bazaar February Issue 2016

February 2016 | Issue # 201 www.bazaar.town

Maxm

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MAXMARA.COM

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. e t i u s r a t s n e v e s e h T Audi Q7. w e n l l a e h T

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Int Do you ever get the feeling that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day? What with traffic, work, social activities, and dreary chores, the days, weeks, and months just fly by. The other day, I was at a dinner and the subject of summer plans came up. My first thought was “but we just got back from our summer holidays!” followed by the realization that February was just around the corner with all that it entails: National and Liberation Day celebrations, Valentine’s Day celebrations (if you’re into teddy bears and cheese, that is), the always amazing Dubai Jazz Festival, which they seem to time perfectly with our days off here, making the temptation to go that much stronger, and lots of other local events here in K-town, like the Kuwait Yacht Show, which is always a lot of fun.

Summer plans aside, bazaar celebrates Kuwait this month! We’re doing this by taking a closer look at the amazing people that keep this resilient nation going. We get Up Close and Personal with the incredible Shaikha Al Sabah from Dar Atma Yoga studio who has created a healing haven and space for peace, and we revel in the magic of bringing together people from different walks of life to deliver Kuwait with a local Portuguese delicacy with the story behind Al Nata. We also explore Kuwait’s entrepreneurial spirit through features like ‘Kuwait Business Nation’ and ‘5 Concepts we Love from Kuwait.’In the world of all things fashion, we were given the opportunity to speak with the impressive Najeeba Hayat, who is making waves with her whimsical and stunning luxury footwear line Liudmila, sold exclusively at AlOthman Fashion.

Here at bazaar, we believe that no celebration is ever complete without indulging in food, glorious, food! We get back to the nation’s roots, with a modernistic twist, and the majestic Dar Hamad, and we take a closer look at other local concepts that will make for delicious dining destinations this holiday season. If you’re still on a roll when it comes to that New Year’s health kick (Good for you!), then you will love our interview with the Wholehearted Baker Siham Nuseibeh in Truth or Dare who proves to us that you can have your cake, and eat it too.

Happy National Day, Liberation Day, Valentine’s Day, and every other day!

Ahmed El-Adly

About the Cover: This is not the first time we find ourselves collaborating with the talented Ahmad Al-Ghanim.

As partner and co-founder of the renowned lifestyle brand Thouq, Ahmad has blessed our homes with his take on making art affordable to all. The artist and designer has once again captivated our attention with this issue’s cover piece titled ‘The Lover’. According to Ahmad, the anonymous lover who appears on the cover lives and loves love, and wishes to see everyone around him sharing his ethos. We couldn’t think of a better message to share with our readers!

The bazaar team...

Boss Ahmed El-Adly

Operations Tim Burns

Business Development Ihab Mokalled

Design Ahmed Al-Ashab

Cover Design Ahmad Al-Ghanim

Content Coordinator/Staff Writer Yasmine El Charif

Staff Writer/Online Media Amira Haroun

Staff Writer Lili Barras-Hargan Yasmine Dalloul

Communications Hala Y. Sharara

Editor

Printing

Alia Al Duaij

British Industries for Printing and Packaging

Contributing Writers Aaron Cooper Ayman Nassar Nejoud Al Yagout Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg

Contributing Photographers Abdulaziz Alsurayee Muneera Alkhulaifi Tareq Alaskar

members of:

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

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

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

No one likes to be dumped;

recycle me, please.

marella

KARLIE KLOSS LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 2015 MARELLA.COM KUWAIT 2ND AVENUE, THE AVENUES T +965 225 975 00, EXT: 7080

INDEX FEB '16

30

62

118

128

40

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

TRUTH OR DARE

AL NATA

7ABEEBTI KUWAIT

LIUDMILA

This month’s Up Close and Personal is brought to you by Shaikha Al Sabah the founding mother behind Dar Atma Yoga Studio. Get to know the Zen yogi who provided her beloved nation with a go-to spot for ultimate relaxation, meditation and to focus on their yoga practice in peace.

The queen of guilt free, decadent desserts is back! Wholehearted’s Siham “Suma” Nuseibeh indulges us with sugar-free treats and the ultimate treat of all, our favorite game, Truth or Dare.

These Portuguese yummies are a huge hit in Kuwait, spreading like wildfire on Sultan Center’s shelves and Kuwait’s local farmer’s markets. We got the scoop behind the addictive little treats, and introduce you to the team responsible for bringing these loveable pastries to our plates.

Happy Liberation Month! February is a month that’s dedicated to Kuwait, so we decided to give back to the country that loves us by dedicating a list of things we love about the small yet mighty nation we all call home.

Calling all Fashionistas! Revert to this page of your magazine to discover the beauty of Kuwaiti shoe designer’s Najeeeba Hayat’s fantasy fused footwear line. Trust us, ladies, these are something special.

Kateh Restaurant p.108

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OLD KUWAIT TOUR

H&M STUDIO COLLECTION

To honor the nation’s favorite month, one of our own embarked on a tour of the old city with the AWARE center.

Read about the bazaarite’s adventures and discovery of Kuwait’s rich heritage, its hospitality and the hidden gems its history has to offer.

It’s a new year and a fresh new season for H&M! Take a sneak peek into their studio collection, boasting a palette of neutral pastels to inspire a feeling of adventure and travel lusted bohemian chic dubbed “newmad”. We’re in love with the easy-breezy feel of the Spring/Summer 2016 line, and know you will be too!

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FEBRUARY SALES

FASHIONALITY

DAR HAMAD

GHALYA’S PET HOTEL

TASTE OF Q8

It’s sale, sale, sale time all over Kuwait, and we’re all excited!

But before we let loose our crazy like a bunch of kids trapped in a candy store, a few tips for self control will come in handy.

Read on to take note of helpful reminders to make your monthlong shopping excursion more enjoyable.

Who doesn’t love hats? If you’ve never been too fond, then our interview with NYC based hat designer Alessandra Rivera might change your mind! Read on to discover Alessandra’s inspirations when it comes to hats, and why she feels that the essential accessory is truly one size fits all.

Time for some Kuwaiti fusion soul food! In this month’s dining reviews, we go back to our roots by paying a visit to the locally renowned Dar Hamad, a kitschy and homey eatery that will satisfy your taste buds – and blow your mind – when you discover how much can be done with Kuwait’s traditional cuisine.

Sending your doggie to the farm isn’t always a bad thing, especially when you’re sending them to Ghalya’s Hundeparadies! This place is a haven for dogs to run free and receive five star treatment while their parents are away, all under expert care and supervision – read on to find out more!

With one month left to go, we can hardly contain our excitement for Kuwait’s second annual food filled fair! We got the scoop on a lineup that’s sure to tickle your fancy – from delicious restaurants, to a star-studded Chef guest list, events and ticketing – we can say with confidence that this will be a weekend affair to remember.

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triwa

Baitak Tower: 22257908 Behbehani Complex: 22403954 Fanar Mall (Luxenter): 25731077 Symphony Mall: 22441614 www.taw9eel.com www.theyard-kw.com

www.ybsco.net @behbehani1938 @behbehani1938 www.facebook.com/YBSCO

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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

Bredz Burger Hub, Gulf Road Café November, Kipco Tower, Shuwaikh Market Casper & Gambini, Kuwait City, Marina Crescent Chocolate Bar, Al Bida’a, Marina Crescent, Spoons Container 75, Jabriya

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

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

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

Made Caffe Al Salam Mall November Bakery, Al-Tilal Organica Fish & Chips, Jabriya P.Q. - The Palms, Marina Mall Paul - The Avenues, Marina Mall Prime & Toast - Al Bida’a, Seif Strip Scoop-A-Cone - Egaila, Fahaheel Someday Café The Early Bird - Fahaheel, Jabriya Upper Crust - The Village

Other Outlets:

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

Crumbs, Shaab Dunkin Donuts, Mall 360 Elevation Burger, Abu Halifa, Al Bida’a, Al-Hamra, Avenues, Meshrif, Haagen Dazs - Souk Sharq, Arraya Johnny Rockets- opp. Salhiya Complex, Marina, Salmiya, The Avenues, Alia & Ghalia Complex Juan Valdez Café, Symphony Mall

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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

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

Stand Alones

4 Boutique Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai,

Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel 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

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

Kuwait University Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks

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.town 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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ECCO I N TRIN S IC

EccoArabia

Eccoshoes

TH E A VE N U E S | MA RIN A MALL | PROMENADE | MUTHANA | MOHALAB | AL KOUT

ecco

what's on?

THE UNIVERSE IS A BLUE TREE Date: Runs until 20th February, 2016 Location: Contemporary Art Platform / Main Exhibition Space In Pino Deodato’s works the world looks like a territory of disclosures, an epiphanic place that man watches not just optically, with a surprised look, but also cerebrally.

The man who thinks and watches, reads and writes, and constantly wonders about the innate essence of phenomena, about the ultimate substance of creation, is the protagonist of Deodato’s imagined journeys. He is a man folded in on himself, as if engaged in chasing the thread of a thought or unravelling the tangle of a dream; sometimes taking part in human affairs, constantly in search of utopian pacification through natural forms. This man is a secular variation of St. Thomas the apostle, who embodies the skeptical spirit that anticipates any change, the doubt that precedes any dismay. St. Thomas is a two-faced figure, who embodies the effigy of suspicion, one who just believes facts based on evidence, as well as the image of the missionary inflamed by faith, evangelizer of Syria, Mesopotamia and South Western India.

For more information on this event, and upcoming events, visit www.capkuwait.com, or call them on 2492 5636.

PAVOL ACTING WORKSHOPS Date: 7th February-11th February, 2016 Location: LOYAC, Kuwait City Pavol Seriš is a young award winning Slovak comedian & a graduate of the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno, for the first time in Kuwait Pavol will be giving a Physical Theatre Workshop, focusing on the arts of Pantomime, Clown Art, Dancing & Improvisation. Workshop classes will run from the 7th till the 11th of February.

Call 9936 6657 or email Lapa@loyac.org to book your spot.

STARTUP KUWAIT Date: Begins February until May 2016 Location: Call for details The objective of Startup Kuwait is to create feeder programs across Kuwait that provide a robust and growing pipeline of startups year-after-year to investors and multiple accelerators and to bring entrepreneurial mindset to a broad-swath of Kuwaiti society - across economic sectors, research, age groups and background. The first program in spring 2016 is the Startup Kuwait Competition, a National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge and an exciting new program that will provide training and support for innovative and entrepreneurial projects to be done by the students of Kuwait University, Gulf University for Science & Technology, American University of Kuwait, Australian College of Kuwait, and Box Hill College Kuwait. Students will spend the spring semester learning about entrepreneurship from faculty, Kuwaiti entrepreneurs and experts from around the world.

For more information, and location details, please call 2498 8306 or 2498 8476.

CHALLENGE CITY Date: 4th February-6th February, 2016 Location: Hall 8, Kuwait International Fairground Challenge city is one of the top upcoming types of games events, focusing on children’s challenge and sports skills, in Kuwait for the first time this month. The event will include international circus shows and fun challenging games for all children’ ages, as well as a large food court and DJ. Challenge city is for children from age of 2 years old up to 14 years old, with each age category having a play zone. The play area is safe for all ages, and our staff will be interacting with the children in the play zones along with our shows characters. Waiting areas are available for parents.

All reservations will be managed in order to avoid a big crowd inside playing areas.

Challenge city tickets are available online at www.skillsent.com. For any further inquiries or more information please contact via phone on 9661 7022.

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ray ban

2nd Avenue - The Avenues: 22283487 • Grand Avenue - The Avenues: 22283093 • Marina Mall: 22244772 The Gate Mall: 22081237 • Al Bairaq: 22581952 • Rawda Co-op: 22560368 • Salwa Co-op: 22081034

what’s trending February 2016 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: @vetrinaapp Info: The app that makes shopping on Instagram easy.

Editor’s note: Available on the App store and Google play!

What: @mrkarak Info: Karak and Chapati extraordinaire.

Editor’s note: Chapati+Nutella=Bae.

What: @skilzi Info: Institute dedicated to boosting your future.

Editor’s note: Ideal GMAT prep!

twitter.com/bazaartweets

pinterest.com/bazaarmagazine

What: @omghazi.kw Info: Gorgeous pieces from Morocco and Spain to your home.

Editor’s note: We love their candle holders!

www.bazaar.town

What: @jasminegroup Info: Goodies, scents, and events.

Editor’s note: All proceeds go to Syrian refugees.

instagram.com/bazaargram

What: @myetheco Info: All natural organic beauty webshop.

Editor’s note: Your skin will thank you.

What: @aeiboo_cookies Info: Chocolate stuffed cookies. Enough said.

Editor’s note: WHERE DID THESE COME FROM!

What: @templetreemusic Info: A group of passionate musicians from Kuwait.

Editor’s note: Blues, rock and rockabilly.

miriade

truth or dare

THE WHOLEHEARTED BAKER Siham Nuseibeh By bazaar staff

Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? Local gem Siham Nuseibeh’s revolutionary guilt-free bakes from her delivery concept wholehearted baked by siham guarantees butter, wheat and refined sugar free delicious dessert options without obsessing over the caloric intake. Where does one come up with such a brilliant concept? Integrity, intelligence, and inspiration – three words (well, two adjectives and a verb) that sum up Siham (or Suma, as she’s known to her close friends and family members) perfectly.

Siham’s vision of sugar and additive free yet “fun” baked goods are created with passion and consideration, mimicking their sinful forefathers perfectly. These delicacies are sure to take our foodloving nation by storm, and Siham is determined to keep Kuwait eating healthy, by replacing their everyday sugary and processed snack-attacks with wholesome options.

The fun-loving baker has educated herself with basic “common sense” facts about the food industry, managing to recreate some of her favorite goodies without compromising on flavor. Notable mentions are her out-of-this-world Ya Salam brownies – chunky, fudgy, and the perfect indulgence that will satisfy even the pickiest of sweet teeth – and her filled with goodness cookies, which are believe it or not, the best way to start your morning, with their protein packed oat shell, crammed with pure and organic chocolate chunks. And what’s even more amazing about wholehearted is that most of its products are Paleo and vegan friendly.

“I like to remind people that they don’t have to eat things that are bad for them to satisfy their cravings. Food can be fun and healthy!” Oh we know, Suma – and that’s why we’re excited to place our next order! But first, Truth or Dare.

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Sensitive.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Sensitive.

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

“What is quinoa?”

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

Start up a healthy bakery from home.

What is your theme song?

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” (Bonnie Tyler) or “I Want 26

to Break Free” (Queen) What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?

Homunculus.

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

Live: London. Dream retirement: an organic plantation near a beach.

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

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.” E.E. Cummings “When we’ve renounced our dreams, we find peace and enjoy a brief period of tranquillity, but the dead dreams begin to rot inside of us and infect the whole atmosphere in which we live. What we hoped to avoid in the Good Fight - disappointment and defeat - Become the sole legacy of our cowardice.” Paulo Coelho What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in?

Elephant or Lobster.

What do you miss about your childhood?

Eating everything.

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

I don’t want to change my name.

How would you describe your handshake in one word?

Tenacious/resolute.

What is the toughest part of your character?

My ideals.

Who is your favourite historical figure?

Dr. Martin Luther King or Gandhi.

What in the world do you least desire?

Guilt.

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

Empathy.

Why do you think most girls/guys like you?

I always have cookies (and my wit).

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

Wholeheartedness.

To order Wholehearted’s guilt free goods, follow @wholehearted_kuwait on Instagram.

fiat

Symphony Mall: 22441614 Behbehani Complex: 22403954

www.ybsco.net

@behbehani1938

@behbehani1938

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KEEPIN’ IT KUWAITI WITH FRIZZY DIZZY

By Tara Jeana

If the blockbuster hit Straight Outta Compton is to be given any credit—beyond its obvious brilliant character development, compelling plot-line, and incredible soundtrack—it’s that it illuminates the somewhat unfamiliar journey of young, up-and-coming Hip Hop artists. These artists, not yet recognized for their talent, are usually tangled in the complicated throes of life—maintaining that delicate balance between pursuing their passions and trying to succeed in a society that demands their nine-to-five participation. And yet they do it.

One hip-hop ar tist (straight outta Kuwait) does it par ticularly well—Frizzy Dizzy.

From Toronto to the Middle East, Frizzy has felt inspired to create a sound that communicates to the masses. Committed to breaking down the stereotypes of Arab people ever ywhere, his music demonstrates a unique sound by blending Eastern and Western styles. He does so by involving a number of different local and universal instruments and by using a tight mixture of English and Arabic in his lyrics. The multinational power of his persona and his music is fantastically evident!

Yo u ’v e c o m e f r om h u m bl e beg i nni ng s , grin d in g y o u r way u p a n d t h r oug h t he m u s ic s c e n e in Ku wa i t . C a n y ou des c r i be this jo u r n ey ? W h a t e x a c t l y dr ew y o u t o the in d u s tr y ?

It was my love for music. I’ve been a fan of Rap/Hip-Hop music from a ver y young age. I used to freestyle as a hobby with my friends. Then, after I moved back to Kuwait in 2007 (from Toronto, Canada) I star ted recording songs in the studio. It wasn’t until 2014 when I decided to release my music to the public and introduce myself as a rapper. Most recently, I’ve released my single ‘Tarab’ in which we used a classic sample from legendar y Arabic singer Um Kalthoom. We also used classical Arabic instruments such as the oud and mixed it with modern day Hip-Hop beats. The track featured Kuwaiti rap ar tist/actor Bader Al-Hindyani and the video cameod a lot of known talented ar tists from Kuwait: comedian Mohammed Aqua; public figure Shredded Diesel; graffiti ar tist Monstariam; and break-dancers Dossy & Slashz. This journey has been amazing and full of so many surprises and achievements.

I am truly grateful and proud for all the 28

accomplishments I’ve experienced.

How does being Kuwaiti influence your style?

In many ways, actually. From the image, to the lyrics, to the music, to the topics and the messages. Hip-Hop is about being true to who you are. Bringing my Kuwaiti roots into the music makes it possible for me to have my own style - this is ver y impor tant in Rap music.

Kuwait has quite a thriving ar ts scene, both above and underground. How do you feel you contribute to this creative community?

I give back to this community by representing and staying true to who I am as an ar tist.

Since I’m from Kuwait, it’s only right I rap about what’s going on here. I believe that it’s ver y impor tant to enlighten people all over the world about our culture, histor y, and traditions. I’ve managed to accomplish this on an underground and mainstream level through my music. I’m also pleased to see other rappers getting creative with their work with how they represent Kuwait. You should never be ashamed of who you are.

A nd, what’s the most chal l engi ng thi ng about bei ng a hi p-hop ar ti st i n Kuwai t?

The most challenging thing, by far, is grabbing people’s attention and convincing them to take your ar t seriously. Rap or HipHop music is rarely taken seriously in Kuwait

due to its often misunderstood stereotypes (especially for local ar tists). Even though the rap scene has become big in the last couple of years—and continues to grow—I still believe that it will take some time to gain the full suppor t of the public.

A r t i s said t o be t he g r eat dissolver of bar ri er s. What g r and g est ur e, if any, do y ou hope t o achieve wit h your music?

Along with getting regional and global recognition, I want to be able to teach—to show and educate people all over the world about Kuwait and Arabs in general. Changing the negative stereotypes of Arabs into a positive one is one of my top priorities as a Kuwaiti rapper.

Lastl y, wh at ’s next for Fr izzy Dizzy?

Well I will be releasing singles here and there, but my main focus is the album I’m working on right now, titled Sunny Side Up. In it there will be numerous collaborations; amongst those are Amin Fari, Arabique, and the amazing poet Fatima (Faswords). The whole concept of this album is to produce a Hip-Hop sound coming straight from Kuwait.

It will consist of Kuwaiti flavors, lyrics, topics, and any vibes that relate to Kuwait in general - and I am so excited for it!

Yo u c an fol l ow Frizzy D izzy on Ins tag ram @Frizzy_Dizzy to keep updated with all his latest projects

Meet the guys of INTERSPORT Even after work, they’re aiming to enhance their lives with fun, accomplishment & happiness through sports.

intersport

Part of:

IntersportKuwait @IntersportKW @IntersportKuwait

Murouj, Sahara: 22057012/3/4

OUR FUNNY VALENTINES

The likely situations of Valentines Day By bazaar staff

It’s that time of year again – that day in mid-February when the world is adorned in red, white and pink. Everywhere you look, you see images of Cupid with bow and arrow in tow, red paper hearts all over the place, garish floral arrangements, and you know at least three different couples whose anniversary is on this day. Yes, dear readers, we’re talking about Valentine’s Day. Some people love the romantic holiday, some hate it, and many don’t even acknowledge it – but whenever it rolls around, we can expect to see (or be!) one of the following people.

Who They Are: The Power Couple What They’ll Do: One or both members of the power couple want all of the attention. If you aren’t planning on sending five-dozen roses to her office and taking her out to a decadent dinner at a swanky restaurant, you better compensate with an intensely grand romantic gesture.

What They’ll Eat: Dinner at a really nice restaurant such as Meat Company or Salt. Romantic ambiance is key.

Most Likely To: Get engaged, married, or break up on Valentine’s Day. Their Song: “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran Who They Are: The Couple Who Pretends They Hate Valentine’s Day What They’ll Do: One will probably send the other flowers because they know that they have to, and the 30

recipient will roll her eyes and pretend she doesn’t care about receiving them, but they both know damn sure that if it doesn’t happen then a big fight is on its way. They might go out to dinner, because… well…

Valentine’s Day. What They’ll Eat: Takeout sushi from their favorite spot, or at a low-key restaurant with pleasantly dimmed lighting for them to gaze into one another’s eyes and gush about how laid back they are.

Most Likely To: Get into a passive aggressive argument if they don’t end up doing or receiving anything for Valentine’s Day. Their Song: “Love Yourself “– Justin Bieber Who They Are: The Couple That REALLY Doesn’t Care About Valentine’s Day What They’ll Do: They actually won’t realize it’s Valentine’s Day. What They’ll Eat: They might order pizza or go to Elevation Burger, only because it’s Sunday and they don’t feel like cooking.

Most Likely To: Feel embarrassed (yet proud) that they’ve forgotten about the most romantic day of the year, but cover it up with an ultra cliché like “Every day is Valentine’s Day in our house!!”

Their Song: “Roses” – Outkast Who They Are: The Bitter Singleton What They’ll Do: Complain about Valentine’s Day and how it’s an overly marketed capitalist holiday designed for the Greeting Card Industry and for the market to get rid of all the chocolates left over from Christmas.

What They’ll Eat: Their words the day they fall in love

again.

Most Likely To: Insist on watching a slasher movie that night, just for funsies, and for the sake of irony.

Their Song: “99 Problems” – Jay Z Who They Are: The Sobbing Singleton What They’ll Do: Sulk about how they don’t have a Valentine, and complain about how depressing the holiday is.

What They’ll Eat: Ice cream. Chocolate. Tears.

Most Likely To: Watch Love Actually in bed and cry.

Their Song: “Hello”– Adele Who They Are: “MY Family is My Valentine!”

What They’ll Do: Make homemade Valentine’s Day cards for every single member of their family… awww.

What They’ll Eat: Heart shaped cookies with smiley faces on them.

Most Likely To: Invite their friends over for a chick-flick studded movie night starring actors like Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo.

