The Valentine Special, Febraury 2019, Identity Magazine

FEBRUARY 2019 - 20 L.E., VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

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GUIDE: Hair & Makeup For The Perfect Date Night

Unique & Unusual Romantic Getaways

A GAME FOR TWO: SPORTS FOR BOTH OF YOU

Ideas

Gift For Him

ROCK YOUR WAY INTO A HOT NIGHT OUT

REHAM AYMAN

MASTERING THE ART OF SELF LOVE

THE VALENTINE SPECIAL

A TA BLE FOR T WO ...

A M EMORY FORE V ER

T H E ‘ W O R L D I S YO U R OYST E R ’ T H I S V A L E N T I N E ’ S . . . S O T R A N S P O RT YO U R S W E E T H E A RT TO D I V I N E LY ROMANTIC SETTINGS FOR A NIGHT O F I N T E R N AT I O N A L T E M P TAT I O N S .

Saraya Gallery, is stylishly French with the cuisine to match ... ‘Ooh la la!’. Whisper ‘il mio amore’ to your love amid the Italian ambience of Ristorante Tuscany ... take a front row seat for the exotic Japanese teppanyaki show at Torii. Promenade Café awaits in an outdoor setting - just perfect, while The Bakery welcomes you with delectable delights.

For the young at heart ... what’s not to love.

16 SARAY EL GEZIRA ST., PO BOX 33 ZAMALEK, CAIRO 11211, EGYPT. T: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CAIROMARRIOTTHOTEL.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM/CAIEG

3 El Tayaran St. Nasr City - Cairo, Egypt

T: +202.2264.1111

reservations@sonestacairo.com

IDENTITY LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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Reham Ayman MASTERING THE ART OF SELF LOVE

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ove thyself. Be happy and at peace with yourself. Get comfortable in your own skin. Cherish your own company. Appreciate your “you time” and enjoy you and yourself doing your own thing. It’s called self love and contrary to common belief, no, it’s NOT selfish. We need to fill our own lamp with oil first in order to be able to light for others! What you don’t have, you can seldom give. Mother thyself; look after your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Only then you will be able to really pass this love onto the significant others in your life; partners, family and friends.

Happy Valentine’s Day to “you” first and foremost.

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 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 2019

IDENTITY MASTHEAD

IDENTITY Suit: Zaam Designs

FEBRUARY 2019, VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2

Founder & CEO Rola Kamel Editor-in-Chief Nawal Ismail Art director Alia El Abd Copy-Editor Amina El Fayoumy Senior Staff Writer Amina Moustapha Staff Writers Aya Aboshady, Elhusseni Fekry , Omnia Essawy Freelance Writers Amina Elghandour, Rana Ramez Interns Malak El-Lamie Relationship Expert Marwa Rakha Fashion Expert Nahed Kazziha Food Writer Soha Darwish Senior Graphic Designer Sandy Saied Marketing & Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Business Developer Raghda El-Sayed Digital Marketing Manager Youssef Ali Senior Social Media strategist Omar Zydan Social Media Executive Mahmoud Aboudeif Video Editor Ahmed Mostafa

6 February 2019

Identity Magazine Distributor Ashraf Fouad

IDENTITY CONTENTS

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A LOVE SPELL

7 The Lust List 8 Non-traditional Gift Guide

for Him 9 The Benefits of A Break In a Relationship

STYLE Makeup For Date Night Date Night Hairstyles Date Night Fashion Red Hot Fashion with a Heart Christina Léon: CHL Home 24 Ahmed NabiL: Nob Designs 26 Reham Ayman: Mastering the Art of Self Love 10 12 14 18 20 22

10 48 Travel Guide: Lebanon 50 Romantic Getaways 52 Energy Balls

DEAR LOVERS

OUT & ABOUT

30 The Truth About On-Again, 32 34

36 38 40 42 44 46

Off-Again Couples Public Display of Affection Compromising in a Relationship: When Does a Little Bit Turn Into Too Much?

How To Find The Love Of Your Life Eight Things you May Mistake for Love Nine Toxic Relationships Glorified On-Screen Insecurities that Can Kill even The Best Relationships A Game for Two: Sports for Both of you Beating Cancer with Faith & Smiles, Zein: Turning Every Negative into a Positive

8 February 2019

54 56 60 64

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ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

Advertorial Snaps Press Releases Horoscopes

THE LUST LIST

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2 LIZZIE FORTUNATO HEART EARRINGS Those Earrings will help you rock whatever look you choose to go with this Valentine’s; the heart shape is just so elegant and pretty!

PALMA - BURGUNDY ROUND WAIST BAG Wanna look trendy, edgy and elegant at the same time? This Palma Round Waist Bag will do all of that for you and more!

It’s so practical and cute, and it also suits Valentine’s!

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PULL&BEAR - LEATHER MINI SKIRT WITH BUTTONS How awesome is this black Leather Mini Skirt from Pull & Bear? It will give you just the amount of edginess you really want for whatever occasion; and the best thing is that it complements almost anything you choose to wear it with!

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CHANEL - JACKET No matter how you’re celebrating Valentine’s, this Jacket with the super fabulous powder pink colour will make you look even prettier whether you’re going out or stuck at work for the day!

CHANEL NO 5 EAU DE PARFUM RED EDITION Honestly, what’s better than a very nice and catchy smell? The Chanel NO 5 is going to make you 10 times more attractive with its amazing odeur, and the Red Edition is JUST what we need this Valentine’s!

February 2019 9

IDENTITY A LOVE SPELL

Gifts of love keep giving.

J. STANFORD

Non-traditional GIFT GUIDE FOR HIM

by Omnia Essawy

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we tend to get mixed feelings of excitement and pure panic. Because as excited as we are to spend this lovely day with our significant other, we always stress out over the perfect gift to give them. Of course, there are the traditional gifts we are all tired of like flowers or chocolate, however, are they really special enough to express your love for him? We think not. So to help you truly blow his mind this Valentine’s, we have compiled a list of new and non-traditional gifts that you can choose from.

1. Gym Membership If you are in love with a health and exercise fanatic who spends most of his time at the gym, then paying for his gym membership fees for a year would be the perfect gift for him. This way he will get to enjoy your gift all year long and you will have truly found the gift that keeps on giving.

10 February 2019

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2. Electronic Gift Cards Resist it all you want, but if you are in love with a gamer or a geek, you will have to share him forever with his precious games and gadgets. So you might as well just surrender and support his hobbies by giving him an electronic gift card for Valentine’s.

Don’t despair, on the bright side, he could have worse hobbies! At least this way when the electricity goes out, you are guaranteed his full attention!

3. Adventure Time Instead of going to a lame restaurant, why not take this day to go on an unforgettable adventure that stays with you long after Valentine’s is over. Don’t get us wrong, food is great. But this day should be about the two of you keeping the spark of your love alive. So plan out activities to explore hidden gems in Cairo; play at an arcade, go horse riding… go somewhere you have never been before, and make sure every detail of the day is new and exciting so you can both go home with a bucketload of memories and a smile that lasts until Mother’s day.

4. Day of Pampering Let’s face it; stress can be a dangerous thing for a relationship. So to avoid that danger you can take advantage of this love holiday and use it to relax and take a break from everything, except each other of course. Go on a romantic day-use somewhere, or have a spa Valentine’s Day so you can unwind and focus only on each other. This way you will have killed two birds with one stone; you got to relax while giving him an amazing gift.

Valentine’s can be about more than just a bunch of clichés; it could be a chance for a couple to rediscover their love.

THE BENEFITS OF A BREAK IN A RELATIONSHIP by Amina Moustapha “WE WERE ON A BREAK!” Any Friends fan will be familiar with this famous recurring line by Ross Geller which became one of the most used running gags of the Friends series. It was said when Ross and Rachel hit pause on their relationship. Well, that didn’t end well. There is no denying that taking a break can get complicated. But in some cases, time apart can actually help strengthen a couple’s bond. When you feel like you’ve exhausted all other options, it’s the smartest step to take. The rule here, is that both of you should agree on the terms of this separation period, that’s what we call a proper break. Let’s see what would have happened if Ross & Rachel had a proper break… what are the benefits of a break in a relationship: 1. LET OFF STEAM There’s no hastier decision than a decision made while angry or frustrated. Allowing yourself to become cool and collected will enable you to think more clearly, without making a decision you may soon come to regret. Relationships sometimes don’t give much room, that’s when a break is needed. It allows you to have some distance. When the dust settles you will begin to see much more clearly. Only then rational decisions can be made.

2. RECOGNIZING YOUR MISTAKES INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THEIRS Yep, it takes two to make a mess in a relationship.

It’s so easy to get carried away in an argument and not realize the nasty things you’ve said. You’re quick to blame your partner, because it was their part of the argument you heard clearest. Taking time apart and reflecting on an argument as a whole will give you a chance to notice the way you reacted, too.

3. THERE ARE OTHER FISH IN THE SEA Least attractive benefit on the list but we can’t not consider it. A break allows you to go on dates with

new people, and sometimes that’s what a person needs to realize that they must let go of a relationship, that there are other people in the world who get you too, your partner is not the last person on the planet.

But if your relationship’s boat is not that rocky, it will survive this phase, and you simply won’t be that interested in other people.

4. SEE WHO YOU ARE WITHOUT THEM A relationship fuses you with your partner, which is a good thing, but sometimes you lose yourself in this fuse, you don’t know who you are without your partner anymore. A break detaches you from this unhealthy interdependence. You start to learn to function on your own, which is crucial to a relationship, because no relationship should carry this burden.

5. FIND THE ROOT Taking a break from your relationship can trigger lots of feelings. Let the pain be your guide to dissect what went wrong so you can learn from it. When you hush the noise of the fighting, you can hear the real issue, and see if it’s fixable or a deadly one to your relationship.

February 2019 11

IDENTITY BEAUTY

Makeup For Date Night

by Aya Aboshady

Want to look fabulous on your date night?

Well, Valentine’s Day is partly about dressing up and wearing glamorous makeup to match the lovey dovey atmosphere in the air, and that’s why we brought you a guide with two stunning looks that you can easily pull off on your date night, and which will also go with two different hairstyles!

THE HAIR UP MAKEUP LOOK

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This Smashbox Always On Liquid Bold Lipstick in the shade Disorderly will give you the sexiest dark red lips for your date night. It will also make your lips look fuller with its creamy formula and primer oil!

To make things quick and easy for you, this Two in One Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer from Clinique will not just give you a guaranteed pretty look with its flawless natural finish, it will also smoothen and moisturize your face!

2 The ColourPop Super Shock Cream-Powder eyeshadow is the one for this look. This time in the prettiest, most natural shade ever, Amaze, for a nude shimmery look to complement your face!

12 February 2019

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The ELF Beautifully Bare Cheeky Glow will look absolutely gorgeous on your skin and complete the fancy look! The cream to powder blush goes smoothly on the skin and creates the most natural and beautiful glow.

To enhance your look, you’ll need a natural mascara that doesn’t cover its shape and actually brings out its beauty instead, which is why this Maybelline Lash Sensational is the perfect mascara for you. Especially with its very buildable quality and full fan effect!

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6 Cream highlighters are hands down always the best! And this Twinkle Stick cream one from Tarte is not just really pretty and shimmery, it’s also long wearing. The formula also contains Coconut and Vitamin E for a healthy date night!

THE HAIR DOWN MAKEUP LOOK

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You will definitely need your makeup to stay in place for the whole night, which is why this Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation will fulfill your needs up to 24 hours, giving you the most flawless matte finish!

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The NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer is literally one of the best! Its formula is great for covering any imperfections or dark circles that you might have, without looking cakey in any way!

This ColourPop Super Shock CreamPowder eyeshadow in the shade Honor Roll will make your eyes look pretty shiny with its warm rusty brown color and soft pearl finish. Its quick and easy blending technique is probably the best thing about it!

This long wearing Chocolate Soleil matte bronzing powder from TOO FACED is awesome.

It helps you get that easy tanned warm look that stays on for hours. And the best thing is that it DOES smell like chocolate, which goes perfectly with Valentine’s Day!

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The Milani Blossom time Rose Powder Blush will give your cheeks the most natural flushed look; its soft shimmery finish is going to make you look even prettier for the night!

What’s date night makeup look without a beautiful highlighter? This Fort De France NARS highlighter in the Champagne shade will give you the prettiest dewy finish ever to go with the rest of your face!

