Asmaa Abulyazid: From El-Anesa Farah to Egypt's Sweetheart, February 2020 Issue, Identity Magazine

FEBRUARY 2020 - 20LE WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

The NonRomantics’ Retreat!

EASY WINTER OUTFITS

&

CELEB-INSPIRED OUTFITS

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SMAA BULYAZEID

From El-Anesa Farah to Egypt’s Sweetheart Tantalizing Guide to Chocolate

MODERN ROMANCE Book Review

Check page 46

THE V-DAY GIFT GUIDE

VALENTINE’S TOP PICKS

LASTING MEMORIES THIS

Valentine’s Day AT GRAND NILE TOWER

Live entertainment, sparkling stars, and breathtaking views.

The ultimate ingredients to a romance filled dining experience at the Revolving Restaurant on the 41st floor or aboard Marquise, Grand Nile Tower’s private boat.

Compliment the magical night with a memorable stay in one of our luxurious suites or rooms overlooking the spectacular Nile River.

We guarantee you a Valentine’s Day to remember!

For details and further information, please contact us on +2011 5955 0330.

Grand Nile Tower, Corniche El-Nil, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt Tel. +202 23651234 Fax. +202 23621927 Email: info@grandniletower.com www.grandniletower.com

identity

LETTER

letter

from the editor

V

alentine’s Day is so overrated, yes, you read that right. Do we really need a designated day created by shrewd marketers to show our significant others that we care? The consumerism culture has commercialized love and turned it into a social and financial obligation that some of us just dread. Don’t fall into the trap of dressing up for the occasion, buying the most lavish gift and going out on a fancy date for one day just because society expects you to, and forget about the remaining 364 days of the year. Make every day Valentine’s Day; express your love to your partner all year round through simple acts of gratitude and affection, and also kind gestures, because you really want to.

Show you truly care on Valentine’s Day and every day.

Rola Kamel

Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s lifestyle, helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities.

Published by Beezarre Publishing Ltd. Themistokli Dervi, 6 Papyros Building, 4th Floor, Flat/Office D5 – P.c 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus.

The subscription rate is 240 L.E./year (12 issues) through Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Printing House: Distribution by AL AHRAM Website: QPIX SOLUTIONS Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com

IDENTITYMAGEG

4 February 2020

identity

MASTHEAD

FEBRUARY 2020

Founder & Managing Editor Rola Kamel Editor-in-Chief Nawal Ismail Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer Alia El Abd Senior Graphic Designer Sandy Saied Copy-Editor Amina El Fayoumy Staff Writers Aya Aboshady Nanise Mohamed Nada Abd ElKader Freelance Writer Joanna Neve Relationship Expert Marwa Rakha Food Writer Soha Darwish Marketing & Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Digital Marketing Manager Youssef Ali Sales Mohamed Magdy Social Media Specialist Fatma Ayman Video Editor Ahmed Mostafa Identity Magazine Distributor Ashraf Fouad 6 February 2020

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identity

CONTENTS

8 Editor’s Picks 10 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Chocolate Edition 11 Which Fictional Couple is Your Relationship?

12 Get the Celebrity Date Night Makeup Look 14 Let Your Hair Shine on Your Valentine’s Date Night!

16 Celebrity Inspired Valentine’s Day Outfits 20 Easy Winter Outfits For Business and Pleasure 22 Valentine’s Day Top Picks 24 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide For Him and Her 26 Asmaa Abulyazeid: From El-Anesa Farah to Egypt’s Sweetheart 36 What Makes a Relationship Successful?

38 V-Day Your Way: Treat Yourself this Valentine’s Day 40 The Practical Woman’s Guide to Valentine’s Day 42 Have a Special Valentine’s Day with Your Partner!

44 On Valentine’s... A Special Dinner for Your ‘Bae’ and ‘Beau’!

46 Modern Romance: An Investigation by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg 48 Travel Guide 50 Winter Getaways 52 Advertorial 54 Press Releases 60 Horoscopes

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SMAA BULYAZEID

From El-Anesa Farah to Egypt’s Sweetheart

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8 February 2020

Photography: Yousra Fawzy Art Direction: Alia Elabd Stylist: Maria Fathy MUA: Agneszka Hoscilo Hair Stylist: Rabie Mrad Location: Grand Nile Tower Hotel

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CELEBRATE, EAT, LOVE Treat your loved one to a special Valentine’s with a royal twist. Intense aromas, rich flavors and enchanting tunes dominate the dining scene at Torii. Be prepared for an “all you can eat” delicious array of sushi.

Indulge in romantic luxury at Saraya Gallery with a selection of signature dishes and an open appetizer bar filled with myriads of French hors d’oeuvres. Relish in a wide variety of cocktails with true English Pub vibes at Harry’s Pub. Escape the cold for a sunny stay with a delectable BBQ brunch buffet at Garden Promenade Café. Whisk your loved one away to this fairytale Palace promising memorable nights and a signature spa experience at the iconic Saray Spa. We guarantee blissfulness this Valentine’s Day.

16 S A R AY E L G E Z I R A S T. , P O B OX 33 Z A M A L E K , C A I R O 11211 , EGY P T. T: 0 0 . 2 0 2 . 27. 2 8 . 3 0 0 0 C A I R O M A R R I OT T H OT E L .C O M A R A B I C . M A R R I OT T.C O M /C A I EG

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CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY A sexy, fresh oriental fragrance that recalls the irreplacable spirit of the young Coco Chanel. Spray lightly morning and evening on pulse points at the base of the throat and inner wrists.

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ESSIE BLUE GRAY A deep navy blue with a touch of grey. Navy is on trend, while the cool grey undertone is simply the best. Essie’s Bobbing for Baubles is a midnight blue with a touch of graphite grey, giving it serenity.

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ALL THE WAYS WE SAID GOODBYE The New York Times bestselling authors of The Glass Ocean and The Forgotten Room return with a glorious historical adventure that moves from the two World Wars to the 1960s, in which three women with bruised hearts find refuge at Paris’s legendary Ritz Hotel.

4 Picks 6

editor’s

CHAIN DETAIL LOAFER-STYLE PUMPS Combining two trends in one, Prada’s chainaccented loafer pumps work just as well for the office as they do with a pair of jeans on the weekend.

10 February 2020

YSL ROUGE VOLUPTÉ ROCK’N SHINE LIPSTICK This lipstick meets balm gives a subtle, wearable shimmer. The formula features a star shaped core packed with pearls for iridescent shine.

MAYA TORQUE AQUAMARINE & GOLD BANGLE The new Maya Torque bangle has the blues.

Dive into the Caribbean with this latest blue and bejewelled twist on their classic design.

L’OREAL MATTE SIGNATURE LIQUID DIP EYELINER Show off your colour signature with L’Oreal Paris’s waterproof dip eyeliner. Easy application for matte, vivid lines. Formulated for all-day wear.

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3 El Tayaran St. Nasr City - Cairo, Egypt

T: +202.2264.1111

reservations@sonestacairo.com

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT GUIDE:

The Chocolate Edition

by Nanise Mohamed

What’s a great gift you could give to your favorite work buddy that can still be romantic enough to offer your loved one too? None other than chocolate. Here’s a guide to the best chocolate brands around; from classic shapes and flavours to playful new designs!

PATCHI

THE BATTER HALF & CO

Patchi is always the safe choice we resort to whenever we’re in doubt. You can never go wrong with their original flavors and designs!

How about choosing the best bakery in town to get your loved one a chocolate cake or brownies made with love?

SALE SUCRE

GODIVA

Want to get creative? Our favorite patisserie offers some great customizable chocolate jars to meet your every style.

Only care to go the classic route? Godiva is definitely the way to go. It doesn’t get any better than their rich chocolate and delicate shapes.

HOUSE OF COCOA

LA POIRE

Is there any chocolate better than Belgian chocolate? Doubtful. The many treats House of Cocoa has to offer can all make a great Valentine’s Day gift.

One of Egypt’s best pastry chains that we just love so much, and we bet you do too, is La Poire. For Valentine’s Day, they make all kinds of chocolate themed gifts that you don’t want to miss!

12 February 2020

WHICH FICTIONAL COUPLE IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

by Nada Abdelkader 1. WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER SPEND YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY? A. going out and about in town and hitting the trendiest It-spots B. indoors with a romantic, candlelit dinner and perfect-for-slow-dancing music all around C. in a spot that you regularly hang out in because of the casualness and relaxed ambience D. on board a dinner cruise, so you could have a classic dinner and watch a show 2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU TWO BEEN TOGETHER? A. under the one-year mark B. over the three-year mark C. somewhere between one and two years D. exactly on the one-year mark 3. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL GRAND GESTURE OF ALL TIME? A. John Cusack holding the boombox in ‘Say Anything’ B. Mr. Darcy proposing to Elizabeth in the rain in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ C. Monica proposing to Chandler in ‘Friends’ D. Amelie orchestrating a scavenger hunt for Nino in ‘Amelie’

Results

4. WHICH FICTIONAL COUPLE DESERVED TO MAKE IT? A. Serena and Nate from ‘Gossip Girl’ B. Jack and Rose from ‘Titanic’ C. Robin and Barney from ‘How I Met Your Mother’ D. Jackie and Hyde from ‘That 70’s Show’ 5. OUT OF THESE, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR PARTNER? A. their raw sense of humor B. their unbelievable charm and wit C. their intelligence and aloof façade D. their commitment to their ideals

Mostly D’s: The Ross and Rachel Your relationship has been in the works for such a long time, it turned into a favorite will-they-won’tthey debate between your mutual friends. Don’t worry, this isn’t bad. This just means that when you two finally got together, it was every bit the magical fairytale romance everyone was dying to see!

Mostly B’s: The Gomez and Morticia Addams You’ve been a couple for quite some time, but don’t worry the spark between you two is anything but stale! In fact, it’s so inspiring many other couples tend to go to you for advice and double dates. Your love is so fervent, you already have a horde of ideas on how to spend your Valentine’s.

Mostly C’s: The Jim and Pam The classic friends-turned-lovers never fails, especially if you were already the type of friends that saw eye-to-eye on most things. Your relationship only differs now because you may act lovey-dovey from time to time, but it’s never cringey—only cute and kind of desirable.

Mostly A’s: The Baby and Johnny You’re young and in love and feeling it, aren’t you? There’s no way to put it except that your relationship is either relatively new or always feels new because of all the excitement you guys go through. Celebrate this Valentine’s by dancing the night away on your favourite dance floor!

