bazaar March 2019 issue

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March 2019 | Issue #235 www.bazaar.town


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About the Cover: We’re back with another cover by the talented photographer, artist and director Abdullah Al Saleh featuring the stunning Sara Al Homood. Abdullah tells us how Sara has been dancing seriously since the age of 13, but really she loved the art form since she was only four years old and adds, “She auditioned for Joffery Ballet school and naturally got in. It was there where her passion of dance shifted from Ballet to contemporary.” Inspired by the power of her movement, Abdullah contacted Sara and the resulting shoot was magical. He describes our chosen cover shot as, “One of my favorite shots in this photoshoot, hands down. I always make it a point to have some stills in the series of images I put together from every shoot, besides my movement-full images , and so as I gave Sara a little stool to sit on, she moved into this position and stayed still while I took the picture. I was "wowing" the whole time I was taking this picture because Sara took the notion of a "Still portrait" to whole other level.” For more on Abdullah Al Saleh, visit www.bazaar.town.

March 2019 | Issue #235 www.bazaar.town

I must admit I’m not a huge fan of March. It’s not really that cold, and winter is basically over, but it’s not warm enough to start going to the beach, and there’s always a dust storm lurking in the background, especially on weekends. Actually, always on weekends. And then you have the fact that there are no more official vacations until the Eid holiday after Ramadan, so that kinda blows too…until you remember that Summer is around that corner with longer trips to exotic destinations, unless you’re broke, which you probably are, since the cost of living here has skyrocketed, but salaries are stagnant to say the least. Like I said, I’m not a huge fan of March!

The bazaar team...

But it can’t be all bad. With the arrival of March, we have the opportunity to celebrate the amazing women in our lives—starting off with International Women’s Day on the 8th, and celebrating moms everywhere on the 21st. This is why we’ve dedicated key features in our March issue to pay homage to the incredible women making Kuwait an awesome place to be. From Victoria Hogg’s gripping storytelling journey featuring the challenges faced by many inspiring local female figures in the docuseries Grit, learning all about the life for women in tech with Shaima Abd Alghafoor from booking.com, to meeting the powerful leaders who form the Soroptomist Kuwait Club, a volunteer non-governmental organization focused on empowering the lives of women in Kuwait. When it came to finding the perfect cover for our March issue, we sought out a visual that communicated the power of women defined by strength, grace, poise, and resilience. When we saw local creative director and photographer Abdullah Al-Saleh’s latest series with the talented dancer Sara Al Homood, knew we had found it!

Mixed Media Solutions

Looking for gift ideas for Mother’s Day? We’ve got you covered with our in-depth gift-list courtesy of our friends over at Xcite.com. But, if mom is into unforgettable dining and spa experiences, then perhaps a day well spent at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, or a new membership at the stunning C Club is in order. If you’re planning every little detail for Mother’s Day breakfast, then check out our feature on Carriage for the best flowers, chocolates and presents. We also tried the amazing Serve Bakery, and we’re sure they will deliver the perfect sweet treats for mom, or simply for whenever the craving strikes.

Cover by

When it comes to our fashion pages, our March issue looks so good. Get into fashion gear and flip through jaw-dropping styles for the entire family from Harvey Nichols Kuwait, find Spring whimsy from Mango, & Other Stories, studio glamour from H&M, stunning occasion wear from Miss Selfridge, great looks and prices at River Island and denim awesomeness at Monki and American Eagle. From casual couture, bohoinspired getaway looks, to new season essentials, our fashion pages have got you covered! Perhaps a spot of dining and an afternoon of cruising is exactly what is required after a day well spent shopping at The Avenues. From new, fiery pizza creations at Blaze Pizza, to indulging in delicious, traditional home-made recipes at Amiti Noura, there are so many options to choose from! Afterwards, zoom across to the Gulf Road in the new Porsche Macan and give a classic destination like Mais Al Ghanim a visit, as they’ve just launched their signatures menu for a limited time only—don’t miss out on their delectable creations.

Boss Ahmed El-Adly

Operations Ihab Youssef

Content Manager Yasmine El Charif Jennifer Cádiz

Design Ahmed Al-Ashab

Staff Writer/Online Media Hallah Danbouh Yasmin Gamal

Online Producer/Project Manager Umika Pidaparthy

Communications Hala Y. Sharara

Editor Alia Al Duaij Abdullah Al Saleh

Contributing Writers Ayman Nassar Barry Rodrigues Craig Loomis George Tarabay Nejoud Al Yagout Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg Tim Burns

Contributing Photographers Caroline Ericson

Syndicates & Sources Baraka Bits Fast Company Kingdome.co LA Times MCT International Newsweek

Printing British Industries for Printing and Packaging

members of:

w w w. b p aw w. c o m The views expressed in bazaar magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff (but sometimes they are).

tel.2571 6122 info@bazaar-magazine.com www.bazaar.town | Zahra Complex, Salmiya. 8th floor, office 35 @bazaargram bazaarmagazine @bazaartweets

Happy reading! Ahmed El-Adly

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recycle me, please.


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INDEX MARCH 2019 32

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TRUE GRIT

TRUTH OR DARE

ON TOUR WITH NUQAT

AMITI NOURA

Victoria Hogg returns to her love of film after years in the corporate world. Producing and directing the first season of docuseries Grit, the episodes shed light on inspirational women in Kuwait. Written, filmed, edited and produced by women, we learn about Victoria’s process in Up Close and Personal.

A writer with a passion for languages, culture, and people, Yousef Aljeeran already has published two Arabic novels under his belt, and a creative mind that’s ready to share its journey with all of us. Learn all about Yousef in this month’s edition of Truth or Dare.

In this second installment of Nuqat Insights, learn all about what the creative organization has been up to since their last conference in Kuwait. Nuqat has traveled the region to bring us a closer look at the Middle East’s creative industries, and the challenges that come with crossing new frontiers.

bazaar goes dining this month at Amiti Noura at The Avenues. With a vibrant dining menu that celebrates the traditional flavors of Kuwait, we fell in love with this restaurant’s vibes, delectable sharing plates, classic mains and sumptuous desserts.

MEET THE SOROPTOMISTS

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HARVEY NICHOLS KUWAIT

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A WOMAN IN TECH

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DISCOVER THE PORSCHE MACAN

It takes true determination, and collaboration to empower women from different walks of life. First established in 2016, join us as we learn about the Soroptomist Kuwait Chapter and the incredible group of individuals working cohesively to better the lives of women in Kuwait.

This season, Harvey Nichols Kuwait introduces the most fashionable European brands. The family that pret-a-porters together, slays together in the style stakes. Keep your kids as en pointe as you are en vogue, and find style for the entire family in this special edit by bazaar studios.

For Shaima Abd Alghafoor, becoming a Senior Partnerships Manager at booking. com was not a direct journey, but rather the product of years of dedication and hard work. In this special feature, we learn all about what it’s like to be a women in technology.

The sporty SUV is set to dazzle with its new design and more equipment, making the Porsche Macan the center of everyone’s attention! Marked by a fantastic launch event last month at Behbehani Motors Company, we take a closer look at the comprehensive upgrade of the Macan that is exceeding all expectations.

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P. 116, & OTHER STORIES 12


BREAKING IN

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With a bilingual audience of both English and Arabic, we cover everything from what’s on, to the bizarre. We print and distribute 10,000 copies of bazaar every month; each copy is read by an average of 3 people, giving us a total readership of over 30,000. bazaar is published every month (with a double issue for July/ August), delivered free of charge to a large subscriber database, and distributed free of charge in all of the following locations: Cafés & Eateries

Baker & Spice Café November Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar, Al Bida’a, Marina Crescent, Spoons

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Starbucks Outlets: Abdullah Mubarak Adeliya Airport Mall Al Mowasat Hospital Al Shaya Head Office Aliya & Ghalia Complex Andalouse Coop AUK Bairaq Mall Baitak Tower Behbehani Complex Bida’a Complex BMW Showroom Daiya Co-op Dar Al Awadi Divonne, Abu Hassaniya Four Points by Sheraton Hilton Resort Jabriya Kaifan Khalifa Resort

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Other Outlets:

Crumbs, Shaab Dunkin Donuts, Mall 360 Elevation Burger, Abu Halifa, Al Bida’a, Al-Hamra, Avenues, Mishref, Alseif Haagen Daz- Souk Sharq, Arraya Johnny Rockets- opp. Salhiya Complex, Marina, Salmiya, The Avenues, Alia & Ghalia Complex Juan Valdez Café, Symphony Mall Made Caffe Al Salam Mall November Bakery P.Q. - The Palms, Marina Mall Paul - The Avenues, Marina Mall Prime & Toast - Al Bida’a, Seif Strip

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Scoop-A-Cone - Egaila, Fahaheel The Early Bird - Fahaheel, Jabriya Upper Crust Pizzeria

Clinics & Hospitals Al Mubarakiya Dental Clinic - Egaila, Salmiya Al Safat American Hospital Boushahri Clinic Dasman Diabetes Institute Diet Care Center Gulf Clinic International Clinic Maidan Clinic - Fahaheel, Farwaniya, Hawalli, Sharq, Subah Al Salem Noor Clinic Salam Hospital Seif Hospital Soor Center Taiba Clinic The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic

Hotels & Health Clubs Al Corniche Club Crowne Plaza, Farwaniya Hilton Kuwait Resort & Spa Holiday Inn, Salmiya Inspire Pure Fitness Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort Hotel & Spa JW Marriott – Residence Inn, Sharq Millenium Hotel & Conference Center Pilates & More - Salmiya, Mahboula Spaloon The Palms Beach Hotel The Yoga Center

Malls

Arraya Haagen Dazs Galleria Al Hamra Elevation Burger Boulevard Starbucks Costa Coffee The Promenade Caribou Mall 360 Dunkin Donuts Marina Mall Marina Crescent Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar Johnny Rockets P.Q. Paul Souq Sharq Starbucks Haagen Dazs Symphony Mall Juan Valdez The Avenues Elevation Burger Johnny Rockets Paul Starbucks Airport Mall Starbucks Dar Al Awadi Starbucks Spoons Chocolate Bar Salhiya Complex Starbucks

4 Boutique Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai, Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel beau-tique cosmetics British Embassy US Embassy Brush Salon CAP Gallery Cookie Dough Dar Al Funoon Dar.Nur Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra TONI & GUY- Al Corniche TONI & GUY- Cliffs Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges Finesse Nail Lounge Media Elephant Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery THE One The Chairman's Club

Schools & Universities American International School American University of Kuwait Australian College Kuwait Bayan School (Hawalli) Boxhill College BSK - British School of Kuwait Universal American School

Kuwait University Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks

Stand Alones

Al Salam Mall

Khaldiya Adeliya Jabriya Shuwaikh

Artspace Kuwait- Salmiya

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what's on March 2019

TYPECAL SYMPOSIUM Date: 6 – 10 March Location: Yarmouk Cultural Center TypeCal Symposium is the typography event of the year, offering attendees a wide range of inspiring talks, workshops, and vibrant discussions that give the community different ways to learn, grow, and connect. The main theme is “Intersection” since typography, design, and calligraphy all interconnect together. A diverse and interesting line up of pioneering professionals will be giving talks and teaching different workshops. It is a fantastic opportunity to attend lectures, panel discussions, and a plethora of workshops led by nationally and internationally renowned typographers, calligraphers, and scholars. For more information visit the website www.typecal.com or follow @typecalkuwait on Instagram. DREAM GIRL Date: 12 March. 7:30pm – 9:30pm Location: Soapbox, M1, The Promenade. Dream, Girl is a revelatory story about following your dreams, dreaming as big as you want to and finding women to support you in achieving those goals. Told in only 62 mins the engaging film, while set in the USA, informs themes for discussion that are applicable to Kuwait. There will be a panel discussion after the film to pull out these topics and highlight that this is a conversation that may start tonight, but it is an ongoing conversation that needs to continue. We must build a network of female mentors for young women and also build a network of allies in men. We must be willing to have inclusive conversations to help stem sexism and misogyny in business, sexual harassment in the work place and to even out the playing field so women feel better able to support each other within a merit-based work environment. A summary episode of Victoria Hogg’s Grit docuseries on inspirational women in Kuwait, written, filmed, edited and produced entirely by women, precedes the Dream, Girl screening. For more information, check out @bazaargram on Instagram.

THRILLER LIVE AT JACC Date: 20 – 23 March, starts at 3pm or 8pm Location: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Culture Centre Michael Jackson fans will love this show. This spectacular London West End show has been ongoing for a record breaking 10 years. Part concert and part live performance, it celebrates the career of the world’s greatest entertainer. Five million people in over 30 countries have already seen the show as it moonwalks around the globe on an electrifying journey through the magic of Michael’s 45-year musical history. You will experience over two hours of nonstop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco as the cast pay homage to Jackson’s legendary live performances and innovative dance moves executed with flair, precision and passion, this is a show that you will never forget. Expect your favorite songs delivered by an exceptionally talented cast and band, including: "I Want You Back", "ABC", "Can You Feel It", "Off The Wall", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Smooth Criminal", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", "Dirty Diana", "Bad", "Rock With You", "They Don’t Care About Us", "Dangerous" and "Thriller" plus many more! For more information, visit Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center at jack-kw.com and follow them on Instagram @jacc_kw.

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what's trending March 2019

What: @manara.kw Info: Alliance of civil organizations and individuals working to keep women safe Editor’s Note: Empowered women are better for everyone.

What: @watchgrit Info: 8 part docuseries on inspiring women in Kuwait Editor’s Note: Launching at Soapbox, Tuesday 12th March 8pm

What: @soroptimistkuwait Info: Working to ‘Educate, Empower and Enable’ women and girls Editor’s Note: Meet key members at Soapbox Tuesday 12th March 7.30pm

What: @abolish153 Info: To end all forms of violence against women in the region Editor’s Note: All should be equal in the eye of the law

www.bazaar.town

What: @happycamelbakery Info: Home baked English cakes, pies and scones. Editor’s Note: An English woman born and bread!

What: @unoothamag Info: An online mag & platform for MENA women. Editor’s Note: every issue revolves around a single theme

What: @thefivekwt Info: Five women dentists share their travels Editor’s note: You’ll want to keep your passport at the ready

What: @epo_kay Info: One size fits all wearable art kimonos Editor’s Note: Women should be comfortable when changing the world

As much as we work our hardest to give you one rocking print issue after the other, we’re socially active (or try our best to be, we are bazaar humans after all) and we love it! Find us online: It makes our day when we see your tweets/mentions/likes/comments/shares about your favorite features and more.

facebook.com/bazaarmagazine 18

twitter.com/bazaartweets

instagram.com/bazaargram

bazaarTube


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SPOIL MAMA ON HER DAY

She gets one day a year, so make it count with Carriage By bazaar staff

Spoil your mom with yummy sweet treats, hot chocolate, and more with Carriage!

You should be celebrating your mother 365 days of the year. One day a year is just not enough, but most mothers will still take it. And let’s be very clear, no amount of gourmet chocolate, bouquets of flowers or even jewelry will equal the effort that moms make. But it’s nice to still be acknowledged. If you ask your mother what she would like, the odds are that she will most likely say “nothing” or “your happiness”. Which is probably true, but it also means “appreciate me”. You absolutely must buy her a gift. But more importantly, you should spend some quality time with her. Put away the phone (yours and hers) and enjoy each other’s company. You could treat her to a night on the town, but we prefer a more low-key approach at home. And for any get-together, snacks and treats are a given. And with Carriage, you can plan ahead to make sure the night is a success for everyone involved. There are dozens of options, and that can sometimes be a little overwhelming, but we are here to make your life easier and to free up your brain’s bandwidth so you can focus on making mom happy. If your mother is the sentimental or traditional type, you could get her a beautiful tin from Nagwa. We love their delicate Darabeels, perfect with coffee and tea, plus the 20

packaging is gorgeous and makes for a great memento. Another great option is Dmlooj. Cinnamon, saffron and pistachios, how could you possibly go wrong? If your mom is the more playful and spontaneous type, she needs fortune cookies in her life, and Twaif Diner’s fortunes are funny and witty, making sure that everyone will be laughing for sure. Conversation and catching up is fantastic, but a joined project with mom can be even more fun. If you have fond memories of helping your mother bake a cake, then a cake decorating box from Monty’s Bakery should be in your Carriage cart right now. You get a baked cake and all of the decorating supplies. All the fun, all the sugar, with none of the mess or cleanup. Don’t forget to take pictures of your combined efforts to keep the memory forever once the cake has been devoured. We want our parents to stay young and healthy forever, and you can still treat them to sweet goodness without hurting their health. Firin Bakery specializes in gluten free baked goods. You can choose from cookies, cakes, muffins and more. Some of the options are vegan too. If mom is watching her sugar or fat intake, J’s Bakery will deliver something wholesome and healthy right to your door. For a treat that is on the fancier side, we think that no one makes pretty eclairs like Rococoa or gourmet dates like Dasman Dates. Only the best for mama! If it’s going to be a huge family gathering, you should also take care of the food, your mom should not be slaving away

in the kitchen to feed you. Nor should you be wasting time cooking, that could be better spent with your loved ones. Carriage has got you covered. You can do a light brunch from Just Man'ousha or an all-out traditional dinner from Baytoti, depending on what you’re in the mood for. While you still have the app open, click on the Flowers category and find the biggest bouquet of pretty flowers. Because while mothers are practical and will object to a gift that will be wilting in a week, they secretly love receiving them. You could have all of these amazing things delivered directly to your mom by adding her address to Carriage, which is a great opportunity to surprise her every once in a while, with a delicious meal so she doesn’t have to cook for the day. If your mom is not so tech-savvy, maybe you should show her the app so she can give herself days off when she needs to. Alternatively, have everything delivered to your address so you can wrap the gift and the sweets together to go with the flowers. Now, all that is left is to go enjoy her company and give her a huge hug. Happy Mother’s Day to all the awesome moms out there! You can download Carriage on your iOS or Android device or visit www.trycarriage.com. For more information, follow Carriage on Instagram and Twitter @trycarriage.


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THE GOODWILL TRIBE IN KUWAIT An experiment in kindness By Nejoud Al-Yagout

"We believe in a more compassionate world and are here to do the work, one smile at a time. We host community events and social experiments, that bring people together in an experience designed for human connection and compassion." This is the mission statement of Goodwill Tribe, which was founded by Sonia and Chandni in Dubai. The Goodwill chapter has branched out to eleven cities worldwide, and here in Kuwait, it is run by Meryl Mathew and Melissa Azavedo, who agreed to answer questions for this month's issue of bazaar. What was it about Goodwill Tribe, in particular, that encouraged you to open a branch here? Our prime reason was that we ourselves were touched by the ideology of Goodwill Tribe and experienced a change in our way of life. We wanted to share this positive energy and encourage people to take time out of their busy schedules, stop whining about life,

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experience the power of just being nice and loving human beings, and be conscious about the blessings of life in every small way. Give us an example of a Goodwill Tribe event you hosted in Kuwait. We have organized several events which involved meditation, stargazing, and music; but one of our major events that we host regularly is Kindness Confetti where people come together to create handmade cards with positive, fun and inspiring quotes. We then distribute these cards to strangers with the intention of spreading joy and smiles. Lao Tzu says that kindness in giving creates love. Do you think kindness is inherent within us or do we need to make an effort to be kind? We believe it is inherent in us, but we must learn to tap into it as sometimes our ego gets the better of us, and we tend to act in a way we don’t really mean to. Kindness is like a spiritual tablet, and when consumed the joy and strength one feels is inexplicable. Are your efforts contagious? Each event is like a ripple effect of love that illuminates the soul. We ourselves get flabbergasted

at the immense amount of love and care shared by strangers who grace the events. It’s a beautiful moment of unity and the ambiance is always relaxed and exciting. And, finally, have you managed to convert any skeptics along the way? Well, thankfully, we haven’t had any yet. Our only hope is that people feel liberated and strengthened to do the right thing. Being kind isn’t rocket science; it’s a choice. We believe it is the right thing to do even if one thinks it’s not coming from a genuine place. Being encouraging, inspiring, loving, caring, et cetera: all that takes patience and humility. Once you begin to nurture these characteristics within yourself, you begin to become conscious of your actions; and then, being in a state of tranquility becomes an ordinary way of living.

For more information, check out The Goodwill Tribe on Instagram @thegoodwilltribe or their Facebook account: The Goodwill Tribe. For more on Nejoud Al Yagout, check out @coexistkuwait on Instagram.


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A WOMAN IN TECHNOLOGY

How Shaima Abd Alghafoor found her way into the industry By bazaar staff

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Women have been using the phrase “breaking the glass ceiling” since the late 70s, describing the invisible barrier created by policies, social and cultural norms that have held women back. Luckily, we have been seeing more women push back and prove that the view from above the ceiling is so much better. We spoke to Shaima Abd Alghafoor, Senior Partnerships Manager at Booking.com and an advocate for women’s entry and advancement in the technology industry. Your love for tech started at a young age with a Gateway computer at age 10. Could you tell us more about your story with technology as a child? Receiving my first computer was definitely a memorable moment. However, I wouldn’t particularly say my fascination with technology as an object started then. When you grow up in an analog era and start seeing new technologies disrupt the way you watch TV, listen to music, or even take photos, one becomes fascinated and intrigued with the changes in consumption habits. I spent a good part of my teenage years exploring these disruptions and trying to fulfill my excitement by staying on top of the trend. Most of my allowance was spent on new devices. Even though I didn’t fully comprehend why I was fascinated with the new forms of technology, but I did recognize how they made our lives “a little bit better”. “A little bit better” has forever changed my perception of how I perceive the world. You majored in English and Comparative Literature. Knowing what you know now, would you have chosen differently? Absolutely not, arts and literature develop a foundation to building captivating mediums and stories which connects to an audience. The creative process that goes behind it requires effective communication styles based on imagination and research. This approach allows you to creatively develop various ways to connect with an audience. The foundations that I developed as an undergraduate were valuable in enabling me to understand how to connect with audiences more effectively.

You went on and got a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing with a focus on digital marketing. Was that because you already knew you wanted to work in the startup/tech scene? Once I graduated from college, I had a better outlook on what I wanted to do. Yes, I studied the arts, however, I met students from other programs, participated in various after school initiatives, and worked on a lot of projects that gave me better visibility to additional options available for a student. In 2008, I was interning at a startup that was developing voice recognition technology. That internship was an eye-opening experience and I realized that I needed to be part of this. I figured that getting another degree would be the most viable option. When searching for a Master’s program, I was looking for something that would be a natural progression to the undergraduate degree that I received, but closer to digital. Digital Marketing was the best option, since it leverages digital channels as a medium to effectively communicate messages to an audience. You have worked for giants like Yahoo and currently are at Booking.com, Did you plan your career this way or did it just happen organically? What have been your biggest career challenges? What is the best thing about working at Booking.com? I never imagined I’d be where I am today and surely did not plan for it. However, now that we talk about my early fascination for technology, I’m not surprised that I managed make my way into this industry. Earlier, I mentioned how technological advancements made people’s lives “a little bit better”. Working for both Yahoo and Booking.com made me feel like I was contributing to the everchanging disruption. Yahoo changed the way users consume media on a daily basis while Booking.com shifted the way travelers plan their trips. The best thing about working at both companies is the exposure to a global audience. With a global audience, you start thinking of how you can develop products and experiences beyond the regions one is familiar with, such as the Middle East. Moreover, both companies have presence in different parts of the world, which means that, at some point, you will be working closely with team members from San Francisco, Singapore, and Australia to get tasks done. The challenges to that are understanding the cultural differences and the different styles of

working. It took me a few years to firstly, recognize this as a challenge, and secondly understand ways to overcome it. Nonetheless, the diversity that both companies offer strengthens your career development towards becoming a global team player. Many young women think that these companies are closed to them. What would you tell them? I don’t think women fear companies as much as they fear what society would think if they work at these companies. There is a misconception that working for large corporation means that you will sell your soul and have no life. As a Middle Eastern woman, you are expected to play a larger role in the household and working for larger companies means that you will fail at motherhood, which is a common misconception. Today, many companies are looking for ways to balance gender diversity and support women to succeed. Like [providing] maternal and paternal leaves up to 6 months. These companies also offer flexible working hours for mothers who want to work half days or three days a week. To clear any doubts, these companies are here in the region. So, my advice to any ambitious woman is to find a company that will support your personal and career development. You are an advocate of mentorship, being a mentor and finding one, why? Ah yes. A mentor is crucial to one’s development. In my opinion, a mentor is not a dedicated individual that offers you a monthly one-on-one session, but a group of people you can openly reach out to when needing advice. The best way to utilize them is by having meaningful discussions that can be about anything you might require advice on. A mentor can be your colleague at work, a contact from your social circle, or even a family member. In return, you should also be a mentor. My advice to anyone who wants to be a mentor is to offer your support and be approachable for others to reach out to you at all times. Some of the people I mentor reach out to me on WhatsApp or email for quick advice on day to day activities. Find a communication channel that is easy for you to work with and support others. If you would like to connect with Shaima you can find her via LinkedIn as Shaima Ghafoor.

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ON A 3-YEAR QUEST Nuqat Insights By bazaar staff

Our last issue had some big and exciting news: we announced the Nuqat 2019 Regional conference, and all of the fun developments we can look forward to this year. This installment of Nuqat Insights, however, clearly maps out the organization’s journey since the 2016 conference and leading up to November of this year. A break from the conference enabled Nuqat to travel After the 2016 conference, “Powering the Creative 26

[Continued...]

