Woman This Month - July 2021

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

July 2021 | Issue 219

BEAUTY Our top beauty essentials this month

INTERVIEW We get chatting with the extremely talented, Roshni M. Raveendran We step into Nazia Mustafa’s Shoes

FASHION Playful Patterns All Day and Night!

Stunning Accessories You’ll Love

PARENTING Why you should say ‘NO’ to buying more toys

LIFESTYLE Delicious Recipes for Eid Al Adha

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Colourful patterns in every form to add a fun element to your summer wardrobe.

GANT

Playful Patterns

GENNY

FASHION | trend

Patterns have a way of adding a fun touch to your wardrobe.

They put spring in a step and exude the feeling of happiness and a playful vibe. We love incorporating patterns into our wardrobe in every way or form, be it with colourful scarves, tailored pants, jackets, jumpsuits, skirts and more. We found you some inspiration to get your playful patterns going this summer.

Genny’s stunning pieces make their way from the runway to your wardrobe with ease. Their exquisitely tailored pieces are created to be matched from top to bottom or paired with other elements of clothing for that added ‘oomph’. We personally love their red-buttoned dress jacket with the matching pants.

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GENNY

Valentino

Stella McCasrtney

Purificacion Garcia

To really turn some heads, we love this flowy piece from Stella McCartney’s collection. To really jazz up the aesthetic, make sure to accessories with subtle prints and patterns.

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Vestire

FASHION | trend

Dazzle by Night!

Vestire

If you would like elevate your take on patterns for an exquisite evening look – set your eyes on the spectacular designs of Vestire Fashion Boutique. The fast-growing brand features stunning high-end clothing and accessories and conceptual fusion dresses – each handcrafted, and crafting techniques like chinkara and dabka, with designs intricately put together in a range of colours and patterns.

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July 2021

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PEOPLE | interview

Wildly Creative We chat with the ever-so-talented Roshni M. Raveendran, about her creative direction, source of inspiration and work as a visual artist.

E

ver since she was a young girl, Roshni M Raveendran has been fascinated by the world of art - often getting lost in tales woven in books, the colourful experience of painting and the playful world of shadows and light with photography.

With a penchant for creativity, she has steadily grown to be a driving force behind some of the most spellbinding imagery that has surfaced in the Kingdom of Bahrain. “I am a classically trained dancer and also have a degree in fashion design,” says Ms. Raveendran, who arrived on the shores of sunny Bahrain in 2017.

Since then, she’s had the opportunity to work in many fashion houses and collaborate with many creatives too. “The services I provide are art direction, set direction, concept creation, wardrobe styling and fashion designing for advertisements and photoshoots,” she explains.

“My work starts with an ‘idea’ – it is either an aesthetic project made for the love of storytelling or a commercial project intended to wow potential customers. The aesthetic pieces are often done in collaboration with local talents, which Bahrain has plenty of,” she adds, with a glint of excitement in her eyes.

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PEOPLE | interview

Having been involved in artistic productions since she was in college, Roshni’s world naturally veered towards creative direction.

“I have designed and directed fashion shows, assisted professional stylists for magazine shoots, worked with bridal designers and supported advertising agencies,” she says.

“I believe no job is too small or unimportant if it is done well. Thankfully, I have had a lot of people who have mentored me and I have been blessed with nothing but good experiences,” she adds.

With concepts inspired by the inseparable bond of brothers, the Wild West, history and more, Roshni creative story-telling knows no bounds. “This might sound cliché, but I draw inspiration from almost everything. For most of my personal creative projects I take inspiration from nature and my surroundings.

I get inspired by the people around me, some situations, some minute moments or small seemingly insignificant things in life. And if I can convey a story or a message through my projects – I would consider that as a huge achievement,” she explains.

To execute each concept, she works closely with a team to bring a number of creative

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elements together. “I am blessed to be able to work with a small group of like-minded, creative and passionate individuals, who have become more family than friends – photographer and art director, Kiran Varghese, model and photographer, Ruby Alva, and model and content writer, Arunita Praharaj. Each of them is equally important and actively involved in the creative process,” she says.

