Out and About Magazine Issue 7 Vol. 2

Volume 2
Issue 7
August 2020
MAZ
HAKIM
Radio Presenter
and Fashion
Designer
Waterless
Beauty Trends
Rotating
Shoes:
The Way To Go
The Extra Mile
REINVENTING
YOURSELF
IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK
LET’S TALK ABOUT
BURNOUT

Showing up is essential. Showing up consistently
is powerful. Showing up consistently with a
positive outlook is even more powerful.
Jeff Olson,
The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness

Editorial
Editor in chief
Marsha Fry
marsha@outandaboutmag.com
Editor
Shella landayan
info@outandaboutmag.com
art
advertising
Art director
nakul thanekar
nakul.thanekar89@gmail.com
sales & marketing director
Andre Marshal
+971 50 127 8820
sales@outandaboutmag.com
general enquiries
On this
month's
cover
Interview
Mustafa Abbas
Photographer:
Mustafa Abbas
hello@outandaboutmag.com
outandaboumagofficial
outandaboumagofficial
outandaboutmagofficial
www.outandaboutmag.com
Published by Out and About Style FZE
(Registered at Fujairah Creative City)

Editor’s
Welcome
Reflection is one of the most underused
yet powerful tools for success.
~ Richard Carlson
Life is a continuous process, and at one point, we
might stop and ask ourselves what to do with life’s
uncertainties. When you ask yourself that question,
you need to stop and reflect deeply on your
thoughts and actions. You need to think about
your next step or what needs to be changed.
To stop and think for a while is a brave move. Out
and About Magazine is always here to support
you and give you inspiration along the way.
Features and Highlights
In our Fashion Feature, we interviewed Maz
Hakim, a radio presenter, fashion designer and
owner of the fashion brand, Espand. Read her
inspiring words about her life and success. If you’re
looking for inspiration about the fashion industry,
then Get to Know Renowned UAE-Based
Fashion Designers.

Are you having a hard time searching for the
right shade and colour for your skin? Check
out Beauty Brands Fit For Every Skin Tone
and see if these brands will work for you.
Beauty is for everyone and for nature, too. Stay
beautiful whilst protecting the environment.
Learn more with Waterless Beauty Trends.
Meet Mustafa Abbas, an entrepreneur and
filmmaker who believes that becoming the
best version of yourself is the true measure of
success. Check out his interview in Behind the
Brand.
Learn how to achieve your goals and dreams
with passion, love and determination with
Anchin Kilgour, the Marketing Director of
muvi Cinemas KSA. Read her interview in
Taking Lessons.
In our Talent Pool feature, we interviewed
DJ Allad whose heart and soul is dedicated
to music. Check out his interview about life,
passion and music.
A perfect article for entrepreneurs: Driving
Businesses Forward with The Wellness
Concept found in our Lifestyle section. Read
Setting Boundaries if you want to learn
how to create healthy relationships. Stressed
with your work? Check out Let’s Talk About
Burnout and learn how to identify and
overcome burnout.
Feed your mind with this tasty article: Along
the Spice Trail: Spices from Around the
World. We have a special feature just for you,
Let’s talk Hospitality with Lara Tabet in our
Food section.
Wondering how to fix your posture? Read
Who Got Your Back? to learn more. If
you’re planning on giving running a try, read
Rotating Shoes: The Way To Go The Extra
Mile first to avoid injuries. Check these articles
in our Fitness section.
Looking for your next travel getaway? In
our Travel feature, the Sheer Opulence at
Ottoman-inspired Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
will amaze you with its grandeur and an
unmatched hospitality experience.
Change is not easy, especially if we want
to do it for ourselves. But who knows that
Reinventing Yourself is Easier Than You
Think? Learn more about history and people
with Similar Traditions Around the World.
Listen to the Music of your Heart to find
Editor’s
the deepest connections in your heart and
soul through musical metaphors. Last but not
the least, we recommend The Slight Edge
by Jeff Olsen in our Book Review section give you that edge in reaching your goals and
dreams.
Stop, Reflect and Act.
Take a deep breath and think of the next
game plan. Life is not a race, so stopping for
a moment to reflect is not a big deal. Out and
About Magazine, with the team that made
this Edition possible, is always here to give
you the support, positivity and inspiration for
your next move in life.
Welcome
outandaboumagofficial outandaboumagofficial outandaboutmagofficial

Boutique No.8, Aswaaq Center,
Al Badaa, Al Wasl Road,
Dubai.
Boutique 13, Building 8,
Golden Mile Galleria,
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
www.mokha1450.com

11
33
51
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SECTION 1
FASHION
• Fashion Feature: Maz Hakim, Radio Presenter and Fashion Designer
• Get to Know Renowned UAE-Based Fashion Designers
SECTION 2
BEAUTY
• Beauty Brands Fit For Every Skin Tone
• Waterless Beauty Trends
SECTION 3
BEHIND THE BRAND
• Mustafa Abbas, Entrepreneur and Filmmaker
SECTION 4
TAKING LESSONS
• Anchin Kilgour, Marketing Director,
muvi Cinemas KSA
CONTENTS
august 2020
76
SECTION 5
TALENT POOL
• DJ Allad, DJ and Educator
109
SECTION 7
TRAVEL
• Sheer Opulence at Ottoman-inspired
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
90
SECTION 6
LIFESTYLE
• Driving Businesses Forward with The
Wellness Concept
• Setting Boundaries
• Let’s Talk About Burnout
114
SECTION 8
FOR THE CULTURE
• Reinventing Yourself is Easier
Than You Think
• Similar Traditions Around the
World
102
FOOD
• Along the Spice Trail: Spices from Around
the World
• Let’s talk Hospitality with Lara Tabet
• Listen to the Music of your Heart
• Book Review: The Slight Edge by
Jeff Olsen
106
FITNESS
• Who Got Your Back? Posture Correction for a
Better You
• Rotating Shoes: The Way To Go The Extra Mile
Out and About Magazine tasks no responsibility for unsolicited
photographs or material. The photographs in this publication are for
illustration purposes, unless otherwise specified.

Fashion
Feature
Maz
Hakim
Radio Presenter and Fashion Designer
Company: Espand by Maz
@mazzhakim

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I’m a free-spirited, fashion-loving, multicultural
citizen of the world. I moved
to Australia when I was very little. I
identify as an Afghan-Australian radio
presenter. I love Bollywood, Afghan
music and radio. I’m bubbly, I believe in
the power of expressing your dreams,
and I love meeting new people.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS
A FASHION DESIGNER?
My journey into fashion began last
year when I returned from a trip to
Afghanistan, where I was hosting a
TV programme featuring and tasting
the street food of Kabul. It was an
incredible experience, and I was so
grateful and fortunate to be surrounded
by different types of food throughout
the city. We visited different areas and
markets where I saw different colours
and materials.
After the trip, I was so inspired to
incorporate these colours and images
into my life. I redecorated my house
with more vibrant colours and started
wearing diverse hues that merged the
two sides of my personality and culture.
The fusion of East and West represents
my taste in fashion and my identity—
this is how Espand, as a brand and a
concept, was born.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FASHION
BRAND, ESPAND BY MAZ AND
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS?
Afghanistan is such an inspiration, a
place where you can enhance yourself.
The land itself has such a beautiful,
exciting and emotional story. The people
are so full of love, despite experiencing
turmoil. There are different cultures
within Afghanistan, and this diversity is
reflected in the fabrics, materials and
accessories that Afghan people use.
If you have seen the traditional Afghan
dress, you will notice how unique
and vibrant it is. They are beautifully
handcrafted, and each design is unique
to its own region within Afghanistan.
I decided to merge these beautiful
Afghan elements together with denim
and let the Afghan material shine
through the designs.
DESCRIBE YOUR CREATIVE
PROCESS.
My creative process is basically my head
designer and I sitting through a pile of
material and choosing which ones stand
out, or which materials marry together
in a beautiful union of colours. We sit
through piles of materials for hours and
sometimes get lost in the colours. We
choose vintage materials, coins, pearls
and shells. It’s a beautiful, enriching
process which is very dear to my heart.
HOW DOES LIFE AS A RADIO
PRESENTER COMPARE TO
BEING A FASHION DESIGNER?
Life as a radio presenter is incredibly
exciting! Each day is different, and we
learn how to think on our own feet. It’s
definitely enriching, fun and creative. In
radio, we learn how to balance things.
The music, content, listeners and the
callers—everything you listen to on-air
is a beautiful balance of yin and yang,
making it easy, and enjoyable to listen
to.
These skills have also taught me how
to be creative in different areas of my
life. The creativity and drive has filtered
through my life with Espand, which is all
about reinventing designs and making
sure I listen to what the audience and
customer wants.

YOU ARE PROOF THAT “YOU CAN
HAVE IT ALL”—HOW DO YOU
BALANCE YOUR CAREER AND
BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?
I’m not sure if I have it all, but I definitely
listen to affirmations daily that tell me I
do! I believe in enriching your life with
abundance—to believe you have it all
before you do. I think it’s very important
to have hobbies and keep your life
creative and interesting.
There’s a saying—to find three hobbies
that you love: one to make you money,
one to keep you in shape, and one to
keep you creative.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU
GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO
WANTS TO BRANCH OUT INTO
ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
My advice would be, just start! The
conversations, research, stats, budget—
it all just stalls you. Just start! A journey
of a thousand miles begins with a single
step. If you just do a little bit each day, it
will help and before you know it you’ve
started a business!
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU WITH
AWE?
The two people that inspire me the most
in my life are my parents. My parents left
Afghanistan as refugees in the late 1980s
in difficult circumstances. With the aid
of a smuggler and with three starving
children to protect, they escaped on
horseback past searching helicopters
and the threat of the patrolling army.
Eventually, my family crossed the border
safely and moved to Australia as refugees
and skilled migrants. They overcame so
many adversities and obstacles and are
still positive every single day. They have
always taught my siblings and I to be
positive and dream big, to not dwell on
the small things and believe anything is
possible. Whenever I feel like I have an
issue or stress in my life, I try and think of
all the hardships they went through, and
it gives me motivation and power to keep
going.
HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR
MENTAL HEALTH?
I listen to daily affirmations and meditate.
I think mental health is one of the most
important aspects of our lives. We all
go through ups and downs, trials and
tribulations. Each day is a new day, and
we learn more about ourselves. I think
surrounding yourself with positive people
is incredibly important. You are a sum of
the five people you are friends with, so
choose wisely!
WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU
LIVE BY?
One of my favourite quotes is by Rumi:
Everything from the universe is within
you—ask all from yourself.
We have the power to manifest anything.
Nothing ever stays the same in our lives:
circumstances change, people come and
go, but learning the art of letting go and
trusting in the process is one of the most
powerful things you can do. I’m learning
this on the daily. The universe has your
back!

RED IS PASSION
Model: Nikola Kercov
Photo: Balogh Jozsef
Retouch: Anna Petrova
Hair: Izabella Koszeri
Makeup: Liv Rideg and Izabella Koszeri
Location: Livs Atelier, Subotica, Serbia

GET TO KNOW
RENOWNED
UAE-BASED
FASHION
DESIGNERS
When someone mentions the UAE, the first
thing that usually comes to one’s mind is
desert safari, beaches, and culture. But that
is not all there is to the UAE. The UAE is
now a flourishing capital for the fashion hub.
Apart from being a big platform for retail,
it is also a melting pot and destination of
choice for aspiring fashion designers. The
fashion industry of the UAE is far bigger than
just abayas and excessive shopping sprees.
The UAE not only caters to fashion but also
creates it. The country has helped many
talents, international and local alike, to
accomplish their dreams because of their
sheer hard work, passion, and determination.

MICHAEL CINCO

Born in the Philippines, Michael Cinco moved to Dubai
in 1997. For Cinco, the whole dream of being a part of
the fashion world started as a child when he came across
the Hollywood classical film My Fair Lady. Fashion icons
from the black and white era of Hollywood, such as Audrey
Hepburn and Grace Kelly, were his inspiration to pursue
fashion design. It was his ultimate dream to create luxe
and beautiful gowns and dress actresses and celebrities.
His passion for extravagant high-fashion took him from the
Philippines to Paris and London, and finally to the Middle
East, where he uncovered the potential of the region to
sustain and favour couture. His time in Paris and London
provoked him to cultivate his contemporary and opulent
creativity and further motivated him to face new challenges.
Dubai was Cinco’s big leap. He built his eponymous
label, Michael Cinco in 2003 in the famous Dubai Design
District. Cinco first created a frenzy when he dressed Sofia
Vergara in a stunning, embellished, black couture gown for
the Golden Globes Awards 2013 and earned his definite
recognition in Hollywood. Over the years of hard work
and achievements, Michael Cinco has dressed countless
celebrities. In 2017, he designed the wedding gown of
Victoria Swarovski, the heiress of the Swarovski crystal
empire; along with another red party gown, both adorned
with Swarovski’s family-owned crystal.
Through his style of design, he creates juxtaposition in
his designs between the delicacy of luxe fabrics and the
intricate art created on them using Swarovski crystals.
Along with the sophisticated use of embellished details in
his gowns, Cinco mainly uses organza, tulle, and lace. He
constructs all of his projects and creations in Dubai. Michael
Cinco gowns are very much wearable; they may appear to
be heavy but float freely around the body. His fresh and
elegant designs earned him his name and success in the
fashion industry. Through all his fame and accomplishment,
he remains true to his roots and homeland. To date,
Michael still attends the Philippine Fashion Week in Manila
every year.

