December Issue 2015

December 2014

Fashion & Lifestyle

7

biggest diet

Christmas date

outfits

myths

Capsule Christmas wardrobe

Table tactists:

Rock your dinner party

Happy Holidays

Where to go for Christmas & New years

Contents

December 2014

Fashion

12 Ladybird Loves palmain 14 Steal Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley’s Style 16 Winter wonders 22 Christmas date outfits 26 Capsule Christmas 28 Photo Shoot: Fantasy Land 34

BEAUTY

38 Keep skin hydrated 40 Hairstyles that will look great under a hat 42 Nailed it

Home

46 DYI Centerpieces

ESCAPE

48 The perfect getaways for Christmas and New Years 50 Escape inside egypt 52 Vegan foods

Health

54 What to eat before a competition

FITNESS

58 The DIY in fitness 62 How to choose your sports shoes

Nutrition

68 7 Diet myths

Cooking

70 Palvova & Turkey

LOVE & RELATIONSHips 72 2 | December 2014

sonnet of the single lady

Mother&Child 74 Taming public tantrums

Faces of Egypt

76 Ahmed Nagy, Tellus app creator and designer.

Features

78 Jumia’s gifts for him & her 80 Wayou Mochila bags

On Spot

In every issue:

90 Press and media gathering at Solana sparkling brunch/ Daniel hechter relaunches 91 Fairmont Heliopolis and towers invites guests into the thai kitchen/for the first time in Egypt Lego city at Cairo 92 JW Mariott hosts event for JW ladies society/ L’oreal-unesco for women is science levant and egypt 94 Mariott hotels Egypt Party to celebrate global costumer appreciation week 95 Pull and Bear/Oysho 96 Radisson blu Cairo celebrates 5th Anniversary 98 Samsung introduces the latest in its iconic note series-the galaxy note 4 99 Cairo festival city 100 TIU’s grand opening

Editor’s letter P.10 Shopping Cart P.20 Fashion news p.21 Spotted P.36 Pieces we love P.43 Ladybird’s Q&A P.56 Why eat this? P.64 The best, the top & the must do! p.85 Reviews P82 Horoscope P.86 Happenings P.88

L ad y b i r d Scan it & get CEO Zeyad Sorour Editor-in-Chief Ismail Marzouk connected to Managing Editor MAGDA EL SEHRAWI our facebook Editor Omnia Helal fanpage to get all PR & Marketing Manager Naira El lamei our tips, updates Project Manager Samar Zaki Senior Graphic Designer Eman Salama and news!

Graphic Designer MARINA RAAFAT FOLLOW US ON: Financial Director Haitham Hamouda Ladybird Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine @Ladybirdmag ladybirdmagazine 4 | December 2014

Distribution Ahmed Abou el Ela, Ahmed Fawzy & alaa hussein

Distributed by Al-Ahram Association 23 Emad El Din Kamel St., Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (+202) 22627533 www.ladybirdmagazine.com

December 2014 | 5

Contributors

Bettina Hemmingsen

Family Counsellor and Therapist Trained at the Walter Kempler Institute in Copenhagen in Psychotherapy and Family Therapy and Counselling and have practised for more than 12 years. Her consultation spans from marriage counselling to individual therapy and group sessions.

Furthermore, she has a Bachelor in Social Work.

For more info, please contact: bettwe.hemmingsen@live.dk Website: http://www. bettinahemmingsen.com

Natascia Paolucci

Maha Abdel-Latif

Fashion and Beauty Blogger A US graduate with a BBA degree, whose passion for beauty and fashion has been a constant since her youth.

For advice, please contact: mahaabdellatif@thecairocloset.com 6 | December 2014

Professional Fitness Coach Between 1983 and 1989 she won several fitness competitions in the Netherlands, later she started to work as a model, made the cover of the first Marie Claire in Turkey.

She became GO for the fabulous Club MĂŠditerranĂŠe. Now she coaches in Katameya Heights and Palm Hills.

For (private) classes, please contact: natascia.paolucci@hotmail.com

Ghadir Al agabany

Fashion Marketing Consultant She has an extended diversified experience in fashion business, commerce and retail.

For advice, please contact: ghadir@alagabany.com alagabany.com

Chanel Brookelyn

Managing Director at Radiant salon/London Chanel Archer is a qualified Stylist.

She strives to be excellent in all areas to make herself an all rounded director.

Heba Ezz El-Din

Cooking Expert She has lived most of her life abroad between Rome and London were her love for cooking all started there. She studied fine arts and nutrition, in which she beleives that they both compliment each other, as she defines cooking as an art.

Recently joined CBC channel in a cooking show.

Lauren K. Clark

Writer A graduate student at the American University in Cairo, from Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College. Her areas include anywhere from fashion, beauty, women's studies, travel, and multiple others. She enjoys living and experiencing all of the beauties and essence of life.

For advice, please contact: iclark1903@aucegypt.edu 8 | December 2014

Ayat Seif Elnasr Beauty and Fashion Blogger A certified makeup artist from Robert Jones Academy. Studied Business Consulting in Notre Dame University, USA. Has BA in English Literature from Ain Shams University.

For advice, please contact: ayatseifelnasr@hotmail.com Facebook: TheVanityblogger Instagram: thevanityblog

There’s no time like the present.

Many of us start making our resolutions around this time.

It’s usually something along the lines of how we’ll quit bad habits, we’ll do the right thing, we’ll eat better, we’ll lose weight, we’ll travel more, we’ll be nicer… and while the clock strikes midnight and the mishaps of the last year are officially out of the way, you find that somewhere around February, you’re taken by life again and you simply cannot keep up with your resolutions. ‘Next year,’ you say. ‘What a dumb idea,’ you think. ‘I’m a failure,’ you dare to tell yourself.

Sounds familiar?

It isn’t uncommon that we’ve loaded so many resolutions on our list that it’s absolutely impossible to achieve them all, and hence, give up before we’ve even started.

Afterwards we’re plagued by self-sabotaging feelings of inadequacy and depression. What’s the hurry, ladies? We have all year, don’t we? There’s no need to pack it all into one bulk and then feel bad at the end of the year when you find you couldn’t do what you wanted to do. … I’m going to state the obvious: You don’t have to wait until the new year to have resolutions. You don’t have to wait for a particular date to make promises to yourself. And you don’t have to give up or wait until the following January, if you resolved to do something but for one reason or another, simply couldn’t pull it through. Don’t be hard on yourself – forget about what you haven’t done, and pat yourself on your back for the things you’ve achieved this year instead. And while we always think of the New Year as a starting point for everything, we very often forget to realize that every day is a new day. You can have a clean slate and start anew whenever you like.

The best piece of wisdom I ever received regarding the New Year was from a really old professor. He said, “don’t live thinking ‘In the coming year, I’m going to do this-this-this-this-this-and-that,’ but start the New Year thinking ‘wow… I did thisand-that.’ Begin one thing at a time, but just begin”.

There’s no time like the present to begin anything your heart yearns for. The sky isn’t the limit anymore… there is no limit – except maybe you. Don’t get in your way!

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy, bountiful and new year.

Magda Elsehrawi 10 | December 2014

Fashion

LADYBIRD LOVES BALMAIN

12 | December 2014

F

ounded in 1945, this Parisian label is still the cool girl’s go-to for ornate jackets, sprayon leather pants and tough-luxe dresses.

Acclaimed creative director Olivier Rousteing has refocused the brand’s artisan roots while maintaining its particular blend of decadent rock-chic glamour.

December 2014 | 13

Fashion

Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley ‘s

Style!

*All prices are subject to change

Rag & Bone Fedora available at Forwardforward.com EGP1251

Steal

Burberry Blanket Poncho Burberry.com EGP 9900

Paige Skyline Ankle Peg Skinny Jeans available at Mytheresa.com EGP 2600

Christian Louboutin Knee-high boots available at Christianlouboutin.com EGP 16400 14 | December 2014

Fashion

Winter Wonders Turn those heads

L

adybird’s picks for the winter will thaw a frozen heart. You’ll find everything to suit your style, from elegant skirts and classy coats, to dresses and tops that’ll flatter your figure. With our special selection of boots, scarves, and accessories, you’re bound to turn heads this holiday season!

bersheka

bebe

benetton 16 | December 2014

bcbg

bersheka

stradivarious

stradivarious

stradivarious bebe Sahara

bcbg

desigual Unique Cards

gerry weber

benetton

stradivarious

benetton

gerry weber

stradivarious

stradivarious December 2014 | 17

bebe

gerry weber

desigual stradivarious

stradivarious

desigual gerry weber

stradivarious

gerry weber

stradivarious 18 | December 2014

stradivarious

gerry weber

stradivarious

bersheka gerry weber

gerry weber bersheka

bersheka

Unique Cards stradivarious stradivarious

Unique Cards

bersheka

Suiteblanco

bersheka

stradivarious

gerry weber December 2014 | 19

*All prices are subject to change

Fashion

VICTORIA BECKHAM Crepe pencil dress Mytheresa.com 14729 EGP VALENTINO Lock Small leather shoulder bag Mytheresa.com 12319.07 EGP

VERSACE military galon dress Farfetch.com 1500767 EGP

THIERRY MUGLER VINTAGE double-breasted jacket Farfetch.com 1799 EGP GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI embellished platform pumps Farfetch.com 9779 EGP

CHLOÉ Leather ankle boots Mytheresa.com 6025 EGP 20 | December 2014

YVES SAINT LAURENT VINTAGE tailored paisley print MCQ BY ALEXANDER MCQUEEN trouser printed scarf Farfetch.com Farfetch.com 2252.44 EGP 1526 EGP

FASHION NEWS Ayten Bijoux Unique, chic, and elegant – three words that when left alone do not hold much significance, but place them in front of a renowned brand like Ayten Bijoux and their vibrancy becomes apparent. The most chic and luxurious jewelry pieces in town Pictures can better describe how her micro-sculptures put the body on center stage, fragmented and re-assembled in striking, ironic and contrasting combinations.

Boutique 51 Cairo’s newest multi-brand up-scale fashion boutique. Showing some of the world’s trendiest designer brands in women’s fashion, Boutique 51 is the newest addition in Cairo’s fashion world, brought to you by the founders of your favorite boutique; L Square “L2”... Always dedicated to women.

Fashion Brands displayed @ Boutique 51: DKNY/DVF/Paul Smith/ Joseph/Maison Martin Margiela/Peachoo & Krejberg/Gustavo Lins/Mara Hoffman/5PreView/75 FBG/ Alice & Trixie/Annaikka/Avelon/Camilla/Lamberto Petri/Umit Unal/Venera Arapu/ Demoo Parkchoonmoo/Gaze de Lin/Des Artistes/Dimitris Zoz/Koonhor/Conni Kaminski/ Kaleidoscope/Amarilla/B. Vera/Bajra/Cinabre/Cloli/CutuliCult/Jane Carr/Lin/Marc Rozier/Pashmina/Vincenti/AGL/Cavage/DeSiena/ Martino & Rodrigues/Mystique/ SueComma Bonnie/Angel Jackson/Otilia Flonta/Salar/Numero 10/Sous les Pavés/Nanni/ Michelle Lowe Holder/Private Suite/ Sence/St. Erasmus/Kreisi Couture.

Touché, the start of a new era in fashion.

Introducing an exquisite, extraordinary ready-towear and haute couture collection, that will change your wardrobe fashionably upside down.

The collection includes dresses and jumpsuits designed with a mixture of foxy and edgy yet elegant concept. Touché is now preparing for their launch, so hold your seats and get ready. The designers behind Touché are Sara Nagy, Maya Hanafy, Allaa Magdy and Camelia El Enbaby.

Fashion

Christmas Date Outfits By: Maha Abdel-Latif

W

hether it’s your first, tenth, or sixtieth date, you always want to look your best for your significant other. At any other time of the year, we generally opt for the perfect mix of charm, allure, and feminine when choosing a date outfit. On Christmas day, however, you have the added challenge of dressing appropriately for the holiday season and staying warm in the cooler weather, all while still looking feminine and polished.

