www.womanthismonth.com Bahrain Edition BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | PARENTING | LOCAL ISSUES May 2015 | Issue 147 | BD1 / SR10 REAL BRIDES And their Fairy-tales FOOD HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS For All Budgets FASHION GUESTS’ STYLE SPRINGTIME ALLERGY ALERT! Don’t be Afraid of your Kitchen WEDDING BELLES Inspiring Ideas for your Big Day WELLBEING Looking for Balance Looking for Balance
6 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com MAY 14 96 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. 74 52 SHOPPING 14 Editor’s Choice: On the Line 16 Pick of the Month: Counting Stars 18 Retail Therapy: What’s new on the retail scene FASHION 20 Trend: Serpent Charmer 22 Fashion Forward: Bleached Rules 24 Style Radar: What the stars are wearing 26 Get the Look: Be my Guest PEOPLE 38 Bahrain International Gourmet Club: Multi-Cultural Potluck 40 Community: Susanne Rea WEDDING FEATURE 44 Wedding Photoshoot by Murillo Medina 50 Check-list: Love takes Centre Stage 52 Dresses: White Magic 54 Accessories: Finishing Touches 58 Venues: Milieu Magnifique 66 Flowers: Floral Fling BEAUTY 74 News: The latest products in the stores LIFESTYLE 78 Home: The Newlyweds' Nest 82 Home: Nuts & Bolts 84 Parenting: Raising Healthy Children by Ghada Salem 87 Parenting: Kids’ Playground 88 Parenting: Tackling Spring: Allergic Rhinitis by Dr Jinan Darwish 92 Wellbeing: From Distress to De-Stress 96 Travel: Romantic Hideaways 98 Travel: Incredible Escapes 100 Food: Wedding Breakfast 101 Food: The Lightbulb Moment 102 Horoscope 104 Last Word: In Her Shoes – Cristalyn Pastrana 24
8 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com And the wedding bells are chiming! Our issue this month was carefully prepared by our team to help you plan your big day. One of the most important moments of your life, must be rigorously organised to create the best memories. Wedding photographer Murillo Medina shows-off his talent with a breath-taking photoshoot, hope you enjoy and are inspired by his unique eye. A to-do list, dress trends, eye-catching accessories, dreamy venues on the island and the right flowers for each season are part of this unmissable guide. On top of that, some of our regular pages are dedicated to the theme. In Get the Look and Style Radar you will find inspiration for your dress code if you are one of the guests. The Travel pages bring honeymoon destinations to suit your budget! From keeping it low cost to a big splurge. Our Incredible Escapes exposes the most amazing places, castles and unique buildings in the world to host your reception in high-style. Newly-weds will definitely find the Home pages very useful, Ankita Mamgain gives you the best tips on how to put your lovely nest together. We also bring an interview with (more a day with) the Bahrain International Gourmet Club ladies and Apple Sharma had a talk to Rotary’s Susanne Rea about her cause. Behnaz Sanjana sheds some light on a topic that haunts us in our everyday life: the dreaded stress! This matter reveals its power not only in the work environment, but also at home. Read on and find ways to avoid it. Keep your kids happy and healthy with Dr Jinan Harith Darwish’s and Ghada Salem’s words of advice in our Parenting spread. Enjoy your reading! Fernanda Langhammer, Editor @Ferlanghammer chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY editor FERNANDA LANGHAMMER assistant editor ANKITA MAMGAIN contributors APPLE SHARMA BEHNAZ SANJANA DR JINAN DARWISH GHADA SALEM HANNA MOORE MARIE-CLAIRE HONEYWELL RAPHAEL creative director ANDRE BIGG print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN layout & graphics ROMEO SAN MIGUEL JAYATH TEKI media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media manager FARHEEN AHMED circulation KATHERINE LAO photography editor ZILIA MONTEIRO photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS printing press UNION PRESS, BAHRAIN Contents copyrighted 2015© 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 May 2015, issue 147 On the cover: Maria Marta Gonzalez wears Lourdinha Noyama. Photo by Murillo Medina EDITOR’S NOTE Woman This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide To celebrate the wedding spirit, I selected a few funky pieces that say: we are married! They can be given as an extra gift or added to your registry list. Nothing’s better than having some fun with the décor in your new life together! Some companies offer personalised products that look really cool. Amore Getting Personal Avanti Home
• Bhaskar Devji Jewellers (Main) +973 17 254 323 • Prakash Jewellers +973 17 262 809 • Bhaskar Devji Jewellers (Bab Al Bahrain) +973 17 211 334 • Bahrain Ci Centre +973 17 179 881
10 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com letters Write Here Write Now We want to hear your thoughts on Woman This Month. Write to us at [email protected] Get in touch by email, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! Fashion Lover! I love the fashion trend spread you bring every new season! I like it because it is very straight forward. It is easy to understand what is going to be in and what we should pick when going shopping. The product selections you make take the fashion show concepts out of the catwalk and into real life. My favourite ones for this spring and summer are the seventies influence and denim fever, I’m very casual and this is a way of changing my wardrobe, but still following the looks that I like most. I’m definitely buying a denim jumpsuit or playsuit, they look so hipster! Many thanks, Amy. Bollywood diva, Kareena Kapoor Khan dazzled on our cover in April and was the most liked picture on Instagram. Official Partnership Launch between Longines & Behbehani Group. Longines Ambassador of Elegance Aishwarya Rai Bachchan enhanced this announcement by her presence. #WTMBrandBuzz #WTM in order to celebrate mother’s day created a contest #CelebratingMom. Participants had to write a beautiful message to commemorate Mother's Day. The winner of the #WTMCONTEST #WTMCelebratingMom is Lee Ann Fleetwood and her message is: “All my friends wanted my mom to be their mom when I was little. I was so proud to have a mom that everybody wished their mom was like. That example has stayed with me all my life and now my own