FAIZA
BOUGUESSA
When it comes to shopping for modest fashion in highend
brands, something always falls short; maybe the long,
contemporary dress is backless, or the modest shirt is in
outdated prints. There has been this invisible wall between
modern and modest clothing for a long time now. Today’s
woman practising modest fashion needs a label that
provides a connection between the two categories, and
Faiza Bouguessa’s BOUGUESSA does just that. It caters
to women of all fashion preferences and leaves room for
them to decide how they want to dress their BOUGUESSA
piece and adapt it to their personal style.
Born to Algerian parents, Faiza Bouguessa grew up in
France. Faiza got introduced to fashion from a very young
age because of her grandmother, who was a seamstress.
She grew up in her family around women who wore
garments representing not just their sophisticated and
current-fashion style but also their elegant personas. She
learned to use fashion as an art of displaying one’s identity
to the world. Her hobbies of designing, stitching, and
knitting soon turned into a passion. She believes that some
way or the other, our cultural identities always shine through
what we do as these lie within us. Taking her passion and
identity, Faiza decided to launch her modest fashion line.
Faiza founded her contemporary, ready-to-wear label
BOUGUESSA in Dubai in 2014. She had always been
intrigued by abayas and what they offered. She took that
curiosity and made the abaya her canvas. Her designs
focus on the long silhouette of the abaya with precise
details. Using the concept of modest fashion and global
culture, she works to create a bridge between women of
different cultures and backgrounds. She wants her brand
to cater to women practising both Western and Middle
Eastern fashion. Highly modern silhouettes, geometric
and bold outlines, and attention to detail are her signature.
She brings together the current trends and modest styles
in her fashion. Her garments emphasise the elegance of
femininity and are made for the present-day women who
are looking for minimalistic clean cuts in modest outlines
to represent their strong and sophisticated style.
Not just her designed garments but also her fashion studio
in Dubai Design District serves as her designer signature!
The Bouguessa store is stylised in sophisticated and
contemporary architecture. Now, she is working to make
her brand more sustainable. Her work and workshop,
both speak for her.

MADIYAH AL SHARQI
For Madiyah Al Sharqi, being the princess of Fujairah is
not the only label of identification. Other than being the
daughter of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammad
Al Sharqi, Madiyah Al Sharqi is also known for her
accomplishments in the fashion industry as a talented
fashion designer. She had always had a sense of highfashion
structures and a passion for the creation of lavish
and aesthetical designs. She has spent most of her life
studying and observing fashion. She knows the statistics
and businesses of the UAE fashion industry like none
other. Her love for fashion always fuelled her desire to
learn about it.
Similarly, her love for her country is no less than her
capabilities in her pursuit. When deciding on which
country to open her label in, she chose her homeland
Fujairah without hesitation. She strongly believes that it is
very important for the foundation of her fashion brand to
be her own home country. She not only wants the world
to get familiar with the true potential of UAE in the field
of fashion design but also wants her designed garments
to be known to people with the label ‘Made in UAE’. This
royalty is determined to promote the production sector
of the nation that is well-established in retail already.
Other than the fabrics and trims, the production of her
designed garments takes place in the UAE itself.
In 2012, Madiyah Al Sharqi launched her eponymous
label in Fujairah and started a couture evening-wear line.
Her signature is the use of a pastel colour palette and
luxurious fabrics draped in bold silhouettes. All collections
are all about the representation of strong and confident
women with a deluxe and sophisticated approach to life.
The royal designer focused on creating pieces with a
sense of aesthetics, edge, and delicacy. In 2016, Madiyah
Al Sharqi decided to expand her line and added a fashion
line of smart, elevated couture day-wear. She also chose
to broaden her palette and added more earthy tones.
However, she remained true to her dreamy theme of
lavish femininity. Currently, she is working to present
more ready-to-wear clothing items in her collections.

AMATO
Launched in 2002, Amato is another innovative fashion
brand that is UAE-based. The leading names behind this
Avant Garde label are Furne One and Rashid Ali. Born
in the Philippines, Furne started illustrating unique and
exquisite dresses inspired by his wild imagination when
he was around ten years old. From there, he started to
work on the path of fashion. With any training in fashion,
he participated in multiple fashion competitions. After
winning the Young Designer of Philippines Award 1994,
he travelled to New York and Paris, where he understood
the business of fashion in depth. While learning the ways
of the fashion industry, it was very important for him to
stay true to himself and not lose track of his identity.
Once, on his way back to New York, he stopped in Dubai
and decided to stay. He fell in love with the city when
he found the art and romance he had been searching
for there. It is also in this city where Furne found his now
brand-partner, Rashid Ali.
Born in Pakistan in 1977, Rashid Ali grew up in Dubai
with an inherent passion for textiles. He has lived here in
a time where the skyline of Dubai was evolving. In those
early years when the city was just a desert, Rashid, a
textile boutique owner, was one of the first rare retailers
of textile stores. Hence, he had the chance of working
with Dubai’s finest designers and was always fascinated
by their intriguing ideas. That is how he met Furne One,
who was also working on his journey of fashion. Rashid
found himself a connection in the ethereal and raw
creativity of Furne. The textile expert and the creative
designer realised that they both had similar fashion
ideology, and in 2002, Amato became the dream, the
two creative entrepreneurs shared.
Amato is a tribute to the silent strength of women. It
represents romance, drama, and opulence through an
unconventional and theatrical display of innovative and
sensational art of fashion. The art of Amato speaks for
itself and every design piece of Amato has a story to tell.
Every hand-embroidered dress is made for women who
are unapologetic in representing their inner personas
and are true to their skin. Amato is for women who are
not afraid of being feminine yet commanding. Each
piece is for a woman wanting to feel seductive in her
dictation of fashion.
With Rashid Ali’s deep comprehension of and familiarity
with the fashion business and Furne One’s prominent
and limitless creativity, Amato is pushing the boundaries
of the world and on its way to becoming a global label
from a Dubai-based one. Amato works to grow with
the fashion surroundings and adapt to the desires of its
audience, yet remains true to its signature. And so, the
Avant-Garde label is on its way to becoming a brand.

HAUTEBOX BOUTIQUE

Hautebox Boutique is another one of the UAE-based fashion
brands. It is an online fashion clothing brand that creates
affordable, luxury clothing for the modern woman. The
label creates contemporary garments from unique textiles
with the aesthetics of minimalistic luxury. It works to provide
the Middle Eastern women with an elevated, everyday
wardrobe. It creates an easily accessible and readily
available platform for women of different backgrounds and
body types to choose their preferred fashion item.
Born and brought up in Dubai, Andrea Sequeira, the owner
of the Hautebox Boutique label, always wanted to work in the
field of fashion and be able to create happiness through her
creativity. Art classes about body illustrations inspired her to
pursue fashion design. Growing up, she had a high passion
for creating affordable luxury for women of every culture,
preference, and shape, and that is exactly what drove her to
start her brand. After having almost ten years of experience
in the fashion industry, Andrea started her boutique at the
end of 2019. The brand celebrates body positivity and
all cultures. Andrea herself has faced a lot of body image
issues and felt that there are many women out there like
her who want a brand that catered to their uniqueness and
body shape. She realised that there are women who would
benefit from a line of clothing that represents everyone,
regardless of their body size and ethnicity.
Releasing Hautebox Boutique during the pandemic was
and still is the biggest accomplishment for her. The launch
ran smoothly. Its success can be attributed to the way the
brand runs its operations. Starting from the inspiration to
the design draft to the final products, everything is done in
house. All designs are made by her and the entire design
and production process is under her supervision. The
common problem of sizing has been tackled by providing
an additional feature of altering and customising the pieces
that the customers buy during the ordering period on their
website.
Achieving success for small businesses is a difficult task.
However, with brands like Hautebox Boutique paving the
way, it makes it easier for small brands and talents to be
recognised, bringing originality and authenticity to the
Middle East fashion industry.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ayesha AR is a fashion design student, working to fulfil
her drive for being a part of the creative industry. What
began as a hobby turned into a passion as she grew
up. Preparing for medical studies her whole life, this
brown girl didn’t want to become another involuntary
doctor, and so she dropped her passed medical
entrance examination and pursued fashion design. She
showcased her skills as a designer in the form of her
up-cycled, sustainable 3-piece garment in FASTE 2019,
which won her awards. She continues to learn and work
hard to achieve her dreams.
The UAE offers aspiring fashion designers opportunities
in that the other big fashion capitals do not. The reason
behind this is mainly the fact that the capitals are already
well-established in their set bars of fashion. The developing
fashion design industry provides these designers not only
with a greater number of opportunities but also allows
them a broader margin of making and learning from their
mistakes. The UAE continues to not only develop in the
field of fashion production but also stage the commendable
potential of proficient art-makers.

www.jacquieachie.com

www.jacquieachie.com

BEAUTY
BEAUTY
BRANDS FIT
FOR EVERY
SKIN TONE
The lack of diversity in the beauty
industry in the past years has been
disheartening, but now more than
ever, beauty brands both large and
small are making an intentional
effort to cater to all skin tones and
hair types. With this shift, we’ve
seen brands promote core values
and products that are inclusive for
all.
Fenty Beauty was one of the
first brands to take a stand with
its premier line of 50 shades of
foundation that included darker skin
tones. This started a domino effect
in the beauty industry to expand
shade ranges to include a variety of
options for everyone. UOMA Beauty
has also taken a stand, by building
its core value system on the belief
that “inclusivity and diversity create
a world of beauty that is truly for all
of us.”
Many other beauty brands followed
suit and are now offering more
options. With that in mind, here is
our list of beauty brands that cater
to a diverse range of shades and
skin tones!
FENTY BEAUTY
Fenty Beauty offers over fifty shades of foundation for
all skin tones and shades. Emerging into the makeup
industry with a campaign built on inclusivity and
diversity, Fenty Beauty is one of the most popular brands
to cater to all skin tones. Rihanna was inspired to create
Fenty Beauty after she saw a void in the industry for
products that cater to all skin types and tones. Fenty’s
first product was a foundation line that focused on a
wide range of colours for hard to match skin tones, with
a formula fit for all skin types and includes universal
shades. From the must-have lip gloss and lipsticks to
the Moroccan inspired palette and unique brush styles,
Fenty Beauty products are designed to feel lightweight
for a minimal everyday chic look or layered for an
elegant evening look.

S.T.A.S.H
Some.Things.Are.Simple.Hair (S.T.A.S.H)
was born essentially out of the need
to know exactly what went into hair
products and to ensure that they were
all natural! Conceptualised in the UAE
where curly hair products are not readily
available or are overpriced, self-care and
self-love are at the core of S.T.A.S.H.
S.T.A.S.H was created to take the ‘ugh’
out of wash days and help with women
transitioning, that just need some extra
love when doing their hair. Striving to
be an interactive, safe platform where
women feel comfortable enough to send
pictures of their hair for a consultation,
S.T.A.S.H hopes to create a large,
diverse community of women who are
comfortable caring for their natural hair.
PAT MCGRATH LABS
Pat McGrath is the most
influential and sought-after
makeup artist in the world.
Well-known in the beauty
industry for over two decades,
Pat McGrath has been the
face behind the makeup
concepts for the fashion
industry’s biggest events,
including the launch of
luxury brands, runway shows,
advertising campaigns, and
editorial spreads. Approved
by supermodel Naomi
Campbell, McGrath Labs
offers exquisite palettes,
fifty iconic lipsticks as well as
over a dozen eyeliners and
lip pencils that are extremely
pigmented. Her famous
lipstick range has a unique
formula that serves up looks
for all skin tones.

SHEA GLOBAL
Shea Global is the exclusive distributor of a brand that
produces natural products for the whole body, hair and
face—Mitra’s Bath and Body, a USA brand. They are
one of the distribution companies that offer organic
and natural products to the UAE market. Shea Global is
proud of the main ingredients of their product: unrefined
shea butter from Ghana along with unique and organic
ingredients.
UOMA BEAUTY
Sharon Chuter, born in
Nigeria, founded UOMA
Beauty. She takes a powerful
stance focusing on diversity
in the beauty industry. The
company believes in saying
beauty starts the moment you
decide yourself. Their goal is to
create a beautiful world that is
genuinely for all people.
This brand prides itself in
being an empowered tribe
committed to the human
race where all are welcomed.
Drawing inspiration from her
Afro-Heritage, Sharon Chuter
takes a forward approach that
is radical and uncompromising,
creating products that are
groundbreaking in innovation,
offering you everything you
need in formulas and shades
that are suitable for everyone.

MODBEAUTYKEEPER
Modbeautykeeper was created by Nandi
B, a New York native based in Dubai
after she saw a need for a cosmetic tool
that keeps your makeup from staining
your hijab. While browsing cosmetic
stores, and after viewing countless
online beauty tutorials, Nandi noticed
one common complaint among hijab
beauty enthusiasts. They constantly
got stains on their hijabs while applying
their makeup. Nandi created the
Modbeautykeeper after that Eureka
moment. The Modbeautykeeper is a
completely handmade cosmetic tool
that keeps your makeup “on point, on
your face and off of your hijab.” Nandi’s
goal with this tool is to “empower
hijab beauty lovers to fully embrace
themselves through makeup, minus
messy and stubborn cosmetic staining.”
BRIOGEO
Briogeo is a neat and conscious haircare brand
for all hair types and textures. Their products
are made specifically to suit different hair
textures and offer something for everyone.
From repair to volume to curl care, Briogeo
products are proven to detoxify, hydrate,
and protect your hair and scalp. They pride
themselves in high-performing formulas
free of harsh sulfates, parabens, silicones,
phthalates, artificial dyes, and DEA. Briogeo
has a simple two, three, or four-step regimen
that will provide volume, repair, defrizz, and
nurture your hair.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MONIQUE L. SPEARMAN is a freelance multi-faceted writer,
curator and creator. Blending a passion for content creating,
social media marketing, photography and travel, Monique
created her blog website RaineyAmore.com in the spring
of 2017 as a hobby. Raineyamore.com is a lifestyle, fashion,
beauty and travel brand that encourages men and women
from around the world to live their best lives, out-loud.
Inspired by the aesthetics of different cultures, Monique
wants to show the world, "Everything has beauty, but not
everyone sees it!"

