are all on the same walking lane, amongst several other restaurants. The other side features the destination for a sea of fabrics, known as ‘Blockat’. Each and every shop is set in providing a variety of textures, colors, and tools for the type of fabric you’re seeking for an outfit you have in mind, or if you're changing up the curtains in your bedroom. You name it, they’ve got it.

Before we continue further into this walk, imagine it this way: A circle of locations that are actually closer to each other than you’d think, from Ahmad Al-Jaber, to Mubarak Al-Kabeer, to Blockat, and finally, to our main destination of Souq Al-Mubarakiya. All of them are connected; they all grew from the same practice of combining the old and new together, cultivating Kuwait City’s cultural scene, a transformation that was extremely needed for the public to fall back in love with their own town.

At bazaar.town, we have gone through every spot that is worth a visit at Souq Al-Mubarakiya, under the title We Heart Kuwait. We decided to revisit these spots during this beautiful weather, and discover new ones as well. One square in particular, placed in South Al-Mubarakiya, continues to grab the attention of visitors and is commonly known as SoMu. The store that started it all, Thouq, remains at the same spot it always has been, but with more shops and restaurants side by side, to liven up the square more.

At SoMu, you can have street food at Brothers, or 12 Chutneys for Indian tapas. For specialty coffee, there’s Caffeine and for a flavor of Italy, enjoy the delicious food and gelato at Breo. You’ll definitely find something at SoMu that’ll suit your taste, but the best thing about the square is the atmosphere itself. With its surroundings, you can either head towards the Souq to do some shopping for vintage items (think antiques, Persian carpets galore and endless nick-nacks), or take a turn to more places for food and coffee.

Another new addition can be found in the middle of Souq Al-Mubarakiya just inside the Dates Souq is Potat Bobtain. A tiny shop which serves fries, Dutch-style, with a variety of savory sauces. A convenient snack to eat while walking around the shops, while embracing the beautiful scenery surrounding it. A leisurely stroll through the old Souq gives a different vibe to your day, and we also discovered it adds more items to your shopping list than you might anticipate, due to the amount of cool stuff right in front of your eyes. Be it throwback snacks, clothing items, or even jewelry.

When we reached the end of Mubarakiya, we couldn’t help but notice how time flew by, as 134

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we admired two amazing Jedareyat murals, both of them representing the culture surrounding the Souk. One specifically took us back to the 80’s, as it features the locals’ favorite Auntie Gmasha. But, our tummies were not fulfilled yet, at Awtad Complex, Baytoti is the perfect place to get a flavor of homemade modern Kuwaiti dishes. Finally, we had to end the walk at Doh! for doughnuts, who recently opened their shop at the complex to satisfy our ever-needy-sweetie tooth, with their overwhelming pink interior, it’s

definitely worth a shot or two for the sake of aesthetics.

Souq Al-Mubarakiya may be old, but it is a well-preserved key destination worth visiting to better understand Kuwait’s cultural scene.

While it is expanding, and continues to empower youthful ideas, Mubarakiya truly combines the old and new in one destination for all to see.

For more information, head to www.bazaar.town.

Photography by bazaar staff.

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DOROTHY PERKINS SPRING SUMMER 2019 Dorothy Perkins embrace the warm tones of an Indian summer alongside an idyllic palette of fresh whites and cool blues for SS19. The dress is key for SS19. Bold florals and cool ditsy prints on hanky hem and tiered styles, cinched in at the waist with a skinny belt create a feminine look. Rich tobacco and strong cinnamon tones run across suiting, prints on dresses and this season’s hero boiler suit is a hero piece for Spring Summer, with utilitarian pockets and an updated wide leg, worn with trainers for a relaxed feel or dressed up with a heeled sandal.

Available at 1st Avenue – The Avenues, Grand Avenue – The Avenues (Inside Debenhams), The Gate Mall (Inside Debenhams) and Souq Sharq (Inside Debenhams). For more updates visit us on Instagram @dorothyperkinsmiddleeast.

SYMPHONY STYLE KUWAIT, A RADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL, OBTAINS THE GREEN KEY ONCE AGAIN Symphony Style Kuwait, A Radisson Collection Hotel, has been recently awarded the Green Key certification again. The certification is given to establishments that set a high standard in environmental requirements.

Obtaining the Green Key certification shows the level of commitment displayed by the hotel’s management and staff to provide an environmentally friendly experience for guests as well as making the world we live in more sustainable. The Green Key eco-label is a standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. Green Key has been awarded to 2,700 establishments in 56 countries, making it one of the largest international tourism ecolabels for tourism accommodation. On obtaining Green Key certification, General Manager of Symphony Style Kuwait, Peter Schuler commented: “We are proud to receive our Green Key certification for the second time. The level of commitment and hard work that has been displayed by members of Symphony Style Kuwait, both in management and staff, has been instrumental in obtaining this certification, and it is one that the Hotel holds dearly. I’d like to extend my thanks to them for helping us receive such a prestigious award.”

