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The creative, audacious and brilliant design of watches creates a line rooted in an everyday elegance in perpetual evolution
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A sophisticated accessory, with a worthy tribute to an iconic Italian fashion house.
Are you ready? Back to life, back to za7ma on the roads, back to school, university, and work! Personally, we’re not there yet, since our summer holidays flew by far too quickly, and most of us are still in summer mode, picking particles of foreign sand out of our iPhone covers and holding on to our summer tans for as long as we can.
Our state of confusion is only outmatched by our level of excitement for the features in this issue. We came back from the holidays only to get swept up in the excitement (and rightfully so!) of the premiere of Zeyad Alhusaini’s latest movie, How I Got There. We got Up Close and Personal with the filmmaker to learn more about him and his latest movie. How I Got There brings movie goers a full-on blockbuster complete with all the makings of an action-packed flick, and we love it so much that the film’s now iconic poster graces our pages as the cover of our September issue. From movies to the exciting world of ice hockey; did you know that Kuwait has a National Women’s Ice Hockey team? Read the Social Culture Club’s feature that introduces us to team member Rahoma Alajmi.
We’re doing two things to prepare for September: our back-to-school tech shopping and chilling. As always xcite has our back when it comes to the best gadgets and devices that you need whether you are heading back to school, university or the office this Fall. Don’t forget to check out the special seasonal discounts now. As for relaxing, we’re stocking up on MUJI’s essential oils, comfy PJs and floor chairs to introduce more chill vibes into our lives so we can get ready for September and the final months of the year. It’s never a September issue without a few dining experiences to kick off the new season! We indulged in Steak and Seafood fanfare at the Radisson’s iconic Al Boom Restaurant, and delighted in the all that Indian street food has to offer at Asha’s.
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We got Up Close and Personal with filmmaker Zeyad AlHusaini. His latest movie, How I Got There, premiered last month all over Kuwait, won the Audience Award for Best Film at the 2022 Red Sea International Film Festival and was nominated for the prestigious IWC Filmmaker Award at the 10th Dubai International Film Festival.
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) successfully concluded its academic sponsorship of the KON program, organized by LOYAC for social entrepreneurship. In line with the University’s commitment to social responsibility and youth development, the program was hosted on AUK’s campus.
In this month’s installment of Talking Greene, we met Noor Assiri, one of the founders of Happy Herbalist, a local skincare brand. Happy Herbalist is based around sourcing 100% natural and cruelty-free body care ingredients to create a unique, locally based brand that’s all packaged in glass packaging.
Summer is winding down, we’re getting ready for the school year and we definitely need to make more time for more relaxation in our lives. Find out which products from MUJI can help you start entering your Cozy Fall Era.
We had no idea that we had a National Women’s Ice Hockey team in Kuwait. This issue Social Culture Club introduces us to the sport and local team member Rahoma Alajmi to learn about her journey with ice hockey.
As always, Xcite has got you covered as you head back to school in style. With different solutions, you can now take advantage of exclusive discounts made specifically for the students to begin their year with an “A”!
FInding the perfect skin care products can be a daunting and time-consuming task. We’ve made your job much easier by finding out which six products are favored by The Body Shop customers and are always a winner in their books!
The Radisson Blu Hotel, is home to the majestic Al Boom Dhow, where steak and seafood are not mere offerings, but rather a masterful symphony of flavors that pay homage to the region’s flavors while celebrating the finest quality meats on this side of the Gulf. But what makes it iconic?
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September 2023
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Info: High-end housewares
Editor’s Note: The little things matter
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Info: Paper bags and boxes
Editor’s Note: Party favors just got cuter
What: @ nog_sambosa
Info: All the sambosa’s you didn’t know you needed
Editor’s Note: Gotta try all the flavors
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What: @hi.opari
Info: Florist and gift store
Editor’s Note: Give the gift of color and fun
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Editor’s Note: Art doesn’t need to be complicated
HERE?
By bazaar StaffSpoiler Alert: This film-maker, director, producer and writer’s journey was long and full of plot-twists
Humans love stories, in all forms. We like creating them, becoming a part of them and consuming them voraciously, but only a select few of us can craft a beautifully woven story that balances visual aesthetic and tickles you on an intellectual and emotional level. Zeyad AlHusaini is one of the chosen few with the talent, education and years of honing the skill to do just that. His latest movie, How I Got There, premiered last month all over Kuwait, won the Audience Award for Best Film at the 2022 Red Sea International Film Festival and was nominated for the prestigious IWC Filmmaker Award, headed by Cate Blanchett, at the 10th Dubai International Film Festival.
How I Got There is an action-packed, dramatic thriller centered around two young Kuwaitis who suddenly find themselves in over their heads navigating the murky world of gun runners, terrorists, mercenaries, and local gangsters. It depicts a very colorful and thriving version of Kuwait City. Reviewers and critics alike are raving about the movie, so we were eager to learn more about the man who wrote, produced and directed it.
Zeyad Alhusaini more commonly known as Zee, a nickname which he got from practicing martial arts and not from filmmaking. Some people also call him Doctor Zee because of his doctorate. In his formative years, Zeyad loved watching films and visiting studios with his father, who was a renowned filmmaker in the region, as a producer and distributor. Ironically, his dad was adamant that none of his kids become a part of the industry. So, our protagonist got into law school but then the Gulf War happened.
“I never knew that I wanted to be a filmmaker because I wasn’t even allowed to touch the cameras when we were kids. But I knew I loved films. I knew I loved stories. I wrote stories from a very young age and I excelled at it. But being interested in filmmaking happened during the Gulf War. We were driving across the death highway, and I was looking at all these dead bodies. It started raining and it was raining black rain because of the oil fields burning and suddenly the whole desert became black. And I think that was the first moment that I wanted to capture. I want to tell a story visually,” Zeyad explains.
After a conversation with his cousin, he decided to drop out of law school, applied to go to film school in the US, got a scholarship and he has been on that path ever since. Success
was not instantaneous though, Zeyad had to work his way up in the industry, from placing sand bags to stabilize lighting equipment to marking the floor for actors, he did everything so he could learn and fully immerse himself in the full life cycle of a movie. He was always unafraid of hard work and made dozens of shorts and hundreds of commercials. His end goal was always to produce great work. “How can I turn this into a narrative? A point of view for the viewer, the audience? How can I change their life? How can I empower them with what I’m doing, not take away their power, but actually empower them?,” he tells us. These questions have carried on to his feature films and have clearly fueled his efforts.
In the late 90s, while he was working on his Master of Fine Arts and Film Making (MFA) at Columbia University, he had the first inspiration to create a story about characters that he knew in real life. So he wrote the first version of what would eventually become his latest movie, but was not very happy with it. At the time, he was taking one of Professor Dave Shaber’s classes, writer of Hunt for Red October and The Warriors. The professor saw his script and the potential in it and promised to help him work on it. Unfortunately, he passed away that same evening. Zeyad was devastated by the loss and the script was put away. Fifteen years later, his home was ransacked by thieves while he was living in LA. “So, I was robbed and my house was turned upside down and I was so exhausted I just went to sleep.
I didn’t even fix my room. And I woke up in the morning with all the mess. And I’m like, you know, I think I was looking at the script from the wrong angle. And it was like. The minute I started looking at it from a different angle, it changed everything. So from that point on. I started putting it together and developing it and I storyboarded the whole thing,” Zeyad tells us. It was another plot-twist that changed the trajectory of his life.
Having both written and directed the film, this helped Zeyad create a cohesive vision for his movie. He knew from the start what he wanted to create and was able to do it. But it takes more than just a script and a vision to make a movie. Zeyad started finding the rest of his crew. “The first person to come in and has been a big supporter is my producer Aziz Al-Yaqout. He was the first one to really believe in the film and was crazy enough to feel like we can make this. He was able to put together a team from 40 different countries. We don’t really have a thriving film industry anyway, so we had to start from scratch for everything,” Zeyad says. Then they had to figure
out casting, costuming, shooting and editing. And it was difficult coordinating and getting everything done.
Shooting was split over Kuwait and Mexico and a hurricane hit them while in Mexico. The movie was edited in LA while Zeyad was in Kuwait because of pandemic travel restrictions. It was one obstacle after the other, but one by one they were dealt with and overcome, but overall Zeyad thinks it has been a great adventure, one that he hopes to see more Kuwaitis undertaking. “The whole idea of making this film is to start a cinematic wave from Kuwait and this region and have very interesting and different filmmakers give their point of view through cinema to the rest of the world, because for me that is culture. Cinema is a cultural bridge to all the world and this is what were attempting with this film; to build a bridge, from Kuwait to the rest of the world,” Zeyad explains. And we think this movie has done just that, and we can’t wait to see more of Zeyad’s work and the work that he inspires in the younger generation of local filmmakers.
What do you most value about your friends? Loyalty, I lived in the US for a long time, away from my family, so my friends became my family.
Which living person do you most admire? Martin Scorsese, his continuous ability to deliver powerful films at different stages of his life, is admirable.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Still figuring that out, I suppose it’s a moving target, but as I get older and maybe a little wiser, I feel happiness is being with family and friends and, of course, watching movies.
What is your greatest extravagance? I have a massive collection of high-end collectible action figures and statues, it’s an addiction, I suppose.
What is your most treasured possession? Probably my watch and knife collection.
What is your greatest fear?
I was trained by a great man, Tuhon Chris Sayoc Sr. To be a man without fear.
What is your most marked characteristic? Determination and loyalty.
Which talent would you most like to have? Playing the guitar.
What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for? Creativity.
What is the human trait you most dislike about others? Dishonesty.
What is it that you most dislike? Onions.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I’m a Ninja.
What are your favorite words to live by? For I am the slave and master of my own destiny.
Where would you most like to live?
I used to love living in New York, but I feel each stage of your life deserves a new experience, I’m looking forward to finding out where would life take me to live next.
If you could have any job, what would it be? The head of a major film studio.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Starting a family with my beautiful wife and having my amazing son, and of course, my new film “How I Got There”.
What do you hope for the future?
I’m looking forward to a bright and happy future filled with great filmmaking and happy family moments.
Follow Zeyad @zee_alhusaini and How I Got There @howigotthere on Instagram to learn more. Catch the film at your nearest Cinema!
This one is for the absolute pros! Only the most avid FIFA players make it into the Red Bull Hattrick finale. Matches are played on PlayStation 5 and FIFA 2023. And after a series of riveting back-to-back qualifiers in Kuwait and an intense final round at Al Assima Mall, team Lemon emerges victorious!
The Red Bull Hattrick tournament is played in teams and singles, not multi. The premise of the game is that it is a best-of-3 winning condition: Each player from every respective team plays against the player from a different team, for a total of 3 matches per game and 6 halftimes. Each team only has one wild card, to switch one of his players for only 1 halftime. The teams playing against each other are chosen randomly on the day of the event. After the first round of games, the top 4 players will make it to the semi-final. The last stage will be the final game between 2 teams. Qualification from one stage to the other is based on the sum of the scores of the 3 players in the team.
The Red Bull Hattrick Kuwait national final took place last month at Al Assima Mall in Kuwait City, where 16 teams participated for a chance to win first place.
The event, which was hosted by commentators Mohammad Al Tarrah and Abdullah Desouki, attracted many spectators and football fans, who witnessed 14 teams lose out while only two finalists remained. In a great display of sportsmanship, Team TRIFORCE and Team LEMON battled it out during the final match of the tournament, with Team LEMON emerging victorious. Now, the winners will head to Egypt to represent their country and compete in the world finals later this year.
The 3v3 FIFA tournament, Red Bull Hattrick, debuted in Kuwait on August 8, 2023 and kicked off with 46 teams competing against each other in qualifiers that took place over the span of two days, on August 8 and 9, in House of X.
To learn more about Red Bull Hattrick Kuwait and stay up to date, visit: https://www.redbull.com/mea-en/events/red-bull-hattrickkuwait and follow @RedbullKuwait on Instagram for the latest updates.
By Hamad AlKhudher
Talking Greene is a series of discussions centered on the idea of sustainability in Kuwait, the group leading this movement, and locating tools to assist the general public in making wiser decisions. As a business owner in the same industry, I believe it is my responsibility to promote local organizations and individuals working to change the way we shop for goods and to increase environmental consciousness both domestically and abroad.
In this month’s interview, we met Noor Assiri, one of the founders of Happy Herbalist, a local skincare brand. Happy Herbalist is based around sourcing 100% natural and cruelty free body care ingredients to create a unique locally based brand that’s all packaged in glass packaging. Noor has a background in Marketing with a Master’s in Human Resource Management from UCL in London. Sarah Vornholt grew up being involved in organic skincare working product production for her families skincare business in Florida. Sarah studied Physiotherapy at the University of West Florida. Nourah Al Derbas studied finance but found passion in bringing awareness to clean skincare products as she has sensitive skin.
Have you always had a passion for beauty and body care products?
It’s been a field I have always had an interest in for a long time. At first, I always had different ideas in my mind for other things to start, but it all changed one summer I was in the United States couple of years ago. I got the opportunity to learn more about herbs and their medicinal properties, so I decided to enroll myself into a number of courses to get into it more. These courses taught me a lot about reading labels, checking certain ingredients, and learning more about sourcing the correct healthy and clean ingredients to create such clean, eco-friendly products. Upon my return to Kuwait, I began discussing what I had learned with Nourah and Sarah. We then started researching the local market and decided to get involved together due to our mutual interest in clean, organic, herbal based products. Along with our desire to have more organic local options here in Kuwait.
What’s the reason behind the brand name Happy Herbalist?
We came up with a few names in the beginning, the goal being a name that is easy for people
remember. We have even tried to come up with a made-up name ourselves but realized that we might face an issue with regards to pronunciation and probably permits being written in Arabic using the name. This has led us to come up with the name Happy Herbalist, which gives you an idea of what the brand is all about. My partners and I also decided to use the letter H in Arabic “Ha’a” as our logo to show the Arabic origins of our products and set it apart from other brands.
Having lived abroad for a number of years during your studies, has that enlightened more with regards to the sustainability and the different brands within that industry? Very much so. When I was living in London, I was living just down the road from Aesop. Whenever I pass by it, I would usually go in and explore their products as I am a big fan. I also appreciated their earthy tones, their exquisite interiors, and the core values of their brand. The whole amber aesthetic was very attractive to me with very minimum to no use of plastic whatsoever. The society itself in London, many of which are well informed about sustainability and the bare minimum they do is recycle, which I have learned as well. Not only has London influenced me into sustainability, but also my
time living in Colorado has affected be in many ways regarding recycling and the importance of taking care of the environment. Other brands have also been realizing the impact of global environmental issues and have been changing some of their products to become more aware and less wasteful and harmful to the environment.