THE CODE IS RED
Model: Lili Nagy
Hair and makeup: Liv Rideg
Styling: Filipa Ayodeji
Coat: Saint Aurora
Photo and retouch: Balogh Jozsef
Location: Budapest, Hungary

WATERLESS BEAUTY TRENDS
The world’s demand for water is drastically increasing as the population continues to rapidly
rise. Alarmingly, only 1% of our freshwater is accessible to people. The big question is: how
are we going to conserve water? There are many ways to contribute to water conservation,
but have you thought about practising ‘waterless’ beauty trends?
Yes, you guessed it right—waterless beauty trends, as the phrase denotes, is the practice of
using beauty products that minimises the use of water, either in connection with the usage
of the product or as an ingredient in the product itself.
We’ve gathered our best beauty recommendations if you want to consider going waterless
to step up your beauty routine! Not only will these products serve their purpose, but they too
will scrap the need for water whenever you want to touch up!

1. WATERLESS SKINCARE
PRODUCTS
Waterless skincare products are made
from pure and botanical oils or extracts
as a base. Since the product contains no
water, the result is often a non-drying,
non-diluted formula. Preservatives are
needed to extend products’ shelf life,
especially those that contain water. Using
waterless products will save your skin from
preservatives that have no benefit on your
skin. These are a few of the brands that
produce waterless skincare products:
• COCOKIND
Cocokind’s vision is to produce eco-friendly and lowwaste
products. From reusing shipping packaging
to reducing paper copy sales materials, Cocokind is
determined to help nature to the fullest. Here are a
few of their amazing products:
• PORE REFINING CONCENTRATE
A concentrated formula with flaxseed and
celery that will refine and blur pores giving
you a smooth and clearer complexion.
• RESURFACING SLEEP MASK
A sleep mask with Bakuchiol, a gentle
retinol alternative from plants that will help
reduce skin discolouration, dark spots,
wrinkles and fine lines.
• SEA MOSS EXFOLIATOR
Gently removes dead skin that will give you
a radiant and smooth complexion.

• LOLI BEAUTY
Loli Beauty assures us that their products are not only
water-free, but also waste-free, and toxin-free. They
are also monitoring their supply chain and partners to
ensure that no unfair labour practices are being done
to produce their products. They have a wide range of
skincare and makeup products you can choose from.
Here are some of our recommendations:
• PLUM ELIXIR
A serum that will give you instant glow and
hydration. Perfect for dry skin and lips, and
can nourish the hair too!
• PH BALANCING TONER
A powerful toner full of amino acids,
Vitamins B and C to refine and nourish skin
and hair from within.
• CHIA CARROT BRÛLÉE
Smoothes and softens everything, from dry
lips to chapped heels. Can be used from
head to toe that will provide a youthful
and glowing skin.

2. WATERLESS MAKEUP
Like skincare brands, there are also
cosmetic brands that are dedicated to
helping nature. Patronising these brands
will not only help conserving water, but it
will also help people in need, as most of
them do charitable work. Without setting
aside the quality of products, these are
some of the companies that are doing their
best to take good care of the environment:
• PINCH OF COLOUR
Every product of Pinch of Colour is formulated without
water. They are focused on giving back through their
net proceeds to the communities all around the
world in need of clean drinking water, hygiene and
sanitation. Here are examples of their products:
• HONEY GLOW WATERLESS BALM
A balm that moisturises, primes the skin
and gives you that healthy, dewy glowing
skin. Apply on cheekbones, lips and brow
bone to achieve younger-looking skin.
• MATTE VELVET WATERLESS LIP
COLOUR
Achieve those beautiful lips with their
different shades of lip colour. A matte and
waterless formula that won’t transfer and
bleed for over 8 hours of use.
• WATERLESS LIP OIL
This is perfect for people with dry and
chapped lips. It will give you a sheer colour
whilst moisturising the lips with its wonderful
nourishing oils.

• VAPOUR
Vapour is highly committed to producing products
that are organic, cruelty-free and eco-friendly. They
are dedicated to caring for nature and people of
all races, age and gender. Here are a few of their
products:
• GENTLE ILLUMINATING PRIMER
Corrects uneven skin pigmentation and
provides a satin and luminous finish. Rich
antioxidants and vitamins that will give
your skin nourishment from within.
• BRONZING POWDER
Achieve that warm and glowing complexion
with their beautiful bronzer. A formula that
is nourishing and hydrating without talc.
• HIGH VOLTAGE LIPSTICK
A lipstick with colours to choose from reds
to nudes. Formulated to last long and
provides hydration.

FLORAL
DREAMS
Model: Victoria Noori
Designer: Kerenyi Virag
Styling: Filipa Ayodeji
Photo and retouch: Balogh Jozsef
Hair and makeup: Liv Rideg
Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary.

THE DIVA
Model: Bettina Balazs
Makeup: Liv Rideg
Photo: Liv Rideg
Retouch: Anna Petrova
Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary.

MUSTAFA
ABBAS
ENTREPRENEUR AND FILMMAKER
Companies:
Legend Group:
Bang & Olufsen
Chivalry Salon
35 Burgundy
Property Portfolios International
Aficionados PR & Comms
@mustafa_abbas
www.mustafaabbas.com

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I’m a filmmaker and businessman. I write and I direct
films. My latest project, The Long Game, is currently
making rounds within the international film circuit.
So far, the film has won 14 awards by the grace of
God. I also run Legend Group, which was founded
by my dad in 1990. We started off as general traders
and distributors for Bang Olufsen. Today, we are
one of the oldest distributors of the brand and have
exclusive rights in the UAE. Our flagship store is
located in the Fashion Avenue of Dubai Mall.
I also expanded the company and founded Chivalry:
Gentlemen’s Salon, a barbershop for men in Downtown
Dubai, as well as Aficionados PR & Comms, an agency
to support local and homegrown businesses. We also
own Property Portfolios International, a real estate
brokerage and management. I also own a leather
brand with my cousin called 35 Burgundy, which has
an exclusive clientele.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A
FILMMAKER?
I think most kids try to make movies at a young age.
For me, it was always a passion that ran deeper.
Sure, it was fun too, but I always cared more than my
friends about the flow of the story and the characters.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST
ACHIEVEMENT IN THE FILM INDUSTRY SO
FAR?
I believe I have yet to achieve this one.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY INTO
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The hardest question for me to answer is when people
ask me what my hobbies are, because I genuinely
do not know or cannot understand why you would
not be passionate about what you’re doing. There’s
nothing you cannot do, so I’m very passionate, and
I believe that the mistake a lot of people make is
containing their passions. I set them free, and with a
bit of tweaking, like to believe where we are going is
worthwhile as a business.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Success is whatever it means to you. To me, it’s
about making a difference, having an impact, but
above all, continuing to become the best version
of myself as much as possible—as a man, or an
artist, or a businessman.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF
BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?
Following my passions and making a difference.
I have never done anything for the sake of
competition. Everything I have done is because
I believe there was a specific amount of room in
this world for it.
TELL US ABOUT A TIME YOU
EXPERIENCED FAILURE AND HOW YOU
DEALT WITH IT.
There are no failures on the way to success, only
lessons. Of course, there are obstacles, and plenty
of them, but in hindsight, they, too, become
lessons. Failure is to consciously stop pursuing
the thing that you desire. To give up on the very
thing your heart beats for—this is the only failure.
WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU
GIVE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO
BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR?
Do not share your big ideas with negative people.
Do not have deep or meaningful conversations
with small-minded people. Do not pour your heart
out to anyone who will bring you down. Many
of these people mean well, but their version of
being ‘realistic’ is most likely different than yours.
If you believe in yourself, congratulations. It
means you’re on your way. If you share that belief
prematurely with someone negative or with a
limited mindset, their energy and their disbelief
will infect you subconsciously, and this can kill
your dreams and your plans. So my advice is to
move forward, and keep moving forward. The
right people will keep up with you, and you will
meet more of them on your way.
Ironically, the same people you avoided telling
your plans to will tell you how they always knew
you’d make it. Set your values in order. Keep
those in check. Don’t worry about the ‘how’ part
so much. You will learn along the way. Remember
why you started. You will get caught up in
things that will make you question yourself—
make you even regret—but remember why you
started. Remember to take breaks. Breathe and
continue. Real progress is not overnight. There
are no overnight successes, nor is success the
destination.
WHAT KEY ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU
RECOMMEND ENTREPRENEURS TO
INVEST THEIR TIME IN?
If you focus on growing the business, more than
you focus on developing as a person, you will lose
sight of things, and you cannot possibly create
something worthwhile—even if it makes millions.
Invest in yourself. Read and listen to advice you
believe to be valid and valuable to you, either
from people dead or alive.
IF YOU WERE TO WRITE A FILM ABOUT
YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT?
Nineties Nostalgic.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE?
Ralph Waldo Emerson.
HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR
MENTAL HEALTH?
I meditate and I have chai (tea).
WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?
“A gentleman is one who puts more into the
world than he takes out.”

Taking
Lessons
Anchin
Marketing Director - muvi Cinemas, KSA
Anchin Kilgour

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
My name is Anchin Kilgour and I am the Marketing
Director of muvi Cinemas KSA. I was born in a
small, coastal town called Port Elizabeth in South
Africa, and I’m the youngest of five siblings.
After finishing my studies, I moved to Cape Town
and started my professional career with one of the
best companies to work for—Maersk Line. I worked
my way up from a receptionist and to a senior role
as National Public Relations Manager, Sub-Saharan
Africa for the span of over 11 years. This is where
I learned the concept of ‘Work hard, play hard’.
It was a dream role: travelling, networking with
the best people, being engaged in projects such
as the World Economic Forum, 2010 UEFA World
Cup and corporate social investment projects
like CANSA and SOS Children’s Home. I made
friends for life from this chapter of my life and it
also contributed to a career highlight: meeting Mr
Nelson Mandela.
In 2010, after two years of travelling, having a
stint in Barcelona and Glasgow, I moved to Dubai
with my husband, Alasdair. I embarked on my new
journey the following year into the entertainment
sector, joining Grand Cinemas where I led its
rebranding to Novo Cinemas.
Last year, I took on a new role in launching a local
Saudi cinema brand, muvi Cinemas. Currently, I
commute weekly between Dubai and Riyadh.

YOU LED THE OPENING OF
THE FIRST CINEMA IN SAUDI
ARABIA IN 35 YEARS, TELL US
ABOUT THAT.
The first local Saudi cinema brand,
muvi Cinemas, was launched in
August 2019 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Being part of this history has been
by far, the most fulfilling role of my
career to date. I’m fortunate that our
Senior Management team is visionary,
willing to take risks, tech-savvy and
have taken the best practices from
the industry combined with the best
technology available globally such as
Dolby Cinema, Samsung Onyx and
ScreenX, to bring to cinemagoers in
Saudi Arabia the very best cinematic
experience.
The project was daunting at first
because I had to simultaneously design
and launch a brand, build a marketing
team from scratch whilst mentoring
and training, defining the marketing
and communications strategy
across all customer touchpoints,
open multiple locations, market
film content, engage vendors and
partners, and steer future technology
developments. No day is the same in
cinema, and you must learn quickly to
multitask and be available 24/7. Talk
about fast-moving!
Reflecting on the first months after
opening the first cinema in Jeddah, we
were overwhelmed with the response
and warm welcome we received from
customers and partners. Customers
were so excited about the prospect of
watching the latest film releases with
family and friends in the same space
and to enjoy eating popcorn. It was
almost like looking through the eyes
of a child as cinema was new to Saudi
Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is a wonderfully diverse
country with so much potential for
growth, whether it be for organisations
or individuals wishing to expand their
horizons. With approximately 60% of
the demographics under the age of
35, the country is embracing change
in harmony with Vision 2030 and at
the same time, is proud of maintaining
its heritage.
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU
FACE IN YOUR MOST RECENT
OPENING, AND HOW DID YOU
OVERCOME THOSE?
The most challenging tasks to date
have been closing our flagship
location, UWalk in Riyadh, one week
after the official opening due to the
pandemic. We still had our advertising
and communications campaign
running and had to put everything
on hold. It was frustrating having put
your heart and soul into this projectworking
endlessly for months, only to
have it abruptly halted.
The closure allowed us time to reflect,
rework strategy and communications
plans, work on future initiatives and
prepare to relaunch the location once
we received the green light from the
authorities.
Cinemas reopened in Saudi Arabia
on 21 June and the next few months
will still be very challenging with social
distancing influencing capacity quotas
and major film titles being delayed by
studios.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
I am passionate about my marriage, family, friends, home and career. Without
all these elements in full harmony, I am unsettled. I also love good coffee.
WHAT ARE YOUR SUCCESS HABITS?
I recognise the contributions everyone within the organisation makes from
junior to senior management. I believe that a healthy body equals a healthy
mind; therefore, I eat accordingly and ensure I work out regularly. I never stop
learning, and I read a lot. Although I am a bad sleeper, I believe in getting
7-8 hours of sleep daily; otherwise, I do not function well. And last but not
least, I dream and set goals to aspire to and write them down, measuring my
progress regularly.
HOW DO YOU GET BEYOND THE NUMBERS TO SEE THE
CUSTOMER AS A REAL PERSON?
Every marketer will have their own method, but for me, it starts with
conceptualising a campaign or project focusing on the customers first. I
observe and listen to the customers’ individual needs, concerns, and wants
through data, social media and customer service.
There can be lots of buzz words used about this, but what I do is use empathy
to put myself in the shoes of our customer by walking their journey and seeing
their touchpoints through their eyes. Walt Disney was famous for walking the
park and I try to follow that leadership style. Finally, we ensure we deliver
on the brand promise of providing exceptional customer experience and
products.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
COMPANIES THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL IN
MARKETING?
Companies who are successful marketingwise
listen to their customers and remember
that the customer always comes first. Engage
and understand your customers. Staying close
to them means that digitisation is paramount
and running successful digital transformation
projects are essential for continued growth.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR
CREATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH
CUSTOMERS TO HELP BUSINESSES
THRIVE?
Personalised targeted communication with
relevant content is king. Engage in multichannel
marketing to create as many contact points for
your customers to reach and engage with you.
WHAT INTERESTS YOU OUTSIDE OF
YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE, AND WHY?
I love to travel with my husband and explore
new cultures, meet and eat with locals. We’ve
thought of these experiences as making stories
for our stoep one day. Stoep is Afrikaans for
‘porch’. My husband and I have travelled
extensively together over the years, and some
of our favourite places to visit are Thailand and
Mauritius. It’s always a pleasure returning to my
home country, South Africa and my husband’s
country, Scotland, to catch up with family and
friends yearly.
A few years ago, I took up a photography course
and whilst I do not practice this professionally, you
will always see me taking pictures of everything
from food, to scenery, family portraits or action
shots. I love the fact now I do not need to carry
an additional camera with me as the ones in the
modern phones have built-in cameras almost as
good as the professional ones.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE?
I am inspired by so many people in my life, not
celebrities and influencers, but real people such
as my husband, colleagues, family and friends.
My mum, who died 3 years ago, selflessly devoted
her life to her children, giving up on her aspirations
to study further, have a career, to travel and
see the world. We were her world and that was
enough for her. That knowledge inspires me to
be the best version of me. My mum was a person
who led her life with love, cared for everyone
around her and always wore a smile on her face.
Like my mum, I want people to remember me for
the lives I touched and the way I made them feel.
Everything else does not matter.
Beautiful art and music also inspire me, and you
will find both throughout our home and always
on in the background. We try to support local
artists upon our travels and have many pieces
that not only make us happy when we look at
them, but also brings back fond memories of
the adventure.
HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR
MENTAL HEALTH?
For me, it starts with being grateful by counting
my blessings every day. I try to start my day with
positive thoughts, which is not often easy as the
hours tick on during the day, but the great thing
about life is, tomorrow is another day so you
can try again.
I surround myself with little things that give me
pleasure—fresh flowers, aromatherapy candles,
a clean and organised home. I also love cooking
and taking long baths which relaxes me and
promotes well-being.
Mental health is often a topic avoided due to
its stigmatisation, especially in this region, and
I wish more health insurance companies can
support and reward individuals for seeking help.
There is no shame in this. We all have personal
struggles, but it is the way we approach them
that sets us apart. Raise your hand and speak
up and you will be surprised how much support
you will get, especially during this pandemic
while we all are working from home and being
isolated.
WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE
BY?
“Find your passion and you will never work a
day in your life.”