As a visual artist she believes that the greatest challenge is to constantly come up with new and interesting ideas that can be practically executed. “What people see is just 30 per cent of the actual act, but people do not know how hard it is to get this done,” she says.

“My team and I are constantly glued to our phones and computers researching, calling in wardrobe, spending sleepless nights, praying for good weather and running around nonstop. There is so much preparation that is required beforehand,” she adds.

COVID. The market is slow but work is there. Our shoots have to be restricted to essential personnel only – that means we usually have to do our own heavy lifting and maintaining social distancing becomes a bit of a challenge,” she explains.

When it comes to projects in the pipeline, she’s working one one which involves sustainability, pollution and, one of her personal favourites, fabric draping – all rolled into one. “When it comes to projects I don’t have any favourites since each of the past projects have been a very different experience altogether. Every time someone asks me that, I like to think that the most exciting project is the next one I am working on,” she concludes.

Want to check out more of Roshni’s creative work? Follow her on Instagram using the handle @StyleStoriesByRos.

As with most people, Roshni has been faced with some challenges during the pandemic.

“I started full-fledged styling, designing and production during the first wave of

July 2021

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BEAUTY | news

POUT THOSE SUMMER LIPS WITH FLORMAR Flormar’s Kiss Me More Lip Tattoo collection is your go-to when it comes to lightweight, smudge-proof lipstick that won’t wear off this summer. Gorgeous shades, rich pigments and lasting hold is what this collection is all about.

With a smooth and creamy texture, these

liquid lipsticks are easy to apply and unlike other matte lipsticks, they do not dry out the lips due to their rich formula and ease of use.

When it comes to colour range, the 22-shade collection has it all including classy nudes,

Summer-Proof

vibrant tones and six new natural shades that are perfect for every skin tone.

Available across all Flormar Stores in the GCC and online on www.glambeaute.com and www.instashop.com.

Be your best self this summer with these tried and tested products!

Summer is now in full swing, bringing with it the usual list of concerns. We tried and tested a bunch of beauty products including makeup, haircare and fragrances to have you looking and smelling your best, despite the soaring temperatures.

BE TOTALLY IRRESISTIBLE WITH GIVENCHY

BRIGHTEN AND PERFECT WITH MISSHA

The IRRESISTIBLE GIVENCHY Eau de Toilette, a bright fragrance, introduces a dazzling, fruity rose to a tender musky wood. When the naturalness of a floral bouquet meets the woody facet of Virginia cedarwood, the ultimate fusion with white musk produces a lingering second-skin effect. The new glowing IRRESISTIBLE GIVENCHY Eau de Toilette is a concentrate of femininity which invites to dive into freshness.

Available at leading outlets and online.

Missha’s BB cream is the easiest and quickest way to achieve a more natural and flawless complexion. The Korean brand’s formula provides coverage and contains regenerative properties to help soothe and improve the condition of the skin. The BB cream brightens the skin and covers blemishes, dark spots and other imperfections. It also contains an SPF of 42 to protect the skin against sun damage and pollution.

Available at Misshame.com.

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BEAUTY | news

BUTTA UP YOUR BODY WITH FENTY

Take your body moisturizer to the luxe level with NEW Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream. This deliciously whipped oil body moisturiser delivers instant and all-day hydration and drips skin in a hydrating glossy sheen. Packed with a blend of tropical oils, butters, and extracts including Kalahari melon oil, baobab oil, sunflower oil, shea butter and gold-standard skincare ingredient—hydrating glycerin—Butta Drop’s smooth, non-sticky texture melts into thirsty skin, replenishing and renewing as you apply.

This decadent cream is subtly scented with a clean, fresh fragrance inspired by lush tropical fruits and flowers —the same fan-favourite fragrance as Instant Reset. Get ready to butta up for smoother, softer skin instantly and over time.

Available across the GCC at Sephora.

MAINTAIN YOUR GORGEOUS HAIR WITH SUKIN

Regular sun, wind, chlorinated water and rising temperatures affects hair follicles negatively, stripping them of all moisture leading to brittle hair and split ends. However, Sukin’s Hydrating Replenishing Masque Treatment and Oil, can summer-proof your hair!