For more information about Symphony Style Kuwait, please visit @radissoncollectionkuwait on Instagram.

JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH HOTEL & SPA WINNERS AT HORECA Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa’s has competed and won yet again at HORECA, the biggest hospitality and food industries event in the country, earning the most number of awards in the competition Jumeirah Messilah Beach has won a total of 31 awards at the HORECA Exhibition. One gold award was won at the Hot / Cold mezze live competition, whereas 10 silver awards were won in the fresh pasta, best burger, Asian cuisine, mystery basket, best croissant – zaatar/ thyme, hot/cold sandwiches, and best eclair competitions alongside the Jack creek steak challenge. 16 bronze awards were won in the 3 plated dessert presentation, canape, bread creation, Asian cuisine, Mystery Basket, hot/cold sandwich, best éclair, sushi and themed cake categories. Kuwait’s idyllic resort has also won merit in the 3 plated dessert presentation, and best burger competitions, alongside the Jack creek steak challenge, and the 6-course set menu competition. Lastly, 2 hygiene awards were also received. HORECA is an exhibition in which the hospitality and food service industry displays its talents, and products in competition.

For the latest updates, check out @jumeirahmessilahbeach on Instagram.

EVANS NEW SEASON ESSENTIALS This season's essential dresses range from fun printed maxi dresses, occasion dresses, to everyday dresses that take you from day to night. With Evans, you'll find your ideal plus size dress for every occasion. Evans’ contemporary collection of plus size tops are perfect to refresh your wardrobe this season. Try T-shirts and vests for off-duty days, or dress to impress with smart tops ideal for weddings or work events. Available in chic block colors or printed styles. Shop the latest arrivals at Evans, available in sizes 14- 28. They’re bringing you weekly updates, perfect for your new season wardrobe.

Available at 1st Avenue- The Avenues, Fanar Mall, The Gate Mall, Shamiyah & Shuwaikh Co-op, Qadsiya Co-op, Qurtoba Co-op, Mishref Co-op, Rawda Co-op, Bayan Co-op, Souq Sharq (Inside Debenhams), Grand Avenue- The Avenues (Inside Debenhams) For daily plus size fashion inspiration visit them on Instagram @ evansmiddleeast.

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MONKI INTRODUCES: THIS IS MY DENIM, HBU? Monki sees denim as an extension of you. Worn, shaped and molded by your movements.

Ripped, stitched, patched and washed (or not) by your hands. It’s a love affair only the wearer knows. For spring 2019, things are getting fresh for the Swedish brand. There’s a new palette of washes; light vintage blue, poppy purple, mustard and a natural ecru. Workwear inspiration is everywhere; hammer loop details feature on Monki’s new wide leg Rio jeans and contrast stitching is all over – on jeans, jackets and the denim equivalent of the little black dress, the dungaree pinafore. We can’t get enough of their latest wide-legged crop and longer styles, as well as the iconic Mom Jean that effortlessly take you from the office to your next gathering.

With all of these options, and in amazing inclusive sizes, what’s not to love? Styling is easygoing and crisp for spring, with tops and tees cropped yet feminine. Bucket hats and denim scrunchies bring back ‘90s nostalgia in the accessories department, allowing you to turn up the jeanious layering as much as you like. Available in stores mid-February, this collection is ready to be worn, shaped, styled, and most definitely, loved by you. Monki is a storytelling brand offering great fashion at a competitive price, aiming to be kind to the world and empowering the young women in it.

For more information, check out MONKI.com or on Instagram @Monki and #MonkiStyle.

Monki is located at Grand Avenue—The Avenues.

LABEL.M COOL BLOND RANGE: SAY GOODBYE TO BRASSY TONES! The trick with blonde hair is maintenance. Want to extend your perfect blonde color for a longer period of time?

The Cool Blond range by label m features the VIOLET BOTANICAL COMPLEX, comprised of ingredients that are purposely chosen to deliver both color-corrective benefits and rich nutritional supplementation, supporting fiber strength and collagen integrity that keeps hair supple and resistant to breakage, especially important for coloredtreated hair. Cool Blonde Shampoo Enhances depth and brilliance for fool-proof color maintenance and delivers ultra-concentrated color toning pigments to eliminate brassy and yellow tones while restoring moisture to prolong color vibrancy and protect hair. Cool Blonde Conditioner awakens and illuminates platinum and blonde hair types and delivers ultra-concentrated color toning pigments to eliminate brassy and yellow tones, deeply conditioning hair for improved manageability, elasticity and strength keeping hair silky and resistant to breakage.