Get the Celebrity Date Night Makeup Look

by Aya Aboshady

What are date nights without some makeup action? This Valentine’s Day we strongly advise you to ditch the typical looks and get a celebrity one instead!

And we honestly couldn’t think of a better celebrity with an incredibly suitable date night makeup look than DutchAmerican supermodel Gigi Hadid.

Want to get her date night makeup look and impress your lover? Then carefully follow these steps: #1 EYEBROWS Gigi always has some strong eyebrows, simply because they are basically the frame of the face. So we have to start with them! And at the moment, there are no better products than the contoured-brows-effect Dior Backstage Brow Palette that goes perfectly well with the Glossier clear brow gel for thickness and grooming! #3 CONCEALER For bright under eyes and a nice blemish fix like Gigi’s, the Tarte Shape Tape is a definite go-to to complete the base. And like foundation, it stays in place for as long as you need it to and has a flawless finish that any woman could hardly do without.

14 February 2020

#2 FOUNDATION Date nights are usually long, and they could be anything from a romantic candlelit dinner to a dance off at a club. In both cases, you definitely need a longwear full coverage foundation and we can recommend none better than the Estée Lauder Double Wear!

#4 POWDER To set your base and let the rest of you makeup sit nicely, the Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder from Hourglass is pure magic. It doesn’t only set your makeup; it also makes your face shine with a shimmery finish.

#5 BRONZER Now is the time to add some warmth to the shiny face already. This Clarins Limited Edition Bronzing Compact is perfect for adding some depth to your face with a natural and subtle finish like the one we often see on Gigi’s face!

#6 BLUSH Since it’s Valentine’s, we’re going to need some really intense blush action to add colour to the almost finished look now, and the Tom Ford Cheek Colour in the shade Ravish is just effortlessly blendable, buildable and beautiful for that purpose.

#7 HIGHLIGHTER Gigi hardly goes out without a highlighter that is just as bright as the sun. And we’re pretty sure that there’s none with the same gorgeous effect like the Fenty Beauty Mean Money/Hustla Baby Highlighter from The Killawatt Freestyle Collection.

#8 EYESHADOW Gigi usually applies warm tones with a bit of a sparkle on her eyelids! Which is why we found no better than the Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Palette with all those gorgeous shades to do the job for you!

#9 MASCARA AND EYELINER With the perfect combo of NARS’ Black Stylo Eyeliner and Climax Mascara, you’ll easily achieve the gorgeous Gigi eye makeup look!

#10 LIPSTICK To wrap it all up, a date night wouldn’t be one without beautiful red lipstick like the one Gigi has on. This Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in the shade Tell Laura is just what you need for a glamourous Gigi Hadid-like finished look!

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LET YOUR HAIR SHINE ON YOUR VALENTINE’S

Date Night!

by Aya Aboshady

There’s no doubt that a woman’s hair is one of her most important beauty aspects. But let’s not forget that having it look fabulous on a date night is the actual big deal. Especially if that date night is on Valentine’s Day. Because we know how important your hair is for you, we brought you six different hairstyles to choose from in order to rock the night with your lover!

SHORT LOOSE WAVES If you’re one of the women rocking their short hair, then giving it the natural loose waves look will let you have the combination of both elegant and edgy on Valentine’s Day!

CURLY BOB This one is for all the curly beauties out there! If you want to avoid straightening and overstyling your hair, then do just that and stick to your natural curls but add a twist to them and create a cool and edgy bob look like this one!

16 February 2020

SIDE BUN There’s honestly nothing as sweet looking as a woman in a side bun. Which is why you need to ditch the traditional buns and go for this sophisticated one. We promise you’ll be the star of the show!

LONG AND STRAIGHT

DUTCH BRAID UPDO

If your hair is naturally long or if you have hair extensions, then going with the classic and sleek straightened out hairstyle will add to your beauty on your special date night!

Want to try something different? Bored of the messy buns and the usual formal updos?

No worries! If you really want to catch everyone’s attention wherever you go on Valentine’s Day, then a Dutch braid updo is exactly what you’re looking for!

LAYERED BANGS Layered bangs have been so in the last couple of months. Not only is everyone getting bangs, they’re getting gorgeously layered ones too! So if your hair is mid-length or even long, then getting a layered haircut with some bangs will help you look prettier than you already are on your date night!

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Celebrity Inspired VALENTINE’S DAY OUTFITS

By Joanna Neve

EMERALD This really youthful look radiates stunning emerald tones.

Although Amal is wearing a two-piece set, the look can be easily replicated with an emerald midi dress and matching cream accessories. A strappy cream animal print textured bag goes perfectly with the look and some simple gold drop earrings are a must to finish off the style.

18 February 2020

Zara

Valentine’s is one of the most exciting times of the year. It seems like every clothing store brings out a new dazzling red dress to tempt you with and everyone is hurrying off to date nights and receiving roses on Valentine’s Day. At times though it can be hard to choose what to wear if you have a date, especially if it’s with someone you’ve only just started seeing. Even if you are able to find the right outfit, it can then be hard to work out how to accessorise the look without overdoing it. That’s why we’ve compiled this wonderful selection of celebrity inspired Valentine’s outfits, featuring accessories to match from some of our favourite brands. Of course, we had to include a few iconic red dresses. It’s the month of Valentine’s after all!

BRIGHT AND COLOURFUL FOR AN ART EXHIBITION Fashion Icon and Human Rights Lawyer Amal Clooney has given us many outfit inspirations over the years, with her and George Clooney set to celebrate their 6th wedding anniversary this September. Her iconic date-night look normally features a bold colour with plain accessories to match – a guide to pulling off the brightest of colours. We’ve managed to compile two very similar looks to her infamous date night outfits from Zara, with matching accessories too. They’re both truly magnificent Valentine’s outfits, even if they aren’t red!

YELLOW

Zara

For this look, buy Zara’s bright yellow statement coat which works perfectly with cream thigh-high boots to capture the gaze of everyone in the room. Wear it over the top of an oversized black t-shirt dress. That way, if you take the coat off later in the evening the outfit still looks great. While you could wear a clutch bag like Amal, a larger strap bag is probably more practical and the gold handle matches Zara’s floral gold and black earrings for a really feminine look.

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H&M

ELEGANT AND SOPHISTICATED FOR DINNER IN THE CITY The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, looked stunning in a formal red dress as she hopped off a private jet in Tonga with her husband last year (all whilst pregnant!). The striking red Self-Portrait dress costs around 8,400 EGP, but a very similar look can be achieved at H&M for significantly less. Elegant, sophisticated and classy, this is the dress you’d wear to an exclusive city-view restaurant. For an effortlessly beautiful look, pair the outfit with simple black court heels, a matching clutch bag, gold pearl earrings and minimalist makeup - It’s the perfect evening date outfit.

20 February 2020

This time last year billionaire Kylie Jenner was spotted heading out with her love Travis Scott in a magnificent red outfit, fitting for the month of Valentine’s. She paired the look with nude heels, silver rings and bold red lipstick, most likely from her own lipstick range.

While the incredibly high thigh slit is not overly practical for date nights, a slightly more modest H&M red satin cocktail dress can work wonders for recreating this Valentine’s look. If it’s still on the shorter side, add a long black jacket or opt for a midi satin dress instead. By far the most daring of all the celebrity inspired Valentine’s Day looks; this outfit would require a lot of confidence. Why not give it a try? You can buy the nude heels, silver clutch bag and dangling earrings from H&M too.

H&M

SEXY IN RED FOR AN EVENING OUT

Academy Award winning Egyptian actor Rami Malek always looks amazing on date nights with his girlfriend Lucy Boynton, but we think her style is brilliant too. In this look, she paired a glittery black and gold spotted dress with bright gold shoes and daring eye makeup. You can buy an almost identical sheer textured dress from Next, which is easily paired with plain gold accessories, a black clutch bag and gold heels (of course!). Apply gold eyeshadow in a cut crease shape from Urban Decay’s Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette to finish off the look. When you’re wearing makeup this bold, it becomes part of the outfit!

Next

PLAYFUL AND GLITTERY FOR A DAYTIME DATE

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Easy Winter Outfits for Business & Pleasure

by Nanise Mohamed Knowing what to wear to work can be a tricky affair all year long, but when it comes to winter, it’s even ten times harder. Because when the temperatures drop it’s hard to focus on anything else but staying warm. So, if you find yourself stuck to the sweatshirt and pants combo, here are some easy winter outfits for your inspiration.

H&M

TURTLENECKS & SKIRTS

COS

Who said that an all-black outfit is boring? Turtlenecks are super ‘in’ this year. Mix yours with a well-fitted skirt, and you’ll be sending those “French” vibes all over.

Zara

MIDI-SKIRT & ANKLE BOOTS Prada

Zara

Givenchy

22 February 2020

One of the easiest ways to look chic in winter is styling a floral print midi skirt with cool ankle boots. Throw in a leather jacket to the equation and you’ll be turning eyes.

SLEEK COAT & SPORTSWEAR A fan of the “athleisure” trend but don’t know how to utilize it in winter?

Find your most comfy sportswear and match them with a nice coat. This one combo is definitely our favourite for the season!

Fendi

Twenty Montreal

Zara

Stradivarius

Pull&Bear

You know how suits are a great pick for work? Add a cool printed tee and you’ll have a classic spin with a hip flare. Wear heels and you’re good to go!

Stradivarius

Pull&Bear

SUIT & T-SHIRT

Bershka

Gucci

PLAID COAT & STIRRUP PANTS This winter, a plaid anything is a wining choice. Pairing a plaid coat with stirrup pants could be really fun and super warming too. Just make sure you go with safe colours because wrong stirrup pants can easily feel like a 90s festival.

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Wang Tom Ford

Khan Redemption

Rossi

Smith & Cult

Christian Louboutin

VALENTINE’S DAY TOP PICKS

Alessandra Rich

Did you check your calendar recently? Valentine’s Day is coming up and this is a great excuse to go full-on glamorous. We know how picking a great outfit could be a tad overwhelming and especially, if it’s last minute. And no one likes to go for a fancy dinner with the boyfriend or even a night out with friends feeling underdressed.

So, here are our V-Day top picks for you!

Sydney Evan

24 February 2020

Balmain

Miu Miu

Halpern

by Nanise Mohamed

Mango

Jimmy Choo

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Zara

Smith & Cult

Valentino

Forever 21

Zara

Marjaan

Zanotti

Redemption

Valentino

Urban Decay

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

For Him and Her

by Aya Aboshady

Without sounding all cliché, everybody knows that Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love! And don’t mind us, but celebrating love and feeling butterflies in one’s stomach is just not possible without all the thoughtful and lavish gifts. So since it’s that time of year again, we cared enough to make you a gift guide for him and her.