The struggle is real, ladies.

But, worry no more. The key to pulling off the perfect Christmas date outfit is to look for the three ‘S’s: Snug: While you want to make sure you catch your significant other’s eye with your cute outfit for your upcoming holiday date, you also want to come home with all of your fingers and toes not frozen together.

Make sure your outfit keeps you nice and warm Stylish: Despite the cold weather, style is still a priority when putting together a Christmas date outfit, ladies. Opt

Option No.1

for a look that is appropriate for the cold holiday season, yet still brings out your inner fashionista.

Spirited: Show your significant other the warm, merry side of you and don’t be afraid to show a little holiday spirit through your outfit.

I’ve put together a few outfit suggestions that fall under our 3 ‘S’s rule and will surely catch your significant other’s eye when you walk into the room.

Take these looks and wear them exactly as-is or change things up and make it your own!

The Sweater Dress Nothing screams holiday spirit quite like a Christmas sweater. But, since we are putting together a look for a date (not your grandmother’s Christmas dinner), the next best thing is a sweater dress. Stay cozy and festive in a snug, sweater dress for your date this year, paired with an embellished necklace, black tights, a hat, and ankle boots, and you really cannot go wrong.

22 | December 2014

Option No.2 The Trench Coat Always-chic and ever-so-feminine, the trench coat is the ultimate winter must-have. A good trench coat can turn a simple outfit into an effortlessly elegant, polished look – and your Christmas date outfit is no exception. Add a fun, floral-print scarf and a pair of burgundy boots to take your date outfit to the next level.

Option No.3 The Pullover If you do opt for the sweater route, stay away from that ugly Christmas sweater (yes, we all have them, and yes, it’s ok) and go for a knitted, cowlnecked pullover instead. Pair your warm sweater with a flared or pleated mini-skirt and ankle boots to make your outfit a little flirtier.

December 2014 | 23

Fashion

Capsule XMAS Wardrobe. by:ghadir al agabany

L

Accessorizing with boots & coats

26 | December 2014

et the Christmas spirit begin. Leaves are falling, skies are clear, clouds are cotton white and the breeze is soft. Emerald green and burgundy wine will conquer the season’s platforms and beyond. Earth colours, charcoal, velvety maroon, dark green, teal, golden & brownish tones unite for a warm winter. With lots of fur and plenty of python everywhere, step aside moderate autumn and let the festivities flavour begin.

December 2014 | 27

Fantasy T

ogether, ABn’G and Deana Shaaban, have joined forces to bring you a production like no other, filled with a world of magic and artistic delight. 12 different characters from 12 entirely different worlds have found their way into this collaboration and have been reinvented through the eyes of the collaborators to make this campaign of images, an artistic masterpiece.

This campaign brings together an army of collaborators, the finest in their own industries: Deana Shaaban with her innovative pattern cutting

28 | December 2014

land

and draping techniques in design, ABn’G’s edgy and unconventional style in art direction, Outside In providing the plethora of heavenly flowers, Nina Bakry’s signature jewelry, Okhtein’s flawlessly crafted hand bags, VNTG’s rare sunglasses. With the genius hairstyling of Kriss himself, the ever so talented makeup artist Eman Arafa, the photographic brilliance of Salma Adel, this campaign promises to be nothing short of unparalleled design and artistic creation like Egypt has never seen before. The collection will be debuted on November 7 at Cairo Fashion Festival ,which took place at Cairo Festival City.

Goddess Hera Model: Amy Shakir

Photoshoot creadits

Designer: Deana Shaaban Art Direction: ABn’G Photography: Salma Adel Hair Styling: Kriss Make-Up Artist: Eman Arafa Special thanks: Outside In, Nina Bakry, Okhtein, A Necklace A Day & Chairs n’ Co. December 2014 | 29

Alice in Wonderland Model: Nada Attalla

30 | December 2014

Carousel

Model: Salma Hesham

December 2014 | 31

Goddess Athena

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Khaleesi - Game of Thrones Model: Dania Younes

December 2014 | 33

Fashion

When Architecture Meets Fashion

C

airo fashionistas rejoice. Abdrabboh-S Design House is bringing all amateur fashion designers Christmas early this year. Conceptualizing a new method in fashion and architectural design and aiming to remake the fashion industry in Egypt, Fashion Clash will be opening its doors for anyone and everyone interested in fashion.

34 | December 2014

Fashion clash is the complete version of the fusion having all the criterias of doing this. Even the fashion show will be a unique experiment, it merges music and dancing and fashion show principals in a dynamic performance. The outfits are all unique, 4 dimensional designs, and each one has it is own inspiration.

The chair “ la malagueña” is based on the Spanish folklore music “ la malagueña “ blast edition. It is all lines an forms is a Spanish lady dancing flamenco. Designed by Mahmoud abdrabboh.

Photoshoot creadits

Photography: Danial Salib Photography Hair Styling: Kriss Beauty Salon Make-Up Artist: Eman Arafa

December 2014 | 35

SPOTTED CELEBS LATEST NEWS & GOSSIP

Did Kate Middleton’s & Prince William’s Friends Reveal The Gender Of Their Baby?!

Kate Middleton is healthy and back to her royal duties, which means she’s back to her social circle too… and someone on the inside spilled the beans! The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William are going to have a baby girl! Though Gail Johnson, Education Adviser from the Royal College of Midwives, said that it might be hard to even tell the gender this early in Kate’s pregnancy. But we’re going to keep hoping for a little princess anyway! How cute would that be?!

Kim Kardashian ,You’re Someone’s Mom!

After debuting in her sex tape, periodically gracing her Instagram account and making a brief appearance in GQ, Kim Kardashian’s butt’s latest showing is the cover of Paper magazine.

She’s going full-moon, above the headline “Break the Internet: Kim Kardashian” The photos were shot by famed French photographer Jean-Paul Goude, who also used Kardashian’s recognizable derriere to recreate his iconic “Champagne Incident” image for another safe-for-work version of the cover.

36 | December 2014

Angelina, It’s been too long!

Angelina Jolie made her way to the Hollywood Film Awards red carpet at the Palladium in Los Angeles, and she looked lovely! The newlywed was seen at a red carpet event for the first time since making things official with Brad Pitt, and she made a statement in her black Atelier Versace gown. Her updo only made the look more classy too, as did her subtle jewelry.

Beauty

Skin

INSIDE-OUT:

Simple essentials to keep your skin hydrated and nourished during the winter

W

inter really brings out the worst in our skin.

And while we’re all grateful that the shiny summer skin is gone, we’re faced with blotches, dryness, ashen complexions, and rough patches. What to do? Ladybird gives you the best winter tips to keep your skin glowing and hydrated from inside out.

1.You are what you eat: Omega-3 fatty acids act as a skincell lubricant, and can improve skin condition drastically in a matter of weeks. Adding foods like salmon and fatty-fish, walnuts, kidney beans, flaxseeds and olive oil to your diet will not only contribute to your skin’s health, but your overall wellbeing.

Additionally, you might want to consider omega-3 supplements, which are readily available over the counter at any pharmacy.

TIP: Additional vitamin and mineral supplements to consider for skin nourishment include Vitamins E, B3, C, and K, silicon, and collagen.

38 | December 2014

4.Slather your skin: Moisturize! It is essential in the wintertime to combat the elements (cold, wind, dryness, and indoor heat). The Tracie Martyn Beauty Salon of New York recommends using two moisturizers on your face; either a lightweight moisturizer or facial serum first, followed by a thicker cream to seal in the moisture. Thicker creams are also recommended to trap moisture in on the rest of your body, particularly your hands.

TIP: Cosmetic companies now make tubes small enough to carry around, so be sure to keep a tube in your handbag at all times. Not only will it save your skin from chapping while you’re out of the house, but also doubles as a makeshift moisturizer for your lips if you’re on the go.

2.You are also what you drink: You absolutely must drink – water, that is. There’s a reason why they say water is the elixir of life – approximately 80% of your body’s cells are made of water. The average person loses a huge amount of water daily through breath, perspiration, urine, and bowel movements, which makes drinking water throughout the day essential. The American National Institute of Medicine recommends at least 8 glasses of water a day if you want to keep you body – and skin – hydrated.

3.Avoid hot water: We know it’s hard to resist a steaming hot shower in winter – but be careful! According to recent studies, taking a steaming hot bath or shower breaks down the lipid barrier in your skin, making it lose moisture and leaving your poor epidermis dry, parched, and blotchy. Try lukewarm water if you can, and treat your skin to a moisturizer while it’s damp to lock in moisture.

5.Don’t forget your lips: They are a part of your face too! Lips are noticeably dryer and flakier in the winter, so give them some love and slather on a thick chapstick or Vaseline before bedtime, and exfoliate them with a toothbrush or rough towel the next morning. This simple technique two to three times a week removes dead skin and keeps them supple. Remember to gloss at all times, and to carry around a tube in case you accidentally eat it off.

TIP: Limit exfoliation in the winter to once a week; your skin is already dry, sensitive, and stressed by the elements, unlike summer where sweat and dirt accumulate and need to be removed.

December 2014 | 39

Beauty

Hair

Hairstyles that will look great under a hat – without using heat!

By Chanel Brookelyn

Now that winter is well and truly here, it really is time to start thinking of ways to protect our hair! Other than the usual regular conditioning treatments and trims, Hats can actually help protect our hair from the wind, rain and snow.

One hat that has definitely taken the centre stage this season is the Fedora Hat – with all the available shapes and sizes, the styling options are endless!! But better yet, here are 4 styles you can achieve under your prized Fedora without the need to plug in those straighteners!

1

Beach Waves - My personal fav! Unfortunately for us we don”t have that amazing weather that they have in LA but we can still have that laid back beach hair throughout colder months. This looks uber laid-back when the hat is slightly tipped back off the head.

How-to: Wash your hair and towel dry it – Apply some curling cream to your hair from root to tip whilst hair is still damp (not wet)- Divide your hair into two sections – Twist the sections together tightly starting from the nape of your neck and ending at the tips of your hair – Secure with a rubber band. – Clip the end of the twist to the top of your head and allow to completely dry for 4/5 hours– Un do the twists and run your fingers through your hair to add some body – Apply some Hair spray to hold the curls throughout the day.

TIP: This technique can also be done by braiding the hair instead of twisting. You can also leave the plait/twists

2

Looped Ponytail ….and when you are really having one of those bad hair days, why not put your hair into a low side ponytail – not just any ponytail – style it up with a lopped ponytail.

How-To: to achieve this look, place the hair into a side ponytail, separate the hair above the band and flip the ponytail up and into the hole. Then pull the hair taut. Simple but Chic!

40 | December 2014

3

The fishtail plait This one never gets old and who doesn’t love the bohemian-like look every now and again!

How-to: Gather your hair to one side in a low ponytail with a clear elastic.

Separate the ponytail into two sections – Hold one section; with your other hand, take a narrow strip of hair from the outside of the other section and bring it over to the one in your hand. Repeat, incorporating hair from one section into the other until you run out of hair – then secure with another clear elastic. Finally, carefully cut the top elastic to give the braid a loose, casual look.

TIP: Works Better with Longer hair but if you have shorter hair why not try out the Lace Dutch style braid!

4

The Messy bun always loved a messy bun! But instead of one, why not try two! You can adjust the size according to the hat!

How-to: Section your hair into two – Start either side by scooping your hair into pigtails by smoothing out any bumps and pull your hair halfway a hair elastic to create a loop – Repeat as many times as necessary – Adjust the bun by pulling the loop further through and selectively tugging on random bits of hair to create a more messy look – Repeat on the other side.

Tip: Wherever your ponytail sits, that is where your bun will sit.

Winter Hair Care Things to do to minimise dryness and brittleness during colder months!

• • • • • • • •

Shampoo your hair less frequently and condition each time!

Deep condition your hair regularly – once a week if you can!