Distributed by beautique cosmetics intil. For more information, visit www.beautiquecosmeticsintl.com, or call 2225 1285.

DISCOVER L’HUILE DE LEONOR GREYL Extreme weather, hot or cold, can cause severe damage and excess dryness to your hair. A detangling, softening, protective and beautifying treatment based on Coprah and Mongongo oils, L’Huile de Leonor Greyl is a deep repairing treatment for dry hair damaged by tinting, bleaching, highlighting, perms or straightening.

It leaves the hair soft, healthy, shiny and easy to style. Because it is waterproof and contains UVA/UVB filter, it is also very effective at providing protection against the damaging effects of sun, seawater, and chlorinated pool water. Make sure you pack this product with you on your next beachy getaway! Pro tip: Use this product on the tips of your hair before going to sleep, rinse off with your morning shower to reveal nourished, supple and shiny tresses!

Distributed by beautique cosmetics intil. For more information, visit www.beautiquecosmeticsintl.com, or call 2225 1285.

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THE LATEST FORTNITE SERIES FROM FUNKO HITS THE SHELVES AT FANTASY WORLD Funko Inc. an American company that manufactures licensed pop culture collectibles, best known for producing licensed vinyl figurines and bobbleheads, now introduces the latest POP! Vinyl: Fortnite figures. It comes with the most iconic outfits and these are now available at Fantasy World. The all new Fortnite’s collection available includes ‘Zoey’ could best described as candy-coated chaos in Pop! ‘Raven’ the master of brooding. ‘Havoc’ ready for action. ‘Sparkle’ Specialist is ready to shine on and off the battlefield, ‘Tricera Ops’ ready to bring the pain and Valor’s name pretty much says it all, to name a few. Burnout’s confident the battle will end in his favor. Dark Vanguard’s got a stellar look. By appearance alone, Ragnarok is ready to send enemy combatants running for safety. And Drift is looking cool, capable and combat-ready. Are you the first or last player off the Battle Bus? Is solo, duos or squads more your style? Whatever your strategy happens to be, there’s one thing 125 million players can agree on: Fortnite is awesome. Throw in dozens of intimidating, hilarious and adorable outfits and it’s no wonder the game has such a devoted following. Show your romantic side with Love Ranger and Cuddle Team Leader Pocket Pop! Keychains.

For the Fortnite warrior who proudly embraces the role of lover and fighter, the Cuddle Team Pocket Pop! Keychain is deadly, adorable and, most importantly, pink. Various versions of Fortnite are now featured as Pop! Keychains!

For convenient shopping Fantasy World has an online shopping website (www.fntasyworldtoys.com) known for its on-time home delivery. To learn more about Fantasy World, visit any of Fantasy World’s social media platforms, Facebook (fantasyworldtoyskuwait), Instagram (fantasyworldtoys) and YouTube (fantasyworld Kuwait).

KIDZANIA KUWAIT IS RECOGNIZED WITH THE BEST METROPOLIS AWARD 2018!

KidZania Kuwait received the 2018 Best Metropolis Award during a gala dinner attended by representatives from several KidZania States, the Central Government of KidZania and the Institute for Ztandards Observance (I.Z.O.). Abdelkouddous (AK) Al-Hasani, KidZania Kuwait´s Business Alliance Manager, received the recognition on behalf of the thirteenth KidZania facility that opened in June 16th, 2013; A Metropolis is characterized by having collaborators from over twenty nationalities and a steady operation.

Proudly speaking about the award, Vice President of Leisure and Entertainment Department at Alshaya Group, Fernando Medroa, said “We are very honored to receive the accolade during this year which also coincides with our fifth anniversary in Kuwait. This award not only recognizes KidZania Kuwait as the best among the facilities that were eligible this year but also represents the work, effort and passion that everyone at KidZania Kuwait puts every day in assuring that our facility offers the best experience as well as ignites the hearts and minds of the children, empowering them to get ready for a better world!”

For more information on KidZania Kuwait, visit www.kidzania.com.kw and follow @KidZaniaKuwait on social media.

