Out and About Magazine Issue 10 Vol. 2

Issue 10 Volume 2
Dec 2020- Feb 2021
HOLIDAY
TREATS
TO RELISH THIS
FESTIVE SEASON
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
WITH MISS TEEN UNIVERSE,
BIBYANA
MORALES
Level Up
YOUR ENERGY:
3 ways
Beauty
Gift Ideas
for the Holidays
Beat the
HOLIDAY
BULGE
1

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see
the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
2

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 Khawaja
hello@outandaboutmag.com
outandaboumagofficial
outandaboumagofficial
outandaboutmagofficial
www.outandaboutmag.com
Photographer:
Mykyta Poluliakh
Styling: Mustafa Khawaja
Published by Out and About FZE
(Registered at Fujairah Creative City)
3

4

5

“ Let love, joy, hope and
peace be the guiding lights
during this holiday season.”
~ Debasish Mridha
EDITOR’S
WELCOME
6

The holiday season is here and the end of the year is near.
There are still good reasons to celebrate, despite the
challenges and unexpected events of our time. We held
on; we stayed, we persisted; it is without a doubt that our
grit and determination have made us stronger, too.
So here’s a toast to all our hard-earned successes, however
great or small, and to the caution and wise judgment that
we have all exercised: we shall move forward, stronger
and better, to continue the lives that are given to us and
to spread the love that remains in our heart. Remember:
when something ends, a new beginning is on the horizon.
Out and About Magazine wishes you the sincerest
happiness and love for you and your family. Let us see
through the end of this year with hope and courage to
prepare for the next battles of our lives.
Features and Highlights
For this Edition, we give you a Special Feature: an
Exclusive Interview with Miss Teen Universe Bibyana
Morales. An article that will give inspiration and lessons
to our young readers out there. In our Fashion Feature,
we interviewed Sophia London - owner of Category
London - a brand dedicated to showing what true beauty
is. Diversity and inclusion buzzwords circulating the
fashion industry lately, but what do they really mean? To
learn more, read: Diversity and Inclusion in the Fashion
Industry.
Looking for gifts for this holiday season? Here are Beauty
Gift Ideas for the Holidays to help you. We want you to
look the best, so we gave you Common Essential Oils:
An Essential Beauty Guide. All of these helpful articles
in our Beauty section.
In an exclusive interview, we introduce a serial entrepreneur
and investor featured on Forbes, Entrepreneur, Business
Insider, and Gulf Business AE: CEO Mustafa Khawaja of
Khawaja Holdings. Khawaja Holdings is an investment
and hedge fund entity in New York, which has invested
into more than 40 companies ranging across tech,
marketing, nutrition, real estate and other sectors. Find
out more about his journey and successes in our Behind
the Brand feature.
Are you in the hotel and management industry? Watch
the interview of Mahmoud Sakr in our Taking Lessons
feature where he narrates his journey towards success.
In our Talent Pool feature, we have Albert M. Carter,
a successful man in the music industry. Get inspirational
and upbeat lessons to learn from his life.
If you’re feeling down, here’s the right article for you:
Level Up Your Energy: 3 Ways. As we know, change is
the only thing constant in the world, Embracing Change:
How It’s Different for Everyone will give us ideas on
how to cope with it. Acceptance and confidence are
needed for us to be the best version of ourselves, read
on Body Positivity: The New Movement for A Better
Us and get lessons from the people with the same vision.
Snacks for your loved ones? Check out 5 Holiday Treats
To Relish This Festive Season and try these amazing
recipes you can try!
In our Fitness feature, we give you an article that will help
you stay in shape, especially needed after celebrations.
Beat the Holiday Bulge will definitely help you with this.
If you’re going to travel, check Conrad Maldives Rangali
Island and see if this will be your next destination.
All of us are having a hard time with all the distractions
around us. Focus: Now will help you to achieve what you
want. Looking to develop yourself? Read Step into Self–
Centricity and learn how to grow and nurture with the
help of your own self. We listed the best books for you in
5 Books on Our Release Radar for you to read and learn
lessons from.
Love and Hope - for the next chapter of our lives
The true meaning of the holiday is love and hope, and
may these timeless human experiences remain in our
hearts as long as we live. Stay in touch with our loved
ones and remind them that we have each other no matter
what.
Out and About Magazine, with the team that made this
Edition possible, wishes everyone a blessed and peaceful
celebration, wherever you are out and about.
outandaboumagofficial outandaboumagofficial outandaboutmagofficial
7

CONTENTS
Dec 2020- Feb 2021
9
10
SECTION 1
SPECIAL FEATURE
• Exclusive Interview with Miss Teen Universe,
Bibyana Morales
SECTION 2
FASHION
• Fashion Feature: Sofia London, Category London
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Fashion Industry
27
SECTION 3
BEAUTY
• Beauty Gift Ideas for the Holidays
• Common Essential Oils: An Essential Beauty Guide
36
SECTION 4
BEHIND THE BRAND
• Mustafa Khawaja, CEO of Khawaja Holdings,
Serial Entrepreneur and Investor
44
48
57
SECTION 5
TAKING LESSONS
• Mahmoud Sakr, Managing Director of
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
SECTION 6
TALENT POOL
• Albert M. Carter, Culture Shifter
SECTION 7
LIFESTYLE
• Level Up Your Energy: 3 Ways
• Embracing Change: How It’s
Different for Everyone
• Body Positivity: The New Movement
for A Better Us
79
85
SECTION 8
TRAVEL
• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
SECTION 9
FOR THE CULTURE
• Focus: Now
• Step into Self-Centricity
• 5 Books on Our Release Radar
70
FOOD
• 5 Holiday Treats To Relish This
Festive Season
FITNESS
76 Out and About Magazine tasks no responsibility for unsolicited
photographs or material. The photographs in this publication
• Beat the Holiday Bulge
are for illustration purposes, unless otherwise specified.
8

Special
feature
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
WITH MISS TEEN UNIVERSE
Bibyana
MORALES
Photos: Bibyana Morales (@bibyanamarquez)
Interview location: Ghaya Hotel, Dubai
9

1. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO ENTER A
PAGEANT?
It’s actually a pretty long story because when I first
started back then, I had never thought about being in
a pageant. I had never really looked into the modelling
world, until one day, I met the owner of a local store
where I live. She was the first person to encourage me to
take part in a pageant. I said, “Well, I’ve never modelled
before, I’ve never had an experience like this before,
but sure!” And she was the first person to believe in me
when nobody did. So today, I want to give her a big hug
and a big thank you because today, that’s why I’m here.
2. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE
PRESSURES OF PAGEANT LIFE?
Well, I am actually homeschooled, so that does help me
a lot because I take my school wherever I go. It balances
a little bit because I’m not in a regular school the whole
day. This gives me time to get ready for my pageants
and work on my hobbies, like designing, which I love
to do.
3. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUNG
PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH THEIR
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE?
A lot of people do think you have to act a certain way,
but honestly, I am just myself—I love being myself. I think
that’s something very important that we have to teach a
lot of people because nowadays, with social media and
all of this going on, people are trying to be a certain
way. They think that if you don’t look a certain way, don’t
act a certain way, dress a certain way, you won’t fit in.
But I think the complete opposite. I think that ‘different’
is awesome. So just always be yourself no matter what.
4. WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF BEAUTY?
Many people think beauty is always ‘the outside’: a
pretty body, a pretty face. But I think beauty is your inner
beauty because outer beauty will one day fade, and that
will go away at some point. I think there isn’t someone
more beautiful than someone who is kind—somebody
who inspires other people, somebody who does not
have to step on others to feel better about themselves.
5. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE
BULLYING?
Just always—always—believe in yourself no matter what.
You know, I was bullied for some time in school, and that
was something that really did affect me at some point.
That’s actually the reason why I started homeschooling.
This is my third year. That really changed my life. But
I think everything happens for a reason. If I had not
started homeschool, I would not have started pageants;
I would not have started the modelling.
So you know, I think everything happens for a reason and
just always give it your best, always believe in yourself.
I think bullying is something that we have all faced, or
some people do get affected more than others. But I
think it all starts at home; their parents have to talk to
them. They have to teach them as little kids because
sometimes, a lot of the kids don’t think about it. They
don’t think of the emotional damage they could cause
somebody. So I think parents have to talk to the kids as
they’re growing up. You’re not going to get anything
out of bullying. Somebody’s making somebody feel
bad about themselves. It all starts at home, and I think
schools should also talk to kids about that.
6. WHO INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE, AND WHY?
Definitely my mom. I have to say it’s my mom—like
for real because she’s a person that’s always there for
me every step of the way. And you know, she always
supports me. I remember when I first started pageants.
She said, “Oh, no, if you want to do it, go for it. I’ll be
there for you all the time.” And here she is.
7. HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR
MENTAL HEALTH?
Actually, as I mentioned, I am homeschooled. So I have
gotten used to that. But I know a few people who are
going through depression, because they are not seeing
their friends, they can’t go out. But the best advice I
could give you is to try to focus on something else, try
working on future projects, and work on yourself. Don’t
get sad because this is going to be over at some point.
Just keep being positive and don’t think about the
negative.
8. WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?
“Be somebody who always makes somebody feel like
somebody.”
9. WHAT’S NEXT?
Well, Miss Teen Universe will be held here in Dubai
next year, So that makes me so excited to be able to
crown the next Miss Teen Universe success right here in
Dubai—because Dubai is amazing!
10

11

FASHION
Sofia
London
Company name:
CATEGORY LONDON
www.shopcategorylondon.com
categorylondon
categorylondon
12

FEATURE
13

ofia
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am gifted to lead, nurture, and celebrate the existence of
individuality, beauty, and femininity through fashion. I am a
creative yet left-brain dominant. I’m an intuitive, passionate,
and empathetic observer. I seek to continuously empower
through transparency, collaboration, and establishing organic
relationships with my partners and consumers.
ondon
of fashion to assist in developing confidence and as a way of
My bond with fashion started as an escape from a feeling of
being inferior. I hid a lot of my insecurities through a facade
of confidence. Through my own journey, I learned the power
being authentic through self-expression. My personal style
constantly changes and evolves as a representation of my
evolution throughout life and my journey of self-discovery.
My journey into the fashion industry began as a model
manager. I have managed and coached women in their
aspirations of becoming professional models. As a proud
graduate of Wade College, I gained a strong background
in Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, and Design and have
worked in all aspects of retail, wholesale, and manufacturing.
As boss babe of Category London, I currently reside in Abu
Dhabi, with my largest market being in Dubai. Balancing these
two worlds has been rewarding and humbling. I am proud
to represent the state I was born in—Louisiana—and the city
dear to my heart: Dallas, Texas.
TELL US ABOUT CATEGORY LONDON AND WHAT
INSPIRED YOU TO START THE BRAND.
Category London is a modern fashion brand that aims to
empower authentic individuality through fashion. The name of
the brand is inspired by my own identity, leaving my personal
mark in the fashion industry using my last name—‘London’.
Our assortment is curated by US & International brands. My
mother and grandmother are my purest inspirations. They
instilled in me the importance of beauty starting from within
and moving outward. Category London’s slogan is Good
Fashion, Good Vibes, which truly represents the balance of
beauty from the inside out.
14