Run your hair through cold water to lock in the moisture (when rinsing out conditioner) Try to avoid too much heat on your hair! – If you insist on using them, try to use a leave-in conditioner/ heat protector beforehand and diffuse on a low heat NEVER spray perfume on your hair, the alcohol in body perfumes seriously dries out your hair. Try L’Oreal Professionals Mythic Oil Le Parfum – RRP £19.00 Avoid going outside with wet hair! Not only to avoid catching a dreaded cold but if your hair freezes from the cold it can cause it to break!

MUA: @Nikeace Regular Trims – every 6-8 weeks!

Hair extensions: @marrikashair Drink lots and lots of water!!

December 2014 | 41

Fashion

nailed it by:Ayat Seif elnasr

T

o properly “nail” a winter trend, what’s better than wearing the perfect nail polish to suit your total look.

Since this season’s in-trend colors are Burgundy , dark purple, black, and nudes of all its shades.

Tips: Base coat: to avoid nail polish color stains and prevent harmful components in the polish from affecting your nails.

Color: wait at least 20 minutes in between coats (yes that is too long, but better be safe than sorry) Top coat: to protect your nail from the outside environment (pollution, dust, water, dry weather… etc) from harming your nails, and also to make your color stay longer without fading or chipping.

42 | December 2014

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Available at style treasure December 2014 | 43

Home

TABLE TACTICS:

Rock Your Dinner Party With These Great DYI Centerpiece Ideas

Y

ou’ve got a couple of dinner parties this holiday season, and you want something dazzling in the middle that’s an absolute eye-catcher! You also want something that’s fast, easy, and won’t cost a fortune. And how about something of your own creation? Take a look at these DYI centerpiece projects that’ll add that extra touch to your table.

Can’t Go Wrong With Candles Definitely the high-’light’ of the table! Candles on their own are glorious, but so are the candle-holders. You can go for classic candleholders surrounded by wreaths of fresh or dried flowers or pine and sprinkled with glitter. Another popular look is using transparent or colored glass cylinders of various sizes and shapes in which you place your candles. A large dish filled with water and scattered with floating candles and rose-petals is a perfect addition to an eclectic dinner party. For a more slightly more creative host, you can use wine-bottles as candle-holders.

TIP Foam is your best friend Foam makes life unbelievably easy when it comes to centerpieces; whether it’s to arrange fresh flowers, dried flowers, ornaments, gold or silver sprayed twigs and sticks, or lollipops, all you have to do is poke the point into your foam base, and you’re done. You can also place them into anything – ornamented bowls, pitchers, vases, or glasses. Firstly, foam keeps everything in place, and secondly, it allows you the artistic freedom of placing things where you want them. So rather than have those flowers hang limply off your vase, you can trim the stems and stick them into foam inside your vase, and they’ll be indestructibly upright.

46 | December 2014

Foam is easily available at a local arts store, and is easily carved with a kitchen knife or crafts blade to fit into anything.

TIP Green leaves and vines always add an aesthetic touch to edible centerpieces. If you’re going to snip a few off from your garden or pot-plants, be sure to wash them first. You don’t want your centerpiece to become germy or pesticide-laden.

The Edible Centerpiece You can go totally wild with this – there are no limits whatsoever. A huge platter in the middle made of a mountain of vibrantly colored winter fruit; A giant dome of cake-pops poked into colored foam; a platter of cheese, olives, and strawberries piled high; a wreath of freshly baked bread with strings of rosemary and a candle in the middle; a cupcake mountain… the list is endless.

An important tip though – think ‘leverage’ – be sure to elevate your centerpiece using foam (or any object will do, including penetrable items like melons or pumpkins), and you can stick your food together with toothpicks to keep them from collapsing.

Glass Vessels The local florist can prep something amazing for you in a glass cylinder, but you can also buy them cheap and empty from your local florist (or pet shop – those fish-bowls can make amazing centerpieces!) and fill them yourself, with everything from colored pebbles, colored sands, crystals, marbles, dried flowers – or a layer of all of these, and a sprinkle of glitter. Viola!

TIP

Colored Water Vessels This works best with several glass cylinders, jars, or transparent vases. Fill your glasses with water, and think about your composition and how you’re going to add items. First though, you tinge the water with a few drops of food dye, whereby you’ll get a colorful watery expanse.

Start adding items - heavy items will sink to the bottom (such as marbles) and lighter objects will float to the top (flowers and petals, flat candles, or decorative fruit). With several of these color-water centerpieces in the middle of your table, it’ll look amazing.

Colored sand might be hard to find, but you can easily make your own by substituting sand with salt! On a large sheet of paper, pile salt and slowly rub a colored piece of chalk into the crystals repeatedly. In a few minutes, you’ll have salt that looks exactly like sand particles, colored to your taste. Pour these into your chosen glass. Colored layers atop each other are also beautiful.

TIP If you’re going for the multi-colored water idea, adding multicolored napkins to the table will give you the extra rainbow pizazz. Also, make sure your initial table cloth plain colored, not patterned, to bring out the best of your rainbow water – white always works best with this idea.

December 2014 | 47

Escape

Happy Holidays!

The Perfect Getaways for Christmas and New Year DUBAI You’ll be in time for the renowned Dubai Shopping Festival! Whether ith Christmas and New Year just you’re looking for jewellery, carpets, around the corner, it’s time to pack a new car, or simply a getaway, your bags and catch those last minute chances are you will get the best deal opportunities to travel! Whether or not you’re an in Dubai. More than three million avid globe-trotter, you’ll find Ladybird’s selections shoppers flock to the malls and souks, for you both fun and economic. or traditional outdoor markets, during the Festival. However, shopping is not the only item on the agenda – clad with Christmas cheer, the city is filled with Details carnivals, concerts and • Best offer: From Travel Choice children’s entertainment • 6 days/5 nights throughout the month.

• Rates starting from only EGP 3900 per adult (Excluding airline taxes, approximately EGP 1600 per person) • Packages include: 5 nights accommodation in a standard room on bed and breakfast basis, collective shuttle transfers, and travel insurance PARIS coverage for the package duration.

In December, Paris bursts • Travel Choice Hotline: 16119 into Christmas lights and shimmering glory. Trees up and down the ChampsElysées are strung with lights, and if you’re into ice-skating, rinks are set up all over the city squares where you can glide to your heart’s content. Christmas markets up all around the city if you’re into gourmet Details treats and gift-shopping, • Best offer: From Travista or if you’re into the • 6 Days / 5 Nights culture scene, take your • Rates starting from only time exploring the sights EGP 5990 per adult and museums, sipping • Packages include: International cinnamon-infused winter airline tickets, central hotel drinks, or attending special accommodation (Marriott options holiday concerts. Have available) and tour leader escorting a real retreat from the from Egypt. holiday madness for you • Travista Hotline: 19294 and the whole family.

W

48 | December 2014

BARCELONA While it’s never a white Christmas in Barcelona, it is still an epic winter destination because there’s so much to do! If you’re into the touristy side of things, you can easily discover this enchanting city on foot, because one of the best things to do is wander around the streets and take in all it’s architectural, historical, and artistic glory. Barcelona is a city chock-full of culture, great food, sights and stellar squares where you can take a little break with a refreshing drink, clothes, shoes, and local designs. There are endless things to do with the family, as well as a nightlife that goes on till the wee hours if you’re in the party mood.

Details • Best offer: From Travel Choice • 7 Days/6 Nights • Rates starting from only EGP 6200 per adult • Packages include: Round-trip economy class airline ticket on EgyptAir, 6 nights accommodation at Catalonia Placa Catalunya Hotel, daily breakfast, round-trip transfers airport/hotel/airport by bus.

• Travel Choice Hotline: 16119

Details

ZURICH AND THE ALPS

• Best offer: From Rotana Travel Egypt • 6 days/5 nights • Rates starting from only EGP 6,300 per adult • Packages include: 5 nights accommodation at Sternen Oerlikon Hotel, a full-day tour of the Alps, and round-trip tickets on a commercial airline.

• Rotana Travel Egypt: request@ rotanaegypttravel.com

You won’t be able to resist the incredible winter activities the Alps have to offer, including skiing, hiking, biking, and general strolling through some mind-blowing nature.

Lake Zurich and the Limmat River also offer various sports activities in and on the water such as boating, sailing, surfing or wake-boarding, and swimming. Once you’ve had your fill of sports, you can always visit the monasteries and museums, cheese and chocolate factories, and indulge in the sweet Christmassy nightlife.

December 2014 | 49

Escape inside Egypt You can put your passport away and enjoy your escape from the city within the city! Check out these special deals at nearby hotels:

Jingle the bells with a merry christmas & happy new year This year the Cairo Marriott Hotel will be transformed into a ‘Winter Wonderland” with the world’s favorite holidays, Christmas and New Year’s eve to help guests celebrate.

On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve the hotel will host lunch and dinner buffets at Roy’s Country Kitchen as well as The Bakery for Christmas treats Meanwhile, Ristorante Tuscany, the JW’s Steakhouse and Saraya gallery will serve set menus in an elegant Christmassy atmosphere. Welcome the New Year at “Harry’s Pub”. Live your night with a simple, elegant and intimate ambience. If you are up to an authentic type of celebration with an Egyptian Flair pass by Egyptian Nights with a live band and the famous belly dancer Maya. For your Christmas Eve dinner where better to celebrate than at our “Ristorante Tuscany” & “JW’s Steakhouse” with a lavish set menu that includes Duck Foie Gras, Oven Roasted Dover Sole, Crusted Rack Lamb and much more. On Christmas day a lunch set menu at “Saraya Gallery” awaits you with Sea Scallops, Lobster & Sweet Corn Tortellini and for our guests with a sweet tooth, we have prepared Banana Tart Tatin, Pisachio Ice cream and Dulce De Leche.

Tru celebration Tru blu at Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria Welcome to the New Year with a little adventure from the Old West at Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria. Enjoy a glorious cowboy theme night, a huge lineup from the DJ, saxophone band, belly dancer and gala dinner buffet.

Don't forget to ask about the rooms' package including the “cowboy party” and breakfast the next day.

For reservations please call +20 3 589 6000

50 | December 2014

Kempinski Nile Hotel and Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay Special Christmas Packages!

Kempinski Nile Hotel offers a range of exciting packages for the festive season, including traditional dinners, dance parties and stylish gourmet experiences at its award-winning restaurants.

Packages start from EGP 2,350 per room / per night.Also, celebrate the festive season in paradise at Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay with tailor-made packages. Rates start from EGP1,600 per room/ per night on half-board basis. On 24 December 2014, guests will enjoy a special Christmas gala dinner celebration for a compulsory charge of EGP 650 per person and a New Year’s gala dinner on 31 December for a compulsory charge of EGP 1,300 per person.

For reservations, please call +202 27980000

Escape

Where to Eat if You’re Very

Vegan!

Y

ou’re in a fix because you’re vegan-fasting and you’re eating out and you don’t know where to go.

Moreover, you’re sick and tired of greasy fries and boring old salad. Ladybird has made a list of the funkiest food joints in town that dish up amazing finger-licking vegan food that’s also healthy. So whether you’re out and about, or you want to order in, we’ve got you covered. Check these out:

Zooba

These guys create simple, flavorful, gourmet dishes that are not only delicious but also very vegan – your selections of traditional Egyptian street food with Just Falafel a creative twist are endless, and you’ll never be at a Beyond the old street ‘taamiya’, Just Falafel is a worldloss for something to wolf down here. wide franchise, and brings you at least 8 different ways to Open in Maadi, Zamalek, and City Stars. eat this healthy vegan patty – including Mexican, Japanese, Home delivery; Hotline 16082 and Italian. Also, they’re the only ones in town that offer the option to have your falafel baked. A total must-try!

Open in Manial, Giza, and Maadi.

Home delivery; Hotline 16615

The Vegan Kitchen You cant go wrong here. A small family owned restaurant with a creative menu of international Saludable vegan favorites, as well as some of it’s very own original Adopting the ‘healthy fast-food concept’, this recipes. With organic gluten-free options, this is restaurant is a salad, wrap, and pasta heaven. You can definitely a place you’ll want to visit. custom-make your dishes to suit your needs, and top it Open in Maadi. Reservations & take-out; off with a range of juices. Services such as event catering, Cell 01155006688. scheduled meals if you’re dieting, and corporate deals if you’re a hot-shot, are also available.