We do have a tough time sometimes. For example, we like having accessibility to frankincense, we do at times find it difficult to source the right type for our products and have them shipped to Kuwait. It’s not as easy as having it right in front of you in some cases in some countries for example. Other ingredients, such as Calendula and other types of flowers, we have to make sure we get them at the right time so it can be freshly added into our batch of products. We also try our best to educate our customers about the importance of our ingredients to show how hard we work choosing and sourcing them to create an amazingly clean product line. Our country’s location, environment, and weather make it difficult to grow such ingredients unfortunately but that didn’t stop us at sourcing them from abroad.
Could you elaborate more about what challenges you have encountered as a brand. The first major challenge is the lack of the ingredients being available. There are a few of the ingredients we can source here locally, but they’re not as high quality as I or my partners would want to provide to people. So, if I want to take the easy way out, it’s an option; however, that’s not the path we as a brand want to take. Second challenge we face is the whole delivery and shipping of our outsourced ingredients. We’ve been facing a lot of problems when it comes to delivering them to us, even though we’re licensed, and all our paperwork is up to date. This is due to our local customs department. We do hope sometime in the near future these hassles and challenges we face would be made easier as a support mechanism from the government to young local entrepreneurs trying to work hard and start a business.
Where do you see Happy Herbalist within the next couple of years? Any plans to introduce more product lines and/or expand existing ones?
Our main goal during this period is to expand locally in Kuwait, as we have just launched our brand back in March. Our aim is to build a loyal locally based clientele that have used our products and trust its quality. We would ask for feedback
from our clients, whether good or bad, to ensure that we are moving in the correct path at the right pace as well.
We also will be adding new product lines as well as adding to existing ones. We have just introduced the smaller sizes of the body oils that we are marketing as travel size. We have also introduced a lovely new product line, which is the hair spray. As you can see, there is room to grow of course however we are doing it at a steady pace to make sure any new product introduced in the marketing from Happy Herbalist is up to our high standards and expectations.
For more information about Happy Herbalist, check out @happyherbalistkw on Instagram and their website www.happyherbalistkw.com.
Ice Hockey might not be the first thing you think of when you think about sports in Kuwait. But we do have a national team and the sport is gaining popularity and lots of followers. Social Culture Club met up with Rahoma Alajmi to learn about her journey with ice hockey.
Can you share with us how you first became interested in hockey, and what inspired you to pursue it professionally?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve found myself immersed in an environment with a deep love for ice hockey. It was my father who actively nurtured this interest and helped me cultivate and develop my skills in the sport.
What have been the most memorable moments in your hockey career so far, and what championship titles are you most proud of?
Among the highlights of my career, one memory stands out: representing my country in the Asia Cup held in Thailand. Out of all the tournaments I have played, I hold the Development Cup Championship in special regard as my favorite title.
Balancing a demanding athletic career with academic pursuits must be challenging. How do you manage your time between playing hockey and studying Physiotherapy at the University of Kuwait?
Time is the most precious commodity in my life. To make the most of it, I meticulously organize my daily schedule, incorporating both exercise and study. This organization allows me to navigate my day-to-day activities with ease, balancing my athletic training with my studies at the University of Kuwait.
How does your study of Physiotherapy complement your career in hockey, and how do you hope to utilize this degree in the future?
Being an athlete has not been without challenges, including various injuries. These experiences, however, inspired me to explore the field of physical therapy. I believe that studying this field will enrich my future career as a physiotherapist, complementing my experience in hockey.
As a role model for aspiring athletes, what advice would you offer to young people who are interested in pursuing a career in sports?
I firmly believe that sports play a vital role in human life. To anyone considering engaging in sports, I advise diving in wholeheartedly, even if it leads to initial failure. Failure teaches us, and in the end, personal growth and pride in one’s achievements prevail.
Can you describe your daily training routine, and what specific exercises or drills do you focus on to enhance your performance on the ice?
My training routine consists of four rigorous days a week. I begin with warmups to prepare my body, followed by specific exercises on the ice to enhance my adaptability. After finishing on the ice, I run three laps around the hall and engage in general gym exercises to strengthen my muscles.
Who have been your most influential mentors or coaches in hockey, and what impact have they had on your development as a player?
I owe much of my development in the game to the guidance of my captain and coach, Mishaal Al-Ajmi. He has not only mentored me but also focused
on correcting my mistakes, positioning himself as a significant figure in my development, second only to my father.
How do you handle the pressures and expectations that come with being a successful athlete, both on and off the ice?
I try to excel in this field, whether in my career as a player or outside the ice. Whether on or off the field, I am committed to excellence and maintain a strong focus on my overall health and well-being, allowing me to handle pressures and expectations.
What are your short-term and long-term goals in hockey, and how do you plan to achieve them?
In the short term, I aimed to join the national team and don the prestigious blue jersey. Looking further ahead, I am planning to participate in the World Championship with the hopes of earning significant achievements and honor for my country.
Aside from hockey and academics, what hobbies or interests do you have outside of the rink? How do you unwind and relax during the off-season?
In addition to my sports endeavors, I enjoy painting as a personal hobby. I continually learn new techniques in color combination and take joy in creative pursuits, such as woodworking with my father. These hobbies not only enhance my creativity but also strengthen my bond with my family, helping me unwind and relax during the off-season.
Follow @socialcultureclub for more great stories and people from Kuwait.
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) successfully concluded its academic sponsorship of the KON program, organized by LOYAC for social entrepreneurship. In line with the University’s commitment to social responsibility and youth development, the program was hosted on AUK’s campus.
The KON program, in collaboration with Babson College—a leading institution in social entrepreneurship, caters to youth aged 12 to 16 and provides training to equip students with the tools and resources to achieve their goals, showcasing their projects by the end of the program.
Amal Al-Binali, AUK’s executive vice president, expressed her pride in the University’s continued academic partnership with LOYAC, “AUK and LOYAC are proud academic partners for the second year of the Kon Social Entrepreneurship Program. We share the belief in empowering young individuals to create positive change. We also recognize the urgent need to address environmental and social challenges and firmly believe that entrepreneurship can play a significant role in finding innovative solutions.”
Commenting on the program and its alignment with AUK’s values, Eng. Mayce El Mostafa, a judge panelist for the KON program and director of the AUK Campus Services Department, said, “The Kon Program’s focus on skill development, personal growth, and community engagement perfectly aligns with AUK’s values of holistic education and community service. It is inspiring to witness our campus become a hub where young individuals thrive, develop leadership skills, and make meaningful contributions. We applaud LOYAC’s dedication to fostering socially responsible leaders, and we eagerly anticipate the continued success of the Kon Program within our University’s nurturing environment.”
AUK remains committed to supporting initiatives that encourage young learners to continue their education and acquire the skills needed to make a positive impact on their communities. This academic partnership reflects the University’s dedication to serving society by creating an inspiring environment for youth to learn, think, and become.
For more information on the American University of Kuwait please visit auk.edu.kw and follow their latest on Instagram and social media @AUK_Official.
As adults, we make thousands (and thousands) of decisions a day. However, if we don’t have the right information or data, it can be difficult to make decisions. The same could be said about artificial intelligence: The technology is requiring us to make decisions with sometimes limited or incorrect information or data, and it’s not working. We need to develop better datasets for AI to do its job better.
This solution sounds simple but for most advertisers and creatives, these datasets either don’t exist or worse, the same datasets are being recycled, leading to ineffective, inauthentic, and misleading results. In advertising, this can hurt or kill a campaign regardless of the brand or personality behind the idea.
Another thing that can hurt or kill a campaign is when brands aim for efficiency over effectiveness. While efficiency is important, effectiveness is a pivotal component for any ad regardless of whether you use AI or not. Brands are looking to companies like Google to optimize ads, but these platforms are only measuring and monetizing clicks, which is great for the platforms and terrible for brands. One example of this is Google’s latest announcement that it will rollout novel ads based on creative content. This only goes toward short-termism and is part of the problem.
In case you missed it, Google announced in April that it will be rolling out “novel” ads based on “creative” content. This content (images, videos, and texts) will be supplied by marketers and Google will then remix the material using AI to produce ads based on objectives like sales.
Google’s key performance indicators (KPIs) are to get clicks or interactions and these new novel ads will be altered to reach those KPIs, removing opportunities for brand building. This will hurt
brands in the long run, especially when you consider what makes a great ad.
Is it meaningful?
Was it a well told story?
Was it emotional?
Was it different from other ads?
Is it distinctive?
Google’s new approach will alter ads to drive sales and clicks. My question is: Why can’t KPIs include brand building? Why can’t we have both in ads?
These ads will have a very limited palette of creative data and will focus on things like the size of the logo and price point. This is limiting and prevents advertisers and brands from truly understanding effectiveness.
If we go back five years ago, most creative agencies were looking at datasets that focused on how consumers react to communications. This approach didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now. When a technology doesn’t exist, it’s incumbent upon leaders to create it themselves. For me, as a leader in the advertising industry, I want to create the right technology to deconstruct and understand the communications in a brand’s category— enabling the data to better inform the creative.
When you create specific AI tools built for advertising, as we did, you help drive the future of work for our industry. AI assistants will be essential
for understanding the factors that inspire consumers to like or buy products, and the advertising industry overall will need to incorporate more creative data into the decision-making process.
We are still at that juncture when AI and advertising are at very different stages of regulation. The former is not regulated at all, and the latter is highly regulated with its own set of standards. If brands entrust AI to write an ad for you, you will undoubtedly encounter issues and problems. AI might be able to write some level of copy for ads, but it will also make things up; it will fill in blanks that aren’t true and that will get brands in trouble. In our industry, we must verify everything we say in an ad. AI won’t be able to do this.
It’s time that our creative leaders take control of brand storytelling and AI because we understand it better than anyone else. If we don’t, the platforms like Google will fill the void and claim authority on what makes a good campaign, and that’s not good for brands, agencies, or the real creatives that do the hard work of conceiving something new and different.
“There are some difficult things that are invisible to anyone else when you’re making a major shift,” she says. “People see what you do currently, and they’ll eventually see what you do next. But they don’t see what it takes to get there.”
In her series, Goredema shares seven steps to create a career-change road map:
1. Identify Your Goal
The first step in making any change is to identify and articulate your overarching goal. “What is it that you’re looking to move toward?” Goredema asks. “There are different ways to change careers, regardless of what you’re moving from and into.” For example, you may want a lateral move, something that’s side by side to what you were doing before. Or maybe that’s not viable yet and you want to make a gradual shift over time, moving closer and closer to where you want to be. You may also want to make a hard stop, leaving something behind entirely to do something else.
“Whichever of the three—a parallel track, a gradual shift, or the accelerated pivot—I encourage you to get really clear on what you’re working toward,” Goredema says.
2. Define Why It’s Important
Next, write out why this goal is important to you. “What matters about it?” Goredema asks. “This is reinforcing your commitment to yourself and why you’re doing this. When you change your career, there’s usually a push and a pull factor. What you’re working toward isn’t always going to feel easy or great or rewarding; there’s going to be a lot of difficult time.”
Getting clear about why this goal is important to you will help you weather the challenging days ahead.
3.
The third step is the engine behind the journey. It’s identifying the next steps that you’re going to take. This often trips people up, Goredema says. “Perhaps you know a little about what you need to do next, but you don’t know the complete journey you need to take,” she says. “That’s okay. You can do mind mapping to jot down ideas or identify questions you have so that you can go out and research or talk to people who might have the answers.”
Goredema says you don’t have to be clear on every single step, but you do need to start putting
together ideas so that you can identify any gaps. In addition, commit to adding to this list of next steps as you go.
4. Set Rewards
Most people are focused on the end goal, forgetting the incremental steps they’ll need to take, Goredema notes. To stay on track, she suggests assigning small and large milestones along the way. “If someone’s making an accelerated pivot, their milestone might be going back to school or getting a certification,” she says. “Smaller milestones could be submitting an application or getting an interview for enrollment. Whatever the milestone markers are, pause and think about how you will recognize them. It’s important to recognize your progress as well as to keep your eyes on the end goal.”
5. Identify Potential Obstacles
Next, identify any obstacles you may face that could derail your path. For example, you may not get into your first-choice educational program.
“Think about what could get in the way,” Goredema says. “What could become difficult? Thinking about this in advance helps you think about what you’ll need if [obstacles] arise. It’s like having your own provisional contingency plans. You’ll know what you could do next.”
6. Track Your Progress
Taking action on your plan can be intimidating, but tracking your progress is what will help you stay the course. Goredema says it’s the single most important thing anyone can do for their career.
“We have a tendency to look back and remember really impactful things that were either brilliant or
that didn’t work out,” she says. “We’re so busy pushing and looking at to-do lists that we forget the momentum that we are building, day in day out, week in week out.”
Goredema suggests keeping a document where you record the steps you’ve taken that have created progress. Then review the list each month. “Hindsight and reflection allow you to start to connect the dots in a way you can’t see in the moment,” she says. “For example, you may see that by taking time out to read this book or going to an event connects to something that happens to you in the future. You can see what you’re building.”
As you age, it’s natural to become more risk averse. Goredema says remembering the things you learned or overcame in the past can help you as you go through your career transition.
“I’m not just talking about professional accomplishments like graduating from college or landing your first job,” she says. “Those are important things, but I’m talking about times when you did something major that felt completely out of reach at the time. We have to remember that we have so much capability innately within us to master new things and accomplish things.”
The steps for a career change also apply to any other big change you want to make in life. “Where you start doesn’t define where you’ll end up,” Goredema says. “No one else is going to be as invested in your career and your future as you have to be. Creating a road map and framework for your future is the most valuable thing you can do instead of just reacting in the moment.”
Maybe you’ve dreamed of a career change, too, but don’t know where to start. Octavia Goredema, author of Prep, Push, Pivot: Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women and host of the Audible Original series How to Change Careers, says trying out a new career is a valuable life experience, but it can also be daunting.
Cruise into peace of mind with the exclusive Nissan Patrol 2023 package from Nissan Al Babtain
By bazaar StaffAbdul Mohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Company (AABC), the authorized dealer of Nissan cars in Kuwait, is delighted to introduce exclusive offers on the iconic Nissan Patrol V8 and V6 models, featuring extraordinary cashbacks and more.
An impressive KD 2000 cashback awaits customers who purchase Nissan Patrol V8. Other benefits include a complimentary maintenance for a period of 5 years or 100,000 km, an extended 5-year warranty, 5-year roadside assistance, and complimentary traffic registration and 3rd party insurance, all of which are designed to offer complete peace of mind to the owner. Adding a touch of distinction, customers can also enjoy a complimentary window tinting and body protection.