children have told me the same thing that I told my mom. Their friends wish their moms were like me. Thank you for making such an impression on me that I passed onto my children.” CONGRATULATIONS Lee Ann for winning a BD75 gift voucher. Sweet Tooth, Thank you so much for your The Bitter Sweet Truth article, it is very informative. Sometimes we don’t realise the amount of unnecessary sugar we ingest. We also should be more careful with the kind of food we offer to our kids. A lot of products that we think are not harmful for them, actually have an incredible amount of sugar, the juice boxes and yogurts for example. We must re-think kids’ lunch boxes, maybe you could do an article about it? Regards, Reem. Bollywood Star, Your cover this month looks amazing! Kareena Kapoor is so beautiful and talented. I am a big fan and I hope Woman This Month will feature more Bollywood actors. Kareena’s story is really inspirational. Although she comes from an illustrious family, she had to go to a lot of struggle to reach where she is today. I’m looking forward to her future films and her visit to Bahrain. Best wishes, Suhasini. 28 April 2015 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | trend Many brands went back in time to find inspiration in the period of hippie mania, psychedelic prints and the beginning of the disco era. Loads of colours and a back to nature lifestyle influenced the catwalks of the spring and summer collections. Not only the typical patterns of the decade, but also its designs. Bell-bottomed trousers and wide sleeves temper the season’s style. Vests and fringes are also symbols of the trend which are explored this season. The cuts, brought back straight from the past, get a modern twist so we don’t end up in a time machine. Retro prints can be spotted in the catwalk shows of brands such as Louis Vuitton and Emilio Pucci. The hippie mood from the beginning of the seventies is revived by Alberta Ferretti and Chloe. Knee-high boots worn with fluid dresses are Tommy Hilfiger’s and Etro’s way to embrace the decade’s vogue. Chloé Tommy Hilfiger EmilioPucci AlbertaFerretti Etro THE DETAILS EmilioPucci Prada Just Cavalli '70s That Show Louis Vuitton 66 April 2015 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | cover story There is an old world charisma about this green-eyed beauty. She is the epitome of grace and glamour and yet represents the new-age uber cool. Born into the fifth generation of the illustrious Kapoor clan to actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita, she needs no introduction. Kareena Kapoor Khan is the perfect blend of grace and glamour. She seldom shows any discomfort from being in the constant limelight. She is an actor whose horizon is way beyond the marquee. It usually takes an ‘extra’ something to truly shine above the rest and Kapoor has proved to the world that passion, courage and determination can indeed help one achieve all that and more. She loves the rush of adventure, the thrill of wanting to try something different and that has brought innumerable blockbuster hits with the crème de la crème of the acting fraternity including Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar amongst others Woman This Month’s Farheen Ahmed spotlights the life of actress Kareena Kapoor who will be visiting the island this month. The Royal Blush Kareena made her acting debut in 2000 in a war drama Refugee, which was followed by a series of less well known parts. However, 2004 marked the turning point in her career with her award winning role in Chameli, where she portrayed a sex worker. This was followed by meaty roles in big budget films like Omkara (a remake of Shakspeare’s Othello) in 2006. And then a spate of commercial hits: 2007’s Jab We Met, 3 Idiots in 2009, Gol Maal 3 in 2010 and Bodyguard in 2011. She has undoubtedly claimed the throne as the Queen Bee of Bollywood. In June 2010, People magazine described her as, “India‘s most beautiful woman”, while Eastern Eye and Maxim coined her as “Asia’s Sexiest Woman” and “India’s Hottest Woman” in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In 2009, a Bollywood nutritionist collaborated with her for Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight, a self-help book on weight loss which sold more than 10,000 copies in its first few weeks. This was followed by another book, Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha. In 2012 Kareena also co-authored, with Rochelle Pinto, her autobiographical memoir The Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva. Having put her name to innumerable ad films and brand endorsements, in 2013 Kareena was signed as the brand ambassador of Malabar Gold and Diamonds saying: "It is my pleasure to be the face of such a prestigious brand that has become synonymous with style, design, beauty and trust. I am immensely happy to be associated with Malabar Gold & Diamonds who have introduced the Brides of India concept showcasing the traditional and vibrant rituals and colourful jewellery of brides across India. I wish Malabar Gold & Diamonds all the best in its endeavor to become the world's number one jeweller." At the signing ceremony MP Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group, said: "Kareena Kapoor is an epitome of beauty and style and we are extremely delighted to have her Kareena Kapoor wearing Malabar Gold & Diamonds 94 April 2015 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | wellbeing The Bitter Sweet Truth It’s in your energy bar and your kids’ candy floss. And of late, has earned itself a bad reputation. Behnaz Sanjana turns the spotlight on the devil called sugar, making it, well, not so sweet. As you rip open that sweet treat, your heart beats a tad faster. Your eyes become larger and your breath shallower. You anticipate pure pleasure and, when it hits your taste buds, you feel a rush of sweet satisfaction. The story, however, is hardly delightful once that bar of chocolate or doughnut reaches your insides. Read on to know how and why. THE REAL DEAL Dr Bassam Hana, consultant in endocrinology diabetes and metabolic disorders at the Gulf Diabetes Specialist Centre, says the human body needs sugar to convert into energy. Glucose is the sugar circulating in our bloodstream, and is either derived from food or