Their Song: “Sugar Sugar” – The Archies Who They Are: The Class Dreamboat What They’ll Do: Conveniently forget about Valentine’s Day because they know that all of their admirers will shower them with plastic roses, real roses, teddy bears and candy grams. And maybe even a balloon.

What They’ll Eat: Godiva chocolates, of course!

Most Likely To: Make a show out of stuffing all their acclaimed goodies into the backseat of their driver’s car after school.

Their Song: “Cheerleader” – OMI.

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31

up close and personal

SHAIKHA ALSABAH’S

DARÃTMÃ

ON YOGA EDUCATION AND THE DWELLINGS OF THE SOUL By bazaar staff

32

It begins with a portmanteau – Dar, an Arabic and Quranic word that depicts the meaning of home or dwelling, and Ãtmã, Sanskrit for the immortal soul. Combining those two words gives us the glorious harmonization of body and soul that is Darãtmã, founded and created by Shaikha AlSabah. Upon meeting Shaikha, I immediately noticed how she exudes a sense of familiarity and serenity that you can’t help but instantly feel at home with while at Darãtmã. She has always been the type to let life introduce her to her next adventure, while constantly believing and seeing the goodness in others as she abides by this ethos. Peacefulness is key for Shaikha; not only is she a mother of six, she is also a yogi and founder of Darãtmã for Yoga Education, and her love for life is contagious.

Darãtmã is a place of peace and love, and that is instantly sensed as soon as you walk into their studios. Homey and welcoming, the vibe and energy at Darãtmã is that of joy. Not taking no, or the universal “I can’t,” for an answer, I did my very first head stand in years, using a specially created contraption called the FeetUp, five minutes in! Shaikha believes that yoga is for everyone. “The ultimate goal is to unite all your energies: physical, mental, emotional, and be of service to humanity,” Shaikha explained, “This is our mission at Darãtmã, to help alleviate the suffering and spread the love.” Shaikha started her yogic journey back in 2001 when her mother-in-law introduced her to her teacher. Instantly hooked, Shaikha took her practice to a whole new level. Darãtmã was born out of passion and not a business plan. It came together organically – going on an intense six-day yoga retreat, she decided to become a certified Iyengar teacher. While it takes three years to get the certification, she managed to convince Amit Raina and his wife Lina of the Kashmir Shaivism School of Yoga (KSSOY) to come to Kuwait and help her.

Once they had agreed, Shaikha immediately went on the hunt to find the perfect location for her training – enter Darãtmã’s current home, the Yacob Behbehani Tower in Salmiya. Fully equipped with everything a yoga studio and learning center needs, Shaikha decided to keep the location functioning and enlist instructors to teach the masses. Finding the location was the easy part for Shaikha, yet acquiring the licensing was tricky. “We’re not the first yoga space in Kuwait, but we’re the first yoga education space,” she elaborated. “But there was no yoga license at the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.” She was told that if she could find it in the 200-page handbook for the GCC’s trade licenses, they’ll gladly issue one for her. Not one to despair, Shaikha took to the books and did her research thoroughly. Mounds of [continued...]

Shaikha and KSSOY teacher Amit

From left: Maha, Kay, Shaikha, Deema, and Nour.

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[...continued] paperwork and several bureaucratic procedures and channels later, Shaikha was approved for the yoga license. “I met a lot of good people through the process who are really working hard to serve Kuwait,” Shaikha smiled, “Thanks to our combined efforts, perseverance, hard work, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and the grace of Allah, the license for Yoga Education is now accessible for all to attain in Kuwait.”

As the premier facility for yoga education, Darãtmã arrives as a labor of love that’s reflected throughout the space. The equipment utilized in the space is either sourced locally or from India, as Shaikha has overseen the making of every aspect of Darãtmã. A true believer in supporting the local cultural scene, Shaikha is always on the lookout for regional artists and creatives to give Darãtmã its beautifully unique personality by displaying their work at the healing space. Apart from offering Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Meditation and the sorts – Darãtmã also offers Pre and Postnatal Yoga and will soon add Mommy and Me classes!

With so many offerings and so much heart and soul in the place, there’s no way you’d want to miss out on meeting Shaikha by popping into Darãtmã for a class or ten. Bringing yoga education to Kuwait, Shaikha hopes to expand through out the Middle East soon enough, “If being healthy and happy is for everyone, then Yoga is for everyone!” Here’s the best part: As part of Darãtmã’s Februar y celebrations, the healing space is offering new members unlimited yoga classes for 26 days straight for just KD 25! We managed to convince the yogi to not only pose for our cameras, but to get up close and personal with us.

What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being completely absorbed in a moment.

What is your greatest fear?

Not realizing my soul’s purpose.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Over-spending!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Dishonesty.

Which living person do you most admire?

My mother Anwar. Her strength, faith, and perseverance inspire me.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Taking trips on my own without my family.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Inshallah!

What is it that you most dislike?

Ambiguity.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I have all that I need, Alhamdulellah.

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

I don’t do jobs. I live passions.

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

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Meditating in Dharamsafa, India

I have achieved nothing. All that is in my life is by the Grace of Allah. Forever grateful & thankful for all His blessings.

What is your most treasured possession?

I possess nothing. I am but a soul transiting through life.

What is your most marked characteristic?

They say my spirit. I say my openness & sharing of unconditional love with everyone.

Where would you most like to live?

Kuwait!

What are your favorite words to live by?

Just be.

New memebrs can enjoy 26 days of unlimited yoga classes for just 25KD as par t of Darãtmã’s Februar y celebrations!

Pictures by Mohammed Al-Owaisi and Dalal Al-Mohanna.

For more information about Darãtmã and their offerings, visit www.daratma.com or email info@daratma.com. Follow them on social m e d i a v i a Tw i t t e r @ d a r a t m a , I n s t a g r a m @daratma_kw, and Facebook: Daratma – alternatively, you can call them at 9552 0000. Namaste.

west end watch

Baitak Tower: 22257908 | Behbehani Complex: 22403954 | Symphony Mall: 66068058 35

NAVIGATING THE FEBRUARY SALES

A foolproof guide to keeping your head above water during the sales this month By bazaar staff

A soon as the month of February swings around, shopping malls become awash with red sales promotion boards and it is all but impossible to walk past some of the offers. From “3 for 1” to “75% off”, the process can become extremely overwhelming, but who doesn’t love a good bargain, after all? Have no fear, sales advice is here!

Don’t go all in, right at the start It can be so tempting to wander into a shop on the first day of the sale and buy everything you’ve been eyeing for the months prior. However, when the shop is crammed with sale-surfers and clothing racks galore, it isn’t the best time. If you’re shopping in a flat panic, elbowing fellow shoppers out of the way, there is a higher chance you’ll make a mistake. There is nothing more disappointing that getting home and realizing you bought the wrong size leggings or a jumper with a pull in it. Take your time and make a list of things you like the look of.

If you simply can’t go home empty-handed, resolve to only buy one thing at the end of your shopping trip. If you’re too lazy to traipse all the way through Avenues again, then it obviously wasn’t worth it.

2. Check out a shop’s online sale stock first Although this is only possible with a few select shops in Kuwait, it is well worth checking out their website 36

if possible. This means that you’ll be able to make a beeline for the dress of your dreams rather than wasting time sifting through its lesser counterparts.

This saves you so much time and money in the longrun. It also makes the – sometimes desperate – search a little more manageable as you’ll already know what you’re up against. There is nothing more satisfying than walking into a shop, picking up an item of clothing in your size and paying for it, knowing that it will fit like a glove and be exactly what you had anticipated.

Write a comprehensive shopping list. And stick to it!

Before you start writing a shopping list, it is so important to look through your wardrobe. Before you jump on the trench coat bandwagon again like last year, take note of the 4 semi-identical coats hanging in your cupboard. That can definitely be scratched off the list. Rather look at the things you wear the most.

Are your favorite boots looking dull and scuffed? Is your everyday handbag losing shape? Maybe it’s time to look for replacements. It is also important to maintain a “quality over quantity” mindset when you compile a shopping list. There is no point in stocking up on cheap essentials like vests or socks during a sale, especially when their price will only have dropped a minute fraction. Look to the more expensive necessities you’ve been eyeing all season. There is often a greater percentage drop

in high-priced items and that is what makes them worth buying, especially if the quality matches the price. It is also the perfect time to repurchase those beautiful, unique items that you can’t live without.

Only take out as much money as you’re willing to spend It is all too easy to get sidetracked when you arrive at a sale-heaving shopping mall, no matter how intricate and binding your shopping list is. One of the best ways to avoid overspending or ‘off-thecuff’ buying is to set your budget for the shopping trip. For the weak-willed among us, this means only bringing out a set amount in cash. For others, this means keeping track of their swiping. Having this kind of limit on spending means that you’ll only buy the sale items you have really fallen in love with, rather than splashing out unnecessarily.

Even if you walk out of the shopping mall with lighter bags than you’d expected, you can always go back another day!

Once you’ve bought it, don’t check the price again.

Once you’ve bought sometimes, it can be so tempting to go back and see whether or not the price has dropped even more. This most often ends in heartbreak or regret. JUST. DON’T. Enjoy whatever you have bought and stop yourself from even going into the shop again once the prices are dropped even more.

Puma

FORK FED

Watch what you eat, don’t eat what you watch!

By bazaar staff

In a world where we tend to indulge, it’s important to have people around to help us put our ice cream laden spoons down and pick up something more… substantial instead. This is where dietitian Hyatt Al Sayegh comes in, with her blog Fork Fed, that’s designed to educate and inspire readers to live a healthier lifestyle starting with the way they feed their bodies.

Though Hyatt insists her introduction to the nutrition world was an “accident”, after deciding to switch majors from biomedical engineering to biochemistry during her university days, the Arizona State alumna found her passion for nutrition through her studies “the more I read and learned about it, I became more interested, and turned it into my love for helping people.”

Through her work, she helps people realize that nutrition is a way of life, and the field pertains to way more than the ingredients you cook with; “nutrition is a community service, it’s not just about losing weight.

It should be taught to the malnourished nations as well, but we tend to forget this since we’re so overfed.”

Overfed we are, and Hyatt notices this with her day job as a Community Clinical Dietitian at the Dasman Diabetes Institute, regaling us with facts regarding the extreme trends of the hungry nation’s eating habits; “like many other countries, eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and bulimia are as much an issue as obesity and diabetes. We need to raise awareness and find balance in our food to prevent such conditions.”

What can Fork Fed do for the community?

I want to educate everyone, and provide tools to make better lifestyle decisions. We all have difficulties with weight and different health conditions, but once you have the tools, you can tackle it them anywhere and at anytime, and these tools are especially important for people to utilize during different occasions such as vacations or parties so that no matter what they’re doing, or how much fun they’re having, they can always be in control of their food and not have it the other way around.

What are the biggest mistakes you find people make when it comes to everyday diet?

I’m guilty of this too, but eating quickly is the biggest mistake many people make. When you eat fast, you don’t realize how much you ingest, which could lead to overeating. I advise people to put their utensils down between every bite, which slows down your meal and gives your body time to decide if it’s full or not. We also don’t drink enough water—sometimes, when you’re really hungry, you might actually be thirsty without knowing it because your body can’t always differentiate hunger from thirst. Drink water when those sneaky cravings attack, and they’ll probably go away!

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How about when they’re trying to diet for weight loss?

Go local whenever you can – by staying local, you’re avoiding a lot of pesticides and additives. Stay away from anything packaged or boxed, and canned foods are a huge no-no. Products such as these, especially cereal, pack a lot of hidden sugar and sodium. And always remember – portion size is everything. A helpful tip: Use an appetizer plate to reduce portions, and enjoy your desserts with teaspoons!

What’s your favorite cheat meal (if you ever do cheat!)

French fries – they’re my weakness. I don’t care where they come from, and I know this sounds bad coming from me, but the greasier, the oilier, the better.

Your go-to healthy snack?

A banana with a handful of almonds –With the mixture of the carbs, with the fat and the protein, I feel like I had a proper meal.

Your go-to healthy eatery in Kuwait when you don’t feel like cooking?

I like to order lunch from Lebanese restaurants like Leila and opt for their light chicken with tabbouleh. I also like Napket and Salad Creations because you have the option to make your own salads, and of course, places

like November Café and Gia have nice healthy salads to munch on as well.

Any words of encouragement to the serial weight watchers out there Everyone is different – there isn’t a “one size fits all” diet plan out there – you need to listen to, and respect your body. Be patient, it takes time and nothing happens overnight. The longer it takes for you to get to your goal, the more likely you are to keep it off, and don’t forget about balance: if you mess up with one meal, make up for it with the next one instead of going all out.

Trying to watch what you eat? Nourish your body and mind by following Fork Fed’s segment on 248am at www.248am.com. Check out Hyatt’s grocery tour services and contact her at www.fork-fed.com. Follow Fork Fed on Instagram @fork-fed.

flamant

THEEB MAKES ITS MARK A Jordanian period piece worth seeing By bazaar staff

It’s always an honor when the Arab nations are put on the entertainment map, and we’ve had some great independent films released from the region over the past decade. This year, Jordan has something to be proud of! It has recently been announced that the SANAD funded film, Theeb, has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Theeb, directed by Jordanian director Naji Abu Nowar, was selected along with four international titles, three being from European nations Denmark, Hungary and France and one from the Latin American nation of Columbia, making the cut out of a total of 82 international films that were originally submitted to the Oscars’ foreign film category. This alone is something to be proud of, as well as the fact that this is the first Jordanian film nominated for such an award! And to top it off, Theeb was selected out of the seven Arab films that were considered for the 88th Academy Awards, three of which were funded by SANAD, Abu Dhabi’s film fund powered by 40

twofour54.

In addition to the obvious support we feel towards our Jordanian counterparts for receiving such an honor, this achievement should pose as a pivotal moment in entertainment history for the MENA region as a whole since the nomination comes as a testament to the impact Arab filmmakers are making in the international film industry. By being nominated, the world is recognizing the talent our filmmakers have, and are outwardly expressing their interest in our culture and the stories we have to tell. Moreover, the achievement that the Abu Dhabi based film funder SANAD has made by succeeding in supporting Arab talent to advance to high caliber events such as the Oscars should not go unnoticed.

Theeb, (Arabic for “Wolf”), initially premiered at the 2014 Abu Dhabi film festival and tells the story of a playful 11-year-old Bedouin boy of the same name who gets caught up in his tribe’s alliance with the British against Ottoman rulers during the era’s Arab Revolt. The story, set in 1916, captures the era of Arab/Ottoman history beautifully, and creates a soul-capturing narrative that illustrates the start of 20th century hegemony between east

and west, while crooning quietly of Orientalist overtures. Despite the fact, it is a film that Edward Said himself would be proud of. The film is mostly in Arabic, and stars Jacir Eid Al-Hweitat as the loveable hero. It was shot in Jordan in notable areas such as Wadi Rum, Wadi Araba, and about 70 km south of Amman, the temperate nation’s capital. What’s even more special about the filming of Theeb is that the general area for shooting was the same area in which David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia was shot.

This sentiment ties in with similar historic themes between the two movies, and while Lawrence of Arabia is critically acclaimed, it’s safe to say that with Theeb’s accomplishment of winning more than 25 awards worldwide since its Venice Film festival premiere, nominations for two BAFTA awards under the Best Film Not in the English Language category and the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer category, this film is on its way to critical acclaim as well. Talk about a lucky piece of land!

So what are you waiting for? This film definitely seems like it’s a winner, and even if it doesn’t win, it’s a film that seems to be worth watching.

Kcst

FANCIFUL FANTASY

Najeeba Hayat’s Liudmila takes the footwear industry by storm By bazaar staff

“I still don’t consider myself a designer. When people ask me what I do, I say I make shoes!” exclaims the exuberant Najeeba Hayat, the mastermind behind Liudmila, a footwear line that exudes originality and manages to simultaneously send you back in time and into the future.

The London-born Kuwaiti and Wesleyan University graduate executes her vision with passion and creativity. A love for fashion has blessed Najeeba with an innate knowhow that guarantees her creations are like none other out there. She continues, “although the rest of my family isn’t par ticularly fashionable, I’ve always been passionate about fashion. At age 12, I was the person who would sit down and tell you about the histor y of Pucci!” Najeeba’s love for literature also plays a role in the creation and inspiration of her footwear line, even down to the name of the brand.

From Fyodor Sologub’s The Petty Demon, Najeeba felt inspired after being introduced to one of the novel’s heroines, Liudmila, who’s character stood out to her “I loved all that she embodies. Liudmila made me realize that I wanted to be with the people who understood her the way I did, which inspired me to move to Milan to study technical shoemaking.”

It was a rocky road for Najeeba’s first collection– it took years of effor t, sleepless nights, lots of coffee, patience, mistakes, pleas and tears. “The shoe industr y is no joke!” she emphasized as we sat down for a bite at her favorite Korean haunt in Kuwait.

We shared dumplings and Bibimbap with K-Pop playing in the background – music that aptly complemented Liudmila’s design ethos: fun and fantasy-oriented, with pops of culture, uniqueness, and excellent taste.

Coupled with Najeeba’s quirky personal style, Liudmila shoes are as playful, comfor table and ornate as both their namesake and creator “My ever yday look stems far from the ordinar y. I like dressing 42

up and looking special, and I do it for myself, not for anyone else” This belief is incorporated into Liudmila’s design, with its focus on lower-heeled styles that create flawlessly bridge fantasy with practicality.

“We believe that the future of footwear lies in creating uncompromised desire and fantasy while respecting women’s mobility.

All of our heel styles fall under the 100mm range with the majority of the collection using a 50mm heel.” If that doesn’t reap “Girl Power”, we don’t know what does.

The shoes are made with gorgeous textiles and high quality leather that’s soft to the touch, crafted in the ver y same factor y where Manolo Blahniks and

Christian Louboutins are produced. In addition to their quality manufacture, the product avoids gimmick and focuses on line detailing, giving the foot a delicate touch with an emphasis on car toonish twists and decorative fancy. With eclectic styles marr ying classic elements, they’re made easy to wear and pair with a twist, giving the product a luxurious ar tisanal feel rather than status, making them stand out from other brands in the industr y, which means owning a pair is that much more special.

Najeeba also finds muses in the Victorian era, different cultures, and old school designers. “I love Roger Vivier’s past works – especially his designs for Dior!”

she swoons. However, the most unlikely (yet genius) source has got to be Pinterest “I love Pinterest!” she exclaims, “I can spend hours pinning things, and it’s also one of my biggest sources for inspiration.”

Though only three collections have been released and the four th is on its way, Liudmila has already made an impressive mark in the industr y. Since its September 2014 private showing in Milan’s Fashion Week, Najeeba and Liudmila have been featured in a plethora of media outlets and publications including (but not limited to) Vogue Italia, Vogue UK, Vogue Japan, Elle Kazakhstan, fashion blog Man Repeller, V Magazine, and had Lady Gaga’s stylist contact her expressing interest in her eclectic shoe designs. What’s even more impressive is that Liudmila has managed to catch this much attention in two shor t years, given that Najeeba is a solo ar tist who worked the brand from the ground up!

“I’m my only employee,” she says proudly “and getting into the industr y was difficult because I don’t come from a family that owns a factor y – I had to do ever ything myself.”

Liudmila currently has a network of 10 retailers and is constantly growing. Having graduated from selling on farfetch.com, a platform that aggregates the wares of the best independent multi-brand designer boutiques worldwide, Liudmila is also sold by retailers such as Brown’s in the UK, Moda Operandi in the US, Italy’s Penelope, aere-store.com, and Kuwait’s own AlOthman Fashion – which in Najeeba’s opinion is “the best store in Kuwait!” Other confirmed retailers are Isetan, another two smaller shops in Japan and The Exposed House in Abu Dhabi. It’s no wonder that retailers have their eye on this quirky brand. With its ornate finishing and unique designs, packaged neatly in a gorgeous off-white box and secured with a ribbon, Liudmila would give anyone the feeling that they’re about to receive something exceptional—recreating that elusive childhood memor y of opening that perfect bir thday present that you’ve always wanted. Najeeba adds, “if people are going to buy my product, I want to make sure I’m giving them something special, something that they’ll be excited to wear!”

Each collection is inspired by a unique concept. The first collection, inspired by car toon heroines, channels the strongest memories from a collective childhood. A notable piece in this collection includes The Leandra, a cur ved pump with an ankle strap, and one of Najeeba’s favorites because it was one of the most difficult to construct “To construct a shoe like that took so many sleepless nights of me cr ying and begging

the makers to do it, but I didn’t give up… I wasn’t about to be just another shoe brand, I wanted to do what I had in mind.”

The playful simplicity of her first collection graduates to more ornate detailing and textile experimentation with her next collection, Peranatoriana, a por tmanteau that marries two cultures, paying homage to the Peranakan culture of MalaysianSingaporean people and Najeeba’s love for the Victorian era of the late 19th centur y.

This collection includes gorgeous flats such as the Baba, with a velvety embroidered finish and sheer ribbon ankle ties. Another beauty from the Peranatoriana collection, and another favorite of Najeeba’s is the Mrs.

Quah Stivali, a mid-calf length boot in green that has transparent panels of embroidered roses along the front.

Najeeba’s Liudmila has left us bubbling with anticipation over what her 2016 Aunty Maharani collection, releasing for retail in Kuwait this March, will have in store for us!

AlOthman Fashion is the main retailer for Liudmila in Kuwait. It is located in Mariam Complex in Salmiya. To find out more about Liudmila, visit their website at www. liudmilafootwear.com.

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BUSINESS

NATION

FIVE BUSINESSES THAT PUT KUWAIT ON THE MAP By bazaar staff

One of the things we love about Kuwait is its entrepreneurial spirit. Since its inception, the tiny desert nation blossomed with businesses and unique concepts created by locals and loved by many. These previously local companies not only spurred on the nation’s economy, they have also emerged as international entities that have truly put Kuwait on the world map.

AMERICANA GROUP Born in Kuwait in 1964, Americana Group has grown into one of the largest, most successful corporations operated in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Even when we aren’t fully aware, a high percentage of the food on our plates in this region comes from Americana, and since its inception in the 60s, the Americana Group has been providing us with delicious goodies stocked on the shelves of grocery stores and franchises of over 50 countries, and over 1,550 stores from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caspian Sea. Their impressive resume boasts quality and freshness, and 52 years later, we - along with the rest of the Arab World - are still enjoying what they have to offer.

ZAIN TELECOM Our local telecom company has made it big as well! Born in Kuwait in 1983 as the region’s first mobile operator, the company previously known as MTC has come a long way. By 2007, MTC had rebranded to Zain to reflect their rapid growth, which inevitably led to operations in 15 African countries and 7 Middle Eastern countries, and in 2008, they 44

earned the title as the 4th largest mobile operator in the world in terms of geographical presence.

They currently operate in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, and of course, their hometown Kuwait. So just remember when you’re signing a contract with ZAIN, renewing your phone line, or even paying your bill, you’re contributing to a part of Kuwait’s entrepreneurial status and history.

THE SULTAN CENTER COMPANY This go-to haven for all (imported) foodie needs has been a longtime favorite in Kuwait by Kuwaitis and expats alike! How often do we hear ourselves saying “Thank God for Sultan Center!” when looking for that one cereal we’ve grown accustomed to during our time abroad? Or if you were a 90s child, you might remember that they were the only grocery store franchise that stocked Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers and Fruit Gushers! When Sultan Center expanded in the Middle East, labeling itself as TSC in places like Lebanon, we locals couldn’t help but beam with pride over the fact that Kuwait’s favorite grocery empire was sharing its awesomeness abroad! What else does Sultan Center have to offer? All the food! From gourmet stores to delicious eateries, catering services, plants and farming goods, stationary sent from heaven, and lifestyle electronics and toys – just to name a few.