For the V6 model customers, the offer provides a generous KD 1000 cashback, adding value to the purchase. To ensure a hassle-free ownership journey, the offer throws in a complimentary maintenance for a period of 5 years or 100,000 km, an extended 5-year warranty, 5-year roadside assistance, and complimentary traffic registration and 3rd party insurance.
The new Patrol raises the bar for luxury, with every element expertly designed to elevate the driving experience and comfort for all occupants. The sleek, burgundy-colored interiors celebrate the Patrol’s legacy, while also exuding a sense of refinement. The interiors have been crafted with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a truly first-class ambiance for every passenger. Add to it the Rear Seat Entertainment feature that has been re-imagined with larger dual 10.1-inch screens and personal headphones, providing an unparalleled travel experience for passengers. With the option of single and double screen mirroring, passengers can enjoy crowd-pleasers or individual preferences.
As the most intelligent in its class, thanks to the cutting-edge Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology, the Patrol provides enhanced safety, sustainability, and convenience. It is equipped with I-EB that automatically engages the brakes to reduce collision speed and impact. An in-built LCD monitor in the mirror displays images from a rear-mounted camera, providing better visibility.
Furthermore, the enhanced Voice Recognition Function enables seamless communication between the driver and the vehicle during the journey. The bold new front grille makes a strong statement of character and style, emphasizing its visual breadth. A perfect blend of luxury, power, and style, the new Patrol 2023 is a true representation of the refinement that the brand stands for.
Nissan Al Babtain invites customers to visit its showrooms in Rai, Al Ahmadi and Al Jahra to seize the opportunity to take advantage of the New Year offer and experience the exhilaration of owning the latest models of the iconic Nissan Patrol.
Customers with queries and interest in gathering more information can contact the dedicated call center on 1804 888 or visit the official website www.babtain.com
That is why we will never stop traveling, but we will change how we do it. And it is necessary to take care of the planet. Something that Costa Rica has done well.
Costa Rica is one of the most ecological countries on the planet, and for years it has had a concept of travel integrated with nature that has become an emblem of ecotourism. The recovery of the tourism sector involves implementing sustainable models following the Costa Rican example.
Sustainability is not only a practice in Costa Rica but a way of life. Responsible tourism is found in every region of the country, permeates government policies even in different administrations, and is embraced by citizens and visitors, making the country one of the most sustainable destinations in the Americas.
William Rodríguez, minister of tourism of Costa Rica, pointed out that they are clear that the raw material to have a more significant activity of travelers is nature, so they must take care of it and not dilapidate it. “We have to respect.”
Rodríguez explained in an interview with TravelPulse that “the concept of conservation has two parts: one is to keep things as they are, and at the same time serve for research and conservation. And the other part is for enjoyment, without devastating.”
How? Separating a specific area so it can be visited and the rest to keep it isolated from tourism. The park with the most open area to the public
is 7 percent, and the remaining 93 percent is untouchable and kept in conservation. “On average, our parks maintain between 4 and 5 percent of areas open to the public. The secret of growing green areas and offering sustainable tourism is to keep most of them closed and in their natural state.”
The minister mentioned how Costa Rica had set the example of not deforesting but reforesting and went from having a 25 percent green area to 56 percent. Today, tourism generates 8.1 percent of the Central American country’s GDP, and the minister recognizes that it brings benefits and social and economic progress in areas where traditional industry has yet to reach.
Rodríguez affirmed that the sustainability aspect in Costa Rica is focused on environmental, social, and economic factors. “With those criteria, we have sold the country in terms of tourism, and we have been successful, which is why we are launching this new promotional campaign.”
“It is not the same thing to sell attractiveness, but the experience that we can generate to the foreign traveler and thus enrich their leisure or family trip,” he said.
Costa Rica, a pioneer in sustainability and safe ecotourism, received the Champions of the Earth award, the United Nation’s highest environmental award, for its role in protecting nature and its commitment to combating climate change.
It is time for the sector to reinvent itself towards a model that puts an end to the social and
environmental consequences of overcrowding. In the new reality, one of the gestures that will change the most is the way of traveling; Costa Rica is in a privileged position because of all the roads it has already traveled and stands as a model of the new tourism.
Costa Rica has developed a detailed plan to decarbonize its economy by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With this initiative, the country hopes to pave the way for other nations to curb greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change and its devastating effects. Costa Rica’s success in placing environmental concerns at the center of its political and economic strategies proves that sustainability is achievable and economically viable. So, if protecting the planet is one of your priorities, you won’t find a better destination.
Costa Rica is home to 6.5 percent of the world’s biodiversity. In this paradise of just over 51,000 square kilometers—slightly larger than Aragon— there are more than 230 species of mammals, 850 species of birds, and 12,000 types of plants. In addition, the traveler will find the quality of its beautiful beaches, an average annual temperature between 20 and 27 degrees, and a tourism model that promotes the local economy and favors the reinsertion of animal species in their natural habitat.
Travel is more than a consumer product; it is a resource and a necessary experience. It is a resource and an occasion for people that allows them to open up to others, meet, understand the world, and know themselves.
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Back in May, Google added a brilliant new feature to Chrome, and almost everyone appears to have missed it. It’s called the Side Panel API, and it allows Chrome extensions to run as miniature apps in the browser’s sidebar. Several extensions have used this feature to add vertical tabs in Chrome, while other have added things like a ChatGPT sidebar or a persistent scratchpad for notes.
While the Chrome Side Panel itself launched more than a year ago, third-party extensions could make it a lot more useful. Here’s how to take advantage of this new feature, along with some of the best Chrome Side Panel extensions to check out.
To open the Chrome Side Panel, click the box in the browser’s top-right corner, directly to the left of your profile picture.
The Side Panel should slide out from the right side of the screen, showing your reading list by default. If you click the drop-down menu at the top, you can switch between other built-in Side Panel tools such as your bookmarks and a “Journeys” history view. (Google is readying a search sidebar for this menu as well.)
If you’d prefer to move Chrome’s Side Panel to the left side of the screen, you can do by heading to Settings > Appearance and selecting “Show on left.”
The real fun with Chrome Side Panels comes from third-party extensions, which expand the sidebar in useful new ways. Just install an extension with Side Panel support, and it should appear automatically in the drop-down menu at the top.
It’s still in the early days for Chrome’s Side Panel API, but here are some standout extensions that are supporting the new feature:
Manganum: This extension adds a collection of tools to the Chrome sidebar, including favorite sites, a tab list, translation, your Google Calendar agenda, and chat windows for either ChatGPT or Google Bard. A $2.50 per month subscription removes ads and lets users customize which tool appears in the sidebar at launch.
ChatGPT Side Panel: This simpler alternative to Manganum performs just one function, which is to make ChatGPT persistently available in Chrome’s sidebar. It works as advertised (though the fact that it creates a line break instead of sending your query when pressing Enter is irksome).
Tab Shelf: One of several extensions that adds vertical tabs to the Chrome Side Panel, Tab Shelf has the slickest layout, with easily accessible buttons for copying, pinning, and muting your tabs.
You can also select multiple tabs at once to close them or sort them into groups, and there’s a handy search bar for tracking down tabs you’ve already opened.
TabVertikal: While its presentation isn’t the slickest, TabVertikal has one feature that’s missing from all the other vertical tab extensions: You can select multiple tabs and move them into a separate browser window. For folks who use separate browser windows as an organization tactic, that capability may be nonnegotiable.
Webside: This extension lets you run websites from inside the Chrome Side Panel. It seems to struggle with some sites, but it pairs well with social media feeds such as Instagram or Mastodon.
Bookmark Sidebar: Although Chrome’s Side Panel already has a Bookmarks view built in, this extension goes further with a search function, keyboard navigation, and various sorting options.
Raindrop.io: Raindrop was already an excellent bookmark manager, and its Chrome extension now lets you access your bookmarks directly from the Side Panel. Both the app and extension are free, with an optional $3 per month subscription for
extra features such as offline archives and full-text search.
Pomodoro Focus: Of course someone’s already created a Pomodoro timer for Chrome’s Side Panel. Just click the timer, and it’ll alternate between focus sessions and break times. You can also customize the times, all labels for each session, and add simple to-do list items. The persistent countdown clock in the sidebar has a nice way of keeping you focused.
Chrome isn’t alone in embracing the sidebar. Microsoft Edge has its own sidebar in which you can load any webpage, as does Vivaldi with its Web Panels feature. Other browsers are building extensive sidebar functionality—including Arc, SigmaOS, and Sidekick—as a way of standing out from their bigger rivals.
So far, though, Chrome is the only browser that’s extending the sidebar to third-party developers, who can build their own apps inside it. Hopefully, it’s not long before more of those extension makers realize what the Side Panel can accomplish.
Waldorf Astoria Kuwait has spacious rooms meticulously outfitted with modern comforts to ensure an unparalleled and relaxing stay. Embark on the journey to your dream staycation today, and lavish your family with an extravagant retreat at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait.
Blending timeless elegance with a modern sensibility, the 200 well-appointed rooms and suites offer tranquil spaces to recharge after a day of work or play. At Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, the guests have everything they need for the perfect escape.
Ikaros Club
Guests in the Ikaros Club Rooms, Ikaros Club
Suites, Presidential Suites or the Royal Suite have access to the Ikaros Club, where they are able to enjoy contemporary luxury in a majestic setting. The club offers an exclusive dining experience including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, dessert and complimentary beverages. Members enjoy private check in/out, a complimentary selection of international newspapers and magazines, a personalized concierge to provide
travel assistance and help manage bookings and reservations across the city, high-speed internet and access to The Library Business Center and a private meeting room.
Special Features of the Ikaros Club personalized check-in experience starts before arrival, with exclusive key card access for members, and a personalized Ikaros Club concierge to help manage bookings and reservations across the city.
Experience the ultimate family getaway at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, where connecting rooms seamlessly blend comfort and luxury. Your weekend escape begins as you step into a world of opulence and impeccable service at the hotel where the spacious connecting rooms provide the perfect haven for families, allowing everyone to enjoy their own world while remaining effortlessly connected.
With a range of luxurious amenities and personalized service, you will indulge in a truly exceptional retreat that caters to your every need. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, savoring exquisite dining options, or exploring the city’s attractions, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait ensures an unforgettable escape where every detail is taken care of.
Take a dip in the refreshing outdoor pool which is an oasis in the midst of a busy neighborhood. The luxurious pool area is the perfect escape from the city where you can relax during the hot summer season while taking advantage of the private cabanas for ultimate tranquility, particularly during the nights.
If you’re looking for an experience which includes formal dining, poolside refreshments, family gatherings and a truly unforgettable escape, then it’s absolutely a must that you take advantage of the private cabanas.
The Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa is a luxurious wellness destination that offers a range of spa and wellness experiences designed to promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and overall well-being. Located in the hotel, the spa features stateof-the-art facilities, a team of highly skilled therapists, and a range of premium treatments and services.
Whether you are looking to unwind after a long day or indulge in a luxurious spa experience, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa offers the ultimate in wellness and relaxation with exclusive membership packages that offer a range of benefits including unlimited access to the thermal spa’s facilities, outdoor pool, fitness center, discounts on treatments and products, one complimentary night stay, and more. Members also have access to a private lounge area where they can relax and enjoy refreshments while waiting for their treatments.
For more information about the exclusive memberships offered by Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa, please visit the website, contact +965 2477 4414 or visit https://www.hilton.com/ en/hotels/kwiwawa-waldorf-astoria-kuwait/
According to new research, the answer could be that they cooperate even if it’s to their detriment, because our own behavior is the main driver for what we expect others to do. It’s the argument made in a Cognitive Science paper published Monday by psychologists at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign’s Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, which found people who are selfish by nature tend to punish generosity and reward selfishness even when it costs them personally.
Social scientists have often held that social mores are what guide a person’s decision-making in zero-sum competitive scenarios. “The prevailing view before this study was that individuals form expectations based on what they view as typical,” lead author Paul Bogdan said. “If everyone around me is selfish, then I’m going to learn to accept selfishness and behave accordingly. But we show that your judgments of other people’s behavior really depend on how you behave yourself.”
To judge others’ actions as generous or selfish, they write that humans enlist a set of subjective
expectations—standards often believed to be based on social norms. Behavior that deviates from the norm can elicit negative feedback (what they call “punishment”), but the researchers posed an alternative hypothesis: What if expectations were based on the individual’s own tendencies to behave generously or selfishly?
To explore how we set expectations and decide to respond, the team ran a series of tests involving the Ultimatum Game—a classic experiment where two players are told they’ll be sharing a pot of money. It helps evaluate the economic, social, and psychological problem of dividing resources among people, with one common application being to explore how fairness and inequality affect teamwork. In the experiment, the first player, the Proposer, decides how the pot will be split: even steven, or unfairly so it benefits just one player. The catch is that if the second player, the Responder, rejects the offer, both leave empty-handed.
Normally, Responders will pocket more money when their Proposer is generous. But the researchers discovered that selfish people don’t
necessarily care; they sort of just like playing the Ultimatum Game with other selfish people, including when that means leaving money on the table. “People really like others who are similar to themselves—to a shocking degree,” Bodgan explained.
They repeated the experiments, and found that some individuals eventually started punishing generosity and rewarding selfishness—but only after their own behavior had changed, reinforcing it was their own tendencies driving expectations, not social norms. “You may have groups of selfish people who are more accepting of other selfish people,” noted one of the other authors, Florin Dolcos, adding that “In order to be part of that group, newcomers might display the same behavior.”
The team concludes a person’s underlying nature likely influences their behavior across other areas of life, too. “It has practical relevance to many types of social interactions and social evaluations,” said Dolcos.
New York is the forever muse of DKNY: a dynamic city beyond compare where the streets are as inspiring as any runway; culture is in constant flow; and individuality brings people together. This season, both dreams and reality converge in the Fall 2023 “DKNY For You” campaign, which explores the uniqueness of New York from a multitude of perspectives. Because everyone has a story to share.
them, cinematic views and street scenes that suspend time and action. For every New York moment, a statement of style.
The collection, at its core, reveals an innate approach to dressing for urban life. Classics are renewed with a certain effortless polish; silhouettes are streamlined to emphasize their allure; the tonal palette appears strong and focused. Among the standout looks: elevated faux leather dresses punctuated with edgy metal accents, textural outerwear, polished varsity jackets, and satin suits structured with sharp sophistication. For every styling of pieces, there is a corresponding experience: catching a show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, playing a chess game in the square, absorbing the latest art exhibit, or simply finding a quiet moment on a park bench.
“DKNY For You” encourages people to feel the influence of the streets. From day through night, a chance to show off a different DKNY look, to celebrate how the city is a source of endless inspiration.
