bazaar Jan 21 issue

January 2021 | Issue #252 www.bazaar.town

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By your side 13

Int

The bazaar team...

Boss Ahmed El-Adly

Editor Alia Al Duaij

Hello January 2021! As we enter the new tier of the new phase of the new year in the new decade (are you confused yet?), all we can do is thank God we’re still alive and kicking, and that regardless of how long we’ve been dealing with the damn virus, at least we’re pretty much back to normal compared to many other places all over the world that seem to be regressing all over again. Hats off to the Ministry of Health and Kuwait for doing a great job overall, and for managing to keep the spread of the virus under control. I can think of very few places I’d rather be right now while we all collectively wait to get vaccinated, so that we can truly move on!

Nothing is as hopeful as mankind’s ability to explore space, and we’re very proud of The Scientific Center and the group of students who launched a special, first-time Kuwaiti experiment to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket. We’re hoping that this is just the first of many scientific adventures off-planet.

We’re also feeling hopeful because of the people who insist on bringing awareness to the important issues. We spoke to two groups of creatives who are using the power and reach of the internet and their voices for discourse. The good folks at Abaih World tackle and talk social issues that affect us all while still putting entertainment at the forefront. To keep our physical and mental spirits high, we tuned in to health and fitness podcast The Project Kuwait to sift through the real from the fake when it comes to the latest health fads. And then there’s Maha Alessa who is using her platform to document Kuwait’s urban history while talking about the importance of conserving it.

And just in case you didn’t notice our dazzling cover featuring the beautiful Tamara Qaddoumi shot by lens of the talented Abdullah Alsaleh, well we’re here to tell you all about it! We catch up with Tamara to get all of the details on her latest single “To See You” from the EP Soft Glitch.

You might also find more reasons to celebrate when you find out that we will be seeing two fabulous new cars this year; the All-New 2021 Toyota Fortuner and the 2021 Lexus IS. Cruise in these beauties to your favorite weekend Kashta with friends, or take our advice and visit some of our favorite dining destinations that we explore in this issue.

If we have learned anything from last year, it’s that it is what it is and we’re going to make the most out of it anyway. So, don’t wait, dive right into our first issue of 2021.

Operations Manager Ihab Youssef

Content Manager Yasmine El Charif

Mixed Media Solutions Jennifer Cádiz

Design Shadi Mofeed

Staff Writer/Online Media Farah Barakat Yasmin Gamal

Online Producer/Project Manager Umika Pidaparthy

Communications Hala Y. Sharara

Cover by Abdullah Alsaleh

Happy New Year!

Ahmed El-Adly

Contributing Writers

members of:

Ayman Nassar Farah Alsultan w w w. b p aw w. c o m

Syndicates & Sources Fast Company LA Times MCT International Newsweek

Printing British Industries for Printing and Packaging 14

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

No one likes to be dumped;

recycle me, please.

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INDEX JANUARY 2021 88

INTERVIEW WITH CHEF BILL A fan favorite and an internationally renowned restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory never fails to satisfy our every craving! This issue, we interviewed Chef William Zito (aka Chef Bill), who is the current Area Kitchen Operations Manager to learn about his start in the kitchen and get some Cheesecake Factory hacks!

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TALKING MARKETING WITH MOHAMMED AYOUB We love picking the minds of bright creatives in K-town who are shaping the marketing industry. When it comes to our favorite delivery aggregator talabat, Senior Marketing Manager Mohammed Ayoub is the man to ask about their clever campaigns, smart talabat hacks, and how to stand out from the crowd when it comes to delivering winning communications campaigns.

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ABAIH! WORLD Join us as we get to know the awesome band of self branded misfits carving out a media empire with great content in this edition of truth or dare. Abaih World helped us survive last year with their reporting on local reactions to the pandemic, addressing key societal issues in a comic manner, and promoting tolerance in Kuwait.

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THE PROJECT KUWAIT

H&M HOME SPRING EDIT

MAHA ALESSA

Learn, lift and live with us as we get up close and personal with the good people from health and wellness podcast The Project Kuwait. Discover the real, no b-s show that is not about making you purchase something or trying to get you to become someone you are not.

It’s time to usher in the new year with new vibes, and H&M HOME is helping us get on top of how we use our living spaces with their fresh new edit for Spring 2021.

The aesthetic for H&M HOME’s latest collections is clean and bold, but with soft shapes inspired by modern and artistic homes.

Maha Alessa was always interested in museums and culture and jumped at the chance to join the Dar Al Athar Al Islamiya museum as a docent. She now heads the children’s art workshop program. But more importantly, she uses her voice and platform to share and document Kuwait’s urban and cultural history and its ever so changing architectural landscape.

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TAMARA QADDOUMI Growing while still going back to your roots and embracing what you love is something that not many people can pull off, but Tamara Qaddoumi does this effortlessly with her new single “To See You”. Discover stark landscapes, sultry sounds and Tamara going back to her drama theater passion as we uncover her latest work in this special cover feature.

80 DARE TO DROOM We love a subscription box, it is like getting surprise presents once a month. Subscription box service Droom is leveraging the power of community and research to bring us the best products and services to our doors.

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bazaar connect Freedom to find us

30,000 readers

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

Costa Coffee Outlets: Argan Square Marina Crescent Miral Mall, Mangaf Kuwait Airport Saqran Mall Ghawalli Mall Sahara Shaab

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

Kout Mall Marina Crescent Marina Mall Mishref NBK Nuzha Co-op Plaza Hawalli Rosa Castle Salhiya Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak Salmiya Co-op Salwa Co-op Scientific Center Seif Hospital Shaab Shamiya Co-op Sharq Co-op Sheikha Complex Sheikh Saed Al Abdullah Terminal Shuwaikh Zain Headquarters Souk Sharq The Avenues The Palms Hotel Zahra Co-op

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

members of: www.bpaww.com

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

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Artspace Kuwait- Salmiya 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 Shuwaikh Market 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

Virgin Megastore

Khaldiya Adeliya Jabriya Shuwaikh

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Too busy to go pick up bazaar from your local café? Now you can browse through the entire magazine online via issuu.com and on www.bazaar.town.

Featuring our in-depth interviews, reviews, stellar photography, and the latest ads showcasing what’s hot in the market right now; you can browse through bazaar freely and securely, whether you're on your PC, laptop, Smartphone, or tablet.

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what's trending Jan 2021

What: @jana.aromas Info: Hand-crafted lifestyle products using naturally sourced ingredients from around the world.

Editor’s Note: It’s not everyday you find you find candles free of paraffin and all toxins!

What: @essentialsbyhs Info:Things we love, need and can’t live without!

Editor’s Note: Self-care has never been so healthy and clean!

What: @palmierkw Info: Customized beach essentials for you and your little ones Editor’s Note: We know it ain’t beach season right now, but it might be soon!

www.bazaar.town What: @batzawaj_app

What: @proj.35kw Info: Celebrating craftsmanship and design with products made by local designers Editor’s Note: Wear a cool looking fabric mask to help the environment (and your style)!

What: @glutiewear Info: Kuwaiti activewear brand all about body positivity Editor’s Note: Play on the word cutie, we’ll let you figure out the rest

Info: Om Jasim is your pocket matchmaker (khataba) in Kuwait Editor’s Note: Apparently it’s super discrete so we won’t judge, do you!

What: @thecrafterykw Info: Arts and crafts, packages, stations and a whole lotta fun!

Editor’s Note: Never run out of ideas and things to do at home

What: @quokwt Info: Home of the first Kuwaiti-made brand for aprons and gifts Editor’s Note: You’re not a regular mom, you’re a cool mom!

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

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twitter.com/bazaartweets

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WE SEE YOU, TAMARA

On lockdowns, shifting landscapes, and “To See You” with singer and songwriter Tamara Qaddoumi By bazaar staff

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It’s been a minute since we last caught up with Tamara Qaddoumi.

Back in 2018, bazaarite Yasmine Dalloul picked her mind on the notion of rebirth and her Indie-Pop 4-Track EP, Dust Bathing. Now, with the dawn of a new decade, we see the release of Qaddoumi’s “To See You” from her latest Trip-Hop 5-Track EP, Soft Glitch.

To say that “To See You” is otherworldly is an understatement. A stark landscape of shifting sands, high winds, and chromatic light present Tamara navigating what truly appears to be a different plane of existence. Directed and choreographed by Jana Younes, we also couldn’t help but fall in love with the distinct, leading guitar that accompanies Tamara’s vocals that radiate power and sensitivity. “To See You” depicts the intertwining of two internal universes, forming an energizing bond through the harmonious movements of organic, intimate choreography.

As her time usually split between Kuwait and Beirut, with stints in Paris, London and New York, being physically grounded was a drastic change for the always on-the-go talented songstress. Like everyone else, though, she made the best of it, telling us she’s been “...unraveling, living slowly, taking care of my plants, and making lots of music - particularly for this new electronic project I’ve been collaborating with - 2n2r. And of course, I’ve been getting my new EP Soft Glitch ready.

After the recording was done, I worked on two video clips and am currently getting together all the visuals and communication.”

“This pandemic was the most incredible year for me to be honest - I had no choice but to sit with myself and confront myself and really learn who I have become every day, and what I need to work on,” Tamara continued, “I also ended up collaborating with a tight-knit electronic group 2N2R. We worked together closely and intimately, and were even able to perform a fundraiser amongst the ruins of Beirut.” With the start of the new decade, all of her continued hard work is finally coming to fruition, and she’s super excited about what’s to come.

When it came to her inspiration for “To See You”, Tamara collaborated with a roster of talented Middle Eastern minds who all shared the same vision she had for the video’s story. The incredible choreography by Jana Younes in the video shows us Tamara going back to her theater roots, “I studied physical theater in drama school, and drama in university, and felt like I lost touch 23

with that physicality, the sense of movement psychology. When people listen to my music, I want to ignite every sense. So I thought it was a great moment to relearn to communicate and speak with my body. The video really is about the ways in which seeing can be touching - which I think resonates particularly this year, with so much imposed distance and lack of intimacy.”

Tamara believes that her collaboration with Jana Younes was a fated experience, “[It] was meant to happen,” she said, “We had met up initially without any real plan, basically just to see if we would mesh, if we could look toward the same vision. When she left that day, the Beirut explosion happened, and we immediately called to check on each other, although we had just met.

We obviously kind of put things aside after the blast. But after a while, I got back in touch with Jana, and encouraged us to begin the project.

I felt like I needed to work, to get my mind off

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[...Continued]

things. After some resistance, she agreed, and we fell into the work process so naturally. We worked beautifully together and were really inspired by one another. We began a lovely friendship, and are eager for future collaborations!”

As with all of her previous projects, Tamara embraces a new lesson learned with every new experience. From going back to her drama and theater roots, to being coached by Jana Younes for “To See You”, Tamara pushed her creative limits to do something different, yet familiar at the same time. “What the experience taught me was to be open to the waves of introversion and extroversion, both in my work and in myself. Life is filled with juxtapositions, and I love watching it consistently shift in shapes in my life. I never thought I would see myself in color, so colorful but there I was! Also, as a vocalist you spend a lifetime trying to find your voice. But through this record, perhaps through creating it while in such

an unfamiliar situation, I’ve learned to continue to develop, to change, to take risks and step out of my comfort zone. I’m excited to keep going and growing and living.”

In looking at the new year and decade, the artist is eager to get herself and her band 2n2r on stage, and credits this collaboration as key for bringing this EP to life. “Ayman Zebdawi (drums), Antonio Haj (producer and bassist) and Tony Daou (guitar) are my family. We actually had a bunch of gigs in the Middle East set up, but then came Corona. Although I think it was actually beneficial to our process, I can’t wait to get on stage, to share our energy and to perform for you!”

For more information and to watch “To See You”, check out @TamaraQaddoumi on Instagram and visit tamaraqaddoumi.com. Solo photos of Tamara Qaddoumi by Abdullah Alsaleh, @Iambooda_ on Instagram.

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KUWAIT GLOWS ORANGE FOR WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

Soroptimist leads the way for raising awareness against violence against women By bazaar staff

We keep being told that women can do anything. We see them start their own businesses, run for parliament, travel to space or even choose to take time off and start families. But usually, narrative and reality are two different things. Sadly, gender-based violence is still something women all over the globe have to constantly contend with and navigate. The pandemic put an even bigger highlight on the issue, since so many women found themselves trapped in homes and spaces where they were not safe from physical, verbal or mental abuse.

This makes the work of organizations like Soroptimist Kuwait even more urgent and imperative. The local nonprofit organization aims to Educate, Empower and Enable women and girls in Kuwait. This year, they organized the “Orange Kuwait” campaign by establishing 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

The campaign was born from an international movement launched by the United Nations called “Orange the World”. Every year, it takes place in the period between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on the 25th of November and Human Rights Day on the 10th of December.

The campaigns aim to raise global awareness on the importance of ending violence against women and girls. Organizations like the UN and Soroptimist want to encourage people to not only understand the devastating effects of violence against women, but to also take action towards securing their safety and rights.

The statistics on abuse from within the region are sobering. According to a Soroptimist study, 61.92% of participants reported that they had been exposed to some form of violence. Violence is an abnormal behavior that threatens the security of humanity. Soroptimist has classified 11 types of violence according to social and psychological studies and the United Nations guide. The survey respondents showed that 91% of said violence was verbal, 72.4% was emotional, 46.8% physical, and 22% was economic violence. The victims also shared that two thirds of the attacks were instigated by men, 42.3% of whom they were closely

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related to. However, Dr. Amar Behbehani, past President of Soroptimist Kuwait, pointed out that violence is not defined by age, gender, nationality, or social class, in a statement.

One of the more visible activities that are part of the campaign has been to light up local landmarks and major city buildings in the color orange to show their support and remind communities that they can and should do something about the issue. The color orange symbolizes a brighter future without violence against women and girls.

Soroptimist Kuwait, along with the help of the then Minister of Social affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Maryam Al-Aqeel and Dr. Lubna Al Khazi, Head of the Women's Research Center at Kuwait University, brought a beautiful and hopeful orange glow to Kuwait.

More than twenty buildings adorned their facades with orange light to show their support for the issue. Most notably, The Kuwait Towers shone bright orange for the duration. Medical institutions like the Dasman Diabetes Institute, Qutaina Medical Clinic and the Jaber Hospital showed their support. Bank Headquarter Buildings like NBK and Gulf Bank also went orange. Other local landmarks like Al Hamra Tower, Sadu House and 360 Mall were also eager to help raise awareness.

Soroptimist Kuwait joined forces with The

Body Shop and Royal Pharmacies and ran a fullfledged social media campaign. The body shop donated 7 fils from each sales transaction from the 4th of November to the 19th of December to Soroptimist Kuwait. This furthered the cause’s ability to raise funds while increasing awareness of the issue in order to support even more victims of abuse and violence.

Violence against women and girls is a complicated and deep-rooted issue, but with perseverance and the long-term work of organizations like Soroptimist Kuwait and our support as a community, it is one that we can tackle and hopefully end soon.

You can see all the posts that supported the movement by checking out the following hashtags: #breakthesilenceq8, #‫اكسروا حاجزالصمت‬, #hearmetoo, #orangetheworld, #orangeisforsafety, #evaw, #kuwaitagainstviolence, #eliminateviolenceagainstwomen and #unwomen on Instagram. For more information, please visit @SoroptimistKuwait on Instagram, and soroptomistkuwait.org. You can find out more about the campaign by following @orange.kuwait and @unwomen on Instagram.

NEXT AD NEW YEAR NEW WARDROBE

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truth or dare

SAY HELLO TO ABAIH WORLD

A PLATFORM TO EXPRESS, COLLABORATE AND ENTERTAIN By bazaar staff

Here’s something to think about: We couldn’t have made it to 2021 without our phones and having great content to keep us company. You know, those toilet paper hoarding memes that made you laugh so hard that you cried, or that touching video of grandparents hugging their grandkids through hung up sheets of cling film during the height of lockdown measures. Personally, I discovered that spending hours browsing Abaih World’s content on Instagram was necessary for my mental well-being. From reporting on local reactions to the pandemic, addressing key societal issues in a comic manner, and a very special lockdown episode that had me kneeling over from laughter at a time when my anxiety was peaking, Abaih World is carving out a platform that is entirely different from the mainstream. And it’s so refreshing.

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While Abaih’s founders and collaborative members brand themselves as a band of misfits, they surely do understand the importance of the saying ‘content is king’. Build it, and they will come. For the creative founders Manayer AlShami, Mohammad Alsaeed and Fai AlOmran, Abaih World first began as a kitsch podcast hosting different people, with episodes being aired out of a van (yup, you read that right!), with the aim of exchanging ideas and opinions.

It was merely a plus that the van’s walls served as a canvas for them to express their artistic inclinations. Manayer says, “The van was the foundation of our safe space. We redesigned the walls maybe three or four times. With every season we did, we needed a reset and a space to creatively play outside of our day-to-day jobs.”

From societal taboos, to random musings on different topics, Abaih World’s podcast organically grew a small but super loyal cult following. A real community was brewing, one that is hungry for good conversation and meaningful discourse.

