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The sun is shining, the weather is sweet, makes you want to move your dancing feet. Except that it’s also hot. Really hot. Too hot. And that, my friends is the annual summer paradox. Schools are out, the summer mass exodus has begun, the roads are empty or at least manageable, but it’s sort of too hot to go anywhere anyway, except to work because you have to!
Our cover for this month is thanks to Almakan and Dutch Illustrator, Jacco Bunt. As seen on the wall at upper STREET, these playful colors and visual symbols tell the story of STREET’s move to its new prominent seaside home, salt, and pepper shakers, and the prowess of the dominant tiger solidifies Almakan’s perseverance and desire to inhabit a lasting space in people’s culinary experiences in Kuwait.
Thank goodness for modern amenities, climate-controlled spaces, chalets, and the access to the beach and pools. We may have also felt slightly ashamed of our whining after meeting Abdulrazzaq Al Mojalhem, who told us all about how he accomplished one of humanity’s toughest physical and mental challenges, climbing Mount Everest. Elika Mansouri, showed us that you don’t have to go far to do great things. The founder of iCare Kuwait, an animal shelter, has successfully rescued, treated, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 1,000 cats and dogs in Kuwait since 2019. Our columnist Hamad Al Khudher, introduced us to Hind AlKhatrash, the founder of Leap Loves Green, who is doing an impressive job in bringing sustainable feminine hygiene products to Kuwait. Those are just some of this issue’s trailblazers, and we’re grateful that there are so many people who constantly show us that we could do and be so much more when we work hard.
We’re going to think about it while we take a break by the pool at the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait. The luxury hotel is offering guests amazing summer packages for a quick respite from daily life without needed to travel far. Another way we’re combatting the heat is by switching more of our clothes to linen, especially after seeing the latest MUJI collections. But our kids might end up looking cooler than us, decked in their comfortable, practical but oh so colorful fits from Cheekee Munkee. And we’re glad we’re empowering them with fashion, especially the latest Pottery Barn Kids backpacks, lunchboxes and more. They’re designed for the young adventurer in mind and are also becoming more and more sustainable each year, to protect their future too, which we can totally get behind.
So sit back and jump right in!
Happy reading!
Ahmed El-Adly
The bazaar team...
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Ahmed El-Adly Editor
Alia Al Duaij
Operations Manager
Ihab Youssef
Content Manager
Yasmine El Charif
Mixed Media Solutions
Jennifer Cádiz
Account Manager
Ali Al-Hassan
Design
Shadi Mofeed
Staff Writer/Online Media
Mariam Raslan
Yasmin Gamal
Sahira Ladha
Ahmed Mikail
Contributing Writers
Hilda Youssef
Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud
Lara Jadayel
Hamad Al Khudher
Cover art by Jacco Bunt
Communications
Hala Y. Sharara
Syndicates & Sources
Fast Company
LA Times
MCT International Newsweek
Printing
British Industries for Printing and Packaging
Located in the heart of Kuwait City, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait has prepared its immaculate hotel for an unbeatable summer experience. Luxuriate in an array of memorable staycation experiences, engaging activities and tantalizing culinary choices all within the surroundings of the hotel.
The pandemic changed all of us, whether we believe it or not. Poet and aphorist, Yahia Lababidi used that to fuel his creative juices and came out with a new book. A heartfelt collection of sayings and thoughts that will help you rethink the past, present, and future.
We’re constantly bombarded with beautiful images of carefully curated interior spaces and wonder why can’t we get our homes to look that good. Columnist Hilda Youssef walks us through current trends and how we can implement them in our homes.
Getting dressed in the summer feels tricky. Any time spent outside and you end up feeling sweaty and sticky, while looking slightly disheveled. MUJI’s latest linen and hemp collection for men and women makes that problem go away!
Pottery Barn Kids make backpacks that designed with care, intelligence and sustainability in mind. Whether you’re traveling this summer or getting ready for back to school season, the backpack is the most important choice that you will be making. Check out all the special features available in PBK backpacks in this issue.
WIth so much advice on the internet about how to write a CV and get ready for your first interview, things can get overwhelming. Recruiter and specialist, Fanar AlObaid, explains how things work and how you can get a head start in your chosen industry.
Kids love summer. It’s a time of freedom, exploration and growth, whether your’re spending it here or jetting off. This season’s Cheekee Munkee collection is bold, bright, and designed for a kid’s life. Help them feel and look fabulous and check out the collection.
Travel season can be a hectic time for many, but Xcite’s here to help you get your essentials in order so you don’t have to worry! Our guide will make packing a breeze.
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Info: Baby cotton items, made with love
Editor’s Note: Warning: cuteness overload!
#3
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Info: Homemade flavored marshmallows
Editor’s Note: It’s so pink!
What: @littletuttu
Info: Kidswear
Editor’s Note:Your kids will probably end up looking cooler than you
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Info: Original art
Editor’s Note: Because every home deserves real art
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Editor’s Note: Magnetic tiles will keep your kids entertained for days
By bazaar Staff
When we first visited Almakan United Group’s new home base in Bneid El Gar, situated above the city’s most talked about dining hotspot upper STREET, we felt a familiar buzz we had missed when the group had closed shop outside the footsteps of Mubarakiya a couple of years ago. Today Almakan United Group boasts an experimental kitchen, extremely busy offices filled with creatives, and large-scale local and regional culinary operations--all of which are run by the same team which gave us what was Kuwait’s earliest food turned creative space. Downstairs at upper STREET, however, the team truly felt that its establishment was a long time coming, a catalyst to craft the space for something entirely different and the fruit of nearly ten years of laboring with love to constantly elevate Kuwait’s dining landscape for the better.
We often saw the talented Chef Faisal Al Nashmi behind the bar, rushing around the hurried kitchens at Street, giving dishes a final nod at Table Otto, to perfecting that unforgettable Tiramisu at San Ristorante. But today stands a different Faisal, as Culinary Director and Managing Partner at Almakan United Food Group, he wears many hats, from dreaming up new dishes for existing concepts, working an office job, to finalizing tweaks on upcoming new launches (we see you, Matchbox) but he will take pause to reflect on what upper STREET means for him and partners Aysha Al Nafisi, Bader Alhasan and Dalal Alhasan.
“upper STREET is our personal take on introducing a newer dining experience that has been in development for 10 years, filled with learning and a passion to create. It is the brainchild of everything that we’ve done, but also a new start to a new chapter of dining.” Faisal cites the menu at upper STREET as extremely specific, with a curated experience for the diner which is equally specific, and it’s all in the details. From how each and every dish is plated, to the interiors, the music, and the set-up of the space. Upper Steet is a transformative destination.
Arrive for the 8 pm dinner service, with a reservation in place, of course, and get ready for a high-energy experience created by the invigorating interiors. The adorable floor sign that reads “Welcome, Old Friends” will charm STREET fans, whetting their appetites for the culinary magic soon to unfold. Faisal adds, “What diners will see on our dishes at upper STREET is a culmination of what they love, yet presented in a different way. Perhaps a new flavor profile, a more balanced combination of textures, or a new visual presentation. When we say we are presenting Bistro classics, people are expecting to see something very intriguing to them, visually plated to them in a way that they haven’t seen before from STREET.”
Diners are first greeted by unpolished high concrete ceilings that meet the most elegant, Cartier-red marble floors outlining classic black and white chequered floors, both offset by the kitsch open-face blush marble retro diner tables. upper STREET presents an upscale diner experience, so if you didn’t get the message by the classic neon-lit sign outside, or the iron-framed menu on display by the commanding red metal doors, then the vintage furniture will definitely transport you to midcentury New York. Mini red and green lamps adorn each table for ambient lighting, and instead of the usual long community tables we see at STREET, we find long corner couches, all retrofitted of course. We fell in love with the open kitchen design, offering diners an honest look at the fast-paced service that takes place every night. The highlight for us? The custom-made Josper, home to firing up so many of the restaurant’s main dishes, is clad in upper STREET’s vibrant colors. We also appreciated the bottle display which lines the entire wall of the open-plan kitchen. Created in collaboration with multidisciplinary architect Dalia Ali, recycled bottles were painted in STREET’s artful style and illustrations, yet another visual element to please the eye.
There’s even an entirely separate Pastry area that teases diners with a window, allowing them to peek in to see what delectable delights are being prepped for the evening’s service.
Perhaps what is most telling of our experience at upper STREET was the art. People come to the folks at Almakan United Group for a vibe and it always leaves a lasting impression. And while we will dive deep into the dining specials at upper STREET in a little while, the art deserves its own exploration.
All of the art on display in the restaurant has been curated, and created with intention. We know Almakan’s love for art, and the custom-made tapestry carpet designed by renowned Dutch Illustrator Jacco Bunt will instantly captivate diners. Created using playful colors, with visual symbols telling the story of STREET’s move to its new prominent seaside home, salt, and pepper shakers, and the prowess of the dominant tiger solidifies Almakan’s perseverance and desire to inhabit a lasting space in people’s culinary experiences in Kuwait. Glance towards the other side of the restaurant, and let your eyes gaze over the vintage Hermes scarves artfully framed, and even an art piece from the owners’ personal collections brought in their earlier days is proudly on display, telling of humbler beginnings, but even bigger dreams. Even the bathrooms deserve a special mention here, with fun wallpaper art greeting customers in the stalls, and the original vintage sinks (long discontinued in the UK but fully operational at upper STREET’s bathrooms) bring on the kitsch feel yet again.
So we came for the art but stayed for the food. That’s how this story went. And here’s the thing, upper STREET’s menu is a small one, but for the best reason. Pared down, honest but extremely elevated. If it’s a burger you want, then you get the best, aged beef, and aged cheddar all beautifully presented in a bountiful Brioche Bun. The restaurant pays homage to classics, unexpectedly. From the nibbles, playfully dubbed “TE-NIG-NIGS” section, for instance, you will see the fanciest Truffled Ribs and Hummus with a seriously tangy pomegranate demi glaze served along with what we can only call is balady bread.
Salads here might look simple on paper, but the flavor combinations are anything but. Those seeking the classic pairing of a Thai Grilled Chicken Salad will be pleased, and Burrata lovers will be amazed by the spectacle that will arrive on their plates. We especially appreciated the intricate detail in this dish, starting with the artful charcoal netting encasing the burrata, to the grilled beets, avocado, zest of the blood orange, toasted pumpkin seeds, and fresh tomato, all brought together with a beautiful balsamic caramel.
All of this prepared our palates for the one dish from the “Share” section we refused to leave our table until
dessert arrived- the Tuna Tartare. Presented in a custommade sardine can with Almakan’s signature artistic touch, the tartare sat on a bed of smoked ice. The perfectly diced raw Tuna sat underneath another bed of house-made yuzu and miso caviar pearls and was topped with fresh Jalapeno rings, with a side of homemade crackers. The tartare speaks miles of the level of thought which goes into perfectly balancing the flavors of each dish at upper STREET while cleverly weaving in the element of surprise in presentation.
Diners can continue to feast from shareable plates or dive deep into Buns and Mains as we did. Choosing the dish which is always at the heart of any diner experience, we opted for the Classic Cheese Burger. You would think that a ‘simple’ burger would actually taste simple but that is never the case here. From the first bite, the mediumcooked patty and the vegetables in the Brioche bun all blended together in perfect harmony to create the perfect burger. On the side, two sliders of the Fried Chicken Bao did not disappoint either where the crispiness of the Southern Fried Chicken and the softness of the Bao ensured the tastiest chicken bao you could possibly ask for, the Bao also a classic nod to STREET’s Asian street food roots. Aside from the Classic Cheese Burger which ticked all the boxes, we also loved the Spanish Josper Lobster. Honoring the delicate flesh of this treat, the lobster carried a lovely char, and the crusty rice was super flavorful and subtle, all coming together beautifully with the lemon puree. You can also opt for classics like Fried Veal Parmigiana, or diner classics like Charcoal Steak and Tuscan Chicken and Spaghetti.