GASTRONOMICA All hail the Foodstradamus Basil Al-Salem, who, with his culinary genius, has graced Kuwait

with comfort food joints that make our tummies sing with happiness. The founder of favorites such as Burger Boutique, Slider Station, Open Flame Kitchen and Cocoa Room, has expanded his talents to other nations of the GCC by opening Gastronomica, a concept that houses his taste-bud tantalizing eateries throughout the region. There are more plans to come for Gastronomica, as it currently operates in KSA, Oman and the UAE with plans for Bahrain and Qatar to join, and Dubai has just opened his very own Slider Station and Cocoa Room! The GCC has Basil, and Kuwait, to thank for these upscale dining concepts that make cheat days more exciting.

TALABAT What was initially a dorm business started by four local guys with little in their pockets, Talabat was launched in April 2004 and has come an extremely long way since then. Creators noticed the service’s potential as restaurant sales would skyrocket upon registering with Talabat as a food delivery platform, and when Mohammad Jaffar registered his restaurant, The Kitchen, he found that the outcome was no different. This compelled him to buy a share in Talabat, which eventually led the e-commerce startup to blossom into a delivery empire with countless restaurants operating in the GCC. Today, Talabat is something we as locals can be proud of, knowing that it was created right on our sandy soil, and it 80% of it was recently sold for KD 50 million to Rocket Internet.

The company started out small, but it had a lot of heart, and still does today.

jeep

GUIDING MOMS AROUND KUWAIT Interview with Jamie Etheridge

By Nejoud Al Yagout

Some people move to Kuwait and make their presence known. Others, like Jamie Etheridge, unassumingly wave a magic wand and things are never the same. A couple of months after pursuing a Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies in 2004, Etheridge moved to Kuwait to work for Kuwait Times, ending up as a managing editor for the newspaper for eight years. After that, she – in her own words - “floaked” - floated about and slacked around - while living in New Zealand, before eventually returning to Kuwait where she worked at NBK. She founded Kuwait Moms Guide in 2013 with her husband. Fur thermore, Etheridge is a writer (a bazaar regular) and a ver y talented poet. Last summer, she won the Q8 Books Poetr y Competition – though she has yet to publish an anthology. Here, I inter view her with complete assurance that you will be swept away with admiration for this lovely lady.

You have a poem titled Fighter Bomber Jacket that was published in Red River Review. Why did you stop there?

I love writing and, after my children, it’s my proudest accomplishment. I love poetr y but never saw it as more than a hobby and an emotional outlet. I wrote the poem that won the Q8 Books Poetr y Competition for my husband when we first fell in love. The one in Red River Review is about my father at the end of his life. Since it’s so personal, I tend to keep it to myself.

You have been writing since you were 11 years old. What were your childhood themes?

I’m not sure if I can say. I lost all my childhood journals in a fire, so can only guess. Mostly poems about fears, travel and questions of identity, I think. It’s been way too long! In college, I left poetr y to focus on journaling and shor t stories. I still have most of those journals – thankfully - which reflect mostly what I was going through at the time: self-development, uncer tainty about the future, tr ying to figure out life.

I am planning to read through them again before my daughters head off to college to remind myself of some of the issues they might face.

How challenging is it to run a magazine?

The biggest challenge is time-management and making sure I keep my eye on the most impor tant thing: my family. We star ted the 46

magazine as a way to find things to do for our girls, but it’s easy, sometimes, to get so busy with work and forget to make them a top priority. Still, the Kuwait Moms Guide is a lot of work and a lot of fun. I get an enormous amount of suppor t and encouragement from moms here. It makes a huge difference when you’ve worked a 10-hour day and find an email from a mom thanking you for your effor ts.

You are the mother of two lovely daughters – Safyre and Sabel. Do you find that your maternal advice changes based on your personal experience?

Absolutely! In fact, it changes all the time based on what I learn from other mothers and my daughters. Lesson number one in parenting is that nobody is perfect – and that parenting is a constant learning cur ve.

Ever y day my girls teach me something new – about myself, about them, about the world. There are many moms here who share their experiences and are helpful in giving me advice and information.

You were involved in The Secret Garden Yarn-Bombing Project. Tell us more!

That was an awesome experience. The aim was to engage the community in a fun, family-friendly way while decorating and beautifying the garden. Mimi Al-Nusif organizes the garden and she convinced us to do it. We invited crafters, crocheters and knitters from all over Kuwait. Many people

contributed crocheted and knitted pieces.

Tammy Assad led the group and did a lot of the yarn-bombing beforehand. Then, one Saturday, we invited the public to help. We yarn-bombed trees, benches, light-posts and hung bunting and garlands. There was also food, face-painting, henna, play-dough and yummy treats. The local crocheters, Khayt Group, offered workshops for beginners during the event. It was an awesome day.

You have read over 10,000 books and are drawn to literature, mysteries and science fiction. How does this influence your writing?

You c annot write if you do not read.

R eading is to writer s what water is to fis h.

To under s tand the power of language, the f luency and flexibility of the written word, y ou have to read. I am a natural stor y telle r and am drawn to s tories in both my writing and reading choices . In my writing , I look for the s tor y behind the f ac ts and figures . Data and details are im por tant but only s o far as they fit into the larger nar rative.

Finally, you seem to have acclimatized well here. We are indebted to you! Do you plan to stay for a long time?

I am indebted to Kuwait. I met my husband here, star ted my family here, flourished professionally and have a blessed life. One day my children will leave to go to college and after that we will see.

‫أكثر العطور‬

‫روعة‬ ‫لدينا!‬

‫جديد!‬

‫‪bath & body works‬‬

‫نستقبلكم في‪:‬‬ ‫• المول ‪ -‬األڤنيوز‬ ‫• سكند أڤنيو ‪ -‬األڤنيوز‬ ‫• مارينا مول‬ ‫• مجمع الفنار‬ ‫• ذا جيت مول‬ ‫• سوق شرق‬ ‫خدمة الزبائن‪182-12-12 :‬‬

EGYPT FOR THE WIN Egypt dominates the squash courts By bazaar staff

Nour El Sherbini & Mohamed ElShorbagy

All eyes were on the gleaming glass court in New York’s Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall as Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini schooled squash star Amanda Sobhy at the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions women’s division. As for the men’s division, Mohamed ElShorbagy – Egypt’s defending champion and the world’s number one squash player – brought home the win against three-time world champion, Englishman Nick Mathew.

Leave it to Egypt to conquer the courts in this prestigious sport – we’re calling it: Egyptians have an age-old obsession with squash.

2016 kicked off with a massive victory for Egypt in the world of squash as Nour El Sherbini and Mohamed ElShorbagy were named World Champions at the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions. Nour, the youngest to win such a title to date, has been training under esteemed world champion and three-time ToC winner Amr Shabana. With a coach like Shabana, winning 48

is a given – but it took Nour’s nerves of steel to take the PSA World Series crown from her fierce opponent. Mohamed on the other hand took it as a personal challenge to beat his opponent saying in an article from TOCSquash.com, “I had to beat Nick tonight. He had already beaten my brother Marwan and I didn’t want him to beat both of us in the same tournament.” Nour broke the record by being the youngest player to ever win the title and Mohamed’s game was astounding as he won the title for a second time.

Egypt has a standing history with this elite game dating back to the British occupation. A favorite pastime of British officers at the time, the Egyptians developed a fascination with the sport. In fact, it all started out when an Egyptian diplomat stationed in England picked up a racket and won his very first championship – his name was F.D. Amr Bey and he won six consecutive times. Inspired by this, Egyptians working around the British officers in the squash courts decided to try their hand at the game leading to another four-time champion, Mahmoud El Karim.

From then on, squash garnered a huge following

and continued growing as more people joined in the sport. Presidents and children alike loved the game so much – that former President Hosni Mubarak had built a beautiful glass court overlooking the Giza pyramids for championships to be held at.

Kicking off in the late 1980s, two children, Amr Shabana and Ahmed Barada, were competing against one other at squash in their local sports club. Creating a resurgence in the sport, Shabana and Barada competed fiercely bringing pride and prestigious titles back to Egypt from a young age. Giving children all around Egypt hope and a purpose, they continued to bring home championships and prestigious titles for everyone to look up. Now you can still see Shabana practicing the sport he loves by training those he sees himself in.

And with a player like Nour El Sherbini, his training has earned her a title the younglings will now aspire to – the youngest crowned champion at the PSA World Series.

Photo courtesy of SquashPics.com.

pizzetta

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HAT’S

AMORE!

ALESSANDRA RIVERA

TALKS BESPOKE HEADWEAR AND

VINTAGE LOVES By bazaar staff

In the heart of New York City’s ever-somystifying Chinatown sits a hatter with mad skills, creating fabulous headwear. Alessandra Rivera launched her brand in 2011 armed with a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design and is taking the sartorial world by storm!

Does fashion ‘make’ the person or does the person ‘make’ fashion?

The person makes the style and this style makes the fashion. This exists for those who have a clear and confident vision from within.

In your opinion, are hats statement pieces? And if so, why?

Yes! They are an extension of ourselves, just like our clothing. What becomes the statement is our choice of apparel and how it makes us feel when we wear it.

What makes hats an essential part of any wardrobe?

Throughout history hats have been significant and a 50

part of one’s identity as they outwardly share a point of view. Everyone needs at least one good hat.

How would you describe your style and what inspires it?

I am a designer-vintage junkie. I often wonder about who the people were that owned my pieces, and where were they going in them. I often go with the posh boyish look but when I go femme… I aim to seduce with style.

How do you get inspiration for your designs?

Design history and different world cultures are major influencers. Vintage finds inspire and provide me with the context of how couture pieces once were made.

I’m also interested in the development of “happy accidents” and like to play and create many variations.

Who from the fashion world would you love to collaborate with?

Iris Apfel! The 90+ year old New York fashion icon with style that oozes out of her pores.

Is there such thing as the perfect one-hat-fits-all?

What a brilliant challenge! The New Yorker in me says if its black or mink colored, then there may be hope. But to say there is one hat for everyone is like saying everyone looks the same.

What do you think is the one hat style that every fashion lover should own? Why? I call it the “everyday” hat. By that, I mean a neutral looking hat that can work with many different looks and styles. When the hat looks good with everything, you have found your winner.

Do you think there is validity in this statement: “My head is too big for a hat,” - and why?

I get this often! No, it’s just a matter of finding the best shape, fit and color for the person.

What does it take to become a style innovator?

A clear point of view.

What’s exciting right now in fashion?

The coolest thing right now is this epic video of Adriana Lima doing the “swerve” for Vogue. At some

Alessandra in her studio

point my life will have 3 minutes like this.

Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?

Alber Elbaz, formerly of Lanvin. I freelanced with Lanvin for over five years and taken in an abundance of inspiration and lessons in design and life. I focus on keeping my work unique to who I am as a designer and a human. Alber has been the best teacher and spiritual advisor of style.

Who are your favorite emerging designers, and what is it that you love about them?

Alibi @alibinyc: Minimal industrial jewelry pieces that are striking while natural and complementary when worn with each other. Handmade in New York.

White Chalk @whitechalknyc: Bespoke menswear collection designed by Seville row trained talent Aaron Black.

Alterre @alterreny: Modular shoe design for the girl on the go. Great for travel.

Alix @alixnyc: Bodysuits redefined for the fashion inclined. Handmade in New York.

What is the highlight of your ‘style’ career so far?

Designing hats that have been auctioned off for various charities. It’s important to take care of those in need. It is something I’ve grown up doing and will continue to do when possible.

Every fashionality has as a style obsession, what’s yours?

I have a style-crush on the Masai warriors. They are beautiful people, with style based on their one of a kind lives. I’m fascinated with the prints, colors, textures, and how they mix them together and what they represent in their day to day life.

Do you follow any fashion influencers (Instagram/ Blogs etc)? If so, who are they and which would you recommend?

Architect turned design connoisseur Shaun Nilsson, @supervice, has a discerningly well trained eye. We are presently collaborating on part of a series of curated design objects including apparel, furniture, and the like.

French photographer Max, @maxwellaurelienjames, provides captivatingly fresh and striking imagery.

S ty list and fas hion editor for TWE LVMAG , @RAW_ALNAIMI, showcases a unique mixture of fashion photography from different eras.

What item of clothing or accessory (if any) do you wish that people wore more often?

Hats of course! There is a resurgence in their popularity. A good hat can transform any outfit from ordinary to unique.

To be stylish is to be fashionable. True or False and why?

Yes, but there’s more to it. The aim is not to be fashionable, but to be yourself. Style and fashion are different entities. Style cannot be bought – fashion can – style is an innate part of one’s self.

While acquiring one of her hats is by appointment only – you can check out her beautiful creations on Instagram @alessandra_rivera_hats. Email her at info@alessandrarivera.com or call +1215 284 7322 if you’re ever in need of an incredible headpiece.

Yo u c a n a l s o c h e c k o u t h e r we b s i t e www.alessandrarivera.com for more.

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SORRY, I’M hoverBORED

Why we should have left hoverboards in 2015 By bazaar staff

Last month, we greeted 2016 with open arms, welcoming another year of advancement and technological innovation. In 2015, a 16-yearold student invented a cancer-diagnosing device costing no more than 10 fils. We saw 3D printing used to create cheaper, lighter prosthetics.

Really impressive stuff. It was also the year that hoverboards took over the world and our faith in humanity completely plummeted.

Although technically not named a ‘hoverboard’, this is less of a mouthful than “self-balancing twowheeled board” so the erroneous name has stuck.

It consists of two lithium-ion battery-powered, platform-connected wheels operated by the rider’s feet. Hoverboards made a debut in China in 2014 through Kickstarter but only really reached the rest of the world last year. Since their big entrance into the mainstream, using them in public spaces have been banned throughout entire states in the US and parts of New York, Germany and England. This is largely due to the potential dangers in road traffic situations as well as some of the horrific house fires 52

that have been sparked by charging hoverboards.

As hoverboards become less of an exclusivity, adaptations to the original board have been made.

For example, some hoverboards are now equipped with Bluetooth speakers, which will certainly make them even more irritating and most likely banned.

These days, it is a rare occasion to go out to a mall in Kuwait without spying a prepubescent child gliding along the shiny, smooth tiles. Even in a crowded mall, you hear the high-pitched whirring before you see this contraption zoom into view. Although they are now banned in our local shopping malls, last week I saw a boy no older than 8 years old being told off by an Avenues security guard for riding his hoverboard. He received the lecture all while maintaining his balancing act and almost bumping into the uniformed man a number of times. That lesson was definitely not learnt.

When I see a group of friends walking through Avenues together, I feel happy to see them interacting on the same level. That is, until their straggling friend whizzes around the corner, a whole head taller than his mates, precariously balancing atop what can only be described as the death of social interactions. I can’t imagine how awkward

it must be to walk alongside a friend, hoping your legs can keep up with their whirring wheels. Well, actually, I don’t have to imagine anything. The number of times I’ve seen someone power walking to keep up with a friend or sibling on a hoverboard is beyond me. However, hoverboard-watching can be a refined spectator sport so make sure you have your phone at the ready to film some hilarious falling fails and upload them to YouTube.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the technology behind it is rather nifty. I just find the idea of a child zooming along to be a little bit disconcerting and – more importantly – like the beginnings of an anti-movement era. Although I don’t have enough years behind me to harp on about the ‘old days’, I do remember a time when kids would ferociously and fearlessly power along the pavements on their bicycles, spending as much time outside before they were finally called back home. It was a time when children would play together with toys they could share.

My advice for anyone waiting for this exhausting fad to disappear is to keep to the uneven ground until they are banned from planet Earth.

dar hamad

TAKE THE LEAP

By Lynda Higgs

If, like me, you always feel as if you could use an extra day to get everything done then you’re in luck in 2016: as we get an entire extra 24 hours.

Yes, this year we have 366 days because it’s a Leap Year (as as opposed to a common year, which has a mere 365 days).

There’s a long-winded, mathematical explanation, but the canned version is that, essentially, we need Leap Years to keep our modern day Gregorian Calendar in alignment with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun. Because seasons and astronomical events do not repeat in the equivalent of 24 hour periods (or full days), calendars that have the same number of days in each year drift over time.

If we didn’t have an extra day in February every 4 years, then after only 100 years our calendar would be inaccurate by 24 days!

Although the observed and calculated versions of the Islamic calendar do not have regular leap days, (even though both have lunar months containing 29 or 30 days), generally in alternating order, the tabular Islamic calendar used by Islamic astronomers during the Middle Ages and still used by some Muslims does have a regular leap day added to the last month of the lunar year in 11 years of a 30-year cycle.This additional day is found at the end of the last month, Dhu ‘l-Hijja.

Why “leap year”? While a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar normally advances one day of the week from one year to the next, the day of the week in a leap year will advance two days, from March 1st onwards, because of the extra day added 54

at the end of February, thus “leaping over” one of the days in the week. For example, March 1st fell on a Sunday in 2015, but will fall on Tuesday this year, effectively “leaping over” Monday.

Naturally, some quirky leap year traditions have evolved over time: In Ireland and Britain, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only in leap years. In some places the tradition was tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day, February 29. In Finland, the tradition is that if a man refuses a woman’s proposal on leap day, he should buy her the fabrics for a skirt. Since 1980, a satirical newspaper entitled La Bougie du Sapeur is published in France only on February 29th every leap year.

And what of those people unlucky (or maybe lucky) enough to be born on February 29th?

Firstly, they are known as “leapling” or a “leaper”.

In common years, they usually celebrate their birthdays on February 28. In some situations, March 1 is used as the birthday in a non-leap year, depending on local laws. Technically, a leapling will have fewer birthday anniversaries than their age in years. This phenomenon is exploited when a person claims to be only a quarter of their actual age, by counting their leap-year birthday anniversaries only (hmm, not a bad idea, maybe?).

Personally, I’m going to regard this February 29th as a Bonus Day and instead of trying to keep any New Year’s Resolutions (so 2015!), I’m resolving to do some much-needed de-cluttering, spring cleaning, call it what you will, as I’m always saying I don’t have time to do it I guess there’s no time like February 29th!

So, what might you do with a bonus 24 hours?

It doesn’t have to be as dramatic as a marriage proposal - or social media cold turkey – but a few of the things you could manage in a bonus 24hour period might include: •Taking the day off work and explore your home city, which is full of hidden gems and wonderful people; •Enjoying a long, lazy brunch with your family and/ or friends - time is the most precious gift we can give those we love (and maybe leave your phone in your handbag); •Tick something off your bucket list, as long as it can be done in 24 hours (or a long weekend); •Spend some time volunteering for an organisation such as Kay’s Place or Operation Hope; •Pay someone a visit whom you’ve not seen in ages; •Spend the day learning a new skill, whether it’s creative or practical.

The possibilities are endless and the best part is that you won’t be losing any precious time, so instead of the inevitably pointless New Year’s Resolutions (what were they now?), how about making just one Leap Year Resolution happen?

Lynda Higgs is a photographer and writer, with a passion for Street and Mobile Photography.

You can follow her on Instagram instagram.com/thesometimephotographer or Facebook facebook.com/LyndaHPhotography To find out about purchasing fine art prints of her work or enquire about workshops contact Lynda at www.lyndahiggsphotography.com.

nancy ajram

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7ABEEBTI KUWAIT By bazaar staff

February is a special month in Kuwait.

It’s arguably the most beautiful, temperate time of the year, (making it the best time to visit!) but it’s also the month of Kuwait’s Liberation 25 years ago, as well as its independence 55 years ago! And though Kuwait has been loveable for long before 25 years, we thought it was only appropriate to commemorate the quarter-century long liberation anniversary by listing all of Kuwait’s most loveable qualities.

Living La Dolce Vita: It’s been said time and time again, that the lifestyle you live in Kuwait is so easy! In a place where you don’t even have to get out of your car to pump gas or to get a pack of gum or cigarettes from the baqala, you must admit, gives you a few extra minutes of your life to relax.

Entrepreneurship: Looking for a specific type of dessert, savory, clothing article or a piece for your home? Chances are, there’s a business for that! Kuwait has proven itself to be a hub for entrepreneurs of the nation.

There are so many independent businesses here that start out small and escalate globally as well as hobby-turned-businesses that succeed in their exclusivity to people who live here. If you’re ever thinking of starting a business, just look around! This is definitely the place to feel inspired.

Natural Beauty: How many people in this world can say that they’re blessed enough to live in a place that has both the desert and the beach – and both gorgeous to boot! Only a short drive away, the desert is the ideal spot for camping, barbecuing and riding buggies, and the beach is best for picnics, fishing, boating and leisurely strolls, besides all of the watersports one can practice.

Great Highway System: We know, we know – traffic here can get really annoying, but have you ever stopped to think about how well the highways actually work here? The system is efficient, and if traffic permits, you can get from point A to Z in a matter of minutes!

Amazing Food: When people return from living abroad, whether it’s a long-term or short-term stay, they tend to rush from the airport to home to feast on amazing goodies that can only be found here. From our beloved hole-in-the-wall Iranian Bread, to amazing shawarmas, local independent eateries like Solo Pizza and of 56

course, the infamously amazing Little Dragon in Jabriya, which has been boasted by people from all over the globe as the unofficial best Chinese takeout place in the world.

W e h a v e e v e r y t h i n g h e r e ! We take advantage of the fact that it’s so easy for us to access most things we love from other countries such as the UK, the US and Canada.

Whether you’ve found yourself accustomed to a certain handmade soap dispensary, or you just can’t live without your daily Grande Macchiato, we must admit that it’s amazing that we could manage to fit all these different brands and goods into one little country – and for all the expats out there, it definitely makes feelings of homesickness a little easier.

Strength and Courage/ Peace and Unity: It’s no question that Kuwait has been through a lot in the past, but the nation managed to bounce back with the ethos of unity. Kuwait has proven to be a socially strong nation that believes no citizen regardless of relegious practice or social status will be left behind.

Rich History: Kuwait has a rich history that stems from years even before the discovery of

oil, and it shows all over the country! In between all the new skyscrapers and malls, a history of pearl diving, weaving, and Bedouin culture gleams with modernity. Kuwait also has a lot of attractions that pay homage to the humble country of yore, such as Souq Al Mubarakiya, the Dhow Harbor and Sadu House.

Excellent Point of Travel: It might get hot, but it’s a great place to get anywhere from. Set in the center of the globe, you can travel to so many places from here! The best thing about the airport is that most if not all of the stores and eateries stay open late to accommodate your pre-travel leisure time.

It’s Easy to Call this Place Home: Why do people come back here, and why do they find it so hard to leave? This place is home to so many of us, and it’s often said that it’s a great place to settle down in. If you’ve grown up here, you’ll always find someone from your past who’s friendship you can rekindle, or a family member to reconnect with. In short, this comfortable country ensures that you’ll never be alone, and that you can always come home again.

cerivcal cancer

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ALWAYS ADVENTUROUS

H&M Studio Spring Summer 2016 Collection By bazaar staff

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We’re calling it: 2016 marks the year of exploration, the urban ‘newmad’ and a whirlwind of remarkable adventure! We live this ethos through the H&M Studio Spring/Summer 16 collection for women that celebrates taking advantage of each and every opportunity that comes all season long.