produced by the liver during the night or after meals. The sugar that we add to food is sucrose. “It is refined from natural sources (like beetroot or sugarcane) and comprises two simple sugars: glucose and fructose. This is what we buy off the shelves in the form of white or brown sugar. Contrary to popular belief, there is no difference between the two, except the colour!”, he says. The digestive tract transforms all the sweet stuff you munch on into simple sugar, which is transported into the bloodstream to reach the organs that need it to produce energy (brain, muscles, etc) and the surplus is stocked in the liver to use when needed. All sugar that we don't need to produce energy will be transformed to fat, eventually leading to obesity. Of course, this also depends on the insulin in your body. Researchers say that after you’ve wolfed down a sugar-laden treat, your brain resembles the mind of a drug addict. The sudden spike in dopamine levels reinforces the need for more, causing even more sweet damage. We often find ourselves reaching for that cupcake by mid-morning. “That is due to hypoglycaemia, aka low blood sugar levels,” says Dr Hana. If you find yourself needing a sugar fix way too often, you could blame it on genetics. This is true especially in the relatives of diabetic patients. It is also common with nervous individuals, smokers and caffeine guzzlers. Or even due to overstimulation of insulin secretion if you’ve gorged on a sugary breakfast. Dr Hana suggests having a wholesome The Most Liked Post on Facebook The Most talked about Picture on WTM’s Instagram Woman This Month Mother’s Day Contest The following #WTMQuote was our fans’ favourite and retweeted on Twitter Follow us on: Instagram: @woman_this_month Twitter: @WomanThisMonthB Facebook: Woman This Month Letter
12 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com SAVE THE DATE MAY There’s no reason to let the rising heat bog you down. With a packed events calendar there’s plenty to look forward to this month. diary Oranjefeest 2015 Come down to Café Amsterdam to enjoy a day of authentic Dutch cuisine with live band Bite and DJ Larush at the Oranjefeest 2015. The celebration marks the Dutch king’s birthday and calls for orange attire. Be there at 7.30 pm. Call 17 007-404. Spring Show Enjoy an entertaining evening at the British Club with Dominic Kaye paying tribute to Neil Diamond and a close encounter with magician Nabeel. Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at BD15 for members, BD20 for guests and include buffet dinner. Call 17 728-245. Party and Dance Workshop The Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa promises to make you sway at a sensational salsa party. If you’re feeling a bit conscious about your moves, join in for the ‘pre-party’ workshop to get into the right groove. Entry is priced at BD15 and BD25 including a barbecue buffet. Call 17 586-612 or email [email protected]. Tara McDonald Live! JJ’s Irish Restaurant & Pub brings you famous artist Tara McDonald with French DJ Adam Trigger live. Warming up the crowd from 6pm onward is resident DJ Tripz. Tara McDonald and DJ Adam Trigger take the stage from 9.30pm onwards, promising an unforgettable live show that will keep you on your feet for the whole night! Tickets will be available at the door for BD10 from 6pm. Call 39 329-083 or 33 843-005. Art Exhibition Take a peek at The Passion of Art, a collection of artwork by Afaf Zainalabledin and Marion Labani at ARTlounge at Reem Center Riffa. Organised by ARTDIVANO, the event also marks the launch of myARTDIVANO instastore, an online art shopping platform and marketing tool for the brand. Call 39 212-060. 1 FRIDAY 7 THURSDAY 8 FRIDAY 22 FRIDAY 30 SATURDAY Art Exhibition Salsa at Ritz-Carlton Tara McDonald at JJ's
QUALITY MT group MTGRUP First Floor
14 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com SHOPPING | editor's choice Nautical stripes are a summertime pattern to be applied in soft cotton fabrics. You can also add beach flair into your décor, when opting for this simple print. Medium to large lines are the ones to aim for in colours such as black, blue or red. ON THE LINE Zara Home 1. Jug: House of Fraser; 2. Tea pot: Debenhams; 3. Midi-skirt: Centrepoint; 4. Trousers: Topshop; 5. Dress: CH Carolina Herrera; 6. Black and white shirt: ASOS; 7. Flip-flops: Fitflop; 8. Swimsuit: New Look; 9. Handbag: Celine. 8 9 1 3 7 5 4 2 6
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16 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com A giant OMEGA clock can now be found at the Wangfujing Department Store in Beijing, China. Located on the city’s famed ‘Golden Street’, the clock ticks away every second and records all the meaningful moments in this metropolitan centre. The clock tower holds a bell that reverberates to the busy city lifestyle. The clock has imposing dimensions at 7.9 metres in diameter and with a three-metre-long minute hand and 2.15-metre hour hand. It has four dials and each side weighs more than four tonnes. The imposing timekeeper can be seen clearly from 100 metres away. The design of the clock recreates the style of the OMEGA Constellation with its iconic claws on a golden bezel. The Swiss luxury watchmaker was created in 1848 by Louis Brandt who assembled keywound precision pocket watches from parts supplied by local craftsmen. In 1894 his two sons Louis-Paul and Cesar developed a revolutionary in-house manufacture for total production control. With its growing market, the company OMEGA Watch Co was officially founded in 1903 and its success was reinforced over the years to come. In 1917 Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose OMEGA watches to be the official timekeepers for its combat units, the American army did the same in 1918. The brand has been the official timekeeping device of the Olympic Games since 1932. In 1969 an OMEGA was the first watch to reach the moon on Buzz Aldrin’s wrist. James Bond has worn the brand since 1995 and the list of celebrity fans is ever expanding. OMEGA today is synonymous with trusted watchmaking and finesse. Counting Stars SHOPPING | pick of the month This traditional watch brand went big to commemorate its presence in the Asian market. Tracking time with sophistication and elegance is its trademark.
