bazaar June Issue 2015

June 2015 | Issue # 194 w w w. b a z a a r. t o w n

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Int

Gotta love June! Schools are out, the roads aren't as insane as they usually are, and there is a distinct calmness in the air. Some people are getting ready for Ramadan, others are getting ready to travel for the summer, and many more are packing up to leave for good. I guess that comes with the territory, when you're an expat in Kuwait.

It's a very transient place, with a huge turnover of people coming and going all the time, most of whom are very easy to label: you have the fresh graduates who can't find jobs in their own countries, who come to Kuwait to work, gain experience, and save some money. Then you have the young families who come to Kuwait because of the stability, easy, slow going pace, and of course the money. And then you have the people who come to work in Kuwait, only because they couldn't land a job in Dubai, so are here simply as a stepping stone. They never last long. And of course let's not forget about the high paid professionals who are experts in their fields, who land in Kuwait, and hit the ground running with big plans and even bigger flow charts, who quickly learn that the obstacle course here isn't very easy to navigate if you're a newcomer used to a certain way of getting things done at a certain speed in a specific amount of time.

Regardless of their reasons for coming to Kuwait, these expats all add to the hustle and bustle of living here, and you're constantly meeting new interesting people from all over the world.

Speaking of new and interesting people, we have many for you to meet here in the June issue of bazaar and somehow, all link together. Allow me to explain. First, we caught up with the ridiculously talented Galaxy Juice, who have been rocking the bazaar office with their new album Crystal Dunes over the last few weeks. They spoke about all things music and gave us an insight into their background and future plans. With all that rocking we worked up quite an appetite, and fortunately we were invited to an event introducing the new McDonald’s concept Create Your Taste. Not only were we able to eat some amazing new burgers, but we got to catch up with Sherif Coutry, McDonald’s Kuwait Marketing Manager, for a very intriguing Truth Or Dare. The new McDonalds concept allows you to produce your very own edible works of art, which leads us to our piece with Shurooq Amin, Kuwait's very own artist with a whole host of ‘firsts’ under her belt. She graciously had a heartfelt chat with us about the issues surrounding the closure of her solo show It’s A Man’s World, and how the events following inspired her new series Popcornographic, We’ll Build This City On Art And Love, and other projects.

Shurooq is a trooper who never gives up, and you can read all about her story in this issue. In the same vein, we got to catch up with urban photographer Faisal Al Fouzan.

A self-taught and passionate talent and an expert in using hash tags, his pictures tell stories of anything that inspires him at that time. If the term ‘urban beauty’ is a thing, these pictures define it. You can see for yourself in a few pages time.

We would like to wish all of our readers a huge ‘Ramadan Kareem’, with blessings and good wishes during the holy month. Keep this issue of bazaar with you to read for motivation during those extra difficult times of fasting, or simply if you want ideas of where to go and what to do.

About the Cover: This month, we celebrate local artist Shurooq Amin’s many feats, starting with her recent participation at the Venice Biennale amongst a roster of distinguished Middle Eastern Artists with her latest series-turnedinstallation “We’ll Build This City on Art and Love.” She is the first female Kuwaiti artist to exhibit at the Biennale. Once again, her artwork graces our pages, with an excerpt from one of her art pieces entitled ‘Fun = Forbidden’ or ‘Mara7 = 7aram’ as our main cover image. Read all about her experience by flipping to page 36.

The bazaar team...

Boss

Syndicates and Sources

Ahmed El-Adly

Fast Company LA Times MCT International Newsweek Tribune Media Services USA Today Variety News Service Washington Post

Operations Rebecca Sweetman Tim Burns

Business Development Ihab Mokalled

Design Ahmed AL-Ashab

Printing

Padmini Chandrasekaran

British Industries for Printing and Packaging

Staff Writer/Coordinator Yasmine El Charif

Staff Writer/Online Media

members of:

Sarah O. Wali

Staff Writer Amira Haroun Brook McClurg

Communications Hala Y. Sharara

w w w. b p aw w. c o m No one likes to be dumped;

recycle me, please.

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).

Editor A. Al-Duaij

Contributing Writers Ayman Nassar Dr.Susannah J. Schuilenberg Liltera R. Williams Loaay Ahmed Lulua Al-Osaimi Lynda Higgs Mohammed El Soukkary Natalie Mekahal Nejoud Al-Yagout Patrick Makhoul Shireen Passi Chopra Susu K Waleed Shaalan

Contributing Photographers Lynda Higgs Patrick Semaan Waleed Shaalan

On a final note, Rebecca our Wonder Woman Operations Manager is leaving us and Kuwait to start a new adventure in Malaysia with her husband. On behalf of the entire bazaar team, I'd like to thank her for the amazing job she did while here. She will be sorely missed, but at least we all have a place to crash when we visit Malaysia!

Happy reading!

Ahmed El-Adly

tel. 2461 0017 – fax 2461 0018 info@bazaar-magazine.com www.bazaar.town | Al Argan Complex, Shuwaikh Free Trade Zone @bazaargram bazaarmagazine @bazaartweets

ECCO

INDEX JUNE '15

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62

128

98

54

FARAH AL-NAKIB

GALAXY JUICE

7ALO YA 7ALO

VOUS FINE JEWELRY

FAISAL AL FOUZAN

For Farah Al-Nakib, being a historian means more than just hiding in the archives and writing books. It is also about making sense of the world around her. Join us in this wonderful discourse, with the coolest historian ever, might we add, in up close and personal.

Once upon a time, a band that goes by the name Galaxy Juice released an album called Crystal Dunes. With psychedelic backdrops and magical beats, the band rocks out with a trippy persona. Nejoud Al-Yagout met with the band to talk music and their mission from outer space to save the human race.

The Holy Month is nigh and may it be as blessed as ever. Ramadan is about family, food, and prayers.

Read about the wonderful things that summarize this month for us – and feel free to add to them as you see fit. Have a blessed month and let the season of homemade sweets begin!

Sparkle away with the beautiful creations of VOUS Fine Jewelry.

Shop their #instaboutique and keep an eye out for their latest designs.

Delicate, timeless, and effortlessly chic – VOUS has something for everyone. With international designers exclusively designing for VOUS along with Creative Director Sahar Al Naqeeb’s, the options are absolutely stunning.

Viewing the camera as an extension of his arm, Faisal’s photography tells a tale of wonder in Kuwait and the world.

His fascination with the world is clear and present through his photography – hashtagged accordingly. Welcome to Faisal’s wonderland as seen through his camera lens.

Galaxy Juice pg 62

46

90

ULTIMATE STAYCATION

PINTXOS

If you find yourself unable to travel this summer due to unforeseen circumstances, your only option is to make the most of your time while in Kuwait!

We’ve taken it upon ourselves to research the top ten ways you can keep yourself – and family – entertained this summer, without leaving the country!

We are loving the vibe at Pintxos.

This eatery located on the alwaysbuzzing Seif Strip is making waves with their impeccable fusion tapas.

Owned and operated by The Sultan Center Group of Restaurants, and with an awesome menu executed by acclaimed restaurateur Chef Ahmed Al-Bader, Pintxos will surely impress.

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94

MOROCCAN MAGIC

KUWAIT’S NEW EATS

With Ramadan right around the Waleed Shaalan never fails to corner, we’re pretty sure that you impress us with his photography will be looking for different dining and creative endeavours. options once you’ve gone through Waleed uncovers the true magic your list of classic Ramadan dishes. of Morocco, traveling via his We took it upon ourselves to uncover motorbike, and it’s a far cry from some of Kuwait’s newest eats, and the wicked witchery that we tend to boy are they delicious. hear about. Discover the true magic of the blue town of Chefchaoen, Merzouga, and so much more.

16

70

22

142

H.O.P.E.

FOOD(IE) TALK

NEPAL RELIEF

It took fashion PR guru Tara Sillery one visit to the refugee camps in Lebanon to take action.

Deciding to harness her fame for good, Tara founded H.O.P.E. in an effort to help the less fortunate adults and children affected by the turmoil in both Syria and Lebanon. Read all about this charity in this month’s ‘we care’.

In this month’s edition of truth or dare, we met up with the super awesome Marketing Director of McDonald’s Sherif Coutry.

He’s a foodie with a mission to revolutionize the burger scene in Kuwait, and it is well underway with the company’s latest campaign #CreateYourTaste.

While the earthquakes in Nepal have subsided, that doesn’t mean that disaster cannot strike again. If you’re interested in helping, then don't just post articles about the disaster but flip through to this useful list of charities that are making a difference to this nation in need.

Contact them. Get involved.

IVANKA TRUMP

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 (except August), delivered free of charge to a large subscriber database, and distributed free of charge in all of the following locations: Cafés & Eateries

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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

members of: www.bpaww.com

Souk Sharq The Avenues The Palms Hotel Zahra Co-op

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, Salmiya Hilton Kuwait Resort & Spa Holiday Inn, Salmiya, Inspire Pure Fitness JW Marriott – Residence Inn, Sharq Millenium Hotel & Conference Center Pilates & More - Salmiya, Mahboula Spaloon The Palms Beach Hotel The Yoga Center

Malls

Al Salam Mall Arraya

Haagen Dazs Galleria Al Hamra Elevation Burger Mall 360 Dunkin Donuts Marina Mall/Crescent Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar Johnny Rockets P.Q. Paul Souq Sharq Starbucks Haagen Dazs Breadz Symphony Mall Juan Valdez The Avenues Elevation Burger Johnny Rockets Paul Starbucks Airport Mall Starbucks Dar Al Awadi I.O. Center Spoons Chocolate Bar Salhiya Complex Starbucks

beau-Tique cosmetics British Embassy Brush Salon CAP Gallery Cookie Dough Dar Al Funoon Dar.Nur Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra I. O. Center Italian Center Jacques Dessange Salon, Shaab KAICO Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges N Style Nail Lounge Media Elephant Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery THE One The Chairman's Club USA Embassy

Stand Alones

Kuwait University

4 Boutique Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai, Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel

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

Khaldiya Adeliya Jabriya Shuwaikh

bazaar magazine has been a member of BPA Worldwide since June 2010, ensuring complete transparency, verifying bazaar as an audited publication which distributes 10,000 copies on a monthly basis. To access our BPA report, please visit: www.bpaww.com or log onto our website www.bazaar-magazine.com for a downloadable pdf version.

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In addition to delivering our readers with our monthly print installment of bazaar, we’re here to pick your brain daily with www.bazaar.town-- The ultimate guide to Kuwait! Packed with a little bit of everything for everybody, with daily updates on events in Kuwait, tips for life, inspiring interviews, polls, competitions, reviews, a classifieds section, and of course a comprehensive dining directory including addresses, telephone numbers, and links to each restaurant’s location on Google Maps, it will not disappoint!

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We get even closer to our readers by taking advantage of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels on a daily basis. With more than 10,000 collective fans and followers, we love starting different conversations with our readers, sharing music, jokes, photos, competitions, and much more. Twitter gives us the ability to tweet live from the many fun and exciting events that we cover, giving our readers minute by minute coverage and commentary, and allowing us to follow the people and brands that we like too, of which there are so many.

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Too lazy to go pick up bazaar from your local café? Now you can browse through the complete physical magazine online via issuu.com. Featuring our indepth interviews, reviews, stellar photography, and the latest ads showcasing what’s hot in the market right now; you can browse through bazaar freely and securely, whether you're on your PC, laptop, Smartphone, or tablet.

18

CAVALLI

what’s trending Kaftan Chic 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. facebook.com/bazaarmagazine

what: @Dar_Kaftani info: Kaftans handmade in Kuwait. editor’s note: Floral headpieces and kaftans work perfectly together!

twitter.com/bazaartweets

pinterest.com/bazaarmagazine

what: @RozeKuwait info: Casual styles and easy-to-wear dresses. editor’s note: Kaftans reimagined in pastel perfection.

what: @eyecandy_boutique info: This boutique lives up to its name! editor’s note: Kaftans with traditional trim are a must-have.

www.bazaar.town

what: @ghain_ghada info: Designs by Showg Al Mudhaf editor’s note: Floral prints and white ruffles make us happy.

what: @al_7afeez info: Glitzy Kaftan designs. editor’s note: We’re love the details on this white lacy kaftan!

20

instagram.com/bazaargram

what: @boutikeecasualchic info: Multi-brand boutique, The Avenues and Discovery Mall. editor’s note: These tribal-inspired Kaftans are awesome!

what: @RevolutionKwt info: Local multi-brand boutique in Mubarakiya. editor’s note: It’s all about minimalist chic here!

what: @by_Reem.AK info: When Kaftans go summery, we swoon! editor’s note: Cut-out shoulder details are always a great idea.

RAUCH

truth or dare

FOOD(IE) TALK Sherif Coutry by bazaar staff

Meet Sherif Coutry, a foodie on a mission to revolutionize the burger scene in Kuwait via his role as Marketing Director at McDonald’s Kuwait. With the latest unveiling of McDonald’s #CreateYourTaste event, where customers are allowed to customize every last detail of their burger of choice at McDonald’s, Sherif’s mission is well underway!

While Sherif might be a newbie to Kuwait, he quickly fell in love with the local dining scene. He told bazaar, “Besides my passion for McDonald’s, I was blown away by the local culinary scene, and we even chose Kuwait as the first location in the Middle East, and the fifth in the world, to launch our latest ‘Create Your Taste’ campaign. I would easily say that the culinary scene in Kuwait is probably more advanced than in any part of the world. You can never run out of options here when it comes to food.” When he’s not feasting on one of his own #CreateYourTaste burgers, he frequents local favorites like Edo, as well as Burj Al Hamam and The Meat Co. With a seasoned career in marketing in the food and beverage industry, Sherif brings over to Kuwait a wealth of information based on his previous experience as Marketing Director to McDonald’s in Egypt. His love affair with the brand, however, dates as far back as his childhood, “McDonald’s was a big part of my childhood growing up in London. I’ve always loved McDonald’s so it’s quite fitting that I’ve been working with the brand for more than 12 years now.” He counts Kuwait as one of the most creative industries in the region, yet Sherif feels that there is still work to be done in elevating the level of creative output in terms of the advertising realm. He added, “I really feel like there is a big opportunity for boutique agencies to positively impact the current market.”

Given his position working with such a fun and dynamic brand, Sherif is constantly challenged by new opportunities. While that attitude toward work seems extremely exciting, he won’t hesitate to sit down with the next musician he meets for an impromptu jamming session. He said, “I am a music lover and play the guitar when I have the time. I also love to travel, and love food—well that should be obvious to your readers by now.” Sherif hopes to eventually open his own restaurant in the future.

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Kind.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Kind.

22

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

Is traffic worse here or in Cairo?

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve done?

From what I can say here and not get implicated, I traveled to Ibiza solo the first time around.

What is your theme song?

They change but currently anything from The National’s Trouble will Find me album.

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

Pantofli.

Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location?

Anywhere on the Mediterranean.

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?

Kill all my demons and my angels might die too.

What do you miss about your childhood?

Not having a phone or technology in general.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

Bugsy Malone.

Describe your handshake in one word?

Accommodating.

What is the toughest part of your character?

Some say I have a short fuse.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Leonardo Da Vinci.

What in the world do you least desire?

Going shopping.

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

Food trucks.

Why do you think most girls/guys like you?

I don’t know. I always ask myself that question.

Finish this sentence: “Happiness is (a thing called)…”

Traveling.

ARMAND NICOLET

Symphony Mall: 22441614 www.ybsco.net

@behbehani1938

www.facebook.com/YBSCO

@behbehani1938

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

by Dr. Susannah J. Schuilenberg

We have known for hundreds of years through behavioural observation that emotions appear to be contagious, but these conclusions were only based on patterns of behaviour. Recently that's been changing. With the Advent of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), scientists have been able to see how the brain lights up in response to emotional stimuli, positive or negative, and in the process, have been able to observe changes in the brain's response to external emotional influence.

Practically speaking, we have an unconscious tendency to end up mirroring the mood of the dominant individual in our immediate sphere.

Apparently, this happens at the speed of light and mostly at a subconscious level. We aren't aware of this process though we may notice the more-orless subtle shift in mood. If you think about it, you can probably come up with an example of a time when you felt that emotional shift – from positive to negative (or vice versa) after an encounter with someone. We even have language that expresses this experience; "He was a real downer." "It’s always such a bright spot to spend time with her."

We might not be able to point to a specific action the other person did, nevertheless we experience an internal shift in feeling.

Why does any of this matter? Because when we live mindlessly, we are at the emotional mercy of the strongest mood we encounter. It is also a sad truth that we are more likely to be swayed by a negative mood than a positive one. Our mood 24

might pick up a little if we're with a particularly sunny friend, but we are much more likely to feel flattened by someone's negative mood. Now neuroscience has begun to compile a body of data indicating that living on autopilot can mean life is much more difficult than it has to be.

This is where mindfulness – as opposed to mindlessness – becomes key. (You just knew I was going to work mindfulness into this somewhere, didn't you?) Mindfulness is defined as: “…a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.” Mindfulness is so much more than just "paying attention." It is being aware of both the external circumstances and, simultaneously, of our own internal landscape.

Here are some things that help us manage our own emotions in any context: 1. Self-care: When we are hungry, angry, lonely, tired or sick, we are much more easily influenced by the moods of others. At the same time, we are also more likely to be negative to begin with if we have not had enough sleep, or not pursued some emotionally and psychologically renewing activity recently. Take care of yourself, first.

2. Learn & practice a habit of reflection: Don't live life on autopilot. Pay attention to your own inner responses to your external environment. Question your reactions to others and your environment by choosing to tune in to the automatic self-talk that is constantly running in the background of the mind.

It's there for everyone — I mean everyone — and those repetitious, under-the-radar thoughts compel a reaction before we have a chance to choose a response. The difference between ‘REACTION’ and ‘RESPONSE’ can mean a completely different outcome.

3. Journal: In some form, process what's actually In your head. I often suggest "morning pages" to my clients (check out The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron for instructions) but any form of reflection will work.

Do a vlog like Jake Sully in Avatar; look up art journaling on Pinterest and try it; take five minutes a day to record an audio file on your smartphone. Think over the day, and work through the times/occasions when your inner emotional landscape was impacted by an external situation. Do this consistently for at least 30 days, then go back and review. You will be surprised at what you learn about yourself.

4. Focus on "Positive Emotional Attractors" – this is not just some sort of spizzy, thinkyourself-happy exercise. Research supports the contention that focusing on strengths (as opposed to weaknesses), practicing empathy, and consciously monitoring and managing stress levels has a beneficial payoff through increased creativity, internal resilience, and self-motivation.

When we focus on what is going right, mindfully cultivate a habit of gratitude, and look for ways to compassionately connect with our fellow human beings, life seems easier. And we all want that.

Whose moods do you reflect? That of your own…or someone else?

ELIE TAHARI +9 6 5 2 5 3 0 9 6 1 8

3 6 0 M A LL, LE V E L 1

THAT TIME I ALMOST WENT BLIND

You’re so vain, you probably think these contacts won’t hurt you by bazaar staff

I started wearing glasses when I was about five. My parents, like many parents, realized that I was squinting whenever I watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on TV, and decided that it probably wasn’t because the program was thought-provoking. I wore a variety of different styles during my childhood – from Barbie to Snoopy to the very hipster-esque tortoise shell frames.

When I was a child, it was cute to look like a little bug, but as I got older and people broke out the terribly inventive nicknames like four eyes, bottlespecs, and Einstein, (isn’t that complimentary?)

I started to hate them. I didn’t get teased as bad as some people do – even though I have pretty bad eyesight, at least my glasses didn’t magnify my eyes to twice their size. Still, by the time I was a teenager, I loathed them. I was convinced all my adolescent problems would be solved as soon as I got contact lenses.

I’ll be honest – I didn’t have the ugly duckling turns to a swan moment I’d imagined when I got contacts at sixteen. It wasn’t a big deal to the other kids at school, but for me, it felt like my life had changed. When I went on holiday, I swear people thought I was a glamorous twenty-something.

Distant (and delusional) relatives told my parents I could be a Bollywood film star. I was convinced that I had a shot with the new boy who sat behind me in History (spoiler alert: I really didn’t). Most of all, the contacts made me confident. I thought, “Now people will actually pay attention to me! They’ll figure out that I’m funny and interesting, and not a nerd who isn’t even good at Math.” So, I put away my glasses – a very not-cool James Dean brand – and never looked back.

I took good care of my lenses for a few years, but I started getting sloppy in college. I’d sleep in them or wear them for longer than the suggested duration. I had a couple of minor conjunctivitis incidents, but nothing so major that I was required to stop wearing my contacts.

Now, let’s talk about my job. I’m a graphic designer at bazaar magazine. As you can imagine, it’s super important that I can see. Keep that in mind while I tell you that I am also one of those people who truly hates seeing the doctor. You know when you watch Grey’s Anatomy and they have some patient who has an enormous exterior tumor and the doctors are all saying, “Ugh, how could they let it get so bad?” Yeah, that’s me. So, my eyes got kind of itchy back in February and I told myself it was just the dust. They were red for several months and became hazy and started to ache. It would be okay for a couple of days when I switched them for a new pair, but then the blurriness began all over again. Still, I ignored it.

At the back of my mind, I knew there was something wrong, but I wasn’t going to wear my hideous James Dean glasses to give my eyes a 26

break. And I was busy. Working at a monthly magazine is cyclical, so just as soon as you feel like you’ve recovered from the stressful deadline – wahey, there’s another one. Finally, I couldn’t ignore the redness and blurred vision anymore because it really was difficult for me to see. I figured maybe my power went up – no big deal.

Yeah, big deal. My cornea had been so abused by the use of contaminated contact solution, that there were ulcers on my eyes. The ophthalmologist was understandably furious with me for ignoring it so long. He explained that I could have gone blind and even with treatment, he wasn’t sure he could get my vision back. For two days I had to use antibiotic drops every hour on the hour, paired with ointment and eye moisturizer four times a day for almost a month. My cornea was so damaged, he couldn’t take a reading of my eyesight, so I couldn’t even wear those unsightly James Dean frames. I was out of work for close to 3 weeks sitting around my house frustrated for leaving my incredibly

hardworking team in the lurch going insane with boredom. My vision without help only permits me to see things that are less than a foot away from me, and I couldn’t put strain on them by reading or watching things on my phone.

Eventually the doctor performed his magic and I could see again, but it took another couple of weeks to get an accurate reading so that I could buy new, less ugly frames. And all I kept thinking was – I am truly the most spectacular idiot. All of this drama could have been avoided if I just wore my glasses more and gave my eyes a rest from contacts.

So, maybe you’re not as extreme as I was, but if you’re one of those people who overuse their contacts because you don’t like how you look in glasses, from one bottle-specs to another, beauty is a small sacrifice for sight. Wear your glasses when you’re home, wash your hands often, and only use contact lens solution for 3 weeks to avoid contamination.

Be an Einstein, take care of your eyes.

AUDI

28

up close and personal

THE

HISTORIES OF

TOMORROW FARAH AL-NAKIB

by bazaar staff

For Farah Al-Nakib, being a historian means more than just hiding in the archives and writing books (though she loves that part!). It is also about making sense of the world around her, sharing her ideas with others, and engaging with interesting community projects around Kuwait. That is what life as a cultural historian is all about!

While many people might think of history as a boring, forgotten school subject, Farah always thought otherwise. Her passion for history goes back to her high school days here at The American School of Kuwait. Though initially majoring in journalism at the George Washington University, the college credits she earned from taking advanced placement history classes in high school led her to declare a second major in the subject that she was most interested in.

In her senior year at university, Farah wrote an honor’s thesis about Kuwait that allowed her to carry out archival research for the first time. She said, "It was the first time I ever studied Kuwait’s history. We never learned anything about our past at school, and being able to unearth unused documents about the subject I was researching was really thrilling." She began working on her thesis a year after the late Amir His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued a decree in May of 1999 granting women the right to vote, which the new Parliament then voted against. With everyone in Kuwait discussing the constitutionality of the suffrage decree, Farah decided to delve into the origins of the country’s constitution as a way of historicizing the heated debate. After doing some digging, Farah found a contact who gave her access to the Kuwaiti Constituent Assembly’s meeting minutes from 1961.

“The next thing I knew, my doorbell was ringing and this man was delivering these boxes of documents to me. I’m still not entirely sure how I got them!" For a budding historian, it was like uncovering a treasure. The thrill of that moment, and of reading the transcripts from that historic period, triggered her lifelong passion. She told bazaar, “I didn't quite know it back then, but that experience officially turned me into a historian."

Fifteen years later, Farah has just finished writing her first book on Kuwait’s urban social history, which is being published by Stanford University Press and should be released in early 2016. Her research on Kuwait’s continuously changing urban, social and cultural landscapes began as her PhD. Every time she came back to Kuwait to conduct fieldwork, the many changes she kept witnessing

in the country confounded her, and deepened her desire to make sense of these changes and better understand their consequences through her research. Although her main focus was on the dramatic transformations that Kuwait experienced between the pre-oil and oil periods, Farah also began writing more about the post-invasion period.

“In a way I was looking for answers to personal questions,” Farah explained. “When I came back to Kuwait to conduct fieldwork in 2007, I was shocked and really sad to see that old Salmiya, once a thriving cultural and economic hub in Kuwait and a landmark of my own childhood, was being demolished to make way for more and more indoor malls.” It was at this point that Farah realized that her research into Kuwait’s past could be more than just an academic project. Because of the nature of her writing on urban and social issues, Farah’s work retains everyday public relevance. “I write about the urban landscape, everyday life, and social relations in Kuwait, topics that anyone who lives here can relate to. I want people to think about, and engage, and even challenge the arguments that I make in my work, because doing so will make people think more critically about Kuwait and our changing social conditions. Since I moved back five years ago, whenever I have given public talks I always try to make my content relatable to diverse audiences." For example, in her work Farah emphasizes the importance of public spaces where people of different social and cultural backgrounds come into regular contact and interaction with each other, which hardly exist in Kuwait anymore. She illustrates her argument with the fatal stabbing that occurred at The Avenues in 2013. "I link the tragic event to the deterioration of urban life in Kuwait due to the lack of public spaces and the impact on our everyday social behaviors and interactions.

Trying to make people see these realities in a relatable light raises awareness about issues that are inherent in all of our lives here, whether or not we are conscious of them." We undoubtedly underestimate the role of the built environment in our everyday lives, and how the urban landscape shapes [continued...]

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up close and personal

society (and vice versa). Farah tries to make sense of these questions in her upcoming book, making this project both a personal and a scholarly investigation of Kuwait’s past.

When Farah first told people in Kuwait what she was studying, they usually responded with, “What can a historian do in Kuwait?” or “Kuwait doesn’t have history!” But over the years between her first job out of college as a tour guide at the Dickson House Cultural Center to her current teaching position at the American University of Kuwait, Farah has noticed a growing local demand to learn more about Kuwait’s past. “To me,” she adds, “The thrill of history is more than just what I get out of my academic career. It is the constant process of learning unexpected things, uncovering old photos, hearing personal stories, and meeting such interesting people along the way!”

Now that Farah’s book is wrapping up, and after publishing several academic articles on themes related to the book, Farah has started to focus more on present-day urban and social developments in Kuwait. Specifically, she has been thinking about how new (largely youth-based) initiatives like Madeenah, the Secret Garden, Equait, MantaqaMe, among many others, represent a pivotal moment of change for Kuwait. She leaves us with this pensive thought, “What’s the point in writing about our country’s urban history, if I don’t also document the work of these groups that are slowly changing how people in Kuwait today relate both to their built environment and to each other. Citizen urbanism has never really existed in Kuwait, and if these new bottom-up initiatives can feed into policy-making they can have a significant impact on our everyday lives. It’s a very active time in Kuwait, and what we are witnessing, in a way, is a very positive response 30

and reaction to political stagnation.”

Look out for this amazing historian’s future writings in our upcoming issues of bazaar. Until then, we hung out with Farah a bit more, picking her brain with our up close and personal questionnaire.

What do you most value in your friends?

Their ability to make me laugh until I cry. If you can laugh together until it hurts, you know that’s a valuable friendship.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When my family is gathered all together, surrounded by great food.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing the people I love.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I can lose my temper easily, especially when I’m tired or stressed.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Prejudice or intolerance in any form.

Which living person do you most admire?

My father. He has an incredible work ethic, and is the most honest and generous person I know.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Probably traveling. I tend to leave the country every chance I get, and while I do have an adventurous side I mostly like to go to the same few cities that I know and love most. But it’s not always purely for fun; most of the time I travel to write or do research (really!).

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“It’s on the syllabus.” My sisters and I are all university professors and we recently discussed how often we use this phrase with our students.

Almost every student question I get asked through the course of my normal workweek can be answered with those four words!

What is it that you most dislike?

People who are unkind or unfair to others.

Which talent would you most like to have?

My sisters’ exceptional organization skills. I’m pretty organized by most normal standards, but they take things to a whole other level that, I must admit, I truly envy!

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

Anything related to food. Despite everything we just talked about, cooking is my real passion and I secretly wish I could go back in time and pursue a career in food rather than academics!

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I just finished my book manuscript on Kuwait’s urban social history, which I’ve been working on for nearly ten years (first as my doctoral dissertation).

That is definitely my proudest achievement!

What is your most treasured possession?

My fireproof box of journals, which document my thoughts and life experiences since I started keeping one at the age of 11. There is nothing more valuable than being able to get back inside your own head at different ages and stages of life.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Physically, my short curly hair, which I am finally growing out (and struggling) after eight years!

Personality-wise, I’m not sure. I think you’d need to ask the people around me!

Where would you most like to live?

California. I spent a substantial portion of my childhood there and I am ready to move back!

What are your favorite words to live by?

Quite simply, be kind to people: the people you love as well as strangers. Human kindness is so easy to give, yet is so lacking in our everyday lives.

Photography by Patrick Semaan.

TRIWA

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MUSIC FIT FOR RAMADAN Worship to a beat By bazaar staff

There’s no denying the power of music. It has the ability to connect you with people and issues in a way that is deeply moving. This month we highlight artists that have combined their love of music with faith, because this Ramadan it’s all about the nasheed (music with a positive Islamic message). Duly entertaining and holy, these musicians will have you bobbing your head to the beat and in appreciation of their message.

Hamza Namira This Egyptian artist is making waves in his own country, and around the world. Though his songs are not obviously about worship and prayer, he encourages a Muslim way of life by touching on issues like ethnic relations, hypocrisy, the poor state of Egyptian education, and immigration.

He has been hailed as the “new Sayed Darwish” and is compared to some of the biggest Egyptian musicians. His first album Ehlam Ma’aya (Dream With Me) was released in 2008, and was an instant success, reaching the top ten list in Virgin Mega Store. His music brought him much attention during the months following the uprising of January 25, 2011 and he remains an influential voice among the country’s youth.

For more on Hamza Namira check out his website hamzanamira.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter @hamzanamira.

Mesut Kurtis Mesut Kurtis brings a soulfulness and emotion to his pop inspired nasheeds. Now hailed as one of the biggest stars in Islamic music, his songs have become modern day classics. From a very young age the Macedonian-born singer showed a strong interest in Islamic music. Influenced by a family of Islamic Scholars he graduated with a degree in Human Sciences, Islamic Law and Jurisprudence from the University of Wales. Today he has three albums under his belt, “Salawat” (Prayers) “Beloved”, and “Tabassam” (Smile). He sings in Arabic, English and Turkish and has performed in concerts in the UK, France, Macedonia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and others.