Dessert is always an affair to remember with Street Food Group, and at upper STREET, one would be remiss to not leave room for it! Diners will find classics like Pain Perdu, but we cannot recommend the Honey Cream Caramel enough! With its soft, light as air, cheese caramel flan base, lotus crust, burnt bread mousse to offset the sweetness of the lotus crust and homemade honeycomb, you will fall in love with the perfectly tempered chocolate bee as this dessert arrives at your table.
Creating a fine casual dining experience is no easy feat in Kuwait, as the challenge lies in balancing realness with fanciness. Yet at upper STREET, you’re served straight-up kitsch with a side of class. We will definitely be coming here again, as we’ve found ourselves a new place to hang out, feast and create new memories in K-town.
We recommend that you reserve your experience online. For more details, head to @streetfoodgroup on Instagram. Images courtesy of Street Food Group.
gathered in Sabah Al Salem’s Sheikh Saad Al Abdallah Sports Complex to compete in the latest edition of the Red Bull Half Court Kuwait. The event, which saw the qualifying round and the national final take place back-to-back, brought together teams of three to battle it out in a unique streetball format, with a fastpaced undertone and a small window of time to score. With a solo basketball hoop to shoot in, this demanded a whole new way of strategizing and playing the game.
Local basketball players in Kuwait gathered in Sabah Al Salem’s Sheikh Saad Al Abdallah Sports Complex to compete in the latest edition of the Red Bull Half Court Kuwait. The event, which saw the qualifying round and the national final take place back-to-back, brought together teams of three to battle it out in a unique streetball format, with a fast-paced undertone and a small window of time to score. With a solo basketball hoop to shoot in, this demanded a whole new way of strategizing and playing the game.
In partnership with Aqua Eva, Spalding, Fila, and McDavid, this year’s Red Bull Half Court Kuwait edition also debuted its female category, which did not disappoint when it came to living up to the tournament’s intensity and grueling matches. The team that came out victorious were On Point against Phoenix and Defenders won against team High Voltage. As for the winning team from the female category, team Defenders snagged the win against team On Point.
After matches that showcased the true spirit of streetball, the winning teams solidified their place in the September world finals in Serbia, where they will represent Kuwait and compete against talents from over 30 other countries, in the hopes of winning the grand prize and being crowned the Red Bull Half Court Champions.
The 3v3 basketball tournament tips off in five continents worldwide. With 15,000 expected participants in 2023, Red Bull Half Court is the world’s most global streetball tournament. Stay up-to-date with Red Bull’s incredibly exciting events and other things coming up on their Instagram @RedBullKuwait.
The highest cashback rate in the market with a wide range of benefits designed for customer convenience and varying needs
By bazaar StaffWe use our bank cards everyday without thinking. We make hundreds of transactions every month, and Burgan Bank is helping us make even better use of our money. The bank announced the launch of a new series of Cashback cards, the best of their kind in Kuwait, supported by a wide range of diverse benefits designed to meet the needs of customers locally and globally. This step comes in line with the Bank’s strategy aimed at rewarding its customers and providing the best banking products and services that suit their daily lifestyle. The innovative proposition from Burgan Bank comes in 3 variants of cards; two credit cards and one prepaid card built with top of the line Cashback benefits.
The new series of Cards provides customers with a more rewarding purchasing experience. Card users will receive up to 15% when using the MasterCard World variant, 10% when using the MasterCard Platinum variant and 5% when using the MasterCard Prepaid variant card when paying for “daily spends”. This includes selected top merchant categories such as dining and health as well as beauty spends including spa, salons and cosmetics, online purchases and utilities payments whether inside Kuwait or while traveling.
Commenting on the Cashback cards launch, Naser Al Qaisi, Chief Retail Banking Officer at Burgan said, “As part of our cards strategy, we make
continuous efforts to best understand our customers’ requirements and elevate their banking experience with us. Today, we launch the most powerful Cashback cards in the local banking market, based in line with the changing expectations of customers.
Al Qaisi added: “The launch of this latest product comes following a run of very well-received promotions and added value benefits on our card offerings, all of which resulted in amazing feedback from our customers and increasing demand on our cards. Any and all new offerings we introduce – whether limited time promotions or permanent additions to our suite of solutions – are designed to offer our customers a best-in-class banking experience ”
It is noteworthy that Burgan Bank remains committed to being a leading service provider in the banking services sector in Kuwait. The Bank continues to launch banking products and services that provide added value and a signature, elevated banking experience for its customers, featuring various benefits and exclusive rewards throughout the year.
For more information about Burgan Bank’s accounts and services, visit your nearest Burgan Bank branch, call the bank’s Call Center at 180 4080 or apply online at burgan.com.
By bazaar Staff
Enjoy the best mouthwatering BBQ meats in the comfort of your home. Here are six of the best BBQ places ready to deliver happiness right to your doorstep.
Mouth Watering brisket, and ribs. Wagyu burgers, chicken burgers, pulled ribs sandwiches, and Elian’s steak sandwich. Oak and smoke have it all, even salads to start your meal right. Oak and Smoke is the best in town.
Order via the link in their bio on Instagram @oakandsmoke.
A butcher shop that offers fresh, meats ready for you to make at your house. Shawarma boxes, hot dog packages, Supper BBQ boxes, and more ready to be made at your house. Amazing for you and your friends to enjoy some time around the grill and make delicious food. If you’re not in the mood to order, they even offer products at your local co-op. Order via Deliveroo and Talabat or follow Mr. Cleavers on Instagram @mrcleavers.
Texas style BBQ, Prime Short Rib smoked over wood fire. Smoked brisket, short ribs, sausages, and several different sauces. Smoke me will leave you wanting more. And if you’re in the mood for chicken, they have you covered as well. If you want the best of both worlds, try the Chicken and Brisket. Order via #99119662 or the link in their bio on Instagram @smokemekw.
The Butchery is another butcher great for delivery so you and your friends can grill fresh meats in the comfort of your home. Fresh chicken, burgers and buns, Arabic grills, healthy food, beef, sides, and more. Several options suitable for everyone so all of your friends are happy.
Order via #1860600 or follow them on Instagram @thebutcherykw.
One thing that makes BBQ Bros unique is the number of appetizers they offer. To go along with their amazing meats, briskets, steaks, and more.
The fries, wings, salads, and desserts will bring the entire meal together. Flavorsome meats that are going to leave you wanting more.
Order via Talabat and Deliveroo or follow BBQ Bros on Instagram @bbqbroskwt.
Sultan chef is a steakhouse that offers a variety of different mouthwatering meats, burgers, and different boxes so that you and your friends are satisfied. And if you’re in the mood to make the food yourself they also offer raw meat that’s ready to grill. All you need to do is the fun part, grill it. Order via the link in their bio or follow Sultan Chef on Instagram @sultanchef.
By bazaar Staff
Al Mojalhem spent years preparing to become only the second Kuwaiti to reach the top of Mount Everest and when the time finally came, he did it.
There are only a few people you meet in life that have an aura about them which can be observed right away, and Abdulrazzaq is one of them. He walks in with a smile, loves socializing, enjoys being around his friends and takes on responsibility no matter what it is. Get to know him more and ask him about his passion, and let his story take you on some incredible adventures. Particularly one that now includes climbing Mount Everest.
“I started climbing in 2017 and my first mountain climb was Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. I had a love for sports ever since I was young and when I started climbing, I found something that combined my love for exploring, problem solving and training as well. Ever since my first experience at Mount Kilimanjaro, I knew that I wanted to spend more time in the mountains and challenging myself.” Said Abdulrazzaq when asked about how this passion of his began.
Summitting Mount Everest was not only a goal of his, but it was at the very top. Dreaming about it for years, Abdulrazzaq kept training and making necessary preparations knowing that each step took him closer to finally making his dream come true. “I trained for about a year in total with a combination of strength training in the gym and long cardio sessions in addition to rock climbing. I also made sure to climb smaller mountains to prepare myself for the environment as climbing Everest takes almost two months to do. I focused a lot on my mental health as well as recovery such as regular physiotherapy sessions and cryptotherapy treatment as I didn’t want to get injured while moving forward in my training” added Abdulrazzaq.
Goals are what make us reach for the stars. Passion and belief are what lead us right to them. Abdulrazzaq
Not many people are aware of the enormity of undertaking climbing Mount Everest. With an elevation of almost 8,850 meters, this is the highest mountain in the world. Not only does it take almost two months to summit it and return, it is also incredibly harsh and difficult even for experienced climbers. Abdulrazzaq was aware of that and knew that he can only go when he was suitably prepared for what’s to come.
When he finally was, he made the journey to Nepal and began meeting with the people there who would help him achieve his goal. “Without the Sherpas, very few people would be able to climb the mountain. These people fix the lines on the mountains that the teams use to climb to the top, opening up the path to the summit,” said Abdulrazzaq. Sherpas are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in the local terrain and, as Abdulrazzaq would add, “Their strength is unrivaled in the mountains.”
“The best part of the climb was reaching the summit of Mt. Everest and being able to raise the Kuwaiti flag on the highest mountain in the world. It was something I had been dreaming of doing for the past 7 years so it felt great to finally achieve it after all the hard work and discipline needed to do so.” Said Abdulrazzaq when looking back at what the best part of the whole journey was. Of course, with something this massive, it isn’t always just positive memories. “The scariest and most difficult thing would be experiencing frostbite. It was a very cold season on Everest and at one point, I remember pulling my hand out of my glove and seeing my fingers frozen and I was unable to move them. Luckily, we managed to warm them up and keep from getting more severe frostbite. I got lucky. But standing on the summit of Mt. Everest after all the challenges and even the frostbite, it was an indescribable moment of happiness.” He added.
Even though this climb ranks as his biggest accomplishment so far, it definitely isn’t his only one. “Being able to organize trips to mountains around the world and seeing the joy and happiness on the faces of the people who choose to come on these trips with me is one of my greatest achievements.”
This also isn’t the end of the road for him as he concludes this conversation by saying “If there’s one thing I have learned after my experience climbing Mt. Everest, it’s that anything in life is achievable. You just have to be willing to put in the work and dedicate yourself to that goal. That being said, who knows what may come next? I will definitely continue to climb and pursue my passions and set new goals for myself.”
Which living person do you most admire? Anyone who chooses to pursue their passions with ambition.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being in the mountains.
What is your greatest extravagance? Travel and the mountains.
What is your most treasured possession? My time.
What is your greatest fear? I don’t have any.
What is your most marked characteristic? My refusal to quit.
Which talent would you most like to have? I always wanted to pick up snowboarding.
What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for? Determination.
What is the human trait that you most dislike about others?
Negativity and having a defeatist attitude. How do you know if you don’t try?
What is it that you most dislike? Negativity.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Don’t overthink, just go for it.
What are your favorite words to live by? Your body won’t go where your mind doesn’t push it.
Where would you most like to live? Depends on the season.
If you could have any job, what would it be? To be in the mountains full-time.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Summitting Mt. Everest, for now.
What do you hope for the future? To keep exploring and pursuing my passions.
By Hamad Al Khudher
Talking Greene is a series of discussions centered on the idea of sustainability in Kuwait, the group leading this movement, and locating tools to assist the general public in making wiser decisions. As a business owner in the same industry, I believe it is my responsibility to promote local organizations and individuals working to change the way we shop for goods and to increase environmental consciousness both domestically and abroad.
In this issue of Talking Greene, we get to know more about Hind AlKhatrash, the founder of Leap Loves Green. Put simply, Hind is on a mission to bring Arab women better periods, for themselves and the planet. The Kuwait-based entrepreneur, who has a background in anthropology and aerial circus, established Leap Loves Green as a side project whilst working at a tech start up. What started as an Instagram “green guide” account grew to become a thriving online store for sustainable period care products.
What was your background before starting Leap Loves Green?
People are always surprised to find out how I stumbled into the green industry. My background in anthropology helped secure my first job at an Islamic art museum. I soon found myself drawn to a very different form of art, namely aerial circus
arts, and so I took it on as a side hobby. With enough training, I became qualified to teach aerial arts and began hosting classes part-time in a small studio I rented after my working hours. It birthed the very first concept of “Leap”. I went for a name that was both figurative and literal. I soon switched jobs and left the cultural industry for the tech industry. I worked at a start-up for three years all while juggling Leap Circus on the side. Leap Circus came to a halt with COVID, and so that encouraged me to take my interests online and focus on a new passion, innovative sustainable products - hence, Leap Loves Green
Was the acrobatic studio a pivotal moment to establishing Leap Loves Green?