Mille-feuille pistachio Gianduja chocolate Mille-feuille pistachio raspberry Mille-feuille apple vanilla Bahrain City Centre: Tel. 1 717 2321 - Seef Mall: Tel. 1 758 0073 Mille-feuille coconut mango PAUL reinvents its classics by offering 5 new flavors, both gourmand and exotic. Succumb for an innovative collection of Mille-feuille: Pistachio Raspberry, Mango Coco, Apple Vanilla, Passion Fruit and Pistachio Gianduja Chocolate. Discover the Mille-feuille in a different light, as nice to look as it is to taste. Treat yourselves! MILLE- FEUILLE: THE NEW FLAVORS Mille-feuille passion Jivara chocolate
18 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com TIME FOR TEA Tired of shopping so much? Café Amsterdam is now offering an afternoon high tea. You can opt to sit in the open conservatory or in the outdoor garden to enjoy homemade scones and clotted cream as well as a selection of sandwiches and cakes for BD7.5. Get your friends together and enjoy the bakery selection and premium Jing tea. New shopping destinations and collections for your home and wardrobe are waiting for you! Get into purchasepower mode and enjoy the variety of interesting places and pieces on the island this month. SHOPPING | news RETAIL THERAPY GIRL’S BEST FRIEND Chopard Happy Diamonds collection has a distinguished joyful swirl to create this unique signature line. The refreshing and positive tone of the pieces spreads happiness and boldness. The delicate items are timeless, yet daring and modern. The new campaign captures this cheerfulness of spirit to perfectly align with the line’s concept. WELCOME TO OUR PLACE H&M HOME has made its debut this month in Bahrain. The home range brings the brand’s sense of fashion and fun to interiors. The store offers everything from household essentials to decorative touches for every room in the house. The new décor destination is located at City Centre Bahrain. NEW SHOPPING BAG Fashion lovers can celebrate with a new cool store. The first COS, Collection of Style, opened its doors at City Centre Bahrain. The brand brought its spring and summer collection and offers items for women, men and kids. The store interior is gallery-like with clean lines and neutral tones to match with its timeless garments. ON THE GO When travelling you have to think of which shoes to take and it is almost a nightmare, but not anymore. Michael Kors has launched the Michael Kors Jet Set 6 Shoe capsule collection for spring and summer 2015. These six essential pairs are designed for busy jetsetters who need practical and glamorous footwear to fit their luggage styles. The selection brings the ideal pair for any occasion and any location, from St Barths to Shangai.
20 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | trend Snakeskin is certainly the print for summer. The cold-blooded reptile is the pattern inspiration for dresses, tops and mainly accessories. The motif is seen as the new black and can easily be paired with bold shades for maximum style. But be kind, if you’re going for snake, make sure it’s fake! 1. Watch: Karen Millen; 2. Bracelet: Salvatore Ferragamo; 3. iPhone holder: Massimo Dutti; 4. Bikini: Oysho; 5. Belt: Marks & Spencer; 6. Suede sandals: Dune; 7. Handbag: Loewe; 8. Flip-flops: GAP; 9. Sandals: Steve Madden H&M Conscious Exclusive with Olivia Wilde SERPENT CHARMER 2 8 9 5 1 3 4 7 6
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22 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | fashion forward Bleached Rules To celebrate our wedding issue and embrace one of the hottest trends of the season, we re-tune the all-white mode. Off to ivory! SUMMER BREEZE A white top is always a safe and reliable choice, the challenge is to find the right one that will give extra positive credits to your outfit. Summertime is maybe the best moment to bet on lace or ethnic options such as this Massimo Dutti piece. The cut is simple and speaks relaxed and laidback style, perfect to pair with blue cotton shorts and thong sandals. SUIT UP Mango has a classic collection of well-cut suits that are a creative option for summer nights. The tuxedo is a great option to replace long gowns for special evenings. The all-white look is super trendy, however, you can also mix it with colourful tops or pick metallic accessories to innovate for a posh look. RIGHT ON TIME This kind of watch is usually seen as a sportive option and certainly goes very well with this kind of style. With the white trend on the crest of the style wave, this Omega watch can actually migrate to different looks. Even office-wear can benefit with the addition of this accessory, it will soften severe workday style and add an extra element to your clothing choice. WALKING IN HEELS The seventies influence can be seen in bell-bottom trousers, hippie dresses, psychedelic prints and chunky platform sandals. Charles & Keith has a selection of perfect music festivalinspired sandals. The wood-like heels contrast with the white leather straps and look great when paired with jeans, wide trousers or simple flowery dresses. The platform compensates for the heel height creating a more comfortable experience.