Now Valentine’s Day shopping will be easy for both of you, won’t it?!

PANDORA NECKLACES

For Her

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with choosing to buy your woman a Pandora necklace as a Valentine’s Day gift. This Square Sparkle Halo one is just precious, timeless and captivating!

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PRADA BAG

A woman’s bag is always full of secrets and since the new trend is ‘tiny elegant bags’, then getting your woman a Red Leather Shoulder Bag from PRADA is the way to go! Like who wouldn’t be on top of the world with one of those beautiful designer little numbers?

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MICHAEL KORS BOOTIES

You know what they say, “Give a girl a pair of shoes and she can conquer the world!”

Buying your girl this beautiful black pair of Blaze Leather Open-Toe Booties from Michael Kors wouldn’t be such a bad idea, would it?

LANCÔME PERFUME

One thing women are obsessed with is perfume!

Actually, scratch that. Women are obsessed with heavenly smelling perfumes, to be exact. And you know what smells like that?

Lancôme’s “La Vie est Belle” fragrance, which would make an incredible Valentine’s Day gift!

FENTY BEAUTY MAKEUP SET

If there’s one thing women love more than makeup, it’s being gifted makeup sets! And since everyone is all about the Fenty Beauty products these days, their Bomb Baby Mini Lip and Face Set that contains a gloss bomb and a champagne highlighter would just be outstanding as a Valentine’s Day gift!

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For Him

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TOM FORD COLOGNE

You thought only women love fragrances? Well, we have to tell you that men too spend a handsome amount of money on them! And as a Valentine’s Day gift, the Tom Ford Noir Extreme with its unique odor can be the best option!

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BOSS WATCH

It’s no secret that most men can hardly go anywhere without a watch. And most of them, again, don’t just like any watch, they often go for the unique ones. Which is why getting your partner this classy Grey-plated watch with mesh bracelet and blue dial from BOSS would be awesome!

3 BURBERRY COAT

Since it’s technically still wintertime, you certainly can’t miss out on buying your partner this luxurious Wool Cashmere Tailored Coat from Burberry. It just makes an outstanding Valentine’s Day gift!

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MONTBLANC WALLET

Men can barely function without their lavish wallets. It’s a known fact. Which is why when you think of a Valentine’s Day gift for your man, buying a Montblanc Sartorial Wallet can’t escape your mind. It just screams out modern elegance!

KENNETH COLE BOOTS

Again, women are not the only ones obsessed with designer shoes. Men LOVE them too! So buying your man those shiny and classy Kelby Brogue Oxford Boots from Kenneth Cole will make you a gem!

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SMAA BULYAZEID

From El-Anesa Farah to Egypt’s Sweetheart Interview by Aya Aboshady

Art Director: ALIA ELABD Photographer: YOUSRA FAWZY Stylist: MARIA FATHY Makeup Artist: AGNESZKA HOSCILO Hair Stylist: RABIE MRAD Location: GRAND NILE TOWER HOTEL

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Blazer and Trousers: Villa Baboushka, Jewellery: Cherif El Sirgany Joailliers (Agency: Flare Pr)

30 February 2020

In late December, the newest television sensation “El-Anesa Farah” was on at every Egyptian and Arab household. “El-Anesa Farah” is the Arabic version of Netflix’s very popular show “Jane the Virgin”. And needless to say, viewers were hooked from the very first episode as they watched Farah - portrayed by Asmaa Abulyazeid, suffer accidental insemination, decide to keep the baby and get stuck in a love triangle with the father, Shady Wahdan - portrayed

by Ahmed Magdy, and Tarek, her fiancé - portrayed

by Mohamed Kelany.

That being said, the whole cast clicked from the very beginning, and thanks to the amazing chemistry between all of us, the atmosphere was definitely more fun and relaxed than stressful.

After shooting for like three or four days, it already felt like we’ve been doing this for months. That’s how fast we clicked!

We had the chance to sit down with the rising star and Egypt’s sweetheart, actress Asmaa Abulyazeid to know more about her portrayal of Farah, what goes on behind the scenes of the hit series, her future projects, what she thinks of social media and more!

4. Are there any similarities in personality between Farah and yourself? And tell us one thing you love about Farah’s character!

1. Did you expect the big success of “El-Anesa Farah”? And what was your reaction when you first read the script?

I honestly never put high expectations for anything. I always do my best and leave the rest for God to take care of. I’ve actually never heard of “Jane the Virgin” until Sally Wally the producer told me about it.

When I first heard about the idea and read the script, I couldn’t imagine how it’ll be executed in Arabic and presented to the Egyptian and Middle Eastern societies. However, I think of it from the perspective of “What if?”; like what if this situation really happened? We also shouldn’t disregard the fact that it’s not meant to be totally realistic. If this was the real world, the reactions to the accidental insemination itself in the series would’ve surely differed!

2. What has been your favorite thing, working on the series?

I’m extremely grateful for the people I work with.

From day one, I was really nervous about how different and untypical the story is as well as the fact that I was offered a big principal role in it. It’s a huge responsibility.

3. How many seasons should we tune in for?

A far as I know, the series is four seasons until now.

Farah and Asmaa have a lot of similarities! I gave Farah so many parts of myself. For example, all of her reactions are exactly the same as mine. That’s how relaxed I am playing that role. On another note, there’s one thing that I both love and hate about Farah’s character and again, it’s part of me as well.

And it’s how emotional she gets over everything.

Whether it’s happiness or sadness, she always goes to the extreme with her feelings. Her emotions are all over the place all the time.

5. Since “El-Anesa Farah” is all about a love triangle; from Farah’s perspective, what makes Shady better than Tarek and what makes Tarek better than Shady?

Shady is very kind to Farah, he makes her laugh and doesn’t like it when she’s upset. While Tarek is also very kind to her, unlike Shady, he is shorttempered. Farah means a lot to Tarek. He cares so much about her that he wants to protect her from everything at all costs - even if sometimes it could hurt his own dignity.

6. Farah’s relationship with her mother Dalal or “Dida” - portrayed by Rania Youssef - is so unique. Do you think it’s rare in our society?

From my very humble point of view, I think the very close mother-daughter relationship between Farah and Dalal is not at all rare. It does exist, but

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Dress: Villa Baboushka, Jewellery: Cherif El Sirgany Joailliers (Agency: Flare Pr)

32 February 2020

February 2020 33

maybe not on a large scale. Just like Farah is very close to Asmaa’s personality, Dida is also very close to Rania’s.

In real life, Rania Youssef is the mother who makes it a mission to be her daughters’ best friend and she really is. So for me, I think Farah and Dida’s relationship is very healthy. And apart from Dida’s character, I love Rania Youssef on a personal level so much!

7. Name celebrities you wish to star in a TV series or a movie with!

There are many names; it’s so hard to pick one. I love Maged El-Kedwani a lot! Yehia El-Fakharany, Sawsan Badr...I could go on all day!

8. Tell us about the characters you portrayed that remained a part of you!

Believe or not, literally all of them! My character as Tokka in “Haza El-Mas’aa”, for example, was too special for me. I’m so grateful to director Tamer Mohsen for believing in me and producer Ahmed Medhat Sadek for nominating me for the role. Especially that I was a new talent and not many people knew me back then. It was a big role and a huge responsibility!

“Layali Eugenie” was also close to my heart because it was set in a different era and this is something I’m personally fond of. I was honestly so sad it was over, because I was going to miss the set, the fashion, the sophisticated attitude and all of that.

I also loved Azza in “Ana Shahira, Ana El-Khae’n”, and I sympathized a great deal with her. On the other hand, Noga in “Hogan” was a whole other story for me. I loved her a lot and I enjoyed portraying her because I felt that I had space to play with this character and try a lot of different attitudes and reactions with her.

Not to mention “Zodiac”, of course. This series is so special to me; I really put my heart and soul into that role. As for my big screen experiences in movies like “El-Kowayesin”, “Eyar Nari” and “ElMamar”, I really do appreciate taking part in each and every one of those amazing productions!

34 February 2020

9. Are we going to see you in Ramadan 2020?

What about your upcoming projects?

So far, I’m not really sure whether or not I’ll take part in the Ramadan season. As for the big screen, I’m currently working on Peter Mimi’s “Moussa” alongside Eyad Nassar, Karim Mahmoud Abdelaziz, Sara El-Shami and more! But a release date is yet to be set as we’ve paused the shooting for a while. There’s also a comedy that we already wrapped up with Bayoumi Fouad, Mohamed Tharwat, Mahmoud El-Leithy and Hoda Najm.

10. You have a beautiful voice and everyone knows you can really sing! Should we expect any singing project soon, maybe an album?

I do sing but I don’t have any plans related to singing at the moment. However, if I got offered a song with nice lyrics and music and most importantly, something I could feel myself in, I’ll go for it! Not sure about an album though. If it ever happens, it’ll most probably be a single.

But in the end, I’m mainly an actress who likes singing!

11. A lot of celebrities are into social media, but some of them are completely not. What about you? How do you see the world of social media?

For me, social media is a double-edged weapon.

It surely has the power to destroy but it could also build a lot. In the previous eras, big stars made their names from nothing when social media wasn’t around. But our time is different. A lot of people now keep up with social media in order to know who they should tune in for. Therefore it’s essential to some extent.

That being said, people shouldn’t be ranked according to the number of followers they have, for example. Because there are some really deserving talents who aren’t appreciated on social media. There’s also no denying that there are people out there who make some really tough comments when they could simply state their opinion in a constructive way. But I believe that you can neither tell people how to feel nor force them to agree on something/someone. I try my best to stay focused on the constructive criticism!

February 2020 35

Jumpsuit: Villa Baboushka, Jewellery: Cherif El Sirgany Joailliers (Agency: Flare Pr)

Dress: Sara Onsi

36 February 2020

February 2020 37

What Makes

a Relationship Successful?

W

by Marwa Rakha

hat’s the key to successful relationships?

How can I be in a healthy relationship? How can I keep my partner? These are all questions that I receive a lot. Most relationships and dating columns would give you tips about choosing the right partner, communication tools, keeping love alive advice, and spicing up your sex life perks. This article is different!

Here is a riddle for you: What is the first relationship you have? How well do you know that person? How much respect do you show him/her? How do you

38 February 2020

show him/her love? How forgiving are you towards that person? How comfortable are you with that special someone? Do you even know who I’m talking about? Guess who?