15

16

WHO WEARS CATEGORY
LONDON?
Modern women are conscious and
aware. They know what they want, what
they deserve—and they get it. Category
London is proud to attract the modern
women of today and provide them with
products that serve their desires to be the
best versions of themselves.
Category London pushes self-love,
beauty, and positivity from within and
outwardly. It is a brand that creates a
broad range of pieces to cater to those
with a flexible sense of style, or to those
looking for something more specific. We
do our best to cater to a variety of styles,
body shapes, and even personality types
for every social occasion and provide
retail options at a range of price points,
offering both practical and luxury items.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE
BRAND?
It is clear that Category London is not
only a fashion brand because we are
on a mission. We seek to cultivate a
normalisation of looking your best on
the outside and inside equally. We are
dedicated to supporting our subscribers
and followers in celebrating their
individuality, authenticity, and inner
beauty. We have some new developments
we are working on to continue to support
our customers in remembering to cultivate
beautiful minds, bodies, and spirits.
This December, we will be launching
our app which will send users monthly
affirmations and reminders, as we all need
them from time to time. The app will, of
course, house our amazing assortment
where users can purchase directly to
gain rewards and in-app discounts. Users
will also be able to tap into our lifestyle
sessions, view bestsellers and new arrivals.
We are loving the current Future is Female
movement and have partnered with some
amazing female-owned brands. We have
recently begun an IGTV series where
I speak with female business owners,
talking about fashion and good vibes.
Never forgetting our masculine and
much-needed counterparts, we currently
offer some men’s and unisex tees and
styles and are dedicated to broadening
this category.
WHAT’S THE BEST AND THE
HARDEST PART ABOUT HAVING
YOUR OWN FASHION BRAND?
My role as boss babe includes scouting
brands and planning our assortment. It
is the best and hardest part of owning a
fashion brand. I partner with brands from
Los Angeles as well as New York and
decide which styles will be best for my
consumers. This process is done 6 to 9
months prior to the launch of a garment.
This is a difficult task and very critical
to the success of the brand. So far, the
fashion gods have been on my side and
worked in my favour.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT
BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?
The best thing about being an
entrepreneur is the amount of impact I
can have on my customers, people that
I work with, and those that work for me.
It is rewarding when a customer speaks
highly of the brand and it makes the long
work hours worth it. Everything that I do I
view as a gift, my gift is not for me to hold
but to share and give back. Therefore, I
use every opportunity to do just that to
make an impact.
17

18

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING
THING ABOUT BEING AN
ENTREPRENEUR?
The most challenging thing about being an
entrepreneur is that every day is not a “win”.
As an entrepreneur, you will learn quickly that
despite any mistake that you will make, you
must continue. You will learn to not internalise
setbacks and to take them as lessons “earned”.
You will learn that the mistakes are not the
opposite of success, but they are a part of
success.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
I think most entrepreneurs could agree with this;
there is a consistent urge and push to move
forward despite the inevitable setbacks. It is
hard to explain, but it is a very real push feeling.
It’s an unexplained inkling that doesn’t really go
away. For some, it could be influenced by past
experience, by a family member, or mentor. For
me personally, it would be all of the above. I have
had consistent support in my life, for the most
part. I can say that once you begin the journey
of entrepreneurship, you must have that inner
power to continue. Many times, there is little to
no support from outside sources. I depend on
myself daily on a spiritual level when things get
difficult, and I frequently self-motivate through
meditation and positive affirmations. Visually
keeping my vision in mind and in sight has also
contributed to my motivation.
WHO INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE, AND
WHY?
My life’s purpose to inspire and build inspires
me to know that my vision and goal is not only
about me. I am very much inspired by liberal
arts and humanities such as music, astronomy,
literature, and culture. Music ignites me, speaks
to me, and is a part of my daily routine. These
activities awaken me and keep my morale and
spirits high.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR
20-YEAR-OLD SELF?
I would advise my 20-year-old self that it is okay
to be different, to have different goals and to
like different things than those that are in your
current environment. I would tell myself that the
world is enormous and there are people you will
find along the way and you will vibe with. Don’t
settle and don’t change. I would give myself
permission to walk in the strength of authenticity
and strive to not fit in.
HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR
MENTAL HEALTH?
I believe looking after our mental health has
been at the forefront during this pandemic. I am
happy to see this topic gain more transparency
in our community. We all deal with negative selftalk
and negative beliefs of the future based on
fear and uncertainty. Actually, our first topic in
our new IGTV series was on normalising positive
self-talk. It takes effort to control the inner
dialogue. It takes a level of discipline to train
and retrain your thoughts.
Personally, I use meditation, prayer, journaling,
and music quite often. It is important to own
our own growth. We must be responsible in
conditioning and nurturing our minds through
mindful activities; our bodies, on the other
hand, through regular exercise and healthy
lifestyle; and our spirits by connecting with The
Most High regularly. It is equally important to
speak out when you need help, and when you
are struggling.
There are many people that are suffering during
this time that are having to deal with situations
in a way they never had before. I encourage
anyone in this position not to give up because
better days are ahead. If you haven’t ever tried
meditation or journaling, I would encourage you
to do so. As my favourite author says: Tears are
words that need to be written.
WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE
BY?
I will give you another quote from my favourite
author, Paulo Coelho. I have many, but this is the
one I live by :
The simple things are also the most extraordinary
things, and only the wise can see them.
19

20

FASHION
21

22
Diversity and Inclusion
in the Fashion Industry

Diversity and inclusion are buzzwords that
are circulating lately in the fashion industry
scene. In fact, the terms have been overused
by brands and companies eager to show
their support in these modern movements.
Consumers nowadays are ready to call out
and cancel brands that fail to show diversity
and inclusion within their branding.
Victoria Secret is one of those popular brands
that have fallen behind in the movement.
VS cancelled their annual runway show after
their marketing Chief Ed Rezak told Vogue
in an interview that he did not think that
transgendered models had a place in the
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and claimed
further that there was no TV interest for plussize
runway shows. Other ‘woke’ brands like
Savage X Fenty strive to have runway shows
and campaigns that cater to all different
shapes, sizes, gender identities, races, and
religions. The important question looms
before us, nonetheless: do most brands in
the fashion industry take steps to be more
progressive in implementing inclusivity and
diversity in the long-term, or do they hide
behind short-term campaigns and buzzwords
to stay relevant?
WHY ARE DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION IMPORTANT IN THE
FASHION INDUSTRY?
Fashion is one of the biggest industries in the
world that capitalises on creativity and selfexpression.
Fashion isn’t all about textiles and
garments; it’s an industry that prides itself in
selling self-esteem and self-identity. Without
diversity and inclusion, fashion cannot truly
appeal as an art form. The industry has a longstanding
reputation of discriminating against
race, size, gender, and religion, often depicting
the ‘perfect model’ as tall, fair, and slender.
Due to this old way of thinking, the industry
needs reformation in terms of inclusivity and
diversity. But to ensure accountability, there
must be clarity in what those two words mean
for the industry. The words “inclusion” and
“diversity” are often used interchangeably
without a clear definition. We must understand
and focus on the definition of each word.
23

DIVERSITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Diversity is the practice or quality of including or
involving people from a range of different social and
ethnic backgrounds and of different genders or even
religions. Diversity in the fashion scene can easily be
just for show and gimmicks. For example, on catwalks
and in campaigns, it has become increasingly in
the norm to see a diverse range of models. Since
promoting a healthy body image has become popular
in fashion media, designers began to hire plus-size
models to walk the runway among their lineup of
size 0-2 models. This flaunting of diversity has also
become a fad when it comes to hiring black models.
High fashion brands that include a diverse lineup
of models often get a plethora of media coverage.
However, the diversity behind the camera is different.
When discussing diversity, we have to dig deeper
than runway shows and campaigns. To consider a
brand diverse, we must ask these questions. How
many people of colour are included in the creative
direction? Is there a make-up artist on set that has
experience with all skin tones, or a hairstylist that
can work with afro hair, braids, and protective styles?
Does the photographer understand the lighting
needed to capture an array of skin tones properly?
Although diversity is showing up at the forefront of
the fashion industry, we think that it still lacks behind
the scenes. According to the Fashion Minority Report
in 2019, only 11 percent of jobs in the UK fashion
industry are held by black and minority professionals.
Unfortunately, it's alarming that brands still neglect to
hire a diverse range of professionals.
INCLUSION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Inclusion is a climate in which diverse individuals
come together to form a collective whole, enabling
and empowering individuals to make contributions
consistent with their beliefs and backgrounds. Diversity of
abilities, cultural backgrounds, gender, race or ethnicity
positively correlates with increased productivity and
innovation. Many brands might hire people of different
races and feature them on the catwalk or in campaigns;
however, that is just one aspect of diversity. Inclusion is
not just about how much diversity you have, but having
an influential voice in the company and fashion industry
overall. Again, we need to dive deep into inclusion and
ask further questions. Do every single one of those
models feel safe, appreciated, and happy? Do they feel
comfortable? Are they paid the same as their younger
counterparts, who are white models? Will the models
work with the brand again? In 2019, The Council of
Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) gathered top
industry executives at a half-day conference to talk
through the issues the fashion industry is facing. They
concluded that an inclusive work environment would
enable individuals to comfortably express who they
are, without downplaying their differences. Their voices
are heard and recognised, and ultimately, this culture of
inclusion “empowers diverse individuals to make their
best contributions and do their best work”. Diversity is
not enough on its own, but we must include diversity
24

and inclusion hand in hand to have an effective industry
that truly promotes creativity and self-expression.
DIVERSITY VS. INCLUSION
Looking from the outside, some consumers may think that
diversity is enough, but it’s not. We must hold the fashion
world account able to have diversity at the forefront, as
well as an inclusive working environment for all industry
professionals behind the scenes. A seat at the table for the
minority group isn’t enough—their voices need to be heard.
There has been an increase in diversity in the past couple
of years. In The Fashion Spot’s annual survey, they found
out that 34.50% were people of colour out of the 529
models featured in Spring 2019 fashion campaigns. In the
Spring/Summer 2020 New York Fashion Week, 47% of
models walking the runway were POC. This is more than
double the number of POC participants when The Fashion
Spot started the survey in 2015. But these findings still
lack diversity when it comes to plus-sized models. Despite
that, fashion campaigns seem to be moving in the right
direction when it comes to diversity; however, there is still
slow progress when it comes to inclusion. In an article
featured by The Cut, ‘What It’s Really Like To Be Black
And Work In Fashion’, the author noted that “there have
never been more than one or two black editors-in-chief of
any major U.S. magazines, and only one black designer
leading a major American fashion brand”. Moreover, in
August 2018, ”no black photographer had ever shot the
cover of Vogue”. The author also noted that “only 15 of
the 495 CFDA members are black, and only ten black
designers have ever won a CFDA or CFDA/Vogue Fashion
Fund award.”
When it comes to the marriage of diversity and inclusion,
we believe that the fashion world must take a stand to
be more progressive. Having the token POC models isn’t
enough anymore. As consumers, we must hold these
brands accountable to make the changes needed.
WHAT’S NEXT?
In the briefing Inclusion & Diversity in the American
Fashion Industry, CFDA has committed to holding
themselves and others in the fashion industry accountable
to both realise that change is necessary and that there are
actionable steps to effect that change. They realised that
there is an urgent need to address inclusion and diversity
in the current state fashion and they need to do better
at embracing differences and change. Along with CFDA,
consumers have the power to bring about change. We
cannot be satisfied with flashy campaigns. We need to
research brands and what they stand for before investing
our money and support. But we can’t stop there—we also
need to support POC brands and POC designers.
Real change happens when we look past the surface of
these brands and demand the fashion industry to show
consumers what diversity and inclusion really means.
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!"
25

In Living Colour
Model: Eszter Ludvig
Photo: Jozsef Balogh
Retouch: Anna Petrova
Makeup: Liv Rideg
Assistants: Imre Nemeth and Zsuzsanna Kiss
Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary
26

BEAUTY
Beauty Gift Ideas
for the Holidays
The holiday season is around the corner, and this is a special time of the year when
some of us want to surprise our loved ones with thoughtful and nice-to-have gifts.
Aside from classic gifts like sweaters, watches, jewellery and boxes of chocolates,
perhaps so-called ‘beauty gifts’ are wondrous items that are sure to put smiles on
our loved ones’ faces. Everyone in the family can benefit from items that stress the
importance of skincare, personal care, hygiene and self-confidence!
We have compiled recommended beauty gift ideas for the holiday season to help you
decide on the best giftable items and packages to find this wonderful time of the year!
1
Perfume Gift Sets, Sephora
The season of giving is full of amazing surprises in fashion and beauty
stores like Sephora. Brands find this season a perfect time to package
limited edition perfume sampler sets that may contain different exclusive
fragrances from reputable brands or perfume houses. Most gift sets sell
out fast, so make sure to find good, giftable ones. It would be thoughtful
to low-key ask or research the scent preferences of the person you’d like
to gift a perfume set. Nonetheless, most people like having a perfume
collection!
Sephora Favorites Newness Perfume Sampler Set is an impressive sampler
set containing perfumes from Giorgio Armani, Dolce and Gabbana and
other perfume houses.
Perfect For: Everybody in the family (except babies and kids!)
Cost: Around 200 - 300 AED
2
Makeup Gift Sets, Sephora
Not only is this powerhouse beauty store offering perfume sets, but also
nice-to-have beauty sets ranging from makeup sets, makeup brush sets,
serum collections and skincare packages. Makeup gift sets tend to sell out
fast, so if you find one worth buying, grab the opportunity! Every woman
deserves a makeup collection that is sure to enhance her features and
highlight her beauty and individuality.
We especially love this Mini Lip and Face Set in Bomb Baby from FENTY
BEAUTY, as this aluminising set is perfect for Middle-Eastern skin tone
that dazzles under the sun!
Perfect For: Working Moms, Sisters and Aunts
Cost: Around 110 - 150 AED
27

