New Brands On The Block – WTM May 2009

Anything new is just enough to drive us insane. From the attractive colour to the fresh fragrance, divine feel to the final finish, everything about “newness” soothes our eyes and reaches out to our ‘shopaholic’ souls. What if these new things were actually new brands on the block? Brands that we have been hungrily craving for in commercials and catwalks, but never had access to?

Fret not fashionistas and shopaholics! Some of the brands we’ve been drooling over have already made their way to our territory, while the others have just expanded giving us a wider range of mesmerizing and tempting new stuff to choose from. New brands just in time when spring is in the air, giving us plenty of choices in pretty prints, bright colors and fresh silhouettes and all the more excuses to indulge in a spot of retail therapy!

By Malene Birger
By Malene Birger’s signature mix of crisp Scandinavian design and cool references to 50’s and 60’s styling has seen it climb the fashion charts. If you love to dress with ladylike panache, you’ll be lusting after sheer blouses, shift dresses and embellished separates this season. “The fabric suits the weather here. It’s light and airy for summer and in with their winter-wear you can just warm yourself with a coat rather than wearing wool. It stands out from other brands in the field by targeting a wide and strong range of colours. This season lime- green and light purple are particularly in,” says Eva Dashti, owner.

A Danish Fashion House, established in 2003, By Malene Birger was brought to Bahrain by Eva because she saw a large customer response to the brand in her multi-brand store Rust. She decided to dedicate it a stand-alone boutique which was opened early this year.This is the third branch in the Middle East with the other two being in Kuwait and Dubai

You can find a wide range of accessories, handbags, shoes, casuals, formals and ready to wear. A brand concerned with beauty on every level, By Malene Birger pays incredible attention to detail, while never losing sight of the fact that each item must perform for our day-to-day lives. Every piece is a must-have purchase.

Be sure to take home key chains, sunglasses or scented candles with every buy. For information, call 17 582-345.

Blugirl
Blugirl, the romantic themed and flirtatious Italian designer wear that expresses ideal femininity was first shown at Milano Collezioni in 2002 and gained widespread acclaim. It opened its doors in Bahrain earlier this year and is the first branch in the Middle East. Other branches are distributed across the fashion capitals of the world.

Designed by Anna Molinari as prêt-à-porter for young women with a romantic inspiration and a witty and fun touch, Blugirl’s ready-to-wear line for girls and young women infuses with a touch of irony and youthful spirit and a clearly romantic vein. The collection has moved on from offering clothes for the young and very young to being a more mature line, dedicated to girls who have since grown into women – yet do not want to give up the humour and the irreverent style that are keystones of the brand.

“The presence of Blugirl in Bahrain will give way to exciting possibilities for our clientele with their refreshing and trend-setting range. It will provide them with the opportunity to avail the brand’s entire collection under one roof,” says entrepreneur, Faisal Ismail.

Accessories, bags, belts and shoes are today basic elements of the collection and are popular both on the Italian and other markets. Blugirl’s summery prints in light chiffon, purely inspired by Nature, are something to look out for this season! For information, call 17 585-388.

Luisa Cerano
Established in 1998, Luisa Cerano offers high-fashion clothing made of fine fabrics from Italy at affordable prices. Right from the beginning, Luisa Cerano positioned itself to meet the requirements of the confident and fashionable women across the globe by producing fashionable styling – from feminine elegance to the relaxed sporty look. Casually cut elegance, couture-style decorations, top-of-the-range high tech materials and the most affordable prices are what sets Luisa Cerano apart from the other brands.

“Towards the end of 2008 we launched the first exclusive showroom in Bahrain. 2009 will be a celebration of femininity with our spring/summer collections sensuously bringing together themes of Bohemian Chic, Mixed Bouquet and Going Global in an array of hippie tones and floral patterns accentuated and accessorized with a great love for detail,” says Amal Almoayyed, owner of Vogue group boutiques and the distributor of Luisa Cerano in Bahrain.

Accessories pursue a seductive game in the coming season; belts, scarves and oversized bags are key. Belts emphasize the feminine shape. Whether wide, worn high and tightly hugging the waist or narrow and loosely hanging around the hips, they create effective little hot spots in the overall look. For information, call 17 568-666.

Au Nom De La Rose
Au Nom De La Rose (In The Name Of the Rose) opened its first branch in Bahrain this month thanks to Nada Yateem’s passion for roses and gardening. “I am very passionate about the brand. From the beautiful roses, to the organic beauty products and delicacies. Every little item here is based on the rose and is specially flown in from Paris,” says Nada, owner.

While browsing the store you can look forward to scented candles, oils and pebbles, room fresheners, guest soaps, fragrances for men and women and mouth- watering delicacies of which rose-flavored chocolates, candies, jams, tea and rose petals crystallized with sugar are just a few!

Home fragrances like the room fresheners and scented candles come in many aromas to suit every mood. Evoking a tender balance between a fresh rose scent and a light vanilla-based musk, Birth is a scent intended for mothers and their new-born babies, or pamper yourself with For Me, a delicious scent just like a garden of roses. Marriage is a unisex scent with bergamot, jasmine, roses, hawthorn and grapefruit. It is as jubilant as a bride’s bouquet and can be used to congratulate newlyweds. Party with a fresh and fruity flavour of rose and litchi coated with almonds, or choose a spicy and sensual scent of raspberries, amber and vanilla to declare your Love.

Special gift boxes are available between the range of BD 9 and 20 and all items above BD 10 are delivered all over Bahrain for free! For information, call 17 561-616.

December 2008: Who Not To Miss At Jewellery Arabia 2008

Bling Fiesta!

Thoughts of inner beauty extracted to form visible pieces of external beauty are Jewelry. From vintage looks to the trendy and playful, jewelry adorns our body and graces our being in such a way that it often becomes a part of us.