“DKNY For You” will be amplified via robust media and marketing initiatives across the US and key international markets in a diversified media mix of digital, premium outdoor and social/ influencer partnerships.
The Fall 2023 is available in the GCC in September in stores at 360 Kuwait, The Avenues, Al Kout, Marina Mall and Awtad Jahra. For home delivery WhatsAPP: 5519 9767.
Follow @DKNY.ME on Instagram for more updates.
Are you the same person you were a decade ago? What about five years or even 12 months ago? The likely answer is “no.” Maybe you’re more resilient? Or perhaps you’re less judgmental? We all change and grow over time as our experiences impact and shape our personalities.
Brent W. Roberts, professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a leading researcher in field of personality, has spent most of his career looking at personality development in adulthood.“Personality traits do change as you age,” he confirms. “The natural question, of course, is, if your personality changes, can you actually change it?”
Roberts and fellow researchers decided to find the answer and spent years examining studies that looked at personality trait change through therapy. “We found that seeing a therapist led to a decrease of about a half a standard deviation in neuroticism,” he says. “And it happened really fast—at least from our perspective—in the first four weeks or so [of therapy].”
Therapy is meant to overcome serious issues, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or substance use. While therapists don’t enter an arrangement with the intention of changing someone’s personality, the work that’s done sets the table for impacting traits, too.
If your goal is to simply change your personality instead of navigating deeper changes, you don’t necessarily need a therapist’s help, says Roberts. He and his fellow researchers conducted studies with participants who were not patients but wanted to change. They discovered that people could change any normal personality trait with about the same results that can happen during therapy.
To change your personality, you need to understand how it differs from behavior. Personality traits are long-term patterns, while behaviors are reactions based on surroundings and circumstances. An introvert may demonstrate an extroverted trait in a specific moment and vice versa. For example, behaviors will vary significantly if someone is at a funeral or speaking to a crowd.
“That’s not what we’re thinking of when it comes to personality change,” says Roberts. “If you want to make the inference about someone’s personality, wait around and see what they do. We’re thinking about long term pattern, what someone does nonconsciously in social settings.”
If you want to change your personality, the first step is to examine and establish your motivation, which is a critical ingredient. You have to want to
change, says Roberts. Without motivation, you may shift behaviors in the short-term, but will not likely experience lasting results.
Next, you must understand what it is you’re changing. Clarify what it is you are trying to become.
“For example, a lot of people say they would like to become less agreeable—that’s my favorite one,” says Roberts. “Oftentimes, what they really want is to be more assertive. Assertiveness doesn’t have to be mean. They just have to learn how to stick up for their position and do so effectively.”
A third part to changing your personality is being given the opportunity to act. “There’s a term on the clinical side, which is ‘psycho education’” says Roberts. “It’s teaching people the idea of what they’re supposed to do, but not actually giving them a chance to practice and work through the process. This is the mistake we usually make.”
An opportunity to implement and practice is essential. In the absence of this step, Roberts says he’s skeptical someone could change their personality.
“You have to give people the opportunity to try the new behaviors, implement them, fail at them, try them again, and give them guidance in an effort to create the skill itself,” says Roberts.
The fourth step is having somebody to guide you. You could work with a therapist, coach, or accountability buddy, or you could turn to technology. “I don’t think it has to be a human necessarily, especially now that we’re getting sophisticated with generative AI,” says Roberts. “But you need some kind of system that helps you keep yourself accountable.”
If you’re motivated and follow a program that leverages well-informed techniques, Roberts says you can change your personality.
“There [are] lots of efforts to change people in a variety of ways, usually emerging out of more behavioral approaches,” he says. “They’re not changing personality; they’re just changing behaviors. The irony in that many of those techniques are really quite good for changing someone’s personality, too.”
For instance, he says, there are common methods people use to become better conversational partners. “I believe that if you practice what [these techniques] preach, you’re going to be become much more comfortable in interactions and you’ll probably become more extroverted in the process.”
Demeliss Paris has been a breath of fresh air in the hairstyling appliance industry by bringing revolutionary new products to create salon looks at home. Instantly bestselling thanks to a community of devoted and loving fans, Demeliss Paris offers an assortment of innovative straighteners, steam straighteners, curling and styling appliances. The brand closely follows the professional trends of French hair salons and the real needs of consumers.
We’ve been lucky with more rain and cooler weather this summer. My friend Terry in Arizona has not been as fortunate. “I love the temps you guys are having,” she messaged me. “It’s always hot here in the summer but it is intense this year!”
No kidding. Weather forecasters recently reported that unrelenting high temperatures in the Phoenix area could be the most intense heat wave experienced in the Valley of the Sun since records began.
How do our bodies stay cool when we get overheated?
We sweat. It’s the evaporation of water from perspiration that helps cool us. When body fluids are used up to fuel sweat glands, we can become dehydrated in a hurry, according to a fascinating review on sweat (really) in a scientific journal appropriately called Temperature.
Heat stroke — a condition caused when the body gets overheated — is life-threatening. A severe lack of fluids can even cause major organs to shut down. Not good.
About 60% of our body weight is water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Besides sweat, water is the basis of all our body fluids, including saliva, blood, urine and the fluid that cushions our joints. That’s why we need a constant supply to keep everything working as it should. On average, women need around 9 cups of fluids a day, and men need 13 cups.
If that sound like a lot, remember that “fluid” includes water, coffee, tea, milk, fruit and vegetable juices and other beverages except alcohol (sorry). Best to avoid beverages loaded with sugar as well.
One easy way to assess the adequacy of your fluids: Check your urine. If it is darker than light lemonade, up your fluid intake. Other signs of dehydration include fatigue, dizziness and confusion.
When we sweat profusely, our bodies lose mostly water and salt (sodium and chloride) but also small amounts of potassium, calcium, iron and other nutrients. So how do we beat the heat?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most important way to prevent heat illness is to drink enough fluids. And don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Thirst alone is a faulty indicator of fluid levels.
Plain water is generally sufficient if you eat regular meals, says the CDC. Two slices of whole grain bread, for example, supplies similar amounts of sodium, potassium and other electrolytes as a 20-ounce sports drink. (People who exercise and sweat for long periods of time without meals may need fluids with carbohydrates and electrolytes.)
When working in the heat, we are advised to drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15 to 20 minutes. That translates to about 24 to 32 ounces
per hour, says the CDC. And drink a little at a time, they advise. It’s more effective than gulping large amounts at once.
Do not drink more than 48 ounces of water or other fluids (including sports drinks) per hour, warns
the CDC. Excess water can be deadly if it dilutes the concentration of salt in the blood, which can cause brain cells to swell.
We love our hectic lives, they are a sign of a fully lived life. We’re constantly racing from one event to the next, planning our next big move and chasing our dreams, and we would not have it any other way. But we’ve learned to make sure that we have enough rest and relaxation time so we avoid burning out and can keep up the pace. MUJI has been our bestie when it comes to making sure we are always well rested and ready to take on whatever we want to.
Creating a safe space at home is one of the best things you can do to feel better. Entering your personal private abode should be like getting a warm hug from a friend. You don’t need a huge budget or an interior designer to completely redesign your living space. Investing in a few comfortable, stylish yet also very practical pieces from MUJI can help you create a cozy and welcoming room that takes you from your busy life to your place of relaxation. We are huge fans of the floor chairs. They’re comfortable and help us feel grounded while reading, gaming or even just chilling in front of the TV. They’re also a great seating addition when we’re entertaining friends because having a healthy social life also helps keep us recharged and happy.
Most of us give a lot of thought to the visual aesthetic around us, but designing a smellscape, the perfect olfactory environment, is something we often neglect. Using MUJI essential oils is one of the easiest ways to instantly change your mood. They have a wide variety of high-quality oils that are made from the best ingredients, which can be used on their own or blended in different mixes for different vibes. We love our large diffuser that can fill our large living room with the sweet scent of lemons as well as our tiny Aroma Stone that doesn’t need any power that lives on the bedside table full of lavender oil to help us sleep.
We would love to say that we always get a full eight hours every night, but we don’t always do. However, we have found that one of the best ways to improve our sleep routine is to make sure we’re comfortable in bed. MUJI’s comfy PJs are second to none for a good night’s sleep. Available for men, women and kids, there are so many fun options. Our favorite are the light weight side seamless sets for people who are sensitive and can appreciate an elevated sleep experience. When it comes to bedding, you have so many options to choose from. From thin Lyocell duvets to soft cotton waffle blankets, there is something for everyone. All that’s left is some fluffy pillows to make sure we catch more Zs when we’re in bed.
Kids heading back to school has always felt like a mixed bag of emotions for parents. Worries about peer struggles, harder subjects, and new teachers are only natural. Still, for most parents—and especially for those who work from home—getting kids out of the house after a long, hot summer is usually a very welcome relief.
However, this year, with worries about teens’ mental health escalating and growing concerns about the impact of kids’ social media use, parents are grappling with a lot as class bells start ringing again.
Kids are spending more time online than ever, and at younger and younger ages. As they start classes across the country this month and next, parents are saying that social media concerns are weighing them down. The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health asked 2,099 parents what their biggest concerns were. By far, what’s stressing them out the most are issues surrounding kids’ screen time and their mental health.
The number-one concern was the overuse of devices/screen time (67%), followed closely by social media (66%). Coming in at numbers three and four were internet safety (62%) and depression/
suicide (57%). Of course, these concerns are all closely linked, given that social media and time online are increasingly being recognized as culprits in the teen mental health crisis. But it’s striking that, as kids are strapping on their backpacks and lacing up their new kicks, parents are even more concerned with the internet than the massively terrifying issue: gun violence.
Gun violence was the number-one killer of children in the United States in 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More kids died from gun violence that year than from car accidents, drug overdoses, or cancer. As the number of mass shootings in schools continues to rise, parents worry about the issue more and more each school year. And so do kids, given that more and more students are now already mass-school-shooting survivors, or are practicing active shooter drills at school, or at the
very least, are increasingly aware of incidents of mass shootings.
Still, parents are more concerned about kids’ mental health and their social media use than gun violence. In fact, issues around the internet dominated the list of concerns so much that guns/ gun injuries fell just out of the top 10 at 47%.
Income levels did impact parents’ top concerns. Lower-income parents were more concerned with mental health issues, while middle- and higherincome parents were more focused on the overuse of screens, as well as the social media aspect of kids’ screen time. What’s consistent is that both issues—screens and mental health—are at the top of parents’ minds, and as another school year begins, it feels, to them, like the most stressful one ever.
While it’s good in theory, John W. Mitchell, author of Fire Your Hiring Habits: Building an Environment That Attracts Top Talent in Today’s Workforce, says this advice is “crap.”
“Most people have more than one passion,” he says. “Knowing which to follow can be difficult. From the other perspective, a lot of new graduates may not even be able to answer the question, ‘What are you passionate about?’ Many of them are taking six to eight years to graduate because they don’t know what they want to do. If you don’t know what you want to do, how can you know what your passion is?”
In addition to not being specific enough to be helpful, following your passion could doom you to fail. Passion does not equal competence. As a result, it’s possible that your passion for something would limit your career opportunities.
“Let’s say that I’m passionate about gymnastics,” Mitchell says. “Well, I’m 6-foot-3; doing gymnastics probably isn’t a good idea, even if I’m passionate about it.”
Making your passion your job can also impact how you feel about it. Often, passions fuel you because they’re a break from your everyday work. For example, you may love to paint or tinker with cars.
“If suddenly [this passion] becomes the only way that you can make money, it can become
drudgery and feel more like work than passion,” Mitchell says.
Following your passion also puts you at risk of burnout. “When you’re in a job you’re passionate about, you can get exploited,” Mitchell says. “You may be tempted to work 20 hours a day. The employer is going to say, ‘Hey, this is fantastic. I’m paying dirt for this, and they’re working like crazy.’”
It can be hard to scale back once you’ve set a precedent, and you may find yourself discouraged and thinking of quitting.
Instead of following your passion, Mitchell recommends following your competence. You’re more likely to be successful in your career when you have the right skills.
If you’re not sure where your competence lies, Mitchell suggests looking at your coursework. “If you had to spend all night trying to figure out math problems, you’re probably not very good in that area,” he says. “But if you have a class where you were able to do your homework without much stress, then it’s probably an area where you excel.”
You can also identify your competence through trial and error. “This isn’t the 1940s,” he says. “You don’t have to pick a career you stay in for the rest
of your life. Go try something. If you don’t like it, try something else.”
Once you know your competence, put time and effort into honing and expanding your craft. Go on a pursuit of excellence. “If you are good at math, you might develop enhancements, like figuring out the mathematical models of AI,” Mitchell suggests. “Look for ways to get better.”
Then, look for opportunities to apply that excellence. “When you’re doing something that you’re competent at that is valued by somebody else, they’ll pay obscene amounts of money for excellence,” he says. “Having people value you is self-fulfilling, and it’ll pay the bills.”
Following your competence instead of passion also takes the pressure off your career, Mitchell says, noting, “If somebody says, ‘Go follow your passion’ and you don’t have a passion, you can sit there and worry for months. Instead, find something you’re good at. You won’t need to worry about it as much and you’ll increase your likelihood of success.”
Whether it’s from a loved one or a commencement address speaker, new graduates often are told “Follow your passion.” They say, “Find a job that you’re passionate about; you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Our favorite regional athleisure brand, Tribe of 6, just launched its latest collection, and it is on trend and super fashionable! Building upon its collections to date, the brand brings us earthy and vibrant tones of black, white, mineral red, forest green, fuchsia and egret as key colors this season; so on trend!
The bazaar team has been following Tribe of 6 since its inception and having followed all the collections and the journey to date of the brand, we have to say we are definitely fans. The brand consistently presents cohesive collections that are trendy, versatile, sustainable and completely inclusive and this latest collection has beautiful monochromatic pieces in black and white edit. And it is worth going and feeling the fabrics, then that might be the selling point. Embracing comfort for people on the go, the collection features materials such as organic loop-back, cotton twill and brushed bamboo; so soft yet stylish!
Some of the key looks this season are the Alana jacket. This beautiful mesh longline mac is a head turner and can go from day to night, from airport to café; it will never feel out of place. The piece will become a staple of your wardrobe and you will be wearing it for years to come. The collection also features fabulous, basic yet luxe, tees and joggers with reverse loop-back detail – this is going to become a travel essential since it is so comfy and chic!
Tribe of 6 is a regional fashion player that is making waves in the retail industry by creating momentum towards change and bringing together communities to celebrate diversity, inclusivity and making eco-conscious choices. The brand showcases not only where we come from, but where we are going together. You are invited to be part of the tribe!