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Another amazing product from Benefit is the They’re Real lengthening and volumizing mascara! It lifts and separates your lashes perfectly for a beautiful and dramatic eye look and it’s also long wearing!

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Here comes the Valentine’s Day essential, the classic red lipstick! This one from MAC in the shade Satin with its nice creamy formula is all you need before you get out the door to meet your date and look as hot and beautiful as ever!

February 2019 13

Date Night HAIRSTYLES

by Aya Aboshady

The month of love is upon us everyone! And most of us women definitely know how hard it is when it comes to making hair, makeup and fashion choices for special date nights. Because a woman’s hair is basically her treasure, flaunting it is kind of essential on Valentine’s Day. For this sole purpose, we have brought you 8 different hairstyles to rock your date night on Valentine’s Day!

THE FRESH CROPPED HAIR You know you want to do it! Cutting your hair is really nice and all, but cutting it THAT short is MUCH nicer!

For all women who want to rock that look, we’re here to tell you that it’s the prettiest thing ever. You’ll show up on your date in style and adding pink and burgundy tones will make you pull it off even more!

THE VINTAGE LOOK If you feel like jazzing things up a bit and making a pretty surprise entrance on that date night, then a retro vintage look is all you need!

Since everything vintage is currently the new trend, you might want to try it on your hair with your favourite red lipstick and black eyeliner.

Get ready to steal the show like you should!

14 February 2019

THE SIDE BRAID A side braid is always so pretty! It doesn’t matter if your hair is short or long because you can never go wrong with a little loose side braid. You could even rock it on your date night without needing any accessories to complete the look, since all the focus will be on the beauty that is your hair!

THE NATURAL LOOKING SHORT WAVES For all the short haired women out there, get ready to go natural with your pretty waves!

There’s nothing wrong with rocking natural looking short waves on a date night. Also, if you match this hairdo with pretty earrings, girl, you will definitely steal hearts more than you already do on your own!

THE LONG WAVES Waves are usually the right choice when it comes to a date, especially if you have long hair. The long beach hair waves look will make you look as beautiful as ever, especially if you match it with simple makeup and a gold necklace!

THE STRAIGHT AND SILKY Who are we kidding?

Straight hair is almost ALWAYS the answer when women want to rock a night out!

With nude lipstick and dramatic eye makeup, the straight and silky hair, whether long or short, will add on SO much to your magical date night!

THE HALF UP HALF DOWN Women always look their best when they pull their hair up; whether it’s short, long, wavy or straight.

Which is why this half up half down hairdo will make you look so pretty it will honestly hurt everyone!

With a little jewelry here and there and lip gloss of course, you’ll be ready to take on the night!

THE ELEGANT MESSY BUN A messy bun is usually the solution for everything when it comes to girls and their precious hair; this elegant messy one will have you looking like a duchess on Valentine’s Day! Mix it up with cute little diamond or silver earrings to complete the messy but put together-elegant look and you’re ready to love the night away!

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IDENTITY STYLE

DATE NIGHT FASHION

by Mahmoud Aboudeif & Omnia Essawy

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and everyone is looking for the perfect outfit for their romantic date. The pressure gets too much at times that it can take the fun out of the special occasion. So we are here to help make the hectic debacle of ‘what to wear’ this Valentine’s a bit easier for you. To make things simpler, we have compiled a list of outfits from different stores, so you can round up the countless shopping trips you make to complete your date night look into just one trip to one store. And whether you are a laid-back casual girl or an all-out glam lover, you will find the outfit for you to rock this Valentine’s. All you have to do is take your pick! Enjoy and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Bershka

We all know that this weather is perfect for coffee dates and long walks. However, just because you are having an outdoors Valentine’s date, doesn’t mean you can’t dress up. If you match a classy fur coat and a glittery top with some comfy jeans and walking boots, you will get the perfect mix between classy and comfy, and you can find it all at one place; Bershka.

16 February 2019

Zara

Sometimes, all you need is just one really good piece to make your outfit complete, as elegantly proven by this shiny black blazer dress from Zara. With this gorgeous blazer, all you will need is some diamond earrings, black heels, and a black clutch to complete the look and wow your date and everyone else this Valentine’s.

Bershka

If you are not a laid back girl and you like living on the edge -metaphorically speaking of course-, then this outfit is for you! Look daring while you go clubbing this Valentine’s Day, and wear an all glitter outfit because you know you can pull it off!

At Bershka, you will be able to collect this shiny ensemble from the head-turning silver blazer to the sparkling earrings.

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Zara

Call it cliché all you want, but red is the color of love. It is just a fact. But while following this rule, you can still add a different flavor to it.

Nothing can do that better than fringes. This fringed top from Zara will give you just the right amount of flare to steel this Valentine’s Day by storm. The great thing about it is that you can style it all you want. You can wear it with classic black pants or with some comfy jeans. Either way, you will look both classy and edgy through your Valentine’s.

H&M

Simplicity is always elegant, especially when it’s black. This is why this velvet black jumpsuit from H&M will give you the classy stylish look you want to maintain for your date while keeping it simple and comfortable. If you want to add an extra spice to the mix, you can match them with some red heels to go with the theme of Valentine’s while still keeping it simple. To keep warm, you can grab a simple black overcoat that compliments your look.

18 February 2019

Mango

You can never go wrong if you go with a simple black dress.

You can get this lacey elegant black number from Mango. To keep warm in February’s chilly weather, you can add this trendy plaid winter coat, also from Mango. And you are ready to go.

Mango

With this particular Mango look, you’ll be able to achieve the almost impossible equation of classy, elegant and comfortable. Just a simple white dress with a light brown winter coat and a some low comfy heels, so simple yet together they make for one knock-out look that will help you look effortlessly gorgeous on your Valentine’s date.

February 2019 19

Red Hot

by Nahed Kazziha

Red. The colour of love, prosperity and danger. Arguably the most attentiongrabbing among the primary colours, it comes in so many shades that you would be hard pressed to find a lady that does not look good in red. Most women fear the color makes them standout or can make them look tacky. So here are some useful tips and tricks to ensure you look your hottest in red. First and foremost, when in doubt, throw on your red garment and conduct a blink test in the mirror: if your gaze flocks to your frock, then your dress is wearing you! Ultimately, if you blink and your eyes focus straight on your face, then you are in the clear and are rocking your red dress.

Maria Lucia Hohan

NEUTRAL Jackpot! If you do not have warm or cool undertones, you are one lucky chameleon. You have the best of both worlds and will probably turn heads in tangerine or raspberry reds. As the possessor of swing-like undertones, you can wear gold or silver jewelry at your whim. Come summer, drape on some coral, come winter, clutch some crimson.

Your added bonus is true reds will work wonders for you.

20 February 2019 Oscar de la Renta

Rixo Halpern

COOL SKIN TONES

A cooler complexion means that you can handle contrast, like black and white. If silver and white gold jewelry just blends into your skin seamlessly, you are most likely graced with cool undertones. This means your skin tone has hints of pink or blue, making your go-to reds of the berry or burgundy variety. Don your ruby tinted dress and quietly command the room.

WARM SKIN TONES If your skin has yellow undertones, this is you. Warm undertones are often described as olive, peach or gold. If you tan easily, that is another surefire sign that you belong to this group. Gold accessories illuminate your face and body, rather than contrast it. Consequently, you should opt for reds that are mixed in with yellow hues; that means corals or orange tinged. Those tangerine palettes will ignite your flamboyance.

Roland Mouret

February 2019 21 Alexander McQueen

FASHION WITH A HEART

by Nahed Kazziha

As grim as the globe can be, it only takes a quick shift in the mindset to realize that we are surrounded by beauty and goodness. Our world is a crazy place and it has always been the object of criticism. Scientists push the boundaries of the cosmos, entrepreneurs advance economic frontiers, while the artists continue to find beauty in the seemingly grotesque.

Renowned artists such as Picasso recorded the most horrendous atrocities, recounting the Spanish civil war through his depiction of Guernica. Literary geniuses retold the eternal struggle of good versus evil in telling dalliances with the devil in Faust as written by Goethe.

Fashion is no stranger to such critiques. An art form in itself, fashion often lends its voice to those who cannot be heard. An industry deeply mislabeled as shallow and superficial can be found at the helm of change time and time again. Fashion helped free women from corsets and petticoats post-WWII. However, we must lay blame when it comes to the field’s role in objectifying women and holding them to unattainable standards of beauty and perfection.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, who presented the British Designer of the Year Womenswear award to Clare Waight Keller, remarked that she recently read that “the culture of fashion has shifted from one where it was cool to be cruel to now, where it is cool to be kind.” Nowadays, there is certainly some 22 February 2019

evidence to support this claim. One need only to think of the skyrocketing sales of sneakers compared to stilettos! Indeed, perhaps the fashion world is becoming kinder to our feet.

On a more serious note, there is truth behind the sentiment of kind fashion. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, many designers took a political stance through the good old slogan tee.

Models prancing down catwalks clad in t-shirts emblazoned with powerful slogans, proclaimed “we should all be feminists” or “we will not be silenced.” It may just be a garment, but the intention behind it is very powerful. In a world of Harvey Weinsteins and Trumps, they would have to be held accountable. The fact that these messages were delivered by supermodels that society deems “attractive” drove the point home. The “ugly” feminist is dead, long live the feminist.

most formidable creations to date. However, this practice must also come to an end. While pioneers in sustainable fashion like Stella McCartney have long banned the use of such materials in their garments, it is only in late 2018 that other fashion houses, including Chanel, announced that this practice will be retired starting 2019.

Other instances of stylish mutiny involved actual picketing in a fashion show. When Puerto Rican designer Stella Nolasco had her models saunter down the runway with Puerto Rican pride signs, it was in the wake of the hurricane that devastated her homeland. The disaster was largely ignored by the US government, but a fighter like Nolasco would not let the indiscretion pass. Equal rights for equal citizens were demanded on the runway at NYFW and in the country.

I would be remiss to discuss fashion’s inclusive nature without mention of the LGBTQ advancements in the industry. While many prominent pillars of the fashion elite form part of this community, it is not solely a sense of aesthetic that led to their success. It is succeeding in the face of adversity and discrimination.

One fashion show in particular paid homage in celebrating the rainbow last year, namely Burberry. The iconic plaid design was interwoven with colourful rainbow tartan and brandished down the catwalk in celebration.

Finally, there is the cruel trend that I grapple with the most: animal cruelty. For as long as I can remember and as long as my grandmother and great-grandmother can recall, fur and exotic skins have been part and parcel of haute couture. Heavenly soft pelts and curiously texturized leathers have been used in some of the

As for our local fashion scene? It should make you beam with pride when you see Egyptian designers, such as Amina K flaunting a “made in Egypt” label. Or when Okhtein showcase Egyptian heritage through embroidery and metal work on their accessories.

Or when the Sahara Collection exclusively dedicates a line affectionately named Save a Paw, so that proceeds can go to helping animals and shelters.

So, this Valentine’s Day do not feel guilty about your brand new dress. Think about all the love and

sacrifice that went into creating a garment that is worthy of your human kindness. Go ahead, pay it forward and spread the love in style.

February 2019 23

CHRISTINA LÉON CHL HOME 24 February 2019

Based in Cairo, Christina Léon Youssef is a 24 year old Egyptian fashion designer, art director and stylist. In 2017, she founded the Christina Léon Atelier for soirée dresses and eveningwear. That was after she followed her passion and grew her talent by studying art direction and fine arts. In 2015, she started working in the field and participated in many fashion shows like the Cansurvive Fashion Show.

Léon is mainly inspired by nature and unique rare fabrics. She finds her rhythm in the beauty that surrounds her.

Her new CHL collection “NATURE-WILD” for Fall-Winter’18|’19 is exactly what its name entails; totally inspired by the human connection with nature and its derivatives like horses, which is why the materials include fur and wool. The line is designed to suit both seasons and to specifically fit multiple occasions; whether in the daytime or in the evening. The collection is also very trendy, distinctive and could be styled in various different ways to give women the edge and self confidence they’re looking for.

February 2019 25

AHMED NABIL NOB DESIGNS 26 February 2019

Nob Designs is an outstanding fashion brand, founded by the very talented Egyptian stylist and fashion designer, Ahmed Nabil. The young talent founded his brand in 2013 and ever since then, his exceptional creations have been coming to life. Nabil’s passion started at a young age; his designs are inspired by the many different things that occur around him. They are usually trendy, challenging and unlike the typical work you often see. His new winter collection is extremely outspoken. The choice of name for Nabil’s new collection comes from the very self identity of his pieces and this is usually what the young designer is all about.