“The jeweler allows me to wear the sapphire blue lake on my finger, the emerald green leaves around my neck, and take the citrine sunset with me wherever I go.  Jewelry has become my daytime link to nature, in an office with no windows” – Astrid Alauda, “Office with No Windows“

Jewelry, which is as old as civilization itself is a magnificent accessory that can be sought out in a wide range of colours and styles. From metals like Platinum, Gold and Silver to Diamonds, Pearls and Gemstones they are available from classic to modern and in divine bursts of colour. Different trends bypass us everyday, but jewelry as a whole is never out of fashion.

At the 17^th Jewellery Arabia exhibition that will be held from the 25-29 November 2008 with over 500 exhibitors from 27 nations, make sure you do not miss out on some of our celebrated and loved jewelers with their new collections and surprising offers!

Asia Jewellers

Asia Jewellers has witnessed growing interest from buyers, watch collectors and visitors. Focused on the future while fiercely proud of its past, Asia Jewelers signature multi-fold promise is well-reflected in the company’s annual participation in Jewellery Arabia: the highest quality luxury goods sourced from international partners; the commitment to reinforce Bahrain’s prominence as a jewelry industry center and as a regional leader for rewarding business; and the implementation of a corporate social responsibility policy that gives back to the Bahraini community.

Hannan Farah says, “Currently in its 17th year of participating in Jewellery Arabia, Asia Jewellers has aimed to introduce and debut new companies at the annual show with whom relationships have been newly developed. This year, for the first time, Audemars Piguet is showcasing its products at the stand, in a specially-dedicated section. Other companies that are repeat exhibitors include Corum, IWC, Chanel, Van Cleep and Arpels, Panerai, Palmiero among many more”.

Bedat & Co. a dealer of luxury watches will be represented by Asia Jewellers.

Asia Jewellers’ main anchor partner, Cartier, is a signature exhibitor at the stand, having become renowned for its unique jewellery sets which are brought in from Paris just for the event.

Kooheji Jewellery

Since starting in 1957, Kooheji Jewellery has sourced the unique and the exclusive from around the world. It is specialized in high quality diamond jewellery for medium and high level customers and also covers semi precious stones, wedding sets, rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, brooches and watches. A mix of modern classics & contemporary style, their products are fiercely independent and passionately search for the less ordinary – it loves modern imagination and creativity. Now with four stores including a new one in City Centre, it aims to give each one its own individuality – but above all fill them with products it loves. It houses brands like Giovanni Ferraris and Arzano – the international jewellery brand with exciting feminine designs, high value at affordable prices and exclusively crafted in a superior Swiss quality. “We are special by the different kind of products we offer. Our products lie between two extremes and are beautiful, affordable and out of the ordinary. At Jewellery Arabia we will be introducing new beautiful brands for the first time like Cammilli, Terisi and the new Arzano collections”, says Mr. Areef Kooheji. The wedding collection from Arzano is quite popular and something to look out for!

Devji Aurum

Devji Aurum, the exclusive 21kt jewellery boutique from the house of Devji is a captivating world of handcrafted diamond and gold jewellery collections. Since 1950, exemplary craftsmanship from the House of Devji has been a shining example of reliability and creative excellence in jewellery manufacturing and retailing. Every Devji masterpiece creation epitomizes purity, craftsmanship and value, which are the hallmarks of Devji since its inception.

Mr. Sajith Kottayan says, “We will have four stalls at the exhibition wherein our new family and marine collections will be displayed. We will also have special surprise offers for our customers.” Recently, Devji Aurum added a new jewellery line, Rose gold diamond jewellery, to its Ameera collection that exudes ageless royal splendour. Panther & Marine collections, Chandelier Earrings, Cocktail Rings and Classic Rings collections also bear Devji’s hallmark qualities that have won the hearts of jewellery enthusiasts. Al-Malaiki collection, Devji Aurum’s exclusive handcrafted gold & Diamond jewellery is a classic fusion of yellow gold and diamonds from the Design house has been a hot favourite since its introduction. Devji will continue its mission in promoting designer jewellery by working together with designers from around the world to provide the best to its clients.

Damas

Three times winner of the prestigious ‘De Beers’ awards for their jewellery designs Damas houses exclusive in-house collections as well as International brands. Mr. Sayeed Uzzama of Damas says, “DMCC and UAE government has bestowed upon our (Damas’) Late Father Mohammad Taher Abdullah with the First “Lifetime Achievement Award”. This award is a celebration for his great vision and immense contribution to the Jewellery industry in UAE and the Middle East region” Damas is an integrated Jewellery and watch dealer with its Jewellery ranging from the high cuts of solitaires to the funky and carefree cocktail jewellery of the Farfasha brand.

The innovative in-house collections include the majestic Bridal jewellery, exclusive jewellery brands such as Damas Cut, Boudoor, Hayati, Riwaya, Jawaher, Farasha, Fairouz, Harmony, Farfasha, Al Manthourah; and a wide range of other classic and contemporary jewellery and watch collections. Among the international brands are Tiffany & Co, Paspaley, Graff, Parmigiani, Stefan Hafner, Links of London, Roberto Coin, Roberta Porrati and Folli Follie. “At this year’s exhibition we will have our new range ‘Fulla Baby Collection’ and will have two stands, one for the International Brands and another one in Al Fanar hall” continues Mr. Uzzama.

Al Zain Jewellery

Zain Jewellers is famous for its creations of exquisite hand crafted jewellery made from both 18 and 21 carat white and yellow gold, set with precious stones and natural pearls. It also offers other world-renowned jewellery brands that are synonymous with innovation, quality and perfection.