TALENT POOL
DJ
ALLAD
allad83
teamalladians
youtude.com/djallad
Preston Dj Allad Francois
mixcloud.com/djallad

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am from Atlanta, Georgia, and have been rocking clubs
throughout the US for over ten years. In 2011, I decided
to travel abroad and bring my love for music to the
international scene. While living in Abu Dhabi, I was given
the chance to be seen throughout the Emirates playing
sets from Hip Hop, RnB, Neo Soul, Reggae, Afro Beat,
Soulful House and Top 40 tracks.
My love for music pushes me to bring a party atmosphere
to almost any venue. I’m the resident DJ for Rooftop
Rhythms UAE, Beats and Bingo, Taco Tuesdays, Urban
Junkies, Upscale Fridays and Abu Dhabi Soul. You can
also catch me rocking different sets with JS Entertainment
along with playing at a few venues in Dubai. My motto is:
Partying with the universe one star at a time!

How did you get started in the entertainment business?
Music has always been a love of mine. As a young child, I used to listen to soul
classics and mix the melodies in my head. I began to match tempos of songs
together and organise which songs 'go' or 'blend' with others. On several
occasions, I remember telling my mom from the back seat of the car that the
Michael Jackson song playing on the radio went with a Stevie Wonder track
or an Earth Wind and Fire song I heard before. I would sneak and play my
mum's soul records, training to mix and scratch songs together to make one
continuous beat changing from one record to another.
It wasn't until college when I learned to master the art of mixing from my
master teachers DJ Well Blended and DJ Sicari. We played a lot of parties on
the campus, which later translated into neighbourhood events, private parties,
wedding, school events, and ultimately landing club residencies.
How do you define the art of DJing?
The art of DJing can be compared to having to work on a blank canvas,
and you, as the master artist, have a slotted time to create a masterpiece
by combining mood, melody, excitement, vibration, exposure and love—all
together in one seamless work. All these things perfectly positioned on that
blank canvas renders a suitable work of art.
Shout out to the real DJs who understand this statement!
What does it mean to be a successful DJ?
A successful DJ is summed up like this: a person who is consistently curating a
vibe for people to enjoy. He is a true lover of the art of connecting partygoers,
vibers, purists and critics. A successful DJ works to perfect his craft enough so
he can connect people through musical selections.
What are currently your main challenges as a DJ?
The major challenges one faces as a DJ boils down to the politics between
the DJ and the club promoter. It seems that the lines have been skewed a bit.
Naturally, when a venue hires a DJ, it should be because the DJ curates the
musical vibe for people to enjoy. On the other hand, a promoter is hired to
promote the venue and the venue's DJ for the event by merging all followers
in hopes of creating an audience for the performance.
Yet in many instances, it seems that the promoter misunderstands his or her
role and relies solely on the DJ's following to create the audience—resulting
in a smaller crowd which would have been a larger one had they worked
together. Once that happens, the venue management scraps the idea, and
all parties seem to take a loss. I'm not blaming the promoters, I'm just stating
what I feel needs to be realised.

What do you usually start with when preparing
for a set?
Honestly, I download music daily and try to practise
one hour a day listening to the music, getting in
and out of the tracks, building transitions, blends,
mashups, loops and drops. I can say that this is the
only way I prepare for a set. After soundcheck upon
arrival at the venue and if I'm playing main set hours,
I watch the vibe of the DJ/s before me. I also ask to
view his history on his Serato, so I don't repeat any
of the songs to the best of my ability. I connect and
take the crowd on a musical journey. If I'm warming
up, I set the trend by playing feel-good, reminisce
or sing-along tracks to build a vibe for all attendees.
Shout out to the true warmup DJs—this is the best
time to rock!

What makes you decide to play a
particular record during one of your
sets? Is there a criteria other than pure
subjectivity, for selecting what to play at
a gig?
I train myself to know what's current and
what hot songs are out. I also work to
implement vibe type tracks as well. It’s
purely on the vibe of the event. As a DJ, you
must train yourself to drop a song that takes
it to the next level or recover if it doesn’t go.
Personally, I always select a reminisce track
to drop at the right moment that keeps me
happy as well. It’s like a puzzle—you spin
songs and you watch the reaction of the
floor. Pure Rocket Science!
The future now, at this moment, how
do you see yourself in future?
When someone asks this question, I
never really know how to answer, knowing
the future isn't promised, and I can only
mention goals. As a DJ, I aspire to secure
a few spots a week rocking live mixes on
the radio. I also aspire to have weekend
residencies in whatever city I live in.
What have you learnt since you started
out as a DJ?
As a DJ, I’ve learned to be respectful of
the art. Continue to be consistent with your
mixing. Last but not least, be humble.
Shout out to all the DJs working to keep the
world party going!

What advice do you have for aspiring DJs?
To any aspiring DJ who wants to learn the art, I ask that they research
the beautiful history of the craft. Doing this will help create profound
respect for it. Practise the art daily. Spend time and blend yourself
with it. There is nothing better than to meet a DJ that has embodied
the ways of the purple crayon.
What pieces of DJ technology would you like to see in the
future?
I see the way technology has advanced the art, so I am open-minded
to the possibilities of the unknown. I learned DJing on records and I
would love to see the evolution of DJing return to the origin.
What do you do outside of being a DJ?
My other hobbies outside of DJing are writing poetry, hooping, and
teaching.
What is it about DJing, compared to, say, teaching, that makes
it interesting for you?
Although I am also a full-time teacher, I love being a student of
art. As a teacher, you find new and improved strategies to solve
problems. As a DJ, you work to solve a problem by being a student
to the ins and outs of music. Education is the key component in
both professions, which I love the most. There is this ‘light bulb
moment’ when you connect with your audience—I like to call it
the Oh Factor!
How do you balance family and career?
Balancing professional life and family life takes proper
scheduling, analysing what you are compromising,
understanding the pros and cons, maintaining constant
communication, and setting your own vision for you to
follow.
What’s that one quote you live by?
One quote I live by is:
“In order to change your life, you have to
change your living.”

LIFESTYLE
DRIVING
BUSINESSES
FORWARD
WITH THE
WELLNESS
CONCEPT
With everyone slowly coming
out of our homes, it is time for
us to sit and reflect on what has
happened. Undoubtedly, we
have learned many lessons as we
adjust to a ‘new normal’.
Contemplating on the economic
development and progression
of the new normal, we can
clearly define two aspects of
the current situation: by shortterm
measures, which include all
measures related to safety and
security; and long-term measures,
which include implementations
related to disease prevention
and enhanced wellbeing,
improving the outcomes of
health insurances and strategic
economic plans.
What is ‘Wellness’ and the ‘Wellness
Economy’?
According to the Global Wellness Institute
(GWI), wellness is defined as ‘the active pursuit
of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead
to a state of holistic health.’ Wellness, by
this definition, broadly includes seeking and
engaging in activities and services associated
with health and wellbeing. It also goes beyond
the improvement and maintenance of excellent
physical health. The dimensions of wellness
also include the aspects of feeling, thinking,
working, and even finding meaning in our lives.
However, we should not confuse wellness with
health and happiness; rather, we should talk
about wellness as something that we constantly
work on to improve as individuals, as well on a
socio-economic and global level.
The ‘Wellness Economy’ is a widespread global
industry valued at $4.2 trillion, representing
roughly 5.3% of the global economic output
in 2017. Wellness is now over half the size of
global health expenditures which were valued
at an estimated $7.3 trillion in 2015. As an
industry, wellness is a major force in the global
economy– close in size to the information and
communications technology (ICT) industry, and
larger than the sports, pharmaceuticals, and
travel and tourism industries. Despite these
statistics, governments, corporations and
businesses still don’t pay much attention to
wellness. However, this is more likely to change
in the coming years following the outbreak of
the coronavirus pandemic.
Unavoidably, we are witnessing several
adjustments associated with the new normal.
What we are looking at now is that the wellness
concept should be implemented into four
dimensions in business: people, products,
places and profits.

People
“The currency of wellness is connection.”
- Dr John W. Travis, American author and medical
practitioner, original proponent of the alternative medicine
concept of ‘Wellness’.
Safety and Health
According to Dr Travis, we need to connect in order to
receive wellness. Now more than ever, connection is deeply
needed. However, in order to have that needed healthy
connection, safety is a vital prerequisite. Safety measures
for precaution and prevention, such as social distancing,
low touch procedures and disinfection policies, whether
at the office or going out for leisure, are becoming the
norm. As per Google Analytics, searches for health and
wellness-related subjects increased exponentially with
top searches being related to immunity, self-awareness,
mental health, mindfulness, among other buzzwords.
When employees return to business, most of them will be
feeling like attending the first day at school with all the
new procedures and informational guidelines in place. As
business leaders, we have to ensure that these procedures
will be built around not only on the old necessary health
and safety standards. It is important to consider looking
into so-called ‘expanded wellness options’ such as
biophilic design, healthy co-working spaces and corporate
wellness activities and services.
Education and Health Promotion
Lifestyle Health is becoming a new consciousness for
every winning business corporation. Similar to the
immune system on a corporate level, we need to look
into building and boosting the immune systems of our
employees and co-workers. There are already plenty
of major players in the market offering healthy immune
building corporate solutions such as organic foods and
supplements deliveries, wellness seminars and sessions
as a part of insurance or corporate health awareness
packages, worksite cafeteria meal design, creating of
active spaces to exercise, on-site organic markets, and
similar solutions.
Connection - Wellness Community
The virus brought the world together, so we learned how to
coexist with each other and take better care of each other
and the environment we live in. Many companies now are
starting to organise weekly or monthly wellness coaching
sessions for their employees as part of an existing lifestyle
hub within the organisation. Collaboration with third party
providers, such as wellness and fitness clubs and centres
with various options to train and learn on-site or at the
third-party venues, are becoming popular as well. Gym
memberships offered either as incentives or as part of the
employment package or at various reduced rate options
at contracted health stores and wellness providers are
also becoming an option for companies.
Place
The ‘Wellness Lifestyle’ is not a new concept—it has
already developed over the last 20 years with the
major demand being in predominantly luxury lifestyle
residential communities. As we emerge from a complete
lockdown, businesses are pushed to incorporate the
wellness concept into office and working spaces. Along
with automated procedures in the office, as well as selfcleaning
and disinfecting daily, the need to have a healthy
work environment is more emphasised. Employers are
accountable to their employees in taking care of the air
they breathe and the surfaces they touch inside offices.
Programmes such as the WELL Health-Safety and
assessments from the International WELL Building
Institute (IWBI) focus on strategies to protect people in
a post-COVID environment. These programmes measure
how well buildings and working spaces are maintained,
focusing on the health of the people inside them.
Responsible companies already started to implement
design interventions such as improved air filtration and
ventilation systems to reduce the concentration of airborne
viruses. Systems such as air purifiers and dehumidifiers
are a vital part of the healthy environment in every office
building. Another very important aspect to look at is the
implementation of circadian lighting to help promote
better brain productivity and concentration during office

hours, working along with the natural biorhythm and brain
cellular health rather than against it.
With the quality of wellbeing in mind, businesses need
to consider accessories to be implemented such as
pollution absorbing uniforms and enhancing the indoor
environment through biophilic design systems mimicking
nature that is proven for an optimal attention span and
mental concentration.
Product
Conscious purchasing and sustainability will be a norm
from now. From an existential perspective, we are now
more alert about our health and wellness than ever before.
As the crisis plunges the world into recession, businesses
need to make more sustainably-conscious decisions.
According to a recent study and survey, consumers are
more likely to buy environmentally-friendly products as a
result of the COVID-19 experience. The pandemic made
buyers more price-sensitive, prompting many businesses
to cut back on cost.
Prioritising on sustainable products can enable companies
to fight the crisis and recover faster. According to
another global survey, more companies and consumers
are purchasing environmentally-friendly brands to help
in providing fair labour conditions while doing good
for nature. Another survey shows people consider
governments and businesses responsible for encouraging
sourcing the needed sustainably-conscious brands. Over
40% of the survey showed businesses vote for complete
avoidance of plastics in their operations.
Despite all of those positive indicators at this point,
unfortunately, sustainability is still considered more of
an appreciated bonus rather than a driving factor for
purchasing. This is due to the dichotomy in consumer
behaviour caring about ecology but predominantly about
functional features and price. However, the silver lining
here for businesses will be to redesign business practices
in favour of sustainable ones and create sustainable
products superior to the unsustainable alternatives.
Insurances
The wellness movement now has embraced a greater
mission. The long-led battle between medical and
pharmaceutical industries against wellness and prevention
brings them finally closer together. The medical-wellness
polarity will be brought together by big insurance
companies to enter into the prevention field to reduce
costs which will be changing businesses, societies and
generations ahead.
Digital Health
The practice of health and wellness tracking is growing
exponentially, not only in our daily lives, but also in
the corporate world as related to the improvement of
employee wellbeing. Digital wellness is key to superior
employee and customer experience. For example, airlines
and social building spaces are incorporating heat-seeking
technologies to measure the temperature with a single shot.
The pandemic has shown that our current systems of supply
chain and operations are failing and we need to implement
more adaptable and agile online solutions that will help us
move into action quickly when the next crisis comes.