What is even more amazing about it is the fact that Nabil’s hand is imprinted on his items. It’s some sort of emotional symbolism related to power and strength; it’s also very humanistic as he likes to call it. Also, because Nabil believes in simplicity, uniqueness and the importance of one’s identity, you’ll notice that some of the beautiful pieces showcase Arabic calligraphy.

February 2019 27

IDENTITY INTERVIEW

Reham Ayman MASTERING THE ART OF SELF LOVE Interview by Amina Moustapha

Photography & Art Direction : NADER ABDO “35MM CREATIVE STUDIOS” Assistant Photographer: SAYED MOUSTAFA Makeup Artist : NOURHAN ELBARBARI Hair Stylist : MOSTAFA LOTFY BLISS BEAUTY SALON Suit: ZAAM DESIGNS

S

ince melting the audience’s hearts at the age of sixteen in Mahmoud Abd Al Aziz’s beloved TV series Mahmoud Al Masry, Reham Ayman has emerged as one of the most endearing and talented actresses of her generation, laying the foundation for a successful and exceptional career. She participated in several accomplishing TV series such as Al A’araf, Mowaten X, Al Rayan, and of course the blockbuster Hekayat Banat in its first season. She joined various popular films such as Hatoly Ragel, Kalb Al-Asad, Dokan Shehata, and Sarkhet Namla. Reham has managed to reserve a spot in the limelight through her gift; therefore we had to meet up with her to hear all about her astounding career journey, life after motherhood, and when we will be seeing her again on the screen.

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What inspired you to get into the acting field, and how did your career kick off?

When I was just a little girl, I was besotted by the wunderkind child actress, Fayrouz. She became my inspiration to seek a career in the acting field. By the age of nine my head was already filled with plans on how I would start acting, and from where to begin.

Seeing the passion in my eyes, my grandma took me to audition for one of Tarek Nour’s advertisements, I got accepted and you can only imagine my excitement then! I started to join many other commercials, and when I turned sixteen I learned that I was nominated to join a series with the late Mahmoud Abd Al-Aziz. It was a golden chance without question, so I went to do a camera test in front of the director, the incredible Magdy Abo Emira, and in the presence of Mahmoud Abd Al-Aziz. They liked me and I got the role, which I still consider until this very day a cornerstone in my career; it set me on the right track. Things started from there.

What is your favourite role so far, and why?

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since each girl saw herself in one of the characters.

Sadly, I couldn’t join the second season of the show because I was pregnant at the time, and I couldn’t shoot while pregnant because my character, Mariam, had already given birth during the first season; the script was already written and she wasn’t supposed to be pregnant. Later on in the following seasons, they had already introduced new characters, so for sure they had to continue with these characters. I believe the show is an amazing one; I watched Ingy El Mokkaddem and Nada Moussa’s performance and they are perfect. I take pride that I was once part of that beautiful project.

In terms of making movies and TV series, why aren’t you that present like you used to be?

It’s mainly because I had back to back pregnancies; while my first born was only six months old I was already pregnant with my second child. Aside from the obvious challenge of having two toddlers under one roof, I was so happy to not wait much after the first baby, because first off I wanted so much to have kids, and second off I personally think it’s wiser to get over with the pregnancies and go through the experience almost at the same time. That way the kids will learn from each other and will become fast friends because they’re close playmates, and later on I can go back to work. I get many offers, but I still can’t in good conscious leave the kids while they are still that young; especially that I like to be the one who does everything for them, I don’t like to hire help. I am waiting for the right role that will fire me up, and stimulate me to leave home to go play it.

When I am acting I feel like I belong to another world.

Why did you leave the cast of Hekayat Banat even though it was a major success, and the audience was in love with your role? Are you still a fan of the show?

Of course I more than agree that Hekayat Banat was and still is a major success. Its popularity exceeded the expectations of everyone involved in the series when it first came out. We knew it was a lovely show, but we didn’t expect such a positive reaction from the audience; how young girls started to relate to the 4 characters and perceive them as their own reflection,

“

It’s the role of Amar in Al Aaraf, and that’s due to many reasons.

First and foremost, it had always been a dream of mine to act alongside the prodigious, Adel Emam, therefore when director Ramy Emam, picked me for the role, I was on cloud nine! I played the role of Adel Emam’s daughter in the series so I got to work so closely with him; which is a pure joy! The whole atmosphere of the shooting was fun and positive; I couldn’t wait to wake up everyday and go to work. I was in love with my character, Amar, and I could sense how the audience loved her too. In addition, I met my husband, Sherif Ramzy, on the set of this series. He was my co-star then, and we got married shortly after, so this role is by all means my lucky charm.

Tell us more about the project you are working on.

While reading scenarios and searching for the right role, I got an idea that will help me get back sooner to work and still have my kids close by, better yet involved in my work. I came up with an idea for an online show addressing new parents; it revolves around kids and parenthood where I would be sharing my personal experience and featuring pediatricians and child psychologists. Each episode will pose a common question regarding kids. We will begin shooting the episodes soon, and it will be aired on my YouTube channel next summer.

We thank Reham for such an amazing interview and wish her all the best in her new project.

February 2019 31

IDENTITY ADVICE

THE TRUTH ABOUT ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN COUPLES

by Marwa Rakha

When it comes to relationships there are three possible scenarios, the couple stays together (and hopefully have a happy life), or the couple breaks up and go separate ways, or…the couple breaks up…and then makes-up...and then breaks up...Lather, rinse, repeat.

Repeated ending and renewing of a relationship is often called relationship cycling. This phenomenon has become quite common in modern relationships, so we couldn’t help but wonder about the healthiness of such relationships, and if it’s leading the couple anywhere. Here’s a tough question for the one who always has our backs when it comes to relationship advice, Identity’s Relationships Expert, Marwa Rakha.

I have often wondered about the best word to use when describing a thriving relationship: Happy?

Stable? Steady? Peaceful? Mutual? Loving?

Passionate? None of the above words were good enough; they certainly are good relationships, but I was looking for something else.

32 February 2019

SOLID! Solid is the word I was looking for. A solid relationship means that the couple trust, respect, and believe in one another. It means that they are together, and together they will face boredom, seduction, pain, disagreements, sickness, and all sorts of adversities. Solid relationships are secure; they are like having a home to go to at the end of the day. People who are in a solid relationship are blessed, and people who are in a seesaw-relationship are doomed. On-again off-again relationships are anything but solid. If you are planning to cruise through life in such a relationship, be prepared for facing rough winds and feisty currents alone. Let’s examine seesaw relationships in detail.

Why on?

Like any relationship, it is probably attraction – physical or mental. Fun is another possible reason.

People who have fun together, laugh together, will probably hookup. Coincidence? Yes, some people find themselves in a relationship. One thing led to the other and they became together. Love? Why not?

Love is a very valid reason to start a relationship.

Why off?

Again, like any relationship that does not feel right, things go downhill – and end. Anything could be the reason; misfit, loss of interest, cheating, uncertainty, personal differences, regular fights, violence, bad sex, etc. As you can see, seesaw relationships start and end like any other relationship. Nothing in the beginning or at the end can predict the on/off pattern.

Why on-again?

Realizing that breaking up was a mistake? Missing being together? Giving the relationship a second chance? Needing one another? Sexual chemistry?

Readiness to commit?

Why off-again?

Feeling, once again, that this is not the right relationship? Fights? Nothing has changed?

Boredom? Flings? Until this point, this is still not a seesaw relationship; this is a couple trying to make things work. Wise people go separate ways from here.

They either breakup in a civil way or raise hell. The key word is that they do breakup. The love relationship ends. They could be friends afterwards or never speak to one another again. Still, the relationship is over.

Why on-again-again?

Boredom? Did not find anyone better? Going through a bad phase? Vulnerable? Desperate? Hoping things would be different this time? Addicted to sex?

Why off-again-again?

Found a better option? More boredom? More flings?

More violence? Just got dumped for no reason?

Why on-again-again-again?

More desperate? More vulnerable? More delusional?

Can you see the pattern now? Seesaw relationships are sick and make you sick. They are anything but solid!

Why do people stay in seesaw relationships? Why are they common? Why do they accept them?

The person who is in control of the on/off switch is probably confused, lacks self-awareness, or is single and looking but cannot stand being single, so he/she switches the seesaw on, and continues looking. He/ she could also be an abuser!

The person who gets on the seesaw over and over, is delusional, bored, lacks self-esteem, or is very vulnerable. No one in his/her right mind would accept being toyed with like that.

If there is no one in control of the on/off switch, and the couple just gravitate towards one another over and over, then they are both not looking for a solid relationship. They are both enjoying the drama and thrill of breaking up and making up, and they are both keeping their options open.

Can seesaw relationships develop into anything else?

There is no definite answer to that question. Maybe, in one of the “ONs”, the couple would take a leap of faith and move in together or get engaged/married.

Their ship might be wrecked immediately once responsibilities weigh on the couple, or they might cruise for a while before they realize that they made a mistake, or they might actually enjoy the cruise and visit many harbors together. Most probably married seesaw couples shipwreck – with or without kids.

If you are in a seesaw relationship, reading this, and wondering how to break the cycle; think of a light bulb. Your soul, mental health, body, and entire being are like a light bulb. Visualize that light bulb glowing with light or dimmed in peace.

Now think of a reckless kid, or an irresponsible person, with his naughty finger on the switch. On/off, on/off, on/off, boom! The light bulb got burnt! The kid would either find another light bulb to watch burnout, or would learn his lesson and feel sorry, or would toy with the wrong switch and get electrified!

Whatever happens to the kid, the light bulb will never glow again! It could be used as a vase, or a plant pot, or thrown away – but it will never glow again because its essence has been burnt out.

How sad is that?

The good news is that you are not as helpless as a light bulb! You can “shoo” the “kid” away or walk away from pain. You have many choices! If you realize that you are being manipulated, if you feel drained, or if you acknowledge that you deserve better – say “no”!

There is nothing worse in life that wasting your stock of love, tolerance, and faith in relationships on the wrong person. Whether you get married or not, a seesaw relationship will hinder your chances of ever finding a solid relationship. You might meet the right person after you have already burnt your fuse – you will have no light to give and no fuses to receive love and affection.

February 2019 33

IDENTITY DEAR LOVERS

VENUS Vs. MARS:

Public Display of Affection

B

by Elhusseni Fekry & Omnia Essawy

ack when Identity magazine first started, we used to have a regular feature called Venus vs. Mars where we would basically present a topic from both a man and a woman’s perspective. The topics are usually things that affect our everyday life so much that we just have to talk about them. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re discussing Public Display of Affection, is it really an issue? Read on to know what Venus and Mars have to say about it.

VENUS In my opinion, public display of affection is like anything else in life, a personal choice. Of course, as an Egyptian woman, I am basically doomed for saying that in our society. Because for some reason, I am expected to be against it or pretend to be against it to fit the mold of the wholesome respectful girl that people and ‘traditions’ have created for me.

The thing about PDA or Public Display of Affection is that it has turned into this controversial thing for no reason. If a person happens to be affectionate so they choose to publicly display their emotions, that is their business, if they aren’t, also their business, period.

However, some people have created a stigma to judge other people for their harmless life choices. And to me, that raises an even bigger question; why? Why do the majority of people have a problem with others displaying their feelings? If two people are hugging each other, not you, why does that make you so uncomfortable?

Of course, when asked, people are quick to justify their actions by pinning it on religion, traditions, or customs. However, none of these things give anyone the right to judge someone else or control the way THEY choose to live their lives.

I think it goes back to the way most people, especially men, are brought up. Being force fed the stigma that men have to be emotionless robots, and that vulnerability equals weakness. This also has a psychological side to it. People who have trouble showing or even communicating with their own emotions, find it difficult to be around people who can, so they attack them.

The same people who turn the other cheek on shameful acts, like catcalling, sexual harassment, and domestic 34 February 2019

violence find it infuriating when two people hug or hold hands. To them, these simple acts of love are so enraging that they have to act against it by attacking the people doing it, verbally and sometimes even physically. If the reason really was religion or traditions, why don’t you use that chivalry to stop someone from grabbing me against my will instead of fighting with the person whose hand I am willingly holding?