Sami Yusuf With a debut album in 2003, Sami Yusuf was one of the first artists to make nasheed a part of mainstream music. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist musician even coined his style of music “Spiritique”.

His lyrics have touched on everything that ails the Muslim community from prayers and worship to “Free”, a song meant to empower women in the community. His album My Ummah was a musical tribute to his idea of a utopia for the Muslim World.

Ranked in the “Top 500 Influential Muslims of 2009 (and 2010)” by Georgetown University, and head of numerous philanthropy projects, it is clear that Sami Yusuf practices what he sings.

To find out more about Mesut Kurtis, check out his website awakening.org/mesut-kurtis. You can also follow him on Twitter @MKurtisOfficial and Facebook: MesutKurtis.

For more information on Sami Yusuf visit his website www.samiyusufofficial.com. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @samiyusuf.

Humood AlKhudher Born in Kuwait in 1989, Humood has always shown amazing musical talents.

Though he spent much of his younger years in England, he eventually returned to his home of origin. Now the Kuwaiti has nearly one million likes on his Facebook page, and has performed all over the Arab world. His first album, with Awakening Records, is titled Aseer Ahsan (I will be better).

His song “Kun Anta” has inspired covers from around the world, and is an uplifting beat for anyone down while fasting.

Maher Zain Maher Zain is one of the most popular Islamic musicians right now. The award-winning R&B singer has over 45 million likes on his Facebook page, more fans than any other artist in the genre.

Born in Lebanon, Zain moved with his family to Sweden at the young age of 8. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, he entered the music industry in Sweden with producer RedOne, who has produced for the likes of Lady Gaga. In 2006 he went to the USA to launch his career in music production. It was only a couple years before he was back home, and re-engaged with his Islamic faith. In 2009 he worked on his first album, Thank You Allah with Awakening Records, which has gone multi-platinum in Indonesia and Malaysia.

To find out more about Humood AlKhudher check out his official website humoodalkhudher.com. You can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @HumoodAlKhudher.

To find out more about Maher Zain check out his official website maherzain.com. Follow him on Twitter @MaherZain Facebook: MaherZain or on Instagram @maherzainofficial.

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COURTYARD 1

bazaar apps RAMADAN 2015

LINKAGOAL

We are looking forward to summer and Ramadan this month here at bazaar, and what better way to start off the June apps than this? The perfect way to track and plan Ramadan 2015. This app allows you to find the individual prayer times for each day of Ramadan no matter where you are in the world, shows you the specific prayers you need to recite and at what time, and saves your missed days.

Made by a team that fully understands Ramadan, this essential tool will be your ultimate timetable for the season and keep you on the right track.

Linkagoal is a goal-based social network. It works on a simple yet powerful concept of Create, Link and Contribute. The site allows its members to write goals (Create), connect with common goals and aspirations (Link), and help them achieve their goal (Contribute). Linkagoal is based on the belief that the lack of resources, guidance, experience, accountability and encouragement hinder people from achieving their goals – so why not help them? By connecting people with like-minded passions and aspirations, it can help you to achieve dreams and goals that you could otherwise not have even known where to start.

INFINIT

SPAM BLOCKER SMART

RETXT

VSCO CAM

There is Bluetooth, wireless transfer and some NFC tools, not to mention tools like Dropbox, but unless you’re using physical connections, transferring large files between devices can be tricky and/or slow. If you want to be transferring files between your phone and your computer, then you should use Infinit. There’s no limit on file sizes, or how many files you can send, and it promises to be 30 times faster than using the cloud (it’s also cheaper than paying for the intermediary storage). The team behind Infinit also promises that Internet disconnection will not result in lost files.

Ever sent a text and then wish you hadn’t? Maybe it was embarrassing, or maybe you made a grievous typo. Either way, it is nature’s law that we all did this at some point. With ordinary texting and messenger services there’s nothing much you can do about it, but reTxt is different. It’s a cross-platform messaging app (iOS and Android) that works exactly like any texting app, except for the fact that it lets you delete or edit texts you’ve already sent. There are other features too, like the option to leave and rejoin group texts as you see fit, and one-swipe requests for clarification.

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Spam is all over the place in this digital, always connected age, and now it’s starting to sneak into your mobile device’s notification bar. Fast food services, shopping, medical…you name it. Deactivating notifications on an app-by-app basis can be tricky, and might even deactivate the useful notifications that you want to see.

Spam Blocker Smart is a system that prevents notification spam, powered by the community. So what you put in, is what you gain back. It should stop spam getting through, but if it doesn’t just report it to make sure you, and nobody else, suffer from it again.

While we love Instagram here at bazaar, we also love VSCO Cam. The company has brought its trademark filters and editing tools to mobile.

Whereas Instagram set out to make your mobile photos look good, VSCO Cam hopes to make them look real — which is arguably the next step for mobile photography now that phone cameras are sharp enough. No longer must we overcompensate for poor low-light performance and noisy post-processing. Once you’re finished editing, you can upload your photo to any social network or post it to your Grid — each of which feels like a more modern, svelte Instagram profile.

ON TIME

SHUROOQ AMIN: BUILDING A LEGACY OF

ART& LOVE by bazaar staff

Our last interview with Shurooq Amin (March 2012) left both this bazaar writer and the artist with much pride, and trepidation. I distinctly remember Shurooq voicing her concerns about the show, "I’ve never cared for peoples’ reactions, critics’ reviews or sales. I worry that the owner gets in trouble, or that the gallery could decide not to show one or two pieces from my series." Nonetheless, the AL M. Gallery showed the artist unbounded support, and all of Shurooq’s pieces went on display. To everyone’s shock and dismay, however, It’s A Man’s World’s opening night was shortly lived, and the show was quickly shut down.

While this shutdown surprised us all, Shurooq Amin did not shrink away from the controversy, she did not back down. The artist persevered and has most certainly moved on.

Today, we celebrate many milestones for Shurooq Amin since her move to partner with the Dubai-based Ayyam Gallery. She is the first female Kuwaiti artist to exhibit at the Venice Biennale amongst a roster of accomplished Middle Eastern artists. The first female Kuwaiti to be interviewed on BBC’s HARD TALK by Stephen Sackur, the first Kuwaiti artist whose work was sold at the prestigious Christie’s auction house, and the first Kuwaiti to be nominated for the Pushcart Prize in Poetry in the USA. Join us for this heartfelt sitdown with the artist as she discusses a journey that aptly bears resemblance to her latest body of work, We’ll Build This City on Art and Love.

Hi Shurooq! We last conversed right before the unveiling, and then-imminent shutdown, of your solo show, It’s a Man’s World. Would you say that your next series, Popcornography, arrived as a response to the shutdown of your show?

Of course, albeit unintentionally. What happened was I printed some of the hundreds of emails of support that I received from the international community and started pasting them onto a block 36

of wood, which inadvertently became the first painting of Popcornographic, and was entitled To Kill a Mocking Girl. All the titles from Popcornographic were a twist on a banned movie or book from the past, to indicate that history repeats itself, but always shows us the end result anyway (everything unjustly banned becomes accepted one day).

Popcornographic itself, as a title for my show after the shut down and censorship of It’s a Man’s World, was a word my little girl used at the time.

She asked me why she was hearing people call my show “popcornographic” (she didn’t know the connotation of the word, nor could she pronounce it). Et voilà! A title was born.

What happened next? How did this affect you mentally and artistically?

I was devastated. The effects on me were far more than anyone ever imagined. I went into a depression for a few weeks. My children suffered at school both in performance and due to severe bullying. My family – mother especially – suffered as well. The media couldn’t get enough for weeks and weeks; painting me into something I’m not, publishing unauthorized images of my paintings and then blackening them out with marker as if they were obscene, etc. Local artists and art patrons were divided. Some supported me and I will

never forget those people. And those who unjustly attacked me, may God forgive them. They were, and still are, I suppose, afraid. Artistically, though, it was a godsend for me. One day, I just dragged myself out of bed, and found the strength to read through my hundreds of emails (I was terrified to read them, because there was a lot of hate mail and death threats), and I was surprised to find so much love from the international community, from fans in towns I've never even heard of, to well known art collectors, curators, institutions and museums, all sending me emails of love and support. That’s what gave me the strength and power to keep going harder than ever, more determined then ever, to spread the truth. The truth shall set you free. I believe that. I believe that only by confronting our problems, limitations and faults, can we discuss, solve and fix, to become a better society. If you don’t look in the mirror and see yourself for what you truly are, you can never become a better version of yourself. And it’s the same with our society; we can never progress if we don’t address serious issues that need solutions.

Can you tell us more about your journey with “We’ll Build This City on Art and Love”?

After Popcornographic, I started working on my 2014/2015 series We’ll Build This City on Art and Love.

A TANGLED TALE [continued...]

37

[...continued] The title is from an eighties song, and the twist for me comes in the response to the Syrian war. My mother is Syrian, and like all Syrians, our family there suffered; she went through her own version of devastation and uprooting. Sadly, one of my uncles and his wife are still staying in Damascus and refuse to leave, despite my mother’s imploring them to come stay with us in Kuwait. The theme is about rebuilding and reconstructing, after all that destruction and hate.

I focused on different ideas this time, unlike Society Girls and It’s a Man’s World, which explored regional social issues and taboos; and unlike Popcornographic, which explored censorship and was a direct response to the shut down of my show; the new series took on both serious and sarcastic implications, with the simple straightforward meaning of re-building cities, minds, and beliefs that have been destroyed / deconstructed due to corruption and dogmatic, hypocritical ideologies.

Most titles of paintings were a twist on chapters 38

from Lewis Carrol's books Alice in Wonderland, The Hunting of the Snark, etc. Each title gave humor to an otherwise grave issue. For example: Painting the Roses Red: This Way Up, Fashionista: The Mad Hattress, Through the Looking Glass: Child Bride, The King of Hearts, Piece of the Pie: Who Stole the Tarts? All of these explore global issues, but then I explored very local issues that represented and symbolized bigger worldwide problems, like questions raised with regards to the delayed governmental projects, as in Silk City: Pipe Dreams, Waiting for Dodo, and Education and Beyond. The painting We Are The Future: Picking Up the Pieces explores the lack of care for mental health patients in the region, and how we pay no attention to the health of our brain, focusing mainly on the external aesthetics of perfect noses and steroid-induced biceps. The largest painting MARA7=7ARAM explores the issues of social taboos, and questions the validity of morality in our society; what is really wrong and right? The two family portraits portray

unorthodox yet perfectly normal families that exist all around us and ask the viewer to change their preconceived notions of what a family really is.

I also went to Taima and discovered how the Bidoon in our society really live, and it infuriated me, so I created a book installation called: The Story of the Bidoon. I did the title in English, Arabic and Braille, to symbolize how blind we are to the plight of the stateless. I originally wanted to take photos of the actual people, but when I got there, I was overwhelmed with the graffiti that was on every surface, so I took photos of that instead. My book tells the story of the emotional and mental state of the Bidoon through their graffiti, and of course, it inadvertently tells their physical story because of the pitiful state of their homes. That show exhibited in Dubai then in London, both times with Ayyam Gallery.

How did you come to be a part of a group exhibition at the 56th Venice Biennale?

I got a call back in October 2014 from the founder of Contemporary Practices, inviting me to

“THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE. I believe that. I believe that only by confronting our problems, limitations and faults, can we discuss, solve and fix to become a better society.

MARA7=7ARAM (Fun = Forbidden) be a part of their pavilion at Venice Biennale. It was random and unexpected, and I was in tears of joy at this great opportunity. It all depended on if my gallery would accept, and thank goodness, when Contemporary Practices contacted Khaled Samawi, owner of Ayyam, he said yes straight away.

After a couple of weeks, I was connected to the wonderful curator Martina Corgnati, and I shared with her my concept for the biennale.

Can you tell us more about your installation?

What did this opportunity mean to you?

Well I knew that I wanted to do something out of my box, something that I had never tried before.

I’d always been a painter, so obviously I wanted to move away from 2D and into installation. But I still wanted to remain true to my vision and my story, so I took 3 paintings from my previous show, We’ll Build This City on Art and Love, and worked to bring them to life. I created an entire room with three sculptures and three projections. The viewer walks into a 5-meter x 5-meter room. There are 3 projectors

hanging from the ceiling, attached to media players that are running a separate USB for each projector.

The projection facing the viewer is that of a painting called MARA7=7ARAM (Fun = Forbidden), which is 3 meters wide. Hovering in front of the projection, on a camouflaged wooden crate, is a piano installation (reflecting the piano in the projected painting; therefore, also 3 meters long), so that the overall image is a 3D effect. By playing with the image, utilizing it as a mirror image of one word for another, whereby the text “mara7” is actually “7aram” spelled backwards, the powerful sardonicism of the concept is emphasized. The image and the title are inseparable: one playing off the other in a ping-pong atmosphere of incongruity. The artwork deals with the concept of taboo in Islamic Arabian Gulf society. The keyboard of the giant piano sculpture is distorted, representing the distorted morality of people in the region of what is right and wrong. And the two lizards climbing the piano symbolize the overcoming of fear (due to a personal incident that happened to me in

my childhood).

On the right hand wall is a projection of a painting called A Tangled Tale (2 meters wide), and in front of that, also, hanging from the ceiling with invisible string, is an installation sculpture of giant swirling metal piping, mimicking the piping in the projected painting, thus inducing the same 3D effect for the viewer (also 2 meters wide). A Tangled Tale addresses the questions raised due to delayed projects, and hence, a stagnant society, arrested development and regression as opposed to progression over time. A motif of whimsy, humor, children and fairies dilutes the grim potentially perilous subject. The flowers, however, are wilted, and the new generation is confronted with ample building, reconstructing, considerable threading and sewing and stitching, before future generations can reap positive benefits after this generation's destruction.

On the left hand wall is a projection of a painting called Pollutoland (2 meters wide), in front of which [continued...]

39

Shurooq Amin with POLLUTOLAND [...continued] also hangs a 2-meter wide installation sculpture of twigs and branches of dead trees (from translucent strings attached to the ceiling), reflecting the pollution-image in the projected painting. I actually pulled the dead trees and garbage out the sea in Kuwait and epoxied them into a beautiful sculpture for Pollutoland, which deals with the concept of environmental awareness in the Middle East (or lack thereof!). There is beauty even behind the ugliness, and a stereotypically repulsive image, unwanted and neglected, can actuate hope in the viewer, thus instigating proactivity. Pollutoland transforms the disheartening mantle of sea debris into a whimsical scene with fairies and children cleaning up and purifying the flotsam and jetsam left behind by both the insouciant negligence of people (as in the detritus of plastic bottles, nylon bags, soda drinks, etc) and institutions (as in the oil spills and other chemical contamination).

The floor is covered with sand under each sculpture, reflecting the desert environment of the Arabian Gulf. The music playing for my installation 40

is taken with permission from the wonderful composer Brian Crain, who allowed me to use 3 of his piano compositions for my Venice installation.

Did you enjoy the process, would you do it again?

The process was the hardest, most grueling, most emotional, most physically draining and mentally fatiguing process I've ever been through in my life. Everybody at the pavilion had a difficult day at some point or another, everyone was emotionally highly-strung. Everything is complicated in Venice, especially as it is not a practical city and to just buy a wire, you have to travel an hour to the nearest mall in another city, and everything is by water, etc., but we all helped each other. I was on a ladder painting my projector wires gray to match the walls and camouflage them the day before the opening night, and I was vacuuming and brushing the floor, and I was packing paperwork for the media package, etc.

Not just me: everyone was helping in any way they could. I loved every minute of it and I would most certainly do it all over again, especially as

now, I know so much about the biennale and the process and Venice itself.

While you are constantly trying, and rightfully succeeding, in representing Kuwait in the international arena, your work sometimes goes by unrecognized. Do you ever feel like giving up?

I was the only Kuwaiti in Venice this year, and I am actually the first Kuwaiti female artist to exhibit at the Venice Biennale. That is a huge honor appreciated by the biennale, by my commissioner, by my curator, and by my gallery, but not my country, sadly. But give up? Never! That’s like asking me to stop breathing on purpose; I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’m here to stay, and I think I am proving that show-by-show. And for those who are still hung up on me being the censored artist, whose show was shut down, move on! I’ve come a long way since then, maybe they should, too.

Visit ShurooqAmin.com for more information, and you can follow the artist on Twitter and Instagram @ShurooqAmin.

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bookworms

UP - UP AND AWAY A bibliophilic traveler’s paradise by bazaar staff

When we bibliophiles travel, we tend to plan a book-run – or ten – in our itinerary. Sometimes, we even go as far as making books the epicentre of our travels! Sigh, finding glorious old libraries and independent bookshops are just the tip of the iceberg. Whilst gallivanting around Europe – continental and non-continental, sorry UK – you’ll be met with so much literature it’ll blow you away.

Even the US of A has so much to offer when it comes to the written word! From finding plaques with author’s names on them and beautifully aged gravestones, to buildings in the shape of books and beautiful structures housing books – find below a booklover’s dream vacation.

It’s simple, planning a vacation, all you do is book your ticket, hotels, and check visa requirements and jet off. But when you’re a bookworm, you tend to be more specific. You’ve read about all sorts of epic adventures in books and you want to embark on one yourself. The question here is, how does one do so with charted territories? Simple, you find the places that are adventures – in and of themselves. With a plethora of options, you need never be lost for choice, you just go and adventure will find you.

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But if adventurous lands aren’t for you, then consider a quaint little book town in your itinerary.

Head to Wales and find the little town of Hay-onWye for a little inspiration. OK, maybe a lot of inspiration! The entire town has nothing but books.

Charming little hotels/cottages, cafes, and books!

Bookshop upon bookshop, every genre doesn’t just get a shelf, but an entire shop! The mayor is actually the King of Hay, and the castle is a gigantic bookshop. Need I say more? Oh, they’re also home to an annual literary festival, which is HUGE by the way. A must visit!

While Paris is usually associated with shopping and glamour, literary speaking (so punny, I know) Paris is an excellent destination for a bookworm.

Visiting all the little cafes and bistros the great Hemmingway drew inspiration in, the hot spots the Fitzgeralds (Zelda and Scott) socialised at, and generally perusing the sights and sounds of Paris.

Nothing about the city is short of aweinspiring – from the winding streets to Paris in the rain, everything is novel-worthy. A notable must-visit for all traveling bookies is the iconic bookshop, Shakespeare and Company on the Parisian Left

Bank. Draw in as much inspiration as you possibly can while in this city – for it is glorious.

Having inspired an entire generation of writers – this city has been home to some of the greatest creations in classical fiction. The Russian classics are known for their tragic, dark twists and turns inspired by their frightful history in an otherwise vibrant baroque age. Visit St. Petersburg and walk down the very paths described in Crime and Punishment and visit the epic Dostoyevsky’s home.

Better yet, pay tribute to the infamous Pushkin – for he died as tragically as he wrote – at his memorial apartment, and see the city as he did. Experience a meal and dine at the Literary Café to bask in a writing haunt of foods past. St. Petersburg has inspired many a Russian classical writer and an entire generation of readers gone and to come.

Reading in and of itself is an adventure, but why not travel the world for real and visit the greatest literary cities and book towns of the world? As Ibn Battuta once said “Traveling – It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” Safe journeys and happy readings!

NINO

HOME IS WHERE THE _____________ IS Food for Thought… Get a Plate

by Lulua Al-Osaimi

Have you ever stopped to reflect on what home means to you? What does home feel, smell, taste or look like? What does it mean when you miss home?

Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines the word home as a noun: “The place (such as a house or apartment) where a person lives: a family living together in one building, house, etc. A place where something normally or naturally lives or is located.”

But is home really just a location, or factors far beyond a physical structure? Or rather is home a true emotional bond between people, places, things or even ideas? For the last ten years I have explored the many possibilities of the definition of home, and this is still an on-going process. If you have ever lived outside of the home or city you were raised in, lived abroad, had family in separate locations or homes, or even currently have trouble defining what home means to you… maybe you will feel what I am talking about.

I remember since a very young age, that my mother undoubtedly was such a large piece of how I defined home. Everything about her, down to the scent of her facial moisturizer, felt like home to me.

So when I first left Minnesota to start college in Chicago, I knew I would be creating another home and was very happy and eager to do so. I knew that in order for me to feel like I could exhale at the end of the day, my apartment had to invite that sense of relief, so I invested heavily (not talking financially) into my apartment and what was in it, including the energy in that space.

I yearn for places I have never been physically.

Can that be possible, for a place that you have not yet explored, already feels like home? Which leads me to believe that home is far more than location or a building, but a mental, emotional, and spiritual state of mind and heart. What happens when we are homesick? What is it that we actually painfully miss? Are there ways to feel connected and less homesick without actually going to a specific location? The feeling of home is different for each person, so the feeling of being homesick will also be as unique. For some it is food, places of worship (whether that is a physical space or mental space), scents, textures, activities, and even people. Also as an artist, I am thankful that no matter where I am in the world, I can create and feel at home.

Creating art is very much a mental and emotional state of home for me and I believe this is true for many people who express themselves through the various mediums of art.

Although I have consciously planted seeds in many places, I don’t think any of those gardens are truly where I will ground my home just yet. Through these reflective explorations, I have also found that a person can very much so, feel like home. Could that mean that possibly, no matter where you are in the 44

world, that being with someone can very much feel as secure, loving, and grounding as a home can be?

In whatever way you describe home, it’s important to reflect on what makes a happy home for you personally. Unfortunately for many people in the world, they have had to move from a location they feel most comfortable because of various circumstances or their homes and personal possessions have been demolished. Or for others, they may not feel at home in the place they were raised and currently live in and don’t have the luxury to venture out to live somewhere else because of whatever circumstance. That is one of the reasons why I believe it is important that we are able to create, build, rebuild, remodel, rearrange, and also push to evolve the many ways we define our home. Having this awareness and personal understanding allows us to not only be more aware of ourselves and our surroundings, but ourselves within those surroundings, and also how to sustain the pleasant aspects of our homes. If we start taking ownership of this, we will better nourish those spaces whether physically or mentally, and feel more responsibility in keeping those spaces tidy, vibrant, thriving and well kept.

If my nostalgic feeling of home could be

described, it would be…

My mother’s apartment: Mom opening the curtains in the morning, windows open, fresh crisp Minnesota breeze, birds chirping outside, coffee machine dripping, afternoon naps on a fresh smelling carpet, sound of laundry in the dryer, Mom cleaning, chocolate chip cookies baking, Oprah on the TV at 4pm, bare feet, sitting on my mother’s lap while gazing at her freckles, the scent of her face moisturizer, washing dishes with hot water, Stevie Wonder playing from the kitchen, the words “I love you” said 100+ times a day, my mother’s whistle when it was time to come inside for dinner, the biggest fluffy clouds you have ever seen laying against the bluest blanket sky, the scent of freshly mowed grass, and love… so much love.

And although it saddens me that I cannot come back to this particular home physically, or be with my mother physically, I carry this beautiful and nostalgic feeling of home everywhere I go, along with my mother and the many gardens I have planted along the way. #staywoke

ADOLFO

HOW TO BE A TOURIST IN KUWAIT The ultimate guide to staycationing By bazaar staff

There comes a time when a vacation is very much needed, but can’t be accommodated. Be it our busy schedules, attempting to save up, or the all too familiar residency renewal process. While everyone you might know is out gallivanting on foreign lands and frolicking in fields – you’re stuck going to the office and mindlessly working a nine to five (sorry boss). We’ve come up with a few options for you to choose from so you don’t have to worry about all the research! Sit back and enjoy this list, but reader, we would like to warn, nay, implore you to proceed with caution and at your own risk. We in this establishment will not be held responsible for any of the following should you get into some sort of grievance. Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, let’s get to listing the ways you can be a tourist in this city we call home – shall we?

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Active Activities Camping in the desert Camping is an excellent way to test your skills!

Imagine this: you drive out into the designated desert camping areas and you pitch a tent with nothing around you but golden serenity. Well, maybe not golden…more like sandy – and the serenity, that’s just more sand. We won’t lie, it’ll be hot and it’ll be sticky. Just make sure your car is close by for the grand escape to a cooler environment. Or you know, you can always Glamp-it!

Rent a yacht Hear us out, it’s hot and it’s summer – so obviously you’d want to just dive into crystal clear waters to cool off. So why not rent a yacht and get as far away from the city as possible? Just don’t hit international waters, here be pirates and all.

But head out to Qubar Island and sun bathe on the deck of your yacht. Make sure to have enough sunscreen and water lest you shrivel up like a prune and bake. Better yet, hide out in the lower deck – seriously, what were you thinking going out there? Make sure you go all out The OC-style, if you decide to take a dingy…then we have nothing to say to you.

a traditional Kuwaiti house or village? GO! www.heritagevillagefailaka.com Staycation down the road Now your options here are simple, either step out of your house and walk to the nearest hotel – we know there’s one right around the corner, it’s Kuwait – and stay there, or take your car and drive as far as you’d like till you spot a hotel and stay there. See, sometimes you just really do need a change of scenery – even when it’s just a bed.

We’ve all done it, so why not join the ranks of us useless staycationers – you won’t need to make the bed or clean up! And breakfast will always be waiting for you downstairs. Luxury is necessary – again, not really, but why not?!

#InstaRoulette Nothing is gambled therefore nothing is lost, right? – Except time, you’ll lose time you can never get back. But I digress – the point of this completely fictional game is to explore the city. The instructions are simple: open Instagram, go to the search icon, type in #kuwait and the first image to appear is your destination. Unless it’s someone’s house, don’t do that – this establishment does not endorse stalking! In the event that you do end up with a house, pick the next image down and go there. Use the hashtag #InstaRoulette to win nothing at all – but we will applaud you.

Souqers Mubarakiya is so awesome that we’ve dedicated an entire feature to it! Full of corners to explore, the souq gets more and more interesting as you walk through it. Have a shisha at one of the shisha places, or try some authentic street food – it’s delicious! You won’t regret a single second of it. But the ultimate activity involves you and your camera. Mubarakiya is a door-mine! Yes, we said door-mine, like a goldmine of doors! The amount of interesting doors just randomly hanging on hinges is flabbergasting. We had a blast posing in front of every single one we found! Do the same and post the photos! Use the hashtag #Ihavethisthingwithdoors and see how fast it goes viral!

Random Activities Relaxing Activities Sea Shells Resort Treat yourself, and the family, or just yourself, if you need a break – we won’t judge you, out loud – to a fabulous weekend stay at the Sea Shells resort. Relax by the pool or take a dip in the sea, and if you’re feeling peckish just step outside and you’ll find an array of restaurants. Yes they’re all fast-food joints, but you’re in “staycation” mode, the extra calories don’t really count. The actual resort is stunning and the water is gorgeous, the change of scenery alone will instantly elevate your mood. You’ll thank us later.

Failaka Island Yes it’s an island, and you’d have to either rent a yacht (a la option two of the above) or take the ferry – but it’s worth it! Super old school, this island hasn’t grown like the city, so you feel like you’ve stepped into the past. With the Heritage Village there, you can stay at the Ikaros Hotel and keep it fancy – or really dive into the culture and rent out a Heritage House. You know you’ve always been curious to visit this mysterious island with its beautifully random history! It’ll be one heck of an experience if you ask us. When else will you stay in

Shino?

Jareer – the bookshop – has a plethora of options to choose from. Find the one you can sortof relate to the most and take it from there! What are we talking about? Phrasebooks obviously! We all buy them when we’re on actual vacations lest we need to ask the locals for anything, so why not pretend like your only form of communication is via a How to Speak Kuwaiti phrasebook? It’s a lot of fun, trust us – and in a way it can be viewed as a social experiment. See how many people will actually take you seriously or just put yourself in a complete expat’s shoes. It’s life changing – well, not really, but it can be fun. #DamnExpats Scavenger hunt!

Well, no you don’t really get an actual map from us, or a prize at the end, but why not? Head off to The Avenues, and pick up a copy of their map from the information desk. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to visit every single square marked on the map. Don’t cheat! We’ll know if you did – no we won’t, but don’t be a spoilsport. See how many squares you can mark off before rush hour hits, and at the end buy yourself a cookie! You earned it, even if you didn’t complete the entire map. Bless your soul if you did.

Camel spotting It’s a thing, we think… Point is, when was the last time you actually came across a camel whilst driving around Kuwait? We’ve seen more camels in non-stereotypically-camel-ly countries than we have here! So why not venture further out of the city – not to the borders, that can get a little awkward – and try to find the camels. Count them, take photos of them, and if you’re feeling adventurous, ask the shepherd if you can pet one! Then post the photos to Instagram, or any other social media if you must, with the hashtag #q8Camels. Much respect.

We hope you enjoy the long weekends, staycations, or just any other random weekend! Don’t forget, Kuwait has a lot of hidden museums and exhibits so make sure you check them out! Happy summering-ish!

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by Patrick Makhoul

GAMES AND TRAVEL unicorns. Since its release in February, the game has left my 3DS only a handful of times, I’ve put in more than 100 hours and there’s no sign that I’ll be stopping any time soon.

When I wasn’t playing Monster Hunter I was playing a bunch of classics. One of the Nintendo 3DS’s hidden gems are the Sega 3D Classics — Ports of old Sega games with added functionality for the 3DS. The library includes classics from the Genesis like Sonic the Hedgehog, Eco the Dolphin, Streets of Rage, Burnout II and two of my favorites, Space Harrier and Outrun. Sega didn’t just port these games but added 3D support which is done really well, better than some modern 3DS games.

There’s a lot of care put into porting these games to the 3DS and it shows in the amount of work the developers have put into them. Each game allows you to change and adjust settings ranging from screen size to enabling touch controls.

Space Harrier comes with a setting to emulate its mechanical arcade cabinet, the screen will tilt in the direction your flying, like it would if you were playing the game at the arcades, to top that off it features sounds recorded from the actual cabinet.

Sega aren’t stopping with a couple of games either, Sonic 2, Streets of Rage 2 and Gunstar Heroes are all getting re-mastered for the 3DS.

I recently got back from a trip to Bali…a trip that took almost 13 hours including transit time in airports. That’s a lot of time to kill and it’s also why every time I go on a trip, one of the first things I try to figure out is what’s going to keep me entertained. I’m going to have my Kindle that’s loaded up with a couple of books, that’s just one device I need for books. But what about video games? Should I bring along my 3DS and Vita, or just the 3DS? What 3DS games should I bring? And are there any new decent mobile games?

In February two important games came out on the 3DS: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. If you know me or

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follow me on Twitter, you know how important The Legend of Zelda is to me, it’s one of my favorite franchises of all time. So for a game to steal me away from that franchise, it has to be incredible.

And Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is that. I’ve played Monster Hunter before, but with this latest iteration Capcom has nailed a near perfect formula for this particular genre that is welcoming to new players but keeps enough of the old formula for returning fans. So what is Monster Hunter? The title of the game is pretty self-explanatory. You go on quests and the goal of these quests is to hunt big monsters.

After you slay the monster you can carve its body parts and craft weapons and armor out of them.

The monsters tend to be inspired by real animals, insects and mythical creatures like dragons and

If I didn’t feel like pulling out my 3DS or just had five minutes to kill, I would pull out my iPhone. My favorite kind of mobile games are the ones that are minimalist in play style but can offer some depth through challenge. Desert Golfing is the epitome of qualities. The game is not your typical golf game.