Open in New Cairo. Home delivery & online ordering; Cell +201159059055

Rohana Green

While mainly a vegetarian catering service, these guys are definitely worth a look at. Using only local and fresh produce, they can cater for people with special dietary needs, and have vegan and gluten-free options for many dishes on the menu, as well as freshly baked vegan and gluten-free breads, cakes and scones. Yum! Open in Zamalek. Cell 010 16951046 52 | December 2014

Health

What to eat before a competition

S

ummertime is over and winter is prime for athletic competitions. What you eat the day before a game or a competition can have an effect on your performance.

Good pre-game nutrition maximizes your ability to compete. Working muscles need carbohydrates for fuel. Good pre-event meals contain high carbohydrates, moderate amounts of protein, small amounts of fat, and plenty of fluids. They also digest quickly and easily.

“Practice” your pre-game snacks and meals. in advance Experiment with different foods, drinks, and timing to find what works best for you.

Examples of meals that will help prepare you to compete at your best: (Let’s start with dinner the night before an afternoon game, match, or race.)

• Dinner: grilled chicken breast with BBQ sauce, baked potato, light sour cream, green beans, low fat milk, and water • Breakfast: bowl of cereal with low fat milk, banana, and 100% fruit juice • Morning snack: diet candy bar, fruit, and water • Lunch: turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato, pretzels, carrot sticks, drinkable yogurt, and water • Pre-game snack: ½ to 1 hour before your event – dry cereal, grapes, and water These meals and snacks are low in fat to help prevent intestinal discomfort during training and competition, but remember that fat is a great source of energy for growing athletes.

A more moderate amount of fat can be incorporated into other meals when quick digestion is not an issue.

TIP In addition to eating right, get to bed early so you’re well rested.

54 | December 2014

Your Brain is a Muscle Too

One of the most overlooked muscles in the body is your brain. Just like you work your biceps and triceps at the gym, it’s important that you exercise your mind as well.

Here are some tips to keep you fast and focused: • Read as much as you • Play video-games; can: newspapers, strange as this sounds, magazines, license they really help you plates. focus.

• Increase your • Study again: there vocabulary by studying are so many free one word a day from a online classes that dictionary. you’ll definitely find • Turn off the TV and something to keep you laptop, as they promote interested. passive thinking and kill • Use your left hand (or your creativity. right hand, if you’re a • Play puzzles: word leftie): this challenges searches, crosswords, you to focus and pushes Sudoku – all of which your determination. enhance the strength • Socialize: having of the problem-solving discussions with people part of your brain. is a great brain-workout.

TIP Protect your brain from cell phones - Recent studies have found that cell phone users are 240% more prone to brain tumors, and is four times greater on the side of your head where your phone was most frequently held. Switch to hands-free.

Bulletins/Health

FACT Your brain is the fattest organ in your body and may consist of at least 60% fat. That’s why it’s important to incorporate healthy fats in your diet.

TIP If you have a headache, reach for water before a painkiller. Your brain is made up of 75% water, and chances are, you might be dehydrated.

Other things you can do to keep your brain optimally healthy: - Exercise your body - Keep a balanced diet - Take Omega-3 supplements - Get out in the sunshine - Get adequate sleep - Manage your stress - Meditate

Top 10 foods for an active, productive, and healthy brain:

• • • • • • • • • • • •

coconut oil olive oil green tea eggs salmon cinnamon apples dark chocolate sweet potato almonds coffee water

December 2014 | 55

Q&A

LADYBIRD’S You Ask, Experts Answer!

1

Dr. Keith Denkler

Plastic Surgery

Is liposuction dangerous and are its results effective or there is possibility of regaining weight?

Doctor’s Answer:

Often liposuction is performed under local anesthesia so it is very safe. Cleanliness is important to avoid infection. Doc needs to be well trained, so look into their background. Also helps to see a few docs before you do it. Liposuction takes away bulges but does not lead to weight loss. Gaining weight after liposuciton will cause irregularities and unevenness. So keep your weight stable.

3

Dr. Luis Irizarry Family Medicine

How do I treat dandruff?

Doctor’s Answer:

Neutrogena shampoo is quite effective, over the counter. Excesive water (bath, showers) can dry scalp and skin causing itchiness and irritation. Use tepid water, is better than hot water.

56 | December 2014

2

Dr. Daniel Rubenstein Dentistry

I get reoccurring ulcers on my tongue. I change my toothbrush regularly and use mouthwash. What can be causing these ulcers?

Doctor’s Answer:

Recurring apthous ulcers have no definitive cause.

Possible causes are stress, injury/trauma, diet (acidic foods), smoking, acid reflux or other GI diseases, allergies, viral infections, vitamin deficiencies, hormone imbalance. Check with your dentist or medical doctor for an examination and diagnosis of possible causes.

4

Dr. Swati Avashia

Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

Are there any cheap and fast weight loss pills I’ve been excercising but still gain weight. Im looking to loose 25 lbs pretty quickly what can I do?

Doctor’s Answer:

A good guide is that if you cut 500 calories out of your diet each day you will loose 1 pound a week. Logging calories is a good way to help you lose weight. This a good, free website for tracking calories.

5

Dr. Michael S. Fisher Dermatology

Do those white spots on your nails really mean you’re missing calcium?

Doctor’s Answer:

Deficiencies and small injuries aren’t the only cause of white spots on the nails. A condition called terry’s nails, or white nails, turns the entire nail white indicating liver disease. If the top half of the nail turns white, this can indicate kidney failure. If you find white horizontal lines that stretch all the way across the nail, these could be mees’ lines associated with systemic disease.

7

Dr. Garrett Caldwell Family Medicine

This may be gross, but I think my IBS is worse than just IBS. Anything I eat has the same effect and it’s always painful and urgent. What should I do?

Doctor’s Answer:

Keep a journal of all everything you eat and your reactions to the foods. Information like this can help you and your doctor choose a diet that is right for you and your particular circumstances. Also, it is important that your doctor rules out other inflammatory bowel diseases such as crohn’s and ulcerative colitis in addition to an infection.

6

Dr. Sonja Shanley Family Medicine

I am a compulsive liar. I exaggerate everything. How can I stop? It just started after my dad died a year ago. What caused this change? Is it serious?

Doctor’s Answer:

Yes. This is serious. In my humble opinion, you are reacting badly to your father’s death and this could last for years - with or without therapy. However therapy is likely to shorten your destructive path. I’m so very sorry for your loss. You are not a bad person for reacting like this - most people have some sort of serious reaction to losing a parent. You are in my thoughts.

8

Anna Villaruel Fashion Desiger

I have a pear shaped figure, and I would like to wear little floral or patterned clothes, but where do I start?

Expert’s Answer:

You’re lucky as the current fashion trends such as floral and ruffled tops and shorterhemmed jackets are perfect for your pear body shape because they give the illusion of a balanced body. Basically, we want to make the top half of your body look more equal to the lower half. You just have to pick the right style and cut and color that look suitable for your age.

December 2014 | 57

Fitness

The DIY in fitness

L

BY: NATASCIA PAOLUCCI

et’s face it; you are not exercising for peanuts. Even if working out is a good way to burn all the calories for this particularly oil-rich nut…

Chances are you are expecting some fitness outcome such as weight loss, muscle building, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and balance among others. As such, you should be able to evaluate your current level and track changes.

1

In addition, December is a particularly auspicious time to look back at your year, measure your progress and take new resolutions for the year to come. Did you know that psychologists have established that temporal landmarks (such as birthdays, the beginning of the year, the first day of the week, your wedding day etc...) enable the current self to separate with the past self ? In many ways, you can distance yourself from past failures or unhealthy habits and begin anew. They have a word for it: you start a new mental accounting period. In sum, you are more likely to take resolutions, change lifestyle, join a gym class, and start a diet and so on, after a temporal landmark. This is the New Year’s resolutions’ effects!

58 | December 2014

And to begin the next new chapter of your life, and challenge yourself with new clear and realistic objectives, it is important to make sure you understand where you are at. Most fitness clubs will have the necessary equipment to measure body functions and the trained staff to evaluate fitness level. This being said, you may not be willing or able to access this service in the next couple of months. Fortunately, there are several tests you can perform in the privacy of your home.

Here is a sample of two fitness tests: The push up test: muscular strength and endurance (equipment: a stop watch or a timer to count a full minute) How many full (and well controlled) push-ups can you do in 60 seconds?

For men between 20 and 29: excellent is more than 54, average is between 35 and 44, very poor is below 20 For women of the same age: excellent is more than 48, average is between 17 and 33, and very poor is below 6.

N.B: scales are age and gender adaptive (based on guidelines published by the American College of Sports medicine)

2

The 3-minute step test: aerobic and cardiovascular endurance (equipment: a stop watch or a clock to count three full minutes, a step or a 12 inch box and a metronome – online versions available).

Set the metronome on 96 beats per minute, then, climb up and down the step at a regular pace, for three minutes.

At the end of the three minutes, reset the timer and measure your heart rate by counting the number of pulses in sixty seconds. How long does it take for your heart rate to go back down to its normal rate?

For men between 18 and 25: excellent is between 50 and 76 seconds, average is between 88 and 93 seconds and very poor is between 124 and 157 seconds.

For women between 18 and 25: excellent is between 52 and 81, average is between 104 and 110 and very poor is between 135 and 169.

There are many others you can find on the Internet. This being said, use web-accessed sources with caution.

Indeed, science fiction is pervasive and can be dangerous. Remember to critically review the credibility of your sources and the scientific soundness of their arguments. Also, make sure you understand the tasks completely and master the moves correctly, so as not to incur injury.

After all, it would be a shame to begin the new year with a broken arm or a twisted ankle!

3

Moves

These three-move workouts for beginners are designed to sculpt arms and shoulders fast, no matter what your fitness level. These moves are also designed by Tracy Anderson, who has trained Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. You’ll need a set of dumbbells, and you’re good to go!

Arm Circles: Forms shoulders, back, biceps and triceps • Stand with feet shoulderwidth apart, arms extended straight out to sides at shoulder height.

• Keeping shoulders down, do 20 small backward circles.

• Switch directions; do 20 forward circles.

Bulletins/Fitness

Tone Your Arms in

Tip

Do supersets if you want real change - Supersets are a technique which calls for you to do two exercises back-to-back without resting.

One of the best ways to employ this technique is to do a triceps exercise and follow it immediately with a biceps exercise or vice versa.

By using this technique, you stretch one antagonist muscle group while contracting the other, which brings more blood to the muscles and sparks new growth

TIP

The best way to do this is by increasing the length of each rep by pausing for some extra squeeze at the top of the movement.

Shoulder Press: Forms shoulders and biceps • Stand with feet shoulderwidth apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand.

• Bend elbows, bringing hands to shoulders, palms facing forward.

• Press weights straight overhead, keeping shoulders down; lower weights back to shoulders.

• Do 20 reps.

60 | December 2014

Triceps Push-Back: Forms shoulders and triceps • Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, holding a dumbbell in each hand, arms straight down at sides, palms facing back.

• Lift arms straight back about 2 feet behind you; return to sides.

• Do 20 reps.

December 2014 | 61

Fitness

How to shoes your sports shoes S

ports shoes are probably the most important piece of fitness equipment you’ll buy, so it’s vital to pick the right pair.

There are big differences in the way various sports shoes support your feet. This means that it’s not good for your feet if you play football or tennis in the same trainers you use for jogging.

62 | December 2014

Football boots Football can put a lot of stress on the feet, especially when you’re playing on hard surfaces such as artificial grass. The boots can also put pressure on your feet, and it’s not unusual for a footballer to develop corns and calluses or damaged, thickened and ingrown toenails. A good, well-fitting pair of boots is essential. There shouldn’t be any signs of pressure on the foot after a game or training session.