Digital wellness reflects the way workplaces and employees
create healthy relationships between each other and the
workforce technology itself. The data gathered from the
wearables and health apps can help companies to create
wellness programmes for their business consumers and
employees. The data can also help companies identify the
return on their investments. Nowadays, the employees
will expect to see and control over when, how and where
they work along with flexible working hours. Businesses
need to integrate smart technologies into their peoplecentric
experiences to increase productivity and improve
work-life balance.
Profit
Wellness is multidimensional and holistic. All the positive
habits in one wellness dimension will affect the other
dimensions. For example, sleeping better increases
productivity; consequently, better productivity allows
us to find meaning in what we do, and as a result, we
will be more creative, resourceful and efficient. Such
transformations would not only benefit the workplace
culture and the overall health in the working environment,
but it would also result in a growth of profitability and
returns for the company. Companies proactive in boosting
health and vitality within the workplace see increased
profits because of increased productivity, compared with
the usual practice of increasing company spending on
insurances and people’s absenteeism.
The United States, the world’s top ‘Wellness Nation’
being the number one spender in wellness, shows that
most of the money is spent on spas, workplace wellness,
wellness tourism and wellness real estate. Among the
top factors contributing to the growth of investment

in wellness is consumer interest to
improve health driven by ageing, rising
global epidemics, and stress, as well
as the willingness to improve quality of
life.
All industry insiders believe that the shift
in making wellness practices available
to the large public is both crucial and
inevitable. Massage treatments starting
as low as US$ 40-50, fitness programmes
of body transformations and virtual
gyms being offered at very affordable
monthly subscriptions, as well as many
wellness and organic ripe-markets
becoming a day-to-day popular and
inexpensive solution for every buyer are
only a few of the winning cases to make
wellness affordable to the masses.
As per the World Economic Forum,
businesses that prioritise their return
to work strategies and change how
they operate will outpace their
peers. Organisations should focus on
protecting the health and wellbeing
of their employees at the outset
while simultaneously continuing their
operations. In order to achieve these
goals, companies must prioritise
the health and wellbeing of their
employees. Planning to return
on site with evaluation on health
assessments, flexible hours and easy
to work processes, and empathetic
communication with transparent and
frequent feedback, are just a few tools
of the wellness inventory on workplace
wellness. As soon as businesses realise
that their teams are better prepared
for the changing digital and onsite
workplace, and become people rather
than profit-centric, they will better
achieve organisational goals around
sustainability, diversity, innovation and
profits.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
VYARA TOSHEVA
Wellness, Spa and Retreats Business Consultant
In over 19 years, Vyara Tosheva has gained professional
experience in hospitality, leisure and wellbeing. Vyara
graduated in Tourism Management and holds a Master’s
Degree in Psychology and Sociology. She also holds a
Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, as well as internationallyaccredited
certification courses in Hospitality and Spa
Management. She travels the world to enhance her
expertise through further certifications in Ayurveda,
Wellness and Fitness Consultancy, Coaching and
Psychology.
She is a certified NLP and EFT master coach and Reiki
practitioner. She also led the opening of The Retreat
Palm Dubai, the first wellness retreat resort in the UAE
and GCC, as well as the Rayya Wellness and Poli-clinic
Centre. She created and managed the first holistic
retreats in a hotel environment where in-house and
visiting master practitioners, energy workers and doctors
combine their knowledge with fitness, spa and beauty
professionals to deliver transformational retreats.
As a consultant, she advises and consults hospitality
and spa executives on the creation of wellness projects
and their execution.
Vyara’s mission is to empower busy executives to create
or enhance their business models geared toward a
wellness lifestyle on both professional and personal
levels. Her vision, on the other hand, is to create
worldwide wellness and health retreat centres that
provide premium services for its employees, guests and
visitors.

SETTING BOUNDARIES
Many people think that letting go of their ‘ego’—
egotism and pride—will make them vulnerable. This
is a big misconception, an absolutely wrong belief.
Rather, not having healthy boundaries in place, makes
one vulnerable and prone to be taken advantage of. To
maintain healthy and sustainable relationships, one also
needs to set healthy boundaries. You set boundaries
by communicating them, but you can’t communicate
them when ego is at the forefront. We need to silence
the ego to hold an honest conversation with the people
concerned.
WHAT ARE BOUNDARIES?
Personal boundaries are the guidelines we set which
articulate how we would like to be treated in our
relationships. They define what we can and cannot accept
from others. While boundaries are crucial in maintaining
relationships, most people struggle with setting them in
the first place.
Here as some reasons why it might feel difficult for some
people to set boundaries:
• Boundaries may not have been modelled to you
when you were younger, especially if your parents
did not have clear boundaries with each other or
with you.
• Based on your childhood experiences, you may
have learned to put others’ needs above your own.
• The need to be liked and accepted overpowers
your ability to set healthy boundaries.
• You do not know what boundaries are, or you
believe others should just know what they are
without expressing them clearly.
• You believe that setting boundaries may jeopardise
the relationship, so you aren’t assertive enough
in communicating what to you is acceptable
behaviour.
• You believe that setting boundaries is a selfish act
and that you might be perceived as rude.
WHY ARE BOUNDARIES IMPORTANT?
Boundaries help us practice self-care and self-respect.
They allow us to communicate our needs clearly in a
relationship. They create a sense of safety in relationships,
and as a result, make space of positive interactions.
Without them, chances are we are either being abused
or abusing others and if our boundaries keep getting
violated, resentment starts to grow. The following are
forms of ‘violations’ of emotional boundaries:
• Taking responsibility for another person’s feelings
• Feeling guilty when you say ‘no’
• Not accepting when other people say ‘no’

• Disrespecting other people’s beliefs when you
don’t agree with them
• Letting another person’s feelings dictate your own
• Sacrificing your own needs to please another
• Blaming others for your problems and accepting
responsibility.
An example of a physical boundary could be letting the
other person know how you’d like to be touched or not
touched.
HOW CAN THE VIOLATION OF
BOUNDARIES LEAD TO RESENTMENT?
Consider the following scenarios:
• Let’s say you are the type of person who really
needs personal ‘me time’, and you didn’t inform
your partner about this fact at the beginning of
the relationship. Your partner, however, is the
type of person who wants to spend all their time
with you, and because you’re in the honeymoon
phase, you just went along with it. However, after
a while, you start to feel as if you are suffocating,
and that builds up and keeps on stacking up to
the point that you suddenly blow up because your
boundary has been violated over and over again.
You’ve lost your sense of freedom or your sense
of personal space. You could have prevented this
situation by simply communicating your personal
boundary from the outset.
• You and your partner were raised in different
cultures, different environments and some things
that seem okay to him aren’t okay to you and vice
versa. Unfortunately, you’ve never talked about
these differences together, so both parties are
unaware of the other person’s belief systems.
Now that you’re together, you notice that your
partner greets people by kissing them on cheeks.
You feel uncomfortable around that. In fact, you
might even consider it inappropriate, but you
don’t address this to your partner. Perhaps you’re
scared that you’re going to lose your partner, so
the partner unintentionally continues doing this
not knowing that it is triggering you. You bottle it
all up, and eventually, it blows up. You could have
prevented this from happening by letting him
know at the beginning of the relationship how this
particular behaviour made you feel.
When we are communicating our boundaries, we
want to make sure that the ego is silent: we are
not name-calling, nor resorting to blaming. We
also want to acknowledge that it is the specific
behaviour that we are talking about, and not the
person or personality. Remember that honest
communication is key.

Consider the following examples of communicating
boundaries with your family:
• “Please text me before you come over as I may
have other plans.”
• “I am not available to respond to your calls or texts
right now, but I would love to schedule a time to
connect.”
• “When I share something private with you, please
do not share it with other family members.”
• “I know your intentions are pure when you are
giving me advice, but I would really appreciate it if
you listened without giving advice.”
Some examples of setting boundaries with your partner:
• “Please do not share details of our intimate life
with your family members or coworkers. It makes
me feel uncomfortable.”
• “When we are discussing an important topic,
I would appreciate it if I had your complete
attention, so please put your device away.”
• “When we’re having a conversation, I cannot be
present if you raise your voice, or speak to me in a
condescending tone.”
Setting boundaries can be difficult, but it is necessary
to maintain healthy relationships. It also allows us to
communicate more freely and candidly, to be open and
vulnerable in a healthy way. When our partner does
respect our boundaries, we really want to let them know.
We need to express our sincerity and appreciation—
positive reinforcement is a good motivator.
Remember that boundaries are not meant to punish
others. They exist for our own personal wellbeing
and protection. Healthy relationships have healthy
boundaries; thus, setting boundaries is a form of selfcare
and self-preservation.
About the author
Tannaz Hosseinpour, founder of Minutes on Growth Coaching, is a Dubai-based certified life
coach specialising in mindset and relationships. She helps millennials manifest and cultivate
empowered lives through one-on-one coaching, online programs, podcast episodes and social
media content. She is the host of her self-improvement podcast, Minutes on Growth, available
on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcast. She holds a Masters of Law degree in alternative dispute
resolution, specialising in family mediation. Since 2017, she is also the CEO and founder of TP
Education Consultants, an educational consultancy firm based in Toronto, Tehran and Dubai.
TANNAZ
HOSSEINPOUR
Website: www.minutesongrowth.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/minutesongrowth
instagram: www.instagram.com/minutesongrowth
Twitter: www.twitter.com/minutesongrowth

Many of us tend to take a reactive approach to
our wellbeing. Often, we get so caught up in our
work that we simply forget to recognise signs of
burnout on the way. BURNOUT, according to
the World Health Organisation (WHO), is defined
as ‘a syndrome conceptualised as resulting
from chronic workplace stress that has not been
successfully managed.’ It is an occupational or
work-related phenomenon, which, according
to the WHO, should not be applied to describe
experiences in other areas of life. There are three
dimensions associated with burnout, namely:
• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
• Increased mental distance from one’s
job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism
related to one’s job; and
LET’S
TALK
ABOUT
BURNOUT
• Reduced professional efficacy.
Among the work conditions associated with
burnout are ‘presenteeism’ and ‘leaveism’,
which many employees are also experiencing
on a daily basis. According to the Chartered
Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD),
PRESENTEEISM, which is defined as a work
condition where employees feel the need to work
even when unwell, and LEAVEISM, a situation
where employees use their holiday allowance to
work, are becoming more widespread. If you are
experiencing these work conditions, you could
be facing increased work-related stress, as well
as low engagement in your work, and other
mental health problems.
So, how can you spot the tipping point of
burnout? Look out for the signs of presenteeism
and leaveism first.
PRESENTEEISM:
• Increased level of mistakes
• Decreased quality of work and low
productivity
• Poor time management
• Excessively long hours; some people might
sit at their desk for hours but struggle to get
anything done.
• Working while being sick
• Displaying signs of tiredness and exhaustion
• Aggressive behaviour, tearfulness and low
mood

LEAVEISM:
• Always on, you don’t disconnect from work
• Not taking time off, and often rolling over
vacation days when possible
• Lack of trust of co-workers; avoiding
delegating or handing over projects
• Working on complete projects on evenings
or weekends/days off to meet deadlines
OVERCOMING CONDITIONS
LEADING TO BURNOUT
One of the ways you can overcome these
challenges is by implementing effective
wellbeing strategies into your routine:
• PRACTISE SELF-AWARENESS.
When was the last time you checked-in
with yourself? How are you feeling at this
moment? Relaxed? Anxious? Tired? Joyful?
Understand the root cause/s of your own
emotions. How are they impacting your
wellbeing?
• MAKE WELLBEING A KEY PART
OF YOUR LIFE. Reflect on your routines
and habits. How are your sleeping habits?
Which habits need to change or upgrade?
What drains you? What gives you joy?
What are you doing to take care of yourself
each and every day? A habit that focuses
on improving your wellbeing does not
have to be something big; just a cup of tea
or a 10-minute journal habit every morning
can do wonders to ease your mind.
• PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY
SERVICE ACTIVITIES.
Did you know that giving back to others
boosts our immune system as well as our
overall wellbeing? It makes us feel good to
give back.
• DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN
HEALTHY EATING HABITS.
Listen to the good old advice of eating a
balanced diet. Incorporate whole foods and
cut back on excessive sugar, carbohydrates,
bad cholesterol, alcohol and caffeine.