It wasn’t a pivotal moment but it encouraged me to explore the world of entrepreneurship and learn essential skills like marketing and website.
Selling sustainable goods wasn’t something I saw myself doing until much later. It was only around 2019, when I came to be a little more aware of climate change, and what was going on in the world of environmentalism. Initially, my relationship with environmentalism was very fear-driven and anxietyinducing. It was very easy to feel overwhelmed by all that was wrong in the world. Luckily, I found so much promise in the host of sustainable products being produced today that kept me interested and invested. In an effort to get involved, I started an Instagram “green guide” account to post informative content and resources that pertained to sustainability in Kuwait. The objective was to offer locals actionable and accessible ways they could be more sustainable. This naturally exposed me to the emerging community of sustainable small businesses in Kuwait and gave valuable insight to the market.
I shortly came across the brand Tsuno while on a trip to Australia. They offer an incredible collection of biodegradable bamboo pads that are absolutely life-changing! I absolutely fell in love with the social enterprise and so I emailed them and met with its founder, Roslyn Campbell for brunch. There was a lot of alignment in our values and I returned to Kuwait as a distributor. This basically snowballed into an incredible and thriving relationship that I have with Tsuno today. Fast-forward to three years later, we are Tsuno’s official distributors in the Gulf region. Working with Tsuno has truly become one of the most meaningful and rewarding business relationships to date
With regards to your business, did you find it hard to grow? Were there any struggles you faced?
Definitely. With regards to Tsuno, I’d say it was a struggle to openly market period care products
on top of convincing people that it was equally effective as what you would find on any other grocery store shelf. There was a lot of hesitancy around the idea of it being biodegradable, ultrathin, and plant-based but also leakproof. So there was a lot of education there, and there was a lot of work trying to people to sample the product. Fortunately, because it’s such a great product, it quickly began to speak for itself.
Over the years, the testimonials and word of mouth really helped develop and create that community. I think one thing that also really helped us get over the taboo or shame when it comes to talking about our period care products is our beautiful branding. I was keen on making Leap feel playful and extend that onto the product lines we carry. For instance, Tsuno’s box packing is quite the conversation starter. It’s something you want to put on display in your bathroom, far
from commercial pads. We were very excited to collaborate with Arab women artists and feature their artwork in our latest Tsuno collection to include more representation of Arab women and the period experience.
Who were the artists you collaborated with to design Tsuno’s packaging?
We worked with a total of four Arab women artists, featuring each and their respective interpretations of the period experience on our Tsuno boxes. For the panty liners, we have Kuwaitbased artist, Jena AlAwadhi (@jenajpeg). For our regular pads, we have Saudi-based artist Ethar Balkhair (@ethartariq_art). Our super pads feature the work of the Kuwaiti multimedia artist, Munirah AlShami (@mas.makes). Finally, our overnight pads feature the work of French-Lebanese artist, Aude Nasr (@ahlan.my.darlings).
As an owner of a business, you also tend to do some amazing work with charities. Could you talk to us more about your charitable work with Leap Loves Green?
Well, as a social enterprise, Tsuno already donates 50% of its proceeds towards funding female girls education through a charity called One Girl organization that’s based in Sierra Leone and Uganda. They focus on girls’ education in schools, as well as health and reproductive care to make sure they’re not missing out on school days because of their lack of sanitary products. I wanted to honor that initiative and see if I could offer something to the local community. I developed a “donate at checkout” feature on our website to help offer customers a seamless donation experience. The donations would be used to cover the cost of pads that would go to local women’s shelters. Customers would only need to add a small fee of KD 0.500 to their basket and we would match whatever was needed to help deliver the donation. I was thrilled to see this initiative be so well received by our community! Since launching it last May, we have been able to donate over +3,800 boxes of pads. Some of the women’s shelters we support include Abolish 153, Sandigan, and SWS (Social Work Society). These organizations primarily work to secure the safety and rights of domestic workers and offering them essential items like sanitary pads can go a long way in preserving their financial resources month after month. Our donations have also extended to supply emergency relief aid during tragic events as done for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
As an entrepreneur yourself in the sustainable field, what other sustainable brands are you a fan of?
I’ve been quite the fan of the sustainable fashion scene in Kuwait. I love the work I see with Sama AlWasmi’s Quinn Hop, Maha AlAsaker’s Dunes and Ripples, Tasneem and Khaled’s Hind Clothing, Talah AlSayer’s natural dye kitchen Khemaie Dyeworks - I could go on and on! I admire the founders so much and their commitment to ethical, sustainable fashion.
Do you have certain goals and ideas that you are planning to achieve in the upcoming couple of years with regards to your work?
I would say my main goal is continuing to expand on the period care collection that we have available. Not only period care products, but accessory items as well that can enhance the period experience, much like our collection of warm bottles. Perhaps bringing back our menstrual tea collection would be a great idea. I would also love to get involved in the production process of future products.
I have also been enjoying crafting our latest monthly newsletter “The Better Period” and hoping to focus on it more. The Better Period,
is a community based newsletter, not intended to promote our brand but rather dedicated to promoting local brands and businesses that help enhance and celebrate the period experience. This can look like partnering with local skin care brands for a special discount on pimple patches for those annoying period pimples or sharing our favorite brownie recipe to help satisfy your period cravings. It’s been a lot of fun paving the way for a more period-positive future and playing a role in healing women’s relationships with their periods.
For more information about Leap Loves Green, check out @leap.loves.green on Instagram or visit www.leaplovesgreen.com
“ I was thrilled to see this initiative be so well received by our community! Since launching it last May, we have been able to donate over +3,800 boxes of pads.”
Located in the heart of Kuwait City, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait has prepared its immaculate hotel for an unbeatable summer experience. Luxuriate in an array of memorable staycation experiences, engaging activities and tantalizing culinary choices, all within the surroundings of the hotel.
Waldorf Astoria Kuwait has spacious rooms that have been meticulously outfitted with modern comforts to ensure an unparalleled and relaxing stay.
Start planning your ultimate staycation now and treat your family to a luxurious getaway at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait. Experience pure relaxation and indulgence with their top-notch amenities and personalized services.
Beat the summer heat and treat your family to an unforgettable summer getaway at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait with the “Serenity by the Pool” summer getaway package. Families can indulge in the relaxing ambiance of the specially designed outdoor pool and bask in the sun while surrounded by nature.
The OXIO Poolside Lounge and Bar offers a peaceful sanctuary where families can lounge on comfortable chaise lounges, sip refreshing drinks, and create joyful memories under the sun.
The exclusive package includes a delightful culinary experience, featuring a variety of healthy salads, sandwiches, appetizers, grills and refreshing sorbets and ice creams. Children up to three years old stay for free, while those aged four to 12 years receive a generous 50% discount.
Families can also reserve a private cabana for added relaxation and privacy. And as an added bonus, they can enjoy a 20% discount on spa treatments and a 10% discount on SPA retail products at Waldorf Astoria Spa, enhancing their wellness and rejuvenation experience.
With its exclusive amenities, and a team of highly skilled therapists, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa is the perfect place to unwind and de-stress. The spa offers a wide range of treatments and services, including massages, facials, body scrubs, and more, using premium products and techniques that are tailored to each, individually tailored for both men and women.
Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa uses only the finest, most luxurious and exclusive products for its treatments, ensuring that guests receive the highest quality experience.
Experience the ultimate in renewal with a toning treatment, light-therapy experience, or olfactory meditation in our relaxation pod.
Let one of their skilled facialists create a bespoke pampering treatment tailored to your skin’s unique needs.
Their healing massages soothe stress and relieve pain using a combination of ancient and modern modalities that enhance overall wellness.
The exclusive membership packages at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa offer a range of benefits, including unlimited access to the thermal spa’s facilities, outdoor pool, fitness centre. Members also have access to a private lounge area where they can relax and enjoy refreshments while waiting for their treatments.
AVA welcomes guests to their first-ever brunch this summer, taking them on an incredible journey to the vibrant shores of the Mediterranean. Renowned for its blend of authentic flavors, stylish ambiance, and relaxed coastal vibes, AVA is the perfect destination for brunch enthusiasts.
The AVA Brunch is a symphony of flavors, boasting a delightful selection of traditional Middle Eastern and international dishes. Guests are invited to savor the light and fresh Mediterranean salads, indulge in an assortment of mezze from live stations, and delight in the mouthwatering flavors of the Wagyu beef shawarma. The brunch also includes an impressive array of delectable desserts and irresistible flavors of teppanyaki ice cream to end on a sweet note.
A New York-style cafe with Parisian influences, Peacock Alley is a stylish spot to enjoy a sophisticated atmosphere and exquisite culinary offerings, is inviting guests to indulge in a truly remarkable afternoon tea experience this summer.
The crafted menu boasts a variety of mouth-watering offerings, such as freshly baked scones, homemade chocolates, delicate finger sandwiches, and assorted warm quiches, that are sure to delight guests’ taste buds. To complement the brunch meals, Peacock Alley offers a carefully curated selection of fine teas, allowing guests to enjoy the overall ambiance at their own pace.
With your former commute now a tiny speck in your rearview mirror, as it were, you’d be forgiven for succumbing to cabin fever from time to time. That’s what happens when you eat, sleep, live, and work under one roof.
But what if you could work under a different roof? One that’s not too far away, perhaps? And offers many of the comforts of working from home without being inside the home?
I’ve hemmed and hawed over the following three outdoor office ideas and will eventually pull the trigger on one of them. Now that spring is in swing, I thought it might be helpful to share what I’ve learned for those of you looking to relocate your own workspaces.
I’ve got a nice two-car detached garage here in the Boston suburbs. It houses exactly zero of my two cars.
Instead, it’s full of boxes from two moves ago, sports balls in various stages of inflation, and my neighbor’s electric bike he asked me to store for three days some nine months ago. In other words, it’s wasted space.
Obviously, the main advantage of using the garage is that it’s already there: an existing structure on my land that’s reasonably protected from the elements.
According to Angi, formerly known as Angie’s List, the average cost to convert a garage into livable space is around $15,000. This jibes fairly well with conversations I’ve had with a handful of contractors regarding my own situation.
The big expenses are proper insulation so that it doesn’t get unbearably hot in the summer or cold in the winter, actual walls to hold all that insulation, new flooring—whether a nice slick coating over the existing concrete or something fancier—and better lighting.
Other costs to consider: upgrading the electric and proper HVAC (the smart money’s on a minisplit system to handle heating and cooling). I also keep having this dream about replacing one of the garage doors with French doors. In this same dream, however, my kids aren’t throwing baseballs anywhere near the garage, which is wholly unrealistic.
All these things add up but can probably be done over time, and if you’re handy you can do some of the more basic ones yourself.
The cheapskate in me loves the shed option enough that I find myself perusing Costco’s shed section every time I get a marketing email from them.
The trick here is to not go too cheap on the
actual shed. You’ve got to work in it, after all. That means no plastic sheds. You’ll need plenty of ventilation, and you’ll need most of the same stuff as the garage conversion—plus electrical.
Some shed companies have already figured out that what they used to build solely to house people’s lawnmowers and rakes actually doubles really well as an office. One such company is Colorado Sheds, which has a helpful primer on what it takes to make a shed livable.
The company claims the cost to convert a shed to an office can go from $2,000 to $35,000, which is quite a range. My conversations with contractors line up with the $2,000 figure, which covers pouring a perfectly level concrete pad somewhere in the yard and getting electric to run out to it.
Obviously, if you already have a suitable shed, you’re more than halfway there. But my setup would consist of buying a shed (let’s take this one at $4,000), which we’ll need assembled, insulated, powered, heated, cooled, and decorated.
I’ve been told I’d be looking at around $10,000 when the dust settles. Again, once the shed is in place, the expenses are similar to a garage makeover but on a smaller scale.