The freedom of bohemian prints, throwon layers, mixes with the bliss of an endless beach summer, along with the functionality of the trekker and the sportiness of the urban girl. Clothes are like memories in sunbleached shades or patch-worked to give new life. Whichever piece she’s wearing, it has to be effortless and ready for the next experience - whether she’s out in nature or on the streets of the city.

It’s all about journeys as a way of life with H&M STUDIO Spring/Summer 2016, which features a mixture of active-wear with feminine pieces like vivid-print silk T-shirt dresses, little tiered dresses tied by straps, or gathered tunics to throw on at the beach and more!

“H&M Studio for spring/summer 2016 is an adventure in style. Our girl is always exploring, whether she’s on the city streets or on the trip of a lifetime. She mixes function with femininity, sportswear with pieces for a party, and whatever she wears, she always looks effortless,” says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Head of Design.

The urban ‘newmad’ prizes functionality, and with performance hooded outerwear, frontier and utility jackets, paired with details like drawstrings and sports leggings. The urbanite can go from work to gym to airport, hassle free! It’s that elevated effortless wardrobe that we’re lusting after, where everything can be packed into a backpack: halter necks, bikinis, draped shorts, performance leggings, floaty dresses, hoodie.

With fabrics like silk, cotton, cotton-linen, canvas, and leather, versatility takes center stage in the H&M Studio Spring Summer 2016 collection. Sun-kissed tones like faded yellow, red, green, off-white, eggshell and tea-dye neutrals make for wardrobe choices that are easy to pair along with your favorite basics.

Accessorize with the ultimate drawstring backpack, free flowing scarf cap, native print silk scarves, your favorite surf sandals and a knotted wedge heel.

The H&M STUDIO Spring/Summer 2016 ladies and men collection will be sold in Kuwait on Februar y 25th 2016 in Grand Avenue – The Avenues. For more information, check out the hashtag #HMStudioSS16 or head to www.hm.com/kw.

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EAR CANDY

Soothing, soulful, serious sounds by Temple Tree By bazaar staff

Temple Tree Local music enthusiasts rejoice, there’s a hot new band on the loose! Temple Tree, a local musical experience formed by two friends who’ve collaborated with many people since their formation, has a fresh sound filled with nostalgia and ultra-chill vibes.

Their journey began in 1999, while the two founding fathers were playing in their high school band known as Offensive Finger. The Temple Tree pioneers (who prefer to remain unnamed, as anonymity is part of their allure) stuck around and continued jamming over the years, as fellow collaborators would come and go. “The main two members are the heart of this band, and we feel it’s better for our music that way. We are very lucky though to have played with many talented bassists and drummers, and the variety we had definitely shaped our sound and made us better musicians.” Says Temple Tree band member A. “We’d like to give a shout out to ever helped Temple Tree on stage and in the Studio.”

Temple Tree’s surprisingly Zen sound coincides 60

nicely with their band’s name, which was inspired by a past spiritual journey in the Himalayas, creating a sound that meshes and pays homage to the styling of some of Kuwait’s greatest underground musicians who have collaborated with the band. Their sound exudes a bluesy feel, but different genres creep their way in there. Expect a twist of reggae in their single “Jungle”, while their single “Self UNT” reaps a feel of nostalgic 90s alternative and a dash of surfer rock chord progressions.

Their influences stem from nostalgic preferences of many teenagers back in the 90s, and they credit so many legendary artists for their soul-encompassing sound “we loved Metallica, Oasis, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, and a few years later we dove deep into the blues. It was the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan and the recently departed Mr. BB King that really opened our horizons to the likes of Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters. This inspired us to play our own form of blues mixed with the alternative and psychedelic tunes of 60s-90s, and we still listen to new bands and are blown away by how good they are, and how much of an inspiration they can be.”

Although Temple Tree doesn’t perform publically very often, they’ve made their appearance on several occasions.

They’ve recently played the Winter Festival in Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyya in December, and you’ve seen them around Kuwait collaborating with notable local artists in several events, but they can usually be found in their studio, working on their upcoming album. “We like the studio, but with new channels available in Kuwait, we hope to be performing live more often.”

Their debut record, Memories of Rain Jackets, is currently being recorded, and the band with its musically devoted members is focused on solo projects, releasing their album, and throwing a couple of singles to the mix as well, and hopefully, by the summer of 2016, Kuwait will be humming along to Temple Tree’s tunes as they go about their day to day lives, and we’re also excited to be seeing more of them around!

Follow Temple Tree on Instagram and Twitter @templetreemusic, and check out their music on their Youtube channel @TempleTree.

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GHALYA’S DOG PARADISE Kuwait’s dog whisperer shares some of her training secrets By bazaar staff

As the distance between you and Kuwait City widens, the air becomes clearer and the landscape more open. On my way to Ghada‘s – who goes by the nickname of Ghalya – Hundeparadies, or pet hotel, the traffic is almost non-existent and the stress of city dissipates. I am welcomed with open arms (and paws) into the greenery that acts as the running and playing area for the five large dogs living on the property.

Ghalya’s Pet Hotel has seven spacious dog kennels housed in an AC/ heater controlled room. There is also a grooming station equipped with only the best products to ensure that your pet is cleaned, brushed and clipped to perfection. A professional dog treadmill is available to keep your pet fit and energized throughout its stay.

Outside, the vast, grassy area allows the dogs to interact with each other and spend some time in the fresh, open air. In addition, the large swimming pool is another source of activity for the guests of the hotel and Ghalya swims with the dogs, even providing them with life-jackets to make them comfortable.

Ghalya’s love for animals of all shapes and sizes is evident through her gentle playing and comforting commands. Ghalya has always considered this the best way to interact with pets. Although they may not understand the exact words you are saying, the tone in which you say them can have an enormous effect and 62

transform a nervous dog into a relaxed companion.

Although Ghalya has been faced with ‘aggressive’ dogs and warned of biting on the grooming table, she has never been bitten by any of her hotel’s clients. The solution: she talks to them as she gives them a long, relaxing bath massage. When a soft, soothing tone of voice is combined with a gentle touch, the animal knows that it is safe and begins to relax and enjoy the treatment.

Last year, Ghalya spent time in Germany, immersing herself in various dog training programs. She returned with diverse qualifications such as Narcotic, Explosive and Patrol dog training as well as Kennel and Veterinarian Management from the Police Dogs Centre in Holland. What she also came back to Kuwait with was Turbo, a work line police dog that she has been training for one month using a mixture of German and Dutch commands. In addition, Ghalya has a diploma in doghandling with skills such as holding and guiding as well as general animal behavior. Her expertise is certainly tangible as her dogs look to her for instruction and obey her every command.

In Kuwait, there exists a perhaps distorted opinion surrounding pets as a functional part of our society.

Although thousands of pets are bought every year, the number of stray animals is increasing every day as puppies grow unmanageably large or kittens begin to scratch furniture and are heartlessly abandoned.

Facilities such as K’s PATH are reaching bursting point and – as a result - older, disabled dogs are facing euthanasia. The simple cause of this Kuwaiti stray

epidemic is a lack of research.

Ghalya’s advice for anyone interested in getting a pet is to adopt. Not only does it relieve some of the pressure from animal shelters but it also guarantees some level of devotion and dedication in a pet. She also stresses that training is paramount, no matter if your pet is showline or a lap-dog. In order for a pet to thrive, it needs to follow a loosely-set routine and respect boundaries set by its owner.

Ghalya hopes to establish a children’s training facility in order to provide young people with the skills needed to train and properly love their pets. Ghalya believes this to be important for the understanding of animal behavior and a change in mindset from the bottom up.

In order to provide a safe space for dog owners and trainers, Ghalya forms part of a newly-organized group called KK9A, based in Kuwait. It consists of 80 individuals, including Ghalya, and allows for dog trainers to meet every Friday and keep up with each others’ progress and share training tips.

It goes without saying that training a pet takes time and effort. However, Ghalya explains the simplicity of it: if you feed, clean and love your pet, they will do anything to please you. You just have to know how to tell them what you want and listen to them when they respond.

If you’re leaving Kuwait and looking for a safe, fun place for your pet to stay, call Ghalya at 9697 4464 or check out her Instagram @turnado14.

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LIFE THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR

By Ayman Nassar

If you are reading this article, chances are either you or someone you know can be classified as an adult.

Let us take a moment for that realization to sink in. Everyone look to your left, now to your right, and quietly say, I am an adult. Now shake and tremble as you feel the weight of the world crushing down on our shoulders as we lack the required strength of Atlas to lift it up. Our knees begin to buckle and our back begins to give. Nobody told us this when we were growing up! It’s a trap!

We are now adults. The bill collectors that now knock on our doors (or send us emails this day and age) are looking for us, not our parents. Where once we were thrilled at seeing our name on paychecks when we first joined the workforce, now they fill us with a sense of dread knowing that a huge chunk of that pay is going to settle our dues – phone bills, electricity, rent, car installments, school fees etc. It seems like only yesterday our parents were waking us up, making us breakfast, brushing our hair, grabbing our hands to pull our arms through the sleeves of our jumpers to get us ready for school, packing our lunch boxes and helping us out with our 64

homework. Now that responsibility has fallen on our frail shoulders we find ourselves wondering, how on earth did they do it?

That is when we begin looking in our proverbial rearview mirror. We can never truly appreciate everything our parents did for us until we are in their shoes and looking at life through their eyes, and that can only be accomplished when we cross the barrier into adulthood. As a newlywed you find yourself thinking, is this how my parents were in the beginning? Did they have the same arguments?

Laugh the same way? To all of us, our parents represent the pinnacle of cohesiveness and got-ittogether-ness, is that how we will become?

As adults, we find ourselves in a constant state of déjà vu. Didn’t we have a friend that lived in this building all the way on the other side of Kuwait?

The journey our parents took to drop us off there that one time during middle school seemed almost endless, and yet now as we pass by the very same building driving, it seems so ordinary. How are things so similar yet so completely different? The magic is gone from the world, replaced with facts and logic.

Strange is the novel of life; it starts with weakness and a great unknown, followed by amassing knowledge and memories, which we only

come to realize in the next phase of our lives, it all starts to make sense in the middle.

I can fondly remember my 10th birthday at Burger King with all my friends, the presents etc.

My parents, of course, recall it entirely differently - the hard work they had to put into it, making sure everything went smoothly, getting me and my brother (born on my birthday 5 years later) there on time, ensuring we were dressed to look dazzling and eternalizing the smile on our face which made it all worthwhile.

We go through life staring at the world through our rearview mirror, with memories appearing so vividly, despite occurring almost a lifetime ago.

Half thoughts coming to fruition as we stand on the outside and look in, having gained the knowledge from both sides, as children that grew up into adults, and as adults that have (or will eventually have) children and now get to experience everything all over again, from the other side.

Everything that happens now, in a sense, has happened before. We are merely coming full circle. Therein lies the truth about adulthood. We are all passengers in the car-ride of life, merely changing seats as the journey continues.

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bazaar goes dining

DAR HAMAD The traditional culinary haven By bazaar staff

We embarked on a journey through cultural gastronomic delicacies upon entering the beautifully constructed modern Kuwaiti cuisine fine dining destination called Dar Hamad. This two-story villa-esque restaurant is built in a way that embodies the artisanal qualities of the Sandooq Mubayat – the traditional dowry box – and is decorated in a way reminiscent of old Kuwait. Natural light floods the restaurant as you dine amidst flurries of the past.

Keeping up with tradition, the tiles are akin to those found in the older structures of Kuwait with a hint of modernity in some parts of the restaurant in the form of black and white tiling. Culture, tradition and minimalism marry gloriously in the form of this structure and its edible assortments – we were absolutely enchanted.

Reimagining the countr y’s identity, Dar Hamad caters to all your Kuwaiti inspired food cravings. As you walk in, you’re greeted with the knowledgeable staff that’s ready to usher you to your table – granted, you must have a reser vation before hand – and beautiful ar t. The wait-staff and hosts are all dressed in uniforms loosely inspired by the bisht in var ying design aspects adding to the authenticity of the experience. As par t of the lunch time wonders and the modern antiquities around you, you’re given a traditional diafa – a welcome – as you browse through the menu. The diafa consists of dates, a tahini – harda – and molasses concoction, rgag bread and diced Feta cheese, is considered in a way as a palate cleanser and appetite star ter. The beauty of this meze of sor ts is in its simplicity; you take the dates and dip them in the harda mix and enjoy the savor y-sweet combination. To round off the genuineness of our experience, we ordered the Sharbat Baithan – sweet almond drink – made with milk and Laban with mint – a yogur t drink – made with sparkling water, salt and pepper as we decided on our feast.

To star t us off, we went for their signature Dar Hamad Salad: consisting of a beautifully spiced crunchy matai mix and crisp vegetable mix with cool mangos and a light yoghur t lemon dressing.

Matai – usually a stand-alone snack mix – is a combination of dehydrated lentils, peanuts and a shor t noodle of sor ts with spicy notes and a wonderful crunch. Reinvented in salad form, the 66

matai mix was a delightful addition to this absolutely wonderful take on a modern salad. For our Small Eats, we decided on the Dolma, green pea Sambousa and the Shrimp Kubbah. The Dolma were delicately stuffed vine leaves with spiced rice and vegetables, drizzled with a tangy tamarind sauce. The Shrimp Kubbah on the other hand consisted of golden, crispy minced Basmati rice patties stuffed with a flavorful herbed shrimp mix. A truly wonderful and delicious way to star t off our meal – not to mention the perfectly fresh-baked traditional bread circulating throughout.

As our mains made it to the table, we were pleasantly surprised by the wafting aromas that proved fitting of any traditional Kuwaiti home. We went for two dishes to share from the Grills and the ‘From Tradition’ sections. Please note that the dishes in ‘From Tradition’ are meant to be shared, they really are huge. Brought out in a traditional jidr, or pot, we went for the Murabian. This

shrimp based rice dish was so charmingly fragrant and evocative of home-cooked meals. Warming and comfor ting, this dish was prepared with love and tenderness.

Consisting of the traditional Kuwaiti spices, the rice and shrimp are prepared with onions and dill in a large pot that is then brought out steaming, ready to be devoured and enjoyed. We also got the Salmon Fillet from the Grills to go with it. Beautifully pink, this grilled salmon was encrusted with a mix of fragrant thyme, tangy sumac and crunchy almonds with a side of fluffy quinoa.

Fully satisfied with our savor y experience, we decided to take a shor t break and enjoy a cup of traditional Cardamom Tea with milk as we browsed the desser t menu.

Full of intriguing options, such as the Gurs Ogaily, Elbah and Mini Rangeena Basket, we opted for their delicious Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce and Lavender Mahalabiya and decided to leave the others for our next visit. Our taste buds were tickled with the interesting combination of lavender and the

traditional milk pudding topped with a fresh mango puree. The Lavender Mahalabiya was a light and enjoyable desser t option – but our personal favorite was the Date Pudding.

Consisting of a perfectly spiced, warm, superbly moist date cake, the pudding was finished with generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce – perfection. With our culinar y journey through traditional cooking having come to an end, we’re determined to keep returning to Dar Hamad till we’ve gone through the entire menu!

Look out for the beautiful structure that is Dar Hamad, located on the Gulf Road in Salmiya before Marina Mall. Open for lunch between 12 PM to 5 PM and for dinner between 7 PM to 11 PM. For reser vations, call them at 2227 5555. Follow them on Instagram @DarHamadKW for stun ning images and vis it their webs ite www.darhamad.com for more information.

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FEEDING THE MIND AND SOUL

5 CONCEPTS WE LOVE FROM KUWAIT By bazaar staff

Whether it’s food that you crave, or something new to wear to your next event, Kuwait is alive with local concepts and start-ups that make this nation a truly special one. These are concepts that have sustained challenges since inception, and inspire us all to follow in their footsteps! Today, we celebrate these five concepts that had a humble start and have grown to achieve national acclaim.

THE NOVEMBER COMPANY All hail the queen of cupcakes and delicious baked goodies! When Bibi Hayat set up The November Company back in 2006 it was intended to create an opportunity to have incredible small scale events, beautiful packaging and delightful baked goodies.

Growing steadily over the years, The November Company has become Kuwait’s go-to event planners and master bakers. With a cute kitschy boutique inside The November Bakery, complete with specialist florists – you’re guaranteed to walk out with beautiful desserts and the perfect gift or flower arrangement for any occasion. As for their latest addition, The November Café, you can dine in or takeaway your favorite dessert, coffee and salad or sandwich combination!

ALMAKAN Translating literally as The Place, AlMakan is – for lack of a better description – a creative food hub where art 68

and culture can get together over a shared love of food.

Split up into four effortlessly fitting sections: The Cube, The Studio, The Coffee and The Restaurant, AlMakan caters to all. Functioning as a makeshift popup gallery, The Cube gathers artists and creatives to showcase art and hold seminars. The Studio functions as a creative educational space for workshops that will feed the mind and challenge the soul. The Coffee is a chic little café space on the ground floor where you can pick up a cup of coffee and delicious pastry. The Restaurant on the other hand, serves up delicious culinary experimentations created by none other than Faisal Al Nashmi.

SOLO PIZZA NAPULITANA/DOPPIO There’s something quite striking and truly unforgettable about any given visit to Solo Pizza Napulitana. Besides the authentic Neapolitan-style pizza prepared with the freshest ingredients that remains forever ingrained in our taste buds, it is also seeing local chef and entrepreneur Amr Al Rifai work that commanding woodfire oven! Not only has he given the Neapolitan pizza a home in Kuwait, he has also put his knowledge about all things pizza to delicious use with the opening of the Italian Pizzeria and Friggitoria concept Doppio at the M2 Complex in Salhiya. Since opening Solo Pizza in 2011, Amr has been on a successful journey pleasing our culinary palates, one Margherita Pizza at a time.

KUWAIT LONDON TRADING COMPANY Established in 2008, Kuwait London Trading Company

introduced its food division a year later, and after Mubarak Jaffar completed his Master’s degree in Management in the MENA region in 2012, he joined the company as CEO to expand the company’s two outlets to an impressive eleven. Concepts expanded

by KLC include favorites such as Junkyard, Humble Burgers, The Kitchen and Proper Sliders, and with each concept opened and supported by in-house developed branding, interior design and packaging by the company, KLC is achieving over 550 deliveries a day, but aims to reach over 900-1000 home deliveries per day across all outlets, which would inevitably make them become the largest group of local delivery concepts in Kuwait, and Inshallah, across the GCC. SIRDAB LAB A startup hub and incubator of sorts, Sirdab Lab came out of a need for a talent hub in Kuwait.

Inspired by Silicone Valley and the great concepts that come out of it, the Sirdab Lab founders decided to create a space where people can meet to discuss great ideas and start any business they see fit.

Providing young entrepreneurs with the opportunity to create a business model they’d like to see launched, Sirdab Lab can also help them with any advice or mentoring they might require. From this humble basement, groups like the GDG, The Divan and events like their startup Speed Dating event have flourished.

The All New

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THE ACK THROWBACK

ACK students experiencing life’s journeys, one program at a time By bazaar staff

We all believe that going to university involves more than simply studying. We’re there not only to acquire the knowledge needed to kick start our careers, but to also live as young adults, develop our principles, and most importantly, discover our passions in life.

At The Australian College of Kuwait, students enjoy the wonderful of oppor tunity to not only developing their knowledge in specific fields such as business or engineering, but also developing themselves as human beings through programs that deliver life experiences earned beyond the borders of the classroom. From the regionally renowned Injaz Head Star t Program to traversing the winding streets of beautiful Rome, ACK students are developing their life skills in more ways than one!

Injaz Head Star t Program Ever y huge business conglomerate star ted small. We all believe that hard work and persistence do pay off, but having those innate business savvy skills does not come naturally to ever yone. As par t the Business Diploma Management’s unit at ACK, Manage Personal Work Priorities and Professional Development, students par ticipated in a new career development program that allowed them to garner those little tips and tricks that will take them beyond the business books! With the ‘INJAZ Head Star t Program’, students are encouraged to carefully assess their current and future professional development. Discussions centered around career oriented topics like the impor tance of resume writing, inter viewing and internships. Take it from any successful business man, handling inter views requires skills and practice, and being a natural people person does not mean that you are poised to take on any inter view—practice makes perfect! This is why the workshop style program provides the elusive industr y connection for students, as these topics are delivered in conjunction with human resource industr y professionals 70

from organizations in Kuwait, such as Gulf Bank, Ghaliah Tech, IKEA Kuwait and the impressive Al-Ghanim industries.

ACK Cares A cut-throat businessman might be thrifty, but having no heart in doing what you love could easily shorten the life span of your business. This is why the Business Diploma Management unit at ACK emphasizes the importance of Team Effectiveness through the bi-annual ‘ACK Cares’ Corporate Social Responsibility Project. Students are inspired by the spirit of volunteerism, and allowed to explore the important connection between business and CSR. Throughout the semester, students form teams to research and contact a charity or other organizations to volunteer with. This semester, for instance, we witnessed ACK students volunteer with Al Kharafi Kids Centre, PAWS, Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Bayt Abdullah, Maki Jumah’s Kuwait Cancer Control Center, amongst others. Many of the students had never volunteered before and found it to be a very worthwhile experience, with the majority wishing to make volunteerism a part of their long-term goals. Instilling these values at this point in students’ lives ensures that it remains a vital part of their careers and lifestyles.

Creating Positive Influence With business savvy programs that teach students the values of empathy, respecting one’s environment is a lesson that ACK also aims to further in students’ minds. For this reason, ACK Foundation students are involved with carrying out experiments that focus on changing people and the environment for the better. An experiment was conducted with students creating posters that displayed what they did in their experiments and the results.

From recycling programs to raising awareness about pollution, students were encouraged to get out of the classroom and showcase their programs to their fellow students.

Roma Trip Having a strong competitive spirit is a wonderful asset that every young student should pursue. More importantly, competing with people from different walks of life is an enriching and life-changing experience. This premise took the ACK Men’s Basketball and Swimming Teams who represented ACK and Kuwait in the 2015 Euro Roma in Rome, Italy.

Euro Roma is an international tournament where countries from all around the world participate.

With 55 Universities from 20 countries, making for a whopping total of 1,800 participating students, our Kuwait teams truly experienced skills that go beyond their classrooms and training arenas. The students had a wonderful time getting to know other students from different cultures and competing against them.

They also visited the Coliseum, the Vatican and the Spanish Steps, making for a cultural experience unlike no other. The students had an amazing experience and are looking forward to the next tournament that will take them to new and wonderful places to meet people from different walks of life.

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.

nasser sports

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

NIKON KEYMISSION 360 ACTION CAMERA

Like most action cams, it’s shockproof, dustproof, waterproof (down to 100 feet), and generally tiny.

But the Nikon KeyMission 360 Action Camera has something going for it most competitors don’t: decades of photographic experience. The venerable camera maker’s first foray into the action market, it uses dual Nikkor lenses and image sensors to record immersive, 360-degree 4K UHD video and sharp still images. Built-in Vibration Reduction helps smooth out any bumps in the road, and a trifecta of NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi make it easy to review, transfer, edit, and share footage right from your phone.