• DON’T SKIP THE FITNESS
ROUTINE.
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.
• READ AND LEARN MORE
ABOUT SELF-IMPROVEMENT
FOR A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.
Not sure how to practise or when to begin
leading a healthy lifestyle or practising
more self-care habits? Educate yourself!
There are plenty of resources available
online about healthy eating habits,
fitness, stress management and ways to
release negative energy. It is important
for you to design a system or routine of a
healthy lifestyle that works for you.
• ASK FOR MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT.
Reach out to a mental health professional
or ask your company for support in
obtaining access for mental health
support.
Your work, comprising an average of 40 hours
worth of your life in a week, should not risk
your physical and mental health. Remember
that we need to take responsibility for our own
wellbeing. This starts with you, and you just
might inspire others to do the same!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELENA AGARAGIMOVA
Managing Partner at Bessern and Talent Development Specialist
Elena is an entrepreneur, talent development specialist, and education advocate
with a deep interest in neuro and behavioural sciences. She is known for her
ability to drive change within individuals and organisations that are looking to
reach their potential and maintain their competitive edge in the business world.
She has started her career in higher education, having worked across various
institutions, departments and regions. In her recent years, she dove into business
and joined Bessern, as well as founded a learning and developing consultancy,
as well as several other projects within the talent development arena.
She is an engaging skilled trainer and talent development specialist, credited
with combining operations, education, and international expertise to design
and deliver programs for diverse audiences. Elena has a strong passion for
L&D, promoting creative and engaging workplaces and all about optimising
performance through the development of others. As a career coach, Elena has
over ten years of experience working individuals across different generations,
supporting them in achieving their professional and personal goals.

FOOD
ALONG THE
SPICE TRAIL:
SPICES
FROM
AROUND
THE WORLD
Berbere
The use of spices is almost
as old as human civilisation.
The history of spices
documents lands discovered,
empires established and
relinquished, the glory and
gore of wars won and lost,
and treaties signed and
breached. Encompassing
the flavours that have been
sought and offered, spices
are among the most valuable
items of trade in ancient and
medieval times. This value,
though presently meek, is still
retained around the world,
bringing forth a perfumed
trail worthy of navigation.
1. AFRICA
The adventure begins in the crown of Africa, with a flavourful path alighting the
North countries.
Ethiopia boasts its famous spice blend, Berbere, a smoky, spicy and complex
spice mix. It is traditionally used in nearly all Ethiopian dishes, but it receives
acclaim particularly in the way it enhances stews, meats and poultry.
Harissa, mostly associated with Tunisian cuisine, is made from smoked red
peppers, garlic paste, caraway seeds, coriander seeds and cumin. The Tunisian
condiment enjoys variations, such as rose harissa made with rose petals to offer
an exotic twist.
Ras El Hanout, which roughly translates to ‘top of the shop’ in Arabic, is a
cherished and prized Moroccan spice said to be the very best a spice merchant
has to offer. It is composed of individual spices, namely cardamom, clove and
mace, among others, that are freshly ground and expertly compounded. This
spice is incorporated into traditional Moroccan tagines, couscous or meat dishes.
Harissa
Ras El Hanout

Chinese Five Spice
2. ASIA
Asia takes part in the spice adventure with the
multipurpose Chinese Five Spice. A minor dash
of this aromatic mix provides dishes with a tempered
swallow of sweet, savoury, bitter and sour. The spice
is justified when used in Chinese barbecued dishes,
but it displays its flexibility in muffins presenting a
unique flavour angle.
Togarashi, a Japanese condiment, comprises
seven spices which include chilli peppers, citrus
peel, sesame seeds and seaweed. This Japanese
blend, which dates back to the 1600’s, rekindles the
clean, simple flavours of Japanese cooking. Chillis
and black peppercorns provide piquancy, while the
seaweed and orange peel offer a complex dimension
of flavour. The essence of this spice is revealed when
paired with grilled meats, tempuras or sprinkles
sparingly on top of rice or noodle dishes.
Japanese cuisine also delights in its adaptation of
curry powder. Curry was introduced to Japan
by the British in the mid-19th-century when India
was under British colonial rule, so it was originally
thought to be Western cuisine. This turmeric-packed
spice blend is enjoyed with beef, chicken, seafood or
vegetables.
Lastly, gochugaru, a freshly ground type of
chilli flakes that complete Korean households as a
condiment on dinner tables. These chilli flakes are
present in traditional Korean dishes like gochujang
(Korean chilli paste), kimchi and kimchi jjigae (kimchi
stew), among many others. These fulgent red chilis
are ground into coarse flakes and have a sweet,
intense flavour with a mild heat.
Togarashi
Gochugaru

Khmeli Suneli
3. EUROPE
European flavours welcome the palate to a wide range of
exotic and familiar tastes, starting with Khmeli Suneli,
a traditional Georgian spice that is popular all over the
Caucasus region. Although it is the proverbial taste in
stews and on meat, the mix of warm, nutty, grassy, and
bitter spices like fenugreek, coriander, savoury, and black
peppercorns extend an arm to vegetables and popcorn.
Greek Seasoning presents a zestful wave to lap on
the tongue, packed with Greek oregano, lemon peel,
thyme, freshly ground Tellicherry peppercorns and a faint
stroke of nutmeg and cinnamon. This light and tart saltfree
seasoning is a flattering compliment for a homemade
gyro sauce, chicken dry rub, Greek shish kebabs or baked
potato fries.
Quatre Epices, meaning ‘four spices’, is a French blend
typically including ground black and/or white pepper,
cloves, nutmeg and ginger. This blend can sometimes
contain a mix of five spices, such as; nutmeg, cloves,
cinnamon, and ginger. It is a cherished staple in France that
wonderfully flavours stews, bread, and even gingerbread.
Greek Seasoning
Quatre Epices

Garam Masala
4. INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
India may be part of Asia, but due to its enduring
influence in the spice world, it is deserving of
elaboration.
Garam Masala, with ‘garam’ meaning warm
or hot, is a mix usually containing warm spices
like cinnamon and cardamom. This famous
Indian masala offers a wide assortment of ways
to prepare it. Some variations of garam masala
are toasted and freshly ground, providing a great
addition to recipes as it effuses a complex flavour
and heat to a dish like chicken tikka masala (a
British invention), braised vegetables or lentils.
Chaat Masala is a tangy masala or spice mix
made with amchoor or dried mango and often
sprinkled on snacks and street foods.
Chai Masala is a blend of dried rose petals,
green cardamom, black peppercorns, star anise,
fennel and cloves. This perfumed mix goes well
with black tea for frothy chai tea lattes and baked
goods like cookies, cakes or muffins.
Chaat Masala
Chai Masala

5. LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
Latin America embraces the palate with a
warm welcome featuring Ancho Chile
Powder. Ancho chiles are widely
popular in Mexico and have a dark red
or maroon colour with mild heat and a
fruity flavour. This freshly ground powder
forms the base of chilli powders, stews,
and sauces.
MACA POWDER, derived from the
maca root, is a type of superfood native
to Peru. This powder lends a malty flavour
on a myriad of dishes or beverages. It
complements chocolatey flavours but
also works nicely with fruity flavours.
Adobo is an all-purpose seasoning that
contains garlic, oregano, pepper, and
other spices. It is used in Mexican and
other Latin American cuisines.
Jamaican Jerk spice, a Caribbean
laurel, is perfect for the summer grilling
season. Jerk refers to preparing meat
with a wet or dry rub. A blend is heavily
packed with Jamaican allspice berries,
black peppercorns and dried thyme for a
savoury, spicy kick.
Ancho Chile Powder
Maca Powder
Adobo
Jamaican Jerk Spice

Bahārāt
6. MIDDLE EAST
Whilst sharing some tastes with North Africa,
the Middle East expands in its own direction of
flavour.
Hailing from Turkey, Bahārāt is a spice staple
in Turkish cooking. It literally means ‘spices’ in
Arabic, and it is used as an aromatic spice in
everything from seafood to soup. Freshly ground
Bahārāt coalesces coriander, cumin and black
peppercorn with warm spices like cinnamon,
allspice and cloves, encapsulated by a welt of
sweet paprika.
Hawaij is a Yemeni spice blend that comes
in two varieties: hawaij for coffee and hawaij
for soup. Hawaij for coffee comprises freshly
ground ginger, green cardamom, fennel and an
abundance of other warming spices. This blend
is perfect for adding to ground coffee and it
pairs well with a number of coffee-based baked
goods.
Hawaij

Creole
7. NORTH AMERICA
The eclectic property of North American spices
tells the story of American history.
Creole cuisine refers to food that comes mainly
from the New Orleans region of Louisiana. The
style consists of various influences from Africa
through slave cooks, Native Americans and
southern Europeans. French flavours, preferences
and techniques, in particular, have had a
stronghold effect. The different cultures that have
guided Creole cooking reflect its seasoning blend,
which includes chilli powder, onion powder, black
pepper, garlic powder, paprika and dried thyme.
Pumpkin Pie Spice is crafted with freshly
ground cinnamon, allspice, black peppercorns
and star anise. This spice is sprinkled over squash,
stirred into yoghurt or ice cream, brewed into coffee
or added to baked goods for a warm flavouring.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Whether rain or shine, winter or summer, spices
have been the complementary addition to meals
and beverages of all sorts, some possess alternative
uses while others are made solely to enhance
gastronomic experience. May spices continue to
reign in flavour!

Let’s talk
Hospitality with Lara Tabet

1. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND
IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management which I took in
Switzerland. The field of Hotel Management is basically about the
study of the management and operations of hotels, as well as other
closely-related services such as restaurants and hospitality services. I
came back to Dubai after studying in Switzerland and started working
right away.
I started working in the second hotel that was established in Dubai—The
Khaleej Hotel. I worked there for a number of years before moving to
Al Khaleej Palace Hotel. Al Khaleej had some of the leading restaurants
and nightclubs in the region, and I was involved in operating those.
Soon, I found myself working for Al Khaleej Holiday Hotel Apartments,
a fully furnished residential building that I was tasked with managing
the operations, along with a few restaurants and nightclubs. Summing
up, my experience in the hospitality industry runs 15 to 17 years.
Eventually, I got headhunted and joined the television industry, and
that’s when I stopped working in hospitality. Being in the media
industry for so many years, I decided to take a break from TV. I came
back to working with restaurants in doing business development for
them. And that when I joined G-Hospitality, which owns TOMO, Al
Mandaloun - Dubai and Entrecote Café de Paris. Currently, I’m working
with Bite Me Burger and Get Plucked.
2. HOW DO YOU THINK THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
BOUNCES BACK FROM SOMETHING LIKE COVID-19?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY COULD BE
DOING TO BRING PEOPLE THROUGH THE DOOR?
Well, I’ll be very honest with you. During COVID, we definitely relied on
home deliveries. Now, I think, with trying to get the food and beverage
industry to come back after COVID, they would definitely have to look
into their prices because people don’t have the purchasing power
anymore. They should make it affordable for everyone so people can
enjoy different cuisines. As you know, in Dubai, the sky’s the limit with
the number of cuisine varieties and selections that we have. I’d say that
is the way to go, making it affordable and great quality for people to
enjoy their dining experience even at home, and to feel that they’re
getting value for money.

3. NOW THAT PEOPLE
ARE TIGHT ON THEIR
PURSES, PERSONALLY FOR
YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU BE
GOING OUT TO EAT?
Honestly, I love Bite Me Burger—
and I’m not saying this because I
represent them and I love working
with them. I love their food, and I
order from them three-four times a
week to my house. I work late hours
and long days, and when I come
back home, I’m too exhausted to
prepare anything, so I tend to order
from them. I opt for the portobello
mushroom burger because it’s a
light one. I also go for Hail Caesar,
which is a chicken burger. I love the
sauces that they put in it.
The food’s affordable, delicious,
and it hits the spot—you’re getting
your proteins and vegetables. I
do go for the Costco usually as a
side order because that’s the only
vegetable that I get during the day.
If I’m not ordering Bite Me Burger,
it would be something more on
the casual dining side, definitely
no fine dining, because one has to
think twice before spending at a
time like this.
4. DUBAI HAS VERY MUCH
OF A BRUNCH CULTURE, DO
YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE
BRUNCH, AND WHY?
I have to say my favourite brunch
is the Zuma brunch. I’m a seafood
lover. They have the finest
selections of sushi and sashimi.
They also have the finest shrimps,
lobsters and shellfish. It’s delicious,
and you can eat as much as you
want, but it doesn’t feel heavy.
That’s very important to me. When
I want to enjoy a meal—no matter
what it is—I never like to eat feeling
stuffed, or heavy, or tired.
Of course, you’ve got the bubbly
on the side. The quality of the
bubbly that Zuma has is fantastic.
The people that you see there are
lovely and the staff are incredible;
they remember your name, the
service is personalised, and there
is that extra touch to ensure that
you’re having a wonderful time.
Dubai does have a lot of amazing
brunches out there, but Zuma, in
particular, is my favourite one.
5. WHAT DO YOU
THINK THE HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY—HOTELS, IN
PARTICULAR—SHOULD DO
TO INCREASE THE USE OF
TECHNOLOGY?
I think hotels will find it difficult to
adapt when it comes to technology
because why do people stay in
hotels? It’s a home away from
home. It’s that personalised
service. It’s that human touch—the
human interaction—that they’re
looking for. I think that the only
technology that they can advance
on is their point-of-sales operations
or the ‘back of the house’. They
can advance their tech equipment,
bringing them up to standard.
Ordering your dinner on an inhouse
mobile gadget in a restaurant is
also a good option.

Lara’s top picks
Lebanese
Al Mandaloun DIFC

Burger Joint
Bite Me Burger Co at DIFC and Get Plucked- try their vegetarian
mini burger and waffle cones

Casual dining
Carine at Emirates Golf Club.
Favourite dish is tuna tartare
INDIAN
Amala at Zabeel Saray.
Try their Thali for big groups.