Go big with a tiny house
For when I win the lottery and/or my ship comes in, wherever it may be, I’m hoping against hope for a tiny house.
Prices are all over the map for this option but largely come down to size, optional plumbing, and potential zoning issues—which can include such factors as having to pull permits, appeal to your town’s zoning board, and pay tax on your tiny house just like you do on your regular house.
Whatever the case, you’re often looking at tens of thousands of dollars just for the structure itself. I got quoted $50,000 for a modest (bigger than a shed but smaller than a garage) backyard office with no plumbing. Prices sail past six figures if you’re looking for something really special. A guy can dream.
Check out LivPods, Drop Structures, Buhaus, and Studio Shed to get an idea of what things cost. Keep in mind that it’s not a given that pricing includes stuff like site prep (leveling the yard), assembly, running electrical to the structure, or heating and cooling. I was told to take the cost of the structure, then double it to account for everything else.
Despite the cost, this is the way to go if you’re looking for a premium workspace. Many can be custom designed to your needs and feature higher-quality materials than sheds and garages. They could also add the most resale value to your home if you manage to sell it someday to another remote worker.
By bazaar Staff
It is not often that we meet people that are willing to give so much of themselves to others, but Elika Mansouri does just that! She is a teacher at a prominent British school in Kuwait and at the same time she is the founder of iCare Kuwait, an animal shelter that was created in October 2019 and has successfully rescued, treated, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 1,000 cats and dogs in Kuwait.
Inspired by her students, Elika created an Instagram page for all of the animals that she fed and took care of around the school. This encouraged the students to get involved and help feed the animals with her. Elika started posting her rescue stories on her Instagram and the before and after pictures of her rescues to show much of the difference she was making. Her page received more attention when over 100 dogs were rescued from a poisoning campaign.
Since then, iCare has opened two shelters where they home their cats and dogs. Elika tells us that her “biggest goal is to promote compassion and kindness towards strays of Kuwait and show the local community every cat or a dog is capable of becoming a human companion with time, love and patience.” She definitely knows what she is talking about since she has rehomed over 200 stray dogs abroad where they found their true human companions. She also hopes to create more awareness about the importance of vaccination, spaying and neutering animals in order to avoid adding to the overpopulation of strays.
Elika shares that “managing iCare and teaching children both heavily depend on one thing: compassion for the vulnerable. I enjoy working with children and youth. They have so much to offer and they make up future generations. I would love to help them succeed in their studies as well as know how to be kind humans. You also need to have a strong network of volunteers, transport system, time management skills to be able to have an animal shelter.”
What is impressive about Elika is that she manages to give her all to both animals and children, even though she teaches full time, she has found a way to spend a lot of her time by helping animals. She recently took a two-day trip to deliver rescued dogs for adoption to the USA and then return back to work as soon as she arrived back in Kuwait. We are sure that not many people would be able to mentally handle such a stressful and tight schedule but Elika is so passionate that she feels that nothing can stop her. Clearly, when there is a will there’s a way.
Elika finds that the most heartbreaking scene in Kuwait is the Friday Market, where she tells us that people abandon sick animals, sell stolen cats and dogs, and the hygiene of some shops is awful. Of course, that is only part of the struggle when rescuing animals. Elika shares that “animal abuse
is also not taken seriously as we have seen so many cases that have occurred and the abuser was not charged with any criminal offense. We don’t have a 24-hour veterinary hospital. Kuwait has many animal lovers and owners and frequently they suffer all night when their animal falls sick. As rescuers, we have lost so many lives since there is no place to rush emergency cases to.”
“My dream includes many things for the animals in Kuwait. Firstly, I would like to see a more humane strategy to control the stray population. I also would like to see more interest in local adoption; most of our rescued dogs are adopted internationally and they go into homes and have beautiful families looking after them. Why can we not have this in Kuwait? Another dream for us rescuers is having more support and recognition from the government. Animal abuse and abandonment should be considered a crime and taken seriously as it’s an indication of other psychological issues and danger to the community,” Elika continues.
We asked Elika about the hesitancy of people wanting to adopt rescues due to temperament. She told us that “it is true that not every dog or a cat is comfortable about being handled by humans, in particular due to abuse and abandonment, which can easily make animals scared of strangers. She highlights that the shelters are full in Kuwait and buying animals only adds to the crisis and that all dogs need training and routine, breed or non-breed. Rescues just need extra love, time and patience depending on their history. They need to gain trust after humans failed them.”
So how can you get involved? The shelter is always in need of volunteers, especially for the Wafra center. Dogs need lots of love and attention and iCare’s dogs are very friendly with humans – so if you are ever available to go out and give some dogs some TLC, reach out to iCare. Additionally, there is always a financial burden on the shelters to care for the rescued animals in terms of food, litter, cleaning supplies and hospital bills.
If you are interested in adopting, donating, or volunteering at the iCare shelter, reach out to Elika on Instagram and she will be more than happy to support your involvement. Or just give them a follow @icareq8 to learn more about her animal rescue efforts in Kuwait.
“every cat or a dog is capable of becoming a human companion with time, love and patience.”
Celebrating the growing success of the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL across Kuwait and the region, Nissan presents the pioneering features in its most technologically-advanced SUV. Making its regional debut earlier this year, the all-new fourth-generation X-TRAIL not only builds on a rich legacy that spans 20 years, but also serves as the perfect embodiment of Nissan’s commitment to innovation that excites.
Raising the bar within the mid-size SUV segment, the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL, which is built for families and adventure seekers, is equipped with a host of innovative technologies that come together to offer greater safety, convenience, and comfort. This includes Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility suite of features, which combines the three pillars of Intelligent Driving, Intelligent Power, and Intelligent Integration for a safer and more connected experience behind the wheel.
Inside the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL, customers are treated to a variety of innovative technologies, including:
The largest Heads-Up Display in the segment At 10.8 inches, the Heads-Up Display in the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL is the largest in its segment. By providing drivers with key information pertaining to speed and direction within their direct line of sight, the Heads-Up Display greatly reduces distractions while driving.
The display is complemented by a 12.3-inch intuitive touch-screen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital and customizable instrument cluster display. Together, they offer an immersive experience through a combined 35.4 inches of cabin screens.
Semi-Autonomous Driving with ProPILOT Assist
Offering enhanced safety and convenience on the road, the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL features the brand’s ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving system. Combining Nissan’s Intelligent Cruise Control and Steering Assist technologies, ProPILOT Assist utilizes a variety of sensors and sonar technologies to automatically accelerate, brake, and keep the X-TRAIL within a single lane
on the highway. The system is able to cruise at a set speed, maintain a specified distance, and brake to 0km/h in heavy stop-start traffic.
A new Intelligent 4x4 system that is ready for all adventures
The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL debuts a new Intelligent 4x4 system with direct coupling that reacts faster than ever before, allowing for the seamless transfer of power between axles for ultimate stability and traction off road. A twist-dial Drive Mode Selector provides drivers five modes to choose from: Off-Road, Snow, Auto, Eco and Sports, with the added benefit of Hill Descent Control for carefully modulated downhill driving.
Powering the X-TRAIL is an all-new 2.5-liter fourcylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 244 Nm of torque. Power is pushed through an advanced Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with paddle-shift controls for manual override of the new shift-by-wire transmission interface.
Equipped with Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility suite of active and passive safety features, the 2023 model is the safest X-TRAIL to date. Contributing to this, is Nissan Safety Shield 360, which is available as standard across the X-TRAIL line-up and monitors the surrounding area to keep those within and around the X-TRAIL as safe as possible. The technologies that work together to achieve this, include but are not limited to, Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Intervention, Blind Spot Intervention, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
For added safety and convenience, the 2023
Nissan X-TRAIL also offers drivers and passengers effortless smartphone integration, through Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity. As for charging options, the Premium Urban Crossover offers front and rear USB charging with USB-A and USB-C ports, in addition to a 15W wireless charging pad to ensure all devices are fully charged at all times.
Sophisticated practicality for all onboard
Offering families added peace of mind and convenience, the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL is fitted with a Power Liftgate with Motion Sensing. By simply waving their foot below the rear bumper, and with the Intelligent Key within range, drivers can open the liftgate and load the X-TRAIL without the need to put items down or take the key out of their pocket.
Family convenience is further enhanced through the optional 7-seater configuration that offers EZ Flex Seating with a split-folding, sliding, and reclining second row bench seat. For occasions when all seven seats are occupied, or the rear view is obstructed by bulky cargo, the Intelligent RearView Mirror flips into action. Changing from mirror to monitor at the flip of a switch, the Intelligent Rear-View Mirror utilizes a rear hatch camera to offer drivers a wider field of view, helping to avoid obstructions for an unimpeded view behind the vehicle.
The all-new 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL is available in three trim levels (S, SV, SL) with 2WD or 4WD configurations and with the option of 5-seater or 7-seater, at Nissan Al Babtain’s showrooms in Al Rai, Al Ahmadi, and Al Jahra. Follow @Nissankwt for more information.
As the world enters a new era of cutting-edge technology, interior design trends in 2023 reflect a desire for both comfort and innovation. We have seen a lot of interior design trends emerging throughout the past couple of years, especially in the F&B sector, ranging from bright monochromatic color themes, neon lights, reflective materials, and overall loud spaces. However, this year’s trends are turning towards more subtle colors and designs, such as the dominant use of earthy tones and soft curves in spaces rather than sharp geometric shapes. Additionally, there is a harmonious blend of timeless styles, with sustainability playing a major role. We’ll explore the exciting interior design trends of 2023 and provide you with a guide to the essential do’s and don’ts to help you navigate the trends successfully.
In 2023, sustainability takes center stage in interior design. As the world goes through a major climate crisis, various industries have been attempting to play their part in producing environmentally conscious products and materials. In the world of design, two factors play a role. First, the use of eco-friendly materials within interior spaces. Second, producing nature-inspired designs to create a calming and harmonious space that can last for a long period of time. Eco-friendly materials include natural wood, reclaimed or recycled wood, natural stones, bamboo and finally wall and flooring finishes that carry less of a carbon footprint on the environment. Earthy tones, and minimal accessories are preferred in this case with natural indoor plants being the star of the show, for both aesthetic and environmental purposes.
Do: Opt for organic materials such as jute rugs for aesthetic and textural beauty. Choosing sustainable furniture and accessories that are ethically sourced are both aesthetically pleasing and a smarter choice for the environment.
Don’t: Forget about plastic and faux plants, they are harmful to the environment and do not bring fresh air into your space. Avoid using synesthetic materials and harmful chemicals.
Color is making a huge come-back this year, mainly focusing on earthy tones. Earthy tones are not limited to shades of beige, but also include browns, pinks, coral, and greens. Mixing and matching colors by color blocking or even monochrome your space using these colors can create a relaxing, yet lively space for both your home and business. The overall ambience should be open, relaxed and include greater distances between furniture pieces to have a spacious circulation. Dominant accessories include paintings, greenery, and organic mirrors. Non-functional accessories such as bowls and various knick-knacks are out. The idea is to declutter spaces and focus on a few statement pieces to go with the color palette.
Do: Dare to incorporate pops of color through accent pieces and focal point furniture pieces, rugs, and paintings.
Don’t: Overwhelm the space with too many vibrant colors or patterns. Balance bold accent colors with natural hues.
With the growing need for adaptable living spaces, 2023 sees a rise in furniture and design concepts that are flexible and multifunctional. Modular and convertible furniture are major trends this year. Foldable tables, sofas with built-in storage, wall units, and room dividers and even transformable tables are crucial.
Do: Embrace space-saving furniture and storage solutions that maximize living areas. Consider custom-made pieces that cater to your specific needs.
Don’t: Clutter spaces with unnecessary furniture pieces and accessories that lack purpose or multifunctionality.
Arcs and curves have been popular in interior design for a while now. The use of arcs to separate spaces, or even as a part of the wall cladding, can soften the room with the right color combination. In terms of furniture and accessories: curvy sofas, organic shaped vases, sculptures, and lighting fixtures.