In addition to the new standalone store in the Avenues (Grand Avenue - Phase 4), customers can explore and discover Tribe of 6 at select Foot Locker stores in Kuwait and UAE, Harvey Nichols Kuwait, and Debenhams in KSA, UAE and Kuwait. The brand is also available to shop online in Kuwait at www.kw.tribeof6.me, and at Footlocker. com and Namshi in all three markets, as well as Tamanna in Kuwait.
Follow the brand to stay up to date on their latest launches and news on Instagram @Tribeof6ME. You can also find them on Facebook and TikTok at Tribe of 6.
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Sunburn is inflamed, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. It›s caused by too much exposure to UV light. That UV light may be from the sun or artificial sources, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. UVA is the wavelength of light that can penetrate to the deep layers of skin and lead to skin damage over time. UVB is the wavelength of light that penetrates the skin more superficially and causes sunburn.
UV light damages skin cells. The immune system reacts by increasing blood flow to the affected areas, which causes the inflamed skin known as sunburn.
Any exposed part of your body, including your earlobes, scalp and lips, can burn. Even covered areas can burn if, for example, your clothing has a loose weave that allows UV light through. Your eyes, which are extremely sensitive to the sun’s UV light, also can burn. You can get sunburn on cool or cloudy days. Surfaces such as snow, sand and water also can reflect UV rays and burn skin.
Sunburn signs and symptoms usually appear within a few hours after sun exposure. But it may take a day or more to know how severe the sunburn is. If the damage is severe, medical attention may be required.
Intense, repeated UV light exposure that results in sunburn increases the risk of other skin damage, such as wrinkles and age spots. It also raises the risk of skin cancers such as melanoma. This slideshow includes images of several conditions caused by sun damage.
Here are four ways you can protect yourself from UV radiation damage:
-- Time of day: Avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — when the UV rays are strongest. In addition, be mindful that clouds offer little protection, and UV rays can bounce off surfaces such as water, sand, snow or pavement, leading to increased UV exposure.
-- Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of at least 30 — even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring. Use a generous amount of sunscreen on all exposed skin, including your lips, the tips of your ears, and the backs of your hands and neck. And if you’re using leftover sunscreen from year to year, be sure to check the expiration date. Learn more about choosing the best sunscreen.
-- Sunglasses: UV radiation also can burn your eyes. Sunburned eyes can feel painful or gritty. Too much UV light can damage the retina, lens and cornea. Sun damage to the lens can lead to clouding of the lens, or cataracts. Exposure to UV light also can increase your risk of developing ocular melanoma. Sunburn of the cornea also is called snow blindness. Look for sunglasses that block both types of UV radiation — UVA and UVB rays.
Learn more about choosing the best sunglasses.
-- Protective clothing: Sunscreens don’t provide complete protection from UV rays. You also should protect your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, and a broadbrimmed hat that provides more protection than a baseball cap or visor. Some companies also sell photoprotective clothing, with a UV protection
factor, or UPF, rating similar to the SPF rating of sunscreens. Learn more about UPF clothing. Exercising and enjoying time outdoors are important for good health. This time of year means fun in the sun for many people. Knowing how to protect your skin will allow you to do so safely.
It made me want to never interview anyone again. But you kids these days have it easy, thanks to cloud services and artificial intelligence.
Well: easier. It’s still not perfect; but, man, has it gotten better. And if you’re already paying for Microsoft Office (formally known these days as Microsoft 365), you’ve got access to the very good, very easy-to-use transcription tool built right into Microsoft Word. Here’s how it works.
Now, this feature works in both the online version of Word found at Office.com or in the stand-alone Word app, so fire up either one of those and create a new document. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with the free version of Office.
Once you’ve got your new document open, in the Home menu, look for the Dictate feature, which should be over toward the right-hand side. Click the little downward-facing caret to open up the sub-menu and choose Transcribe.
From here, you can upload your recording—or, if you’re feeling especially ambitious, you can start a recording on the fly.
At the moment, Microsoft is offering unlimited transcription minutes, which is quite a boon if you have a bunch of audio that needs to be converted to text.
This process can take a few seconds to several minutes depending on the length of the recording you’ve uploaded.
Once the recording has processed, you’ll have a reasonably accurate transcription in the right-hand sidebar.
At this point, you can go play through the recording right from the sidebar and correct any errors. You can also identify who’s speaking when, and apply their names to their respective quotes.
Once you’ve edited the transcription, click the “Add to document” button at the bottom of the right-hand pane.
You’ll have four options here: just text; with speakers; with time stamps; with speakers and time stamps.
In most cases, the “with speakers” option results in the standard interview-style text that we’re used to seeing in articles, but play around with the other options and see which one suits your needs best.
Thinking back to the first interview I had to transcribe, which was probably 15 years ago now, I believe I played the recording back at half speed—maybe slower—and typed every single word by hand.
SoonavailableinaDebenhamsnearyou!
JACK & JONES loves Kuwait! The male success brand from Europe is continuing their expansion in the Middle East Region – be aware!
JACK & JONES, the high-quality male fashion brand, was originally founded as a jeanswear label in Denmark in 1990. Back then, its goal was to be the best denim brand for men globally and has always been focused on innovation, design, quality, and trends. And today, over 30 years later, JACK & JONES has become one of Europe’s leading producers of men’s fashionwear with more than one thousand stores in 38 countries. Jeans and jeanswear are the core business of JACK & JONES, however, the product portfolio covers much more than that: from tailoring to urban sportswear, the brand also offers footwear and accessories. By keeping it real and keeping it simple, JACK & JONES is always offering the same good quality, the same good service, and those never-ending good vibes!
JACK & JONES Junior
By taking advantage of over 30 years of knowledge from the fashion business, JACK & JONES recognized an unexplored potential in creating clothes of the same good quality for the younger guys – from 6 -16 years old. JACK & JONES Junior uses the same high-quality fabrics, raw materials, and fashion insights as JACK & JONES and they create styles that capture the latest trends – and always add the flexibility that allows boys to be boys. The motto is: making young boys’ lives easier, better, a lot more fun and stylish, with as little effort as possible.
WE ARE ONE CLUB. JACK & JONES is creating clothes for all men, not leaving anyone behind. The brand knows that diversity plays a significant factor in every man’s life – whether expressed through size, shape, color, style, or personality. JACK & JONES is gathering guys from all around the world, to let them have fun and take on the world in clothes that fit all stages of life.
Discover JACK & JONES on Debenhams Kuwait’s website at www.debenhams.com.kw.
Follow @debenhamsmiddleeast on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. Shop the brands at Debenhams in Grand Avenue –The Avenues, Souq Sharq and The Gate Mall. Call Customer Service: 182 1212.
When Amit Patel lost his sight because of an illness a decade ago—early in his career as a trauma doctor at an emergency room in the U.K.—he struggled to learn Braille with traditional tools. He hacked together a system with ping-pong balls that he rearranged in an egg carton to form the shape of letters as he studied. Now, his young children, who are sighted but want to learn Braille to bond with their dad, have another option: A new Lego set that spells out the Braille alphabet with the dots on each brick.
Examples of Braille Bricks; the first 10 letters of the alphabet also double as number symbols.
Before the “Braille Bricks” existed, when his 4-year-old and 7-year-old sat down to try to learn Braille, “they would get bored,” says Patel, whose family is one of the first to try out the new product. “Then, when the Lego bricks came along, it’s play and learn all at once. And we can do it as a family.”
A few years ago, the Lego Foundation developed Braille bricks that were given to teachers in schools for visually impaired children. After Lego got feedback from families saying that they wanted to be able to use the bricks separately—in some cases, because children attend mainstream schools and have limited or no access to Braille lessons—the company started working on another version for the home.
“We set up some few design principles: It has to be something that was easy for everybody to learn, and it has to be fun,” says Lego designer Rasmus Løgstrup. “It has to connect the family. Everybody has to be on an equal level, so it’s as inclusive as possible. And we made a product that you can keep continuing building, and not just kind of sit on the shelf and only be used once.”
The physical design of the bricks is the same as the version used in schools, with the “studs” on the top of each block representing a Braille letter or number. But Lego designers spent more than a year designing games that can make it fun to use the bricks even before a child starts to recognize specific letters.
In one game, for example, one player pretends to be a sleeping giant, and the others use bricks with three or more studs to build a wall to protect their village without waking the giant up. Players can listen to short videos describing each game on a smartphone via a QR code on the package. “We had a starting point that we would like these games to be fully functional even when you’re blind and you’re on your own,” says Løgstrup. “So, no help by a sighted person.” After setting up a game, the short video encourages open play. In Patel’s family, his children quickly started using the blocks to create signs for their Lego village that their dad could read.
The designers spent months learning about their newest customers. “We started asking ourselves, with a visually impaired kid, how do they play? What is the dynamic at home in the family?
What are their challenges?” Løgstrup says. The set is designed for children and families with a range of visual impairments; because some players will have limited vision but some sight, the blocks come in brightly contrasted colors, and the illustration on the box was designed to make it more legible. The company worked with organizations for the blind around the world to test the product.
The number of visually impaired people who learn Braille keeps dropping. In the U.S., for example, fewer than 10% of people who are legally blind are literate in Braille. “My computer can speak to me, so in theory, I don’t have to use Braille,” says Martine Abel-Williamson, president of the World Blind Union. But she still uses it herself constantly, and believes it’s a critical tool and important to learn. Patel agrees.
“I used to love coming home from work and just immersing myself in a book,” he says. “People tell me, ‘Well, you don’t need to learn Braille because of assistive technology out there—screen readers,
audiobooks—but that really doesn’t do it for me. If someone’s reading a book to me, I’ve got their tone of voice, I’ve got the way they get excited about something on my page. I like to read something and maybe go back and read it again.” There are other practical reasons that it’s sometimes easier to quickly read with your fingers rather than listening to something, whether you’re on a subway or ordering from a menu at a restaurant.
And playing with Lego blocks, he says, is just a fun way to learn the alphabet. He liked using the toys with his children even before they had access to the Braille Bricks. “Despite being visually impaired, you can still lose yourself in Lego,” he says. “It’s a whole brain activity, where, in a weird way, you don’t need sight to play. Your imagination kind of kicks in. It’s all touch, it’s all feel. It’s a satisfying click when things come together.”
The vivid blue color of morpho butterflies doesn’t come from pigment but from tiny nanostructures on their wings that bend and reflect light. In a recent study, scientists designed a thin film with a layer that mimics the wings to create the same color—and doubles as a way to help keep surfaces cool in extreme heat.
In the study, researchers at China’s Shenzhen University tested the film on a car parked in the sun. Another patch of regular blue paint on the car
heated up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit. But since the sample painted with the new coating reflected light away, it only reached 107 degrees. Because the car would stay more comfortable inside, it could use less air-conditioning. In an electric car, that would mean saving energy so the car could drive longer distances.
The film was made from a top layer of titanium, silicon, and oxygen; a middle layer of frosted glass designed with the nanostructure of a butterfly wing; and a bottom layer of silver. (All three together measure only a few micrometers thick.) The film can be made into different colors by slightly changing the design; the researchers also tested shades of red and green.
White coatings are already common on buildings to help reduce the need for air-conditioning—and the newest “whitest white” coatings will be able to reflect even more heat. Butterfly-inspired paint could eventually offer a similar function, but in color. The same structural color could also be used on clothing or other products to keep the wearer cool. And if you want a wilder-looking option, other researchers are studying iridescent coatings that could make your future house look like a seashell and help you avoid air-conditioning altogether.
Soft Colors, fun-filled prints and effortless styles featuring trendy, playful and snug pieces that your kids will want to wear again and again
By bazaar staff
We know all you parents are excited to take your little munchkins out in the cooler weather and are waiting eagerly, well now you can start prepping for the fabulous upcoming season. Cheekee Munkee’s Autumn Winter 2023 collection is colorful, cozy, and oh-soadorable! We love the styles this season that feature neutrals mixed with a pop of colour, feel-good pieces, and the brand’s signature fun-loving details. We are so excited to see this collection launch across the region because it encapsulates the essence of youthful energy and childhood wonder into comfortable, easyto-wear and affordable styles for girls and boys between the ages of 0 to 7.
Tuning into the changing season, this homegrown brand’s new collection delivers a complete wardrobe made to be worn time and time again, from essential staples to functional outerwear and dressed-up holiday looks. Think flowy floral dresses and soft and groovy shorts, tees in baby pink and aqua tones, perfect for your modern-day girly girls. Following this theme, the boys’ range is designed in a neutral palette, truck prints and playful imagery that kids are bound to love playing in the sun.
Cheekee Munkee has us covered for day and night, and their looks make for snuggle-worthy bedtime. Discover the brand’s sleepwear essentials available in a range of styles from long-sleeved separates to short sleeve pieces and cute onesies in solid colours and fun-filled prints.
And as it gets cooler, let your kids layer up in style this winter with the brand’s hoodie and jogger sets featuring the friendly mascot, made with breathable fabric and plenty of stretch. Not only are these great for mixing and matching for the cooler months, but also available at wallet-friendly prices which will have both you and your little ones jumping for joy.
With a mission to ‘let kids be kids’, the new styles embody the brand’s ethos –exciting, vibrant, and playful. Designed with play and comfort in mind, these fashionable, fun and durable pieces can be worn for years to come.
You can enjoy and shop Cheekee Munkee at selected Debenhams and Mothercare stores in the UAE, KSA and Kuwait. The brand is also available to shop online at Debenhams, Mothercare and Namshi across these markets, as well as Tamanna in Kuwait. Follow them on @cheekeemunkeeme to feel all the cool season vibes that we love.
Cheekee Munkee has us covered for day and night, and their looks make for snuggle-worthy bedtime.
By Talib Visram
In Indonesia, temperatures remain high throughout the year without any real winter season, making indoor conditions unbearable for residents. Most people don’t have air-conditioning, and those who do have low-quality units that do little to reduce the heat.
Finding a means to abate that oppressive heat was a reason Beta Paramita, an architecture professor at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, joined Clean Cooling Collaborative’s Million Cool Roofs Challenge. In competition with 10 other countries, including Bangladesh, Kenya, and Senegal, she collaborated with the University of Florida to launch a program—winner in the Social Justice category of the 2023 Innovation by Design Awards—that covers building roofs with a cooling white paint, originally made by another U.S. partner, Millennium Solutions.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays bounce off the paint’s tiny enamel particles, which can reflect up to 84% of sunlight. Buildings absorb less heat, reducing temperatures indoors considerably; at one industrial plant, indoor temperatures dropped
by 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Most buildings in dense Jakarta had lower drops because less circulation means the heat that is retained stays trapped— but even there, humidity is alleviated significantly. “We were all surprised by the drop of the surface temperature,” Paramita says. “It’s quite a huge impact.”