3
Gift Bag Set, Bath and Body Works
A luxurious scent can be packaged in creams, lotions and
even shower gels, so we love seasonal or limited edition
gift sets of Bath and Body Works as they are perfect for
gifting to family and friends without spending too much!
Check out Vanilla Bean Noel Gift Set from Bath and Body
Works, as well as other limited edition sets that are just
amazing for the holiday season.
Perfect For: The Family
Cost: Around 210 AED
4
Bathroom Accessories Set, Amazon.ae
Many are thinking of gifting bath or toiletry sets, so
why not complete the package and make it even
more festive? Amazon has many good bathroom
accessories set to choose from. Surprise your Mum
or Aunts with an elegant, classy-looking set perfect
for their holiday hoard of bath soaps and lotions!
Perfect For: The Family (especially Mum)
Cost: Varies (Budget around 100 - 400 AED)
5
Modelling with Private Photoshoot Session
Rarely do we get presents offering to treat us to an amazing
experience of posing for a private photoshoot session, so this
time might be a good opportunity to treat a special person
or a loved one! You will be surprised that many people
would like to do modelling or beauty poses with the right
kind of guidance and professional intervention involved.
Great studios can easily accomplish this and it can be a great
experience to remember. Don’t forget to treat the expenses
for the photographs, photobooks and frames, too!
Perfect For: Couples, Loved Ones, The Family
Cost: Varies (per studio)
28

6
Self-Makeup Course
Another useful and much-appreciated gift would be to
treat the women you love and cherish to an amazing selfmakeup
course! Women love watching makeup tutorials
online, so why not treat them to a real experience of
learning it with the hands-on guidance of a makeup
artist or beauty expert? Not only will they learn advanced
makeup techniques, but also gain an experience that
will boost their self-confidence and appreciation of their
individual aesthetic.
Perfect For: Couples, Loved Ones, The Family
Cost: Varies ( per makeup artist)
Celebrate the holiday season with gift-giving that promotes the appreciation of individual beauty, wellness and self-care!
Nothing makes us happier than seeing the special people in our lives happy and well. Holiday or not, make others happy
even with small things, thoughts or actions.
A beautiful holiday season to you and your family!
Liv Rideg is an award-winning professional makeup
artist and hairstylist with 21 years of experience in the
beauty industry. She is currently based in Europe but
has worked across the globe, including a spell in Dubai.
Liv specialises in bridal, beauty, glamour, creative and
fantasy makeup. She has also been teaching makeup
techniques and different styles since 2010.
29

Eternal Beauty
Model: Judit Laszlo
Photo: Jozsef Balogh
Assistant: Robert Hajdu
Hair and makeup: Liv Rideg
Dress: Manually Made Photo Props
Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary
30

Femme Fatale
Model: Eszter Ludvig
Photo: Jozsef Balogh
Assistant: Zsuzsanna Kiss
Retouch: Anna Petrova
Hair & Makeup: Liv Rideg
Location: Studio Madison Budapest, Hungary
31

Common
Essential
Oils:
An Essential
Beauty Guide
Essential oils are becoming more popular
again, owing to the many trending movements
promoting the use of natural ingredients
and normalising DIY beauty solutions. These
wonder oils from nature are derived from
botanical extracts. An essential oil is termed
as ‘essential’ because they purportedly contain
the ‘essence’ of the very plant it is derived
from. These volatile compounds can be used
in many cosmetic, herbal and aromatherapy
preparations and products.
There are many methods to extract essential
oils. Popular ways include distillation via water
or steam and cold pressing. Once the plant’s
scent or flavour has been extracted, a ‘carrier
oil’, which is used for diluting, will be added.
Essential oils can be pure, therapeutic-grade,
or diluted for use in massage therapies,
aromatherapy and as room scents that are
diffused via diffusers or humidifiers.
Some essential oils may not appeal to
some individuals. As these oils can be quite
concentrated, their heavy scent may be too
much for some; and for some, however, it
brings great comfort and enjoyment.
32

Common Essential Oils and Their Benefits
1. LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
The scent of this herbaceous perennial is one of the most familiar
scents in the world. It has a distinctive, versatile aroma that feels
freshly green in a calming background of flowery notes. It is probably
the best-selling essential oil, with many people claiming that this oil
can aid in sleep and relaxation. In aromatherapy, this is purportedly
an essence that can soothe and calm the mind and body.
2. TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL
Tea tree oil has a strong, characteristic woody, camphor-like scent that
can also be described as medicinal and acrid. The prized qualities
of tea tree oil is its antibacterial and deodorising properties, which
makes it a good ingredient or additive for antibacterial facial wash
and serums, as well as deodorants. Pure tea tree oil can be very
strong and offensive to the nose, so there are diluted preparations
that can be readily used on the face and body, as well as deodorise
smelly household items like shoe racks and inside cabinets.
3. CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS, LIKE LEMON OIL AND
SWEET ORANGE OIL
The essential oils of citrus fruits are mostly obtained from the fruit
peels which contain an abundance of natural oils. Citrus oils have
a general characteristic of being vibrant, bouncy, and fresh. Lemon,
in particular, smells clean and tangy, making it a popular scent for
household cleaning products, air fresheners and dishwashing liquids.
Orange, lemon’s sweeter cousin, has a rich, lively, fruity citrus scent
that is also used in perfumes, air fresheners and soaps. Some people
claim that citrus oils can relieve headaches and improve the mood.
Orange oil, in particular, can also be used as a tummy soother.
4. ROMAN CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL
The scent of roman chamomile oil is often likened to the sweet aroma
of apple, but with a fresher, herby flavour. Roman chamomile, like
lavender, is also known to improve mood and aid in relaxation. Some
people also use it for putting children to sleep. Others claim that this
oil can be used to treat or alleviate indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and
flatulence. In some countries, women use it to cure morning sickness
and dysmenorrhea.
5. ROSE ESSENTIAL OIL
The rich, floral notes of rose oil are perhaps a quintessential perfume
chord that evokes passion and romance. Rose oil, besides being
widely used in fragrances and other botanical preparations, has
antibacterial and antifungal properties. Rose essential oil is also a
popular skincare ingredient as it can aid balance moisture levels in
the skin, reduce the appearance of skin imperfections, and promote
an even skin tone.
33

6. ROSEHIP ESSENTIAL OIL
Rosehip, as distinguished from the rose plant itself, is the edible fruit of the wild
rose plant highly sought for its anti-inflammatory properties and high vitamin C
content. Pure rosehip oil can help in lightening and diminishing the appearance
of age spots and scars caused by acne, burns, surgical operations and stretch
marks. This ‘miracle oil’ also contains vitamins A, C, beta carotene and essential
fatty acids that can improve skin elasticity, speed skin healing and recovery, as
well as combat uneven pigmentation.
7. EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL
This popular oil is mainly used in fragrances, massage oils, balms and
other soothing remedies against colds, sinuses and flu. The scent of
eucalyptus oil is potently medicinal with a woody, green character.
It also leaves a cool, calming sensation when inhaled, which makes
this inexpensive oil ideal for soothing balms that decongest clogged
airways due to cough or colds. Eucalyptus also has antibacterial
properties, as it is used in disinfecting wounds. Some people like to
diffuse eucalyptus oil in households to ‘clean’ the air and repel insects.
8. PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL
Another familiar scent or flavour that many of us have encountered or are using
in our everyday items is peppermint, a plant that belongs to the mint family.
Peppermint is the characteristic ‘toothpaste’ flavour that we all know, which
smells cool, clean and refreshing. Pure peppermint oil has a strong menthol
odour, and it can also be used in a variety of medicinal preparations other than
toiletries and food flavouring, such as topical applications for conditions like skin
itching, muscle pain and headaches.
9. CITRONELLA ESSENTIAL OIL
Perhaps the most common use of the citronella oil, which is extracted
from the citronella grass plant, is to repel insects, most especially
mosquitoes. Citronella oil is an ideal, natural insect repellent that can
substitute chemical ones, which are mostly harmful to human health.
The scent of citronella is highly aromatic and green, with lemony,
earthy notes that blend well with the climate of the tropics and hot,
arid regions.
10. VANILLA ESSENTIAL OIL
Another ubiquitous essence that finds its way in our food, fragrances and beauty
products is the wonderful, comforting scent of vanilla. Vanilla has a complex,
luscious scent that can also be described as sweet, warm and homey. When
we think of vanilla, what comes to mind are delicious desserts like ice cream,
cookies and cakes. However, aromatherapy practitioners also use vanilla oil or
its essence to promote sleep, relaxation and happiness. Technically, there is no
pure or 100% essential oil of vanilla due to the laborious process involved in
extracting its oil. Vanilla oil or essences in the market are mostly food-grade (2%
and below) or simply vanilla pods or extracts distilled in ethanol.
34
We recommend the use of these wonder oils that are naturally derived from botanicals to supplement your beauty and wellness
routine, but always consult your doctor if you have any sensitivities to oils and essences. Some essential oils with highly strong
essences should be used sparingly or must be diluted with carrier oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E oil. When using
essential oils topically, make sure to do a skin patch test for 24 - 48 hours to confirm that you are not allergic or sensitive to these oils.

Royal Beauty
Model: Kamilla Kiss
Makeup: Liv Rideg
Dress: Milla Sonja’s Couture
Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary
35

EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW
with CEO of Khawaja Holdings,
Serial Entrepreneur and Investor
Mustafa
Khawaja
Company name: Khawaja Holdings
stafakhawaja
mustafa-khawaja-b10172142
36