“A lot of people connected with our ideas,” Mohammad adds, “We’re not building a new community here, we just created a bigger space for like-minded people to connect.” At the core, Abaih arrives as a safe space that allows for a difference of opinion, but most importantly, promotes tolerance. Mohammad continues,

“We know that we don’t necessarily represent a majority in Kuwait, and that’s okay. But we do know that we need to think like a tribe, and that if we think as a collective, we have to create a space that represents everyone in our community.” Abaih harks to a universal feeling; we all want to belong but find that especially hard when we don’t fit into what we see being promoted on street billboards, airbrushed magazine spreads and picture-perfect Instagram feeds.

I asked Mohammad and Manayer about why the word ‘Abaih’ was collectively chosen for their platform. The local term is used as an expression of shock, awe, admiration, anger, it’s really a go-to for whenever you’re feeling befuddled by an idea or something that happened. “We generally don’t know what we’re doing in life except for dealing with the day-to-day,” says Mohammad, “It’s so fitting! I always ask myself: Abaih?! What am I doing?”

Before Abaih evolved from a podcast format to a fully-fledged media outlet with various content series, videos, and even dabbling with their merch own offering, the team members were excelling in their respective careers. The pandemic however, gave them the gift of time to truly creatively explore the Abaih’s potential. Manayer adds, “Before Corona, our jobs were extremely high strung, meaning that we were online 24/7, so we

would just meet up on the weekend and try to edit an [Abaih] episode quickly to put it out there.

With the pandemic, working on our content gave us life.”

Deciding on a format that highlights the positive and puts entertainment at the forefront, the team understood the value of having a human element, and that’s when the Abaih team started working on web series episodes that satisfied their audience’s hunger for different content.

Tapping into their followers’ response, they quickly grew the Abaih family to host speakers like the incredible comedian Shaikha AlKhaldi and Liane AlGhusain. Shaikha’s hilarious show, expressively titled ‘Ifft’ (the ultimate sound of disdain one could elicit in Kuwait) is a joy to watch, as Shaikha’s sharp wit brings to light issues likes local refusal to abide by health protocols to patriarchal views on women’s sports in Kuwait. Shaikha writes the episodes for the show, and Aysha AlKhaldi is the main content editor. Liane’s ‘The Review’ cleverly unboxes notions of living with intent and slow fashion. These content series, along with Abaih’s regular programming on everything from panic buying, pollution to racism really raised the bar.

“That was when we saw the shift happen from podcast to a platform that brings voices from the local community front and center,” Manayer says, “We function on the premise of ‘let’s talk together and see what we can come up with, let’s find a space for your voice to be heard.’” Today, speakers like Shaikha and Liane are partners of the show, as would anyone else who happens to be interested in sharing their views. Manayer stresses how “They own their show as much as we do. And that’s something we wanted from the start of Abaih, and believe to be essential for the longevity of the show as well as our transparency.

Kuwait has lots of creative minds that tend to be absorbed by mainstream media outlets without giving them credit where it is due. And that’s how we felt about the media industry as well.”

From a portable van to a fully-equipped studio, the Abaih team works on various content creation projects for their platform and other clients, they are fully driven to take the concept forward. They’re only getting started, and while they understand that a lot of the content that they put out might come across as experimental, they are fully aware of how their brand can utilize different mediums to create something entirely different. Abaih World’s strength lies in the platform’s collaborative nature, and they’re not afraid to explore its potential. Between Manayer AlShami, Fai AlOmran, Mohammad Alsaeed, Aziz Alnasrallah, Shaikha AlKhaldi, Aysha AlKhaldi, Liane AlGhusain and all Abaih collaborators, we’re in for an action packed 2021, and we absolutely cannot wait.

To really give our readers a sense of what Abaih World is all about, they’ve decided to answer our truth or questionnaire starring Abaih as the main character. We promise, you won’t be disappointed with their answers!

[Continued...]

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truth or dare

TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE How would your mother describe you in one word?

Katkoot.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Stage mom.

What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?

Where are you from?

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Being born in a van.

What is your theme song?

Alasmaraniya.

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? ‫بالليط‬ Where would you like to live?

In Mama Aneesa’s front pocket.

What is your dream retirement location?

Teletubbyland.

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? ! ‫اللي ما يطول العنب أبيه! عنه يقول‬ Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?

Jarboo3 almutla3.

Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?

My baby weight.

If you could change your name, to what would you change it?

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiii.

How would you describe your handshake, in one word?

Sticky.

What is the toughest part of your character?

My multiple personalities.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Um 3leiwi “Abdulaziz AlNemash”.

What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?

Naturally flavored skittles.

What in the world do you least desire?

Living in a box.

Why do you think most people who do, like you?

Because I’m fluffy.

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[...Continued]

Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…”

Sharing KDD chocolate milk with pandas.

For more information about Abaih World, head to @abaih.world on Instagram or visit www.abaih.world.

тАл я║Н я║птАм тАля║Н я╗ня╗ЭтАм

BOOK YOUR RIDE WITH THE FIRST LUXURY LIMOUSINE SERVICE IN KUWAIT 31

RED BULL FOCUSED ON DAKAR PREPARATIONS Price, Sunderland and Walkner keen to regain bike title in Saudi Arabia

By bazaar staff

Former Dakar Rally champions Toby Price, Sam Sunderland and Matthias Walkner are ramping up their Red Bull KTM Factory Racing preparations for the 2021 Dakar Rally as the world’s most fearsome off-road race returns to Saudi Arabia.

The team were denied a 19th consecutive bike race win 11 months ago in the first Saudi Arabia edition and are focused on regaining their Dakar crown by coming up with a fresh looking KTM 450 Rally bike.

With the route now revealed, preparations have gone into overdrive for these serial winners as 4,800 gruelling kilometres split across 12 timed special stages awaits them in the Middle East.

The first of these 12 stages gets underway on January 3, 2021 with the finish line crossed by the winner back in the port city of Jeddah by the Red Sea on January 15.

Australian Price wasted no time in achieving legendary status at the Dakar with his two wins and three third places including a 2019 victory earned racing with a broken bone in his hand for most of the race.

The 33-year-old Gold Coast native revealed: “The landscapes we got to ride through in Saudi Arabia last time out really blew me away. At times it felt like you weren’t really on Earth, there were

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red rock mountains that had you feeling like you were cruising through Mars. I was expecting lots of dunes, but on that first week we got a lot of hard-pack piste and stony roads.”

Briton Sunderland made a rapid start in the 2020 race, unfortunately a crash on stage five ended his bid for a second Dakar title to add to his victory in 2017.

The 31-year-old explained: “During my first experience of the Dakar in Saudi Arabia I was really amazed by the terrain and the scenery that we passed. I didn’t realize before that they had that much variance in terrain. Once you’ve tasted victory, your only goal is to try and rematch that. I think there’s now about 10 guys who can win the Dakar. May the best man win.”

The 2018 Dakar champion and 2015 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship winner

Walkner wants to see the Austrian flag flying high again.

The 34-year-old added: “I’m working towards our goal of bringing KTM back to first place at the Dakar. When the superstar veterans like (Marc) Coma were gone it was pretty hard for my generation to fill their shoes. Honda did a great job at the last Dakar and Ricky (Brabec) deserved the win. Now it’s coming closer and I’m getting more and more excited.”

Australian rookie Daniel Sanders has graduated from the KTM Factory Racing Junior Rally Program and will line up for the curtainraising prologue on January 2.

To find out more, visit @RedBullKuwait on Instagram and Twitter, and @RedBull on Facebook, or visit redbull.com

MOMMY & ME

GIFT BOX Perfect gift for the new mom and baby.

Available at Next Kuwait Stores Now! Browse Kuwait store catalogue and order via 1821212

33

up close & personal

LEARN, LIFT AND LIVE WITH THE NUMBER ONE FITNESS PODCAST IN KUWAIT We get up close and personal with Mahdi, host of The Project By bazaar staff

With so much information about health and wellness out there, it is difficult to sift out the real from the fake and the informative from the marketable. At every corner there is an unqualified influencer or individual trying to sell the latest diet or quick fix. This is where The Project comes in. A real, no b-s show that is not about making you purchase something or trying to get you to become someone you are not. The Project is a podcast that offers community driven health and fitness information, from local and regional experts, to help guide you towards the best version of yourself. Luckily for us, this show started locally and rose to popularity quite quickly.

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The Project’s host, Mahdi, along with cohosts Dr. D and Meg tackle an array of different topics. With two main focus topics being fitness and psychology. The fitness episodes discuss programs, coaches and dismantling the latest trends, while the psychology episodes cover various mental health issues and coping tools.

With a number of different segments per week: Health and fitness, Psyched with Dr.D and Expats Abroad, the show's back catalogue covers over 200 episodes(and counting) in both Arabic and English. Each episode is downloaded an average of 600-1000 times with listeners from every single continent. On a typical episode, you can expect to listen in to experts from all over the world tackling many taboo subjects in Kuwait.

Mahdi, a real-life average Joe who coaches baseball and fitness has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years and seen it all. He’s also tried all the fad diets and crazy workouts so you don’t have to. Although Mahdi is known for never having a filter (especially when it comes to influencers and snake-oil salesmen), his main concern is all about integrity. To him, this means providing the average person with the best information possible to empower him to make the best educated decisions. What a wonderful attribute to have!

Dr. D, the second podcast host is an amazing psychologist who teaches at a local university.

She gained quite a large following on Instagram due to her compassion and willingness to spread information about mental health. It’s times like these when this is needed the most. On the show, she is best known for being outspoken and honest.

Not only is she very intelligent, but her humor, empathy, and insight set her apart from her peers.

And last but not least, we have our final co-host, Meg. Meg is known as “The Stress Terminator” from America. She’s a walking science experiment that helps you find a way when you’re lost, out of time, and sick of the diets. Meg has also been known to help people find confidence in their minds, bodies, and health as they age.

This leaves us, the listeners, with multinational hosts who come from different training backgrounds and have various skill sets on a platform providing us with unique viewpoints and expert opinions from knowledge sources.

Not only do these hosts have an endless amount of viable information to benefit us, but they also invite inspirational guests from around the Middle East to deliver various customer segments and needs. The Project can be found on all major platforms such as Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Play.

What makes The Project a podcast that is unlike any other in the region is not only the wonderful people behind it but also the topics discussed. Don’t expect to hear gossip, fashion talk, or local trends. You know the questions that go on in your head but you never ask because they’re often thought to be weird or “taboo”, well you’ll get your answer on The Project. If you don’t have any questions, the industry experts will surely make you scratch your head. If you’re looking for a podcast that is the opposite of basic, that will help you go both on a physical, mental and emotional level then you have to show your support to #ProjectKuwait. Check out what Mahdi from The Project had to say when we got him to take on our up close and personal questionnaire.

[Continued...]

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up close & personal

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE What do you most value about your friends?

Honesty and empathy.

Which living person do you most admire?

My coach Rob Schillaci.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being around my wife and son.

What is your most treasured possession?

My wedding ring.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing family.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Being the underdog and persevering through it.

Which talent would you most like to have?

To sing, I can’t hum a single tune.

What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for?

My empathy – Being able to put myself in other’s shoes has helped me make many decisions in life.

What is the human trait you most dislike about others?

Arrogance and anyone who looks down on others.

What is it that you most dislike?

Potholes on the road.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Do you know what I mean, totally understandable, yeah I get what you’re saying What are your favorite words to live by?

Work hard and the best is yet to come.

Where would you most like to live?

Boston.

If you could have any job, what would it be?

Professional baseball player.

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

Getting my university and high school degree in the same year – long story but I did it.

What do you hope for the future?

Rocking chair and a dog named Toto (and finally living corona-free).

To keep up with the show, follow @theproject_podcast on Instagram. To stay up to date on episodes, you can stream their podcast on Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Play or visit the website www.theprojectkuwait.com.

Up Close & Personal Questionnaire With Mahdi From The Project 36

[...Continued]

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END OF SEASON SALE

50

‫ﺧﺼﻢ‬

OFF

‫ﻳﺴﺮي اﻟﻌﺮض ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﺨﺘﺎرة‬

VALID ON SELECTED LINES ONLY

www.muji.com.kw

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TALABAT TALKS MARKETING Meet Mohammed Ayoub, the man behind the genius talabat campaigns By bazaar staff

Mohammed Ayoub is the Senior Marketing Manager for talabat Kuwait. He is Jordanian but was born and raised in Kuwait. He started his college career in the US (North Carolina, Charlotte) and graduated from GUST. He started working at online marketing agencies and large local and international brands and organizations to help bring their marketing and brand strategies to life. We wanted to find out more about him, his role at talabat and his passion for marketing.

Tell us more about your role at talabat.

My job covers different areas that all fall under the marketing umbrella. As the Senior Marketing Manager, I am primarily responsible for creating marketing strategies and campaigns that would grow our orders and customer acquisition numbers while keeping cost per acquisition within range.

More importantly my team and I work on building a brand identity that enjoys high affinity with our clients. Our customer experience and loyalty is very important to us and we believe we cannot maintain a strong relationship with them unless we relate to them. This is why we invest a lot of time in coming up with ways to stay relevant on an emotional level. I also work with the Client Relationship Management team to ensure that we continually provide a personalized experience to our customers and remain close to them. Another area that my team and I work on is to build strong partnerships programs and campaigns with other brands that can bring value to our customers. This is my technical role. On a different level, it is part of my role to help develop my team and encourage them to step out of their comfort zone. I am truly blessed with a very ambitious and motivated team that inspires me every day with their strong determination to drive talabat forward.

Do you think that marketing comes naturally to everyone, or is it a skill that must be learned?

I think anyone can learn how to do tactical marketing. It doesn’t take a lot of time to learn how to come up with a good offer at the right time if you have a bit of experience and some data to back it up. There is a bit of trial and error but eventually anyone can get the hang of it.

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However, when it comes to brand building and brand affinity, things are not as straightforward. I believe you need to possess creative flair to begin with and have a great passion to drive yourself forward.

Then there is the matter of keeping yourself up to date with global and local trends, being able to take an idea from here and there, then come up with something new that works with your brand’s voice. I also believe that your daily lifestyle plays a big role because what you choose to watch on TV, or read, or even the music you listen to while you exercise will always shape how you think and how you develop ideas. I believe that if you are into developing brands, then there is so much to learn about the world around you that there is barely enough time to catch your breath. There is not enough time to be bored.

What do you like most about the marketing field?

I like building relationships with users and getting them attached to the brand. I like seeing customers being proud of being loyal to the brand. I like how marketing always pushes me to try harder to be a creative thinker. I feel proud when I see my ads on the streets or hear people talking about a campaign I worked on.

Have you failed at anything? How has this failure helped you grow as a person and a professional?

I did, especially during the days when I was a student. I wasn’t exactly the most ideal student.

Nevertheless, that helped me a lot to be where I am today. Those struggles shaped my personality and made me more eager to become successful in my career. You cannot learn without making mistakes and failing. If you get it right all the time then what do you have to learn?

What type of marketing campaigns excite you most?

I love campaigns with insights that make you think.

Especially if they are subtle ones that I had never noticed before. I like to follow disruptive brands like Burger King, Diesel, Spotify and the likes. They really push the envelope with their marketing and I like brands that aren’t afraid to stir some trouble.

I also follow political and sports campaigns as these are usually the toughest to come up with because you deal with customers who are probably biased at the outset and have taken a position. It’s interesting to me how a good campaign can sway customers of this kind.

What does a typical day at talabat look like for you?

We spend most of our day brainstorming creative ideas. Then we spend a little bit of time filling up reports, analyzing data, and showing up to meetings. We see what is being said about us on social media and use this data to help guide us in our strategy.

[Continued...]

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When you’re not working, what do you do to relax?

Well, I am a family guy. I enjoy spending my time with my family to release the pressures of daily life.

Music is my escape, and I have liked listening to Amr Diab since I was a kid. Also, I am trying to work on my DJ’ing skills from time to time, but it’s not that easy. Aiming for Ibiza though! I also like playing basketball every week as I am a hardcore Lakers and Manchester United fan. Other than that, there is the usual Netflix’ing.

What is your favorite thing about your job? What do you think is most challenging?

Everything. I love what I do because it’s not a monotonous job. There is something different to panic about every day. Joking aside, my favorite thing would be that in talabat we have the ability to give feedback and be more open for any feedback from other team members or departments.

The team spirit is amazing. We like to challenge each other and there is a very strong internal competition which is very healthy. We are all young people thinking at the same wavelength, which is not something you find in every company. Our culture is the best thing I could ever ask for. I also love that it is a challenging job that tests my limits and pushes my boundaries. I always look forward to having users who love talabat and consider it as their 1st destination for food/grocery ordering.

What advice would you give for young people interested in careers in marketing?

Be exposed to what’s happening around you in the world. Spend more time in exploring successful practices done before. Keep learning because you need to cope up with fast moving innovations. Be proud, not satisfied.

What were some of your favorite talabat campaigns that you worked in in 2020?

Introducing talabat mart to the market at the beginning of the year as a new talabat aggregator is one campaign I really like because it always feels good when you are starting or introducing something new to the market. It becomes your baby.

What do you use talabat most for?

I use talabat almost every day. It’s part of my lifestyle, and I am not saying that because I work here. It really makes my life much easier. I use it to order both food and groceries. I love Zaatar w Zeit, McDonald’s and Raising Cane’s and for groceries, it’s definitely talabat mart.