Economy”, Nuqat broke the tradition of hosting an annual week-long conference in Kuwait, in search of answers that were raised during the discussion. The last conference aimed at looking for ways that the human mind can contribute to new innovations that will shift the economy and move away from being oil dependent. The creative economy encompasses creativity, culture, technology, interactive and interdisciplinary learning. First, Nuqat looked for those solutions in Kuwait; then in 2017 they took the discussion abroad to seven different Middle Eastern cities, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Manama, Amman and Beirut,

with the hope of understanding how Nuqat can help strengthen the creative economy. Nuqat initiated the discussions in these cities in a roundtable format, entitled ‘Exploration Sessions’ due to their explorative nature, to understand and overcome the issues that hinder the development of the creative economy. These sessions allowed academics, creatives, investors and government representatives to come together in one space to identify multi-dimensional solutions to these multifaceted problems. While Lebanon is mainly a service-based economy and Kuwait is an oil-based economy, Nuqat found


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similarities in both cities, which was also a trend throughout the rest of the cities that they visited. The overarching theme that encompassed all the cities was that there needs to be a collective re-thinking, reimagining and re-creating of mindsets that have been shaped by personal, social and structural obstacles. Taking time off and traveling allowed Nuqat to grow the community, especially outside Kuwait, to bring in new perspectives and viewpoints into the discussion. We found that many of the issues that were being discussed, whether it was in Muscat or Doha, transcended borders thus broadening the conversation. This is why in this year’s conference, Nuqat is adamant on having a regional reach. While the main part of the conference, talks, workshops and entertainment, will be physically happening in Kuwait, Nuqat will also be collaborating with partners outside Kuwait. This is where the regional

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aspect comes into play. Not only will the speakers be from all over the region, but Nuqat will also be engaging with the region through various activities, talks and other events to allow for participation which is vital to overcome conceived barriers, especially since there is a shared struggle. 2019 conference, inspired by the tour In 2016, Nuqat gained an understanding of why we need a creative economy. Then between 2017 and 2018 they tackled the question: What are the reasons for lacking a developed creative economy. So where are we today? The upcoming Nuqat 2019 Regional conference, taking place from November 20th-29th in Kuwait City, will build on their findings from the tour to understand why we need to change our mindsets, where we can go if we do change our mindsets and how we can realistically get there. By changing our mindsets, we will

able to reset and re-wire the way we think so we can move past the roadblocks that are preventing us from strengthening the creative economy. Misconceptions about the creative economy To clarify, the creative economy is not non-existent in the Middle East; according to a study that was done by UNESCO and EY (formerly known as Ernst & Young) in 2015, the creative industry in the Middle East generates about $58 billion in revenue and employs around 2.4 million people. The problem is not that the creative economy is non-existent, rather it is our fixed mindset that created the misconception that the creative industry doesn’t add value to the economy and doesn’t generate income. During the conference, Nuqat hopes to unpack our mindset in order to understand why have we taken the creative economy for granted and how we can move ahead.


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During a discussion panel called “Strengthening the Creative Industry in Kuwait” at the 2016 conference, Simona Maccagni, pointed out that the creative industry in Kuwait is one of the largest industries after oil. A World Bank study found this to be true, concluding that the creative industry contributes to 7% of the global GDP and is expected to grow 10% annually. “The consultancy group McKinsey sees the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as [a] region [is] where the industry is currently growing most” (The World Bank, January 2017). So if the creative industry is generating millions, creating jobs and contributing to the economy, as seen in Kuwait and across the region with varying degrees, why is it perceived with such low importance? One reason is that the creative industry is seen as a separate entity that is focused on culture and arts, without seeing the value it adds to education and development. Creating this separation has established a mindset that sees each industry as an isolated branch that operates on its own. By doing this there is bound to be the introduction of hierarchy where one industry is seen as more important than another. This also feeds the misconception that the creative industry doesn’t contribute to the economy. In her talk, Cultivating the Creative Economy, Noura Al Kaabi pointed out that the creative economy 30

[...Continued]

should not be thought of as a space only for creatives rather a space where creativity flourishes because of people that believe in creativity. With that being said, to achieve this sense of collaboration we have to change the way we look at the creative industry in relation to other industries. Obstacles that constrain us To be able to understand the stagnation of our mindsets we have to ask: what has been holding us back? Looking at it in multiple layers, allows us to unpack the obstacles that we face personally, socially and structurally. The initial layer we have to overcome is our personal barriers, which will help us understand how we can grow as individuals, focusing on embracing self-compassion and the importance of emotional intelligence. The second layer is on a social level, where collectively as a society we have to overcome the cultural barriers that are tying us down and allowing the fear of failure to conquer us. Finally, the last obstacle, which some might say is the hardest to overcome being the structural barriers, which includes but is not limited to government institutions, policies and our physical environment. Sofana Dahlan during a discussion panel, “Does Passion Need a License”, discussed the obstacles that

censorship creates in regards to the creative economy. Censorship is a filter created by society, education and customs that dictate how we think, what we say and how we say it. As citizens and organizations, our duty is to educate people and the society by reshaping their mindsets about the importance of creativity. This should be considered in terms of how and when to set creativity free and when it is necessary to curb it for the sake of creating balance in a society. Rewiring mindsets doesn’t mean to completely get rid of tradition, but rather it is about overcoming the censorship that holds us back from producing and creating. To be able to move beyond the limitations we need to critique the current situation and understand how we got there to be able to come up with valuable solutions to move forward. Each one of these layers depends on collaboration. Whether it be working within oneself, a community or the government, a change needs to happen in the way we think. Nuqat are currently working on publishing the reports from the exploration sessions (all 7 cities) which will list the key points, summarize the conversation and explain the solutions that were discussed during the roundtables. Stay tuned to hear about the release of the reports! To get updates about the reports or Nuqat’s work in general please email info@nuqat.me .


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up close & personal

TRUE GRIT ON COMING FULL CIRCLE WITH VICTORIA HOGG By bazaar staff

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Behind the scenes on the set of Grit. Left: Aseel AlYaqoub, Visual Artist. Right: Tamara Qabazard, Veterinarian. Images courtesy of Grit.

It is not often that we get to return to our first passion, and have it become our livelihood as well our love. But, Victoria Hogg has found the confidence and determination to do exactly that with her seven-part documentary series kicking off with inspirational women of Kuwait, Grit. The inspiration for the series partly came from an amazing TED Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth PhD, on the concept borne in the classroom that the students who were the best weren’t necessarily the most talented, but were the ones that had the determination to succeed. For example, whether or not you’re innately born with the talent to play the grand piano is not as important as your desire to put in the hours to become a great pianist. Duckworth defines 'grit' as, “the passion and perseverance for long term meaningful goals.” Victoria was recruited as the Managing Director of a marketing firm during an operationally tumultuous time, and came from the corporate world of two power house businesses, one in retail and the other in banking. Having been told that “women have emotional problems,” it was a struggle to be honest with herself and her colleagues when her father was admitted to hospital on her first day at the job and subsequently diagnosed with cancer. At the same time, she determined to make the firm into the most professionally and financially successful it had ever

been, but circumstances conspired against these goals. “I don’t like failing. It’s a very hard concept for me to get to grips with,” states Victoria, explaining that so many people had negatively criticized her choice to leave a somewhat stable job with incredible perks for this new challenge, only to feel ashamed to have the experience collapse around her. “I took it personally, but looking at it intellectually, I did make a positive difference to the numbers and the working environment.” This whole time was a lonely experience, and Victoria found it tough to find other women or friends to talk to who had similar areas of responsibility, or who directly correlated with her situation. “It’s painful being responsible for people and their families and not knowing if you’ll secure enough work to pay the bills. That will keep you up at night” and this started the grain of the idea that led up to Grit. The first iteration was a podcast, Victoria wanted to speak to influential or successful women in business and have them talk about their experiences, and get some insight for other women who were on the business path. This way, if women did have any business-related issues they would at least have a frame of reference from other women to take comfort in. “I wanted to dive deep; speak to women in different industries who had been through some hardship to understand what that felt like, and get reflective on that.” It was never Victoria’s intention to get behind the camera, but she simply had to, having won a campaign pitch for a London-based charity when company times were good, but being left with no production team when it came to executing the campaign deliverables,

when the company’s situation was bad. Others would have given up, but for Victoria this simply meant that she would have to produce, direct, outsource talent to get the job done, and handle the camera herself for the first time. Faced with this opportunity, wanted or not, Victoria found she loved this side of the moving lens, and felt differently about telling stories this way than anything she had ever tried before. At this point the idea for the podcast changed and, inspired by the TED Talk on 'Grit', Victoria decided to embark on creating the documentary series focusing on inspirational Kuwaiti women. There is no doubt that having a background in Cultural and Comminications Critique helps her to find exactly the most impactful points in an interviewee’s story. Being able to bring those out and expand their narrative through acute questioning and flowing conversation while keeping the final video edit succinct and engaging is superbly skillful. Plus, the viewer only has to watch videos under twenty minutes in length, and that is insightfully clever marketing on Victoria’s part as little viewingtime investment increases each Grit episode’s potential audience. Listening to Victoria’s story, it is one of a series of successes. Or one of a series of set-backs. But that is exactly the point, isn’t it? Her sheer tenacity and resilience prove Angela Lee Duckworth’s statement in that TED Talk. Victoria has succeeded not only where forging the path was difficult in itself, but also where she has faced naysayers, detractors and betrayal. There surely can’t be a better example of perseverance, or true grit, than that. [Continued...]

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UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE

What is your greatest fear? Not having achieved anything memorable or important before I die.

What do you most value about your friends? Authenticity. I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who are really true to themselves. It takes guts, and heart. I try to reflect that in me too. It’s a work in progress.

What is your most marked characteristic? Probably my sense of humor. I make a lot of jokes. Even at moments that they’re not really appropriate, but I’m working on that.

Which living person do you most admire? One of my closest friends, she’s an artist. Everything she does amazes me. Everything she does makes me so proud. Celebrity-wise I feel like Amanda Palmer…she’s her true self, even when a lot of people don’t get it or think she colors too far outside the lines. She’s also married to one of my favorite writers, Neil Gaiman, and I really love that.

Which talent would you most like to have? I’d like to be an artist of some kind, I’d like to be able to create visual art…I’ve never had the patience or the ability

What is your idea of perfect happiness? I don’t know? It changes. I think components would include a house somewhere in mountains near to the sea, with my husband and a few cats and a dog. With good internet connection and enough rooms that my friends could come crash whenever!

What is the human trait you most dislike about others? Narcissism. Maybe a lack of empathy.

What is your greatest extravagance? I don’t really buy that much for myself. Probably travel. When I get a chance I eat in a Michelin-starred restaurant in major cities I visit; I like splurging on experiences. What is your most treasured possession? Right now? My iMac and MacBook. They have all of my work, both machines are kind of running non-stop to power my projects, I’m eternally grateful for them. 34

[...Continued]

What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for? Resilience. It takes a lot to make me stop.

What is it that you most dislike? In me? Selfishness. In the world? sightedness.

Short-

things can change at any instant. Where would you most like to live? Washington State, near the sea. If you could have any job, what would it be? I’m still working that out! What would you consider your greatest achievement? Completing my Bachelors and Masters degrees. My sister had a heart-attack when I was in my last term at university for my BA, and that was incredibly hard to deal with. It was an event that shook the whole family. I spent weekends in London and weekdays in Falmouth (six hours away by train on a good day), to graduate with a First Class with Honors. Then I went straight into business school and got a Distinction. It took a lot of work, it was exhausting, but I’m proud of myself for doing it. What do you hope for the future? I hope to make a difference, and to help those around me; both my real-life connections (friends and family), and, hopefully with the work that I’m doing, a more extended network.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Totes. Like. Obvs. What are your favorite words to live by? “It’s a game of two halves”. It’s an inside joke with my dad, from football commentating. It’s meant to mean that circumstances can change suddenly. I use it to remind myself that no matter where you are now (normally when everything is going wrong),

For more on Grit follow the Instagram account @watchgrit or go to Vimeo.com and search Grit Documentary. Victoria Hogg is a panellist at the Dream, Girl event, Tuesday 12 March, 7.30pm, Soapbox, M1, The Promenade. Photography Salma Alessa. For bookings and inquiries go to www.salmaalessa.com.


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PORSCHE WORLD ROADSHOW TAKES TO THE TRACK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN KUWAIT Porsche enthusiasts attend the ultimate driving experience By bazaar staff

Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, hosted the first ever Porsche World Roadshow to take place on a track in the country, giving Porsche enthusiasts the opportunity to get behind the wheel of models from the brand’s diverse line-up and as a result experience 70 years of Porsche performance heritage come to life. Held over the span of seven days, the special event was the first of its kind to be held by an automotive manufacturer at the Kuwait Motor Town Circuit. The state-of-the-art facility, with its unique FIA grade 1 track, offered guests a controlled environment to experience the unrivalled credentials and driving dynamics of Porsche’s two-door and four-door models. Attendees were put through their paces with a range of driving scenarios and skillbased exercises both on and off the track. Hany Marie, Brand Manager of Porsche Centre Kuwait, said: “Driving a Porsche is a unique feeling that needs to be experienced first-hand. We are delighted to have been able to bring the Porsche World Roadshow to hundreds of passionate brand enthusiasts here in Kuwait, giving them the opportunity to get behind the steering wheel of our latest model range in an environment where they were born to thrive – the racetrack. Over the seven days, participants were able to witness the dynamic performance of our line-up, whilst also enhancing their driving skills, with the Kuwait Motor Town Circuit providing the perfect backdrop for such an exhilarating experience. We are proud to be the first automotive manufacturer in the country to invite the people of Kuwait to this new exciting state-of-the-art motorsport destination.” During the event a selection of two-door and four-door sports cars from every Porsche series were made available for attendees to drive, including the latest addition to the brand’s SUV line-up, the Macan S. The new model boasts a new three-litre V6 turbocharged engine, delivering 354 hp and a maximum torque of 480 Nm, representing an increase of 14 hp and 20 Nm over the previous model. Completing the SUV line-up at the Porsche World Roadshow in Kuwait was the top variant in the Cayenne line-up, the 550 hp Cayenne Turbo. Driving models from the 911 range gave participants the opportunity to see how Porsche’s most iconic sports car offers a combination of outstanding performance and everyday usability, as it continues to inspire generations of enthusiasts. The 911 GT3, developed on the same test track and manufactured on the same production line as GT3 Cup race cars, proved a real highlight of the event. In order to showcase the capabilities of this motorsport-inspired, road-legal model, attendees were given an unfiltered experience in the form of passenger laps. With a Porsche certified driving 36

expert behind the wheel, passengers were taken on exemplary laps of the circuit, with the 500 hp engine which propels the model from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, unleased to demonstrate Porsche’s unrivalled track performance. Also available to participants at the event were the 718 Boxster and Cayman series. Developed in homage to the legendary 718 race cars of the past, both mid-engine models further demonstrated Porsche’s racing credentials thanks to turbocharged flat-four engines that range from an output of 300 hp to 365 hp. Porsche’s E-Performance capabilities were presented at the event in the form of the Cayenne E-Hybrid, as well as the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid – a four-door saloon capable of covering up to 50 kilometers and reaching a maximum speed of 140 km/h in all-electric mode. The event emphasizedx that whether two-door or four-door, every vehicle in Porsche’s product portfolio is first and foremost designed as a sports car. The event program also included sessions where Porsche certified personnel guided participants

through several driving exercises including braking, handling and slalom. The instructors were also onhand to share practical advice with those attending the event; including selecting the correct seating position, maintaining complete control of the car at all times and general safety tips. Alongside highlighting the performance credentials and practicality of Porsche sports cars, the event gave attendees some insight into individualization options with the display of a personalized Cayenne. Created by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the brand’s in-house workshop located at its headquarters in Zuffenhausen, Germany has specialized in customising Porsche models for more than 30 years.

For more information, visit Porsche Centre KuwaitBehbehani Motors Company. Please call 1870 870 or visit www.porschekuwait.com. For the latest updates on social media, follow Porsche Centre Kuwait on Instagram @PorscheCentreKuwait and Facebook:PorscheCentreKuwait.


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IS LINKEDIN THE NEXT BIG WAVE YOU SHOULD CATCH? Move over, mainstream socials! By Barry Rodrigues

During the last few years, we have been going absolutely ga-ga over mainstream social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. We seem to always be snapping pictures of our vacations or the fancy desserts we are having or sharing memes and more. But, as companies look for new ways to engage with their customers, employees and stakeholders on mainstream social media channels like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, a surprising number are turning to LinkedIn. All of which raises the question: could LinkedIn be the next big thing for brands? What makes LinkedIn so attractive to professionals? For one, it is more straight to the point and delivers a no nonsense experience. Whereas about a decade ago, it was merely a place you posted your resume, it has organically grown into a very reliable network on which individuals can "network", showcase their talents and experience, look for new business, share their opinions and learn new things. Companies and brands on the other hand can not only look to recruit talent, but also create awareness for their brand as something more than just a logo or a website with static and boring content. LinkedIn has matured over the past decade and a half that it has been around. In fact, most of us tend to forget that it is one of the oldest social media platforms out there, even older than Facebook and Twitter. After Microsoft's acquisition of the platform, it has really managed to change its strategy to become a more "business content" driven aggregator, where you can teach and learn a whole bunch of stuff. At of the end of 2017, LinkedIn had 260 million monthly active users, most of whom are serious users. Perhaps more to the point, these users are by definition: business professionals. They’re generally upwardly mobile and turn to the network for serious engagement, not to share memes or launch rants on politics or bad food served at their local pizzeria. In today's competitive employment marketplace, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to showcase their reputation as great places to work. Companies that are able to send a message that they’re a genuinely progressive, engaging and even fun place to work often have an advantage over rivals and LinkedIn which is filled with professionals looking for jobs is the optimal place to convey that message. By relaying stories about building culture, employee perks and leadership, companies can project themselves as 38

a brand and give themselves a uniquely human face that prospective job seekers can identify with. For individuals, apart from just listing their roles and qualifications, there are the premium data analysis and targeting capabilities that many users never see. The detailed info provided to LinkedIn members means it’s possible to gain insight into exactly who’s viewing your profile and content, right down to current company and job title. Of course you get more detailed and targeted data if you are a premium user but even the basic information like who has viewed your profile and their company and title (depending on the degree of connection) can prove really useful. The platform has also built its own stack of powerful influencers who command a presence and following. Business stalwarts like Bill Gates and Sallie Krawcheck who never got as popular on mainstream social platforms, have huge followings on LinkedIn and post a lot of content that is encouraging, engaging and enlightening. Even the popular business influencers like Gary Vaynerchuk and Richard Branson are big time users of LinkedIn and post great content on a regular basis. Here are some basic tips for brands wanting to maximize their reach on LinkedIn: Work on a company page and create showcase pages within your main page to focus on individual departments or business units. Make sure it is updated regularly.

Post content consistently, things like your annual company outing, staff awards and training seminar are great to give your company some character Post organic content specific to LinkedIn users, avoid funny memes or anything that sounds or looks trivial, people don't have time for jokes on LinkedIn, they are there for quality business related content Instead of embedding video from YouTube or Vimeo, post videos directly to LinkedIn Encourage employees to contribute to your pages. This promotes thought leadership and the more content you've got on your page, the note there is for users to discover. Take advantage of LinkedIn's Pulse blog to distribute your content, as more users search the blog, that your company's actual feed, chances of then finding your content are much higher. If you haven't had the chance to dig your heels into LinkedIn yet, I suggest you do so right away. It would be a great time to catch the wave, while it is gathering momentum just before it gets too big to chase.

Barry Rodrigues is the founder of NexGen Digital, a London based digital engagement company that uses using creativity, insights and technology to help their customers tell better stories. For comments, please email Barry at barry.nexgen@gmail.com. Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Unsplash.


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FINDING OPTIMUM HEALTH

Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life. ~Robin Sharma By Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg

When I was an adolescent, across the road from our house was a hayfield. In the summer, during warm weather, when I had finished the farm chores, I would take whatever book I was reading (and I was always reading something), and with an old blanket I’d head across the road into the waist-high uncut hay. I’d walk far enough away from the road that the dust of passing cars wouldn’t bother me, throw down the blanket and sink into a green, earthy-smelling cocoon. The hay was long enough that I couldn’t be seen, and the wind would blow and close the trail I’d made, erasing all evidence of my presence. Laying there on the blanket, looking up at the cloudless blue sky, listening to the bees buzzing lazily on the ripe clover flowers, watching the stalks wave above me, feeling the sun’s heat on my skin (this was northern British Columbia, so the sun was merely warm), I was happy and content. I would read and doze the afternoon away, eventually heading home with a feeling of wellbeing, my senses completely sated. Wellbeing depends on a number of factors, some of which are not in our hands. We inherit our genetic history making us susceptible to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or other health conditions that come to us through our family line. In the same way, we inherit a predisposition for mental health; our families pass on the genes for things like depression, anxiety, or mood disorders, making it important for our own health and the health of the generations that follow to pursue optimum health. That means taking responsibility for the aspects of our health that we do have the power to control. Don’t know where to start? Let me help you with that… 1. Physically "To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise." Gene Tunney Regular, heart-pumping exercise. Research says 30 minutes at 3-5 times/week. Add some strength conditioning like yoga, pilates, crossfit, or weight training 2-4 times/week. If you haven’t been exercising, start slowly and build both your stamina and the habit of physical activity. These are just a few suggestions – the options for finding optimum physical health are almost limitless. Find an activity you like and as Nike exhorts, ‘Just do it.’ 2. Mentally "Until you change your thinking, you

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will only ever recycle life’s difficult or painful experiences." Anonymous Go to therapy. No, really. Go. To. Therapy. Expressing what’s in your mind allows you to actually comprehend what you’re thinking and how that entrenched, habitual thinking is contributing to recycled life experiences. You don’t need to be mentally ill to benefit from a psychological check-up. Find a good therapist, establish a relationship, and go every couple months just to talk. It’s like a cognitive reset. My clients often express how astounded they are about how much mental ‘sludge’ gets cleaned up in one of these sessions. Therapy is an investment in yourself and optimum health that will pay huge long-term dividends. 3. Spiritually "Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, [one] cannot live without a spiritual life." Buddha Don’t make the mistake of thinking that ‘spiritual’ is synonymous with ‘religion.’ Having a spiritual life is so much more than that. For some this is an active faith, for others, it is time spent in nature, or in creativity. For others, it’s sitting on

the sand gazing out over the expanse of the Gulf to a horizon that extends beyond what can be seen. For still others, it’s laying in a hayfield, contemplating the cycle of life. Get connected to something larger than yourself…and better yet, bigger than humanity. That’s spiritual. Optimum health falls on a continuum and will be different for every individual given the factors over which we have no control. By taking responsibility for the things we can change, we will have the kind of life that isn’t “…the same year lived 75 times.” For your sake and the sake of the generations to follow, find your own metaphorical hayfield. Go. Now.

Dr. Susannah is a leading psychologist, registered professional counselor and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counseling based in Canada. For more information, please follow @DrSusannah on Twitter and Instagram to stay tuned for her latest news. Photo by La-Rel Easter on Unsplash.


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truth or dare

WHEN CREATIVITY EXCELS Get ready to meet Yousef Aljeeran By bazaar staff

A writer who found his passions at a young age, with two published novels by the age of 26 under his belt, and a BA in PR Advertising from GUST, Yousef Aljeeran takes us on a creative journey in establishing himself as an author in Kuwait. He’s a trilingual speaker, and a copywriter with an interest in languages, culture and the creative industry. The path of writing took Yousef towards exploring the Arabic language in-depth, eventually opening doors of endless imagination. Yousef started writing short poems, or as they are called in Arabic, Khawater. With time, he began dwelling on the Arabic language and its intricacies, acknowledging that it is a world of its own. “[The]

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Arabic language is really heavy in terminologies and words. You’d find one word that has so many meanings, you could just play around it, and it will leave your imagination open,” said Yousef. His inspiration mainly comes from people, traveling, culture, and the language itself. Yousef’s latest published novel is in Arabic, and he details the experience of writing in Arabic best as, “I can describe one thing, but in other terms without even mentioning the actual word, and with the Arabic language, it’s an ocean of words. That’s why when I use the language, it’s more of creating not just writing, I feel like I’m creating and shaping the word itself.” The novel is titled Bardan w Salamn, and revolves around one question, which is presented from the very start, as Yousef believes that every novel starts with a question. The novel portrays a child searching for his identity, a teenager searching for her past, and the crossover of life in-between. Yousef had the idea for the novel for two years, his research alone took him one year, after that he immersed himself into intensive writing for around six months. As a

whole, the novel took him three years to develop and complete. Every writer is naturally faced with challenges, and to Yousef, inspiration is one. He thought inspiration “Would be like that dreamy movie scene while sitting on the beach, or watching through a window, and waiting for a bird to get me inspired.” But, it was more like rolling up his sleeves, and deciding where and when to start. Yousef also believes that the story is shaped by the characters themselves, that is another challenge in itself. “How to go with the flow, and lose myself with them, as if I’m not the writer anymore,” he said. As a creative mind, a copywriter, and an author, his insight on the creative world in Kuwait is imperative to share. Yousef loved the 50s and 60s in Kuwait, when theatre, performance arts and creativity thrived. When writers would sit down with actors and musicians to produce masterful works that would continue for years to come, leaving an unforgettable creative imprint. Yousef emphasized on how this didn’t just fall on the work itself, but the unison of a


creative team as a whole. “[As creatives] We need to connect to make something great, even if it’s not the same thing. I believe in diversity, but we need to know each other, know what makes us diverse [in order] to excel, not to judge and say the other person is wrong, but to understand each other better.”

TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE How would your mother describe you in one word? Unexpectable. How would you describe your mother in one word? Compassionate. What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked? How can I be tall like you? What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Booked a month-long trip with an unknown group of people on the internet. What is your theme song? ‫[ أنا السما – راشد الماجد‬Ana El Sema - Rashid Almajed].

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? ‫سالم‬/ Peace. Where would you like to live? Paris. What is your dream retirement location? Bali. What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ “‫ فال بد من الفراق‬،�‫تعا‬ ‫”عا� من‬ [Live with whomever, for parting is inevitable]. Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life? Horse. Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it? Singing in public even with my bad voice. If you could change your name, to what would you change it? I would choose it again!

