BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition IRON LADIES TRAVEL Hannah Al Khalifa, Rana Al Alawi and Mariam Turki Adrenaline Junkie Red Carpet Ready Infertility Sushi and Sax FASHION HEALTH FOOD Different Dates Dinner for Two Great Gift Ideas Movies for Lovers LOVE IS IN THE AIR February 2017 | Issue 168 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com
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www.womanthismonth.com February 2017 2 FEBRUARY 51 For subscriptions visit www.womanthismonth.com Advertising rates are available upon request. Please e-mail [email protected]. The publication of any advertisement in woman this month is not necessarily an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised. Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, woman this month cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor do the opinions expressed by individual writers necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at [email protected]. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. 6 Over To You 8 The Month in Focus SHOPPING 10 Pick of the Month: Sweet Sole Music 12 Editor’s Choice: Baby It's Cold Outside FASHION 14 Fashion Trend: Frill Seeker 16 Fashion Forward: Backstage Pass 18 Get the Look: Red Carpet Ready PEOPLE 22 Hannah Al Khalifa, Rana Al Alawi & Mariam Turki: The Iron Ladies - Bahrain's triathletes 24 Yusra Ahmed: From Strife to Art BEAUTY 26 News: The latest products in the stores 28 Celeb Spot: Carrie Underwood FEATURE VALENTINE'S 33-41: Love Is In The Air LIFESTYLE 42 Wellbeing: The Fertility Factor 48 Food: Jazz For The Palate 50 Homes: Bright and Beautiful bathrooms 55 Travel: Living on the Edge PARENTING 59 Ouiam Charkani El Hassani: The voice of grief 60 Lamar Kanafani: On post-partum depression 61 Advice: Dr Jinan Harith Darwish 62 Tech Kids: Chalk It Out 63 Horoscope: What to expect this month 64 In Her Shoes: Noor Alhelaibi 34 58 22 14
www.womanthismonth.com February 2017 4 Welcome to the February edition which, of course, is all about romance. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve come up with some of the best dining offers in town as well as great gift ideas to keep the man in your life happy. If you don’t fancy the usual candlelit dinner for two, check out our Dates With a Difference pages, I’m sure you’ll find something to tickle your fancy – I was quite taken with some of the ideas myself and might just have to give them a try. Staying in on the big night? We’ve also got that covered, stock up on popcorn and settle in for an evening of slushy movies from our Top Ten selection. This month, as well as hearing about artist Yusra Ahmed’s journey from Yemen to Bahrain, I got to meet some very special women. Hannah Al Khalifa, Rana Al Alawi and Mariam Turki are the iron ladies who will be representing Bahrain at this year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championships in the USA. I was in awe of the dedication that took them around the 70-plus mile course, which they finished with smiles on their faces! And I even left our chat fired up to sign on for a super sprint triathlon. It’s nothing like the crazy distance these women covered but the fact that a smoker who does virtually no exercise at all would even consider it, shows just how inspirational these girls are. Training starts this weekend, I’ll let you know how I get on. Elsewhere this month, Puja Tiwari takes us on a journey to discover some extreme vacation ideas, volcano sandboarding in Nicaragua anyone? And Behnaz Sanjana casts some light on the tricky subject of infertility while columnist Ouiam opens her heart about her own recent experience of miscarriage. There’s also our regular round-up of fashion and beauty news and if you need inspiration for what to wear on your next date night, check out the red carpet styles in the Get the Look section. chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA PUJA TIWARI DR JINAN DARWISH LAMAR KANAFANI RAPHAEL OUIAM CHARKANI EL HASSANI head of digital operations NEIL F VAZ print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL GOPAL NAMBIAR media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media managers FARHEEN AHMED PEARLYN D MEHTA circulation KADAMBARI S research assistant, sales and database coordinator ADITI PRASAD photography editor MONA ABDUL JABBAR photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press UNION PRESS, BAHRAIN Contents copyrighted 2016© Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited. ISBN No: 1 899348 11 5. Licensed by the Ministry of Information, Directorate of Publication and Press. Code: SWTM 410 Woman This Month is here for the modern woman of substance and aspiration, embodying a personal style while exploring the best of all worlds: fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Bahrain office address Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: [email protected] website: www.womanthismonth.com Published monthly by Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. P. O. Box 641, No. 1 Seaton Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8JJ Channel Islands, U.K. in association with Al-Hilal Publishing P. O. Box 1100, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain February 2017, Issue 168 On the cover: The Lovers' Issue BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition IRON LADIES TRAVEL Hannah Al Khalifa, Rana Al Alawi and Mariam Turki Adrenaline Junkie Red Carpet Ready Infertility Sushi and Sax FASHION HEALTH FOOD Different Dates Dinner for Two Great Gift Ideas Movies for Lovers LOVE IS IN THE AIR February 2017 | Issue 168 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com EDITOR’S NOTE Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide The only women's magazine distributed with the GDN Our month: I was in awe of the iron ladies. Pearlyn and Anu tucked in at the launch of the Villa Mamas Food Truck. Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director