Do you have any talabat hacks?

Use filters and collections. It will make your life easier and will get you the right choice faster. You will always find the best deals there.

You can find Mohammed Ayoub on Instagram @mj.ayoub23 and Twitter @mj_ayoub23. Download talabat from the App Store or Play Store to start getting all your deliveries sorted!

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[...Continued]

41

HOW TO ADULT A Public Service Announcement Message about the Mess

By Ayman Nassar

HARK! A January post that is not teeming with resolution advice, does not mention the dreaded C-word and does not follow the “new year, new me” ideology? What on earth is happening?

You just got home from work. The scene before you is pure anarchy, reminiscent of a challenge on Nickelodeons Finders Keepers (the good old days of game-show TV aka real reality), you find your gym clothes hanging on the dining table under the pretense of “drying” (they’re not drying, you’re just too lazy to put them away), the dishes from last night’s lunch/dinner hybrid are still on the table, almost as if they were set for your return today (with leftovers, still on the plate, and a sizeable serving of your favorite soft drink, now flat, still in the cup). You navigate your way through several pairs of discarded shoes, be it formal, sports, slippers or boots, all strewn haphazardly near the door, a false indication that the house is swarming with people. It is just you, they all belong to you, and the house is occupied by a small family. An outwardly appearing messy-family.

It is safe to say, education did not prepare us for this. All our years of our formative years, at the primary, secondary, post-graduate and to some, undergrad and beyond levels did not prepare us for the task of running a household as a fully-functioning adult. Look in the mirror, you may look like an adult, in your suit and tie, with or without a beard, with or without hair atop your glorious head, or full make-up and designer bags that would be the envy of youngeryou. However, the way in which you run your daily life is a far throw away from that of your closest living adults – your parents.

Let us deconstruct the scene and evaluate; back in the day, we’d walk into the house from school, find a hot meal prepared, even if both parents were working, the house would be clean, with everything in its proper place. A slipper thrown with ninja-like precision awaited any folly in the keeping of the house in a tidy manner, or for those that did not endure corporal punishment, a stern look and loud bellow affirmed we would not step out-of-line.

Then, the revolution happened. The internet exploded into our houses, our cars and every aspect of our lives. Remember how your parents always told you to make your bed? Well, there is a scientific argument that advises against it, saying a made bed invites critters and the likes, whereas a messy one keeps them confused and far away. Washing clothes you wore only once? Poppycock! What a frivolous waste of water! Air it out and wear it again unless it is visibly besmirched. And so on and so forth.

Not only are we busy navigating conflicting advice, our free time is completely eaten up by worrying about things our parents never had to worry about, such as which latest diet fad to follow to get in shape, how many steps you need to burn off last night’s pizza

42

party, how to keep your child off the screen and still nurture and engage their mind etc. it is hectic to say the least.

However, therein lies the answer. The adults of today are suffering from a chronic case of information overload – our “downtime” is consumed by being tethered to the office through our smart-phones, meaning we’re never “off-the-clock”, the internet provides ample ground to answer every question, however there are always equal supporters to each opposing idea.

So what is the bottom line? Do not take things so rigidly. If you cannot find the time to cook at home, eat out, but ensure the food is a semblance of healthy. Get a part-time cleaning service to help with the mess. Simply put, go with the flow, we cannot

raise the next generation as we were raised, for they are born to a different time than us. What once was normal is now not so, and vice versa.

Cut yourself some slack, and resolve to read more magazines – see how we slipped that in? Happy New Year!

Like the Rubik’s Cube, Ayman Nassar is multi- colored in his interests, from running to organizing races, stand- up comedy and internal audit, plus a little writing on the side. You can find him on YouTube or follow him on Instagram @LordAymz. Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash.

Need it now?

Just talabat it.

Your everyday, right away 43

EMIRATES SKYWARDS AND ABK CELEBRATE 18-YEAR JOURNEY 18 years of happy ABK-Emirates credit card users and more than 2.5 billion points awarded By bazaar staff

2020 celebrated a milestone for ABK and Emirates Skywards, as they marked 18 years since the launch of their first co-branded travel credit card. Now, as we count down to May 2022, which marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the first of its kind agreement, customers continue to enjoy an expansive array of rewards and benefits.

For a partnership to continue for this long, this means that customers are happily benefiting from this special credit card. The relationship’s continued strength is demonstrated by the recent Miles multiplier campaign, celebrating the launch of the online shopping destination, Skywards Miles @mall. The online platform unlocks a vast array of incredible deals from the world’s most loved brands in the US and the UK, from online luxury retailers like The Outnet Middle East to adored furniture brands like Pottery Barn, and everything in between. With every purchase made using the ABK-Emirates Visa Infinite and Signature credit cards, even more miles are earned. During an 18-day period, ABK-Emirates Visa Infinite and Signature credit card holders earned double or triple Skywards Miles when 44

shopping from over 1,500 brands at Skywards Miles @mall. For holders of the Emirates Visa Infinite Card, this meant the opportunity to earn as many as 18 Skywards Miles for every KWD 1 spent.

When the first joint ABK-Emirates credit card launched in August 2002, co-branded credit cards, especially between banks and travel brands, were a relatively new concept in the region.

Nevertheless, customers quickly embraced the new offering and more than 21 million miles were awarded to ABK customers within twelve months of the card’s launch. The total number of points awarded has now surpassed 2.5 billion.

Such is the success of the partnership, and both sides’ satisfaction with it, that the contract between ABK and Emirates has now

been extended six times. A recent extension to the partnership agreement ensures that it will continue to run until at least October 2023.

There have been many landmarks over the years, including the 10th Anniversary Special edition ‘Diamond’ card that was first issued in 2012. The partnership also launched the first ever Emirates prepaid card.

Co-branded travel cards have become a major bank offering and deliver positives for all the stakeholders involved. For banks and travel brands, they cement customer loyalty and promote repeat business. Card holders know that when they spend, they are accruing points that can be traded for a range of useful rewards and benefits.

The benefits of today’s travel cards extend

beyond earning free or discounted flights, or seat upgrades. ABK-Emirates cardholders can trade their accrued points at the Skywards Miles @ mall, for example, where they can be redeemed against a wide range of products from prestigious brands. This is a particularly important initiative demonstrating a clear understanding of customers’ current realities. At a time when they may not be able to travel as before, members have still been able to realise enormous value from their cards.

There are many other benefits to be enjoyed with co-branded travel cards. In the case of the ABK-Emirates offerings, these range from travel insurance and airport lounge access to purchase protection and extended warranties on items purchased with the cards. Complimentary meet &

greet, free luggage delivery and discounts through the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection and Visa Fine Dining program.

What really makes this partnership special to ABK-Emirates credit card users is that there is no ceiling on how many points holders of ABK-Emirates cards can accrue and points can be redeemed for rewards within seven days of being earned. There are numerous promotions that enable holders to earn extra points. No other co-branded card available in Kuwait allows passengers to fly to such an expansive list of destinations.

It is no surprise, therefore, that ABK and Emirates have won a number of awards for their co-branded cards. It also explains why co-branded cards typically account for some of the highest levels of annual customer card spend.

It has been a wonderful journey for ABK and Emirates so far and while both esteemed institutions look forward to a continued partnership for years to come, we’re pretty sure that the ABK-Emirates credit card users are thrilled to see this partnership continue to flourish.

For more information about ABK, please visit eahli.com or contact an ABK customer service agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 189 9899. For more information about the Skywards Miles @mall, please visit skywardsmilesmall.com.

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bazaar hitlist

FRUGAL LIVING Our best money saving tips By bazaar staff

Only the lucky were completely unaffected by Covid-19, especially financially. From job losses to wage cuts, many of us have had to take a long hard look at our spending habits and rethink our savings strategies. Even without a pandemic, it is always a good idea to have an emergency fund stashed away. Turns out that members of the bazaar team had some interesting ways to stretch a dinar!

Farah Barakat (Mixed Media Content) Smart Money Advice: Work smarter, not harder Step one: make a meal plan for the week(or two weeks). Step two: curate a shopping list based on your meals for the week. Step three: buy only the ingredients you need for the week. Extra step (especially when it comes to meat and produce): only buy the quantities you need. Only need 3oz steak once a week for a family of 4? Then only buy 12 oz of steak.

Jennifer Cádiz (Mixed Media Solutions) Smart Money Advice: Do you need it?

Yes we must support local businesses but in fairness if you must spend less, the first question you should ask yourself is, “Do I need X?” and really mean “need” not “want”. Instead of ordering food where it makes no economic sense i.e. it’s more expensive to buy a meal than it would be to make from home, look through your cupboards and devise meals from what’s already there. Buy dry goods like lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, rice. When it comes to clothes, go through your cupboards and sort them out into sizes and seasons. Putting away the ones you don’t need for the moment saves space but also going through your stuff really shows you that you probably have everything you need and should not be buying anything new. Try swapping items with friends too, as someone’s unwanted goods could be another’s vital item. Try walking to where you want to go, and take buses where you previously would have taken taxis. All of these things will stretch your dinar a little further. I’ve no advice on saving; I’m still paying off my student loans!

Umika Pidaparthy (Online Producer) Smart Money Advice: Research and compare Just like you shop around different airlines for the cheapest airfares (oh travel, how we miss you!), researching the prices of your everyday essentials between different stores is one way to save! And now that e-commerce has expanded in Kuwait and online shopping is encouraged for social distancing, it has become easier than ever for consumers to get a good deal. Couple of factors to consider when running comparisons - a) Is the product local or imported?

Depending on what it is, local products can be cheaper and you’d get the double benefit of supporting a local business. b) Do you need that product in bulk and if so how much? Every store will have a different 46

bulk buying offer for the exact same type of product and you should check which works best for you. c) Is the actual product under the generic brand really that different from the name brand? You can save quite a bit buying generic/store name products if it is feasible. d) Are there any online-only offers or deals?

By opting for these you could ultimately save a trip to the store. Do keep an eye for the delivery charges and make sure it is worth your purchase amount!

Yasmine El Charif (Content Manager) Smart Money Advice: Do it yourself!

The DIY life is the way to go if you want to save some fils. From learning how to cook your favorite italian meals at home (Pasta is SO easy and cheap to make at home. As is Pizza, and glazed, and doughnuts!), to starting a dedicated at-home grooming routine.

Our lives did drastically change during lockdown, and whether the consumer within you missed paying for your favorite services, trying to do things old-school will almost always guarantee to save you some dinars come the end of the month. So instead of embracing an all-or-nothing attitude, appreciate the notion of balance. For example, you can switch out your weekly

mani-pedi ritual and skip a week to groom your nails at home in between appointments. Pizza Thursdays can be a DIY affair too.

Yasmin Gamal (Mixed Media Creator) Smart Money Advice: Lists will save you (and your cash) I try to never shop without a list. Despite advocating for order, structure and routine, deep down I am just a chaos muppet trying to wreak havoc. The only way I keep everything in its place is by adding it to a list. I have an ongoing grocery list that I add to whenever something is about to run out. That way I don’t randomly buy things I don’t need. I also have a long-term wish list for things I am saving up for, to motivate me to stick to the aforementioned list. This gives you the opportunity to think things over, do you really need this thing or was it just a fleeting feeling?

I still make impulse purchases; they are just much more controlled now.

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash.

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DR. GHANIM AL-GHANIM

TAIBA HOSPITAL CARES FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES By bazaar staff

Being a doctor is a challenging job. They have to wear many hats during a consultation. Just like a detective, they need to ask the right questions to find all the clues then they need to be problem solvers who can piece everything together to arrive at the correct diagnosis. Pediatricians have an even harder time because their patients are often unable to speak for themselves and explain what is wrong and at the same time they have to deal with parents who might be stressed and worried about their child.

This is exactly why you need a pediatrician like Dr. Ghanim Al-Ghanim on your side.

For as long as he can remember Al-Ghanim knew he wanted to be a physician. He was always quick to answer “Doctor”, when he was asked as a child what he wanted to be when he grew up. Looking back at pictures of his younger self, he was often wearing a white lab coat already pretending to be a doc. He headed off to Ireland at 17 to study medicine and earn his Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. It wasn’t until his fourth year of medical school when he knew he wanted to become a pediatrician. He went on to complete his fellowship in neonatal perinatal medicine from McMaster University in Canada. He is also a member of the Canadian board in General Pediatrics-McMaster Children’s hospital, the Royal College of physicians in Canada and the Canadian Pediatric society.

Today he works at Taiba Hospital and specializes in pediatric medicine as well as being a Neonatologist. The latter is a specialty that focuses on newborn intensive care, possibly prematurely born babies or newborns with complications.

Dr. Al-Ghanim understands that his job is not just to treat an illness. His patients are more than just cases or medical curiosities, instead he believes it is very important to create rapport and build connections with the parents as well as the child. He spends the first few minutes of any visit making sure the entire family is at ease and relaxed so he can then proceed onto diagnosis and treatment.

He also mentioned that one of the most common conditions in children in Kuwait is asthma. The environment and weather seem to play a large role in the number of cases. It is a manageable disease but needs patient compliance and parental guidance. This is why the relationship between the medical establishment and families needs to be built on trust, education and support, everyone works together for a common goal. Taiba Hospital makes sure that the doctors have access to all the resources they need from skilled and highly trained support staff to the ability to print out educational material that can help patients better manage their symptoms and complete treatment.

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One of the supporting departments to pediatrics is the Breastfeeding Clinic. Lactation specialists are available to help new moms learn how to properly nurse their infants and are on-call to provide guidance and aid whenever it is needed.

Taiba Hospital is the only facility in Kuwait that has earned the Baby-Friendly Accreditation. There’s even a nursing room in the pediatrics department so moms can easily breastfeed in private if they need to while waiting to see a doctor. It is this kind of thoughtful planning that makes it easier on the entire family to stay healthy.

It is no secret that many parents are now

reluctant to take their child to see a physician because of COVID-19. But, Dr. Al-Ghanim reassured us that there’s nothing to be afraid of. The hospital is following all the Health Ministry’s guidelines regarding safety. Patients need only practice social distancing, wash their hands and wear their masks.

It is actually riskier to ignore symptoms or wait too long before seeing a doctor, especially for children.

He also explained that there are clear warning signs and red flags that should never be ignored.

A fever, severe vomiting or diarrhea are examples.

And if a baby is crying inconsolably for more than an hour, it is best to see the doc. There are specialists

on-call around the clock at Taiba, so there’s always someone who can help you out.

If we have learned anything from our experience of 2020, is that health is our most precious possession. Healthy children have a better chance of growing up to become healthy adults, so don’t take chances with the little ones’ health.

Taiba Hospital is located in Sabah Al Salem, off of route 30 on Road 3. Call them 24 hours at 180 80 88. For updates and information, visit the website taibahospital.com, and follow them on Instagram @taibahospital.

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TRAMPO EXTREME TAKES HOME MENALAC AWARD Our favorite destination has just won the best Sports & Adventure Based Entertainment award in the region!

By bazaar staff

Trampo Extreme is an indoor playground that brings together the latest innovations and challenges for families through their limitless activities. Trampo Extreme has been an immersive experience for the entire family in Kuwait, Oman, UAE and recently in Qatar.

If you’re into madly fun trampolines and jumping all over the place, then Trampo Extreme is the spot you want to be in. An amazing event holding place, this makes it perfect to host birthday parties and celebrations. And while we’ve missed visiting Trampo Extreme, we’re counting the days until we can jump around again to our heart’s content, leaving all our worries behind and embracing the inner child within us all.

Top quality trampolines at Trampo Extreme are a great escape from the overly screen- based and at the same time disconnected world we are living in. It is a place where families and friends can spend quality time together by jumping out of boredom and burning some calories. At the park you can enjoy a jump on their connected set of trampolines, slam dunk some basketballs, skydive into a foam pit, climb on an interactive wall, play dodgeball with your friends. All within a perfectly safe environment. This really reminds us of our childhood days of playing outside, rain or shine, and those amazing dodgeball tournaments of our school years.

Trampo Extreme Kuwait offers eight meter climbing elements with 18 to 30 different climbing walls. Customers can climb as high as they can on the challenging walls and reach the top or they can try a level two or three challenge with more difficulty.

Sky Trail at Trampo Extreme also provides customers with a thrilling experience in a safe environment. A rope course like never before, the zip includes maneuvering one’s way across ropes and ladders on the enormous Sky Trail, followed by a thrilling ride on the zipline at the end.

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Most recently, Trampo Extreme was awarded Best Sports / Adventure Based Entertainment in the region by Menalac! Menalac stands for Middle East and North Africa Leisure Attractions Council is an esteemed nonprofit organization which represents the Middle East’s dynamic leisure attractions sector.

Mr. Ghassan Assi, Chief Operating Officer at Trampo Extreme, said: “Safety is and always been the number one focus of our business, we are engineered for safety from beginning to end. We pride ourselves on delivering the best customer experience while also listening to our customers, and sparing no effort in constantly re-inventing ourselves”.

Following the tremendous success of the first two Annual MENALAC Awards editions of the Gala, Menalac organized their 3rd edition of the Annual Menalac Awards Gala to recognize excellence and achievements for the Middle East and North Africa leisure and attractions industry on November 10th. Given the current pandemic, the 2020 conference was a virtual affair.