I am talking about you! Yes you! Your first relationship, the deepest and innermost, is with yourself. To have a successful relationship with another person, you have to have a successful relationship with yourself first. Let’s start from the beginning now! How do you have a successful relationship with yourself?

YOUR INNER VOICE How do you speak to yourself? When you are going to an interview or a date, what do you tell yourself? When you are presenting an idea or offering an opinion, what goes on at the back of your mind? Is there a voice that tells you that you will fail? That you are not good enough? That no one likes you? That you look horrible? That you will never be understood?

If that is the kind of inner voice that talks to you, feeding your mind with negative ideas about yourself, then you are your worst enemy. When you hear that voice, do not lend it an ear. Stop and send yourself empowering messages. Most probably that voice has been planted in your childhood and teen years by a parent, a teacher, or a friend.

How does that voice ruin your relationships, you ask! Well! When you keep telling yourself that you are not good enough, you either attract someone who sees you as thus, or you drive away someone who is perfect for you but got tired of trying to convince you that you really are a great person.

Another risk is that the negative tone is no longer kept to yourself and you find yourself saying such horrible things to your kids, your partner, or your friends. You simply dump your baggage on them.

RESPECT It is easy to say that you respect yourself, but do you? How do you show respect towards yourself?

Do you allow people into your life who use you?

Do you put yourself in situations where you have to choose between your beliefs and the people in your life? Do you allow others to hurt you? Do you chase after people? Do you stay where you are not invited?

The rule of thumb says: the way you treat yourself tells others how to treat you. So basically, if you do not treat yourself with reverence and respect, why would others do? If you cannot treat yourself with respect, how do you expect to teach your children self-respect and self-worth?

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Do you know your strengths? Do you know your weaknesses? Do you know your flaws? Do you love yourself? Do you love all of yourself? Do you love the way your look? Do you love yourself as a child, teen, and adult? Do you accept that you are human and human beings make mistakes? Do you accept your mistakes? Can you forgive yourself? Can you look at your mistakes as lessons learned, and move

on? Can you embrace your shortcomings? Can you look yourself in the mirror without being critical?

Can you grant yourself acceptance?

If you cannot give yourself all of the above, you will not be able to give it to anyone else – not your partner, not your kids! This is a major relationship trap!

FRIENDS Do you have friends? No! Not those! I mean real friends, not the ones who keep you company when you are bored; not the ones you hang out with for the fun of it. I am talking about friends who love, respect, and value you. Those who have been there in the times of loss, grief, and defeat.

Those who help you be a better person. Those who help you recognize your strengths. Those who are kind, true, and compassionate. Those who do not judge you. Those who make you feel comfortable and confident being yourself.

Those who do not have true friends will suffer, and make others suffer, in their love relationships. You will simply become an emotional burden on others.

All your needs for connectedness and support will become a burden on someone else. You will become a clingy partner and a possessive parent!

HOBBIES How do you enrich your life? How do you keep yourself company? What instills pleasure and joy in your life? People are different when it comes to hobbies; book clubs, candle-making, yoga, learning languages, traveling, cooking, writing, photography, knitting, …etc.

A true hobby feels like a need rather than a luxury.

It is something that you enjoy doing and continue doing because it makes you feel good about yourself. It is your escape from pressure, pain, or anger. It is time well spent in your own company.

A true hobby is not just a means to making new friends or meeting someone special. A true hobby is your gift to yourself.

Without fulfilling hobbies, you will feel an emptiness within. Like all creatures, you will try to fill that void with love. The truth is no love will fill all the holes in your soul. You will think your relationship is not working, when it might as well be, because you expect your partner to fill a gap that he/she is not responsible for.

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” - Rumi February 2020 39

V-Day Your Way:

TREAT YOURSELF THIS VALENTINE’S DAY!

by Nada Abdelkader

The calendar is set for everyone’s favorite holiday: Valentine’s Day! There’s just one issue, though. While we’re all busy celebrating and planning trips and reservations for two, we forget the one who really matters.

Our very self. Don’t worry, though, there’s still more than enough time to recuperate. The only thing we should keep in mind, though, is how to recuperate.

We’ll take a page out of Parks and Recreation to tell you just how you can treat yourself this V-Day! 40 February 2020

Buy yourself some nice gifts

Valentine’s Day isn’t just the best time to gift-shop for your partner if you’re celebrating, it’s also the perfect time to look for gifts for yourself too. Go all out for yourself, don’t be shy.

You can treat yourself to aromatherapy kits that will easily bring you new meanings to the word “relaxation”, growth serums for lashes, facial kits, self-heating eye-masks, or just a book you’ve been dying to get but postponing it.

Of course, you can also go the old-fashioned way and clothes-shop till you drop!

Take a classic spa day

Physically speaking, yoga improves your flexibility, energy levels, and circulatory health. As for the mental health aspect, yoga relieves your stress, strain, sharpens your attention, and increases concentration.

Take a mini-trip

Sometimes treating yourself means pulling the big guns and taking yourself away for a few days.

Pack a small bag, invite a few friends along, and go on a mini-trip to let loose and have all the fun you’ve been dying to have but couldn’t fit in. And don’t worry about your options because you’ll have many destinations to choose from.

There’s a reason most people refer to spas when they mention self-care and fun relaxation methods. It’s because it works like a charm every time.

You could go to Sahl Hashish, Nuweba’, Siwa, or take the retro approach and head out to Ras Sedr, either way make sure to have fun.

For this Valentine’s Day, consider booking yourself some time at the spa and get the full treatment.

As you let go of your tension, both physical and otherwise, you will face the rest of the day in a rejuvenated mood that you truly deserve.

One of the best ways to utilize your free time and at the same time have some fun is to practice your hobbies. If you’re an artist, take the time to work on one of your forgotten works. If you like to read, pick up that book you were halfway through and finish it.

Journal it out

Practice your hobbies

If you want to let out any negative or overwhelming emotions you’ve had bottled up, you can now do it very comfortably. Get yourself a nice set of journals and write everything out, leaving no stone unturned. Trust us, it will feel great and you won’t regret it.

Taking this time to go back to all the fun things you love doing will leave you with a sense of accomplishment and instant gratification, which you won’t get enough of.

Go to some nice museum

Of course, you can always take the classic “treating yourself” route and binge-watch your favorite sitcoms and series, alone or with your significant other to set the tone for a romantic night in.

When Valentine’s Day rolls around the corner, you will know it sheerly because of how difficult it will be to book dinner reservations at any trendy or romantic restaurant. So, what you can do here is forego the restaurants and go to a museum!

Going somewhere stimulating and refreshing is always great but if it’s on Valentine’s Day, it will be even better because they won’t be as crowded and you will get to cover every part of the museum.

Try some yoga

If you’re not up to going out and about, stay in and look for yoga workouts online. Working out, especially in the form of yoga, is extremely beneficial to both your mental and physical states.

Binge-watch your favorite TV shows and order in

You have a full list too, from all ten seasons of Friends to How I Met Your Mother to all the other amazing shows. With all this great material, you should take your pampering further and order in from your favorite restaurant.

You can go all out and cook an elaborate meal

Sometimes, cooking is a very therapeutic way of catering to yourself. Sure, it may require more planning and effort than other activities but the end result is a lot better, considering it’s the fruit of your own labor done just the way you like it.

February 2020 41

The Practical Woman’s GUIDE TO VALENTINE’S DAY

by Nada Abdelkader You’ve seen the big hearts and all variations of the color red everywhere, right? If you haven’t then maybe you’ve seen the teddy-bears and the Rom-Com rerunning on constant loop? Yes? Then, you know what time of year it is and yes, it’s Valentine’s Day.

Set up a Cheesiness Meter and set yourself a limit that you wouldn’t want to go over. Whenever you feel like you’re about to go too overboard into the lovey-dovey part of V-Day, remember your meter and snap yourself back to shape.

This holiday may be a favorite to many, but to the non-romantics, it’s anything but that. In fact, it’s a bit dreaded because celebrating it and pulling all the stops for romance is nothing short but draining and cheesy for those to whom romance doesn’t come naturally.

Can’t lose yourself in love? No pressure

Here’s the thing, though, romance doesn’t have to be draining and celebrating love doesn’t have to be cheesy.

We’ll even tell you a little secret. Valentine’s Day can mean more than romance and we’ll tell you just how.

Before we begin, we need to know it’s okay to lose ourselves in love Okay, we know this may sound odd, but have you considered maybe losing yourself in love?

Yes, we know from experience that practical people don’t like losing themselves in the moment to any one emotion. We know it feels odd and a bit scary to go off-key, but it’s okay.

Valentine’s Day is the one time of year where it’s absolutely socially acceptable to go overboard with your emotions if you want to, so why not cut yourself the slack just this once?

Before you say that you don’t really want to give into this whole race with love, let us just tell you it’s not a competition. Your Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be perfectly planned or better than someone else’s because it’s all about you, the person you love, and what fits you both.

Okay, so now you might be thinking that this is great and all but Valentine’s is still too cheesy for you to want to completely invest in. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here.

42 February 2020

Okay, so you tried everything and it turned out Valentine’s Day still isn’t your cup of tea. Guess what? That’s perfectly okay too.

There’s no set rule about having to love Valentine’s Day. Some people can’t ever get themselves into Halloween or Thanksgiving moods and that’s acceptable, so not being the biggest fan of Cupid is okay as well.

The thing is you don’t have to be the staunchest holiday supporter ever—think Mariah Carey and Christmas—to enjoy the day. You can still celebrate, in a very practical manner no less, and have all the fun you want.

We’d like to argue that being a practical person is better during Valentine’s Day because while everyone’s picking roses and making reservations, you get to put a very original spin on your celebration.

What kind of ideas are we talking about that Valentine’s enthusiasts won’t ever think about?

Well, you’re in for a treat!

Yes, there are a few practical spins on Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is all about declarations of love and affection, but for some reason we have it in our heads that Valentine’s has to be full of teddybears, chocolates, roses, and reservations that are quite near impossible to find.

See, the thing is Valentine’s Day can be about seventy-five percent easier if we celebrate it in

the way we actually want. Something low-key, practical yet romantic and quite sweet.

with the adorableness but will still convey exactly how much you care about your partner.

So, how do you do that? Well, you can try skipping the restaurant portion with a homemade lunch and picnic basket to escape from the crowds that would take away from the romance rather than amplify it.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a nightmare anymore and now you know how it can be just about the greatest holiday! With this foolproof guide, you can do V-Day just the way you like it, with no cheesiness or over-exaggeration involved.