How would you describe your handshake, in one word? Open for discussion. What is the toughest part of your character? I'm always ready for the [plot] twist. Who is your favorite historical figure? Ghazi Al-Gosaibi. What in the world do you least desire? Famine. What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place? To each their own. Why do you think most people who do, like you? Good listener, easy going, ready for a new adventure. Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…” Following your heart. For more information, follow @yaljeeran on Instagram. 43


THE LONG-DISTANCE MOTHER AND OTHER INCONVENIENCES A short story By Craig Loomis

“This coffee is not warm, at best lukewarm, sah? Needs to be hot. Everybody knows this. When it comes to coffee, hot is good. Where’s your manager? I want to speak to him.” She works in the restaurant next to the bakalah at the end of Mubarak Street, her home away from home, so she can send monthly money to her mom and dad who are providing for her three-year old son Santos in a village north of Manila. When asked about this terrible way of raising her son, this long-distance mothering, she agrees, answering with a smile, “But what to do?” “But where is the father? Where is he in all of this?” She swats at some invisible fly. “Never mind him. He has his own problems.” Waving again at that invisible fly. “Never mind.” And that was the last she ever spoke of Santos’s father. She does her restaurant duties, 12 hours a day, six days a week to get the money to make sure her son has all that he needs until the next month. Truth be told, the money she sends is nothing—not really—but there, in the village north of Manila, it is a big something. Every Christmas her mother and father tell her it is time to come home—‘Enough is enough; your son needs you. Come home. Never mind the money, we will find a way,’ and so on. And every Christmas she cries and says, “Yes, maybe…” 44

But, in the end, they all know that it is simple Christmas talk and nothing will come of it, and yet it has to be said. The last Thursday of every month, the manager, Nizar, a Lebanese, who thinks nothing of smoking three packs of cigarettes daily, who wears the same pointy black shoes, will call them one at a time into his backroom office, an office that is nothing more than a big closet with boxes full of paper cups and napkins and plastic forks, and once at the door, he hands each of them their sealed monthly-salary envelope. And like always, she will say ‘Thank you,’ and he will answer ‘Of course,’ not once looking up, and they are done with each other until the next pay period. Her name is written on the envelope: Maria, even though everybody calls her Joy because that is what her nametag says. Truth be told, Maria’s restaurant at the end of Mubarak Street, next to the harbor, is in need of desperate repairs. The owner, a slim dishdasha with prayer beads, almost never visits his own restaurant, but when he does he is only concerned with examining their fingernails, to see if they are short, clean, because, “as we all know, short clean fingernails are best for working in a restaurant, sah?” His ownership duties done, he quickly leaves, prayer beads in one hand, cellphone in the other, with Nizar hovering, grinning, at his side like a friendly shadow. But never mind, because the restaurant still needs fixing: the kitchen pipes are leaking, the toilet only flushing sometimes, the lights blinking off and on when it is windy, the grease on the grill

sparking mini-fires when you aren’t looking, and so on. The owner says yes to all of these problems, and that yes again, they need to be looked into. “No doubt about it, and next Ramadan we’ll do it right. We’ll close the place next Ramadan and fix everything, just you wait and see.” And of course the Ramadans come and go, and by now the air conditioner has decided to stop, the front door mysteriously falling off its hinges one Thursday morning in April. Meanwhile, Maria’s Santos north of Manila has grown five inches since the last time she saw him. His teeth are bigger and better, and when they talk on the computer every Sunday, he smiles as Maria reminds him to be good, to mind Lola and Lolo, and of course Santos says yes to everything because his friends are at the screen door, urging him to come out and play. Santos thinks of nothing but playing with his friends while thousands of miles away his mother says she must go and I love you, bye-bye, . . . And so, all done for another Sunday with Santos, Maria turns off the computer, and looking up at the backroom clock sees that her 30-minute break is over, she steps back into the restaurant just in time to take an order of cheeseburgers with extra pickles and French fries and, ‘Oh, by the way, no onions, and the fries must be crispy, last time they were not; crispy is important, you understand? And the milkshake needs to be thick. You know how to do that, right? And another thing….’ Photo by Tirza van Dijk on Unsplash.


NEXT


LET IT BE A MOVIE

Beatles fans have two cinematic deliveries coming their way

By Randy Lewis

In the pipeline is a long-awaited restoration of their 1970 film "Let It Be�, which will follow an entirely new film being assembled with rare and never-released images and clips by New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Jackson's film has not been titled, and no release date has been unveiled, but it will draw from the same 55 hours of footage of the Beatles in the recording studio shot 50 years ago this month by English director Michael Lindsay-Hogg for the film that became Let It Be, which documented the group's creative process in the final months of their professional lives together. "The 55 hours of never-before-seen footage and 140 hours of audio made available to us ensures this movie will be the ultimate 'fly-on-the-wall' experience that Beatles fans have long dreamt about," Jackson said in a statement. "It's like a time machine transports us back to 1969, and we get to sit in the studio watching these four friends make great music together." The announcement, released on the 50th anniversary of the group's famous rooftop concert above their Apple offices in London, stated that a restored version of Lindsay-Hogg's long-out-ofcirculation film will be released after Jackson's. Lindsay-Hogg caught the Beatles as they were working on songs including the title track, "Get Back," 46

"The Long And Winding Road," "I Me Mine" and others during sometimes contentious sessions. The troubled soundtrack, the only Beatles studio album not produced by George Martin, was credited to Phil Spector, who was invited by the group to work on the tapes after others were unable to create an album that the Beatles were happy with. Jackson believes the new film will counter longheld perceptions that the Beatles were at each other's throats in the sessions that Lindsay-Hogg and his team documented. "I was relieved to discover the reality is very different to the myth," Jackson said in his statement, "After reviewing all the footage and audio that Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot 18 months before they broke up, it's simply an amazing historical treasure-trove. New Zealand director Peter Jackson says a new film showing the Beatles at work in the studio in 1969 will counter myths that the band's camaraderie had disintegrated while working on the album that would become the quartet's final release, Let It Be. "Sure, there's moments of drama, but none of the discord this project has long been associated with," he added. "Watching John, Paul, George and Ringo work together, creating now-classic songs from scratch, is not only fascinating, it's funny, uplifting and surprisingly intimate." The choice of Jackson represents something of

a six-degrees-of-separation selection: Beyond their songwriter, recording and live performances, the Beatles were also deeply interested in filmmaking, from their 1964 debut in Richard Lester's cinema verite romp A Hard Day's Night and Help! the following year to their experimental film-for-television Magical Mystery Tour in 1967 and the animated 1968 film Yellow Submarine. At one point the group was exploring the possibility of working with director Stanley Kubrick on a film translation of J.R.R. Tolkien's literary trilogy The Lord of the Rings, a project that never came to fruition. Jackson much later brought the books to the screen in his blockbuster film series. The announcement said Jackson will work with producer Clare Olssen and editor Jabez Olssen, his collaborators on the World War I documentary They Shall Not Grow Old. New Zealand company Park Road Post will handle restoration of the original film footage. There was no indication of whether an alternate soundtrack album will be created out of other songs the band worked on during the "Let It Be" sessions. The project is a partnership between the Beatles Apple Corps Ltd and New Zealand's WingNut Films Ltd., and is being made with full cooperation of surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr; John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono; and George Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison.


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WANT TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE?

Don’t miss a beat, check out these tips right now! By bazaar staff

On some days, tasks tend to start mounting. Poor time management skills can get a hold of us, and we can easily drift away for days. It might be difficult to seek out some form of motivation towards becoming productive. Fear not, we've prepared this list of top tips to maintain your productivity levels at an all-time high, all week, and more importantly, to stay on top of the little things that sometimes run away from you. To-Do First and foremost, prioritize your tasks for the day. That way, you’ll be able to evaluate your tasks based on these terms: urgency, value, required effort, and importance of the task itself. Also, plan deadlines for small tasks, this will gradually allow you to take a head step towards a larger goal. Punctuality Plan your agenda for the day, and try to stick to that particular agenda. The more you end up procrastinating, 48

the more your tasks will lead to missed deadlines, and eventually, lack of productivity. Tackle routine tasks that typically take a lower energy from yourself later on the day. But, keep the more challenging tasks for a higher energy periods of the day, preferable during morning times, when your energy is peaking. Take breaks Avoid hitting complete burn out by giving yourself welldeserved breaks. For example, when you’re trying to complete a large task, get some fresh air, and go on a stroll through the office, or outside (if the weather permits) Create the action of motivating yourself in becoming more productive. This links back to punctuality, by setting-up both minor and major deadlines, you’ll be able to finish tasks, and award yourself with a break. Rest It is extremely imperative to allocate enough time for a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation is known as the main cause of producing the inability to focus, and remain productive. Resting well is a one way path to more productive days, and a focused mindset.

Healthy Snacks Avoid reaching for foods, or snacks that leave you feeling lazy or incapable. Instead, reach out for food with more nutritional value, such as veggies and fruits. Healthy snack will surprise you with energetic benefits, which will carry you throughout your busy day more efficiently than you’d think. Energy The secret to go from to do and onto done, is grabbing a cold can of Red Bull. Whether it’s for extra power for hectic work day that is filled with back-to-back meetings, during university lectures and studying sessions, or for just a long road trip to keep you more focused while driving. A cool and chilled energy drink like Red Bull, will give you the additional support you’ll need for the day. Many adults, professionals, athletes and university students look to Red Bull as their energy drink of choice when in need for an occasional pick-me-up.

For more information about Red Bull, visit the website www.redbull.com.


Rocket world


bazaar goes cruising

DISCOVER THE NEW

PORSCHE MACAN NEW DESIGN AND EVEN MORE EQUIPMENT FOR THE SPORTY SUV By bazaar staff

Following a comprehensive upgrade, one of Porsche’s most popular models, the Macan, is now available in Kuwait. With performance credentials that underline the model’s position as the true sports car in its segment, the latest generation was showcased to guests at a special event held by Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company at the showroom. The brand’s compact SUV has evolved in terms of comfort and driving dynamics, with two engine versions, the Macan and the more powerful Macan S.

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Porsche enthusiasts, members of the media as well as Porsche Centre Kuwait’s management gathered to welcome the new SUV. Commenting on the arrival of the new model, Hany Marie, Brand Manager of Porsche Centre Kuwait, said: “The Macan has been one of our most successful series in Kuwait and with the new generation combining even more pronounced Porsche DNA, greater performance and comfort, I am confident that the success story is sure to continue. I believe that the Macan is the most exciting compact SUV on the market, never allowing you to forget it is a true sports car at heart. The new range offers the perfect balance of emotions and functionality, and I am delighted to be welcoming the first variants to the market.” The Macan comes to the starting line with an enhanced 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 252 hp and delivering a maximum torque of 370 Nm. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds (when equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package) and reaches a top speed of 227 km/h. The Macan S is powered by a new V6 engine, which was first introduced in the new generations of the Panamera and Cayenne. The high-tech power unit produces 354 hp (an increase of 14 hp compared to its predecessor) and a torque output of 480 Nm. As a result, acceleration to 100 km/h is just 5.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package; its top speed is 254 km/h. The vehicle dynamics of the Macan remain a principle feature. The revamped chassis increases driving pleasure, offering stability and improved comfort thanks to newly developed mixed-size tyres, enhanced brakes and the intelligent all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system. All combined, the Macan feels even more like a sports car than ever before. The range of standard equipment has been further enhanced, thus increasing the attractiveness of the new model. Customers can now enjoy features, such as a panoramic sunroof, automatically dimming mirrors and ParkAssist with reversing camera in front and rear, at no extra costs. A further evolved design language is visible in the new Macan, giving it an even more distinctive and confident appearance. The front end of the Macan has been comprehensively revamped and now appears wider. Redesigned main headlights feature LED technology as standard, whilst a three-dimensional LED light panel on the rear of the vehicle is also incorporated in the new range. Drivers have more scope to express their personality too with the addition of four exterior colors – Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic, Miami Blue and Crayon. Inside, the new Macan offers high-quality equipment as a standard offering. The seat surfaces are covered with Alcantara and the steering wheel, selector lever and armrests are finished in leather with additional full-leather interiors also optionally available. Porsche’s sports car DNA can be found throughout. The optional GT sports steering wheel echoes the Porsche 911, whilst a mode switch integrated into the steering wheel – including Sport Response button – is part of the optional Sport Chrono Package and was originally used in the Porsche 918 Spyder super sports car. Enhanced functionality comes via the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, including a 10.9-inch touchscreen (increased from 7.2 inches) as standard.

Left to Right, Mr. Hany Marie, Mr. Peter Green, Mr. Hussein Behbehani, Mr. Ali Behbehani, Mr. Callum Bottomley, Mr. Gurav Mudgil

Left to Right, Mr. Abdulatif Behbehani, Mr. Hussein Behbehani, Mr. Ali Behbehani, Mr. Abdulmuhsen Behbehani

[Continued...]

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The new Porsche Macan and Macan S are now available at Porsche Centre Kuwait. The basic retail prices are as follows: Macan, KWD 16,900 and the Macan S KWD 22,200. For more information, visit Porsche Centre Kuwait- Behbehani Motors Company, please call 1870 870 or visit www.porschekuwait.com. For the latest updates on social media, follow Porsche Centre Kuwait on Instagram @PorscheCentreKuwait and Facebook:PorscheCentreKuwait. 52

[...Continued]


AE

Crea ted by @ br indano t brenda

1st Avenue – The Avenues | The Mall – The Avenues | Grand Avenue – The Avenues (Inside Debenhams) Marina Mall | Al Kout Mall | Customer Service: 182 12 12


WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO GIVE UP ON A GOAL? Sometimes quitters do win By Anisa Purbasari Horton

The first two months of 2019 have already passed and you’re starting to reflect on the progress that you’ve made (or haven’t made) on your resolutions. Have you stuck to your budget? Are you still putting on your running shoes every morning and going for that threemile jog? Are you still practicing screen-free mornings? Fulfilling your goals often require a strong why and the willingness to change your old habits. But even when you have both of these elements, sometimes you start to get a nagging feeling that whatever it is you’re pursuing just isn’t worth it anymore. When should you listen to that gut feeling? The limits on grit and perseverance The working and productivity world glorifies grit and perseverance. Research indicates that grit is the number one indicator of high performance and that it trumps factors like strategy, IQ, talent, or ability. But as Eric Baker pointed out on his book, Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong, even grit and perseverance have their limits. For every goal you’re trying to accomplish, you’re trading off the opportunity cost to do another. He wrote, “While grit is often about stories, quitting is often an issue of limits–pushing them, optimizing them, and, most of all, knowing them.” Baker recounted the story of Spencer Glendon–a PhD graduate from Harvard and a partner at one of the biggest management funds in Massachusetts. As a teenager, he suffered from chronic ulcerative colitis, which left him with a weak immune system. Certain days, this condition left him bedridden and unable to do anything beyond cooking dinner–the one activity he chose to complete every day when he was unable to do anything more. Glendon didn’t have the luxury of attempting too many goals, because his body wouldn’t let him. But many people do, because as Baker pointed out, they’re optimistic about how much more time and money they can have in the future. The difference between being ambitious and delusional Just as humans overestimate how much they can get done in a given amount of time, they also set goals that set themselves up to fail. The world often praises those who strive to do the impossible and find a way to make it happen. But as Michael Hyatt, creator of the Full-Focus Planner, told Laura Vanderkam in a Fast Company article, there are some goals that are in the “delusional” zone. He acknowledges that an effective goal should be in the “discomfort” zone, so 54

that you experience “some fear, some uncertainty, and some doubt.” When you wonder if you have what it takes, Hyatt explained, that’s where growth takes place. But delusional goals ignore limitations and factors that you often have little power over. “That would be me deciding I want to play in the NBA,” he told Vanderkam. A less extreme example is deciding that you want to get a promotion in a specific time frame. Sure, you might be a stellar and proactive employee, but you have very little control about how the company decides the budget or their plans to restructure. Your focus is on an outcome that isn’t in your control, which means that you’ll probably be demoralized if it doesn’t come true. In this instance, it might be best to quit this goal, and reframe it so that your objective is something that doesn’t rely on external factors. When your goal isn’t the best way to serve your purpose Sometimes, your drive to accomplish a particular goal comes from your desire to solve a deep-rooted problem. You might have started off the year adamant that you’re going to do meal-prep on Saturday evenings, only to realize that it makes you more stressed and frazzled. Say that your purpose for this goal is to reduce the temptation of buying takeout–there’s no

reason why you need to cook your meals all at once. You can spread it out over Saturday and Sunday, or make it more enjoyable by inviting a friend or treating it like a date with your partner. Don’t get stuck on a goal when it’s not working for you, because that’s just going to make you miserable. The importance of embracing life as an experiment Davis-Laack used a design thinking approach to her career journey–observing the problem, brainstorming ideas to solve it, then prototyping solutions to it while getting feedback and making tweaks in the process. Once she’s validated the “utility” of that solution, then she implements it. In her case, she applied to a positive psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania and became a speaker, writer, and coach who helps people cope with burnout and improve their resilience. This is an approach that Bill Burnett and Dave Evans advocate in their book, Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life, based on their popular class at Stanford. Rather than “accumulating accolades,” Burnett and Evans encourage people to think about life as a series of experiments to determine which goals are worth pursuing in the first place.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash.


Toni & guy


BAD BIOPICS

Whether it’s Gandhi, Ginsburg or Dick Cheney, Hollywood biopics usually get it wrong By Chris Hewitt

There is no such thing as a great biopic. Two recent ones — Vice, a mean-spirited look at former Vice President Dick Cheney, and On the Basis of Sex, a reverential portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — remind us that movies often attempt biographies, especially at year’s end when there are awards to be had, but rarely do them well. It is tough to cover an accomplished person’s life in two or three hours, unless that person does the filmmaker a solid by dying young. Without Limits gracefully covers runner Steve Prefontaine’s whole life, but he died at 24. The lives of Cheney, Ginsburg, Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X and Abraham Lincoln are too jam-packed for a feature-length film. What they need is space. Books also are better than movies at conveying the inner lives of people and at tracing the passage of time — both essentials in telling a life story. That’s why it’s possible to emerge from a biopic feeling like you understand its subject less than you did when you went in. Exhibit A: biopics that win Oscars for their “importance” but quickly vanish from the memories of people who care about the movies. Attempting to cram in an entire life results in Gandhi or Ray, honorably boring films that proceed from point A to point B to point C so dutifully that they lose the point along the way. Movies like those cover the key bases, yes, but they’re bloodless and dull. And, since they require an actor to age over the course of many decades, these biopics also often feature a lot of indefensible makeup. Musical biopics such as Ray present an additional problem, in that they’re almost designed to make us wish we were watching the real performer do their stuff, instead of a knockoff. Vice is off-puttingly bilious and messy but at least it never bores us. Cherry-picking the lowlights of the veteran politician’s life, Vice smartly takes a deep dive into a defining event, the 9/11 attacks, arguing that was when Cheney fulfilled his secret dream of hijacking the presidency. That happens early in the movie, which then dips back and forth to make its case that Cheney duped George W. Bush into being a figurehead for a de facto Cheney presidency. Maybe its focus is so tight that Vice doesn’t count as a biopic. That term tends to be applied to birth-todeath movies, but writer/director Adam McKay’s movie belongs to the best category of biopics, those that choose a specific event in a person’s life to illustrate the whole. One other issue with biopics is whose bios they choose to pic. There’s a list on IMDB.com called “Top 50 Greatest Biopics of All Time” and, although it’s less than two years old and was assembled by someone who is presumably aware that there are at least two genders, the number of female subjects among the 50 56

films is zero. That IMDB list is problematic for several reasons but so is the fact that it’s not easy to think of biopics about women, much less good ones. So, give On the Basis of Sex credit for recognizing that Ginsburg has a story worth telling and also that it would be impossible to cram her 85 years into a couple of hours. The movie only takes us up to Ginsburg’s first trial, a landmark gender-equality case that set up the rest of her career as an attorney and jurist. The movie might be better if it were just about that case, Moritz vs. Internal Revenue Service — who doesn’t love a good courtroom drama, especially when the underdog wins and the IRS loses? — instead of trying to shoehorn in Ginsburg’s education, alternate careers and children, whom the movie conveniently forgets about for long stretches. Written by Ginsburg’s nephew, Danel Stiepelman, and personally vetted by its subject, On the Basis of Sex is, like many biopics, too respectful. Biopics tend to get made about heroes, so it makes sense that most are admiring but they frequently cross the line from

affection to canonization. Humans make mistakes, but the saintly subjects of bio¬pics seldom do. Having the subject of a film mark up the script with red pencil is not the only road to a too-respectful biopic. As a result, subjects often have the leverage to gain control over the movies, meaning most biopics are “authorized.” Which is too bad. Anyone who reads books knows the best bios are the unauthorized ones because they can explore the darker corners of their subjects’ humanity. And because sinners are more interesting than saints. You could argue that those unconventional movies give up on the concept of biopics by not taking a birth-todeath approach, but I’d argue that they reject the idea of summing up a life in two hours, promising instead to focus on what’s most interesting or unusual about that life. I want to believe in the possibility of good biopics because they’re not going anywhere. In fact, they appear to be increasing exponentially every year. Here’s hoping the filmmakers find a way to inject a little life into these life stories.


Carriage


C CLUB Smash those health goals with the ultimate membership By bazaar staff

Science tells us that we can live a longer, happier life. We just need to consistently make smarter choices, like getting off the couch and working out regularly, replacing Netflix binges with better sleep habits and finding a social support system. You can find this all at C Club. More than just a fitness and wellness club, C Club is home to a community of like-minded people who are passionate about health and will inspire you to live your best life. Situated in the prime location of Al-Bidaa, C Club is a quick drive away no matter where you live. With its enticing front row seat to the beautiful Arabian Gulf, it’s the perfect sanctuary all year round. In the cooler winter months, you’ll be able to enjoy the immaculate outdoor spaces and pool, and when it gets too warm you can enjoy the climate-controlled areas without ever losing sight of the beach. Whether you’re a pool 58


or beach person, rest assured that you will be relaxing in style this summer at C Club. For more than a decade C Club has been synonymous with luxury. But more than that, the experience at C Club is defined by their welcoming attitude. The first thing that hits you as you enter is how inviting C Club is. The genuine friendly smiles of staff and members are accentuated by the all-day natural light, and both instantly brighten your day. By invoking these special feelings of positivity, happiness and calm, you immediately know that you’ve arrived at the perfect escape after a long day at work. It’s like a second home, without any of the added family drama and with the hospitality of a five-star hotel. The new gym extension at C Club is poised to help you get the most out of your fitness goals. Get those endorphins pumping with state-of-theart equipment like Air Runners, Assault Bikes, Concept 2 Rowers, Hammer Strength lifting platforms, power racks, weight sleds, weight tires, battle ropes and much more. Whether you prefer to bank your workout in the AM or make a habit of working out in the evenings, the gym accommodates both strength and conditioning workouts along with functional movements and group PT sessions, such as HIIT, MetCon and Tabata. [Continued...]

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Just when you thought your workout routine wasn’t intense enough, C Club are upping the ante in the basement where two futuristic and spacious studios have been built. One houses the most advanced spinning system available using ICG equipment. The other one is a multifunction studio designed for kickboxing, Pilates, yoga or Body Shred programs; challenge accepted. The fun, interactive lighting system is functional in both rooms. Not only does it look super cool, it also allows the trainer to change the colors and frequencies to match the speed and mood of the workout. Much like a modern art installation but with all of that adrenaline and much needed fat burning. We absolutely love these lights because they make it easier for you to focus on your exercise routine, without being distracted by what’s happening around you. At C Club, you’ll be crushing your fitness goals in no time, regardless of whether you are a seasoned gym-goer or a total newbie. Highly trained and certified coaches are always nearby, and you will always be able to find help or one-on-one coaching when you need it. If you’re rethinking your diet and nutritional needs, you can also find support for that. If doing straight-up solo cardio is your thing, then you can totally focus and Zen out at the upstairs gym which boasts a fantastic sea view. You could easily spend your cardio time staring at the beautiful blue skies of Kuwait. The gyms open their doors at 6am and close at 11pm, so you have the entire day, no excuses! The gyms and studios aren’t the only options for getting your body in tip top condition. Make a big splash in the indoor pool in the aqua-aerobics classes, easy on the joints but a fantastic way to 60


tone your body and build strength. If you’re into water-sports, you can easily rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards from a nearby rental facility that will bring them straight to you. Or perhaps you could join a buddy for a friendly or competitive squash match. At C Club, there’s always going to be a workout that works for you. With so many activities to choose from, it’s hard to even call a workout session a chore, for you will never get bored at C Club. And this is exactly where exercise goes from being a mandated activity to a lifestyle that you will love maintaining. Now that you are done with all of that hard work, you probably just want to jump in the shower. But this is where C Club truly outshines all of the other gyms. Relax in the steamy sauna or soak in the Jacuzzi to reward your body for a job well done. Relaxing at C Club isn’t hard to do. In fact, you can enjoy the gorgeous outdoor infinity pool or the indoor lounge. But for some serious relaxation, head to the spa. A massage by C Club’s licensed and professional massage therapists can do wonders for your mental and physical state. The rooms are flawless, and fully equipped for all your needs. We love that massages are never scheduled back to back. Fifteen minutes are left unscheduled between members’ appointments so that no one is ever rushed to get dressed and leave. It’s this kind of empathy and consideration that sets the C Club apart. It’s all about your well-being and enjoyment. The lounge area is perfect if you want to relax, get some work done, meet people for business or just catch up with friends. It is the ultimate destination that simply makes C Club your home away from home. Spacious and intelligently designed, you’re ensured your privacy without feeling disconnected or

isolated. Meeting up with friends after your classes for a yummy bite to eat? Don't ever worry about being hungry after a good workout, as the C Lounge restaurant is only steps away. If you’re sticking to a specific diet regimen, then a quick perusal of the healthy options, clearly marked on the menu, will make this process a lot easier! If you prefer a pre or post-workout smoothie they can easily whip it up for you in minutes using fresh produce. C Club offers different membership package variations to suit your lifestyle and needs. You can sign up for a family, couples or as a single person. The latter have the option for choosing between a full-membership or the new gym facility only. Full Club memberships have many added benefits, including guest passes, a free spa visit, a free PT session and an InBody full body assessment sessions.

C Club takes pride in its community approach to health and fitness. In a country full of busy, loud gyms where a line-up for a treadmill is a constant especially during peak hours, C Club is a breath of fresh air. Becoming a member is simple, just visit C Club to see for yourself why this is the health club you didn’t know you needed and to find out which type of membership works best for you. They will take care of the rest.

C Club is located off of Bidaa Cooperative Street, Salmiya. For more information about C Club visit their website cclubkuwait.com or follow them on Instagram @cclubkuwait to stay up to date with their news.