news February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 6 OVER TO YOU #The original Facebook post quickly went viral and now organisers are anticipating 200,000 could attend the Women's March on Washington. For anyone who's not been paying attention, it's the day after Donald Trump will be sworn in as president. Organisers of the march say they want to greet Trump's presidency by making a statement. "The Women's March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights," the march's mission statement reads. "We stand together, recognising that defending the most marginalised among us is defending all of us." CNN #To help combat a series of mid-flight sexual assault allegations, India's national carrier will now offer female-only seating areas for concerned women flying alone. Air India says the speciality seating will come at no additional cost to passengers and will only be offered on domestic flights during its initial rollout. The Hindu It’s the most romantic time of the year and what better way to celebrate than dinner for two with your loved one? To make the occasion extra special, we’ve got a voucher for BD50 for Valentine’s Day from one of our favourite restaurants to give away. Villa Mamas is a chic eatery in Saar which serves traditional Bahraini food with a modern twist. The interiors are quirky and welcoming and chef Roaya Saleh really goes out of her way to make sure every diner has a uniquely satisfying experience. To find out more and see details of how to be in with a chance for the prize, check out the write up on page 41 and get emailing. Win, Win, Win Follow us on: Instagram: @WomanThisMonth Twitter: @WomanThisMonth Facebook: Woman This Month We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at [email protected] What’s caught our eye in the news this month. # Trending Your Shout! Woman This Month’s post about the Four Seasons Bahrain National Day celebrations received the highest number of likes and retweets. The following #WTM post was favourited and retweeted on Twitter the most. Woman This Month’s Al Areen Palace and Spa Contest engaged the largest number of people and received the highest number of likes. The Most Liked Post on Facebook Woman This Month’s Sahara Fragrances Contest had the highest engagement and received the greatest number of likes and comments. The Most Liked Post on Instagram I want to say a big thank you for the advert you regularly carry for Women’s Crisis Care International. I spotted it last month and, within days, a friend was badly in need of help. I was able to point her in the right direction and she cannot speak highly enough of the people she encountered. She had been assaulted and was so thankful to have someone on her side, right the way through to the court appearance. This is an invaluable service and I would urge everyone to get behind it in any way they can. Thanks again WTM for letting us know about it. Name supplied. I loved last month’s cover and all the fitness advice so appropriate for the New Year. I read it and felt very inspired. But that’s all very well for January, can you please introduce a regular fitness section for those of us who find it hard to get motivated throughout the year – reading tips and encouragement really does help. Noor, Janabiya. Got something you want to get off your chest? Congratulations, commiserations and remonstrations all welcome. We’ll carry the best one each week. BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES Bahrain Edition TRAVEL PARENTING Great Destinations to Hit The Slopes Winter Break Camps New Columnist Oiuam Charkani El Hassani of Chanelmama Apres Ski Chic Lynne Al-Wazzan FASHION CHARITY CHAMPION Expert Advice Exercise Trends Workout Wear Clean Eating YOUR FITTEST YEAR YET January 2017 | Issue 167 | BD1 / SR10 www.womanthismonth.com
www.womanthismonth.com 7 February 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Asia Jewellers Asia Jewellers unveiled novelties and the new Buccellati collections at its booth at Jewellery Arabia. Mohammed Shoab, Fabi, Mohammed Jafer & Sadiq Sharaf, Sadiq & Haris Jameel Fabi & Maya Patrick, Luca Buccellati & Rosina
www.womanthismonth.com February 2017 8 FEBRUARY IN FOCUS news What’s on our radar this month? Aloha Waikiki If you’re looking for reasonably priced, high quality wardrobe staples, particularly winter woollies to get you through the current cold snap, then check out the latest offering from Apparel Group, LC Waikiki, which has just opened at Seef Mall. It’s got a good selection of basics for both women and men and we even managed to find the perfect white shirt on opening day. Wolfgang Puck’s famed re Asian Cuisine at the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay has launched a special night on the first Tuesday of each month offering the chance to experience the authentic world of Asian street food culture. Mei Yue means every month, and the promotion will run from February to May. The restaurant will turn upside down, switching the regular dining tables to live cooking stations. Guests can meet the talented culinary team as they cook up delicious street food live behind each action station such as the traditional fried noodle mie goreng, the spicy chili pan mee or the juicy Korean short rib. Mei Yue costs BD24 exclusive. Call 17 115-046 to book. Bargains Galore We can really never get enough of shopping, so we’re more than a little excited at the prospect of all the great deals to be had and entertainment on offer throughout Shop Bahrain, the island’s third annual shopping festival. Running for 30 days, until February 18, the festival takes in virtually every mall across the Kingdom and includes special offers at participating stores, lots of entertainment and competitions for all the family and the return of the Taste Tour – an epicurean journey across Bahrain. For more information check out www.shopbahrain.com. Jazzy Ladies We love a new Ladies’ Night, almost as much as we love a new jazz venue, so it’s great that the recently opened Coda Lounge at the Atiram Premier Hotel in Juffair has launched a special night just to please us. Well, OK, maybe that’s not strictly true but we are very happy to tell you about the new Lipstick Lounge on Wednesdays with cocktail tasting from 8pm till 2am. See you there ladies. Green Fingers If, like us, you’re obsessed with all things gardening, then February’s a big month with the arrival of the Bahrain International Garden Show. Taking place over two halls at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre from February 23-26, it features exhibits, workshops, the annual flower show and a whole area dedicated to companies providing gardening must haves, from furniture to ornaments. For more information visit www.bigs.com.bh. Yummy Mei Yue And Relax If you suffer from stress and have difficulty sleeping, Max Strom may have the answer. The author of A Life Worth Breathing and There Is No App For Happiness is conducting a transformational yoga and wellbeing intensive with talks and workshops at Namaste over three days from Wednesday, February 15. Sessions include both instruction and practise and are aimed at discovering your life’s purpose, reducing stress and learning to let go of those things which are dragging you down. Check out Max in Bahrain on Facebook or call 17 591-565.