www.womanthismonth.com 23 May 2015 CARRIER COMPANION Remember that black leather handbag you love so much and wear with everything? This season replace it with this Coach number. The white colour and silver studs are the highlights of this unmissable piece. It is a good pick to enhance your casual look and become your BFF during this spring and summer. THE CATWALK LOOK Spring and summer fashion shows brought a lot of different trends and compositions; however, white is apparently the strongest of them, as it can be spotted in most of the shows. Either mixed with other shades or reigning alone. Viktor & Rolf used the colour to paint some of the brand’s creative designs. Open-toe boots are the footwear of choice to accompany the collection. FOLLOW YOUR www.passionrestaurants.com Building 571, Road 3819, Block 338, Adliya. Tel:39 1230 86 passion_restaurant
24 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com LOAN CHABANOL The French actress picked a Chanel number to attend the Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscar Awards dinner. The short cut is cute and a smart pick to show-off her toned and tanned legs. The golden accessories give the final tone to the printed dress and render the outfit ready for a day celebration or casual evening party. FASHION | snaps Get inspired by the celebrities to pick your next wedding outfit. Long and glamorous or short and flirtatious, adapt your taste to the occasion. Style Radar ZOE SALDANA Nude is a great colour if you want to wear something classic and in a light shade. Avoid white, so you don’t compete with the bride (which would be very unfair), opt for metallic accessories in silver or rose gold shades. The draped detail is an excellent trick if you want to hide the stomach area. Zoe picked this Versace dress to go to the Oscars.
www.womanthismonth.com 25 May 2015 SARAH HYLAND The Modern Family cast member wore a SS15 Paule Ka dress at the occasion of the 23rd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar Viewing Party, in Los Angeles. The graphic black and white, long dress is an option for audacious girls. This attire is definitely an eye-catching pick if you want to stand out for your fashionable style. DAKOTA JOHNSON Are you an important guest? Choose a daring red gown to impress. The 50 Shades of Grey star wore this Saint Laurent number on the red carpet at this year’s Oscars. The eyecatching detail of her oneshoulder gown creates the wow factor. Don’t forget to keep accessories minimal when going for scene stealers like this. RASHIDA JONES With this gown, the actress shows how to turn casual floral into evening attire. A pattern with a dark background is perfect for a sundown function. The long dress is the ideal pick for the fashionista who doesn’t like the obvious solid and straight cut. Rashida attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party in this Andrew Gn frock. ROSE BYRNE If you opt again for the short length, this is another option. Rose wore head-totoe Lanvin from the summer 2015 Runway Collection to participate in the Danny Collins New York premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theatre. A blue, black and gold sequin cocktail dress is a fashionable choice and, if the outfit has sleeves, black tights get the green light. However, if your dress is sleeveless avoid the dark tights.
26 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com FASHION | get the look If the wedding reception you are attending begs for glamour and elegance and is taking place in the evening, go for a safe but chic option. The mix and match of silver and red works wonders! An attractive dress that enhances your body shape is an assertive choice. Pair it with red accessories, but don’t overdo it. Ruby earrings or rings designed with white gold and diamonds are eye-catching elements to add to your attire. You can team the elegant dress with red heels or clutch. Finalise the look with a neat bun and red lips to grab all the attention of the night, after the bride obviously! GLAMOUR PURE Jessica Chastain Amal Alamuddin Clooney We’ve selected three different styles to help you put together the right outfit to attend your next wedding reception. Pick your favourite and have fun! BE MY GUEST 1. Lipstick: Wow by Wojooh; 2. Dress: Debenhams; 3. Earrings: Chopard; 4. Bracelet: Folli Follie; 5. Sandals: Steve Madden; 6. Clutch: Heidi Mottram at Bottica. 1 2 3 4 5 6
www.womanthismonth.com 27 May 2015 The wedding is not really sophisticated or you are not one of the guests of honour, choose a knee-length number. A different colour or design will make all the difference here. This coral pick can be worn during day time or evening receptions. Just avoid pairing it with black accessories, it gives a heavy final effect (actually, avoid black at weddings in general). You can go for gold or be a bit more creative and style it with white and greyish hues. The idea here is to play safe, keeping a quirky mood. Wear a fascinator to add charm and funkiness to the outfit. For a day wedding or even a beach celebration you must wear a hat! It’s not a rule, however, who wouldn’t want to? You can team it with flowing or bodycon dresses. If you’re tired of the same kinds of gowns, swap them for elegant, tailored trousers for a change. Avoid black and opt for contrasting hues. White and royal blue is a stunning combination. To complement and balance theses hues, add a third shade like this pinkish tone. The draping detail and texture of the top makes a big difference to the look. CHIC URBAN PLAYFUL CHARM 1. Watch: Omega; 2. Hat: Paule Ka; 3. Trousers: Next; 4. Top: CH Carolina Herrera; 5. Bag: Bulgari; 6. Shoes: Charles & Keith. 1. Necklace: Sonia Rikyel; 2. Clutch: Marc by Marc Jacobs; 3. Fascinator: Accessorize; 4. Dress: Coast; 5. Ring: Devji ‘Hues of Nature’; 6. Heels: Dune. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6
28 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales Conference The 63rd Annual World Congress of Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales, “Our Bridges to the World” opened under the patronage of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain, President of the Supreme Council for Women. The event was organised by Bahrain Business & Professional Women International Federation (BPW) in cooperation with the Council of Arab Businesswomen. Italian Embassy Supports Charity A cheque presentation event was held by the Italian embassy in support of the Children & Mothers Welfare Society. Present on the occasion were HE Alberto Vecchi, Italian Ambassador and Romina Vecchi, members of the society and patrons. Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa presents a memento to HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, Chairperson, Children & Mothers Welfare Society receives the cheque from Romina Vecchi Marzia, Raffaella, Marilia, Cristina, Piera, Romina, Isabella & Simonetta Mother’s Day Celebrations Punt Roma Store celebrated Mother’s Day at its venue in City Centre Bahrain. Jennifer & Stephanie Amal & Amina Reem & Noora Rich & Maryam Noor & Dalia Kamini & Dilrukshi Kanchan & Seema Beena & Shyamal Filiz & Shaaz Nasreen & Ali
30 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com DUNE UPTOWN ESSENCE Stylish footwear and accessories are mandatory elements in any woman or man’s wardrobe. This brand offers a selection of eye-catching pieces especially designed for the Middle East’s tastes. showcase Dune London is a global leader in affordable luxury fashion, footwear and accessories. The ultimate designs and fine finishings are the final touch to your everyday look or special occasion attire. The SS15 collections are tailored specifically for the Middle East following investment in the region, its second largest market after the UK. The brand’s offering will answer local demand for a more casual collection across ladies’ and men’s footwear. The company continues to see global growth in men’s sales with this range now accounting for over 25 per cent of the business in the UK. Accessories are also a focus, having seen a 30 per cent increase in UK sales in the past year. A dedicated space in store will showcase the wider range of handbags, purses and small accessories, with new metallic treatments for SS15 and the introduction of premium leather styles. Embellishment also remains a strong trend across all ladies’ footwear categories in the market with tumbled leathers and suede. Call 16 686-215 (City Centre Bahrain) or 16 686-225 (Seef Mall).