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THE POWER OF THE SOROPTOMIST

Empowering, educating, and securing the safety of women in Kuwait By bazaar staff

Dr. Amar Behbehani

Initially established in Oakland, California in 1921, the first Soroptomist Club formed a baseline for the formation of a global volunteer movement of over 80,000 existing clubs with members in 132 countries working together to better the lives of women and young girls around the world. In looking at the Latin root of the word ‘Soroptomist’, soror, which means sister, and optima, denoting best, the organization arrives more as a global sisterhood that works with international agencies like the United Nations and the Association for Women’s Rights in Development when it comes to setting the club’s agenda and goals. Before we delve into the organization’s goals and ambitions, let’s backtrack a little bit. While being affiliated with an international organization underscores the very notion of reach and success, it’s still been a long time coming for this remarkable group of women in Kuwait that could. What first began as a dream by former president Dr. Stacy Al-Ghawas, is now burgeoning into a lively hub for women from all walks of life. In a previous statement to local newspaper the Arab Times, 62

Dr. Ghawas cites how the Soroptomist International Club Kuwait organization was first chartered four years ago from very humble beginnings, the basement of her home. All it took was this coming together of strong, hardworking women who work tirelessly and cohesively to empower one another and others. An admirable feat, surely, but much easier said than done. Soroptomist Kuwait, as part of the Soroptimist International Club, stands for the voice of women and girls, aims to further their education and professional development, focuses on training, fighting violence against women by and promoting gender equality. The Soroptomist Kuwait chapter has been in existence for four years, and yet they believe there is still so much work to do. This is an endeavor that the 47-member chapter of Kuwaiti and expat women alike has taken upon themselves to achieve along with the support of volunteer persons and organizations. From business, medicine, education, law, politics, marketing, media to finance, Soroptomist Kuwait members are diverse in their strengths and talents, allowing the chapter to aptly be present for women in various local social and economic demographics. It is this sense of accessibility that current president, creative educator and professor of Visual Communication and Design at Kuwait University, Founder of Wellness Kuwait, and Senior Art Psychotherapist Dr. Amar Behbehani is keen on preserving and growing. With this in mind,

Soroptomist Kuwait is looking to reach a younger crowd of women. From college students to seasoned professionals—there is always room for growth, mentorship, and forming a robust support system for women in Kuwait. Dr. Bebehani previously stated to the Arab Times, “My personal vision [as president of the Soroptomist Kuwait Club] is to shed light on the women’ s leadership process in Kuwait and to work collaboratively with governmental and non-governmental entities to achieve our goals as a local NGO that has an international presence in the United Nations. I am proud of what we have accomplished. And we thank the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor for their effort in helping us rise as an NGO.” The element of collaboration features strongly in Soroptomist Kuwait’s agenda, as the organization worked and continues to work with local groups, governmental and non-governmental organizations to usher in actionable plans and achievements that further their goals. Soroptomist Kuwait has championed the Thalassemia Awareness Campaign, advocating for the opening of a blood diseases center to serve those with hematology challenges, a symposium on gender equality featuring local ministers and political figures, a panel on palliative Care and the shroud of misinformation that surrounds this issue, the Manara Coalition which advocates for the safety of women and girls in Kuwait, and the Waraqati project.


(Left to right, top to bottom) Dr. Linda Fouke, Dr. Amar Behbehani, Dr. Nowall Al-Sayegh, Nefise Koc, Mai Alhajaj, Tahera Alawadhi, Dr. Iman Albasiri, Zahra Al-Gattan The Waraqati project was a crucial awareness objective for Soroptomist Kuwait. Aimed to help local women better understand their rights granted by the Kuwaiti constitution, various legislations of Kuwait and in turn, the international conventions and agreements signed by the nation, knowledge is empowerment, and without knowledge of their full rights as women, many lives are at risk. The current knowledge about these laws, relevant to the women’s place in the family and the workplace, as presented by United Nations Development Program in Kuwait in four Arabic handbooks, was only available in Arabic, and Soroptomist Kuwait went on to translate these documents in English and distributed them throughout Kuwait and the GCC. This ensures the accessibility of information and education to myriad people who may not necessarily speak Arabic as a first language. Another important cause that Soroptomist Kuwait continues to champion is ensuring the safety of women and their protection against violence. Establishing the EVAW (Eliminating violence against women) campaign, as well as the Women Wellness Campaign sponsored by Al-Hadi hospital, and hosting educational seminars aimed at the youth in schools. Since 2016, they’ve adopted the OrangeQ8 Campaign, signaling their commitment to the International Human Rights Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. From the 25th of November and up until the 10th of December of last year alone, they’ve carried out activities across

these sixteen days to highlight the need to end violence against women and girls. As part of the international campaign, they’ve not only utilized the campaign’s signature Orange color, they also resourcefully actioned the hashtags #OrangeQ8 and #NotOK on social media, facilitating for swift public engagement online. Complete with workshops, events, and major networking events with political groups, concerned persons and organizations, they went on to tackle a topic that many people still consider to be taboo. Campaign Coordinator Zahra Al Qattan noted the public’s overwhelming response through the combined efforts of events and social media awareness, and Dr. Amar Behbehani further highlighted at a United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) convention held at Kuwait University’s College of Sciences, that, according to a survey of 767 people in Kuwait alone, 51.2% have been affected by violence. The statistics cited at the event arrive from a wider survey conducted by Abolish 153, and Dr. Amar marked the importance of not only ensuring the safety of women in Kuwait, but also the safety of everyone in Kuwait as a basic human right. The campaign did in fact yield promising results, starting with shedding light on deeply important awareness factors. Since the start of the campaign, Soroptomist Kuwait has established an action plan, launching monthly seminars to provide assistance and guidance to university students affected by domestic

violence, as well as advocating for the formation of a safe house for female victims of violence in Kuwait that is soon to open its doors. A monthly survey is also in circulation to collect data about violence against people, with a goal to widen the scope of participants to achieve more accurate findings about the causes and effects of violence. While Soroptomist Kuwait aims to garner the efforts of more female volunteers, they ensure that the advancement of women in Kuwait cannot be achieved without the involvement of male supporters and volunteers. The organization welcomes male involvement and their championing of important female causes, as Soroptomist Kuwait is all about achieving equality for all, a universal right of all human beings. The current board of the Soroptomist Kuwait Chapter includes Dr. Amar Behbehani (President), Mai Alhajaj (Vice President), Tahera Alawadhi (PR and Media Officer), Dr. Iman Albasiri (Assistant Program Director), Zahra Al-Qattan (General Secretary), Dr. Linda Fouke (Program Director), Dr. Nowall Al-Sayegh (Treasurer) and Nefise Koc (Membership Officer).

For more information, please visit @SoroptomistKuwait on Instagram, and soroptomistkuwait.org. Photoraphy by Caroline Ericson, @PixbyCaroline on Instagram. 63


THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN SILICON VALLEY

Billionaire Masayoshi Son has a vision for an AI-powered utopia where machines control how we live—and he's spending hundreds of billions of dollars to realize it. Are you ready to live in Masa World?

By Katrina Brooker

It's a bright September morning in San Carlos, California, and Masayoshi Son, chairman of SoftBank, is throwing me off schedule. I'd come, as he had, to meet with the people he's tapped to run the Vision Fund, his $100 billion bet on the future of, well, everything. After almost four decades of building SoftBank into a telecom conglomerate, Son, an inveterate dealmaker, launched this unprecedented venture two years ago to back startups that he believes are driving a new wave of digital upheaval. He has staked everything on its success--his company, his reputation, his fortune. We'd both arrived with the same basic question: Where is this massive vehicle heading? But because I wasn't the one footing the 12-figure allowance, I understood that I'd be the one to wait. In the hubbub of Son's visit, my 9 a.m. meeting gets rescheduled multiple times until it's set for 4:30 p.m. When I finally arrive at the Vision Fund's offices, just off California's Highway 101, I'm struck by how mundane they are. Son is known for big, showy statements. He reportedly paid $117 million for a home in Woodside in 2013, the highest price ever in the U.S. This glass and concrete building, on the other hand, could be found in any part of suburban America. The room where I wait is spartan. There is an empty desk in one corner, and a conference table with a fake-wood veneer. I try to read the pale gray scribbles on a whiteboard, hoping they might shed light on what happens in this place, but the surface has been too well scrubbed. The interior glass walls of the conference room have been lined with a white, papery substance that turns anyone on the other side into apparitions. Finally, Rajeev Misra, CEO of the entity overseeing the Vision Fund, rushes into the room, smiling broadly and apologizing profusely. Misra, who has flown in from London for these meetings, looks exhausted but jacked up, as if he's gotten a shot of adrenaline. Son has this effect on people. It is an exceptionally busy day at the Vision Fund. Not only is the big boss in from Tokyo, but unbeknownst to me, the team is preparing to announce billions of dollars in new investments: a $1 billion round for Oyo, the Indian hospitality startup; $800 million split evenly between Compass and OpenDoor, two real estate disrupters; $100 million for Loggi, a Brazilian delivery startup. It also would lead a $3 64

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billion round in Chinese startup ByteDance, which makes several popular news and entertainment apps, including TikTok. At the same time, Son and his partners are in the midst of launching a second $100 billion fund, with plans already underway to raise an additional $45 billion investment from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia--the Vision Fund's primary backer."So what do you want to know?" Misra says, clapping his hands loudly. "You want the road map? I'll start from 10,000 feet. . . ." On the surface, the story of the Vision Fund is about money. How could it not be? The numbers are eye-popping. The Vision Fund's minimum investment in startups is $100 million, and in just over two years since its October 2016 debut, it's committed more than $70 billion. Son, 61 years old, will also back companies he likes via SoftBank itself or other means: He's put some $20 billion--and counting--into Uber and WeWork through a combination of financial instruments. (Son's machinations have always been highly complex and it's not worth getting lost in the minutiae; regardless of the means, the deals are at his behest.) His big-money bets agitate the venture capitalists who have long inhabited the dry stretch of lowlands between San Francisco and San Jose, a place where any fund over $1 billion was head-turning as recently as three years ago. Turns out, nobody likes competing with a bottomless-pocketed behemoth. "Have you seen the movie Ghostbusters? It's like the

Stay Puft Marshmallow Man tramping around," one VC tells me before I visit SoftBank. Then he asks me to ask Misra the question everyone in town wants to know: Who is Son investing in next? Underneath, though, lies a more complex story. Computers, Son believes, will run the planet more intelligently than humans can. Futurist Ray Kurzweil coined the term "the singularity" to describe the moment when computers take over--and he predicts it will be here by 2040. The Vision Fund could move up this date. And Son is pouring unprecedented amounts of capital into the people and companies employing artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize every industry that affects our lives--from real estate to food to transportation. When Son first detailed his vision, during an investor presentation in 2010--slides depicted chips implanted in brains, cloned animals, and a human hand giving a robotic one a valentine-there were plenty of scoffs. Many see this machine-driven future as frightening, or even dystopian. But Son believes that robots will make us healthier and happier. He has long told people, "I have a 300year plan," and that declaration is not just the fantastic ambition of a billionaire. He has the means to pursue these dreams, and they're starting to become very real. He is one of the few people with the power to make decisions that could have global consequences for the


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future of technology and society for decades, if not centuries. As Facebook and Google have demonstrated, machines take on the attributes of their makers. Algorithms, software, and networks all have biases, and Son likes to bet on founders who remind him of himself, or at least share his ideals. Son's values, then, will become our own, dictating the direction of this machine-powered world. So where is this massive vehicle heading? Our story begins with a dinner Son hosted one summer night in 2016 at his nine-acre estate in Woodside. The table was set in the garden so the guests could enjoy the crisp summer air of a northern California evening, as well as the breathtaking hilltop views of San Francisco horse country. Among the attendees was Simon Segars, who had no idea when he sat down to eat that this would be one of the most important events of his life. Segars, CEO of chip designer Arm, had imagined that he might win some new business from Son—perhaps SoftBank would agree to put Arm's chips in the cell phones it sells through its telecommunications businesses. He didn't fully appreciate at that moment that one of his dining companions, Ron Fisher, has been one of Son's trusted consiglieri for more than 30 years and is almost always present when Son is considering a major deal. "We started talking about AI and all these future-looking technologies," Segars recalls, and Son grew visibly animated. They discussed how Arm's technology could be used to turn anything--tables, chairs, refrigerators, cars, doors, keys--into a wired object. Son pressed Segars: If money were no constraint, how many devices could his technology create? As the leader of a publicly traded company, Segars had never been asked to think this way before. "I remember Simon's eyes getting very wide," Fisher recalls. A few days later, Segars was at his desk when a call came from Tokyo: It was Son, who said he needed to see him and Arm chairman Stuart Chambers right away. Chambers was on vacation, on a yacht off the Turkish coast, but Son didn't want to wait. He sent a private jet to fetch Segars and persuaded Chambers to dock his boat in the Eastern Mediterranean. The day unfolded like a scene from a James Bond movie: Segars landed at a small airstrip near the village of Marmaris, Turkey, where two security men picked him up and whisked him to an empty restaurant overlooking the marina. (Son had arranged to have it cleared of other customers.) "It was surreal," Segars says. Son got right to it: He wanted Arm and was willing to pay for it. In a deal that would astound Wall Street for its speed and audacity, SoftBank offered $32 billion for the company, 43% more than its market value at the time. Son negotiated and closed the deal in two weeks. A photo of that trip to Turkey shows Son standing by the port of Marmaris, boats bobbing on the sea behind him. 66

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He is smiling, as though he knows how big this moment is. To pursue his sweeping vision of interconnecting everyday objects to create intelligent machines, Son would need more money. So he created the Vision Fund. The first investor was the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, with a $45 billion commitment that October. It's hard to overemphasize the significance of the Saudis coming in at this stage. The entire global venture capital industry invested just over $70 billion annually, so the idea of a single $100 billion fund seemed fantastical. The move conveyed such confidence in Son's vision and ability to execute on it that it quickly attracted other investors, such as Apple, Foxconn, and Qualcomm. By the following May, the fund had secured $93 billion. As Son explained at the time, he needed this much capital because "the next stage of the Information Revolution is underway, and building the businesses that will make this possible will require unprecedented large-scale, long-term investment." Now he was

ready to start what Bloomberg has called "an all-out blitz on the heart of Silicon Valley."When I step off the elevator at WeWork's headquarters in New York City one Thursday morning in October 2018, a dozen or so children have taken over the reception area. They're students from WeGrow, an elementary school the company launched a year earlier, and they're hosting their weekly pop-up vegetable stand. "Would you like to buy something?" asks a girl of around 6 or 7, holding an iPad listing products and prices. I'm here to learn how Vision Fund's money is being spent and would rather not walk into my meetings holding a head of lettuce, so, feeling like the Grinch, I tell her I'll pick something up on the way out. She shrugs; there are plenty of other customers. Sunlight pours in through tall windows overlooking West 18th Street. The open floor plan lets me see from the reception area across rows of tables populated by WeWork members tapping away on laptops. At the far end of the space, there's a wall of glass, behind which Adam


Label M


Neumann, WeWork's CEO, is taking a meeting. He looks like a rock star, with long, dark curls brushing his shoulders, black jeans, and a widebrimmed black fedora, and as far as the Vision Fund is concerned, he is. "There is a sense of massive opportunity," says Fisher, who sits on WeWork's board. Son has even called WeWork his next Alibaba. In 2000, he put $20 million in the untested Chinese commerce startup. Today, Alibaba's market cap is nearly $400 billion. WeWork's potential lies in what might happen when you apply AI to the environment where most of us spend the majority of our waking hours. I head down one floor to meet Mark Tanner, a WeWork product manager, who shows me a proprietary software system that the company has built to manage the 335 locations it now operates around the world. He starts by pulling up an aerial view of the WeWork floor I had just visited. My movements, from the moment I stepped off the elevator, have been monitored and captured by a sophisticated system of sensors that live under tables, above couches, and so forth. It's part of a pilot that WeWork is testing to explore how people move through their workday. The machines pick up all kinds of details, which WeWork then uses to adjust everything from design to hiring. For example, sensors installed near this office's main-floor self-serve coffee station helped WeWork discern that the morning lines were too long, so they added a barista. The larger conference rooms rarely got filled to capacity--often just two or three people would use rooms designed for 20-so the company is refashioning some spaces for smaller groups. (WeWork executives assure me that "the sensors do not capture personal identifiable information.") "We can go to Berlin," Tanner says, tapping another monitor. He's now using Field Lens, project-management software that WeWork acquired in 2017. Field Lens helps WeWork track building construction and maintenance. A live image appears. Zooming in, Tanner shows me how the system can pick up granular details about a site. We're 4,000 miles away, but I see a nail sticking up from a floorboard. "We'll have to get someone to fix that," he says nonchalantly. I ask what else we can spy on. He taps the screen and calls up a large map displaying each of the 83 cities in which WeWork operates. From here, we can drop down into any of them: Around the world in 80 nanoseconds. "Basically, every object will have the potential to be a computer," adds David Fano, WeWork's chief growth officer, who is overseeing development of this new technology. "We are looking at, what does that world look like when the office is this highly connected, intelligent thing?" This is why Son is investing billions in WeWork. As of mid-December 2018, the tally was up to $8.65 billion (including debt and funding of subsidiaries), and the real estate company 68

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was valued at $45 billion. To meet Son's lofty expectations, WeWork is spending as fast as it can to spread its footprint. It has more than doubled its locations in the 15 months since SoftBank's initial investment, and WeWork has acquired six companies and invested in another half dozen. It has grabbed so much office space that it is now the largest commercial tenant in New York City, Washington, D.C., and London. It has expanded into Brazil and India. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the company planned to add more than 100,000 desks. This pace may only accelerate: SoftBank is in talks to take an even larger stake in WeWork for up to $20 billion, according to a source familiar with both companies. These moves have accelerated WeWork's revenues but also its losses. In the first nine months of 2018, WeWork shed $1.22 billion, even as it grossed $1.25 billion. The company owes $18 billion in rent from office space it has leased. When WeWork issued bonds last spring to raise another $700 million, ratings agencies labeled them of lower quality, aka junk. "We cannot get comfortable with the company's financial and operating position, which includes a massive asset/liability mismatch that is usually a recipe for disaster, significant cash burn, cyclically untested real estate business model, and uncertain path to profitability," CreditSights analyst Jesse Rosenthal wrote at the time. The price of those bonds dropped almost 5% below their list value in their first five days of trading, a signal of investor skepticism. As a result of WeWork's hypergrowth, both

physical and technological, the company is increasingly viewing itself less as a real estate company than "a spatial platform," helping connect humans with intelligent machines. A 2018 internal WeWork presentation depicted the scope of the company's aspirations as a series of concentric circles. On the outermost ring sit its actual business units, from its school to its gym to its live events (such as its annual adult summer camp, a mashup of the Governors Ball Music Festival, Bhakti Fest, and Burning Man). The next layer is the fundamental elements of human existence—live, love, play, learn, and gather—which those products seek to fulfill. Then, at the very center: We. Neumann has always been the kind of entrepreneur who thought about having 100 buildings when he had three, but with Son backing him, WeWork's expansion has been extraordinary. "Adam and Masa have a special relationship," says Artie Minson, WeWork's CFO. Those who work closely with them say Son sees in Neumann a younger version of himself--hungry and willing to move at top speed. Those inside WeWork say that Son's mentorship has been critical. "He's helped us move from asset-based thinking, how a building is performing, to how an account is performing," says Fano, who joined WeWork in 2015 when the company acquired his building management startup. WeWork's aim, he explains, is to "shed ourselves of any remnants of being like a real estate company." "Masa wants to meet with you. Can you get on a plane tomorrow?" For many, the call to Tokyo comes out of the


the promenade


blue, as it did with Stefan Heck, founder and CEO of Nauto, a startup that builds AI-powered cameras to enable self-driving vehicles. Heck had been preparing for a board meeting and was reluctant to cancel it, but one of his board members told him to get going, saying, "People spend their whole lives trying to get a meeting with Masa." Every entrepreneur who receives money from the Vision Fund eventually sits down with the SoftBank boss. The Vision Fund's 11 partners (based in California, London, and Tokyo) decide which entrepreneurs are ready at a weekly meeting, after months spent getting to know a company and its founders. Usually, CEOs are ushered into a large conference room atop SoftBank's sleek Shiodome tower in Tokyo, which has expansive views of the harbor and beyond, a metaphor for how Son searches wider than almost all other venture capitalists for his investments. One of Son's Vision Fund VCs, Jeffrey Housenbold, ex-CEO of the photo service Shutterfly, is leading an effort to build a system to track emerging startups, which he hopes will help the fund identify its next investments even faster and more efficiently. Son is small in stature and soft-spoken. Those who know him well say he's quick-witted and humble, with a self-deprecating sense of humor. When friends teased him about his vague resemblance to Charlie Brown, he put a Snoopy doll on his desk. One time, at an investor conference, he called himself "big mouth." He loves the movie Star Wars. "Yoda says, 'Listen to the Force,' " he told an interviewer, who asked him in May 2018 how he makes his investment picks. He rarely wears suits. When Nauto CEO Heck met Son for the first time, Son was dressed in jeans and slippers. "I have seen young founders come in very apprehensive to meet Masa," says Fisher, who is often with Son during these pitch meetings. "By the end they are talking to him about their dreams." Colleagues say Son is at his happiest when chatting with startup founders--brainstorming, strategizing, inventing. "If Masa could spend the whole day doing what he loves, it would be meeting with entrepreneurs," says Marcelo Claure, SoftBank's chief operating officer and the former CEO of Sprint (the wireless carrier that boasts SoftBank as its majority owner). Son is not focused on profit margins during these meetings. What he wants to know is, How fast can the company go? This has a hypnotic effect on his portfolio CEOs. Masa told me, "The entrepreneur's ambition is the only cap to the company's potential," recalls Robert Reffkin, cofounder and CEO of the real estate brokerage platform Compass (who says Son also asked him the question about what he would do if money were no object). Sam Zaid, CEO of the car-sharing platform Getaround, remembers Son inquiring, "How can we help you get 100 times bigger?" before ultimately giving him $300 70

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million in August 2018. Even proven winners are not impervious to Son's motivational gifts. "It is people like Masa who can accelerate our world," says Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who counts Son as his biggest investor. Khosrowshahi says Son's backing will be key to helping him build Uber into "the Amazon of transportation." And when Housenbold first met Son, the SoftBank chairman told his future Vision Fund partner, "We are going to change the world." Dave Grannan, cofounder and CEO of Light, another startup building 3-D cameras to be the eyes of self-driving vehicles, met the SoftBank leader in Tokyo last spring. (Son's strategy is to make multiple bets in the same categories; the house wins either way.) Grannan was in Son's office presenting how his technology works when Son grabbed a camera that the founder had brought with him as part of the demonstration. Son aimed its lens at a picture hanging on the wall, a portrait of a man who

looked like a Japanese samurai from long ago. He then handed the camera back to Grannan without explanation. Later, Grannan, feeling that it might be significant, looked up the image. The subject was Sakamoto Ryoma, a famous ronin adventurer who rose from humble beginnings to overthrow the feudal shoguns of the Tokogawa era and launch Japan into the modern age. He is Son's childhood hero. "Every morning when I come to work, it reminds me to make a decision worthy of Ryoma," Son once told an audience. "Ryoma was the starting point in my life." Son grew up poor on the remote island of Kyushu, in southern Japan. His family had emigrated from Korea in the 1960s at a time when racism and anti-foreign sentiment were rampant. His parents had named him Masayoshi, the Japanese word for "justice," because they hoped an honorable-sounding name would deflect cultural prejudices that cast Koreans as crooks, liars, and thieves. It didn't work: Son was bullied at school.


Tangle teezer


Son drew strength from his relationship with his father, who was convinced that his child was destined for greatness. Once, while in elementary school, Son told his father, Mitsunori, that he wanted to be a teacher. Mitsunori, now 82, told him he was thinking too small about his future: "I believe you are a genius," he said, according to Japanese biographer Atsuo Inoue in his 2004 book, Aiming High. "You just don't know your destiny yet." When Mitsunori was struggling to start a coffee shop, he asked his son to help him find customers. Son told him to offer free coffee to lure them in--and make up the losses once they came through the door. Mitsunori handed out drink vouchers on the street, and soon the cafĂŠ was full. After earning a degree from UC Berkeley in economics and computer science, Son returned to Japan and launched SoftBank in 1981. He had only two part-time employees and no customers, but he had mapped out a 50-year plan for the company that started with selling computer software. It didn't matter that, back then, very few people had computers and there was virtually no software business. When he told his two employees, "In five years, I'm going to have $75 million in sales," the pair promptly quit. To drum up business, he even followed the same advice he once gave his father: He handed out free modems on the street. Another time, Son reserved the largest booth at an electronics trade show and spent everything he had on fliers, displays, and a sign that read now the revolution has come. His booth drew a crowd, but still no sales. But he persevered, and by the mid-1990s, SoftBank was the largest software distributor in Japan and Son took the company public on the Japanese stock market. Son was drawn to the burgeoning internet boom of that era, and his attention turned to the United States. Success with investments in Yahoo and E-Trade led the company to make others, and by 1997, Silicon Valley's local newspaper labeled SoftBank the most active internet investor. "Our Ăźber-strategy is to get everyone's eyeballs, then their money, then a piece of everything they do," one of the company's VCs later told Forbes. In January 2000, two months before the peak of the dotcom era, Son claimed to own more than 7% of the publicly listed value of the world's internet companies, via more than 100 investments. As Son has told the story, at one point his personal net worth was rising by $10 billion per week; for three days, he was richer than Bill Gates. But SoftBank's stock slid as investors started to question Son's relentless dealmaking, particularly his decisions to acquire a bank and bring the Nasdaq stock market to Japan via a joint venture. Rivals and skeptics believed these moves would be used, respectively, to fund SoftBank investments and take them public. Then the U.S. markets crashed, in April 2000, and the stocks of such SoftBank high-fliers as Buy.com, Webvan, and even Yahoo collapsed. Son, a true believer, only sped up his 72

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investing in the face of the dotcom apocalypse. By March 2001, The Wall Street Journal reported that SoftBank had bet on 600 internet companies. By that count, he'd more than tripled his exposure in 14 months. During that same time, SoftBank's stock fell 90%, and $70 billion of Son's net worth disappeared. "Most human beings who've had the kinds of experiences he's had become tentative," says Michael Ronen, who has worked with Son for 20 years, first as a banker at Goldman Sachs and now as a partner in the Vision Fund. But Son, friends say, thrives on the edge. "You've never seen someone so fearless," says Ronen. Even as Son's empire was tanking, he invested $20 million for a 34% stake in a then obscure Chinese e-commerce site run by a former teacher. Fourteen years later, when that company, Alibaba, went public, that stake was worth $50 billion. "Twenty years ago, the internet started, and now AI is about to start on a full scale," Son told investors and analysts this past November while reporting SoftBank's second-quarter results. Standing on stage in Tokyo, he laid out the numbers to back up his assertion. Behind him, a slide featured dozens of companies in the Vision Fund's portfolio, many now valued at more than $1 billion (in part due to SoftBank's largesse). The Vision Fund's returns--after selling its stake in Indian e-commerce company Flipkart to Walmart in May 2018--had boosted SoftBank's operating profits by 62%.

Son and his colleagues refer to his strategy by using the Japanese phrase gun-senryaku, which can mean a flock of birds flying in formation. (Son also refers to his investments as his cluster of number ones.) Collectively, these enterprises are moving faster--and more forcefully--than they ever could individually. Those on the inside say it is even more rapid than anyone on the outside realizes. Over the summer, Son asked Claure, his COO, to start a new internal division devoted to "value creation." Its purpose is to help Vision Fund entrepreneurs access SoftBank's vast global resources and partnerships. Claure currently has 100 people working on the team, technically known as the SoftBank Operating Group, and expects to have 250 dedicated to these efforts by sometime next year. A key element of this value creation comes from connecting companies to help each other grow. Son hosts dinners and events to bring people together, and he suggests they use each other's services (a strategy he also deployed in the 1990s). For example, Compass and Uber rent space from WeWork. Mapbox, an AI-powered navigation system, inked a deal with Uber last fall. Nauto has met with executives from GM Cruise, the self-driving software maker in which SoftBank invested $2.25 billion last spring. Son's introductions help entrepreneurs feel more connected to a bigger purpose. "The family concept really does work," says Nauto CEO Stefan Heck. "There is a level of trust among us that we are all building toward this vision."