Location:
Paramount Hotel, Dubai
37

1. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
My name is Mustafa Khawaja. I am turning 31 this
month, on New Year’s Eve. I was born and raised in
New Jersey, which is right next to New York. Many
people don’t know where it is, so I just say, New
York. I am an entrepreneur.
2. TELL US ABOUT YOUR
ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY.
I started at a very young age, and honestly, I just
followed my passions. Since I was 15 or 16, I was
very big into working out, lifting weights, and
taking supplements. I used to go to the same store
every month with my brother.
I tried to convince my father; I said that we should
open up the same store that we go to. I forgot
the name, but it was like a franchise. My father,
being an immigrant from Pakistan to America and
working 9-5, wasn’t a business-oriented person.
But after much convincing, he helped me open
the store, and I opened the store when I was 17
years old. I was going to college at that time. I
was studying forensic accounting, but I was
also interning on Wall Street. I’ve always been a
numbers guy—I’ve always wanted to work with
numbers, stock markets. I was always good at
maths; I think that was my best subject in school.
And I guess you can say I liked money at a young
age. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that.
That was the era when Amazon got really big
in the States, going back 13 or 14 years ago.
Amazon was becoming huge. We started selling
on Amazon the same products we’re selling in our
store. My store was in a very small town, which I
think was only one mile long. There are only so
many people you can cater to in a small town, so
we took advantage of Amazon and started listing
all our products there.
I remember that my store was right across the
street from the post office. At one point, we were
getting so many orders on Amazon, that we were
doing more business in one day on Amazon than
we were in a month at the store. I was in my late
teens, carrying these big bags of orders to the
post office.
Two years later, I decided to close the store
because we were beyond that at that point; you
know, as a business, you’re constantly evolving.
I think we evolved into more than e-commerce;
I also started doing many exports using Amazon
International. As a Wall Street guy, I noticed that
if I’m selling something for $30 in the States, I can
sell it for £30 in the UK and I was making money on
currency exchange when you convert it. I started
doing that and finished my degree, and continued
to work on Wall Street. But at 20 or 21, I decided
that this is not the life for me. Too many hours and
travelling from New Jersey to New York—it was
too much. I promised my father that I would finish
my education because as Pakistanis, education is
the biggest thing for us. I promised him I’ll finish
that, and once I’m done, I still want to do my own
business. So I did that. And at 22 or 23, I sold that
company—the import-export company. I sold it for
seven figures. From there, I think I really started on
my entrepreneurial journey.
3. YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A
“SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR”, WHAT DOES
THAT MEAN?
To be honest, I don’t like these names. But I do
call myself a ‘serial entrepreneur’ just to help
people and for them to understand what it is.
For me, a serial entrepreneur is somebody who
is constantly starting new businesses or investing
in new businesses. You know, an entrepreneur is
somebody who starts one journey and sticks to that
journey, and that’s okay. For a serial entrepreneur
like me, thankfully, I have an amazing team. When
I start something or invest in something, I go solely
by myself—I focus on it—it’s my baby. Once it’s
ready to walk, I’ll pass it on, and I’ll delegate it
to my team. So to me, that’s the life of a serial
entrepreneur.
4. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT
COMPANIES/PRODUCTS TO INVEST IN?
When I’m investing, I categorise it into two sections:
a company and a person. If it’s a company, we look
at the financials—at the health of the company, and
as to why they need investment. I like to stick to a
certain scope. Health and beauty are big, but now
I’ve ventured off into technology, and real estate; I
have some but I don’t really like to focus on it.
38

39

40

5. WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF
SUCCESS?
The definition of success to me, I think, is very
different from other people. There’s nothing
wrong with equating success to financial goals
or materialistic items. But for me, success is—
honestly—just to be truly happy.
Since I’ve started my journey when I was 17, I’ve
met thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands,
of entrepreneurs—some of the most successful
people in the world, to be honest. I don’t want
to be somebody who equates success to a
materialistic item or a dollar figure because I know
so many people who are constantly wanting. For
example, for a million dollars they’ll work; however
possible to gain a million, then they would want
five and then 10; eventually, they want 50. It’s a
never-ending journey. The next thing you know,
you’re 90 years old, and let’s say you’re on your
deathbed—did you really enjoy your life or live
your life? To be successful means to be truly happy
with what I have, with the people around me, and
with caring for my mental health.
6. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH FAILURE?
When you get on this path of being an entrepreneur,
you have to be ready to fail. It’s not like you’re
going to become an overnight millionaire, or
whatever your goal is—that is just not going to
happen. It’s reality. That’s why it just goes back
to your passion. When you’re passionate about
something, you’re going to have bumps in the
road—it’s inevitable. And if you think it’s not going
to happen, then you shouldn’t start this journey.
Failure is something that you have to be prepared
for. Being an entrepreneur is not just a word. It’s not
just having a business—it’s a lifestyle, you have to
be prepared for a 24/7 job, and working for yourself
is sometimes very difficult. You’re taking care of
employees, you have a lot of responsibilities, and
you’re going to fail. But when you fail, you learn
from your mistakes. And when you learn from
your mistakes, you fix those mistakes, you fix the
business and you evolve. Humans, businesses—
we’re constantly evolving.
7. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE
YOUR 20-YEAR-OLD SELF?
To be honest, I don’t think that I would give the
20-year-old me any advice, because the man I am
today at almost 31 is a combination of everything
that has happened to me in these past 11 years:
the good, the bad, the in-between. There’s been
a lot of good, but there’s also been a ton of bad;
there has also been a ton of in-between.
The mentality that I try not to stress about are
the bad things going on, because it’s out of our
control. When something bad happens on a daily
basis, I just try to figure out what happened, what I
can do to fix it. To be an owner of a business, you
have to be a leader. And when you’re a leader, you
cannot stress, because you have so many people
looking up to you, their livelihoods. That’s one
thing that many people who work for me—even
my younger brother—actually tell me: that I never
stress. Inside, I might be stressing out, and I might
be panicking, but I cannot show it. You have to be
able to adapt quickly to change, even right now
with what’s going on with the market due to COVID.
It’s affected a lot of businesses, and if somebody
says it didn’t affect their business, they’re probably
Amazon. You know, that’s the only company I know
that is doing well, as well as Walmart in America.
But businesses have to adapt, and if you don’t
adapt, unfortunately, it’s just going to hurt.
8. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO
AN ENTREPRENEUR STARTING OUT?
Always follow your passions—don’t do it for fame
or do it to put on social media. Don’t act like you’re
better than anybody; pursue entrepreneurship
because you’re honestly passionate about
something. When you’re passionate, you won’t
give up. It’s a tough journey, and there’s gonna
be so many times that you want to give up
because you’re not going to make money for a
while. You know, it’s constant work. It’s constant
effort at the end of the day. So, my number one
advice—always—is do it because you believe in
something or you want to help someone. For
me, health and wellness was my first business, I
still focus on it. It’s my passion. Secondly, it helps
people—you’re bettering their lives, whether it’s a
vitamin or supplement.
I give advice on social media. To be honest, I don’t
use social media to make money. It’s a platform
where I can actually help people through the
lessons that I’ve learned on my journey because
to be an entrepreneur is a self-discovery journey.
You honestly figure out so many things about life.
It’s beautiful, at the end of the day.
41

9. WHO INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE AND WHY?
I draw my biggest inspiration from my parents, with the
more significant influence coming from my father. It’s not
easy to move to a different country and be an immigrant.
When my mother got pregnant two months later, he went
to America. For two years, he didn’t see my mother, or
my sister, even. My parents risked their lives for us, their
children—having to move to a country when you’re 30, or
35, and you have to work from the bottom. You work these
odd jobs and you leave your family behind, similar to what
I am doing right now. My family is in America, and I’m here
in Dubai.
Every day as a child, I saw my father waking up at 5 in the
morning, driving two hours to his job, and coming home
at 7 or 8 in the evening. I don’t come from a super-wealthy
family, middle class for sure. My father worked hard, and
now that he’s retired, he’s depressed because he’s a man
that’s used to working.
My parents are my biggest supporters. They’re my biggest
fans, and I just love it.
10. HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL
HEALTH?
There’s nothing wrong with going and seeking help. I
highly advise it, and there’s nothing wrong with it. People,
sometimes, have too much pride and ego like, “Hey, I
cannot go speak to somebody.”
For me, personally, it’s hard. There’s this constant stream
of challenges in life. It’s not easy. It’s not just the title—
there are responsibilities attached to it. My mind is always
working, always thinking. Maybe that’s why I don’t sleep
much at times, too, but exercise helps me a lot.
I actually like to go on walks every night. I try to leave my
phone and go on a walk for an hour. It’s not necessarily
for the cardio or the exercise—it’s just that it relaxes me.
Mental health is definitely—extremely—important. And
you need to just be able to balance everything in life, the
good and the bad. Make time for yourself. It’s okay—you
have responsibilities, you have businesses. But I think I
got much better at this a few years ago, when I started
believing in spending time with myself, so I like to be alone
sometimes. To be honest, I work so much during the week,
and I’m constantly in meetings. On the weekends, I don’t
even respond to my phone sometimes. I like to stay in,
while everybody’s going out. But I love to stay in, to spend
time with myself. And I think self-love is very important.
11. WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?
I don’t have a quote that I live by, but I have a motto that I
live by. My personal motto, which I always tell everyone, is
that: “If you give me 100%, I will give you 200%.”
I like to live my life with no regrets, whether it’s spending
my time for a friendship, or a relationship, or business, or
family. When I’m passionate about something, I will give
200% of what I have. That way, if it doesn’t work out—
whether it be about business, friendship or relationship—I
move on with my life peacefully because I have no regrets.
I know that as a human being, I did everything that I can on
my part. And that’s it, because life, to me, is a book. When
you close one chapter, you move on to the next one. When
you read a book, you don’t read it backwards, right? Yeah,
you keep going on. I leave that chapter there and I move
on to the next one, and then to the next one; this way, I
can sleep peacefully at night knowing I’m a good person,
and I gave everything in my life 200%.
As I said, my biggest motivation comes from my family.
The number one thing about me is that I’m very familyoriented.
I’m a very simple guy. People might think
differently because I have businesses, and this or that, but
for me, I’m a simple guy, with a simple life. ‘m just very
family-oriented, and my parents mean the world to me.
My biggest accomplishment in life is the fact that I’ve been
supporting my family. I bought my parents a house when
I was 25 or 26. So, the biggest accomplishment in my life
is the fact that I can make my parents happy and proud of
me—that’s it. And that’s what keeps me going.
42

43

Exclusive Interview with
the Managing Director of
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
MAHMOUD
SAKR
www.jumeirah.com jumeirahgroup mahmoud-sakr-4b3b7910
44

Location:
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray,
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
45

1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY IN THE HOTEL
INDUSTRY?
I have 34 years of experience. I have managed over 2,500 rooms, suites,
and villas; 80 restaurants, spas, water parks, facilities; and over 6,000
employees. I've really got a long journey with my hospitality experience
and I'm proud of being very passionate. I love what I'm doing.
2. TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY WITH JUMEIRAH.
I joined Jumeirah under the pre-opening team of the magnificent Burj Al
Arab in November 1999. I have been there for eight years. I took on my
first General Manager position in Madinat Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, then
five and a half years as a Resort General Manager of Jumeirah Beach
Hotel and Wild Wadi. Afterward, I became Cluster General Manager for
city hotels. Now, I am Regional Vice President and Managing Director of
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.
3. WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS?
My secret to success is engagement, learning and development,
consistency, and attention to detail.
Engagement—we engage to improve to know where we can improve
or where we need to improve, and we'll always celebrate achieving the
improvement; learning and development, to learn to know to understand
how things can be better. Consistency, to ensure that whatever we learn,
whatever we implement, are consistent. And then, the attention to detail
in every single thing we do to create a difference; for us to note and to
feel a difference, we have to look into all the very small details.
4. WHAT SETS ZABEEL SARAY APART FROM OTHER
LUXURY HOTELS IN DUBAI?
We're not just a luxury hotel, or like any. We are proud to manage one of
the most remarkable family resorts in Dubai, located in the iconic Palm
Jumeirah. And when I say family, I mean the entire team, we look into
families—the parents, the kids, and of all ages.
From the number of restaurants we have—nine different restaurants that
can take you around the world; from the different types of rooms, villas,
and suites; from the best spa, in the Middle East—all 8,000 square metre
of luxury space with 42 treatment rooms; and we have the best hospitality
staff that engage with you all the time to improve; all of these make us
really different.
46

5. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN QUALITY OF
SERVICE IN A LARGE PROPERTY?
Actually, we train and reward our colleagues to ensure constant
service 24/7. We train them to be proactive in anticipating
guest needs and ensure that not only would we meet the
guests’ expectations, but also surpass them.
6. HOW ARE YOU USING TECHNOLOGY TO
IMPROVE GUEST EXPERIENCE?
In our resort, we're using the EButler services, like WhatsApp,
where our guests would have access 24/7. This platform will
have dedicated staff to answer and meet any guest request
24/7. This is the latest usage of technology in our resorts.
7. THE HOTEL INDUSTRY HAS TAKEN A BIG HIT
DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, HOW DO YOU BOUNCE
BACK?
Actually, I'm happy that you noticed that we bounced back.
And we really did it. I have to say that things are really doing
well. Luckily, we are in Dubai. If there is a place in the world
that will bounce back sooner than most, that would be Dubai.
We noticed the increase in demand. I don't want to sound
like I'm exaggerating but the same level of business activity
as last year is coming soon this festive season—Christmas and
New Year. I'm very happy and we celebrate almost every day
now: the pick-up, the business; every morning we celebrate,
every evening we celebrate, and before we go home. And I'm
actually proud of being here in Dubai, and I have to say the
‘bounce’ is real as you noticed.
8. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF
THE HOTEL?
The future is innovation. That's what makes Jumeirah different.
As one of the leading management companies worldwide,
we have to be innovative, we have to be creative. There's
no copyright in the hospitality industry, so sometimes guests
would push other hospitality companies to implement
our ideas. We have to stay on top of things, we have to be
innovative, to create everything new to make it more attractive
for our guests.
9. WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?
I’d rather say the ideals I live by. Keep going, keep running,
and nothing would stop you. If you make a mistake, do it—and
do it quickly, please. But keep learning from your mistakes:
any mistake you make and keep making is a real mistake. Also,
not taking a risk is a risk in itself.
47