You could do other things, like visiting a museum you’ve both been dying to check out or hitting up a stand-up comedy show for a few laughs and a change in pace.

You can go the opposite way and stay in instead of going out, order in some food, and bingewatch a few of your old favorite shows and movies.

This same approach can be taken towards gifts too, by the way. Need an example?

You can always go the old school, actually sentimental romantic route and get a small glass jar and fill it with pieces of folded paper, each containing one thing you love about your partner. And this is just one thing you can do from a list of things that are more practical and sentimental because they came from you, personally.

The best thing about gifts like these is that they don’t go overboard

February 2020 43

A WEEKEND-GETAWAY IN SOUL RAS SUDR Some people like to go traditional with how they approach Valentine’s Day, but there are others who like taking the more adventurous route. So this one goes out for them! Take your partner on a weekend-getaway to Ras Sudr. Specifically to La Hacienda where the Soul Kite-surfing Center caters for a special activity on Valentine’s Day!

Have a Special Valentine’s Day with Your Partner!

by Aya Aboshady

It’s February, which means the day when all couples go out to celebrate their love and have fun is finally taking place on the 14th. And because we don’t want your Valentine’s to be just like any regular day, we made you a list of five places and things to do in order to have the time of your life with your lover.

FANCY DINNER BY THE PYRAMIDS AT MARRIOTT MENA HOUSE We don’t think there’s anything more romantic than a beautiful candlelight dinner overlooking the Pyramids of Giza in Mena House. It may sound cheesy but trust us; it’s the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day! 44 February 2020

TUNIS VILLAGE FAYOUM ADVENTURE At the oasis of Fayoum, only 30 kilometers away from Wadi El Rayan, there’s a fantastic village called “Tunis” where you and your partner could do a ton of fun activities from exploring the village to going on a safari trip, bird watching, horseback riding and even pottery making!

FEL-FELUCCA DATE NIGHT Are you someone who likes a fancy dinner with a view?

Then taking your partner on a luxurious sailing cruise with a stunning view of the Nile River is the right choice. FelFelucca in Maadi is a game changer when it comes to date night outings!

VILLA BELLE ÉPOQUE Why have a Valentine’s Day dinner only when you can spend the whole day with your partner somewhere fancy and nice? Villa Belle Époque is not just a hotel. It’s a place where you can relax and have some quality time while enjoying the beautiful scenery around you. And yes, that definitely includes a picture-perfect string lights decorated romantic dinner at their international Acacia Restaurant after working out in the fitness center!!

February 2020 45

ON VALENTINE’S …

A Special Dinner for Your ‘Bae’ or ‘Beau’!

by Soha Darwish Food Writer & Critic - Menu Consultant Diploma in Food Journalism - London, UK Before I crack on with this month’s theme, Valentine’s Day, could we just try to genuinely enjoy the sentiments on this day and brush off all the tackiness that tarnished this sweet loving occasion? It’s simple when you come to think of it; just a day to acknowledge our partners’ efforts to stick up with us in our highs and lows. An act of gratitude either by a simple gesture, card, gift or through food which is ultimately the translation of deep love and devotion in men’s world.

So, when I thought of a menu that should delight any man, red meat was dominating my thoughts. Who could resist a succulent piece of beef with the prefect sides in the comfort of his home? And to end this perfect meal on a high, how about a heart-shaped light dessert? If this will push you over the edge then any regular geometrical shape will do. Relax!

VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER MENU Drinks Strawberry Virgin Mojito (Crushed strawberries, crushed ice, lemon juice, brown sugar, soda and fresh mint leaves) Mains Hasselback Tenderloin Sides Herbed Roasted Vegetables (carrots, courgettes, potatoes & mushrooms; drizzled with coriander & garlic infused olive oil) Truffle Mac & Cheese Salad Date & Feta Salad (Chopped dates, feta cubes, toasted pine nuts, rocket leaves and pomegranate seeds, splash of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil) Dessert White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

46 February 2020

The Hasselback Tenderloin Serves 2

It feels perfectly fitting to share with you my special beef recipe with a twist, which stars regularly in almost all my dinner parties and never failed me, even if I had a few mishaps. With the added twist; this dish becomes so forgiving and manages to razzle-dazzle my guests -just like it will do to your other half!

SHOPPING BASKET: 1kg beef tenderloin (1 piece tied up with strings) – 1 large onion, chopped – 1 large carrot, chopped – 2 celery stalks, chopped – 5 garlic cloves, whole – 3 tbsp vegetable oil – 200g smoked turkey slices – 200g Swiss cheese slices – knob of butter – salt & black pepper.

STEPS: 1. In a large pot, sear the beef from all sides in oil until dark brown, then remove from pot and set aside.

2. In the same pot, add the onions and stir-fry until dark brown (be careful not to burn).

3. Before finishing off with the onions, add the garlic cloves and sauté for 2-3 mins.

4. Add in the celery and carrots, sauté for 1 min.

5. Transfer the beef and vegetables to an oven dish, add 1 cup of water, cover with foil and roast for 1 hr max at 200 C. 6. Rest the beef on a chopping board and leave to cool down. You can prepare it a day before,

wrap it in cling film then keep in the fridge; cut the strings and slice the next day.

7. In a blender, pour in the meat sauce with all the vegetables and blend until smooth. Put in a saucepan, boil and stir in the butter (add water if needed) – delicious gravy is ready.

8. Cut the beef into medium slices with a sharp knife and have the cheese and smoked turkey ready by your side.

9. In a rectangular oven dish smeared with gravy; lay diagonally 1 beef slice, 1 cheese slice and 1 smoked turkey slice; repeat until you use all the meat. Cover with half of the gravy and bake in the oven at 180 C until cheese is melted and slightly browned, it should take less than 30 mins. Serve hot with the remaining gravy on the side.

Truffled Mac & Cheese Serves 2

Yes, Mac & cheese! This kids’ favourite is now a staple side dish in fine dining venues, just been taken up a notch with a bit of truffle oil. Honestly, what’s not to like here?!

SHOPPING BASKET: 1 tbsp butter – 2 cups macaroni (elbow pasta) – 2 tbsp flour – 1 cup milk– 1 cup cream - ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated – 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated – 1 tbsp chives, finely chopped – pinch of nutmeg – 2 tbsp truffle oil – salt & pepper.

STEPS: 1. Boil the pasta in water, strain well and drizzle with truffle oil; keep aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, sauté the flour in butter without changing its colour.

3. Gradually, pour in the milk and cream while stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon, until clump free.

4. Bring to the boil, simmer on low heat for about 5 mins and stir in the cheese.

5. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.

6. Remove from heat and mix gently with the pasta.

7. Divide on small greased ramekins and bake in the oven until golden crispy top, sprinkle with chives and serve hot.

White Chocolate

Mousse Cheesecake Serves 4

Well, I love mousse and I love cheesecake; why not have them together in one dessert? It’s creaminess heaven with the perfect topping of fresh raspberry coulis that contrasts and complements this silky subtle mousse.

SHOPPING BASKET: 200g cream cheese – 150g white chocolate, melted – ¾ cup icing sugar – 2 cups whipping cream – ½ tsp vanilla extract – 1 tbsp gelatine powder, soaked in 2 tbsp cold water– 1 pack of Digestive biscuits – 200g butter, melted – 250g frozen or fresh raspberries – ¾ cup granulated sugar – 1 tbsp lemon juice.

STEPS: 1. Blitz the biscuit in the food processor until sandy smooth texture, mix with melted butter and spread until about 0.5 cm thickness at the bottom of individual ramekins. Keep in freezer.

2. In a mixing bowl, whip the cream until stiff and set aside.

3. In another mixing bowl, whisk the cream cheese with the icing sugar and vanilla extract, until well blended.

4. Heat the soaked gelatine to turn it into liquid, then stir it immediately in the melted white chocolate.

5. Combine the 3 mixtures together in 1 bowl and fold with a spatula until well mixed.

6. Pour the mixture over the cooled biscuit base, then keep in the fridge until it firms up.

7. Meanwhile, prepare the coulis by boiling the raspberries with the sugar and ½ cup of water – until sugar dissolves and coulis thickens.

8. When coulis cools down, blend with a hand blender and serve on the side of the mousse cheesecake. Enjoy!

February 2020 47

Modern Romance: An Investigation by Aziz Ansari & Eric Klinenberg

by Nada Abdelkader

Q

uick, what do you get when you put an actor and a sociologist together? Before you start looking for the punchline, no, this isn’t a joke. It is, however, the exact formula that brought Modern Romance: An Investigation, into existence.

Now, it’s no secret that modern love and dating culture has significantly changed from the times of our parents, their parents, and the generations before. It’s almost a completely alien landscape, considering all the technological advancements and societal changes! That fact, as enthralling to Ansari and Klinenberg as it is to us, made them look high and low for just why modern romance is the way it is.

Because a study like this is definitely one that includes a bunch of hidden lessons, we’ve skimmed through this book to give you just some of the points it explores.

48 February 2020

Social Media Can Hinder as well as Help We’re not going to spout off any of the cautionary messages about dating apps, catfishing, and people who turn out to be totally different off-line because, well, we’ve all heard it before. We all know social media can have a dark side, especially when it comes to dating.

The dark side, as explored in Modern Romance, though also includes some tidbits about texting when it comes to dating, like what to do when the person you’re quasi-flirting with leaves you on read or how can you tell that the person who sent a pretty hard text to decipher is doing so because they’re into you rather than because they’re lonely.

Ansari and Klinenberg also go in detail about the Secretary Problem, the problem that only arises when both people want to go on a date but don’t seem to have their schedules aligned so they can go on that date.

People Can Settle Simply for What’s More Convenient While the book is named Modern Romance, it travels back in time in its beginning chapters to tell us just how old romance rolled. The findings weren’t especially shocking but in the book’s context, it does seem like two totally different eras had collided.

ideals, and intelligence-based connections while way back, people got married when the person they’d been dating (or simply just had their eye on) proved to be pleasant and decent enough to wed.

Men Don’t Do the Effort Sometimes While dating problems aren’t an exact monopoly to any one gender, the authors of the book made sure to mention that men can be, according to the book’s wording, “bozos” when it comes to dating and relationships.

Naturally, this isn’t an “all men” kind of problem though it happens to be a problem with enough men that the authors insisted on including it in the book. According to them (and to many, many women), men really don’t know how to do texting right.