THE DELICIOUS SPICY CHICKEN RANGE FROM MCDONALD’S COMES WITH JUST THE RIGHT KICK OF SPICE McDonald’s Kuwait is celebrating its fans’ love for both chicken and spicy food with its mouth-watering Spicy Chicken range, which now includes the new, limited-time Spicy Chicken McNuggets. The McDonald’s Spicy Chicken range offers four equally delectable menu items with just the right kick of spice, all made using 100% pure, Halal chicken. On the sandwich side, find the Grand Chicken Spicy, featuring a deliciously juicy chicken patty topped with Dijon mustard sauce, ripe tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and Emmental cheese, generously stacked together in between a soft bun. There is also the Spicy McChicken - a tasty breaded spicy chicken patty, topped with creamy mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, and cheddar cheese, all packed between a toasted sesame seed bun. And for a spicy take on a popular classic, the Spicy Chickenburger will also be available. The Spicy Chicken range also introduces a sure-to be instant fan-favorite, with the limited-time only Spicy Chicken McNuggets. Made with 100% white meat marinated chicken, breaded, and coated with a tasty tempura mix with chili and parsley flakes, these spicy munchies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser for lovers of chicken and spicy food alike.

The entire McDonald’s Spicy Chicken range is available at all McDonald’s restaurants across Kuwait, as well as through all available delivery services. Exclusive offers for the Spicy Chicken range are also available through the McDonald’s App, which can be found on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, check out @McDonaldsKuwait on social media.

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bazaar around town

SAVOUR THE AUTHENTIC FLAVOURS OF KUWAIT AT AMITI NOURA Alshaya’s latest restaurant concept pays homage to authentic local recipes and Kuwait’s spirit of hospitality.

Amiti Noura, which translates to ‘Aunt Noura’ is inspired by these traditions and guests are promised a journey that captures this generosity. Warm Kuwaiti hospitality is paired with a contemporary and chic ambience, to create a dining destination that nourishes the soul. Gather friends and family together here for heart-warming meals that reflect the comfort and traditions of a Kuwaiti home kitchen. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests will discover a wide choice of classic home-style dishes that are defined by family recipes and offer a unique combination of distinct flavors and spices. Breakfast specials are served with Tanoor and Regag bread while classic staples like Hamsat and Sambusa are served all day long. Lunch and dinner options feature a wide selection of chicken, meat and seafood dishes, while the delicious range of desserts includes classics like Sab Al Gafsha and Lgaimat.

Amiti Noura is located at The Souk at The Avenues and welcomes guests between 9:00AM and 11:30PM on week days and until 12 midnight on weekends. Follow @AmitiNoura on Instagram for the authentic Kuwaiti culinary experience and updates.

KHANEEN PRESENTS A TASTE OF KUWAIT WITH STYLE Mubarakiya is dressed to the nines in lit decorations for Hala February and there is nowhere better to enjoy this than in Khaneen which celebrates Kuwaiti cuisine every day with its marvelous menu of classic homestyle dishes bursting with flavor and presented in a modern manner. Locally sourced meat and commitment to using only the freshest and finest cuts results in high-quality traditional dishes. Khaneen artfully fuses traditional tastes with modern combinations and you can also find Khaneen in new yet already iconic Kuwait locations Murouj and the Souk, The Avenues. You can find references to the many cultures and gastronomic experiences to be had in Kuwait in this one menu alone, taking you on a culinary journey through Kuwait’s history and adventures. All of Khaneen’s meats are locally sourced, and they’re committed to only using the freshest, finest cuts. This is one place to visit if you’re seeking a true Kuwaiti dining experience. Their décor utilizes well-known images of Kuwaiti cultural heritage for you and your guests to enjoy while savoring the best Kuwaiti fare.

Khaneen is located in Souk Mubarakiya – Oman Street, Murouj off 6th Ring Road, and Phase 4 – The Avenues. Follow them on Instagram @khaneen.restaurant and Facebook: Khaneen Restaurant.

DISCOVER T LOUNGE BY DILMAH Dilmah is one of the finest Sri Lankan tea brands sourcing leaves from the heart of the Sri Lankan mountains right to your tea cup; each aromatic leaf grown and harvested with great care. Try Rose with French Vanilla, Moroccan Mint Green Tea, and Blueberry & Pomegranate black tea amongst others. Now T Lounge by Dilmah has devoted as much attention to a new menu as the quality of its teas. A wide variety of food has been introduced, savory to sweet, each dish created with a passion for tantalizing the taste buds. Enjoy the dining experience of a Deluxe Assorted Arabic Breakfast, Shawarma Chapati, or Mac & Cheese with Chicken among many other surprising offerings. Unwind at the T Lounge with a variety of teas from around the world such as Karak Chai and Cumin Lemon herbal tea or enjoy exotic tea mock-tails like the Thai Hello Bangkok or Matcha Milkshake. Visit the T Lounge by Dilma to enjoy an energizing morning breakfast, a flavorful lunch, a relaxing afternoon dessert, or a mouthwatering dinner.