48

LBERT
ARTER
TALENT POOL
Albert M. Carter
www.albertmcarter.com
berto_brown
albert-carter-m-ed-30086b8b
49

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT BROUGHT
YOU TO THE UAE?
I had a program in the states called The Hip Hop University. We
ran our programs in Charlotte, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Initially,
the idea was to expand the youth-based portion overseas. Since
the UAE is such a diverse place, what could be a better place
to extend our horizons? Furthermore, the UAE is in the Top 3 of
the best places on earth to live. I didn’t really know anyone prior
to moving here, but after a few Google searches and looking via
social media, I was sold.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I actually used to rap back in the day. I had one song that was
marginally successful in my neighbourhood that was featured a
few times on a ‘Hot or Not’ segment of our local radio station.
Then, I had my first show and totally bombed it—in a bad way. It
was at that point that I decided to completely take the back seat
from the performance side of things and work in the background.
Plus, my personality is more low key, and I prefer to stay out of the
spotlight.
I also used to set up rap battles for my friends and work with some
of the hottest local acts from Philadelphia. From there, I got into
management and managed a few musicians and producers from
Philadelphia. I also have a few writing credits under my belt from
a few songs I worked on with artists. While I was in college, I did
an internship at one of the best recording studios in Philadelphia
and met many artists. From there, I was able to build valuable
relationships within the music industry.
I moved to Charlotte, NC and began working with musicians and
once again started managing acts. I founded Hip Hop University
with my friend, Reginald LaRoche, and we had a few well-known
artists come through there to speak to the youth. I’ve always had
great relationships with artists in whatever city I’m in. My whole
mentality is figuring out how to help, and add value to them and
that’s pretty much how I got my start.
50

51

YOU REFER TO YOURSELF AND A ‘CULTURE SHIFTER’:
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
To be a culture shifter is to change people’s beliefs, behaviours
and outcomes. I like to use the term because I’m not a person
that will sit around and complain about things. I will literally
do whatever is in my power to change how things are done.
I’m a problem solver by nature. If things are wrong, I feel
that if I can create something to make the situation a little
better, then I should do that. You can use problem-solvers,
change-makers—they all fit the idea. But being deeply
ingrained with hip-hop culture, I try to turn the negative
aspects of hip-hop into positive spins; therefore, shifting
the culture.
TELL US ABOUT EMIRATES MUSIC SUMMIT
AND YOUR RECENT EVENT.
Emirates Music Summit was an idea that was created
to connect the dots in the music industry in the UAE.
I sat down with countless artists in the region and
discussed various problems that they faced in the
scene. Going back to the idea of culture-shifting,
I decided to make a list of the problems and
find various solutions to these problems. I met a
gentleman by the name of Ali, who was looking to
work with international and local musicians, who
had at the time launched STR8UP Entertainment.
We decided to partner with Emirates Music
Summit. We reached out to the key decisionmakers
to showcase and discuss what they are
doing for the scene. These key decision-makers
come from private, semi-government and
government entities. Musicians, people within
the music industry, and people looking into
breaking into the music industry can learn,
network and understand the music industry
here in the UAE. We provide a safe space
for artists to come together and learn from
experts in various fields on what they can
do to grow their career.
52

53

54

55

TELL US ABOUT AUDIOSWIM
AND WHAT IT AIMS TO DO
FOR MUSICIANS.
AudioSwim is a boutique music
distribution and royalty investment
company. Our goal is to put
money in musicians’ pockets while
maximising their exposure and
allowing fans to get in on the
action, so to speak. Essentially,
we get music onto DSP’s such as
Spotify, iTunes, TikTok, and other
platforms, and help artists find
people who are willing to invest
in their music for a percentage of
their royalties.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE
OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER
RECEIVED?
We get one life to live and only
one time to live it. The only thing
that we know for sure is that we
should try to make our mark on
the world while we are here.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD
YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE
STARTING OUT IN THE
MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Network and build relationships.
The thing that people don’t
understand or don’t realise is this
whole world is built of relationships
of some sort. The best thing we can
do is leverage those relationships
by adding value.
They can also check out my
podcast called “Str8 Up Podcast”
dropping every Tuesday. Learn
about what it takes to make it in the
music business from internationally
recognised musicians.
WHO INSPIRES YOU WITH
AWE, AND WHY?
I look at Jay-Z as a reference point.
We come from similar backgrounds,
went through similar experiences,
and overcame similar challenges.
To make it from these environments
is something that most people
don’t understand. He is one of the
few people who really inspire me.
HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
Honestly, I journal a lot. I even
wrote a guided journal for young
men in urban environments called
The Urban Journal. I also meditate,
and I have a solid group of friends
who I’ve known for over 20 years,
and we talk every single day.
WHAT LEGACY ARE YOU
BUILDING?
I want my name to be on buildings
and streets globally for the impact
that I want to have on this world.
WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE
YOU LIVE BY?
“Make decisions that would make
your mother proud.”
56

LIFESTYLE
LEVEL UP
YOUR ENERGY:
3 WAYS
It was one of those Sunday afternoons
when I was lying drained on my sofa,
fighting to stay alert throughout the day,
and struggling to finish my house chores.
I did not have any single drop of energy;
I felt plainly exhausted, depressed, and
powerless. Instead of enjoying my hardearned
rest, my willingness to move has
begun to fade away, just like my enthusiasm
and vitality to life.
I had my high-demanding corporate job
where I spent over 16 hours a day and had
to give out tons of my energy to satisfy the
high-net-worth clientele. During my weekly
time off, I could only call food delivery or
alternatively drive to the petrol station
and collect something from the fast-food
counter while getting my car refuelled.
I love Dubai's convenience of getting
everything done to satisfy the growing
demands of a sophisticated consumer, and
I took full advantage of it. Despite the easy
lifestyle and getting everything done at my
comfort and ease, my energy levels were
constantly down, so I knew it was time for
a change!
One day, a friend introduced me to a lady
running a workshop on power routines. I was
very sceptical at first as I thought I knew it
all, but since she extended a complimentary
invite to me, I decided to give it a try. I was
introduced to a programme of simple yet
insightful exercises to be followed daily,
promising to deliver incredible energy
results after 90 days of disciplined routine
practice. Not only I did follow the system,
but it became a habit for life.
In this article, I would like to guide you
through some of my top advice and
exercises to increase your levels of energy
and stay in this flow throughout the day.
57

THE BASE CAMP OF ENERGY
As in every journey where preparation starts from the base camp, here I would like to remind
you of a couple of well-known generic rules before we venture on exploring our energy peaks.
1. RESTFUL SLEEP
Lack of sleep depletes your strength. Adequate
sleep improves your mental and physical energy,
your immune system functions, and positive thought
process. The basic feeling of restfulness and relaxation
is interconnected with the ability to have a good
quality sleep.
2. EXERCISE
As a friend of mine famously said, exercise is like the
energy of love, the more you do it, the more you feel
it. I am not talking about pushing yourself above your
limits but following simple recommendations such as
walking, swimming, and dancing daily for a minimum
of 30 minutes will increase your energy quantity.
When you make a move, your energy quantity will
shift upward too.
3. WHOLESOME FOOD
Food rich in fibre like grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables
will give you more vitality for an extended time. Avoid
food with empty calories such as sugar and alcohol as
it gives that buzz or ‘sugar rush’ for a short time, and
then very soon, you will feel the depletion of energy.
4. WATER
Sometimes, the reason why you feel low on strength
and vitality is simply because you don’t have enough
water in your body. Stay hydrated, and consume less
caffeine and alcoholic drinks. Track your daily water
essentials. The extended benefits of drinking water
can help eliminate headaches, promote healthy skin,
and increase metabolism, thus helping with weight
loss.
58

5. LAUGHING
Laughing gives you positive energy that also affects
people around you. Watch something funny, read
funny books, laugh with your friends, and create more
occasions to be happy. Laugh provides excitement
and keeps you motivated. Having fun stimulates your
brain in a way that improves energy levels.
6. BREAKS
Taking more breaks in the form of little naps, meditation
or simply sitting quietly and listening to music will
elevate your liveliness. It seems counterintuitive;
however, taking a break from work can actually help
you get more work done. It is proven that the brain
is actively processing all the information supplied
throughout the day during the rest periods and while
sleeping. After a rejuvenating break, you can grow in
power and focus working on your task.
7. NEGATIVE PEOPLE
Be mindful who is in your
circle and avoid negativity.
Numerous studies have
proven that there is a direct
link of a positive outlook on
life to your overall physical,
mental, and emotional health
that increases your resilience
to any hardship in life and
sets you toward bigger
goals. Share ideas with the
people that are on your path
of purpose, so you have as
many allies as possible to
fight negative distractors on
the way.
59

DEEP-DIVE FOR MORE ENERGY
RESOURCES
Let us take a deep-dive into the power of our
conscious and subconscious mind. Learn a few
techniques that are directly ordering our energy
genie to supply more of the most essential life
force.
1. TAP INTO A POWERFUL STATE OF
MIND.
A powerful NLP technique called The Anchoring
can help you associate a move, gesture, or a
symbol to a positive state of mind that you can
use when you feel low and depleted on energy.
For example, your grandmother’s fresh-baked
cookies are bringing you to a relaxed and blissful
state of mind. These experiences occur due to
the power of association in our minds that are
picking on from the environment and relating
the sensation to an experience. By learning how
to create a positive anchor, you can increase
your energy stream every time you require.
Think of a time in your life where you felt loads
of buoyancy and high-spiritedness. You can also
think of a word that you can associate with that
state, could be some phrase from a favourite
song or movie, a love name your partner is
using or simply a word like vibrancy, greatness,
strength.
Now, we are going to install one more physical
trigger into you; either you are going to press
your thumb and the index finger together or
grab your wrist and hold tight into it or clasp
your hands together. It is important to create a
physical association with that state and use it
while saying your power command.
At this moment, I would like you to close your
eyes and take a deep breath. Perhaps you want
to stand up, move, dance, or simply relax on the
floor, just follow your body. Be in that state when
your energy is growing to that maximum, notice
what is going on around you, apply the physical
trigger you chose, and say the trigger word.
Hold that for several seconds and release. After
you let go of the physical trigger, look around
yourself and take a couple of seconds out of the
power state. Repeat the same exercise. Once
you are done, open your eyes and look at the
space to come completely out of the state.
This anchor will be instilled in your system and
body, and every time you apply the technique
you will gain use of your power resources even
quicker, and each time it will be more effortless
and clear for you.
2. EMOTIONAL FREEDOM AND
ENERGY MEDICINE IN ONE.
This technique takes about 5-7 minutes, and
it is required to stand up and move away from
your desk to shift the state you are in. You will
be activating both your left and right brain
with this exercise. Start with light tapping with
your fingertips under your eyes between the
hollow and the bonny part and let go of all
that overwhelms you and no longer serves you.
Continue your tapping motion on your chin and
move over to the collar bones using still the tip
of your fingers or the whole palm to tap. Move
slowly down to your thymus or the place in the
middle-upper part of your chest above the heart
level. Place 4 fingers and either tap or keep
pressing this area for 5-10 seconds. This point is
known as the sea of tranquillity. While pressing,
you will sense your heartbeat that will allow you
to recharge and reconnect with yourself. Keep
your fingers here for one or two minutes, and
you will become aware of a refreshing sensation.
Following that, you can move your hands under
the shoulder bone where the collar bone and
the shoulder bone are connecting. Press or tap
your fingers exactly in the hollow point and
experience a sense of “letting go” of all your
tensions and heaviness. Remember always to
breathe while pressing, release the air that is
stuck and stagnant and bring new air, rich in
oxygen and serenity.
From here, you grab your left shoulder with
your right arm and slide down your fingers
to your right hip and do the opposite way.
These diagonal slides help you criss-cross
your meridian energy and activate the left and
right brain functions at the same time. You can
perform this move 10 times, and while you cross
your left side with your right and vice versa, the
energy is moving and shifting already, which will
bring you to a balanced state.
60