There’s no menu, no real goal to achieve because there’s no end, each course is randomly generated.

I’ve played around 300 holes and the game keeps going. Some gamers have reached up to 5,000 holes, and the game progressively becomes more and more difficult and tricky.

Travel can be uncomfortable for some people, it’s stressful, and dealing with strangers in airports and on planes can be a pain. Finding distractions can be key to making a flight go smoother. Spending ten hours on the plane is unpleasant no matter what airline you fly with, but my 3DS and Monster Hunter definitely helped. So next time you’re going on a trip, think about what games you want to play.

It might make the difference between a good flight and a bad one!

SAFAT HOME

bazaar love/hate

THE BEACH by bazaar staff

When people think of living in the gulf region there are generally two images that come to mind: the first, of course, is a mystic array of rolling sand dunes that stretch across a desert oasis, that while not entirely untrue, do not always present quite as picturesque as you’d like. The second is the ocean. It borders one entire side of the country. Why would we not spend times fixating on it when it’s this hot out? But the beach, while fun and exciting on one hand, is a total hassle on the other. So there they are, your top 5 conundrums of going to the beach. #5 The beach resort – Nobody really likes paying the fees of course, but if you ask me, the resort fee is the best-spent money in all of Kuwait. The club membership is literally your personal membership to an oasis of relaxation, and each one has their own specialties to offer, depending on your preference.

From the spa, to the best pool, to the best beachside location, to the best activities for the whole family (and who can forget the gym as well), there is a reason to take your beach club membership VERY seriously. This may be the single thing that keeps you sane in the summer or sandstorm months. #4 The sand – Can we be honest about sand?

It mainly sucks, right? I mean, don’t get me wrong – imaging the feel of it between my toes is the 50

closest equivalent I have to a physical embodiment of “vacation feeling.” But still, it is normally dirty, it is often too hot and burns your feet when you step on it, and it always gets into crevices you don’t want it to get into. I find sand in my car and throughout my house for days! Plus, in a place notorious for sandstorms that we do our best to avoid, do you really want to see more of it when it comes time to relax? No. And yet still, sitting down on a lawn chair swirling it between your toes while sipping on a tea is about as good as it gets. #3 The glaring eyes – I know, nobody is supposed to be looking at anyone here, and I would like to think that is what’s happening, but honestly, more often than not, I feel like I am being undressed by 1000 eyes around me. Relax people. We are just swimming here – nothing to see, move on! You focus on you; I’ll focus on me…which brings me to my next point…your own body. Ugg, I hate my body. Generally have for some time. And although I occasionally get myself into pretty good shape through some very hard work at the gym, I am always heading towards or away from a cheeseburger body (or is it dadbod!?

I can never keep up…) – and neither direction lasts long. I just keep fluctuating. So the biggest problem when I am heading to the beach is really how I feel about me. The issue here, best I can tell, is that there is not really a great middle ground here. Most

people who are ridiculously in shape end up being a little less than interesting poolside. They are too worried about counting calories to hang out just a little bit longer with friends (not that there is anything wrong with that, they’re just different aims entirely!).

They become jerks often, or at the very least selfinvolved in a way that you likely have to be to spend that much time working on your own body. There is no easy answer here, but most people I know would still probably prefer fit and shallow to fat and deep. #2 The water – The waves are not exactly breaking like the North Shore of Oahu over here. It’s normally flat. Dead. Nothing to sea here (see what I did there?). It is as calm as bathwater most days.

Now on the plus side, what is bad for wave surfers is often good for windsurfers. We benefit from a great stretch of water where wind comes in up the gulf and hits just right. If you are brave enough, there is a windsurfing scene to be found here for you. #1 The sun – Why does it feel like the sun is always mad at you here? Really…I’ll wait; I’ve got to know! It seems like the sun is just trying to prove a point – oh hey you think you are safe over there in the shade? Let me keep moving and then crank the heat up more. Ahhh – I’m melting over here peoples!

Love/Hate is your guide to all of life’s little conundrums, and a good excuse to beach-out!

FIAT

big boys toys Because grown men still need to play

INFINITI VISION GT CONCEPT

LEICA M MONOCHROM CAMERA

SMARTFLOWER SOLAR SYSTEM

It looks like it belongs in an epic, blockbuster video game. The ultimate automobile eye candy. No surprise there — it was created for one. The Infiniti Vision GT Concept has made the rare leap out of the digital realm and into real life. Designed in collaboration with the minds behind Gran Turismo, it began life as a download for GT6 on the PS3, but has now appeared in the flesh, with the same fluid bodywork and crazy lines as it had on the screen.

Needless to say, it won't be arriving at dealers anytime soon. Or ever, really.

When it comes to black and white photography, the Leica M Monochrom (Type 246) might be the best camera in the world. It features a brand-new, fullframe 24-megapixel sensor that takes incredibly sharp photos all the way up to ISO 25,000. The Maestro image processor and a 2GB buffer for faster shooting and review, is also compatible with both Leica M and Leica R lenses, and a 3-inch LCD screen with a sapphire cover. It still features the company's signature, tank-like rangefinder design with top and bottom plates of solid brass sandwiching the magnesium alloy body.

If you've already got solar panels on your home, good for you. You're part of the solution. But if you don't, you might want to check out the Smartflower Solar System. This plug-and-play system uses twoaxis tracking to follow the sun throughout the day, resulting in up to 40% more output than a traditional rooftop system. It unfolds itself automatically in the morning, closes itself up at night (or in high winds), and should you ever need to move, simply unplug it and move it along with the rest of your stuff — something you can't say for most installations.

www.uncrate.com

www.uncrate.com

www.uncrate.com

TESLA POWERWALL HOME BATTERY

XERIC HALOGRAPH WATCH

HOERBOARD STEREO.T DJ STAND

We want a Tesla Powerwall Home Battery! Capable of connecting to both residential solar systems and the traditional power grid, this rechargeable lithiumion battery can store excess solar power for use when the sun isn't shining, store power from the grid when energy is the cheapest and put it to use during times when it's most in demand (and thus more expensive), and serve as a massive backup battery when the grid goes down. It's available in 10kWh and 7kWh varieties and is easy to fit on any wall. With a 10-year warranty, this is one battery that won't need replacing anytime soon.

Sure, it has two hands that move around the dial in a circular fashion. But the Xeric Halograph Watch is far from your average analog timepiece. Instead of placing markers around the circle, it uses a series of arcs to indicate the hours and minutes, with the hands sporting two indicators a piece for the inner and outer bands. The watch is powered by a PTS S-01 automatic Chinese-made movement visible through openings in the dial and caseback, the face is covered by a domed crystal, and the case measures in at a sizable 46mm. Available in a variety of colors with matching straps.

Odds are you aren't doing sets in the same venue every night. Why should your stand need to stay in one place? The Hoerboard Stereo.T DJ Stand is designed to move with you, thanks to a body that can be torn down or set up in as little as 10 minutes. Its modular nature lets you customize it to fit your needs — with space for turntables, DJ controllers, or CD-based setups, for example — and can be outfitted with laptop clips or monitor stands as needed. You can also get a flight case for it, for taking to your global sets.

www.uncrate.com

www.uncrate.com

www.uncrate.com

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SOUQ SHARQ

www.souqsharqmall.com

Tel.: 22415645 - 22410975 Ext.: 207/208

@souq_sharq

Fax: 22428107

@souqsharq

P.O. Box 22644 Safat 13087 Kuwait

THROUGH CAMERA

LENS THE

by bazaar staff

Faisal Al Fouzan takes us through his photo-wonderland

There’s a huge difference between seeing a photo-op through a lens, and seeing life through a lens. In the case of self-taught Kuwaiti urban photographer Faisal Al Fouzan, we get a sneak peak into life through his lens. With a keen eye for the marginalized, Faisal’s images always make a statement on the urban and social landscapes of Kuwait and beyond. Considering the camera as an extension of his arm, he finds his reality within the viewfinder. We get a glimpse of what it’s like, and live vicariously through his series – hashtagged accordingly. His fascination with the world stands out in his photography and draws you into it.

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Originally uninterested in photography, Faisal’s curiosity piqued when he got his very first 'like' on Instagram in 2011. It then snowballed into a series of posts drawing the viewer further and further into his world. “I began posting pictures of everyday life scenes through my phone and really got hooked on this medium,” he stated. With time, his camera became his exploration tool – learning and experiencing different things with every click of the shutter. The trigger-happy sensation didn’t wear off and his photos kept getting better with time. His curiosity led the way and his desire to view the world from different angles grew, Faisal now has a keen eye for photo-ops.

[continued...]

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Honing his talent, Faisal has shifted from his phone’s camera to pursuing a more technical approach. Introducing an array of cameras for his day-to-day snapshots, Faisal uses Canon, Sony, Fuji, and Leica to capture his world through a lens.

But his weapon of choice is none other than "the beast" – the Canon 5D M iii. “It’s versatile and I use it a lot – so I know it very well,” he smiled, “handling it is second nature to me.” Viewing the “world as a wonderland,” Faisal’s fascination for photography and preserving a moment in eternity, refuses to falter. Architectural constructions both modern and abandoned, mixed in with the diversity of humanity and life according to everyone else, can be seen through his photos. Perfectly capturing a mirror image to reality as he sees it, forever portraying the multiplicity of life – Faisal’s work is bringing forward the art of the forgotten, marginalized, and decayed.

Separating his series through hashtags, each one tells its own story. Some themes are planned and organized, others are found and created. When there’s a project in mind, Faisal knows exactly what the correlating hashtag will be, e.g. #BabSeries – literally a series of intriguing doors. Still, there are times where he finds a photo-op, only to find the theme and series in the details – hashtags soon fall into place. The ones that intrigued us at the office the most, are the #Faisal[insert country] series.

Taken across his travels, Faisal has managed to bring the world closer to home with this series.

Meeting interesting people and more interesting locations along the way, everything can be turned into a photo-op. Inspired by not only beauty, but by the art of everything around us, Faisal’s gift of pictures is priceless.

A believer that the subject chooses the person – Faisal doesn’t seek out or force a project. Instead, he waits and observes, and soon enough, something speaks to him and presents itself as a subject.

Driven by the sheer force of what he’s shooting, his interest in the subject grows and a new collection of photo series begins. The streets, architecture, still life, people and even the ruins of something that once was, all act as instigators for the shutter to snap. Beauty and art are all around and Faisal knows how to procure them from amidst the rubble. His eye for detail is captivating. Paintings, film and graphic design – no matter the medium – the imaginative form behind any creation inspires him. “The aesthetic components and design elements, like color, light, mood and composition, influence my photography greatly,” he added.

Living life through a lens and seeing what the untrained eye would normally miss, Faisal’s technique is enthralling. Documenting what he sees is – to him – a way of preserving and reflecting our time artistically. Lastly, when asked what photography is to him, his answer was absolutely poetic. It is “a document of our immediate history and a witness to the age we live in.”

You can check out Faisal’s work by visiting his website http://faisalthef.com and follow him on Instagram @faisalthef for daily inspiration and an art fix.

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bazaar movie night The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in June

ENTOURAGE

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3

WOMAN IN GOLD

Release Date: June 4 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Comedy Cast: Mark Wahlberg/Ronda Rousey

Release Date: June 4 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Horror Cast: Dermot Mulroney/Stefanie Scott

Release Date: June 4 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama Cast: Helen Mirren/Ryan Reynolds

Synopsis: The film picks up where the popular hit TV series left off, chronicling the continuing career of movie star Vincent Chase and his entourage of friends. Ari bankrolls Vince's directorial debut with a USD 100 million budget which goes USD 15 million over. He does this by securing financing from Texas billionaire Larsen McCredle and his son Travis. Vince continues his carefree lifestyle saying if the film fails they can just move back to Queens. Now with his own studio Ari deals with the problems of being a start-up movie producer in his own ill-tempered way.

Synopsis: The newest chapter in the terrifying horror series is written and directed by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell. This chilling prequel, set before the haunting of the Lambert family, reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl (Stefanie Scott) who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity. This, the third film in the series, won't focus on the Lambert family, but will focus on a new family and story, and won't connect to the last scene in the second film.

Synopsis: Woman In Gold is the remarkable true story of one woman's journey to reclaim her heritage and seek justice for what happened to her family. Sixty years after she fled Vienna during World War II, an elderly Jewish woman, Maria Altmann (Mirren), starts her journey to retrieve family possessions seized by the Nazis. Together with her inexperienced but plucky young lawyer Randy Schoenberg (Reynolds), she embarks upon a major battle which takes them all the way to the heart of the Austrian establishment and the U.S. Supreme Court, and forces her to confront difficult truths about the past along the way.

ANY DAY

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

JURASSIC WORLD

Release Date: June 4 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama Cast: Sean Bean/Kate Walsh

Release Date: June 11 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Comedy Cast: James Marsden/Dave Franco

Release Date: June 11 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: Chris Pratt/Judy Greer

Synopsis: An alcoholic ex-fighter (Sean Bean) is filled with resentment after spending 12 years in prison for killing a man with his bare hands. Upon his release he stays with his sister and her son, a boy who looks up to his uncle as a great man.

While trying to stay on the right path and be a good role model for his nephew, he meets a beautiful woman (Kate Walsh) who helps get his life back together. But it all comes crashing down when a tragic event upends his new life, and he faces a battle with his troubled past.

Synopsis: A hard-working small-business owner (Vince Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every imaginable – and unimaginable – way, including unplanned stops at a global economic summit. As things start going awry, the trio must do all they can to blah blah blah, pretty much what you would expect from a Vince Vaughn movie. Those who love him,will love it.

Synopsis: Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, an island located off Central America's Pacific Coast near Costa Rica now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. At the corporation's request, the park's geneticists create a hybrid dinosaur known as Indominus to boost visitor attendance. The park's operations manager, are visiting the island when the hybrid escapes and they are subsequently caught up in the creature's deadly rampage. Now, they must contain the hybrid dinosaur before she can cause more damage.

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For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit: Cinescape: www.cinescape.com.kw or Facebook: Cinescape – Kuwait National Cinema Company.

*Above programs are subject to change without prior notice.

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GALAXY

JUICE

A N O T H E R G L A S S, P L E A S E !

by Nejoud Al-Yagout

Once in a while, an album comes along that shakes our core and leaves us panting for more.

The album in question is Galaxy Juice’s Crystal Dunes. The name of the band is apt, because I felt like I drank some cosmic elixir and was swimming in the confines of the universe. A higher state, which takes years of meditation to master, can be yours just by listening to it. In particular, the album has filled a niche in the Kuwaiti market for individuals who are feeling the global shift from conditioned thoughts to higher realms of being.

Crystal Dunes whispers or shouts, depending on your level of consciousness…

The music and lyrics make love in a unifying state of ecstasy. How hot! This lack of distinction between the words and sounds makes it quasiimpossible to understand the lyrics. However, this is where the magic lies. Crystal Dunes is not about our lives, as is often the case when we focus too much on lyrics. It is about the collective field of open space. And, in case you are desperate to fathom the meaning, the lyrics can be found online. There are even three treats – Crossing Lakes, Mirage and Coral Maze – for instrumental aficionados who prefer no words at all.

At times, the music is reminiscent of The Beatles 62

in their transcendental-meditation-MaharishiMahesh-Yogi days. But then, suddenly, we are catapulted to a futuristic era. In fact, assigning a fixed genre to this album – which can most closely be described as psychedelic rock - would defy its purpose. Galaxy Juice wants to lift you away from the paradigm of labels. They actually promise that they can catapult you to a higher realm as is boldly stated in their tagline: “A band from outer space to save the human race.” In “How Wide Is The Sun”, with lyrics such as “[o]pen your eyes. What do you see? The essence of immortality,” we are invited to awaken to eternal life. As for the track “Underwater Shadows”, an allusion is made to altered states of perception: “The sun is in my eyes. I see it brighter now.” Another teaching that promises to save us is evident in “Dream”, where it seems that the ego – aware of its imminent death – breathes its last words: “Please don’t wake me up now.” With lyrics as potent as these, perhaps Galaxy Juice is here to save us!

As if it weren’t enough of a treat to embrace my copy of Crystal Dunes, I was even luckier to have the blessed opportunity to interview the four members of Galaxy Juice – Salem Al-Salem, Fahad Al-Qubaa, Abdulla Asem and Muhamed Al-Owaisi.

Their answers blew me away. This seems to be the effect of everything they say, play or do.

Galaxy Juice. Tell us the significance behind the intriguing name?

The word galaxy represents our openness to infinitely possible ways (and styles) to produce sound; while ‘juice’ represents the final soundmixture produced by combining a variety of the styles we play. We are open to any form of music.

Through the years we played many genres and experimented with a variety of instruments. We used many types of equipment, as well, which led us to shape the sound we produce – and, of course, it’s still changing.

Your tagline promises to save the human race. Do you think that your music will save them?

Yes, music can definitely save the human race! Since the beginning of time, humans have gathered in circles or groups to make music, sing and dance. This is a natural instinct that was there even before the establishment of civilizations or tribal societies. Most – if not all – people associate music with spirituality. Music even enables us to utilize rhythm to incorporate the group. As a result, we experience a sense of unity and strength.

This feeling of unity that music ignites makes

[continued...]

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[...continued] people happier and more relaxed; it motivates us to go further and expand our creativity. We also get to strengthen our bond with other musicians. All these concepts will save the human race.

Is this your first album?

Yes. As friends, we have been playing music together for years, but then we decided to produce an official album. We wanted our fingerprint out there. Let’s be honest. It’s every musician’s dream to make an album. We did it and we encourage every musician to do so!

Which bands resonate with you in terms of music and lyrics?

Our musical influences are many. Each of us is influenced by different artists. Collectively, however, we are influenced by musicians such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Radiohead, Tame Impala, Jimi Hendrix and more.

Your album has a powerful message. Can you share some of your spiritual insights?

“Underwater Shadow” is about seeing your shadow when you’re swimming in water. We wanted to reflect the significance of the simple things in life. There are many things in our daily lives that we consider insignificant and too trivial to notice – such as a little flower growing between concrete plates. A weak, tiny plant can break the cement to grow, which is amazing!

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We also realized the magnificence of the desert.

In the middle of nowhere, you can enjoy the silence of a flat land covered by a blanket of stars. When you’re away from the many distractions of the modern urban lifestyle, you allow yourself to tune in to what’s within you. You also get to experience the joy of gathering around a bonfire – surrounded by loved ones – under an infinite kingdom of stars. The track “Crystal Dunes” is basically about this experience.

In Kuwait, many people listen to hip-hop and rock music. Was it hard for you to fill a niche for your music here?

Not really. Our style is relaxing and we have gotten positive feedback from different age groups and social backgrounds. Also, since there is no competition in this genre, it made it easier for us to be in the spotlight of the music scene here.

But at the same time, we’re starving to see other psychedelic rock bands compete with us, because it would enhance our motivation to improve our music.

There are many prohibitions on public concerts in Kuwait. Does this affect your ability to reach wider audiences?

Lately, there have been many events that include music acts, and we have played in some of them. We know it’s not easy to administrate musical events, but there are many movers and shakers that are organizing culturally-inspiring activities around Kuwait. Fortunately, we got to

know some of these wonderful people and they hosted concerts for us. We are so grateful!

How have people reacted to the message in your music and videos?

Surprisingly, people have reacted very well to the album! Everyone who hears it explains it in a different way. If you have something that evokes different viewpoints and feelings, then your work is successful.

The ideas you convey are a delicate blend of ancient and futuristic concepts. Do you see time as illusory or linear?

Time is an illustration of your position in space, and it bends based on your location. In other dimensions, there is more than one string of time and it goes in different directions. And, as we said before, we present the juice of infinite ways to make music. That’s why we combine styles such as organic acoustics and electronic music.

Everyone has a gift. We may work hard to succeed in the matrix, but when it comes to our gifts, it should be easy. In fact, it is something that flows intrinsically. Do you agree?

Yes. Anybody can achieve success, but some need more time than others based on their experience and natural skill.

What would you tell aspiring musicians who want to share their gift with the public?

Get out and show the world your best! It takes

hard work to produce your first album; but, with the right marketing, chances and opportunities will just rain upon you.

You seem to have transcended identity and culture in your songs. Does this apply to your real lives as well or does this part of you only come up in the music?

People nowadays have easy access to knowledge of various cultures and ideologies because of globalization. Everyone lives this way now, not just us. Our thought systems have blended. If you look at any household you’ll find items from various countries around the globe.

Because of your label-free lyrics, do you have fans that span various nationalities and cultures?

Yes. Most of our fans in Kuwait are from different cultures. Through the people we know, we got to distribute the album in many countries such as the UK, Australia, a few Gulf countries and other places.

Plato says that music “…gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and everything.” The latter section of the quote implies that music can bring happiness to our world. Bob Marley reiterates this when he says that a “... good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Do you find that music helps us to transcend our suffering?

Yes. As we stated before, music makes you feel

good; it relieves the negative energy in your body and you feel connected to other people through it.

Which is more cathartic to you? Playing music or listening to it?

Both. A good conversation has equivalent amounts of talking and listening.

You utilize symbolic imagery in your videos. Is this an artistic endeavor or are you trying to send a visual signal to your fans?

We try to make our production as colorful as possible, with a few scenes that blend together even though they are not necessarily related.

The way we do it is based more on how the imagery looks and feels. So, pretty much at the beginning of the video-making process, we have no idea where we are going with it. We just enjoy the process.

Are the videos always related to the lyrics? Or do you merely enhance the sensual experience by adding a visual element to your music?

Visuals help the receiver to make sense of what is being delivered. In the video clip of “How Wide is the Sun”, we created scenes in stopmotion to illustrate our trip to the sun. We were just playing around with pieces of paper and random objects and one thing led to the other until the final clip was done. Also, in “Underwater Shadow” we illustrated a shadow swimming in coastal water along with colorful visuals.

What’s next for Galaxy Juice?

The best album in the world!

Finally, is there anything specific you would like to tell your fans?

We were just a bunch of friends who nobody knew before the album. After working hard to release it, we made it a mission to spread the good vibes to everyone around us. We collaborated with many talented people and made many friends along the way who helped us to achieve success. If it weren’t for them, Crystal Dunes wouldn’t have seen the light of day. The best part is that everybody is happy, including us. We would like to tell our fans that if they have a dream, they can reach it, and it will turn out better than expected. Just work hard, find the right people to share it with and collaborate!

How cool is this band? Rock stars indeed!

Now that the interview is over, do I want another glass of Galaxy Juice? Heavens yes! (Pun intended, lovers)!

Crystal Dunes is available on iTunes, Soundcloud, Youtube, Spotify and other sites. Please don’t wait until you reach the fifth dimension to get a copy of their album! Get a copy NOW. You can follow Galaxy Juice on Instagram @galaxyjuiceband.

65

AN INSPIRATIONAL

SPACE

Artspace Café still rocking it, one year on.

by Lynda Higgs

In May 2014, bazaar featured local artist Sarah Chouari and her exciting, new, creative concept the ArtSpace Café. This month we have the pleasure of congratulating her on a very successful first year and talk with her about her vision for the company. On entering the ArtSpace Café the first thing you notice is the atmosphere, which is calm and welcoming. Low lighting and paint-spattered tables combine with an abundance of canvases and art materials to create an environment which invites you to sit down, pick up a brush and switch off from the screen-oriented world outside. A small café and cosy seating on the paved area just outside the store combine to encourage you to stop, relax and get creative.

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Born and raised in Kuwait, Sarah has also lived in Lebanon, the U.S. and Dubai, however Kuwait is the place to which she has returned. Having graduated with a degree in Fine Art and Graphic Design (from the State University of New York), Sarah began her career working as a graphic designer for design agencies in Kuwait. A brief change of direction saw her studying Patisserie with Wilton and running her own bakery in Dubai, before returning to the States for a couple of years.

Eventually she returned home to Kuwait in 2013, bringing with her a vision for an innovative concept which offered people the chance to socialize and get creative at the same time, something that didn’t exist in Kuwait just 2 years ago.

Sarah credits her business partners, Raghda Yousef and Sara Farasheh, for the energy they’ve brought to the business. Together, these three women have worked as a close knit team in order to bring the concept of art workshops to Kuwait.

Together they have maintained the ethos of Sarah’s original idea, whilst tailoring it to the requirements of the local market.

“Our team is without a doubt the reason that we are where we are today and have been able to celebrate a year of being in business. It is the intangible elements that make a business like this work, we have become a family and we, all the artists as well as myself, Sara and Raghda, are able to deliver what we do because we all understand what the ArtSpace ethos is and genuinely care about it.”

“Although I knew the market and that there was nothing like ArtSpace in Kuwait, I didn’t appreciate that there would be unique challenges to meet when I first started the process of setting up the

business 2 years ago,” observed Sarah. “I had an idea in mind, of a large space offering workshops all day long and a coffee bar where people could make their own coffee when they wanted to.

The idea was that this space would exist for the purpose of art and nothing else. The first challenge we encountered was that the concept of creative workshops was completely unknown in Kuwait at the time and this was a challenge we had to meet. At that point we sat down and came up with ideas that would allow me to realize the workshop concept and present it in a way that would work in the Kuwaiti market.”

When I asked Sarah about the inspiration for ArtSpace she told me about a similar concept she came across in the US, PaintBar, which, at that time, offered a few classes per week and a place for socializing.

“The essential difference between what PaintBar offered at the time, and what we offer, is that they only had a few workshops per week which were an introduction to art and it was much more about the social aspect, whereas I wanted to share my passion for art "all forms of art" through workshops in a place where the café space was incidental.” Of course, Kuwaiti culture is very much about socializing and so the team decided to evolve and so ArtSpace became ArtSpace Café, offering both a meeting place and a space in which to learn about and enjoy art. (side note: According to PaintBar’s website their format has changed over the last couple of years, but it was the inspiration for ArtSpace Café).

Sarah and the entire ArtSpace team, which includes a number of talented, local artists, are [continued...]

DODGE

constantly developing new ideas. They try to offer what customers are interested in and will respond to, rather than prescribe, what they should do.

“The challenge of coming up with new ideas and new concepts for the business can be stressful, but it is also exciting.” Sarah said. “When we opened it was just about painting, but that has evolved into other forms of art, including mosaic art, etc, and, going forward, we will try to introduce new styles and techniques (of art) regularly. That’s why it’s called ArtSpace 'a space for art in every form.'

The ArtSpace team’s motto, from the moment that they first opened up their doors until now, is “We can do it!” One thing that really struck me during our conversation is that Sarah and the team really do want to reach out to people and show them that everyone has some sort of artistic talent inside them.

“We offer a variety of workshops every day and all are offered on a per workshop basis; no one is expected to buy a package of workshops or a membership. We want to offer people the chance to learn about art when they can and in 68

a fun way. When we first opened up we didn’t know what to expect, but gradually, as people came to workshops and started to experience the confidence that comes from learning a new skill and creating something they didn’t know they could before they came to ArtSpace, they told friends and family. Just one year after first opening our doors, the people that come to ArtSpace are as diverse as the population of Kuwait. We encourage everyone, regardless of age or ability to visit the café and experience the joy of art.

Of course, none of this can happen without the team being, in turn, motivated by their customers.

Sarah considers the most rewarding part of her work, that moment when she sees someone who has never held a brush before learn how to paint a picture and then leave at the end of two hours with their own painting: “This is something amazing.

It is a form of therapy and confidence building.

We don’t just do what we do for a living, we do it because it gives something unique and positive to our customers!”

In the interest of offering something unique,

therapeutic and confidence building, Sarah is always speaking to artists, including photographers and actors, and considering new workshops for her customers. Now that the ArtSpaceQ8 brand is becoming known, sometimes people come to her because of what they’ve seen on social media, which does mean a little more time for the team to develop new concepts and workshops.

Sarah is keen to mention that they also encourage the artists (on the team) to join workshops at ArtSpace, as this allows them the opportunity to learn from one another and to learn new techniques, which they can then teach at the workshops offered to customers. As she rightly observes: “Art and creativity is not something that happens in a bubble we learn from one another and improve our knowledge and skills in this way."

The team offers a variety of classes on a daily basis, the details of which are posted on various social media platforms on a daily basis, and customers can expect to learn technique and gradually develop a skill if they regularly participate in workshops. People will see an example of a painting or piece of art on Instagram and will learn how to create that piece of art, but with their own touch.

For those who are more advanced and skilled, they offer private classes and they also cater for art workshops at people’s homes, if that’s what they would like. The café itself is booked for birthday parties 2 to 3 times a week and this is very popular, particularly with girls.

As if all of this weren’t enough, ArtSpace has evolved into a brand that offers a variety of services, all with creativity and art as their starting point.

“We have “Pieces by ArtSpace”, where we create bespoke pieces, including paintings, string art, mosaic, decorative items created from recycled items, to customer’s requirement. We also offer “Designs by ArtSpace” offering freelance graphic design services, and going forward we will be offering an interior design service. In addition, we will be bringing another new concept to the market in the autumn, the details of which will be posted on Instagram and other social media.”

What started as a simple idea to bring the joy of creating your own piece of art to people in Kuwait, is now not only a reality, but a concept that is evolving by the week. The energy and creativity of the ArtSpace team has taken Sarah and her team on a journey they probably couldn’t have imagined even a year ago, and if their enthusiasm for what they do is anything to go by, the journey has only just started.

If you’re interested in joining a workshop, booking a party or speaking to Sarah about the possibility of a private booking or a commission, you can contact her on 9777 5273 or get daily updates about workshops by following them @ArtStpaceQ8 on Instagram, Twitter @artspaceq8 or Facebook: Artspaceq8 Interview and Photography by Lynda Higgs www.LyndaHiggsPhotography.com.

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we care

H.O.P.E. FOR SYRIA’S REFUGEES by bazaar staff

With a seasoned career in the world of glitzy Fashion Public Relations, Irish expat Tara Sillery decided to harness her fame toward one cause: offering a helping hand to less fortunate children and adult refugees as a result of the turmoil in Syria and Lebanon.

Tara told bazaar, “I am blessed to have an amazing life and career but, despite the somewhat glitz and glamour, that is not what I am all about.

I cannot bear the fakeness of the world at times and I am a firm believer in walking the talk.”

Tara established HOPE when she first visited the refugee camps over a year ago in Lebanon. Many approached her since then to assist with the inner city Lebanese homeless children, as well as raising awareness about the dire situations that are clearly visible at the refugee camps. She added, “Lebanon has been extremely supportive toward my work, and I feel that I am in a position to help give back considering that I am in the public eye. I will not stop until I have changed many things. I am blessed to have amazing friends in parliament in Lebanon and one has been paramount in helping doing all legal documents etc. to establish HOPE.” The goal-oriented PR guru channeled her passion for the lives of these children into HOPE, where the name actually serves as an acronym for Happiness Of Positive Education. Tara said that the children she met along her journey gave her hope for the 70

future, proving that there is still some humanity left in the world. She explained, “I then broke this HOPE down into where my main goal lays – to educate the public on the dire situation of these misfortunate children and adults and most importantly to educate these children and adults on life, hygiene and the importance of education itself.”

Tara truly sees that education is paramount in these communities, as many generations will grow up to be uneducated in many aspects of their lives. From all aspects of health, psychological assistance and housing needs, to creating a comprehensive educational program, Tara is working closely with volunteers across the region to better the lives of homeless Lebanese children as well as Syrian refugees.