The authors mention the number of problems that arise, going into detail about generic texts that seem to have been accidentally broadcasted to many rather than composed for one, being way too vague about their intentions, and asking for intimate pictures way too soon…sometimes, even before asking the person out on a first date!

Other problems include the endless back-andforth and not really giving the person breathing room when it comes to asking for dates.

The authors went to great lengths to discuss arranged marriages between people who didn’t want to go too far to look for love and marriages of convenience to those who went far but no further, judging that they’d found the top of the barrel and could safely choose an adulthood partner from there.

Choices, Choices

The book also manages to dig deep to uncover the generational differences in how people view love and family-sharing, through interviewing multiple people, online and offline, from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and agegroups. Among the oddest findings, it seems that the reasons people fell in love had actually changed over the years.

According to the authors, having an increasing number of choices can be a bit frustrating because the person currently open to dating might be too overwhelmed to even chat one person up. If they do, they might end up feeling like they have second thoughts.

Don’t worry, though, these gems we’ve found aren’t all that Modern Romance has to offer. As Ansari wrote, “there’s still a lot that gives me hope for the modern man!”

Younger people now fall in love and choose to be together based on shared interests, soulmate

Going back to the dating through social media portion of the book, Modern Romance does a brilliant job of telling us that with dating apps comes a great responsibility. And with responsibility, comes a great number of choices!

February 2020 49

identity

TRAVEL

Travel Guide THAILAND

by Joanna Neve

Known locally as the land of smiles, Thailand is a unique country rich in Buddhist traditions, exquisite food and stunning landscapes - the perfect holiday destination! From city tours, to island hopping or rural wildlife watching, there’s an activity for all.

VISA

WEATHER

Apply for a Tourist Visa through the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo. You’ll need to fill out an application form, provide a passport, as well as a few other documents including an itinerary. Full information on the documents needed is provided on the embassy website.

The visa costs 700 EGP for 60 days.

February-March is the perfect time of year to visit as the Christmas peak-tourist season has ended, but weather remains excellent.

Temperatures fluctuate from 20-30 degrees at this time of year and rainfall is significantly less than the summer monsoon season. Pack swimwear and make sure to hit the beach!

50 February 2020

HOW TO SPEND A WEEK IN THAILAND • DAY 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand’s stunning capital city Fly into Bangkok’s International Airport, drop your bags off at the hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring floating markets and Buddhist temples, or even rooftop bars and restaurants.

• DAY 2: Iconic tourist destinations and a cooking class In the morning take a tuk-tuk ride to The Grand Palace, a must-see destination in Thailand. It’s home to both the King’s formal residence and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Thailand’s most sacred location). In the afternoon, take a traditional Thai cooking class to learn how to make some national delicacies like Phad Thai, a stir-fried rice noodle dish found on the corner of every street in Bangkok. In the evening, take a night-train from Bangkok to Khao Sok; they’re incredibly comfortable and you can even book a private carriage with some suppliers.

• DAY 3: Arrive in Khao Sok, Thailand’s vibrant National Park A cabin steward will wake you in the morning so you can hop-off at Khao Sok and take a thrilling longtail boat ride to your accommodation in the National Park. Most tourists choose to stay in floating bungalows – a once in a lifetime experience!

• DAY 4: Wildlife watching and snorkelling Spend the morning searching for wildlife by foot or kayak, with local species including gibbons, tigers and even hornbill birds. Swap the kayak for a snorkel in the afternoon, and explore the fish-filled waters around your bungalow. Later in the day you’ll have to say a sad goodbye to Khao Sok, before getting a longtail boat and ferry transfer to Koh Tao in the south. Here you can eat in any of the numerous waterfront restaurants, with many serving a combination of Thai food and world cuisines.

• DAY 5: Arrive at the majestic island paradise Koh Tao On your first full day in Koh Tao, book a boat tour and explore neighbouring islands like Koh Phangan, which lights up once a month for a beach party like no other – full moon. Alternatively, spend the day on Koh Tao and enjoy their luxury spa retreat, with traditional Thai massages offered on the beach during sunset and sunrise hours. You can opt for a cosy night in, or explore the bustle of Koh Tao’s bar and restaurant centre.

• DAY 6: Margaritas, massages and more relaxation Spend your last day soaking up the sun and admiring the tranquillity of Thailand’s southern islands.

Now is the time to try any Thai dishes you haven’t yet been able to, like spicy yellow curry which is regularly eaten in the south.

• DAY 7: Travel home Take a ferry and bus transfer to Surat Thani, the nearest international airport to fly home. Alternatively, book a scuba-diving course in Koh Tao and stay in Thailand a bit longer. It’s a world-class diving destination, and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to swim alongside resident whale sharks!

February 2020 51

Getaways

WINTER

NILE CRUISE FROM LUXOR TO ASWAN 5 DAYS/ 4 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 11,270 For more information visit: www.memphistours.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Visiting main sites in the ancient cities including the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Temple of Philae and much more.

• Accommodation aboard a 5-star cruise ship on full-board basis, three daily meals, transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle.

THAILAND 12 DAYS/ 11 NIGHTS Departure: Starting March 15 Starting from: EGP 24,010 For more information visit: www.cosmosvacations.in 52 February 2020

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Tour through Thailand and enjoy excursions to Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai where you will visit the Temple of Golden Buddha, the Grand Palace and Bang Pa-In Palace.

• Transportation via air-conditioned, private train and accommodation in top-notch 5-star hotels, including all meals and Wi-Fi.

CYPRUS 6 DAYS/ 5 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 6,300 For more information visit: www.egyptexpresstvl.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Excursions to Agios Lazaros, Larnaca Fort, and a horde of Cyprus’s finest beaches to fully incorporate visitors into the local experience.

• Round-trip economy airfare on Egypt Air regular flights and 5 nights accommodation, including breakfast.

HAWAII 11 DAYS/ 10 NIGHTS Departure: Starting May 7th Starting from: EGP 33,350 For more information visit: www.cosmosvacations.in

PACKAGE INCLUDES • An overview of the Hawaiian Islands through excursions to Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Honolulu with visits to enchanting black-sand beaches and historic sites like Pearl Harbor’s Battleship Row. • Transportation in a private, deluxe motor-coach with Wi-Fi and accommodation in 5-star hotels.

February 2020 53

identity

OUT&ABOUT

Special Outings Make It A Valentine’s Day To Remember At Grand Nile Tower Surprise your Valentine with a night to remember at the spectacular Grand Nile Tower.

The capital’s only Revolving Restaurant will enchant your loved one with stunning panoramic views of Cairo from the 41st floor of the hotel. Enjoy a romantic 5-course candlelit dinner created exclusively for Valentine’s Day while basking in the Revolving Restaurant’s captivating atmosphere and live musical melodies on this special night.

This entire exquisite experience with a magnificent view of the Nile and city of Cairo ensures that the Revolving Restaurant Cairo’s most romantic destination this Valentine’s Day. Love In The Air At The Marriott Mena House, Cairo With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Marriott Mena House, Cairo offers diverse settings for you and your loved one to pick your favorite ambiance. At the most romantic view of the city, 139 Pavilion offers what you need from an extravagant buffet to A La Carte menu with the chance to gaze at the breathtaking views of the Great Pyramids, reflecting pool while listening to the amazing sound of a band.

54 February 2020

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

VALENTINE’S DAY

Ultimate Valentine’s Day Experience At Hilton Cairo Heliopolis

and live entertainment. It will surely create the best romantic ambience.

Make your Valentine’s Day celebrations extra special this year at Hilton Cairo Heliopolis offering unforgettable dining experiences, exciting entertainment and special room packages.

An ultimate romantic gateway at Le Meridien Cairo Airport

Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner with enchanting atmosphere on this special night at Leonardo Italian Restaurant with delicate set menu in an intimate setting

This Valentine, Le Meridien Cairo Airport is preparing an ultimate romantic gateway at China Red! Indulge in a delicious tailored Six-course set menu , featuring a rich Chinese flavor prepared

by Chef Zhu for only 395 ++ EGP including welcome drink and romantic decoration that

will set the scene for memorable romantic evening .

Dress to Impress at Live Sports Bar For couples looking for a more energetic ambiance, join us at Live Sports Bar for an Extravagant Valentin’s celebration featuring DJ & a wide flow of cocktails and more.

Ignite the spark of your love at Steigenberger Alcazar Sharm El Sheikh Because love is all about sharing happy moments together, treat your special one this Valentine’s with a long-lasting memory and some quality time together away from the city’s hustle and bustle, at the perfect romantic getaway of Steigenberger Alcazar Sharm El Sheikh.

Your fairy tale celebration will start once you enter the hotel at a love-all-around ambiance and flying romantic sparks all over the place. Experience a majestic accommodation at a swim-up room, luxurious suite or private villa with an astounding pool or sea views and a romantic set-up.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day In Cairo With Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At The First Residence Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence, a luxury hotel in Cairo, is wrapped in red this Valentine’s Day and spreading love throughout the month of February 2020 Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence is inviting Cairo love birds for a spatastic Valentine’s Day pampering at The Spa with a 60-minute massage for couples in the couple’s suite overlooking the magical Nile river followed by an access to a private whirlpool, steam and sauna.

At the Tea Lounge, one of Cairo’s most opulent and regal space, Cairo couples can enjoy an unforgettable evening with a beautifully curated four course menu crafted by Executive Chef Erwan Laurenceau, with romantic live music as their backdrop.

Valentine’s Day romantic getaway At Safir Hotel Cairo With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Safir Hotel Cairo prepared offers for all the love birds out there who want to celebrate this Valentine’s in style.

Experience our special Valentine’s Day romantic room package including lavish breakfast either buffet at Palm’s Restaurant or at the serenity of your room, room upgrade, early check in and late check out and more awaits you.

Cupid Is About To Revive Golden Arrows At Hilton Cairo Zamalek 14th of February is known as a day of Love, affection and romance, to feel the love we Hilton Cairo Zamalek is the perfect choice to reminisce your love vows with your partner over a romantic atmosphere and excellent delicacies with a special Valentine’s Day candlelight dinner that offers you 4- courses menu with welcome mocktail at The Time lounge overlooking the magnificent view of the Nile.

Embrace the romance of Valentine’s Day at Steigenberger Hotel el Tahrir Immerse yourself with your loved one and celebrate romance at Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir this Valentine’s day. Guests can impress their special someone with a selection of exceptional dining experiences especially made for the sweet occasion.