Zain has a team of professional in-house designers who are experts in their field and constantly create the most exquisite original designs. Some of the designs are inspired by a rich Arabian heritage. Other designs represent an exotic blend of Bedouin, Persian, Turkish, Andalucian and Indian cultures. These designs combine originality with modernity, catering to the distinctive taste of people in the Arabian Gulf and their appreciation of the latest international designs

Mohammed Saidi says, “We began in 1930 in Bahrain and now we are all over the Middle East. Our range of jewellery is made in-house, we were presented with the prestigious Gold Virtuosi Award in 2002 and the Tahitian Pearl Trophy in 2006 for our jewellery designs in the Middle East. Diamond Jewellery will be our highlight in the exhibition and we will also be unveiling new collections”

Noor; The handcrafted yellow gold garnished with pearls and colourful precious stones remains one of the best selling brands by Zain jewelers

Al Mahmood Pearls

In 1982 the first jewelry showroom for pearls – the queen of gems and the gem of queens, was set up in Bahrain. Run by the ‘Al Mahmood Family’, our Late Emir H.H. Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa presented the founder Mr. Abdul Razak Al Mahmood with the title, ‘Sheikh of Pearls’ in 1998. Mr. Mohammed Al Mahmood says, “Our pearls are purely natural and purchased directly from the divers. At Al Mahmood pearls, each pearl is encased in breathtaking designs created by a team of highly skilled and artistic professionals in the company’s own workshop facility. Our jewellery subsibidary by name of Venice Jewellers will also be participating at the exhibition”.

Over the years, Al Mahmood Pearls has also gained the distinction to be the sole distributor of some of the world’s most famous watch brands and diamond embellished jewellery. The watch brands are: Altanus, Carrera, Exposure, Jovial, Le Marquand, Pierre Cardin and Rodania. Diamond studded jewellery brands include: Bruni Bossio, Le Sibille, Paolo Bongia, Roberto Lagnazzi and Vancox. One can rightly say that any piece of jewellery purchased from here is an heirloom to be treasured for generation.

Jewel House

The sparkling and eye catching jewels that impressed the likes of Hollywood celebrities like Katie Holmes through their associate office in Los Angeles, was one of the most recent milestones for Jewel House. Tracing its roots back to India where it originated 60 years ago, the company has passed through three generations of the Khanna family. ‘Jewel House’ has been established in Bahrain for 25 years with its diamond manufacturing units in India and Bahrain and its jewels (precious and semi-precious stones set in 18kt gold) are specially designed & manufactured in-house.

Mr. Rajesh Khanna the founder & owner in Bahrain says, “Jewel House has participated in Jewellery Arabia for the past 17 years and also participates in exhibitions in countries spanning over three continents to sell our line of Jewellery, some of which are BASEL (Switzerland), Las Vegas and the Fine Design Pavilion of the Hong Kong show”. The Wedding collections that will be showcased by Jewel House at the exhibition are highly in demand. The liking for large gems incorporated in the newly designed necklaces from Jewel House along with their famous long earring Chandeliers are sure to prove that their designs cater to the taste of all!

Bahrain Jewellery Centre

Bahrain Jewellery Centre the sister concern of Behbehani Brothers W.L.L. is a pioneer in the Jewellery business. Established in1978 it deals with watches, jewellery, gift items and fashion accessories. BJC now has a total of six branches some of which are exclusively dedicated to its best selling brands like Chopard – for renowned brands of Watches & Jewellery, Tiffany & Co. and Piaget.

Also one of the leading and exclusive dealers of Watches, BJC is one of the sole agents to Swiss Watches of world repute and also deals with well known Jewellery manufacturers from Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland. The other best selling brands with BJC are Patek Philippe, Franck Muller and Harry Winston, Hublot, Vacheron Constantin and Jeagerle Coultre.

Mr. Iqbal Dhanse says, “We have been regularly participating in the Jewellery Arabia Exhibition, since its inception in 1992. BJC was the motivating force behind the set up of this type of event, and has the largest space among the exhibitors every year, representing world renowned and reputed companies. We undertake all these extra efforts just to bring the renowned names to the Bahrain Exhibition to project our country’s name as a business centre of the region”.

Bansri Jewellery

Named after the flute, Bansri is committed to providing its customers with pure and quality gold, diamond and pearl jewellery sculpted into numerous unique designs.

It caters to a myriad of fashion tastes by offering its customers an extensive collection of jewellery ranging from 18k, 21k and 22k gold to loose diamonds and other precious stones. It also has a wide range of gold and silver bars, 18k gold jewellery studded with diamonds and precious stones and 21k gold studded with natural pearls.

Mr. Chandrakant Kagdada says, “Gold is just metal, but at Bansri we believe it is a medium that connects to the soul of its bearer, and the designs reflect a harmonious blend of style and craftsmanship.We believe that Bansri Jewellery designs transcend the traditional concept of gold and diamond jewellery by evoking raw emotions from it’s bearers, achieved through a rich heritage in the craft, woven with a sophisticated and modern approach to create a blend of jewellery that truly inspires”. For the exhibition it plans to provide its customers with an exclusive diamond set that are certified VVS quality, along with other products such as diamond watches and pens by ZEN.

Sharif Group

Sharif Group popularly known as Mohamed Sharif Mohd & Sons was founded by Mohamed Sharif Al Rayes in 1956. Established in 1960 as a tailoring business during the development of Bahrain’s commercial and retail industry, it marked an era of fine tailoring in Bahrain. From its humble beginnings, the enterprise has expanded to the trade of a wide collection of timepieces, accessories and garment factory.

Sharif Group has the finest quality of the best brands from around the world showcasing craftsmanship and eminence – a concoction of elegant style with design and a mishmash of style and the new trend. With outlets by the name of ‘A La Mode’ in Seef Mall and City Centre, it sells fashion accessories like ear-rings, bracelets, pendants, rings and watches.

Mr. Waleed says, “We consider our customer loyalty and satisfaction as one of our largest milestones. We shall be launching more new brands in the near future and new collections of our brands with wide ranges and varieties will be displayed at Jewellery Arabia”. A La Mode houses some of the most internationally acclaimed brands like Nina Ricci, Pierre Cardin, Rochas, Festina, By Simon, Esprit, Saint Honore, Toscow, Marvin and Puma.

Depaj Jewellers

A manufacturer of traditional swords, crafts and daggers, Depaj derives its roots from the legendary sword making ‘Al Sayeghe’ family in Bahrain. It has been around for more than 200 years and its products are very much loved and preferred by the VVIP’s and royal families in Bahrain. Mr. Ahmed M. Al Sayeghe says, “Our products are 100 % handmade and a high level of attention is paid to design, details and finishing. We have the enormous responsibility of keeping alive the skill and creativity of traditional arts for today and tomorrow”.