The Menalac Awards celebrates the leisure and entertainment industry by rewarding participants with awards of excellence, outstanding performance and achievements in various facets of the leisure and entertainment industry.

Dubbed as the Oscars of the MENA Leisure & Entertainment Industry, the 2020 edition of the awards featured 24 categories this year with Trampo Extreme taking home an award in Best Sports/Adventure Based Entertainment.

Trampo Extreme has two locations: Murouj; off 6th Ring Road next to Sahara Golf Club and The Promenade Mall; Hawaly, Al-Othman Street.

Contact them at 2225 5260 for more information and follow them on Instagram @trampoofficial.

Get through Morning Madness

Grab some coffee from Everyday Roastery (essentials first)

Never skip breakfast! Just add a protein bar or some bananas for later (to make sure you don’t go bananas)

Throw in some toothpaste and a toothbrush - you know, just in case

Save some time & go to talabat mart in the groceries section of our app.

Whatever it is you might need when you're in a rush, we're here to get you through the madness.

Just talabat it.

We’ll be there in 30 mins!

Your everyday, right away 51

THE ALL-NEW 2021 LEXUS IS

Sporty styling meets sophisticated performance for a rebellious luxury experience By bazaar staff

Since the debut of its first generation in 1999, the IS has been renowned for its exhilarating driving performance and sporty styling and has sold more than a million units over two decades. With the unveiling of the 2021 model, it is clear that careful craftmanship and countless hours of testing have gone into developing the best is to date.

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The 2021 Lexus IS strikes a perfect balance between sportiness and sophistication that embodies the aspirations of customers in the region.

Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons unveiled the car in the presence of Mubarak Naser Al Sayer CEO and Mahmoud Abou Zahr Business Director Lexus Division last December. The latest version of the popular vehicle remains true to its foundation as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan, while expanding on the qualities that have built its loyal following.

“What we had foremost in mind when developing the new IS was to create a vehicle that excelled in communicating with the driver, regardless of the road conditions or driving situation,” said Chief Engineer Naoki Kobayashi. “We retained the well-received compact body, and set out to deliver exceptional ride comfort while offering a high level of control.

The longer the new IS is driven, the more one can experience the fun of driving – we wanted people to feel the aspirations of the team who created it,” he continued.

One of the first things that Lexus’ engineers targeted was to enhance the IS’s body rigidity.

This not only helps to reduce unwanted noise and vibration, but also improves ride comfort and contributes to dynamic driving performance through enhanced steering response. To complement these enhancements, multiple refinements were made to the suspension setup. The new IS features coil springs that are 20 percent lighter than the outgoing model, as well as new forged aluminum A-arms that offer an 18 percent weight reduction. The suspension stabilizer bar has also been optimized using a new material to provide a 17 percent weight reduction.

The new bold exterior styling and athletic silhouette of the 2021 IS signifies the agile changes that have taken place below the surface. The new IS evokes lower, wider proportions with muscular fenders, reflecting the vehicle’s high performance.

The sleek lines are also complemented with aggressive sharpness carved into the side and shoulder character lines.

“We are excited to launch the new Lexus IS in the region, a vehicle that combines luxury and performance in perfect harmony,” commented Kei Fujita, Chief Representative, Middle East and Central Asia Representative O ‎ffice, Toyota Motor Corporation. “Previous generations of the IS already enjoy a strong reputation among drivers, and we are confident that the many refinements our design and engineering teams have made, created a performance that everyone can be passionate about.

I’d like to thank our loyal customers in the region for continually inspiring us as we strive to create Amazing Experiences by transforming performance into passion and technology into imagination,” he added.

The 2021 IS’s newly designed spindle grille features an intricate pattern that emphasizes a sense of presence, while the slender headlamps and [Continued...]

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daytime running lights with a sharp L-shape signature have been redesigned to complement the low-profile hood. New rocker panels accent a side profile that features a sharper contour and carries into the muscular shoulders over the rear wheel wells. At the back of the vehicle, the rear fenders blend into the extended, lowered rear deck, creating a low stance and emphasizing the L-shaped full-width rear light.

The new model’s distinct personality is completed by its exquisite interior, which invites drivers and passengers to enjoy a range of advanced features for a refined cabin experience. These include a new 10.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 4.2-inch color multi-information display (MID), and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with touch-sensitive controls. The vehicle also offers SmartAccess with push-button start, a power 54

moonroof, 8-way adjustable power and ventilated front seats, as well as ample luggage space thanks to the 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

The new Lexus IS’s eye-catching looks are complemented by its balanced, linear and confident driving signature. Owners can choose from two engine options; an updated 2.0-liter, turbocharged and intercooled inline four-cylinder engine delivering 241 hp and 350 Nm of torque, and a sophisticated 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 311 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The two engines are paired with an eightspeed sport direct-shift automatic transmission that offers superb drivability, together with outstanding fuel efficiency and quietness even at high speed.

As with any Lexus vehicle, safety is a top priority for the new Lexus IS. Drivers can enjoy complete peace of mind thanks to the Lexus Safety System+, an advanced safety technology package that includes

Pre-Collision System (PCS) which include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Emergency Steering Assist (ESA), Daytime Pedestrian Detection (DPD), allspeed range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Tracing Alert (LTA), and Adaptive High-beam System (AHB).

The vehicle also includes comprehensive safety features designed to protect its occupants, such as 8 SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Parking Support Alert (PKSA), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), among many others.

Further adding to its stylish visual appeal, the 2021 Lexus IS comes in a refined range of color options that allow discerning owners to customize

their vehicles according to their tastes. Customers can choose from seven distinctive exterior colors, including the newly developed Sonic Chrome and Sonic Iridium options. Meanwhile, the interior comes in three elegant colors; Ocher, Dark Rose, and the universal Black, which evokes a sense of calm within a gorgeous atmosphere. Newly developed wheel design have also been introduced in 19-inch sizes to further express the driving feel pursued by the Lexus brand.

For those seeking to experience the ultimate in thrilling responsiveness, the new IS is also available in an F Sport version. Engineered for exhilaration, the F brand DNA has trickled down from the legendary LFA, which represents the pinnacle of refined performance. The IS F Sport model boasts exclusive interior and exterior features, including a distinctive ‘F’ mesh pattern, a grille-bottom air intake, rear spoiler, and 19-inch alloy wheels. It comes equipped with an F Sport exhaust and diffuser, as well as improved Active Sound Control to enhance the performance notes of the V6 engine. Inside the cabin, the 8-inch color TFT LCD meter features a movable meter ring that enables a dual display using a single meter. Owners can choose from a range of eight exterior colors that emphasize the vehicle’s sportiness, including three colors exclusive for the IS F Sport model; Radiant Red contrast layering, Heat Blue contrast layering or White Nova GF, while the interior is available in White and Flare Red.

LEXUS IS AT A GLANCE

• LEXUS IS350 – F Sport - 3500cc engine D4-S (Direct injection Superior version) – V6 – 311 hp – Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing – Intelligent) • LEXUS IS300 - 2.0L - 4 Cylinder Turbo 241hp D-4ST (Direct-injection 4-stroke Superior-version with Turbo) • Tiptronic transmission – 8 Speed + F1 Paddle Shifters • Automatic High Beam (AHB) + LED Headlights + DRL (Daytime Running Lights).

• Front Display 10.3 inch • Navigation System • Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Mobile Integration • Remote Touch (Pad) • Leather seats + Ventilation System for the Front Seats • Pre-Crash Safety System and Radar Cruise Control • BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) + RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) • LDA (Lane Departure Alert) + LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) • VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) • EPB (Electric Parking Brake) • 8 Airbags • Remote Engine Starter • Drive Mode Select (Eco / Normal / Sport)

For more information on Lexus in Kuwait, call the team on 1830030. Check out their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @Lexuskw, or visit lexus.com.kw. [...Continued]

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GET RAPTURED

Sustainable minimalist fashion with lots of character

By Farah Alsultan

Established in 2018, Rapture is a self-funded Kuwaiti fashion brand focusing on timeless statement accessories that are not specified for any age or gender, being what you wear speaks for you. It’s Rapture’s priority that every product is handmade in Kuwait by using recycled material and vegan leather. Currently, Rapture has gained a reputation for its eye-grabbing vibrant colors, which began with their minimalistic yet not so simple Signature Cardholder. The cardholder’s large tag is the character of the statement piece and became the brand’s essence. Ensuring to spread INTENSE HAPPINESS to those who have it and those who have been attracted by it. The great minds behind the brand are Dana Almutauri and Ghala Alhajri, young intrapreneurs. Coming from two different worlds, Dana an architectural designer and Ghala a marketing major with a business perspective, were joined together for their love of fashion that bloomed into visions and dreams. When reality struck the two friends, Rapture was born. However, that was only the start of it all.

Rapture’s product line has now expanded to feature not only accessories, but also bags and apparel. Their accessories include a variety of neck-straps, key chains, and phone cases, which either attach to their Signature Cardholder or match by design. The latest t-shirt is part of Rapture’s Individuals line, which is based on local artists’ collaborations showcasing Kuwaiti talent. Named as the “Friends & Family T-shirt” illustrated by Jannah Almuqaisib, representing Rapture as more than your favorite local brand but rather the owners’ view of their customers as a community supporting Rapture’s values. It is safe to assume that Rapture not only aims to provide nonseasonal collective statement pieces, but rather is built on a vision, mission, and values portrayed in the products.

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‘The vision is to spread INTENSE HAPPINESS globally, through fashion and design. The mission is to establish a successful professional Kuwaiti fashion label of high standards; by expanding knowledge and delivering an exclusive experience to ensure customer satisfaction.

The values are innovation, leadership, passion, challenge, collaboration, authenticity, diversity, and individuality.’

During 2020, when businesses were struggling economically, Rapture took on the challenge to flourish. Initiated by the drop of the Statement Mask with compliance of COVID-19 regulations and considered an environmentally friendly choice by reducing disposable masks. Following the decision of putting INTENSE HAPPINESS on Kuwait’s map, after three years of online-based

business. Midst of October 2020, Rapture opened its doors for a soft opening in the heart of Kuwait City, neighboring the historical Mubarakiya. One of the main reasons for the store’s launch, officially occurring in January 2021, is to interact and socialize with their customers. It would be Rapture’s honor to deliver the INTENSE HAPPINESS you deserve. So, make sure to drop by!

Find out more about Rapture by following @rapturekw on Instagram or visit www.rapture.store.

Happy New Year 2021

w w w. m a i s a lg h a n i m .c om 57

THE NEW 2021 TOYOTA FORTUNER Stylish Design, Advanced Connected Technology With Off-Road Capabilities And Superstar Performance By bazaar staff

Last month we witnessed the launch of the new Fortuner 2021 by Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons. It featured the introduction of a refreshed design and upgraded features that promise a more refined experience for drivers and passengers. The seven-seater Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) builds on the model’s heritage as a stylish yet durable SUV with four-wheel-drive powered off-road capabilities.

The new Fortuner’s exterior design has been notably enhanced, with its large front grille and silver bumper strips creating a stronger sense of rigidity and dependability. The SUV’s appearance also benefits from newly designed Light Guiding Headlights with Daytime Running Lights, together with a pair of stylish LED Guiding Taillights that make it stand out after dark.

Drivers and passengers can enjoy a range of intelligent features designed to increase convenience and safety that not only make for a highly comfortable drive, but also a more elegant way to get out there and explore. These include an 8-inch Audio-Visual Navigation touchscreen that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as the T-Connect app by Toyota. The innovative T-Connect app creates a seamless connection between the vehicle and driver to offer peace of mind in all driving conditions, make car maintenance a much simpler task, and bring occupants a wide variety of entertainment content for a more pleasurable ride.

“Toyota believes that the customer comes first. Toyota offers true peace of mind -- as well as an emotional, fun to drive experience. Creating Ever Better Cars with newer technologies is more than just words -- it’s a mission and we are dedicated to making sure that our products exceed all customer expectations. Fortuner, which debuted in 2006, won a solid reputation for quality and durability. So far over 800,000 units have been sold around the world,” commented Scott McNicol, General Manager Sales.

The Fortuner is available with a choice of highly efficient petrol engine options. The petrol engines include a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 164 hp and 245 nm of torque, 58

[Continued...]

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and a 4.0-liter V6 engine that churns out 235 hp and 376 nm of torque. The Fortuner’s 6-speed automatic transmission maximizes engine potential and features multi-stage gears that are optimized to improve drive force in the low-speed range. The gear ratios have been set to provide a strong acceleration with powerful torque, making the car highly capable for off-road adventures.

“Over the past 15 years Fortuner has emerged as a market leading model in the midsize SUV segment. Since its launch in Kuwait, it has achieved excellent sales and remarkable reputation in both retail and fleet sectors. Fortuner is an unstoppable SUV, adding depth to the strong Toyota SUV product line-up” commented Bader Faisal Al Sayer Deputy Marketing Manager representing Toyota Kuwait.

As with any other Toyota model, safety remains a top priority for the new Fortuner, which incorporates a comprehensive array of features designed to protect its occupants. These include SRS airbags for the front seats along with a knee airbag for the driver, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), 60

[...Continued]

Tire Pressure Warning System (TPWS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), among many others.

Available in eight distinctive exterior colors, the new Fortuner provides customers with the opportunity to express their individuality. These include the new Sparkling Black Pearl CS, which offers a classic stylish look while emphasizing the SUV’s commanding presence. Meanwhile, the interior is available in two sophisticated color palettes, Black and Chamois, which create a warm atmosphere and contribute to the vehicle’s premium feel. Further expressing its elegant yet sporty character, the new Fortuner comes equipped with a choice of 17-inch or redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels.

Want to find out what it feels like behind the Fortuner’s wheel? Visit toyota.com.kw, call 1803803, or follow @toyotakw on Instagram.

Images courtesy of Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons.

THE 2021 FORTUNER AT A GLANCE

• 4000cc – 235hp Dual VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing – Intelligent).

• Automatic transmission - 6 Speed (4X4).

• Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC).

• Trailer Sway Control System (TSC).

• LED headlights + Daytime Running Lamp (DRL).

Wooden interior.

• High definition Front Display 8-inch (Apple Carplay & Android Auto).

• Rear Camera.

• Mobile Wireless Charger.

• Auto Air-condition system.

• Cooler Box. • 7 Seats.

• Smart Entry System.

• Start/Stop Button.

• Drive Modes Select (Eco, Power).

• Power Foldable Mirrors.

• Cruise Control.

YEARS

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MAHA ALESSA The past, the present and the future through museums, education and documentation By bazaar staff

Almost ten years ago, Maha Alessa saw an ad that was asking for volunteers for the Dar Al Athar Al Islamiya (DAI) museums. Back then, she had no idea what the future held or how applying for the position might change her trajectory in life.

Maha is an industrial engineer who specializes in strategic planning and a decade ago she was working for an international firm. Her job entailed a lot of travel and she loved visiting museums all over the world and felt that volunteering in one would be an exciting opportunity. She was eager to become part of the DAI family as a docent and took a personal interest in the educational programs. Maha took part in an “Educational Theory & Practice in Museums” program by Dr. Sharon Shaffer, a UNDP Education Specialist, and trained in programs development for museum-based education aiming to maximize the learning experience.

“It was an intensive course with a final project, and we had to learn how to create our own programs, because exhibitions and objects always change.

Therefore, you need to be able to develop the program independently, it can’t be a ready-made program that you pull and apply. You have to always reinvent the educational experience” Maha explained.

The program provided her with the tools that she needed, and since 2014 she has been running the children’s art workshop completely on her own. It’s a fantastic initiative that takes kids on a journey of self-discovery and learning for six months. They learn how to look at and interpret art, then the kids have to work on a final project that requires all the learning they acquired to be utilized in the creation of the project, which changes every year from a play to a movie to even curating an exhibition. The kids get exposed to a lot of new ideas as well as art and have to learn how to work together as a group because they present the final project as a team.

“The four main things they learn are what we call the four C’s, which are creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. These are embedded in all the programs that we do. We believe that once [the kids] have these main four skills, they can work on any project anywhere, Maha told us.

Sadly, this season they have had to run the program very differently. Since they can’t meet in person, Maha has been organizing Zoom sessions where They can focus on a single object in each session and learning about the fundamentals of Islamic Art in a smaller group. The pandemic has really hit cultural hubs quite hard, which has highlighted the importance of these spaces for communities.

Maha believes that museums help us connect to our past. Visual documentation like photographs or physical objects and artefacts help us draw a straight line from who we used to be to who we have become. Luckily, we do have some items that have survived and show us how Kuwait has evolved from pre-oil to the modern state it is today. Early last year, DAI Amricani Cultural Centre hosted the “Alan Villiers & the Sons of Sinbad: an Australian in 1930’s Kuwait” exhibition.

The collection of photographs documented life in Kuwait as a seafaring society six years before the discovery of oil. Maha found the photos of the country in the 1930s eye opening because they actually showed how life was from a primary source. There are also the memoirs and diaries that were left behind by nurses and doctors that worked at the Amricani when it was a hospital and it tells a more detailed and deeply intimate story of what life was like back then. Amricani was the first concrete building built in the Gulf Region 106 years ago and functioned as a hospital for decades before being abandoned and then eventually brought back to life as the lively cultural center we all know and love today. Maha also suggested we look at Life Photographer Thomas Mcavioy’s photos of Kuwait that were taken in 1951. These were all pivotal moments in the history of Kuwait, and being able to understand how things evolved adds to our appreciation of our own heritage.