The solution is also a more-sustainable alternative to air-conditioning. Indonesia is set to develop 21.5 billion square feet of residential area by 2030, with the potential for 22 million new air conditioners, which threaten to blow out the energy grid in the future.
Paramita’s model was chosen as the best among the entrants, winning prize money of $750,000. As of now, they’ve painted the roofs of about 70 buildings in 15 cities, including schools, an
orphanage, and 36 affordable-housing complexes, impacting about 10,000 people.
The next challenge will be deploying it on a large scale. They’re now producing the paint in Indonesia, with a registered trademark, helping to lower the cost of imports from the U.S.—and the production and application has created 100 jobs, with the potential for more. Crucially, the tech is gaining recognition, as neighboring countries, including Malaysia and Singapore, have signaled interest to follow suit.
This story is part of Fast Company’s 2023 Innovation by Design Awards. Explore the full list of companies creating products, reimagining spaces, and working to design a better world. Read more about the methodology behind the selection process.
Today, the kitchen is the centerpiece of our homes. We strive to choose what we like and implement it to cater to our needs while staying away from the norm.
“nolteneo is anything except ordinary. A nolteneo kitchen is LUXURY in capital letters. It is an expression of elegance, sophistication, and freedom of choice. nolteneo is more than a kitchen; it’s a statement on its own!
What does that imply?
It means you can elevate your kitchen to a whole new level.
With nolteneo, you’ll have access to a wide range of planning options and premium design elements
that allow you to customize every aspect of your kitchen. From exclusive fronts to stunning designs, we offer endless possibilities for personalization that will set your kitchen apart from the rest. nolteneo opens up entirely new dimensions in style, materials, and innovation.
And that’s why we think that nolteneo is anything except ordinary!
nolteneo opens up various options for individualizing the kitchen you are planning. For example, neoLODGE brings an appealing aesthetic
to every space, while neoMIRROR enhances the beauty of the kitchen with the reflection effect. Another exciting concept comes with neoGRID, providing striking design elements and a stylish eye-catcher every time.
As always, Xcite has got you covered as you head back to school in style. With different solutions, you can now take advantage of exclusive discounts made specifically for the students to begin their year with an “A”!
A MacBook has never disappointed and you can get yours now with an enticing 8% discount on selected Macbooks as well! Elevate your learning, efficiency and creativity with the cutting-edge features of Apple’s iconic laptops, now more accessible than ever before!
HP is a brand we all grew up with and that’s because they’re trustworthy and now even have a remarkable 20% student discount on chosen HP laptops! Seize the opportunity to enhance your studies and stay connected with the technology for a more enjoyable academic journey.
Xcite handpicked the best Lenovo laptops for students and gave them a 20% discount! Harness the power of innovation and take advantage of the multiple things you can do while enjoying a top-tier Lenovo laptop as you upgrade your study game today!
Transform your study space into a powerhouse of efficiency and quality printing by taking advantage of this opportunity to own a top-notch HP printer and an unbeatable price! Level up your experience today and walk into a world of efficient learning and progress.
Ignite your love for reading with Xcite’s fantastic 15% student discount on Amazon Kindle devices! There are several models to choose from so you can embark on countless literary adventures.
Fuel your printing needs with Xcite’s 10% student discount offers on Canon ink and toner cartridges! Ensure your documents shine with clarity and vibrancy by taking advantage on this chance to stock up on Canon printing supplies.
This is the perfect moment to own a top-of-the-line Canon printer at a magnificent price as you get an incredible 40% student discount on selected Canon printers! Transform your workspace into a hub of productivity and high-quality printing today!
Stay updated on the latest events, monthly promotions and offers by subscribing to the monthly newsletter on xcite.com, follow Xcite’s social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat, @xcitealghanim or Facebook at XcitebyAlghanim and win prizes with contests, or visit the online store at www.xcite.com.
We were watching an old Western where a beauty played by Raquel Welch is taken hostage by a band of robbers. Throughout the movie, they drag her through the desert while they fight off bandits.
What I found amazing was how this gorgeous woman remained naturally groomed and manicured through the whole ordeal. I’m pretty sure my natural look under similar circumstances would not have been as appealing.
In terms of food, what we call “natural” appears to be just as elusive. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the agency that regulates labels on food products, there is, as yet, no formal definition for the term “natural.”
Instead, the FDA has a longstanding policy that “natural” generally means nothing artificial or synthetic has been put into a food that would not normally be expected to be there.
For example, a product that contains synthetic forms of vitamin D cannot claim to to be “natural,” whereas salmon or eggs, which naturally contain vitamin D, can make the claim.
What the term “natural” does not address is how the food was produced, or whether it has any nutrition or health benefit.
Meat and poultry products are regulated by a different government agency — the U.S. Department of Agriculture — which has its own definition of “natural.” According to the USDA, meat, poultry and eggs can carry the “natural” or “all-natural” label if they are minimally processed and contain no artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives.
And don’t confuse those terms with “naturally raised.” This is yet another USDA term for meat and poultry that refers to livestock raised without growth promotants or antibiotics. Naturally raised livestock can also carry the “natural” label if the meat is minimally processed and does not contain any artificial or synthetic ingredients or colors.
If your head isn’t spinning yet, consider the term “healthy” on food labels.
Currently, the FDA allows the claim on a food if it meets specific nutrient-related criteria. That means it must be low in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol
and sodium. And it must also provide at least 10% of the daily value (recommended amounts of nutrients to consume) for at least one of these nutrients: vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein or fiber. Alas, FDA is in the process of updating what can be called “healthy” on food labels. They recognize that people eat food, not nutrients. Don’t ding an avocado for being too high in fat, for example. Most its fats are the healthful monounsaturated and polyunsaturated types, and the healthful food is also low in sodium and high in dietary fiber.
In the meantime, let’s focus on what we already know to be true: Moderate portions of real food balanced from all food groups is about as natural and healthy as you can get.
Time to stock up on notebooks, stationeries and…
Eliminate bacteria and viruses
A recent investment bank research article suggested that generative AI could drive a 7% uptick in global GDP. What if, though, such statements were a kind of category error? What if AI were so transformative that it rendered such concepts as GDP outdated, a relic of a past when we needed blunt instruments for two reasons: firstly, because we lacked the tools to intricately measure the world and secondly, because the world itself was less complex and multifaceted?
GDP masks many of our biggest economic challenges. It doesn’t account for the broader follow-on effects of economic activity; it measures an economy’s total output but overlooks that output’s distribution; it doesn’t capture anything about the quality and variety of goods and services that an economy produces; it doesn’t measure some of the most central aspects of a country’s overall well-being, from citizens’ health to their happiness; finally, GDP doesn’t capture all of the non-market transactions which are such a central part of our lives.
In 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy claimed that GDP measured “everything except that which makes life worthwhile.” Since then, a number of alternative forms of measurement have been proposed, with the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) perhaps the most credible example. It sought to refine GDP by adjusting for both quality of life and environmental impact. Eventually, GPI was discarded—the pull of a widely-understood, easily comparable and expedient measure such as GDP proving too strong.
In the U.K., David Cameron’s government launched the Measuring National Well-Being Program, an attempt to gather data on areas such as health, job satisfaction, and economic security. While the program is still running and has produced a range of interesting insights, its impact has been limited.
This leaves us needing to find ways of updating GDP for the AI revolution. More holistic and inclusive metrics that account for the intangible aspects of economic life are required to fully gauge a country’s growth and prosperity. The world we are measuring is different and the tools at our disposal are different, calling for a revolutionized method of judging economic growth.
AI can help us update the ways we process data and improve efficiency, thereby making GDP (or what we might call AI-GDP) a more dynamic, granular, and, importantly, a more useful tool when judging economic performance. AI could help us capture a much wider range of data with increasing specificity, providing an AI-enhanced measurement that will equate to measuring the world of the present and future.
The informal economy: AI could analyze alternative data sources such as satellite imagery, mobile payments, social media activity, and online marketplaces to estimate the size and dynamics of
the informal economy, which is typically missed by GDP calculations.
Quality improvements: By processing vast amounts of product review data, user feedback, and other qualitative information, AI could develop metrics to measure improvements in the quality of goods and services that may not be reflected in traditional price indices.
Real-time economic activity: AI can analyze high-frequency data such as internet searches and traffic patterns to provide real-time insights into economic activity. This could supplement traditional GDP measurements, which are often subject to delays and revisions.
Non-market activities: By utilizing data from surveys, social media, and other sources, AI could potentially develop estimates of unpaid labor’s value, such as caregiving and household work.
Personal well-being: AI could analyze social media posts, surveys, and other subjective data to create indices that measure emotional well-being, life satisfaction, and other aspects of personal wellbeing. Already, countries like Bhutan use measures like Gross National Happiness (GNH) to capture
these aspects of quality of life. The United Nations has also adopted Mahbub ul-Haq and Amartya Sen’s Human Development Index (HDI), which also seeks to score countries on measures of wellbeing that are not captured by GDP.
Environmental impact: AI can process complex environmental data from multiple sources, enabling the development of indices that measure the environmental sustainability of economic activity.
By continuing to obsessively focus on GDP, we’re failing to acknowledge how radically our world has changed over the past several decades and how dramatically it will continue to change with the tailwind of the AI revolution. Some of these measures already exist, but with these new tools the potential for specificity, granularity, and timeliness increases with every passing day. Measurement is one of the fundamental elements of any economy and we need to ensure that the tools we use to judge performance are at the very cutting-edge of sophistication.
Dry, Curl and Style with the NEW Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler
By bazaar StaffHalf of looking put together is making sure that your hair looks great. Luckily for you, styling your hair just got easier with the launch of the NEW Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler from Revlon, which helps you quickly achieve a variety of salon-worthy styles with less heat damage.
From the family of the fan favorite One-Step Volumizer, Revlon introduced an innovative 3-in-1 tool, the One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler, featuring 3 interchangeable attachments. The volumizer is designed to deliver a variety of salon-worthy hairstyles for maximum versatility: from damp to curls or a bouncy blow-dry in one-step.
After a long and lazy summer, getting ready to go back to university or the office can be tedious, and here’s why we love Revlon’s One-Step BlowDry Multi Styler: Time saving! You can create shiny styles in up to half the time, and with promises of 50% less heat exposure which means there will be less breakage of your hair. It’s gentle on your hair as it dries, curls and styles in just One-Step.
The detachable button on the handle makes it easy and quick to switch between the three attachments. The tool has four heat settings while the 2.5m swivel cord is long and practical to use anywhere. Go from damp hair to loose curls or voluminous blow-dries in one-step thanks to the 3 interchangeable head attachments and One-Step Technology.
The first attachment, a root drying concentrator comb reduces drying time, perfectly prepping the hair for styling.
The brand new to the One-Step collection, 360° vented curling barrel attachment evenly distributes heated air, creating shiny, loose curls with less damage than a traditional curling iron. The 32mm triple ceramic tourmaline coating helps to smooth hair and reduce frizz.
The famous One-Step Volumizer Plus volumizing oval brush, with 64mm ceramic titanium coating for closer to the roots styling and even more volume. Great for all hair types and lengths, this attachment helps you to achieve smooth, longlasting, voluminous results, while helping to reduce frizz and static.
This highly anticipated tool not only works on all hair types and lengths, but its lightweight design and ergonomic handle make drying and styling your hair at home and on the go, oh so easy.
Get your hands on the New Revlon One-Step BlowDry Multi Styler today by visiting roomserviceq8. com and following @beauty_appliances_kuwait on Instagram for great tips and more fabulous beauty tools.
Humans have physically reconfigured half of the world’s land to grow just eight staple crops: maize (corn), soy, wheat, rice, cassava, sorghum, sweet potato, and potato. They account for the vast majority of calories that people around the world consume. As global population rises, there’s pressure to expand production even further.
Humans have physically reconfigured half of the world’s land to grow just eight staple crops: maize (corn), soy, wheat, rice, cassava, sorghum, sweet potato, and potato. They account for the vast majority of calories that people around the world consume. As global population rises, there’s pressure to expand production even further.
Many experts argue that further expanding modern industrialized agriculture—which relies heavily on synthetic fertilizer, chemical pesticides, and high-yield seeds—isn’t the right way to feed a growing world population. In their view, this approach isn’t sustainable ecologically or economically, and farmers and scientists alike feel trapped within this system.
How can societies develop a food system that meets their needs and is also more healthy and diverse? It has proved hard to scale up alternative methods, such as organic farming, as broadly as industrial agriculture.
In a recent study, we considered this problem from our perspectives as a computer scientist and a crop scientist. We and our colleagues Bryan Runck, Adam Streed, Diane R. Wang, and Patrick M. Ewing proposed a way to rethink how agricultural systems are designed and implemented, using a central idea from computer science—abstraction— that summarizes data and concepts and organizes them computationally, so we can analyze and act upon them without having to constantly examine their internal details.
Modern agriculture intensified over just a few decades in the mid-20th century—a blink of an eye in human history. Technological improvements led the way, including the development of synthetic fertilizer and statistical methods that improved plant breeding.
These advances made it possible for farms to produce much larger quantities of food, but at the expense of the environment. Large-scale agriculture has helped drive climate change, polluted lakes and bays with nutrient runoff, and accelerated species losses by turning natural landscapes into monoculture crop fields.
When computer scientists think about complex problems, they often use a concept called a state space. This approach mathematically represents all of the possible ways in which a system can
be configured. Moving through the space entails making choices, and those choices change the state of the system, for better or worse.
As an example, consider a game of chess with a board and two players. Each configuration of the board at a moment in time is a single state of the game. When a player makes a move, it shifts the game to another state.
The whole game can be described by its “state space”—all possible states the game could be in through valid moves the players make. During the game, each player is searching for states that are better for them.
We can think of an agricultural system as a state space in a particular ecosystem. A farm and its layout of plant species at any moment in time represent one state in that state space. The farmer is searching for better states and trying to avoid bad ones.
Viewing an agricultural system as a state space makes it possible to broaden choices for farmers beyond the limited options today’s farming systems offer.
Individual farmers don’t have the time or ability to do trial and error for years on their land. But a computing system can draw on agricultural knowledge from many different environments and schools of thought to play a metaphorical chess game with nature that helps farmers identify the best options for their land.
Conventional agriculture limits farmers to a few choices of plant species, farming methods, and inputs. Our framework makes it possible to consider higher-level strategies, such as growing multiple crops together or finding management techniques that are best suited to a particular
piece of land. Users can search the state space to consider what mix of methods, species, and locales could achieve those goals.