3. FINAL ENERGY ZIPPER TECHNIQUE
Finally, from a standing position, bend forward with
your hands hanging freely in the air and go down as
much as closer to the ground while breathing out. Hold
on for a few seconds and slowly rise to a straight pose
shaking your body softly right and left while coming
out of the posture back to a standing pose. Once you
are up interlacing your hands and place them on the
forehead and slightly pull them to the side, reaching
with your fingers to your temple. Continue doing this
pulling motion one step higher on the top of the head
sliding as if you want to stretch open your head to
receive more energy. Do this with full focus till the back
of your head.
Once you finalised the motions till the back of the head
reaches to your shoulders. Grab your shoulders with
both hands simultaneously and with a swift motion,
throw away and shake off everything that feels heavy
from your shoulders down to the ground. With this
movement, we take out the old and welcome the
new energy that we need in our body. To complete
the exercise and stay in this capacity, lift any hand up
from the pelvic floor level to the chin as if you close
up an imaginary zipper and when you reach the chin
close an imaginary lock and throw away the key. Do this
zipping motion several times and remain energetically
protected.
Throughout the years of human existence, these
techniques were proven to deliver amazing energy
results by using a more holistic mind-body approach.
In ancient times, traditional cultures practised tools and
methods to increase and maintain the energy using
simple and natural remedies and resources. These
practices are used to maintain the needs of the body
and mind into balance and optimal performance. As
much as they are simple and easy to understand and
follow as much, they are relevant in today’s changing
world. Through commitment and consistent practice,
they deliver as a byproduct the benefits of happiness,
health, positive outlook to life and peak performance.
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.
61

EMBRACING CHANGE:
HOW IT’S DIFFERENT
FOR EVERYONE
Some changes we plan for, while others sneak up on us without any warning. In both
cases, change is difficult and requires some perseverance and determination. Change that
is unexpected is just as natural as the planned one. It is important to acknowledge that
it is a natural part of life and often something we might not necessarily want or be ready
for, but we certainly need. It creates an opportunity for growth, opening our eyes to new
ways of life or approaching things. Change can transform your life in big ways; the impact
of the change will depend on how you are processing the change. There are a few ways to
manage unexpected changes. First, let’s keep in our mind moving forward that change is
bound to happen, and we might not know when, but we should expect it.
Cultivate perspective and curiosity – these two will help you navigate through this more
smoothly. Gratitude will help you focus on things that you have and place things in
perspective in any given situation. Curiosity will force you to look for opportunities amidst
change and unravel a part of excitement about what the future might hold. Questions you
might ask yourself in these times are:
• What are some things that I am grateful for right now?
• What opportunities might be there for me?
• How can I take advantage of this change?
• What is the worst-case scenario? Can I overcome it?
62

The first step here is to accept the fact that a change
is happening, and it might actually bring some new
possibilities. To respond positively, you must be open
to look at things in a new light and from a different
perspective. Take a moment to see the possibilities. Ask
yourself the following:
• What am I not seeing about this change that might
be beneficial for me?
• What is the short-term/immediate picture here?
• What can I do now from where I am not right now?
• Where do I want to be moving forward?
• Who do I want to be moving forward?
• What is this teaching me?
• What needs to change for me to adapt?
• What am I gaining from this? Losing from this?
• What are the options for moving forward?
By exploring answers to these questions, it will give you
a good overall perspective on the situation and possible
responses that can be implemented. From here, you
can work on your action plan to manage the change
in a positive way. The key is to start – with small daily
action that leads to big results in the long term. From
neuroscience, we know that our brain processes change
in small bites. We can implement this by introducing
small actions daily, which is easy for us to implement
and allows our brains to process the information easily.
One of the major changes we are currently experiencing
is the way we work. With the future of work on our
doorstep, we must transform in the way that we approach
work. We are forced to embrace this change, and again
the choice is ours whether we are going to make the
best of it or try to resist it, only hurting ourselves at the
end. It is important to look at ways we can maintain
our productivity while implementing new changes in
the way that we work. While working from home can
be highly productive, it can equally be detrimental to
one’s work and organisations. Without a proper office
setting, a schedule to follow, and team surroundings, it
can be easy to be distracted and lose productivity. Here
are some things you can implement to make the most
of this change:
• Creating a protective working space in your home
Invest in a comfortable desk set-up or even a stand-up
desk. This will help lessen lower back or hip pain and
promote better health in general. I don’t mean you
should stand all day. Move around your house. Make
sure to find times to sit throughout the day and push
your shoulders back to ensure that you are sitting with
good posture.
63

• Maintain productivity
Maintain a normal routine as much as possible. Act as if
you are going to the office - wake up at the same time as
you normally would during working days. Avoid staying
in your “home clothes” and maintain work attire; this
goes a long way when it comes to productivity. Being
creatures of habit, our brain might associate being at
home as being in a relaxed state of mind, therefore, by
following the same morning routine and wearing clothes
that are not sweats or pyjamas, will help our brains
maintain the right mindset while working at home.
• Manage social disruptions and family interactions
during working hours
For example, if noise is an issue at home, maybe from
kids or spouses, then investing in noise-cancelling
headphones are a must. Set a schedule to let your family
know, “I am going to be working from 8 am to noon,
then taking a break for lunch.” This helps ensure you
can focus without the nagging questions. In addition,
you may need to set up some structure for the family to
have activities or tag team working with your partner. Is
social media a distraction? Then limit it by disabling the
notifications that pop up, only keep essential ones on.
• Taking ownership of your new normal
When working from home, you are now the boss of
you (in the physical space so to say). You need to be
able to plan your day, set your tasks and ultimately
manage priorities for yourself including work and home
responsibilities. I find Outlook or Google Calendar
helpful in this case and timers to keep from spending
too much or too little time on a particular task. Try to
also manage your energy level and recognise when you
have the energy to do the big heavy tasks versus the
smaller ones which require less energy. What works for
many is focusing on high energy tasks first thing in the
morning for best focus. Finally, you might be under the
impression that working from home establishes more
work-life balance but be careful with that assumption.
Working from home can also feel like being at a casino
— you can get so caught up in your activity, in a relaxing
environment, that you lose complete track of time. Make
sure to take frequent breaks so you don’t burn out.
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.
64

BODY POSITIVITY:
THE NEW MOVEMENT
FOR A BETTER US
Bodyweight can be a sensitive
topic. In an age and era where
we are glued to our phones more
than ever before, it's easy to be
influenced by what we see on social
media. We compare our bodies
to celebrities and influencers. We
have become overly concerned
with our natural physique and
visage, and to a great many, this
phenomenon has become a source
of insecurity.
Body Positivity Movement is a
social movement with the goal of
making everyone accept their body
form, physique and imperfections
in a positive way. In other words,
it's about the acceptance of
one’s individuality and promotion
of inward and outward selfconfidence.
The message of this
movement is clear and concise:
we need to love our bodies and
accept ourselves for who and what
we are.
The Body Positive has its origins
when Connie Sobczak and
Elizabeth Scott founded The Body
Positive in 1996. Connie had
bulimia, an eating disorder that
started at the age of 15, which was
a result of the body shame and
body hatred she was experiencing
at the time. Connie founded the
body positive in honour of her
sister, who had also had bulimia.
She thought that she needed to
change the world.
Being body-positive necessitates
body confidence. It is not only
expressed in the way a person
feels about his or her looks, but
also in his or her appreciation of
the self leading to true happiness
and contentment.
HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR BODY CONFIDENCE?
1. SHOW YOUR BODY SOME LOVE.
We spend so much time focusing on what we hate about our bodies. It's
important to flip the script. Focus on the things you love about your body and
appreciate them for what they are.
65

2. CONTROL YOUR MEDIA USAGE.
By reducing the amount of time you spend
on social media, you will start controlling the
information that reaches you. You will find that
this will help you regain your body confidence
as you won’t have to compare yourself to
anyone.
3. TELL YOURSELF AFFIRMATIONS.
We all need a reminder of how amazing
and beautiful we are. Affirmations can help
with that. Tell yourself, “I am beautiful. I am
thankful for my body. I am wonderfully made”.
The few minutes you spend in front of your
mirror reciting your affirmations can create a
huge difference in the way
4. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY.
Practise kindness with your body. This will,
in turn, influence how you feel about it.
Don’t starve yourself; it is important to eat a
balanced diet so that your body can get all
the nutrients it needs. Taking care of your
body also includes pampering yourself every
now and then. A hot bath or a massage will
leave you feeling better about your body.
66

It's really important to remember that beauty
standards, most of which are unrealistic, are all
always changing. Stop trying to fit into the box
that society has created for you. We, as a society,
also have so much work to do in terms of our
definition of beauty. Beauty comes in all forms,
shapes, and sizes, and we should all be able to
live without fear of judgment. Remember, you
are worthy!
5. SHOW OFF YOUR WARDROBE.
Try to wear clothes that flatter your body and
stop trying to hide it behind baggy clothes. If
you look good, you will feel good. Plus, play
around with colours when dressing up. It’s fun.
Different colours are known to lift up one’s
mood; for example, yellow is known to make
people feel happy.
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.
67

68
Al Huwelat Street, Villa No 15 - 4
Al Bateen , Al Falah St - Abu Dhabi, Tel: 02 666 0175

69

FOOD
5 HOLIDAY
TREATS TO
RELISH
THIS FESTIVE
SEASON
‘Tis truly the season to be
jolly; surrounded by loved
ones, giving and receiving
gifts, and most importantly
coming together to enjoy
a festive treat (or two). The
holidays, whilst joyous can
be filled with a variety of
hustles and bustles; those
stellar holiday deals soon
nullified by how fast they’re
cleared, leaving the lavish
seven-course meal in one’s
head incomplete. However,
there’s no need to fret;
following are five recipes
serving holiday classics,
some with a festive twist that
won’t have your kitchenware
working overtime.
1. GINGERBREAD COOKIES
This is the ultimate sugar cookie for the holidays; featuring warm spices,
molasses and brown sugar that take an integral part in creating these
toasty and chewy-centred sweet treats.
Preparation Time: 4 hours
Bake Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Makes: 24 four-inch cookies
Ingredients
10 Tablespoons (2/3 cup; 145g) softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup (150g) light or dark brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup (200g) unsulphured molasses
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 and a 1/2 cups (437g) all-purpose flour (levelled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon ground ginger
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Optional, but totally worth it: royal icing or cookie icing
Instructions
• Beat the softened butter in a large bowl with a stand mixer or
hand-held mixer till it is smooth and creamy; this should take about
a minute at medium speed. Add the molasses and brown sugar and
beat them in on a medium to high speed until they’re well combined
and creamy. If there’s any butter mix around the bowl, scrape it down,
then, on high speed, beat in the vanilla extract and egg (the butter
may separate, but keep going!)
• Next, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon,
allspice, and cloves together in a separate bowl until well combined.
Then, gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients
until homogenised. The result should be a slightly sticky and thick
cookie dough that should be further divided in half and separated
into pieces of plastic wrap. Each half should be wrapped tightly
and flattened into a disc of medium thickness. They are ready to be
chilled (yes, it’s mandatory); a minimum of 3 hours is recommended,
but overnight is best. The cookie dough can be kept refrigerated for
a maximum of 3 days.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line 2-3 large baking
sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. Take out any 1 disc
of the chilled cookie dough from the refrigerator and flour a work
surface, the rolling pin and your hands. As this dough is quite sticky
don’t be shy with the flour; be generous with it as needed. Roll the
disc out until it is a 1/4-inch thick, grab your cookie cutters and cut
out some shapes! Gather and re-roll your dough scraps until all your
dough is used. After, gently place the shapes an inch apart from each
other on the lined baking sheets. Bake the cookies for approximately
9-10 minutes, if the cookies are smaller than 4 inches, 8 minutes is
best, if they are bigger than 4 inches, then 11 minutes should do the
trick. Be sure to be vigilant as the heat in the oven varies in intensity
across its surface.
• After they’ve baked, give the cookies a 5-minute cool-off time
on the baking sheet, and then transfer them to a cooling rack. Before
you think of devouring them plainly, consider dressing the cookies
up with some icing, to give them a creative flare; it also makes a
great activity to involve others in customising their cookies.
70