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“Museums give us an extended understanding of other communities, other cultures, and bring a fresh look at our ideas. I think the role of the museum, at the core of it, is education. So not just for children, but also for adults. And it helps them to have this fresh look and appreciation. And also it adds beauty, perspective, inspiration, expands our horizon and so much more to a person’s life,” she adds.

In addition to her work with DAI, Maha is passionate about conserving Kuwait’s architectural history. She regularly sheds lights on buildings of cultural and historical significance. Her website and Instagram account are a beautifully curated collection of photos of these spaces. She is a master storyteller who weaves words and visuals together to bring history to the present. For her, it is not about indiscriminately holding on to the past, but making sure we conserve the important parts that help us connect to our identity. In the 80’s Evangelia Simos Ali joined Kuwait Municipality and initiated a survey of all the surviving historical structures, identifying and documenting a total of 122 buildings in Kuwait, which included mosques, shops and houses of the old city. Maha explained that mosques and shops are mostly still being used today so are maintained anyway. This leaves less than a dozen buildings that really deserve saving and conserving like Qaser Khazal. She truly believes that we need to document the history of these buildings too.

There is a strong single underlying theme in all the things that Maha does; collecting and telling our own story. Whether we tell that story through our art or through our buildings, the end result is the same, we stay connected to our origins so we can learn from the past and step firmly into the future.

Visit Maha’s website meemalessa.com and follow her @meemalessa on Instagram to check out all the different things she’s working on and for some interesting and educational content. Images courtesy of Maha Alessa and taken by Bedour AlAwadhi (buildings) and Bandele Zuberi (children’s workshop).

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LET’S CLEAN UP! H&M’s latest kidswear collection transforms plastic waste into everyday fashion By bazaar staff

H&M’s latest partnership with Danone AQUA for the bottle2fashion project is transforming plastic bottle waste from the shores of Indonesia into recycled polyester. This season, bottle2fashion will collect and recycle around 3.5 million PET bottles. The final result will materialize in the H&M kidswear collection where recycled polyester has been blended with organic cotton and recycled cotton to create cozy, everyday pieces in fashion-forward colors and silhouettes.

“Helping to keep beaches and oceans clean, bottle2fashion is another exciting step forward for a more circular and collaborative approach at H&M. To give a second life to disposable plastic bottles as recycled polyester is valuable in so many ways — to Indonesia’s environment, economy, and social values — but also the world and our customers. And once the kids outgrow the clothes, we encourage the items to be brought back to us through our garment collection initiative so they can be recycled once again”, says Nellie Lindeborg, Assortment Sustainability Responsible at H&M. The collaboration with bottle2fashion also supports the Indonesian government’s initiative against marine pollution — while also generating local jobs — by collecting PET bottles, sorting, cleaning, and shredding them into flakes, and then making them into recycled polyester fibers.

“Through the bottle2fashion initiative that we’ve conducted alongside H&M, for this season, Danone-AQUA has successfully collected around 71 tons of PET bottles from Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Island) and Bandung Area. This is to show our commitment to preventing plastic from going into the ocean, which is also the manifestation of our #BijakBerplastik movement,” said Senior Sustainable Packaging Manager, Danone Indonesia, Ratih Anggraeni.

The entire collection is made from a blend of recycled polyester from the bottle2fashion project, organic cotton, and recycled cotton. Cheerful, comfortable, and coordinating hoodies, joggers, and long-sleeve tops form the collection and include stylish details such as twist knots, color-blocking, cropped length, and tie-dye. With a palette of black, marl grey, browns, navy, blush pink, and lavender plus bright green, sunflower yellow, and vibrant blues, the magic of color really come to life. “The material was the founding stone for the collection, enabling us to play and twist with a material not really used on this large scale before,” says Sofia Löfstedt, Head of Kidswear Design at H&M, “For this collection, we wanted to focus on pieces that kids could really be kids in — playful, comfy, and confident — so hoodies, joggers, and some long-sleeve tops. Though the garments can be coordinated, we put together a wide-ranging color palette that could be easily mixed and matched. I always love to see what kids come up with and I hope they will also learn about the bottle2fashion project along the way.”

For more information, please check out the Bottle2Fashion campaign page on hm.com.

Hoodies are available from KD 6.500 and in stores and online via the H&M website kw.hm.com or the H&M MENA app.

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GROUND CONTROL TO THE SCIENTIFIC CENTER Kuwait’s first experiment in space heads to the ISS By bazaar staff

While we’ve missed the aquarium and visiting the penguins and the various exciting exhibits at The Scientific Center, the team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes along with a group of focused and dedicated students to launch a special, first-time Kuwaiti experiment into space. Yup, real life space, the great beyond! On Sunday, December 6th, 2020, SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center in the US, carrying a payload containing an experiment conceived by students in Kuwait to astronauts aboard the ISS to conduct on the behalf of the students in space.

An initiative of The Scientific Center, which falls under the Kuwait Foundation For The Advancement of Science, the experiment marks a historic event that enhances Kuwait’s position and places it on the global space map. The Scientific Center celebrated the milestone by holding a private event to view the launch of the Falcon-9 into space.

Speaking during the event, Rana Al-Nibari, The Scientific Center General Manager, stated: “We are proud of the successful launch of the first Kuwaiti scientific experiment into space by our students, who have demonstrated their ability to succeed and persevere, continuing with their work even during this year’s challenging circumstances.

Today we are pleased to celebrate this historic achievement.” Conceived with the vision to support students and encourage their interest to delve deeper into the sciences, Al-Nibari continued to highlight that The Scientific Center

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“strives to always undertake such initiatives, based on our Vision to be a continuously adapting center for future innovators in science, and in our belief in the importance of science and its role in understanding our world and building a sustainable future for Kuwait.”

We were super intrigued to learn more about this experiment and why it was chosen, only to find out that the historic launch arrived from the result of the work of two remarkable students who were part of The American School of Kuwait’s 2019 graduating class and previously took part in The Scientific Center’s 2019 Space Month competition. Run in partnership with Orbital Space, the first company in the Arab World to provide access to space through CubeSat technology, the competition was open to students of all school levels, with the winner chosen by a panel of respected scientists and educators.

The winning team, students Omar Qamouriyeh

and Malek Abdullah, was chosen for their idea’s feasibility as well as possible learning outcomes.

They presented the objective of recording the effect of microgravity on the growth of E. coli bacteria, and its consumption of carbon dioxide.

“This activity differs from other student competitions, as it includes a real journey to space,” Al-Nibari continued. “We have been excited about it at all stages, from the selection of the winning experiment, to the study and research phase, followed by the initial test-runs and data collection in Kuwait University laboratories, until where we have reached today, the launch of the experiment to the ISS. An entire year of effort has come together, and Omar and Malek have worked diligently, and we have been proud to be with them as they have moved step by step towards this goal.”

Al-Nibari recognized the challenges presented by the pandemic, but this didn’t hinder the

student’s and project participants’ efforts at all. “The work did not stop and was continued to see it through to the end. Now we see the fruits of these efforts as we witness the launch, which thanks to everyone’s efforts has become a reality”.

It took almost an entire year to turn the experiment from dream to reality, with technical and logistical support from Orbital Space and Kuwait University, helping the students in all ways make this experiment a success. Founder and General Manager of Orbital Space, Dr. Bassam AlFeeli, spoke on the event stating, “Space innovation is happening right now, and we are proud to support The Scientific Center in Kuwait in creating this opportunity to empower our youth and teach them the skills to be innovators in the space sector. As Kuwait’s first experiment in space launches to the International Space Station, we are thrilled to have ignited the passion in these students. This experiment launches not only their dreams, but also that of Kuwait as a nation, into the space sector.”

This sentiment is deeply echoed by Nada AlShammari, Director of Education and Outreach at Orbital Space, who stated, “As pioneers in space-based educational programs in Kuwait, we are excited to create opportunities and award-winning space initiatives enabling our youth to explore space technology, research and leadership. We are encouraged by the marvelous impact that Kuwait’s first experiment in space has had on our young innovators and future explorers, and we are continuing to offer more opportunities in space engagement and missions to youth in Kuwait and the region.”

From Kuwait, the story takes us to the US Space Agency (NASA) and other international companies specialized in the field of space science to deliver the payload and realize the students’ dream, providing all the required equipment and creating a suitable environment for them. DreamUp, one of the international partners who helped aid in the delivery of the experiment, played a crucial role in the success of the project, and it was the student’s efforts which deeply moved them to participate. DreamUp’s Director of Programs, Lauren Milord, spoke on their dedication, “DreamUp is incredibly proud to support the students who launched the very first Kuwaiti payload to the International Space Station today. Not only have these students made history, they have demonstrated incredible tenacity, adaptability, and persistence as they remained on schedule for launch despite the challenges of

[Continued...]

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the COVID-19 pandemic. We congratulate them, as well as their mentors and the organizations who have supported them through this journey.

We will be watching to see what’s next for the E. coli C⁵ team.”

Based in Washington, DC, DreamUp is the first company bringing space into the classroom and the classroom into space. Uniquely positioned to inspire kids globally and engage them through scientific discoveries in space, DreamUp aims to foster an educational community where spacebased research and projects will be available to all learners of all ages. DreamUp has a proven track record with more than 400 student research payloads from around the world launched on SpaceX and Northrop Grumman rockets to the International Space Station via a partnership with Nanoracks and its Space Act Agreement with NASA.

By November 13th, 2020, the final preparations for the experiment were well underway at the laboratories of the College of Medical Sciences at Kuwait University. This process took place over four months, and the experiment was set to be shipped to the United States of America to make arrangements for the highly anticipated launch to the International Space Station. This is where logistics played a key role in making the dream come true. Jack Muhs, Regional President of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, the chosen logistical partner to deliver the experiment, said: “We’re excited to carry this potentially game-changing package, and support the student’s scientific research. Thank you to The Scientific Center of Kuwait for trusting us with a shipment and program that is literally out of this world! Like FedEx, you value empowering the next generation to explore and bring positive change.”

Speaking during the launch event at The Scientific Center, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Larry Memmott highlighted the Embassy’s work to strengthen U.S.-Kuwait scientific cooperation. “In addition to professional development and academic exchange programs for Kuwaiti students and researchers, we bring American scientific experts to Kuwait to share expertise and inspire students to pursue careers in science. We look forward to broadening our partnerships with Kuwaiti institutions to help spur future space-based research coming from Kuwait.”

Al-Nibari confirmed that this is not the first initiative adopted by the Scientific Center to promote space science or to cooperate with the International Space Station, but it is the most distinguished. It came as a continuation of the Center’s march in strengthening Kuwait’s position in the field of space science internationally.

Since the Center’s opening in 2000, and on the occasion of the establishment of the region’s first IMAX Theater, the flag of Kuwait was raised at the ISS during the filming of the 2002 3D film “Space Station”. In 2006, the Center organized an internationally acclaimed event from those 68 [...Continued]

locally interested in space culture, where students and outer space enthusiasts had the opportunity to speak to astronauts on the ISS. In 2018, on the occasion of World Space Week, the Scientific Center organized a month-long celebration of space, which included special offers and educational activities for all ages, as well as an exclusive talk with Emirati student Alia AlMansoori, who like the students celebrated today, had her own experiment sent to the ISS. In 2019, the Scientific Center continued the Space Month event, in line with the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Umm AlAish station, the first terrestrial space station in the Middle East, which was located in Kuwait.

Concluding the event, Al-Nibari thanked all the parties involved in achieving this milestone.

“We thank all the parties and individuals who participated with us in completing this experiment, headed by Orbital Space, which had the greatest role in financing and managing the experiment,

coordinating between the students and other parties, and was the link between the Scientific Center and the International Space Station. We also thank Kuwait University, which opened the laboratories of the College of Medical Sciences for us to conduct the initial experiments under the supervision of Professor of Microbiology, Dr. Leila Vali. I extend my sincere thanks to Ambassador Alina L. Romanowski, the Ambassador of the United States of America to the State of Kuwait, who worked hard to facilitate the movement of the experiment between our borders. We also thank FedEx, which transported the experiment from Kuwait to the United States of America and Dream Up for providing the equipment required to transport and conduct the experiment on board the International Space Station.”

For more information, check out The Scientific Center on Instagram @Scicenterkw and visit tsck.com.

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bazaar music

JANUARY MUSIC Well, what a ray of hope a New Year brings! What resolutions will we make knowing for certain that life is more finite that we’d previously given credence to. As ever, there are new singles, albums and other iterations of music to explore, download and stream, but let’s not forget what tunes got us here in the first place. Each one of us up to now has had a soundtrack all of our own; experiences we remember when we hear just a few bars or even notes of a track, taking us back to the very best of times, the very worst of times. By Dickens, music has it all, and we’re very much looking forward to exploring what 2021 brings.

OUT WITH THE NEW

HENRIK APPEL

Album: Humanity January 8, 2021

The Stockholm, Sweden based artist is back with his second solo album Humanity, the follow-up to his acclaimed 2018 debut LP Burning Bodies.

Working again with producer Marin â’’Konieâ’ Ehrencrona, Humanitybuilds on the stripped-down and intimate songwriting Appel worked with on his debut, this time expanding his sonic palette to include more instrumentation, at times getting closer to his previous work with local garage rock institutions Lion’s Den and Martin Savage Gang, while keeping the intimate and honest atmosphere that brought Burning Bodiesthe attention of the likes of Under the Radar and KEXP.

ACCEPT

Album: Too Mean To Die January 15, 2021

Too Mean To Die comes in a double red and white marbled vinyl LP pressing. Releasing music for over 40 years Accept not only helped launch the genre that became known as metal but contributed staples like “Balls to the Wall”, “Metal Heart”, and more. Too Mean to Dieis the band’s 16th album and their fifth featuring US vocalist Mark Tornillo since he joined in 2009. Accept is back with another great riff-happy album, and with no fewer than three guitarists in the band which has always been a guitar-based heavy metal band ever since its inception in the 1970’s.

SEBASTIAN REYNOLDS

Album: Nihilism Is Pointless January 29, 2021

Worth buying just for the sheer genius of the title alone this EP released by Faith & Industry features 5 tracks including the two singles “Diving Board”, and “HAL’s Lament”, along with songs “The Silent Majority” and “Mother’s Day”. Reynolds is a music producer and composer who also runs a record company in the UK called PinDrop. Known for his collaborative work check out sebastianreynolds. co.uk to find out more on his solo work, collaborative and cross art form projects like Mahajanaka Dance Dramathe Thai inspired dance and music show, and Solo Collective Part Onewith German classical/experimental musicians and composers.

IN WITH THE OLD

EMINEM

ADELE

Album: Music To Be Murdered By January 17, 2020 This time last year fans were treated to what could have been said was the album they were waiting for since The Marshall Mathers LP2in 2013, where the artist truly showed how gifted he is lyrically.

On this album Eminem shows strong signs of adapting to the times through modern musical choices and smarter song writing. Allied to crisp beats and catchy hooks, with guest appearances from a galaxy of stars including Ed Sheeran, Q Tip, Anderson.Paak and the late rapper Juice WRLD, Eminem’s 11th album offers over an hour of the world’s greatest rapper blasting away on all cylinders.

Single: Someone Like You Release date: January 24, 2011

“Someone like You” was one of the last songs written for 21. Adele has openly discussed the genesis of the track saying that she began writing it on her acoustic guitar in the wake of the breakup of an 18-month relationship. He’d told her he didn’t want to get married then months later he did propose...just not to Adele. “I wrote that song on the end of my bed. I had a cold. I was waiting for my bath to run. I’d found out that he’d got engaged to someone else.”The song received widespread critical acclaim, with critics choosing the song as a highlight of 21 and praised the lyrics, its simple sound and Adele’s vocal performance.

GORILLAZ

Single: 19-2000 Release date: January 2001 “The world is spinning too fast, I’m buying lead Nike shoes, To keep myself tethered, To the days I’ve tried to lose…” the prophetic lyrics of this track sums up 2020 perfectly. Except we lost days in quarantine and not out on the razz which is probably what this band are singing about. Apart from a few instances scattered throughout their discography no track is as continuously catchy from the ground up as 19-2000 with a simple, infectious beat competing with multiple overlapping melodies. If ever there was a band that we thought would survive the apocalypse, it should’ve been this virtual one.

Sources albumoftheyear.org, rateyourmusic.com, rioppongirocks.com 70

71

A FRESH START FOR 2021 WITH H&M HOME Embrace the new decade with tranquility with H&M HOME’s spring aesthetic By bazaar staff

With all of the stress we’re dealing with from watching our news feeds, we’re all about creating a sense of calm at home in the New Year. Not only is it a new year, but it’s also the start of a new decade!

It’s time to clear out the clutter, and start with a clean, blank canvas. This is why H&M HOME’s latest Spring news has dropped at the perfect time. It is all about having a fresh start, and this is something that we can all get behind.