www.womanthismonth.com 9 February 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY New Year’s Eve Atiram Premier Hotel held a New Year’s Eve party at CODA Jazz Lounge and Cavallo Lounge. Demian & Naveen Kisho, Fifi & Tamer Michal & Miray Flor, Luiza & Tina Asli, Tina, Sarah, Sam & Anca Management and staff celebrate at Cavallo Lounge
SHOPPING | pick of the month Sweet Sole Music Available in Bahrain at Saks Fifth Avenue, City Centre Bahrain, 17 178-076. It would be rude not to, since the great man himself graced our shores as part of French Week. And do we really need any encouragement to fall in love with his delicious creations. These Boat Candy flats are almost too pretty to wear. But, if you can manage to stop feasting your eyes, they make the perfect cold day accompaniment to jeans and a chunky sweater. www.womanthismonth.com February 2017 10
CELEBRATE AT LANTERNS RESTAURANT LANTERNSLOUNGE LANTERNSBAHRAIN +973 39933275 Tel:17246777 /17250999 www.lanternsrestaurant.com
www.womanthismonth.com February 2017 12 SHOPPING | editor's choice BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Just because the temperature’s dropped, doesn’t mean you can’t still look hot. Add a touch of sparkle to your jeans, some netting to a sweater, and a funky scarf to finish your look, and make the most of our short winter. Black and white print boots, Charles & Keith 17 179-307. Shoes, Karl Lagerfeld, 17 112-715. Prenda jeana, Pull & Bear, 17 172-305. Long cardigan, Mango 17 179-718. Stradivarius. Karl print top, Karl Lagerfeld, www.karl.com FW16 Hilfiger Denim. Striped top, J. Crew www.net-aporter.com Furry muffler, Stradivarius 17 172-306. Watch, Versace, www. versace.com Pug socks, Calzedonia 17 537-175. Crianiel keyring, Aldo 17 179-245. Multicoloured scarf, H&M 17 178-451. Rose-printed biker jacket, Mango 17 179-718. Chunky ring, Mulberry www. mulberry.com
www.womanthismonth.com 13 February 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Lucas, Jauffer & Anthony Waseem, Abood & Nicolas Schelle, Amy & Roshini Acito, JC, Shawn & Bev Dee & Frany 匀攀攀昀 䐀椀猀琀爀椀挀琀 伀瀀瀀漀猀椀琀攀 匀琀愀爀戀甀挀欀猀 琀栀攀 挀漀甀爀琀礀愀爀搀 爀愀洀攀攀 最爀愀渀搀 栀漀琀攀氀 稀愀椀渀 琀漀眀攀爀 琀栀攀 挀漀甀爀琀礀愀爀搀 氀愀 挀栀漀挀漀氀愀琀 爀漀愀搀 渀漀⸀ ㈀㠀㤀 一伀圀 伀倀䔀一℀℀ 䠀伀䴀䔀 ☀ 䬀䤀吀䌀䠀䔀一 䌀伀䰀䰀䔀䌀吀䤀伀一匀 ⠀⬀㤀㜀㌀⤀㜀㠀㐀 㜀 㜀 椀渀昀漀䀀洀礀挀愀猀愀挀甀挀椀渀愀⸀挀漀洀 挀愀猀愀挀甀挀椀渀愀戀愀栀爀愀椀渀 New Year’s Eve Party The Ramee Grand Hotel celebrated New Year’s Eve at its premises.
February 2017 14 FASHION | trend MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU Frills can come across as a bit girly; if you want to avoid the overly feminine side of the trend stick to just one piece. An awesomely sexy top teamed with plain pants will show your fashion chops just as well as going all out. But, if you really want to embrace the trend, team frills with lace, jewel-bright heels or the latest look – seen in many of the coming summer collections – the negligee-style dress. FRILL SEEKER www.womanthismonth.com Eye ring, Alexander McQueen 17 172-000 (Saks Fifth Avenue ). Checked dress, Bershka 17 172-303. Floral necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane 17 172-000 (Saks Fifth Avenue). Prensa, Mango. Sequinned backpack, Versace www.versace.com Demeter multi stripe dress, Caroline Constas at www. modaoperandi.com Ruffle hem pants, Area at www. modaoperandi.com Fluffy bag, Topshop 17 110-369. Embroidered boots, Lanvin store.lanvin. com/bh Puff-sleeved blouse, H&M 17 178-451. kenzo AW 2016-17 show. Off-the-shoulder Agatha top, Johanna Ortiz www.net-aporter.com Supernova earrings, Swarovski 17 179-646. A major feature of the autumn-winter shows was frills, on arms, legs, chests – in fact, you name it, the designers put frills on it. Embellished shoes, Santoni www.santonishoes. com
www.womanthismonth.com 15 February 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Food Truck Launch Villa Mamas launched its new VM1856 food truck concept at its premises. Abeer & Roaya Khalid & Fatema Mahmood & Pacos Muna & Ahmed Maryam & Noor Ali, Mara & Leena The ribbon-cutting ceremony
February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 16 TED’S IN TOWN Stock up on your faves from designer Ted Baker at the newly-launched store at City Centre Bahrain. The local branch has taken its inspiration from the Kingdom’s pearling history, with brass door handles created to resemble pearls, jelly fish chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and mesh strung around to catch treasures of the sea. The new shop stocks the designer’s men’s and women’s wear as well as accessories. FASHION | fashion forward SPORTS STARS H&M Sport Collection SS17, claims to be the ultimate fusion between fashion and training with a variety of fitness essentials from yoga and training to jogging, fitness and more. To prove the point the line has been designed with input from world class professional athletes from the Swedish Olympic team as well as the brand’s sports ambassadors Amanda Bisk, former pole vaulter and yogi; Patrick Beach, yogi; and Tommy Rivers, ultra runner. BACKSTAGE PASS Our take on what’s cool, trending and fashion forward. NEW YORK STATE OF MIND Jeremy Scott 'The People’s Designer' has come up with a fun take on the timeless popsicle stamped in red, white and blue and modelled on the Empire State Building, for his collaboration with Longchamp for spring 2017. Pretty and sassy, it’s enough to make your mouth water. UNISEX HITS THE RUNWAY Men and women took to the catwalks together at London Fashion Week in a move that was backed by a number of fashion mavens including Vivienne Westwood. The 75-year-old style icon said the dual approach was a response to the unisex reality of fashion, telling AFP: "My very first fashion shows were always men and women. It's particularly unisex now because this time you've got lots of men in dresses. You've seen women for a hundred years in trousers but it's all switched around equally now."