HOPE thrives on maintaining a transparent policy, and Tara oversees the delivery of the donations in person. She is currently in the process of setting up a website, where she will regularly update the organization’s followers with the required items as well as informing the public about the progress of HOPE’s projects. She even loves taking visitors to the camps, she said, “Every single person who wants to visit any of my camps is always more than welcome and I am eternally grateful to all of my friends who have visited and helped me.”

With an extended network of friends and family in Kuwait, Tara counts Dahlia Al Essa as her main

supporter and proponent for her charity in Kuwait.

She said, “She has been paramount in helping raise the word and awareness and has donated so many clothes it is unreal. Without people like Dahlia in my life and the world, as well as my amazing friends here I don’t think the charity would be as popular as it is proving to be.” Tara believes that people can help by volunteering for events to spread the word about HOPE, and she is always looking for helping hands to grow the number of donations. She plans on getting more involved with local bazaars, selling Kuwaiti clothes and raising cash to pay for medical care for the refugees at the camps.

Perhaps the most recent example that demonstrates her efforts for HOPE in Kuwait included Tara hosting a talk at the TIES Center in Kuwait. She acquired designer goods that were resold at massively discounted prices to raise funds. Through her deep roots in the local community, Tara was able to involve HOPE with several charitable centers in Kuwait, and the ‘Second Chance’ charity at TIES is no different.

If you’re looking to get involved with HOPE, feel free to reach out to Tara Sillery via Whatsapp on 6009 2720 or Instagram @Tarasillery, email tarasillery@gmail.com, and find HOPE on Facebook: HappinessOfPositiveEducation.

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THERE IS

MAGIC IN MOROCCO

by Waleed Shaalan

I must have a dominant drd4 gene, the wanderlust gene.

It must have been my nomadic ancestry. It is one that gives me this feeling that I have no place I call home, everywhere is home. I am a horizon chaser. Since I was 4 years old I have hazy memories of leaving our house in Ann Arbor, Michigan on my three-wheeler and going out to explore the world. Since then I have toured many countries on my motorbike and one of my recent trips was in Morocco. A place where I was constantly warned has magic. After a few thousand kilometers on the bike I learnt that there is magic, but a different kind of magic. [continued...]

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The magic of the melting snowcaps of the Atlas starting their journey with a drip and ending with a roar down the majestic water falls quenching the red thirsty earth to bear luscious fruit. The magic of the blue town of Chefchaouen as it blends with the Azul sky. The magic of the waves of the Atlantic smashing away gently and chiseling the rocky beaches; I witnessed all kinds of magic, none of which involved the wicked witchcraft that most Arab visitors fearfully speak of.

I started from Marrakech, rented a BMW GS 1200 from my friend Reda, and I decided to take

his advice and leave the GPS behind, with a pink highlighter and an old-fashioned map we planned the route. I wanted to get lost and find my way, to stop and talk to people. I live most of my life facing the screen of my computer and smart phone, do I want to drive staring at the GPS? What happened to adventure to surprise and discovery? I left it behind.

I found driving in Morocco to be very safe, but then again I am from Cairo so my standards are skewed. What was actually very impressive is the railway system, the train stations were top notch although I did not take the train I heard a lot of

CH EFC H AOUEN, THE MAGI CAL BLUE TOWN I am fascinated by color and perception. People find insects generally disgusting except when it comes to color. Butterflies, Ladybugs are perceived positively. They are insects with color. Color alone makes a peacock not a turkey. This was so evident in Chefchaouen, I arrived there after three days of riding from the Atlas from Marrakech and for some reason I could not figure out the reason they decided to paint the town blue in the 1930s. Adorned in every shade of blue, it was magical.

The quality of the light and space were incredible. When I would look up the paint would stop at a certain line, I guess at the height of the ladder used to paint any given structure. Then you would see the architecture from above, and you would think you are looking down at any town. It’s the color that really makes the place.

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positive feedback from most people I met along the way.

For me, traveling by bike is the best way to experience a country, being exposed to the elements, feeling the climate and topography without being confined in a car. The flexibility and mobility is great.

Engaging more of your senses in an experience makes it more pleasurable and sometimes more painful! I learnt that when I reached the peak of the Atlas and temperatures were -3 Cº. My eyeballs felt frozen. Nonetheless, I’ll leave you with these magical tidbits from my Moroccan experience.

MERZOUGA

After crossing the high Atlas I had a free window of time and that was before the shadows cast on the road caused the water to freeze. I made it to the beginning of the world’s greatest desert: The Sahara. Merzouga, a small town with a few Adobe Casbahs, is where I decided to stay for the night. I asked Mohamed the owner of a small Casbah if he has any rooms. He hospitably offered me a camel ride into the desert and camping under the stars. I asked him if he offered dinner, and he said yes. I asked about lunch, he said, “I serve lunch but I don’t want to serve you.”

Shocked, I asked him why he refused the lunch request. He replied, “I already took enough of your business; I want you to walk to town and eat somewhere else, share the wealth.” I was speechless for a moment. I realized I come from a culture of greed where more is never enough. I was deeply touched by this generosity I found on the edge of the scarcest place on earth.

I walked into town and asked a man I found sitting in a shop about a good place to eat, and he directed me toward a place called Aishas. I enjoyed an amazing roof top meal and on my way out the host asked me if I wanted to buy anything from his shop. I said, ”Yes I want to buy, but not from you. From the man who led me to you so that we can all share the wealth” and I smiled and walked back.

I bought my Touareg head gear to get ready for a sunset sail on the sea of sand. [continued...]

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MAK ING LOC A L HISTORY: T HE WAT ER FALL

Driving back from the desert on my way to cross the Atlas I saw a small sign for a waterfall. I got an early start and thought that I could afford a little detour. I went off road for 15 Km and finally reached this place in the middle of nowhere. I hiked down and began to hear the sound of water. There was a small tent with an older man who welcomingly waved me, greeting me with many languages. He offered me tea and there was a stream of freezing water coming from the falls with another hot spring from the belly of the earth. He took his kettle and filled it with hot water from the spring and we sat and had a chat.

When he learned of my Egyptian nationality, he shockingly said, “EGYPT? I have been living here for over 30 years and I have never seen anyone from Egypt!”

I hiked up the falls and enjoyed the lukewarm mix of water coming from the snowy peaks touching the sky and the warm spring coming from beneath the earth. It was magical.

MONSIEU R , S’IL VOUS PLAIT! “Water, water!” they said. After they drank, one of them said, “Money. Give us money.” When I asked them why, a woman who was a part of the group of people pointed out that I was rich and I drove a bike. I said, “No, you are rich and you don’t know it. You work under the deep blue sky, walking the open green fields, breathing clean oxygen, listening to the sound of the wind and the birds and drinking pure icy water. Look at your smiles; do you know how rich you are?”

I live in a box, move in a box, work in a box, and walk on a machine with wires connected to my ears listening to sounds we make and looking at a screen.

I am poor and money won’t make you or me rich.

MERRY X -MAS It was Christmas during this particular visit to Morocco, and I was walking alone in a forest of palm trees. As I watched the light dance with the wind, a young boy came out of nowhere and offered me a gift; I arrogantly turned him down thinking he was a vendor trying to sell me something. He said, “Mr., no money it’s a gift, Merry Xmas.” I was touched.

We were two Muslims celebrating Christmas under the shade of the palm trees. It’s about giving. I had nothing to offer so I gave him money. He still refused. I told him that this was also a gift, Merry Christmas.

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To keep up with Waleed Shaalan’s travels, you can follow him on Instagram @WaleedSha3lan.

REGENCY

IKEA'S FIRST

RAMADAN COLLECTION

INSPIRED BY ISLAMIC ART & CULTURE, WITH A SCANDINAVIAN TWIST

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of selfreflection, increased devotion, and spiritual consciousness. It is a time where family and friends come together every night to share their joy and gratitude for all of their blessings.

This year, IKEA decided to share their appreciation by creating, for the first time ever, a special Ramadan Collection called “DOFTRIK.” This limited collection includes varying home furnishing products that meet your everyday Ramadan needs: serve ware, dinnerware, and beautiful and functional solutions for everyone around the world celebrating the holy month.

Inspired by Islamic art and culture, with a Scandinavian twist, this collection features products such as tablecloths and cushions with simple patterns that are prominent throughout the region’s history, in vibrant and modern colors, as well as subtle, more classical options.

For the first time ever, IKEA is offering Arabic coffee cups, with beautiful patterns and colors that reflect a Moroccan motif, that are ideal for family and guests to enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee after the tradition of the breaking of the daily fast.

In true IKEA fashion, function always plays a key role in the design of their products, and the Ramadan collection is no different. With Islamic-inspired side tables, doubling as serving trays, drinks and snacks can be carried directly from the kitchen and placed into the “DOFTRIK” tray table.

As the kitchen is the heart of every home, the limited collection “DOFTRIK” also offers beautifully coordinated kitchen items such as pot holders and aprons that perfectly match pot stands, napkins and serving trays, providing a holistic look for people’s homes.

As everyone prepares for Ramadan, the “DOFTRIK” collection caters to the everyday Ramadan needs. IKEA will help create unforgettable moments at home for you, your family, and your guests. From cozy throws, rugs and comfy diwaniya style floor cushions, to drink carafe’s, trays and coffee tables, the limited Ramadan collection will be available in the IKEA store from June 4th, along with the existing range of home furnishing solutions.

Visit the IKEA showroom located at 1st Avenue – The Avenues or call 184 0408. You can also follow @IKEAKuwait on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit their website, www.ikea.com/kw.

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HYUNDAI

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE WITH ACK

ACK’s School of Engineering alumni look to new horizons by bazaar staff

Everyone’s personal notion of an ideal university experience is different. However, most experts agree that a well-rounded education is key for developing both social and educational prowess. At the Australian College of Kuwait, you can rest assured that your ambition for a successful career path, as well as gaining the tools to embark on a challenging professional career, is secured.

For both Aljazi Al-Ajmi and Yassir Khaled, their passion for engineering was nurtured and grown at ACK. Upon their graduation, they both secured senior positions at prestigious establishments in Kuwait. Join us for a sit-down with these inspirational engineers as they tell us about their ACK experience, and how their degrees taught them about the challenging world of engineering, life’s most important skills, and so much more.

Hello! Please introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us why you decided to pursue a degree at the ACK School of Engineering?

Alijazi Al-Aimi (AA): I graduated from the School of Engineering at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I am currently working at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC). ACK’s School of Engineering offered me an innovative and welldeveloped curriculum, which coincided with my vision and objectives. Furthermore, the School of Engineering appealed to me more than other institution because of its diverse student body and vibrant campus life.

Yassir Khaled (YK): I graduated from ACK in 2012. I’m a hardworking, motivated individual who strives to continuously learn and improve my skills and knowledge in multiple areas. After moving back from Canada to my family in Kuwait, a couple of my cousins who were ACK students suggested that I pursue a degree from ACK for my future.

Can you tell us more about your experience at the ACK School of Engineering? What specialty of Engineering did you decide to pursue?

AA: My experience at ACK is one that I will cherish and remember forever. ACK quickly became my second home. I have built long lasting friendships with my classmates and faculty members, which is very essential to any student. At ACK I received a lot of knowledge and developed skills in my field of study, transforming me from a student into a professional ready to go after my ambitious future goals. I pursued my education at ACK as a Mechanical Engineer, giving me the opportunity to tap into a vast range of job opportunities.

YK: I decided to pursue the Bachelor's of Petroleum Engineering. ACK is a lively college, which has a different culture compared to other universities.

The instructors were close to the students and very supportive; it was a mutual friendly relationship which 80

allowed us to succeed in our paths.

How has the ACK School of Engineering helped you to follow your passion?

AA: The School of Engineering at ACK helped me truly understand engineering and what it means to be a professional, reliable engineer.

I also developed problem solving and public speaking skills, which have proven to be valuable to my career. Also, ACK’s Project Based Learning method showed me how to apply what I learned in the classroom to the field of engineering.

YK: I was looking forward to becoming a Petroleum Engineer from the beginning, and it was a total coincidence that I found ACK offers this amazing opportunity to start my practical and hands-on education.

Where did your degree from ACK take you in your career?

AA: I am proudly employed at KOC, holding the position of Planning Engineer.

YK: It got me hired in one of the top three oil service companies in the world, Baker Hughes.

I would like to give a special thank you to Miss Deema and the Alumni team for continuously supporting us, especially after we had graduated and were searching for job opportunities.

How did the degree prepare you for the real-life business world?

AA: The skills gained from my time attending ACK’s School of Engineering has made me stand out among my peers. Values are what really matter and that’s what I got from ACK. The values I have been taught, the obstacles I have overcome and the degree I’ve received have prepared me to compete with anyone, anywhere.

YK: It equipped me with the necessary knowledge and tools needed to step into a competitive environment and dealing with the latest technologies. I was able to build upon that and excel at what I do.

How do your colleagues at work perceive your education and degree from ACK? AA: At my current work place, my colleagues see me as a peer with equivalent standards of education, however the various and practical skills gained from ACK have sparked the interest of my workmates.

YK: I work in Baker Hughes, which is an oil service company operating in over 80 countries with around 60,000 employees worldwide. We provide innovation and technology to oil companies around the world. Several of my work colleagues are also ACK graduates, and we’re all known to be competitive and aim to improve our gained experience and knowledge with each passing day.

For interested School of Engineering students, would you advise them to attend ACK? If yes, why would you recommend ACK? AA: I highly recommend ACK’s School of Engineering because only at ACK a student is equipped with the proper skills, knowledge and education that are needed to continue thereafter in their career.

YK: Definitely! ACK offers degrees that make students better equipped and prepared for a challenging career.

For information about ACK, phone 182 8225, follow them on Twitter and Instagram @ACK_Live and Facebook: ACKLive, and head to www.ack.edu.kw.

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‫‪LEILA‬‬

T A L K I N G NEW YORK CHIC With DKNY’s New Creative Directors

by bazaar staff

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With the appointment of award-winning designers Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne as Creative Directors of DKNY, and by creating the new position of Chief Image Officer (CIO), the prestigious Donna Karan International (DKI) leads the way in the world of design innovation.

Since its inception in 1989, Donna Karan’s vision of capturing New York’s authenticity enters a new evolutionary stage that builds on the brand’s foundation with the appointment of Hector Muelas as CIO and Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne as Creative Directors of DKNY. Communicating what authentic New York means for DKNY will take on new formats, exciting changes and developments, reflect DKNY’s vision in a world of fast living, extreme innovation and global competition at the highest level.

Donna Karan, Founder & Chief Designer, DKI noted, “I started DKNY with the goal of creating a brand that captured the very best of New York and could bring that great energy to the world. It's been an incredible journey. Today DKNY is present from New York to London, Hong Kong to Dubai – all with the genuine expression of this great city.

Now is the right moment for it's evolution and I am so excited for the next chapter of this company, working together with this new creative team.”

This team represents a new creative configuration for the company, dedicated to building a seamless brand experience across design, digital, marketing, architecture and brand messaging.

Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne are the founders and creative directors of Public School, for which they won the CFDA award for Menswear Designer Of The Year in 2014. They were previously the recipients of the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2013. Chow and Osborne will be in charge of all DKNY collections effective immediately, dividing their time between both companies. Each born and raised in New York, they represent the very essence and energy of the city in which they are still based.

Osborne and Chow said, “We both grew up in NY and DKNY has always been part of the landscape of this city in our formative years as designers and as New Yorkers. It is one of the brands that helped change the game for us and for American fashion. It evokes everything our city was always about – energy, disruption, new thinking and transcending all boundaries. We are extremely proud and excited to be joining the company and to contribute to the next chapter of DKNY, one of the most iconic American brands created by Donna Karan, a true inspiration.”

Hector Muelas will be in charge of all areas of brand image, marketing and creative services for DKI, as well as all digital platforms and e-commerce.

He joins DKI from Apple Inc. where he held the role of Creative Director of Worldwide Marketing Communications, in charge most recently of leading the global brand marketing initiatives for Apple Watch. Prior to joining Apple, Hector held

creative and executive positions at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Los Angeles and Wieden+Kennedy in Amsterdam, where he developed award-winning creative for brands such as Nike and Coca Cola, among others.

Hector Muelas says, “I am thrilled to join Donna Karan International, which has always been based on the brand truths of innovation and empowerment. Those values are very meaningful in

today’s cultural context, and provide an incredible creative opportunity for the brand.”

For more information, please visit www.dkny.com.

Shop the DKNY spring collection at 2nd Avenue – The Avenues (2259 7111), Marina Mall (2224 4842) and Mall 360 (2530 9911). Stay updated about the collection by following Al Yasra Fashion on Instagram @alyasra.

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bazaar techno Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. ~ Arthur C. Clarke

GASWATCH

TOOLETRIES CASE

OCULUS RIFT VR HEADSET

Grilling season has official begun here in Kuwait.

Make it more enjoyable with GasWatch. This app connects to a Bluetooth scale for your propane tank, and measures the tank's weight to give you an accurate readout of how much gas you have left. It can also alert you when you're running low, and tell you how much cooking time you have left — so you don't put on a roast that takes an hour and a half to cook when you only have 45 minutes of gas remaining. Now if only it could go and pick up the meat from the shop…

OK, so it isn’t tech by the usual definition of the word. But it is ultra-cool, and looks like a tool box, hence the name. It screams of Batman style utility storage! The Tooletries Case isn't made to carry wrenches, emergency hammer and nails or drivers. Instead, it's made to carry your bathroom gear when you're on the go. A hard-shell exterior ensures that your cologne, razor, face wash and other essentials stay protected, silicone netting keeps things organized, and an over-molded grip makes it easy to yank hurriedly out of a packed suitcase. One for the beard patrol.

In many ways, it's the grandfather of virtual reality headsets, yet it's just now becoming a real product. After years of prototypes and hype, the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset will finally be shipping to consumers in early 2016. Specs for the headset are still under wraps, but it's quite clear that it will launch with a thriving ecosystem of content including everything from advanced tech demos to fully-realized gaming experiences, with the hardware offering improved tracking, a more refined design, and updated ergonomics compared to the most recent prototypes. Oh, and of course, Facebook's (their owners) support.

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IKAWA COFFEE ROASTER

TOMTOM BANDIT ACTION CAMERA

CROSLEY REVOLUTION TURNTABLE

The less time between your beans being roasted and brewed, the fresher the coffee. The Ikawa Coffee Roaster lets you make the freshest drink possible by roasting your own beans at home.

It uses a smartphone app to tailor the roasting process to the type of bean and to your personal preference. The only moving part is a cyclonestyle fan that was patented with the support of James Dyson, so it's not likely to become blocked or break down, and since unroasted green coffee stays fresh way longer than pre-roasted beans, you can enjoy super-fresh cups way after your latest shipment arrives.

Pretty much any action camera can capture good footage. It's what you do with it afterwards that counts. Stepping up the game from the GoPro, the TomTom Bandit Action Camera aims to make it simpler than ever to make videos of your adventures. Using integrated GPS and various sensors, the camera monitors your speed, altitude, G-force, and acceleration to automatically find and tag your most exciting action moments. The preedited highlight reel is then sent to the companion smartphone app via the built-in media server, letting you quickly share it and get back to what you were doing.

The centrepiece of a great hi-fi system, this is not. But the Crosley Revolution Turntable can do something your high-end player can't: go everywhere with you. Smaller than a record case, able to run off of 4xAA batteries, and weighing in at under two pounds, it's one of the most portable options around, and also has a USB port than can be used for power or for ripping your vinyl to a computer. This isn’t one for the most serious audiophile, however it is a great solution should you need, or want, to play that special piece of wax. Available in four colors.

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THE BUCKET LIST Let’s plan to tick that box by bazaar staff

If you are anything like me, you began seething and sneering when people started talking about making bucket lists a few years back. You, having heard of the movie of the same name, and having become somewhat familiar with its overly sentimental shtick about living every moment to life’s fullest extent, were left with the feeling that it all fell somewhere between inauthentic and the latest in a long line of lies the masses occasionally sell themselves to convince themselves they are not…uh…themselves. As if somehow the reality of times passage and the ultimate morbidity of such a task as making a pre-death list could be assuaged if we all just did it together. But like the old adage says, “no matter where you go, there you are” and so thus, you know, there is no escaping yourself in the end. Or the end, in the end. I digress…

So you laughed at bucket lists, in the beginning.

Mainly because it’s your duty. Because, if this isn’t the type of thing you were already doing before the movie came out, there was little chance that Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as old sacks of skin jumping out of planes were going to change your mind—yet it became a thing, before you knew it. Like the Macarena, like Living la Vida Loca, like YOLO, like WAG’s (footballer wives and girlfriends— did that ever catch on here yet?). It just suddenly became a thing we were all simultaneously aware of. Thus is the pulse of the modern world. What would a bucket list be if you didn’t post the list and every single update to it for the world to see?

Now that it’s been a few years, and the smoke has cleared—or maybe, admittedly, I’m just 86

getting older—I have revisited the subject anew.

Not because I feel any differently about following the herd as we mooooo-ve (get it? #cowjokes) from one pop psychosis to the next, but simply, the times are a changing. True, in a way laughing at bucket lists wasn't really laughing at “a dobefore-I-die list” at all, it was objecting to the idea that such a thing should be prescribed; might be mainstream, and that, to perform the act publicly and broadcasting it could only ever be painfully inauthentic. Still, somewhere, the idea started in me that a list might not have to be fake or contrived. I started to care less about the fact that a list might suck the spontaneity out of an event and more concerned with the fact that the events on the list might otherwise not happen at all if not prioritized.

But here's the thing. I make a lot of lists, to be honest: list of things to do today; list of things to do this week; list of things to do this year. In fact, writing this article was on my list for today (check!).

Call it the consequence of an increasingly busy life but it's the only way I know how to assure myself that anything gets done these days. Otherwise it's lost in the ether somewhere between intent and wish I had.

Recently I've thought a great deal about loss.

About age. About time. And part of that is coming to terms with the fact that I can't do everything that there will ever be to do. A sentiment that probably should be obvious but is actually a bit hard to swallow. That part of life—and increasingly as one gets older—is about being judicious where you spend your time. Recognizing that in actuality,

all life and time is a series of trades: one thing for another. You trade the excitement of the unknown for the stability of marriage—or vice versa. You trade the hard work and pain of having children for the ability to feel a love that is truly defined outside of your own personal interest and happiness. You trade nights for mornings, time for money, friends for family, etc. etc. ad nauseum. I will not presume to tell you what your trades are—you know them.

But the intersection where finite time crosses the totality of a life’s experience leads me back inevitably to the only tool that I have ever known to help me accomplish a simple task (or at least increase the odds that I will)...the list.

So whether you call it the bucket list, the Phuket list (as in a list of places you want to travel of course!), or just call it Al, the only way to stay on track with your priorities is to set a plan.

A plan which, for me anyways meant letting go of my preconceived notions that just because a thing might have started as something that may seem inauthentic, doesn’t mean that is how I have to take it on. I can, instead, find my own take away within it. Find the simple distilled truth and apply it as you see fit to your life. Part of which for me, sometimes, means laying down the snark machine, toning back the sarcasm and attempting to express the simple unvarnished full-hearted, earnest intent as it changes through time. So there you go. One more thing crossed off the list for this month.

Go ahead—live a little before you die…make a bucket list! But please do me a favor and call the list Al or something.

SEMSOM

WHAT NOT TO WEAR Males in Kuwait edition

by Susu K.

Creativity and personal style in a male’s wardrobe should always be encouraged. But recently the guys of Kuwait are all starting to look alike, and unfortunately not in a good way. There are some major violations happening out there, and no fashion police to prevent them (or at least make fun of them). It is for this reason civilians need to take the couture law into their own hands and start handing out tickets to fashion offenders.

Citizens of Kuwait, the following transgressions need to be addressed and prevented: The world is a stage, not a gym This following offense has gone unreprimanded for too long. Yes there are some of you out there that go to the gym and then decide to run errands or meet friends without changing into something more appropriate, and I understand that. There are those of you out there however, that, let's be honest, haven't seen the inside of a gym since you mistakenly walked into one looking for a bathroom last year, and yet are decked out in full workout gear. Track pants that rip off the side, shirts that wick away sweat, and running shoes that enhance your speed are not designed to be worn while you have your daily shisha with the boys. Looking like you are about to break into a workout at any moment is not a sexy look, nor is it a believable one either.

88

Hole of an offense!

Rubber shoes are great…at the beach! There is a time and place for rubber shoes that are full of holes. That place is not your job, the mall, or a fine dining eatery, and the time is not all the time.

Rubber shoes are comfortable and easy to clean but do nothing when it comes to looking stylish and cool. These airy shoes are not replacements for slippers or sneakers for that matter. Simply pairing them with your wardrobe is not sufficient enough to turn them into polished items. Buying yellow ones and matching them up with your yellow sweatshirt does not a style make. Now as if this offense was not bad enough, some of you out there are choosing to wear these intentionally drafty shoes with socks. Does this not defeat the purpose?

Wearing rubber shoes on your feet in mainland Kuwait is comparable to wearing snorkeling goggles to a classroom; they just don’t fit.

So, that’s a purse?

And what is it with the toiletry bag being carried around by everyone? Isn't that just a clutch for men (a.k.a. a purse)? These small cases are made to contain ones toiletries while traveling. Are you all walking around with shampoo, shaving cream, razors, and Q-tips? If that is the case then please continue using these small bags as you have understood what their purpose is. For those of you placing wallets and packs of cigarettes in there,

you are just carrying a very unstylish purse. Pretty sure you can go back to placing your belongings in your pocket as you have done for years. This does not mean, of course, that you can replace your toilet case with a fanny pack. Unlike the above mentioned items of clothing, there is never a time and place for a fanny pack.

Sizes do matter Looking fly is not only about what you wear, but also what size you wear it in. There seems to be a lot of denial out there. Many guys will not accept the fact that they are not a size small. They squeeze themselves into these tight t-shirts and skinny jeans (not a good look). Conversely, there are those that are tiny in stature and believe wearing XL clothing will give the illusion of grandeur (not the case). If you have to take a deep breathe to get into your shirt, or can fit two of your homies in your pants with you, you are wearing the wrong size.

It’s one season all over It cannot be summer on your legs and winter on your arms, or vice versa. If you are in the mood to wear shorts, that’s fine, but combining it with a sweater, earmuffs, and Russian fur hat is just wrong. Pick a season and commit! And while we are on the topic, what is the point of winter vests?

Is it only cold on your chest?

This has been a public service fashion announcement.

ASHA'S

bazaar goes dining

PINTXOS Fusion tapas and beyond! by bazaar staff

As soon as you walk through the elegant patio doors at Pintxos you will feel as if you’ve walked into a futuristic realm, as the multileveled ceiling design features conical light fixtures that will most definitely command your attention. With deep shades of grey and black set against beautiful lime green sofas and deep royal hues, Pintxos’ dining layout is perfectly positioned for small groups and gatherings.

Located on the always-buzzing Seif Strip of restaurants and local boutiques, Pintxos is part of the The Sultan Center Group of Restaurants by acclaimed local restaurateur and Chef Ahmed Al-Bader, where a menu inspired by a style of cooking skewered tapas, goes to great lengths in delivering the finest fusion flavors.

The atmosphere at Pintxos is palpable with constant creation; you can’t help but overhear the acclaim coming from the group of people huddled around the restaurant’s modern rendition of the traditional shisha, and the exclamation of delight over platefuls of tapas that will thrill 90

even the most avid of foodies. With an ambience that echoes with easy chic, and dishes that are as multifaceted as the décor, Pintxos will have you coming back to try more and more of their innovative tapas.

Built around the Basque word for 'spike', the culinary take on ‘Pintxo’ means skewered foods, and the good people at Pintxos have taken this term to new culinary heights. Also steering this culinary enterprise is Chef Abdulrahman AlKhashan, who started with The Sultan Center Group of Restaurants back in October 2013. He describes the experience so far as gratifying, given that his skills as a chef are constantly being honed and developed. Not only did we learn more about this terrific concept from Chef Al-Khashan, we were lucky to have our taste buds guided by his fantastic dish recommendations that made our experience even more memorable. When it comes to his favorite dishes at Pintxos, Al-Khashan loves the tomato Andalus, the spicy yet simply chargrilled chiles in the Pimentos de Padron, and

the delectable quail lollipops (yes, you read that correctly!). He added, “Anything that comes out of the Josper grill/oven is always a treat!”

When it comes to dining at Pintxos, it is recommended that you arrive hungry, and with plenty of friends to share in their many delightful offerings. You’re really never at a loss when it comes to choosing where to begin, as most of their tapas and main dishes can be enjoyed as a sharing dish. We loved the Crispy Duck Salad, with roasted-then-fried shredded duck, crispy rocket leaves, filo shreds, spinach, pomegranates and a pomegranate dressing. The tartness of the pomegranate worked perfectly with the crisped pieces of duck! The Pimente de Padron, as recommended by the chef, are simple yet flavorful. When it came to choosing which type of meaty lollipop to go with, we opted for the Chicken Lollipop, which arrived as rounded and breaded balls of chicken mousse with a honey soy dipping sauce. The skewered pieces of chicken mousse are highly addictive – you’ve been warned! You

could also have the same lollipop concoction in the form of quail and shrimp, as each version is infused with special spaces that truly complement each type of protein, making each and every skewered lollipop an indulgent experience.

Pintxos has taken tapas to fusion-filled frontiers. We tried a Wagyu Asian-inspired Spring Roll, complete with an incredibly light and airy horseradish dipping sauce and we also sampled the Grilled Tiger Shrimp, which arrived with a side of Asian marinade. The Middle Eastern favorite that is chicken liver is given a twist with soy and mirin sauce, daikon radish, onion and chili. The calming aroma of green tea is infused in the form of a remoulade that accompanies the tempura Rock Shrimp tapa, and even Mexican favorites are reimagined in the most dazzling of ways!

The Chicken Tacos at Pintxos are excellent.

They truly embody the flavors of Mexico with every single delicious bite. Every mouthful delivers the perfect balance between succulent chicken, fresh guacamole, cheese, and caramelized onions. The

dish also arrives with chargrilled corn on the cob and Padron chilies. If you’re only in the mood for a small mouthful, then choose the chicken Tostadas, a mini taco in one bite! If you’re in the mood for seafood, beef, or good ol' vegetables, you can rest easy because both the tacos and tostadas at Pintxos can be prepared with various types of protein or veggies according to your palate.

One of our favorite dishes was a rather simple one: The Coca flatbread with Mushrooms drizzled in an herb-infused aioli expertly balanced the earthiness of the mushrooms. If you like dishes that simply highlight the freshness of the ingredients utilized, then this flatbread won’t disappoint! We also highly recommend the Happy Bites, because in it you will find true bliss in the form of four skewered mini sandwiches. You can choose from a tenderloin beef bite with tomato jam, cheddar cheese and guacamole. Your other Happy Bites options include shrimp with a sweet chili glaze and filo tempura, Chicken with hoisin sauce and Gruyere cheese, crispy leeks with

citrus aioli, and delicious fish with a signature homemade Pintxos tartar sauce. If you’re looking for a very beefy encounter, then the skewered tenderloin beef cubes, cooked to medium perfection and set atop a root vegetable mash, will definitely tantalize your palate by offering you a mini beef roast with every bite. We thoroughly enjoyed the fact that everything is made from scratch at Pintxos, the homemade sauces expertly complement the dishes, and you’ll be left asking for more!