As an affectionate person, I don’t consider PDA a breach of society’s rules . More importantly, I don’t feel the need to express my love for someone only in private, actually I think; expressing love in public has become more essential. If we all held back our emotions, the only things we’ll be left with in the streets are anger and hatred. Personally, I’d rather see love and friendship.

MARS In a way, most men approach all things rationally. By rationality I mean hard, cold facts. Though this may not be the best approach, it is easier for our minds to comprehend. Public display of affection, in general, is either very easy to do or very hard to do for a man. As a man who experienced both ends of the spectrum, I daresay that this boils down to several aspects: Sometimes We Just Have to Man Up! Most men can grow up in a cold, stoical way. Most of us are raised to believe that boys don’t cry. You don’t talk about things; you just man up and get it over with.

And honestly, I believe that works...if we’re at war or something!

In a way, affections can be confusing for a man. When all he can deal with is facts and banter with the gang, even the most progressive of men can find it daunting to have to become mushy for the sake of his partner.

(I, myself, was in this dilemma before).

“

If we all held back our emotions, the only things we’ll be left with in the streets are anger and hatred.

“

Emotional Range Differs I know men who were okay with public display of emotions and they were comfortable with it. On the other hand, I know others who detested the notion altogether, considering it taboo or wrong. How comfortable your partner is with displaying affection in public can be a factor in this.

Society Can Have a Say, Whether We Like It or Not By time, some of us understand that nothing makes you a lesser man other than doing things you don’t want to do. You want to make a grand gesture, go for it. You want to express your affection to your partner, by all means, go ahead!

But living in a society where a man literally attacked another man because his wife was laying her head on his shoulder on the bus isn’t a very pleasant one. We heard those who accused them of acting “indecently in public” and all the other nonsense that flooded our social media accounts.

We, men, bear in mind events like this. And quite frankly most of us won’t care what anyone says or does as we only care for the safety of our partner.

Society will always have a hold on how we act, even if it contradicts with what we believe or don’t believe in, whether we like it or not.

In 2018, someone’s freedom in making life choices should not still be a point of question. We are not saying everyone should be for PDA nor are we saying everyone should be against it. We are simply saying everyone should be able to decide for themselves how they want to live their lives and be able to exercise this well without people looking down on them, judging them or worse, attacking them.

February 2019 35

COMPROMISING IN A RELATIONSHIP: WHEN DOES A LITTLE BIT TURN INTO TOO MUCH?

by Elhusseni Fekry

When you get into a relationship, you can almost hear everyone around you joking that your life as you know it is over. What they might really mean is; get ready for a series of long, consequent compromises in order to make your relationship work. Like it or not, you have to make the necessary effort to always make things work. While most of us find it irritating to have to make changes to work around our partners’ routines, it is still worth doing.

36 February 2019

Why Do People Compromise in General?

Whether we try to gain advantages or try to please the people we love, we sometimes have to let some things go. We compromise because we want life to go on.

We are also afraid to cause distress to our families and loved ones.

Some people, naturally, are very good and strategic when it comes to compromising. Others, on the other hand, just compromise for the sake of pleasing their friends and family. Whatever are our reasons to compromise, it seems to be a necessity of life.

How Do People Compromise In Relationships?

When someone else is in the picture, every decision runs by two people—even more, if engagement or marriage is looming over the horizon. For example, if you are the outgoing, party-animal type, you will have to compromise to spend more quality time with your partner. And trust me, if you’re both party animals, one of you will be the buzzkill and start demanding some quality time; it’s basic human nature. We want to feel special in the lives of our significant others.

On the other hand, if you are the lone-wolf type, you will also face the same problem, only mirrored.

Spending time with your significant other shouldn’t feel like a daunting chore, but if you prefer quiet, alone time, it can start to feel like one after being drained by too many social events, especially if your boyfriend/ girlfriend is an extrovert.

No matter how similar you are to your partner, you are bound to be attracted to traits that are different, just like a magnet; it’s just science. Compromise can appear subtly in the form of gentle requests from your partner to cut down your time at work or with your friends to be with them. Or it can be blunt as in unnecessary jealousy or forcing you to make choices that are irrational and destructive to your life and your feeling of self-fulfillment.

Bit by bit, you will find that you are slowly changing your habits and routine. It can feel illogical to you—and most of the time, you would be right, but you are still willing to let this one slide for the sake of making the relationship continue.

your partner’s efforts. In a way, returning the favour.

And I know what you are thinking; that love should be unconditional.

Think of it as a tree. You can’t just plant a seed in the soil and hope for it to grow. It needs nurturing, watering, and most importantly, it needs to for you to compromise.

You owe nothing to anyone. In return, no one owes you anything. It’s all about the mutual effort and faith you place in each other. For this affection to become unconditional, it has to meet up all the conditions that make you reach the point of knowing that your partner will always want the best for you. That’s when the plant will flourish, and only then your compromise will show its promise.

If Your Partner Isn’t Compromising, Is This a Red flag?

Yes! If there is something you really prefer they would compromise in order to improve your relationship, then they should. However, one of the things that destroys relationships is pettiness. Don’t just go asking for things for the sake of wanting to have this compromise in return for something you agreed on, or just to prove a point. Having an ego in a healthy proportion is good.

Healthy proportion being the keyword.

When Should You Stop Compromising?

If you feel that you are being taken for granted, if you feel that your effort and the extra miles you go are not appreciated, that’s when you should stop and confront your partner. Making too many compromises can lead to you being taken for granted.

In another scenario, your partner may think that they know what’s best for you. That’s where you should disagree, that’s when you shouldn’t compromise. A little selfishness can be necessary because there are things that you will never forgive yourself for compromising for.

Let’s not forget that there are certain principles you should both agree on when you first start your relationship. If your partner asks you, later on, to go against any of these principles, without giving any valid reasons, you should stand your ground.

You should compromise when you are 100% sure that you can live with yourself. Though compromising can Every relationship will reach a moment of truth where be mistaken for being in love, you can’t love someone choices have to be made. This point, let’s call it the in a healthy way if you can’t love yourself enough. critical point, can shape how the relationship goes from Only then, your compromises will pay off. now on.

Should You Compromise?

This depends on many factors. But simply put, if it’s mutual, yes. You should compromise and appreciate

Be careful that a little bit doesn’t turn into too much too late.

February 2019 37

HOW TO FIND THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE

by Malak El-Lamie

Almost everyone in the world is on a quest to find true love. From the time we listened to fairytale bedtime stories to swiping right on Tinder, our lives have always included a heavy front-row emphasis on the pursuit of a happy ending.

We’ve been led to believe that finding “the one” will magically solve all our problems and make us whole, as though we’re naturally broken beings.

Loving and putting yourself first in every aspect of your life is crucial. For now though, let’s focus on how this plays a critical role in the dynamics of one’s love life.

2. EMBRACE YOUR FLAWS, ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT I know you’ve probably heard “nobody’s perfect” a million and one times already, but here it goes. Your flaws are part of the specific qualities that make you a unique, irreplaceable individual. Excessive selfresentment can lead to self-destructive behaviour. If there’s something that truly bothers you about yourself, try and see how you can improve it or practically work around it.

3. FACE YOUR PAST AND ACCEPT YOUR MISTAKES It’s hard to revisit the skeletons in our closet, but unless we come to terms with our past and acknowledge the lessons we’ve learned from it, it’ll haunt us for the rest of our life. Mistakes are a pain, but they only make us wiser. If we look at them differently, they can help shape us into better people, and eventually, better partners. Running away from our past will only make us feel worse about ourselves. So, take responsibility for your mistakes, and don’t be afraid of making new ones.

Contrary to popular belief, self-love isn’t synonymous with narcissism or vanity. Yes, there’s a thin line between the two, but it stems from harbouring enough respect and worth for yourself that it totally shifts the way you handle different areas of your life.

4. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF

If you’re being disrespected or someone is being plain rude to you, don’t be afraid to fiercely defend yourself. You shouldn’t expect anyone to come to your rescue when you feel yourself getting stepped on.

You are not weak, nor are you defenceless. You are the one who gets to decide how others will respect and act towards you, harness that power and set your boundaries accordingly.

Achieving self-love is no easy task; it takes A LOT of time engaging in some uncomfortable – maybe even painful – soul-searching. The journey won’t be a straight line rising towards the top; you will experience amazing highs and brutal pitfalls. We need to remember though, that no growth ever occurs in comfort. Here are 10 tips that can get you started.

5. TRUST YOUR INTUITION 1. GET TO KNOW YOURSELF Embarking on the infamous journey of self-discovery is way easier said than done but to start off, get to know your genuine likes and dislikes. Try to figure yourself out, think about what you want to get out of life, what drives your ambitions and what genuinely makes you happy. Over time, you can start to decipher your true authentic self. When you do, you’ll automatically set new and improved criteria for what you’re looking for in your significant other.

38 February 2019

No one in this world knows what truly is best for you more than you do. Ignore all the mental clutter and pretentious unsolicited advice you get from people.

Listen to your gut instinct, if something doesn’t feel right, don’t go along with it. Trust yourself enough to take charge of your life without requiring approval from someone else.

6. PAMPER YOURSELF It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life and forget to take care of ourselves. Slow down for a while, and try to nourish yourself from the inside out.

Join a workout group, take some time out to recharge, give yourself a spa day, start consuming a healthy diet, or buy that gorgeous pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing for so long.

7. LEARN HOW TO ENJOY ALONE TIME Make sure your life doesn’t revolve around your significant other. Feeling like you need that person in order to function grants them extensive power over you and your life. If they walk out, you shouldn’t feel like your world has crumbled. Don’t ignore the importance of building a solid foundation that is totally unrelated to your love life. Master the art of independence.

Reflect over your thoughts and feelings away from the noise you constantly surround yourself with. Find comfort in solitude; try to appreciate your own company.

your potential. Once you back away from the elements that drain you, you can finally start to thrive.

9. CUT OUT THE NEED FOR EXTERNAL VALIDATION The more you depend on others for approval, the more you compromise your own self to please them.

Work on building enough self-confidence to be so sure of who you are and what you stand for that you don’t require confirmation or praise from other people to feel good about yourself. You don’t need to confirm what you already know. Maybe this is caused by some underlying unmet need or a void you’re trying to fill; find out what it is, what drives it, and try to feed it in a healthy way. Inner validation should be your primary source of validation.

8. DETACH YOURSELF FROM TOXIC ENVIRONMENTS That includes unhealthy friendships, codependent relationships and unfulfilling jobs/ studies. Distance yourself from whatever you feel is holding you back from

We’ve been led to believe that finding “the one” will magically solve all our problems...

February 2019 39

8

THINGS YOU MAY MISTAKE FOR LOVE

by Amina Moustapha

In one of the 90s’ biggest hit songs of all time, Haddaway famously asked, “What is love?”.

Countless musicians have asked the same question in one form or another—it’s basically the central thesis of every love song, maybe even every love problem. And even though we’ve grown a lot older since that song first came out, we still couldn’t tell him what love really is.

When asked, many people will tell you that when it happens to you, there will be no questions at all, you will just know. Well, that might be true, but in a perfect world, more often than not, there is some guessing involved when it comes to love.

We are emotional creatures, full of countless feelings and sentiments, therefore we are bound to get confused, and start mixing those feelings up, which usually gets 40 February 2019

us into trouble. There are times when you completely swear that you have fallen in love though you could simply be mistaking love for something entirely different. So let’s go through the things we may misinterpret for love, and figure out why we do that.

1. THE FEAR OF ENDING UP ALONE We go to lunch with our friends and talk about being single and how we are perfectly fine with it. But these conversations mostly consist of sound-bites and false reassurances. We feel safe in that moment with our friends, but when you go back home, you’re left alone with your thoughts, with your fears, and these feelings might push you to fall for the first available person that comes your way. It’s being with them or being alone for you. You think you’re choosing love, but you’re not.

2. ATTRACTION There is no love without attraction, but there’s attraction without love. Yes, you can be attracted to someone, and not just sexually, maybe you like their personality, their sense of humour, their mindset.... but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in love with them.

Love goes steps beyond just attraction. Attraction will wear off eventually, so if you’re not in love with the person…you’re in trouble.

3. REBOUND A bit cliché, but you will be amazed how many of us still fall into this trap. After an ugly break up you start to hear The Chantoozies singing in your head, “If you can’t be with the one you love, honey. Love the one you’re with.” Except this kind of ‘love’ will fizzle. Because it’s not actually love. It’s replacement. It’s feeling a void in your heart, and with time when your head is clear, you will be asking yourself “What have I done?”.