Also available delivered to your doorstep through Talabat Go. For more information and to see the assortments on offer follow Instagram account @dilmah_kw

SHAKE SHACK IS SHAKIN’ IT UP WITH A LIMITED-EDITION BBQ MENU Nothing shouts spring like barbeque and this month’s launch of the limited-edition line-up of BBQ items from Shack Shack is no exception! “We’re pumped to bring back a favorite!”, says Mark Rosati, Culinary Director of Shake Shack of their seasonally signature Shack BBQ Sauce. “Our Shack BBQ sauce takes rich and tangy inspiration from a few of our favorite regional BBQ styles from the US, and adds wonderful flavor to our limited-time burger, chicken, and fries.” The Shack BBQ sauce has proven to be immensely popular in Kuwait before and now with the BBQ ShackMeister Burger you can enjoy Shack BBQ sauce on a 100% all-natural, antibiotic-free Angus beef cheese burger with crispy ShackMeister seasoned shallots. Or, if 100% all -natural chicken is your preferred choice, then the BBQ Chick’n Shack is for you, pairing Shack BBQ Sauce and pickles on top of crispy chicken. Fancy some fries? The BBQ Veal Bacon & Cheese Fries adds a delicious touch to the perennially favorite crinkle-cut fries and cheese sauce.

For more on Shack Shack follow the official Instagram account on @shakeshackme.

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bazaar scopes

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22 You might concentrate on projects. These could be related to your personal relationships. Whatever the nature of your tasks, don't be surprised if you find them confusing. You might be tempted to chuck it all and go out, but this isn't a good idea. Better to try to make sense of the confusion than put it off. It won't get any better with time.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22 Making or receiving an important letter or call regarding money might be on your agenda, but circumstances beyond your control could delay it. This could prove frustrating. Take care of whatever you have to do.

Distract yourself if you have to sit and wait. Nothing is worth stressing over. The call will come in time, so just relax.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 21 Worries about money might plague you. They might have little, if any, basis in fact, as you're probably fretting over possibilities that aren't likely to ever manifest. A little caution with regard to budgeting and spending certainly won't hurt you. It's best to be objective and see the situation as it really is. Otherwise, you could make yourself crazy over nothing.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 You could look in the mirror and be appalled by what you see, activating your insecurity about the way you look.

This could send you looking for various treatments. Go ahead if you want, but your impressions are clouded right now and you probably look far better than you think. If you get together with a love partner, this person's reaction should give you the reassurance you need.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21 Unfounded worries about money could plague you.

Someone close may have given you some incorrect information, perhaps about your financial situation, but more likely regarding trends in the economy that could affect your finances. Don't waste time worrying.

Check out the facts before driving yourself crazy. You will probably find that you've been misinformed.

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22 You don't worry too much, but today might be different.

Insecurity may arise about a partnership. This might be a current or potential romantic relationship.

Perhaps there has been little if any communication between you and your insecurity is coming to the forefront. Don't let fear or shyness keep you from meeting this person halfway. Your insecurities are probably unfounded.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 Worries about health and work might be on your mind. You could be stressed out over whatever you're doing, and this might have you feeling less energetic than usual. It's a good idea to work a little to lessen the stress in your life. This feeling is going to pass whatever you do. Try to rest a little and have some fun in spite of the stress.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22 You may want to set aside some time to spend with close friends or a love partner. Other responsibilities could have you on your own, taking care of errands and other important matters. You may have the feeling of being lonely in a crowd. Don't waste time feeling sorry for yourself. Take care of business and get back to your loved ones.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19 You may spend some time by yourself working on your own projects. The desire to spend time alone with a special someone may also interfere with plans you've already made to attend a social gathering or event involving a lot of people. You won't want to give up either, so you might try to find a compromise of some kind. Think about it.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18 Artistic or spiritual inspiration could come your way, although it might be muddled and you could be perplexed about how to deal with it. Don't try to force the issue. Write down your ideas and return to them later. Someone close might feel unwell, and you may want to spend some time with him or her. This might take some effort, but it won't go unappreciated.

ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19

Various personal issues might be on your mind. You could want to work them all out without distractions, so you may decide to spend part of the day alone.

Responsibilities from the outside world might make it impossible for you to take as much time as you'd like.

Don't let it get to you. Work out the matters that seem most pressing and save the rest for later.

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20 You could be expecting an important letter, call, or email, and sit on the edge of your chair waiting for it. This might be from a friend or lover. It could be delayed, and this might get you flustered. Distract yourself and do something else while you wait. If you make good use of the hours, the time will fly by.

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