www.womanthismonth.com 31 May 2015 MANGO SUMMER BREEZE The warm weather is here! Get your wardrobe ready with simple patterns and enjoy the happy season to explore vibrant hues. showcase Call 17 179-718 (City Centre Bahrain) or 17 581-883 (Seef Mall). Mango has a wide selection of items that will transform your style. From great, well-cut, tailored trousers to trendy eye-catching pieces. Check out some of the must-haves for your wardrobe to embrace the hot season. COLOUR SHOCKING The new collection brings an energetic use of colour and prints. Pinks, reds, blues and greens are the main shades in the palette. The fabrics are diverse for the ultimate texture combination. Knitwear garments with compact stripes and silk with vivid prints add a touch of fantasy. Combined outfits and midi-skirts are the ‘happy pill’ of the clothing selection. DESERT FESTIVAL Garments capable of transporting us to remote indigenous tribes such as long dresses, kaftans and sheer midi-skirts are the highlights of the spring and summer mood. Feminine silhouettes with a Bohemian air will give your outfit a chic and casual beat. Natural shades, brown and black details with frayed edges have also made an appearance in the collection. Look for a folky and carefree style.
32 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com CHARLES & KEITH ZASTY ENSEMBLE Spice-up your looks with this brand’s must-have accessories. From pastel shades to intense hues applied in creative designs, wardrobe essentials are guaranteed! showcase Call 16 686-206 (City Centre Bahrain), 16 686-226 (Seef Mall) or 16 686-230 (Isa Town Mall). Charles & Keith offers a stylish variety of shoes, handbags, sunglasses, belts and bracelets. The spring and summer collection is full of desirable pieces to complement and re-affirm the trends of the season. Smart black items, snakeskin texture, white elements and vivid hues. Pick your favourite item and end-up with a jazzy look! GEOMETRIC DESIGN The ‘It bag’ of the season is painted in primary colours or in classical black and white. Pick those with unmissable shape to add extra oomph to your outfit. Sharp lines and graphic formats will steal the scene and transform your look. FUNKY PRINTS If you want to add some flair to your outfit, opt for offbeat patterns. You can use them on your mobile cover, wallet or card-holder to be playful in the small details. The prints can also paint handbags and shoes if you dare. Be yourself and have fun picking your carry-on accessories. SANDAL FEVER The choice of footwear for the warm weather is definitely a jaw-dropping pair of sandals. Don’t forget to keep your nail polish shining to show them off. High-heeled pieces highlight your legs, while flat options are comfy and dressy. The jewels of the season are the ones with medium-height heels, don’t miss out! LUXE FINISH Add extra glamour to your look when picking skinny belts with metal chain details or eye-catching buckles. For eyewear, the collection brings classic frames such as Aviators and Wayfarers, however, unique styles are the ones to go for. Cuffs, bangles and bracelets give the final touch to impress with classy panache.
www.womanthismonth.com 33 May 2015 ALDO SPRING IN YOUR STEP Shoes are the soul of the look. Pick the right pair to enhance your wardrobe choices. Footwear can transform your simple black dress into glamorous attire. showcase FRINGE BENEFITS This eye-catching detail is covering sandals, gladiators, peeptoe booties and fancy flats. The cowgirl add-on embellishes stylish footwear this season for extra glamour. This free spirited trendy accent spices-up any outfit! Wooden heels and medallion studs complement the hippie vibe. ATHLEISURE FEVER Pool shoes, trekking sandals and trendy trainers are all sport-inspired. Bright primary hues pop with Velcro straps, neoprene trim and springy treads. These pieces are the best combination to your casual picks. Aldo Accessories: Call 16 686-214 (City Centre Bahrain), 16 686-221 (Seef Mall), 16 686-233 (The Centre – Al Alawi) 16 686-231 (Isa Town Mall) or (Seef Mall Muharraq) 16 639-447 Aldo Shoes: Call 16 686-202 (City Centre Bahrain) or Seef Mall (16 686-236) Aldo Accessories brings the latest trends into its collection; from casual sportive moods to sophisticated heels. Sandals are the best alternative to the heat, coming in different designs, colours and textures, there is always a perfect pair ready for you. DELICATE BALANCE Femininity and shiny details are great bets for a ladylike look. Pointy-toed pumps are reimagined with all over prints. Polka dots and graphic florals cover high-heeled sandals and pumps. Shiny embellishments are all over comfy and delicate ballerinas. REPTILE MANIA Snakeskin is the new black! The texture and colour combination can be paired to bold hues working wonders with orange and red, to create a stunning final look. You can find snakeskin in regular natural colours or painted in different shades such as gold and silver for added metallic attraction.