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The aesthetic for H&M HOME’s latest trend is clean and bold, but with soft shapes inspired by modern and artistic homes. Irregularity is key, where we see soft surfaces in both textiles and decor. The colors arrive in a palette of soft neutrals in different white and beige shades, and black recurs as accent color. Sculptures and sculptural shapes are central in their spring report, where H&M HOME inspires customers to freshen up their homes and get ready to greet a lighter season.

The collection also includes a variety of storage and organizing solutions for the elements in your home that you use every day. Such spaces include both the laundry room, bathroom and of course the home office, which has become more central than ever. H&M HOME invites us to carve out a creative environment with a timeless, warm, minimalistic style that celebrates personal expression and demonstrates how the home workspace can look as stylish as the rest of the home – and that storage can be a part of the interior design and not only stashed away in a closet, hidden from sight.

When you’re not working remotely, time spent in your living room needs to emit a sense of relaxation.

With H&M HOME, the living room is stylish and relaxed with an artsy, elegant look, and we see natural materials such as wood, marble and a mix of clean and soft shapes in a pale tonal palette. From the living room, the next space that we spend most of our time in is the kitchen and dining room. H&M HOME’s latest trends for these spaces elegant, yet homey, where tactility, wood and a pale color palette shine through once again.

For the bathroom the tone is calm and natural, and H&M HOME’S selection of soft fluffy towels and waffled bath towels in organic cotton offer an inviting, sensual, and relaxing experience.

The success of H&M HOME’s spring color palette arrives in its versatility, and as we move toward our bedroom spaces, the soft color palette brings a relaxed look and pieces like the abstract printed duvet cover provides it with an artistic touch. Also, H&M HOME introduces new beautiful colorways and shades to the range of their much beloved organic washed cotton bedding that makes you want to open the bedroom windows wide, embrace the daylight and take in the fresh air of the new year and new decade We quickly Spoke with Evelina KravaevSöderberg, Head of Design & Creative at H&M HOME to get her thoughts on how to refresh your home in the New Year.

Three easy tips to give your home a new look for 2021?

1) Update your cushion covers in light colors for an instant spring feeling. Updating your cushion covers is a great and affordable way to change the look of a room.

2) Bring in sculptural pieces, like vases or actual sculptures, to have something new and exciting to lay your eyes on.

3) Put some extra effort into your bed and bathroom. The spaces arrive as two important roomsyou’re your sense of wellbeing, so update them with new bedding, terry towels and scented candles to create more enjoyable and relaxing moments.

What’s your favorite place in your home and why?

My personal favorite place is our bedroom. It has a sense of serenity and calm, and I love that it is all light and decluttered. A scented candle is a must in the room and as the atmosphere gives me both peace and energy, I love to stay there working, reading, shopping and watching series.

For more information, please visit kw.hm.com, and check out @HMHOME on Instagram for ideas and inspiration! Stay tuned for our next issue for some exciting news for all H&M HOME lovers in Kuwait!

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bazaar movie night

2021 RELEASES WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO:

TOM&JERRY

BLACK WIDOW

NO TIME TO DIE

SING 2

CRUELLA

COMING 2 AMERICA

Release Date: March 5, 2021 Genre: Comedy/Family Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Rob Delaney and Colin Jost Synopsis: The American classic animated series of Tom and Jerry, originally created in 1940 is to be expected this upcoming 20201. Best known for its 161 theatrical short films, the series centers on the rivalry between the theoretical characters of a cat named Tom and a mouse named Jerry.

Release Date: December 22, 2021 Genre: Animation/Musical Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Tori Kelly Synopsis: The sequel to the Sing 2016 film is an upcoming American computer-animated musical comedy film created by Illumination.

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Release Date: May 7, 2021 Genre: Action/Adventure Cast: Scarlett Johansson, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz Synopsis: Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow addresses the darkest aspects of her leader in the action-packed espionage thriller «Black Widow» from Marvel Studios as a sinister plot emerges with links to her history. Natasha must contend with her past as a spy and the shattered ties left in her path long before she was an Avenger, hunted by a power that would stop at none to bring her down.

Release Date: May 28, 2021 Genre: Crime/Adventure Cast: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, and Paul Walter Hauser Synopsis: A live-action feature film following the wicked adventures of the Disney film “101 Dalmatians” villain, Cruella de Vil.

Release Date: April 2, 2021 Genre: Action/Adventure Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris,Léa Seydoux, Rory Kinnear, Ana de Armas Synopsis: James Bond, a globe-trotting assassin hired to retrieve an abducted scientist, finds himself hot on the tail of an enigmatic villain who is armed with deadly new technologies.

Release Date: March 5, 2021 Genre: Comedy/Rom-com Cast: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Leslie Jones, Rick Ross Synopsis: In the United States, Akeem discovers he has a long-lost son and must return to America to meet the unexpected successor to Zamunda’s throne. A sequel to the ‘Coming to America’ 1988 comedy.

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ANGEL AND ROCKET, WHERE BEING DIFFERENT IS COOL Discover the brand at Debenhams for kids going places By bazaar staff

Established by Kate Bostock and with the support of her husband and two sons, Angel and Rocket is now an international family-run company. Upon hearing about Kate’s fashion background, having held executive positions with big retailers such as Next, Asda and Marks and Spencer, it is no surprise to learn that her longstanding dream was to launch her own brand.

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The first collection of Angel and Rocket children’s wear was launched on the website in Autumn 2014, inspiration drawn from family strengths and wonderful colleagues from the fashion industry. In 2016, the brand’s very own baby/toddler range was released, which was an immediate success! Since then, the company has expanded to include a number of suppliers, with their platform selling directly to consumers around the UK, from boutique independents to Next and Debenhams.

In 2017, the first boutique was opened in Buckinghamshire, England’s lovely town of Marlow.

Since Angel and Rocket are always listening to their clients’ input, they then expanded their collections to 12yrs of age!

Youngsters love to be admired and noticed and at Angel and Rocket, unique and distinct designs reflect each kid’s personal and individual style. Angel and Rocket firmly believe dressing little people should be about character and personality.

Every garment is designed without compromise ensuring focus on every last detail.

Using premium fabrics, creating unique prints and patterns, combining them with a personal take on

kids’ personalities; who they are and who they want to be, the result is a brand for kids going places.

Follow @debenhamsmiddleeast on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. Shop Rocket and Angel at Debenhams in Grand Avenue - The Avenues, Souq Sharq and The Gate Mall. Call Customer Service: 182-12-12.

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live like the 1%

THE MARIGOLD

INDAH MEGAYACHT

CHECKERS

AIRAH BATH

GOOP X AVOCADO BED

RETROFITTED ELECTRIC VW BUG

It’s a New Year and time to show off your newly acquired bling to the masses! Like the “Ring of Prosperity” also known as “The Marigold”. Perhaps so dubbed, because those of lesser fortunes than ourselves in the 1% would be reduced to doing the washing up in restaurants after purchasing this little trinket set with only 12,638 diamonds; “Marigolds” being the name for popular yellow rubber gloves used for cleaning back in the day. Or should we say like Pantone, “popular rubber gloves in the color illuminating”, so the great unwashed may feel there’s hope for the future. Which there is, but in ours.

Modern and contemporary, the Airah custom tub is created to be the focal presence in your expensively designed and fitted bathroom. Harmonizing in a singular expression of elegance and luxury, intense elements of heat and rock unify to produce Igneous – a basking experience that starts at 15,207 KD.As these concrete tubs are symmetrical, two can experience the same relaxing angle as one. The freestanding Airah self-heats and has a fully resonant sound system. You can also control the heat from anywhere with the wifi compatible thermostat.

Hopefully the servants don’t know how to hack into the system.

Because private beaches are no longer quite private enough, now the 1% can yacht with their own sunbeach. Equipped with patented rotating transom bulkheads, the swim platform opens out to an expansive floating terrace complete with sun pads, lounge area, gym, sauna, and tender access. There is a pool, jacuzzi, and helipad. The interior offers only 12 guest cabins, not enough for an entourage of “yes men” but the quarters hold 32 crew members.

Enough to stroke one’s ego 24/7 which you can enjoy on the private balcony of the owner’s suite.

From their LA workshop, artisans craft this bed using only the finest natural, organic materials for unparalleled support and deep, restorative sleep.

Each bed is a masterpiece of the bedmaker’s art requiring many weeks of workmanship from 12 craftsmen, handmade to your unique comfort preferences and style, including firmness, wood finish, base style, and height. It’s true conscious luxury, without horsehair. Each of the 29 layers — and every step in the global supply chain — is certified to the highest possible standards for ethical, social, and environmental responsibility. Worth every one of the 11,558 KD.

This 100% hand-poured acrylic in stunning burnt agate marble [but it says 100% acrylic…] game set has been described as, “so striking it deserves a spot on your coffee table 24/7/365” and certainly it is. Virtue signal your support for creating awareness of the mistreated and maligned hand-pourers of acrylic, as there can be no other reason to spend 576 KD on a bit of plastic other than to show that you can spend 576 KD on a bit of plastic. Do note that there is “critical checker storage on each end” but I bet you’ll still lose a few from the maid being overzealous with the Dyson.

For a mere smidgen over 38,000 KD you can turn your parents’ old VW love bug that was built in a world where there was an endless supply of cheap gasoline and no air pollution into an electric car. These bugs were never built for today’s pricey unleaded gas and greenhouse warming. But unlike cars today, they were designed with timeless character and endless appeal, so they’re perfect for retrofitting. Let’s ignore the undertones of the wagon designed for particular folks and focus on the green, people, focus on the green. No wiki torches to see here.

live like the 99%

OPERATION HOPE

This community of caring givers led by Sheryll Mairza brings hope to so many people in desperate need in Kuwait. Be it through paying rent, school tuition, the buying and distribution of food and clothes, there is no cause, family or person that this organization won’t strive to help as best it can. A grassroots humanitarian outreach that is motivated by compassion to alleviate suffering in Kuwait, Operation Hope has been in existence in Kuwait for a number of years. With incredible logistical and organizational skill a wide ranging and far reaching arm of impactful positivity that makes a discernible difference reaches across Kuwait through the efforts of Operation Hope. The Annual Winter Warmer campaign has started and you can purchase a Winter Warmer donation bag containing a thermal bottom and top, a pair of gloves, a pair of socks, a hat, and a scarf for KD 2.250 to give away. To find out more you can visit Facebook community page @operationhopekuwait or WhatsApp +13096204772 to order Winter Warmer bags.

Sources: uncrate.com, goop.com, igneous.com

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DARE TO DROOM?

Bringing the subscription box experience to Kuwait By bazaar staff

The best kind of gift is the one you give yourself. Mostly because it is an act of self-love, self-care and an acknowledgment of how what you deserve. But it is impossible to surprise yourself. Unless, of course, you gift yourself a Droom subscription.

Subscription boxes are an interesting concept. You are buying the element of novelty, surprise and excitement. Droom is an online community for shoppers who love to connect, shop, and try new things. The brand focuses on finding the best products and services then making it easy for their subscribers to try them out.

In Dutch and African (droom) means (dream) and by producing a unique box every month specially designed for you it’s like a dream come true.

Sisters Dalal, Fatma and Mona Alsaeed started the company together and are committed to discovering remarkable products and making these accessible to their customers. They also want to make sure that you are getting the products you desire with an added helping of surprise and excitement. All three of them love online shopping, testing new products and reading product reviews, and now they’re passing on their knowledge to Droom users.

When you sign up to the services you are asked a lot of questions so they can create a unique customer profile just for you. The app is also quite interactive and you can take part in fun quizzes throughout the week.

Questions are engaging, for example you might get asked: what’s your favorite 80

bar of chocolate? Dark, white or milk? Do you prefer coffee, flowers or candy?

What’s on your wishlist; new gym subscription, salon subscription or spa subscription? It helps Droom better understand your likes and desires, so they are better equipped to send you only things you will enjoy.

The goodies in the box fit a wide range of products as well as vouchers for services. Each month you might be treated to skincare, makeup, snacks, dry food or beverages. And you might also find yourself invited to try a gym, get a free facial or laser treatment or check out a new restaurant menu.

The Droom app isn’t just to help the brand understand you, it is also your way of connecting with the community. You can share what you got in your box and read about other Droomies’ products. The purpose of Droom is to highlight the good products out there. The ones that are worth the try instead of following thousands of false recommendations through social media.

Droom requires their subscribers to post a review after trying out the product, because brands want to see the information for product development. The sisters hope to continue growing the Droom community and become the go-to trusted platform for any product/service.

Droom is also great for brands and service providers who want to reach a larger market; helping them find their audience by targeting the right demographic based on the carefully designed user profiles. Droom can also then provide qualitative and quantitative feedback that can be used to improve a product or service. It is also free advertising, because the items are posted on Droom social media channels and on the application.

A 3-month subscription will cost you 30KD but you are getting so much more value back. While the exact value of each box varies based on the mix of items, on average, they are usually filled with products and services that are worth 60 KD and more. Although they can reach more, even up to 130 KD! Right now you can opt for a three or six months option, and there will be a nine-month and a one-year option offer later this spring. And if you live in KSA or Qatar, they’re expanding their services there very soon. If you are curious and want to give it a shot before you subscribe, they recently opened the Droom shop for customers who only want one box. You can customize your box by selecting a minimum of 4 products or purchase a mystery box.

For more information visit droomme.com and follow @droomme on Instagram.

You can download the Droom Shoppers Community on the iOS or Google Store. Use code BAZAAR for an additional month for free when you subscribe.

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bazaar techno

LG AUTONOMOUS DISINFECTING ROBOT

If you think you’re doing the most when it comes to disinfecting, then you clearly have not checked out LG’s upcoming drop. LG is doing its part to limit the spread of COVID-19 by using its experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles to build a robot capable of eliminating germs and viruses with ultraviolet light. The robot can navigate around furniture in high-traffic, hightouch areas like schools, restaurants, and hotels to sanitize a room’s touchable surfaces in 15-30 minutes, depending on the size. LG is doing its part to limit the spread of COVID-19. The robot will be officially unveiled at Digital CES 2021 and is expected to be available in the United States this year.

CITY RADIO

Catch the top 20 in Berlin then listen to the news in Tokyo. The City Radio keeps you in tune with the rest of the world no matter where you are. The small wooden radio features 18 interchangeable keys, each one with a different city written on it.

Press the corresponding button and the device will connect to the live radio station of that city.

The radio requires an accompanying app and is available for both Android or Apple devices.

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COVERT COIN

Hollow spy coins have been around since the days of the Cold War. If you want to secretly carry troves of important data, then you need to get these Covert Coins. Available in US Quarter and .50 Euro denominations, they’re hand-machined from real coins to create an interior compartment that’s just the right size for a microSD card. Once closed, they’re indistinguishable from regular currency and can’t be opened without the included opening device, letting you carry them with regular change for added security.

KFCONSOLE GAMING PC

Unfortunately (or fortunately for some) it’s not a joke. Built by Cooler Master in collaboration with KFC, the KFConsole is a hybrid abomination of gaming PC and food warmer. Inside the custom NC100 chassis is an Intel Core i9-based NUC 9 Extreme computing unit, Asus-powered discrete graphics sitting in a hot-swappable GPU slot, and two Seagate BarraCuda 1TB SSDs, good enough for 240fps for all games, and support for 240Hz output on 4k displays. A door on the front gives access to the patented Chicken Chamber, which uses the system’s natural heat and airflow system to keep a couple of pieces of the Colonel’s signature hot and ready to eat.

WRISTCAM APPLE WATCH CAMERA BAND

Over the years, Apple has made its Watch a more capable standalone device, but it still lacks a camera. The Wristcam gives it two. This Applecertified device has 2-megapixel self-facing and 8-megapixel outward-facing Sony-sourced cameras that let it capture 1080p video and 4K stills. It can be used on its own via a button or via the companion Watch app, and has 8GB of onboard storage that syncs automatically with the wearer’s iPhone when it’s back in range. LEDs let subjects know when the camera is recording, and interchangeable bands let it adapt to suit different outfits.

MOMA TOUCHSCREEN MIST CLEANER

If you’re bothered by those annoying fingerprints on your phone screen, we have just the solution for you. This MoMA touchscreen mist cleaner comes in a portable size that you can carry around and will take care of those smudges on your phone, tablets and laptop screens. Keeping them spotless on the go. With the press of a button, the tube releases a gentle mist that can be wiped away along with fingerprints, smudges, and 99.9% of common household bacteria with any side of the surrounding container.

Source: Uncrate.com and store.moma.org

Your groceries in 30 minutes

Your everyday, right away 83

3 MYTHS ABOUT LANDLORDS EVERY RENTER NEEDS TO KNOW Banani tackles common complaints, high rent prices and poor builds from a landlord’s answer By bazaar staff

Since becoming involved in real estate investing and development, Mohammad Alhusaini’s ears have become magnets to real estate related praises and criticisms. He shares with bazaar that he “tend[s] to hear more of the latter unfortunately.” Isn’t that the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon? Some of the more common things that Alhusaini hears are:

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“Rent prices are WAY too high in Kuwait. I can rent in Los Angeles at a fraction of the price and get a much better place to live.”

Or “A property in Kuwait costs $1.5 Million compared to a beautiful villa on the mountains in France for a quarter of the price. How has this happened?”