For example, if a scientist wants to test five crop rotations—raising planned sequences of crops on the same fields—that each last four years, growing seven plant species, that represents 721 potential rotations. Our approach could use information from long-term ecological research to help find the best potential systems to test.
One area where we see great potential is intercropping—growing different plants in a mixture or close together. Many combinations of specific plants have long been known to grow well together, with each plant helping the others in some way.
The most familiar example is the “three sisters”—maize, squash, and beans—developed by Indigenous farmers of the Americas. Corn stalks act as trellises for climbing bean vines, while squash leaves shade the ground, keeping it moist and preventing weeds from sprouting. Bacteria on the bean plants’ roots provide nitrogen, an essential nutrient, to all three plants.
We are working to turn our framework into software that people can use to model agriculture as state spaces. The goal is to enable users to consider alternative designs based upon their intuition, minimizing the costly trial and error that’s now required to test out new ideas in farming.
Today’s approaches largely model and pursue optimizations of existing, often unsustainable systems of agriculture. Our framework enables discovery of new systems of agriculture and then optimization within those new systems.
ESR’s newest MagSafe 3-in-1 charging station can wirelessly charge the latest iPhone (at its full 15-watt potential) along with your AirPods and Apple Watch. It’s integrated with the company’s CryoBoost cooling technology to make sure your device don’t overheat, too.
The AnkerMake M5 can crank out complex objects at best-in-class speed, including elaborate ones that use multiple filament materials. The splurgeworthy product is also elegant and easy to operate via a touchscreen and a companion app.
Twelve South released a more affordable version of its popular Curve laptop stand. It’s looks almost identical to the Curve, but it has a threepiece design that snaps together (instead of a one piece design) and only comes in one silver finish.
This tiny laptop accessory by OXO can keep your laptop spotless. The affordable gadget packs a microfiber pad and a retractable soft brush. The microfiber pad mentioned above is handy for removing smudges from the screen of a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or any other gadget. On the other hand, the brush makes cleaning a keyboard fast and effortless.
The Wyze Battery Cam Pro is a battery-powered smart home camera with a unique feature: it’s capable of continuous recording even when running solely on battery. So if your power goes out, the camera won’t miss a beat (until its battery needs recharging).
The Ekster Parliament is a smart bifold wallet with RFID coating (to protect against identity theft) and a patented mechanism that ejects cards from its aluminum storage pocket with the press of a button. It has space for at least ten cards, as well as a strap for carrying cash and receipts.
Source: bestproducts.com
By bazaar Staff
We love our skincare and while we are always excited to try new things, we all still have our favorites at The Body Shop that we always keep on our dresser because they work every time, are good for our skin inside and out, as well as are environmentally friendly. We’ve rounded up the top 6 and are sharing them with you today.
Makeup. It’s tough stuff – foundation, lipstick, waterproof mascara. And it gets even tougher when you try to take it off. Thankfully, The Body Shop’s Cleansing Butter can help dissolve makeup in under 30 seconds, so you can make time for more important things. Not only will this cleanser help to remove your makeup, but it helps to cleanse your skin of SPF, and it’s clinically proven to clear pollution. Made with camomile oil from Norfolk, England and perfect for even the most sensitive skin with the same, trusty formula, but a brand-new look, the Camomile range has had a makeover. The classic recyclable aluminum tin now features a stylish new design. It has also been extended to include new textures and formats, including the One-Step Jelly Cleanser – for those lighter makeup days.
The Body Shop wants you to give yourself a moment to check-out and check-in for some me-time, with the Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask. When your skin needs some extra TLC, use it to exfoliate, absorb excess oil and help draw out dirt and impurities. The brand’s most popular mask, one sells every 26 seconds around the world. Ready to geek out? Science goggles at the ready. Charcoal is the black residue formed when we heat organic matter like wood or bamboo. But technically speaking, in beauty products we use ‘activated charcoal’. What is this and what does it mean for our glorious skin? This means it’s been treated, usually with steam to increase its absorbency. The clever organic material acts like blutack for dirt, so it’s incredibly useful if you want to cleanse and help your skin to feel purified.
Formerly known as Drops of Youth, the new and improved Edelweiss reflects The Body Shop’s vision of Changemaking Beauty by moving away from antiageing beauty ideals. The Body Shop brings the strength and resilience of the natural world to your skin with Edelweiss. Combining edelweiss extract with natural origin peptides, hyaluronic acid and Community Fair Trade moringa seed oil, the Daily Serum Concentrate helps to unlock the five signs of resilient skin, so your skin looks and feels: stronger, smoother, fresher, bouncier and plumper. In fact, edelweiss extract has 43% more antioxidant power than retinol. The non-sticky, fast-absorbing formula forms an invisible layer over your skin to help protect it from indoor and outdoor pollution (perfect for all you city types), which can lead to dehydration and dullness. It’s also vegan certified and helps protect and maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Sourced from Mount Kenya and steam-distilled within 12 hours of harvesting to ensure the highest-quality oil, The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Oil has immense power. It works with your skin so you can target blemishes, feel in control and live beautifully confident every day. It’s lightweight and so refreshing
you can smell it. But the only thing you can feel is the power of this natural wonder of Tea Tree working on your skin. Tea Tree is known for its naturally antibacterial power. The Body Shop works with its expert supplier to create an intensely purifying oil which is proven to help fight blemishes. Enriched with hand harvested tea tree oil from Mount Kenya, as part of The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade program.
Introducing The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum, a radiancereviving superhero to help achieve the ultimate dewy complexion. The go-to for glow getters, this lightweight serum is clinically proven to tackle uneven skin tone and increase skin radiance. Make this brightening superstar part of your morning and evening routine! A radiance-reviving serum to help enhance your natural glow so you can go out and create a brighter world. Now includes 10% Vitamin C and naturally derived Bakuchiol. Part of The Body Shop’s recently renovated Vitamin C range, which is now one of the brand’s top selling skincare lines. Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and texture, as well as improve the appearance of skin radiance.
A cross-generational hero, and a skincare rite of passage, with 48hr hydration for all skin types and all ages, it leaves you feeling empowered to take on the world. Popular since flares were in fashion, The Body Shop’s iconic Vitamin E Moisture Day Cream was first unveiled in the 1970’s. This wonder cream is made with two hydration heroes: hyaluronic acid and vitamin E and it promises to deliver happy, healthy looking and hydrated skin for 48 hours. Hyaluronic acid might sound a little, well, technical, but it’s simply a natural-occurring molecule that retains 1000X its weight in water, keeping skin plump with moisture.
Find these most loved products at The Body Shop in stores and online at thebodyshop.com.kw. Follow the @thebodyshopkuwait on Instagram to
Narrator is a personal biographer who writes your memoirs. All you have to do is talk to Narrator about your photos, and watch as your moments turn into lasting memories!
An intuitive and lightweight torrent client designed for Android devices. With this application, you can effortlessly download and play torrents directly on your smartphone or tablet.
With Limonfy, you will be able to easily and securely save any Link/URL from the website you need. Additionally, you can download the App to manage the Links you save, and you can create collections or subcollections to organize the saved links.
Easy Password Tool SGP App is a password generate program for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It is designed to make unique password for every websites by your master password.
Motiv8 let you blend task organizer with a feed of ready-to-use lists on lifestyle topics. You can create new list with GPT or break down any complex task. Launched globally, with a U.S. focus.
Colorific helps you create contrasting and harmonious color palettes. ·Create - Generate a wonderful color palette with only one click. By giving the range of Hue, Chroma, and Tone to personalize your color scheme.
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By bazaar Staff
Founded in 1990, Bath & Body Works has been a disruptor in the fragrance industry for over 30 years. Led by its mission to make the world a brighter and happier place through the power of fragrance, the global leader in personal care and home fragrance products. With a massive fragrance portfolio, including over 250 new-to-the-world fragrances launched in 2022 alone and some of America’s most beloved scents, Bath & Body Works is the destination for discovering new and iconic scents to bring to every aspect of consumers’ lives.
As a trusted fragrance authority, Bath & Body Works is celebrating the upcoming grand opening to announce its newest collection of fragrances designed to help customers find the scent they identify with most through an expansion its Gingham fragrance portfolio and its ‘Find Your Gingham’ campaign. A recent study conducted by the retailer, polling 2,500 fragrance customers, revealed 52% consider scent a part of their identity. As part of the campaign, on August 29, Bath & Body Works will launch four brand new fragrances, each one inspired by and sharing a key fragrance note with the original Gingham fragrance, while offering a new take and olfactive profile that gives customers the unique opportunity to discover their personal Gingham pick. Customers are also encouraged to share their individual choice from the Gingham collection on social media using #FindYourGingham.
The original Gingham is a fragrance that was created in 2019 to embody everything customers love about Bath & Body Works — a fresh, vibrant, and happy blend of blue freesia, white peach, fresh clementine, violet and clean musk. A year later, in 2022, Bath & Body Works introduced the first addition to its Gingham portfolio, Gingham Love, a sweet, warm and blushingly happy blend of sugared red berries, blushing freesia and rose meringue.
The new launches include:
Gingham Gorgeous, featuring notes of pink strawberries, peach nectar, and blooming peonies, like a bouquet of flowers in every room of your home.
Gingham Fresh, featuring fragrance notes of juicy pear, sparkling clementine, and fresh daisies, reminiscent of an afternoon walk in fields of green.
Gingham Vibrant, featuring notes of wild blackberry, candied violet and soft vanilla, like a taste of lush berries on a perfect, sunny day.
Gingham Legend, featuring notes of rich oak, bergamot, and sandalwood reserve, like a quiet library lined with oak shelves.
‘Find Your Gingham’ at Bath & Body Works launches in stores and online at https://empli.fi/bathandbodyworksarabia/ beginning August 29. Connect with Bath and Body works on Instagram and Facebook @bathandbodyworksarabia and @BBWMENA on twitter.
Album: GUTS
Release Date: 8 September 2023
Two years after giving us “SOUR”, the three-time GRAMMY winner is giving us “GUTS”!
We all know you were singing “drivers license” at the top of your lungs when it first came out, and now she’s about to ruin us again. May we survive this cuffing season.
Artist: James Blake
Album: Playing Robots into Heaven
Release Date: 8 September 2023
After giving us the masterpiece that is “Friends That Break Your Heart” in 2021, we can’t wait for his next album. Based on the singles released, these tracks are easily James Blake’s biggest stylistic shift in years and we’re not mad at it. If you enjoy a blend of experimental electronic soul music, mark your calendars and give it a listen!
Artist: Laufey
Album: Bewitched
Release Date: 8 September 2023
Laufey’s voice makes you feel like you’re in a Disney movie. She’s leading a revival of jazz in this day and age with her fusion of bossa nova and jazz influences that have this fluttery classical feel to it. With each note, she transports listeners into a realm where the past and present harmonize seamlessly. She truly demonstrates all the makings of a star!
Artist: Bakar
Album: Halo
Release Date: 1 September 2023
Fresh from releasing his latest single, ‘Alive!’ which was fueled by post-punk bass lines and a gritty London-infused sound, British artist Bakar announces his highly-anticipated second album Halo! If you’re into experimental indie rock, you have to check him out!
Sources: wikipedia.com
Al Boom Steak and Seafood Restaurant delivers a five-star dining experience steeped in local history
By bazaar Staff
The burning question on our minds lately: What makes a restaurant iconic? Could it be one dish that crowns any given establishment with this lasting depiction, a restaurant’s location, or maybe its customer retention rate, perhaps? We found our answer at Radisson Blu Hotel, aboard the majestic Al Boom Dhow, where steak and seafood are not mere offerings, but rather a masterful symphony of flavors that pay homage to the region’s flavors while celebrating the finest quality meats on this side of the Gulf.
You are immersed in Kuwait’s seafaring history from the moment you set eyes on the stunning dhow. Built in Calicut, India in 1979, the Al Boom Restaurant is set upon an exact replica of the wooden dhows which sailed the azure waters of the Arabian Sea until the start of the twentieth century.
It was the year 1980 and as if choreographed by destiny itself, the majestic vessel docked in Kuwait’s harbor, perfectly timed to coincide with the grand unveiling of the Radisson Blu Hotel. Just two years later, in 1982, the enchanting Al Boom Restaurant opened its doors, like an opulent treasure chest awaiting discovery. With an ambiance woven from the finest threads of wooden grandeur and adorned with hints of burnished copper, it offers a maritime tapestry that dances with individuality. Across the passage of time, Al Boom has onboarded and delighted a procession of luminaries – from dignified sheikhs to eminent presidents and venerable senators. And for those of us who grew up in Kuwait, a visit to Al Boom Restaurant for special occasions makes for a lasting imprint. This is why, for newcomers and locals alike, a visit to this regal haven of fine dining and an illustrious legacy of upscale hospitality is an experience that is not to be missed.
Embark on an epicurean odyssey across the globe with a menu spearheaded by Chef Mehmet that reads like a passport to culinary brilliance. We appreciated the menu’s smart balance between classic flavors, so you get exactly what you expect from a traditional steak and seafood restaurant, while also cleverly weaving in regional flavors into specific plates to tantalize the palate. With flavors inspired by the palates of India, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, the menu at Al Boom Restaurant celebrates the finest fare in seafood and steak. For meat connoisseurs, a divine ensemble of succulence awaits, featuring prime cuts of Certified Angus Beef and the velvety opulence of Australian Wagyu, a carnivore’s reverie carved into reality. Dive into the maritime splendor of the seafood section, where shrimp, lobster, and a captivating cast of oceanic delights take center stage. Each of these gastronomic gems is meticulously curated, where the skillful chefs of Radisson Blu Hotel weave their culinary enchantment, bestowing upon us a feast like no other.
For our visit, Chef Mehmet literally pulled out all the stops. Celebrating the classic Lobster Bisque, we dove our spoons into a tantalizing display of delicate Lobster pieces swimming in the most delicious broth. We appreciated how the broth didn’t overpower the beautiful pieces of Omani Lobster flesh, and noticed slight hints of spice in the coconut cream-based Bisque.
For our appetizers, the culinary foray began with a dazzling performance by the delectable applewood Smoked Burrata salad, de-cloched to reveal a bed of heirloom tomatoes, herb salsa, and a deeply flavored aged balsamic reduction. Paying homage to the sea, we enjoyed the Fried Calamari with lemon Aioli and olive tapenade, perfect accompaniments to this delicacy. We also sampled Al Boom’s Courgette Fritters, which pack a flavorful punch when dipped into the Cilantro sauce, and we couldn’t help but feel transported to the busy streets of Mumbai with this Indian street-food-inspired appetizer.