The interior design trends of 2023 celebrate a unique blend of sustainable practices, vibrant color choices and adaptable spaces. Outdated materials and themes such as the use of marble to cover walls and flooring, gold accessories and accents to create a “luxurious space” are all out this season, make way for natural stones instead. The overuse of whites and greys, accent wallpaper and dark metals are no longer favored, rather opt for earthy bold colors. By following the do’s and don’ts outlined in this article, you can transform your space in a way that aligns with the latest trends. Embrace sustainability, explore earthy color palettes, optimize space with multifunctional furniture and incorporate curves for a fresh an innovative space.
With over 7 years of field experience in interior design and architecture, Hilda Youssef is currently a faculty member in the Architecture and Design Department at a University and I has a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture and a Master’s Degree in Architecture, Planning & Landscape Design from Newcastle University.
Images courtesy of Kam Idris, Lea L, Anne Heijdt and Alona Gross on Unsplash.
Typically, training for a distance race means preparing yourself for the physical demands of the event. But don’t overlook the mental aspects of performance.
Most experts know the importance of mental training. Roger Bannister, the first person to run a mile under four minutes, said, “It’s the brain, not the heart or lungs, that’s the critical organ.”
All athletes, no matter how strong or physically gifted, can struggle to be successful if they have mental barriers, such as low confidence, high anxiety, nerves or feeling too much pressure, that overtake them in the heat of competition.
Often, mental barriers are why many athletes do well in training, only to cave when it comes to actual race or game situations.
Overthinking is when runners shift their focus from process goals — What am I doing now to maximize my performance or effort? — to outcome issues — What if I don’t finish? What if I get passed? This leads to anxiety, doubt and distraction.
Fortunately, there are mental strategies that athletes can practice to overcome mental roadblocks and promote successful performance. They can help athletes set realistic, challenging and flexible goals.
Mental approaches, such as relaxation techniques, positive self-talk, focus plans, visualization and choking or panicking strategies, can help athletes confront mental barriers and trust their training to maintain confidence. They encourage athletes to expect competition discomfort, embrace it as an ally and use discomfort as valuable information — Am I working hard enough? Should I adjust body position?
Using mental strategies helps athletes focus on the process of performance rather than outcome issues, such as winning or losing to other competitors. This encourages them not to overthink.
Goal flexibility allows people to adjust when needed and helps athletes to avoid feeling frustrated or down on themselves. Visualization helps athletes practice seeing themselves performing well during competition, preparing for any unforeseen situations and making adjustments.
Mental strategies encourage positive thought management. Many people have an internal critic. This well-practiced thought pattern is highly
critical, lowers sense of self-worth, creates fear and hinders athletes from performing their best. Mental training is finding keywords, images and thoughts to combat the internal critic and positively reframe negative thoughts if they develop.
You can use these mental strategies as race day gets closer and throughout your race:
• Before your event, plan positive daydreams or things you want to think about to help divert your attention.
• Divide the race into segments, such as mile markers or water stops, and consider it a success when you complete each one.
• A week before the race, think of several reassuring thoughts or positive cue words to use during your event. These may be:I can do this; this is my opportunity.Full effort is full victory.I’m meant to be here.I’m tough and strong.Run strong.Run tall.Race discomfort is temporary.
• Visualize the race and how good you want to feel. Imagine being relaxed with easy strides, light feet and efficient movements. Picture this repeatedly.
• Imagine yourself maintaining a positive attitude if something unexpected happens. Plan on adjusting if this situation occurs. Remember: There are no musts or shoulds. When things happen that you can’t control — weather, competition, recurring injury, course terrain — focus on what you can influence, like changing your stride, adjusting your pace
and relaxing your arms.
• The day and moments before your event, remind yourself of your dream of attempting this run. Think about all the training and other efforts you’ve made to reach this goal.
• Embrace race discomfort. Allow any discomfort — unless you’re in pain — to remind you that you are working with effort. Trust your body. Trust your training. Use other runners and spectators as motivation and energy. They’re supporting you.
If you’re returning to racing after an injury, you may have additional mental barriers to overcome. Try focusing on the little victories that marked your recovery. First run without pain? Celebrate. First 30-minute run since your injury? Celebrate it. Finally able to run both up and down the big hill on your training route without having to stop? Celebrate it, and then do it again if you can.
All of those wins throughout the training journey can help combat the feelings of insecurity, doubt and fear about returning from an injury. On the day of and during the race, think about how it felt to achieve the little victories. These intermittent reminders of your accomplishments can help you through the race.
No matter how strong or physically gifted you might be, it’s crucial to have a positive frame of mind and be mentally prepared so you’ll have a successful running event.
Chef Mohammad Al Hajery’s road to becoming the Head Chef at Mia along with Chef Ziad Al Obaid didn’t begin because of his love for cooking, but rather it grew as he learned his love for cooking during his days at university before coming back and learning all the operations that go into operating a restaurant. After that, and a culinary degree, his admiration and passion in the kitchen has only continued to grow.
“I graduated from the United States with a Finance Degree and my first job consisted of taking different positions in the Al Hajery restaurants as a waiter, a supervisor and as a commis taking up each position for about a month each.” He looks back fondly on those early days where he learned what it’s like to run operations front of house in the restaurant. During that time, he was able to learn what diners are really looking for, how to interact with them, while also looking through the finances and
all the back-end requirements. After understanding how the restaurant works, he was handling the brands a couple years later and about four years after beginning his career, he had a complete understanding of how the restaurant operations work to perfection
This played into what he loved because he started developing a passion for cooking during his time at university. Being in the United States, he like many others, missed home-cooked meals and
therefore he decided to try cooking them himself. Whether it was the traditional Machboos or any other Kuwaiti dish, he wanted to learn how it’s done and after a few failed tries early on, he learned to perfect them for himself and his friends. At the back of his mind, a love for cooking slowly but surely grew and after spending time in the restaurant, he knew that what had to be done afterwards.
“I knew how the operation side works perfectly, but not the kitchen side. I decided to go to Madrid, Spain and get a degree from Le Cordon Bleu and got to know the different techniques, the kitchen operations, and the full picture of it all. I had a Finance Degree plus a Culinary Degree. A full package of what is required and I took charge initially at Solia.” As things went on, he now finds himself at Mia, a Middle-Eastern restaurant located in Al Assima Mall in Kuwait City where he and other chefs have been able to create a distinct menu which constantly changes and improves every few months in order to keep customers coming for more while competing in a very difficult and ever-changing restaurant industry in the country.
When speaking to Chef Mohammad, it’s easy to see his love for what he does. He loves trying out new ideas, recipes, and ways to cook things. It’s even clear in the menu with one of his personal favorites – the Chicken Schnitzel. “Finding the perfect technique took us some time and a few attempts. We try to do it with three layers so it’s the chicken, mashed potato, vegetables and cheeses all fried together. But once we perfected it, it was incredible and a dish that many of the customers enjoyed.”
That’s another important point for Chef Mohammad. It’s important that the diners return with positive feedback on the dishes. A response of “it was okay” doesn’t sit well with him as he looks back and sees why was it not at least “very good”? Was there something missed or was a step rushed? Perfection of the food being sent out is of utmost importance and that’s very easy to see with all the dishes at Mia.
One of the reasons behind this perfection is that because the F&B sector is extremely competitive in Kuwait, it’s very easy to fall behind. However, there is also a silver lining amidst this competitiveness. “There are a lot of great people who have done great things in the country. Because so much has been done, it helps you strive to be greater and evolve. We lean on the others that have elevated the scene to help us come up with new and innovative ideas to separate us from the rest while having our identity.” But also, because of this competitive industry, Chef Mohammad advises that no one should get into it if they’re not 100% motivated and passionate to do so. “It’s a beautiful industry for those who love it but it’s exhausting and it’s a 24/7 type of job. Unexpected things happen on a daily basis that you have to take care of so if this isn’t something that you are completely into, then it’s best for you to follow what your true passion is.”
It’s that time of year when everyone’s looking forward to some fun in the sun. Too much sun can be dangerous, though. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun damages your skin, and children are especially vulnerable because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn easily.
Skin damage from the sun increases your risk of developing:
• Skin cancer: Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands and legs. Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. Skin cancer occurs when mutations occur in the DNA of skin cells. Much of the damage to DNA in skin cells results from UV radiation found in sunlight and in the lights used in tanning beds.
• Wrinkles: Although genetics mainly determine
skin structure and texture, sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles, especially for people with light skin. Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin’s connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin. Without the supportive connective tissue, your skin loses strength and flexibility. Skin then begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.
• Age spots: Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. UV light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations. Use of commercial tanning lamps and beds also can cause age spots.
One way to protect your skin is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring. Use a generous amount of sunscreen
on all exposed skin, including your lips, the tips of your ears, and the backs of your hands and neck. Sunscreens are required by the Food and Drug Administration to remain at their original strength for at least three years. This means that you can use leftover sunscreen from one year to the next. Some sunscreens include an expiration date — a date indicating when they’re no longer effective. Discard sunscreen that is past its expiration date. If you buy sunscreen that doesn’t have an expiration date, write the date of purchase on the bottle. Throw out the bottle when three years have passed since the purchase date.
In addition to sunscreen, avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day when the UV rays are strongest, wear sunglasses that block both types of UV radiation — UVA and UVB rays — and wear a broad-brimmed hat and other protective clothing. Exercising and enjoying time outdoors are important for good health. Staying protected from the sun will allow you and your family to do so safely.
But my grandchildren are in school, and they are so good in art that their works deserve to be in the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Instead, they are in the Zezima Museum of Art and Snacks on Long Island, New York. It is an admittedly modest space devoted to the world’s finest paintings, drawings and illustrations, all done with brushes, crayons and markers, all hanging on office, bedroom and family room walls, as well as a refrigerator door, and all created by five talented artists ranging in age from 10 to 3.
These wunderkinds could, in my humble opinion, put Vincent van Gogh to shame, not just because each has an eye for beauty and a nose for
trends, but because they all have both their ears.
I acknowledge that I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like. It’s the reason I have established Zezima’s Two Rules of Modern Art.
Rule No. 1: If you see an artwork titled “Spring Butterfly,” but it looks more like the grille of a ’57 Chevy, don’t buy it.
Rule No. 2: If an artist has been working on a piece for months and, when he’s finally finished, calls it “Untitled,” it means even he doesn’t know what it is. Don’t buy that one, either.
If my grandchildren’s artwork were for sale, I would urge you to buy it, even though it is priceless and its estimated value is well beyond the ability of even the richest collectors to afford.
Besides, the kids would have to report their income to the IRS (Infantile Revenue Service) and they’d be legally obligated to pay more in taxes than they have in their piggy banks.
That is why I am humbled and gratified that
all five of my grandchildren have recently made pictures just for me.
One done by my 10-year-old granddaughter is a 9-by-12-inch masterpiece, ink on cardboard, its deep hues of blue, green and yellow enhancing a playful drawing of her backyard, with a swing set and a slide meticulously done in black against an azure sky with a bright golden sun containing, in her distinctive handwriting, the beautiful words “to Poppie.”
I couldn’t be happier if I received a Monet or a Manet, which would be worth a lot of Money. This magnificent piece, which could pair with van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” should be called “Sunny Day.”
There’s also a portrait of yours truly, with a mustache and a wide smile, which was gifted to me by the aforementioned artist for my latest birthday. It features balloons with my age on them. The inscription reads: “69 years of being funny.” Sorry, da Vinci, but “The Mona Lisa” has nothing on “The Mirthful Poppie.”
Another work, done by the artist’s 6-year-old sister, is titled “Wonder.” This pen-and-ink drawing lives up to its name, its deceptively simple lines showing an awestruck, long-haired girl, surrounded by stars, standing outside a house with another girl, smiling, in the doorway.
Imagine the price it would fetch in an auction at Christie’s!
The youngest three grandchildren, a 6-year-old boy and his 3-year-old twin siblings, a girl and a boy, are major talents in their own right and have gifted me with pieces done in crayon and felttipped marker. Some, from the twins, are even enhanced with colorful stickers, a bold statement that says, well, something.
Maybe that’s why they are untitled. Still, they are beautiful, especially the series of floating hearts that express the 6-year-old’s feelings for me and I, of course, for him.