The Sukin Hydrating Replenishing Masque is a deeply hydrating treatment that conditions and manages dry and frizzy hair. A nourishing blend of Shea & Cocoa Butters, Coconut Oil & Vitamin E will quench any thirsty hair, leaving it soft and manageable. The Hydrating Treatment Oil is a nourishing leave-in treatment that is perfect for revitalizing dull and frizzy hair.

A hydrating concentration of Argan, Olive & Jojoba Oils will restore natural shine while promoting strength and moisture levels within the hair.

Visit sukinnaturals.com to find the stockiest closest to you.

LIFT, CURL AND DEFINE WITH SIELLA BEAUTY

Renowned for its simple and natural approach to beauty, Seilla Beauty has now unveiled the Lash Champion Mascara, offering 5 different variants targeting every woman’s lash needs. Whether its volume, length, definition, or curl you are looking after, there is a Lash Champ for you! The brand has perfected the formula to give you the lashes you are wishing for. The wands are equipped with highly specialised bristles that deposit intense pigment with no clumping and guarantee all-day wear. Choose from the Volumising, Defining or Curling mascaras.

Available at www. siellabeauty.com and Siella Beauty’s Booth in Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif.

MAVROKI’S GLAMOUROUS FRAGRANCE, DAZ.

Luxury French perfume house, Mavroki, has launched its latest addition to its collection of feminine scents, Daz - a sensorial delight, capturing an intoxicating natural bouquet in a fragrance, the beauty of fresh blooms. Daz is a sensation of surprising fruity and floral notes that embody a timeless olfactive narrative with a touch of freshness to delicately brighten the skin from morning to night.

Daz’s fresh green citrus top notes burst into a bouquet of classic rose and jasmine, velvety violet, and delicate orange blossom, floating into a haze of lily of the valley at the heart. This is followed by a fruity accord grounded on a base of precious woods and sumptuous pachouli.

Visit www.mavroki.com/ for more information.

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FASHION | accessories

OUR SUMMER JEWELLERY WISHLIST! Here’s what made it onto our wishlist from ready-towear and high-end jewellery brands this month.

This summer has been quite hot, and so have the sizzling new designs from jewellery designers. Whether you’re looking for affordable everyday wear, sliced diamonds, pieces inspired by nature or something like an ear cuff, we’ve got something for you.

GET SUMMER READY WITH MARIA TASH PRETTY PIERCINGS

Fine jewellery designer and celebrity piercing expert, Maria Tash, is excited to announce the launch of the Summer Edit.

The new edit features a wide variety of gemstones, from Opal to Turquoise and Colourful Diamonds. The colour changing opals and the tranquil turquoise come in a variety of iconic styles and are sure to set the right tone for the sunny season ahead!

LAYERING WITH JACQUIE AICHE

A-list luxury fine jewelry label, Jacquie Aiche, has launched its SS21 Collection titled the ‘Secret Garden’, and it is exquisite! Inspired by the natural beauty of California, the new collection features an array of exquisite bold pieces created with the intention to manifest vibrant and happy energy. Chrysoprase, tourmaline, opal, turquoise, and pearl adorned with 14-carat gold, rose gold and silver and other precious gemstones make an appearance throughout this range.

The Secret Garden collection features a selection of gemstone pieces, from butterflies to beaded gemstone necklaces, hammered gold and more. The jewelry can be bought online at www. jacquieaiche.com and in over 40 prestigious retailers across the world, with new styles released weekly.

A NEW TWIST ON DIAMONDS WITH GARRARD

The Windsor motif has been reimagined by playing with size and proportion in graphic compositions.

Like abstract art, the unique asymmetry is beautifully balanced yet highly individual. Alongside pendants, rings and earrings, the eight new Albemarle jewels include ear climbers, ear jackets and – a first for Garrard – a diamond ear cuff.

The diamonds are set in contrasting angular formations displaying a flash of avant-garde, while the soft edges create an effortless and elegant feel.

Designed with adaptability and versatility in mind, the pieces showcase Garrard’s expertise in crafting transformable jewels.