If you’re looking for something sweet to end your Pintxos experience, we recommend the traditional yet localized Crème Catalan, infused with a hint of Cardamom! We also loved the cocktails at Pintxos, as none of their offerings utilize processed syrups, everything is made from scratch!

For your Pintxos experience, head to the Seif Strip on Gulf Road. Pintxos is open from 12 p.m.

– 12 a.m. Please call 2249 8325 and follow them on Instagram @Pintxoskw.

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VKO

OOL

KUWAIT'S NEW EATS JUST IN TIME FOR IFTAR!

Ramadan is just around the corner, and Kuwait’s food scene is gearing up for a delicious month. Whether you want to keep to a lean and healthy diet, are looking for something heavier from home, or want to try a new kind of burger, restaurateurs have opened something for everyone.

At bazaar we took the initiative and went out to try each of these new concepts. Every one of them has its own distinct flavor and flair. Yet they all reminded us of one thing; how great the food in this little Gulf country really is.

by bazaar staff

PARK BURGER

Our obsession with burgers is fed with yet another concept that has made its international debut in Kuwait. Park Burger is well known in Denver, Colorado for its award winning burgers, incredibly fresh shakes and amazing pressed juices. We checked out their Al-Tijaria location and the delectable, fresh burgers did not disappoint.

The original Park Burger comes with your choice of a 5.3-ounce or 4-ounce of pure beef patty. It is topped with the traditional lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions, along with their special Park Sauce. We wanted to try something a little daring too, and went for their specialty: The Healthy Boulder. Caramelized onions, granny smith apples, brie, rocca leaf and a balsamic reduction turned out to be an amazing combination with their delicious juicy patty.

Park Burger Kuwait is located at Al Tijaria Tower, ground floor, and are open 1:00pm - 10:45pm. For more information call 2244 0487 or visit their website www.parkburger.com. Follow them on Instagram @parkburgerkw.

UP TOWN RESTAUR AN T & C AFE

In the heart of Kuwait City is a fresh taste of unique flavors and dishes.

Their patio seating, surrounded by potted plants, creates a relaxed atmosphere where you can truly enjoy all the unique offerings in the city’s latest dining sensation. Though the weather may be heating up, you can easily cool down with their refreshing fresh juices, particularly the watermelon.

For our healthy starter we chose the Trio Quinoa Salad, a medley of white, red and black quinoa, fresh mint vinaigrette, feta cheese and oranges. Then, to indulge a bit, we chose the Spicy Shrimp, a lightly marinated crispy shrimp, tossed in a mild spicy sauce. For our main, we chose to share the Lemongrass Beef Pizzetta. Juicy slow-cooked shredded beef topped a crispy pizzetta laden with amazing lemongrass sauce. After the first bite we regretted the decision to share.

The Uptown Restaurant & Cafe is located in Sharq on Ahmad Al Jaber St. facing Al Awadi Mosque. Their soft opening hours are from 6:00pm - 11:00pm Monday to Saturday. For more information call 2247 0068 or visit them on Instagram @uptownkw.

KISHK This delivery-only option will have you walking the streets of Beirut, the bustling roads of Cairo and down the paved walkways in Amman. Kishk is a contemporary street food restaurant. Their authentic and regional food is served with a delicious modern twist.

We started by trying their specialty, the Beef Doner. Topped with tomatoes, onions, parsley and yoghurt, and pressed in a delicious pita bread, it’s a taste of the Middle East of today. We also tried their Chicken Musakhan, mixed with onion, sumac and pine nuts, it is like having your aunty’s home cooking wrapped in a thin delicious pita bread.

Kishk is open from 8.00am – 11.00pm, Saturday to Thursday. For delivery call 2209 1055 or 9609 9894 or check them out on talabat.com. Follow them on Instagram @kishkfood.

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FANTASY WORLD

KUWAIT'S NEW EATS [...continued]

INGREDIENTS Watching your calories for that perfect beach body?

Then Ingredients is the ideal place for you. Their dishes are all made out of only the freshest produce and they add all the nutrition information to every dish. So, no more wondering if that salad is actually good for you, or if you are taking in hidden calories. Fear not though, Ingredients’ dishes are still quite filling, and are definitely delicious.

We chose the Roasted Pumpkin Salad, delicious roasted pumpkin pieces atop a medley of greens that includes kale and mint. Feta cheese and pine nuts give an added creaminess and crunch to this 357 calorie dish.

The Rocca Salad packs quite a punch with strawberries, pomegranate, rocca leaves, almond shaves and parmesan.

At only 216 calories, it is the perfect lunch for the health nut in you.

Ingredients is located in Kuwait City Mirqab on Abdullah Almubarak St. in front of the Souq Safa parking, and is open from 12.00pm - 9.00pm Saturday to Thursday. For delivery please call 2241 2336, follow them on Instagram @ingredientskwt, or visit them on talabat.com.

DOUGH Watch out Kuwait, there’s a new brunch place in town, and it’s incredible. Dough may be breaking into a saturated market, but they have put themselves above the rest by placing, in plain site, their bread-making process. From plain toast to their specialty, the Boo Boo buns, everything is made fresh, and its in the beachfront Miral food complex.

Our delicious breakfast started with their scrambled avocado sandwich. Their fresh baked toast is topped with a delicious avocado spread and fluffy scrambled eggs.

Chunks of avocado, cherry tomatoes and parsley top the sandwich for a refreshing and filling breakfast sandwich.

For dessert we chose the Boo Boo bun, a sweet fresh baked bread, filled with nutella. Delicious as it is, only the brave should face this deliciousness alone.

Dough is located in the Miral Complex in Mangaf, and is open from 8.00am - 12 midnight. For more information call 2228 2154 or follow them on Instagram @mydough.

H E A LT H Y F E A S T

At Healthy Feast, it’s all about fresh. So fresh in fact that the menu changes based on the availability of ingredients in the Kuwait market. The small restaurant is decorated with light wood, white walls and fresh plants. You feel healthy just walking in, and then there’s the food…

We couldn’t decide on just one salad, so we went for the choice of three options. The mashed beets with truffle cashew cheese gave the earthy root a delicious creamy undertone. The fresh eggplant with yoghurt and dakka burst with flavor, despite its simplicity. Our favorite by far was the carrot salad made with hummous.

Healthy Feast is currently in soft opening so their hours are 2.00pm - 9.30pm, Monday to Saturday. They are based in Bneid AlGar, Block 3, Street 65. For more information you can call 2241 2437 or email: info@healthy-feast.com.

Follow them on Instagram @healthy_feast.

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A little sparkle by VOUS, pour vous

VOUS FINE JEWELRY by bazaar staff

“Every piece is made especially for you,” Creative Director of VOUS Fine Jewelry, Sahar Al Naqeeb smiled. That was the inspiration the media company, GRID, used when Sahar and her husband, Imad Alnaqib, approached them to establish their new jewelry concept. “When 98

it came to naming the brand, the idea was to focus on our ideal customer – YOU, or VOUS in French,” Sahar added. With a name in place and the concept designs implemented – Sahar had officially launched a fine jewelry instaBoutique.

Unique and refreshing, this Kuwaiti brand has

hit the ground running with their beautifully crafted designs.

“I’ve always had an interest in jewelry,” Sahar stated, “I had rough sketches of different pieces and my husband encouraged me to start sharing my ideas with designers to get the final product.”

Seeing the response and results of the sketches pushed Sahar to pursue a career in jewelry design.

Creating VOUS Fine Jewelry with her husband has given her the freedom to design what she wants to see in the market. Not only are her designs original, but she also has an international team of designers exclusively designing for VOUS. With collections that aren’t only stunning, but also practical, VOUS combines style and fashion to give any outfit a little oomph. Using the highest quality gems, the jewelry is deemed perfect for every occasion and for jewelry lovers of all ages alike.

Creative, modern, timeless – these are the words Sahar uses to describe her fine jewelry line.

Like the revolutionary Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashion fades, style is eternal.” That’s why VOUS Fine Jewelry is made to accentuate and compliment your style. While some pieces are created for the everyday woman, others can be reserved for special occasions. Nothing is mass-produced and every item is made with love and its own sense of individuality.

Even their trendier pieces have an air of exclusivity to them, making them as timeless as the more classic pieces. Selling the items through Instagram and exhibitions around the country, Sahar is still working on procuring a physical shop. “We’re just waiting to settle down,” Sahar laughs.

Drawing inspiration from her travels, Sahar’s pieces are gorgeous. She has an eye for spotting a great design that can be interpreted in a different form. Tapping into the jewelry market, she sketches out designs she likes, while repurposing them with her own twist. “I also get inspiration from vintage pieces of jewelry and try to modernize them into a trendy look,” she adds. When an idea strikes, Sahar’s always prepared – her sketchbook is never too far away. Regardless of her location, when she finds herself inspired by something, she immediately puts it to paper and implements it once she gets back.

The designs are beautifully crafted and the amount of thought that goes into each piece is inspiring and has a story behind it.

Using only the finest of stones, her designs are created with solid gold settings. Be it rose, white, or yellow gold, the diamonds, emeralds, and rubies are delicately placed to highlight the piece’s beauty.

Also incorporating rhodium and oxidized silver as a base, the rose-cut gems daintily adorn the piece.

Every piece is made entirely by hand and takes up to three weeks to be completed. This attention to detail is beautiful and adds to the value of each piece you receive. The best part is that everything is in limited quantities! Not being a fan of massproduction, nothing is created in a factory and it is all handmade, meaning that the same design normally isn’t reproduced more than three times, so you’re guaranteed unique pieces with every purchase! Go on, indulge in the beauty of precision and covetable designs.

If you’re in the market for something timeless, yet trendy, and beautiful, VOUS has just the pieces for you. You’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd with their fabulous, unique pieces. Follow them on Instagram @vousfinejewelry to find out more.

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ADOLESCENT IMBECILELY

by Ayman Nassar

Bullying is a negative phenomenon that has always plagued mankind, ever evolving through the times. Today, mean tweets and Facebook posts serve to replace shoulder tackles and name calling from the days of yore. Unfortunately it does not end with school; it can remain a specter in our lives for long after, a pungent after taste remaining in our psyche of a time long gone, which sometimes feels like it only occurred yesterday.

At one point in time, you or someone you know were subjected to/participated in bullying. It could have been yesterday, last month, last year, or over a decade ago. The feeling of helplessness remains a constant for all that experienced bullying.

Over a decade and a half ago I was bullied in high school. The thoughts, feelings and memories remain as strong as though they were yesterday. No one knew about it (except the people witnessing it day in and day out for a period of 2 or 3 years and laughing it up), I never spoke out loud of it and I emerged on the other side, pretty much whole but slightly mentally wincing when coming across any reminder from that fateful mistake in 1998. I can look back at it now and laugh, knowing the extent that some people will go to in order to mock and ridicule others. It may be hilarious now, but back then it was no laughing matter.

Some refer to it as growing pains, others call it toughening up. The most common response to 100

such predicaments are the age old and time tried phrases of “they will get what they deserve”, “they are just acting out”, “ignore them and maybe they will go away”. However, it does not go away, at least not entirely. We have Facebook to thank for that, as both the culprit and the solace.

Facebook, the historic whitewash that amends our past and puts us in contact with people we never intended to remain in contact with, for a variety of reasons. On this magical platform, where a few years down the line you are most likely to run into your high school bully, the transgressions of the past are erased in a flurry of internet meme’s, ludicrous videos and hungry cats. In this utopian wonderland, everyone is equal, everyone is a ‘friend’, your high school bully from a lifetime ago, and the co-worker you just met at lunch 10 minutes ago.

It does not do the mind, heart and body well to continuously dwell on the pains of the past.

However, more often than not it is a subconscious request for closure that manifests itself in the form of sporadic dreams and deep thoughts. How can closure be obtained? By simply checking our old friend Facebook once more, and articulating your thoughts and feelings into a well written letter.

I was able to connect with my bully through a post a classmate made. The response I received, as they were gracious enough to respond, was

not what I had anticipated. Initially, they had no recollection of me as a person nor of what they had done as an action.

And herein lies the most important lesson you will learn; the past plays out differently for different people. In the 1600s, in what is now known as Peru, there were two sets of history books, ones written by the descendants of Francisco Pizarro that explain how they became richer by 24 tons of gold and silver (the largest ransom in history), whilst the books written by Atahuallpa’s descendants speak of the decimation and extinction of the Incas (history, read it).

Upon digging deeper into our past, the cobwebs were cleared to an extent to explain who I was, despite being fuzzy on the details of what they had done, they were extremely apologetic and regretted the decisions they had made 17 years ago.

In spite of not letting it go (to an extent), bullying does not stop you from achieving success in your life. You will come to the conclusion that the series of incidents that took place X years ago, that you carry with you wherever you go in the recesses of your brain, were trivial, nay, inconsequential to the other party. However, you will have gained your closure. And to some extent it does play a great role in the grander scheme of things, to have the knowledge that what had transpired in the past can be chalked down to adolescent imbecilely.

BURJ AL HAMAM 1

GOODBYE WINTER FAT, HELLO RAMADAN Spring clean your body during the Fast!

by Natalie Mekahal

Do you love to eat? I do! I am here on a mission to guide you in what foods to eat all year-round, starting this month with the summer season and the holy month of Ramadan, the perfect way to begin a full detox and re-evaluate your dietary needs. You’re thinking “that’s another lady telling us to eat salad every meal? Let me just skip this article and look at beautiful pictures.” But wait, I can show you exactly how to welcome summer with a fresher and more beautiful you, without any boring salads for lftar to break your fast!

Food is a culture in Kuwait. Social gatherings, business meetings, dates, and hunger all make you want to try a new restaurant in Kuwait each week.

How exciting is that? One day you feel like you are in Italy as you crunch on the last pizza bite, the next week you taste the rich and creamy hummus of Lebanon, and by the end of the month you are in Tokyo overindulging on sushi. When you eat out, you really do not have control of what is being put into your food, which makes us sometimes doubt our culinary choices.

The culprit here is not only quantity and quality of food; it’s how inflamed our bodies are with all the toxins in the food we have been eating over the years. Inflammation is the swelling of the body; it is our body’s way of telling us that they are in danger and we need to find a solution to reverse the hidden problem. Maintaining a strong, healthy immunity is the only way to fight disease, infections and physical pain. Inflammation primarily causes pain because the swelling pushes against the nerve endings which are sensitive, and send pain signals to the brain.

Let us ditch that pain, and the excess fat with our last bittersweet date with inflammation. Let us put it to sleep, Kuwait!

Inflammation is an important key factor, because it helps us in fighting off or preventing arthritis, joint pain, fatigue, headaches, fever, gastrointestinal problems, acne, allergies and auto immune diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or cancer). There is a saying that states “abs are made in the kitchen.” And this is true because no matter how long or hard a person exercises, it all comes down to the quality of food and lifestyle choices. People who fast, especially during Ramadan, usually break their fast with yoghurt and dates, which is a great combination. However, people always wonder is a healthy option to eat for Iftar after a long day of fasting.

Here are 10 anti-inflammatory foods that are proven to fight off inflammation in the body and should be staples in all diets and cuisine: 1. Avocados are a buttery fruit that are versatile and can be served with a pinch of sea salt and olive oil, or a teaspoon of raw honey.

They are a great source of healthy unsaturated fat and antioxidants.

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2. Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain which is an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. The vitamin C in this sweet fruit helps us in achieving a healthy summer glow.

3. Garlic is not only a wonderful ingredient in your meals, but also helps to prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked, and thus decreasing the formation of blood clots.

4. Onions will make your eyes tear, but boy will they make you smile with their anti-inflammatory properties and protection against heart disease, diabetes and cancer!

5. Turmeric is a spice that is not spicy at all!

It is mostly used in curries to give it a nice yellow color. Curcumin, which is found in turmeric, has overwhelming benefits which have been found to help combat Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and cancer.

6. Spinach is loaded with vitamin B, vitamin E and omega-3’s which are all anti-inflammatory.

7. Sirloin steak or grass-fed beef serve you a healthy dose of omega-3’s, beta carotene (hello, summer glow!), vitamin E and CLA which improves blood sugar and reduces body fat.

8. Duck is high in saturated fat like all meats, and is very good for our bodies when it comes from healthy, grass-fed animals. Duck is rich in vitamin B-3, proteins, iron, and selenium which improve the

body’s immunity because of its antioxidant role.

9. Salmon is high in good fats and omega-3s. It is always better to choose wild salmon rather than farmed. Salmon helps repair damaged cells and helps control inflammation.

10. Dark Chocolate. Yes, dark chocolate. This is not a typo. Chocolate is a very nutritious food.

Choose a high quality of chocolate made with organic cacao beans, without any added milk or sugar. Opt for 85 percent, 90% or even 100% cacao bars. Real chocolate is bitter and one serving is more than enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The antioxidants and flavonoids found in this little piece of paradise reduce the inflammation that can cause a stroke, heart attacks or embolisms.

Keep this copy of bazaar with you next time you are grocery shopping or eating out! Make sure you are eating most foods from this list, daily. Your skin, which is your largest organ, and your body will thank you for your healthy small changes in your diet. Stay healthy, stay gorgeous.

Have a great holiday folks, and Ramadan Kareem!

Natalie Mekahal is a personal shopper and natural and organic healthy lifestyle guru. You can follow her on Instagram or Facebook @WholeStyle.Me or email her on WholeStyleMe@gmail.com

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GEOMETRY OF COLOUR

Ricardas Blazukas unveils his art to Kuwait’s creative community Ricardas Blazukas is an eclectic independent artist and professional architect whose work portfolio ranges from abstract painting and photography, to cast sculpture and ceramics. His work, published in UK design magazines and sold on the prestigious Saatchi Art online platform, is best known for his skilled touch and instinctive response to color. His first solo exhibition in Kuwait, “Geometry of Colour,” which ended on the 4th June, opened last month in Almakan’s art gallery to great success, with most of his paintings selling out on the opening night of the exhibition.

By bazaar staff

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Raised in Lithuania, a small country in Northern Europe, to a musical family, Ricardas spent nearly a decade at a leading music school, but his passion for art took over in his early teens when he started attending art school. At an early age he was exposed to a variety of cultures - a Lithuanian upbringing, Polish schooling and growing up amongst a Russian community, all of which taught him “how to adapt in a multi-cultural society.” He believes this shaped both his artistic and personal identity and sent him overseas to experience more, “I believe for this reason only I decided to move to London as soon as I turned eighteen.” Living in London for seven years, Ricardas undertook architectural studies and grew professionally as an architect designer. He moved to Kuwait nine months ago to work at one of the leading architectural companies in Kuwait, PACE. He says, “I wonder if I would be in Kuwait right now if I wasn’t open to new environments. I think these moments in life are not just a change of location, but also a sort of

subconscious influence on my artist’s identity. My work isn’t focused on one culture only, I look for inspiration wherever I can find it.”

Ricardas’ work has been the talk of the town, so bazaar sat down with him to hear more about his vision, inspirations and aspirations.

What got you started in the fields of art and architecture?

I think that my interest in art grew naturally. I never thought I’d be an artist when I was a child.

I didn’t know how to draw and believed that only those naturally gifted could be artists. For some reason, I still wanted to get into art school. Whilst there, I remember my painting teacher told me he had no clue how to draw, although he was a great expressionist through his paintings. This gave me confidence in what I was doing at the time. In order to apply for an architecture degree in Lithuania, taking an academic drawing exam is compulsory. I decided to pursue a career in architecture, because I couldn’t see myself on any other pathway.

How do you think your architecture background has also influenced your art?

The architecture degrees which I undertook were very experimental and influenced by art. For example, I spent my last year of the Architecture Master’s degree throwing pots and various odd objects, building my own kilns and firing ceramics. I had great freedom to experiment with architecture through art. People thought I was not focusing on the right things, but I pulled off a distinction for my Master’s Degree Graduation project Ceramics Quarter in Marrakech. Most of my idols that year were artists, such as Jun Kaneko, Ken Price, Peter Shire, James Turrell… I think there is a lot of space for art in Architecture, and vice versa.

Why focus on geometry and color in this latest series?

Geometry is something that I don’t think I will be able to lose in my work anytime soon. I am grateful to have been a student of Design Studio 15 at University of Westminster in London, lead

by Sean Griffiths and Kester Rattenbury. For me, this was the best art and architecture school.

I was encouraged to work with geometry and I knew right away that it was my thing. I’ve gone through a lot of contemplations about geometry , and what color does to it. There’s something really interesting about the meeting points of two [continued...]

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or more geometries. Sculptural form also gives a completely new dimension to geometry.

I have done a lot of work developing the relationship between geometry and color through drawings and sculpture before I came to Kuwait, but at the same time I worked on many of my new ideas here. It was only right to put it all together and show it to people at my current exhibition ‘Geometry of Colour’ at Almakan.

What would you like to convey to people in this series?

I like to offer people abstraction and hear their interpretations of my work. I think this way, the viewer becomes an artist too. The series of paintings which I fully developed in Kuwait is called ‘Intuitive Geometry’. I created them by simply doodling various abstract geometries. These were then taken on to a canvas and drafted with more precision. I enjoy giving people freedom to read what the artworks try to portray. I feel like they attempt to read a message that I subconsciously depicted through my creative process - there is no right or wrong interpretation.

How have people in Kuwait and regionally reacted to your artwork?

There was great interest in my artwork in Kuwait and I’ve had some amazing opportunities to show it to a wider audience. I’ve shown my work in a group show for YourAOK Benchmark event just several months after I moved to Kuwait. Through this show I was lucky to have met the team behind 106

the creative Almakan concept. I also received an opportunity to be a part of K’s PATH exhibition at Boushahri Gallery. I feel that I am getting good exposure and I hope to be able to show my work to a wider audience in the region and beyond soon.

Can you tell us about an event so far which particularly stood out for you?

My first solo show at Almakan. The gallery is small, but very intimate and welcoming. I’m thankful to everyone at Almakan for letting me take complete ownership of the space and curating it just the way I wanted. I had great support from Almakan as well as all other people around me, blogs and various cultural organizations. The opening night was a success with a good turnout and most of my paintings were gone by the end of the night! People were mostly surprised by the work they saw at their doorstep. I’m just happy it all worked out and already can’t wait for the next challenge.

Tell us about your recent exhibition for Artists for K’s PATH? This was a charity exhibition organized by Shaikha Fatima Al Sabah. I was honored to be invited amongst 24 other great artists to take part in this exhibition. I am delighted that all my paintings sold and I’ve contributed to a good cause. I have met a lot of people and this was another good step towards becoming part of Kuwait’s art community.

I understand you are also a fan of graffiti? Do you have plans to get into this or the street art scene in Kuwait?

Graffiti has been around me since my teenage days. I did a lot of work in Lithuania, as well as London. I’ve met a number of graffiti artists here in Kuwait and I’m sure I’ll leave my mark soon! It’s only a matter of time now.

What’s next for Ricardas Blazukas?

Every now and then, I think about what I would do if I had an opportunity to do a huge mural in Kuwait City. I get really excited and I hope this can happen soon.

I would like to continue participating in shows in Kuwait, but will also look for opportunities to show my work in other parts of the region. Next stop Dubai would be perfect!

Anything else you would like the readers to know?

When I came to Kuwait I was told there was no art scene here. When I started painting I realized that there are so many cool and creative things happening. The scene is definitely buzzing with many things to do every weekend. There are people who are trying really hard to make this happen, but the audience needs to show better interest. I would like to invite everyone to come to exhibitions and various cultural gatherings. Look out for these events, participate and support the community!

Get in touch with Ricardas via ricardas@whycgi.com, follow him on Instagram @ricardasofficial and also check out his personal blog about his creative projects on whycgi.com/ricardas. Lastly, if you see him around, stop and say hi! Opening night image courtesy of Jassim Al-Nashmi. All other images provided by the artist.

KFAS

Loaay's Two Cents Got business problems or challenges at work? With his Two Cents page, Loaay Ahmed shares his expertise in strategic management consulting to help managers, employees and entrepreneurs thrive.

Q

You wrote in your last article about the importance of giving customers what they want. What if customers want lower prices and cheaper quality?

That is not the kind of company we would like to be.

What do you do then?

Some consumers prefer high quality to price. Others find spending less money today is more important. People have different interests, priorities and needs. That's why we have brands that produce premium luxury, brands that offer cheap quality products and brands that fill every gap in between. When you start a business, you usually have a passion for a specific product or service. Alternatively, you have spotted a gap and you decided to fill it because the sound of cha ching sounds great to you and you can see it happening. Either way, there's a specific market segment that’s style and needs fit with what your business is about and that segment becomes your number one target. Any other type of customer is icing on the cake, unless you actually produce a product that is a game-changer in the market.

The key thing for any business is to identify that group and focus on it. In most industries, you just can't sell to everyone in the marketplace. Bearing the above in mind, if consumers are telling you they want lower price and quality, then you are either asking the wrong segment, asking the wrong questions, or you are in the wrong market altogether. However, your own existing customers shouldn’t give you answers that are far away from your values and standards because these are the same things that attracted them to you in the first place. The only time where it could be acceptable or at least understandable is if there was a major sudden shift in market conditions – like a financial crisis – that forces them to change their purchase behavior...and that's just my two cents.

Q

I know that as a founder and CEO of my business I should trust my team more and micromanage less, but I'm having serious difficulty trusting that others will do what's best for my business. Is there a cure for this condition?

Have you heard about the Trustol? These are new pills made for entrepreneurs with trusting issues. Unfortunately, they’re not approved yet. So you need to do this the old fashion way. The good news is that nobody is asking you to include your employees in your legal will. You just need to trust them at work. So before anything else, empower them to make decisions. If they have to come to you for every action, lack of trust is a big sign over your head. Once they're empowered, give your employees the standards you think and work by so they can get closer to what you want. Next step is to set the criteria of success for every major project or task so that everyone understands what you consider 'right'. By doing so, you minimize the chances of wrong decisions being made.

Now, to make the transition less challenging for you, don't give 108

the employees full trust at once, give them proportional trust; that's trusting each person gradually based on his/her performance. The more an employee understands your standards and proves himself/ herself, the more you have to let go with that individual. Ultimately, you want to reach a mindset of “I trust and empower everyone and I support them with success criteria. And if one individual is proven untrustworthy, I will continue to trust the others.” Of course, some side effects are quite common with such a prescription. Expect some headache, a few sleepless nights, and mild anxiety, but that's only at the start because you're changing your style...and that's just my two cents.

Q

After serving a client for nine years, the son of the founder took over and terminated our account. By failing to change his mind half our team has been laid off. How can companies have no concern for the impact of their decisions on others?

Change comes with discomfort and sometimes pain. It's human nature. In such times, the managing team or the owners can get desperate and lose focus. Basically, all written and agreed to plans go out of the window. However, it is those very moments that force you to look differently at your business journey, which is something you wouldn't necessarily have done had the status quo remained the same. Here are a couple of obvious lessons to learn from and avoid in the future: 1. If losing one client caused you to let go of half your team, you need to increase the number of your clients so that no single client generates more than 20% of your gross profit. Otherwise, you’ll always be under their mercy and that’s not a healthy way – mentally and financially – to manage your own business.

2. Loyalty means different things to different people. In general, the bigger the client the riskier it is to retain them for the long term.

So be realistic and seize the moment. Price your services strategically to create a balance between developing a strong relationship for the future and today’s profitability knowing that the next order may be their last. Change happens all the time. What you need to ask yourself is what external changes might occur next? And what internal changes do you need to make to be prepared, or better yet, to benefit from it all?... and that's just my two cents.

For Loaay Ahmed’s advice on business or work matters, send a short email to loaay@knightscapital.com. Regrettably, only the questions chosen for publishing will be answered.

Loaay Ahmed is a management adviser and strategic expert. To learn more about Loaay and his consulting service, strategic business therapy, visit www.knightscapital.com.

ABOU SID

G O O D T H I N G S C O M E I N JARS From the makers of Kuwait’s Choowy Goowy

by bazaar staff

Ten years ago, one of the first local food concepts in Kuwait started with a jar filled with incredible, fresh and delicious chocolate chip cookies. The yellow, purple and pink logo from Choowy Goowy was bound to make anyone smile.

Now, the creators of this one-of-a-kind concept have something more adult coming soon to Kuwait for those of us who grew up with Choowy Goowy, and it’s adeptly named Jar. 110

“The whole thing started with a jar,” said Fajer Hayat, Marketing and Public Relations Senior Coordinator at Al-Manar Food. “We were the only place that made cookies in a jar, freshly sealed every day. Also the jar is so diverse, you could put anything into it. You could use it for spices, pickles, someone even put a goldfish in there.”

Jar is a concept based on these same ideas.

Their food is fresh, and the entire concept is the

result of the hard work of the Al Manar Food team.

Founder Essa Behbehani gave invaluable experience on creating a menu and concept that is successful in Kuwait. Yousef Al Munayes, their Business Director and Essa’s longtime friend, was integral to the menu creation and helping curate ideas of local chefs and foodies. Their designer, Khaled Al Awadhi debuted his architectural talents in Kuwait with the design of the space. The result of this labor of love

is a welcoming restaurant, with incredible dishes.

We pulled up to the new restaurant hub next to the Sahara club, and were immediately struck by the modern yet quaint feel of the area. Two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows enclose Jar. Sunlight pours in throughout the day and strikes the light wooden fixtures, colorful paintings and decorative copper hangings. It feels natural and as welcoming as the jars have been for the past ten years.

Our adult palates were amazed by dishes that were fresh, healthy and gorgeous. It started with a plate of welcome bread. We love welcome bread. Whether it’s a crispy piece of fresh baked toast or a soft buttery roll, the welcome bread makes us feel like we are really appreciated at any dining establishment. At Jar, the thin and crispy French baguette with a balsamic glaze and fried garlic showed just how excited Al-Manar Food is to welcome people to this new restaurant.

We started the meal with two delicious salads. The crispy salad featured a delightful mix of red and white cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers, topped with a fried pastry sheet, cashews, peanuts and parmesan cheese. The refreshing mix was topped with a dressing that was just enough to add a sweet and different taste. Our personal favorite was the pumpkin salad, a simple medley of pumpkin, carrots and spinach. On top, the pièce de résistance, a lightly-battered piece of goat’s cheese.

When it came to appetizers, we left all thoughts of a diet at the door, and it was well worth it for the Potato Bomb. This incredible pile of thin potato slices is topped with amazing shredded beef, fried onions and cilantro and topped with an array of sauces. We also had delicious beef tacos, with pickled onions and red radish accented by sweet pomegranate and pineapple. With fresh arugula leaves and parsley, the tacos were fresh and juicy, a perfect start to a delicious meal.

As the main course approached, we were excited to see what they had in store for us, and we were not disappointed.

The chicken mushroom fettuccini burst with the flavors of creamy mushroom and balsamic vinaigrette. A few small slices of red pepper on the top gave this dish the perfect kick.

No restaurant in Kuwait is complete without a delicious burger, and Jar is no exception. Their fresh meat creates a juicy wonder topped with cheese tomato onions and pickles.

Their potato bread brings it all together for an excellent burger.

When the Short Ribs with Gratin arrived, we weren’t sure we would have room for one more. All it took was a single cut with the knife to see how tender the meat was. Though pink on the inside it was fully cooked. At this point we had to know. How does Jar get their meat to taste so good?

At Jar, all of their meat is sous-vide for 48 hours. Sousvide, French for under vacuum, is a method of cooking that involves sealing food in an airtight plastic bag, and placing it in a water bath or a steam environment. The result is tender, moist and incredibly delicious meat.