The swords and daggers are usually worn at wedding ceremonies, festivals and formal occasions. Their sheathe is made of one piece and could be gold or silver plated, while the grip could be made from gold, sliver, ivory or bone and are encrusted with diamonds and rubies. Shubriya, a leather cased knife earlier used by Arab women for self defense is now a famed traditional decoration worn around the waist. While Depaj has many items like the Khanjar, Marash, Jubara – a traditional Arabic sword framed with leather, gold and an ivory handle, it is also well known for its coffee pots, wooden boats, royal chests and corporate gifts.

Chhaganlal Khimji Jewellers

Chhaganlal Khimji Jewellers. set up by Mr. Chhaganlal Khimji and now run by his son Rajendra Chhaganlal was established in 1944 at the time when pearling business was alive and flourishing. Mr. Khimji who was a goldsmith then turned his passion of working with gold into a business which has inspired his four sons to get into jewelry businesses of their own in Bahrain.

Specialists in gold and pearl jewellery, their ornaments are carefully woven and are passionately and ornately handcrafted with pearls. Crafted in high purity yellow gold the jewels boast of exquisite filigree works. “Jewellery is about trust and tradition. People have good faith in our business. Sometimes old women come up to me and say, ‘I used to get my jewellery made from your father. Now my daughter and grand daughter are getting them done from you’. This is one of our biggest achievements” says Mr. Rajendra Chhaganlal.

“At the exhibition we will be displaying everything in gold and pearl from hair pins and brooches to heavy necklaces. We have participated in jewellery exhibitons in Muscat and UAE but Jewellery Arabia is prestigious as it connects us with a lot of international users”, he continues.

Season’s Trends

All sorts of jewelry can make a person look good and elegant be they blinding or matted. This season gear up for an effortless yet chic appeal with caramel and honey coloured diamonds or yellow and light hardstones. The retro look of the 70’s, beads and bracelets are back to make a statement! For a daytime outfit choose to go with casual jewellery and extravagant for a fancy one.

To all you ladies out there looking forward to a quality shopping experience by utilizing your own sweet time, be sure to check out the ladies morning on the 27^th of November 2008. So if you are planning out to make a style statement, weave new memories by gifting your loved ones or maybe even make an investment, Jewellery Arabia is here for you!