Or our absolute favorite “I can hear my neighbors talk about their marriage every night. These landlords are so cheap.”

If you’ve heard something like this in the past, you’re not alone. And although Alhusaini is no landlord sympathizer, he helps shed light on the situation and what is going on under the veil to help answer some of our questions. Which brings us to his first point: Myth number 1: Landlords don’t like renting to Kuwaitis. FALSE. People often assume that landlords do not like to rent out to Kuwaiti’s for various reasons but the reality is that landlords like to get paid for renting out their properties. So why do we see signs that say “Only for non-Kuwaitis” or “Families Only?” And it tends to be apartments that Kuwaitis want to rent that deny them that opportunity. The answer is sad, but simple.

Alhusaini shared a story about a villa owned by his company which he managed. There was a tenant moving out of this villa at the beginning of 2019

and within a few days of being put on the market we had rented it out to a Kuwaiti family who had negotiated the price down 15%. The family seemed decent so the agreement was made.

Unfortunately, the renter then decided that paying rent for a property he lived in was not part of his agenda and so, after paying for exactly one month of rent, the renter stayed an additional 21 months rent-free at the villa. Most readers will ask the right question: “Why didn’t you kick him out?!” To which Alhusaini found out the hard way: you can’t just kick out a Kuwaiti even if they don’t pay rent. There’s a legal process you have to follow and for this particular individual, that process took 18 months to complete. That’s right, it took 18 months from the first court case filing of a renter not paying rent until the day that the renter was forcibly removed from the property. If you think that’s crazy, please don’t. This is a common occurrence unfortunately but this was the longest one.

But that begs the question: why is there a difference between Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis?

The law is applied equally to both, so then are some people waiting to punish non-Kuwaitis more than Kuwaitis? No. It’s simpler than that.

Once a case ruling has been issued and one that states that the defendant must pay back unpaid rents, the ruling comes with some tools used as pressure. One of them is “flight risk” or prevention of travelling. The pressure tactic that separates Kuwaitis from non-Kuwaitis is the prevention of renewal of the residency until the case is settled. Whereas a Kuwaiti need not renew his/ her residency, a non-Kuwaiti must. This is one of the defining differences in the behavior of the two counterparts. The pressure tactics work with one party and not the other.

And that’s why most landlords are afraid to rent to Kuwaitis. How do you get over it? Make sure to prove your creditworthiness to a landlord. There aren’t many tools to do this well but it’s one thing available to renters who pay via Banani App. The rent payment score is a thing of beauty and it helps landlords know how well you pay on time which should really aid in getting over this pointless hurdle as many Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis are punished by actions of others.

Myth number 2: Landlords commonly build BAD buildings. TRUE. “I speak from experience when I say that I have built and rented out properties. I’ve seen the entire process from inception to rental and it really gets to me when I hear people talk about landlords building low-quality buildings intentionally.”

Alhusaini also adds that he does not believe most of them do it from a cost-saving point of view and here’s why:

“Landlords are business people just like any other business. Their decisions are determined by market forces.” With that being said, he believes this creates tension between what people say they want and what they are actually willing to pay for. Many tenants wonder why landlords have built cheaper buildings, why they have skimped on certain quality aspects and why they keep hiring low-quality contractors to do the work to begin with. The answer is remarkably simple.

Sometimes, landlords may choose to go the extra mile and spend more money when it comes to building their apartment complexes, in hopes of differentiating the building and improving the quality of life for their renters. But sometimes, that runs you into trouble especially if your building is compared to others according to rent and not quality.

What ends up happening is that most people pass on the better-quality units based strictly on the final rent price versus the number of bedrooms. None of the nice switches, doors, layouts, floor-to-ceiling windows, bathrooms and expensive tiles are taken into account.

This in turn leads landlords to reassess and ask themselves whether a larger investment combined with lower overall returns is worth the risk or whether building based on the tried-and-true method is a safer bet.

What’s the solution? As a renter, you have the final choice to vote for what you want the real estate market to give back to you. If you consistently vote on price alone, the market will listen and it will give you back price-based accommodation.

Myth Number 3: Landlords are happy with rent prices today. FALSE. Landlords are not particularly happy nor unhappy with the high rent prices, but it’s a function of the market. When a developer builds a property, it sits on land and land in Kuwait is extraordinarily expensive.

Over 50% of the cost of building today in Kuwait emerges directly from land prices, which is a burden someone has to bear. The math is simple here too.

Landlords, like all businesspeople, have opportunity costs when it comes to investing. The first option is to invest in a fixed deposit in Kuwait or abroad which will provide a return of about 0.5-2% per year. Stock market returns are averaging out at about 7-8% per year. Therefore, property investors would like something similar to the 7-8% with the possibility of appreciation which might take the number up to about 9-11%. All that means is that when the return rate is 10%, every year you can expect to make 10,000 KD from a 100,000KD investment and so on.

Back to the prices, then. Landlords who invest do not care really how much is required to invest into a property so much as what the expected return rate is. So, things like building costs, land costs and maintenance costs all need to be factored into the equation. Which leaves us with properties that require higher rents to achieve that 9-11% target return rate. The table below shows you what happens as land prices go down since building costs are typically fixed.

When the cost of construction is relatively fixed, the only real determining factor is the cost of land. The cost of land issue is a complex one so Alhusaini won’t delve further into it here but I expect the table sheds some light on just how big of a role inflated land prices play when it comes to rental prices.

For more information regarding the app, or investment advice head to bananiapp.com or follow them on Instagram @bananiapp for more information. Photo by Latif MansoorAli on Unsplash.

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bazaar Apps

THE MANDALORIAN AR EXPERIENCE

MOVIE SWIPER

HALA

XESTO

ACTY

GUILTFREEJUNK

The Mandalorian’s adventures arrive in your reality with this all-new immersive AR app. Become a bounty hunter and bring the world of “The Mandalorian” to life in your own space. Interact with characters and discover hidden features as you bring scenes from Season one to life. Retrace the Mandalorian’s steps, find the Child, and harness the Force, all featuring life-sized versions of your favorite characters. Explore. Capture. Share.

Discover and connect with people you can do business with in a social and easy to use environment. Connect with people you know using a phone number or their username. Fund wallet to pay and send money in chat without leaving the conversation. Build a storefront on your profile and start doing business in minutes. Get verified and trusted so anyone can search for you to explore.

Add a social media website and buttons to your profile.

January is the time for reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the next. If you are trying to create change, Acty is a free, simple and fun way to discover activities and keep track of your lifestyle.

It applies a well known method called “Behavioural activation” and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. Acty has no ads or hidden fees. Who knows, this could be the year you become an artist or learn Spanish.

Problems with your friends on a movie night to find a movie that everyone likes? With Movie Swiper the tedious search for an awesome movie is over: The app helps you and your friends to find movies you all like! Like and dislike recommended movies in your personalized feed and get matches with movies your friends also liked. At the next movie night you just look at your matches and instantly know what to watch.

Quickly size feet from home with under 1.5mm accuracy. Using the FaceID camera, users can take 5 photos of each of their feet. Xesto’s proprietary software will process and return accurate 3D models of the feet, along with the key dimensions.

Users can then receive shoe size recommendations in a long list of over 150 brands and send their foot profiles to friends and loved ones for gift purchasing.

Tracking what you eat has helped a lot of people achieve their health and fitness goals. Yet, there are people who can track everything they eat, and there are people. Guiltfreejunk is an app made for the people, who can’t track every bite, but can track every cake. The app’s developers believe that allowing yourself a dessert from time to time and keeping track is healthier than ... not.

play.google.com itunes.apple.com 86

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BIG DREAMS, BIGGER DISHES

Interview with Chef Bill from The Cheesecake Factory By bazaar staff

The Cheesecake Factory holds many fond memories for people from all over the world. Having been around for over 40 years, the restaurant continues to grow in popularity. You may wonder what their secret is, but anyone who has been a loyal guest would know the answer. One of the main reasons that keeps people coming back for more is the fact that The Cheesecake Factory creates each and every dish from scratch, never compromising on flavor and quality. Another major reason is their large portions, which are fantastic for sharing! But the truly distinguishable trait is their diverse menu which is known to satisfy all palates and fulfil every craving.

Long known to please all taste buds, the variety of their menus (which offer over 250 different dishes), makes certain there is something for everyone. With two different menu rollouts a year during the spring and fall seasons, they continue to be on top of it every season, serving appropriate dishes throughout the year. Not only are these menus completely unique to the concept, but the engineering that goes into their three different menu options is impeccable.With a plethora of options available, this allows you to choose from the main menu, the Skinnylicious or the kids menu.You will not be disappointed at The Cheesecake Factory! bazaar visited The Cheesecake Factory and while enjoying our made from scratch dishes, we got a chance to interview Chef Bill, who is the current Area Kitchen Operations Manager. During our chat with him, we got a better understanding of more behind the scenes information. Chef Bill, whose full name is William (Bill) Zito grew up in Chicago and studied Resort Management. From then, he has worked with The Cheesecake Factory for over 24 years and was even a part of opening the first international The Cheesecake Factory!

A great achievement for sure. Another great milestone in his life was becoming an Executive Kitchen Manager by the age of 24.

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What inspired you to become a chef?

Growing up in a restaurant, I was always intrigued by how a chef takes raw ingredients and turns them into a work of art with so many different flavors – I wanted to know how this was done and was determined to be able to do so myself too.

What is your favorite childhood food related memory?

Making dinner for my younger sisters! It started with simple meals like Kraft Mac & Cheese, and eventually evolved into more complex creations, with me adding whatever I could find in our kitchen. I would cook everything from hot dogs to pizza or anything I could put in a pan. Most of the time it was a fail, but every now and then something delicious would come together. Any creation involving ketchup was my youngest sister’s favorite.

Who was your first food hero/chef inspiration?

Emeril Lagasse, I loved when he would toss in spices to his pan and scream “Bam”. He made cooking look fun and magical. I was fortunate enough to see him in person while he was opening a restaurant at the Venetian, Las Vegas back in 1999. A group of us wandered over to his restaurant (cannot remember the name) to see some of the magic happening. At the time I was a young cook at The Cheesecake Factory, so we were all wearing chef apparel – chef coat and checkered pants. As we approached the door to take a look inside, we noticed a camera crew filming the action. At that moment he noticed us, a group of fellow cooks, and paused the filming to come over and greet us. Not only was he welcoming but he also took the time to talk to us about what food means to him – along with a cool photo session. This was a moment that I will never forget. From that moment on, I always make sure to spend time with new aspiring chefs, you never know who you might inspire.

What is your favorite quote?

“If everything seems under control you are not moving fast enough” – Mario Andrette What dish did you create or are most proud of?

And could you please describe it?

I love the art of creating or cooking a burger over a char broiler. If there is one item that I always want to make sure it’s perfect, it’s the burger. Setting your grill to the precise temperature and getting the perfect sear marks on your meat as it cooks to a perfect doneness (pink juicy center), all while seasoning each bite for a bold finish – that is an art! Some people may think it is easy but so is painting and yet you still find paint on door hinges and floors. There is an art and skill to making each dish perfect, even burgers.

What is your comfort food?

By now you can probably guess, a great burger; but I also fancy slow smoked ribs.

Which country’s cuisine is your favorite?

I have to say Vietnam, WOW! I did a food tour and visited some locations from the late Anthony Bourdain’s TV shows. I was not let down. The food starts off with very Asian tones then the French twists hit with the buttery depth of flavor.

In the end, the culinary experience is full of flavor, different than anywhere else. Even local street vendors are making some incredible food. I could spend years eating and trying all the different foods Vietnam has to offer and don’t think I would ever be bored.

What advice would you give your younger self when you were first starting your career?

Read more on food science and dig deeper into which foods can pair well with each other. Also knowing more about where foods come from and who the suppliers are.

What ingredient can’t you live without?

Salt.

What makes The Cheesecake Factory a unique place to work?

The people and culture! I never imagined as a young kid that someone like myself would be given an opportunity to work for such a great company, let alone be a part of the first international [Continued...]

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expansion. It is a great company that teaches you everything you need to grow, professionally and personally. And just when you think you know it, then they teach you more.

The huge menu at The Cheesecake Factory seems to be a major reason many people chose to dine there, how do you perfect the cooking process for all these different meals?

First hire amazingly talented people. Our teams interview thousands of people for just a few roles. It takes getting the right person for the job, one who is eager to learn. Once you have the right person you teach, teach and teach some more and soon you’ll see them shine! The final validation is when guests leave with full bellies and big smiles.

We heard that The Cheesecake Factory has two menu roll outs every year (one for the fall, one for spring), could you tell us a little bit about both?

Yes, we work closely with The Cheesecake Factory USA to bring new ingredients and plates to the menus. It’s not easy and takes about 8 months of work to get the products and training in place.

Often, we are looking for products no one in the Middle East has, then we train our line cooks way in advance of launch on how to execute the new dishes.

It must be challenging to oversee such large kitchens and staff, how do you train the staff and coordinate, so everything is perfect?

Set a strong expectation and never settle for less than perfect. With food there is so much going on from the heat of the sauté pan to the thickness of your sauce. Always pushing for it to be slightly better than before keeps people on their toes and keeps the food coming out great.

What would you say makes the The Cheesecake Factory menu so unique?

We have all 250+ menu items made from scratch.

To make this possible we have a large amount of prep cooks and line cooks chopping, cutting, cooking food for 20 hours a day in our kitchens.

This enables us to deliver fresh quality meals and make sure every guest has a memorable experience.

What is the most special thing about your kitchens?

Our kitchens are massive in size, and not many restaurants do what we do or have a menu this big. We can make almost anything in our kitchens which allows for our menu to be diverse and unique.

Can you give us some insight on the taste pairing of some of the key dishes on the menu?

My recommendation is to indulge in something spicy for dinner, then finish with sweet and creamy

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[...Continued]

cheesecakes like our Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake flavor cheesecake. If you take the savory route, then you can finish with a fruity cheesecake like a Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake.

With so many choices and big portions, what are some “The Cheesecake Factory Hacks” you can share with us to get the most out of our The Cheesecake Factory experience?

Start by getting a slice of cheesecake before your main course (too many people fill up and leave out one of the best parts). Secondly, don’t be afraid to try new foods. Our menus have pictures that can help with the decision. As the saying goes “people eat with their eyes” so this should help finding your new favorite dish. If you are still finding it difficult to decide then let us know, our staff or managers will gladly assist on some great recommendations. Also, the portion of our dishes are large enough that it makes them perfect for sharing; order a bunch to share so you try different flavors.

There are a lot of foodies in Kuwait, what has been your general observation and what do you think makes the local scene different from anywhere else in the world?

I think Kuwait loves food and that makes chefs work harder to keep the guest coming back. One of the main forms of entertainment here is dining out and that creates healthy competition for great food and restaurants- keeps me on my toes.

What is the most challenging thing for a chef in Kuwait, and what is the most rewarding?

The most challenging thing about being a chef in Kuwait is sourcing great local food. One day you start working with some ingredients and the next day you are waiting for the pending shipment. The most rewarding part is putting in all the hard work for perfect dishes and seeing people bite into them with a smile! People of Kuwait love great food and when you keep providing a great meal, you gain people’s trust. This rewarding aspect keeps me going week in and week out.

What do you predict the biggest food trend of 2021 will be?

I think some flashback dishes will start to come to life. I think in 2020 people spent a lot of time at home trying to recreate food they grew up with, or old dishes that they haven’t made in a long time. I think everyone wants to go back to a time before 2020. So, I predict old favorites making a comeback.

What advice would you give to aspiring chefs?

Try your food and figure out how to make it better.

If you don’t know what it should taste like or how you want it to taste it will never be great.

Follow The Cheesecake Factory @TheCheesecakeFactoryMiddleEast on Facebook and @thecheesecakefactoryme on Instagram for their latest offerings, or visit their website thecheesecakefactoryme.com

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RAISING CANE’S IS NOW OPEN AT THE 1ST AVENUE Caniacs rejoice!

By bazaar staff

Raising Cane’s is one of those unique concepts that focuses on one thing and does it amazingly well. Famous for their chicken finger meals, Raising Cane’s loyal fans (better known as Caniacs) from all walks of life flock to their nearest location for the perfect meal simply because every bite is an unforgettable experience.

With another new location, now serving at the 1st Avenue, you won’t have to go too far to satisfy your Raising Cane’s cravings- it’s now closer to you than ever before, whenever you visit the Avenues.

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The new location marks the 10th restaurant in the country and the 3rd one in The Avenues, following the opening of their last locations in The Mall and inside Tekzone.

The brand is driven by their slogan “One Love” which is more like a reminder of their vision, do one thing and that’s making the best chicken fingers and that’s what they do every single time.

It is what makes them special and sets Raising Cane’s apart from everyone else.

The secret might be their simplicity, but it is also Raising Cane’s commitment to quality.

The brand sources only the freshest highest quality ingredients. The chicken tenderloins are marinated for 24 hours, then hand batteredbefore they are cooked. Only Grade A premium potatoes end up being your favorite crinkle fries.

The crispy creamy coleslaw and the golden-brown garlic buttered Texas toast is the perfect side

every time. And then there is the famous Cane’s sauce, made from a secret handmade recipe. We don’t know what is in it, but we are sure it is unique because it makes us want to dip everything in it. Trust us when we say that there is no such thing as too much sauce, and true Caniacs will tell you “Always Extra Sauce!”.