4. CONNECTION The hardest on the list, because it is really sad when these relationships don’t work. When you two like the exact same obscure, underground band, the same movies, actors and writers or share book recommendations back and forth all day long. Maybe you’re both Harry Potter fans and every date night you get to share the same level of excitement. It feels amazing to geek out over all the same stuff together.

You both connect, but sometimes it simply still not it.

Amy Winehouse was right, love indeed is a losing game!

5. OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE We all have our insecurities, so seeking validation is something we are all guilty of. When someone who used to think of us as invisible, someone whom we believe to be way too prettier, funnier or smarter to fall for us starts to notice us…things can get a lot trickier.

Receiving validation from that same person can feel a lot like love. Collecting yourself after realizing it’s a mistake and moving on can be the hardest thing you will ever have to endure.

6. FANTASY The saddest mistake we can ever interpret as love.

Creating an idea of who the person we are dating in our heads that doesn’t necessarily match up with who they really are is one hell of a mistake. As a result, we’ve built up an illusion of the perfect person that we want to love, rather than loving that person for who they truly are. Sooner or later you will be disappointed when you realize that your ideas of love are not built on the truth, but on fantasy.

7. COMFORT This mistake is probably the main reason a lot of us try to get back to our exes! When you’re involved with someone for a while you start to get used to them, even though things might not be working out. “Falling for someone else? And starting all over again? Hell, no.

That’s what we will be saying. We try to fix a broken relationship instead of risking starting a new one. We hang on to security and the known, though eventually cold water will splash into our faces anyway.

8. ATTENTION What we will do just for the sake of attention! Having someone to call every night, to ask them about their day, to walk hand in hand into weddings and outings, to go on dates and share everything together... Our need for attention can overpower the need to be loved, and can hush it down until you can’t tell them apart. Until you say, “Yeah, that’s love.”

Whichever feeling you mistake for love, just remember that you can’t trick yourself forever.

Sooner or later you won’t be able to roll with the punches anymore. You will eventually have to face the day, so don’t lie to yourself, that’s the first step to find your way out.

February 2019 41

9

Toxic Relationships

GLORIFIED ON-SCREEN

by Rana Ramez

Whether it’s through TV shows or movies, we are bombarded by a huge lot of shiny magical stories about love and relationships. And obviously these onscreen tales tend to reflect real life relationships, which can very much be toxic and unhealthy. But when faced with these stories, some of us go all the way of glorifying and romanticizing what is actually toxic and bad. Following are 9 on-screen romanticized over glorified relationships that are very toxic.

1. La Totfe’ El Shams, Aya and Shady Besides that most of the relationships in the series were toxic, how Aya took Shady for granted was unbearable. She was selfish to the extent of taking his love for granted; she friend-zoned him, fell in love with someone else, got married, cheated on her husband and messed everything up. Yet she was always expecting him to be there for her. And when he finally managed to move on, she decided to confess her love for him. How ridiculously toxic is that?

2. Gilmore Girls Series, Christopher Hayden and Lorelai Gilmore While Lorelai always used the excuse of bad timing, Christopher was actually an irresponsible unreliable person from the very beginning. He was the worst choice for her and was never there when she needed him the most. Chris practically abandoned Lorelai after she got pregnant, never saw their child and when he decided to finally show up after 16 years, he lied about getting his life together. And the cherry on the top was when Sherri became the other woman. On the opposite side, Lorelai took care of their daughter alone, built her career, excelled at it and eventually opened her own inn.

3. Taymour W Shafiqa Romanticizing and admiring Taymour and Shafiqa came very fast. The idea of being in love since childhood is definitely attractive, but let’s not forget 42 February 2019

how unhealthy the couple was, with a very controlling attitude from Ahmed El Saqqa. What kind of a decent guy wants to be the centre of attention of his woman, and doesn’t encourage her to pursue her dreams and be successful? Well, the answer is, it’s not a decent guy.

4. Romeo + Juliet, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet The teen couple who created the star-crossed lovers and is the symbol of love at first sight has a toxic foundation. What’s with the fact that Romeo initially liked Juliet’s cousin and was almost crazy about her?

And what about all the stalking Romeo did, standing under her bedroom window and observing her? Let’s not forget the fact that they wanted to get married from the first day and were ready to die for each other after one week. It definitely screams rash decisions feeding obsession than real mature love.

5. Taht El Saytara, Hanya and Ali By all means, this can’t be perceived as a good healthy relationship. What actually brought these 2 together was their love for drugs and addiction. So witnessing the flow of posts with their picture together from the show and captioning “relationship goals” is not acceptable. Trying out new stuff with the one you love should be in a good way that can make you progress in your lives and not the contrary, brings you down and makes you an addict.

6. 27 Dresses, Kevin and Jane Exploitation was the base of this tacky couple. Kevin only wanted to get close to Jane in order to move forward in his career; he even wanted to turn her into a public figure without her knowledge! That’s a creep, by the way. In addition to that, he developed a stalker behaviour by being her sister’s wedding reporter and writing down his number and name on her planner.

7. Twilight, Edward and Bella Who didn’t love the exciting story born between a

dependent on him to have to put up with this drama and give up every right she may have. vampire and a human girl? Well in terms of relationships, it was not so good. For starters, Edward used to stalk Bella and sneaked into her bedroom to watch her sleeping. How creepy is that?! Not to mention how he suddenly decided to break up with her without giving her any explanations and left her to suffer, and boy we suffered with her! How she also wanted to throw everything away and become a vampire just so that she can be with him is still beyond me.

8. Hekayat Banat, Assem and Ahlam Since their very beginning, these two engaged in an on and off relationship. Assem was selfishly being half there half-not for Ahlam. From deciding to appear in Ahlam’s life, getting closer to her to saying all the romantic stuff and suddenly disappearing again without any clear reason; that’s pure evil and torture. And Ahlam was so

9. The Notebook, Noah and Allie Regardless of the fact that we all adore this movie, and I’m the first one, let’s just admit there are some unhealthy behaviours in the story. The way Noah pushed Allie to go out on a date with him is so unbelievably toxic, by threatening to kill himself. That’s pure manipulation. Believe me, you’d be freaked out if you met someone that pushy, not to mention that you can’t afford to lose interest at all.

At the end, as much as we love the above mentioned movies and TV shows, it’s a must to try to avoid, at all expense and as hard as possible, getting involved in similar scenarios of relationships. Real life is not like the movies, people. You can get yourself into serious damage if you let the love on the screens lead your relationships.

February 2019 43

Insecurities

THAT CAN KILL EVEN THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS

by Omnia Essawy

W

hen two people get into a relationship, they carry their baggage with them. Their past traumas, previous relationships and insecurities of all kinds. As much as we try to claim that our baggage doesn’t affect us, against our will, it eventually does. However, we always try to deny its existence and sugarcoat it by calling it love. This only makes it harder to deal with. The best way to really salvage the relationship is to separate these insecurities from love so we can start acknowledging them for what they are and eventually learn to embrace them and handle them with our partners.

Some of the most common insecurities that are usually masked behind love but secretly affect it are the following:

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THE CONSTANT NEED FOR VALIDATION There is nothing wrong in needing some reassurance.

However, if your partner constantly needs you to validate them, then it turns from a harmless expression of love to a toxic habit that could destroy the relationship.

This endless need for validation that is often perceived as love is usually rooted in low self-esteem. And if that issue is not fixed from within, chances are it never will be. Because if someone does not accept who they are, no amount of validation will change the way they perceive themselves. So instead of feeding the forever hungry monster of low self-esteem; address the issue head on, and help your partner find the way to self-love, so you could both find it easier to love each other.

FEAR OF ABANDONMENT Something a lot of people confuse for love is the fear of abandonment. When many people leave you, it is only natural to start believing that everyone will.

In relationships, this, sometimes, develops into an unhealthy obsession. When someone wants to keep you around so bad, they could -unwillingly- push you away. Whether by trying too hard to prove their love, asking for too much of you to prove yours, or just plainly suffocating every aspect of your life. Being haunted by their fear of you leaving, your partner could actually end up smothering you into leaving. As sensitive as the issue might be, addressing it head on could actually be the thing you partner needs to calm their fears and believe more in themselves and you.

OUTSOURCED SELF-WORTH We all struggle to accept ourselves for who we are.

So sometimes, as part of the co-dependence in the relationship, we tend to rely on our partners to make us feel worthy. This feeling of inadequacy is coming from your own perception of yourself, not from your partner’s perception of you. Not realizing that has the ability to turn small manageable issues into big dramatic struggles that strain the relationship. Because feeling inadequate can develop into extreme selfconsciousness which, in turn could become aggressive self-defensiveness. This makes it so hard for a person to have a rational conversation. And no relationship can work without healthy communication. So instead of wasting energy on the small petty fights, why not integrate this effort into talking about the actual issue and figuring out a healthy way to fix it.

“

Nothing holds you back more than your own insecurities

“

WHEN TRUST DOESN’T COME EASY If you and your partner struggle to achieve mutual trust, this can place a strain on your relationship’s growth. This could be rooted in lack of confidence, fear of repeating past traumas, or a number of internal struggles. However, sometimes when one party finds it hard to trust, they try and pin it on the other party making them believe they aren’t doing enough to earn their trust. This is dangerous for the relationship, because it could leave you drowning in a consuming guilt that will eventually make you grow tired of trying and of the relationship all together. It also leads to fear of opening up to one another. Therefore, it stops you from getting any closer. Which means the relationship will be frozen unable to evolve. So, talk about the reason behind your fears, and find the common ground where you can both let go of your baggage and hold on tighter to each other.

WHEN CLOSE TURNS INTO TOO CLOSE One of the best things about being in a relationship is feeling the intimate emotional closeness with your partner. However, everything, regardless how good, has the ability to turn bad once it goes overboard.

Being close with your significant other is no different. If you partner asks to be a part of every aspect of your life, panics if you are gone for some time and gets jealous when he\she feels like something or someone else is stealing your attention; then odds are this is more than just closeness. Yes, they will call it love, and some of it is but that’s not all. When a person struggles with deep rooted fear of loneliness and finally finds someone, without noticing, they hold onto that person so tight that they might end up feeling suffocated. As complicated as this could be, the answer can be quite simple. Don’t wait till this insecurity drives your love away. Talk to your partner, assure them that you are here for them, explain that you need your space and they might just be more understanding than you think.

We all like to think that love is all we need to make a relationship work, and sometimes we do believe it. Because once our hearts are filled with love, our minds lose any sense of reality and our visions get blurred. We start ignoring all the warning signs till we find ourselves heartbroken. It is human nature to try to convince ourselves that we can find the perfect partner, have the perfect relationship, and live the perfect life. However, we forget one very important thing; nothing in life is perfect, but there are things worth fighting and working for. The trick is to know what is worth it and what’s not, and have the courage to decide whether to stay or walk away.

February 2019 45

IDENTITY HEALTH

A GAME FOR TWO:

SPORTS FOR BOTH OF YOU

by Elhusseni Fekry

Everything is better with your significant other. Even playing sports. Yes! You can actually plan to work out together and have the time of your lives! Most sports that get coverage in Egypt are team sports; let’s not forget that Egypt’s official number one sport is football. Yet there are plenty of other sports and workout routines that can be suitable for just the two of you.

BENEFITS OF WORKING OUT WITH YOUR PARTNER A. CHANGE OF ROUTINE It can be a good change of routine. In a way, it’s a new activity other than visiting clubs, dining in restaurants, or chilling in cafés. Working out together can be this new adventure that would make your weekend all the more exceptional. And if it ended up being part of your routine, even better for your health.

B. BONDING It helps you get closer to each other. You would be surprised that you will find new ways to bond with your significant other when you work out together.

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As you motivate, compete, and even challenge each other; you help to grow as individuals and as a couple.

C. MOTIVATION It’s always said that in order to maintain a workout schedule, you should have a workout partner. Having your significant other as your partner can be a great motivation for a workout. In the noisy, fast-paced life we are living, you may find that you are looking forward to quality time with your partner.

Your partner who happens to be an athlete can help you by giving you inside information about how to up your game and how to avoid injuries and the like. Also,

if one of you is a bit shy, it can be a great confidence boost for them. Us against the world, don’t you think?