2. HERBED CHEESE BALLS
In the words of Country Living this delectable savoury treat is ‘delicious, looks great, and
serves a crowd. What more could you ask for?’ This recipe is an elegant nibble, serving
smooth cheeses tainted by green filaments of fresh herbs.
Makes: 12 - 16 servings
Total time: 2 hours
Ingredients
8 oz./ 1 cup goat cheese, at room temperature
8 oz./ 1 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
Sliced baguette, for serving
Instructions
• With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat
together, the goat cheese, cream cheese,
parsley, chives, thyme, and lemon zest, till
thoroughly homogenised. It usually takes about
a minute or two.
• Season to your liking and fold in the salt and
pepper.
• Chill the cheese mixture, unformed, until it is
slightly firm, approximately half an hour.
• Place the pine nuts in a shallow dish and form
the cheese mixture, with moderately wet hands,
into a ball. Afterwards, roll the cheese ball in the
pine nuts, and ensure that it is fully covered to
secure the cheese inside.
• Thereafter, refrigerate it until it is completely
firm; an hour or two is sufficient.
• This tasty treat is most enjoyed alongside a
toasted, sliced baguette.
71

3. SNOWMAN BREAD AND ONION DIP
These snowmen are almost too cute to be eaten, but their complimentary onion dip makes
resistance unbearable. Here is a mouth-watering treat that brings two comforting edibles
together in the most inviting way.
Makes: 8 single servings
Total time: approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes
Ingredients
12 frozen dinner rolls
8 oz/ 1 cup softened cream cheese (225 g)
1 cup sour cream (230 g)
1 medium sweet Vidalia onion, diced
1 cup shredded white cheddar (100 g), divided
Salt and pepper, to taste
16 small tomato slices
8 small carrot pieces
32 whole black peppercorns
Instructions
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Defrost the dinner rolls, split four of them in
half then form them into small balls (one-half of
larger balls and another of smalls to make the
head and body of the snowmen).
• Place them on a greased baking sheet, cover
with a kitchen towel, and let them leaven as the
dip is being made.
• For the dip: Whisk together the cream cheese,
sour cream, onion, ¾ cup (75 gram) of white
cheddar, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture into
a greased pie dish and sprinkle the top with the
remaining ¼ cup (25 gram) of cheddar.
• Bake the dip for 30 minutes, then remove it
from the oven and top it with the dinner rolls;
the larger ones border the bowl with the smaller
ones inside.
• Embellish the rolls, by firmly pressing in; pieces
of tomato for the scarf, a piece of carrot for the nose,
and peppercorns for the eyes and buttons.
• Pop it back in the oven for another 20 minutes.
Once ready, carefully take it out and serve! (Or
start ripping directly from the dish).
72

4. PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE
Served appropriately with a peppermint stick, is this holiday-themed renditioned of one of
the most beloved beverages, hot chocolate. Absolutely rich and velvety in texture, with a
fresh intonation of peppermint to declare one cup as too little.
Makes: 4 servings
Total time: approx. 20-30 minutes
Ingredients
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 quart/ 4 cups milk
3 oz./1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed (1/4 cup), 4 left whole
A pinch of salt
Instructions
• In a medium saucepan, pour the cocoa powder
and gradually whisk in the milk until all the cocoa
has dissolved.
• Follow in with the chocolate chips and crushed
peppermint. Simmer them over medium heat
for 8-10 minutes, with occasional stirs, until the
chocolate and peppermint have melted.
• Once it boils, remove it from the heat, add a
pinch of salt and ladle the beverage into mugs.
Serve it timely with a festive peppermint stick.
5. STRAWBERRY SANTA’S
For a fruity close to this recipe discourse, these
brilliantly red strawberry santa’s fit the festive theme
to a T. Easy preparation, sweet results.
Makes: 15 santa’s
Total time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients
1 box strawberry, fresh is preferred, but frozen
can work too
1 tube icing, or even better; whipped cream
for a creamier santa
mini chocolate chips, as needed
Instructions
• Slice the tops off the strawberries so that they can sit flat,
as well as the tip of the strawberry to make Santa’s hat.
• Squeeze some frosting or whipped cream on the
strawberry and top it off with the hat.
• Decorate the rest with frosting or whipped cream by
adding buttons or white tips to the hats.
• Thereafter, add the mini chocolate chips for the eyes.
• According to a couple of reviews, strawberry santa’s are
a bit troublesome, and tend to disappear into thin air!
Make sure there are enough for family and friends!
73

74

Boutique No.8, Aswaaq Center,
Al Badaa, Al Wasl Road,
Dubai.
Boutique 13, Building 8,
Golden Mile Galleria,
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
www.mokha1450.com
75

FITNESS
BEAT THE
HOLIDAY
BULGE
The holiday season is fast approaching. For many, that
means a period of excessive eating and drinking and
minimal activity. With all the celebrations happening at this
time of year, the temptation to indulge is greater, and failing
to plan for a healthy holiday can often lead to unwanted
weight gain. With only 10 days away to Christmas, here are
some tips to help minimise the damage from the excess of
the festive season.
AVOID GOING HUNGRY TO PARTIES
Eating a meal or snack that is high in fibre and protein
before going to a party can help to reduce hunger
and increase satiety, without being heavy on the
calories. The less hungry you are, the less likely you
are to snack on high-calorie party food.
If eating beforehand is not an option, try to start off
with some healthier options before indulging in the
Christmas pudding or pavlova. Foods such as fresh
fruit, nuts, olives, quality cheeses, salads, lean meat,
fish, seafood & eggs are all good options over the
sweets, chips, bread, potato bakes, pasta salads,
crackers & dips.
76

CREATE A CALORIE DEFICIT
If you know you are going to have a bit of a blowout on Christmas
day, you can create a calorie deficit throughout the rest of the
week. By eating less than normal or fasting on the days before,
after or both, you can reduce the impact that a day of feasting can
have on your diet and waistline.
This can also be done on a daily basis. If you have a planned
Christmas dinner where dessert, alcohol and other calorie-dense
foods will be enjoyed, you can reduce the size of meals or have
a fasting period before the event. If you’re going to have a big
dinner, eat a lighter lunch. If it’s a big lunch, plan for a light
breakfast and dinner. Try to limit the extra intake of food to special
meals, as there may be only one or two.
EXERCISE
It is highly likely that you will consume more calories around the
holidays due to the parties, large meals, and gifts of chocolate,
sweets, and alcohol. Therefore, continuing to exercise is just as
important throughout the holidays as at any other time of year. A
high-intensity exercise session can burn off those extra calories,
speed up your metabolism, and also help you deal with the added
stress that sometimes comes with the season. In addition, you may
be less likely to overeat knowing that you worked so hard at the
gym that morning.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be structured exercise either. It can
be as simple as going for a ride or a walk while your kids are on
that new bike that Santa brought them, getting involved in a
game of backyard cricket, or going for a swim or a play with your
children while at the beach or pool. Kids love when adults join in
and play with them. Make the most of the extra leisure time that
usually comes at this time of year. Getting outdoors can also give
you a healthy dose of vitamin D, which is beneficial for healthy
metabolism and body composition.
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Drinking enough water will keep you looking, feeling and
performing better throughout the holiday season. Staying wellhydrated
can help boost your metabolism and make it easier for
your body to burn unwanted fat. It can also help to fill you up,
preventing you from overeating and can help to minimise the
effects of a hangover.
77

LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL
Parties and alcohol often go hand in hand this time of
year, but if you are trying to be health-conscious, limiting
your alcohol consumption is a good place to start. When
drinking, it’s not only the extra calories in the alcohol you
need to be worried about but also the food you eat whilst
drinking. Your body can’t store calories from alcohol as
it does from food, so these need to be processed first,
essentially pausing the metabolism of your calorie intake
from whatever you’ve eaten. Also, it’s generally not the
celery sticks and hummus you’re reaching for when
having a drink either. Often, it’s the bowl of chips or the
late-night souvlaki you’re having when drinking.
If you are having a drink, try alternating alcoholic drinks
with a drink of water. This will help to keep you hydrated
and may also lessen the after-effects of a heavy drinking
session. Not all alcohols are created equal either. White
spirits such as vodka and gin are generally less caloriedense
than darker spirits, beer, and wine. If you are
looking to minimise the caloric impact of your drinks,
vodka or gin with soda is a good option.
While it can be good to indulge and have a good time
this time of year, it’s best not to throw your health out
the window completely. Remember that Christmas
parties and family dinners are not all about food and
drink; they are about the people you love and want to
celebrate with. If you already have a healthy eating or
exercise regimen, try not to change it too much just
because it’s the holidays. Think of your accomplishments
throughout the year, is it worth undoing those for a week
of indulgence? Maybe. That’s up to you to decide.
Try not to “fall off the wagon” completely. If you do, the
new year is just around the corner—the perfect time to
build a new one.
HAVE A PLAN
If you are the type of person that has to eat whatever
is on their plate, try using a smaller plate instead of a
full-size one. Fill your plate once, and don’t go back for
seconds. If you don’t love it, don’t eat it. How often do
you take a bite of food and it’s not that good but eat it
anyway? What wasted calories!
Try not to keep treats or “problem foods” in your
environment if you have trouble controlling your intake,
or at least, hide them. You can always re-gift that box of
chocolates if you think they will undo your healthy eating.
78

TRAVEL
CONRAD
MALDIVES
RANGALI
ISLAND
The resort welcomes guests
to relish in the brand new
‘The Muraka VIP Experience’
79

In the spirit of an eternal summer aesthetic,
the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
welcomes guests to spend a relaxing
time in paradise. The resort guarantees
a trip to remember, filled with the finest
dining, contemporary accommodation,
and moments of revitalisation, set against
an extraordinary backdrop. Conrad
Maldives Rangali Island expresses an
accord of form, function and innovation
in driving hospitality trends that have
set the benchmark in its style. Rejecting
trends in design to create a space that
invites and inspires with a distinctive
design that sits in perfect harmony with
the natural environment. The resort,
truly a class of its own, is an inspirational
backdrop featuring intuitive service,
infinite connections and a distinctive mix
of once-in-a-lifetime experiences making
it an extraordinary destination for couples
and families to discover paradise.
“As the world's first undersea residence
with pioneering accommodation, both
above and below the surface of the water,
The Muraka is a breathtaking destination
for a completely unique immersive
journey into nature that cannot be found
anywhere else in the world,” said Carla
Puverel, the new General Manager of
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.
“Through a range of enchanting offerings,
we aim to bring memorable travel
experiences to our cherished Middle
Eastern guests.”
For larger families travelling from the
Middle East, the resort boasts newly
redeveloped Deluxe Beach Villas that
have been architecturally designed to sit
in harmony with the natural surroundings.
Each of these villas features a spacious
living area illuminated with natural light,
a signature outdoor shower and have
private access to the resort’s palm treefringed
beach.
Designed as a celebration of Maldivian
culture, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is
the perfect place for couples and families
who want to enjoy a heavenly paradise
vacation with adventurous opportunities
to swim with manta rays and whale sharks,
delve into local culture and embark on
soul-enriching discoveries designed with
meaning and purpose.
In addition to the competitive offers
of the resort, Conrad Maldives Rangali
Island participates in Hilton Honors, the
award-winning guest-loyalty program for
Hilton’s distinct hotel brands. Guests can
use their points to upgrade their stay or
book one of the resort’s incredible Water
Villas.
Members who book directly have access
to instant benefits, including a flexible
payment slider that allows members to
choose nearly any combination of points
and money to book a stay, an exclusive
member discount, free standard Wi-Fi
and the Hilton Honors mobile app.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is
located In Rangali Island, Maldives.
To book a reservation at Conrad
Maldives Rangali Island, please call
+960 668 0629 or visit conradmaldives.
com. To see the latest updates and
conversations about this island getaway,
visit Instagram @conrad_maldives,
Facebook @conradmaldivesrangaliisland
or conradmaldives.com.
80