Raising Cane’s follows a handmade, cook-to-order system that ensures great-tasting chicken finger meals are served hot and fresh every time! So whether you are opting for their famous Box combo, complete with all the side fixings, or you’re in the mood for their Sandwich combo, you can rest assured that your meal is freshly prepared with love every single time.

The vibe is always full of energy, excitement, and pure joy. The staff are amazing, helpful and masters of customer service. The brand’s bright red color and graphics a decorating mark all their restaurants makes us feel like carefree children, and sipping on their famous lemonade is the perfect, most refreshing way to start off our Raising Cane’s experience.

With the new location and the other two already at The Avenues, you are never too far away from the next best meal of your life.

Visit the new location in The Avenues, 1st Avenue –1st Floor.

You can also find Raising Cane’s in The Mall-The Avenues, The Forum-The Avenues (inside TEKZONE), Ahmadi Park, Jabriya, Shuwaikh 125, Kuwait International Airport (Terminal 1 & 4), Da’iya Co-op and Arabian Gulf Street. Delivery is available through Carriage, Deliveroo and Talabat.

For more information follow @raisingcanesme on Instagram and Facebook.

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bazaar books

TO BE HONEST

A SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN

by Michael Leviton, Memoir

by George Saunders, Non fiction

Raised in what he affectionately calls “our little honesty cult,” Michael Leviton was ingrained with his parents’ core philosophy: You do not tell any lies; you do not withhold the truth; and you speak your mind always, regardless of how offensive or hurtful your opinions may be. For young Michael, this freedom to be yourself—despite being bullied and ostracized at school—felt liberating. But his parents’ enthusiasm for “just being honest” bordered on extreme. After Michael graduated high school and left home, truth telling—in job interviews, on dates, in social interactions— slowly lost its luster. When the only woman who ever appreciated his honesty brought this radical approach to truth into their relationship, Michael decided it was time to embrace the power of lying.

To Be Honest is a quirky, tender, and wry story of a man discovering what it means and how it feels to lie in one’s daily life.

SIRI, WHO AM I?

by Sam Tschida, Contemporary Fiction

For the last twenty years, George Saunders has been teaching a class on the Russian short story to his MFA students at Syracuse University. In A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he shares a version of that class with us, offering some of what he and his students have discovered together over the years. Paired with iconic short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol, the seven essays in this book are intended for anyone interested in how fiction works and why it’s more relevant than ever in these turbulent times. He approaches the stories technically yet accessible, and through them explains how narrative functions; why we stay immersed in a story and why we resist it; and the bedrock virtues a writer must foster. The process of writing, Saunders reminds us, is a technical craft, but also a way of training oneself to see the world with new openness and curiosity.

LORE

By Alexandra Bracken, Fantasy

Emerging from a coma with short-term amnesia after an accident, Mia can’t remember her own name until the Siri assistant on her iPhone provides it. Based on her cool hairstyle (undercut with glamorous waves), dress (Prada), and signature lipstick (Chanel), she senses she’s wealthy, but the only way to know for sure is to retrace her steps once she leaves the hospital. Using Instagram and Uber, she arrives at the pink duplex she calls home in posts but finds Max, a cute, off-duty postdoc supplementing his income with a house-sitting gig.

He tells her the house belongs to JP, a billionaire with a chocolate empire. As Mia and Max work backward through her Instagram and across Los Angeles to learn more about her, they discover a surprising truth behind her perfect Instagram feed, and evidence that her head wound was no accident. Who was Mia before she woke up in that hospital?

THE WIFE UPSTAIRS

OUR DARKEST NIGHT

By Rachel Hawkins, Thriller

By Jennifer Robson, Historical Fiction

Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name. But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident.

His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie - not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past - or his - catches up to her?

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Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines. Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family’s sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory. For years she’s pushed away any thought of revenge against the man--now a god--responsible for their deaths. Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena. The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy. But Lore’s decision to bind her fate to Athena’s and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost--and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

With Nazi Germany now occupying most of her beloved homeland, and the threat of imprisonment and deportation growing ever more certain, Antonina Mazin has but one hope to survive - to leave Venice and her beloved parents and hide in the countryside with a man she has only just met.

Nico Gerardi was studying for the priesthood until circumstances forced him to leave the seminary to run his family’s farm. Nina will pose as his new bride. And to keep her safe and protect secrets of his own, Nico and Nina must convince prying eyes they are happily married and in love. But farm life is not easy for a cultured city girl. As Nina and Nico come to know each other, their feelings deepen, transforming their relationship into much more than a charade. Yet both fear that every passing day brings them closer to being torn apart.

Source: Goodreads.com

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THE OG CREATORS OF DYNAMITE SHRIMP ARE AT IT AGAIN Fresh ingredients, everyday at every P.F. Chang’s keep us coming back for more By bazaar staff

P.F Chang’s has been around for 27 years and has left an impression on the entire world. An Asian concept founded on making food from scratch every day, P.F Chang’s was created in 1993 by Philip Chiang and Paul Fleming. P.F. Chang’s was also the first multi-unit restaurant concept in the U.S. to honor and celebrate the tradition of wok cooking.

Since inception, P.F. Chang’s chefs have been big on constructing every detail of the dishes they serve with love, as well as completely from scratch. That is what made them world-wide famous. “At P.F. Chang’s, we’re proud to make our food fresh, from scratch, every day at every restaurant around the world. Spread the joy!” Phiip Chiang (cofounder).

Imitated by many, P.F. Chang’s is a pioneer in many things including their popular Dynamite Shrimp. The Original Dynamite Shrimp is a tempurabattered, tossed with a sriracha aioli delicious 96

signature appetizer dish. Ever since the creation of this dish, there have been many replicas from the biggest chains, to smaller diners. But, no one can do it quite like P.F. Chang’s. The new Grand Plaza- Avenues location is quite beautiful. With elegant modern seating that extends into the outdoor/indoor area, giving you an “outdoors” experience. With original art decor and wall art, this spot has an entirely sleek and unique feel to it. A must-visit for sure!

Today, P.F. Chang’s has 210+ restaurants in the U.S, plus over 95 restaurants in more than 25

countries across the globe. The famous Mongolian Beef is the ultimate perennial guest favorite.

With Ingredients that include a deliciously sweet soy glaze, flank steak, garlic and snipped green onions, you can’t go wrong with this classic. This recipe is rooted from the Mongolian region of China and is all about being prepared with very balanced sauce.

Another one of P.F. Chang’s well known dishes is the Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps (which is a secret Chiang family recipe). It is a delicious combination of chicken and other traditional

ingredients prepared in the wok. It is then also served with fresh iceberg lettuce leaves to wrap with. A mouth-watering experience that you can only have at P.F. Chang’s locations. For the sushi lovers, take your pick from Shrimp Tempura rolls, to California rolls or Dynamite Shrimp rolls which are exclusive at P.F. Changs.

The highly in demand and iconic dishes of Dynamite Shrimp and Mongolian beef have become so popular, that the brand has now blessed us with the release of two similar dishes. The Mongolian Chicken and the Dynamite Chicken. The taste is just as impeccable as the classics but with a different meat, chicken! Layered with complex flavors that are artfully presented, you’re bound to see these on every table.

The Mongolian Chicken is prepared with the same traditional recipe from the Mongolian region of China. It includes thin slices of caramelized Chicken in a very balanced sauce that is also

tossed with green onions. The Dynamite Chicken also remains true to the original recipe being tempura-battered and tossed with a delicious sriracha aioli sauce. In P.F. Chang’s there are also many other beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian options to select from. Making it a perfect place to take the family during your next dine in opportunity!

A new addition to the menu that was once a limited edition item is the Korean Surf and Turf plate. The dish is a delightful combination of delicious Bulgogi marinated ribeye steak and prawns which is then grilled and glazed with Teriyaki sauce. It is also served over caramelized Kimchi.

Can you say delish? bazaar was also pleasantly surprised on our latest trip to P.F. Chang’s to find out about their extraordinary drinks and dessert menu. On the menu, there is a variety of juices, mocktails, iced teas and coolers that come in carafes (which are glass containers that have no handles).

Aside from trying the new OG offerings of Dynamite Chicken and Mongolian Chicken, we also spiced things up (literally) by trying the Spicy Chengdu Beef and the Ring of Fire Shrimp.

For dessert, their absolute best seller is the Great Wall of Chocolate, which is a rich six layered chocolate cake, served with fresh strawberries and sauce.

P.F. Chang’s is the place to be with your family and friends while enjoying spectacular flavors that won’t be found elsewhere. So, on your next trip make sure you indulge in their new menu items and enjoy some of your favorite Asian inspired foods.

For more information follow @pfchangsme or, visit its various locations at 1st Avenue – The Avenues, Sidra Restaurants, Grand Plaza – The Avenues and Al Kout Mall.

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bazaar around town CELEBRATING ITALIAN CULTURE AND CUISINE IN KUWAIT CITY WITH “VIENI IN ITALIA CON ME”, “COME TO ITALY WITH ME” AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUWAIT AT BURJ ALSHAYA Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya has held a dinner to mark the success of the campaign and its partnership with Maserati, the luxury Italian automotive brand. The new package fashioned for Kuwaitis and residents who may have missed out travel to Italy due to travel restrictions, with a chance to win a gourmet tour of Italy with accommodations and programming. The dinner was orchestrated by the Italian National Sebastiano Spriveri, Executive Chef and his two assistants Lucio Colombo and Fabio Quarta. It was attended by senior members of the Embassy of Italy in Kuwait, Dr. Roberto Mariani, Head of Visa and Consular Section and Mrs. Elisabetta Pagani, Head of Administration. And Mr. Alaa Al Failakawi, Public Relations Manager at Al-Zayani Automotive. It was hosted by George Safi, Hotel Manager and Mohamed Karara Director of Marketing. The “Come to Italy with Me” promotion will be extending until end of January.

For reservations at Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya, call or WhatsApp 2200-6000 and visit fourseasons.com/Kuwait/offers.

MAKE WAY FOR GLITZ AND GLAM ROCK WITH MAX & CO’s PARTYWEAR Whether you will celebrate on virtual parties or in person, getting dressed up is always a good idea (and mood boosting too!). Fabulous and fun in equal measure, the new dresses are set to steal the spotlight, even in video calls and for all year round. Standouts include voluminous shirtdresses in groovy flower power florals, Lurex knit dresses and fluid jersey midi dresses. Looking for comfort and style? Knitwear gets ready to party this season. Jacquard and crystal embellished sweaters, chunky Lurex knits and oversized or sleeveless sequin sweaters make an impact after dark, especially if worn over similarly shimmering skirts in taffeta, velvet, studded denim or laminated jersey This season’s best suiting makes an entrance. How to wear for maximum impact? With nothing underneath. Alternatively keep it classic by teaming with one of the collection’s excellent crepe de chine, satin silk or tulle shirts.

For more information, visit the MAX&Co. boutique at the 2nd Avenue – The Avenues. Please call 2259 8073 or find their latest updates on Instagram by following Alyasra Fashion @alyasra.

OMAR KAMAL’S FIRST PERFORMANCE SINCE THE PANDEMIC AT THE DUBAI OPERA Dubai Opera enthusiasts were treated to a mesmerizing and heartwarming performance in a sold-out concert by the Palestinian star, the audience were moved to tears in a stellar performance to finish the torturous year on a beautiful note. The concert was Kamal’s first since the outbreak of the global pandemic having been locked down in London, and his second performance in Dubai after last year’s sold-out concert at Dubai Opera as part of his 2019 global tour. Omar also shows his deeply charitable nature in a collaboration with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), he promotes UNRWA’s latest winter campaign. Commenting on the success of the concert, Omar Kamal said: “I am excited to be in the UAE, and in Dubai in particular. My previous successful experience encouraged me to visit again and perform at the Dubai Opera. I would like to extend my gratitude to the audience and to my fans in the region and across the Arab World, who are the reason for my success, and as I strive to exceed their expectations, I always make sure to offer my best performance yet.”

For the latest on Omar’s music, stay tuned to www.omarkamalglobal.com THE AVENUES - KUWAIT WELCOMES ITS 3RD RAISING CANE’S RESTAURANT! Chicken lovers in Kuwait will experience an indulge to their senses with another new location of the popular Louisianabased chain known for its premium chicken finger meals. Founded in 1996 by Todd Graves in Baton Rouge, LA, Raising Cane’s has been known for its ONE LOVE®quality chicken finger meals. Marking another landmark milestone is the opening of its 10th location in Kuwait and 28th in the MiddleEast. The chain first began expanding internationally in 2015, opening its first restaurant at The Avenues in Kuwait. The brand has since then grown into other markets including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UAE opening several Drive Thru locations mainly in Kuwait, Riyadh and Khobar.

With its unmissable bright energy and vibe, the third location at The Avenues brings Caniacs closer to their favorite Raising Cane’s experience at the mall. Using only the highest quality ingredients and a handmade, cook-to-order system that ensures a great-tasting chicken finger meal served hot and fresh every time. The new restaurant is located at 1st Avenue, The Avenues – First Floor.

You can discover more about Raising Cane’s latest updates and locations on Middle East Facebook page RaisingCanesME and on Instagram @raisingcanesme.

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‫التـيـه بـالـكـارامـيـل المـمـلـح‬ SALTED CARAMEL LAT TE

‫التيه بالكاراميل المملح‬

‫التيه مثلج بالكاراميل المملح‬

Salted Caramel Latte

Iced Salted Caramel Latte

‫تواصلوا معنا عبر‬ Like us

facebook.com/StarbucksMiddleEast Follow us

@starbucksmiddleeast

1821212 :‫ اتصلـوا بنا علـى‬،‫ لمزيد من التفـاصيـل‬.‫متوفـر لـدى كافة مقـاهي ستــاربكـس‬ Available at all our Starbucks stores. For more details contact us on 1821212

Serveware varies from image shown. © 2020 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved.

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bazaar scopes

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22 You may have recently been the object of an animal’s attraction. A stray kitten or other familiar shows up at your doorstep at a very important turning point in your life. Their kindness can help you through difficult times as well as good ones. Health and working conditions are also going through a transformation now making you subject to possible lawsuits or binding contracts.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 Powerful attractions and or habits may push you over the edge. It’s time to transform things that directly affect your health before they transform you. This period places emphasis on your health this month providing another opportunity to start over. Keep promises regarding diet and exercise and don’t let past misunderstanding cause you to sway from goals.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 It’s all about interactions with others and of what value that may provide to improve your current status. Improve your people skills and maintain a healthy balance between personal and professional life. Being well-rounded will greatly improve your efforts at achieving your goals. Keep dark foreboding thoughts at bay and don’t even think about revenge without recalling the rule of thumb.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18 Several transits in your 12th house have you deeply appreciative of your role in nature and your interest in wildlife. Observe birds, raccoons and other animals in the wild to get a better perspective of your place on earth. On the 10th, the planets ask that you say a prayer or perform a ritual to protect and communicate with the animals in your neighborhood.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19 With five planets in mutable signs, things could get a little hectic now. Try dance or exercise therapy for relief. A question of credibility may arise. Try not to be too impatient or argumentative when this occurs. This month can bring helpful group support. According to your monthly horoscope, late January promises to be a great time to form goals and determine what you desire most out of life.

ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19 It could be hard getting back into the swing of things after the holiday weekend.

Your monthly horoscope indicates that in January 2021, the planets are providing some of the energy you’ll need to pursue a long time goal. A perfect travel opportunity exists that will be very tempting and irresistible.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22 The year 2021 begins great for Virgo, as indicated by the January horoscope.

It’s as if it’s your own personal day. You feel recharged and energized ready to start many new projects. Home and family affairs are in for a bit of stirring up.

Home issues need to be addressed again. A change of residence is possible by month’s end.

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22 Real estate transactions finally take place but not without some grief from others that try to interfere with your progress. This can include the sibling or neighbor.

Create the comfortable home environment you’ve always dreamed of. Working from a home office may be a better alternative than past choices. Choosing between family life and professional ambitions can string you along all month.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22 2021 starts not so well concerning your finances. Thoughts are on financial planning. Be versatile and creative in applying your job skills and watch earning potential improve. If work is getting to you, break up projects into smaller segments so they won’t seem so overpowering, although being involved in several projects at once alleviates your boredom and keeps the mind sharp and receptive.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21 In this winter month, you’re bound to be more fired up than usual. There’s a New Moon and several other luminaries in your 2nd house of finances that can significantly improve your bank account. Friends come to your rescue and set you straight about future plans. Home environment is still subject to some quirky upsets but nothing so major that it can’t be fixed.

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20 You find yourself more than attractive now and others notice the difference.

Give in to partners requests and take place in the background letting them have center stage. This may be to your advantage later this month when you are amply rewarded. Health issues still surround you and your need to overindulge in sweets or junk may need to be dealt with.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21 Expect to enjoy your New Year’s at home cooking up some healthy meals and keeping resolutions to maintain healthier practices. Your freedom and love of adventure characterize your choice of profession. Experiment with many new kinds of jobs or technology. Dreams or premonitions are common now.

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Source: wisehoroscope.org

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