November 2008 Where To: Get a Manicure & Pedicure

Healing for your hand and sole By: Sumaiya Ali

Tired of flaky fingers and cracked feet? Your hands can be the biggest age give away — so it’s time to seek refuge from the captivity of the dry devils by soaking your thirsty hands and feet in moisture rich potions, hydrating those dead cells and thus treating them to some much needed TLC. Whether you are a corporate woman constantly tapping at your Blackberry and keyboard, a housewife indulging in all the possible household chores, sinking those hands and feet into soil due to your love for gardening, a full time fashionista, a person who is constantly behind the wheel, an exercise freak or a lucky person who does simply nothing other than balancing your weight on your feet, we all do need to spend some time on pampering our much used parts, the hands and the feet. What better way than smoothing away those jagged edges and spoiling them once in a while to reveal silky smooth skin with services offered at salons? From the French manicure method of cutting and filing of the nails followed by a moisturiser massage and nail polish, manicure and pedicures have gone a long way.These days we find ourselves indulging in a wide variety of services ranging from paraffin wax to hot stone, hot oil, luxury, spa and detox treatments. Wherein a paraffin treatment utilises warm paraffin with rich essential oils and fragrances, spa manicures or pedicures use hydrating masks and aromatic salt rubs. N Style Nail Lounge N Style opened its doors in Bahrain eight years ago for luxurious yet affordable treatments and since then has expanded to 14 branches in the Middle East. From packages for dazzling fingers to tempting toes it has a wide variety of treatments to suit your lifestyle and every need. The basic package includes a vitamin enriched soak and polishing to perfection. N style not only caters to the hands and feet of adults they have packages custom made for tweens too! Specially designed for tender skin it excludes nail or cuticle cutting or any abrasive agent and is topped with elements of fun. Party packages are also available on request as well as gift certificates. A manicure or pedicure with antioxidants, a grape seed oil massage, a pomegranate and cranberry scrub, infusions of paraffin, a deluxe treatment for the feet with soles soaked in milk and honey flakes followed by a sugar walnut scrub mask of oatmeal and apple, moisturising finishing creams and massages including reflexology and hot stones for the hands and feet are just some of its luxuries. Dessange Dessange salon is dominated by the principles of hygiene with sterilised and disposable products being used at all times. Classic and spa manicures and pedicures are offered here with the luxury Creative Nail Solar Oil as its key ingredient. Spa manicures and pedicures using Creative Spa Manicure/ Pedicure treatment creams are fantastic for drier, cracked skins as they offer more intense exfoliation and nourishing treatment masks. Enjoy a citrus scented spa manicure where citrus crystals gently exfoliate the hands and ceramides improve hydration and softness, or try the raw earth spa pedicure that uses sandalwood oil, raw sugar and an AHA foot scrub followed by a volcanic clay foot masque and ultra moisturisers. For a cooling effect try the marine spa pedicure which exfoliates with marine salts and natural crystals and then cools off with natural menthol, eucalyptus, peppermint and spearmint oils followed by a cucumber moisturiser. Head To Toe Head to Toe is a six year old boutique day spa run and managed by Australian hair stylist Cris Caminiti. It uses OPI products for its hand and feet treatments that transform ordinary services into an extraordinary spa experience. All nail files used are individual and given to the customer as a token to keep or reuse during their next visit. The flowery foot files are individual strips and are used only once. The manicure by OPI exfoliates, revitalizes, renews and provides instantly visible results. Formulated with nature’s most soothing and effective botanicals, a pedicure by OPI restores soles with treatment options that refresh and re-energise. Head to Toe uses Perfect Sense, which is a warm physiotherapeutic paraffin infused with eleven vitamins vital for healthy skin to finish off that perfect manicure or pedicure. It delivers heat and hydration for soft, smooth skin and protection from dry, achy or irritated hands and feet. Lovely Lolita Luxury manicures and pedicures from Lovely Lolita are all done using Jessica products which have over 15 basecoats and topcoats; thus every manicure or pedicure is customised depending on the customer’s nail types (one person can have different nail types, for example two dry nails, one peeling nail, and the rest normal). The Jessica products and antioxidant paraffin used for the manicures and pedicures are specially imported from the United States and have moisturising as well as anti aging properties. Following a manicure or pedicure, the hands and feet are dipped in paraffin and warmed in heated boots until they are supple and moisturised. Lovely Lolita also offers foot and hand spas, wherein the hands/feet are scrubbed, exfoliated and then a moisturizing and rejuvenating masque is applied before they are placed in electric mitts. It is followed by a spritz of refreshing spray and moisturising lotion to remove any left over dead cells. Perfect Nails In action for three years Perfect Nails does live up to its name. From packages exclusively designed for your little princess, they have many that leave you feeling like a queen! In the deluxe manicure or pedicure you are pampered with a conditioning and lathery soak, exfoliating scrub of strawberry or orange intensive cuticle therapy and an orange flavoured paraffin bath before placing in electric mitts/boots and lusciously moisturising your hands and feet with a vanilla orange cream. Surprise yourself with their seasonal treatments which include coffee manicures for the winter and fruity pedicures for the summer. Upgrade your pedicure with effervescent tablets and dissolving leaves of Tuscan citrus herbs of bergamot and clary sage and turn it into an extraordinary and luxurious experience. Nothing says it better than giving the gift of pampering. Gift certificates can be customised for any treatment you want for any amount and are valid for one full year. Bellacura Beauty Lounge Choose from the year old Bellacura’s standard manicure and pedicure to the French range where you could go classic with white nail tips or dare to go funky with a combination of colours. The spa manicure and pedicure is a standard manicure that ends with a soothingly warm paraffin bath where fruit waxes like peach apple and strawberry are often used. The paraffin dipped hands are then placed in electric mitts where the intense heat allows for deeper absorption of emollients and essential oils. A hot oil manicure cleans the cuticles and softens them with oil and works well for dry skin and brittle nails, by leaving them soft and pliable. Soothe the nerves throughout your body by opting for a reflexology applied foot massage. While catering to most of the basic beauty needs like hair, makeup, manicure and pedicure, Bellacura has henna, nail art, waxing and aromatherapy too. With a mileage of around ten miles per day our feet are often the last part of our body that we remember to look after unless they begin to hurt or develop calluses. Healthy feet are a sign of a healthy body. With the current footwear trend focusing on open toed and strappy sandals it has become a need to show off beautiful feet rather than hiding them within your sneakers. The cheapest and best pedicure is probably a barefoot walk down the beach. You get to relax in the breezy surroundings and also have an instant pedicure wherein the grains of sand slowly exfoliate your skin and the healing sea water unfolds miracles to erase dead skin off your feet. A good manicure or pedicure promotes blood circulation, provides relief from stress, prevents fungus, nail chipping and cracking, nail diseases or disorders and naturally bestows the much needed aesthetic appeal! Along with being fresh and rejuvenating they are also a great way to boost self esteem! Hygiene is a vital factor when you decide to go for a manicure or pedicure. You do not want to be infected with somebody else’s skin infections or fungus so make sure the instruments used are disposable or thoroughly sterilized. Our modern day lifestyles leaves our hands and feet overworked and chapped, so this time around treat those tired cells to a little luxury and leave yourself feeling like a diva!