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Breaking Harvey Nichols Kuwait is spoiling everyone this spring by introducing the most fashionable European brands to enjoy. Menswear takes a spectacular leap into spring with pieces that exude suave continental cool. The family that pret a porters together, slays together in the style stakes. Keep your kids as snazzy and en pointe as you are modish and en vogue.

In

Harvey Nichols Kuwait Fashion: Harvey Nichols Kuwait Accessories: Harvey Nichols Kuwait Art Direction: Adel Alansari for bazaar Studios Photography: Faisal Al Bisher Hair: Lee Xiaomei Make-Up: Lemish Al Sayegh Models: Melissa, Wilhelmina Dubai and Jarek Nesterowicz Kids: Aya Bourji and Mahdi Bourji


Right Jacket: Baldesserini Shirt: Baldesserini Trousers: Baldesserini Sneakers: McQueen

Left Dress: Giambatista Valli Shoes: Malone Souliers

Previous Page: Blouse: Erdem Skirt: Erdem Shoes: Aquazzura




Right Suit: Tombolini Shirt: Tombolini Shoes: Bally

Left Dress: Giambatista Valli Shoes: Sophia Webster


Right Dress: Giambatista Valli Shoes: Malone Souliers

Left Jacket: Baldesserini Shirt: Baldesserini Trousers: Baldesserini Sneakers: McQueen



Right Dress: Erdem Shoes: Aquazurra

Left Dress: Erdem Shoes: Malone Souliers


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Right Tee Shirt: Versace Shorts: Stella McCartney Sneakers: GGDB

Left Dress: Versace Sneakers: GGDB


Right Tee Shirt: Versace Skirt: MSGM Sneakers: GGDB

Left Tee Shirt: Versace Shorts: Kenzo Sneakers: GGDB



LET ME, A MAN, EXPLAIN FEMINISM! On the power of potential, and not gender By George Tarabay

Extreme feminism. I dislike that term and whom it tends to harbor: Manhaters, male-vilifying women, extremists, fanatics, the parades, the media circus … And with that off my chest, allow me to re-center this movement in my article from my humble perspective to where feminism as a definition really belongs: equality. Let’s back track a bit. Note to my editor: Insert cassette tape, rewind SFX here. OMG! So funny because I’m referring to video editors and my editor is editing in text format…lol George. Editor’s reply: Okay, George… Anyway… I grew up affiliating as Arab and Lebanese, (hold your camels Lebos, we know you’re Phoenicians and not Arabs. So please, chill. Side note: Hold My Camel is an awesome podcast by two amazing people, check it out) and all I have been exposed to in movies, magazines, books etc. was the shameful following: Women are second class citizens, and we as men are ENTITLED to control them. But luckily, I had a father who was lightyears ahead of his own generation. One day, I argued with my younger sister, the argument led to her saying hurtful stuff, I retaliated by pushing her. I was 16, she was 10. My father comes back home from work, hears the story from my mum (aka the Snitch) and calls me into my room. I thought he was going to reinforce my sense of self-percieved ‘manhood’ and pat me on the back. Boy was I wrong! I cannot forget his opening line, “You’re punished, of course, but let me explain something that you may not be aware off.” He digressed. “Long after I am gone, and your mother is gone too, you are NEVER in charge of your sister, nor are you are her guardian. Whatever she does, and no matter how badly you think of it. The best you can do is give her friendly advice, and the best she can do is… listen to you. She doesn’t have to, but if she did, that would be cool. But you are not in charge!” “WHAT, is he crazy?” I thought to myself. “I’m a man. My sister is a girl, I’m in charge!” But then, being stuck in my room for a month (or three), made me notice a lot of things I have missed before. My dad treated my sister exactly like he treated me. He was as lenient with her as he was me, he was as strict with her as he was me. It blew my mind. It was then and there, that my father with one small sentence, and by leading with example, shaped me into becoming the man I am today. As I grew up, I stopped categorizing people by gender all together. Then, bit by bit, I started noticing potential rather than gender. I noticed the amazing leaders in my life in different stages and how, for the 88

most part, they were women. My mum in my early life, my wife during my ‘down’ days and until this day, my sister as an adult…. And the list keeps growing. Yet again, it is not about gender. Equality in its purest form means allowing people with the same potential access to the same opportunities and to the same leadership roles. Yet, what I see in my life, is that those strong women I looked up and still look up to, never demanded merit on the basis of their gender, rather their ability. And that alone, makes me dislike extreme feminism, or as comedian Daniel Sloth calls this phenomena “Facebook Feminists”. It’s people who believe that just because you are of certain gender, you are entitled to certain things and should be automatically defaulted into certain positions. If you ask me, I think that they’re bigots! Much like the bigot I was when I assumed I had control over any girl because she is simply a girl. True, women are still treated as second class citizens, and yes it is true that we should focus on them and furthering the notion of equality. But, if the people who claim to be extreme feminists understand that their current path of thinking could lead to a reverse situation, where they alienate men

rather than encourage them to side with them, then how quickly should we expect to achieve equality for our mothers, sisters and wives? Perhaps it is the nature of the angry feminist that reminds me of what I deeply dislike about extremism in general. When did humanity ever truly progress when anger prevailed, and cool heads lost? Feminism is equality, and equality is a right for everyone. Your gender does not grant you any right above someone else, much like I was mistaken that mine did! To the strong people in my life: My mum, my sister, my wife, my cousin Carmen, my best friends Claire and Dina… Your strength is feminism showcasing itself and demands respect without being hateful and loud. Thank you for letting me witness it. To my editor Yasmine, a gorgeous soul, thank you for editing me for the past three years. You definitely shaped me into the writer I am today. George Tarabay is a marketing expert/ Filmmaker/ comedian/Podcaster. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, SoundCloud @GeorgeTarabay. Photo by Søren Astrup Jørgensen on Unsplash.


Scientific Center


WASTE YOUR TIME And don’t feel guilty about it By Elizabeth Grace Saunders

As a time-management coach, you might think that my job is to help people always accomplish more. But that’s not the case. Oftentimes, I’m teaching people how to do less in general so that they have more time to get what really matters done. And I’ve realized that many people have a false sense of what is or isn’t a waste of time. For example, I shared a ski lift recently with a random teenager. As we rode to the top of the hill, I savored the beauty of the surroundings and the feel of being outside. He had his nose in his phone. By some measures I was the one “wasting” time because my enjoyment of that moment was not generating a tangible output or input. But I would argue that in fact the opposite was probably true. Being present in the moment was anything but a waste. When you need to decompress After a long day of work, sometimes you just need to give your brain a break. Exactly what that looks like varies from person to person, but it’s important. A few examples of mental decompression activities can include: exercising, taking a walk, watching TV, scrolling social media, taking a nap, reading, talking to a friend, listening to music, or even just staring at a wall—it’s a thing people really do. I don’t recommend scrolling on your phone all night. That will leave you more tired than refreshed. But if you need 30-60 minutes of just mindless time on your commute or once you get home, that’s pretty reasonable. If you invest in these mental decompression activities, you should come back to a more clear, alert place to engage with life for the rest of the evening. When you need to process your emotions If something happened during your day that really bothered you, take time to think about the situation and to process and release the emotions instead of busying yourself with other more “productive” activities. For example, if you had a tense confrontation with a colleague, you could talk about the situation with someone you trust, write out your thoughts, or simply think through what happened, what you learned from the situation, what you could have done differently, and how to move forward from here. If you like to process situations on your own, your commute could be a perfect time to just be silent and think through everything. This emotional processing may take you a few hours or more depending on the intensity of the emotion and the complexity of the situation. But by “wasting” those few hours, you gain peace of mind so you’re not carrying around the negative emotions from the situation for days, weeks, or even months. When you have a decision to make You need to give yourself time to actually think about them. So instead of impulsively checking your phone while you’re standing in line, think about whatever that big unmade decision is whether it’s a career move you want

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to make or a trip you want to take. Or instead of plopping down on the couch and allowing Netflix to determine the fate of your evening, give yourself permission to think about that financial issue that’s nagging you and to come to a good determination. Coming to a decision can lower anxiety and lessen regret from missed opportunities. When you need to get creative Creative Thinking: To come up with new, creative thoughts, your mind actually needs to relax. This more relaxed mindset is called the “diffuse” way of thinking as opposed to the “focused” mode of thinking. Diffuse thinking happens when you’re not thinking about anything in particular. That’s why people often say they get their best ideas in the shower. This can also happen when you’re brushing your teeth, walking, cooking dinner, or really in any other “in-between” time where your mind wanders. Although it can make sense to listen to podcasts, music, or audiobooks during these times, by

not “wasting” a little time by giving yourself input-free space, you may miss out on many spontaneous creative thoughts. When there is something worth savoring Circling back to my ski lift example, when I kept my phone zipped safely in my coat pocket and took time to take in the sensation of the brisk air on my face, the sight of the evening snowfall, and the sounds of kids laughing, I was “savoring” the moment. Although on the surface, that may seem like a waste of time, from a psychological point of view, it’s an important key to a happy life. Savoring involves being present in the moment and allowing yourself to fully feel and appreciate the positive emotions generated by the present. My fellow lift rider and I were in the same setting, I savored it, and he missed it. Taking time to really stop and appreciate what a sunny day to a laugh with a coworker to your dog can boost your mood both at present and overall.


that salasil


H&M GOES GLAM EXPLORING

THE STUDIO SPRING SUMMER 2019 COLLECTION IS PURE WANDERLUST By bazaar staff

The latest Studio collection from H&M will inspire you to pack your bags and book a ticket to someplace exciting and interesting so you can fulfill all of your globe-trotting, explorer dreams. And with outfits that befit a glamourous nomad you will look fantastic doing it.

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. It’s all about when effortless chic meets the style requirements of the uncompromising, strong, independent woman who loves a good thrill whether she is in the heart of a bustling urban city or a wild jungle. The all-eyes-on-me statement pieces are powerful while the versatile sport and utility-led items will easily keep you in motion while you move around the world. The collection is the brain-child of the dedicated H&M in-house design team in collaboration with renowned French stylist Geraldine Sagilo. Explorer fashion has always been in the collective subconscious, just think of classic adventurers like Gertrude Bell, Freya Stark and Amelia Earhart. Trailblazers who broke social and cultural barriers to discover more of the world. They would have appreciated the utilitarian approach to clothing, free-flowing white cotton shirts, trousers, and safari-ready separates. The glamour quotient is increased by late-night sequins. All of the pieces easily mix-and-match together. Add a sparkly item to a crisp khaki jacket or tunic and you are following in the iconic and dazzling footsteps of Bianca Jagger. “With H&M Studio we are always inspired by the idea of effortless glamour. What I love about this season’s collection is that there’s something for any glam explorer – it’s just about picking the pieces to suit your personal adventure,” says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Design Director.

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The collection takes the classic animal print dress and reimagines it in rainbow hues in a nod to the Potash mineral evaporation ponds in Utah, turning it into a unique and key piece. Or the ever-classic zebra print in a sarong-style skirt that works in an office paired with a shirt or over a swimsuit in a secluded lagoon. “The starting point for the H&M Studio S/S 2019 collection was a photograph of the Potash evaporation ponds in Utah. Those rainbow colors in that red canyon landscape were so inspiring and it got us thinking about escapism and wanderlust. When creating the collection, we were thinking about the woman who is always curious to explore – she is just as happy barefoot on a wild beach in Borneo as she is in the rooftop pool of a luxury spa,” says Angelica Grimborg, H&M Studio Concept Designer. There are more key pieces in the collection that are a mix of sunset-ready and sunriseappropriate wardrobe staples that are effortlessly and endlessly chic. Whether you're out desert trekking at the Mutlaa Ridge or urban living in Kuwait City, the sturdy linen suiting and the structured utility jacket will keep you looking on point from dawntill-dusk. Or, if you're doing yoga on an island retreat or in the studio in Salmiya, the bodysculpting leggings, with a loose-weave, handknitted, tangerine sweater or jersey T-shirt dress thrown over will keep you comfortable and flexible while still looking magazine-cover ready. Free-spirited women will enjoy the decadent sequin-splattered skirt and the silken pyjama short suit that will ensure haute impact – even in the most remote of locations. And in the simple flat sandals that you can wear while walking in a real or an urban jungle are both elegant and comfortable. Don’t forget to pack the one-shouldered swimsuit just in case you come across a beautiful hidden beach or a fancy five-star hotel pool. Just add a spritz of the H&M Studio S/S 19 fragrance – a striking blend of bergamot, amber and musk, formulated by Givaudan’s Nisrine Grillé, and you will smell as elegant and fresh as you look. “With H&M Studio S/S19, we wanted to capture the free-spirited day to night glamourmood of a collection which is made for a modern, continent-crossing lifestyle. The way cool girls are dressing now is to combine a statement piece with something very low-key – it’s that relaxed decadence that fuels this H&M Studio collection,” says Geraldine Saglio, Creative Advisor and stylist for the H&M Studio S/S 2019 collection.

The Studio Spring Summer 2019 collection will be available at H&M 1st Avenue – The Avenues and select stores across the Middle East on March 21st. For more information, visit kw.hm.com. 94

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Fantasy world


MORE THAN JUST A CV

Turns out, the proverb was wrong. You can teach an old dog new tricks By Ayman Nassar

Quite often in life, we are led to believe that we are destined to walk a single, straight path in this adventure called life. It starts from school, continues through university and then extends into our professional careers. Few will choose to deviate from this path. Us humans are exceptionally well known for our fear of the unknown. Despite other species’ taking on risk, birds flying across continents with changing seasons, and fish migrating across oceans for feeding or mating; we remain steadfast in our fear of the unknown. Consider Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong (especially when you’re most comfortable with your life). When you are confronted by the proverbial make-it-or-break-it scenario, you have two options; you either ride the tide and let the water carry you where it may, or you struggle and swim upstream against the current to hopefully regain a semblance of normalcy. It is human nature to gravitate towards our core strengths. However, it is also human fallacy to believe we have only a single set of strengths, as defined by our curriculum vitas. Never would we ever, for example, believe that something we once did in jest on a blog on the internet (back when blogging was cool) could actually lead to a new career path closer to our core passion. Insane right? Wrong! That does happen. It did happen and it will continue to happen. At the time of writing this article, I had gone from organizing two races for around a hundred people each, to organizing two races for 1,600 and 975 people, respectively. And it all started with a post. On a blog. Seven years ago. At the time, I was a running activist (an activist for the sport of running). Races had just started arriving on the scene in Kuwait, my earliest memory of an organized race being the Terry Fox Run back in high school sometime in the nineties. Coming to Kuwait to work and as early as 2010, a new race had popped up on the radar; Runq8 (now dubbed RunKuwait). From there it snowballed to every company jumping on the sport/CSR bandwagon and hosting their 5KM “marathons” much to the chagrin of English Linguists (every marathon is a race, but every race is not a marathon). I would pay my entrance fee, wear my free tee, and run the race. Afterward, I would sit down and try to merge the passion of my profession (auditing) with my core passion of running, and formulating a little report on what I believed should be done better next year. I believed said report would merely be lost in the annals of the internet somewhere between doggo and cheezberger cat. I kept up with the reports for quite a while, at times appearing as though standing atop a soap box in a public park preaching to the pigeons. This was done beside my 96

regular nine-to-five, which was actually seven-to-four, then eight-to-five-thirty, then eight-to-four. It kept going on until I my regular job evaporated into thin air (refer to the article I wrote in November 2017). I was left wondering, what do I bring to the table? So I sat down with one of the race organizers, a visionary who despite my seething critiques of his livelihood, saw not a sharp-tongued miscreant, but an opportunity to enhance his deliverables through someone who appears to know a thing or two about it. And the rest as they say, is history. The West Gulf Race was my first large scale race, the Hannibal Race was my second. I found myself in the pastime I once pursued for personal pleasure. Therein lies the lesson. One could pursue any profession in the world, and still

turn to their passion as a new career path, even though it might not be mentioned in their resume (I know mine are). When the day comes that organizing races becomes monotonous, derived of passion, then there shall always be another pursuit to venture towards (maybe comedy?). The path we take is not set in stone, for the hand which holds the chisel, to abrogation is prone. Like the Rubik’s Cube, Ayman Nassar is multi-colored in his interests, from running to organizing races, standup comedy and internal audit, plus a little writing on the side. You can find him on Youtube.com/lordaymz or follow him on Instagram @Lordaymz. Photo by Charles on Unsplash.


Kuwait’s Ultimate Entertainment Destination

TEK ZOne VISIT US AT THE FORUM - THE AVENUES, LOWER GROUND FLOOR Customer Service: Non-stop fun | More than 100 attractions

@TEKZONEME


THIS IS MY DENIM, HBU? Spring into a new season filled with Monki Denim By bazaar staff

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Monki have always had a good eye in terms of providing just the right pieces you’ll need in your closet. There’s no doubt that each and every one of us has a pair of jeans tucked in there, be it mom jeans, boyfriend, high waist, skinny, ripped, or flared. Monki denim offerings for the Spring season will update your closet with a muchneeded casual look, including a fashionable edit of essential denim jackets, pinafore dresses, and accessories. Most designers have always expressed their wish to have invented jeans, as denim represents democracy within the fashion industry. After all, jeans stand for comfort and casual. The flexibility of denim is revolutionary, since we all basically own a pair of jeans or a denim jacket, either for a statement, or relaxed, look. But, if you don’t already own the perfect pair of jeans, it can be difficult to pin down a new, daily wear kind of one. Monki believes that denim is an extension of yourself, a clothing staple that can be worn and shaped by your movements. For this Spring, the Swedish brand is presenting a brand new palette of denim, coming in a variety of washes and designs for your own preference. Making our jeans shopping process a whole lot easier, and less overwhelming than it usually is. Washed And Set The new palette at Monki presents different types of washes. Be it light, vintage blue, poppy purple, and a natural ecru. As these washes are provided, you can take your pick from one that you might not yet have in your closet, or choose the best of to start and set out your Spring go-to look with. Work Werk Struggling with a workwear outfit, and in-need to add a fun element to it? Monki’s new wide leg Rio jeans features hammer loop details. The perfect display with a lovely Viona shirt tucked in, and here’s a tip; add a belt to elevate your denim look! Pin The Pinafore What’s the denim equivalent of a little black dress? That’s right, the dungaree pinafore. We are obsessed with Monki dungarees, they’re making us look forward to those chill Spring days. Plus, what screams Spring other than a yellow pinafore dress or a pair of dungarees, that can be matched with a colorful or nude t-shirt underneath?! Pen The Throwback A fan of denim on denim (or not)? Mix and match denim with hats, we still can’t avoid the bucket hat comeback anymore, neither can Monki! So, bring back your 90s spirit with denim and hats to turn up or tone down the jeanious layering. The Monki denim collection is available at Monki today. Monki is located at Grand Avenue-The Avenues. For more information, visit www.monki.com, or follow @Monki on Instagram. 99


bazaar tries

BAZAAR GETS SERVED

The day Serve Bakery delighted our culinary senses By bazaar staff

Here at bazaar, we have a beautiful mixture of tastes, where our different backgrounds gives us a global insight. So, when Serve Bakery served us their baked goods and delightful desserts, we couldn’t hold our excitement to try them out, and start placing our judgements. Serve is a new bakery in Kuwait that provides a variety of sweet and savory bites. Basically, we got served the best of both worlds! The menu at Serve is divided into four categories; sections dedicated to Cakes, Trifles, Mini Bites and Cookies, and finally Fatayer. First of all, who can ever say no to cakes?! Or creamy, flavorful trifles, and crunchy finger bites of crunchy cookies. Fatayer alone are an irresistible category, where one is hardly ever enough. We can safely say that for cakes, the Pecan Pie is the shining star item. We couldn’t stop ourselves 100

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Kidzania


from having second servings, and the verdict on this pie was final; it is a must try! It’s extremely rich with flavors, the crust has a beautiful crunch to it. Whereas the caramelized pecan just adds to the sweetness of the pie itself, with a slightly, and unique roasted flavor coming from the pecans. Serve also include a variety of cheesecakes under their Cakes section. There’s the Classic Cheesecake, Turtle Cheesecake, Chocolate Cheesecake, and the Oreo Cheesecake. When you see the name of a Turtle Cheesecake, you can’t help but wonder why is it even called after a reptile? But, they’re actually inspired by turtle candies. The pecans are placed in a form where it looks like turtle legs, with the caramel and chocolate drizzle over the top, giving it a final look like turtle shells. The Turtle Cheesecake at Serve is surprisingly smooth, and the texture is extremely creamy. The cheese gives it a savory flavor, while the chocolate and caramel balance out this cake with the required sweetness. The result? A dense rich texture, yet a combination of sweet and savory tastes to delight the senses from this lovely looking cheesecake. Trifles are the kind of dessert you’d have to get for that refreshing feeling. The main ingredient of a trifle is a texture like custard poured over sponge cake. It’s aim is to be as creamy and delicate as possible. Serve’s trifles include a mixture of items that are both middle-eastern and western inspired, you can go from Dates Trifle to a Lemon Curd Trifle. Depending on your mood and preference, Serve will serve your trifle just right! The Mini Bites and Cookies section is dedicated to the same items on Serve’s menu, but they come in a smaller size. For example, you can have a full Pecan Pie, or several mini versions of it. The Mini’s are the perfect choice for big gatherings, providing easier access to sneak in several bites, or to just enjoy a piece by yourself, for yourself. The inclusion of cookies just elevates it more, where you have the Salted Caramel stuffed cookies, and Nutella stuffed cookies. Finally, we have Fatayer. You can never go wrong with a classical twisted Zaatar fatayer, they’re perfect for breakfast, snack, dinner, or at any time of the day. The dough which Serve serves is simply soft, light, and delightful. The same thing can be said of their fulfilling Kiri Cheese puffs. While there are several options to choose from in the Fatayer section, Serve make it easier for you to try them all by offering a Mixed Fatayer option. Now that we’ve tried both the sweet and savory baked goods from Serve, we have come to a decision. Serve Bakery is just the right place to provide you (and us!) with the yummiest desserts for quick gatherings and cravings. Its menu options are simple yet multiple, providing us with a variety of items to choose from, that will surely keep us satisfied and delighted endlessly. Try it out for yourself today! Serve Bakery is located in The Story Tower - Hawalli. For deliveries call 9220 0174, or follow @servekw on Instagram. Photos courtesy of Serve Bakery.

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Al tujariya


NEW VOICES

MANGO’s SS19 Campaign is all about the power of culture By bazaar staff

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Celebrated British photographer Alasdair Mclellan, whose photographs have graced the covers and pages of i-D, British Vogue, GQ Style and more, recently shot MANGO’s Spring Summer 2019 Campaign, and it’s absolutely stunning. The campaign features Adwoa Aboah, Jolie Alien, Luna Bijl, Sasha Pivovarova and Patrick Schwarzenegger as the protagonists who were chosen for their creative talents and strong voices in their fashion careers and their larger respective communities. Supermodel Sasha Pivovarova creates poignant freeform art while Jolie Alien paints abstract art. Dutch model Luna Bijl is a sporty quad rider, and Adowa Aboah is a vocal activist while Patrick Schwarzenegger has an entrepreneurial side. They all represent the different aspects that come together to form a community and the culture it creates. Mclellan’s own influence on culture through his photography and campaigns is undeniable. His use of natural light, sharp eye for composition and candid storytelling shows an authentic narrative. The campaign uses powerful slogans such as “Let’s build the future, together”, “Our dreams will inspire culture” and “We believe in the power of community”. It is only the beginning; the message continues throughout the season with upcoming actions and collaborations that will be unveiled on all of MANGO’s platforms with the hashtag #MangoNewVoices. It is a new world and MANGO is supporting the emerging positive collective cultural voice. “I belong in your arms” by New York’s duo Chairlift plays in the background of the video, with its electronic sounds keeping it modern and on the pulse without being gimmicky. The collection itself is an ode to MANGO’s commitment to contemporary styles and elaborate fabrics. Timeless garments such as the ubiquitous trench coat in pastel shades like pale pink, sky blue and lime make for the perfect pairing for everyday essentials. The cycle trousers are ground-breaking but set to become a key design. The semi-sheer and fluid fabrics in the dresses and blouses bring a certain yearning for summer. Metallic fabrics contrasted with the soft drapey pastels add depth to the outfits, while the tie-dye maxi shirts are fresh and inspired. The pastel shades stay consistent throughout the range of accessories but uses contrasting materials giving it added character for the items like the glass and bucket hats and sack bags. Braided shell details on strappy sandals and ankle boot sneakers add the finishing touches for a strong overall look. Fashion has always been a vehicle for self-expression and a society’s collective voice. Trends come and go and consumers might be fickle towards hemlines and prints but they will always gravitate to a brand’s strong and consistent voice like MANGO’s.

Shop the Spring Summer 2019 collection from MANGO at The Avenues, 360 Mall, The Promenade, Gate Mall and Kout Mall. For more information or to shop online visit shop.mango.com/kw.