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FASHION | accessories

Lovisa’s Brilliantly Affordable Collection

Affordable, beautiful and on-trend – Lovisa’s SS21 collection is our go-to for everyday glam.

The collection is available across all Lovisa’s Middle East stores and includes the much-anticipated Couture and Hair Accessory collections.

From earrings, rings, necklaces, watches, body jewellery, and hair accessories this SS21 Lovisa continues to create seasonal fashion-inspired jewellery at readyto-wear prices that are perfect for the hotter months ahead. The collection hosts up to 150 new styles every week, including the signature best-selling Sterling Silver Jewellery and Body Packs.

POMELLATO’S CONTEMPORARY CATENE COLLECTION

Pomellato’s contemporary collection of luxurious, chain-inspired jewels, Catene, pays tribute to Pomellato’s passion for this classic jewellery staple. The collection is designed for fashion-forward women and is designed to be a daily essential with a Milanese sense of understated glamour.

The new Catene collection is composed of bracelets, rings and earrings, offered in rose gold, with or without diamonds, or in white gold with diamonds. Each piece if crafted by hand and features a full range of mobility.

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NINA RUNSDORF’S AURORA COLLECTION

Slice and rough diamonds, alongside rubies and baguette diamonds become a magnetic mix in Nina Runsdorf’s Aurora collection. Nina Runsdorf has always been captivated with the different ways light shines through and touches the pieces they create. Inspired by Aurora, the Roman goddess of the dawn and sunrise and the natural light shows that can be observed near the North or South Pole, the Aurora Collection is truly stunning.

We had our eye on the Slice Diamond and Mix-shape, Rose-cut Diamond Necklace which celebrates the natural beauty of slice diamonds which shine with its uniquely enigmatic light. This is further signified through the stunning Rough Diamond Line Earrings with each delicate movement.

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OPINION | education

WHICH SCHOOL STANDS OUT?

I

Educator, Julia Knight, tells us how to go about choosing an international school for our children.

nternational education is growing at an ever-increasing pace with the demand for international school placements on the rise for both local and expatriate families, not just in Bahrain, but across the region.

A parental demand for high quality education in the Gulf saw an exponential growth in the sector. “In the last seven years there have been 72 new private schools opened in Dubai - 33 in the last three years” Mark Ryder, Regional Consultant for RSAcademics explains, which is great news for parents in Dubai as it means a greater choice. This is also true for schools in Bahrain with new schools on the island expected to open this academic year and the next.

However, choice can be overwhelming for parents given the myriad of things that need to be compared and contrasted.

Expatriate families are often making other life changing decisions alongside choosing schools. Whilst both: local and expatriate families are looking for value for money, local families are also looking for longevity and schools which reflect local customs and provide community links.

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So, what are the top indicators to look for in an international school?

The answers might surprise parents but in research conducted by RSAcademics, 68% of parents cited the school’s ethos and values as very important when choosing an international school. How can parents understand the ethos of a school? Firstly, parents should book a school tour and get a ‘feel’ for the place. If you can talk to the teachers, visit the playground, see the classrooms. During the school tour, you can ask questions about the academics and curriculum, talk to the teachers, visit the playground and see the classrooms – the feel of the school is a big indicator of your child’s happiness.

Another way to find out about the school is by talking to parents, in fact according RSAcademics, 71% relied on recommendations from parents of children at the school they were applying to. If the majority of parents are happy with a school, then this is a good indicator that the school is doing something right. Parents can use local forums on social media to reach out to parents as well the school’s own website and social media posts.

For many parents, the curricular of the school is the first consideration when they begin the

search for a new school. If your child attends a British school then the expectation is that if they move on, they will find it easy to slot back into a British school either in their home or another host country.

This should be true for all international schools. Bahrain has a variety of schools that offer curriculums from France, Canada, the US, India and the UK; expatriate parents should consider how long they might be away from their home country and whether this might impact external examinations such as GCSEs or SATS. Local or long-term resident families might consider where they want their children to study in the futurewhether A levels or IB would be a more suitable pathway to the US, Canada or UK universities and colleges.

Once the curriculum has been selected and the school tour booked, what are the other aspects for parents to consider?