www.womanthismonth.com February 2017 17 Movenpick Hotel The Movenpick Hotel celebrated New Year’s Eve at its premises. Hannah & Ryan HE William Roebuck & Michael Teliya & Zaher Daniel & Julie Steve & Sarajane Shahla & Abbas Stefanie & David (MIDDLE) EAST GOES WEST Regional designers were out in force for the 2017 Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles. It seems the A List has discovered what women in the Gulf, and wider region, have long known, you can’t beat a bit of homegrown talent. And, for this purpose, as well as its general fabness, we’re adopting Lebanon as our own! From Kristen Wiig and Emily Ratajkowski in Reem Acra to the absolute joy of Lily Collins in delicate, fairytale blush pink from Zuhair Murad, Lebanese designers were everywhere. Want to see what they were up to? Then check out their red carpet looks as well as those from Georges Chakra, Elie Saab and Rani Zakhem. A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK London Fashion Week saw the debut of yet another celebuspawn on the catwalk. Following in the footsteps of Romeo Beckham, Rafferty Law and an assortment of Jaggers, Lennon Gallagher, whose dad is rock royalty Liam, cut a familiar figure sporting bushy eyebrows and a parka jacket on the runway for Topman Designs. His famous father took to Twitter to congratulate him.
February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 18 FASHION | get the look HIGH STREET HEROES This is a look that shows you don’t have to break the bank to look amazing. First, set your budget, and then do your research. Check out what’s available online then head to the mall with an idea in your head of what you want. The dress is the most important consideration,;opt for something you can wear for multiple occasions, not something that will only work for a super-formal event. Your accessories can change the look up or down, depending on where you’re going. RED CARPET READY With the awards season in full swing, we can’t help but be inundated with images of celebs looking uber glam on the ubiquitous red carpet. Follow our tips to make your own entrance in style. Chainmail choker, Top Shop 17 110-369. Skin effect clutch, Parfois 17 178-054. Fake fur shrug, Stradivarius 17 172-306. Earrings, Aldo Accessories 16 686-214. Printed full-length dress, H&M 17 110-350. Sammi strappy sandals, Oasis 17 110-365. Michael Kors AW16-17 Lanvin AW16-17 Jessica Alba
www.womanthismonth.com February 2017 19 SHORT AND SWEET Going glam doesn’t have to mean a long dress. This short, sparkly creation certainly commands the spotlight all by itself. When you’re wearing a statement piece like this, keep accessories to a minimum though, in our opinion, a girl is never overdressed in diamonds. Team your shortie stunner with boots and a biker but go for heels and a well-shaped, lighter version of the jacket to channel your inner rebel without overshadowing the frock. Finish the look with a statement clutch. NO DRESS REQUIRED Up the oomph factor with head-to-toe sequins. This is a look that only the most confident girls can pull off, thanks to the plunging neckline. If you want to give it a try but have larger boobs, go for a sheer net insert or choose a slightly more demure jumpsuit to suit your style. Team it with a boyfriendstyle tux and an equally impressive box bag for added edge. Complete the look with simple but stylish jewellery – let the sequins do the talking. Universal diamond earrings, Sanjay Kasliwal at www. modaoperandi.com Crystal and feather shift, Kaufman Franco at J Boutique 17 131-208. Biker-style jacket, Ginger www.namshi.com Sequined jumpsuit, Naeem Khan www. modaoperandi.com Gold necklace, Weill www. yoox.com Two-coloured watch, Emporio Armani 17 131-024. Star box bag, Karl Lagerfeld 17 112-715. Multicoloured booties, Ballin www. ballin-shoes.com. Racil black wool jacket, Aquila www.modaoperandi.com Statement clutch, Lanvin at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000. Embellished hair clip, Alexander McQueen at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000. Patent highheeled boots, Lanvin at Saks Fifth Avenue 17 172-000.