Trench Coat, KWD 45.900

Trousers Plata, KWD 85.900

T-Shirt Marmol, KWD 9.900

Top Astic, KWD 13.900

Bag MCH Walter, KWD 13.900

Earrings Klaus, KWD 5.900

Hat Campaign, KWD 5.900

Silver Sandal 105


Geeks and gamers

REVIEW: RESIDENT EVIL 2 The evil lives on By Tim Burns

No, you haven’t picked up a copy of bazaar from the year 1998 (that would have been cool, though). Capcom have made and released a remake of everybody’s favorite horror sequel from everybody’s favorite horror franchise. Not much needs to be said about the Resident Evil series. Even if you aren’t much of a gamer, the name should be familiar to you. The series has been around since the first game launched way back in 1996 and paved the way for (even coining the genre) survival horror games. Titles like Silent Hill and Dino Crisis soon followed, imitating everything that Resident Evil created but never bettering it. Fixed camera angles, a creepy abandoned mansion setting, tank controls, limited inventory system, a spine-chilling soundtrack, sound effects and confined spaces all combined to make it the scariest game of all time, at that point. Many would argue (myself included) that 23 years later, it’s still the scariest game of all time. Two years later came Resident Evil 2 and it blew everybody away, building on that first excellent game and doing the impossible by bettering it in every way imaginable. Fast forward to 2019, and over 20 other titles in the series, as well as successful movies, and developer Capcom have followed the trend in 106

‘remakes and remasters’ and given us RE2 again. But this isn’t just the same game with slightly better graphics-they have remade it from the ground up for the current generation of consoles and gamers. The story remains the same: you arrive in Racoon City as either Leon (a rookie police officer) or Claire (looking for her brother) and discover a zombie outbreak. You choose to play as either character and when you finish the game, can replay as the other. The environment and story stays the same each time but you follow different paths so replay-ablity is high. You also get a rank based on how well you played so you’ll always want to have another try, to see if you can finish faster or more efficiently, to get the best rank and earn some nice bonuses and unlocks. One of the key gameplay elements in Resident Evil 2 that has carried over to the remake is inventory management. You only have a limited number of slots to store items, so you’ll soon fill up your allotted space. You’ll very often have tough choices to make as to what you should leave and what you should keep; do you want to keep that valuable health restoration, or should you ditch it in favor of an extra box of ammunition? Speaking of ammunition, it’s extremely scarce and hard to come by, which presents another dilemma in that you must decide how you’ll deal with the many zombies that you come across. You can choose to just avoid and run around them a lot of times (which means you risk taking damage and having to deal with them later in the game) or you

can unload on them, but leaving you with less ammo for the later, harder enemies. While this can be offputting for some, it’s another design choice in the game that adds to the tense and scary atmosphere. Personally, I would prefer that this wasn’t in the game, but I understand why it is, and think it’s for the best. Visually, the game looks amazing, especially running in 4K. The level of detail in the police station (where you start) and other environments will make you stop and look at everything around you, when you’ve dealt with the undead, that is. Most of the station is in darkness, so you rely on your flashlight a lot and the way the beam moves with you as you look around the room is graphically brilliant, many times the game looks like you’re watching a movie, which is a far cry from the blocky look of the original Playstation version! The zombies themselves are gruesome and terrifying and you’ll dread each and every encounter with them. The soundtrack does a perfect job of setting the tone, and the sound effects of the zombies and other monsters will put legitimate fear into you. All in all, Resident Evil 2 is one of the best horror games out there for this generation, and if you like your games with scares you can’t go wrong with this title. While the inventory system is a little off putting for some, I’d recommend to try and see past it-once you’re involved in the story, puzzle solving and zombie extermination, it won’t really matter anyway. Especially once you find the terrifying Mr X…or when he finds you, more accurately. Don’t have nightmares!


Talabat


GO ALL OUT!

Miss Selfridge occasion wear has you covered, no matter the event

By bazaar staff

Stressing over what to wear for your next big dinner party? Not to worry! This season, it’s all about flawless, no-stress dresses and separates at Miss Selfridge fit for every special occasion. Whether you’re smartly wardrobe prepping for wedding season, which is right around the corner, or you’re looking for that picture-perfect dress in the season’s most coveted shade of millennial pink, they’ve got it all. Stand out elements like lace detailing, demure tailoring, and trendy polka-dots make for a super modern take on classic occasion wear. What we love most about this collection is that many of the pieces work beautifully for daytime occasions, too. The ecru colored jumpsuit with the cutest ruffle details and super stylish polka-dots is our go-to for attending those day-time lunch events, as well as the statement, headturning blush suit. With warmer weather approaching, it’s time to get your tan on, if only to rock the stunning blush lace-overlay cocktail dress that will surely dazzle at the most talked about wedding of the season. Whatever the occasion, we’re pretty sure that you’ll find the ultimate outfit to impress from Miss Selfridge.

Find Miss Selfridge in 1st Avenue – The Avenues, The Mall – The Avenues, Grand Avenue – The Avenues (Inside Debenhams), Al Kout Mall and Marina Mall (inside Topshop). For more information and for the latest updates, check out Miss Selfridge on Instagram @MissSelfridgemiddleeast.

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POOR MENTAL HEALTH CAN LEAD TO PHYSICAL AILMENTS It is all in your head, really By Aneri Pattani

When she was 14 years old, Diana Chao began having migraines. She often felt dizzy as she walked. Sunlight seemed to pierce her skull. “It felt like shards digging into my eyes,” said Chao, now 20 and a sophomore at Princeton University. After a week of constant pain, her parents took her to an optometrist. That’s when they learned she was “swelling from the inside out,” Chao said. She had uveitis, an inflammatory eye disease that can send the pressure inside an eye soaring and render people temporarily blind. For the next four years, Chao visited ophthalmologists, rheumatologists and many other specialists in Los Angeles to find a cause. Episodes of temporary blindness resurfaced every few months. “But every single test came back fine,” Chao said. Until one ophthalmologist said she’d seen the condition in several patients with mental illness. That’s when it clicked for Chao, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her body might be reacting to her mind. Research shows that mental illness can often manifest as physical symptoms. Depression can show up as headaches, anxiety as gastrointestinal issues, or post-traumatic stress disorder as back pain. The phenomenon is especially common among Asian-Americans, studies show. More research is needed to understand why, but psychologists suggest that it may relate to the stigma around mental illness in many Asian cultures that prevents people from discussing it openly, and traditional Eastern views of an interconnected mind and body. But many clinicians are unaware of these somatic, or physical, symptoms of mental illness among Asian-Americans, leaving a population of more than 21 million underdiagnosed and undertreated. Chao, a mental health activist and an avid researcher, looked into the connection between uveitis and psychological distress. While there have been cases linking the two since the 1980s, it isn’t known whether one causes the other. Still, Chao finds some solace in thinking there might be an explanation for her uveitis. “It’s always been a big question for me,” she said. The idea of physical reactions to psychological problems is not new, said Miwa Yasui, an associate professor at the University of Chicago who studies mental illness in ethnic minorities. “For anxiety, we think of racing heartbeat and sweaty palms.” But it can be more pronounced in some cultures, where expression of emotion is discouraged. 110

“Especially for East Asian cultures,” she said, “there’s a tendency to tone down talk about feelings — negative or positive.” That was the case for Chao’s family, who emigrated from China to Claremont, Calif., when she was in elementary school. Although Chao experienced depression from a young age, she waited years to tell her parents. Her father had been a traditional healer in China, where the mind and body are often seen as one. Chao said that in her culture, when you say mental illness, “people think there’s something wrong with your body.” And they treat it by addressing the physical ailment. Therapy or psychiatric medication is reserved for people considered “crazy,” she said. Nary Kith sees this daily in her work with Cambodian refugees in North Philadelphia. Many come to her with complaints of chest pain, headaches and stomach problems. Yet their doctors haven’t been able to find a physical cause. They often have untreated post-traumatic stress disorder from the war and genocide in Cambodia during the 1960s and ’70s, said Kith, executive director of the nonprofit Kith’s Integrated and Targeted Human Services. “Having that experience doesn’t go away unless you process it,” she said. Kith, a Cambodian, born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her parents fled the war. Her family was forced to move twice more before settling in Philadelphia in 1984. “When you finally get to process the trauma years later, it’s so overwhelming you can’t function,” Kith said. “It’s going to come out in a physical sense.” A 2013 study from Massachusetts General Hospital

and Harvard Medical School documented neck soreness as a common symptom of PTSD among Cambodians in America. Researchers suggest that it relates to the mental trauma of people during the genocide being forced to carry heavy loads of dirt on a pole balanced on their necks. “You wouldn’t typically find that in an anxiety inventory, but it may be one of the symptoms a person might report,” Yasui said. For years, Chao kept quiet about her mental health struggles. Even when she had thoughts of suicide, she rarely mentioned them at home. Instead, she wrote letters to an imaginary stranger who she thought would understand her pain. That practice eventually led Chao to start a nonprofit called Letters to Strangers, which works to destigmatize mental illness and expand access to treatment. Today, she is open about her mental illness, speaking at mental health conferences and TEDxTeen. She has fewer episodes of uveitis — a trend she attributes to getting better mental health care and feeling “accepted as someone with mental illness.” But the responsibility to address this issue shouldn’t lie solely with patients, experts say. Primary-care doctors, often the first point of contact for patients, need to consider psychological causes for symptoms and mental-health clinicians need to ask about physical symptoms and cultural factors while making a diagnosis. Photo by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash.


Vegan Dishes

Mais Aloo Samosa

Apple Mighleh Vermicelli

www.maisalghanim.com

Not available for delivery & for a limited period only

Eggplant Kibbeh

Potato Walnut Kibbeh

Mixed Dolma

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SPRING FOR GREAT PRICES AT RIVER ISLAND

Amp up the glam factor with outfit ideas for every occasion

By bazaar staff

As we say hello to those extra sunny days, and usher in a season full of Spring events, River Island has given us a collection filled with glamour for all occasions. Spring is all about slaying the glamour, and keeping a bit of warmth by layering with key pieces. Mix and match jumpsuits with cool blazers, choose extravagant accessories, beautiful dresses, and statement bags and heels for a flawless look from top to bottom! The best part about River Island’s latest collections? The prices! With great price offerings, you’ll have a variety of options to go for and an outfit to wow at every gathering. LARGE USE River Island is located at 1st Avenue – The Avenues, Debenhams at Grand Avenue – The Avenues, Marina Mall, Al Fanar Mall, and Debenhams at Souq Sharq. For more information, follow @riverislandme on Instagram and Facebook.

SMALL USE

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Cross Body Bag, KD 9.95

Ruched Sleeve Blazer, KD 29.95

Tie Wrap Dress, KD 19.95

High-neck Bodysuit, KD 9.95

Court Shoes, KD 19.95

Tapered Leg Jumpsuit, KD 21.95

Coin Necklace Multipack, KD 5.95

Check Wide-leg Trousers, KD 13.95

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THESE ARE THE 3 COMPONENTS OF A GREAT STORY Our brains are hardwired to hear stories, rather than hard facts By Anett Grant

I was recently coaching a C-suite executive from a multi-billion-dollar company. He started telling me about his background and told me he was from Mumbai. Having spent time in Mumbai, I asked: “where in Mumbai?” “From the slums of Mumbai,” he answered, “My mother had me when she was 16. She made me study–in the middle of relentless chaos–she made me study.” His answer immediately stood out to me for two reasons. One, his mother made a huge difference in his life. Two, in just a few sentences, he encapsulated the elements of telling a great story. As a speaker (or an audience member who has listened to great speeches), you’re probably familiar with the impact of a great story. As television personality Jason Silva told Fast Company‘s Joe Berkowitz in a 2014 article, “Our humanness is built on the ability to understand ourselves in the context of a story, so we’re basically hardwired for stories.” A great story lures your listeners in and allows them to experience your journey with you in a way that cold hard facts cannot. A compelling narrative, however, needs to have three elements. So the next time you think about incorporating an anecdote in your speech, make sure that you do these things below: BUILD ANTICIPATION If I said to you, “get in my car,” you’ll probably ask me, “Where are we going?” Think of your speech like a destination. Your audience wants to know where you’re going. The more your listeners can anticipate where you’re going, the more engaged they become. I bought a kids game, Shark Attack, for Thanksgiving. With a plastic hook, you need to yank the fish out of the shark’s mouth. However, at any moment, the shark’s mouth springs up and chomps. It was hilarious–we knew the shark would bite–but we didn’t know when. This was a game of anticipation, something that’s crucial in great storytelling. By telling your audience what they can expect up front (but without sharing when it will happen), you build anticipation without giving away too much of your speech. SHARE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES When I asked my client–who’d been an admiral in the navy in wartime–“What was the best moment of your career?” He looked at me, and without pause, he said, “coming home.”

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His words hit me. How many times have you been traveling for work, or even exploring for pleasure, but found that the best moment was the feeling you get when you arrive home? What makes that story so compelling is the personal connection. Movies and television rely on strong visual imagery to let you experience a different world, but as a speaker, you have to rely on your authenticity and ability to connect with your listeners. That starts with telling a story that contains personal feelings your audience can identify. Now, you may feel tempted to repeat a good story you just heard, but you’ll have so much more power as a speaker when you tell your own stories. When you tell someone else’s story, you focus on getting the words right. When you talk about your personal stories, you focus on the experience. For example, I was so excited to get frontrow seats to see Bette Midler. I couldn’t wait to hear her sing “The Rose” to me in the front row. But then she came on stage and began talking. It turns out that I hadn’t read the fine print and she was there to give a speech about her trash project (Park Restoration), not to perform. But once I recovered, I was so amazed at how she could share her experiences so vividly like a great

actress and demonstrated that great storytelling is about revealing the feelings that are at the core of the experience–not just in the events. KEEP IT SHORT A good story should be about one minute and 30 seconds to two minutes and 30 seconds max. It’s just like driving, if you take too many detours, you’re likely to get lost. Similarly, so many speakers add too many details about the characters–their clothes, their backgrounds, their culture, their history, and their ancestry. They leave the audience more confused than engaged because they leave them wondering where all this is going. Let’s say I told you that I was sitting with my husband, who is a psychologist and also a big fan of Bette Midler, and we had seen Bette Midler perform in New York and we’d paid over $100 per ticket, and that was big dollars back years ago. Would you care about all these details? At best, a little–at worst, not at all. Think about what you want to hear if you were listening to a person tell their story. Chances are, you won’t be thrilled if they launch into a monologue. Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash.


shakeurshack

o y p u d Roun ! w e r c e u ‘c

• Grand Avenue & 1st Avenue - The Avenues • Al Fanar Mall • The Gate Mall • Jabriya, Block 1A, Street 105 • Albida’a, Al-Ta’awn Street • Kuwait International Airport • Sidra Restaurants, Mahboula, Coastal Road • Al Kout Mall • Murouj


WHO’S WATCHING?

The liberating effect of dance with & Other Stories and LACMDS By bazaar staff & Other Stories jumps, leaps and bounds through spring with an energy that only comes from knowing the joy of expression through dance. They have teamed up with the L.A. City Municipal Dance Squad (LACMDS) to collaborate on a collection and to create spaces where women can break out of their shells and express themselves freely without fear of judgement or failing to meet the stifling and restrictive expectations of others.

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Co-labs with & Other Stories launched in 2013 and the lifestyle label has since worked with many talented and diverse women. Previous collaborations, or colabs, feature a wide range of inspiring creatives such as writer Lena Dunham, nonagenarian fashionista Iris Apfel, and stand-up comedians Jen Kirkman and Aparna Nancherla (see bazaar issue December 2018). LACMDS is simply the next dance step. “Being silly is a great way to break out of your shell and stop worrying about being seen as ‘cool’,” says Angela Trimbur, Captain of the L.A. City Municipal Dance Squad. “You just have to give yourself permission to feel free and dance for yourself!” Finding that safe space is not always easy though so the partners found Bahia, a venue in Los Angeles, where they put on an interactive, freeing dance night. The venue is transformed into a non-judgmental space where women can play, break free and be as goofy as they like! The LA dance squad makes the perfect Colab partner because they have a uniquely inclusive philosophy, not the first thing you think of when you think of dance which can be elitist and inaccessible. Collaborating with & Other Stories gave LACMDS the opportunity to tell the story of the squad, the members who refreshingly come in all shapes and sizes, and their movement. Anna Nyrén, Head of Colabs for & Other Stories explains, “This story is about encouraging women to let loose and be fearless.” You can see the results of these efforts this month with the release of the partnership’s co-created series of liberating documentary films and imagery, as well as the beautiful collection of clothes that has been borne from this inspirational collaboration between LACMDS and & Other Stories. It is revealing to speak to the members of the dance squad and ask them how being in LACMDS with such an open and accepting attitude has affected their lives. Co-choreographer with Angela, Bonnie Hernandez states, “I have learned to let go of my fear of judgment as I’ve gotten older, and certainly as a result of being on the squad.” Another member talks of how the squad has helped her to embrace her curves, creating a powerful shift in how she thinks of herself. Yet another says dancing helps to relieve the stress of her studying to be a mid-wife. It is not hard to see that dance fits into and enhances many women’s lives. LACMDS and & Other Stories are challenging women all over to embrace this fearless attitude and dance philosophy. From now until International Women’s Day on March 8th, share your dancing stories through the hashtag #dancingstories and connect globally with this dance movement which is happening at home, on the streets, at work, school or wherever the women taking part are. Using the hashtag #dancingstories share your dancing stories. & Other Stories is located in Grand Avenue - The Avenues. Follow @andotherstories and @lacitymunicipaldancesquad on Instagram to see more on the co-lab. Read the online interview with Angela Trimbor on www.bazaar.town. Exclusive BTS polaroids courtesy of & Other Stories. 117


PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT ON TALABAT The odds for this card game are stacked so you can’t lose By bazaar staff

Next time you are looking for something to beat those cravings on Talabat, check out the colorful blocks at the top of the restaurant search page. Talabat is calling them Filter Cards, but we think of them as shortcuts to deliciousness. They are curated and filtered lists that can help you quickly find exactly what you’re looking for. With Talabat’s Filter Cards, you can easily explore collections of restaurants and stores grouped by category. By the end of the month, when we are usually strapped for cash but still aren’t up for packing a lunch from home, we check the “Free Delivery” or the “Special Offers” filter cards. They are full of great deals and promotions. Regardless of how much money we have, we are almost always ravenous, and we are definitely always impatient. The Internet age ruined us, and we want everything to appear instantly, so we have trouble waiting for our next meal. Which is why we love the “30

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Min Delivery” and the “Delivered by Us” cards, they offer faster delivery and we obsessively watch our delivery move on the map as it makes its way towards us. We’re busy people who love doing important and meaningful things with our time like binge watching Netflix and scrolling through Instagram. We just don’t have the time or energy for standing in line at the supermarket. Talabat’s grocery option has changed our lives in a good way. Boring trips to the store are now a rarity. Just pick the “Grocery Stores” Filter Card to find the stores that will deliver to your door. From big store names like Carrefour where you can find everything you need, to the more niche and specialized brands like Al Ameed Coffee and KDD for all things juice and dairy. Even Abraaj Water now delivers on Talabat, no more hauling those heavy boxes of water from the car to your apartment. Grocery shopping is so 2018 so let’s leave it in the past. It is easy to get stuck in a rut food-wise and just stick to a few restaurants. The “New On Talabat,” card is a perfect way to discover the newly added restaurants. While the “K-Town Favorites” is a collection of Kuwaiti

restaurants that consistently deliver amazing food and are loved by everyone, like Pick, Slice, and Dogmatic. We’ve discovered some truly amazing gems this way and haven’t had food ennui in ages. The best thing about the Filter Cards is that they are updated regularly. Not only do they add restaurants but they also create new cards, so they are a constant source of inspiration. bazaar tip: Many of the promotions and special offers are only available for a limited time only, so if you see one you like, don’t miss it.

Head to the Talabat app on iOS or Android and check out Filter Cards for yourself.


ihop


EARN YOUR STYLE STRIPES

Buy two get third free on shirts and bottoms with American Eagle By bazaar staff

Now is the perfect time to explore fashion with American Eagle. Until March 19, you can buy two and get a third free on all shirts and bottoms! This spring, have your ripped jeans with embroidered hems take center stage. Match them with a solid-color shirt casually thrown over a buttondown skinny rib effect tube top. Or, match tie-front detail striped v-neck tees with embroidered flower side-stripe jeans. Try the latest American Eagle crop jeans in a rose pink, wide leg, and the muted black skinny crop with frayed hems or high-rise jeggings with a crisscrossed laces front detail. Pair a vintage inspired, sailor neckline striped jumpsuit or knotted-top dress with stitch detail bags and woven leather-style mule slipons to keep you and your style fresh for spring.

Embroidered Jeggings, KD 20 Button-down Striped Tee, KD 9 Satchel, KD 27 Button-down Striped Tube, KD 5 Hoop Earrings, KD 3 Gold Grey Wrap Watch, KD 9

Denim Jegging Crop, KD 17 Button-down Stripe Tee, KD9 Denim Jegging, KD 20

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Tie-front Dress, KD 16 Saddle Bag, KD 12 Tear Drop Good Hoop, KD 4 Loafer Mules, KD 14

Circle Bag, KD 12 Jeggings, KD 24 Loafer Mules, KD 14 Oversized Shirt, KD 15

Striped Button Jumpsuit, KD 21 Fabric Earrings, KD 5 Gold & Red Arm Party, KD 5 Loafer Mules, KD 14 Circle Bag, KD 12

Product details listed Left to Right. Shirts & Bottoms buy two get third free ends Tuesday March 19, 2019. American Eagle is at the following locations: 1st Avenue – The Avenues, The Mall – The Avenues, Grand Avenue – The Avenues (Inside Debenhams), Marina Mall and Al Kout Mall. Keep up-to-date on American Eagle style by following @americaneagleme on Instagram and @americaneaglemiddleeast on Facebook. Main image courtesy of American Eagle. 121


bazaar movie night

The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in March

GRETA

LOOK AWAY

CAPTAIN MARVEL

BETTER START RUNNING

THE GUEST ALEPPO TO ISTANBUL

WONDER PARK

Release Date: Mar 4 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Horror Cast: ChloĂŤ Grace Moretz, Isabelle Huppert Synopsis: When a young woman makes friends with a mysterious widow who harbors a dark and deadly agenda towards her, an innocent relationship quickly turns toxic. Frances first finds a handbag on a New York subway and swiftly gives it back to Greta, the peculiar French, piano teacher who loves her spot of tea and enjoys classical music. The quick evolution of the friendship between Frances and Greta makes this an unmissable film.

Release Date: Mar 14 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Comedy Cast: Alex Sharp, Analeigh Tipton, Maria Bello Synopsis: An eclectic band of misfits becomes an unlikely family as they take a wild journey in the name of love while on the run from an overzealous FBI duo who wants them dead or alive. The story begins with Harley the store clerk, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself on the run with the girl of his dreams, his grandfather and a hitchhiker. Against all common sense, the four misfits follow a mysterious map that takes them on a wild and zany adventure, but a determined FBI agent and her rookie partner start to close in.

Release Date: Mar 7 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Horror, Thriller Cast: India Eisley, Jason Isaacs Synopsis: Written and directed by Assaf Bernstein, Look Away follows a timid social outcast, Maria, who is constantly degraded by her peers at school. Her own father regularly chastises her social habits and appearance with no thought as to how it could negatively affect her. Maria gets little support from her chronically depressed mother, Amy, or her childhood best friend, who seems to see Maria as more of a burden than a bestie.

Release Date: Mar 14 Theaters: Cinescape, VOX Cinemas Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama Cast: Saba Mubarak, Yesim Ceren Bonzoglu, Muhammed Refki Synopsis: When a migration story also becomes one of motherhood. The story of the journey of Lena and Meryem during their flight from the war in Syria. Lena is a ten-year-old girl who has lost her family in the war. She finds herself forced to make her way to Turkey with her baby sister and their neighbor Meryem, along with the other refugees. What Lena really wants is to return home, while Meryem’s hope is to reach Europe. They arrive in Istanbul only to face new challenges.

Release Date: Mar 7 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, Jude Law Synopsis: Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. For those left wanting answers after Infinity Marvel, Captain Marvel is poised to answer at least some of the big questions presented at the end of the previous film. Nonetheless, expect to enjoy this film as a standalone feature about a new super hero, set in the 90s era.

Release Date: Mar 14 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Animation, Adventure Cast: Jennifer Garner, Mathew Broderick, Mila Kunis Synopsis: Imagine the most magnificent of amusement parks courtesy of the creative mind of a young girl called June. June spent her childhood envisioning the perfect amusement park, with awesome rides, talking animals, all living together in a world called Wonderland along with her mother (Jennifer Garner). Sadly, June loses her sense of imagination after her mother dies, until she finds the real wonderland in the woods. June needs to team up with the animals to help stop the destruction of Wonderland.

For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit www.cinescape.com.kw and kwt.voxcinemas.com. *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice. Other source: www.andacfilm.com 122


Aromi


DISCOVER THE BENTAYGA SPEED Bentley Motor’s fastest, fanciest production SUV has arrived By bazaar staff

W S

UVs have always been the best of both worlds. They are smooth and responsive in the city during the week as you commute to and from work, but still transition seamlessly to rough terrains when you go on weekend adventures. And while they might be utility vehicles, we still want our SUVs to be fast, formidable and fancy.

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Bentley Motors has just announced the details of the world’s fastest production SUV. The Bentayga Speed features an enhanced 626 bhp version of the renowned 6.0-litre W12 engine that delivers a top speed of 306 km/h and an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. It is designed, engineered and handcrafted in Great Britain to be the most powerful and performance-oriented Bentayga yet. The muchimproved performance deserved an updated purposeful exterior look. Dark-tint headlights, bodycolored side skirts and a striking tailgate spoiler hint at the SUV’s performance credentials. Darktint radiator and bumper grilles, a unique 22-inch wheel design available in three finishes and Speed signature badging add to the sporting design cues.

Inside, the Bentayga Speed introduces a dramatic design theme. This includes elegantly crafted ‘swooshes’ around the door and door grab, on the edge of the seat cushions and backrest bolsters, and on the lower console; a new contrast stitching on the diamond quilting; discreet Speed badging; a Speed illuminated treadplate signature; and the use of Alcantara materials for the first time in a Bentayga. Alcantara is a highly tactile cloth that is often the preserve of high-performance cars – it has previously been used by Bentley on models such as the Continental Supersports. You can still opt for leather if that is what you prefer. Future owners can add other personal touches to the Bentayga Speed to make it truly their own.

Among them are carbon ceramic brakes, 22-way adjustable front seats with massage function, carbon fiber fascia panels, Bentley rear-seat entertainment (RSE) and mood lighting. The performance pinnacle of the Bentayga range, Speed is equipped with four on-road Drive Dynamics modes: Comfort at one extreme, and Bentley and Sport at the other, with Custom for customers who opt to create their own driving setup. Uniquely in the Speed, the Sport mode has been recalibrated to enhance response from the W12 engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as the suspension and Bentley Dynamic Ride. The effect is a more dynamic and engaging drive. [Continued...]

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Bentley Dynamic Ride is the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilizes an unrivaled 48V system. This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tire contact to deliver classleading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling. A greater exhaust character during start up and gear downshifts combines with a firmer suspension set-up to further enhance the driver experience. The Bentayga’s permanent all-wheel drive offers classleading handling and go-anywhere ability, while powerful ceramic brakes are also an option. The Bentayga Speed’s ceramic brakes are the largest and most powerful ever fitted to a Bentley, with a maximum braking toque of 6,000 Nm and engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C. They also save more than 20 kg over iron brakes. The Bentley Bentayga has been sculpted with an elegant, timeless execution. Now the SUV’s athletic stance has been amplified by the Speed‘s purposeful design with body colored lower bodywork styling, body colored front and rear bumper splitters and a striking tailgate spoiler. Discreet and elegant Speed signatures adorn the lower edges of both front doors. Another signature feature of the Speed is the dark tint front and rear lamps. This is complemented by a new, 22-inch 10-spoke wheel design that is offered in three finishes – silver, dark tint or black, which is available for any customer who opts for Bentley’s contemporary Black Specification. Contrast stitching is available on all Bentayga models. In the Speed, this is extended to include the diamond quilting on the cushion bolsters, at the top of the backrest, on the door pads and on the backboard of any Speed specified with four seats instead of five. While Bentayga customers have the option of the Bentley wings embroidered at the top of the seat backrests, on the new Speed models these have been replaced with the word ‘Speed’, in either blind or contrast stitching. A metal Speed badge adorns the passenger side fascia, while an illuminated Speed treadplate welcomes passengers into the truly luxurious cabin. The Bentayga Speed is the perfect balance of fierce speed and style that makes it a dream to own and drive.