Aerobics trainers Fitness shoes are ideal for aerobics because they combine flexibility, support and cushioning to absorb impact and lessen shock to the feet.

Running shoes Running shoes are great for running, and only running. They’re very flexible, allowing the foot to bend and flex through each step, but they’re not suitable for sports such as tennis that involve sideways stepping. It’s a good idea to get your running shoes properly fitted to suit your foot type. If they’re too small they can cause blisters and black toenails.

Tennis and squash shoes It’s important when playing racquet sports, such as tennis or squash, to choose shoes specifically designed for the purpose. These sports involve a lot of sideto-side movement and running shoes won’t offer the right stability. Racquet-sport shoes are heavier and stiffer than running shoes, as their toes are built for stop-and-go action. Comfort should be your number one priority and it’s important to replace your sports shoes frequently.

“

Mike O’Neill, from The Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists, says that serious back, knee and hip pain, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints (leg pain), traumatized toes and painful blisters are some of the conditions people wearing illfitting trainers may face.

“

Basketball and netball shoes Sports shoes for court games such as basketball and netball give a combination of flexibility and sideways support. Cross-trainers are stiffer, provide more support for side-to-side movements, and can be used across a range of activities.

Walking and hiking boots Walking is a great way to increase your activity levels, while the more adventurous might go for hiking.

They’re both good for your heart and lungs but are low-impact activities, so carry less risk of injury.

Ladybird’s advice on the best footwear for walking and hiking: • For short walks in urban areas or easy countryside, all you need is a good, comfortable pair of shoes that won’t cause blisters. Use tough shoes that are a good fit, with an arch support, a slightly elevated heel and “breathable” uppers such as leather.

Casual shoes or quality trainers with heavy soles will do.

• If you go walking regularly, you could invest in a pair of proper walking shoes or some lightweight walking boots. These will give your feet and ankles support and may be waterproof. For highland walks over difficult terrain, good walking boots are essential.

December 2014 | 63

Nutrition

Why Eat This?

Olives

• Recent research studies have also shown that the monounsaturated fat found in olives (and olive oil) can help to decrease blood pressure and prevent cholesterol and heart disease.

• Blood tests show that consumers have higher levels of serotonin, a happy-hormone.

• It makes us feel full. The aroma extracts from olive oil can leave us feeling fuller, cutting our calorie intake by almost 200 a day.

• Black olives are rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that nourish, hydrate and protect skin. Chief among those is vitamin E.

Super Food...

Lentils

• Lower Cholesterol dietary fiber found in lentils Lentils help to reduce blood helps prevent constipation cholesterol since it contains and other digestive disorders high levels of soluble fiber. like irritable bowel syndrome Lowering your cholesterol and diverticulosis. levels reduces your risk of • Stabilized Blood Sugar heart disease and stroke by Adding to the many benefits keeping your arteries clean. of fiber, soluble fiber traps • Heart Health Lentils are carbohydrates, slowing down also a great source of folate digestion and stabilizing and magnesium, which blood sugar levels. This can are big contributors to be especially helpful for those heart health. Folate lowers with diabetes, insulin resistance your homocysteine levels, . or hypoglycemia.

Magnesium improves blood • Good Protein Of all flow, oxygen and nutrients legumes and nuts, lentils throughout the body. Low contain the third-highest levels of magnesium have levels of protein. 26 percent of been directly associated with lentil’s calories are attributed heart disease, so eating lentils to protein, which makes them will keep your heart happy! a wonderful source of protein • Digestive Health Insoluble for vegetarians and vegans.

64 | December 2014

• One cup of olives contains ten percent of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin A which is effective against cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma and other age-related ocular diseases.

• The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olives make them a natural for protection against cancer because chronic oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can be key factors in the development of cancer.

• Frequent consumption of both vitamin E and the monounsaturated fats in black olives is associated with lower rates of colon cancer.

5 Word Answer

What are the best foods for healthy eyes?

Carrots, leafy-greens, eggs, berries, and almonds.

Do you suffer from heartburn?

Fix with Food

Heartburn typically involves a hot or burning feeling rising up from the center of the abdomen area and into the chest under the breastbone. As a start, avoid acidic, spicy, or extremely sweet or salty food – also avoid overdoing it with garlic and onions.

Stick to root veggies like potatoes, and also leafy greens, which are low in acid. Oatmeal, brown bread and rice fill the stomach without causing acid reflux, so are also a great choice. Fish, lean poultry and meat either broiled or baked – not fried! – are good too.

In an emergency, mix half a spoon of baking soda with water and gulp it. Fennel, ginger, cinnamon, aloe, and parsley teas will also calm the fire.

Now you have a chance to read all Ladybird Magazine’s issues

on issuu.com

Download issuu application now for FREE & DON’T miss your favorite magazine

Protect your body from the onset of illness in advance by adding these foods to your diet.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Cabbage Broccoli Leafy-greens Mushrooms Tomatoes Onions Spinach Navel oranges Pomegranates Salmon and fatty-fish Artichoke Lemons

Fact Did you know that Coffee in moderation can reduce the risk of diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and also stimulates enzymes that protect against colon cancer?

TOP 12 FLU-FIGHTING FOODS

If you’re already sick, these super-foods will ease your pain and get you better quick with their anti-inflamatory and antimicrobial properties Lemon, Strawberries, Guavas, Pineapples, Ginseng root, Raw honey, Raw garlic, Onions, Tea, Fresh ginger, Turmeric powder, Cinnamon powder 66 | December 2014

Bulletins/Nutrition

IMMUNITY BOOSTERS:

Fact Did you know that artichokes contain 1/4th of an average adult’s fiber needs, and is rich in vitamin C, potassium, iron, and magnesium?

DYI flu shot:

• 6-squeezed lemons • 1 garlic bulb • 2 tsp. raw or powdered ginger • 4 tbsp. honey • 2 cups pineapple juice • 1/4 tsp. pepper • Blend all ingredients and store in a jar. Take 1 cup 4 times a day until symptoms are cleared.

TOP FEELGOOD FOODS TO HELP YOU FIGHT WINTER DEPRESSION

Combat winter gloom with these happy foods that boost your serotonin levels and keep your mood at peak levels.

• Bananas • Yogurt • Oatmeal • Cashews • Almonds • Flaxseeds • Cherries • Coffee • Dark Chocolate • Vanillia • Salmon • Cheese

Nutrition

7Biggest Diet Myths

D

on’t fall prey to commonly believed mistakes about food and health!

Here’s a look at diet myths that may be getting in the way of your healthy lifestyle targets.

tip

It is often said that the only thing that matters for weight loss is “calories in, calories out.”

The truth is that calories matter… but the types of foods we eat are just as important.

1. Don’t Eat After 8:00 p.m.

The best thing you can do is learn to listen to your body and eat when you are actually hungry. There is no research to prove that eating the same meal at 6:00 p.m. versus 9:00 p.m. will be any more beneficial to you or make you gain less weight. Body cues aside, it’s more important to take into consideration things like when you will be going to sleep and what you will be doing first thing in the morning (i.e., do you have an intense workout scheduled and no time to fuel up with breakfast?)

2. All Fats Are Bad While you’ll want to keep your cholesterol level in mind as well as saturated versus unsaturated versus trans fats, a healthy body needs fat for energy. Nuts, seeds, olive oil and fish are all commonly found healthy fat sources.

This myth is especially important for people who are adding juices — often very high in sugar and devoid of fiber — without eliminating anything devoid of nutritional value from their diet. For juices to be healthy, they must have fiber, low sugar, and a lot of veggies.

“

“

3. Juicing Will Help You Lose Weight

The brain alone uses 130 grams of carbohydrates per day.

68 | December 2014

4. You should Eat Many Small Meals Throughout The Day The idea that you should eat many small meals throughout the day in order to “keep metabolism high” is a lie. It is true that eating raises your metabolism slightly while you’re digesting the meal, but it’s the total amount of food that determines the energy used, NOT the number of meals.

Bottom Line: There is no evidence that eating many small meals throughout the day is better than fewer, bigger meals. Not eating from time to time is good for you. Increased meal frequency is associated with colon cancer.

5. Gluten Is Bad for Everyone 6. Beer gives you Belly!

Beer alone will not make you fat unless you drank gallons of it. Three pints of beer are roughly the same calories as one bar of chocolate!

Tip

look for a dark chocolate that says 70% cacao (or higher) on the label. The rest? It’s just candy!

The gluten-free industry has exploded these past few years and many popular diets, like Paleo, advocate eliminating all grains.

Only about one percent of the population actually has celiac disease, and it’s important to remember that eliminating any food group in its entirety, unless there is a true medical reason, could be setting you up to miss out on key nutrients.

7. Dark Chocolate is good for you.

It would be great if all you had to do to eat healthy was look for chocolate bars that were darker than Nadia El Gendy’s mascara. Unfortunately, the secret to unlocking the health benefits of chocolate are a bit more complicated than that.

December 2014 | 69

Cooking

Berry ChristmasPavlova

C

by: Heba EZZ Eldian

hristmas and Pavlova are an essential combination. On the lovely Christmas day one could be forgiven for forgetting the fruit pudding, but you just can’t ignore the luxurious Pavlova with its sweet and crunchy meringue crust, marshmallow-like center, topped with clouds of cream and the raspberries, cherries, strawberries and pomegranate. You can always change the topping and add you favorite fruits on your delicious Pavlova.

Method:

Ingredients Pavlova: 1. 4 eggs whites (at room temperature) 2. Pinch of salt 3. 250g castor sugar 4. 2 tsp of cornflour (sifted) 5. 1 tsp white wine vinegar Raspberry Coulis: 1. 125g fresh raspberries 2. Juice 1/2 lemon 3. 1/4 cup castor sugar

Topping: 1. 300ml fresh cream – whipped 2. 1 x pomegranate 3. Raspberries, cherries and strawberries to decorate 4. Bunch of holly or fresh mint 5. Powdered sugar for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 120C. Line a tray with baking paper. Use a round baking tin to draw one large circle (22cm) then draw another circle inside it approximately 13cm wide.

2. .Beat egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar, a little at time until meringue is stiff and shiny. Sprinkle over sifted corn flour, vinegar and fold in lightly.

You should be able to up end the bowl at this stage with no fear of anything coming out.

3. Grab a dessert spoon and scoop a dollop of meringue. Place this dollop between the outside and inside line. Repeat until a ring of meringue is complete. Create a second layer of meringue on top of the first until second ring is complete. Flatten the top by smoothing the meringue.

4. Place meringue in oven for 2 hours at 120C. When time is complete, turn off the oven and leave meringue in the oven until completely cool. This is very important as there will be less risk of the meringue cracking and collapsing.

5. When cool, spread with whipped cream, drizzle on raspberry coulis then decorate with cherries, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries and holly or mint.

Raspberry Coulis: 1. Blend fresh raspberries, lemon juice and sugar together until sugar has completely dissolved.

Set aside until required

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Honey Garlic Salmon

O

ne of the main dishes on my Christmas day dinner table is Salmon. Here’s how it’s done: Marinate it, bake it, and then serve drizzled with the sauce. It’s that easy. Yum! It can be served with beautiful broccoli, cherry tomatoes and carrots.

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 30 mins Serves: 4

Instructions: 1. Combine the sauce ingredients and marinate the salmon for 15-30 minutes 2. Arrange salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 180 Celsius for 15-20 minutes depending on thickness, basting the salmon with the sauce halfway through 3. Over medium high heat, bring the sauce to a boil and simmer for 3-5 minutes until reduced 4. Dish and serve hot drizzled with remaining sauce

Notes: For a slightly crisp and caramelized top, sear the top of the salmon over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes before baking.

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Love & Relationships

4

Sonnet of the “Single” Lady

Reasons for Why Singlehood Becomes A Curse

A

BY: LAUREN K. CLARK

lright. So, you are single. That means you are lonely, sad, pitiful, and all of the stereotypes that comes with being the single woman. Right? Hmm. Then again, there are those single ladies, who truly are, wait for it... happy. Imagine that! A single woman, who is content with her life, her environment, and her life. Yes, they do exist. And let’s re-evaluate the word single, shall we? Is single only in the context of not being married, or having a boyfriend? Is a woman single if she has a lover(s), or male companion(s) who keep her company?