On this evening, couples can

set the romantic tone on high at Downtown restaurant with an extensive 4 course meal for EGP 888 including free buchon & free parking.

Guests looking to spend the night, love birds can enjoy a special Valentine’s day promotion.

A Royal Valentine’s in the Heart of the Palace Out of the 365 days of the year, there is only one single day where everyone around the world comes to express love and mark it as a special memory full of warmth and love vibes with their loved ones… It’s Valentine’s Day. This year the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino is gearing up to ensure guests experience their own Valentine’s stories, just like they took place throughout history.

Make it an Extra Special Valentine’s Day This Year at Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino – Cairo!

Come & spend a memorable night with your valentine at “La Gondola” with a charming candle-lit dinner, and experience an unforgettable valentine occasion, while enjoying a selection of gourmet Italian choices in a truly romantic atmosphere with our house band playing your favourite tunes.

If you want it Lebanese style, our Chef invites you to taste his Lebanese creations at “Baalbak”.

Enjoy a special valentine dinner, an exciting ambiance with live entertainment & Belly dancer.

To heat the night up and add some beats to it, “Sindbad’ discotheque is having a special night on Valentine’s Day with special music and a delicious a la carte menu.

February 2020 55

A Q&A WITH STEIGENBERGER’S GENERAL MANAGER WAEL ABOELSEOUD Hotel stays, for many of us, seem like pure magic out of a fairytale storybook. Especially in hotels like Steigenberger. You’re waited on hands and foot; getting the finest service in terms of accommodation, food, and all the amenities that you can require.

These fairytales, though, come into existence by sheer hard work and effort— much stronger than magic. And since we’re curious to learn more about these efforts, we interviewed Steigenberger’s General Manager, Wael Aboelseoud.

Q1: TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. WA: I have a master’s degree in Hospitality Administration/Management from Cornell University and over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked in several chain properties before Steigenberger Cecil.

Deutsche Hospitality demonstrates how corporate culture can be developed; targeting the Egyptian guest along with all other international travelers and making employees become hoteliers with passion, caring, perfection, tradition, and vision.

Q2: HOW DID YOUR CORNELL EDUCATION HELP IN MEETING STEIGENBERGER’S EXPECTATIONS?

Q4: -WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING PART ABOUT YOUR JOB AS A GENERAL MANAGER?

WA: I got my master’s degree after finishing 18 courses covering every aspect of hospitality and hotel management. With that said, that degree gave me great exposure to the many important sections that cover the industry’s necessary elements. It helped me gain a bigger vision and hence meet the international expectations of Steigenberger.

Q3: -WHAT CAN GERMAN HOSPITALITY OFFER TO EGYPTIAN GUESTS? WA: Culture creates value and company creates value cohesion. Anchoring both ensures competitiveness and viability—with this strategy being focused on a success factor: the employee.

56 February 2020

WA: Handling conflicts between department heads. I believe that conflict doesn’t just impact productivity; it also threatens to compromise the healthy workplace culture because they will soon involve everyone around. I don’t feel the need to immediately jump into the middle of every conflict, but there does come a point where I need to get involved.

Q5: -WHY IS TAHRIR SQUARE A VITAL LOCATION FOR YOUR HOTEL? WA: It’s definitely a vital location because of the historical background involved and the fact that it’s an iconic landmark to tourists and locals alike.

It will give our guests a more Cairo-introspective experience, as well.

The Revolving Restaurant

AT GRAND NILE TOWER: An unparalleled dining experience with some view!

Located on the 41st floor of Grand Nile Tower is the iconic Revolving Restaurant where tantalizing international cuisine meets with astounding panoramic views of Cairo in a modern inviting atmosphere.

You walk in to be welcomed into the Revolving Restaurant Lounge, where you instantly feel the fancy vibes emanating from the décor dominated by shades of red and soft gold; along with soothing music in the background. The Lounge is a great place to witness the sun as it sets over Cairo’s most famed landmarks.

Heading over to the dining area, the panoramic view of cosmopolitan Cairo will take your breath away and set you in the mood for a culinary journey like no other. The promising show kitchen filled the place with a rather encouraging smell.

The starters’ menu holds an array of the place’s signature appetizers. The Smoked Salmon is served with or without cheese and was nothing but fresh and tempting. The Green Apple & Caramelized walnut Salad is also one you don’t want to miss.

The Blue Crab Bisque and the Cream of Mushroom soup were also in the ensemble of the starters. Both soups were creamy and seasoned to perfection.

Moving to the main course, the menu is splendid and well-selected. With a variety of meat and seafood dishes to feast on, the Grilled US Beef Rib Eye seemed to be a good idea.

Made from scratch with the finest and freshest ingredients, 390gm of juicy steak marinated with olive oil and oregano and presented with a special 58 February 2020

sauce landed our table. And with the first bite of the well done meat, it was clear we made the right choice, indeed.

Savoring that one amazing dish as the view keeps changing; it feels like you’re in a whole different setting overlooking the shimmery Nile River with a sky studded with dreamy stars.

The fun doesn’t end here, there’s still some room for dessert. The Warm Chocolate Fondant and the Vanilla Cream Brulee were both served with mouthwatering ice-cream scoops that juxtaposed the warmth just fine.

Following the pleasant meal, it was time for drinks and some relaxing downtime to enjoy the view over a playlist of classic and upbeat music.

It is safe to say, The Revolving Restaurant has made a name for itself and it definitely lives up to that name. It remains one of Cairo’s trendiest and classist spots and now you know just why. So, if you’re in the mood for a true splendid culinary experience in an extravagant venue, this is the place to go.

TORII RESTAURANT AT THE CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL & OMAR KHAYYAM CASINO: A Trip to Japan From the Comfort of Your Own Seat

Sometimes all one needs is a break from the hectic hubbub of Cairo’s streets, and one is guaranteed to find that break every time in the comfort of Torii at the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino in the island of Zamalek.

We happened to take that much-needed break one day and headed down to Torii for an anticipated warm meal. The restaurant itself is easily found in the folds of the renowned hotel where its cozy, traditionally Japanese atmosphere and setting received us.

Naturally, we began with ordering the soup, one tasty Misoshiru bowl that is warm and inviting with little bursts of tofu in every spoonful. Then, we followed the soup with the Thai Beef Salad, a fresh, zesty flavored appetizer that prepared us for the next dishes to come.

We then moved on to the Uramaki menu, over which we hovered, torn between the variety and tasty options presented before we ordered the freshly-made Kurimi, Tempura, and Surimi rolls, each a delight in its own right that is only compounded when we added the soy sauce, ginger or wasabi at our side.

After that culinary treat, we moved on to the hot dishes menu and ordered the Chicken Cashew, the Singaporean Prawn, and the classic Sweet and Sour Chicken. Needless to say, we had been

rendered speechless at the sight of these dishes presented to us.

To dissect each dish, we’ll begin with the Chicken Cashew, which was new and eclectic and a definite must-try that marries cashew flavor well into the dish’s other ingredients. The Sweet and Sour is a classic as old as time that did not fail to amaze us, but perhaps we need to pay a literary standing ovation to the chef for the Singaporean Prawn, a zingy culinary experience in itself alone!

After this appetizing meal, it was only natural we took a small break before we moved on to the dessert menu, from which we ordered the Lychee with Dumplings and the Japanese Cheesecake dishes, two extremely different desserts that are the best testament to this excellent experience, to go with our Jasmine Green Tea. The lychee was coconut-flavored and warm and soothing in a way that made us savor every spoonful. The cheesecake, too, did not disappoint. With a side of tangy strawberry sauce and fruits, its lightness and softness amplified through its fluffiness and airiness, of course.

All in all, our experience at Torii was unrivaled and will be for a long time, or perhaps always.

For a similar experience, make sure to check the restaurant out this Valentine’s Day for its All You Can Eat offer!

February 2020 59

A DREAM VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION AT

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

As Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo is offering packages that will help you create fairytale memories that will last forever with your loved one.

Give your Valentine’s dinner an elegant twist at Vivo; the Italian gastronomic restaurant with a long reputation for culinary elegance and attention to detail, the two must-haves for a romantic meal.

The prix fixe 5 course dinner unfolds a luxurious setting with plenty of quiet intimate dining with romantic views on the Nile. Couples can live the magic of love music all night long. Vivo will also feature a romantic menu made with love for couples who love to share.

At Nox, the night will be filled with young vibes, nostalgic music, dancing, bar bites, hot cocktails, and surprise performances with a rooftop party lovers will never forget. Couples will unleash their inner romance as they dance, dine and gaze at gorgeous views all night long with their one and only. Overlooking the most romantic view of the Nile River and Cairo skyline; couples will get the chance to experience Valentine’s like nobody else.

Go beyond your 60 February 2020

lover’s

expectations

this

Valentine’s Day as you soar through the majestic sights of Cairo city. Nox is offering romance with Sax and Sushi Wednesdays followed by an indulging couples massage at The Nile RitzCarlton Spa. For a full experience this Valentine’s Day; guests can celebrate with their loved ones over an unlimited selection of sushi, tantalizing drinks, exciting live sax entertainment followed by an indulging couples massage; perfect to set the mood right for an inimitable Valentine’s Day. Partake in a journey of love and escape with the ultimate Valentine’s Day getaway package.

Explore the best of what The Nile Ritz-Carlton has to offer with a luxurious room package that includes an enchanting sax and sushi candlelit dinner at Nox and a charming couples massage at The Nile Ritz-Carlton Spa. Make your sweetheart love you even more this Valentine’s Day at The Nile Ritz-Carlton Spa. Melt your honey’s heart and muscles with a relaxing rose couples massage where you can relax together while two massage therapists work on you side-by-side at the same time. Book in advance to share your experience together in our couples massage rooms.

Sheraton Cairo Hotel Inaugurates “The ShowCase” Series Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino launched the first edition of “The ShowCase”, which is a series of unique stylish events organized by the Sheraton Team to create awareness among the young locals to get to know more about the Sheraton Cairo Hotel after renovations through the eyes of fashion designers, artists, musicians, business men, entrepreneurs in a stylish unique way where every single event become the world gathering place in the heart of Cairo.

For the Third Consecutive Year, Emrates NBD Egypt wins International Finance’s Best Digital Bank in Egypt 2019.

Misr Real Estate Assets Management signs a marketing contract with HSG launching “Osoul EL Haram” project

ENBD Egypt was awarded the title of Best Digital Bank in Egypt 2019 by International Finance, the renowned English magazine specialized in monitoring of major, international economic and banking institutions. The bank has held this title for three consecutive years with this most recent award being a result of the extensive digital and technological services provided by Emirates NBD Egypt in the market.