The size of the school is a consideration for many families. In smaller schools and classes, students are usually more confident and competent learners who are able to make significant progress. This is because smaller schools often feel safer for children, they can take risks in small classes where www.womanthismonth.com

OPINION | education friendships are quickly established and across the whole school rather than from just one year group or class.

In UK mainstream, independent schools - the average class size is 16 - this is often attractive to fee paying parents who want a bespoke, boutique style of learning. Smaller schools can build a greater sense of community spirit as teachers, parents and students are able to get to know one another which provides invaluable support to new families arriving.

Larger schools can have benefits too, a larger cohort can present more diversity among the student population and allow for more opportunities for school teams and productions. For teachers, the sweet spot is around 18 - 20 students, poor behaviour and disengagement is far less likely in a smaller class as students are more visible to teachers and peers and tend to be more motivated as they receive more attention from the teacher.

Aside from academics, what should you look for?

Find a balance: some parents will favour sports and the arts over academics, but well-rounded students need a mixture of both to thrive. Look carefully at the school facilities and spaces, ask questions about the number of weekly lessons allocated for drama, art and sport. Find out if the spaces are shared between different sections of the school.

Another crucial question to ask is about the playtimes or break times - where do the children eat, and do they get enough time to run off the energy that learning builds? On average, children in independent schools in the UK have 90 minutes of breaktimes per day - this is an important factor in wellbeing and happiness. International schools often mirror the UK independent school timings - longer hours in the classroom should also include extended time for children to socialise and engage with their peers.

Choosing a school for your child depends on so many factors, but in the end, it really does come down to the simple question of does the school fit your family ethos and values? If it does, then you will know it when you ‘feel’ it.

Julia Knight has been teaching for 18 years in London, Bangkok and, is now a principal in Bahrain. She writes for many education magazines worldwide and offers teacher training and consultancy. You can follow her on Twitter @KnightWilliams.

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LIFESTYLE | parenting

SAY ‘NO’ TO BUYING MORE TOYS.

Ouiam El Hassani highlights the benefits of buying fewer toys for your kids.

Y

ou have most certainly read or heard somewhere about this new trend that planet earth might thank us for later: Minimalism. A concept that has been adopted by many people around the world, old and young, and it had been praised endlessly for all the serenity it brings to your life.

However, this concept feels like it has been designed for those enjoying life solo, living in their immaculate houses, with their bohemian vibes and colourful auras, and most certainly not for mothers settling for cold coffees, unwashed hair, and an audience in their bathrooms. Mothers around the world know that to have a good day we need to keep those little hands busy as much as we can, and therefore we buy TOYS! Lots of toys, so many of them that sometimes they take over every corner of your home.

Did anyone panic-buy extra toys as soon as this whole lockdown happened? It's completely normal to assume that kids need more toys to entertain them if they're spending all of their time at home, but is that really the case? There are actually some surprising benefits to having fewer toys, and they go far beyond not stepping on Legos every night after bedtime.

Feel like you can’t be a minimalist mother? Here are some surprising benefits of having fewer toys: Kids play creatively

Sure, you want to provide an enriching environment for your children, but a little boredom is actually a good thing for kids. Mild boredom, a lack of constant entertainment and novelty, is what inspires creativity. Fewer toys mean kids have to get creative and use their imaginations when they play. And that creative thinking will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

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LIFESTYLE | parenting

Gratitude comes easy

When kids constantly get new toys, they grow to expect it, and it's understandably difficult for them to truly appreciate new toys, no matter how cool they are. A smaller number of new toys that are of high quality and really targeted to your child's interests are much more likely to be appreciated.

Siblings learn sharing

If you have more than one child, resist the urge to buy two of everything. It's actually a really great lesson when kids have to learn to share, in their own child-led way. When a child has to wait to use the cool ride-on toy in the backyard or negotiate using the action figures together with their sibling, they learn valuable social skills that simply don't come up if there's two of everything.

Toys get taken care of

When there are toys everywhere, kids hardly notice if something breaks. Even if they love the toy, they assume a new one will quickly replace the broken one. If they have fewer toys, they’ll naturally take care of what they have.