And so the diversity of companionship begins...

However, for you single ladies, who are truly seeking out marriage, a boyfriend, or even a date, here are a few reasons as to why you may become your own company on the weekends.

Wanting a boyfriend, lover, or date solely for the purpose of trying to fill a void are not good reasons to rid yourself of your single status. Read my lips: men smell desperation. And, other than quick fun, a desperate woman is not attractive.

• The Hermit Now, don’t get me wrong. It is very important for every woman, to enjoy her own company, first and foremost. However, it is also critical to not live the life, as if you are by yourself on a hidden island, void of human contact. Three words.

GET OUT THERE. Even if it means going out by yourself (or with your fellow gal pals), GO OUT. Have fun while you are out, and who knows. You may just not go home alone.

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• Seductive Temptress Hate to break it to you, but if you occupy this title, you are single, because you are too busy chasing someone else’s man, as opposed to trying to get your own. Cheating with someone is not cute, ladies. And after all the hype has worn down, he will go running back to whomever you took pride in “stealing him from.” So the joke is on you! As the popular saying goes, you loose em’ how you got em’. No man, in his right mind, wants a woman who would not respect the relationship of another. You are better off just getting one who is available, and sees you (aside from his mom and sisters) as the only feminine treasure in his life.

• Madame Put You To Sleep Excitement is a must, my dear! What makes you interesting? What makes your own unique beauty, femininity, and personhood exciting?

What do you have going in your life? Hobbies, a career, interests in things outside of talking

“

Read my lips: men smell desperation.

And, other than quick fun, a desperate woman is not attractive.

“

about how single and lonely you are, wanting to have a husband and children. Get a life, my dear!

Discover and fulfill yourself. If you enjoy your own company, chances are someone will too.

• She Who Takes Her Shovel and Digs for the Gold Let’s be clear, every woman likes to be pampered, taken on nice dates, sent flowers, and chocolate.

But if you make this your career 24 hours, expecting only that from men, then any man with good sense is going to run like the wind. A woman who is set out to “bleed a man dry” will most likely be single.

So, with just a few of our single, iconic, female characters, its safe to conclude that the best way to transition into the world of coupledom is to be happy and exciting in our own single status. Many times, women who are comfortable, in being single are the very same women that men chase after.

The solution: be your best single self, ladies, and the rest will fall into place.

December 2014 | 73

Mother & Child

Taming public Tantrums BY: BETTINA HEMMINGSEN

Screaming, crying, kicking, throwing things, we recognize a tantrum when we see one. You may think that there’s nothing worse than your toddler’s tantrums, until your toddler has one in public. Then you have to manage not only an out-of-control child, but also the disapproving and not-so-sympathetic stares of strangers. When your toddler lets loose with an earthshattering tantrum, who can blame you for wanting to just crawl in a hole and stay there for a while? So lets take a look at what causes tantrums, and what can we do about them What is a temper tantrum?

A temper tantrum is a child’s normal response to a frustrating situation. It seems like your child throws a tantrum just to push your buttons; but in reality, temper tantrums are unintentional and unplanned. Children don’t throw fits to get your attention; they simply feel frustrated and out of control. Everyone has a tantrum once in a while, but tantrums are most common in children between the ages of one and four years.

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Studies shows that tantrums occur for about 80 percent of children in this age group but some children are more likely than others to have temper tantrums.

Tantrum Triggers Toddlers are busy learning new skills and asserting their independence. When something interferes with that, they don’t know how to respond. Maybe your child is trying to put on her own socks but they “don’t feel right.” Or you cut her toast into squares instead of triangles. The inability to complete these tasks is a real source of contention for a toddler.

Additionally, children need and thrive on limits; yet when parents set limits, the children tantrum in frustration. You won’t let your child hold a knife. You insist that he be strapped into his car seat. Limits can make your child feel completely out of control and trigger a total meltdown. Some common causes to temper tantrum are:

• Frustration, often due to limited language, or lacking the skills to complete tasks, for example getting stuck with a jumper half-way on, or a piece of puzzle that won’t fit.

• Being hungry or tired • Wanting things they can’t have – whether it’s sweets at the checkout counter in the supermarket, one more video, or a friend’s toy.

• Wanting independence – To walk, not ride in the buggy, to choose her own clothes, or to brush his own teeth.

• Over-stimulation – common during exciting events like parties or Christmas.

• Attention seeking - if previous tantrums got lots of attention, this can become a pattern as kids grow.

• Emotional overload - when trying to cope with the world and the many new experiences a toddler has every day just feels like too much.

• Feeling out of control - when living in stressful environments. Children learn by watching their parents and it’s important to set a good example by handling your own frustrations appropriately.

The torture of Tantrums It is often thought that children throw tantrums to manipulate and control their parents. As a response, parents may feel compelled to take a firm stance against the displays and assert their own power when in fact the majority of parents feel completely helpless and useless and blame themself for their child’s tantrums. But if you view a tantrum for what it really is — a child’s feeling of powerlessness and her attempt to find inner control—then you can position yourself to help rather than overpower your child.

Other times we feel that our child does it deliberately when we´re out – just to embarrass us. Yet toddlers really don’t think in that way! All their behavior is an expression of their own needs and feelings, not trying to get at you, even though it can sometimes feel like that!

No matter how great a parent you are, most toddlers will have a tantrum at some stage so even though we might feel that our child saves her tantrums for us, since she never do it to others but believe it or not, this is a compliment! Your child feels most emotionally secure with you, and knows you will still love her no matter how she behaves. After being on ‘best behavior’ all day at nursery, it is common to a boil over with parents.

And remember: Tantrums need an audience! Children don’t pop into the next room to have them.

5

strategies for taming Toddlers Tantrums in public The solution for public tantrums has two components – preventing the tantrum in the first place and diffusing the tantrum when it happens.

1. Give Positive Power. Prevent public tantrums in the first place by giving your child plenty of POSITIVE power throughout the day – lots of choices so he can have some control over his world. (blue towel or yellow towel, Spiderman toothbrush or Batman toothbrush) Parents can also give positive power by training their toddler on “grown up” tasks that make him feel capable and allow him to contribute in meaningful ways.

“Grown up” tasks for toddlers include putting spoons and forks away, feeding pets, watering plants (with specific measuring cups) and using a hand-held vacuum to clean up messes. When kids have plenty of positive power, they’re less likely to act out with negative power behaviors – like tantrums.

2. Give them a Job. Prevent public tantrums by planning ahead and giving toddlers important jobs at the grocery store. Take a clipboard and a crayon so she can cross off items as you put them in the cart. Toddlers love the power that comes from checking items off a list.

3. Keep them busy. Have a back-up plan by bringing other activities if she gets bored – books on a CD or MP3 player with earphones are magical!

4. Be unimpressed. When public tantrums or whining happens…remember that your child has a right to have a tantrum, but you have a right to not participate. Be totally unimpressed. If you’re in a store, remove yourself to a remote corner or go out to the car (you may have to leave your cart) and let her have the tantrum.

5. Don’t react! The most important strategy for dealing with public tantrums in the moment is to NOT REACT. She’s having the tantrum specifically to GET a reaction from you! Don’t give any verbal feedback. Don’t give eye contact. A public tantrum isn’t nearly as rewarding when we remove the audience. When parents try to “talk the child down from the ledge” or stop the tantrum, it reinforces that tantrums are a great way to get attention. When your toddler is calmed down and ready to go back into the store, you can go.

Remember, the very best strategy is avoiding the tantrum in the first place by giving lots of positive power and planning ahead with important jobs she can do while you’re there.

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Faces of Egypt

What inspired you to create your own application?

I’ve been attending a couple of events like Startup Weekend. I was inspired by the people around me trying to come up with startups. So I decided to find my own idea and make a new application that will solve a problem.

So how does Tellus work?

Tellus makes it easier for everyone to talk with customer service. Instead of remembering all the hotlines and waiting on the line for too long when calling, all you have to do is find the business you want in the directory and leave them a message by typing. As easy as chatting with a friend on a messenger.

Ahmed Nagy

Tellus app creator and designer.

N

ot a day passes without customers needing to call a service center with inquiries, complaints, or problems. Whether it is for phone bills, lost internet connection or a product that didn’t meet expectations, we all need to make the call at some point, and we seldom like it. But what if there was an easier way to contact the companies in question that would cost less and save us the hours spent on hold?

Ahmed Nagy came up with Tellus, a smartphone app that connects you with customer service operators who instantly answer your inquiries from the same app, as simply as that..

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How was the market’s reaction to Tellus?

Tellus’s presentation impressed almost all the companies we visited due to the balance between performance and price. The messages reach customer service agents directly on their phones; if they don’t reply back then it’s a problem with the company’s quality control. We’ve also been roaming around events to see what people think of it, we’re impressed of the results and we’re looking forward to see it in action.

Do you have any plans to launch outside Egypt?

We received a couple of offers to launch in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. After launching in Egypt, we’re planning to expand in the Middle East.

We saw pictures of you winning a competition with Tellus Yes, we did win Investor Lounge, organized by Startup MENA & Venture Scout. It’s about gathering up selected startups all over the Middle East and

investors to chit-chat and advise us on what’s best for our startup. Thanks to Startup MENA & Venture Scout, they’ve been helping us a lot to develop our app.

Why is it taking so long for your app to launch?

I personally don’t mind.. As long as we’re launching it, it’ll be perfect for usage. We’re developing a HUGE system and that’s what it takes. Nothing is easy... easy come easy go! Right?

Do you think the Egyptian market is ready to let go of the traditional way of contacting their service providers?

We’ve been ready since the Blackberry became a trend in Egypt. However, we made other plans acquire the customers that will use the traditional way. We’re about to finish a deal with a company to release a version of Tellus that will have a functionality similar to Viber that allows customers to call companies for free as long as there is internet.

When will we see Tellus in the app market?

We already signed a couple of contracts and hopefully we’ll be launching by January 2015. As soon as we launch, the application will be available for iOS and Android operating devices. Within a month or two after launching, we’ll launch the Windows version too.

How will Tellus make a profit out of the service?

Tellus profits through a couple of channels. We’re selling Tellus CSR (Customer Service Representative) License for Businesses. So for example if a company’s customer service team is made out of 6 CSRs then you’ll buy 6 licenses. We have semi annual plans and annual plans. Second channel is advertising through the app, and finally, registering as a freelance CSR.

Where do you see Tellus 5 years from now?

The number one channel for customer service communication in the Middle East and North Africa.

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Christmas shopping

C

for Her

hristmas Shopping can be a hassle, all the malls are crowded and you probably are too lazy to spend your weekend away from your coach and hot cocoa. Well, Jumia Egypt has got you covered; we have listed the top 22 items you could get for yourself or your loved one.

Do all the shopping in the world without having to walk through millions of shops and pay on delivery to your doorstep.

Lilly’s Closet Black Glittery Pumps

Eternel Black Leather Clutch with Metal Trim

ETHINA All-over Sequined Mini Dress

Folli Follie Rose Gold Plated Bracelet

DKNY Stainless steel watch

Valentino Valentina Eau De Perfume

Chocolate Fountain

Digital Camera with Zero Ink Printing.

MAC cosmetics

Braun Satin-Hair 7 Senso Care Styler

ETHINA Mini Dress with Studs

Christmas shopping for Him

Bose SoundDock Portable Digital Music System

Nike Free Trainer 3.0 Training Shoes.

Apple iPhone 6 technology

CAT By Fratelli Casual Shoes

AGU navy sweatshirt

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneakers Dior Homme Eau de Toilette

Sony PlayStation4

New Born Light Blue Denim Jeans GoPro Hero 4

Citizen Stainless Steel Watch

items available at www.jumia.com.eg/christmas

Features

Holiday Gift for HER: A Wayuu Mochila BY: Maha Shoukry

T

he Wayuu tribe is a Latin American group inhabiting the visually striking desert of the La Guajira Peninsula,which borders Colombia and Venezuela.