October 2008 Where To: Find Eid Gifts

Find that perfect EID gift By: Sumaiya Ali

As we bid farewell to this year’s Ramadan, it is time to rejoice as Eid-al-Fitr is once again with us, and a host of festivities are unleashed. But with Eid almost in full swing, do we have time to decide on a gift at absolute last minute? Eid is the time to offer unconditional love and charity. It is also the time to share happiness, forgive and reconcile feuds and bad relations. Dressed in new attire and savouring a sweet dish before the Eid prayers, it becomes a day of feasting with family, relatives and friends and remembering the deceased. The air of festivity and celebration can be felt on the night before Eid when frenzied shopping and Éid preparations are at its height. Since Éid is celebrated with gift-giving, the highly decorated shops and markets are open till late at night for last minute shoppers. Everybody loves to shop for gifts and more to receive them! With eleventh hour shopping, cooking and painting your hands with Henna, it is always better to be prepared with Eid gifts in advance. After the month long fast and self control it is time to indulge in a little vanity for the sake of Eid. In this feature we showcase where to find that last-minute Eid gift for that someone special in your life. Damas Jewellery Highlighting the month long observance of Ramadan, the 101 year old jeweler makes gifting even more memorable during Eid by presenting Arabic and Islamic inspired jewels crafted in gold and precious stones with discounts ranging from 30 to 70%. The exclusive Crystal Aya pendant collection bears the world’s smallest complete rendition of the Holy Quran laser inscribed in high-grade crystal, framed with 18kt white or yellow gold and embellished with sparkling diamonds. Inspired by the beauty and grace of the Arabian woman, the Al Manthourah collection wonderfully weaves dream designs in 21k yellow gold and rich hand-painted enamels. The collection presents the rich Arab tradition in gold executed with the greatest attention to detail and features minute links forming chains, tassels and intricate embroidery patterns. From traditional to modern, ornate to minimalist, formal to casual, there is always a glittering piece of Jewellery in Damas to suit every mood and occasion! Nayomi The world of Nayomi opens its doors to a wide range of soft and sensuous products designed to royally pamper a feminine soul. With a variety of Lingerie, Loungewear, Bath and Beauty collections and Footwear, Nayomi is set to enhance the beauty of the fashion conscious women of today. To celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan and the festive season of Eid, Nayomi has fabulous ‘Gift with Purchase’ offers and discounts on some of their best selling products. Prayer beads exclusively crafted for Nayomi can be received free with a purchase of BD21 and with purchases of BD41 and above two cosmetic bags are up for grabs. Apart from this Nayomi has a special 30% discount running on its most popular fragrance and body ranges namely Shaza, Orient and Bambi ranges. Treat yourself to the plush fabrics or gift your loved one as well as the opportunity lasts! Bateel A delight to connoisseurs around the world, Bateel offers a wide range of gourmet products from plain dates to dates stuffed with nuts or candied orange and lemon peel, Date Chocolates , French and Belgian Chocolates as well as other products that include Sparkling Date Juice , Jams, Pastries and Date Bars. Bateel uses Dark, Milk and White Chocolate to produce a very distinct range of pralines and truffles. All of Bateel’s products are made of the finest natural ingredients and guarantee a longer shelf life. It is the worlds only gourmet dates supplier with retail outlets around the globe and provides an unrivaled quality of products. It has a huge selection of gifts priced from BD2 to over BD150 and also offers Corporate Gifts that can include corporate branding. Give in to the temptation this Eid by gifting yourself and friends with these luscious palate soothing delicacies available at Al Aali Mall. Ajmal Perfumes Exquisite fragrances of Oudh, Bakhoor and perfumes diffuse in the air as you step into an Ajmal store. From traditional Arab scents to the fusion blends, it offers the perfect combination of east and west with an air of affirmed mystique. Having been in the aroma business for over five decades, Ajmal Perfumes have welcomed the Ramadan and Eid period with special discounts and gift hampers ranging from BD10 to BD50. Sets of five popular fragrances are put together to be given as gifts and are priced lower than the combined prices of the three. With guaranteed gifts with every purchase or gift vouchers you may look forward to receiving anything from sachets of Oudh to fragrances or purses and watches for both men and women. What better way to express your ‘scentiments’ this Eid than saying it through something that leaves a lingering feeling of freshness and energy! Sparadise Leave your world behind and enter a haven of tranquility, where a menu of services awaits to tantalize your senses and rejuvenate your mind and body. Sparadise spoils you for choice with its extensive bouquet of spa and salon treatments catering for men and women equally. Create your own Eid package by choosing any three of the quick fix treatments which includes an express back massage, Guinot express facial, an instant body scrub, a holistic head massage, and a wash and blow dry at BD45 for 90 minutes. The ideal way to get ready for Eid is to pamper yourself with the Eid Indulgence package of a luxurious royal bath of an Oriental Hammam followed by Guinot aromatic facial, wash and blow dry, manicure and pedicure at BD80 for 240 minutes. With gift vouchers that can be customised to any range of services or products, Sparadise gift vouchers are the best pampering gifts to give! Eid Holiday Packages Take a detour from the stress and routine of everyday life with fun packed getaways through travel packages tailor made to suit this year’s Eid holidays. From the breathtaking Turkish scenery, its historical treasures of rich mosques and palaces to the scintillating temples, malls and cosmopolitan nightlife of Bangkok, Global Tourism Club and ITL Travels have designed Eid Holiday packages to nine exclusive destinations! With five days and four nights in any of these destinations and prices starting from BD100 inclusive of airfare and hotel you are bound to return as a happy soul. So if you have been dreaming of savoring the Turkish delights while relishing Turkey’s sun kissed lakes, sea and mountains, frenzied shopping in the souks of Damascus, visiting the pyramids of Egypt or a family adventure with your favourite Disney characters in Paris Disneyland, this is the time to make your dream come true! The traditional practice of giving gifts during Eid is a token of money called the ‘Eidi’ often given to children. But why give an Eidi when you could invest some time in choosing a unique gift and thus make the person feel special? The best time to give an Eid gift is soon after the morning prayers to instill an element of surprise and excitement. A gift gets closer to the heart than money and is definitely treasured and remembered for longer. Children can be given gifts of the latest games or educational books and toys. Gifts for elders can be chosen to reflect the spirit of Islam like exotic ittars, prayer rugs, Islamic CDs or craftworks. Make your gift extraordinary with an attractive greeting card that well complements the gift as well as your thoughts. Taking time out for a picnic or dinner to bond as a family is also a gift in itself. Celebrate the triumph and accomplishment of fasting during the month of Ramadan by reaching out to the hearts of your loved ones through a gift this Eid. Eid ul Fitr comes just once a year, so plan early and gear up for fun filled celebrations over Eid — live it up to the fullest!