Thai
Benjarong at Dusit
Try the Tom Yum Goong soup.
Japanese
Tomo at Raffles

FITNESS
WHO GOT
YOUR BACK?
POSTURE CORRECTION FOR A BETTER YOU
REMEMBER HAVING DREAMS OR
GOALS BACK IN JANUARY? YEAH,
ME NEITHER!
I recently had a quick glance at my own goals
for the year. To be clear, I had one and only
one goal: make a conscious effort to maintain
good posture, whenever possible, or whenever
I remember. I started off on track, and then
like everything else, that was usurped with the
onset of the global pandemic; my goal was a
thing of pre-COVID-19 times!
With our current situation, where minutes
lapsed into months, I have to admit that I
only remembered my goal sometime in the
last few days. It happened while scrolling
through Instagram and coming across a meme
that cautioned people from sitting on their
wallets in their back pockets and misaligning
their spines. I also remember running across
a powerful quote from last year that was the
whole purpose of my goal setting:
“PROPER POSTURE IS THE KEY TO
PLAYING FOR LIFE!”
I’ve often found myself in really awkward
positions, either half-lounging or half-propped
up on my couch, hunched over my extremely
low desk, or even walking horribly. As it turns
out, lower back pain is not cute. It’s as annoying
as stepping on that one earpiece that keeps
slipping out your ear or and getting injured by
inanimate objects.
And I am starting to realise what’s at stake
here: like everything to do with health and
wellness, your body keeps score, and it always
wins. That being said, you can make small
adjustments to your everyday life and not
come face to face with the fun-snatcher that
is the sudden onset lower back pain that just
won’t go away. To be clear, I’m not a doctor,
but I’m sharing with you the following tips
that work for me to prevent bad posture from
happening in the first place.

1. ALWAYS BE MOVING. If you’re
sitting at a desk, switch it up by standing
for a few minutes while working. If you’re
lounging, switch sides.
2. ANTICIPATE AND PREPARE
FOR LONG CALLS. Don’t cradle your
phone between your neck and shoulders.
Use a headset attachment so you can talk
hands-free. If you anticipate long calls,
where you need to be doing many things
at once, prepare ahead of time and
eliminate tasks that can wait.
3. MAKE A MENTAL NOTE OF
HOW LONG A PARTICULAR TASK
WILL TAKE. Cooking, assembling
furniture, sorting things out etc. require
you to be hunched over for long periods
of time, and we can get really focused on
finishing the task no matter how much
pain we’re in, however mild.

4. WALK LIKE YOU HAVE A PIN STICKING
OUT OF YOUR COLLAR.
5. MAKE IT A POINT TO DO THE ‘CHILD’S
POSE’ EVERY TIME YOU GET OUT OF BED,
AND AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE DAY. Hold
the position for about 5 minutes. This position helps
lengthen the lower back and ease the tension in your
back and neck.
The more conscious you are about your posture at any
given time, and make efforts to correct it whenever you
notice, the more you’ll gain a greater awareness of your
body and cause it to correct itself naturally. If you’re
currently dealing with lower back pain, your doctor
or chiropractor can assist you with choosing proper
postures during your activities to help reduce your risk
of injury.
MOHAMED ISMAIL FARAH
Artist, content creator and consultant
Mohamed is a creative, driven and articulate individual with 10 years
of work experience, primarily in Finance and International Trade and
Development, having previously worked in roles in Marketing, Sales,
Project Management, Process Management, Customer Experience and
Retail Banking for HSBC Middle East.
On a personal level, Mohamed cares deeply and passionately about art,
artistic expression and especially art education. He paints, illustrates,
sketches, designs and sculpts. Mohamed is also very big on sustainable
development and corporate sustainability, having taken part and
spearheaded a range of initiatives aiming to contribute to the SDGs
(United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), a universal call adopted
by all United Nations Member States in 2015, to end poverty, protect the
planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
Mohamed is currently engaged in supporting innovative enterprises to
expand their brand’s footprint to the UAE.

ROTATING SHOES:
The Way To Go
The Extra Mile
For many people, quarantine made exercising very
difficult. Even now, going to the gym may seem a risky
move. Many of us are still very cautious. That’s why I took
up running. It really was one of the best decisions I’ve
made during this quarantine period.
As with taking up any new exercise routine, always take
the right and reasonable precautions. Why should you
do that? Well, take my personal advice—I don’t want you
to end up in a cast for five weeks as I did. Recently, I
took a break from running and learned about how to stay
injury-free. There are many things that we already know
to be careful about: maintaining an ideal form, warming
up, cooling down and very importantly, wearing your
shoes.
Shoes? You may ask why.
WEARING SHOES THE RIGHT WAY FOR
EXERCISE
There are many aspects to consider in choosing the right
footwear for your exercise routine to optimise your fitness
game: be it finding a considerable size that maintains an
allowance to provide for swelling at the end of the day,
choosing a comfortable fit from toe to heel, considering
materials or fabrics that aids in moisture-wicking and
cooling, and many more.
One thing, however, that I missed—and it is something
that’s pretty easy to miss—is rotating your shoes after
every workout. By shoe rotation, I mean using more than
one pair of shoes for exercise. Why is using more than
one pair of shoes important? The answer may not seem
too obvious: not only does it decrease chances of injury,
but it also improves performance.
According to a paper published by the Scandinavian
Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, using at
least two different shoes decreased the chance of injury
by 39%. This research says that this benefit occurs due
to the elimination of possible muscle imbalances. Our
bodies have a tendency to adapt to the environment and
the pressure we give them. This is an issue when it comes
to running because the repetitive nature of the sport
can, at times overstress our bodies. By using more than
one pair of shoes, alternating in between long periods
of workouts, you can avoid overloading any one part of
your leg, while at the same time strengthening others.
There is also a huge benefit in using different shoes for

different runs. To understand this in
more detail, we should look at the
research conducted by the University
of Cape Town. According to their
findings, different running shoes
affect running kinetics and kinematics
at or before heel strike but not at midstance:
this means that depending on
what type of running you’re doing,
using a different pair of shoes will
improve your performance.
MORE THAN A PAIR OF SHOES?
IS THAT NECESSARY?
A lot of people may have an issue with
buying two running shoes, thinking
that it will double the cost of the
workout, but economically speaking,
ultimately the cost will be the same.
Let’s say you use one pair of shoes
for a period of four months. Instead
of spending for one shoe now and
another one in four months, buying
two right now would mean you could
use both for the next eight months.
What type of shoes do you buy?
That depends on you, actually. If
you’re a person who runs a lot on
different terrain, investing in one trail
shoe and one road shoes would be
recommended. Once you reach an
advanced level, think about putting
some money into racing shoes. If you
have a routine of doing things like
short runs, hills, sprints and long runs,
you have to invest accordingly. If you
tend to run the same route without
too much of a difference, you can buy
two of the same pair.
Running is a fun hobby. I’m in a cast
right now, and all I can think about is
getting back to running. Remember
that we have to make sure that we
do our exercise routines safely! A
willingness to spend some extra
money now on shoes will lead to you
avoiding the injury bills.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hani P Jamal currently studies Journalism at the Amity University Dubai,
having travelled all the way from Oman where he was born and raised to
pursue his dreams. He explored numerous creative outlets and realised that
exploring the potential of his voice was his calling. He grew up with a family
that had a very successful business, which made the path he took a ‘one less
travelled’.
On many occasions, he flew around the world, displaying the effort he is willing
to put into achieving his goals. On one such occasion, he travelled to Kuwait
for an open quiz competition, where he took the gold medal home. Hani sings
at live events, acts in theatres, and participates in exciting quiz shows.

Travel
Sheer Opulence
at Ottoman-inspired Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

Situated on the West Crescent of the idyllic
Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray oozes
Ottoman-inspired luxury and grandeur from the
minute you enter the immaculately designed
lobby area. On entry, guests are taken aback
by the beautiful marble water feature, greeted
with the warmest smiles from the welcoming
staff and taken through the check-in process as
quickly as possible.
A VIRTUAL TOUR: ROOMS
The rooms evoke a generous sense of space,
accompanied by a liberating view of the
sea in the balconies. Towards the facade of
the property, guests can indulge in the view
of the Dubai skyline, including the Dubai
Eye. The back of the property, on the other
hand, features wonderful sea views of Palm
Jumeirah.
The rooms come with a posh bath bigger than
most baths of five-star hotels. The bathrooms,
which include walk-in showers and separate
toilet and bidet facilities, feature oversized
Turkish marble soaking baths with shutter
doors opening out to the rooms’ sea view. The
luxurious experience is highlighted even more
with the inclusion of Penhaligon’s products for
the guests’ enjoyment.
Bed heaven is the best way to describe the
large pristine beds that the rooms come fitted
with, promising comfort beyond expectations.
Mod cons are provided in every room, as one
would expect from a lavish five-star hotel,
along with luxe amenities such as a flat-screen
TV and minibar.
A REFRESHING ALL-YEAR SUMMER VIBE
The vibrant pool area invites sweat-drenched
guests to come take a refreshing deep and
cool off under the Middle Eastern sun. The
main pool is temperature-controlled, along
with a kids pool. Sun loungers wait around
the deck for a natural tanning experience. The
beach area, on the other hand, prides itself on
the abundance of pristine white sand and a
welcoming ambience of the seaside.
Emirati hospitality extends in every area of the
hotel, and naturally, the pool and beach staff
ensures that guests are provided with clean
towels, ice-cold water and ice lollies. Sunblocks
and sanitisers are available for guest use at
the towel station. To quench the thirst and
heighten the island vibe, refreshing cocktails
and mocktails are served at Plaj, the poolside
restaurant.
AN ENJOYABLE SAFE HAVEN FOR KIDS
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray guarantees an amazing
experience for children at the lively Kids Club.
Parents can enjoy a stress-free experience
while their kids are pampered and taken care
off. Take the kids to the cinema for daily films
with free popcorn and drinks. Check out the
timings and films available at the time of your
stay.
RELAX AND UNWIND
The sublime Talise Ottoman Spa is said to
be the jewel set in the opulent crown of the
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. By far, it is the largest
and most tranquil oasis that one’s eyes could
feast on. The two-floor spa features a calming
saltwater pool and an elegant assortment of
amenities such as jacuzzis, saunas, gyms and
even a snow room.
The spa has separate male and female areas,
all provided with treatment rooms. Couples
are free to enjoy a quiet private time in the
dedicated couples suites kitted out with private
jacuzzis, minibars and wonderful views of the
sea. Indulge in a variety of luxury massages
and treatments, including Thai, Turkish
Hammam, Balinese, Sultan, ancient hot-stone,
anti-ageing, cleansing, mother-to-be spa, and
more treatments. The spa has a hair and beauty
salon and boutique where guests can choose
their favourite Margy’s Monte Carlo products.
AN EXCITING INTERNATIONAL
CULINARY EXPERIENCE
Give in to gastronomic delights with the
exquisite culinary offering of Jumeirah Zabeel
Saray from over ten exclusive restaurants.

AL NAFOORAH
Enjoy authentic Lebanese cuisine in an
ornate dining room with a backdrop of
Arabic music to shake your shoulder
to between courses.
AMALA
Taste the exotic flavours of North
India with servings of rich flavours
reminiscent of Mughlai days.

LALEZAR*
Experience family-friendly signature
Turkish cuisine in an open-aired dining
space.
*reopening soon
PLAJ
Savour wondrous beachside dining
with amazing wood-fired pizzas and
the best of the Mediterranean.

SULTAN’S LOUNGE
Yield in the quiet ambience while
sipping your afternoon tea in
Ottoman-inspired luxury.
SULTAN’S DELIGHT
Sample and delight in decadent cakes
and pastries curated and customised
to your needs.

THE RIB ROOM*
Satisfy your cravings in a meat-eaters
paradise serving up the best Irish and
Wagyu beef, expertly cooked to your
liking.
*reopening soon
THE CROWN
Experience a classy social night out
with friends at a traditional British
high-end pub.

CLUB LOUNGE
Enjoy exclusive light dining, including
buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and
pre-dinner canapés.
IMPERIUM
Feel like royalty while dining
under grand glittering chandeliers
surrounded by gilded columns.

BASK IN THE LUXURY OF
THE ROYAL RESIDENCES
Take the opulence up a notch
with an experience to remember
at the Royal Residences, a
luxury estate on the shores of
Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent.
The high-end four or fivebedroom
villas, which offer
exceptional views of the sea,
include private butler service,
and exclusive amenities.
Situated on the beachfront,
the villas have direct access to
the pristine Jumeirah Zabeel
Saray private beach, where villa
residents can enjoy lounging on
spacious cabanas.
The villas, inspired by the
splendour of the Turkish
Tulip era, are complete and
decked with living amenities
and modern convenience.
The lavish, ultra-spacious villa
bedrooms come with en-suites
with rain showers and marble
baths.

For more information and reservations, visit Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or call +971 4 453 0000.

FOR THE CULTURE
REINVENTING
YOURSELF IS
EASIER THAN
YOU THINK
Have you ever felt as if it was time for a change? Do you
get that niggly feeling that keeps telling you that where
you are is not where you should be and what you are
doing is not what you are supposed to be doing? The
period of rebirth may be dawning on you. In this article, I
will share with you how you can quickly reinvent yourself.
Now, before I go any further, I think it is right for me to set a
few things straight. When I talk about reinventing yourself,
I am not talking about going off and pretending to be
someone that you are not. I am not telling you to lie about
who you are and what you can do. I am not encouraging
you to lie about your past. Reinventing yourself is about
becoming a better version of yourself.
Why do you want to reinvent yourself? In other words, why
do you want to change? Knowing why is the first step in
the life reinvention process. The second step is to decide
what you want to change. Reinventing yourself can take
different forms, and it does not mean that everything in
your life has to change at the same time. When you know
why you want to change, then it is easier to decide what
you want to change. Here are a few simple things you can
do to reinvent yourself:

Resign from your job.
I know this is not the time to be
resigning your job, given the fact that
so many people are losing their jobs
due to redundancies, but if your job is
a source of deep unhappiness and it
is ruining your life, then you would be
better off without it.
Move away from certain friends
and family.
We may not get a chance to choose
our family, but we certainly get to
choose how close we live to them
and how much time we spend with
them. We all want to be close to our
families; however, sometimes your
family may be the source of your
discontent. As for friends, you get to
choose your friends, and in the same
way that you choose them, you can
choose to walk away from them. I
know this is easier said than done, but
if you want to invent a new you, then
you might have to walk the hard road
and walk away.
Connect with new people.
As much as walking away from
friends and family is hard, meeting
new people can also be hard. Being
intentional about the new people you
meet is critical. Who do you want to
become? Find people who are doing
what you want to do or being who
you want to become and connect with
them. Sometimes this connection can
start online. If you’re going to be
an entrepreneur, but all your friends
have ‘9 - 5’ jobs, it is going to be hard
for them to understand your plans for
a new life and business. Finding and
networking with other entrepreneurs
will do wonders for you and your
business.