One of the most significant aspects of the culture that the Wayuu women practice is the art of weaving Wayuu Mochila bags. Wayuu women are already exposed to ancient traditions such as sewing, cooking and weaving. Every bag is unique, because every woman creatively uses her own technique.

In South-America, Mochila means bag or backpack.

Each Mochila is made by one woman and takes approximately one month to make. They are all hand made by knitting cotton threads using crochet needles or hooks. Each and every bag receives love and dedication during its manufacturing. Each design is unique, and holds a specific meaning to the weaver, where different geometric shapes and clear explicit colors and patterns represent stories, cultural events or identities. This is why when you buy a Mochila; you are buying a piece of art that has a story behind it.

So when you choose your Mochila choose one that represents your personality, and know for sure that the bag you’re carrying is a gorgeous one-of-a-kind piece that was designed especially for you.

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Editorial Features From Heliopolis to Mohandessien with Love!

Blaze NOW open in Mohandessien

B

laze, a favorite spot for Heliopolis residents is now taking Mohandessien by storm!

With Blaze’s unique interiors, modern feel, unbeatable menu and flavored shisha variety, you will have a true chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of a hectic working day and indulge in a creamy, hearty dish, a freshly tossed salad, a big burger and a mouthwatering dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth…

At Blaze you will enjoy the best of the two worlds; indoor, relaxing seating besides outdoor spacious, inviting area where you can enjoy your favorite shisha, perfectly prepared and truly enjoyed! The service is perfect here; always there but never disturbing.

As for the menu, you can find luscious cocktails, smoothies, fresh juices, warm, hot drink and even yogurt mixes. The food is just beyond compare!

The creamy soups and heartwarming appetizers are heavenly! The salads are fresh, crunchy and tasty, including Caesar salad, roca salad, Cajun fried chicken salad and much, much more. Don’t miss “Blaze Mix” platter with its tenderly fried chicken, stuffed potatoes, spring rolls and chicken wings, just yummy! Have we mentioned the mozzarella sticks, well you have to try it yourself!

As for the main courses you will truly enjoy Blaze’s burgers, sandwiches, pastas, fajitas, and quesadillas, besides steaks, chicken seafood dishes, with fresh veggies, crunchy fries or mash potatoes. The menu has anything and everything you crave! The desserts are the perfect end for a perfect getaway at Blaze… Mars Chocolate cake is a must-try and Oreo madness is a given! Try Blaze’s brownies cheesecake, it’s worth every calorie and the lava cake too!

Enjoy Blaze with its chillaxing ambience whether you seek a relaxing outing, a perfect meal, a flavored shisha or just a bite of heaven dessert…

Reviews

album

U2 Comes Back After 5 Years The incredible ‘Songs of Innocence’ is the 13th studio album

by Irish rock band U2, headed by lead singer Bono, recently released, The album’s lead single “The Miracle” is featured in an Apple TV commercial as part of a promotional campaign for the band, on which the company is reportedly spending $100 million.

According to Apple, around 26 million downloaded the entire record.

movie

Writer And Director Noor Arnaoot Chooses Egypt To Debut Her First Featured Film Surrounding The Middle East MARRIAGE IMPOSSIBLE is a fun, culture-clash, fish-out-of-thewater wedding comedy involving two very different families brought together by marriage, who are forced to meet, interact, clash, and ultimately find ways to be with one another. Still to hit the big screen, the movie is written and directed by Noor Arnaoot, a Syrian-Slovenian writer and director based in Kuwait. The film is Arnaoot’s first, shot in Egypt, and is to be released in Hollywood, Europe and the Middle East.

book Stay With MeBy Alison Gaylin Brenna Spector is held prisoner by the past.

She’s trying to unravel the mystery of her sister Clea’s disappearance 28 years ago when Clea was 17. But now her obsession with finding out what happened to Clea is taking a toll on her own teenage daughter, Maya, who’s been very secretive lately. And when Maya goes missing, Brenna fears her worst nightmare has come true.

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Everyday Styling Without The Worry Of Dandruff With H&S Oil Replacement Styling Cream Want to style your hair everyday without the worry of dandruff ? Head & Shoulders introduces the solution! The new oil replacement styling cream provides you with the ultimate styling solution without compromise. Use H&S OR styling cream after every wash as it hydrates, conditions and protects your hair thanks to its ZPT technology that fights dandruff and achieves the desired look without much effort.

Sync Media has recently produced the Arabic version of American TV show “The Taste” A show similar to The Voice but is all about cooking!

It is the first show in the Middle East for a cookingrelated reality competition series, and will hit the screens starting December 1st. The show will be hosted by four professional chefs and bloggers – chef and book editor Anissa Helou, chef Mona Mosly, food blogger Bethany Kehdi, and chef and TV show host Alaa El Sherbini.

The show is promised to rock the Arab food-culture to the core. It be aired on several TV channels including ElNahar. Stay tuned!

restaurants & Cafés

PAUL wishes its customers a luminous festive season!

To bring this year to an end, PAUL created “l’entremetsBougie”, whose original shape will surprise your guests.A smooth vanilla Bavarian together with raspberry compote in a soft sponge cake, covered with white chocolate that will delight the finest taste buds. This cake comes in a “lantern” box, and is as nice to look at it is to taste – a perfect dessert to offer to somebody.

Celebrate The Holiday Season With Kitchen Moves Whether simply stated or extravagant, Kitchen Moves will bring you phenomenal execution and detailed planning to pull off your perfect event. From a quick drop-off meal to full service catering around the city, your event is a guaranteed success be it a refined corporate function, private occasion or social gathering.

INTRODUCING NOKIA LUMIA 630 DUAL SIM LATEST WINDOWS PHONE FEATURES BUILT IN Introducing the best Windows Phone experience ever. Enjoy typing by swiping with Word Flow, the fastest keyboard around. See all of your chats, social updates and settings with just one swipe in the all-new Action Center. And make your start screen distinctly your own by adding a background photo to see your real-time Live Tiles come to life more than ever before BE ACCESSIBLE. ALL THE TIME. Introducing the first Nokia Lumia smartphone with Smart Dual SIM. Now you can enable call waiting and call forwarding between two SIM cards, while managing your phone costs and social circles is now even easier. Operator charges may apply.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL RADIO STATION Music lovers rejoice. Featuring unlimited, commercial-free music streaming at no additional cost, Nokia MixRadio comes preinstalled and ready to use the moment you power on your Lumia 630 Dual SIM. Choose from one of hundreds of regularlyupdated mixes or customise the music experience to you. Even listen while offline.

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Where to go for Christmas and the New Year?

Extraordinary Christmas & New Year’s at The First Residence STRADA, one of Cairo’s finest Italian restaurants is holding its annual Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. On Friday December 26th, La Gourmandise at The First Mall will be holding its Friday Brunch inspired by the holiday season. On New Year’s Eve Lai Thai and STRADA will host a New Year’s dinner. La Gourmandise is also hosting the New Year’

Let your Christmas & New Year Spirit Shine at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah.

Awaken your culinary senses for Christmas & New Year with elegant Christmas open buffet dinner! Or if you want to celebrate in style somewhere memorable, try the New Year set menu dinner at La Palmeraie Moroccan Restaurant, or with the new Year Silver Set Menu and Gold Set Menu at The Bar.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve The Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences way!

Hilton Cairo Zamalek’s executive Chef has prepared a delicious festive menu to be served at the The Time Lounge; the perfect venue for every mood’s celebration in an elegant tranquil atmosphere. Ccelebrate the Eve with our Due singers and Dj tunes throughout the night.

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Festive Season at Fairmont Nile City There is no better place to celebrate the joy of Christmas and the festive season than at Fairmont Nile City. With a stocking full of activities for all ages, don’t miss the annual tradition of Christmas Tree Lighting at Onyx Lounge on Dec 13th with Glüwein and eggnog, “A Christmas Eve with Lana” on Dec 24th, “A Very Jazzy Christmas by Noha” at Saigon Lounge.Welcome the New Year with An oriental belly dance night with Leila at Bab El Nil, a sophisticated Gala dinner at Napa Grill Restaurant or kick start your year with one of the biggest parties in town at O bar where you can party the night away.

Make your next festive season extraordinary at Sheraton Miramar, El-Gouna Join us at Sheraton Miramar for our exquisite menus and sumptuous buffet selections at the perfect venues with spectacular Sea view for Christmas and New Year.

Enjoy an unrivalled dining experience, entertainment, and decorations for a real Christmas and New Year warmth throughout the resort.

A true joy of Christmas spirit with “Rafik Attalah” at Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino – Cairo Mark Your Calendars on Monday 22nd December 2014 at 7:00 PM for a true meaning of joyful Christmas spirit on the harmonies of “Rafik Attalah” Christmas Carol” at our IRIS Ballroom.On New Year’s Eve celebrate with special Dinner featuring a wide assortment of traditional and oriental delights and live entertainment.

Christmas and New Year Highlights at the Semiramis InterContinental, Cairo Experience Lebanese hospitality as Chef Makhoul at Sabaya; the Thai taste for the holidays at Birdcage; a Christmas Dinner Dance with Ahmed Harfoush at Pane Vino; some seasonal sophistication from The Grillwhile being serenaded to a Jazz Quartet; a special holiday treat from Catering’s Best; or simply, enjoy one of our numerous parties the Cleopatra Ballroom for Christmas and New Years.

Christmas at InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars On Christmas Eve, enjoy cookies with your tea and coffee at Esplanade Lounge, with a live band and singer (Also, let us take care of your turkey and all the trimmings by ordering from My Bakery one day previously). Celebrate New Year’s at Windows’ spectacular Gala Dinner from 10pm through midnight and up to 2am on New Year’s Day!

The Best, The Top & the must do

NOT TO BE MISSED!

YOUR GETAWAY Le Patio Boutique Hotel - Beirut Discover an oasis of luxury, intimacy and fun at Le Patio Boutique Hotel - Beirut. Located in the heart of Downtown Beirut where everything is just a step away. If you are seeking a place where you can find all facilities and personalized services, Le Patio is the right place.

Le Patio offers you the perfect venue to rest your mind, pamper your soul and discover all the pleasure of Beirut.

Fan di FEND Intense, sophisticated, elite. Fan di FENDI Pour Homme Assoluto is about intensity and ultra-sophistication. This fragrance represents the quintessence of the iconic FENDI man. His captivating and magnetic persona is enhanced by his elegant Italian style, providing him the power to defy all limitations.

Did You Know!

Wearing a white dress was initially associated to mourning, until Queen Victoria decided to wear one on her Wedding Day.

MUST TRY! VeeVaaME experience VeeVaaME Vitality Hub in New Cairo By Royal Spa and Alessandro international are providing unique, incomparable treatments for your hands and feet, including NAILSPA, which is an Individual treatment for different nail types (Soft-Brittle-Hard). The nail care range is adapted according to your nail type chosen by their experts. It combines agreeable essential oils and highly effective plant extracts lead to visible and instant treatment results on nails and cuticles.

Another treatment to mention, THE PEDIX FEET an exclusive and holistic care for legs and feet. Professionally know-how encounters high-quality ingredients out of the deep sea, which flows through the skin with longlasting moisture and regenerates dry, rough and cracked skin. Intensively caring sea salt, essential oils and plant extracts spoil and revitalize the skin in addition. Your Pedicure will be an unforgettable experience.

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Sagittarius November 23 - December 21

Strength:Optimism, freedom loving, good-humored, honest, straight-forward, intellectual, philosophical, charming.

Weakness: tactless, restless, careless, superficial, irresponsible.

Best careers: Publishers, import-export business owners, animal trainers, college professors, promoters, clergy.

Perfect gift: Golf-clubs, travel gadgets, photography books

Favorite animals: horses, dogs.