PINE MINI COMPUTER

The rise of the smartphone has given rise to something else: incredibly cheap, powerful components. The Pine Mini Computer takes some of these and uses them to create a highlycapable, highly-affordable bare-bones rig. It’s powered by a quad-core, 64-bit ARM processor running Android, Ubuntu, or any other compatible OS you load up from the Micro SD slot. There’s also two I/O expansion slots, dual-core graphics capable of outputting 4K H.265 video, up to 2GB of integrated RAM, two USB 2.0 ports, optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and vast array of potential uses.

LG G6 OLED TV

Sure, it supports 4K resolutions, but when a TV measures 77 — or even 65 — inches diagonally, it’s going to draw a lot of attention whether it’s on or off. Luckily, the new ultra-slim LG G6 OLED TV looks great either way. Thanks to a PictureOn-Glass design, it measures just 2.57mm thick, not including the integrated sound bar speaker system from harman/kardon. The set’s OLED and ColorPrime Pro technologies let it take full advantage of the new HDR standard, and the webOS 3.0-powered smart interface is among the nicest built into any TV on the market.

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TECHNICS SL-1200GAE TURNTABLE

When one of the best turntables in the world suddenly went out of production, it was a sad day for vinyl fans. Well today that mood is finally changing as Panasonic has announced that the Technics SL-1200 line is back with the brand new Technics SL-1200GAE Turntable. 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the classic table which is not only the preference for DJs, but also makes a great centerpiece in any home audio setup.

The resurrected deck added some subtle design changes, along with a high sensitive tonearm and a brass top platter.

PARROT DISCO DRONE

Who said all drones have to be quadcopters? The Parrot Disco Drone has a propeller, but looks far more like a traditional airplane than a futuristic camera-wielding robot. The lightweight design houses a Full HD camera in the front nose, ground sensors, Wi-Fi, GPS, and three-axis stabilization for incredibly easy control. It can fly for up to 45 minutes, automatically fly a predetermined route and return home, and is also compatible with VR headsets for a first-person view of every flight.

And it doesn’t take much knowledge to work — if you can throw a paper airplane, you can get this in the air.

KODAK SUPER 8 CAMERA

This camera is modern-looking, yet recalls the design of the original Kodak Super 8 from 1965.

It uses film cartridges good for 15 minutes of shooting, and buying the film covers your processing, too, with both a digital scan and developed film returned at the end. It has a fixed Ricoh 6mm lens, an angled handle on top that also incorporates a microphone, and is built for manual operation, including the focus, aperture, and speed. It’s not totally analog — there’s a 3.5inch swiveling viewfinder, an SD slot, USB, and HDMI on board — but for any aspiring (or aging) filmmaker, it’ll offer an experience no digital camera can match.

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AL NATA

The original Portuguese delicacy, born in Kuwait By bazaar staff

As you get off the modern tram at the picturesque Portuguese town of Belem, the gleaming cobblestone floors along with the wafting aromas of fresh pastry will guide you to your final destination—the Pasteis De Belem bakery. One bite into the elusive yet ridiculously delicious egg custard tart sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar, famously known as the Pastel De Nata, and you’re pretty much addicted.

Now before you book your tickets to Lisbon, this conscious bazaar writer is here to tell you that the authentic experience is available right here in Kuwait – all thanks to the good people behind Al Nata.

Al Nata, a division of Europate Kuwait, was conceived by silent baker Ahmed Ja’afar, architect turned Chief Creative Officer and Master Baker Miguel Costa along with operations guru and General Manager Christopher Vaughan. Al Nata marks the star t of a beautiful, pastr y-filled era in Kuwait’s local culinar y scene. “The Kuwaiti public enjoys a ver y developed culinar y palate, and given that we are dealing with a well traveled population, we couldn’t think of fooling them when it comes to the original Pastel De Nata,” said Chris, “our aim from the star t of our endeavor is to give our customers the authentic Nata experience and make it available to all, along with perfecting our pastr y.” Chris knows that the team is on the right track simply by obser ving their customers’ reactions.

“We know we got it right when we see that look of sheer joy, the magical discover y of knowing that you don’t have to fly to Europe anymore to enjoy these delicacies.”

Naturally, the trio of foodies behind Al Nata met over breakfast, and a bond that is formed over good food, music and great conversation is one that is hard to break.

For Por tuguese-born Miguel, making the Nata first began as a hobby, “whenever I felt homesick, I’d venture into the kitchen and prep a fresh batch of Natas. Even though I am an architect and designer by trade, 74

cooking has been a big par t of my life ever since I could remember. As a kid, I spent more hours inside my grandma’s kitchen than at the playground.” When the idea of taking the homemade Nata nationwide came into play, Miguel enrolled in a professional course in Lisbon to perfect making the Nata from scratch. Putting his meticulous architectural background to use, witnessing Miguel prepare the pastr y at the team’s local industrial kitchen is an incredible experience. We asked him if he preferred designing to pastr y-making, and to this he replied, “You can design in the kitchen! The kitchen challenge has been a pleasant one so far. Baking wise, the tempo is fantastic, and when compared to architecture, the time frame might differ, but the mindset is the same. You need to plan before you go, and have the patience for it to materialize. I put up my ruler and my pen for baking flour and a rolling pin, and it’s been wor th ever y moment. It is a little par t of who we all are as a team with its playfulness, and it is also a little par t of my home that we love sharing with people in Kuwait.”

For Ahmed, deciding to par tner up with Miguel and Chris was a natural decision.

While the pastries were thoroughly enjoyed by their diwaniya friends, Ahmed said, “we always wanted to star t by institutionalizing the desser t the same way baklava is perceived by the local public. Rather than seek high end concepts for a great pastr y at much higher price points, Al Nata is able to offer incredible pastr y at an affordable price.” Speaking to this goal, you can find this little egg-custard tar t of goodness at all Sultan Center outlets across Kuwait, Qout Market, and even ordering online through Talabat.com.

For Chris, having the knowledge behind any culinar y operation is key. Having worked in a hotel and restaurant environment for the longest time, he is happiest in the Al Nata kitchen with his fellow comrades.

First a student of investment banking, his passion for the hospitality industr y could not be stopped. His journeys took him from South Africa to the Maldives to Kuwait, where he initially worked with Gastronomica in Kuwait before par tnering up with Ahmed and Miguel. His passion for great pastr y is also a par t of the business’s driving force.

He picked up one of the Natas prepared for our tasting session, squeezed the pastr y slightly, and declared, “there’s nothing like that crunch. The fact that we can bring that here is exciting!”

The stor y does not end with the glorious Pastel De Nata. If anything , the small pastr y has unleashed the team’s creative direction to widen their desser t selection by building on the the way that the Nata

is ar tfully prepared. It is the Nata’s shape and size that allowed the team to come up with more scintillating creations, like the Claudino.

The Claudino is perhaps best described as Al Nata’s vision for what a traditional éclair should have been. The Claudino is constructed with intricate layers of puff pastr y, a thin salted-dark chocolate slab that ser ves as the middle layer, along with your choice of cream (in our case we tried the lemon curd), finished off with more puff pastr y. Miguel explained that when it comes to pastr y, nothing like this has ever been attempted in Kuwait, “anything that we create that is entirely new is an organic bi-product of the original Nata. Our core strength is the puff pastr y, and the creations we come up are directly related to the concept.”

Other offerings include a nata-sized, white chocolate raspberr y cheesecake along with a lemon cheesecake, that delivers on new flavors and textures. This is their interpretation, fragrant, light and air y, yet indulgent. We also sampled little rounds of flaky, crunchy crusted pastr y truffles, filled with sumptuous chocolate.

Prepared with three different layers, along

with either a pistachio or hazelnut praline filling , this desser t has temporarily taken the alias, ‘shino hatha’ (what is it?) simply because, once you’ve tried it, it will elicit this ver y wondrous reaction. The culinar y gurus also concocted a line of infused Natas with imaginative offerings like cappuccino, Chai-Haleeb or Madagascar vanilla. Better yet, we also learned that they are planning on including croissants to become a permanent par t of the Al Nata range. We’re calling it, once croissants become available from these pastr y exper ts, Friday breakfast and Saturday brunch will never be same again. F inally, it is impor tant to mention that the original Pastel De Nata range is dair y free; and like the principal range, the complimentar y range of pastries are prepared without ar tificial additives, sweeteners, or preser vatives. They are truly made from scratch, and with a whole lot of hear t.

Get you Nata fix by heading to a Sultan Center near you, visiting the Al Nata booth at Qout Market, or order online through talabat.com. Call 5133 6645 for deliver y, or visit www.alnata.com or @Al_Nata on Instagram for more information.

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FOUR KUWAITI RESTAURANTS WE LOVE By bazaar staff

We’ve already discussed five Kuwaiti concepts that we love, and now it’s time to talk all things machboos and murabyan! We can’t celebrate the national holidays without going to one of these incredibly yummy concepts that are serving up local delicacies with a twist.

If you prefer dining within the comfort of your home, some of these concepts also offer home delivery!

DIKAKEEN Dikakeen is a Kuwaiti fusion restaurant that plays with contemporary takes on traditional favorites. If you’re seeking the familiar taste of home cooking in a trendy upbeat environment, then you will love this whimsical restaurant filled with vintage Kuwaiti memorabilia, making Dikakeen a place where the past and present converge. Their meals come as shareable platters ready to be eaten with your hands or scooped with fresh bread that their baker prepares right it front of you. Some recipes are family secrets passed down from the owner’s mother, and some are original creations.

Dikakeen is located at The M2 in the Salhiya Complex. Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Call 9772 8587 or 2299 6552 or for more information visit their site www.dikakeen.net. Or follow them on Instagram @dikakeen or on Facebook: Dikakeen

CAFÉ BAZZA Café Bazza is a traditional Kuwaiti restaurant that offers classic home-style dishes that are bursting with succulent flavors in a dynamic and enchanting environment. Their dedication and care for only high quality ingredients elevates their traditional dishes to a higher quality than the rest. This is one place to visit if you’re seeking true Kuwaiti flavors and an enjoyable dining experience for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With over ten locations across Kuwait, you can expect the familiar taste of home cooking in a quick and convenient way with Café Bazza.

Café Bazza has many locations across Kuwait and you can order online via www.talabat.com. Call 186 0860 or follow Café Bazza on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @cafebazza or you can visit www.cafebazza.com.

HANHUM Fittingly named for a restaurant that serves wholesome, homemade Kuwaiti cuisine, ‘Hanhum’ is an old Kuwait greeting, spoken by a person who enters a room full of people enjoying a meal. Those dining reply by saying ‘winta minhum’, which means they are inviting the greeter to join them for the meal.

Watch the fascinating bread-making process of the The Tanour bread and sample some of it too! The main event at Hanhum is their unforgettable Machbous Dijay, a Kuwaiti specialty consisting of Kuwaiti spiced chicken, served with basmati rice. So if you’re looking for a contemporary take on traditional Kuwaiti cuisine you can’t go wrong at Hanhum. Let’s not forget its ritzy location at Al-Hamra Luxury Center which offers a quiet yet upscale recluse during the national holidays!

Hanhum is located in the Café Court, on the first floor of Al-Hamra Luxury Center. For delivery call 2227 0234. Find them on Facebook: HanHumRestaurant, Twitter @Hanhum_Rest and Instagram @Hanhum_restaurant.

KHANEEN Celebrate Kuwait at several iconic locations with Khaneen, a Kuwaiti restaurant that offers classic home-style dishes bursting with succulent flavors. All of their meats are locally sourced, and they’re committed to only using the freshest, finest cuts. Khaneen’s dedication to high quality ingredients elevates their traditional dishes to a higher quality than the rest. This is one place to visit if you’re seeking a true Kuwaiti dining experience. Their waiters dress in traditional garb, and their décor utilizes well-known images of Kuwaiti cultural heritage not only suited for the national holidays, but celebrating national pride all year round!

Khaneen is located in Al Mubarakiya (2249 0858), Murouj Complex at The Sahara Golf Club (2205 7011) and Mahboula (2220 6127). Follow Khaneen on Instagram @khaneen_restaurant.

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A salute to a great nation that inspires a better tomorrow At Fantasy World, we’re proud to be part of Kuwait’s celebration. We bring you the world’s best toys, games and gear, so you can share the nation’s joy with your family and friends.

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THE MERCILESS TRAVELBUG

By Arooj Idrees

‘When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.’

If you feel this way after a long trip then it’s safe to say that you’ve been hit by the one and only ‘travelbug.’ Not the type that gets you sneezing and puking and asking for mummy. Oh no. This is worse.

Much worse. The travelbug I refer to is actually an abstract feeling. A morose longing of wanting to go back to a place you’ve visited before, or rather a place you’ve never been to.

How do I know? Well, the travelbug befriended me a few months ago, when it found me lost and adrift in rainy England trying to get used to the damp streets rather than the sandy sidewalks of the Middle East. After graduation, I took the leap and decided to grab the opportunity of working and therefore, living in Kuwait. I left my family, friends and majority of my beloved books at home. The separation anxiety for all three did reach an all time high at points but it doesn’t even compare to the separation anxiety I feel now for the people and places that I adopted as my family.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my family and friends in England, I really do, but after the return home something was different. In me, in them and especially in the way I began to perceive things. I felt as though I had outgrown the people around me – not in 78

a pretentious sense, I just couldn’t relate to them like I did before. Even the conversations we had contained the ‘try hard’ ingredient which just didn’t mix as well as it used to. I’d find myself telling everyone about my adventures from the past year and was excited to hear theirs. But were they wholly interested? I think not. So I learnt to stop elaborating each time someone spoke of going to a place I may have visited or times when I thought my opinion may be of use. Honestly, I felt like I was stuck in a rut. Nothing was stimulating enough or exciting enough. I craved novelties in my life in the form of places, people, activities and most importantly food. And no, the local Thai food didn’t satisfy my pining foreign delicacies and still doesn’t to this day. I’m in need of a temporary cure and the only prescription I’m willing to take is a plane ticket.

To anywhere.

Coming home after a long trip is actually very hard. A subject not many people address. But the struggle is real. After a year of mind blowing experiences, post-travel depression finds you and consumes you making you come to the realisation that your life is exactly where you left off. You’re job hunting, living at home and rather than going forward you’re travelling backwards. From having a full time job and having your own routine, you’re suddenly sat on your parents’ sofa, internet surfing, Netflix watching and stuffing your never satisfied stomach.

You come to realise that the place you’ve

lived for the majority of your life, the place you call home, the representation of comfort and solidity – has become the exact opposite of what it was. It doesn’t exist anymore and that’s because the person you were when you lived there has become nonexistent. She’s nothing but a mere memory you’ve left behind.

And this feeling of disorientation ultimately leads you in search of something more exhilarating. You’ve changed, you’ve grown, you’ve experienced different cultures and styles of living. The old you has evaporated into the foreign air you’ve been breathing.

Being bit by the travelbug is a very strange sensation. One that is often fickle and mostly selfish; it’ll make you constantly think of ‘me, me, me’ and ‘I, I, I.’ But be very wary. Despite it being inevitable, you must ensure you overcome this feeling. Otherwise, it will take you down memory lane and have you battling between your past and present. And let’s face it; the past is dead and gone. The present is where you are, so keep looking forward and put your all into the next opportunity that comes into your life. A part of you will always live in another place but that’s inevitable for a wanderluster. You just have to learn how to deal with it in the best way that suits you.

And that does not mean buying another plane ticket! Not always, anyway.

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HOW TO MAKE ‘GREENER’ CHOICES By bazaar staff

In the environmental sphere, time is everything. As it passes, the global situation becomes increasingly dire with global temperatures spiking past predicted trends and natural disasters becoming more and more frequent every year. That is why this needs to be the year you jump aboard the ‘green’ train and play a role in the improvement of environmental conditions. It’s completely achievable.

Stay informed.

When it comes to the environment, ignorance plays an enormous role in encouraging apathy in the masses. Try to follow environmentally proactive Social Media groups such as change.org and Environmental Working Group. It also really helps to read the news from politically unbiased publications such as Huffington Post Green. Once you know what the main issues are, you can start making tracks.

Finding informative articles can also be an enormous help when it comes to convincing skeptical family members and friends of the undeniable issue that is global warming and surrounding environmental concerns. Depending on your living situation, your own interest in environmentalism might be marred 80

by uncooperative family or housemates. Getting everyone on board is the easiest way to stay on track and motivated.

Pledge to make a difference, either literally or figuratively.

Many charity or non-profit organization websites ask visitors to pledge their dedication to the cause. Although there is no repercussion for going back this particular promise, having a monthly email reminder or simply the pledge in your mind can often encourage you to go the extra mile. It is also important to make your promise known to the people around you. If they’re checking up on you, you’re less likely to slide or forget to keep your ‘green’ promises.

Who knows, you might even get them interested!

With regard to environmental awareness, the more, the merrier.

Remember that sometimes, intangible acts or results are worth more than monetary ones.

While sending a monthly sum to a charity organization is an incredible step, it is undeniably true that sometimes the best gestures don’t have a price tag attached. In Kuwait, there are so many ways you can give something to the local environment without even touching your wallet. For example, just visiting the K’S PATH grounds and walking a few of the dogs

is enough to help the staff get some of their other important work done and allows the animals to get acclimatized to new people, which is essential in nurturing an adoptable animal. Among this, there are also beach clean-ups organized by countless environmental groups. Showing up to these cleanups has a direct result and encourages passers-by to get involved.

Take it step by step Conquering global warming is an enormous job, even for international government bodies so don’t take the unsustainable weight of the world on your shoulders. In the case of environmental awareness and activism, starting small really is the best route. It is way too easy to get entirely overwhelmed by the constant extinction of various species and ever-rising sea levels. At first, keep your activism physically local but make sure to use Social Media as a sharing platform, as it reaches much further. Once you know how you fit into the environmentalism sphere and have found your passions, you can start to invest your time and money into world-wide organizations and get involved in exchanges or visiting programs during the holidays.

Good luck, Green Machines!

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Touring Old Kuwait

Exploring the country’s history with the AWARE Centre By bazaar staff

I pull up in my taxi and I see the two tour buses comfortably nestled between the elegant AWARE Centre and a neighboring home. The group waiting outside is audibly excited and clearly just as eager to absorb some of the rich Kuwaiti heritage as I am.

or spaces of interest. We pull up to the AlMana’ee Old Mosque, the second oldest mosque in Kuwait. The lemony tinge of the exper tly shaped walls shines bright in the mid-morning Saturday sun and invites us in. We are told of an era before automated speakers where the call to prayer was sung from the towering minaret. As we pass through the threshold, a confor table open area greets us, from where we can appreciate the dome rising above us.

Inside the [prayer area], a delicate smell suggests a preser ved sense of antiquity and sacredness. Visitors climbed the spiraling staircase winding up towards the minaret to gain access to a unique view of the city and the mosque itself.

Our last destination is exclusively open to our tour and we were welcomed with open arms by our hosts at the Naif Palace. Upon entering the premises, a sense of neatness

As we pile on to the buses, couples chatter and strangers exchange names and stories about Kuwait. I feel almost stuck in a cultural time warp as I listen to these people talk about the day jobs they will be returning to the next day and the bus grinds to a halt in from on our first destination: the Al-Shamiya Gate, located on Soor street.

Although what remains of the gate spans less than 200 meters, the bespoke building materials have sur vived what can only have been almost 100 years of wind-battering

and somehow stand tall next to the facing skyscrapers. As the crowd circles around the knowledgeable guide, we discover some of the more intricate, undocumented memories attached to this piece of Kuwaiti heritage.

He takes us back to a time of togetherness, where people from all walks of life worked together to erect the 2km wall. Due to their dedication, the work was completed in two months, which – after obser ving the indicate embellishments adorning the perfectly crafted gate – is a grand feat in itself.

Shor tly thereafter, we hop back onto the buses and the chat is even louder, with friendships forming and common interests being shared. One woman explains that this is her first tour in Kuwait. She’s definitely going to star t going on a lot more after this one. Throughout the bus trip, our guide tells us tidbits of Kuwaiti culture and histor y, as we pass by significant monuments 82

and serenity rises up from the flower-ringed greener y and the cream, perfectly pinned diwaniya tents. We are walked around the enormous expanse, circling a Kuwaiti flag, raised high and fluttering in the wind. A functional, fresh water well – although paved over for safety reasons – remains a feature of the palace. At the opposite end of the palace, the jail cells are contained. Upon entering the jail area, the timelessness of the monument struck us all, from the dates and offenses car ved into the walls to the rusted doors that were heavy to open.

After a group photo to conclude the tour, we are invited by our host to indulge in some delicious savor y snacks as were ser ved coffee and tea in antique crocker y.

Comfor tably munching on our sandwiches and sipping our delectable Arabic coffee, we looked around at the old-fashioned Kuwait flags, flanked by high-reaching towers and glinting windows of the Kuwait City skyline.

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MOHAMED NASER AL SAYER LAUNCHES LEXUS “F” TECHNOLOGY

Engines Roaring… Hearts Beating By bazaar staff

Mohamed Naser Al Sayer has launched the “F” technology from Lexus powered by innovative engineering, setting new benchmark for the Middle East luxury high performance car segment. Under the F line, two of the most powerful Lexus cars ever made (GS F performance-oriented GS F four-door sports sedan and RC F) were unveiled.

The launch press conference was attended by Mr. Faisal Bader Al Sayer Vice Chairman Al Sayer Group Holding, representatives from Lexus Mr. Yukihiko Yaguchi Chief Engineer for GS F, Mr. Nobuyuki Takemura General Manager Sales and Marketing, Mr. Simon Frith Business Director and Mr. Bader Musaed Al Sayer Deputy Business Director from Lexus Kuwait, General Manager from Al Sayer business units, Celebrities from social media Mr. Yaqoob Boushari, Ms. Fatema Al Momen, Mr. Abdulwahab Alissa, Mr. Mohamed Al Shemmari along with distinguished members of the press and media.

Speaking during the launch event Mr. Faisal Bader Al Sayer Vice Chairman Al Sayer Group Holding “Lexus brand is always in motion, driving positive changes.

During the past decades the transformation it has made is 84

incredible. The 2 Lexus models – GS F and RC F which will be unveiled under the F line, are groundbreaking, it will set new benchmarks in the industry.”

With a style eminently suited to everyday driving, the Lexus GS F conveys the appeal of the ‘F’ series to a wide demographic, thus enabling Lexus to further enhance its brand image of exhilarating performance.

The GS F embodies the philosophy of the ‘F’ series which stands for fast dynamic response, high efficiency and seamless performance on everyday roads in addition to racetracks that can be enjoyed by everyone. The GS F is the first new ‘F’ series sedan model since the launch of the IS F in 2007 .

According to Chief Engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi, “With the GS F, our aim was to develop a car that combines the versatility of a sedan with the agility and dynamic character of the ‘F’ brand. A car that is fun to drive every day, whether it is on a busy street or a winding road, regardless of one’s driving skills. Having the driver say ‘That was fun’, ‘That was great’ after driving the car – that’s what the ‘F’ brand is all about.”

“To enhance its dynamic performance and hone its handling, our team also spent countless number of hours on some of the most famous tracks of the world, including Fuji Speedway in Japan and the Nürburgring in Germany,” added Yaguchi.

Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, TOYOTA Motor Corporation, said, “True to the spirit of all the ‘F’-line models, we developed the GS F to create a sense of excitement for our customers whenever and wherever they drive it. The GS F’s high-speed performance and handling, which have been nurtured on race tracks around the globe, reflect our attempt to provide the ultimate driving experience.”