You can visit www.bentleymotors.com for more information on this, and other Bentley cars. To visit your Kuwait Bentley dealership, check out their website www.zayani.bentleymotors.com, head over to Al Zayani Trading Co, or call them on 2473 5199. 126 [...Continued]


talabia


bazaar techno

RICOH GR III CAMERA

SPHERO RVR PROGRAMABLE ROBOT

SAMSUNG GALAXY FOLD

WRENSILVA LOFT RECORD CONSOLE

OPKIX ONE WEARABLE CAMERAS

PEEQO GIF ROBOT

Minimalist and straightforward, Ricoh's GR series has earned a cult-like following. With a resolution of the APS-C sensor from 16 to 24 megapixels, sensorshift image stabilization and a new hybrid AF system that promises faster focus and improved low-light capability. The 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens has been redesigned, the I/O upgraded to USB-C, and the rear 3.0-inch LCD is now a touchscreen, letting you tap to focus. While it may be pocket-sized, its specs, controls, and price put it firmly in the domain of seasoned shutterbugs.

This Loft Record Console from Wrensilva has been carefully curated to give you everything you need. It comes equipped with a 300 watts per channel Wrensilva amp, a beautiful belt-driven turntable, and Sonos functionality for seamless switching between streaming and vinyl. A standard 3.5mm audio jack and RCA inputs are there when you need them. You even get a steel shelf with dividers for storage of up to 120 pieces of vinyl and a capture tray for vinyl accessories.

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Designed with makers and students in mind, The RVR is drivable out of the box, with all-terrain treads, a powerful, extremely accurate drivetrain, a high-capacity, USB-C rechargeable battery, and sensors for detecting ambient light, colors, direction, articulation, and more. It's programable via the Sphero EDU app, or for more advanced operations, it can interface with a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, micro:bit, and tons of other attachments via the 4-pin UART and onboard USB ports, making it a capable platform for all sorts of projects.

Part of what makes AirPods so great is their pocketfriendly size — since you always have them with you, you always have them when you need them. A similar principle applies to OpkixOne. This pair of 1080p video cameras measure under an inch and a half long and weigh just 12 grams each. They're IP67 rated for dust and water resistance with an aerospace aluminum housing, and have a range of accessories that let you mount them on your eyewear or wear them as a necklace or ring.

A smartphone when folded, a tablet when unfolded, the Samsung Galaxy Fold defines a new product category. It has a 4.6-inch AMOLED front display for normal use and a hidden hinge that opens for access to the 7.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex display for when you want to watch a video, multitask, or just view your content on a larger screen. Six cameras let you snap photos from any angle, and a 7nm OctaCore processor, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, two batteries, and an available 5G modem ensure nothing slows you down.

"A picture is worth a thousand words." which is why the Peeqo responds with GIFs and videos. It sources its responses from sites like Giphy, lets you decide what service to use for voice translation, and can handle common tasks like getting the weather or setting timers. The DIY kit comes complete with a 4-inch screen, dual omnidirectional mics, two speakers, a 5MP camera, an LED ring for notifications, four buttons, a mechanism for added movement, and a Raspberry Pi 3B+ for the brains.

Source: blessthisstuff.com Source: uncrate.com


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MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER

All you need this Mother’s Day on Xcite.com By bazaar staff

With express stores popping up in our local supermarkets and super stores being destination shopping experiences, X-cite now has over 26 locations in Kuwait, including four with 24 hour opening times. Plus, an easy to use online shopping store makes X-cite the first choice to visit when it comes to finding a range of gifts from useful to indulgent for Mother’s Day. There is no time like the present to think about buying a gift for Mother’s Day, but if the perfect idea pops into your head when you least expect it, the latest X-cite store to open twenty-four hours a day can be found now in Cube Mall, Salmiya. No matter where you are in Kuwait there’s a 24 hours X-cite instore shopping extravaganza opportunity close to you from down south in Fahaheel to Al Rai in the west or even Hawalli. If perusing in your pyjamas is more your style, then there are also other benefits to shopping online than just not having to get dressed for the public. The myriad product choices are clearly split into eleven departments including Health, Home Appliances and exclusively for online shopping, Perfume. Click on “Flash Deals” for the best prices of the day, or visit the “Offer Zone” which shows you how to access an online “secret price”, and which items are available for self-pick-up from a brick and mortar store or which gift ideas can be express delivered. Newly launched, the Express Delivery service is offered on a range of items and neatly indicated below the item you are viewing on xcite.com. You can safely choose how to pay with X-Cite, as they also offer payment on delivery by cash, credit card or KNET. Sometimes there is nothing nicer than taking your time to really inspect a product and see how it feels actually in hand. You also have knowledgeable and patient X-cite staff members on hand to give you the best advice for your usage and budget. X-cite will be running Mother’s Day promotional offers instore and online right up until March 21st, so that gives you plenty of time to consider your choices. But don’t wait too long, you wouldn’t want to disappoint your Mom this March on Mother’s Day.

For a comprehensive list of X-cite locations and to shop online visit www.xcite.com. 24HRS opening can be found in the Salmiya, Hawalli, Al Rai and Fahaheel stores. Download the X-cite app for Android on Google Play or iPhone on the App Store. Follow X-cite social media accounts on Instagram: @XciteAlghanim, Twitter: @XciteAlghanim, and Facebook: XcitebyAlghanim. Call 1803535 for further enquiries. 130

1. Happy Plugs in the ear Wired Headphones with Mic Want to look like you’re listening to your family but secretly have in-the-ear buds wiring you up to your favorite tunes? Stay on trend with these animal print headphones by Happy Plugs. Computers & Tablets, Xcite.com

2. Samsung 55 inch Curved Ultra HD Smart LED TV Make sure you can see the screen from wherever you are chasing your family or pets around the room with this 55” curved TV from Samsung. Home Entertainment, Xcite.com

6. Apple iPhone XR 128GB Physical Dual SIM Phone 128GB of space to keep all those adorable family videos for future blackmail purposes on the iPhone XR. Your way to guarantee you don’t get put in an old folks’ home. Phones, Xcite.com

7. Atari Flashback 8 Gold 120 Built in Games Remember the good old days when you had no responsibilities, and while away some time with Atari. Consoles & Video Games, Xcite.com

8. Go Pro Hero 5 12 MP 4K WiFi Touchscreen Action Camera On land or sea there’s no getting away from a mother’s ever watchful eye and the go-pro makes it even easier! Cameras & Drones, Xcite.com


3. Nostalgia Stir Popcorn Popper (SP240RR) Keep your snacks nostalgic too with a popcorn popper but one where the lid is the bowl, so you’re not picking up exploded kernels all week! Must have been designed by whoever does the vacuuming at home. Home Appliances, Xcite.com

4. Wansa 3D Massage Chair (SL-A80) – Red Because no one (who isn’t a professional) wants to give you a massage even though you deserve it. Health, Gym & Personal Care, Xcite.com

5. Cobra CB1052 14.5-inch Portable BBQ Grill They didn’t listen to you with your mother’s wisdom when you said the tide is out, and they set up on the beach close to the water’s edge. Now you all have to move back. Keep your BBQ portable. Camping & Gardening, Xcite.com

9. Lalique Amethyst by Lalique for Women 100ml Eau de Parfum So you don’t have to keep crystals in your pocket spray Lalique Amethyst, the amethyst stone is said to keep you calm. Online Exclusive, Perfume, Watches & Travel, Xcite.com

10. Philips Avent 4-in-1 Baby Food Maker The quickest way to get your babies used to the food they’ll be consuming as adults from their Nutribullets (also available from Xcite). Baby Needs & Kids Products, Xcite.com

11. Google Home Hub – Chalk. Control of your home at the touch of your hand, as if you didn’t have it down already. Home Automation, Xcite.com

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bazaar books

RAD GIRLS CAN

by Kate Schatz and Miriam Klein

This collection of stories is about the bold and brave women who have made a positive impact on the world before even hitting the age of 20. Coming from the New York Times best-selling authors of Rad Women Worldwide and Rad American Women A-Z, Rad Girls Can offers up an inspiring collection of stories and art. While you might have heard of Malala Yousafzai, Anne Frank, Jazz Jennings, and Joan of Arc, have you heard about Yusra Mardini, the Syrian refugee who swam a sinking boat to shore, saved twenty lives, then went on to compete as an Olympic swimmer? Or Trisha Prabhu, who invented an anti-cyberbullying app at age 13? Discover stories about a diverse group of women, living impressive lives, and excelling in male-dominated arenas from sports to social changemakers. Each profile by the authors includes dynamic paper-cut art that brings these stories to life.

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WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

This New York Times bestseller delivers a story that will inspire women like never before. Throughout the years, women have been shaped and molded into societal predicaments, yet within every woman there lives a powerful force, filled with good instinct, passionate creativity and ageless knowing. Yes, she’s a wild woman, but she is endangered by modern society. In Women Who Run with the Wolves, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés unfolds rich intercultural myths, fairy tales, folk tales, and stories, many from her own traditions, in order to help women reconnect with the fierce, healthy, visionary attributes of this instinctual nature. Through the stories and commentaries in this remarkable book, we retrieve, examine, love, and understand the Wild Woman, and hold her against our deep psyches as one who is both magic and medicine.

STILL I RISE: THE PERSISTENCE OF PHENOMENAL WOMEN

by Marlene Wagman-Geller

In this day and age, finding heroes or role models that we can connect to is becoming more difficult. Still I Rise takes its title from Maya Angelou’s work, resonating with spirits and heroes that could not be conquered by oppression. From Angelou to Nelson Mandela, Still I Rise speaks to a women captain of her own fate. Profiling various inspiring women, each chapter examines the fall and rise of great female heroes who conquered all against all odds. Arriving as a beacon of hope, Still I Rise is for every woman who isn’t waiting around for prince charming, who isn’t a damsel in distress, but rather for women who take action to bring happiness into their own lives. From Selma Lagerlof - first woman Nobel Laureate, to Burma’s first lady of freedom Aung San Suu Kyi, the women celebrated in this book are truly reading about.

THE DANDELION INSURRECTION by Rivera Sun

Considered more as a study guide, The Dandelion Insurrection takes lessons off the page and into our own lives. In looking at the world around us, we’ve seen one too many revolutions turn violent, we’ve witnessed far too many people get stomped on when they tirelessly work for justice, equality and freedom. Sadly though, almost every violent action yields an unwanted result. In looking to Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Jesus, and Cesar Chavez as shining example of peaceful changemakers, Author Rivera Sun cleverly guides the reader through historical examples of nonviolent struggle in an exciting manner. Discover the basics of building strategies around nonviolent actions, utilize this reading as a way to strengthen your local community, or let it be the center of discussion at your nest book club.

EQUAL OF THE SUN by Anita Amirrezvani

We’ve read stories about legendary women like Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth I to Mary Queen of Scots, but rarely do we see books that celebrate powerful women in the Muslim world. This is where Equal of the Sun presents a shining light on the women who formed alliances, served as key advisers to rulers, lobbied for power on behalf of their sons, and ruled in their own right. In Equal of the Sun, Anita Amirrezvani’s gorgeously crafted tale of power, loyalty, and love in the royal court of Iran, she brings one such woman to life, Princess Pari Khan Khanoom Safavi. Amirrezvani is a master storyteller, and in her lustrous prose this rich and labyrinthine world comes to vivid life with a stunning cast of characters, passionate and brave men and women who defy or embrace their destiny in a Machiavellian game played by those who lust for power and will do anything to attain it.

Source: www.amazon.co.uk


T lounge

@Dilmah_kw

The Avenues

The Gate Mall


ESPECIALLY FOR YOU

Pamper your mother to an exceptional experience at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa

By bazaar staff

Especially for your beloved mother, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa has planned a number of exceptional experiences for you to choose from to pamper her in celebration of Mother’s Day. Show how much you truly do care by spending time with you mother in the beautiful surrounds of this idyllic resort. While Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa recognizes that every day should be taken to celebrate the wonderful work that a mother does, to mark the occasion of this Mother’s Day on Thursday 21 March, there will be superbly curated menus and delectable dinner options designed to deliver the most rewarding of gastronomic indulgences for your mother to enjoy. Allow your mother to relax by taking a well-deserved break in exquisite and awardwinning restaurants serving the highest quality foods from the freshest ingredients with buffets, dishes and desserts personally designed by the hotel’s resident French Head Chef. 134


Surprise your mother at the iconic Garden Café, with a lavish Mother’s Day dinner buffet prepared and served by the hotel’s renowned chefs. Visually indulge in the spectacular views of the sparkling Arabian Gulf in the distance, or be seated outside to appreciate the gorgeous views of the plush gardens featuring the pinks and greens of local flora. Mothers who love the outdoors can enjoy a magical night by the pool with famous poolside BBQ at Mint café. Book a table of four or more at Mother's Day Buffet at Garden Café or Mother's Day BBQ by the pool in Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa , and your mother will enjoy a complementary dinner! Additional dining options are also available at the resort. Perhaps you would love to treat your mother to an authentic taste of Italy with a Venetian ambiance and magical view of the Arabian Sea. Perfect for those mothers with a penchant toward an Italian palate, award-winning restaurant Olio is the place to explore a menu that uses truffles as valued as your mother is wonderfully regarded. For those mothers who are connoisseurs of meat, then Pepper Steakhouse Restaurant cannot be missed as they offer flame-grilled steaks and hand carved cuts of the finest meats. Seafood lovers can dive into the tantalizing menu at Salt, with luxurious lobster a house specialty. As no one mother is the same, why not celebrate the unique role your mother has played in your life by gifting her the experience of the pampering and relaxing haven, which is the award winning Talise Spa. The perfect escape, daughters can enjoy this retreat with their moms, so why not indulge in a Mother Daughter massage package to spend precious time together in the elegantly luxurious private suite available. It’s the perfect occasion to show your mother you know how much she deserves to be treated like the queen of your heart that she is. Show it with time spent together enjoying Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa and any of their Stay Different experiences. For more information on Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, visit their Instagram account for updates @jumeirahmessilahbeach or visit the website www.jumeirahmessilahbeach.com to be directed to the Kuwait page. For restaurant bookings contact 2226 9666 and call 2226 9688 for Talise Spa. 135


bazaar music

RAP OR GO TO THE LEAGUE

WASTELAND, BABY! by Hozier

by Bryan Adams

Recently teaming up with none other than LeBron James, 2 Chainz’s latest album Rap Or Go To The League is out this month. The project's release will come alongside an exclusive Apple Music interview and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks. Clips from the first trailer find Chainz and King James in the studio debating the strategy of going with 14 tracks on the album and having another pair land on the deluxe version. It arrives as 2 Chainz’s first studio album since 2016’s Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, while it also follows his two 2018 EPs, The Play Don’t Care Who Makes It and Hot Wings Are a Girl’s Best Friend.

Announcing his latest album release to fans on his website, Hozier states “I’m thrilled to announce my new album Wasteland, Baby! The album has been over a year in the making and it’s a pleasure to finally turn out my pockets and share the work. I want to sincerely thank fans and listeners for their continued support in between the records. See you out on the road soon.” The artist will hit the road for his world tour which starts in Europe. This marks the Irish musician’s second studio album since his first in 2014, and includes the songs, "Nina Cried Power" and "Shrike" from the 2018 EP Nina Cried Power, as well as the single "Movement".

While Bryan Adam’s latest release won’t top the UK’s longest-lasting Number 1 single (Can you guess which one it was?), he just released his fourteenth studio album, which will be followed by a tour this winter. The 12-track album includes the title track, already out now, and a special duet with none other than Jennifer Lopez “That’s How Strong Our Love Is”. It’s been four years since the artist last released an album, and the gap between the two releases was filled with work on the musical score for the renowned Broadway musical Pretty Woman which he worked on with his songwriting musical partner Jim Vallance.

by 2 Chainz

STILL ON MY MIND

SHINE A LIGHT

by Dido

by Sophie Ellis-Bextor

THE SONG DIARIES

NORMAN F**KING ROCKWELL

Arriving as the English singer’s fifth studio album, Still on My Mind by Dido has been released. Fans of the artist have warmly received the highly anticipated release, as this is the artist’s first studio album since Girl Who Got Away in 2013. Last November, Dido teased all fans with the single “Hurricanes”, as well as the actual announcement of the album and her first world tour in close to 15 years. The artist described the experience of making the album as “magical. I wanted to capture the feeling I still get from listening to music, just that rush like you don’t need anything more than this.”

Sophie Ellis-Brextor is bringing disco glamor with the release of The Song Diaries. Standing as the artist’s seventh Studio album, The Song Diaries takes a look back at familiar material but in an entirely orchestral light. “Sophie says: “It has been glorious to bring disco technicolor to my orchestral version of 'Take Me Home'. Hopefully when you hear it, it’ll bring a little 70’s Paradise Garage your way. It’s all the bells and whistles!” The Song Diaries features orchestral reworkings of some of Sophie's biggest hits including "Murder On The Dancefloor", "GrooveJet", and of course, “Take Me Home”.

Let’s face it. It’s very easy to predict that Lana Del Ray’s latest album will arrive as yet another chart-topper. Recent tracks from the artist like "Mariner's Apartment Complex", the ten minute long "Venice Bitch" and "Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me To Have - But I Have It" will not feature on the 11-track album, but a song under the title “Sylvia Plath” will be a part of her latest work. The artist has been working on other projects as well, including a full poetry collection tentatively titled Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass.

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by Lana Del Ray

Source: www.amazon.co.uk


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bazaar goes dining

AMITI NOURA

Discover the joy of homemade recipes in the heart of The Avenues By bazaar staff

I love being invited to my paternal-aunt’s house. Amiti is a fantastic hostess, she always brings out the fancy china and the sparkly silverware. There is character in every nook and cranny in her house. She is welcoming, gracious and always overfeeds us. She uses grandma's recipes, but has managed to make them totally hers without changing grandma's essence. And once we are done, coffee, tea and desserts keep coming until everyone is in a food coma. 138


Amiti Noura, Alshaya’s newest restaurant concept manages to recreate that experience perfectly. It is located in one of The Avenues’ Souk squares, mimicking an Arabian market with an outdoor “street” seating. Home cooking is always a challenge to nail down. Everyone craves the flavors of home, nostalgia and comfort. And for a restaurant to find the recipes that connect all of these elements without alienating people from their memories, that’s like hitting the jackpot. The aromas of the Kuwaiti kitchen hit you as you walk by. The white awnings are reminiscent of sails with a printed motif that look like boats in big bold dots while the sides are trimmed with a sadu-inspired design. The wood paneling is reclaimed from old Dhows. There are so many subtle nods to Kuwait’s rich heritage, like the turquoise in the rugs that points to a history of pearl diving and fishing. You might notice the beautiful open abayas that the hostesses are wearing as they welcome you inside. They are intricately woven with the same sadu motif that is repeated throughout the restaurant. There are different styles of seating areas. Some are more secluded and feel more private, while others are on the ‘street’ and are perfect for people watching and being seen. All of the tables were occupied in the middle of the day on a Tuesday; the restaurant is already proving to be a local favorite. Watching the chefs in the open kitchen is energizing. It reminded us of being children and watching our moms and aunts making magic using fresh ingredients, spices, herbs and large pots. Hot tannour bread, the achar and ma’bouch arrived to our table while we were still making up our minds about lunch. We decided to start with a traditional chopped green salad and eggplant hamssat. The hamssat is a tomato saucebased dish with cumin seeds and curry leaves. It packs some heat from red chilis but is mild enough for everyone, but the secret ingredient is the hamssah spices. And it is served with the perfect side-kick, tannour bread. We ordered Chicken Machbous and Murabbyan as main dishes. They arrived served in colorful heavy cast iron pots, only to be unveiled at the table, letting all the steam and aromas rise from each pot to immerse you in what is to come. We also realized how generous the portions were. The saffron rice is a signature Kuwaiti staple that is ubiquitous in every home. In its distinctive yellow shade and its subtle and smooth flavor, it plays well with different proteins. The murrabyan with its cooked shrimp, fresh coriander and dill comes with a tamarind sauce. The sauce is both sweet and sour at the same time but is so smooth. And the ma’bouch we mentioned earlier? You can add it to your rice for an extra kick of spicy heat. The Chicken Machbous was just as delicious. The perfectly cooked whole chicken sits on a

bed of rice next to caramelized onions, split chickpeas and raisin hashou (stuffing). You can mix it all together or you can enjoy savoring each element separately first. The complimenting tomato daqous pulls it all together for a seemingly simple but highly complex dish of flavors, colors and textures. We were stuffed before we were even half way done. These are portions that your aunt and grandma think are acceptable. Generous and huge, and need to be eaten by more than one person. But you can’t leave Amiti's table without having dessert. Or tea. It would be rude. Keeping up with true Arab hospitality the shiny copper teapot that is brought to the table has its own heating contraption to keep the tea nice and hot and is served in the traditional small goldtrimmed glass cups. For dessert we had Sab Algafsha, dumplings that are shallow fried and flavored with cardamom and saffron and then

covered in sugar syrup. Unlike their crunchy but still delicious cousin Lgaimat, these dumplings are chewy, dense, rich and are uniquely Kuwaiti. We left completely stuffed, because no good aunt would allow her nephews and nieces to leave the table without making sure they had tasted and enjoyed everything and then she still would have offered more of her tasty madewith-love cooking. We haven’t tried the breakfast yet, but we can imagine it is just as grand. Amiti Noura is everything Kuwait is; caring, bighearted, generous, larger than life and like a warm hug that can only come from close family.

You can find Amiti Noura in the Souk in The Avenues. To stay up to date with their news follow them on Instagram @amitinoura. 139


bazaar apps

ColorNote

RallyRD

Signal

FilmLab

Bouncer

ColorMe: Adults Coloring Book

ColorNote is one of the most popular note taking apps. It allows you to create text notes, lists, and more. Its namesake feature is the ability to change the background color of notes to help you stay organized. That's a feature many other note taking apps borrowed from this one. Some other features include calendar support, backup support to both internal storage and cloud storage, and more. ColorNote also has to-do list features as well. Best of all, it’s completely free.

You don't need to be transferring classified material or leaking internal memos to use Signal. But it's nice to know you could. Available on every major platform, it uses rock-solid end-to-end encryption to keep all of your communication private. It covers everything from document transfers to video calls. And it's remarkably free, without ads, tracking, or unnecessary add-ons. Our favorite feature includes the disappearing messages option.

Bouncer gives you the ability to grant permissions temporarily. Want to tag a location or take a photo, but don't want that app to be able to use the camera or get your location whenever it wants? Bouncer gives you exactly that. As soon as you exit the app, Bouncer will automatically remove the permission for you in an instant so you can get back to doing what you do best, without having to worry about apps invading your privacy and wasting your battery.

Many classic cars have reached the point where they're not just a means of transportation, but an investment. Rally Rd. lets you purchase equity in these valuable vehicles, just like you'd buy stock in a company. Each one is hand-selected by a team of experts and securitized so you can purchase a percentage of the car's value, now and in the future, with nothing more than a tap. The cars are stored in a protected, climate-controlled facility with on-site maintenance and closed-circuit cameras, live feeds from which will soon be available to owners inside the app.

Taking the place of a traditional film scanner, FilmLab adds to the list of photography tools replaced by your phone. Simply lay your slides or negatives on a light table or other backlight and open the app: it lets you check out negatives and proof sheets, with a live preview of what they'll look like as positives. Custom algorithms combine multiple photos to get the maximum detail from each shot, and built-in tools let you crop, rotate, flip, and adjust exposure and color balance before saving the digitally preserved shot out to your camera roll.

Coloring is therapy! Discover our favorite 5-minute work break strategy to calm and soothe the nerves. Proving that coloring isn’t just for children, this adult coloring book app lets you enjoy coloring in pictures of animals, birds, butterflies and other mandala coloring pages. You don’t even need an internet connection to start doodling and painting the mandala coloring page. Simply download it today!

tomsguide.com androidauthority.com 140


R cane's


MEET THE MODERN SIGNATURES Mais Alghanim introduces their new limited-time menu By bazaar staff

In Kuwait, Mais Alghanim is considered as one of the leading Arabic and Lebanese cuisine restaurants. Its location alone on Gulf road, with a view of the beach side has been engraved within every person’s mind. Since 1953, generations carry their Mais memories of childhood days, of yummy grills and the tastiest Lebanese classics, until this very day, Mais Alghanim continues to thrive. But as classical as Mais can be, they are introducing modernity within their new signature menu. Available for a limited time and only at their dine-in locations. Prepare for a menu filled with various infusions that turn classical dishes into modern ones, and a dining experience that you’ll never forget.