20 February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com Store Opening Apparel Group opened its first LC Waikiki store which was inaugurated by HE Hatun Demirer, Turkish Ambassador, at Seef Mall. The ribbon-cutting ceremony Bharti & Robert Arwa, Bayan, Lubna & Karam Model on the runway Sara & Samar Bharti & Eldralyn Models at the fashion show Farheen, Mohammed, Robert, Sunil, Bharti & Liz Turgay, Canan, HE Hatun Demirer, Erkan & Serdar Yunus, Sunil, Sabahata & Ahmed
www.womanthismonth.com 21 February 2017 SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Fashion Launch Khaleda Rajab and Linda Farrow launched their SS17 collaboration at La Fontaine. Nader Rajab, Khaleda Rajab & Ebtisam Baisan, Hiba, Dina & Reema Dina & Steven Nouf & Nadera Hyder, Hiba & Jeremy
February 2017 22 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview Hannah Al Khalifa, 26, was the first Bahraini woman past the post. Born to a Bahraini father and a Scottish mother, she was living in London and moved to the island in September 2015, which is when she took up competition seriously. A freelancer in architectural design, she says: “I’ve always been very sporty and just decided to give it a go. I was the fifth Bahraini woman to finish last year; this year I was first!” Rana Al Alawi, 24, is the baby of the bunch and was the second Bahraini woman finisher. A lawyer working with Batelco, this was her first Ironman. She says: “I was never sporty at school; in fact I broke my hand playing volleyball. But I always felt happy when I was running.” Her first proper race was the November 2015 Cross Island and she got her triathlon bike for her birthday in April 2016. Mariam Turki, 32, took part in last year’s event but only did the cycling leg. The mum of two, who works in banking, says: “I was crying on the bike and didn’t think I would make it, but I did. Afterwards I thought ‘That’s not enough, I want to do the whole thing now!'” She started training in March last year and also got her bike for her birthday. Mariam was the fourth Bahraini woman to complete the race. So what is Ironman? It’s a multi-discipline race in which competitors, or teams, swim 1.9km, cycle 90km and run 21.1km; the overall distance is 70.3 miles – a half Ironman. As a way of promoting the sport, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, himself a keen triathlete and Ironman competitor, announced that he would pay for the first five Bahraini men and first five women to attend the world championships. But really, this sounds HARD! Why would anyone want to put themself through months of brutal training and seriously taxing competition? Rana explains: “I heard about it through Sarah Al-Thawadi [in fact they all did]; she was second last year but was injured and couldn’t compete this year. She told me about the benefits of Ironman training. You might think of it as a commitment, but it’s a lifestyle. It gives you more discipline and not just in your training but in all areas of your life, for example at work. And it’s sociable; you can train with a group or by yourself; the community is very supportive.” Mariam adds: “After I gave birth to my second child, I was desperate to lose weight. My uncle has a running group called the Happy Team and I asked if I could join them; that’s when I heard about triathlon. I decided, if I was going to do it I wanted to train properly so I contacted Greer [Sansom], who trains us all and then I met these girls, who make training fun.” “When we first rode together, I couldn’t keep up, all I could see was Mariam looking behind her to see where I was,” says Rana. “I couldn’t even keep up with the warm-up!” confesses Hannah. Yet, they all went on to not only complete the What makes someone want to travel 70plus miles under their own steam? Liz O’Reilly met the Bahraini stars of the most recent Ironman 70.3 who will be representing their country at the coming world championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in September. Iron Ladies Bahraini finishers, from left, Hannah, Rana and Mariam with their trophies and, below, the three women with coach Greer
February 2017 23 www.womanthismonth.com race but to triumph. But what of the challenges along the way? Mariam says: “People think they can’t do it, but it’s very doable. I must admit, I found it a bit difficult at first, because of our culture, to wear the tri suit – it’s like a swimsuit with legs. But there was a lot of encouragement, from my uncles and others, and now I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. “Another thing to say is that, for triathlon, you have to have a strong mind.” Hannah agrees, adding: “Absolutely, it is all mental.” Mariam continues: “One of the main challenges is the cycling because drivers here don’t think you should be on the road.” “There have been so many times I wished I had a paintball gun on the front of my bike,” says Hannah. “There’s also a lack of good places to swim in open water. You need a lifeguard; I’m always worried about getting cramp and getting washed out.” “There’s also dirt and weird stuff in the water!” continues Rana. But all three women are obviously in love with their sport and quick to pay tribute to HH Shaikh Nasser who has opened a 10km cycle loop at his stables to give riders a safe place to train. And, after a few weeks' break following the December competition, they are very much back in training and looking forward to Tennessee. Hannah says: “It’s only for those who have previously qualified and there will be a march of nations, so we’ll be flying the flag for Bahrain. It’s very exciting and the Ironman guys love us. I think it's because they love Bahrain as they know the people here love the sport.” In the meantime, though, Mariam is, so far, the only GCC female registered to participate in the Dubai Ironman 70.3. She just can’t get enough! And all three are keen for others to get involved in the sport. Rana says: “I would really like to encourage everyone to take part especially Bahraini girls. We want to have healthy competition.” “It’s a great community,” adds Hannah. “Everyone is really helpful to each other. If someone is struggling at the start of a race, you hand over your energy gel to help them get through.” Hannah, Rana, right, and Mariam, below, at the finish line All three iron ladies credit trainer Greer Sansom with their success. The native Australian says: “I arrived in Bahrain to work in my profession as a graphic designer but the triathlon coaching is consuming more and more of my day. I see great potential to get more people training properly – it’s just a matter of tapping into the resources that we already have here and opening them up as training venues for the greater community. The athletes that come to me have a great desire to learn about training for long, endurance events. With 15 years of experience in racing and training triathlon, I believe I have a lot to share – that’s how my training group, G Trains Tri, came about. “I’m inspired by the idea of continual improvement and I’m constantly looking for methods to train better and race faster. I had one of my athletes tell me that I was the kind of coach she would tell her daughter about. That meant a lot because identifying elite athletes of the future means getting the kids of today involved. Success in elite sport doesn’t happen overnight – it must be nurtured from childhood. Many of the group that I trained up for the Ironman 70.3 last December were complete beginners – some didn’t even own a bike. Seeing them all cross the finish line beaming with satisfaction was elating for me. “The hardest part of triathlon is showing up on day one. Women make great endurance athletes and have natural ‘staying’ ability. Triathlon is a wonderful lifestyle choice as swimming, cycling and running are skills that can enhance a holiday, promote lifelong health and provide time out of your busy life to be at one with your thoughts. My hope is that Bahrain will continue to embrace the sport and provide opportunities for the broader community at grassroots level. If we get many people involved and they stay in the sport long enough, the standard will continue to rise.” A Word From the Coach