Yoshitsugu added: “The sedan embraces the virtues of sound, response and limitless power feel to support Lexus’ ‘F’ brand identity of a performance car. We look forward to delighting our customers with this latest model and would like to acknowledge their support over the years.”

Highlighting the Lexus F technology Simon Frith Business Director Lexus Kuwait “Lexus F cars are the pinnacle of performance. From concept to completion Lexus uses the most innovative engineering to help overcome any challenge. F is an exceptional achievement of obtaining optimal performance that would satisfy the most demanding of performance drive enthusiasts.”

For more information on Lexus in Kuwait, call the team on 1830030. Check out their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Snapchat outlets @Lexuskw, or visit them online at www.lexus.com.kw.

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big boys toys Because grown men still need to play

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT 1977 PONTIAC TRANS AM

FERN & ROBY CUBE SPEAKERS

TESLASUIT

SKYACHT ONE

CARUSO WIRELESS GRAMOPHONE

ARCABOARD

There have been plenty of iconic rides in cinema history, but for guys born of a certain age, few can compare with the Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. Unfortunately, all of the cars used in the film were badly damaged (no surprise to anyone who’s watched it), leaving this Smokey and the Bandit 1977 Pontiac Trans Am as the finest example of the Firebird around. It served as a promo car, touring the country to promote the film. As a result, it has its original drivetrain, 400ci TA 6.6 engine, and 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, as well as extensive documentation to prove its origin.

The Skyacht One is based on the Embraer Flagship Lineage 1000E, giving it a range of 4,600 nautical miles and over 4,000 cubic feet of cabin space.

There’s an entry way with planked and pegged bulkhead walls, a private conference room, a main cabin with a large sofa, drinks area and TV, and a master suite featuring a bed, bathroom, and shower.

The interior is dominated by rich leathers, mahogany paneling, and controls made from fine metals, and offers intelligent lighting that changes color to match the view from the roof-mounted, nautically-inspired SkyPorts that run the length of the cabin.

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A timeless look that is only matched by the sound quality they produce. That description fits these bookshelf Cube Speakers from Fern & Roby. Each pair is constructed using heart pine beams salvaged from a late 19th-century Virginia factory. Each section of beam has characteristics that make every speaker unique. Inside each speaker lies an Alpair 7 Gold Driver by MarkAudio, which delivers the widest frequency range in its size class. Made in the USA and certain to catch the eye and ear of anyone that crosses their path.

Pairing an outstanding design with quality craftsmanship and robust components, the Caruso Wireless Gramophone is far more than just another speaker. The design is dominated by the ceramic horn, which sticks out from the left side of the wooden cabinet. It serves as more than ornamentation, as it amplifies the sound coming from the two-way speaker, 50W Class D amplifier, and Bluetooth 4.0 receiver, while the other side of the cabinet opens up and acts as traditional storage. Hand made in Venice, Italy, it’s available in a variety of finish combinations, including pure gold-covered horns and natural oak or walnut veneers.

Modern virtual reality systems envelop your senses of sight and sounds with ever more realistic environments. The Teslasuit promises to do the same for your sense of touch. Using an electro-tactile haptic feedback system embedded inside clothing, it can let you touch and feel objects inside virtual worlds. It connects to your rig via Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and depending on which model you choose — Pioneer or Prodigy — you’ll get either 16 or 52 feedback channels that can draw you into the experience like never before. It’s upgradable, thanks to a modular design, and even includes climate control.

The latest wave of hoverboards to hit the market are…well, just read our piece on them this month to see how we really feel. Also, they aren’t technically hoverboards. The Arcaboard works everywhere.

Lifted above the ground with 36 high power electric fans, its thrust is strong enough to handle up to 240 pounds. Ride with the built in stabilization system using your smartphone, or do your best Marty McFly impression and control it with your body. It’s one step closer to the full realization of a technology we’ve all been dreaming about for decades.

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WORLD’S HARSHEST CRITIC

By Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg

By the time we reach early adulthood, we often live a well-worn cycle of pain and penance.

For some people, life is an endless cesspool of painful emotion. The degree of conflict between our own personal values and our perceived expectations of others and the culture in which we live is directly correlated to quality of life.

The greater the conflict, the lower the quality.

The consequence of this conflict is intense unhappiness. This psychological and emotional baggage shapes the choices we make in our daily lives, limiting our options and driving us to act in ways we don’t fully understand.

Identification with social and cultural norms begins with the family of origin, a reflection of society on a micro level. Expectations in our families are internalized as rules and carry emotional messages. Eventually, our behaviour is governed by the need to try to prevent others from being disappointed with us, or angry, or in some other way unhappy. We become emotionally-driven to conform to the expectations of others.

Newsflash: It is impossible to live by someone else’s rules.

Yet, we try.

We experience feelings of shame and a sense of guilt when we break these internalized rules.

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Shame is about conforming; social conformity.

People belong to groups which create an identity where socialization ~ ‘To belong, you must be like us’ ~ takes the form of internalizing the values of the group, thus identifying an individual with a larger ‘tribe.’ The consequence of this conditioning is a sense of being “less than” when we fail in some way to keep those values as expected. Guilt, on the other hand, is a legal term. One is either guilty, or not. The rule of law says “This is true, that is false.”

An individual’s conscience is the operation of moral law - “this is right, that is wrong.” Guilt is a fact, not a feeling. We constantly judge ourselves against the “measuring stick” of society’s rules… even if our own internal values are in conflict with those rules. We then beat ourselves up mentally and emotionally for failing to meet others’ expectations, believing this failure reflects on our worth as human beings. We then say things to ourselves that no one else EVER would say. The sad part is, we believe our own self-talk. To a greater or lesser degree, we all do this. We fear the judgment of others, but totally overlook how harshly we judge ourselves.

When we stop judging ourselves we also stop judging, and the beautiful bonus? We no longer fear the judgment of others. What others think of us is no longer entwined with our sense of self-worth. This stops the pain/penance cycle and quality of life goes

up. Way up.

Try implementing these suggestions…

•Accept yourself, as you are. This does not imply stagnation or apathy, but rather the reality that you are a work in progress.

•Refuse to say anything to yourself that another would never ever say to you.

•Take nothing personally. The expectations of others belong to them, not you.

•Stop investing more in others than you invest in yourself.

•Learn to say no without explaining. Practice. Say no to one person everyday, just because you can.

•Remind yourself that you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.

•Plan to break an unwritten rule every day.

•Divorce yourself from public opinion. (It doesn’t matter what others are doing. It matters what YOU are doing.)

Take note when the internal emotional response makes it difficult to follow through and try to identify the rule being ‘broken.’ Keep breaking it until the negative emotional response vanishes. Be consistent. It will happen.

When there is no critic within, the critics without have no power.

Follow @DrSusannah on Twitter and Instagram.

Image Courtesy of Bert Kaufmann from flicker.

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bazaar checks it out ANDY WOLF EYEWEAR LAUNCHES ANDY WOLF, LOVE & ANDY WOLF, SOUL The Austrian glasses label ANDY WOLF EYEWEAR launches the new lines ANDY WOLF, SOUL and ANDY WOLF, LOVE at SILMO 2015 in Paris. The aim is to complete the portfolio with the existing metal eyewear collection WHITE HEAT and arrange the collection more clearly for opticians. Since it was founded in Hartberg in Austria in 2006, ANDY WOLF EYEWEAR has developed from an insider’s tip to an internationally recognised brand.

With the launch of the two new lines ANDY WOLF, LOVE and ANDY WOLF, SOUL, the Styrian company aims to expand its success in Europe internationally as well and to position itself as a glasses brand with high design and quality standards. “For us, the division into LOVE, SOUL, & WHITE HEAT is an important step,” says Katharina Plattner, designer and managing director at ANDY WOLF EYEWEAR. “Sometimes at first glance we look very colourful and unusual, which has often left new customers wide‐eyed. However, with the different lines we want to show that we are also a great range of classic glasses shapes and colours. No glasses leave the factory before they have undergone extensive checks. In addition, the glasses are adjusted again before being dispatched, so the optician can use them at their business straight away,” adds Plattner. ANDY WOLF, SOUL includes classic eyewear shapes in sophisticated colours. Just like the human soul, the collection forms the centre of ANDY WOLF. The sunglasses in all collections are now also fitted with ZEISS lenses. For the campaign, the Austrian company is focusing on its soul and went to the seaside with long‐time friends, supporters, and well-known campaign models to photograph the new frames in a familiar, intimate atmosphere. ANDY WOLF, LOVE embodies the passion of independent labels for unusual new designs and exciting colour combinations.

The campaign is a tribute to the wild ‘70s. Their styles still influence the fashion world today like no others. The location is a paternoster, which also served as a source of inspiration for the brand’s first own POS and store concept. Puristic design and clean lines define the look of ANDY WOLF, WHITE HEAT. The acetate temples and nose bridge are characteristic features. Clear imagery and black/white shots create the distinctive look of this campaign.

Learn more online by visiting www.andy-wolf.com. The Andy Wolf collection is available exclusively from International Optique. For more information contact International Optique on 2571 4007/9723 4753, www.intoptic.com , info@intoptic.com or Instagram: @intoptique.

ALL THE HELP YOU NEED TO GIVE YOUR HOME A BEAUTIFUL NEW LOOK Looking for a new look for your home for 2016 – but don’t know where to start?

Inspiration is at hand! Kuwait’s favorite home furnishing brands - Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Williams-Sonoma and West Elm – offer free, no-obligation Design Services to help transform any of the rooms in your home, from the living room and dining room to the master suite and kids’ spaces. The service is available in-store or in the comfort of your home. Customers at Pottery Barn can order special upholstery or put a personal touch on a special find with the monograming service..

The design team at Pottery Barn Kids can help design the dream nursery for your little ones, while showing you how to take care of fabrics. The Pottery Barn Teen team can tickle any teen’s imagination, inspiring them into designing their own bedroom or lounge area. The design-savvy staff members at the Design Lab in West Elm are skilled in helping customers discover a whole new meaning to indoor living with hip, colorful and stylish rugs or adding subtle accents to home ambience through modest lighting accessories and tableware. You can also book a complementary home appointment for a design specialist to measure your space and create a detailed decorating plan.

Williams-Sonoma and West Elm can be visited at the Grand Avenues, The Avenues.

Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen can be found at 1st Avenue, The Avenues, Kuwait.

SOLARIS – THE ULTIMATE SUNGLASS SELECTION Kuwait’s fashionistas can kick off the new season in style with exciting eyewear from Solaris, the region’s first dedicated designer sunglass boutique that brings you the very best in cutting-edge sunglass fashion from over 50 of the world’s leading designer brands including Tom Ford, Fendi, Dior and Gucci. The first hot new arrival for 2016 is the Carlina collection from Parisian designer label Chloe. The brand’s round oversized sunglasses have been making waves in the fashion industry since the end of last year. Chloe sunnies have been already spotted on the style icons like Jennifer Lopez, Rosie Huntington – Whiteley, Chiara Ferragni and Go-Joon-Hee, to name a few. This neutral yet timeless collection of sunglasses presents many opportunities to create interesting outfit looks with a striking accessory that can stand out in a good way, and for the right reasons. The Carlina collection can be found at Solaris/Vision Express in the 2nd Avenue and Grand Avenue – The Avenues, Marina Mall and Kuwait International Airport (Inside Debenhams).

Carlina collection can be found at Solaris/Vision Express in the Avenues & Grand Avenues, Marina Mall and the International Kuwait Airport- Debenhams.

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‫متستشفى دار الشفاء أطلق حملته السنوية للتوعية والكشف املبكر عن رسطان عنق الرحم‬ ‫أطلق مستشفى دار الشفاء يف شهر يناير حملته السنوية الخاصة بالتوعية والكشف املبكر عن رسطان عنق الرحم‬ ‫والتي تس ّلط الضوء عىل األسباب والعوامل املؤدية إىل هذا املرض وترشح طرق الوقاية منه‪.‬‬ ‫حيث تدعم املستشفى جميع السيدات بالفحوصات الشاملة لرسطان عنق الرحم كإختبار فريوس الورم الحميدي‬ ‫التغيات ما قبل الرسطانية أو أي تح ّوالت يف طبيعة خاليا عنق الرحم‬ ‫تبي وجود‬ ‫‪ ،HPV‬مسحة عنق الرحم التي ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫والعضو نفسه عىل حد سواء باإلضافه إىل سونار عنق الرحم‪.‬‬ ‫ويف هذا السياق رصح د‪ .‬إيهاب املرصي استشاري ورئيس قسم أمراض النساء والوالدة يف مستشفى دار الشفاء‪“ :‬‬ ‫إنه من الرضوري جدا تسليط الضوء عىل رسطان عنق الرحم والكشف عنه يف مراحل مبكرة وفهم عوارضه وطرق‬ ‫عالجه‪ .‬لقد تم تطوير تقنيات جديدة لتشخيص هذا املرض مبكرا”‪.‬‬ ‫يسبب الفريوس الحليمي البرشي ( ‪ ، )HPV‬رسطان الرحم وهو ورم خبيث يصيب خاليا املنشأ يف عنق الرحم‪ .‬ومن‬ ‫أكرث العوارض الشائعة لإلصابة هي النزف املهبيل غري الطبيعي ولكن يف بعض الحاالت قد ال تظهر عوارض واضحة‬ ‫للمرض حتى يصل الرسطان إىل مراحل متق ّد مة‪ .‬يقوم العالج عادة عىل إجراء جراحة (مبا فيها استئصال موضعي‬ ‫للورم) يف املراحل املبكرة إضافة إىل العالج الكيميايئ واإلشعاعي يف املراحل املتق ّد مة من املرض‪.‬‬ ‫وأضاف د‪ .‬إيهاب املرصي ‪ّ “ :‬‬ ‫إن رسطان عنق الرحم هو ثاين أكرث نوع من الرسطانات شيوعاً لدى النساء حول العامل‬ ‫تسجل أكرث من ‪ 500,000‬حالة جديدة كل عام‪ .‬إن مستشفى دار الشفاء يسعى من خالل هذه الحملة إىل‬ ‫بحيث ّ‬ ‫تأكيد إلتزامه بالتوعية حيال هذه األمراض انطالقاً من حرصه عىل تقديم أحدث املعلومات الصح ّية للمجتمع “‪.‬‬ ‫ويف هذا الصدد رصح د‪ .‬محمد املراغي رئيس قسم املختربات الطبية يف مستشفى دار الشفاء قائ ًال ‪“ :‬تم اعتامد‬ ‫الحليمي البرشي يف برنامج تح ّري عنق الرحم‪ ،‬وذلك بعد عدة تجارب ناجحة‪ .‬ففي حال كشف‬ ‫اختبار فريوس الورم ُ‬ ‫اإلختبار عن وجود خاليا غري طبيعية بشكل خفيف إىل متوسط يف الع ِّينة‪ ،‬فينبغي إجراء اختبار تح ِّري فريوس الورم‬ ‫الحليمي البرشي بشكل تلقايئ‪ .‬فإن عُ ِ َث عىل الفريوس يف الع ِّينة‪ ،‬فيجب عندها إحالة املريضة إلجراء تنظ ٍري مهبيل‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫بهدف جمع املزيد من املعلومات‪ ،‬وللعالج عند الرضورة”‪.‬‬ ‫تش ّكل حملة التوعية للكشف املبكر عن رسطان عنق الرحم جزءا ًمن إسهامات مستشفى دار الشفاء املستمرة لنرش‬ ‫التوعية حول هذا املرض وتشجيع النساء للخضوع للكشف املبكر‪ .‬ويقدم املستشفى مع ّد ات تكنولوجية متط ّو رة‬ ‫وطاقم من أهم األطباء واإلستشاريني واإلختصاصيني لتقديم أفضل الخدمات الصحية والرعاية الطب ّية للمرىض‪.‬‬

‫‪SPRING IN YOUR STEP‬‬ ‫‪Jump right into Spring/Summer 2016 with ECCO INTRINSIC 2: the next generation of ECCO’s newest sneaker‬‬ ‫‪collection. Based on ECCO’s natural motion technology and inspired by the brand’s design archives and sport‬‬ ‫‪collections, the ECCO INTRINSIC 2 features direct-injected soles with flex zones and a design centred on delivering‬‬ ‫‪all-day comfort. The result is an array of coolly casual, functional kicks that help the busy man, power through‬‬ ‫‪all his commitments in on-trend style. Brighten the new season with the ECCO INTRINSIC 2’s discrete splashes‬‬ ‫‪of colour, distributed over soft leather and texture-rich textile uppers for a playful, urban look. Sports-inspired but‬‬ ‫– ‪created for everyday active living, the ECCO INTRINSIC 2 sneakers give spring and summer a perfect welcome‬‬ ‫‪and invite you to explore all the urban possibilities and out-of-the-city adventures the season has to offer.‬‬ ‫‪Visit Ecco in Kuwait at Al Kout Mall. For more information on Ecco, visit www.ecco.com.‬‬

‫‪CROCS SPONSORS “SHAUN THE SHEEP” LIVE SHOW‬‬ ‫‪Ali Abdulwahab Al-Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW) and Crocs announced the sponsorship of the live show special,‬‬ ‫‪Save Our Tree, starring popular TV program character, Shaun the Sheep. The Live Show was held from January‬‬ ‫‪14 to 16, 2016 at Kuwait International Fair located in Mishref, Kuwait. An innovative version of the Shaun the‬‬ ‫‪Sheep worldwide series, the live stage show story Save Our Tree featured the adventures of Shaun the Sheep‬‬ ‫‪and his friends including the Flock; Shirley the gentle giant sheep, Timmy the only lamb and his mom, Nuts the‬‬ ‫‪eccentric sheep, and Bitzer the farmer’s loyal sheepdog, alongside the Farmer. Crocs is a world leader in casual‬‬ ‫‪footwear and it is best known for its very own Croslite™ material, a proprietary, revolutionary technology that‬‬ ‫‪gives each pair of shoes their soft, comfortable, lightweight, non-marking and odor-resistant qualities.‬‬ ‫‪The Crocs franchiser in Kuwait is Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW). For more information,‬‬ ‫‪please visit: www.crocs.com.kw or get social with them on Instagram @CrocsKuwait, Twitter @CrocsKuwait‬‬ ‫‪and Facebook: CrocsKuwait.‬‬

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‫بطل الكويت الدولي في السكاي دايف و البيس جمب‬

‫يرفع علم الكويت في سماء الدول التي يشارك بها‬ ‫‪By Strawberr y girl‬‬

‫بالرغم من أن رياضة (السكاي دايف) أو “القفز‬ ‫باملظلة” احتلت شهرة واسعة حول العامل إال أنها‬ ‫غري متوفرة يف الكويت‪ .‬وأيضا هواية أو رياضة قفز‬ ‫البيس‪ ،‬والتي أقيمت مرة واحدة فقط يف الكويت‬ ‫من برج الحمراء‪ .‬إال أن البطل العريب العاملي‬ ‫الوحيد يف هذ الرياضة كويتي ويدعى محمد‬ ‫الرفاعي ويبلغ من العمر ‪ 30‬عاما‪.‬‬ ‫لقد بدأت هذه الرياضة كهواية بالنسبة ملحمد الرفاعي‬ ‫عندما كان يدرس يف الواليات املتحدة يف عام ‪.2010‬‬ ‫ويعلق قائال‪“ :‬لقد أحببت هذه الهواية و بدأت‬ ‫أمارسها إىل أن أصبحت محرتفا‪ .‬أول مشاركة يل يف‬ ‫بطولة كانت يف عام ‪ .2013‬بالرغم من أنها ليست‬ ‫وظيفة إال أن هذه الرياضة تأخذ الكثري من وقتي‪،‬‬ ‫حيث يجب أن أسافر عدة مرات يف السنة يك أشارك يف‬ ‫البطوالت املختلفة واملعسكرات التدريبية‪ .‬أنا أشارك‬ ‫مبعدل ‪ 5 – 3‬بطوالت سنويا‪ ،‬وأقفز بني ‪ -500 300‬قفزة‬ ‫يف السنة‪ .‬لقد استقلت مؤخرا من وظيفتي وسوف أبدأ‬ ‫مرشوعي الخاص”‪.‬‬ ‫يعترب الرفاعي الكويتي الوحيد الذي ميارس قفز البيس‬ ‫وأول عريب يشارك يف بطولة‪ .‬ويرشح أن البيس يعني‬

‫القفز من أنواع مختلفة من األسطح الثابتة مثل الجبال‬ ‫واملباين والجسور‪ ،‬إبتداء من ارتفاع ‪ 50‬مرت وأعىل‪.‬‬ ‫“قفز البيس أكرث خطورة من السكاي دايف وهو القفز‬ ‫من الطائرة‪ ،‬ويك تتمكن من قفز البيس يجب أوال أن‬ ‫تجتاز ‪ 200‬قفزة سكاي دايف‪ .‬ويف قفزة السكاي دايف‬ ‫نقفز باملظلة من الطائرة من ارتفاع ‪ 14‬ألف قدم”‪.‬‬ ‫لقد شارك الرفاعي يف العديد من بطوالت ونشاطات قفز‬ ‫البيس وحصل عىل عدة ألقاب يف هذه الرياضة‪ .‬وأوضح‬ ‫قائال‪“ :‬أنا العريب الوحيد املشارك يف هذه البطوالت‪،‬‬ ‫وقد حصلت عىل املركز العارش يف البطولة الدولية‬ ‫التي أقيمت يف اليونان‪ .‬أما يف البطولة الربيطانية فقد‬ ‫اختاروا أفضل ‪ 50‬قافز بيس يف العامل وكنت أنا من‬ ‫بينهم‪ .‬وكذلك يف ماليزيا يختارون سنويا أفضل ‪100‬‬ ‫قافز يف العامل‪ ،‬وللسنة الثانية أكون من ضمنهم”‪.‬‬ ‫تعترب هذه الرياضة مكلفة ومن الصعب مامرستها‬ ‫بدون وجود راعي‪ .‬ويضيف الرفاعي أن عليه أن يدفع‬ ‫تكاليف تذاكره وإقامته واملدرب الشخيص‪“ .‬لذلك أصل‬ ‫بوقت قصري قبل البطولة وال أحصل عىل التدريب الكايف‪،‬‬ ‫وبالتايل يؤثر ذلك عىل نتائجي‪ .‬كام أن أدوات السكاي‬ ‫دايف وقفز البيس باهضة الثمن وتصل تكاليفها بني‬ ‫‪ 8 – 6‬آالف دينار أدفعها سنويا‪ .‬كذلك عيل أن أجري‬

‫عليها الصيانة كل ‪ 6‬أشهر حتى لو مل أستعملها‪ ،‬حيث‬ ‫أن لها تاريخ إنتهاء‪ .‬وبعضها يحتاج إىل صيانه بعد كل‬ ‫‪ 100-200‬قفزة‪ .‬لذلك أنا ممنت للرعاة الذين دعموين‬ ‫وهم بيت التمويل الكويتي ونادي كروس فيت”‪.‬‬ ‫الرفاعي يحب الرياضات الخطرة وقد مارس العديد‬ ‫منها مثل سباق السيارات الدراغ‪ ،‬غوص السكوبا‬ ‫دايفنغ‪ ،‬والغوص مع أسامك القرش وغريها‪ .‬ويف كل من‬ ‫هذه الرياضات كان هناك مجموعة متارس رياضة أخرى‬ ‫فيخربوين عنها وأجربها‪ ،‬وعندما أمل منها لعدم وجود‬ ‫منافسني أجرب غريها‪ ،‬وذلك حتى وصلت للسكاي‬ ‫دايف‪ ،‬وهي أكرثها تشويقا وأنا أعشقها‪ .‬ال أظن أنني‬ ‫سأمل منها ألنه ال حدود لها وهي دامئة التطور وتقدم‬ ‫دوما شيئا جديدا‪.‬‬ ‫إنه محظوظ ألنه بفضل الله مل يتعرض ألي حوادث‬ ‫خطرة‪ .‬ويقول‪“ :‬أنا دامئا أهتم بالسالمة باملرتبة األوىل‪،‬‬ ‫وخاصة أن هذه الرياضة مجرد هواية بالنهاية‪ .‬فمثال‬ ‫أنا أأجل القفز إن كانت األحوال الجوية سيئة أو ال‬ ‫أقفز إن مل يكن املكان مناسب أو مجهز بالطريقة‬ ‫الصحيحة‪ .‬لكني التقيت عدة مرات بأناس أصيبوا أثناء‬ ‫مامرسة السكاي دايف أو البيس جمب‪ ،‬لكني أنا ال‬ ‫أغامر بنفيس”‪.‬‬ ‫‪92‬‬

kidzania

bazaar music ‘’ I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring’’ – David Bowie

WONDERFUL CRAZY NIGHT

STILL WATERS

BIG BLACK COAT

Elton John will release his 33rd studio album this month, with the arrival of Wonderful Crazy Night. The LP, like the rock legend’s 2013 LP The Diving Board, was co-produced by John and T-Bone Burnett and recorded at the Village studio in Los Angeles. The album is now available to pre-order on iTunes, and with it comes the rollicking, upbeat first single “Looking Up.” Fans who pre-order will also receive an instant download of the single. The album will be offered as both a 10-track standard edition and a deluxe version housing two additional songs, “Free and Easy” and “England and America.’’