In fact, I (heart) all five of my grandchildren, who also work in watercolors that sometimes spill onto the kitchen table. But that is a small price to pay for what critics would call true art.
I should take lessons from the kids. As the creator of “Wonder” told me recently, when I attempted a drawing of my own, “You really need to practice, Poppie.”
Someday, one of my pieces will be good enough to hang in the Zezima Museum. I just hope the little artists will let me borrow their crayons.
When I was in school, I was so bad in art that if I became a painter, I would have starved to death because I couldn’t even draw a good salary.
Jerry ZezimaPhoto by Taylor Heery on Unsplash.
As a CEO and mother of two school-age daughters, there’s a battle of will that plays out in my mind on any given day. If I put all my effort into my career, I worry I’m not being an adequate mom. If I’m chasing the bar society has set for moms, I’m left without the space I need to excel in my career.
I’m not alone in this battle. Despite new research debunking the myth that kids who spend more time with their parents experience better outcomes, one survey found that 78% of mothers feel guilty for not spending enough time with their kids.
And it’s not just working moms who feel “mom guilt”—a study in the United Kingdom found that more than half of mothers feel bad for partaking in self-care activities like soaking in the bath or going to work out.
Whether you’re a CEO, an employee, or stayat-home parent, it’s easy to get caught up in the narrative that finding our own balance negatively impacts our children and our careers. But, it’s time we reframe this conversation. Here’s how being a working mom has benefitted my children and my company.
“Mom Brain” is a strength
Before I became a mother, I found myself pursuing roles I wasn’t exactly passionate about in an effort to sharpen skills I hadn’t yet mastered. As a child of Chinese immigrants, it was ingrained in me that to achieve long-term success, you had to strengthen your weaknesses. While there’s some truth to this, becoming a mom forced me to focus on my strengths.
Having less time meant I had to be more efficient. Not only that, but for me, motherhood opened up a door to deeper self-discovery and awareness. It emboldened me to explore uncomfortable truths that have made me a better leader. For all the self-deprecating talk about “mom brain,” which is associated with a forgetfulness or short-term memory lapse that can onset during pregnancy, recent science has shown that women’s brains are actually rewired to offer incredible strengths after having a child. Grey matter is reorganized in a small area of the brain associated with social cognition and the ability to recognize another person’s point of view—areas that can help us become more empathetic and self-aware leaders.
Increased personal investment
When you’re bootstrapping a business, as my cofounders and I have done, you’re innately invested in it. It’s the reason studies show founders who have “skin in the game” are more likely to be profitable, have higher valuations, and survive and grow over time than their peers who aren’t directly invested in their businesses.
As a mother, however, you don’t have to have financial ownership in your company to feel invested. I’m acutely aware that the time I spend at work is time I spend away from my family and that gives a whole new meaning to having “skin in the game.”
Professional commitments often come with the hefty price tag of missing out on key moments of your child’s life, a sacrifice many working parents don’t take lightly.
Representation has ripple effects
Becoming a mother has also helped me face imposter syndrome, dead on. As a woman of color leading a startup in the fintech industry, I now give myself permission to take up more space because that’s what I would want my own daughters to do.
I’ve also become less afraid of failure and more willing to go against the grain to fix broken systems because I’m not just thinking of the barriers they pose to myself, I’m thinking about how they will impact the next generation, who I am raising.
Breaking down gender barriers has also been proven to benefit business. One study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics
showed that companies with women in leadership positions consistently report larger profit margins than companies without women executives or directors.
For my daughters, seeing me prioritize my career has also provided them with access to a world I never had visibility into as a kid. Recently, after I came home from a work trip, the very first question my six- and eight-year-olds asked was, “Mommy did you win your investor pitch?”
Their business vocabulary alone is more advanced than mine ever was at their age, and I’ve seen how the modeling of my commitment to my career is having a ripple effect on how they see their place in the world.
Let me be clear: There is no right or wrong way to be a mother—every variation of the role comes with a trade-off, but it also comes with sharpened skills, personal growth, and evolution. It’s time we recognize how expansive the role of a mother is and be more supportive of the value it brings both in and outside of the workplace.
PizzaExpress has always been a favorite with their incredible, unique and tasty pizzas that have elevated the scene since they first opened in 1965 in London! Now, they’re available once again in Abdullah Al-Salem at a prime location right next to the co-op.
When we heard that PizzaExpress was re-opening one of their locations, we marked it in our calendars and made sure to be there ! The location is absolutely perfect and inviting for anyone living around the area or those who want to have a bite after getting their grocery shopping done. There’s no harm in heading there before shopping either as you can walk it off at the co-op once you’re done!
As soon as you walk in, you can feel the coziness of the interior as you’re greeted by wonderful smiles from the staff. Look through their menu and be prepared to order more than you planned to because everything looks magnificent!
We ended up going for their Dough Balls as a starter, which were incredibly fluffy and went
well with the garlic butter, pesto rosso and pesto Genovese that came on the side. Fair warning though: The only way you’ll know they’re done is when you reach for it and realize you had them all! For our main pizza, after some deliberation on what to finally settle on, we went for the Pollo Con Funghi Bianca, which was made with their incredible dough and topped with baked chicken, fresh mushrooms, cream, mozzarella and pesto sauce. It was sensational and we even had it in the morning but that was no issue as their pizzas are extremely light!
To top it all off, we had to try their tasty mocktails! Their Strawberry and Passion Fruit Fresco was a beautiful addition to the meal and included fresh strawberries and passion fruit
topped with sparkling lemonade. If you’re not a fan of strawberry, then you definitely should try their Passion Fresco which has fresh ginger, passion fruit, mint, lemon and topped with sparkling lemonade. All the mocktails on their menu are made perfectly to compliment any pizza you choose to get, so you really can’t go wrong.
We were extremely excited before the re-opening and that excitement has only increased after our visit. Next time you get the chance, make sure to head to PizzaExpress in Abdullah Al-Salem for a memorable experience.
For more on PizzaExpress, follow @PizzaExpressMiddleEast on Instagram and Facebook.
by Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud
Two Kuwaiti brothers are shaking up the Fintech industry in Kuwait and with the recent launch of their mobile application, they’re already making a huge impact on how money here is made. After an intensive immersion in the Fintech world in the United States, Zane and Seth Sadeq brought their revolutionary skillset back home in order to kick-start a digital transformation. As pioneer entrepreneurs, they encountered huge hurdles but persevered with their mission. An extraordinary mentorship in Fintech by a well-known US financial entrepreneur; studies in financial technology at a top university; and the connections to build a multinational team of seasoned professionals from the Fintech world helped enable them to establish Kem Technologies, the first true Fintech company in the region. Two years after their incredible professional journey began, they have brought the Fintech industry to life in Kuwait.
Zane and Seth met with bazaar to talk about the fascinating world of Fintech and what inspired them to establish a Fintech company in their home country.
For those unfamiliar with the term, Fintech, or financial technology, refers to software and other modern technologies that provide automated and improved financial services such as instant money transfers and credit and lending. Zane and Seth received their introduction to Fintech through the visionary financial wizard Timothy Li at the University of Southern California.
“Li is the founder of several successful Fintech companies. He’s the CEO of a large Fintech company called Alchemy, and the inventor of various financial products and technology that we all use in our daily lives,” says Seth. “The ledger system that ATM machines use all over the world so that they don’t run out of money, for example, is just one of his patents with JP Morgan that’s in use all over the world.”
The holder of several degrees from Harvard Business School and USC, Li brings his experience in top financial institutions such as Intel and JP Morgan to the classroom in an inspiring teaching style. After their studies with Li he became the Kuwaiti brothers’ mentor, providing them with exceptional insight and a keen comprehension of the workings and advantages of Fintech.
“We were so fortunate to be working with a creator of technology, one of the best of the best. It was because of Timothy Li that we were able to grasp the whole history of Fintech and the principles behind it,” says Seth.
‘Timothy Li now serves on the advisory board of our company,” adds Zane.
Becoming ever more deeply engaged in the world of Fintech, Zane and Seth witnessed the digital transformation in financial services occurring at break-neck speed. According to the brothers, Fintech is a new banking infrastructure that’s taking over all aspects of financial services. New features and applications are constantly being created and improved, such as the mobile payments process that has completely changed the way people manage their money in many parts of the world.
The more Zane and Seth learned about Fintech and its practical applications, the more they became aware of the lack of this technology back home.
“We realised there’s a dire need to collaborate with banks to offer new and advanced financial services in Kuwait,” says Seth. “Having access to your finances and being able to manage them should be everybody’s right regardless of income. Our goal is to meet our customers on a platform that they are comfortable with; opening accounts, credit, and other services should be easily available with mobile verification methods so that users don’t have to fish for non- centralised documents.”
It became apparent to the brothers that their solution caters to both the youth and underserved segments of Kuwait. College students are always looking for faster and more familiar solutions like other apps they use. The underserved, on the other hand, are looking for more convenient solutions with easier signup. The improved technology also makes financial services more secure, with far less chance for fraud or money laundering.
Seth explains that his personal turning point came one day while he was attending a business class at USC. “The instructor was asking the students, ‘What’s your passion?’ and I suddenly got up and left the class. I felt like I had a bigger calling; that I had to get back to the country that I love, Kuwait, as soon as possible and make this project a reality!”
Zane joined Seth back in Kuwait and their project developed into Kem, an app that connects banks, businesses, and consumers for instant payments, payment requests, and other services. They explain that it’s similar to Venmo in the US and Revolut in Europe.
“In the Middle East, no such dominant players exist,” says Seth. “The new technology does away with the need for plastic debit or credit cards and uses just one device that practically everyone now owns: the smart phone.”
Payments can be made or requested instantly, without the tedious process of filling in all the information required to send a payment link. All that’s needed is either your QR code, username, phone number, or email. The person paying also doesn’t have to type in lots of information and deal with receiving and entering an OTP number, and unlike conventional payment links, there’s no expiration time.
“We build on existing financial infrastructure, whereby banks share services with us and we build tech on top of it in order to make transactions
seamless. This is the norm in the US, Europe and Asia, and we believe Kuwait and the rest of the Middle East with its mature and respected banking sector can reach that benchmark and go beyond that,” says Seth.
Zane remarks that interoperability is central to the development of new financial technologies and was missing in Kuwait. “We’re doing the hard work so the next generation can focus on building new innovative products. Rather than having to deal with all the bureaucracy, they’ll be able to work directly on providing solutions.”
The brothers reflect that establishing a startup company in Kuwait has been challenging and often frustrating due to the lack of streamlined processes for new companies wanting to build services. The process demanded intensive research as well as lots of legwork for Zane and Seth as they met with various banks, businesses, and the Central Bank of Kuwait. Zane pulls thick stacks of documents from out of his bag explaining that these weighty tomes are legislation from the Central Bank.
“Zane has read every single one of these documents and most importantly, he comprehends their content. We’re working very closely with the Central Bank of Kuwait and the retail banks to provide our undivided attention to meet and go above the regulatory and quality standards,” says Seth.
Local businesses have greeted the brothers’ initiative with enthusiasm and support. “Kuwaitrun businesses are excited and have been waiting years for these innovative solutions. They’re ready to thrive and adapt to the digital age,” Zane says.
Zane and Seth point to the fact that there are a number of extremely successful startup companies that have come out of Kuwait such as Talabat and Boutiqaat. “Kuwait is a tough market to penetrate but if you succeed there’s a lot of potential to develop your product. Kuwaitis have the drive to show the world what they are made of, and they have done so many times. When you look at Kuwait’s size and see how much Kuwaiti entrepreneurs have created, it’s astonishing ,” says Seth.
It was a monumental moment when the brothers and their team launched their Fintech company, Kem, on May 15, 2023. In just the first month they gained thousands of users and that number is rapidly growing daily.
Looking back on their journey, Seth and Zane acknowledge they took a calculated risk and encountered many obstacles, but now they’re excited about helping their country benefit from new financial technology. As Seth concludes, “We want to bring financial inclusion and simplified financial services and security to the residents of Kuwait.”
Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud was the first professional female photojournalist in Kuwait and has enjoyed working here since 1979. She’s also active in the field of animal welfare, working with @touch_of_ hope_q8. Follow her on @claudia_alrashoud
Close your eyes and imagine an explorer, an adventurer who is prepared to take on the world and discover all the delights and secrets it has to offer. I am confident that you imagined someone who was wearing a backpack. It is the quintessential item that can help you carry everything you need while still keeping your hands free to experience the world. This is why as parents, we want to make sure that our kids are carrying the best backpack. PBK offers us the best in functionality, safety, sustainability, and of course, personal style and customization.
We firmly believe that children should be given as much freedom in making their own choices so they can grow, mature and learn to make even better ones. Which is why as parents, we need to make sure that we offer them the best to choose from, especially when they are younger. By selecting a PBK backpack, we’ve already made sure that it is ergonomically sound, functional and offers them
the best features. They get to do the fun part, and find the one that speaks to their own personal style and interests.
This year’s backpack collection includes fully recycled bags and the renowned Mackenzie range that includes Glow-In-The-Dark, Sparkle and Reflective lines. The bags come in four sizes: mini, small, large and rolling. It is always best to pick the
one that is designed for your child’s height so they are not overwhelmed and have enough space to carry all of their precious belongings. The mini is sized for kids 36-42 inches tall, usually aged 2-4, small backpacks work better for 3-5 year olds or children 43-49 inches tall. For older explorers who are taller than 48 inches tall or older than 5, you have the choice of the large or the rolling backpacks.
Like any item bought for a child, durability and practicality are essential. Whether our kids are heading to class or spending the day outdoors during summer break, we want to make sure that their bag will withstand use but also keep them comfortable all day. PBK’s sturdy backpacks are packed with pockets, straps and gear loops to keep everything in place. The bags are made from water-resistant polyester with adjustable padded shoulder straps and exterior straps to hold their lunchbox and exterior side pockets fitted to PBK’s water bottles.
Obviously, PBK’s line of bags, bottles and lunch boxes are fabulous, but our favorite feature is the ability to customize each bag with our kids’ names, which makes them even more special! They help kids establish ownership,further fostering agency and autonomy; two very important concepts that aid a child’s development. We want to teach our kids independence and sense of responsibility, and giving them their very own bag to carry what they need for a day trip to the beach or for a sleepover just adds to that experience. The zippers and closures are secure, but still designed to be used by little hands, helping them feel even more confident in their abilities.
Each bag has a matching lunchbox and water bottle so they can either have a complete set, or mix and match choosing from all the different patterns or their favorite Disney or Pixar characters. They can also find useful accessories such as homework folders, pencil cases and even supplies cases that will help them keep everything organized and easy to access during the school day come September Yes we are early planners here.
Finally, we need to point out that PBK have put our kids’ future in mind too when designing these bags. By opting for more recycled materials in each bag, with some bags made from fully recycled materials, they are acknowledging the importance of sustainability. We want to make purchases that help ensure that our kids will grow up to a world that is still beautiful and full of resources. While they might be too young to fully understand the concept, we want them to at least know that some purchases are better than others because of their long term effect on the world around us. At the end of the day, we are not only their guardians but the guardians of the world they will inherit.
Visit Pottery Barn Kids at 1st Avenue-The Avenues. You can also shop Pottery Barn Kids online at potterybarnkids.com.kw and follow @PotteryBarnKidsMena for the latest updates!
Having come out of the pandemic, many of us have tried to forget the time where we were home-bound and felt captivated. But Yahia Lababidi used that time to write a book called Quarantine Notes, which he says is “how he kept sane and spiritually alive during our global pandemic.” The book contains some aphorisms which really make you stop and think.
Yahia is an Egyptian author who is now the author of 11 collections of poetry and prose, and he is often referred to by many as “our greatest living aphorist”. His aphorisms and poems have been used widely in different ways whether in classrooms, religious services, and also at international film festivals. His latest book, Quarantine Notes, has received exceptional praise.
At the beginning of his book, Yahia shares some notes about the book; “Quarantine Notes is how I kept sane and spiritually alive during our global pandemic, when our homes became cocoons for radical transformation. As barriers dissolved between inner and outer worlds, waking and dreaming, self and others, I felt that the midlife crisis I was experiencing (in my late-forties) was mirrored, globally. The world as I knew it was ending, and it was no longer possible to go back, collectively, to our narrow, destructive, oblivious existence: prepandemic. These are the stories that I told myself to save my life, Shahrazadstyle, as the days turned to weeks to months to years, and one came to feel like they were existing out of time, in a state of limbo, confronted with mortality.”
He continues that “The hope is that my soul’s dialogue with itself — in the form of aphorisms in this collection — will also resonate with readers since, for the first time in recent history, we were presented with the inescapable reality of our interdependence. This global pandemic served as an enforced mass meditation for us all and, because it’s not quite over, yet, with its lessons
hardly digested, it still remains true that “We must love one another or die.”
Yahia’s book has received a great response globally as well. Dr Mathew Staunton, a historian, publisher and teacher, refers glowingly to the works: “A collection of Yahia Lababidi’s aphorisms is like an atlas of tiny maps, each one guiding us calmly through a network of possibilities to a bright and often unexpected vista. Gem-like… we are confronted with his thinking on silence, pain, forgiveness… love.”
Once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down – these little aphorisms will have you pondering life, smiling, and lamenting.
These are just a few of the great aphorisms that you can read in the book. It is a great book to read, it is almost like a spiritual reawakening, and we think you should head out and pick up your copy to take with you, maybe when you need some food for thought on your travels this summer. Yahia shares his latest updates on his Instagram, so go ahead and follow him @YahiaLabibidi too!
Counting on large miracles prevents us from recognizing the countless small ones, daily, granted.
You cannot hear another, while you are speaking. It’s the same with the Divine voice. Listen.
When we are wrongly accused, the punishment still fits the hidden sin.
By bazaar Staff
Getting dressed in the summer can be tricky. We are constantly walking a fine line between looking good and not becoming a big hot sweaty mess. It might seem tempting to spend the months of May through September in t-shirts and shorts, but it is not really an option for most of us. And we’ve discovered that the solution is available at MUJI.
You need to be wearing breathable fabrics because the last thing you need when it is hot or humid is to be wearing a fabric that sticks to your skin. Linen is your new BFF, it is lightweight and allows for airflow while also wicking away moisture from your skin as you sweat, helping you to naturally cool down. Quality cottons are also great at doing this, and luckily for us, both are available at MUJI.
The second trick is to choose silhouettes and items that are slightly looser. Go oversized if you want to, but in general, you want to make sure that there is enough space to flow between your body and your clothes. This allows the air to pass along the skin and exit, speeding evaporation and carrying off excess heat.
This season’s summer collection at MUJI for both men and women features both of these important elements. From beautifully cut shirts to wide-legged pants that will make you feel elegant whether you’re in the office or at a resort. The colors feel light and airy too, and are available in several neutral shades of beige, blue and green that will leave you feeling fresh and cool, literally and figuratively.
Fanar AlObaid exudes calm and positive energy, a great trait to have when you are a career counselor. Her name also helps break the ice, Fanar, meaning the light in the lighthouse, is the first thing people are curious about. After that, the conversation just keeps going.
She has found her calling in helping other people chase their dreams as a career counselor. She explained to us that a career counselor is a person who guides those looking for aid in their career journey. Her services are not limited to fresh graduates, any jobseeker is more than welcome to benefit from the services she offers; CV writing/editing, 1:1 interview preparation and career coaching. “My previous clients have been people with different types and years of experience.”
Armed with a double major Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management, and currently in her last MBA semester, she thought her journey would be quite different. “As cliché as it may sound, I feel like I didn’t find this career; it found me. I started my first job as a Recruitment Officer, with my only exposure to Human Resources being an internship I had done during my undergraduate degree. I always thought I’d end up working in the field of marketing since I always thrived in being creative, and I had done three internships related to Marketing. Additionally, my MBA concentration is in Marketing. I believe that marketing is integrated in recruitment in different ways. A clear example of this would be employer branding and using recruitment marketing as a strategic approach to attracting top talent. A big factor that would entice an applicant to apply to a company would be knowing more about the corporate culture before joining, and one way to highlight this would be through employer branding,” she explained.
While many people think a recruiter is the one who determines whether you get the job or not, that is not true. They screen candidates and make recommendations to the hiring teams but it ultimately comes down to the hiring manager if they want to proceed with the candidate. A recruiter’s evaluation of the candidate plays a role, but it’s up to the candidate to win over the hiring manager! This makes her help invaluable in getting your foot in the door.
Many of us got a lot of advice when applying for our first job, from how to write our CV to what to wear for our first interview. However, most of it was probably outdated, irrelevant and possibly even detrimental. The benefits of working with a career counselor are clear; you will get customized advice for your situation and chosen field. Fanar explained the importance of a CV because the adage of “you never
get a second chance to make a first impression” is the most relevant phrase when it comes to CV writing. A recruiter’s first impression of a candidate before they meet via phone call or in-person starts from the moment they review the CV. The most important thing people need to think about when writing their CV is to have a clear visual representation of themselves in one to two pages. Minor details such as spelling/ grammar mistakes, exaggerated font sizes/colors, and not having a professional email address really play a big role when a recruiter decides to proceed with an applicant’s candidacy. Applicants need to keep in mind that recruiters look at many CVs daily, and you must grab their attention at first glance, or you could easily miss your opportunity to work at your dream job.
She further told us that the interview is just as crucial to an applicant’s success. “It’s been said that it takes seven seconds for a person to make a first impression, and I would take this as a rule of thumb when it comes to interviews. Appearance/ dress code and arriving to the interview on time are the initial important factors to have a successful
interview. It takes an average of five to ten minutes at the beginning of the interview for a recruiter to know if the candidate is fit for the job, so it is crucial for applicants to start off on a high note,” she elaborated.
•Research the company
• Review the job description of the role you are applying to
• Prepare to answer common interview questions
• Prepare to answer specific details mentioned on your CV
• Plan what time you will arrive to the interview (taking parking and traffic into consideration) *Key tip: never arrive to an interview extremely early, 5 – 10 minutes before the interview time is the most ideal
• Prepare your own questions that you want to ask at the end of the interview
You can learn a lot from Fanar by following @resumesbyfanar on Instagram.
An adorable collection for every occasion this summer
With schools on holiday and the sun shining bright, it can only mean one thing! It is time for kids to enjoy their summer break. As you start planning your little ones’ summer wardrobe, you want to keep them looking fresh and vibrant, and of course, comfortable for the holidays. That’s where the Spring/ Summer 2023 collection from Cheekee Munkee comes in!
This collection is designed to get your little ones, from ages 0 to 7 , ready for the summer! With outfits created to embrace the season in style, whether you are traveling for the summer or staying put and enjoying some adventures. The collection is perfect for indoor activities, but also for those adventurous kids who love to play in the sun, sand and sea.
On our shopping list, as we prepare to travel are some of the fun graphic tees and shorts, bright summer dresses, cool jumpsuits, and the colorful swimsuits. We will be adding some of the adorable sunglasses to complete the looks, and possibly a backpack so we empower our little ones to carry everything they need for their new adventures.
The season’s collection for the girls is all about girl-power, fun pieces that your little ones won’t want to take off! But only, until you show them the next adorable piece you have for them!
Cheekee Munkee’s boys’ outfits are designed for
all things fun! There are also stylish swimsuits and rash guards that are great for fun in the water. These outfits are not only going to be fi favorites with your little ones, but will have them looking trendy in all of the family photos this summer.
Cheekee Munkee always brings us collections that are on-trend, season-appropriate, and comfortable. The brand lives by the ethos that kids are only kids once and designs their collections accordingly. What’s more is that the brand is born in the region, and brings great quality at a great value. What are you waiting for? It’s time to pick up some great pieces for the kiddos for the summer!
You can browse and shop the Cheekee Munkee collection at selected Debenhams and Mothercare stores in the UAE, KSA and Kuwait. You can also shop online at Debenhams, Mothercare and Namshi across these markets, as well as Tamanna in Kuwait. Follow the brand on @cheekeemunkeeme to get a glimpse of the fresh and exciting collections.