We’ve luckily had the joyous experience to try out a taste of modernism, where the Modern Signatures Menu and the original are set sideby-side at Mais. Now, as we’re almost all aware, that typical hot or cold mezze items can be quite filling. The new menu, however, introduces unique infusions, starting with salads and appetizers instead. The Modern Signatures menu offers three salads, a Kale Fattoush, Date Avocado Salad, and Cauliflower Tabbouleh. Living up to its name, the use of Kale as an ingredient that’s been added to your usual Fattoush, comes to life with an irresistible pomegranate molasses dressing. The 142


Date Avocado dressing will take you on a journey of mixed flavors, as you see the drizzle dressing of date molasses on top of lettuce, fresh dates, avocados and almonds. Lastly, have you ever tried grated cauliflower on Tabbouleh? Well, we can honestly say you won’t be disappointed. From the appetizers, we tried the Greek Moussaka Roll, a well-loved and traditional dish within the region. The Roll includes grilled eggplants, tomato sauce, Bolognese stuffing, Italian mixed cheese and white sauce. We loved how all the ingredients within this dish bring together flavors from different continents around the world. We also sampled the Baked Stuffed Onions and these were bursting with flavor. Another appetizer that was almost completely transformed, was the Quinoa Vine Leaves. The usual vine leaves are stuffed with rice and sometimes meat, but the one on Mais Alghanim’s Signatures Menu is stuffed with quinoa, feta, and topped with a yogurt drizzle. Perfect for those of us looking for a lighter alternative to the usual rice-stuffed vine leaves, this dish is also suitable for vegetarians. Another delicious surprise on the menu also included two types of hummus. We know a lot of people who absolutely love mixing their daily dose of protein with hummus. Mais not only tapped in on that thought, but they’ve also given us Hummus Chicken Shawarma in one bowl, that was eventually emptied out, as well as the Hummus Meat Shawarma, which was equally light and simply delicious. If you’re a fan of Potato cubes, but with a major kick of spiciness, then definitely go for the Skillet Buffalo Chicken which comes with the combination of these two ingredients as well as mushrooms, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing; a real explosion of heat and sauces! We doubled up on this order because we loved it so much. The main courses of the Modern Signatures Menu offers diners a rice festival! Here, you can choose from Kefta Tajine, Thai Green Chicken Curry, to Chicken Tikka, and so much more. For seafood lovers, you can take your pick of either grilled Olive Lemon Salmon fillet, with homemade potato wedges and grilled vegetable skewers, or shrimps cooked with masala gravy and a lovely portion of saffron rice to mix it all in one bite. The Kefta Tajine was our favorite out of the main course, as it was rich with texture and spices, as a tajine should be! For meat lovers, opt for this tajine, or the Beef San Marco which serves up tender beef slices, with tomato sauce, and hearty vegetable rice, For a lighter main course, the Chicken Tikka Masala was as lovely as it’s prior masala. Mixing them all with a round of rice in the middle is the perfect fulfilling main course you’d like. Finally, for dessert, as much as we were filled with all of the delicious items of the new Modern Signatures Menu, the Vermicelli Pistachio Kunafa is truly worth piling on those extra pounds. The melted cheese with pistachio extremely satisfied our sweet, and multiple, sugary cravings. Plus, the Opera cake is as classic as its delicate textures. Both options are not to be missed! The Modern Signatures menu at Mais Alghanim delivers a mixture of international flavors, from Fattoush, Hummus, to Curry, Masala, and Kunafa. It’s applicable to any customer's taste that would like to take a journey around the world, with unique as well as nostalgic flavors. So, make sure you don’t miss out, take a ride to the Gulf Road, and land at Mais Alghanim. Mais Alghanim is located on the Gulf Road near the Kuwait Towers (2225 1155) and Spoons Mall, Mahboula. For more information, follow @Maisalghanim on Instagram. 143


big boys toys

CONVERSE X CARHARTT WIP CHUCK 70'S GORE-TEX SNEAKER

TECHNICON CARAT 187 SUPERYACHT CONCEPT

BAJABOARD PANTERA ELECTRIC SKATEBOARD

CIGARETTE RACING X MERCEDES 41 AMG CARBON EDITION SPEEDBOAT

LEXUS X JOHN ELLIOTT AIR FORCE 1 TIRES

FORD MINI GT40 GO-KART

A collaboration with Carhartt WIP, this release takes the instantly recognizable Chuck Taylor All-Star silhouette and adds features that make it more durable than ever. Each pair has waterproof Gore-Tex uppers, along with Gore-Tex branding on the lateral heel enhanced with 3M reflective taping. Other features include rubber print detailing, tonal All-Star logos stamped on the ankle, three sets of laces, and dual-branded footbeds. Available in black or white with hi-vis yellow highlights.

The eleventh boat in the ongoing partnership between Cigarette Racing and Mercedes, the 41 AMG Carbon Edition brings the spirit of the AMG GT 63 S 4-door Coupe to the water. Four Mercury Racing 400R outboard engines provide 1,600 horsepower, enough to propel the 41-foot craft to a top speed of 83 miles per hour. The top speed is attainable with up to 8 people on board; there's room for 20 when nothing more than cruising speed is required.

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Inspired by the red carpets of celebrities with an asymmetrical design, Technicon's Carat 187 is filled with flashy features. Tying into the red carpet theme are a pair of red articulated stairs, one on each side, that expand out to meet the 187-foot vessel's pair of matching tenders. The front of the main deck retracts to double as a pool, a spacious sun deck offers plenty of seating in red, of course and the five guest rooms and spacious master sit above a bar and theater area.

The rare collaboration based on another collaboration, Lexus asked designer John Elliott to give its first-ever UX crossover some new "shoes". These striking white tires are the result. Based on Elliott's Nike Air Force 1 design, they have tread details that mirror both the outsole and upper of the iconic sneaker, as well as a stepped metal air valve reminiscent of its stacked metal lace tip. The tires are mounted on two-tone black rims with matching white lug nuts.

When a product carries a "not for beginners" disclaimer, you'd best take notice. Indeed, the Bajaboard Pantera could be dangerous or even lethal for anyone not used to speedy electric skateboards. Each of its black anodized alloys rims is attached to a 3.5kW motor and a 110A controller, all hooked to 1,100Wh battery. The result is a peak output of 8,000W and a top speed of 45 mph — fast enough to do real damage should you wipe out.

Built by French automotive enthusiast Francis Mortarini with Ford's blessing, this Mini GT40 is a kid-sized version of the iconic racer. Likely completed in the late '60s, it underwent a full restoration in 2011, and is outfitted with a new 9 hp Briggs & Stratton motor with electric start, front and rear electric lights, and a hand-stitched leather steering wheel. While obviously a great collector's piece, it's also ready for serious competition, should you have a young driver aiming to enter the Little Big Mans race at Le Mans.

Source: www.uncrate.com


MAc


GET READY TO BE BLAZED!

Hats off to the fiery new signature Blaze Pizza, try the Hot Link today! By bazaar staff

What separates Blaze Pizza from other pizza destinations in Kuwait are two key elements: The option of building and creating your own pizza at fast food prices, plus, their widely popular signature pizzas. Now, as the chain continues to branch out in Kuwait, Blaze are introducing a brand new signature pizza called Hot Link. Trust us when we say, it truly lives up to the title! 146


Blaze Pizza features the talents of critically-acclaimed pizza chef Bradford Kent. Each restaurant makes its own dough from scratch, using a recipe Kent masterfully developed, that requires a 24-hour fermentation period to produce his signature light-as-air, crisp crust. Once you step inside Blaze Pizza and take a look at the menu, you quickly realize the ordering process is fairly simple. The first thing you need to decide on is “How do you Blaze?” You get the option of choosing one of their signature pizzas, add any toppings, and finally pizzas are fast-fire’d in 180 seconds. It’s essentially a walking process, where you head to the counter, as the friendly staff cater to your preferences, toppings, and make sure the pizza you like is perfectly baked and then it's all yours to enjoy. But, we’d personally never miss out on Blaze’s signature pizzas. While their new signature Hot Link pizza is geared to hit the stands this month, let’s take a look at their seven other popular signature pizzas, before Hot Link steals the number one throne from them all! First and foremost, for a classic taste, the Red Vine is your go-to pizza that comes with a classic red sauce, ovalini mozzarella, parmesan, basil, extra virgin olive oil drizzle, and finally cherry tomatoes on top. Loved by everyone at Blaze, it is a timeless signature that hardly ever dies down. You also get the chance to choose your type of dough, thin, thick, or even gluten-free, which is perfect for people with different nutritional needs, or pizza crust preferences. Yet the crowd favorite (so far) remains to be the Meat Eater, which is usually described as an explosion of flavors due to the combination of meats on it. The star ingredients are pepperoni and Italian style meatballs, the two types of meat go together in one bite, with red onions and mozzarella for the cheese and meat lovers out there. The Meat Eater will surely be your first choice for a flavorful bite at Blaze. Another signature pizza, we like to call our pesto love! The Green Stripe features pesto drizzled over chicken, including roasted red peppers, chopped garlic and melted mozzarella arugula. These are just three out of now eight signature pizzas that Blaze provides for their customers, and the list continues to grow, along with the flexible option of building your own pizza. The Hot Link though, is bound to break barriers with a fiery release. Ready for a spicy kick? The burning rush of spiciness? The Hot Link is served with a spicy red sauce, Italian sausage, sizzling banana peppers, jalapenos, savory black olives and red onions. Here’s a tip we tried, add some red peppers, and top it off with chilli flakes to really embrace the heat of the Hot Link. Blaze Pizza lives up to its Fast Fire’d tagline, as customers are falling head over heels with the experience it is presenting in Kuwait. From creating and choosing your own pizza ingredients at a reasonable price, to firing it up with flavors of their new Hot Link signature pizza. Blaze will keep you blazed with their new pizza creations, as well as your own build-up. We can safely say that you will be satisfied, as nothing goes wrong with their cooked pizza at a high temperature open-flame oven. Blaze Pizza is located in Grand Plaza – The Avenues, Murouj - Phase 3, and Ahmadi Park. For updates and news follow them on Instagram @BlazePizzaME.

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ABK PARTNERS WITH RIPPLE In alignment with its digital transformation strategy, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) announced its partnership with financial technology firm Ripple to enable instant cross-border payments for its customers in and out of Kuwait. As early adopters of this technology, ABK will be one of the few financial institutions in Kuwait to reduce transaction times from days to a few minutes, for its customers. ABK will integrate Ripple’s enterprise blockchain technology into its existing services to offer its customers immediate confirmations, on the back of a secure infrastructure. The Bank’s customers will now be able to send vital funds to family, friends and loved ones faster and more efficiently. Through this partnership, ABK will join Ripple’s network “RippleNet”, a decentralized global network of banks and payment providers. This growing network aims at enabling an “internet of value”, allowing customers from different banks, to make payments globally with speed and assurance of receipt. The partnership will give ABK access to other “RippleNet” members, enabling the Bank to grow its cross-border payments business. For more information about ABK, please visit eahli.com or contact an ABK customer service agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899 899.

THE FUTURE OF THE MASERATI MODENA PLANT At the Maserati offices in Via Ciro Menotti, Modena, Harald J. Wester, CEO of Maserati S.p.A., met with Palma Costi, Emilia-Romagna Regional Government Councillor for Productive Activities, and the Mayor of Modena, Gian Carlo Muzzarelli. Meetings were also held with union representatives to discuss the future of the Modena Plant. The meetings re-affirmed the strategic mission of the plant, as already highlighted in FCA’s Industrial Plan presented in 2018 and currently under revision. The Modena plant will be dedicated to the manufacturing of special high performance, high technology sports cars, in line with the tradition and values of the Brand, which has been present in Modena since 1939. This will utilize the know-how and experience of the team involved in the production of Maserati cars, which requires special capabilities and a very particular fabrication cycle: a wholesome synergy of craftsmanship and innovation, unscrupulous attention to detail and the applications of the highest quality standards, resulting in the manufacturing of unique, exclusive products which represent the very best of the “Made in Italy” brand worldwide. The plan is to upgrade and renew the current production lines starting this Autumn. The first pre-series production cars of a totally new model, a characteristically Maserati sports car, will roll off these lines starting in the first half of next year. The CEO has thus confirmed the key role of the Via Ciro Menotti plant in Maserati's 2018 - 2022 industrial planning; he has assured continuing production and the plan which foresees the renewal and upgrading of the production lines in preparation for the arrival of new models. For more information, visit the Maserati Showroom at Al Zayani, Al Rai Industrial Area, 4th Ring Road, or call 180 80 10 and visit www.kuwait.maserati.com.

DISCOVER THE INVISIBOBBLE MULTIBAND: THE MULTI-PURPOSE BAND Perfect for a variety of hairstyles, you’re going to fall in love with the Invisibobble multiband. This innovative headband with an integrated hair ring, offers a useful 2-in-1 function, making the MULTIBAND stands out from the rest. The band effectively keeps strands of hair securely in place. The fine silicon grips on the inside of the hairband allow it for a strong hold during any exercise as it gives it an anti-slip effect. An option is to use the integrated invisibobble to simultaneously tie the hair up in a ponytail. That way, the use of an extra hair tie is no longer necessary. Available in two classic colors True Black and Red-y To Rumble. The Invisibobble multi-band is your hair’s newest best friend, taking you from work out to office and back out again with seamless style. Distributed by beautiquecosmeticsintl.com, call 2225 1285 for more information.

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bazaar around town

SPOTLIGHT ON THE MASERATI LEVANTE WITH V8 ENGINE IN THE GTS AND TROFEO TRIMS AT THE LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW At the most recent Los Angeles Auto Show, Maserati showcased the Levante SUV in the GTS and top-of-the range Trofeo trims, both equipped with the powerful “Made in Maranello” V8 engine able to deliver 550 hp for the GT and 590 hp for the Trofeo. The entire MY19 range was also present at the Maserati stand, with Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante in the GranLusso and GranSport trims, the ideal embodiment of the Brand's dual personality. Also on display was the GranCabrio MC, a fine incarnation of the Maserati open-top GT concept. A range which has never been so rich and complete, and certainly stunned the West Coast motoring enthusiasts visiting the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Maserati stand in the "City of Angels" also hosted two of the Modena Brand's historic partners, Ermenegildo Zegna and Bulgari, each with its own exclusive area. For more information, visit the Maserati Showroom at Al Zayani, Al Rai Industrial Area, 4th Ring Road, or call 180 80 10 and visit www.kuwait.maserati.com.

ALYASRA FOODS COMPANY CELEBRATES EMPLOYEES Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." –Henry Ford. At Alyasra Foods Company we truly believe this and revel in their teams’ achievements to keep the momentum going. For an outstanding 2018 they celebrated the Retail team’s success by giving out prizes to top achievers, followed by dinner for all at Movenpick Hotel. It was a way of saying thanks for being a part of their family, and to show that the team values them. At Alyasra Foods, they know it is important to treat their inner customers (staff) just like their regular customers that come in through the front door, because in order to succeed in the food industry, it is all about the customer. The evening turned out to be fun, memorable and meaningful. Follow Alyasra Foods for news and updates on Instagram @alyasrafoods.

KIDZANIA KUWAIT PUTS A SMILE ON CHILDREN’S FACES AT BAYT ABDULLAH CHILDREN’S HOSPICE Urbano, Vita and representatives from KidZania Kuwait, the exciting kid-sized metropolis, recently visited Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice (BACCH) to bring a smile on the faces of children and their families. The visit was part of KidZania Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to contribute to the welfare of the community and to reinforce their belief of compassion and spreading joy to aid healing. During the visit, KidZania presented the management with complementary tickets for the kids to visit the park and enjoy the fun the facility has to offer. They also discussed opportunities and future collaborations to benefit the kids though KidZania’s participation in BACCH’s activities within the hospice. For more information, check out @KidZaniaKuwait on social media. KidZania Kuwait is located at The Avenues.

SAVE MORE WITH ZITAAT WEEKLY OFFERS! Zitaat, the homegrown Kuwaiti company, offers users in Kuwait a strong and reliable online portal that connects hungry customers with their favorite restaurants, catering companies, grocery suppliers and the supporting logistics that make the deliveries work seamlessly and effortlessly behind the scenes. Don’t miss out on the next big deal, as unique and exclusive offers are now dropping weekly from Zitaat. Instead of offering their customers difficult to remember special codes that may or may not work, they are making the offers available for everyone who uses the app. And with the ever-growing diverse restaurant base, everyone will find their next favorite food order on Zitaat. For more information and updates on weekly special offers follow Zitaat’s Instagram account @zitaatofficial and check out the offers page on Zitaat App. Download, order & enjoy!

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Hatay sofrasi

@hataysofrasi_kw

Murouj

The Avenues

22057010


bazaar around town

GULF BANK PIONEERS ON-THE-SPOT RECRUITING AT THE MANPOWER AND GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM (MGRP) CAREER FAIR Gulf Bank was the Platinum Sponsor of the 2019 edition of the Manpower and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP) Career Fair, for the second consecutive year, hiring Kuwaitis on the day. In the presence of Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel, Gulf Bank was presented with the Excellence Award for the highest percentage of hires at MGRP Career Fair in 2018. Speaking on Gulf Bank’s participation, Mrs. Salma AlHajjaj, General Manager of Human resources at Gulf Bank said: “Gulf Bank remains committed to empowering the youth of Kuwait, and the continued Kuwaitization of the private sector. The bank’s participation in the fair, provides us with the opportunity to support our youth in reaching their potential in all aspects of their lives, highlighting the fantastic career opportunities available to them. By investing in our youth, we inevitably contribute to our country’s economic prosperity.” To date, Gulf Bank has achieved Kuwaitization of 73.4% across departments. For further details on Gulf Bank initiatives, and hiring opportunities, please visit the Bank’s website: www.e-gulfbank.com or its social media accounts.

MR. WATTSON ARRIVES IN KUWAIT AT ROCKET WORLD Mr. Wattson, the unique table LED lamp that comes all the way from Copenhagen, Denmark is now available in Kuwait. Created by a design company which is committed to help its customers discover fun and unique products. Along with the unique look, the lamp also has unique characteristics and features, This is something you won’t find elsewhere in Kuwait and is brought to you in Kuwait by the good people at Rocket World. This interesting little lamp can fit in anywhere that you feel it would be needed and will give your room a touch of uniqueness. Mr. Wattson is available in six different colors and is only available at the Promenade Mall, Hawally, and Plot 40, opposite Mayar complex at Shuwaikh. Rocket World is located at The Promenade and in Shuwaikh. For the latest updates, check out @RocketworldKw on Instagram.

THE UNIVERSE’S MOST POWERFUL HERO- CAPTAIN MARVEL, NOW AT FANTASY WORLD! When the universe is in need of a skilled and confident leader, there is no better hero to take command than Captain Marvel! Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Imagine the action, missions, and adventures of Captain Marvel with dolls, roleplay items, and more inspired by the upcoming Captain Marvel movie part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that includes Avengers: Infinity War! Now available at Fantasy World Toys. Get excited about the new film and collect one of the new toys, or all of them! After all, there’s nothing like getting in the mood for the latest Marvel edition than by stocking up on the best merchandise. Whether you’re buying your little one a birthday gift, or looking to treat the kids to some fun, their eyes will light up when they see the latest Captain Marvel collection at Fantasy World Toys. For convenient shopping, Fantasy World has an online shopping website (www.fantasyworldtoys.com) known for its on-time home delivery. To learn more about Fantasy World, visit any of Fantasy World’s social media platforms, Facebook (fantasyworldtoyskuwait), Instagram (Fantasyworldtoys) and YouTube (fantasyworld Kuwait).

GET READY FOR THE CHILLI BEANS SPRING COLLECTION! Step into spring with the latest trends from the iconic brand Chilli Beans. Tortoise shell features strongly in their glasses and watches collection. Bringing all the retro vibe of the 60’s, turtle models are one of the big trends of 2019. The multi-round lenses have their shape made of metal for a jazzy look, and the polycarbonate tips provide a great finish. The digital watch with old school design gets a modern update that doesn’t escape the classic refinement. Natural-looking finishes continue to feature in the collection, with wood panel watch fronts as key elements to look forward to. The rose-gold trend, is of course not forgotten at Chilli Beans. Choose from timeless, all round metal frames with rose-tinted lenses for a flawless spring look! Finally, embrace the unisex retro look with the Retro Square shades, finished with a mixture of materials and aged metal for a totally different look. Chilli Beans has many locations across Kuwait. For their latest updates, head to @Chillibeans.Arabia on Instagram.

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KENZO INTRODUCES SPRING SUMMER 2019 COLLECTION It’s always been iconic fashion house KENZO’s prerogative to bring together the varying tribes and subcultures we come across throughout our every day. Today this is no exception. For their spring-summer 2019 collections for men and women, KENZO invites us to celebrate summer ceremonies, gatherings of all sorts and the jubilation of rituals. New-romantic hedonists meet wedding-goers and all the in-betweens. The men’s collection focuses on blending tailoring with sportswear. For women, it’s all about high summer with aplomb. Effortless deconstruction and the delicately disordered, they match classic fine fabrics such as a flocked twill with georgette or create an effort in contrasts by matching saturated colors of acid yellow, cobalt or fuchsia with vivid prints of roses or checks. KENZO’s archive dot prints on layered twill offer extra scope to a traditional summer dress. Footwear of rubberized chunky platforms in checks, delicate summer sandals for women feature strongly, while rubber jelly sandals and suede slipper moccasins mark the men’s footwear collection. KENZO is located at The Avenues and 360 Mall. For more information, visit Alyasra Fashion on Instagram @Alyasra.

WEILL REVEALS THEIR NEWLY RENOVATED STORE AND LAUNCHES SPRING-SUMMER 2019 Alyasra Fashion, the region’s leading fashion retailer, launched French, ready to wear fashion house Weill’s newly renovated store at The Avenues, Kuwait providing customers with a more feminine and contemporary shopping experience. The reveal of the renovated Weill store was officiated with a ribbon cutting ceremony which was in the presence of the brand’s owner, Mr. Bernard Weill, and Brand Designer, Mathilde Castello and members of the Alyasra Fashion management team. The event was also attended by esteemed media members, social media Influencers and VIP customers. The unveiling of the store coincides with the launch of the SS19 collection which demonstrates designer Mathilde Castello Branco’s story of a woman’s summer of love; footloose and fancy free between Paris and Deauville. To explore Weill’s new store and shop the SS19 collection, please visit the location at The Avenues Mall, 2nd Avenue, Ground Floor, and follow all related updates at @alyasra on Instagram.

POETIC AND DREAMY AT H&M HOME THIS SPRING WITH MEADOW FLORALS AND A LOT OF PINK From bright red poppies on a breakfast plate to a field of floras on a bed set –It’s all about flowers this spring at H&M HOME. The new collection captures the joy of those first sunny days, the scent of budding flowers, soft winds and mild air that signifies springtime. The collection is also full of lovely little details such as pink fringes on a brass mirror. Items such as a white plant pot the shape of a bust evokes thoughts of the art and architecture of Renaissance Italy. The campaign was shot in Florence – a city famous for its art. With the shoot set in a Tuscany villa with beautiful gardens, this location perfectly captured the essence of this dreamy collection. Key materials include brass, silk and velvet, while key colors focus on pink, neutrals and a dash of yellow. Feature prints include flowers, flowers, and more flowers, along with tile-like geometric patterns. H&M HOME’s spring collection is available in stores and online https://kw.hm.com.

LABEL.M PROFESSIONAL HAIRCARE LAUNCHES CURL DEFINE SOUFFLE Love your curls? Then this haircare product is a must-include to your everyday curl routine. Introducing the label.m Curl Define Soufflé, with its soft cream-to-wax formulation that literally melts over the hair to re-invent-the-curl. With a nourishing, yet highly protective blend of avocado, Barbados cherry, and olive, it helps form glossy waves with instantaneous volume. The exclusive Enviorshield complex forms a shield against heat-assisted styling as well as UV exposure, perfect for the warmer, harsher weather months ahead. This product can be applied to dry or damp hair and features a light hold level. Benefit from the sulphate and sodium chloride-free formula that is perfect for all hair types. Distributed by beautiquecosmeticsintl.com, please call 2225 1285 for more information.

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SBX .‫استمتع به ساخنًا أو باردًا‬

DULCE DE LECHE Enjoy hot or cold.

.‫متوفر لدى كافة مقاهي ستاربكس‬ ‫ أو تفضلوا‬1821212 :‫ اتصلوا بنا على‬،‫لمزيد من التفاصيل‬ http://mena.starbucks.com ‫بزيارة موقعنا اإللكتروني‬ .‫للتعرف على مواقع مقاهي ستاربكس‬ Available at all our Starbucks stores. For more details contact us on 1821212 or log on to http://mena.starbucks.com and check our store locator.

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bazaar scopes

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22 You may feel the need to do a lot of work around the house. Perhaps you expect visitors or you simply want to get the place spruced up for your own enjoyment. You need to take it easy and not try to do everything at once. You could run into difficulties that require help from others who may be out. Pace yourself and control the urge to run through your chores like a steamroller.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22 Some intense, revealing communications with a close friend or lover could reveal wonderful new things about your relationship. Perhaps you have more in common than you thought. Perhaps fears prove groundless. As a result, the two of you could grow closer and discover a new mutual sense of purpose. Enjoy the positive feelings, and have a great day together.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 21 Ancient social traditions could be a powerful part of your day. An emotional event concerning your family - wedding, christening, or other milestone - could especially move you. In the rush of social interactions, you will probably keep a tight rein on the expression of your feelings. Keeping up appearances could be more important to you than usual. Do it, but be yourself.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 You usually place a lot of importance on self-control. This will come in handy when you receive some wonderful news that might otherwise move you to tears. Don't carry it too far. Under these circumstances, it's OK to let it out a little. Your hard work and dedication are finally paying off. News about possible advancement could come your way. It's a very eventful day.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18 Expect some great news regarding money, possibly involving professional advancement. You may have to control the urge to cry tears of joy. In a different vein, a close friend could be going through some changes and might want your support. Your best course of action would be to listen rather than give advice. You may have to control yourself if the situation defies all reason.

be surprised if you shed a few tears of joy at some point.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21 You might complete a project that was difficult but important to your career. Acknowledgement of your dedication and hard work could find you more emotionally overwhelmed than makes you comfortable. You may have to make a special effort to control your feelings. You've moved mountains to get where you are and it's nice to be recognized. In the evening, celebrate. You deserve it.

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22 A long-awaited social event, perhaps a wedding or christening, could move you to tears. As you're naturally a person who doesn't like showing your feelings, you might feel the need to get away until the urge to cry has passed. This should be a very happy day for you as well. Your own contentment could seem almost too good to be true. It's real. Relax and enjoy it.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 An intense, emotional dream could move you so powerfully that you wake with the odd sense that the dream was real. Write it down. Maybe it is. Efforts to overcome obstacles and advance yourself in your career could finally be paying off. You might be walking around in a daze asking if it's really happened. It has. Make the most of it. And don't be afraid to reveal your feelings to others.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22

ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19 Your intuitive abilities are at an all-time high. You should find it easier to tune into others' thoughts and feelings. It might be a good idea to control your reactions to them. Don't tell others what you're picking up unless you know for sure they'll want to hear it. Your imagination and creative abilities are also operating at a very high level. Make the most of them.

Emotional talks with your partner could move you to tears. If there have been difficulties in your relationship, you've overcome them and probably reached a new understanding. Any romantic relationship or friendship started or moved forward now shows lasting promise. Your inclination may be to control your feelings, but don't be afraid to show them. It's OK in situations like this.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19 Happy events involving your mother or another close female relative might have you feeling emotional. It could involve a marriage or birth. Your own projects, particularly those done with other people, could be going well in spite of having to overcome some difficulties. The results could move you to tears, and you may feel the need to control yourself. Don't be afraid to show how you feel.

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20 A deep concern for others' feelings could have you lending a sympathetic ear to those in need of some understanding. It's more important to listen than talk, Taurus, even though your practicality might want to express itself. Your affairs should go smoothly, bringing you and those around you a lot of satisfaction. Don't 156

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