Three years on from By Your Side, Ed Banger Records are bringing out the second album from Thibaut Berland AKA Breakbot — Still Waters, which is due for release this month.

With some stunning artwork supplied by French photographer Philippe Jarrigeon, we’re already getting excited. The Frenchman has commented that the album is “the perfect soundtrack for a last barbecue around a swimming pool. The inspirations of this new album swing between Californian music from the ‘70s and ‘80s and disco/funk from Curtis Mayfield to Prince and Michael Jackson.” Some ideal pre summertime funk, then!

The Ontario duo Junior Boys have been making sleek, sparkling, finely textured electronic pop music for well over a decade, but it’s been a while since we heard from them. It’s All True, their last album, came out back in 2011, and the two members have kept themselves busy with other projects since. Jeremy Greenspan, for instance, has released solo music and collaborated with Caribou and Jessy Lanza. But now they’re back; their new album Big Black Coat will come out early next year; the album’s title track is a patient, signing seven-minute synthpop meditation, with a sense of jerky anxiety to it.

YES, I’M A WITCH TOO

FOR ALL KINGS

By Anthrax

NEED YOUR LIGHT

By Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono will follow up her all-star 2007 covers and remixes LP Yes, I’m a Witch this month with a sequel titled Yes, I’m a Witch Too. This time around, the avant-rocker will collaborate with Death Cab for Cutie, TuneYards, Sparks, Miike Snow, Cibo Matto and her son Sean Lennon among many more artists who contributed either remixes or covers of tracks culled from Ono’s catalog. Some of the reinterpreted tracks include Peter, Bjorn and John’s take on “Mrs. Lennon” off 1971’s Fly and Danny Tenaglia’s rendition of “Walking on Thin Ice.” The collection will also feature TuneYards’ previously released rendition of “Warrior Woman,” a track off Ono’s Onobox.

For All Kings is the upcoming eleventh studio album by American thrash metal band Anthrax.

The band has sold in excess of 10-million units, received multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, industry and fans. From the race and genre barriers Anthrax helped break down in 1988 when they collaborated with Public Enemy on “Bring The Noise,” to being the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played “Got The Time” to wake up the Mars Rover, Anthrax continues to demonstrate it’s just all about the music.

Ra Ra Riot is an American indie rock band from Syracuse, New York. This month, Ra Ra Riot will return with a new album called Need Your Light. Due out through Barsuk Records, the 10-track effort follows 2013’s Beta Love. It was produced by Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Vance Joy), with the exception of the songs “Water” and title track “I Need Your Light”, which were handled by Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend. Ahead of the LP’s release, Ra Ra Riot has shared “Water”, a bubbly cut that boasts some of the feel-good sway of Vampire Weekend’s own material.

By Elton John

94

By Breakbot

By Junior Boys

By Ra Ra Riot

wok hay

BURGER HOUSE

By Laila Al Gharabally

When I first heard about Burger House, I thought, “Ugh, another burger joint?”

Boy, was I in for a ridiculously superb and mouthwatering treat. As a self-proclaimed foodie who planned my honeymoon based on Michelin starred restaurants, I know what is globally good, so-so and utterly and spectacularly amazing.

Located in the up-and-coming Khaleejiya Tower in Sharq, Kuwait is the newly opened Burger House, the brainchild of Munich-born Chef Nico and his other half all the way from sunny Mexico, the appropriatelycalled Patty. After completing his studies at Germany’s prestigious Steigenberger Akademie, Chef Nico felt the urge to further his studies and specifically, focus his efforts in the kitchen, the ultimate place where he always found sanctuary for his limitless culinary creativity. In 2010, the young couple moved to Manhattan, New York where Chef Nico enrolled in the renowned French Culinary Institute while Patty studied restaurant management. After spending time in the United States, the twosome noticed how unhealthy fast food restaurants overwhelmed the possibility of enjoying healthy, wholesome and gourmet meals that featured the same main food - burgers. In September of 2011, the couple moved back to Germany with the idea of introducing high-end burgers to their hometown.

With a keenness on offering quality food, Chef 96

Nico spent his time locating hormone and antibiotic free sustainable cows that were also free range. He spent entire days concocting his handmade sauces and sides, some of which are influenced by his wife and their love for spicy Mexican favorites including chipotle and freshly made guacamole. Chef Nico’s recipes are based on his own favorite things to eat such as the Caprese salad inspired Mozzarella Burger and, from his adoration for spicy food, the Chorizo Burger. While he is a certified Bavarian carnivore, Chef Nico was driven to create equally delicious vegetablebased burgers to please his vegetarian wife Patty. After cooking up a million and one vegetable patties, Chef Nico pleased his own Patty – and later on, thousands of customers – with the perfect falafel-based patty.

The innovative chef has plans to introduce a vegan baked burger in the near future.

In January 2012, the couple opened the first Burger House in Munich. Today, there are seven Burger House restaurants across Germany and our very own Kuwait is the first international location.

Enter my inquisitiveness and more importantly, my hangry, rumbling stomach that must have been audible to the waitress seating us. “Which classic burger would you like?” the waitress asked, “The classic, double, triple or jumbo?” After reading rave reviews about the place on TripAdvisor, I chose the double plus the truffle burger which has – drum roll – real truffles instead of a sad drizzle of truffle oil. I also ordered the oh-so-fresh

guacamole. Plus chili cheese fries and a side of onion rings. And a vanilla milkshake. And yes, I devoured it all and felt like queen of the world with my happy little belly and grateful taste buds which have never come across such quality, flavor-rich meat that has been grilled to wonderful tender perfection and a buttered, ever so soft bun that melts in your mouth. Chef Nico’s multicultural family is obvious in his eclectic menu that shows off a diverse array of burgers including the blue cheese bacon, chipotle, chorizo, camembert and other burgers that were more health-conscious including sliders, no carb, veggie burger and more.

“Would you care for dessert?” I did, and still do, care for dessert. I sat back in my red, cushioned booth and rested my fingertips on the cool wooden table, relishing the warm coziness of the diner-ish restaurant that featured black and white street photographs of international icons of every world. I turned my attention from the restaurant’s outdoor area that overlooked a lovely garden to the kitchen’s swinging door; I could see my dessert floating to where I was waiting.

Soon, my absurdly delicious Nutella cheesecake was laid down before me, and out went every care I had in the world.

Burger House is open daily from 1pm – 10pm, at Khaleejiya Tower – Ground Floor, Sharq. For information, take-out and/or delivery please call 2244 9080 or 2244 9085, email info@burgerhousekw.com, view their Instagram @theburgerhousekw or visit www.theburgerhouse.com.

that alsalasil

bazaar a la mode GRAB YOUR HOUDI AND BUNDLE UP THIS SEASON Why settle for wearing an ugly sweater when you can carry a cozy jacket that is simple, smart, stylish, and keeps you safe from the cold? Whether it be for winter activities or cozying up indoors, we introduce the M’s Power Houdi by Houdini, otherwise known as the ‘it’ jacket this winter. With a simple design and clean cut, the versatility of the Power Houdi knows no boundaries with its fleece material, high tight fitting hood, and thumb loops perfect for the season. Available in attention-grabbing colors like Members Only and True Black, the Power Houdi compliments any wardrobe or outfit. Its main fabric, Polartec®Power Stretch®Pro, has a sweater-knit face with soft micro fleece inside in order to maintain body heat while still providing maximum freedom of movement and next-to-skin-comfort. Carrying the essence of minimalism, the Power Houdi delivers all you could ask for, and more. Providing moisturewicking, quick-drying qualities that all technical fleeces should with stretchy material added in for comfort. Easy to layer, the Power Houdi is extremely resilient and has a smooth outer finish with a high tight fitting hood to keep your neck and chin warm for those colder days. In addition to Houdini, AAW brings to Kuwait half a dozen of the world’s prime outdoor brands under their independently owned retail stores: Explorer’s Base and Carbon Fiber. AAW distributes highperformance products from worldwide brands which include The North Face, Vans, Eastpak, Jansport, and more.

Want to find out more about Explorer’s Base? Follow Explorer’s Base on Instagram @ExplorersBase, contact on 2225 6323, or visit in-store at Al Tilal Mall, Shuwaikh. To find about more about Carbon Fiber, follow them on Instagram @CarbonFiberQ8, contact on 2259 7377, 2572 3561, 2431 2661, and 2433 2179, or visit in-store at The Avenues, Anfal Mall Salem Al Mubarak St, Salmiya, or Kuwait International Airport Arrivals or Departures.

located at Kuwait 360 Mall and can be contacted on 2530 9936.

AAW AND INTERSPORT DEBUT FIRST INTERSPORT STORE IN KUWAIT AT MUROUJ SAHARA Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW), the largest retailer of sports stores in Kuwait, today launched the first Intersport store in Kuwait, the latest location for the store’s global network of 5,500 stores in 44 countries. Intersport is the world’s leading sporting goods retailer, aiming to bring “Sport to the People” by providing top-of-the-line products in hardware, footwear, apparel, casual sportswear, swimwear, winter sports, outdoor equipment, fitness and wellness equipment and more to meet a variety of customers styles and sporting needs. The launch was carried live on on Al Gayla, Kuwait’s leading radio talk show, and MCed by popular Kuwaiti Instagram influencer Omar Alothman. The launch activities included a range of fun and engaging activities for customers, including group football hosted by Kuwait National Football Team player, Waleed Ali, workouts with Inspire Pure Fitness personal trainers, Abeer Alshatti and Essa Akba. Other activities also included custom athletic-themed photograph booths and corners, boxing, competitions and music from DJ Ali Taleb. Deputy CEO at AAW, Khaled F. Al Mutawa said, “Today, we are delighted to celebrate the opening of Intersport, and are pleased to see many loving sport enthusiasts in Kuwait.” The Intersport flagship store under AAW spans over 1050 square meters featuring major athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment collections from worldrenowned international brands McKINLEY, Firefly, Energetics, Pro Touch, Technopro, Etirel, NIKE, Adidas, Reebok, Sketchers, Under Armour, Puma, and New Balance.

You can find the new Intersport store at Sabhan, Jassem Mohammad Al Kharafi Street (next to the Hunting & Equestrian Club) in Kuwait City, call them on 2205 7012 or visit them online at www.intersport.com.kw.

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DELVAUX ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE CARRÉ BRILLANT MAGIQUE In celebration of the upcoming Kuwait National Day, Delvaux, the oldest fine leather goods house will offer its esteemed clientele the limited edition Carré Brillant Magique. This highly exclusive silk scarf has been specially designed by la maison to commemorate Kuwait’s 55th National Day paying tribute to the nation’s many achievements since its formation in 1961. Staying true to the refined luxury and its uncompromising craftsmanship, the Carré Brillant Magique combines the Kuwait National Flag colors of red, green, black and white with la maison iconic “Le Brillant” handbag motif. The scarf’s design that is both classic and sophisticated was created to honor and capture the essence of Delvaux’s distinguished Kuwaiti female clientele. Having recently launched its first store in Kuwait’s prestigious 360 Mall, this limited edition scarf marks a very important milestone for Delvaux and one of several to follow as plans unfold to increase its footprint in the Gulf region.

The Carré Brillant Magique will be available in Delvaux Kuwait from 9th February 2016. The Delvaux Store is

INTRODUCING NEW TANGLE TEEZER DETANGLING HAIR BRUSH FOR THICK, CURLY AND AFRO HAIR New Tangle Teezer Thick & Curly detangling brush is bursting with big hair love. With it’s longer, stronger Firmflex teeth technology and ergonomic concave design, it makes detangling and defrizzing afro, curly and thick hair a wonderful and effortless thing. Thick & Curly takes all the brilliance of The Original – palm friendly design and flexible teeth that don’t tug or pull on wet and dry hair, but have supersized the detangling experience.

Tangle Teezer is exclusively distributed in Kuwait by beau-tique cosmetics international. For more information, you can call beau-tique on 2225 1285.

BE JOYFUL WITH BATH & BODY WORKS! Bath & Body Works launches its most JOYFUL fragrance yet. The fragrance, bursting with happiness and joy, is a bright, cheerful blend of Sparkling Clementine, Golden Mango and Frosted Jasmine. Wrapped in the perfect packaging that reflects the season of giving loved ones a reminder of just how special they are. With top notes of Fizzy Clementine, Winter Melon and Sparkling Mango, mid notes of Blooming Honeysuckle and Frosted Jasmine, and low notes of Dulce de Leche, Golden Amber and Shimmering Sugar.

Bath and Body Works is located at The Avenues, Marina, Al Fanar, Gate and Souq Sharq malls. For more information on their products, visit www.bathandbodyworks.com.

JIMMY CHOO’S LUCY STILETTO TRENDING ON THE RED CARPET Jimmy Choo’s LUCY is the new go-to stiletto amongst celebrities and style influencers.

Launched for CR16, LUCY is a sleek pump featuring a d’Orsay cutaway and feminine ankle strap. Jimmy Choo has a history creating go-to styles for the “it” list, and LUCY seems destined to join shoe hall-of-famers MINNY and LANCE, which are red carpet favourites from past years. “For me Lucy is the quintessential 21st century stiletto. It has a beautiful precision cut and perfectly balanced proportions. I also adore ankle straps and the LUCY ankle strap adds a playful notion to the stiletto silhouette.” Sandra Choi, Creative Director.

LUCY has been the shoe of choice for Jennifer Lawrence, Carey Mulligan, Alexa Chung, Zoe Saldana, Daisy Ridley, Alicia Vikander and Jourdan Dunn. Where and when seen: Carey Mulligan at the Suffragette premiere, L.A, Daisy Ridley at the Star Wars premiere, Tokyo and Shanghai, Jennifer Lawrence out and about in NYC, Alexa Chung at the British Fashion Awards, London, Zoe Saldana at the 16th Latin Grammy Awards, Las Vegas and Brie Larson at the AFI Awards in Los Angeles.

Jimmy Choo is located at 360 Mall in Al Zahra and The Avenues Mall in Al Rai. For more information, visit www.jimmychoo.com.

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SYMPHONY KIDS CLUB Treat yourself for an hour—or four—while the little ones have fun!

By bazaar staff

Can’t find enough time to go to the gym because you’re super busy with the little ones? Your kids are a blessing, but sometimes, you need some “me” time. Maybe you and your friends are looking to enjoy a relaxing day at the spa, you really need to get your daily workout in, or you’re craving some adult conversation in a non-kid friendly restaurant or environment. Rest assured, as long as you visit the Symphony Style Hotel, your children will be safe and happy while you take your much needed hour-or-so break from parenting.

The Symphony Kids Club is a new addition to the Symphony Style Hotel facilities that allows the entire family to enjoy themselves. It features an indoor play area spread over 500 square meters that is designed to deliver fun and educational activities for children between the ages of 1 - 10 while under the constant supervision of highly trained professionals. This means you could give the nanny her day off, while you enjoy all the facilities that the Symphony Style Hotel has to offer! With the Kids Club, you can feel safe knowing that your children are in good hands and that they’ll always have something to do.

The Kids Club’s Multipurpose Events Room is where the children can use their imaginations to keep themselves busy. From reading, to homework, to playing make believe and arts and crafts, there’s nothing that the Multipurpose Play Room doesn’t offer.

Another room available is the mini library, where your little ones could enjoy kid-friendly titles and peace and quiet for story time. What’s also great about the mini library is that it’s an educational outlet, which can assure parents that their little ones’ Kids Club experience is not just all play – there’s always room for reading!

The Play and Function room is where birthday parties, celebrations and themed events of all types take place, which makes planning your child’s birthday parties so much easier. The Kids Club specializes in birthday parties by including multiple special birthday packages for you to choose from, and has been known to be a venue that hosts some of the most memorable birthday parties in Kuwait.

Other exciting features of the Kids Club includes use of the cinema, where kids can watch their favorite films while lounging in luxury, the dining area, where kid-friendly meals are whipped up for your munchkins to munch on, and a sleeping room for them to recharge their batteries (and to keep their crank-factor low when they get too tired!)

The Symphony Kids Club offers the following activities everyday for your children to engage in: arts and crafts, coloring, cinema shows, fun games, puzzles, dancing class, story time, cooking class, play-dough making and accessory making, and 100

a jumping area. With such a long list of options, there’s something in there for everyone and you can be rest assured that your children will be buzzing with excitement to leave your side and run to the Kids Club during your frequent visits at the Symphony Style Hotel.

Open daily from 9am - 9pm, The Symphony Style Hotel Kids Club is designed to take care of your kids while you take care of yourself. The club is also open for schools, nurseries and groups, posing as an ideal spot for field trips. What’s also great is that if you’re an in house guest or member of the Symphony Style Hotel, your kids get free access to the clubs. Outside guests’ children can enjoy 12 hours of fun with an entry fee of 4KD per child to participate – and this fee includes activities and classes, popcorn, and Slushees. That’s a sweet deal!

So go on, check them out and give yourself a break from your kids to do the things you need to do to relax. You deserve it!

The Symphony Style Hotel is located on the Gulf Road in Salmiya. For more information, please call 2577 0000 or visit www.quorvuscollection.com.

Follow them on Instagram @SymphonyStyleKW.

leonor greyl

HALA FEBRUARY PROMOTION Receive a FREE Leonor Greyl Treatment when purchasing over 25KD of Leonor Greyl at TONI&GUY Kuwait Salons Available at TONI&GUY Cliffs, TONI&GUY Al Corniche and other selected salons. Exclusively distributed by beau-tique cosmetics int'l.

Call for more info 22251285 www.beau-tiqueonline.com beautiquecosmetics beautiquekuwait beautiquecosmetics

FUN FOR ALL AT THE TASTE OF Q8!

March 17, 18 & 19, Marina Crescent By bazaar staff

Are you ready for this year’s premiere foodie event? We sure are!

We at bazaar have been anticipating the Taste of Q8’s second annual premier dining event, and we’re so excited that there’s one month left to go for a food filled weekend! There’s a lot to look forward to, from tastings to meetings and music, 2016’s the Taste of Q8 is promising to be a fun filled day for the whole family, with features that are sure to please attendees of all ages!

The event’s basic admission ticket offers hands-on activities where you’ll be able to participate in a demo, and bake or cook something with a professional Chef. This year’s food-star studded lineup includes the amazing Reza Mahammad and Jenny Morris from Food Network, two French Pastry Chefs, Master Chef Eric Lanlard (author of five cook books and star of TV’s Baking Mad and Glamour Puds), FameCo’s Executive Pastry Chef David Cadoret, and of course, the world renowned Chef Ian Kitichai and local musical and culinary legend Suliman Al Qassar. There will be a Celebrity Chef presentation every half hour throughout the festival between the Cooking School and the Chef Demo Stage, and Cooking demos will be ongoing throughout the festival every hour for up to 10 participants at a time.

The fair will also have a mouth-watering selections of local beloved restaurants such as Radisson Blu’s Peacock and Al Boom, Regency’s 102

Balsamico, La Brasa Argentinian Steakhouse, gourmet Pizzeria Amami, the famous Alfredo’s Gallery, and many more.

If you’re also interested in tackling as many noms as you can, you’ll be able to sample culinary tastes from a variety of Kuwait based cooks and caterers, who will be showcasing their unique cuisine in the Grand Tasting Pavilion. To all those small business chefs and caterers out there, this is your chance to shine! Visit their website to submit an application to win a free spot along with the registered greats of Kuwait! To complete the experience, the Taste of Q8 will include a classic Farmer’s Market where you’ll be able to stroll through and check out local goodies by independent businesses. Let’s not pretend that this hasn’t become a long-loved hobby of ours, and in March, the weather will still be ideal for some weekend outdoor browsing.

For those who enjoy good tunes with good food, live music will be playing at the Taste of Q8, in a scenic setting overlooking the Marina Crescent. The event also encourages local acts to submit their music to win a spot on stage during the three-day event by applying online.

Concerned about the kids? You don’t need to leave them at home to enjoy this delicious outing, or worry about them being bored while you spend a day sampling all the yummy food.

Bring the children to enjoy the Kid’s Zone feature, sponsored by Frost Gelato, where they can enjoy a kid-centric aspect of the festival, and feast on yummy treats! On top of that, children aged 12 and under get in free!

So whether you’re a foodie, a critic, a chef or someone who just loves to eat – which let’s face

it, is most of us—mark your calendars for March 17, 18 & 19th.

General Admission day tickets are KD 3 for adults (ages 13 and up), Weekend Passes for all three days General Admission are KD 6. For those who want to get up close and personal with the chefs, the single day Meet & Greet tickets are KD 20, but you could opt for the Multi Day Meet and Greet for KD 40 for the ultimate indulgence.

Psst! If you purchase any Meet & Greet ticket, you’ll have access to the festival’s Hospitality Suite where you’ll get to meet the chefs, get a cookbook signed, and obviously, take a selfie with them. Also included in either Meet & Greet package is a goody bag, apron and cookbook.

Visit their website to purchase your tickets, check out the Chef’s performance schedules and book your Meet & Greet in advance– but remember, tickets are limited, so move fast! Hope to see you there, Kuwait!

The Taste of Q8 festival will take place at Marina Crescent on March 17th, 18th and 19th. For ticket sales and applications to participate, visit www.TasteofQ8.com . Follow them on Instagram and Twitter @thetasteofQ8 for the latest updates!