Change aspects of your personality.
You can change if you want to. Changing aspects of
your personality is not an automatic thing; it takes
conscious work and effort. If you find that the habits
you have are not helping you to live the best life that
you can, work hard to change them. Hire a coach,
get a friend to help, read books, watch videos,
take a course, whatever you do, be deliberate. Just
thinking of changing and hoping to change will not
work. Make tiny steps every day in the direction that
you want to go, and eventually, you will get there.
Move home, area or even country.
Nothing forces you to get out of your comfort zone
even more than the act of moving to somewhere new,
and the further away from where you are, the better.
Moving forces you to meet new people, learn about a
new area or country. It can give you a new lease on life.
It takes great courage to move, especially moving to a
new country, but it can be the best thing you can do in
turning over a new page in life.
Change your wardrobe.
If moving house or moving to a new country seems too
drastic a change, maybe changing the way you dress could
be all your need to reinvent your life. Give away your current
wardrobe and refill it with entirely new styles and colours.
Be careful not to go out and buy back precisely what you
had. Reinventing your life by changing your wardrobe is not
about getting new clothes, it’s about changing your style and
wearing something that you would not have worn in the past.
Sometimes, we are forced to reinvent your life. Stress and
burnout may force you to change jobs or even career. Anger,
arguments, bitterness and divorce can lead to a significant life
change. Illnesses can often lead to life adjustments, as well.
But don’t wait for life to force you into a corner to change;
take time out regularly to evaluate where you are in life and
how you are doing. If you feel like the time has come for you
to reinvent your life, take decisive, bold steps in the direction
you would like to go.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LEISA GRACE WILSON is an educator, entrepreneur and
blogger. She currently lives in Abu Dhabi with her seven-yearold
twin boys and husband. Leisa is passionate about personal
development, entrepreneurship, finances and the world of
education. You can connect with Leisa by visiting her blog www.
leisagrace.com or connect with her on Linkedin https://www.
linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/

SIMILAR
TRADITIONS
AROUND
THE WORLD
Traditions are treasured practices—living cultural artefacts—
passed down from generation to generation. It maintains a sense
of community and belongingness and forges a commitment to
preserve milestones of antiquity and ancestral memories. In
other words, it ensures the continuity of culture, preserving the
very identity of a society at its core.
When societies and communities merge and diverge
geographically, through wars and conquest, through unions of
nations and states, traditions and beliefs tend to be adopted
interculturally, resulting in either a shared sense of community
in between different cultures or resulting cultural assimilation
that one culture may pass off as a rebirth of the original. These
resulting similar traditions should serve as proof that we are more
alike in many ways, and encourage us to accept that humanity
shares a collective identity and history.
Let’s take a short journey around the world to seek examples of
similar customs and traditions.
1. BIRYANI
If you are living in the Middle East, biryani is a dish
you have tried at least once. The name biryani
is derived from a Persian word ‘birian’, which
means fried before cooking. The dish consists
of well-seasoned rice and meat or vegetables.
Making this dish is a culinary tradition shared by
different cultures around the globe. There are
many different types of biryani: Indian Biryani,
Arabic Biryani, Swahili Biryani, Iraqi Biryani, Turkish
Biryani, among others.

2. THE SARI AND THE MUSHANANA
The sari and mushanana are traditional dresses that belong to
two different cultures. At first glance, they look quite similar
in the way they are styled. The sari, a garment measuring
five to nine yards long, is a traditional outfit worn by women
in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is worn with a
choli, a blouse that covers the torso. Sari is carefully wrapped
around the woman’s body with its end draped over the
shoulder.
INDIAN SARI
The mushanana is a traditional dress worn by women in
different parts of East Africa from Rwanda, Burundi and parts
of Uganda. The dress is made up of a silk skirt wrapped
around the waist, and a sash draped over the shoulders,
creating a simple but elegant look.

3. INDIAN WEDDING CEREMONY AND
NDEBELE WEDDING CEREMONY
Perhaps a cultural aspect that holds diversity across cultures
is the ceremony or rite of wedding. The Indian wedding
ceremony, for one, takes place for three days on average, and
consists of several intricate ceremonies and various regional
customs. The wedding tradition of the Ndebele tribe from
South Africa, on the other hand, celebrates weddings for
years, and the wedding celebration consists of three stages.
Interestingly, the wedding customs of the two cultures,
Indian and Ndbele, are similar in terms of the performance
of duties of a groom’s mother. In India, the groom’s parents
buy jewellery and clothing for their soon-to-be daughterin-law.
Indian mothers are said to enjoy this custom of
buying clothing and jewellery for their daughter-in-law. This
practice is somewhat similar to that of a wedding custom
of the Ndebele culture where the groom’s mother creates a
jocolo for her daughter-in-law. The jocolo, worn by married
Ndebele women in South Africa, is an apron made of
goatskin decorated with colourful beads.

4. LIP PLATE
The lip plate, lip plug or lip disc,
is a form of body modification.
This is a traditional practice
carried out by different cultures
around the world, from the
Mursi women of Ethiopia to the
Suyá men of Brazil.
Lip platings are made possible
by cutting either the upper or
lower lip and inserting a disc
progressively until one reaches
the desired size. The Mursi
women practice this tradition as
a symbol of beauty and a sign of
maturity, signalling that a girl is
ready for marriage. Despite the
fact that most of the Suyá men
from Brazil have abandoned the
tradition of wearing lip plates,
some still do because they
are awarded respect in their
community.

5. THE MYTH OF THE
RABBIT ON THE MOON
A popular Asian myth that
spread in Eastern Asia is the
story of the moon rabbit or
moon hare; a mythical figure
said to be living on the moon.
The myth originated in China,
which eventually spread to
Korean and Japan. According
to the Japanese and Koreans,
the rabbit is making rice cakes,
while the Chinese story tells of
a rabbit that pounds medicine.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Mutazindwa N. Amirah, a budding writer and blogger, currently studies at the Amity University Dubai.
She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is interested in fashion,
food and travel and dreams of being a news anchor in the future. She believes in sharing the wonderful
and diverse stories of people, and this led her to choose a career path of a writer and a journalist.

Music
Heart
of your
LISTEN TO THE
“One good thing about music, when it
hits you, you feel no pain.”
The legendary Bob Marley echoed these words. Music, apart from the
aesthetic enjoyment that melody and rhythm bring to the ears, teaches
lessons of freedom, joy, love, and liberty. It can be said to offer existential
sojourns to find meaning and purpose. Truly, we can all agree that music
affects the mood and mind.
It is perhaps mysterious and fascinating how we find solace in listening
to soothing vocals. To me, the different timbres of the human voice
represent concepts and ideals to which we all sing. These dreams,
aspirations, feelings and thoughts, inner voices as they are, are the very
music of our own hearts.

SOPRANO IS FREEDOM
Every heart sings songs of freedom in high ranges. The
sopranos inside us encourage liberty, fraternity and unity.
Our hearts produce vocals of autonomy, and we know
that in unity, we can summon strength, courage, identity,
and the truth. When troubles of our inner universe echo
loudly inside our chambers, then we must listen most
intently to the sweet, high notes of our heart to regain the
sense of control and freedom. Sing a brilliant melody that
can reach the mountaintops of your mind: these sounds
will provide light in a dark abyss, and your heart will
vocalise the words you need to make better decisions.
ALTO IS LOVE
Love sings sweetly in soft, humble tones and soothing
melodies. Your inner alto is the expression of love and
devotion. When the world seems to be overflowing with
hate and prejudice, seek love. It may seem that there is
more to dislike or hate about trials and frustrations that
inevitably happen throughout our heart’s musical journey.
The struggles of relationships, demands from work, the
challenges of child-rearing, and other circumstances
can set you back with your acceptance of and giving of
love. Sing, then, with the alto in you, when you feel like
searching for something missing in you. Remember that
your heart beats for adoration and affection, and the
songs it sings are meant to be listened to.
TENOR IS PEACE
There are times when life seems to be in a state of
‘accelerando,’ and we may find it hard to perceive
solutions to our own pitfalls. When this inevitably
happens, it is time to roll out your heart’s musical prowess
of peace. Brilliant and shining through, the tenor inside
you will vocalise to lead you to peace. By listening to
the sounds of our hearts, we will be reminded of the
voice produced by Stevie Wonder; we will be able to
avoid the noise that is ever-present in our combustible
world. Be patient with yourself and remember that in
times of heavy noise, search and actively listen to the
tenor of your heart.
BASS IS JOY
Joy feels like a free Friday, a day to unwind, and relax
knowing that troubles are temporary. The bouncy
rhythms of jazzy bass notes play through within, giving
a celebratory vibe. Bass represents the natural energy
that keeps the weekend from quickly lapsing into a
dull Tuesday. Our hearts have all the remedies for us to
maintain our happiness. Enjoy the rendition of bass like
the vocals of Johnny Cash and Isaac Hayes: they represent
the deep blue sea of joyful sounds that we must seek to
keep a holiday mood. Lead a life of joy by listening to
your heart’s bass arrangements.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JEROME DOUGLAS
Jerome Douglas is a 27-year old trained teacher, poet and writer from the
beautiful island of Jamaica. His personal philosophy is “If it is for me to
be, then it is up to me.” He attended the Catholic College of Mandeville
in Jamaica. Additionally, he is a community builder and humanitarian who
volunteers his time to help with the academic and social well-being of
people in his Central Jamaica community and surrounding areas.

BOOK REVIEW
THE SLIGHT EDGE BY JEFF OLSEN
We’ve all heard Yoko Ono’s famous one-liner, ‘Every drop in the ocean counts.’ We’re
also familiar with the age-old saying, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ This is the premise
on which Jeff Olsen has based his book. According to him, having an attitude that
recognises the importance and long-term impact of small, everyday actions will give
you the ‘slight edge’ over others who shrug off little actions as excusable. He believes
that this slight edge will ultimately define whether you are on your way to being a
successful person or not.

Olsen lists out the ‘7 Slight Edge Principles’ he believes
are necessary to have that little advantage over your
fears and commitments.
• Show up: Be present. Be there. Do not miss out.
• Be consistent: Don’t show up only when it is
convenient.
• Have a good attitude: Have a positive spirit,
even when things seem rough.
• Be committed for a long period of time:
Success has never been achieved in a day. Be
patient and dedicate yourself to the cause.
• Have faith and a burning desire: You will get
the best results with passion and belief.
• Be willing to pay the price: Be willing to let go
of some things to get to the finish line.
• Have integrity: Integrity is what you do when
you know nobody is watching. To be among the
best, integrity is especially important.
SMALL DECISIONS, BIG IMPACT
Throughout the book, Olsen superimposes his ideas
with clear and relatable situations as examples. For
instance, he talks about how choosing to drink water
instead of soda may not seem like a big deal. The
decision, however, has a much deeper impact on your
long-term health goals. It’s a fairly easy thing to do,
but it is equally easy not to do as well. This paradox is
where your attitude is tested.
A harder example would be ensuring to do 30 minutes
of exercise every day. We’ve all had those days where
we tend to postpone our walk or workout to the next
day because we think it’s convenient for us. But, in
doing so, we ignore the greater impact those few
minutes would have on our health, and ultimately, our
lives. Similarly, you’re not going to achieve your goal
savings overnight; you’re going to get there if you
mindfully set aside a few dollars each day.
PUTTING THOUGHTS INTO ACTIONS
Another feature of the book that most of us will resonate
with is the part where Olsen talks about putting
thoughts into actions. It’s human nature to miscalculate
our journey towards success, to get intimidated by
it all, and then fall into a depressive cycle of failure
simply because the goal seems too big to achieve.
Losing 50 pounds might seem like too big a goal to
achieve, so you get disheartened very quickly just by
the enormousness of it.
“The journey starts with a single step—not with
thinking about taking a step.” This quote from the book
emphasises that all you can do in the present is to take
a positive, affirming action towards your goal, and not
stop at simply thinking about it.
Let us say you’ve begun eating clean, working out
and even meditating. But your weight loss reaches a
plateau. Or, you give in to your craving and indulge in
a slice of cake. To cite another example, you have set
your mind to save a certain amount of money. Three
months into your plan, you splurge on an expensive
bag that you didn’t really need. Olsen recognises this
pattern of the non-linear journey towards success. It is
only human nature to falter and fail. There are going
to be days where you will skip working out. But what
makes the difference is how you perceive these little
failures. Do you let them overcome you and ruin all
your hard work so far? Or do you learn from them and
make better decisions in the future? How will you get
back that ‘slight edge’?
COMPOUNDING BENEFITS OF SMALL EFFORTS
There is not much in this book that hasn’t been said
before. The idea of compounding benefits of little
actions over certain periods of time has been discussed
and thought of in other self-help books we have
reviewed before. That being said, there is definitely
something fresh and relatable about how Olsen crafts
his opinions. He pushes you to categorise your actions
into positive and negative, thereby ensuring that you
hold yourself accountable. He doesn’t make towering
claims of overnight success or such; instead, he
reiterates the fact that success is achieved over time
with focus, determination and hard work. Most of the
hard work goes towards conditioning your will power
and controlling your urges.
If you already have a great deal of self-awareness within
you, then there’s not a lot of new information you can
glean from Jeff Olsen’s The Slight Edge. On the other
hand, if you’re someone who needs a few words of real,
hard truth every so often to keep you steadfast on your
journey towards success, then this book might just offer
the much-needed push in the right direction!

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