81

82

83

84
SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT & VILLAS
SAADIYAT ISLAND, ABU DHABI
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
T: +971 2 697 0000 | F: +971 2 697 0123

FOR THE
CULTURE
FOCUS:
What are you paying attention to? In a world where the
fight for our attention is fierce, it is very hard to focus.
For the next three to four minutes, I am asking you to
focus on reading this article. Believe it or not, that might
not be easy for a large number of people. Our ability
to focus has been obliterated by the constant flow of
information coming at us from every angle. If you are
reading this article from your mobile phone, then you
are even less likely to be able to focus on what you are
reading, because the urge to keep scrolling might just
be stronger than you can control.
In this article, I hope to offer you some good reasons
why you should focus on being able to focus on some
techniques to help you improve your ability to focus. I
also hope to outline some of the benefits of focussing
on one thing at a time. If you are able to read to the end,
then I have a challenge for you.
WHY SHOULD WE FOCUS?
People’s ability to focus and do deep work is so rare
nowadays that it has become more valuable. We are
constantly being distracted, and our attention span
has diminished to a minuscule percentage of what it
should be. When was the last time you shut everything
out and focussed on the movie you were watching, the
conversation you were having, the book or article you
were reading? Many people use the excuse that they are
multitasking, but science has proven that multitasking is
a myth. When you are trying to do many things at the
same time, your attention is split, and something will be
affected in the long or short term. There are only two
states; you are either focussed or distracted.
Multitasking used to be seen as an asset in many circles,
but people are coming to the realisation that multitasking
is actually not a strength. Adverts for jobs used to ask for
people who are good multitaskers but this is increasingly
becoming a thing of the past. Nowadays, your ability to
focus is becoming more and more valuable, and I see it
becoming an essential skill for many job adverts in the
very near future.
Cal Newport, (one of my favourite authors) in his book
Deep Work states that professional activities performed
in a state of distraction-free concentration or focus that
push your cognitive capabilities to their limit create new
value, improve skill and are hard to replicate. Being able
to focus on one thing at a time for an extended period of
time is becoming the new superpower.
85

FOCUS BY DESIGN
I decided to call this section of the article focus by
design because I wanted to highlight the fact that,
to be able to focus on what you are doing, you will
have to become very deliberate. Remember, I told
you earlier that you are constantly being distracted.
In fact, many of the things which distract us were
designed to do so. When you have time, you can
read more about the effects that constantly scrolling
through social media has on our brains.
In order to ensure that we are able to focus, we must
design every aspect of our lives to be as free from
distraction as possible, start by clearing some of the
apps from your phone which you find most distracting,
turn off all notifications except the ones which are
essential. Do you really need to know when your
friend posts something new on Facebook? Create
a distraction-free zone in your home. This should be
a space in which no electronics are allowed, for me,
this is my bedroom. In my bedroom, I do not have a
television or any electronic devices; this means that
when I am there, I can find the space to focus on
reading, thinking, sleeping etc.
DEDICATE TIME TO FOCUS. When we are at work,
it might be hard to focus on just one thing. We are
often required to pay attention to several things
at the same time, but this does not mean that we
should neglect the need to focus. It simply means
that we might have to schedule time and space to
focus.
DECLUTTER YOUR MIND. When we are
bombarded by thoughts, it is virtually impossible to
focus, this may take some practice, but being able to
focus our thoughts is key. Meditation helps with this,
especially if we have a very busy mind. My personal
favourite thing to do is to write down the thoughts
that keep bombarding me and that way they are out
of my head and down on paper.
The next step might be hard for many but try to
declutter your physical surroundings. Remove
anything that does not serve you. Clear your desk
and make it as clean as possible, only keep the most
essential things on your desk. This means that when
you sit down to work, there is very little to grab your
attention. This goes for both your physical desk and
your computer desktop. While we are on the topic
of the computer, if you are like me and you have
several tabs open at the same time, try only to have
a maximum of one or two tabs open at any given
time. If you want to store tabs for future use, simply
bookmark them.
86

HARDCORE FOCUS CHALLENGE
I promised that if you read to the end, I had
a challenge for you, so here we go. Delete
all social media apps from your phone (yep
you heard me right). A few months ago, I
realised that scrolling in social media was
taking way more time out of my day than
I cared to admit but thanks to advanced
screen time reports, it was hard for me
to deny, as the evidence was right there
in front of me. I decided to improve my
ability to focus by scheduling social media
usage to after work hours and for an hour
at most each day. I also committed to
being more of a content creator than a
content consumer. This gave me a more
productive purpose for being on social
media.
Ready to become even more hardcore
about focusing? Download this resource.
The cost to your productivity, ability to
focus and general well-being can be
staggering. This app gives you control. It
is a paid service with a free version that is
perfectly fine for individual use. There are
also other similar services out there that do
the same thing, so do a search for the one
that suits you. Block out distractions and
focus!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LEISA GRACE WILSON is an
educator, entrepreneur and blogger.
She currently lives in Abu Dhabi with her
seven-year-old 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/
87

STEP INTO
SELF–CENTRICITY
Have you stopped to look at
yourself lately? Are you honestly
content with yourself? What about
appreciation; have you given as
much as you deserve? Are you
bombarded by the noise created
everywhere? Is it getting on
your nerves? There are countless
reasons to hold on to things
that may give us problems. We
might feel emotionally insecure,
socially awkward, or even culturally
disconnected.
Everyone has their own emotional,
social and cultural problems.
We all have the right to our own
expression and conceptualisations.
They are important to one’s
existence and purpose. Remember
to be comfortable with what you
are and avoid acting what you
are not. Other people might
misunderstand you but to whose
expense will it be if you refuse to
get out of your own way?
Everybody has a self to maintain
and develop. Being what you are
is important, especially nowadays
when everybody seems to want to
be somebody else. The concept
of being you is gradually fading,
but this should not hold you for
showing what you are. Focus on
developing and growing yourself.
Don’t be distracted by what you
see and let go of the baggage that
is keeping your true self hidden.
You are the universe; you aren’t in
the universe. - Eckhart Tolle
Your self-development depends
on how much you can disassociate
yourself from others. It is a sad
reality that most are looking
at others to give themselves a
definition. It is clear that he is
implying to trust yourself. You are
the best when you are contented
enough to appreciate your good
and bad side. Nobody can value
your worth but yourself.
Sometimes, you have to be selfish
to be selfless. - Edward Albert
The idea of being selfish is known
88

as a bad thing, but there are times that we need to think
of ourselves first to grow. Once you develop and nurture
yourself to the best, you can then help the people around
you and give them what you think your purpose is.
Selfishness is not living your life as you wish; it is asking
others to live their lives as you wish.- Oscar Wilde
People have a natural instinct of taking what they can
from other people to survive. Selfishness is then can be
used for other people to strive for themselves. Be eager
to let yourself grow. Being self-centred is then a positive
way to promote self-expression, worth and dedication.
I love myself, but it can do what it wants whenever it
wants, I don’t mind… One day at a time, the sun gon’
shine. - Kendrick Lamar
It is important to note that loving yourself is the highest
kind of love. The world is always at war with itself.
Everybody has a voice, yet nobody will listen. Loving
yourself will give you emotional stability. Don’t let others
dictate you on how you should feel loved or why you
should be loved. Give yourself the right to be the best
version of you. Let go of the negative mindset around
you. Believe and accept what you are. Be self-centred
and love yourself to the fullest.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JEROME DOUGLAS
Jerome Douglas is a new dad, 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.
89

The first ever
momentous project celebrating the rich & diverse
Black Excellence
in the UAE.
15+ languages spoken, 20+ countries lived in, 1 powerful collection
90
ORDER YOUR COPY NOW
www.EbonyExcellenceME.com

BOOK REVIEW
5 Books on Our Release Radar
The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person
by Frederick Joseph
In The Black Friend, Frederick Joseph looks back on the racism he experienced as a transfer student in a
predominantly white school and considers how he might handle such situations now. On top of his own
experiences, each chapter includes a section written by activists or artists which scrutinise everything racismrelated,
from white privilege to microaggressions to cultural appropriation and much more. The book also
includes an encyclopedia of racism, which offers more detail on historical events and clears up the terminology—a
necessity for anyone looking to improve their awareness and to be actively anti-racist.
Publication date: Dec 1, 2020
91

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know
by Adam Grant
Hitting our shelves in February, Adam Grant’s forthcoming book, Think Again, questions the validity of how we
assess intelligence, proposing that it’s our ability to unlearn what we know and rethink our opinions that is the
mark of true smarts. More often than not our default is defence mode, where we live in bubbles and surround
ourselves with those who
Publication date: February 2, 2021
92

The Soul of a Woman
by Isabel Allende
Bestselling author Isabel Allende meditates on what it means to be a woman and how feminism has shaped her
throughout her life.
As a young woman coming of age in the late 1960s, she rode the second wave of feminism. Among a tribe of
like-minded female journalists, Allende for the first time felt comfortable in her own skin, as they wrote “with
a knife between our teeth” about women’s issues. She has seen what the movement has accomplished in the
course of her lifetime. And over the course of three passionate marriages, she has learned how to grow as a
woman while having a partner, when to step away, and the rewards of embracing one’s sexuality.
Publication date: March 2, 2021
93

The Data Detective: Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics
by Tim Harford
Tim Harford untangles statistics for the average reader with the easy rules to help you better understand what
all the numbers mean and how to use them in your life.
Today we think statistics are the enemy, numbers used to mislead and confuse us. That’s a mistake, Tim Harford
says in The Data Detective. We shouldn’t be suspicious of statistics—we need to understand what they mean
and how they can improve our lives: they are, at heart, human behaviour seen through the prism of numbers
and are often “the only way of grasping much of what is going on around us.” If we can toss aside our fears
and learn to approach them clearly—understanding how our own preconceptions lead us astray—statistics can
point to ways we can live better and work smarter.
94
Publication date: February 2, 2021

Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting
by Lisa Genova
Neuroscientist Lisa Genova explores how memories are made and how we retrieve them, explaining why we remember,
why we forget and how to help protect our memory.
In Remember, neuroscientist and acclaimed novelist Lisa Genova delves into how memories are made and how we
retrieve them. You’ll learn whether forgotten memories are temporarily inaccessible or erased forever and why some
memories are built to exist for only a few seconds (like a passcode) while others can last a lifetime (your wedding day).
You’ll come to appreciate the clear distinction between normal forgetting (where you parked your car) and forgetting
due to Alzheimer’s (that you own a car). And you’ll see how memory is profoundly impacted by meaning, emotion,
sleep, stress, and context. Once you understand the language of memory and how it functions, its incredible strengths
and maddening weaknesses, its natural vulnerabilities and potential superpowers, you can both vastly improve your
ability to remember and feel less rattled when you inevitably forget. You can set educated expectations for your
memory, and in doing so, create a better relationship with it. You don’t have to fear it anymore. And that can be lifechanging.
Publication date: March 23, 2021
95

96

Can’t wait for
the next issue?
Follow us on
social media
outandaboumagofficial
outandaboumagofficial
outandaboutmagofficial
97

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in Out and About Magazine does not constitute a replacement for financial, health, legal, or other professional
advice and is instead general in its nature. We do not take into account your specific needs or circumstance and you should not act upon any advice
without fully understanding your current legal, health, financial or other situations. Although we always do our best to bring high-quality information to
our readers, we reserve the right to augment or delete information in any way and at any time. Out and About Magazine accepts no liability for any loss
or damage that may arise from the use of any element of our website or magazine.
98