More engaged playtime

While kids may truly believe they want all the toys, the truth is most children get overwhelmed by having too much stuff around. Having a huge volume of toys can become a distraction from deep play. Kids wind up going from activity to activity without experiencing true engagement and getting lost in their own play.

A tidier playroom

Many young children actually have a very strong sense of order and get great satisfaction from putting items exactly where they belong. If there are too many toys though, enjoying that sense of order becomes really difficult for kids. They need to have a clear understanding of where each item goes and the level of mess needs to be manageable so it doesn't seem overwhelming.

More outdoor playtime

Keeping fewer toys in the house will naturally lead to kids choosing outdoor play more frequently. They'll spend more time searching for acorns, riding their bikes, splashing in puddles and engaging in pretend play outside—and nothing could be better for them!

More money for experiences

Buying fewer toys, of course, has the obvious benefit of saving money. This may mean you have more funds to spend on family experiences together, your child will notice your focus and will come to value experiences over things as well.

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Love of reading

Having fewer toys means your child can be more likely to turn to books for entertainment, and we all know that instilling a reading culture in your child comes with a world of benefits.

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LIFESTYLE | home

HELLO, SUMMER! As the days of being outdoors to enjoy nature are behind us for the next few months, why not bring the outside in for ourselves? There's no need to miss out on the Earth’s riot of colour when we can bring flora and foliage right into our living spaces with accent walls, furniture, linen, accessories, home fragrances and tableware. Top your seasonal home makeover with a striking summer accent wall for a brilliant interior facelift.

Image Credit: Dabiko

Screen Time

Blooming Fields

THE One

Painted and More by Tahira Ansari

Room divider

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Hand painted canvas

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LIFESTYLE | home

A Tropical Take

Summer Love

Stool

Lifestyle

Cushions

Lifestyle

Lucky Charm Centre table

Insidherland

Rustic Appeal Planters

H&M

Wreathed Wall Art

Lifestyle

Golden Fronds Floor Lamp

THE One

Green Shade

Artistic Floralsy

Home Box

Home Centre

Rug

Bed Linen

Settle into Petals Chair

Home Box

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LIFESTYLE | food

RECIPES FIT FOR A CELEBRATION! 3 delicious traditional recipes you’ll enjoy making.

Eid Al Adha is just around the corner, and we couldn’t help thinking about all the delicious food that we get to feast on. The region’s most loved cooking channel, Fatafeat, shared three exciting recipes: a main course and two desserts, that our readers can try this month.

ChocolateBasbousa

Ingredients

950 gms semolina 13 gms baking powder 270 gms coconut flaxes 665 ml corn oil 600 gms sugar 400 gms yogurt eggs 13 60 gms cacao powder 120 gms chocolate chips

Tahini for tray

Flour for tray

Syrup 1 kg 2 liters 10 ml 5 ml 5 ml

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sugar water lemon juice water rose blossom water

Garnish

Almond whole peeled Sugar powder

For the Basbousa dough

1. Mix the semolina, coconut flaxes, cocoa

powder and baking powder together.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the oil with the yoghurt, sugar and eggs.

3. Combine the two mixtures together, then add chocolate chips and pour into the tray after coating it with tahina and flour.

4. Arrange the whole almonds on top of the mixture, then chill the tray for two hours before baking at 190C till done.

For the syrup

In a small casserole add all the syrup ingredients and boil for 20 minutes. Keep the mixture warm.

To serve

1. Cut the Basbousa into small squares or diamonds.

2. Drizzle warm syrup on top of the Basbousa and allow it to cool before serving.

3. Dust powdered sugar on top.

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LIFESTYLE | food

Delicious BaklavaFingers Ingredients:

1 package phyllo sheets ¾ cup roasted unsalted pistachios 1 cup roasted cashews 1 cup ghee, clarified butter

Powdered pistachio, to garnish

For the orange blossom syrup: 2 cups 1 cup 1 tbsp 1 tsp 1

sugar water lemon juice orange blossom water cinnamon stick

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Line a 13X9 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, add all sugar syrup

ingredients except orange blossom, mix together until sugar has dissolved and let it cook for 10 minutes. Once off heat, add the orange blossom. Set aside to cool.