Compatible with: Leo, Aries, Aquarius, Libra Incompatible with: Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn, Virgo Successful entrepreneurs: Walt Disney, JFK Jr. , Laurie Greiner

Element: Fire

Sagittarius fashion sense: The Sagittarian woman is a sexy creature with absolutely no limits when it comes to fashion. She doesn’t care a hoot about fashion trends or making a statement, as long as she is comfortable in her surroundings. Natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and linen suit her best. Because she hates being house bound, you’ll find that her favorite items are ones that she’s collected on her travels. She loves colorful maxi skirts and jeans, and sportswear. Minimal makeup. strange and unique jewelry, bohemian and unassuming, the Sagittarian fashion sense is a breath of fresh air.

Sagittarius Hairstyles: Simple and elegant is the way to go. Short hair on the front and long pony-tails at the back are the best for the outdoorsy Sagittarius woman; both funky and practical!

What’s it like to date a Sagittarius woman: A Sagittarian is a bundle of crackling energy, hardly surprising considering that the ruling element of the sign is fire.

Besides the outdoors, they dig anything fast-paced and with lots of action – but be careful, as they get bored very easily and become moody and irritable. Racing tracks and discotheques are other good options where a Sagittarian would like to let her hair down and have a good time. However, make sure that it is not something completely against your preferences since beneath their fun-loving exterior, Sagittarians are also very sensitive to moods and nothing will upset her more than knowing that her partner is disinterested or worse, unhappy on the date.

What it’s Like to Date a Sagittarius Man Sagittarius men love spontaneity and you can win him over by showing interest in those things he enjoys most.

Unfortunately, Mr. Sagittarius is also a hard man to catch, as he never stays in one place for very long. He is loads of fun, easy to enchant but this typically borderline bad boy, but near impossible to tie down. He is also known as Mr. Commitment-Phobic, so be careful when you hand over your heart. If you do happen to tie him down to one spot long enough, you will find that he is kind, considerate, and passionate. He may often lack tact and diplomacy, but he is never deliberately mean. Mr. Sagittarius loves women who ooze mystery and feeling, but he is utterly hypnotized by those females that wield power and influence as long as they remain simultaneously feminine. Remember that he is into the chase; but this man will only pursue you if he believes that you are indifferent to him.

Sagittarius Erogenous Zone: The hips and thighs are the specific erotic areas for Sagittarians. They like to be touched and caressed in these places. Both males and females enjoy kisses, nibbles, and delicate fingering along the inside of the thighs and around the hips.

86 | December 2014

Publishing was Never

Easier

23 Emad El Din Kamel St., Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (+202) 22627533 www.ladybirdmagazine.com

OSN, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East & North Africa, has partnered with Visa, the leading digital payments company, to offer cardholders an array of exclusive benefits Amer Group signs an agreement with retail giants, Fawaz Al Hokair and Carrefour, for the Porto Cairo Mall.

Juhayna has acquired the Platinum Award in the Arab Quality Award ceremony; held by the Ministry of Trade &Industry Intel Egypt Celebrates the Global Entrepreneurship Week with Egypt Ideation Camp & Sponsoring Cairo.

The famous Alex Chacon and Omar Mansour rode in the 2014 season of “Cross Egypt Challenge” in November. Egypt’s oneof-a-kind motorcycle and scooter rally kicked off from the coastal city of Alexandria.

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Staybridge Suites at Cairo Citystars was mentioned in the ‘Hotel of the Year’ Category Dusit Thani Lake View Cairo names Rehab Youssef as Director of Events. I An estimated 39.5 % of the total numbers of pilgrims are Egyptians. Anjum Hotel, Makkah, recognizes contributions of strategic partners in Egypt.

Emirates Sees Free Onboard Wi-Fi as Future Standard Airline invests over US$20 million annually, and reports 200 per cent surge in usage in October Lafarge launched the second roundtable discussion entitled “Building Egypt 2030” PGA EuroPro Tour International Golf Championship, held in El Gouna, Red Sea, ended on October 31, where Scottish golf professional Elliot Saltman was awarded the first place award of £15,000.

With new laughs, smiles, and loves, the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh begins the festive season Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor welcomed the annual Quality Tourism Alliance (QTA), Germany’s biggest tourism fair for 2014.

Samsung Electronics announced that it won 36 CES Innovation Awards in November.

CES is the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow held by (CEA) every year.

British Airways daily Cairo service will move from Terminal 1 to Terminal 5 voted the world’s best airline terminal for the past three years.

The Sofitel Hotel legend Old Cataract Aswan, was named top Literary hotel of the world according to the Traveler Australian Magazine.

Under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministries of Education, Health and Population, and Urban Development, Lifeboy Egypt launched the National Hand Washing Campaign

The Quality Travel Alliance choose the Sonesta St. George Hotel in Luxor to host its annual conference in 2014.

The Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel in Cairo announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award for its restaurant ‘Sabaya’ Forbes Honors Loula Zaklama as one of the most powerful women in the Arab Region, ranking 48th among 200 Arab women selected by Forbes. The list included 29 Egyptian women.

White Friday, the world’s biggest day of sales, is set to hit the Middle East this year as Souq.com.

Mall of Arabia Received Two Prestigious Awards from the International Council of Shopping Centers & Announces Expansions in its Second Phase.

Shell Lubricants Egypt (SLE) hosted its Fourth Annual Leadership Conference in the Red Sea, bringing together leading experts to discuss challenges and opportunities in Egypt’s energy future.

Starwood Hotels Egypt have lately organized “ The Road to Awareness” ; an associate fundraising initiative to enhance the development and educational systems for children in Egypt, making a positive difference to their lives since 2008.

Gathering at Solana Sparkling brunch: Conrad Cairo recently hosted press & media figures at Solana restaurant overlooking the Nile. The attendees enjoyed the brunch buffet in a stylish and sophisticated atmosphere with the live jazz band.

Systems Egypt empowers hairdressing community: CHI Academy supports the development of local community through an educational program that helps hairdressers grow their business.

Maxim Investment Group and AFECC, the Chinese giants in construction & development, sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a number of projects, mainly real estate.

On the Occasion of the recent reopening of the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria , a delegate from Sheraton Montazah Hotel visited the museum.

INJAZ Al-Arab, the regional office for Junior Achievement Worldwide, launched ‘Expand Your Horizon’ to an audience of thousands of entrepreneurs.

SODIC held its first Charity Run in SODIC West, in collaboration with Cairo Runners in November, as part of an initiative to raise money to build & operate a school in Ezbet Khairallah.

December 2014 | 89

On Spot Press & Media gathering at

Solana Sparkling Brunch

Conrad Cairo Hotel recently hosted press & media figures at Solana Restaurant overlooking the Nile. The attendees enjoyed the brunch buffet in a stylish and sophisticated atmosphere with a live jazz band. They expressed their admiration for the place and considered it one of the best venues to spend a Friday gathering with the family.

Daniel Hechter

Re-launches in Egypt

Daniel Hechter, the sporty-chic French brand, has relaunched in Egypt, starting with their Autumn-Winter 2014 collection. The re-launch is based on a new implementation and interpretation of colors, materials, and designs. Keeping the fashionable french identity, brand designers have made new efforts to reconstruct the collections, making them look younger and combining them with a sure sense of style and sporty-chic with elegance.

90 | December 2014

On Spot Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers

Invites Guests Into the Thai Kitchen As the Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers continues to spice up its cuisine and food outlets, the newest addition to the Fairmont family is Lan Tania’s Executive Chef Pitchaphat Duangkhum, who taught invitees how to extract the most flavor from an array of authentic Thai ingredients. The restaurant also welcomed some of Cairo’s hottest media outlets and influencers to partake in a day in the kitchen.

For the first time in Egypt

Lego City at Uptown Cairo All the ghouls and girls came out to play this All Hallows’ Eve for some Lego-filled fun and madness at The Clubhouse, Uptown Cairo. It was fun for the whole family, with Lego activities and entertainment for the little ones, where the best costume won a prize. Parents and kids alike enjoyed the magnificent weather and unmatched views of the capital in the most upscale development in the heart of Cairo, Uptown Cairo.

December 2014 | 91

On Spot JW Marriott

hosts event for JW Ladies Society JW Marriott Hotel Cairo hosted a spectacular ceremony for the JW Charms Ladies Society “A Passion for Fashion Event.” The event took place in Tutankhamun grand ballroom 500 of Cairo’s Socialites. The ladies enjoyed the fashion show featuring the designs from the Italian Fashion Academy in Egypt, and a performance guitarist Emad Hamdy. Evening, cocktail and wedding dresses were showcased, followed by dinner.

L’Oréal-UNESCO

“For Women in Science Levant and Egypt” Program Honors Five Exceptional Female Scientists During a high profile ceremony at the USJ – Francois Bassil Auditorium, winners of the L’OREAL-UNESCO “For Women In Science” Levant and Egypt Fellowship were announced; Dr. Elham Kateeb (Palestine), Dr. Nourtan Abdeltawab (EgyptDr. Rana Said (Jordan), Dr. Rihab Nasr (Lebanon), Dr. Samaher Hussein Ali Al-Janabi (Iraq).

92 | December 2014

On Spot Marriott Hotels, Egypt

Party to Celebrate Global Customer Appreciation Week Marriott Hotels in Egypt sales & marketing teams along with the global sales office in cairo partied with their loyal customers to celebrate Global Customer Appreciation week.

The highlight of the night was DJ Feeko, accompanied by the talented violinist Mohamed Medhat, and the famous belly dancer Maya.

94 | December 2014

On Spot Pull&Bear The Pull&Bear FW2014 collection was a feast for fashion connoisseurs at an exclusive event for media and selected fashion bloggers at The Garden in Heliopolis.

Guests enjoyed brunch and cocktails while getting their fashion fill of the season’s innovative textures, sophisticated finishes, and inspired prints.

Detox Day Hosted By

OYSHO

The OYSHO FW2014 gym wear collection was put to the test during OYSHO’s exclusive Detox Day by Yalla Yoga for media and select fashion bloggers at the JW Marriott Hotel. During the day, guests were introduced to detox basis and yoga, including a complete juicing demonstration and sessions on yoga and breathing techniques, before ending the day with sunset meditation. The latest OYSHO gym wear collection was also on show.

December 2014 | 95

On Spot Radisson Blu Cairo

Celebrates its 5th Anniversary Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis, celebrated its 5th anniversary on November 20th, 2014. Egypptian singer Hesham Abbas rocked the ceremony. Those present were invited to take selfies with the General Manager Harald Burakle (#GMSelfieCampaign) for posting on Radisson Blue Cairo’s Facebook page, the prize being free nights at the hotel.

96 | December 2014

On Spot Samsung

Introduces the Latest in its Iconic Note Series - The Galaxy Note 4 Samsung Electronics recently announced the expansion of its flagship Galaxy Note series with the new Galaxy Note 4.

Blending an evolved S Pen with a superior viewing experience, the Galaxy Note 4 provides users with the most unique and powerful mobile experience on the market.

98 | December 2014

On Spot Cairo Fashion Festival Cairo Festival City (Al Futtaim Group) witnessed the grand opening of Cairo Fashion Festival 3 (CFF 3) brought to you by Souq.com. This seasonm, CFF 3 showcased more designers and more fashion shows. Some of the much anticipated designers and fashion shows involved included Deana Shaaban Clothing from ABn’G World as well as Okhtein Bag Accessories, Norine Farrah, Heba Edris, Alia El-Nahhas, Iman Saab and Plush. The day started with casual shows, courtesy of high-street brands Levis, Timberland, Quicksilver, Rockport, Geox, Vans, Max, U.S Polo, and Splash.

December 2014 | 99

On Spot TIU’s

Grand opening TIU the newest, hottest, coolest night spot in Cairo is the brainchild of Tamarai team Ahmed Beltagi and Ayman Baky merged with Ahmed Ganzoury famous for By Ganz.

With this trio it is bound to be a success. A superb night like this only deserves superb drinks Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky and Absolut vodka are always present at the best places to be.

100 | December 2014