BREAKFAST

IN BED DOESN’T GET ANY SWEETER

kitchen aid

2220 4140 www.mabrookco.com

CELEBRATE IN STYLE

Valentine’s Day at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait By bazaar staff

Looking for a special way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Why don’t you venture over to the gorgeous Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa for an evening of luxury in an extremely romantic setting! Located in a secluded area with easy access to Kuwait’s Central Business District, it’s so easy for you to swing by this place after work with your main squeeze to profess your love on the most romantic day of the year. Moreover, the scenic Hotel and Spa has six different restaurants to choose from, offering exquisite fare to please a plethora of taste buds.

Impress your date with decadence in the place of memorable setting at the exclusive Secret Garden. This delicious experience is complete with an exquisite five-course set menu, live barbecue, and private butler service. The Per Couple Package includes a bottle of sparkling grape juice, shisha, a bouquet of fresh roses and a heart-shaped cake.

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For an extra charge, couples can also be serenaded with romantic live violin music.

For couples who have a shared love for meat, they will surely bond over a four-course set menu of fine cuts of meat flame–grilled to their liking at Pepper Steakhouse. Prepare to fall even deeper in love over a succulent piece of perfectly cooked steak and an array of tantalizing sides.

Couples who Buffet together, stay together! The Buffet aficionados will be at a loss for words with the exquisite selection of international and Middle Eastern cuisines at the Garden Café Restaurant. Fill up your plates with freshly cooked fare to your liking, and don’t forget to indulge in their Valentine’s Day inspired desserts on offer!

For those looking to celebrate with downplayed decadence, Arabesque offers a lovely two-course ‘Valentine’s Dinner’. With a romantic setting and expertly prepared dishes, this unforgettable experience is an ideal way to express your love for one another.

If it’s la via Italiana you’re looking for, then you’ll definitely want to celebrate at the renowned Olio.

This scenic Italian restaurant offers sumptuous fare and a four-course “Evening in Venice” Valentine’s Day themed dinner for two. They may also express their

desire to spend the rest of their lives together the way Italians do through a four-course ‘Evening in Venice’ Valentine’s Day dinner of sumptuous Italian dishes at Olio Restaurant. Now THAT’S amore!

And to conclude, couples who share a mutual love for the sea and all of its fruits can exchange their vows on the most romantic evening of the year while enjoying a sumptuous four-course dinner at Salt.

This renowned dining experience boasts the freshest seafood, expertly prepared to your liking.

So there you have it, Kuwait. Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is the perfect way to spend your Valentine’s Day! (As if we needed to convince you further!) Indulge in this special evening by enjoying the unique dining experiences the luxurious landmark offers in its beautiful restaurants—both you and your date are guaranteed an unforgettable night, and happily filled bellies.

The Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa is located on Al Ta’awen Street off of 6th Ring Road near Messilah Beach. Visit their website at www.jumeirah.com. For restaurant reservations, please call 2226 9666, or email jumeirahrestaurant@jumeirah.com.

bazaar around town KUWAIT’S 360 MALL WELCOMES A NEW TOUCH OF SPICE IN ASHA’S 360 MALL, Kuwait’s iconic shopping mall owned by Tamdeen Shopping Centers, has announced the opening of Asha’s, one of the most popular fine-dining Indian restaurants in the Middle East. With a convenient and strategic location on the (Mezzanine Level), and easy access from “Multilevel Car Park”, the restaurant features a private dining area, making it an ideal venue for parties, special occasions and business lunches, in addition to take-out service. The new venue in 360 MALL is contemporary in its décor and offers a vibrant environment. The limitless cultural and timeless appeal ties in to form the perfect synergy with 360 MALL, the go-to destination for a host of local and international shoppers seeking the best quality retail and dining experience. Claudia Lopusinska, Marketing Manager, 360 MALL commented on the new opening: “We are enthusiastic about the opening of Asha’s, especially looking at how it is fast becoming a global brand. We are confident it will be well-received by our customers here in the mall who have a great love of Indian food. We are bringing many new brands to 360 MALL and are expanding our portfolio extensively in the hope of serving both residents and tourists.” Asha’s is known as the first international Indian restaurant group, currently operating nine Indian restaurants in five countries around the world. The restaurant has won many accolades and awards over the years, including mentions in the Michelin restaurant guide for the past six years in Britain as one of the world’s top destinations for quality Indian cuisine (outside the Asian subcontinent). The list of awards includes: ‘Best Indian Restaurant’ in the 2012 Timeout Dubai Awards, honorable mentions for Asha’s, Birmingham in the UK Michelin Guide from 2009 to 2015, as well as being hailed as one of the ‘Top 50 Restaurants in the UK’ in the esteemed Hardens Restaurant Guide. The menu, which has been inspired by the legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle, and her passion for cooking, reflects the very best of Indian cuisine. Asha offers traditional dishes and drinks which promise to take guests through a truly memorable dining experience. As the world’s first international Indian restaurant brand, Asha’s exudes culinary perfection, combining modest, time-honoured North-western Indian cuisine with new-age fusion and style.

Ashas new restaurant is located at the 360 Mall, Al Zahra. For more information on Ashas in Kuwait, visit them online at www.ashasrestaurants.com/kuwait.

THE SULTAN CENTER NOW OFFERS CUSTOMERS PAPER BAGS ACROSS ITS STORES In and around Kuwait plastic bags can be seen along the sides of roads, in the desert, on trees, outside people’s houses. They litter our beaches and threaten marine life.

As part of The Sultan Centre’s (TSC) ongoing commitment to the community and safeguarding the environment, TSC has recently launched a new initiative in its stores whereby shoppers are given the option to choose plastic bags or paper bags (at a nominal charge). Not only are paper bags stronger than plastic bags, they are made from a renewable resource and they are easily recyclable, which makes them environmentally friendly. TSC is committed to protecting the environment. Not only is it important for our generation, it’s about taking care of care of the environment for generations to come. TSC’s reduce, reuse and recycle initiative aims to keep as many recyclable materials out of landfills as possible. Essentially, the goal is to minimize waste, and offering paper bags throughout their stores will go a long way in serving that purpose. Tom Hammer, CEO of Retail at The Sultan Center, said: “We actively listen to our customers and want to engage them in our eco-friendly initiatives. Our customers have told us they want the option of having their groceries packed in paper bags. Many of our shoppers are environmentally conscious and they want to reduce plastic usage. As part of giving back to the community in which we operate, we’re always on the lookout for ways in which we can help protect the environment. This new initiative falls in line with our goal to reduce our ecological footprint. We are giving our customers a choice: plastic or paper. In either case, the most important thing is to recycle those bags so they don’t end up in the sea, beaches, streets, and landfills, or become litter.” Just a few small lifestyle changes can go a long way in making a big difference for the environment. TSC is working together with its customers to make an even greater impact by making it easier for them to incorporate sustainable choices into their daily lives.

The Sultan Center is situated throughout Kuwait. For information on locations, and products, visit www.sultan-center.com.

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‫‪IN 2015, PORSCHE DELIVERED MORE THAN 225,000 CARS WORLDWIDE‬‬ ‫‪Porsche AG can look back on an extremely successful fiscal year. With 225,121 vehicles‬‬ ‫‪delivered to customers worldwide, the company achieved a new record in 2015, exceeding‬‬ ‫‪the previous record of 189,849 cars in 2014 by 19 per cent. The 911 legend continues‬‬ ‫‪unabated. The sports car icon recorded an increase over the previous year of 4 per cent‬‬ ‫‪with just under 32,000 units delivered. “This growth, even in a year in which the model was‬‬ ‫‪changed, shows the immensity of fascination for the 911 on the markets,” says Detlev von‬‬ ‫‪Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. The new 911‬‬ ‫‪series, with the 911 Turbo as the flagship model, will be available on the European market‬‬ ‫‪at the end of January 2016. It will provide another boost and consolidate delivery figures to‬‬ ‫‪a stable level. Clearly, the growth drivers are the SUV models and the bestseller is the latest‬‬ ‫‪addition to the family. With more than 80,000 cars delivered, the Macan became the most‬‬ ‫‪coveted Porsche already in the first year of full availability. It is closely followed by the Cayenne‬‬ ‫‪(73,119 units). Compared with the previous year, the Macan and the Cayenne achieved two‬‬‫‪digit growth figures. Cayman sales rose slightly by 1 per cent. The Panamera and Boxster‬‬ ‫‪models lagged behind the previous year levels. The reason for this is the upcoming model‬‬ ‫‪change from which Porsche is expecting renewed growth in 2016. In the future, the Boxster‬‬ ‫‪and Cayman models will be branded as the 718 model series and will continue to merge both‬‬ ‫‪technically and visually. For the first time, the strongest single market in 2015 was China‬‬ ‫‪where Porsche delivered 58,009 vehicles. Compared with 2014, this was an increase of 24‬‬ ‫‪per cent. In second place came the USA with 51,756 vehicles, a growth of 10 per cent. The‬‬ ‫‪European market grew by 24 per cent to 75,354 units where Germany is the strongest single‬‬ ‫‪market with a total of 28,953 vehicles delivered (+21 per cent).‬‬ ‫‪Visit the Porsche Center in Al Rai, on the 4th ring road. Call them on 187 0870.‬‬

‫رشكة عادل الغانم للسيارات تطرح أحدث نسختان من ‪MG‬‬ ‫أطلقت رشكة عادل الغانم للسيارات (الوكيل الحرصي لسيارات ‪ MG‬الربيطانية يف الكويت) نسختني جديدتني‬ ‫من عالمة إم جي ( ‪ MG5 Turbo‬و ‪ )MG6 Turbo‬ضمن التحفة الربيطانية األحدث من نوعها والتي تطرح‬ ‫بحلتني جديدتني للمرة األوىل يف دولة الكويت‪ ،‬وتم الكشف عنهام يف مؤمتر صحفي أقيم يف معرض الرشكة‬ ‫(الشويخ – طريق املطار) حرضه الرئيس التنفيذي للرشكة السيد مرزوق عادل الغانم وكبار املدراء واملوظفني‬ ‫وحشد من ممثيل وسائل اإلعالم املختلفة‪.‬‬ ‫وتعليقا عىل إطالق ‪ MG5 Turbo‬و ‪MG5 Turbo‬الجديدتان قال الرئيس التنفيذي لرشكة عادل الغانم‬ ‫للسيارات مرزوق عادل الغانم‪ “ :‬تعترب سيارات إم جي من أفخم السيارات التي تعيد اكتشاف وتعريف متعة‬ ‫القيادة‪ ،‬وهي إحدى العالمات التجارية الربيطانية العريقة التي تتمتع بتاريخ طويل ميتد لـنحو ‪ 91‬سنة يف‬ ‫مجال صناعة السيارات‪.‬‬ ‫وتشهد هذه العالمة التجارية الربيطانية األسطورية عملية إعادة إحياء قوية بفضل اإلبتكارات العلمية‬ ‫والتقنيات الحديثة املتعددة‪ ،‬وقد حازت أم جي عىل جوائز عديدة يف السنوات األخرية ومن ضمنها جائزة‬ ‫ثالث أفضل مصنع من مجلة أوتو درايفر الربيطانية‪.‬‬ ‫يتسم التصميم الهنديس الربيطاين للسيارة الجديدة ‪Turbo MG6‬باألناقة‪ ،‬املستلهم من املايض العريق‪ ،‬وتحت‬ ‫الغطاء األمامي للسيارة هناك محرك بنزين توربيني سعة ‪ 1.8‬لرت‪.‬‬ ‫ومظاهر قوة “ ‪ ”MG6 Turbo‬ال تقترص فقط عىل التصميم والجودة‪ ،‬بل تشمل أيضا الفرامل الرائعة وصندوق‬ ‫الرتوس لنقل الحركة ذا الستة مستويات للرسعة‪ .‬كذلك تتميز السيارة والول مرة بخاصية ( ‪)Mirror Link‬‬ ‫التي تتيح للسائق ربط لوحة هاتفه الذيك مع شاشة عرض السيارة الرئيسية والتحكم منها بدل الهاتف‬ ‫أما “ ‪ ”MG5 Turbo‬الجديدة والعريقة بتصميم الهاتشباك وبخطوطها الحمراء وشكلها األنيق وبحلتها‬ ‫الرياضية املثرية لهذا الطراز من السيارات األنيقة والراقية تتميز مبواصفات وصفات تنفرد بها بني العالمات‬ ‫األخرى‪ ،‬وأبرز ما مييزها خطوطها الحمراء‪ ،‬حيث مقاعد ومقود السائق من الجلد الفاخر والخط املطرز‬ ‫باللون اإلحمر ملزيد من جامل السيارة وشكلها األنيق الذي يلفت األنظار‪ .‬يزيدها روعة املواصفات التي تربز‬ ‫اإلحساس الريايض ملحبيها‪ ،‬فتحت الغطاء محرك ‪ 1.5‬لرت بشاحن توربيني وبطاقة ‪ 129‬حصان وناقل حركة‬ ‫تبرتونيك ب ‪ 6‬رسعات مع إمكانية استعامل ناقل الحركة الريايض من مقود القيادة ( ‪ ،)F1‬وكامريا خلفية‬ ‫ملزيد من األمان عند ركن السيارة مع سنرس خلفي ومجموعة الرتفيه الصويت ( ‪ - )CD – USB – AUX‬مع‬ ‫مشغل ‪ DVD‬وبلوتووث وشاشة تعمل باللمس‪ ،‬وملزيد من الرفاهية تأيت السيارة مع مقاعد من الجلد الفاخر‬ ‫متحركة كهربائيا باإلضافة إىل فتحة السقف‪.‬‬ ‫يدعم السيارة مواصفات أمان عالية اإلداء من ضمنها نظام مانع اإلنغالق ‪ ABS‬ونظام مثبت اإلطارات ملنع‬ ‫اإلنزالق ‪ ،TCS‬ومثبت توازن السيارة عند املنعطفات ‪ ESP‬ونظام توزيع قوة الكبح عىل اإلطارات األمامية‬ ‫والخلفية حسب الحمولة ‪ .EBD‬باإلضافة اىل وسادات الهواء األمامية والجانبية مع نظام الحامية ضد الرسقة‪.‬‬ ‫هاتف‪ – 22282800 :‬املوقع اإللكرتوين‪www.mgkuwait.com :‬‬ ‫‪107‬‬

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

JANE GOT A GUN

ASHBY

THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET

Synopsis: Jane Got a Gun centers on Jane Hammond, who has built a new life with her husband Bill “Ham” Hammond after being tormented by the ultra-violent Bishop Boys outlaw gang. She finds herself in the gang’s cross-hairs once again when Ham stumbles home riddled with bullets after dueling with the Boys and their relentless mastermind Colin. With the vengeful crew hot on Ham’s trail, Jane has nowhere to turn but to her former fiancé Dan Frost for help in defending her family against certain destruction. Haunted by old memories, Jane’s past meets the present in a heart-stopping battle for survival.

Synopsis: ASHBY is a coming of age/approaching death comedy drama, and while it released some time ago in the States at film festivals and DVD, is just getting its big screen release this month.

A seventeen-year-old high school student called Ed (Nat Wolff), who is trying to understand who he wants to be in the world, befriends a terminally ill ex-CIA contract killer (Ashby, played by Mickey Rourke) who is trying to make peace with his life and God before he goes. ‘Making peace’ might just entail killing three old bosses who have tricked him into breaching his strange moral code.

Synopsis: Seven months pregnant, Jennifer Branagan (Emily Goss) reluctantly returns to her hometown in Kansas after an unexpected mental breakdown. Coping with her fears of motherhood, a strained relationship with her husband, Luke, and the overbearing presence of her own mother, Meredith (Cathy Barnett), Jennifer struggles to regain control of her life. But when strange things start happening in their rental home, Jennifer begins to fear that it may be haunted. Alone in her convictions, Jennifer is forced to question her sanity as she attempts to find out what, if anything, is plaguing the house.

THE FINEST HOURS

CAPTURE THE FLAG

THE CHOICE

Release Date: Feb. 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Drama, Western Cast: Natalie Portman/Ewan McGregor/Rodrigo Santoro

Release Date: Feb. 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Drama, History Cast: Chris Pine/Holliday Grainger/Eric Bana/ Casey Affleck Synopsis: On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker’s sinking stern.

Engineer Ray Sybert (played by Casey Affleck) bravely takes charge to organize a strategy for his fellow survivors. As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass., Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring rescue mission. Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine) takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.

108

Release Date: Feb. 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Cast: Mickey Rourke/Nat Wolff/Emma Roberts

Release Date: Feb. 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy Cast: Dani Rovira/Michelle Jenner/Carme Calvell Synopsis: Mike Goldwing, a plucky, determined 12-year old boy, is the son and grandson of NASA astronauts. His grandfather Frank, a once revered, but now forgotten retired astronaut, lives his days isolated from his family after missing out on his big chance to fly to the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as a part of the Apollo XI mission. When an eccentric billionaire sets an evil plan to fly to the moon, steal the moon’s vast mineral resources, and destroy the American flag planted by the Apollo XI team, Mike embarks on a magnificent adventure as a stowaway on the space shuttle.

Release Date: Feb. 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Horror Cast: Emily Goss/Taylor Bottles/Cathy Barnett

Release Date: Feb. 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Romance Cast: Alexandra Daddario/Teresa Palmer/Maggie Grace Synopsis: In this romantic drama, Travis Shaw (Benjamin Walker) is a lady’s man who thinks a serious relationship would cramp his easygoing lifestyle. Gabby Holland (Teresa Palmer) is a feisty medical student who’s preparing to settle down with her long-term boyfriend. Fate brings the two together as Gabby moves next door to Travis, sparking an irresistible attraction that upends both of their lives. As their bond grows, the unlikely couple must decide how far they’re willing to go to keep the hope of love alive.

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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bookworms

LITERARY KUWAIT Celebrating some of Kuwait’s authors By bazaar staff

As a space that celebrates literature and the general art of the written word, it was only fitting to rejoice in the works of our local talents. As February is a month of commemorations here in Kuwait, we decided to take a look at its people and the fantastic works they’ve released. From poetry to fantasy to Arabic fiction, let us take a moment to admire what these local talents have penned.

To start off, we decided to revisit our favorite freelancer and published poet, Nejoud Al-Yagout.

As an established poet in her own right, Nejoud’s anthologies delve deep into the psyche and exposes your deepest thoughts and emotions. With her debut release of This is an Imprint, Nejoud explores the imprints one leaves on the world and the people around them. In her second anthology, Awake in the Game of Pretending, Nejoud explores the different stages, or chapters if you will, of living and being. Her reflections of the higher and lower self, along with her wonderings of this vast world of superficialities make for interesting reads down a spiritual path illuminated with love and respect.

Though this author originally wrote the book in Arabic, the published English translation is just as captivating. Being Saud Alsanousi’s second Arabic award-winning novel, The Bamboo Stalk touches on racism and xenophobia in the region. Following the story of a Jose – or Issa as he’s known in Kuwait – and his journey back to his father’s homeland from his mother’s beloved Philippines, the story touches on the tabooed circumstances in which he’s been conceived. A tale of forbidden love, The Bamboo Stalk takes us on a journey through morality and the society we live in.

While this book was co-authored, Evora: The Secret Child was half-penned by Kuwaiti interior designer and performing artist Dana Aljouder. Following the story of Jaci, a Kaiawa dirtwalker, through her path to self discovery, you learn the importance of “being the hero of your own destiny” rather than depending on others. Inspired by Brazilian folktales, the story is written in a way to inspire the readers to take control of their lives and live as they would like to. Part of a trilogy, we absolutely cannot wait for the release of sequels to come! Dana has proven herself to be a writer to keep an eye on.

How can we discuss Kuwaiti writers putting Kuwait on the literary map without including the notable academic Mai Al-Nakib? With her award-winning debut fiction novel, The Hidden Light of Objects, Mai has paved the way for Kuwaiti female authors to shine in the literary world. A collection of short stories, The Hidden Light of Objects explores the realities 110

of living in Kuwait in an almost autobiographical tone while remaining entirely fictional. Starting out as independent thoughts to relive the experiences she missed from her early years in Kuwait, Mai realized some recurring themes that brought the collection together seamlessly. Writing this earned her the prestigious Edinburgh International Book Festival’s

First Book Award in 2014, making this literary dream a reality for all Kuwaiti writers to come.

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a pen and start writing your thoughts – you could be the next author to feature in this humble column! You could also head to Sirdab Lab for The Divan’s monthly meetings for further inspiration.

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bazaar scopes what’s your sign?

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21

A negative attitude is your worst enemy. Stay positive and you’ll get through a tough situation with success. Plans could be canceled at the last minute. However, an alternate plan could prove just as enjoyable. Your intense emotions may be too much for a loved one. News of an engagement is possible.

Working on a tough project this month? Draw inspiration from those around you and accept their encouragement. It’s OK to seek assistance now and then. Does your life seem like a juggling act lately?

Try declining an invitation for once, and spend some time by yourself.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22

Your intuition could lead you to good luck midmonth. Trust it. Mixing business with pleasure will work to your advantage, especially on Fridays. An important introduction could be made, boosting both your career and your social life. Accept lastminute invitations. Avoid dishonesty of any kind.

Stay physically active this month. It will ease stress at work. Problems in romance? Telling only part of the story can make you look suspicious.

Being honest is the best answer. A compliment to a female family member goes a long way. Stay close to home as the month ends.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 While your career may be flourishing, your personal life needs some attention. Take a romantic partner’s needs seriously. Make the effort to make things right again. A Leo has good advice this month. Take it seriously, Capricorn! Don’t give in to unfair demands from family.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 21 Trouble in paradise? Remedy a romantic falling out. Take a selfless approach to love, especially if you have a Scorpio or Aries mate. Matters at work are not as pressing as they seem. Take a serious approach to handling “emergencies.”

Keep spending to a minimum.

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 If you’re playing the role of mentor, be patient. Try to give the advice you would have wanted to hear long ago. A change of scenery is just what you need to put the spark back in your fire. Take some time to relax and get away from it all. In areas of love, learn from your mistakes.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22 A troubled friend will come to you for advice. Use your logical mind to get your friend back on track.

A love relationship needs your attention. Try to be a little more understanding in this area. If you’re in a creative field, this month is your time to shine. An old friend from out of town may pay a visit.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18

Jealousy will get you nowhere, especially if you’re involved with a Sagittarius. Be strong and talk things out. Talk from your head and your heart – and don’t let emotions cloud your judgment.

Young children play a role this coming month.

Cancer has some news.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 20 Don’t spread yourself too thin at work this month, Pisces. It’s OK to delegate tasks when the going gets tough. A romantic encounter leaves you confused. Trust your own instincts when you’re looking for the right answer. A Virgo associate surprises you with offensive behavior.

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 19 You’ll have time to do the things you really enjoy.

Feel free to delve into hobbies, read a book or spend time with friends. There’s nothing wrong with a little playtime now and then. Dress extraspecial at a social event this month. Good news regarding finances is on the way.

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20 A former friend, with whom you’ve severed ties, may try to contact you and patch things up.

Before you get lost in sentimentality, remember the cons of the friendship – and be on the lookout for an ulterior motive. A social event this month may be canceled at the last minute. www.bluffton.com 112

STYLE ON THE CITY STREETS

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NEW FIAT 500X. THE ALL NEW CROSSOVER BY FIAT. ©2016 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used under license by FCA US LLC.

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94016675, 97704212, 1885500 Email: abailey@mbmcq8.com

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