But it’s not a Steak experience without indulging in some beefy delights before your mains arrive. Our palates traveled to the depths of the American South with the Barbecue Short-Rib Flatbread with Sour Cream and Shredded Cheddar! Thick tears of barbecue short rib are stripped and generously scattered over a bread base that can only be described as having a texture that brings pure comfort to the soul. The fresh arugula and pickled red onions add depth of flavor to a satisfying offering, so delightful in fact that you could consider this particular flatbread as its own pizza-like main. With other famously delicious flatbreads stalwart classics on the Al Boom menu, these flatbreads could be a theme night of their own. From BBQ flatbread to the Short Rib Croquettes with Chipotle BBQ Mayo, we appreciated Chef Mehmet’s playful tribute to American BBQ, all aboard the traditional Al Boom. It was time for the piece de resistance, and nothing speaks more truthfully to an establishment that prides itself on steak than an expertly prepared Chateaubriand. Chef Mehmet doesn’t shy away here, for he performs the ceremonial carving of the Certified Angus eye of the tenderloin at our table. Chef Mehmet also doesn’t shy away from butter; the Chateaubriand glistens as it is carved. The steaks basted in the juices before being plated atop an unassuming artistic plate-smear of béarnaise that hides a tang that sharply cuts through the rich, deliciously infused tarragon herb and cream sauce. The side of mashed potatoes has been spared no indulgence either and the dishes feel luxuriously rich in flavor because of it. To cut through the richness of the beef and sauce, we appreciated the smokey char on the fresh Broccolini and Asparagus sides.
Our feast continues as we dove into our seafood entrees. We absolutely fell in love with the Homemade Spaghetti adorned with tender lobster meat. This culinary masterpiece is lovingly cradled in a velvety embrace of creamy tomato sauce, a marriage of textures and flavors that dances gracefully upon the palate. Our journey across the seas continued with the sensory journey that is the Seabass in Papillotte, a symphony of subtlety and artistry. This regal fish is ensconced within the heart of a clay oven, where it bakes to perfection. Accompanied by the vibrant companionship of sun-kissed tomatoes and the delicate whisper of spring onions, each bite unveils a harmonious concerto of taste, a testament to the finesse of culinary craftsmanship of the Chefs at Al Boom Steak and Seafood Restaurant.
Just when we thought we couldn’t indulge any further, a dazzling display of desserts arrived at our table. From the Real Profiterole, pillowy light and crispy Choux pastry filled with aromatic vanilla ice cream and velvety hot chocolate sauce, the Saffron-infused and Pistachio-laden hearty Um Ali to the vibrant Vanilla cream Brulee enlivened by a zesty orange tuile, our hearts and souls were full.
Al Boom marks an iconic celebration of accomplishment, life, and culinary enchantment. We enjoyed every moment of dining aboard the majestic Dhow, and with the winter season soon upon us, on-deck outdoor dining will be available soon!
Al Boom Steak and Seafood Restaurant is located at the Radisson Blu Kuwait Hotel. For more information, please visit @alboom_kuwait and @radissonblukuwait on Instagram.
September Movies
Release Date: 7 September
Genre: Horror, Thriler
Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Bonnie Aarons
Synopsis: 1956 - France. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to the worldwide smash hit follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun.
Release Date: 14 September
Genre: Crime, Drama
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly
Synopsis: In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.
Release Date: 14 September
Genre: Thriller
Cast: Kate Bosworth, Andrea Abreu
Synopsis: A police detective suffering from cancer makes a deal with an informant to get killed in the line of duty, so his family can receive the hefty death benefits from the department.
Release Date: 14 September
Genre: Animation, Action
Cast: Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Ayo Edebiri
Synopsis: After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts.
Date: 21 September
Genre: Adventure, Action
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Megan Fox, 50 Cent
Synopsis: A new generation of stars join the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles.
Date: 28 September
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Cast: Maria Romanillos, Ruth Diaz
Synopsis: After the strange behavior displayed by teenager Laura Villegas, her parents call a Vaticansanctioned exorcist to intervene in the case of demonic possession. From then on, a series of strange phenomena will disturb the family.
Source: cinescape.com.kw
By bazaar Staff
Indian street food is a tantalizing symphony of flavors that ignite the senses and celebrate culinary diversity. Taking inspiration from the bustling streets of Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kerala, Punjab, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Delhi, Asha’s presents a limited-time menu that will tantalize your tastebuds! We headed down to Asha’s by the scenic lake at The Boulevard for a feast for the senses. Complemented by a delightful Lassi Drinks menu, it was an indulgent afternoon of Chaat and Paratha galore!
of sweetness. And then there’s the Papdi Chaat, a delightful mosaic of crispy dough wafers, yogurt, tangy chutneys, and aromatic spices, all of which create a harmonious dance of textures and tastes. These iconic Indian street food creations capture the essence of Mumbai’s culinary tapestry, offering a journey through a spectrum of flavors that are as diverse as they are delicious. There’s also the Chennai-inspired Chicken Cutlet, delicately flavored with micro herb.
We also tried the Pav Bhaji, a beloved street food originating from the bustling city of Mumbai, India. This culinary delight hit the spot with the toasted butter Pao’s, the perfect accompaniment to the vibrant medley of curried mashed vegetables that is the Bhaji. The Bhaji is the star of the show, crafted from a mixture of mashed vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, peas, carrots, and capsicum (bell peppers). This medley is sautéed with a fragrant blend of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, infusing the dish with an
enticing aroma and a hint of warmth. From Mumbai, our tastebuds traveled to Kolkata, where Paneer is beautifully celebrated in the Chilli Garlic Paneer dish, classic cottage cheese tossed with onion, pepper, and a punchy chili garlic sauce. Slightly sweet, with a warm kick of spice, our palates were dancing with joy at this point. For chicken lovers, Asha’s Street Food of India Limited Time Menu also offers a chicken rendition of the same dish.
The main dishes from Asha’a limited-time Street Food of India menu are very heartwarming and morish. We opted for two offerings which stood out to us the most: The Delhi’s Choley Poori and the Punjab Railway Chicken Curry. We absolutely fell in love with the Choley Poori. This dish arrives from the heart of Delhi’s bustling streets as a culinary revelation. Tender chickpeas, simmered to perfection in a medley of aromatic spices, create a rich and flavorful base. This delectable concoction is accompanied by golden-fried pooris – delicate, puffed bread that serves as the perfect vessel to scoop up the savory goodness, offering a blend of textures and tastes that captures the essence of Delhi’s vibrant street food culture. We couldn’t have enough of the beautiful fried Poori bread!
As for the Railway Chicken Curry, we were told by Asha’s friendly staff that the inspiration for this dish comes from the heart of Punjab. This chicken
curry featured a tomato gravy base, with a careful blend of aromatic spices used to enhance the succulent pieces of chicken to deliver a bite that is both robust and comforting at the same time. We loved the presentation of the Railway Chicken Curry, served in a traditional dabbas, with a heartful serving of white basmati rice and chopped salad.
To cool down our palates as we indulged, we had glass after glass of refreshing Lassi. With incredibly fresh summer renditions like Watermelon to Pomegranate spice, a visit to Asha’s is a must simply to try them out! We enjoyed Watermelon, Date & Banana and a delicious Gulab Jamun and Rose flavored Lassi which could be a filling dessert, all on its own.
At Asha’s, we truly dove into a kaleidoscope of flavors and aromas with their limited-time Street Food of India Menu. And while we can’t just pick up and fly off to India to indulge in the country’s diverse food heritage, a visit to Asha’s will give you an immersive and authentic experience that brings the bustling markets and vibrant culture of India right to your taste buds.
For more information, please visit Asha’s website ashame.com and follow @Ashasmiddleeast on Instagram for the latest updates.
by Kate Quinn, Fiction
San Francisco, 1906. In a city bustling with newly minted millionaires and scheming upstarts, two very different women hope to change their fortunes: Gemma, a golden-haired, silvervoiced soprano whose career desperately needs rekindling, and Suling, a petite and resolute Chinatown embroideress who is determined to escape an arranged marriage. Their paths cross when they are drawn into the orbit of Henry Thornton, a charming railroad magnate whose extraordinary collection of Chinese antiques includes the fabled Phoenix Crown, a legendary relic of Beijing’s fallen Summer Palace. His patronage offers Gemma and Suling the chance of a lifetime, but their lives are thrown into turmoil when a devastating earthquake rips San Francisco apart and Thornton disappears, leaving behind a mystery reaching further than anyone could have imagined . . . until the Phoenix Crown reappears five years later at a sumptuous Paris costume ball, drawing Gemma and Suling together in one last desperate quest for justice.
After Yara is placed on probation at work for fighting with a racist coworker, her Palestinian mother claims the provocation and all that’s come after were the result of a family curse. While Yara doesn’t believe in old superstitions, she finds herself unpacking her strict, often volatile childhood growing up in Brooklyn, looking for clues as to why she feels so unfulfilled in a life her mother could only dream of. Etaf Rum’s follow-up to her 2019 debut, A Woman Is No Man, is a complicated mother-daughter drama that looks at the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma and what it takes to break the cycle of abuse.
by William Kent Krueger, Fiction
On Memorial Day, as the people of Jewel, Minnesota gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many sons in the wars of the past, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries the physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn’s murder but also put to rest the demons from his own past.
by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, Non FictionIn Build the Life You Want, Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey invite you to begin a journey toward greater happiness no matter how challenging your circumstances. Drawing on cutting-edge science and their years of helping people translate ideas into action, they show you how to improve your life right now instead of waiting for the outside world to change. With insight, compassion, and hope, Brooks and Winfrey reveal how the tools of emotional self-management can change your life―immediately. They recommend practical, research-based practices to build the four pillars of happiness: family, friendship, work, and faith. And along the way, they share hardearned wisdom from their own lives and careers as well as the witness of regular people whose lives are joyful despite setbacks and hardship.
It is 1873. Mrs. Eliza Touchet is the Scottish housekeeper—and cousin by marriage—of a once-famous novelist, now in decline, William Ainsworth, with whom she has lived for thirty years. Mrs. Touchet is a woman of many interests: literature, justice, abolitionism, class, her cousin, his wives, this life and the next. But she is also sceptical. She suspects her cousin of having no talent; his successful friend, Mr. Charles Dickens, of being a bully and a moralist; and England of being a land of facades, in which nothing is quite what it seems. Andrew Bogle, meanwhile, grew up enslaved on the Hope Plantation, Jamaica. He knows every lump of sugar comes at a human cost. That the rich deceive the poor. And that people are more easily manipulated than they realize. When Bogle finds himself in London, star witness in a celebrated case of imposture, he knows his future depends on telling the right story.
by Ken Follett, Fiction
The Spinning Jenny was invented in 1770, and with that, a new era of manufacturing and industry changed lives everywhere within a generation. A world filled with unrest wrestles for control over this new world order: A mother’s husband is killed in a work accident due to negligence; a young woman fights to fund her school for impoverished children; a well-intentioned young man unexpectedly inherits a failing business; one man ruthlessly protects his wealth no matter the cost, all the while war cries are heard from France, as Napoleon sets forth a violent master plan to become emperor of the world. As institutions are challenged and toppled in unprecedented fashion, ripples of change ricochet through our characters’ lives as they are left to reckon with the future and a world they must rebuild from the ashes of war.
Source: Goodreads.com
You will want to spend time with your children, who will be very happy and you will have a lot of fun together. If you don’t have children, it would be a shame not to use this mood, so offer babysitting help to your friends, who will certainly appreciate it. If you and your partner are planning a family, now is the time. During this period you will be very sociable, and at the same time, your love for animals and your desire to help them will increase.
You will feel the need to change the home environment; hence you will embark on the reconstruction of the apartment with great enthusiasm, or you will at least do a big clean, which you have been planning for a long time. When it comes to relationships, you will find yourself in a situation that makes you jealous.
This month, you will be led astray, especially in your love life. It is because you will meet someone who will provoke a wave of hormones in you, and those of you who are currently in a partnership might be fighting the idea of cheating on your partner. This will bring out the question of whether you are actually happy in your current relationship or not. There is a reason for that person to appear in your life, and you will need to find out why.
You will be able to use your potential mainly in group activities, for example, volleyball is a good choice for you. Try to find a free weekend, organize an afternoon with your friends and play some ball games together. You will also radiate a natural authority and charm that will amaze your close people and complete strangers. You will be good at transferring information, that will be very easy for you this month, you will be especially with kids.
At the beginning of the month, inattention will take over. Your time management will be quite poor, and you will not manage to do most things you plan. It is about time to start thinking about your effectiveness and priorities because you will start losing track of what you actually want. Talk to someone close to you and who you trust and try to figure it out together.
AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18
You will be very volatile this month, and you will find yourself in a phase of searching for sexual satisfaction. But be careful not to hurt anyone because you will have tendencies to do it. Regarding your partnership, you will not meet anyone for a serious relationship this month. You will be quite unbounded, and that will manifest in the way you present yourself in your social life. You will become a perfect entertainer which will become your strength in your team at work as well.
PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19
The weather changes and the number of duties will negatively influence you, and you will feel stressed; you might even tend to go into some depressive states. Your task for this month is to reach mental harmony and to care about their health and a good quality diet. This could prevent you from some digestive issues which you will be prone to this month.
ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19
Since you will not worry about anything during this period, everything will go smoothly. Even conflicts at work won’t bother you; on the contrary, at least you can practice diplomatic problem-solving. You will also be very successful in strengthening relationships during this period, so don’t be afraid to contact old friends, invite them to dinner and revive your friendship.
TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20
When it comes to personal life, you will find yourself in many situations where you will have to make crucial decisions. You may feel physically tired, but in reality, it will be caused by excessive thinking and drowning in depression and insecurity. Therefore, let things flow and don’t let your problems engulf you. This month will not be an easy time for you, but try to push yourself and overcome it; there are better days ahead.
Many duties will pile up, and you will get into a hustle when you no longer enjoy anything. Therefore, you better not unnecessarily embark on mentally demanding activities during this period, and you rather plan a weekend in wellness or nature with your friends. During this period, you will long for being alone so that you can free your mind and get your priorities straight, and your spark will ignite again.
You will long for a hug, closeness and reassurance that you are being loved. However, this need should not engulf you, and you should rather work on self-love. In this period, the most important thing will be to reassure yourself that you have your own value and do things the way you feel. You will close up and meditate this month, don’t expect big changes. Finding inner peace should be the most important thing.
During this month, you will reveal a musical talent that you should definitely start developing. Try to enroll in a music course, such as singing or playing a musical instrument; you will broaden your horizons and satisfy your creative spirit. This month, also culinary skills will awaken, and you will start experimenting with different recipes. But avoid sweet foods because your body will be prone to being overweight. It is better to pay attention to a sufficient supply of vegetables and a water intake.