34 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com NATURALIZER LOOKS PLUS COMFORT Clean and classic looks are what this brand offers to women looking for comfort with style for everyday wear. showcase Call 16 686-213 (City Centre Bahrain), 16 686-223 (Seef Mall) or 16 639-430 (Seef Mall Muharraq). For this spring and summer 2015, Naturalizer has carefully chosen the top trends combined with the finest materials and details for every step you take. The brand has more than 85 years of experience in delivering the best combination of style and perfect fit. Naturalizer understands that women’s favourite shoes blend both qualities. The new collection offers the following trends for the season: Naturalizer keeps women feeling light in their steps with the N5 Comfort System used in every pair of shoes. The five features provide all-day relaxation with flexibility, lightness, balance, cushioning and breathability. With this technology, women do not have to sacrifice their well-being for the ultimate style. ZANZIBAR With ethnic nuances from Southeast Asia to Native American as well as taking its main cues from the current African vibe, this trend is colourful and the scene stealer of any look. Ornamentation such as beads, stones and laser cut-outs add a handcrafted look to this unique trend. The colour palette goes from dark earthy nuances to orange shades with some metallic gold and bronze elements. RETRO SPIRIT This trend introduces a sense of relaxed sophistication with a touch of ‘50s style. The chic vintage twist applied in modern designs is the key here. The colours are neutrals mixed with pink, blue and orchid. Pearlised tints within the neutral shades are shown as hints in these easy-to-wear pieces. SANTA CRUZ CASUALS The sportive touch remains a dominant influence in the fashion world, especially in the wardrobe of the forward moving Naturalizer woman. Expect new fabric prints and soft bright colours. The new designs give the line a casual and youthful modern vibe. Jade green and soft blues provide a poolside mood to the restful and relaxed looks of the hot summer.
36 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com NINE WEST SUN-KISSED LOOKS A new season means fresh new releases and this brand’s summer collection has a stunning blends of styles that embrace texture, proportion, silhouettes and embellishments. showcase Call 16 686-207 (City Centre Bahrain) or 16 686-220 (Seef Mall). Nine West combines the runway trends and street styles from around the world to take a wearable approach to fashion’s imaginative and ever-changing landscape. The focus is on femininity and confidence. The pieces re-imagine the modern woman’s life in the city, bringing new meaning to both style and comfort, along with new shapes and textures to help tell the story. Striking key-trends for the season are: THE APPRENTICE Minimal shapes create an impact when paired with the commanding hardware and patent leather accents spotted in this line. Clean silhouettes designed with rich leather look as luxurious as they feel. Polished stilettos and peep-toes lend a feminine touch to classic workwear. THE EXHIBITIONIST For the bold and modern woman who likes to explore different concepts with striking silhouettes softened by a sporty sensibility as seen in wedge sandals, transitional flats and playful slip-ons. Comfort and edgy fashion-forward designs keep this woman confident to step out in style. WORLD TOUR A palette of full-bodied colours paints ethnic traces in these urban styles with treated leathers and braided detailing. This assortment of buckled booties and perforated lace-ups presents a freespirited flair to the city life. LA FEMME Crystal adornments, glitter embellishments and 3D floral applications enhance classic silhouettes. Muted metallic and pretty pastels cover the details that take centre stage in the collection. Delicate straps and clean curves coupled with kitten heels and stiletto spikes give a subtle edge to the ladylike twist.
CITY CENTRE BAHRAIN I SEEF MALL MUHARRAQ BAHRAIN I UAE l KUWAIT I QATAR I OMAN
38 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | interview People think that we just meet to eat, but we actually learn a lot with each other,” says Janet Mujtaba, the president of the group. The ladies are from different nationalities and meet to share special dishes from the country they represent. Members come from: Indonesia, France, Egypt, Bahrain, Lebanon, Turkey, England, Brunei, Portugal, Brazil, Germany, USA, Palestine, Thailand, Pakistan, Tunisia and Mexico. Each lady is responsible to host one morning and present their cuisine. Meetings have a well-established structure, which I believe gives them seriousness and consistency. The host has to prepare a demonstration of two dishes (with a copy of recipes to be distributed to the participants), explain the recipes step by step and serve them amongst other delicacies. I was invited to attend one of the meetings and the country that day was Portugal. The house of the hostess had a great Portuguese feeling, with Portuguese songs in the background and curious ladies exploring the specially-decorated tables. The smell was to die for and the perfect prelude for what we were about to try. The hostess, Francine Medola, was We all have one specific subject or special skill that we would love to share and learn more about. That’s exactly what these ladies from the Bahrain International Gourmet Club do! Our editor Fernanda Langhammer went to one of the meetings to get a taste. Multi-Cultural Potluck wearing a personalised apron. The environment was extremely welcoming and I almost felt part of the group (almost because I don’t really cook!). Francine is actually the latest addition to the club and started, officially, this year. She says: “I love cooking and after eight years of living in Bahrain, it was about time to share my knowledge and learn more about other cultures’ cuisines.” The easy conversation and happy chatting, demonstrate that, apart from cooking for each other, the ladies end up becoming friends, who share the same passion. I spoke to the founder of the group, Maria Cataldo Kanafani who is still very active, registering every moment with pictures and sharing them on social media channels. “The group was founded on February 25, 2003, as an informal social and educational club, for the exchange of culinary practices and related cultural mores as represented by a varied membership,” she says. Despite being a group of non-professional participants they all share the same love " for cooking and for learning more about it. And obviously, they all know how to cook pretty well. New members are accepted only if introduced by one of the existing affiliate. The new lady to be must be from a different country and participate in three meetings before being voted to become officially part of the group. The concept is not new to Maria, “I belonged to a club that had the same idea in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, while I was living there. It was founded by four ladies, friends and neighbours that, while having a coffee morning and helping each other to prepare a dinner party, had the brilliant idea of teaching each other their national food.” She then decided to re-create the group in the Kingdom with the same principles when Green soup called caldo verde