Misr Real estate Assets Management, a company of the “Ministry of Public Business Sector”, signed the exclusive marketing contract for Osoul EL Haram project with HSG Investment and Development, during a press conference thus launching Osoul EL Haram project and commencing its marketing and offering to the Egyptian real estate market.

The Award Winning JHG Family of 2020 The real medal of honor of hoteliers worldwide are the reviews and feedback received from guests after enjoying their stay at the property. For years, Jaz Hotel Group has taken pride in the encouraging and positive comments their guests left after an exciting stay, and experiencing the destination through the eyes of Jaz. February 2020 61

awarding the best managers and employees aiming of maintaining high standards of service and warmth of hospitality as well as honorable competition to achieve the best among its personnel.

Gangs Burger: Behind every taste is a story!

We’re very joyful to invite you over for a whole new burger experience, but make sure you come hungry and ready to indulge your taste buds with one of the most mouthwatering burgers in town. Gangs burger took the traditional bun and created something extraordinary!

And the classical music is just the cherry on top to take you to a different era.

Make sure you stop by our newest branch in Mohandesein.

Steigenberger ALDAU Resort Starts 2020 with reaching 98 Awards The superb complex of Steigenberger ALDAU Resort in Hurghada is very proud that their effort has been acknowledged and rewarded by receiving 98 prestigious awards so far, based on the reviews and comments of their beloved guests.

Two of its three best-in-class hotels, Steigenberger ALDAU Beach Hotel and Steigenberger Aqua Magic, have been granted with Apollo gold and silver awards for offering guests great service, excellent holidays, and high-quality food and beverages.

62 February 2020

Officially, Glamera is in KSA Committed to their slogan “from 1 city to 6 countries”, Glamera application has announced officially that they started their work in KSA to be covering now Cairo, Alexandria and Riyadh.

Glamera is the first mobile application in the Middle East to reserve all beauty services such as, beauty salons, beauty clinics, dental clinics and diet clinics.

Sonesta’s Managers and Employees of the Year.

Upon the on-going concept of “Commitment to Excellence”, Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo has chosen John Eshak from the Engineering department, Mohamed Sherif from Food and Beverage as Managers of the year, Milad Adel from Reservations Department and Kasban Azzam from Purchasing department as Employees of the year.

Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo permanently insists on raising the quality of service and standards of hospitality to its esteemed guests, therefore kept on the annual tradition of

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Ministry of Antiquities The 2nd Edition of the Pyramids Half Marathon makes its way in February Featuring three exciting distances of 21K, 10K, and 6K The TriFactory reveals the full details of The Pyramids Half Marathon in a press conference.

For the second consecutive time, the Half Marathon is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Fine Hygienic Holding Awarded “Sterilized Brand of the Decade 2020” Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading Wellness Groups and manufacturer of hygienic paper products, has been awarded the prestigious and highly coveted “Sterilized Brand of the Decade Award” in 2020, by the Family Hygiene Institute (FHI).

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IDENTITYMAGEG

Cairo Festival City Mall Celebrates the New Year with Hisham Abbas To welcome the new decade, Cairo Festival City Mall hosted the super star, Hisham Abbas, for an unforgettable New Year celebration on the Village Theatre.

Beloved for his contemporary lyrics and groovy melodies, the veteran singer is notoriously popular amidst all age groups. Abbas engaged the crowds with a number of his biggest hits before leaving the spot light to Crash Boom Bang band.

Taking place in CFCM’s magical winter destination, “Christmas Ville” , the audience also got to enjoy delicious treats from the food and beverages zone, play festive Christmas carnival games, and indulge in seasonal shopping at the joyful bazaar.

Eng. Naguib Sawiris officially inaugurates ZED Park Eng. Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and Global CEO of Ora Developers, officially inaugurated ZED Park with the start of the new year. The stateof-the-art park is spread over 65-feddan and introduces Egypt to park-side living right in the heart of El Sheikh Zayed. ZED park sets a new definition to park entertainment with the launch of “Zed Park Presents”.

Management Change: Michael Mager, Executive Director Human Resources & Organization to retire after 15 years with GROHE and LIXIL GROHE, a leading global brand for full bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, announces today that Michael Mager, Executive Director Human Resources & Organization will retire after 15 years with GROHE and LIXIL.

DM Development Launches “Siera” A New Alluring Phase for The Groove Sokhna Resort Grand Nile Tower, Venue for Matchless Events

Deezer and Mondia sign strategic partnership to connect more people to music Deezer, the global music streaming service and Mondia, a leading private mobile technology company signed today an agreement which will see the rollout of direct carrier billing services across Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE. 64 February 2020

Egypt has a long storied history of being a meeting place for the people and cultures of the world. With that history comes a need for unforgettable venues for events and activities. Located in the heart of Cairo, Grand Nile Tower is beloved by all for both its stellar location and wide array of banquet halls and restaurants, ensuring a memorable event for any gathering, large or small.

DM Development held media event on Monday, January 20th 2020 at Conrad Cairo Hotel, where the leading developer announced the launch of “Siera”, a new alluring phase for The Groove Sokhna Resort.

Managing Director of DM Development, Dr. Ahmed Abd El-Hamid, witnessed the event together with Managing Director Development of Hilton MENA, Nisrine Karazi, and a large number of media members and journalists.

Huawei shipped 6.9 million 5G smartphones in 2019, bringing next-generation connectivity to the world Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG) announced that it has shipped 6.9 million units of 5G smartphones as of December 2019, in addition to offering endto-end 5G solutions. The strong sales reflect Huawei’s relentless commitment to 5G R&D and reinforce Huawei’s leadership in 5G technology.

Uber Completes Acquisition of Careem Uber confirmed the official close of the previously announced acquisition of Careem for $3.1 billion. Careem Networks FZLLC has become a whollyowned subsidiary of Uber, preserving its brand. Careem co-founder and CEO Mudassir Sheikha will continue to lead the Careem business, which will report to a board made up of three representatives from Uber and two representatives from Careem. Careem and Uber will operate their respective regional services and independent brands.

After reaching 500K users. realme announces Egypt to become the headquarters for Africa and the Middle East realme has announced that Egypt will be its headquarter for Middle East and Africa region and that’s under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Wang, the President of realme, Middle East and Africa.

NI Capital Emerges as “Fastest Growing” Investment Banking Advisory Firm and Investment Management Company by International Finance Magazine for 2019 For the second consecutive year, NI Capital wins “Fastest Growing Investment Banking Advisory Firm” with an additional award this year for “Fastest Growing Investment Management Company” by International Finance Magazine in its Financial Awards Category for 2019. International Finance is a premium financial and business analysis magazine, published

by UK’s International Finance Publications Ltd.

Music, Culture and Hospitality: Why byGanz and Factory People Partnership is a Big Deal byGanz Events, G’nK group’s* leading Entertainment company in Egypt announced their partnership with Lebanon’s Factory People** to organize a string of experiential projects in Egypt.

This strategic alliance unites two of the biggest entertainment forces in Egypt and Lebanon, introducing new global concepts and restoring Egypt’s position as the culture and entertainment destination in the region.

Officially .. realme enters 5G era and launches realme X50 realme, the fastest growing smartphone brand, held a launch event to announce realme X50, its first 5G smartphone. Which signifies that realme enters the era of 5G. In the future, realme holds a position of a popularizer of 5G and will bring affordable and trendy 5G smartphones for the youth. Meanwhile, realme continues its cooperation with Naoto Fukasawa, a contemporary industrial design master, introduced realme X50 Master Edition with a unique design.

February 2020 65

identity

SIGNS

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

STRENGTHS: Intelligent, creative, friendly.

WEAKNESSES: Emotionally detached, irresponsible, wacky.

FRIENDSHIP: Aquarians seek company and stimulating conversations. They might be a bit on the aloof side, being very particular about the friends they keep, but they can easily strike up a conversation when they want to. They’re fun to hang out with and when the going gets tough, they will offer their honest advice.

MOST COMPATIBLE WITH IN FRIENDSHIP: Aries, Libra, Sagittarius, Leo, Capricorn.

FRIENDSHIP COMPATIBILITY ARIES: A friendship between this sign and Aquarius is highly dynamic and continuously creative. It might be a tad competitive but nevertheless exciting with enthusiasm to try new things.

TAURUS: It may look like these two signs don’t get along but a friendship between them might work if given enough time. They may clash often but once they let their guards down, the fun never stops.

GEMINI: Ideally, this friendship is perfect for both signs. Geminis and Aquarians tend to have strong bonds, intellectual more often than not, and love sharing their ideas and schemes together.

CANCER: Cancer and Aquarius are from the two opposite sides of the Zodiac, which means that their friendship is usually a variation of the “opposites attract” type.

LEO: What’s energetic, lively, and never sees a dull moment? A friendship between these two signs, that’s what! They have striking debates and share an admiration for each other’s qualities.

VIRGO: This one might be a bit eclectic because a friendship between an Aquarius and a Virgo means both people will be switching back and forth, from one extreme to the next. Virgos are realistic, Aquarians aren’t, which means they’re different as night and day, but once they click it’s all over.

66 February 2020

LIBRA: Friendship between Libras and Aquarians happens easily because these two just channel each other’s energy. Both admire each other’s ideas and commitment to freedom, which makes for an interesting ride.

SCORPIO: Aquarius and Scorpios have different personalities and outlooks on life with both being quite unyielding about their points of view. This makes for a lot of clashes and might make their friendship rather hard.

SAGITTARIUS: An innovative and dynamic duo, Sagittarius and Aquarius get along together so well it’s almost uncanny. There are no restrictions or limits and both feel quite at ease with one another.

CAPRICORN: Another case of opposites attract; a friendship between a Capricorn and an Aquarius might be weird at first glance, considering the fact that Capricorns are practical and Aquarians are rather innovative. Once they find a middle ground, though, their friendship keeps on growing.

AQUARIUS: Double signs, double the fun!

Aquarians tend to mesh well together generally because they’re all about socializing and having fun.

PISCES: Friendships between these two signs are quite a sight to see. Both love living in their dream worlds and cooking up interesting plots, so they’d have no trouble initiating conversations.

PURAVIDA. Design by Phoenix Design

The brainchild of Phoenix Design, the design of this extraordinary complete range makes minimalism approachable by giving it a new feminine touch. All lines are gently softened giving the range a poetic lightness.

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