3. Unfold the phyllo sheets on a large cutting board, cut them half into two equal portions.

4. Stack one portion over the other, and cover it using a damp kitchen towel, to prevent them from drying.

Set aside.

5. Take one phyllo sheet piece and place it on the working surface with the longer side facing you.

Remember to keep the rest of the phyllo sheets covered.

6. Gently brush the phyllo sheet with ghee, then place another phyllo sheet over it and apply ghee on top.

7. Spread about 1 – 1½ Tablespoons of the filling over the sheet.

8. Now roll both sheets together on the rolling pin quite loosely and roll all the way through.

9. Push the rolled phyllo sheets from both sides towards the center of the rolling pin. Then slide it into the prepared baking pan by pushing from one side.

10. Now gently stretch it to fit the baking pan. Repeat the process for rest of the phyllo sheets.

11. Cut the rolled phyllo according to your desired size.

12. Brush ghee over the finished rolls and bake until crisp and golden in color for about 40-50 minutes at 150C. 13. Pour the completely cooled sugar syrup over the baklava pieces and keep it aside for 4-12 hours.

14. Garnish with ground pistachios, serve and enjoy! www.womanthismonth.com

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LIFESTYLE | food

Kofta Tahina

Ingredients

500 gms beef, minced 120 gms onion, chopped 200 gms parsley, chopped 150 gms tomato, chopped 40 gms olive oil 10 gms salt 10 gms all spice 5 gms cardamom 800 gms potato, peeled 400 gms tahina 300 gms lemon juice 10 gms salt 800 ml water 100 gms toasted, sliced almond 50 gms mint leaves 150 gms cauliflower/brocolli

Method 1. Grind the meat, parsley and onions in the

meat grinder/food processor using the finest disk. Alternatively, very finely dice parsley and onion and add them to the minced meat if you bought your meat preminced

2. Add the tomato, olive oil, salt and spices and knead them into the meat mix. Roll into event balls.

3. Bake the kofta in the oven for 20 minutes 4. Fry the sliced potatoes, boil or bake them

consistency at first, but it will thicken as you keep on mixing and become lighter in colour.

6. Bake in the oven on the lowest rack at 220C for 20 minutes then remove the foil and cook until the sauce thickens (this requires an additional 15- 20 minutes).

7. Grill the cauliflower with butter and bake with the mix for garnish.

until they are cooked halfway.

5. Mix the tahina and lemon juice together, the tahini will become lighter in

The Fatafeat App, now available across the GCC, Jordan & Egypt, includes 20 cooking courses hosted by the region’s most loved chefs, 10,000+ recipes, 2,000+ ‘hands & pans’ videos, technical episodes to aid in improving kitchen skills, as well as 300+ hours of some of Fatafeat’s most-loved programs hosted in a bingeable content library. Be sure to check it out!

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In Her Shoes

last word

Women are a force to be reckoned with – there’s no doubt about that! Our quest to find a multi-talented, highly-driven and creative woman led us to the spectacular entrepreneur, Nazia Mustafa, who quite frankly doesn’t need an introduction to most people. The renowned businesswoman is the driving force behind Vestire Fashion Boutique – a high end clothing and accessories boutique which promises to “Transform your life and make you feel different!”. Here’s a little peek into her life: What has been your greatest achievement to date?

My biggest achievement to date is recurring. It’s when people recognise me and my work.

Who would your life be incomplete without?

My family.

What are three things you never leave the house without?

I can’t imagine leaving the house without my suncscreen, mobile and sunglasses.

Nazia Mustafa

What are your top three fashion essentials?

1. A white shirt 2. A pencil skirt 3. Any black outfit without a doubt

We would definitely go on a world tour and also give back by opening a charity house for the needy.

What is your biggest dream?

What is your dream holiday destination?

My dream holiday destination is Maldives because of its stunning nature which is characterised by its beautiful blue oceans and amazing white sandy beaches. www.womanthismonth.com

If you won the lottery, what would you do?

To make Vestire a renowned global brand.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

I can’t say I consider anything to be the scariest thing I’ve done just yet.

July 2021

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