September 2008 Where to: Find Arabian Perfumes

The Allure of the Arabian Scent

Something that captivates our mind, rejuvenates our senses and bestows a feeling of freshness and energy just through its fragrance is perfume. The influence of perfume has been felt throughout the history of Arab civilization. Incense and perfume are a part of daily Arab life, born with spicy and herbal scents Arab fragrance grew to discover the sweet flowery scents of saffron and rose. Further with the discovery of woody oils like sandalwood and agarwood a tantalizing new era was begun. Since then the Arab perfume industry has evolved and made certain changes to accommodate the varying tastes of their clientele. In this feature we take a look at some Arabian perfume manufacturers and their enduring fragrances. Syed Junaid Alam Celebrated by the names of ‘Junaid for Perfumes’ and ‘Attar Al Bahrain’, Syed Junaid Alam WLL is the oldest and largest manufacturer of perfume in the GCC and has three perfumery units in Bahrain. Founded by Syed Junaid Alam the brand which began as a small shop in the Manama souk at the beginning of the 20th century has transformed itself into a scentsational trendsetter. It has more than 120 retail outlets spanning the Middle East, Pakistan, Turkey and plans to spread out to North America and the Far East. Junaid Perfume brands are sold exclusively at its outlets and also include solid and oil perfumes, bakhoor and bridal gift sets. “We have introduced fragrances that have a French feel such as Fanan which is the first shimmer-based perfume in the Gulf. Apart from that we also have introduced gel-based fragrances that not only appeal to the women of today but also to youngsters”, says Hamad Fuad, director sales and marketing. “Each product is carefully developed to reflect its name and is in accord with its design, colours and aromatic characteristics, resulting in a distinctive brand,” explains Hamad. Junaid Perfumes outlets in Bahrain can be found all over Bahrain. A Ramadan collection is planned to be launched during the Holy Month and the products are priced in such a way that there is one for everyone! Reehat Al Atoor Inspired by Arabic culture on his arrival to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Rajesh Khanna set up Reehat Al Atoor in 1989 as a pastime. It has since flourished into a family business. This perfume house produces traditional as well as international scents and a combination of the two. These perfumes derived from natural essences reflect the Arab culture and heritage from its scent to the finished packaging, an example of this is the perfume Maraya meaning mirror in Arabic, is their latest French scent and comes with a mirrored finish. With exclusive showrooms at the Sheraton Complex, Dana Mall, Gold City and Riffa Bukuwara, Reehat Al Atoor have also been successful in unveiling their own line. With the onset of Ramadan, Reehat Al Atoor will be launching its seven latest products. Every month there are product launches and the company plans to set up a larger plant to satisfy the growing demand of its consumers. Newly appointed general manger Shahnawaz who is experienced in the business expansion of perfumery in the Middle East aims to increase the outlets in Bahrain to ten by the end of the year and expand to other GCC States over the next year. The company owns more than 100 brand names and sells well-known perfumes both Arabic and French. Amouage The House of Amouage was founded 25 years ago by the late Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi on the request of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of the Sultanate of Oman, to reflect the wonderful heritage and traditions of his country for creating the finest, exotic and unique perfumes and for giving them as gifts to honoured guests. Amouage has a stellar following around the world including Royals, global leaders and some of the most celebrated names in entertainment and sports. Their fragrances use a number of significant indigenous ingredients such as the finest Silver Frankincense, and the incredibly rare Omani Rock Rose. The first Amouage fragrance was created by French master perfumer Guy Robert who scoured the world for the finest ingredients, over 120 of which were used in his masterpiece ‘Amouage Gold’ which is still their best selling fragrance. “I am convinced that Amouage has huge potential to be the first internationally distributed luxury brand originating out of the Gulf region. At Amouage our goal is to take the wonderful fragrances of the East, and to transpose them into internationally acceptable fragrances that have the ability to sell around the world.” says David Crickmore, CEO of Amouage. To celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan and Eid, special gift sets with limited edition attar sprays will be introduced. Amouage products are available at Al Hawaj stores and its first shop-in-shop in the kingdom will be located in Al Aali Mall. Ajmal Having been in the fragrance business for 56 years and has over 200 outlets in the Gulf. Ajmal was primarily based around oudh and its varying uses within the realm of perfumery and its primary fragrance range consisted of mainly oriental concentrates. “Today, I’m extremely proud to admit that we use the entire fragrance range, from Eau de parfums, both oriental and western in design,, says Abdulla Ajmal, general manager of Ajmal, Dubai. Sarah launched in 1992, was the first product of its kind to successfully blend eastern and western elements together and is till date used as a benchmark in creating fusion blends. It was the only perfume company to be listed in the ‘Forbes Arabia Top 40 Arab Brands’ in 2007 and was placed at 23rd position. Ajmal takes care of the environment and is involved in human welfare too. “We combine western ideologies with oriental elements providing our consumers with a unique brand of fragrances, a brand we like to term as “Ethnic Chic.” This is what the young consumers of today demand, individuality and through our varied product offering and our blends we are able to provide it to them.” Explains Ajmal. Ajmal outlets can be found all over Bahrain and through retail shops. Designer Shaik Designer Shaik Inc. established in 2002 is a luxury brand company. It produces a line of perfumes for both ladies and men, mainly markets in the Middle East and Europe. People buying a Designer Shaik product feel they are buying a piece of ancient mythical Arabia. The beautiful and sensuous fragrances include the opulent and chic range with the purest essential oils from France blended with exquisite elements from Arabia. These Arabian scents are hand-made using the finest and rarest of ingredients. “Global giants offer a wide range of products whereas ours is limited, but we offer tough competition. Our reputation is growing and that shows credibility. Each product has a theme and a story.” says Mohammed Al Asfoor the CEO and founder. Designer Shaik’s actions are inspired by its vision to create arrays of timeless gifts to be cherished, admired and desired by all but attainable by only a few. Designer Shaik has a range of perfume gifts by the name of ‘Jewellessence Blue’ which is a fusion of jewels and essences and the handcrafted elements make them artifacts to be cherished and admired for centuries to come. It’s perfumes are available at Bahrain Mall, Seef Mall, Bahrain Duty Free and Al Hawaj outlets. Musical Aromas Perfumes are known by ‘notes’ as in music. The top note is the one that is sensed immediately on application and the middle note is what remains when the top notes evaporate. On the disappearance of the middle notes what lingers is the base note, which along with the middle note represents the core aroma of the perfume. Perfumers try to emotionally connect with the wearer by distilling personality into a perfume. It is said and known that scent triggers memories, so to all you perfumistas out there, how will you choose to be remembered

September 2008 Product of the Month: Nadiya Chocolate Dates

The Nadiya Luxury Arabian Dates brand has been successful in picking the best of the customary Arab fruit from the Desert sands and converting it into a sweeter, luscious and smoother end product. Nadiya aims in connecting the consumers to the region’s heritage through the most traditional product whilst meeting contemporary tastes.

What’s it all about?

The Nadiya brand includes date bars, pitted, unpitted and stuffed dates with fruit & nut stuffing like candied citrus peels, almonds and pistachios. The Aromatic Chocolate Dates is their newest range of stuffed dates that comes coated with the finest milk, white or dark Belgian chocolate. The Chocolate dates are also available with a delicious stuffing of roasted nuts.

Why was the product selected?

The dates in the Nadiya brand are individually hand picked from the best of the Saudi Arabian and Emirati dates and subjected to the latest rehydration technology to make them softer and individually stuffed with nuts. Nadiya ensures strict hygiene throughout the process from when the dates are picked by the producer till they reach the consumer.

What we like?