At the end of our meal, despite Jar’s long list of offerings, we were full without being run down. A tribute to how light even their seemingly heavy dishes really are. Of course, at Jar, the good people at Al-Manar have installed their cookie ovens so you can continue to enjoy the cookies that started it all.

Jar is expected to welcome you to their location in Murouj at Sahara after Ramadan. For more information on their scheduled opening, please follow them on Instagram @jar.choowygoowy.

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A SNAPSHOT OF

MEXICO by bazaar staff

Mexico is a country with a long cultural history and relaxed lifestyle that has long been the envy of North Americans; in many ways they mirror the lifestyle of Portugal and Spain, not to mention other Latin American countries. Bordered by the United States to the North, and Guatemala and Belize to the south, this nation sits right in between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean and contains some of the most beautiful waters and beaches in the world. From the surf of Baja and the Yucatan Peninsula, in old and small towns both, to the sprawling Mexico City, there is something for everyone here.

The sophistication of the big cities mixes with the rustic charm of small and hidden towns, you can spend a lifetime getting lost on the back roads here (and indeed many do).

Here are the highlights of where not to miss:

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JW MARRIOT

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Baja Baja – Baja is the section of Mexico that sits off like an arm on the left side of the country.

On the far West side is the Pacific Ocean, and on the East side of Baja is the Bay, which leads to mainland Mexico. This spot, long known for U.S. expatriates looking for a slower pace of life and hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches, is capped off by Cabo San Lucas. You could go in and out of coves, world-class resorts and amazing fishing. More than enough to ever tire of. There are little-known gems like a church designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame) in the small town of Santa Rosalia, which was originally built as a prototype for missionary churches in France’s tropical colonies (rumored to have been rerouted here from the Congo when the French occupied Mexico). Rosarito Beach and the Lobster Village of Puerto Nuevo are all not to be missed. There is also a Fox movie studios that was built specifically for the movie Titanic, and a secret restaurant on the side of a cliff where they filmed all of the internal dining scenes for the movie.

Guadalajara – Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco. It is the 10th largest city in Latin America, but it is also a town that feels like a good old-fashioned small town village. To walk around the cobblestone streets is to be taken back to another time that reminds you of Europe with a South American twist. Stunning buildings, architecture, and the arts community all come together to form a unique vacation experience. Plus, this is the best place to get a café de olla, which is a special type of coffee served in their own native ceramic-ware that makes it unique.

Puerto Vallarta – Located nearby in Jalisco is this iconic beach town long known for its draw of foreign tourists by plane and cruise ship alike. This is worth checking out if only for a glimpse of an early version of Mexico tourism. The first airplane arrived in 1932 and by the 50s it was a hotspot 114

for tourists of all types. This has the best of beachfront dining and a huge horseshoe cove that protects the surf from rougher waters further out.

It is a (slightly dated) tropical paradise.

Mexico City – Mexico City is the densely populated capital city (8.5 million people), located in the high-altitude center of the country. Often overlooked by those just looking for a quick beach vacation, it nevertheless remains a cultural hub that should not be missed. There is a deep history here of both local and international writers and painters, and artists of all types, that took their notes from the Paris version of same a few years prior, adding a distinctly Mexican flare on the way. Plus, if you have never seen their central plaza, known as the Zocalo, you haven’t lived. It’s got the expansiveness of Moscow’s Red Square if you replace the cold-world feeling with more of a new-world rustic charm. Not sure just how big it is? In 2012, a concert put on in Zocalo by Paul McCartney drew 250,000 people. For reference, that is nearly 4-times as many people as fit within Jaber Al-ahmad stadium. The roads here can give Kuwaiti drivers a run for their money! Rent a car, you may just feel at home here!

The University Library, Mexico City

The Yucatán Peninsula – If you have been to the eastern U.S. city of Miami, or further south down to the Caribbean Islands, consider this the exact middle point of latitude in between. From early society ruins and monuments found at places like Chichen Itza and the watering holes (or cenotes) left over from the early Mayans (and which you can still swim in!), there is both history and fun at every turn. There is nightlife in Cancun, where water on one side is lagoon, but the other side is actually a beach made of crushed coral. The sand is literally like baby powder on your feet. It is worth going for this alone.

For more information or to start planning your trip , visit www.visitmexico.com.

Chichen Itza, Yucatán

KIDZANIA

The Safat Home Makeover

PART III: THE SELECTIVE PROCESS by bazaar staff

The project continues as the Safat Home team creates the perfect home for our beautiful couple – Farah AlFadhalah and Bader Al-Sarraf.

For this issue we’ll be inspecting their newly selected kitchen and the requirements to create this essential aspect of the house. Using inspirational 3D technology software, the couple was able to get an idea of what their future dream kitchen would look like! But before we jump into the details of this project, let’s recap on what’s been happening so far. The Safat Home Décor Center met with the lovely couple back in April to go over what needs to be done and their general vision. Working closely together and planning everything to the T, the Safat Team is making their house a home.

Naturally the whole thing started when the Safat Team prepared a few questions and images for our lucky couple to gage their taste. Being the epitome of youth and bubbling energy, Farah 116

and Bader love different color combinations and incorporating different elements. Still, they don’t want to have anything too overpowering. Keeping their vision simple, they want their living spaces light and airy. They want the feel of the house to be timeless – and for good reason. Preserving the identity of the house, as a structure, is something extremely important to the couple. Willing to modernize the interior to creating a contemporary look, they aim to keep the exterior’s veracity.

Utilizing the Décor Center’s skills and expertise, they were able to find inspirational images that will make their vision a reality.

Using natural woods, grays accented with clean whites and ecru, and colors from the elements – the couple’s inspiration board came together beautifully. The Safat Team found the perfect embodiment of the couple’s style – the Japanese Cherry Blossom, known simply as the Sakura.

Combining tradition with modern aesthetic and

beauty is Farah and Bader’s ultimate goal – and the Sakura is the perfect representation of that.

Bringing together all the elements of this beautiful tree into the home makes for an incredible interior.

Seamlessly blending with its surroundings and keeping true to the structure, the Sakura is the ideal Meta design umbrella for them to work with.

Safat Home is basing the lighting and material needs around the colors and textures that make the Sakura unique. Developing their ideas further from the tree’s dominant palette, the Safat Team, along with Farah and Bader, agreed that the base should be neutral with accenting colors.

You can’t help but feel an air of Zen when looking around the ideas they’ve come up with.

With the tasks set and teams designated, the inches were measured and the corners ruled.

Safat Home’s newest Shuwaikh location is fully stocked with the latest brands anyone might need to create their perfect home. Astounded by the

Decor Center

by Safat Home

quality and quantity of styles at the showroom, the couple started going over the designs. The Décor Center briefed the couple about the overall process and what needs to be chosen this time – bring on the kitchens! Keeping in mind the couple’s needs when it comes to this very essential part of the house, the Décor Center proposed a plethora of designs. Looking to have a kitchen that can cater to the entire home’s needs – the kitchen needs to be timeless and practical in style. The other thing to keep in mind is that the kitchen needs to complement the home’s Sakura vibe.

Selecting practical and stylish aluminum for the kitchen is important. Going with shades of beige and white to keep the space comfortably airy and light to beautifully reflect the home’s theme. Since the kitchen is located in the basement, space and ventilation are an issue. But there’s nothing the Safat Home’s Décor Center can’t handle! As time consuming as everything can be, they solved the

problems they’ve faced by custom-making the kitchen to suit the space’s and couple’s needs.

Going with an ever-so-elegant natural granite work surface and custom-made storage solutions – the design, to say the least, is super clever. Choosing gorgeous finishes of lacquered glass and high gloss vinyl and aluminum, once implemented, the kitchen will be captivatingly spectacular. To optimize space and keeping comfort and ease of access in mind, the handles on doors and movable surfaces are easy to use. With ergonomics and functionality being key features in every aspect of kitchen design for Safat Home, the couple is pleased with the options.

Next on the list of all things home – the couple along with the fabulously equipped Safat Home Décor Center, are picking out banquettes for the couple to enjoy the smaller meals of the day. As for the home’s flooring, Farah and Bader are going through a variety of patterns and colors to choose

the perfect natural parquet to suit their home.

Now you too can stay updated with their progress by following them on Snapchat @SAFATHOME! Watch this space as we continue to follow Farah and Bader’s journey in creating their dream home with help from the fantastic Safat Home Décor Center! The fun continues!

The Décor Center can be found at Safat Home’s location in Al Rai and the service, along with the Fitted Kitchens, Tiles & Flooring services can now be found exclusively at Safat Home’s newest and largest showroom in Shuwaikh.

For more information, please visit safathome. com or call 183 8883. Follow Safat Home on Instagram @SafatHome, Twitter @Safat_home and Facebook: SafatHomebyAlghanim. Follow the epic journey over on Snapchat @SAFATHOME. 117

YOU KNOW YOU’RE LIVING IN THE MIDDLE EAST WHEN…

by Lynda Higgs

After a year of living in Kuwait, I can confirm that living in the Middle East is an exciting and truly foreign experience for a Westerner. After adjusting to the relentless heat and glaring sunshine, which came as a bit of a shock arriving here from the gloomy depths of so-called spring in Northern Europe, we have adapted to a lifestyle that is both familiar (school run, supermarket trips, dental appointments) and very different (the call to prayer interrupting the latest annoying pop song on the radio). So, if you’re newly arrived in Kuwait and aren’t sure what to expect, here are a few more signs that indicate you might be living in the Middle East: 1) You become a morning person! OK, only just, in my case, and then only on weekdays, but the last time I saw 05:30 was decades ago.

2) You feel that the weekend is never long enough and not because there’s never time for a lie-in. When you’re used to Friday being a weekday it always feels a bit like skipping school when Friday’s suddenly a weekend day. Saturday is kind of Saturday, but also a bit like Sunday, and then suddenly it is Sunday morning, except you’re stuck in rush hour traffic en route to school/work/ whatever. Before you know it, it’s Tuesday and you’re halfway through the week whilst friends/ family/colleagues in the West still haven’t replied 118

to your urgent email sent on Sunday morning. The result is that even a year down the line I still feel like my week is missing a day.

3) A breakfast of slow-cooked fava beans, scooped up with pieces of freshly baked flat bread and accompanied by salad, isn’t weird. Ful/ foul medames, a Middle Eastern breakfast staple, a bit of a marmite thing (for those that aren’t British, that basically means you love it or hate it) and it’s so easy to make yourself, although why bother when you can pop to your closest Egyptian café or the Souk Mubarakiya and scoop it up with just-baked flatbread?

4) Shawarma is the healthy option when choosing take-away – seriously! It’s generally fresh and probably better for you than pretty much any other fast food option (scary, I know!). It also tends not to come in the Supersize-Me portions found at practically every global brand take-away.

5) When doing the groceries you play your own version of “Supermarket Sweep” (sorry, this is another British analogy – Google it to see what I mean). Whenever I spot my family’s favorite coffee/tea/pasta/cookies, I quickly scoop half the packages on the shelf into my trolley, because I know that even if I return later the same day, it’ll be gone and who knows when it’ll be replenished.

Shipping schedules are so unreliable!

6) You quickly learn to sip tea from small glasses without burning your fingers or lips and actually prefer the roasted nuts served with black tea.

7) Your “go to” option for hostess gifts is a beautifully packaged selection of fresh macarons, bought at one of the many patisseries that look more like chi-chi boutiques than cake shops.

8) A regular (at least fortnightly) pedicure at one of the many nail bars and salons is de rigeur. It must be experienced at least once whilst living here.

9) Ordering bespoke clothes or furniture, or having pretty much anything made to order is THE canny way to shop. As a friend observed: “In Kuwait you can get anything made… although you can’t always find the materials with which to do it.”

You’ll know you’ve settled in when you find yourself showing a newbie ex-pat around and you suddenly notice their white-knuckle horror at the traffic into which you blithely throw your large, gas-guzzling, V8, and you think to yourself: “The expression 'If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room' must have been coined for life in Kuwait!”.

Photographs by Lynda Higgs

MCDONALDS

DESSERT DESTINATIONS This Ramadan by bazaar staff

Let’s face it. People are especially touchy about their Ramadan dessert-habits; your socalled best friend will never really share with you where they got those incredible Nutella atayef that you enjoyed at their latest Iftar gathering. It royally sucks, because, we all need that something sweet once you break a long day of fasting!

For this reason, we bring you some incredible dessert destinations to choose from for the Holy Month. May all of your atayef, basbousa, and konafa be incredibly delicious, and hopefully, not so fattening.

1. Salé Sucré Pâtisserie The famous destination for all things savory and sweet has finally opened its doors in Kuwait’s Salmiya district. Salé Sucré has been open in Egypt since 1999, followed by the United Arab Emirates.

At Salé Sucré, it’s all about quality and taste at great value, ranging from their wide range of French and Oriental sweets to their savory baked goods.

This Ramadan, make sure to try Salé Sucré’s famous Konafa Bel Manga (Mango Konafa; Konafa is a traditional cream dessert encrusted with sweet angel-hair noodles), an addictive dessert that will surely wow your guests after Iftar, as they only use fresh ingredients in their daily preparation of this dessert, as well as all of their products. Let this description sink in, and you will thank us once you’ve tried it: Crispy konafa with a perfect crunch, layered with fresh cream whipped to perfection and topped off with fresh mangos for an impeccable balance of sweetness.

Salé Sucré is located in Salmiya, Hamad Al Mubarak Street, Block 2, Building 18. Call 5167 3735 for more information and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @Salesucrekuwait.

2. Al-Hallab & Sons (Kasr el Helou) There’s nothing quite like visiting Lebanon’s famous palace of sweets, better known here as Al-Hallab & Sons. The Lebanese homegrown brand is one of the country’s most prized treasures, and its availability in Kuwait brought endless delights to the local palate. This Ramadan, you will NEVER go wrong with their mouthwatering cheese or Ashta (fresh cream) Knefe (That’s Kunafa to all of you non-lebanese readers) to be served alongside a Dallah of freshly brewed Arabic coffee.

You can find Al-Hallab & Sons at The Souk at The Avenues. For more information, follow Al-Hallab & Sons in Kuwait on Instagram @hallabkw. For delivery orders, please call 2220 1881.

3. Nagwa Dessert Shop Previously known as Hail W Zafaran, Nagwa Dessert Shop by the famous culinary gurus at MMC Catering offers all sorts of Arabic sweets. Just in time for Ramadan, any visit to Nagwa will fill your heart with 120

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2 joy, especially when you see their traditional Kuwaiti desserts such as Darabeel or Qrs Ogaili. Their stores offer a dizzying display of all the different sweets, cakes, biscuits, truffles and dates that you could ever wish for. Their gift baskets, or ready-packaged baskets, are perfect for your upcoming ghabqas, daily family Iftars, and even that indulgent late night snack.

You can customize your orders for certain occasions if you wish to do so.

Nagwa is located in Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak Street (2575 6483), Dasman close to Baking Tray (2226 6879), Jabriya (2532 9232), Kuwait International Airport (2434 6032) and Kaifan (2492 3909). You can follow them on Instagram @NagwaKuwait.

4. Absolute Chocolate With creations like Pistachio and Date Truffles, and Caramel Brownie Trifles, how can you ever go wrong?

We’re not asking you to give in to your inner dessert monster, but we do ask you to show some restraint.

You can’t? Fine, then just make sure you indulge at Absolute Chocolate. Co-owned by self-confessed chocoholic Laila Al-Mukhtar, Absolute Chocolate is

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a small artisanal chocolaterie and bakery, yet their offerings deliver unforgettable flavors.

For more information, follow Absolute Chocolate on Instagram @absolutechocolate. The chocolaterie is located in Dar Al-Awadhi, Sharq. Please call 6633 6399 for orders or inquiries.

5. Baked This quaint little bakery located in Salmiya is serving up a dangerously delicious dessert for Ramadan, The Basbousa Cake, filled with roseflavored cream and topped with edible flowers, ground-up pistachios and shredded coconut.

This creation also arrives in three sizes: large, medium, and individual cup cake sizes! They even experimented further with the classic basbousa, creating moist little cakes filled with cream. They even offer their take on the date truffle, with walnuts, dates, cereal, all of which are drenched in chocolate – nom!

Baked is located in Salmiya, call or Whatsapp 9898 9048 for more information. Follow them on Instagram @Bakedkwt.

BANANA BOAT

MCDONALD’S KUWAIT - CYT Offering you a unique personalized dine-in experience by bazaar staff

Passionate about food and always being ahead of the curb, McDonald’s Kuwait has announced its greatest endeavor yet! With the launch of the CYT (Create Your Taste) platform, McDonald’s Kuwait is giving us a taste of premium gourmet customization with the comfort of speed. As the fifth country in the world to introduce this menu and platform, 122

we were obviously intrigued. With a giant event at the McDonald’s on the Gulf Road, the CYT concept was implemented for Kuwait to enjoy!

Premium quality food, exceptional service, and the ability to customize and create your own dining experience, the way you like it.

Partially outdoors, the event was a hit with everyone there. Splitting their time between the

gorgeously set up interior of McDonald’s, and their lush green space outdoors – the grill was in place and the ingredients fresh. Under the twinkle of the fairy lights and amidst the shrubbery, people got the chance to create their burgers to their liking. An impressive twenty new special ingredients have been added for customers to choose from, including avocados, jalapenos, and

there for you to whiz through their wide range of quality ingredients to create your very own taste – pun fully embraced. Don’t get us wrong, our beloved McNuggets and the indulgent Big Macs are still on the menu, and are also available at the kiosks. All McDonald’s asks is that you enjoy your gourmet creation whether you're dining in, or taking it to-go.

Catching up with this issue’s Truth or Dare star, Sherif Coutry, was a challenge because, as the Marketing Director at McDonald’s Kuwait, he was running around making sure everyone was well fed and were truly experiencing the CYT journey.

"McDonald’s Kuwait is a market leader in the Middle East, and its customers are one of the most advanced when it comes food, and this is why we were selected as the first location in the region," Sherif stated with a smile on his face.

“CYT is a platform that is unlike anything else currently available in the market,” he added.

“Fusing technology with quality dining to provide customers with an unforgettable experience.”

And we were the first to try it!

Complete with an art station and live music, the venue was pumping. Completely transformed to suit the experience, people took it in turns to place their orders at the CYT kiosks. Using stateof-the-art digital screens to choose their creation for the night, they were able to see their food prepared right in front of them at the CYT prep counters. As always, the McDonald’s staff were wonderfully trained to fulfil your orders brilliantly and in virtually no time. But the distinctive dine-in experience doesn’t stop there – you get a table locator complete with GPS so that when your food is ready, the dedicated CYT serving crew will deliver the food directly to your table. Color us impressed! Every detail was thought out carefully and gloriously so that every customer leaves utterly satisfied with the food and experience.

Lastly, we were able to track down the Deputy General Manager of McDonald’s Kuwait, Luai Al Kilani, to find out what he thinks of this magnificent addition to the McDonald’s family.

“We have always been committed to providing the highest quality food and the best service to our customers,” Luai explained, “and CYT is simply the natural progression in our quest to always meet the changing demands of our customers.”

Music to our ears! He continued, “As the owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in Kuwait, Al Maousherji Catering Company is proud to be the first to introduce CYT in the region.” Now if you’ll excuse us, we have a very important burger to create! Don’t miss out on the experience, you’ll thank us later, we promise. grilled mushrooms, McDonald’s have upped the usual options to a whole new level. And with the use of premium Angus beef and garden fresh vegetables, not to mention the signature sauces and freshly baked artisan bread, the gourmet flavors can be tailored specifically to you.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with choice, McDonald’s have created three signature burgers

from the CYT menu for your enjoyment. Carefully curated, McDonalds’ own gourmet creations are the Classic Burger, Grilled Thriller, and finally, the Hot All Over. YUM! Each with it’s own unique pairing, their signatures are just as incredible as the full CYT experience. Embrace the brand new technological platform, and go for the CYT. Fully equipped with a touch screen, the CYT menu is

To get a feel for the CYT menus, head over to the exclusive Create Your Taste restaurant branches at the Corniche and Sabah Al Salem branches.

For more information about Create Your Taste, please visit www.mcdonaldsarabia.com. Please note that the CYT menus are only available inrestaurant. Enjoy!

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bazaar music ’Nobody loves me but my mother, and she could be jivin', too’’ - BB King

AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP

DJANGO AND JIMMIE

DRONES

By now, it's no secret A$AP Rocky was named after arguably one of the greatest hip-hop lyricists of all time. Rocky, born Rakim Mayers was named after Rakim (a.k.a. Rakim Allah) – one-half of the duo Eric B. & Rakim. Not a bad way to getting noticed in the rap game, even before you release a record. This album (stylized as At.Long.Last.

A$AP) is the second solo studio album by the now famous American rapper, scheduled for a release this month on ASAP Worldwide and RCA Records.

The album is the follow-up to his 2013 gold selling debut album, Long.Live.A$AP.

Django & Jimmie is an upcoming duet album by country music singers Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, with this release marking their sixth album collaboration.

Produced by Buddy Cannon, the album features fourteen tracks by Nelson and Haggard with some of the songs made over the telephone, and was recorded in only three days. The song "Django and Jimmie" is a tribute to musicians Django Reinhardt and Jimmie Rodgers.

Cannon forwarded the title-track to Haggard and Nelson separately, and with both interested by the song, they decided to work it into their next collaboration. Country music fans should be excited for this!

Muse have said they plan to fly drones over audiences at forthcoming live dates. Why? Because the trio's seventh studio album, Drones is released this month, and the group's Matt Bellamy and Dominic Howard have revealed the extent of the concept in interviews. Speaking about their live plans, Bellamy said: "We always like to use the modern technology in our shows, the latest video screens or light shows, lasers, whatever is out there. Drones are obviously an interesting thing to try to bring into the live show so we're going to try and do that.”

HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL

LAST OF OUR KIND

PEACE IS THE MISSION

In an interview with Zane Lowe, Florence Welch said that during a year off she had "a bit of a nervous breakdown," and that time was a little chaotic. "I was still going out and going to events but something wasn't quite right, I was spiraling a bit. I wasn't making myself happy. I wasn't stable."

She added, "It was a really vulnerable time for me when we first started making the record and because of that it's the most personal record I've ever made."How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" is the bands third studio album, out this month.

Last of Our Kind is the upcoming fourth studio album

by English hard rock band The Darkness. Produced by guitarist Dan Hawkins, the album is due to be released this month. It is the only album by the band to feature drummer Emily Dolan Davies, who replaced Ed Graham in 2014. Frontman Justin Hawkins has described the album as "brutal," adding that "It's definitely stripped back with the exception of some mandolins. But when you're doing medieval rock, you should have a mandolin on it. It's medieval rock, but it still sounds like The Darkness. It's medi-urban, I suppose"

Major Lazer is the digital reggae/dancehall project of Diplo (Philadelphia's Wes Pentz) and Switch (London's Dave Taylor), two globe-trotting, taste-making disc jockey/producers whose previous collaborations notably included production work for M.I.A. and Santigold. Their 2015 album, Peace Is the Mission, features some chart-topping guests like Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding, and 2 Chainz, The album also contains the song "Roll the Bass," which the outfit have made available as a free download, and a remix for the Ariana Grande collaboration "All My Love."

By A$AP Rocky

By Florence And The Machine

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By Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard

By The Darkness

By Muse

By Major Lazer

source: www.amazon.com

CROWNE PLAZA

I LOVE MY GARBAGE!

by Shireen Passi Chopra

Yes, you heard it right; I love garbage! And what if I told you that by the end of this article, you will love garbage too, and will even want to buy it! I’m not talking about the AmericanScottish rock band formed in 1993 by the same name (although they pretty much sound like their name). I am talking about the trash living in your trash cans; the junk making up your junkyards; the waste strewn in the streets…I think you pretty much get the picture now.

What if I told you, even at the risk of sounding crazy, that there was a way to make you fall in love with your garbage? To make you want to make a souvenir out of it and even make a showpiece of it for you to display it in your drawing room, bedroom, study or perhaps, even your office?

“Crazy!” “Insane!” “Mad!” “Lost her marbles!”

You would probably bestow me with all these fancy adjectives, and some of you may already be thinking of dialing the number of the mental asylum. Wait, wait! Before you do any of the above, just hear me out first!

One Mr. Justin Gignac, an ingenious, creative and ‘crazy’ gentleman at that, is an American artist and entrepreneur based in New York City.

In the year 2001, while a student at the School of Visual Arts, Mr. Gignac got into a debate with some classmates about the importance of packaging, with someone claiming that package design wasn't important. The young advocate of the supreme importance of package design, of course, disagreed. Mr. Gignac figured that the only way to really know if one’s package design was 126

successful was to package something nobody would ever want. Soon a challenge came and so Mr. Gignac set out to find something that no one would ever buy.

While looking for that ‘something’ and traveling through the streets of Times Square in Manhattan – those dirty, dusty and filth infested streets – he suddenly found his answer…GARBAGE! He would package and sell the garbage of New York City – a rather crazy idea, at least at the time.

However, 12 years later, over 1,400 NYC Garbage Cubes have been sold in 30 countries around the world, and Mr. Gignac has not only won the original challenge that actually spearheaded this whole thing, but he is now a successful businessman, running a reputed company called NYC Garbage.

Literally changing trash to treasure! New York City alone produces 26 million pounds of trash per day! Killing two birds with one stone, he has found an ingenious way to tackle the mounting waste-disposal problem of the city, while making his fortune out of garbage.

Salvageable and dry objects are hand-picked from the garbage heap right off the street; from back alleys, uptown, downtown – the trash is collected late at night after the streets are fairly empty. These objects are then put into plastic molds, in the shape of transparent cubes. And rest assured, your garbage is 100 percent authentic, with the garbage cube labelled as such: ‘100% authentic.’

The Garbage Cubes come in two types. The original and the limited edition. While the original

Garbage Cubes are made from the everyday garbage collected from the streets of New York City, the limited edition ones are from important, and once in a lifetime events that should be commemorated. A number of limited edition Garbage Cubes that have been produced so far include: the Republican National Convention, the World Series at Yankee Stadium, New Year’s Eve at Times Square, the New York Giants Victory Parade, Barack Obama’s Inauguration event and Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin, Ireland. These garbage cubes are even labelled with the event they are from.

The process of manufacture is simple: some colorful trash is collected from the venue of these events – the beverage cans, bottles, the paper plates, the pom-poms and confetti, or the papers, spiral binders, post-its and pins, in the case of political events like a presidential election campaign, perhaps, and then a limited edition series is created to remember the event by.

The original Garbage Cube will cost you USD 50 (KD 15) while the limited edition will cost USD 100 (KD 30). Wait, there’s more! You can even super-size your garbage, with your own ‘Jumbo Cube’, a 7”x 7”x 9” sized Garbage Cube! Trash made trendy through an ingenious package design and marketing plan to match – your garbage will never look the same again! See, didn’t I tell you I would make you fall in love with your garbage?

For more information visit: www.nycgarbage.com

FIGS

7alo ya 7alo

Midnight TV There’s nothing like staying up all night – or until the sun starts to rise – to watch TV and drink as much water as you possibly can. Don’t forget the food! Try to eat things that won’t make you thirsty. Like yoghurt or fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Zwarat Al Habayeb Shisha and Sahlab For the next 29-30 days (depending on the moon) prepare yourself and your appetite for all the gatherings and invitations. Family time is sacred and during this Holy Month, being around family is the most important thing. Iftar at the grandparent’s house, coffee and sweets at your uncle’s, and midnight snacks back at yours or your parent’s house.

Nothing says Ramadan quite like Sahlab. This warm milky drink with nuts and coconut is filling, delicious, and surprisingly enough, nutritious. As for the shisha, it’s one of those things that seems to appear everywhere during Ramadan. Enjoy the warmth and the company of those around you as you wait for dawn to restart your fast.

Garge3an Around the middle of the Holy Month, children dress up in traditional dress and go around their neighborhoods singing traditional songs from door to door for candy. Make sure you’re fully stocked with candy to give those children. It’s both adorable and traditional.

Serenity

The Final 10

Ramadan is a month of peace and devoutness. Prayers are in abundance and piety is essential. Make a deeper spiritual connection and spread the good and the love around you. A single good deed a day is not only rewarding spiritually, but physically too. Just remember to do unto others as you wish done unto you. Ramadan serves as a reminder of how we should live everyday.

The last ten days are known as the blessed final ten. So keep your spirits high and remember – there are only ten more days to Eid. Stay serene, visit family, enjoy the sahlab and all the delicious sweets prepared by your mother – it only happens once a year.

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ASHA’S CONTEMPORARY INDIAN CUISINE “Lighter Surprises” with the same original ingredients

by Liltera R. Williams

When it comes to Indian recipes, most people would immediately expect portion-heavy, spicefilled servings. Although tangy flavors are what make conventional dishes inspired by the Indian culture memorable, Asha’s is seeking to redefine the idea of lasting impressions.

Since joining the market roughly 13 years ago, the restaurant, which is successfully active in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Birmingham, has always functioned with a goal of fusing traditional concepts with modern-day, upscale practices. For example, chefs attend festivals year-round to obtain a personal account of the Indian region’s latest creations; then, menu items are customized and modified accordingly to accommodate the locals throughout its designated areas.

To satisfy ever-changing preferences, the restaurant has launched a new, quarterly menu that offers a mixture of “Lighter Surprises”, just in time for Summer. We were actually welcomed for a tasting, just one day after the menu’s premiere.

It includes six offerings, and each of them were served and savored within a two-hour timeframe.

Before the official kick-off though, we sampled an appetizer of papaya, mint, and a mango/carrot/ lemon pickle blend, individually sorted for dipping and dressing bread or chips to awaken our senses.

The first light entrée was the Patrani Machi: a marinade of coriander, coconut and garlic atop pangrilled hammour, neatly wrapped inside a banana leaf. After uncovering the hidden element, a sliced lemon was squeezed over the fish to add more of a zesty flavor. It was paired with a garden fresh salad, which included a thin cucumber piece circled around a pile of tempered carrots, decorated with modest drops of lemon vinaigrette. A miniature shot of chicken, ginger and coconut broth was also supplied to even out the taste.

The Shami Tikki was next; Asha’s creative version of half-sandwiched sliders with soft and tender minced lamb arranged between pao bread and onion fritters. A mash-up of brown onions and flavored mushrooms were ground into the lamb with a brew of Indian spices to result in a mild, yet potent after-taste. Chilled watermelon, honeydew melon and pomelo, sweetened with honey and ginger, was served in a tall glass, along with a mushroom cappuccino on the side to ensure a flavorful balance.

An early favorite for customers who visited on debut day is the Tandoori Tarkari – a seemingly unusual, but innovative concoction of grilled fruits and vegetables, including pineapples, pears, bell peppers and cottage cheese. The final touch of spiced honey glaze gave this particular recipe its exclusive appeal, as it was accompanied by a bowl of puffed rice tossed in raw mango, chopped cucumber, onions and corn fritters. The small helping of mushroom cappuccino was much 130

needed in order to tame the sharp burst of flavor trapped within this elegant-looking delicacy.

“Every bite’s a delight”, literally, when indulging in the Murg Zafrani, as two pieces of tandoorismoked saffron cashew nut chicken breasts were layered onto each other, resting against a basmati rice patty stuffed with cheese and mushrooms, and accented with an edible silver leaf. Multiple sauces were displayed on the edge of the dish for additional gratification, but we appreciated the overflow of saffron. This option was also paired with a garden fresh salad and the chicken, ginger and coconut broth.