Title: Popular
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: N/A
It’s hard to really go wrong when it comes to The Weeknd, and even more so when it’s music from the hit series that he’s a part of: The Idol on HBO! Featuring the legendary Madonna and Playboi Carti, this song was always going to be a must-listen.
Title: Welcome to the Opera
Artist: Grimes
Album: N/A
Not in the mood to keep it mellow? Well take it up as many notches as possible as you would usually do with Grimes! The long awaited Welcome to the Opera has been released and it’s exactly what you were waiting for.
Title: Home To Another One
Artist: Madison Beer
Album: N/A
What can’t Madison Beer do? She has just come out with another song and one that is great to be played in the car. Her calm voice mixed with a good, cruising beat is the absolute perfect combination.
Title: Lost at Sea
Artist: Rob Grant
Album: Lost at Sea
Lana del Rey is a star and she’s here with Rob Grant, a new addition to the everchanging music industy and also her dad! This is the perfect soothing song if you’re looking for something mellow and sweet.
Title: But Here We Are
Artist: Foo Fighters
Album: But Here We Are
It’s never a dull month when the Foo Fighters come out with a new song, especially when it’s a new album! This is a little different to your usual Foo Fighters, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a listen!
Title: The Show
Artist: Niall Horan
Album: The Show
Niall Horan has been loved since his One Direction days and his solo career only adds to his fame. A new album and a new song (both called The Show) and it’s an album really worth listening to with music to keep you hooked.
Sources: wikipedia.com
Last year, Audio-Technica announced that it would be reviving its iconic portable turntable, the Sound Burger, from the ‘80s — and it’s finally available. The new version is updated with modern conveniences, like Bluetooth connectivity and USB-C charging.
The Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro is essentially an improved version of the previous Wyze Cam Floodlight. The “Pro” model has a higher-res camera, a wider field of view and smarter AI so that it can now better recognize people, pets and vehicles.
Sony didn’t officially announce a handheld gaming console designed to stream games from your PlayStation 5 — but it did confirm that it’s working on one, called Project Q, which looks like a DualSense controller with an 8-inch screen. It’s expected to be released in November.
The Logitech MX Keys S is a refreshed version of the company’s MX Keys wireless keyboard. The “S” model has an updated function key row that adds more controls over backlighting and video conferencing.
Meta released a first look of its third-generation of its VR headset, the Quest 3, which will be released in the fall. It’ll cost $499, which is $100 more expensive than the 2020-released Quest 2, but it’ll be more powerful, deliver a higherresolution experience and be more comfortable to wear.
Razer’s newest noise-canceling wireless earbuds, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, are specifically designed for gamers. They are THX certified, support a low-latency connection (via a USB dongle) and even have customizable RGB lighting.
Source: bestproducts.com
Portobello Mushrooms, Arugula, Grilled Onions, Aioli Sauce, and White Cheddar Cheese on USDA Organic Beef Patty
USDA Organic Grass-fed Beef, Arugula, Gruyere Cheese, Caramelized Onions and Black Pepper Sauce on a Brioche Bun
USDA Organic Chicken Tenders, Jalapeno Relish, Lettuce, Maple Chipotle Sauce and Cheddar Cheese
The easiest and fastest way to delete empty albums in your photos app.
Getting to know yourself starts with asking the right questions. Luci contains over a dozen topics with more than 300 thought provoking questions for you to answer daily.
See a heatmap of your photos on a 3D globe and find out where you’ve taken the most pictures. You can also pick your favorite map style or check out the statistics.
Pixsteps is a wholesome app that combines activity and creativity. Each step you take while walking or running makes your Garden come to life and grow.
DoCast is the app for seamless screen mirroring from your iPhone or iPad to your TV. Enjoy screen sharing between your iPhone or iPad and your TV using Chromecast technology, whether built-in to your TV or through a separate device.
Word Bravo is the ultimate word puzzle game for anyone who loves brain teasers, and word challenges. Embark on an adventure to discover hidden words in a variety of beautiful and immersive worlds.
play.google.com
itunes.apple.com
Release Date: 6 July
Genre: Action
Cast: Jackie Chan, John Cena
Synopsis: Two ex-special forces soldiers must escort a group of civilians along Baghdad’s “Highway of Death” to the safety of the Green Zone.
Release Date: 6 July
Genre: Horror
Cast: Rose Byrne, Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins
Synopsis: The Lamberts 10 years after the last installment, as Dalton begins college.
Release Date: 6 July
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Cola
Synopsis: When Audrey’s (Ashley Park) business trip to Asia goes sideways, she enlists the aid of Lolo (Sherry Cola), her irreverent, childhood best friend who also happens to be a hot mess; Kat (Stephanie Hsu), her college friend turned Chinese soap star; and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), Lolo’s eccentric cousin.
Date: 13 July
Genre: Adventure, Action
Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames
Synopsis: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands.
Date: 20 July
Genre: Biographical
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon
Synopsis: Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is an IMAX®-shot epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.
Source: cinescape.com.kw
Release Date: 20 July
Genre: Family
Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling
Synopsis: #BarbieTheMovie, from director Greta Gerwig, only in theaters Summer 2023”
Source: cinescape.com.kw
American Tourister offer reliable luggage whether for travel or going to the chalet! With high quality materials used, this is absolutely the perfect bag for any kind of trip you plan. It even has four wheels that allow all travelers to handle their luggage with extreme ease. Shop through the wide and colorful range of products on Xcite!
Worried about your devices running out of battery during a trip? Let that worry go with the wide range of powerbanks, cables and adaptors all available at Xcite! With several brands to choose from such as Powerology, Anker, Belkin and more, you can stay connected and fully charged throughout your trip!
When traveling, there is always down time especially on long road trips and plane rides. Keep the kids (and yourselves!) entertained with the incredible wide range of handheld gaming devices from Ayaneo, Steamdeck, Aokzoe and many, many more!
Capturing your moments on camera always holds a special appeal and Xcite are well aware of that. Capture your memories and vlog your adventures with their incredible range of digital cameras. Choose the perfect one for you whether in-store or through their user-friendly website!
All your personal care needs are at Xcite! Ranging from electric toothbrushes to compact hair dryers that are travel friendly, Xcite has you covered to keep your trips hassle free and ensuring that you’re able to take everything you need everywhere you go!
Stay updated on the latest events, monthly promotions and offers by subscribing to the monthly newsletter on xcite.com, follow Xcite’s social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat, @xcitealghanim or Facebook at XcitebyAlghanim and win prizes with contests, or visit the online store at www.xcite.com.
by Andy Field, Non-Fiction
by Beth Nguyen, Non-Fiction
The light touch of a hairdresser’s hands on one’s scalp, the euphoric energy of a nightclub, huddling with strangers under a shelter in the rain, a spontaneous snowball fight in the street, a daily interaction with a homeless man—such mundane connections, when we closely inhabit the same space, and touch or are touched by others, were nearly lost to “social distancing.” Will we ever again shake hands without a thought?In this deeply rewarding book, Andy Field brings together history, science, psychology, queer theory, and pop culture with his love of urban life and his own experiences—both as a city-dweller and as a performance artist—to forge creative connections: walking hand-in-hand with strangers, knocking on doors, staging encounters in parked cars.
very year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches. Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty… and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.
At the end of the Vietnam War, when Beth Nguyen was eight months old, she and her father, sister, grandmother, and uncles fled Saigon for America. Beth’s mother stayed—or was left—behind, and they did not meet again until Beth was nineteen. Over the course of her adult life, she and her mother have spent less than twenty-four hours together. Owner of a Lonely Heart is a memoir about parenthood, absence, and the condition of being a refugee: the story of Beth’s relationship with her mother. Framed by a handful of visits over the course of many years—sometimes brief, sometimes interrupted, sometimes with her mother alone and sometimes with her sister—Beth tells a coming-of-age story that spans her own Midwestern childhood, her first meeting with her mother, and becoming a parent herself.
Bob Comet is a retired librarian passing his solitary days surrounded by books and small comforts in a mint-colored house in Portland, Oregon. One morning on his daily walk he encounters a confused elderly woman lost in a market and returns her to the senior center that is her home. Hoping to fill the void he’s known since retiring, he begins volunteering at the center. Here, as a community of strange peers gathers around Bob, and following a happenstance brush with a painful complication from his past, the events of his life and the details of his character are revealed.
Meet the Hanrahan family, gathering for a momentous weekend as famous artist and notorious egoist Ray Hanrahan prepares for a new exhibition of his art–the first in many decades–and one he is sure will burnish his reputation for good. His three children will be there: eldest daughter Leah, always her father’s biggest champion; son Patrick, who has finally decided to strike out on his own; and daughter Jess, the youngest, who has her own momentous decision to make. For Lucia is hiding secrets of her own, and as the weekend unfolds and the exhibition approaches, she must finally make a choice about which desires to follow.
In a little town in the south of France in the 1960s, a dazzling encounter with Love itself changes the life of infant orphan Marie-Jeanne forever. As a girl, Marie-Jeanne realizes that she can see the marks Love has left on the people around her—tiny glowing lights on the faces and hands that shimmer more brightly when the one meant for them is near. Before long, Marie-Jeanne is playing matchmaker, bringing true loves together in her village. As she grows up, Marie-Jeanne helps her foster father, Francis, begin a mobile library that travels throughout the many small mountain towns in the region of Nyons. She finds herself bringing soulmates together every place they go—and there are always books that play a pivotal role in that quest. However, the only person that Marie-Jeanne can’t seem to find a soulmate for is herself.
Source: Goodreads.com
JUN 22 – JUL 22
You are looking for closeness. You will find this very quickly if you avoid long discussions. Be careful that fatigue doesn’t catch up with you and fall on your feet. Good advice can help. With the right balance you will overcome the ups and downs.
LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22
You are at the peak of happiness, which can give you new strength. You will quickly achieve the hoped-for results. However, do not make decisions too hastily. Gradually, rest is to be granted, so that your health is properly protected.
VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22
The current stagnant situation must be changed. However, bear your consequences with dignity. This way you will also get the recognition you want. Decisions should be made in time. You must not let yourself be influenced by a small failure. Go on your planned way.
LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22
Things are going in the desired direction. However, do not disappoint loved ones. A good conversation can help a relationship. Do not be guided by fear and approach the month calmly. So you will reach the desired goals. Pay special attention to your health.
SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22
Your enterprising spirit sweeps everyone around you away. The stress you have built up can be best relieved in this way. Don’t be disappointed by unpleasant situations. Accept help and try to find a common way in love and profession. In the area of health you should dispel your tiredness.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21
Don’t go too much for confrontation, it’s not good for your environment either. Try to moderate your demands and find a compromise. Egoism is out of place in July. Trust the people you are used to. They will protect you from mistakes. Don’t waste your strength, but rather draw new courage.
CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19
Love is under the best stars. Rely on your gut feeling and you will be rewarded. Also in your job your all-embracing dynamic can achieve a lot. So you will reach your set goals well. However, don’t be too overzealous and watch out for your envies.
AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18
Don’t limit yourself so much in your ideas anymore. Ideas are important and can bring you further. Too much stress, however, says the horoscope. This month should not be planned too much. Step by step your way is to go, so that this also remains successful. Pay attention to your health.
PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19
Repent some things before they are too late and get involved with your fellow men. This will bring you back on track. Show your competences and put yourself in the foreground. This is the only way to gain recognition. Your possibilities also have health limits.
ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19
You are in the best of moods this month and are taken very seriously by those around you. Therefore, it is advisable to address important and serious topics. However, you should also learn to trust better. Small arguments are important and can help to solve problems. Healthwise you are in best shape.
TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20
Don’t take everything for granted and you will be rewarded for your new perspective. Learn to appreciate important things more. You should avoid great excitement and concentrate on the essentials. Disappointing results simply leave behind you and look forward again with new courage.
GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21
It is time to do things that have been left undone so far. You will also find out what you really want in your job and in love. Behave this month especially fair to your fellow men, because they quickly become impatient. However, with good form you can carry away your whole environment this month.