February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 24 In the year of 1994, civil war plagued Yemen and a young couple from Aden were studying in Moscow and faced with a difficult choice. Deciding not to return to their stricken homeland, they migrated to Bahrain. And so, in 1996, Yusra and her husband Ahmed Omar arrived in Bahrain hoping for a better life for themselves and their four-yearold son. The island felt strange to Yusra and, with noone she could trust with her son, she decided to be a stay at home mum. She says: “My son was the only ray of solace in a dark and alien place, but with the coming years I was blessed with three more beautiful children. And between all the peaks and valleys of an immigrant life I always had an unstable relationship with art.” From her early days in Russia, Yusra had always had a fascination with the subject, but says she could never be satisfied with the stringent theory and methodology of realism. She says: “Realism is beautiful if your goal is to mimic nature, like painting a basket of fruit. But its rigid rules and order give no real room for self-expression. It was about technique, and I thirsted for release. “I felt art had to be more than just getting the strokes just right, the shadows at the right angle or the perspective accurate. I was aimlessly looking for something that could open the floodgates of my emotions.” So, she began to doodle in her sketchbooks and, over the years, produced elongated figures, grotesque amalgamations and compositions that were as confused and lost as she was. That was when she realised art could form a photograph of her psyche, and the artistic process, her therapy. She also recognised a certain distaste for brushes, preferring hard tools that could be scraped against the paper, such as pastels or charcoal. She adds: “I liked to get messy with my fingers and press my feelings onto my work.” With her children grown up and more time on her hands, from 2007 she began to seek art passionately on the island. From books to workshops to meeting different women, she engaged with the artistic community. She fashioned her own tools out of wood and used plastic cards to express her restless moods. She also mastered the delicate medium of acrylic inks, which covered the pieces in her recent first solo show, Brushless, at Mashq Art Space. She says: “A woman is often fragmented in her identity; she plays many roles and resembles many different things to different people. Whether I am an immigrant, a wife or a mother, the question that haunted me is, what remains without all these roles? That quiet despair is what I have been yearning to communicate. My quest, through art, was not to be able to produce the perfect painting, but to find a deep gratification in the process of its production. Art can not only recycle the nature around us, but the conditions within us. “In my first solo exhibition, all the paintings used acrylic inks, which have a magical transparency, and were painted under the influence of music. The exhibition represented a kaleidoscopic journey from my early years of estrangement to the recent years of epiphany.” Her boundless love and dedication to her family has made its mark on her husband, who is now an associate director at MSCEB, and on Omar, that little boy, who is now 23 and pursuing his Master of Architecture in Malaysia and also happens to be a poet. g PEOPLE | interview Yusra Ahmed shares the artistic journey that took her from her war-torn birthplace to the exhibition halls of Bahrain. From Strife to Art Yusra Ahmed
February 2017 26 www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | news Bourjois Mascara Twist up the Volume. The Black Balm features black orchid extract and oils for supple, beautiful lashes and a smart Twist two-inone brush that lengthens, separates and coats for great results. Available at leading retailers. Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Nourishing Milk. A one-stop emollient treatment that combines the hydrating benefits of Extra Face Oil with the rejuvenating benefits of a repair treatment. It’s lightweight on the skin, allowing it to be easily layered with other skincare and make-up. Available at leading retailers. Clarins Skin Illusion Loose Powder Foundation. Flawless cover with an innovative design featuring an ultra-soft brush and a clever distribution system to release an optimal amount of powder. Extracts of pink opal and pink algae combine to illuminate the complexion and every Clarins foundation incorporates moisturisation, radiance and sun and pollution protection. Available at leading retailers. Opi Washington DC. The result of the number one salon brand’s collaboration with actress Kerry Washington, who was recently named the company’s first-ever creative ambassador, the collection features 12 permanent and three limited-edition shades. All come in both lacquer and GelColor formulas. Colours include the authoritative red of Madam President and the lush green Stay Off the Lawn!! Available at leading retailers. Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation. A revolutionary quick-break texture that transforms from a bouncy water-gel to a refreshing cream. The skin-caring formula features natural mineral powders to help absorb excess oil, plus aloe, chamomile and sea algae extracts to smooth the skin. Available at leading retailers. Valentine’s Day is a time when every girl needs glowing skin. Check out the latest products to help you achieve it as well as the latest new offerings and goss from Hollywood. Dolce&Gabbana The One Essence. The highest concentration of the iconic fragrance with notes of bergamot and mandarin citrus combined with lychee and peach in the opening. Madonna lily unfolds at the heart and jasmine and lily of the valley complete the mix. Available at leading retailers. Make Up For Ever Glow Fusion Range. Star Powder is back in the guise of Star Lit Powder which provides an intense shimmering look in eight shades. It’s joined by Pro-Light Fusion, a new generation luminiser, with hydrophilic glycerin and emollient plant oil in gold and rose gold. Available at Sephora
February 2017 27 NYE B.Glitz 2017 Bash DJs Pearlyn, Ben, Rahul and Nirmal spun the music for NYE at Glamour Lounge, Al Safir Hotel. Neha, Danny, Hetal, Mansoor, Bhavin, Hardip, Rumitha, VJ, Meghna, DJ Pearlyn, Hitesh, Poonam & Jinu DJ Ben, DJ Pearlyn, DJ Rahul & DJ Nirmal Heena, Foram, Brinda, DJ Pearlyn & Raaesha Raaesha, DJ Pearlyn & Minz Sonia & Gunjan www.womanthismonth.com Gwen Stefani for Revlon. When a celebrity, who’s just been become ambassador for a beauty brand, says “I have been obsessed with make-up my whole life,” it could be perceived as playing to the role. When that celebrity is Gwen Stefani, the words are actually believable. The singer, known for her red lips, is fronting the Choose Love campaign and says it resonates with where she is at in her personal life. Guerlain Météorites. Born in 1987, these pioneers in colour have been enriched with Rainbow and Stardust technologies to reveal even more light on the skin. To mark their 30th anniversary they’ve been reinvented as collector’s items offering a rosy glow alongside their iconic violet scent. Available at leading retailers. Game of Thrones Make-up Collection. If you’re suffering withdrawal while you wait for the next season, fear not, help is at hand. Storybook Cosmetics, which makes the Harry Potter brushes, has announced the creation of a Game of Thrones collection which will include a 12-shadow palette formed like a book, sword make-up brushes, a compact powder and costumeinspired lipsticks. Amouage Bracken Woman. The luxury brand’s latest offering is inspired by the ‘Summer of Love’ and features a marriage of vibrant violet leaf and galbanum green notes of the bracken fern along with wild berries which open up to a sensuous heart of lily, narcissus, camomile and leather. The intoxicating finale blends patchouli, vetiver and birch. Available at Amouage, City Centre Bahrain.