There are many sports that you can practice with your partner and even more workout routines that can be both fun and beneficial at the same time.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES: TENNIS It would be a shame not to start with tennis; it’s basically a sport for two, as if it’s tailored for this purpose. Tennis is one of the best sports that heightens metabolism and it’s a really good workout.

There are even some cardio tennis drills that require less competition and allow you to just goof around.

If you are not a big fan of the outdoors, you can resort to squash. Even playing some light ping pong can be a good alternative. And if you’re a summer person, you know that beach racket is something we all wait for after the winter chills thaw off!

RUNNING/JOGGING Running is the most basic of sports. Nearly all sports require a degree of it. No matter how fit you are and accustomed to running, it can get pretty lonely.

Especially if you run for half-marathons.

The more you feel the passage of time, the more it will feel tiresome to go on. However, having your partner as your running buddy can make this daunting chore a lot more fun. You can keep each other company, and the workout can be more relaxing depending on the routes you choose. Also, there are beautiful streets in Cairo that are waiting for you to rediscover together.

SWIMMING Most doctors recommend swimming as a solid alternative to running. If we say that you can only choose one sport in general, that would have to be swimming. It doesn’t require much fitness, as a matter of fact, it helps increase it.

Swimming not only helps to relieve back pain, especially lower and middle back pain, but it also provides a zero-tension environment for limbs. It is one of the best sports that jumpstarts your metabolism with the least effort and time possible.

Doing laps around the pool with your significant other can be a nice workout for you to share, especially during the scorching summer months.

GYM If you’re not a fan of the outdoors, you can still compete with each other in indoor exercises. A lot of gyms offer you a wide selection of programs that makes working out more fun. There are even certain workout routines that are tailored to couples.

YOGA Yoga can either look very easy or very difficult to you. The best thing about yoga is you can practice it anywhere, whether indoors and outdoors. It doesn’t require a lot of movement and you can just remain in one position for a while. That will surely leave your muscles sore, but way more relaxed.

Practicing yoga with your partner can make things have a sense of amiability, especially if you are both beginners; you will fall down...a lot! But it would be great fun, nonetheless.

CYCLING If you have the time and the proper gear, cycling can be an underrated opportunity for some quality sport time. Make sure not to pick a crowded route. You can find bicycle-friendly streets and trails in Maadi and Zamalek.

Don’t forget that you can rally about and finish your errands way faster than when riding your car, as cycling can be a faster mean of commuting in busy narrow streets.

HIKING This may be less familiar option, but hiking can actually be one of the best sports for couples. City life can be dull; you may feel that it affects the flow of your relationship and that you guys need to do something new.

Hiking in Mount Sinai in Saint Catherine is indeed one of these new activities that are starting to gain popularity in Egypt. Don’t worry, if you feel that this long haul is a bit too challenging, you can ease up on lighter challenges in Wadi Degla Protectorate.

You may not see it, but the beautiful and calm nature can spice up your relationship. Who would say no to a chance to lighten up away from the banging beats of the concrete jungle?

Now you can spend some quality time with each other and burn a few calories at the same time, a win-win, right?!

February 2019 47

IDENTITY REVIEW

BEATING CANCER WITH FAITH & SMILES ZEIN:TURNING EVERY NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE

by Amina Moustapha

W

hile everyone is fighting their own battle, childhood cancer boldly and without warning entered the life of a family, when their son, Zein, was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of stage 4 neuroblastoma a few months short of his 6th birthday. This family’s battle turned out to be the vicious disease known as cancer…and their life was never the same again.

Radwa Moussa, the mother of the young warrior Zein Youssef, 6 years and 4 cancers later, decided it’s time to unfold the story behind the battle her family had to endure in order to reach the shores of peace and her son’s recovery.

In the recently released book Zein: Turning Every Negative Into A Positive (Zein: Hekayet A’atma w Nour), we will witness the story told from the view of Zein’s guardian angel, his mother, aiming to serve as a guide with real life stories and experiences to help others navigate life through cancer and the most traumatic experiences. It is a motivational story that helps inspire others to change their perception and literally turn every negative into a positive.

Here is how this book will teach us that the only real battle in life is between hanging on and letting go...

THE LOVE OF A FAMILY IS THE GREATEST BLESSING The book entails unknown twists and secrets on how Zein’s family embarked on a huge life mission to establish new grounds of fighting this horrible disease. Since the first time Zein was diagnosed with cancer, Moussa’s narration will show us how her family wouldn’t leave a door opened for despair to enter their lives, how each time this cruel disease knocked their door, they saw no other options but to roll their sleeves up and unite together as one. They set an example to those around them as to what faith in action looks like.

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THE TOOLS AND THE RESOURCES ON HOW TO FIGHT SUCH DISEASE PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND MENTALLY Battling cancer, especially with Zein’s journey of ongoing wins and losses requires far more than just medical care. Witnessing the other side of the cancer journey, being the mother and the caregiver, Moussa found her calling in raising awareness not just on the disease itself, but on the tools and the resources on how to fight it psychologically and mentally. Through her words you will learn that when a cancer diagnosis hits, it attacks the whole family not just the patient, everyone is affected psychologically, physically and emotionally. And it takes every ounce of faith to find light amidst darkness and to turn every negative into a positive.

INSPIRING EVERY CANCER FAMILY TO SPEAK OPENLY ABOUT THE DISEASE The book is now sold in Egypt and the Middle East with an aim to inspire every cancer family to speak openly about the disease, unite together and face that traumatic experience with a positive demeanor while empowering them with different tools practiced

by Zein’s family. Moussa narrates how she and her husband never gave up on being advocates for childhood cancer. Her husband started an initiative, through his real estate business, called Home for a Cause. Through this, a percentage of every cheque earned is donated to childhood cancer research.

Moussa co-founded a nonprofit organization, Create

It is not your typical sad cancer story, on the contrary!

It aims to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

of families and serve as an ongoing charity for their son Zein. They choose to hope, to have faith, to fight and believe to the core that whatever hits them next shall pass too. They choose to leave everything in God’s hands and thank Him for His endless miracles bestowed on Zein. They keep asking Him for more miracles, because as parents they want to see their son grow!

Moussa’s family believe in “treating your sick ones with charity”, from which they dream and hope that this mission will ignite a revolution that will assist hundreds

We promise you that the book is a heartwarming must read. We wish Zein and his family good health and a happy life.

a Smile, whose mission is to inspire kids battling cancer and cater to their needs during their cancer journey with personalized gifts and experiences.

Comfort and support are crucial weapons needed to face such disease.

February 2019 49

IDENTITY TRAVEL

Travel Guide: LEBANON

by Rana Ramez

FOR NATURE ADMIRERS Natural Reserves and Forests • Jeita Grotto, Jeita Town, Mount Lebanon Governorate. Full of untouched natural rock formations. Accessible by walking and boat trips.

• El Shouf Reserve, Shouf District, Mount Lebanon Governorate. Largest of Lebanon’s nature reserves.

The most famous attractions are the three magnificent cedar forests of Maasser El Shouf.

• Cedars of God Bsharre, Bsharre District, North Governorate. An immense forest of cedars, cypresses, oaks and pines.

• Tannourine Cedars Reserve, Batroun District, North Governorate, one of the largest and densest cedar forests in Lebanon, with 80% of the trees in the forest are cedars.

• Hadath el Jebbeh Forest, Bsharre District, North Governorate. One of the rarest and noblest forests due to the types and ages of trees.

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Coast and Countryside • Enfeh City, Koura District, North Lebanon.

Lebanese version of Santorini with small white and blue houses.

• Akkar District, North Governorate. The biggest and most beautiful display of countryside nature.

• Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Tannourine Al Faouqa, North Governorate. A millions of years old natural rock formation and waterfall. Accessible through hiking.

• Raouche Sea Rock, Beirut. One of the popular natural landmarks of the city. Take a water taxi ride and spin through the rocks.

• Chowan Waterfall, Abraham River, Byblos District, Mount Lebanon Governorate. Located at the end of Nahr Ibrahim, also known as Adonis River.

• Chekka Town, North Lebanon. Coastal town with the bluest waters of Lebanon. Great for relaxing, swimming and taking leaps on the adventurous side.

FOR HISTORY AND CULTURE JUNKIES Museums and Palaces • National Museum of Beirut. The major cultural institution in the city, it offers a great overview of the Lebanese history and the civilizations affecting it.

• Khan El Franj, Sidon City, South Lebanon. In the heart of Old Souq, it’s one of the most beautiful and most preserved 17th century buildings.

• Gibran Museum, Bsharre District, North Lebanon.

The biographical museum of the Lebanese writer, philosopher and artist.

• Beiteddine Palace, Shouf District, Mount Lebanon Governorate. One of the greatest cultural treasures of Lebanon with elaborate architecture and priceless decorations.

Cities and Sites • Al Tal City, Tripoli, North Governorate. 20th century architecture landmarks, covering the streets of the city.

Harissa, Keserwan District, Jounieh, Mount Lebanon Governorate. A religious site visit where the Lady of Lebanon statue is located. Ride the telefrique to Harissa for a strong spiritual experience.

• Byblos City, Mount Lebanon Governorate.

Heritage site with historical walkways, ancient buildings, handicrafts and a vintage Old Souk.

•

Temples and Castles • Bacchus Temple, Baalbek District, Beqaa Governorate. One of the best preserved and most beautifully decorated Roman temples in the world.

• Sidon Crusader Sea Castle, Sidon city, South Governorate. Historic landmarks with evidence of the Old Phoenician city buried under the sea.

• Baalbek Ruins, Baalbek District, Beqaa Governorate. Ancient wander of Roman ruins with mesmerizing architecture and old-world atmosphere, at the center of Baalbek.

WHAT NOT TO MISS • Paragliding above the green mountains and the

blue sea to the great coasts. Available over many points in Lebanon.

• Cliff Jumping is available in several locations such as Chekka beach, Naqoura, Batroun and Amchit alongside with caving.

• Skiing and Snowboarding are available 3 months per year in special resorts in Faraya, Zaarour, Mzaar

Kfardebian, Laqlouq and the Cedars.

• Hiking locations like El Bayada, Oyoun el Siman, Belou’ Balaa and Hammana.

• Whitewater Rafting in Assi River through various waterfalls.

• Telefrique Ride in Jounieh to Harissa.

• Shopping at Beirut Souks, Downtown Beirut.

Shopping is a different experience in the fashion capital of the Middle East.

WEATHER IN LEBANON A typical Mediterranean weather characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool, rainy winters.

August is the hottest month of the year while January is the coldest. Rainfall takes place between November and March.

TRANSPORTATION Lebanon is a relatively small country; three hours can be enough to cross it from end to end.

• In and around Beirut: Services or the shared cabs are the most abundant and cheapest mean of transportation.

They are unmetered, and the fares are negotiated before the ride. It can be shared by 5 people.

• Outside Beirut: Buses are the easiest and cheapest way to get around the country. Bus lines leave from Charles Helou Bus Station in Beirut. You can catch buses for the northern cities at the Dora roundabout and from the Cola roundabout for the southern cities.

February 2019 51

Romantic GETAWAYS

CAPE TOWN & KNYSNA 11 DAYS/10 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 55,000 EGP For more information visit: www.travistaegypt.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Hotel accommodation in 4* downtown hotel. • International round-trip economy flight ticket. • Round trip airport transfers in Cape Town and Knysna. • Transfer from Cape Town to Knysna.

PHUKET & KUALA LUMPUR 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 44,300 EGP For more information visit: www.travistaegypt.com 52 February 2019

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Hotel accommodation in 4*/5* downtown hotel. • International round-trip economy flight ticket. • Internal flight between Phuket and Kuala Lumpur. • Round trip transfer from airport to hotel and between hotels in Phuket and Kuala Lumpur.

ICELAND: THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS Departure: 02-03-2019.

Starting from: 1900 USD For more information visit: www.destination31.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES •Tour Reykjanes Peninsula and the bridge between the continents • Explore an ice cave in the Jokulsarlon area.

• Glacier Hiking in Skaftafell Nature Reserve.• Super Jeep tour and hiking in Thorsmork Nature Reserve.

• Explore Reykjavik, the world’s most northerly capital.

LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS & SAN DIEGO, USA 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS Departure: Upon request Starting from: 615 USD For more information visit: www.travelchoiceegypt.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES • 4 night accommodation in Los Angeles in a standard room on room only basis • 3 night accommodation in Las Vegas in a standard room on room only basis • 2 night accommodation in San Diego in a standard room on room only basis

February 2019 53

IDENTITY GOURMET

Energy Balls

by Soha Darwish Food writer & Critic - Menu Consultant. Diploma in Food Journalism - London, Uk

I am sure you’ve come across those delicious healthy treats, which are miraculously gluten free and dairy-free. Most recipes for these bites are also vegan, as long as they don’t include bee honey, which is essential for taste purposes as well as for boosting the nutritional value of some recipes. They will certainly seal the deal for you; a perfect end to your healthy meal, without throwing away all the good work that you’ve been doing to your body.

here on the natural sweetness of the components, which is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings.

They are also perfect for snacking; one or two balls along with a cup of coffee or tea will do the trick.

Also, a perfect companion for gym addicts before and after working out. If you are having them as a pre-workout snack then allow 1-2 hours before you start exercising, it will boost your energy setting up for a successful gym session. As for post workout These treats are incredibly packed with proteins, snacking, they will effectively repair muscle tissues fibres and essential fats - no wonder they are and replenish glycogen stores. called energy balls - I want to say energy bullets as the energy surge they provide our bodies is Luckily, they are so easy to make, store and are done incomparable to their small size. Nevertheless, you in batches. The varieties for these divine treats are should always be conscious of the quantity you infinite, I am suggesting 4 recipes here, and will consume. Even though no sugar is added, they still then leave you to unleash both your imagination have a significant number of calories. We are relying and cravings!

Chocolate Lovers: A vegan delight for chocolate lovers, delivering bittersweet notes of cocoa and dates. Just what you need to soothe your chocolate desires and even sometimes to reassure you that things will eventually get better.

Shopping Basket: ½ cup cashews - ½ cup almonds (peeled) – ¼ cup dark cocoa (sugar-free) – 1 cup mejdool dates – ½ cup of oat bran - ½ tsp vanilla extract – 3 tbsp nut milk or water – pinch of salt.

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Steps: 1. After soaking or roasting depending on the recipe, throw all ingredients in a good food processor until reaching a smooth paste.

2. Wet your hands, and form small balls about 1 inch each, then lay them on a tray lined with parchment paper.

The Exotic One: Trying to capture here some exotic flavours that will take you right back to those sunny relaxing days of your island getaways, on a gloomy winter day. The recipe is still the same, leaving all the magic to the food processor, but first soak the mangoes in warm water for about 10 minutes.

3. Freeze the balls for about 2 hours then store them in plastic bags in the fridge. They can last for weeks.

Shopping Basket: 1 cup roasted cashews– 1 cup dried mangoes – ¼ shredded coconuts– ½ cup cashew or almond butter (unsweetened) – ½ cup flaxseeds – ½ cup oats – 3 tbsp coconut milk or cream.

Shopping Basket: ½ cup walnuts – ½ cup roasted almonds 1 cup dried apples – ½ cup almond butter (unsweetened) – ½ cup oats – ½ cup mejdool dates – ½ tsp. cinnamon powder - 2tbspwater.

Apple Pie: In this recipe we are trying to replicate a dessert favourite. Again, dried apples need to be soaked in warm water before blending. The cinnamon here is not only a delicious ingredient but also has a great impact on our health.

Nutty Night: For all peanut butter lovers out there, when all you just want is to have it smeared on your toast before ending a long hectic day, this recipe is just what you need. Honey here complements the ingredients perfectly well, yet for strict vegans, it can be substituted by maple syrup. But I have to say honey is the clear winner here!

Shopping Basket: ½ cup almonds (peeled) – ½ cup peanut butter (sugar-free) – ¼ cup honey – 1 cup oatmeal – 1 tbsp chia seeds.

February 2019 55

IDENTITY OUT & ABOUT

TREAT YOUR LOVED ONE ON

Valentine’s Day VALENTINE’S DAY AT LE MERIDIEN CAIRO AIRPORT A Romantic Serenade at Mezzeh Pamper your significant other with a Romantic Candle Light Dinner On Valentine’s Day at Mezzeh, a specially crafted four-course set menu for couples at 850 ++ EGP with a romantic live music to make your celebration even more special.

Add a little effervescence to the evening with a classic Sparkling Kir Royale welcome drink with a twist.

Anti- Valentine’s Day Party at Live Sports Bar Escape all the romance this valentine as Live Sports Bar will be hosting an unconventional AntiValentine’s Day party!

No hearts. No hugs. No flowers.

No red colours. Come with your friends and party in a fun AntiValentine’s Day way. Minimum charge 300 L.E +++ CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE AT SHERATON CAIRO HOTEL AND CASINO Celebrate your love this Valentine through your exceptional stay at Sheraton Cairo Hotel and Casino. Kick off this romantic day 56 February 2019

with dazzling Wine and amazing Cheese at Bridge café where you will start your day with a cheer for your love story. Then accompany your loved one to a romantic 5 course set menu dinner at Giannini’s where you will be charmed with the romantic Italian vibe with the modern New York twist in the first new York Italian restaurant in Cairo. On the other hand, you can enjoy “Siret El Hob” early seafood buffet dinner at Rawi restaurant with oriental atmosphere with the sound of the legend Om Kalthoum that will take you and your loved one to a time of outstanding love stories. Finish off the night at studio 70 where you will dance to the Latin tunes and savor the freshest sushi platter.

Don’t forget to buy your significant other a chocolate box from Café Fontaine to add some sweetness to this special day and book your room and extend your celebration for a weekend full of love.

PAMPER YOUR SWEETHEART TO A ROMANTIC GETAWAY AT SHERATON SHARM EL SHEIKH Spend an unforgettable dream holiday with your beloved one in an oasis of peace and tranquility.

We offer a special accommodation package for couples at in a panoramic Seafront room including breakfast and dinner buffet.

Enjoy our Romance package that includes an upgrade to corner suite, VIP amenities, candlelight set menu dinner at Portofino Italian restaurant on Valentine’s day. We love to pamper our couples by serving breakfast in their rooms on the following day, in addition to early check-in and late check-out.

VALENTINE ’S DAY A NIGHT TO REMEMBER AT HILTON CAIRO ZAMALEK Celebrate the love of your life in a romantic and cozy ambiance

Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel

Nile and city of Cairo makes the Revolving Restaurant Cairo’s most romantic meeting place this Valentine’s Day. HOW WILL YOU SAY “I LOVE YOU” THIS VALENTINE’S DAY 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. For only L.E 405 ++ per person

and treat your special one to scrumptious Valentine’s candle light dinner with our lavish 4- courses menu and Chef’s signature surprise, while enjoying the romantic live entertainment overlooking the magnificent Nile.

Dinner price is EGP 1,195.00 per couple, price is inclusive of service charge and all applicable taxes.

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.

SURPRISE YOUR VALENTINE WITH AN EXCEPTIONALLY ROMANTIC DINNER AT GRAND NILE TOWER

For only LE 420 ++ per person 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, special Menu and Special Décor.

For only LE 200++ per person

Wish to surprise your Valentine?

Make it a night to remember at the spectacular Grand Nile Tower Revolving Restaurant. With remarkable views from atop the city, enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner, enchanting atmosphere and musical melodies on this special night. This entire exquisite experience with an astonishing 360-degree panorama of the

For a full pampering gift, spoil your better half at Sonesta Cairo by booking our Valentine’s Day package that includes one night accommodation in a double room with breakfast, a superb relaxing massage treatment and a delightful romantic dinner at our Italian restaurant “La Gondola” all for LE 2900, inclusive of all service charges and applicable taxes.

MEMORABLE VALENTINES NIGHT AT CONRAD CAIRO Conrad Cairo invites you to celebrate the most romantic day of the year at our variety of signature restaurants and our Lounge/Bar: Kamala Restaurant Take your beloved on a romantic Far Eastern culinary journey and enjoy Kamala’s set Valentine 3 Course dinner with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or mocktail and live entertainment featuring Duo for EGP 1111*.

OAK Grill Enjoy a romantic candle-lit dinner at our Lebanese OAK Grill restaurant with a 4 course modern Lebanese set menu, accompanied by live entertainment featuring a flutist and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or mocktail for EGP 1200* Stage One Bar & Lounge After dinner, let loose and conclude your night at Stage One featuring live performances featuring Belly Dancer Oxana, Singer Mohamed Afran and DJ Hesham Alashry for EGP 750 per guest.

Atrium Lounge Looking for a sweet surprise this Valentine’s Day? Take home a special Valentine’s treat : A freshly baked French Éclair pastry filled with fresh Strawberry cream and pink sugar glazing or choose amongst our variety of hear shaped cakes to enjoy on premises or for take-a-way.

Special Valentine’s accommodation packages starting from LE 2400 for double room including service Charge, Taxes and Buffet Breakfast.

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Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor

A ROYAL WINTER ESCAPE IN LUXOR AND ASWAN A winter vacation getaway should never be limited to beaches. Shake off the winter blues with a Winter Royal Escape at Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor or a Legendary Escape at Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan. Enjoy the south warm climate, sunny atmosphere and explore the sights and sounds of the ancient gems. The two palatial hotels are the perfect place to enjoy five-star luxury and still be within a stone’s throw of some of the oldest antiquities in the world, creating favourite destination for families and couples.

An approximately one-hour flight from Cairo takes you to another piece of warm land – Luxor & Aswan, making the city a year-round travel destination. This winter, The Winter Palace and Old Cataract design a vacation solution for distinguished guests eager to explore the gems of Luxor or to find serenity and relax in Aswan. Guests can book now from January till April and enjoy special rates for Egyptian citizens only and residents, in an ingenuity to encourage citizens to know more about their history.

unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on the chance for a fabulous winter break.

For Aswan reservations please email H1666@soiftel. com and for Luxor email h1661@sofitel.com or visit www.sofitel.com

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan

The Winter Escape package is priced starting from EGP 1700 at Old cataract and EGP 900 at Winter Palace, per person including Deluxe Room accommodation with daily breakfast for two, complimentary WIFI and F&B discounts. Rates are inclusive of taxes, VAT and subject to availability.

Old Cataract and Winter Palace are mustvisit destinations this winter for guests seeking 58 February 2019

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan

SOFITEL LEGEND OLD CATARACT ASWAN THE HOTEL Discover this majestic 19th-century Victorian palace on the banks of the river Nile. Steeped in history, gateway to the treasures of Upper Egypt, this lush, green oasis marks the end of the fertile Nile Valley and the beginning of the vast Nubian desert stretching as far as the eye can see. Share the same sense of awe and tranquility felt by so many famous authors, statesmen and other celebrities who have stayed here over the years. Their portraits adorn the walls of the hotel, a testimony to the pleasure they felt in this unique setting where time really does stand still.

SO SPA Imagine a setting straight out of One Thousand and One Nights, a majestic temple of well-being with shimmering golden walls.

Swim in the turquoise water of the pool bordered by beautiful Egyptian columns with glittering mosaics. Spend time relaxing in the hot tub, or experience an authentic Egyptian hammam ritual.

Abtal El Tahrir street, Aswan, Egypt For Aswan reservations please Call.: +2 010 2222 9071/72

ROOMS AND SUITES Stay in the original, historic Palace Wing with its very 19th-century European feel, or choose the more recent Nile Wing with its 21st-century Egyptian design.

Royal hues of red and gold reflect the enchanting luxury of the hotel, while refreshing splashes of turquoise and lime green showcase its more contemporary side.

Stylish, modern interpretations of golden chandeliers, traditional friezes and finely crafted oriental lamps add a touch of French elegance and sophistication.

MOHAMAD ATAYA: VICE PRESIDENT, GROHE EGYPT, NORTH & WEST AFRICA Mr. Ataya is the Vice President of GROHE Egypt, North and West Africa headed through GROHE’s Egypt office.

Prior to his current postion, Mohamad served as the Regional Financial Controller and Compliance Officer for the Middle East and Africa. His background mirrors consistent operational controllership practice across the region while improving the cost management process. In addition, he partook in setting up a strong, dynamic legal organizational structure for the organization. In 2010 Ataya joined GROHE. We met with Ataya to hear all about his journey, and his achievements with GROHE. 1. How did your amazing career kick off?

Before joining GROHE, I have fourteen years of experience in various managerial finance roles across diverse industries that included Audit, Telecommunication and Real Estate and Development. My experience includes audit, finance, asset management, people management, and financial shared services. I hold a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certificate as well as a bachelor’s degree in Finance & Accounting from the Lebanese American University.