Our top choice of the taste-testing session was the Malai Murg aur Lasooni Jhinga: garlic-grilled prawns (shrimp) and green cardomom-flavored chicken breast grilled in a clay oven, served alongside a kati roll of bell peppers. The complementary berry salad invited a pleasant combination of flavors that aroused the palate, while the mushroom cappuccino calmed the tongue between each bite.

Lastly, came the Tandoori Grilled Chicken Tikka, which proved that looks can be deceiving. Grilled tandoori style, the reddish chicken breast appeared

to be spicy since it was coated with a mild chili sauce; however, the outer segment was seasoned to perfection and bestowed the taste buds with a juicy, mouth-watering explosion. This concluding entrée was likewise served with the garden fresh salad and mushroom cappuccino.

Naturally pressed and blended juices are available to complete each lighter surprise, including carrot, green apple, and avocado -- all three were refreshing and healthy.

From preparation to presentation, upon trying the variety of selections, food lovers are sure to partake in an unforgettable dining experience at Asha’s, while leaving with a deep appreciation for culinary art. We absolutely did!

Our taste-testing occurred at the Marina Crescent location (2208 1122) during the weekday lunch hours, but Asha’s can also be enjoyed at 1st Avenue - The Avenues (2228 3503) and Mahboula Spoons Complex (2225 4097) daily, from 12:30pm to 11:30pm. For more information you can visit their website www.ashasrestaurants.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram: AshasMiddleEast.

PROTEGES

bazaar books Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures. ~ Jessamyn West

CONFESSIONS OF A COMMA QUEEN

ORHAN’S INHERITANCE

by Aline Ohanesian

THE HARDER THEY COME

THE SYMPATHIZER

WHEN WE WERE ANIMALS

by T.C. Boyle

by Viet Thanh Nguyen

by Joshua Gaylord

Set in contemporary Northern California, The Harder They Come explores the volatile connections between three damaged people – an aging ex-Marine and Vietnam veteran, his psychologically unstable son, and the son's paranoid, much older lover – as they careen towards an explosive confrontation. On a vacation cruise to Central America with his wife, 70-year-old Sten Stensen unflinchingly kills a gun-wielding robber menacing a busload of senior tourists.

The reluctant hero is relieved to return home to Fort Bragg, California, after the ordeal – only to find that his delusional son, Adam, has spiralled out of control. Adam has become involved with Sara, a hardened member of the Sovereign Citizens’ Movement, right-wing anarchists who refuse to acknowledge the laws and regulations of the state. Adam’s senior by some 15 years, Sara becomes his protector and inamorata. As Adam's mental state fractures, he becomes increasingly schizophrenic — a breakdown that leads him to shoot two people in separate instances.

A profound, startling, and beautifully-crafted debut novel, The Sympathizer is the story of a man of two minds, someone whose political beliefs clash with his individual loyalties. It is April 1975, and Saigon is in chaos. At his villa, sits a general of the South Vietnamese army and with the help of his trusted captain, drawing up a list of those who will be given passage aboard the last flights out of the country. The general and his compatriots start a new life in L.A., unaware that one among their number, the captain, is secretly observing and reporting on the group to a higher-up in the Viet Cong. The Sympathizer is the story of this captain: a man brought up by an absent French father and a poor Vietnamese mother, a man who went to university in America, but returned to Vietnam to fight for the Communist cause. A gripping spy novel, an astute exploration of extreme politics, and a moving love story, The Sympathizer explores a life between two worlds and examines the legacy of the Vietnam War in literature, film, and the wars we fight today.

A small, quiet Midwestern town, which is unremarkable save for one fact: when the teenagers reach a certain age, they run wild. When Lumen Fowler looks back on her childhood, she wouldn't have guessed she would become a kind suburban wife, a devoted mother. In fact, she never thought she would escape her small and peculiar hometown. When We Were Animals is Lumen's confessional: as a wellbehaved and over-achieving teenager, she fell beneath the sway of her community's darkest, strangest secret. For one year, beginning at puberty, every resident "breaches" during the full moon. On these nights, adolescents run wild, destroying everything in their path. Lumen resists.

Promising her father she will never breach, she investigates the mystery of her community's traditions and the stories erased from the town record. But the more we learn about the town's past, the more we realize that Lumen's memories are harboring secrets of their own.

by Mary Norris

Mary Norris brings her vast experience, good cheer, and finely sharpened pencils to help the rest of us in a boisterous language book as full of life as it is of practical advice. Between You & Me: Confessions Of A Comma Queen features Norris's laughout-loud descriptions of some of the most common and vexing problems in spelling, punctuation, and usagecomma faults, danglers, "who" vs. "whom," "that" vs. "which," compound words, gender-neutral language – and her clear explanations of how to handle them. Down-to-earth and always open-minded, she draws on examples from Charles Dickens, Emily Dickinson, and Henry James, as well as from The Simpsons and Gillian Flynn. She takes us to see a copy of Noah Webster's groundbreaking Blue-Back Speller, on a quest to find out who put the hyphen in Moby-Dick, on a pilgrimage to the world's only pencilsharpener museum, and inside the hallowed halls of The New Yorker and her work with such celebrated writers as Pauline Kael, and George Saunders.

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When Orhan’s brilliant and eccentric grandfather, who built a dynasty out of making kilim rugs, is found dead in a vat of dye, Orhan inherits the decades-old business.

But his grandfather’s will raises more questions than it answers. Kemal has left the family estate to a stranger thousands of miles away, an aging woman in a retirement home in L.A. Her existence and secrecy about her past only deepens the mystery of why Orhan’s grandfather would have left their home to this woman rather than to his own family. Intent on righting this injustice, Orhan boards a plane to L.A. There, over many meetings, he will unearth the story that 87-year-old Seda so closely guards – the story that, if told, has the power to undo the legacy upon which Orhan’s family is built, the story that could unravel Orhan’s own future. Moving between the last years of the Ottoman Empire and the 1990s, Orhan's Inheritance is a story of passionate love, unspeakable horrors, incredible resilience, and the hidden stories that haunt a family.

source: www.amazon.com

wagyu premium

All Time Wagyu Favorites

JOHNNY ROCKETS

bazaar goes cruising

SPEED IN AFFORDABLE LUXURY Hyundai’s Veloster Turbo 2016 by bazaar staff

In its latest Veloster Turbo, Hyundai presents a car that is just as much style and comfort as it is speed. Released in the Middle East in March of this year, the new model looks and drives like a sports car. Yet, you would hardly notice it when driving around in this delightful hybrid of luxury and power.

“It is with great delight that we welcome the new Veloster Turbo to our Kuwait portfolio,” said Raed Turjuman, CEO of Northern Gulf Trading. “It brings new levels of sportiness to our fleet and represents the latest vehicle to feature our ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language and is set to make waves across the region.”

Our bazaar team got to test drive Hyundai’s latest 134

addition to the fleet, and we weren’t disappointed.

The 2016 version of the Veloster looks sleeker than its predecessor. The new base model got a new hood design with a revised front dark gray grille surround. The Turbo is equipped with exclusive 18inch lightweight alloy rims and a tire that is 10 mm wider, for the speedy turner in you.

The Veloster may look like a two-door hatchback, but looks can be deceiving. We were pleasantly surprised to find a third door behind the passenger seat, making the backseat easily accessible for passengers. No more flipping over the seat to get in! Plus, the door’s window rolls down for some fresh backseat air.

Once we were seated in the car two things

jumped out at us immediately. The Veloster was unexpectedly roomy and comfortable. Both the driver and front passenger felt hugged by the new sportier front seats, and there was ample legroom in the back seat.

We were also amazed by the incredible infotainment system that is normally only seen in high priced sedans. The seven-inch touchscreen includes an Apple Siri integration, HD Radio capability, onboard music and app storage, and a navigation map with enhanced junction-view lane guidance. It also includes a rear-view camera so you can easily get out of a tight parking spot.

Once you are on the road, the engine takes control and the driving experience takes over. With

a maximum of 204 horsepower from a 1.6 turbo engine, this small roadster is as speedy as it is classy. The new EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission gives drivers added control and has been tuned for better performance.

Yet, even with all this incredible power, the Veloster Turbo still has an incredibly smooth ride with some amazing upgrades to the 2016 edition.

They’ve retuned the suspension to include sportier springs, dampers and stabilizer bars. The modified front suspension features gas-filled hydraulic monotube shock absorbers so neither you nor your passengers feel what can sometimes be a bumpy ride on Kuwait's roads.

Steering has also been given an upgrade in

the new Veloster, with Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS), which has been tuned for increased response. To make the roadster even more stable this model features a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). This system detects when a driver accelerates or brakes on difficult terrain, and the car wants to pull in a direction. It then sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering to counter the force.

This is just one of many safety features included in the Veloster. The Torque Vectoring Control (TVC) system enhances stability and safety. It features six airbags, and an Electronic Brake-force to automatically adjust the braking force to the front and rear axels based on the load in the vehicle.

Brakes are state of the art with four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). The ABS also includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum force when a panic stop is detected.

For the bazaar team, our weekend with Hyundai’s Veloster Turbo gave us a new appreciation for Kuwait’s roads. From comfortable seats to an extremely smooth ride, the Veloster Turbo is definitely 2016’s affordable sports car.

Hyundai has two showroom locations: Industrial Shuwaikh, Building 41, Jahra, Road 80, and East Ahmadi, Block 9, Building 19. For more information please phone 180 8444. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Twitter, @HyundaiKuwait.

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LIVING FREE RANGE WITH ELEVATION BURGER An inside look at what goes into your burger By bazaar staff

Since its arrival in Kuwait, Elevation Burger has become a leader in the country’s quest for the perfect burger. No one can deny that the 100% organic grass-fed free-range juicy patty, fresh potato bun and locally sourced toppings are anything less than amazing. Core fans of the company will tell you that it’s not just about the burger, Elevation is a way of life. From sustainable, environmentally friendly restaurants, to local farm partnerships, the company has done more than just create burgers.

Now, they want to share the Elevation way with everyone, with their new Planet Elevation initiative.

In Planet Elevation good ideas matter, a child’s smile matters, quality of food matters, food safety matters, your health matters, and the future of our community matters.

As part of an ongoing series of events, Elevation launched the #LivingFreeRange. The team from the parent company in Kuwait, TABCo. International Food Catering, headed to Australia with several leading social media, and health and fitness influencers from Kuwait. There, the team got to see first hand the origins of the Elevation burger.

It started with a 45-hour flight to Queensland, Australia, and then a trip to the first free-range cattle ranch, or ‘station’ as the Aussies call it.

This particular space, established in 1937, is 58.89 square kilometers in size and houses more than 30,000 cows. A single small family of five, that warmly welcomed the team into their home, manages the station. Over a barbecued lunch of hand-made 100% organic, grass-fed, free-range, halal beef Elevation Burgers, they shared stories of a generation of grass-fed organic cattle raising.

On the second day, the group headed to the second station. Although also family-owned and run, it was divided into multiple locations. Different members of the family oversaw each location. They started first at the grandparents home where they learned about the family traditions of organic cattle farming, and how their sustainable farming practices have provided for their family for over four generations.

Next they headed out to the fields to meet their son, Cash. The team had a chance to come close to a herd of cattle as they grazed and walked freely over the terrain. Cash explained that this is one of the beautiful parts of free range living, the animals are treated humanely, graze unrestricted and are able to travel across the wide landscape on their own, without fear of confinement or industrial feeding facilities. Also, that free range cows are not vulnerable to the dangerous mad cow or E. coli diseases. As risk of catching those decreases dramatically and is almost non-existent in grassfed, free-range cows, unlike cattle that is grain fed and raised in industrial farms. He also mentioned that any free-range station emits less CO2 than factory farms, which is better for the environment.

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As they ended the encounter, Cash noticed that some of the herd had gone missing, though it seemed like a problem, it actually was an indication of how naturally the cattle is raised. No industrial feeding facilities confine these animals.

Thirty minutes later, Cash located the cattle, and the group headed over to the family house for lunch. Cash’s dad showed up in a helicopter, which he uses to monitor the herds across the station without disturbing them.

The group’s final stop was a visit to the abattoir, or slaughterhouse. Here, unlike the natural feel of the farm, the group went through a rigorous sanitation process. They were asked to remove their shoes, jewelry and electronic devices in the meeting room. They were taken through the entire process of slaughter to package. They met with one of the Muslim butchers, Othman who explained the slaughter process, and how they are certified halal. The Elevation team described the abattoir

as a big white, extremely sanitized beehive. Every employee had a job that they carried out perfectly, and a product that was the same level of perfection every time.

By the end of the trip the TABCo. team and their guests had gained a new appreciation for the words “free range”. They saw firsthand what it means to let things be without artificial imposed chemicals, or restraints. And, of course, loved their Elevation burger even more.

Elevation Burger has a network of seven stores at Discovery Mall first floor, Bidaa, Grand Avenues first floor, Menus Abu Halifah, Al Hamra Tower second floor, Mubarak Al Abdullah (West Mishref) and AUM, and soon to open in Qortuba. To learn more about Elevation Burger’s food, locations, and upcoming events visit tabcofood.com/elevation-burger make sure to follow them on Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook: @elevationkw.

JUST ASK

THURSDAY

Make it the most productive day of the week

by Laura Vanderkam

Whether you work the western Monday to Friday, or our own Arabic Sunday to Thursday, a natural consequence of a 5-day workweek is that people get restless by the end of it. Handled right, Thursdays are a chance to invest in activities that pay dividends the rest of the week.

A survey of HR professionals found that only 3% found the last day of the working week was the most productive day in their offices. In a recent time-diary study of 1,001 days in the lives of highearning women, results found that the subjects worked about two hours less on Thursdays than they did on Tuesdays. Still, there’s no inherent reason Thursdays can’t be productive days. "I do think it’s important that an organization be as deliberate about the end of the week as it is about the start," says Rodd Wagner, author of the new book Widgets: The 12 New Rules For Managing Your Employees As If They’re Real People.

Indeed, "how an organization feels about Thursday can be a litmus test for how it feels about employees in general," he adds. Some managers schedule mandatory 4:30 p.m. meetings on Thursdays, determined to claim every last drop of sweat they’re owed. Others take a longer view, and make time for things on Thursdays that pay dividends during the rest of the week. Here’s how to make sure you’re in the latter camp.

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PACE YOURSELF: "First question: are you going into Thursday having exhausted everyone?" Wagner asks. "We’re mortal." If employees are run ragged from travel, late-night calls, and unexpectedly tight deadlines, then people will file their expense reports on Thursday and mentally check out.

That’s fine, but you may as well acknowledge it.

Treat people as grown-ups and suggest that they head out early rather than wasting time surfing the web. Or you could pace things better during the earlier part of the week. If you want to have productive Thursdays, then people need to still have gas in the tank.

DON'T PLAN THE WEEK WHILE YOU'RE IN IT: Lots of offices have staff meetings on Sunday mornings to plan the week, but planning the week while you’re in it isn’t nearly as effective as planning ahead of time. Thursday "is a fantastic day to talk about the future," says Wagner. You can talk about what you accomplished over the previous week, what you want to accomplish in the next week, and you can think about what strategies you’ll use to achieve that. "People have the opportunity to sleep on it, quite literally," he says.

PEOPLE START EASING INTO WORK ON SATURDAY NIGHTS, WHICH MEANS THAT SMART MANAGERS HELP THEM EASE OUT ON THURSDAY AFTERNOONS: The subconscious parts of people’s

brains will have been problem-solving all weekend while they’re relaxing. Plus, when you plan the week before you’re in it, you can schedule your week to tackle your most important priorities when you’re fresh on Sunday morning. If you wait until Sunday to plan, then that’s not an option. "It’s not a bad time to let the team socialize a bit," Wagner says.

You can buy lunch for everyone, or play games. Just be sure to start it early enough so that people can get out on time.

SCHEDULE ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS ON THURSDAYS: Every manager knows they should spend time with direct reports individually. Since Thursdays are generally slower, they’re excellent days to make this happen. Plan several coffee meetings in a row. Talk about the big picture of employees’ careers, and whether they’re happy with how things are going.

GO AHEAD AND DO THE BRAINLESS STUFF: Even if you have paced yourself through the week, most people aren’t going to start huge projects at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. So set this time aside for any administrative work that needs to get done.

A bonus: this can help lighten your mental load during the week. When you come across such work, you simply add it to the list for Thursday. You can tell yourself there’s a time scheduled for all that, and now is not that time.

BURJ AL HAMAM 2

bazaar a la mode

BALMAIN AND H&M CALL FOR #HMBALMAINATION Last March, H&M announced its autumn guest collaboration with the Parisian house of Balmain. A veritable bastion of French luxury, under the creative directorship of young Olivier Rousteing, Balmain has grown into a global pop-culture phenomenon.

Rousteing himself and his friends Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn, walked the red carpet at The Billboard Music Awards revealing the first pieces of the collection. Through social media H&M and Balmain invited their fans to join a movement of togetherness with #HMBalmaination.

"I want to talk to my generation: this is my main aim as a designer. H&M allows me the unique possibility of bringing everyone into the world of Balmain, get a piece of the dream and create a global #HMBalmaination: a movement of togetherness, fueled on a hashtag. The collaboration felt extremely natural to me: H&M is a brand that everybody connects to. It calls for unity, and I am all for it," says Olivier Rousteing.

Founded in 1945, Balmain has always remained true to the vision and spirit of its founder and expresses energy, fun, amusement and freedom, appealing everybody. Rousteing has created a unique identity for the house, at once respectful of its couture DNA and rooted in the moment, with showbiz flair. Highlighting its pop charm through the H&M collaboration came as a natural decision. “We are excited to have Balmain as our guest designer at H&M and create a truly involving experience for everybody. With its mix of couture spirit and streetwear attitude, Balmain owns a unique style, at once opulent and direct, sensual and energetic. It is also closely linked to the show business and music worlds, which adds another element of surprise,� says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M. Available from November 5, in around 250 stores worldwide and online, the collection will feature clothing and accessories for both women and men.

As well as the hashtag #HMBalmaination, you can find out more about H&M and this project in various ways across social media: Instagram @hm, @balmainparis and @olivier_rousteing.

Twitter @hm, @balmain and @orousteing.

Facebook H&M, balmainparis and orousteing.

For more details, head to www.hm.com/kw.

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AMERICAN EAGLE TAKES YOU TO THE BEACH WITH ITS SUMMER 2015 COLLECTION American Eagle Outfitters announced the launch of its latest summer collection. AEO’s Summer “APRES SURF” collection screams boho-style complete with florals, fringe, crochet and of course destroyed denim. No matter where you are, you’ll feel like you are in sunny California with AEO! Girls can let their inner hippy shine in feminine fringe, lace and crochet. The collection showcases shades of white, cream and natural tones. For girls who like a little more color, the collection offers ethnic island prints and bright accessories. Other summer essentials include cotton muscle Tees and Tanks, textured kimonos, printed skirts and comfy rompers. Girls can also enjoy a variety of denim shorts with color crochet, prints, embroidery, heavy destroy and patching. AEO has all the essentials a guy needs for the ultimate summer vacation. It’s all about tropical surf this season with a variety of shorts, beach graphics and tanks. Guys will be able to stand out and rock the color block and bright stripes in AEO timeless T-shirts. Pair a t-shirt with geo-print board shorts and you’re ready to hit the beach! An AEO men’s collection would not be complete without tipped polos, oxford shirts, classic shorts and destroyed denim.

For more information, please visit www.ae.com.

MILLY SPRING/SUMMER 2015 “KINETIC” Michelle Smith, designer and founder of MILLY presented her Spring/Summer 2015 collection at Artbeam on Monday, September 8th 2014. Drawing inspiration from the bold conceptual art of Dan Graham and John Baldessari, Smith constructs an energetic collection through luxurious, futuristic fabrics and cascading silhouettes. The color spectrum of the collection, grounded in black and white, features kinetic bursts of saturated color. Cobalt, poppy, yellow and mint echo the palette favored by Baldessari. Complex textures and layered transparency are streamlined through minimal, sculptural shapes. In a nod to Dan Graham, Smith’s set design using two-way mirrors create a provocative, immersive experience, reflecting the precise tailoring and refined draping throughout the collection.

Milly is situated in Arraya center, ground floor, Shuhada street entrance, Sharq (2299 7739) and The Avenues Phase II, ground floor (2259 7069). For more information, visit www.milly.com.

CELEBRITIES INCLUDING KATIE HOLMES AND ADRIANA LIMA WEAR CHOPARD TO THE “CHINA: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS” COSTUME INSTITUTE BENEFIT GALA AT THE MET Actress Katie Holmes selected several pieces from the Chopard ‘’High Jewelry Collection” including exquisite diamond chandelier earrings featuring 13.22-carats of diamonds set in platinum, a sapphire ring featuring a 10.40-carat pear-shaped sapphire and 0.94-carats of diamonds set in 18kt white gold, a diamond bracelet featuring 20.44-carats of oval-cut diamonds set in 18kt white gold, a diamond bracelet featuring 27.26-carats of oval cut diamonds set in platinum, a diamond bracelet featuring 7.50-carats of princess-cut diamonds set in platinum and a diamond bracelet featuring 18.86-carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold. Model Adriana Lima selected to wear diamond earrings from the High Jewelry Collection featuring 7.01-carats of brilliantcut diamonds set in 18kt white gold, a rubellite tourmaline ring from the Temptations Collection featuring 50.73-carats of pear-shaped rubellite tourmaline, 3.20-carats of rubies and 1.27-carats of diamonds set in 18kt white gold, a diamond band from the High Jewelry Collection featuring 2.65-carats of diamonds set in platinum and a diamond bracelet from the L’Heure Du Diamant Collection featuring 7.29-carats of brilliant cut diamonds set in 18kt white gold. Other celebrities who also wore Chopard fine jewelry to the Met Gala event included Fan Bingbing, Livia Firth and Zoe Kravitz.

WALLIS OPENS SECOND KUWAIT STORE IN AL FANAR MALL Premium international retail brand Wallis opened its second store in Al Fanar Mall, Kuwait in April, featuring the latest collection. For Spring/Summer' 15 at Wallis, there is a re-emergence of key trends that underpin the brand’s handwriting, with Safari and Utility, as well as the 70s, being the coherent influences, reinterpreted for the new season. Moroccan Modern is a confident statement of striking pieces characterized by languid, relaxed styling for a fluid and sophisticated trend.

Minimal pieces are brought to life with key stripe statements, cut-outs and Moroccan patchworks.

The monochrome palette creates impactful dressing solutions in simple shapes such as luxe joggers, cold shoulder styles and column t-shirt dresses. Dusted pastels with accents of citrus tones lend themselves to the 70s inspired trend ‘Hazy Days’. Crepe jumpsuits add a modern, minimal take on this trend, whilst romantic florals create a softer edge, and digital print floral maxi dresses make an ultra-feminine statement. The safari trend is updated by mixing with Asian influences for the Frida collection. A neutral palette of rich earthy tones accented with bold orange and sun-bleached terracotta is inspired by nature, but designed for summer in the city.

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NEPAL DISASTER RELIEF How we can all help by bazaar staff

After a series of earthquakes, and as a result, avalanches struck Nepal and neighboring countries on 25th April (7.8 magnitude), and again on 12th May (7.3 magnitude).You have probably been inundated with images of devastation and tragedy pouring across your social media feeds and TV screens. Of course after seeing these heartbreaking videos and images, the natural question for many people is, "What can I do to help?"

Of course, naturally, large financial support is the main thing needed if this already impoverished country is to cope and rebuild after claiming thousands of lives, and flattening susceptible buildings and landmarks (such as the Dharahara Tower) which were not made to withstand the extensive damage, many of which are regarded as treasured landmarks, religious artifacts as well as being major tourist attractions bringing in large amounts of tourists to their Capital City of Kathmandu. The country has few resources to deal with the medical catastrophe and even fewer to deal with the rebuilding effort to come; they need the help now. But, as with any major disasters and humanitarian emergencies you need to make sure that the charitable efforts are reaching organizations which are making a real difference and are reaching the real victims of the tragedies.

I personally witnessed the beauty this 142

country has to offer last year on a visit to see Mount Everest. It is devastating knowing that the captivating and awe-inspiring landmarks we visited were destroyed, and even worse to hear that some of the hospitable, generous and humble Nepalese who touched our souls, had lost livelihoods, homes and even family members due to this disaster.

If you want to help, we suggest you make an online donation to one of the many reputable organizations helping the victims of Nepal and other affected area. A few are listed below: UNICEF: UNICEF, is a United Nations program dedicated to helping children in developing countries, and it is on the ground in Nepal aiding children and families. Donate to UNICEF's relief efforts online: www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nepal.html The International Committee of The Red Cross: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world whose mission it is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity, especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies. It is present in every country and supported by millions of volunteers. You can donate to relief efforts on their international website: www.icrc.org/eng/donations/?o=421431 Or directly through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society: http://www.krcs.org.kw/donation/

Oxfam: Oxfam is an international organization, working in 90 countries, dedicated to fighting poverty. It also has a presence in Nepal. You can donate to Oxfam's relief efforts by visiting: https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/ content/nepal_earthquake/ Save The Children: Save the Children, is an international non-governmental organization that promotes children's rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries. You can help with their relief efforts in Nepal by visiting: https://secure.savethechildren.org CARE: CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) is a large humanitarian organization, with presence in Nepal and 86 other countries. Visiting its website will take you to a page where you can donate to CARE's relief efforts in the country: www.care.org

Long after the images leave your newsfeed and TV screens the people of Nepal will be living and suffering through this disaster. Some are still too scared to return to their homes for fear that an aftershock will crush them in their homes. If you cannot afford to donate please use your networks to spread the word. This rebuild will take a worldwide effort.

PLAJAT

bazaar around town 360 MALL FOOD LOUNGE TO BE TRANSFORMED 360 MALL, Kuwait’s iconic shopping mall owned by Tamdeen Shopping Centers, is to completely transform its existing food court on the 3rd level to provide an enhanced F&B offering to surpass customer expectations and create a new international dining destination for the country. The redevelopment, valued at KD 2 million, will take place in three phases so that food outlets remain operational for mall customers to enjoy their dining experience at existing outlets.After the redevelopment, the total area will increase to about 2,600 square meters, including dedicated and common seating with the number of outlets increasing to 26. The new dining experience will see the number of gourmet restaurants double to six; two brand new cafes and 18 casual dining outlets. The total gross leasable area of the outlets within the redefined Food Lounge will be 1,900 square meters.

Some of the major features in the remodeling will be a new garden-themed court with lush vertical gardens and a 10-meter waterfall. A simulated sky ceiling will provide diners with a natural outdoor feel. The area will also provide garden and water views with abundant Alfresco dining.“We will create two distinct dining destinations within the entire food lounge area. A new Garden Court will be built as an extension to the current Sky Lounge and the existing Food Lounge near the cinemas will be transformed. While customers will have a new landscape in the Garden Court, they will also experience a new soundscape because of the waterfalls for serenity of their dining experience,” explained Srivastava (board member).The highlight of the reinvented Food Lounge will be a dramatic reflective ceiling which will add depth and sparkle to the area. The outlets will be housed within timber canopies and the seating area experience will be extended to the F&B outlets too. The designs also allow for a contemporary open-styled retail look and feel with natural finishes to ensure that fresh food is always served.

Within the Garden Court sculptural screens will be built to add a sense of privacy for families. The court will also have a pergola garden ceiling over the Al-Fresco dining area with stone hedges and greenery along the pathways.

Phase 1 of the redevelopment will be completed in September 2015, while phase 2 will see completion in March 2016, followed by the last phase in October 2016.

For more information on the mall, please visit www.360mall.com

‫شركة المال العالمية لتجارة السيارات‬ ‫ العالمة الفاخرة لشركة هوندا المحدودة للسيارات‬- ‫تطلق مركز أكورا‬ ‫ والوكيل الحصري‬،‫ إحدى شركات مجموعة المال‬،‫كشفت شركة المال العالمية لتجارة السيارات‬ ‫لسيارات أكورا العالمة الفاخرة لشركة هوندا موتورز اليابانية في الكويت الستار عن "مركز‬ ‫ بحضور كل من رئيس مجلس اإلدارة السيد نجيب عبداهلل المال ونائب رئيس مجلس‬،"‫أكورا‬ ‫اإلدارة والرئيس التنفيذي السيد أنور عبداهلل المال ورئيس العمليات ورئيس منطقة أفريقيا‬ ‫والشرق األوسط في هوندا موتورز والسفير الياباني في الكويت ونخبة من رجال األعمال في‬ ‫ تسعى‬،‫ ومن خالل مركز أكورا الجديد‬.‫الكويت وموظفي مجموعة المال والصحافة واإلعالم‬ ‫الشركة بكل جهد لتوفير السيارات التي تتميز بأحدث وسائل التكنولوجيا والراحة والرفاهية‬ ‫ فيما تطمح شركة أكورا من‬.‫والمتعة معاً بما يجعلها فريدة وقادرة على تلبية رغبات العمالء‬ ‫خالل تواجدها في الكويت وألول مرة في منطقة الشرق األوسط إلى الحفاظ على مركزها‬ ‫وتعزيزه كمبتكر في صناعة السيارات عبر اكتشاف آفاق جديدة بإستمرار في مجال خدمة‬ ‫ تعتبر "اكورا" أول من وضع معايير الرفاهية التي ترضي‬.‫ واإللتزام بتقديم األفضل‬،‫العمالء‬ ‫ لذا حرصت الشركة على تنفيذها بمركز أكورا‬،‫العمالء في تاريخ صناعة السيارات اليابانية‬ ‫الكويت بشكل دقيق تتخطى فيه توقعات الضيوف بدءا من البيع والصيانة إلى خدمة مابعد‬ ‫ التي تحرص على أن توفر من خاللها شركة أكورا راحة البال الضيوف وجودة‬،‫البيع والمتابعة‬ ‫ التزمت شركة المال العالمية لتجارة‬،‫ ولتحقيق هذا الهدف‬.‫الخدمة التي ال يمكن المساومة فيها‬ ‫ ويعتبر أكبر مركز لشركة أكورا‬,‫السيارات بتشييد صرح ضخم لعالمتها التجارية الجديدة أكورا‬ ‫ ويمتاز هذا الصرح‬.‫ أوروبا وأفريقيا‬,‫في العالم واألول من نوعه في منطقة الشرق األوسط‬ ‫ صالة العرض مؤلفة من‬.‫بكونه مرفق من الطراز العالمي للمبيعات والخدمة وقطع الغيار‬ ‫ باإلضافة إلى‬،‫أربعة طوابق تضم مركز عمل مجهز بكافة وسائل الراحة لخدمة الضيوف‬ ‫مركز الصيانة وخدمة مابعد البيع وتسليم السيارات ومستودع قطع الغيار ومكاتب الموظفين‬ ‫ وغيرها من المرافق التي تمنح ضيوف أكورا تجربة مختلفة واكثر‬.‫ومواقف خاصة للسيارات‬ ‫ وتدعو شركة المال العالمية لتجارة السيارات محبي الرفاهية‬.‫رفاهية من أي مركز آخر‬ ‫والسيارات الفخمة إلى زيارة هذا الصرح لكي يشهدوا على ما تم بنائه بحرفية وتكنولوجيات‬ ‫ في الوقت الذي تؤكد فيه الشركة إلتزامها في تحقيق أعلى مستوى من الخدمة التي‬.‫متقدمة‬ .‫تتماشى مع التكنولوجيات المتقدمة لسيارات أكورا‬ 144

LAKELAND: THE HOME OF CREATIVE KITCHENWARE Lakeland has brought a fantastic new bakeware range in store along with 1000s of innovative products and ideas for kitchen and home.