February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 28 BEAUTY | celeb spot This American country singer might’ve ruffled a few feathers with her pink dress at the Golden Globes but she stole the show with her hair and make-up. Apple Sharma shows you how to copy her look. Shiny Locks The secret to nailing the perfect hairdo is to prep your hair before styling and use the right product for your hair type. Use mousse to give volume and body and a tiny drop of shine serum for a healthy lustre. Wax is great for styling short hair and a spray will lock your style in place. Rosy Pout Carrie’s pink lips complement her dress and rosy cheeks perfectly. Pink is a versatile colour that almost anyone can wear. Whether it’s sheer light shades or more daring ones like hot fuchsia, you just have to find the right one for your skin tone. Lighter pinks will make your lips look fuller and darker hues will make your pout smaller. Brighten your look with cool tones and add warmth to your face with electric pink. Brow Effect Big eyebrows are in at the moment, but even if you’re not naturally blessed, it’s easy to fake the look. Start with brushing the brow from the front to the tail so you know where it needs filling. Use an eye pencil closest to your natural hair colour to gently shade sparse spots. For a fresh and radiant look, rub a highlighter pencil on your fingertips and apply just below the eyebrow arch or to the inner corner of the eye – and voilà! Carrie Underwood Perfect Glow Highlighter on Carrie's nose and cheeks makes her skin glow from within. To give your face some definition, apply the highlighter diagonally across your cheekbone from underneath the centre of your eye socket up towards your hairline. Dabbing a little on your cupid’s bow will give your lipstick a clean look. Or simply mix a liquid highlighter with your moisturiser for an overall luminous glow. Base Control To emulate Carrie’s flawless complexion you need to start with a clean canvas. The best way to do that is to use a primer as a base. It will help reduce the appearance of both pores and wrinkles, even out your skin and give it a smooth effect. Primer is best for oily skins as it creates a matt look. Dab a small amount in the centre of the face and work your way out, blending it up to your hairline and on the neck. Always use a moisturiser before priming and follow with foundation and translucent powder to set your make-up.
showcase February 2017 29 www.womanthismonth.com Our hands are exposed to a lot throughout the day. Pamper them with a hot oil manicure and reap the benefits of this remarkable treatment. JOZ SALON & SPA SOFT AND SUPPLE HANDS From chemicals in household products to harsh detergents, not to mention the weather and constant washing, they all strip the natural moisture from your hands and make them feel dry. According to Joz Salon & Spa, a hot oil manicure will give your hands much-needed respite and there are many excellent reasons to try it. Great for skin and nail health The skin on hands is very thin and hence is prone to dryness and wrinkles. Warm oils used in this treatment provide a nutrition boost and result in a soft, pliable and glowing skin. Oils such as vitamin E, almond, sesame and sunflower are used in the procedure, all of which are very good for your skin’s health. Provides relief from dry and brittle nails The oil provides nourishment to the nail bed, helping the new growth to become strong and resistant to peeling and breaking. Regular use of this treatment will help avoid frequent breakage. Adding essential oils such as lavender, jojoba and lemon will further increase the effectiveness of the manicure, as these are known to promote nail growth. Cure for prickly cuticles We have all suffered from dry and peeling cuticles every now and then. Cuticles are there to protect your nail matrix, but sometime they become too dry or overgrow, resulting in unsightly nails. They can be painful too. Hot oil manicure helps soften the cuticles, making them more manageable. Boosts blood circulation This procedure calls for you to immerse your hands in warm oil. The heat combined with gentle massage is a great way to improve blood circulation in your hands, making them healthy and soft.You can add a drop or two of essential oils to increase the benefits. Great cleanser and exfoliator Just like the oil cleansing method used to remove make-up from the face, the warm oil helps cleanse the skin on your hands. It also makes the dead outer layer of the skin soft, which is then easily exfoliated by gentle massaging motions. It’s great for men too Unlike other manicures which basically cater to aesthetic purposes, a hot oil manicure actually helps with nail and skin health, making it a great option for men, too, as they tend to have rough skin on their hands, which can be alleviated with regular hot oil manicure sessions. Call 17 369-133, 16 031-120 or 17 756-449.