May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com 39 she moved here. “The group is not exactly the same, over the 12 years the members have changed, but we always find new interesting women who join with the same passion,” says Maria. The meetings are taken very seriously by members, who bring special ingredients from their origin country or region to share with their gourmet colleagues. The preparation requires planning and much more than ‘just’ cooking. You must be very good with words and have no shame to show off your cooking skills to an experienced audience. Francine did her demo full of details, catching all the ladies’ attention. She prepared a green soup and an egg white flan that we all watched grow fluffier in the oven turning a beautiful brown colour. Ladies had questions and added their own touches to the recipes while trying the raw ingredients. I could see that they were definitely enjoying themselves, and I can’t complain myself, everything was really exciting for me as well. “We usually prepare the food we learn at home, mainly if it is something we know our families are going to enjoy. The best part is that if anything goes wrong we can always talk to our gourmet friend about where it went wrong, so next time it ends up perfect!” says the president Janet. The intention of the group is definitely to have fun while learning about new recipes and unusual ingredients. It is impossible not to wonder what is the group’s secret to keeping going for so long and Maria gives me the answer. “To start a club like ours you must be passionate about cooking, take it very seriously and, most of all, be committed,” she says. I do believe that commitment must be the key to put it together. Although, curious and vivid people with something to share must be the other magical ingredient in this formula that’s been working for a long time. Maria finalised by saying: “We have the necessary enthusiasm and passion about our national culture and cuisine, but also, we all have great generosity and hospitality in our hearts.” I’ll add my own thoughts, after a while living on this island and away from family and friends, meeting a group of people you share common interest with is essential for a happy life abroad. In my opinion that’s what these ladies do when they meet for around three hours every other Tuesday. It is an affirmation of who you are and where you come from. Sharing your roots, beliefs and preferences with people from all over the globe is one of the things that the Middle East offers us and we shouldn’t miss the opportunity. g To start a club like ours you must be passionate about cooking, take it very seriously and, most of all, be committed President Janet Mujtaba and vicepresident Suzanne Ibrahim. Molotov flan
40 May 2015 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | community A Great Meal for a Great Cause The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018 was developed in response to a directive of the World Health Assembly with a long-term strategy to deliver a polio-free world by 2018. English-born Australian Susanne Rea has been doing her utmost to bring awareness and raise funds for this notable cause. Having had polio herself at the age of four, this is one initiative that is very close to Susanne’s heart. “I joined Rotary 21 years ago when my youngest child went off to university and I was looking to put something back into the community,” she says. “I felt a certain need to expand my vision and coincidentally I was invited by a person I’d met in Sydney to join the Rotary. My Rotary career has largely been in fundraising. There’s a lot of opportunity and meeting people all over the world is very fascinating. “I was given the job of district polio chair, which means you have to raise funds and awareness from amongst the clubs in your district. I thought what do people like to do, they like to eat!” This led to the birth of Susanne’s brain child – “The World’s Greatest Meal to Help End Polio”. “We were required to raise USD1,500 per club. I was very keen on Facebook (FB) and so I decided to create an FB fundraiser and then, being a little bit ambitious, I decided to involve a past district governor I knew in England,” she explains. “We developed a small group on FB and now there are 11,000 people in the group.” Anyone can take part by donating a minimum of USD10. The procedure is very simple. Plan an event (a meal or dinner), fill out the “Before” form on the World’s Greatest Meal (WGM) website, have the event - enjoy, take pictures, raise funds and send them to The Rotary Foundation’s End Polio Now programme, and lastly, fill out the “After” form on the WGM website. Every event is reported on FB with full credit going to you or your club. A child can be vaccinated against polio for life for as little as US60 cents. The donation goes even further - from 2013 to 2018, every US dollar the Rotary commits to polio eradication becomes three dollars, thanks to 2-to-1 match funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Susanne Rea, project partner of The Rotary Club of Cairns Sunrise (D.9550), Australia, was in Bahrain and Apple Sharma caught up with this remarkable lady to talk about her quest to end polio. Susanne Rea There have been 1,061 events registered in 59 countries and more than 56,400 participants worldwide. USD957,788.61 has been raised, a total of USD2,873,365.83 with match funds, which translates to enough money to buy more than 4,788,000 polio vaccinations! Susanne travels to various parts of the world carrying a torch that was the project of the Rotary Club of Madras (Chennai), celebrating the fact that India became polio free. With Susanne, the torch has travelled to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan to Dubai, Egypt and now Bahrain. She has had 18 corrective surgeries to keep her moving and there’s no stopping her as she continues on her journey to raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause. When she’s not travelling, she says: “I like going out to lunch with friends, talking a lot and having fun!” g Visit www.wgmeal.com and the FB page Rotary: Wold’s Greatest Meal to Help End Polio for more information.
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