Lakeland is UK's leading stylish and innovative kitchen accessories brand with cookware, appliances and utensils which are perfect for every contemporary home. With over 4000 products in its range and with new products every year, Lakeland’s kitchen tools are some of the most loved across the world. Lakeland searches the world for products to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable, whether it's cooking, entertaining, doing housework or searching for the perfect present. The kitchen is the heart of the home and Lakeland offers everything to help you prepare, serve and store food.

Lakeland is situated in Marina Mall in Kuwait. For more information phone 2575 7510. You can also follow them on Instagram or Facebook @lakelandgcc.

Starbucks Welcomes the Summer with the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino Starbucks marks the start of the warm summer season with the launch of its all new Frappuccino drink, the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino. Customers can indulge in the flavor of smooth mocha with coconut, topped with whipped cream, mocha drizzle and crunchy coconut flakes. Not only can customers quench that hot summer thirst, but they can do so with the flavour of sweet mocha.

Rana Shaheen, Starbucks regional communications and CSR manager for the MENA region, said, “With the new Mocha Coconut Frappuccino, we celebrate the start of the summer season with our customers, and we can’t wait for them to try it”. Customers can also enjoy the refreshing taste of iced tea infused with fresh fruit flavours. The two flavours available are Mixed Berry Green tea, iced tea infused with a medley of berry notes, sweetened and hand-shaken with ice; and the Peach White Tea, which is iced tea infused with a balanced fusion of mellow white tea, and herbal peach tea, also sweetened and hand shaken with ice.

Don’t forget to pass by the nearest Starbucks store and celebrate the start of this great summer season.

‫بمناسبة اليوم العالمي للتمريض‬ ‫مستشفى دار الشفاء يعقد مؤتمراً علميُا للرعاية التمريضية لمرضى الحاالت الحرجة‬ ‫عقد مستشفى دار الشفاء مؤتمراً علمياً تحت عنوان " الرعاية التمريضية لمرضى الحاالت الحرجة " بفندق‬ ‫ افتتح المؤتمر بكلمه ألقتها السيدة نرجس اليوسفي عضو مجلس اإلدارة بمستشفى دار‬.‫راديسون بلو‬ ً ‫ " تم تنظيم هذا المؤتمر إحتفا‬:‫الشفاء حيث قالت‬ ‫ال باليوم العالمي للتمريض وتقديراَ لجهود الممرضين‬ ‫ " وبهذه‬:‫ وأضافت‬."‫والممرضات حول العالم وتعريف المجتمع بالدور الهام والحيوي الذي يقومون به‬ ‫ خاصة‬،‫ أود أن أشكر جميع الممرضين والممرضات العاملين بالقطاع الحكومي والخاص‬،‫المناسبة الخاصة‬ ."‫العاملين بمستشفى دار الشفاء للجهود الشاقة التي يقومون بها لتحقيق أهدافهم في رعاية المرضى‬ ‫ " لدينا‬:‫وفي نفس السياق صرح السيد أحمد نصر اهلل الرئيس التنفيذي لمستشفى دار الشفاء حيث قال‬ ‫ ممرض وممرضة على درجة عالية من الكفاءة والتدريب يعمل ليل‬500 ‫في دار الشفاء فريق مكون من‬ ‫ " أن مستشفى دار الشفاء‬:‫ وأضاف‬."‫نهار لتقديم أفضل الخدمات وأكثرها جودة في مجال رعاية المرضى‬ ‫يسعى دائمًا لضمان حصول المرضى على أفضل رعاية صحية خالل فترة إقامتهم في المستشفى‬ " ‫وطوال مدة عالجهم‬

ROYALE HAYAT HOSPITAL CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY Royale Hayat Hospital celebrated International Nursing Day on May 12, 2015 at Al-Joury Hall among management and staff to recognize the role of nurses who deliver the highest level of quality care throughout the year. Speeches and videos focused on the role nurses play every day in saving lives and improving the health of individuals. Royale Hayat Hospital honored the nurses by distributing certificates and prizes during the event to show support and appreciation. Royale Hayat Hospital empowers the Nursing Department with advanced training programs to facilitate progression and development among individuals and to better serve patients and families.

For more information about Royale Hayat Hospital visit www.royalehayat.com or follow the on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @royalehayat.

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STARB

BUCKS

AIR, EARTH, FIRE, WATER... AND BUTTERFLIES

by Mohammed El Soukkary

It is easy to take the weather for granted, until the moment it decides to remind you of just how quickly things can change. I stood on the beach one early morning in mid spring, basking in the warm rays of the sun and eagerly anticipating swimming in the clear turquoise waters of the not-so-aptly-named Red Sea. I decided to grab a quick bite to eat, taking for granted that the sun would remain steadfast in the clear blue skies.

It was a matter of moments; as I stepped into the conveniently located cafĂŠ for a cup of coffee, a change in the winds led to an unforeseen but rapid gathering of dark ominous clouds, accompanied by rapid gusts of cold winds that unhelpfully caught the beach umbrellas unawares and took them on brief but exciting trips across the beach. Not about to be left out, rain decided to join in the festivities by pattering everything in sight as if it had personally offended them.

I watched the umbrellas dance with the rising winds, and the boats tug against the pull of the accelerating waves, and the panicking people who were not so fortunate to have my nerves of steel and a thick pane of glass between themselves and the climactic events going on outside, and I realized how frequently we underestimate the effects of climate on our lives and behaviors.

Observing the effects of the sudden change of weather, it became increasingly clear in my mind that the effects of ill preparedness and complacency towards a rapidly changing climate could potentially be devastating. The smallest change in a natural phenomenon causes ripples and chain reactions that seem to adhere to chaos 148

theory and the butterfly effect; by the time that ripple has taken a trip around the world, it becomes an unstoppable hurricane.

Meteorological scientists have all but gone hoarse with shouting at the rest of us to stop messing with the environment and start paying attention to the fact that we are in fact doing the collective equivalent of standing on the top of Odin Hill and challenging Thor to strike us down with lightening. Even politicians, governments, and international organizations renowned the world over for being slow on the uptake, have begun to voice their concerns about climate change.

What does any of this have to do with me, you ask, very conveniently setting up the next part of this article? Well, dear reader, allow me to respond to your pertinent, and I must add very clever, query; despite the fact that now even governments have begun to acknowledge that climate change is an indisputable reality that will change the face of the earth over the next few decades, our individual behavior has changed very little to reflect this. Most of us adopt the notion that it will not be our insignificant contribution that will stop the inevitable tide of change in the same way that no single snowflake believes that it is responsible for the avalanche.

Instead of maintaining behavioral trends that we have developed over the course of our existence, throughout most of which we did not acknowledge the existence of climate change, it might be a good idea to begin taking a few proactive steps that will serve to help us cope with a dynamic environment.

At this point, many of you are assuming that I will encourage you to stop driving a particular kind of car,

or use the air conditioning a little less or use fewer aerosols, or some such inconvenient and unpopular message. Far from it, especially now that summer is here and nobody will want to be anywhere near someone who does not use aerosols, especially if they couple that with reduced AC usage.

On an individual level, the first step is not to attempt to change the world, but rather just take care of yourself; develop a habit of being well informed about local meteorological trends, and how they affect you and what your responses should be. In the Middle East for instance, and in the Gulf particularly, awareness of the effects of an increasingly punishing Sun on your skin is no longer a luxury; reduced atmospheric protection for instance might entail an increased risk of contracting melanoma, which is not something to be taken lightly, while increased exposure to the cocktail of emissions that lurk about urban centers factor into the equation by being tied to an increase in the number of respiratory illnesses.

Just being aware of the risks to you as an individual and the steps necessary to reduce the risk of suffering the adverse effects resulting from climate change will be the first step towards making a change; changes in individual behaviors trigger changes in community behaviors, and eventually national and hopefully global behaviors. And if not, well at least you will know enough to keep yourself safe from harm.

Except if a butterfly flaps its wings on the other side of the world of course; nothing will keep you safe from the ensuing hurricane.

Good luck!

RIVER

bazaar checks it out KERASTRAIGHT – GORGEOUS MADE EASY beau-tique hosted the MD/Founder of KeraStraight, Mr. Jez Barnett, in the new Villa TONI&GUY hair and beauty salon last month, where he provided a training seminar for Kuwaiti salons who work with KeraStraight. He kindly answered some of our questions.

What is your favorite KeraStraight product and why?

"KeraStraight will only ever develop unique, world leading products, so it really is a case of finding what’s best for each individual client, and what combination of products keeps their hair looking gorgeous and healthy. However, it’s our full KeraStraight treatment that always makes the headlines! It delivers up to 4 months of straightening and repair and we believe it truly is life changing."

Which KeraStraight product would you recommend for the Summer Season and why?

"Probably our Moisture or Protein Masks which used once a week will continuously feed the hair and give a client that extra bit of TLC. Apart from repairing the hair, it will be far easier to manage and support styles far better. Also our KeraStraight Protect that guards against the harmful effects of UVA/UVB, Saltwater & Chlorine" Is there a particular hair type that KeraStraight is good for?

"Our Treatments and products are great for all hair types. Anyone who finds their hair hard or time consuming to manage, is concerned about the condition or is just looking for advanced products that feed the hair as they style. The most dramatic results are always noticed by the ones with most needs, but are really suitable for everyone. Who doesn’t want gorgeous hair that is quick and easy to manage?"

Why should people choose KeraStraight?

"Our treatments and products radically transform hair to leave it looking and feeling gorgeous. Each product we make is designed to perform like no other and we are thrilled that KeraStraight is endorsed by some of the greatest hairdressers in the world.

What are your three top tips on how to maintain beautiful, healthy hair?

"Find a hairdresser you trust and listen to their advice, great hairdressers really do care.

Invest in great products and tools, generally you get what you pay for. Love and treat your hair, you’re wearing it every day of your life. For most people if they are happy with their hair, they can take on the world."

KeraStraight is exclusively distributed in Kuwait by beau-tique cosmetics international.

For more information, you can call beau-tique on 2225 1285

SO MUCH MORE THAN ABC’S PLAY MORE, LEARN MORE AT FANTASY WORLD When children play with toys, they are more or less exploring the world. Many of these toys are a miniature version of adult tools through which they learn to make sense of what’s around them. From babies to toddlers to preschoolers, playing is the way they learn about the world and engage in activities that promote their cognitive, emotional and social development. By being mindful of these basic principles of child development and role playing, parents can carefully select toys to meet young children’s growing needs and interests while supporting their learning process. When a child bangs on drum, he shall learn he can create sound and also discover imitation. Infant play gyms help them explore different colors or enjoy tummy time. Modelling materials such as play dough can tap into their imagination and combining it with a cookie cutter allows them to create shapes. Similarly dolls and dress-up playing can initiate learning about family and cultures. Blocks are great toys for all ages as children can explore and move before learning to stack them vertically or horizontally to form simple structures and designs while learning how to balance and create shapes. Puzzles offer greater challenges! To build on the child’s cognitive skills they can indulge in creating simple picture puzzles. Playing combined with educational toys and a little creativity goes a long way and contributes positively to the child’s personality and motor-skills. Day after day infants and toddlers engage in certain types of play depending on their age group and stage of development. And as the importance of selecting specific toys becomes clearer, a world of limitless possibilities for toys opens up! And with the mention of toys, who understands the world of play better than Kuwait’s favorite toy store, Fantasy World? The ultimate destination for kids, Fantasy World is known to import some of the most unique, innovative and the largest selection of toys, to delight children of younger ages. The store’s offer two dedicated departments designed specifically for young children, Early Years and Amazing Minds which hosts toys not just for entertainment but also contributes to the mental and physical wellbeing of your child. Designed to meet the needs of families and to create the confidence in your kids, Fantasy World has been working together with families for nearly 20 years now by helping your child develop and grow by being part of their special childhood moments through the joy of play with best in class products and toys as this encourages a happy childhood.

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EASTPAK’S NON PROFIT ARTIST STUDIO Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW) recently announced it won three bids from Eastpak’s nonprofit project “Artist Studio” in collaboration with the international organization “Designers Against Aids” (DAA), which includes creations from world-renowned artists like Jean Paul Gaultier, Scooter LaForge and Chris Jansenns. Proceeds generated from the bids have gone towards the DAA organization, an effort to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in international media, specifically targeting young people in industrialized countries using elements from pop culture. The non-profit Eastpak “Artist Studio” is a project under the DAA organization that offers a platform for established and up-and-coming artists to use their creativity to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst youngsters. The project lets young talent and renowned artists explode their creative compulsions on the most classic and cult EASTPAK backpack: the Padded Pak’r. Global artists like Jean Paul Gaultier, Manolo Blahnik and Elio Fiorucci have taken part in this project alongside 56 artists from 14 countries across three continents.

For more information, please visit: www.eastpak.com

H&M LAUNCHES BEAUTY RANGE THIS SEASON H&M announced the launch of a new range of beauty products, hitting stores this autumn with a full range of make-up as well as haircare, bodycare and beauty tools. Fashion is at the heart of the range with an ever-evolving make-up selection that focuses on seasonal looks, ideas and colours.

The products will be available in over 900 stores worldwide and online at hm.com. The launch comes at a time when make-up is more important than ever for personal style, whether the look is natural, classic or fashion-forward. There will be new, dedicated beauty areas in the stores to help customers experiment with trends and develop a look that’s all their own. “We are very excited to have ‘fashion for the face’ on offer at H&M. It’s an opportunity to be inventive, creative and to have fun with colours,” says Sara Wallander, Concept Designer at H&M Beauty. There will be over 700 beautifully packaged make-up products in the range at the time of the launch, with seasonal drops of new and limited edition color collections. The range will also include two subsidiary collections: a premium beauty line and a conscious range of Ecocert-approved sustainable products.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF KUWAIT & GULF UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WIN KUWAIT FINALS OF MICROSOFT IMAGINE CUP 2015 Microsoft Kuwait along with key sponsors Burgan Bank, Diyar United Company and RISE Center at the American University of Kuwait announced the winners of Kuwait Imagine Cup 2015, the world’s most prestigious student technology competition. The event saw intense competition amongst the participating university students. The winning teams were from American University of Kuwait & Gulf University for Science and Technology for their projects ‘LinkGo’ ‘Hover Knight’ and ‘PostFix’. The winning teams are participating in the Imagine Cup Pan Arab semi finals, held in Bahrain from 31 May to 3 June 2015 and from there the winning team will attend the Imagine Cup worldwide finals which will be held in Seattle, USA in July 2015. Imagine Cup 2015 is comprised of three competition tiers; Games (Windows (PC or touchscreen), Windows Phone, Xbox Indie Games, or Kinect SDK), Innovation and World Citizenship. As the world’s most prestigious student technology competition, the Imagine Cup is Microsoft’s initiative to encourage young people to apply their imagination and creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference and address real-world issues.

SUNSHINE STYLE AT THE WHITE COMPANY’S SPRING/SUMMER ‘15 COLLECTION The White Company, a leading UK-based lifestyle brand, has introduced its stunning new Spring/Summer 2015 collection. The latest collection is inspired by the calm tranquility of the seaside, capturing the essence of laid-back coastal living, from crisp white bed linen with textured throws to the ultimate spa bathroom filled with fluffy towels and pampering treats to lightweight knits and stylish layers. As ever, calm whites and sophisticated grays feature, while there is a nod to nautical with navy accents – perfect for letting the outside into your home and celebrating Summer.

The White Company has a full range of products to transform every home. The interiors collection ranges from bed linen and home fragrances to outdoor tableware and bath essentials. Now, after establishing itself as a bed linen, textile specialist and homeware specialist, The White Company has also ventured into clothing with its signature style of easy-to-wear and effortlessly stylish clothes. The brand is launching an exclusive chic and comfortable loungewear and must-have accessories line across its stores.

The SS15 collection is available at The White Company store in Kuwait, located at The Avenues Mall.The White Company is represented in the region exclusively by Jawad Business Group, a leading retail conglomerate in the region.

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FLYING CARS ARE COMING! But do you really want one?

by Kevin Maney

It’s really not that hard to build a flying car – the first working model showed up in 1947. It’s taken us way longer to figure out how to keep ketchup from sticking to the inside of its bottle.

The real challenge turns out to be building a flying car that makes sense for the society we live in.

Elon Musk, CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, keeps getting asked why he can’t mate his two companies and give birth to a rocket car. He answered in a series of recent tweets, including: “Flying car pros: travel in 3D fast. Cons: risk of car falling on head much greater.” And Peter Thiel, everyone’s favorite curmudgeon investor, goes around saying, “We wanted flying cars; instead we got 140 characters.”

Two main obstacles have kept us from living in a Jetsons cartoon. The first is developing vertical takeoff and landing capabilities for a car-size vehicle. It doesn’t make much sense to market flying cars to suburban moms who would then have to race them down Stone Brook Chestnut Lane to achieve liftoff. A mass-market flying car pretty much has to go straight up and down from the driveway — quietly, safely and cheaply. That’s a seriously hard engineering feat.

The second obstacle is ensuring safety and order once a whole lot of individuals suddenly start zooming around in the air. Automobile accidents kill 1 million people a year around the world, and cars just move in two vectors. Add a third vector — the air above the Earth’s surface — and the probability of chaos goes exponential. If we’re concerned about overpopulation, we should develop humanpiloted flying cars that are so cheap everybody can get one.

Credit for the first flying car goes to Robert Edison Fulton. His family started the company that became Greyhound Corporation, and his father was president of Mack Trucks. In 1947, he unveiled the Airphibian. The car end of an Airphibian was a fourwheeled cockpit shaped like the head of a beagle.

That piece could be attached to a plane fuselage, which had to stay at the airport while you drove into town in the front part. The thing flew, and one now sits in the Smithsonian.

Over the years, Ford worked on a flying car, and Chrysler worked on a flying jeep for the military.

Neither went into production. Inventor Moulton Taylor got his Aerocar airborne in the 1960s and almost sold Ford on the idea of marketing it. None of those machines were practical. All of them took off like an airplane.

In March this year, a Slovakian company called AeroMobil gave a talk about its working prototype at brainy carnival South by Southwest. It’s shaped like a wasp, with wings that fold back for driving, but also takes off like a plane. The prototype can fly 430 miles, and as high as 9,800 feet. The company says the model has been certified by the 152

Slovak Federation of Ultra-Lite Flying.

“Unless the flying car can take off vertically, it is not going to change personal transportation,” says Paul Moller, who has worked on this problem for 50 years. He is part nuts and part genius. He has spent more than USD 100 million trying to perfect vertical lift engines, which at one point left him in personal bankruptcy. He’s also made millions of dollars on technology he’s spun out of his work, and wowed a discerning crowd with a 2004 TED Talk on flying cars. His M400 Skycar, constantly on the verge of being ready, looks like a cross between a Corvette and a Cuisinart. Its four rotary engines tip up for vertical takeoff, then turn horizontal to fly — though as of last year, he’d gotten the Skycar only about 40 feet off the ground. Nonetheless, he’s been taking preorders since the 1990s.

The Skycar’s problem remains engine development, Moller tells me. His company in Davis, California, has long worked on inventing this new technology by itself, and that’s always expensive. But something new is changing that: the boom in drones. Drones are small vertical-lift gadgets, but they keep getting bigger and more powerful. Money and brainpower are pouring in — because there’s a market. If Moller can’t get to a car-worthy vertical engine with his top-down approach, someone working on drones will get

there from the bottom up. Solve the vertical-liftoff problem and you’ve got a flying car that can roll out of the garage and go straight to the sky.

This also calls into question what we really want when we hope for flying cars. Everybody but Moller has tried to build a car that can both drive down a highway and fly. But why? Amazon is investing in drone delivery so it can drop right onto a customer’s lawn. It’s not investing in flying UPS trucks that both drive and fly. That’s because flying and driving might always be two exclusive acts — what we probably really want is a personal flying vehicle, like the ones in Blade Runner, along with a regular car for moving on land.

As for the solution to potential chaos, we’re seeing it in the arrival of self-driving cars. Tesla plans to introduce the first consumer versions this year. Self-flying cars would know the paths of all other flying cars, know the landscape so you don’t fly into a skyscraper and get weather updates so you don’t fly into a storm. No need to make people get pilot’s licenses. No worries about drunken flying. Ten years ago, the idea of a self-driving car — much less a self-driving sky car — seemed implausible. Now such technology is practically upon us.

“What keeps me going is that I know it’s doable,” Moller told me in 2004. After 50 years, he might finally be right.

HYPOXI

bazaar investigates MMC CATERING WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Lamya Sebti leads new and exciting changes at renowned culinary and catering specialist Lamya Sebti, newly appointed Director of Marketing of renowned culinary and catering specialist MMC Catering, was introduced for the first time to distinguished members of the media in Kuwait during an informal media lunch on Wednesday, May 13th 2015.

During the event, guests were treated to authentic culinary traditions of France through the exquisite cuisines of Le Notre Restaurant and Café in Kuwait, the high-end French and international restaurant of MMC Catering, where the lunch was held. Present at the event were Kostas Silignakis, Director of Operations, and Ahmed Abdallah, Brand Manager. The year 2015 marks a period of positive changes and of reaching new horizons for MMC Catering as Sebti bring with her years of experience in Marketing & Communications. Prior to joining MMC catering, Sebti was the Cluster Director of Marketing & Communication of Wyndham Grand Regency & Ramada Encore Doha, Marketing & Events Senior Consultant of The Ritz Carlton Marrakech: The Ritz Carlton Residences, Jnan Amar Polo Club & Jnan Amar Polo Academy, and Group Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication for Palmeraie Hotels & Resorts. She was also the Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication of the Moevenpick Tower & Suites in Doha, where she created the hotel’s overall marketing communications strategy. Sebti holds a Master’s Degree in International Business, majoring in Marketing, from the Euromed Marseille School of Management, Marseille, France. She also has Baccalaureate in Economics, equivalent to the A-level, from the Victor Hugo High School, Marrakech, Morocco. Her other trainings in Marketing include certificates in Hospitality Marketing, Hospitality Management, and Marketing Strategy for business leaders from the Cornell, E-course, Doha, Qatar.

NO7 PROTECT & PERFECT INTENSE ADVANCED SERUM REACHES KUWAIT No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum is the UK’s first serum clinically proven to deliver anti-ageing results that get even better over time. An industry first, these groundbreaking results come from a 12 month clinical trial and have been scrutinised by the UK’s advertising industry advisors at the highest level. Last year, the experts at No7 launched the next generation formulation of its much loved and best-selling No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Serum - the new No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum, which is clinically proven to produce even better anti-ageing results than the original. Encouraged by the exceptional results after 6 months product use, Boots skincare scientists decided to continue the trial to 12 months, driven by the fact they wanted to see how long the results would continue to get better. Knowing that if they could prove these cumulative results, it would be a genuine beauty and UK first. Now, No7 is proud to be able to make this proven claim: The UK’s first serum clinically proven to deliver anti-wrinkle results that get even better over time’ No.7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum is now available in Boots stores worldwide including Kuwait.

AL CORNICHE CLUB ORGANIZED A FUN DAY For the children of the NBK cancer hospital with major sponsorship presented by Warba National On Wednesday, May 13th, kids battling cancer came together and took a break from harsh treatments for a day of fun at Al Corniche Club, sponsored by Warba National, Fantasy World and Boushahri group. The event featured a wide variety of fun games, magic show, giveaways; face painting and much more! "We are proud to continue to support the children’s NBK hospital in any way we can" concludes the Club's management. Al Corniche Club has joined forces with the NBK Children’s cancer hospital since January 2014 and upon their request; the club has renewed, refreshed and transformed each of the 52 bedrooms with a complete room make over. NBK's children cancer hospital has been donated by the National Bank of Kuwait. It was inaugurated on April 2000 and since then it has been providing care to children with childhood leukemia, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, hemolytic anemia, bone marrow failure, bleeding disorders and other hemohlobinpathies.

Al Corniche Club is the Middle East's most exclusive leisure resort and spa, located on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. For more information about the club, please visit www.alcornicheclub.com

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ECRU LATEST ‘AFRICA’ COLLECTION #ECRUAFRICA Nur Kaoukji and Noor Al-Sabah both began their interests of design in the Fashion and Jewelry World.

Yet it quickly translated into their love of fabrics, prints, materials, and interiors and soon enough, they began designing together their homeware brand ecru. Born to resurrect artisanal craft yet appeal to a modern easy aesthetic, their following has been a wide variety of people interested in finding something unique for their home. The latest collection, aptly named ‘Africa’ is a collection of wild animals embedded into brass trays, molded into marble, and dipped in silver. Their prints are inspired by the incredibly colorful tribes of Africa, using the technique of hand block printing in Jaipur to bring them to life. A selection of lounge pieces were introduced this season including lazing mattresses, simple chic cover ups, and cotton quilted blankets. A new taste of an ecru-ified part of the world, if you will. Africa brought out a bolder side of ecru, and after a strong market reaction, the girls are both excited to develop wilder and bolder designs to come.

Ecru is a pop-up shop located in Al Othman, Maryam Complex, Salem Al Mubarak Street, Salmiya.

For more information, or to shop online visit www.ecruonline.com or follow them on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter: @ecruonline.

ETOILE “LA BOUTIQUE” AT THE AVENUES – #ETOILEENCHANTEDGARDEN The Etoile Garden, hosted by Kuwait’s Sweetheart Yalda Golsharifi on 3rd April 2015, attracted fashion enthusiasts, VIPs, influencers, as well as press who were excited to learn all about the What’s Hot Now and must have bright, bold and shiny trends for the summertime. Guests were presented with flower headbands upon entering the boutique to usher in a summery garden feel to the evening. Entering guests enjoyed the #EtoileEnchantedGarden flower wall which served as the perfect opportunity for photo sessions, and guests also enjoyed using pieces from the boutique as props for fun pictures. Three Etoile models presented the latest must-have looks of the season from new and exclusive designers, such as beautiful evening and day dresses from Alex Perry and Anna Sammarone, as well as edgy looks from Alexis Mabille new designers to the family of Etoile and also exclusive to Etoile “La boutique”.

You can find Etoile “La boutique” at The Avenues. To find out more information, you can visit them online at www.etoilelaboutique.com, Facebook: Etoile “La Boutique” and Instagram @etoilelaboutique.

H&M DEBUTS AT METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART COSTUME INSTITUTE BENEFIT 2015 Inspired by this year’s exhibition theme, “China: Through the Looking Glass”, H&M’s design team created one-of-a-kind looks in collaboration with each of its guests. The designs honor each individuals unique personal style and features intricate detailing such as hand done beading and embroideries, and design elements such as pleating inspired by the folds of a fan.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure for H&M to take part in fashion’s most prestigious event of the year. Each of our specially designed outfits both captures the mood of the exhibition, and shows the fun of fashion that is so important to H&M,” says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Head of Design. Known as one of fashion’s most influential style icons of our time, H&M had the privilege to work with 2015 Costume Institute Benefit Committee member Sarah Jessica Parker to create her look for this year’s gala. Sarah wore a one-shouldered black silk dress, which she designed in collaboration with H&M, with a draped train embroidered with Scarlet poppies.

The dress also included a patchwork panel, made of sustainable fabric and embellishments, highlighting H&M’s vision of making fashion sustainable and sustainability fashionable.

AL HAJERY 2015 CUP LAUNCHED AT KRC Mohamed Nasser Al Hajery & Sons recently launched its first equestrian tournament “Al Hajery 2015 Cup” to enhance and further promote the country’s deep rooted traditions of horse riding and passion for the sport. This event took place on April 23 & 24 at the KRC - Kuwait Riding Center, where a very professional Jury assessed Kuwaiti and expat horse riders for their outstanding performances. Valuable awards and prizes amounting to more than KD 15,000 were distributed to winners of all categories. Mohamed Nasser Al Hajery & Sons established in 1946, is a dynamic and flexible organization with a primarily focus on pharmaceutical and personal care products, but through the years it has diversified its operation into consumer and food products, perfumes and cosmetics, healthcare, and home appliances, etc. Today Al Hajery sales organization ensures a wide coverage and a deep market penetration by directly calling on the various trade channels. By representing and marketing many big brands in Kuwait, Al-Hajery has gained the notoriety of being one of the most respected and diversified distributors in Kuwait. Quality on every level has been the strength of Al-Hajery, from products to services, offering and committing the very best to the various markets.

Celebrating 70 years next year, Al Hajery is among the top trading companies in Kuwait.

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bazaar scopes what’s your sign?

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18

Seeing how “the other half” lives helps put things into perspective for you. What you really want will become clearer. A lucky break comes your way later in the month. You’ll have an opportunity to do something you didn’t even think was an option.

Your enthusiasm inspires others.

Giving a friend the cold shoulder is no way to resolve problems. Get things out in the open before they get out of hand. A change at work could be the sign of things to come. An opportunity could be waiting for you in the very near future.

Keep your eyes open.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 20

A slow and steady approach will be much more effective than an aggressive one when it comes to matters of the heart – especially if you’re pursuing a Scorpio. Make use of free time early in the month as your social life will accelerate towards the end of the month.

An introspective mood could help you figure out how to resolve an ongoing problem. Time spent alone will prove beneficial. News about a former associate – probably a Gemini – will provide food for thought. You’ll find that people can really change over time.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 19

A bad attitude will only make an unpleasant situation worse. Why not take a positive approach?

If you do, you may be pleasantly surprised. An unexpected expense could put a damper on weekend plans. You may have to seek out less expensive entertainment options.

Discipline is the key to success. Resist the urge to procrastinate and focus on the job at hand.

Business travel plans may be delayed if your work schedule gets too demanding later in the month.

An opportunity to see old friends will arise. Fun times await.

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20

A look into the future helps you make an important decision. Thinking long-term is the smart approach. At home, don’t let a negative family member get you down. Keep hold of your optimistic nature. Now’s the time to look into that class you’ve been wanting to take.

Think long-term when it comes to financial planning.

A situation that was new and somewhat overwhelming a few months back seems like old hat now. You’ll feel more comfortable in general with all aspects of your life. Renewed self confidence helps you overcome fears.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21 A great month! Being in the right place at the right time could yield rewards.

You’ll feel as if you have a guardian angel. In matters of romance, you’ll find that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Big news comes from afar. This month is a good time for communications.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22 Help comes from an unusual source. You may find that you were wrong about someone’s character.

An argument with a loved one could escalate into a huge battle if you lose your cool. Try to take a reasonable approach. Put off making plans for an upcoming weekend away.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 – DEC 21 Be open to new ideas, especially when it comes to work. You could find a faster, more productive way of doing something. The road to love may be somewhat bumpy. You might be better off saving romance for a later date. A family member surprises you.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 Don’t be afraid to share your ideas – no matter how off-beat they may seem. Others will be receptive. A work challenge gives you something to be excited about, but you may have to temporarily sacrifice your social life if you want to reap the full rewards.

Romance takes a turn this month.

source: www.2015horoscope.com 156

CELIO

PORSCHE (OBC)