2. How is GROHE positioned in the competitive Egyptian market?

We are proud to say that GROHE is a market leader in Egypt. Egyptians are seeking innovative home solutions that make life easier, and our line of products serve this market need flawlessly. The surge of technology in Egypt has made customers much more aware of what they need. We consider this an advantage, customers have grown to understand that GROHE products are unique, innovative, simple and offer great value.

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3. What are the essential factors which lead to the company becoming one of the leading providers?

The biggest factor is that we never seize to innovate.

This mindset has allowed us to always stay ahead of our competitors. Our work with the best global designers and scientists has helped make GROHE a brand recognized for its workmanship and functionality. It has allowed us to win over 240 design and innovation awards over the past ten years alone, as well as a top three placement among “Germany’s most sustainable major companies of 2015”.

5. How do you bring the different needs of different generations together?

The new generation is very tech-focused and modernistic in style. The older generation is focused on functionality and simplicity. These are two completely different consumer preferences and could be difficult for a brand to maneuver and satisfy these conflicting needs.

At GROHE, we admired this challenge and embraced it with open arms. We put our brains and resources together to develop smart and simple products for all bathrooms and kitchens.

6. What are GROHE’s future growth plans?

We recently celebrated the official opening of the extension to its research laboratory at the Hemer site in Germany. The laboratory expansion means we can now support the development process even more closely and intensively and manage it in a meaningful way using test analyses. This means that we are faster and can carry out experiments at a greater volume with lower costs, leading to an increase in the degree of innovation, which is measured by the number of innovative projects we carry out.

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 fairytales and memories that last forever with your loved one.

photographer on-hand to capture the highlights of your evening. Follow this with a luxury spa experience and pamper yourself with a rose body scrub or an indulgent 90-minute massage with rose body butter.

Experience an evening to remember at Nox, the glamorous rooftop restaurant and bar that offers some of the best views of Cairo. On the most romantic night of the year, Nox will be transformed into a Valentine’s wonderland. Our resident DJs will be playing your favorite love songs throughout the evening, with a surprise live appearance. Special romantic bites and cocktails will be on offer, and ten lucky couples can enjoy the exclusive intimacy of our romantic terrace.

Overlooking the most romantic view of the Nile River and Cairo skyline, an exclusive rooftop dinner is also an option. The private dining rooftop venue has been transformed into a breathtaking romantic wonderland.

Couples can treat themselves to exclusive access to the terrace space, with only 10 tables. 10 couples will get the chance to experience Valentine’s like nobody else. The experience begins with a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne, along with a sophisticated five-course candlelight dinner, with a professional February 2019 61

VALENTINE’S DAY DONE RIGHT AT THE CAIRO MARRIOTT Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the heart of the city where true love has begun decades ago at the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. This year the hotel is bringing to its guests a unique experience for an unforgettable memory with their beloved ones.

There are numerous ways to express love but the Cairo Marriott Hotel team knows the best tools to spread the vibes of love between guests offering a wide variety of dishes cooked with love and passion.

On Valentine’s Day the palace will be themed and decorated with Valentine’s spirit. At Saraya Gallery the evening could be spent in a French atmosphere right amidst candle lights and a selection of a set menu.

Choose between a Pan-Seared Duck Breast platter or Backed Salmon dish cooked to perfection in addition to a selection of the finest appetizers in town.

Guests can pamper their beloved ones with a romantic candle-lit dinner taking them all the way to the romantic streets of Tuscany with a variety of Italian 62 February 2019

specials at Ristorante Tuscany such as the Baked Fillet of Red Snapper, and many more.

The palatial garden of the palace is the perfect spot to spend Valentine’s Day at, therefore the Garden Promenade Café located in the heart of the gardens under the shades of the trees is there for a royal celebration.

For those aiming for an unmatchable Valentine’s Day celebration, Torii will take guests to Japan with an exciting Teppanyaki show including a variety of delicacies cooked right in front of you.

Early birds can find their place at the palace as Valentine’s Day celebration specialties will be available at The Bakery starting from February 10th.

For more information and reservations please contact the hotel directly. Call now to book for a royal Valentine’s Day Celebration at the palace.

About International Hairline Unlike other major brands in the world of SMP, International Hairlines aims to create an inclusive community of integritydriven SMP artists by providing world class training by experienced master artists, along with continued ongoing support to new artists. Our master artists have been hand-picked to represent International Hairlines because of their proven outstanding work in SMP, but also their innate desire to help others succeed.

First Solar Power Station at JW Marriott Cairo JW Marriott Cairo is proud to celebrate the launch of the first advanced solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) Modeling softwares, the Helioscope and PVSyst, that uses Solar power to convert the sun’s rays into electrical energy. The project is contributed in cooperation with H.E. Dr. Mohamed Shaker, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, H.E. Eng. Amr Nassar, Minister of Trade and Industry, H.E. Dr. Rania Al Mashat, Minister of Tourism, H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment and Mrs. Randa Aboul-Hosn, Country Director of United Nations Development Program.

The famous Moghul Room is back at Marriott Mena House, Cairo Cairo’s most celebrated indian restaurant is back in a contemporary setting in the shadows of the Pyramids.

Savour our new menu which has been miticousely updated by our newly appointed Indian Chef who has recently joined Marriott Mena House, Cairo’s team.

Indian food lovers can now experience the true tase of India when choosing from the exceptional menu including the mouthwatering appetizers, exquisite bread selection,the famous biryani and exotic desserts.

Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah won Best Luxury Hotel for 2018 The “International Hotel & property Awards” the most acclaimed industry award throughout the region awarded Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah Hotel the “Best Luxury Hotel” in Egypt. This marked the second time for Sofitel El Gezirah to win such an award for reaching the excellence for hospitality industry.

The International Hotel Awards were judged by an independent panel of 80 industry experts.

Judging focused on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability. The judging panel was chaired by Lord Thurso, a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.

Kempinski Nile Hotel launches “The Concertini” event Kempinski Nile Hotel was delighted to have its doors wide open to launch “The Concertini” live event at their Chocolate Lounge, which featured many promising musical talents of aspiring young students from all around Egypt, all gathered in one place: from jazzy bass guitars, harmonicas and the Nai to shivering classics on the violin and also some ear-tickling voices during performances by the young applicants.

Sofitel Upper Egypt Appoints New Marketing Manager Sofitel Legend Old Cataract and Sofitel Luxor Winter Palace have appointed Mahy Medhat as Marketing Manager, responsible for executing the hotel’s marketing and PR objectives and strategies.

The Egyptian national, holder of a Master’s of Art degree in Mass Communications from University of Leicester, joins the hotels with 10 years of experience in the luxury travel and hospitality industry in the GCC, including UAE, KSA and Qatar.

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international development of the French economy, with the support of the Occitanie Region, organizes the French Pavilion at the Middle East’s leading trade fair for aircraft interiors and maintenance: Aircraft Interiors & MRO Middle East, which takes place in Dubai on February 11-12, 2019.

Nour Elzeny Recognized As One Of The Top 50 Most Influential Women Egypt In 2018 Under the auspices of the prime minister of Egypt , Nour Elzeny Received the award of the Top 50 influential women in Egypt for her professional , academic and society contribution .

The minister of social solidarity and minister of Planning, Followup and Administrative Reform , minister of transportation , minister of Public Business Sector , President of the National Council for Women in Egypt , deputy of central bank of Egypt And other key business leaders were present to acknowledge The Top 50 Women and Top 100 companies.

Congratulations to Tatweer Misr for the very successful launch of its unique new product “The Waterfront Lofts” by Cloud 7 in Fouka Bay in Sahel It has been reported that Tatweer Misr launched 76 Lofts in Fouka Bay today, which were sold out within hours of the launch.

The Lofts indulge a hustle free summer life in double-heighted Crystal Lagoon views with best in class furniture and unmatched services and hospitality provided

by Cloud 7, a brand of Kerten Hospitality, granting an unrivalled experience to its owners.

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Minister of Supply and Internal Trade witness the inauguration of new Nestlé coffee factory Nestlé celebrates inauguration of its new EGP 250 mn Bonjorno coffee factory Nestlé celebrated the opening of its new coffee factory, Bonjourno, in the 6th of October industrial zone, with investments of EGP 250 mn. The opening was attended by Ministers of Supply and Internal Trade, as well as a delegation from Nestlé headed by Executive Vice President and Head of Operations, Mr. Magdi Batato, and Chairman and CEO of Nestlé North East Africa , Mr. Moataz El Hout. The inauguration came after Nestlé has acquired Caravan Marketing Company SAE (“CMC”), a leading Egyptian instant coffee company owner of the Bonjorno brand, in January 2017.

“Realme Egypt” launches “Realme C1” and “Realme 2 Pro” in the Egyptian market “Realme 2 Pro” The newest generation of smartphones. The “Realme C1” a new benchmark for entry-level phones Andro Nabil: We aim to break through the Egyptian market by offering the latest performance, style and technology at affordable prices Sherry Dong: The two phones offer a variety of features that caters to today’s youth

Vibrant and innovative French firms reiterate their loyalty to Aircraft Interiors & MRO Middle East, Dubai World Trade Centre United Arab Emirates: January 24th 2019 - For the 8th year in a row and in an increasingly favorable business environment, BUSINESS FRANCE, the national agency supporting the

Realme Egypt, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has announced their launch in the Egyptian Market, with the release of their brand’s flagship models, Realme 2 Pro and Realme C1, on Jumia. The powerful specifications, sleek designs, and affordable price range of the smartphones assures that Realme will garner to the interest of younger mobile users.

Happy Valentine’s City Stars • Cairo Festival City Mall • Mall of Egypt • Mall of Arabia virginmena virginmegastoreme virginmegastore.ae

IDENTITY SIGNS

AQUARIUS 20 Jan. – 18 Feb.

STRENGTHS: Friendly, sociable, intelligent, inventive, humanitarian and altruistic.

WEAKNESSES: Impersonal, sarcastic, emotionally detached and stubborn.

CAREER: Aquarians have a high tendency of being successful in their careers with their exceptional ability of networking and building connections, as well as their high level of intelligence. Team players and progressive thinkers by nature, they are one of the best performers among any team.

MOST COMPATIBLE WITH AT WORK: Aries, Libra, Sagittarius and Gemini VIRGO Mutual respect is the highlight of this career match.

A lot of remarkable work is delivered despite the different work ethics and perspectives they have.

WORK COMPATIBILITY ARIES With plenty of excitement, this is considered a very lively partnership indeed. Both signs are eager to take risks and embark on new fields and professional territories.

TAURUS This match is so great as they use each other’s strengths to stand up to their respective weaknesses.

Rational Taurus balances the dreaminess of Aquarius.

GEMINI Sharing the values of innovation and sharpness makes the ideas bounce off the walls with these two. The tricky point here is the implementation of the handson work and the execution of plans.

CANCER This is a challenging partnership; while Aquarius is too logical and likes a detached work atmosphere, Cancer is emotional and prefers a cozy office.

LEO They are opposites who create an interesting experience. Though they have different goals, both share the same need of career security.

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LIBRA Fun and productive at once, this work relationship is quite harmonious. Sharing a great team spirit, exciting brainstorming capabilities and sharp intellect, they are the dream team.

SCORPIO An interesting work dynamic comes from the fact that they’re both fixed signs. Each one is gifted in entirely different areas, which ultimately favours the work.

SAGITTARIUS Offering great satisfaction for both, this is a super compatible professional partnership, given the Sagittarius’s high spirits and the Aquarius’s intelligence.

CAPRICORN The adventurous Aquarius can be irritated by the oldfashioned Capricorn. But finding a middle ground, stability and innovation can be achieved.

AQUARIUS A creative power is formed with this innovative pair.

This is proven to be a productive partnership with all the hard work and professional independency.

PISCES Pisces is amused by the professional vision of Aquarius, while this last is delighted by the quirky ways of Pisces. In case of building an emotional connection, wonders can happen.

1817-2017.

200 YEARS DURAVIT. YOUR FUTURE BATHROOM.

DuraStyle. Design by Matteo Thun

Simplicity also rules in the bathroom furniture area. The trick is in the mix between open and closed areas: In this way, everything works airily and transparently. The refined 2/3 division of the wall unit is also continued with the vanity units.

For more info please visit our showrooms in Sheraton +2 02 26968700, Designopolis +2 02 38572041 or +2 0238572042, Sharm El Sheikh +2 06 93664162, Hurghada +2 01 001789418 or visit www.duravit.com.eg

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