February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com 30 As the first automotive brand worldwide, BMW is using Google Spotlight Stories technology as an innovative way of creating a 360-degree interactive virtual reality brand experience that is broadcast via YouTube. 'Visionary' offers a unique, immersive experience of the BMW VISION NEXT 100 – the concept study developed for the marque’s centenary in 2016. Through Google Spotlight Stories, BMW allows automotive and technology fans to interactively explore the BMW VISION NEXT 100 in a spectacular combination of aesthetic product presentation and sophisticated mobile virtual reality. The basis is a 360-degree video staging, which is extended through interactive elements. Users can dip into this experience via the YouTube app on Android devices, as well as through the Google Spotlight Stories app for iOS and Android operating systems. The vision vehicle – BMW VISION NEXT 100 – demonstrates the commitment of the brand to focus on the future of mobility. This vehicle combines coupé-type sportiness with the dynamic elegance of a sedan – but rather than being an anonymous transport machine, it is a highly customised vehicle, the company says. Driver-vehicle interactions are managed by Alive Geometry; Boost and Ease modes, which offer a choice of driver-controlled or vehiclecontrolled operations, and the interior of the vehicle changes to suit the mode of travel. “Visionary perfectly shows how the BMW Group masterfully applies new possibilities of digital communications, to create intense and amazing experiences,” says Jörg Poggenpohl, head of Digital Marketing BMW Group. “We are the first automotive brand to use Google Spotlight Stories. This perfectly fits the selfconception of BMW as innovator and creator of the future.” Visionary was jointly created by BMW and the digital agency Jung von Matt. Max Lederer, director of Jung von Matt, says: “Innovations require courage – without the trust that we were shown by the BMW Group, the groundbreaking work in creating Visionary wouldn’t have been possible. For Jung von Matt this project has been as much a challenge as for the other parties involved. “A team of specialists has worked its way through a whole new software, which was simultaneously developed further in Mountain View. Together with the great team of Google in Germany and in the US, a digital lighthouse project has been created, which, in the opinion of Jung von Matt, represents the future of mobile brand experience: interactive storytelling in the virtual space. The whole project was embedded within the BMW Group centenary campaign THE NEXT 100 YEARS.” Google Spotlight Stories is a mixture of storytelling and mobile virtual reality. A 360- degree view function changes the smartphone into a window to another world. Interactivity is provided through sensors included in the smartphone (gyroscope, touch, etc). The user navigates through the video experience and can additionally explore subplots and activate other perspectives. Euro Motors is the distributor for BMW in the Kingdom. Call 17 750-750. showcase EURO MOTORS This leading global marque is taking a brand new approach to technological storytelling. A Spotlight Story
showcase February 2017 31 www.womanthismonth.com This friendly property has something for everyone, even the chance to win a Bahraini pearl. GOLDEN TULIP BAHRAIN HOTEL A HOTEL FOR ALL TASTES Having been in operation since 2006, the Golden Tulip Bahrain Hotel recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as one of the Kingdom’s favourite five-star hotels. With 250 rooms, it offers a mixture of Standard, Deluxe, Executive and Suite accommodation to cater to every taste. All floors have both smoking and non-smoking rooms, and there are also facilities for physically challenged guests. The comfortable rooms have recently been refurbished and there is also an Executive Lounge which provides added benefits such as a business centre and secretarial service. To help travellers keep fit there is a temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool in addition to a gym, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and an on-site massage service for extra pampering as well as a ladies’ hair salon. Popular with both business and leisure travellers, the Golden Tulip Bahrain Hotel offers culinary options to suit virtually every taste from Al Wasmeyyah restaurant, the all-day-dining and à la carte venue, which offers a range of international cuisines, to Kei Japanese restaurant and Mawal, for the authentic taste of Lebanon. There is also the Cavalry Club Sports Bar, the ideal setting to enjoy a relaxing evening while listening to music or watching sports games on TV, and Platinum Night Club, for lively entertainment. The hotel offers special deals throughout the week and has recently launched the Pearl Night promotion during its regular Seafood Night and Friday Brunch, giving guests the chance to win a real Bahraini pearl when they buy five oysters for BD1. And from February 12-26 there is a special offer, Tartine Delight, comprising a range of gourmet sandwiches, served with fries or wedges and a pint or a juice for just BD6. Call 17 535-000. For reservations, call +973 17 535 000 or 39995181/82/42 @goldentulipbahrainhotel Golden Tulip Bahrain GTBH11 GOLDENTULIPBAHRAIN.COM BAHRAIN - HOTEL GILGAMESH BALLROOM The perfect place for your wedding. ﻗﺎﻋَﺘﻨﺎ ﻳﺪﻳﺪة أﺳَﻌﺎرﻧﺎ وﺧﺪﻣﺎﺗﻨﺎ ﻻﺗﻨﺎﻓﺲ
32 February 2017 www.womanthismonth.com Theatrical Show MOMwise and Lulu Group presented a theatrical trashion show entitled It’s Our World by special needs children at the Golden Tulip Hotel. Performers onstage Mohammed Vaijayantee & Pooja Tom, Julie Anne, Nosheen & Khalil Soumya, Rifat & Mo Anupama & Bhanavi Divita & Raksha Soumya Jessica, Richa & Greta Greta, Mansi, Anita, Spandana, Rubi & Ashwini Upcy, Anshu, Ashwini & Advika
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