The Chocolate Dates come swirled with white and dark imported Belgian Chocolate. Apart from delighting our taste buds with its rich taste they are also natural, nutritious and have a longer shelf life.

The wow factor

Nadiya provides special gift packages based on the occasion. It has various pack formats to suit each customer, from stay fresh packaging for chef to luxury presentation boxes and trays for hospitality and VIP guests. These packages make an elegant presentation of Arabian Hospitality. Nadiya recently launched a range of three decorative and collectable luxury packing, containing whole luxury dates, stuffed dates and a unique combination of six chocolate coated stuffed dates. These products are ideally suited to be offered as gifts during the Holy Month of Ramadan, Hajj and New Year.

Where its found?

Nadiya supplies its date products throughout the GCC and now to Europe. It is currently available in all the leading supermarkets.

August 2008 Where to: Find Online Jobs

Make money without going to work!

Love making money? What if it is within the comfort of your own home with time also to finish off your household duties? SUMAIYA ALI has tested out some of the options available from the web and gives us the lowdown. Welcome to the era of ‘Work at Home Mums’ and ‘Work at Home Jobs’ where you choose when, where and how much you want to work. Work at Home Jobs are mostly targeted at women staying home to look after their kids but it is also a good source of income for anyone looking at making some extra money. You could choose to tutor online, provide customer support for a company or do some of the data entry work, set up your own business or just buy and sell online. All that is needed is a computer with Internet access and for customer support jobs a telephone is also is required. Several companies in the United States provide employees with an option of working from home. This not only helps them to cut down on office space but also saves the employee travel time and gas costs. If you are in the US there are oceans of opportunities at your fingertips. Google them out with catchwords like telecommute, legitimate work at home jobs and you get pages of results. But work at home jobs that can be done from Bahrain and other parts of the world are limited. Yet there are certain jobs that are available to people across the globe and not just for women; anybody with a creative mind, anxious to make some quick money online can try these out. In my quest to find a successful work at home job for Bahrain I’ve come across several websites that either take in your email ID or begin spamming you or ask you to pay to know how to make millions a month. Point to note: if any of the websites/work at home job asks you to pay for you to be eligible to work for them, then STOP! It could be a scam! With lots of trial and error I have finally come up with a handful of legitimate ‘Work At Home Jobs’ that you could try at home. But again a word of caution, making money isn’t that easy, you need to be patient at times. Mystery Shopping: Don’t we all love to shop! What if we are paid just to shop? Yes that’s what Mystery Shopping is all about. There are several mystery shopping websites online. After registering they will assign you a shop to conduct an audit. In Mystery Shopping you visit the target shop, just as any other customer — that’s why it’s called Mystery Shopping. You check both the behaviour of the staff towards you (greetings, service) and the cleanliness of the shop and return back home to fill in the questionnaire sent to you by the mystery shopping service and email it back to them. Some assignments require you to buy any item from the store as a proof of your visit while others just ask you to browse through the shop as any customer would, while keeping the questionnaire in your mind. On completing your assigned shop you can be paid around US$15-20 and sometimes more depending on the brand for whom you’re conducting the research. I carried out two checks in Bahrain, of course as a mystery shopper, by registering in internationalservicecheck.com. The first time I wasn’t too sure; I was just trying out if it was legitimate and not a scam. I had nothing to lose except a few minutes of my time. I went back home, sent in my completed questionnaire and a month later the money was credited to my account! Another trusted site is baiservices.com but I would recommend the former over the latter as the chances of being allocated shops are greater. Write Online: Love to write? Then this is the one for you. Get paid to write and also be read. Helium.com and associatedcontent.com are websites where magazines, newspapers and websites post topics that they need articles for but are too short of time to write themselves. This is where you come in. You choose a topic you like or you think you could write about, covering all the aspects requested and submit your work within the deadline stated, which is usually around a week. Once your article is published on the site you start to earn money every time it is read! Moreover if the organisation (employer) decides to buy your article you could be paid from anything between US$15- 100. From my personal experience I’ve seen that articles based on gaming and other technology trends are paid much more. Designing: Put on your creative hats for this one. You don’t have to be an expert in Photoshop to design and sell online. Anything creative like catchy or smart quotes or designs you have created could be sold on cards, mugs, T-shirts, bags and other accessories through cafepress.com. This website lets you have your own online shop within it and you can choose which products you want your designs to be showcased on and for much you choose to sell them. There are people who make their living just by designing and selling at this website! Affliate Advertising Do you have a website or a blog? Perhaps you have a social networking account that supports HTML Then start promoting businesses on your page! You’ll be called an affiliate. Websites like cj.com have sponsors who want their businesses to be promoted. You chose the product/business you want to promote and put up the HTML provided on your site. You are paid every time someone clicks, leads, registers or purchases the product. I would suggest promoting products that are paid based on clicks or free registrations as not everyone may be interested in buying the product but will be curious enough to click and find out more. Another method to advertise on your site or blog is through Google Adsense. These are a group of tiny adverts that are seen placed horizontally or vertically on certain websites. Upon signing up for Adsense, you chose what size of banners you want to be put up on your site. You are then provided with some HTML code which you paste in your page and whenever someone clicks on any of those ads you are paid. Domain Names When you buy and sell land or houses in real life its called real estate. Buy what if you do the same thing but with domain names online? Yes, this is the generation of ‘Virtual Estate’ where you buy a domain name just by paying a maximum of US$10 through websites like godaddy.com and register.com and mint money by selling the same for lots of cash. Domain name marketing is profitable. Celebrities these days reserve the domain names of their babies even before they are born, in case it’s reserved by someone else they may have to buy it back for a larger sum. Sell your idea and products Do you have an idea that you think could improve a product’s quality and also increase the sales for its manufacturer at preferably no extra cost? If yes, contact the company saying you have an idea from which you think they will benefit and to ask them to get back to you if they are interested. You should make a point of submitting the idea in writing and stipulate that they will not divulge the secrets behind your idea before you are paid or if they decide not to accept it. The traditional way of making money online which works is by selling your stuff on Ebay. Some of these sites send you cheques every month but a majority of sites pay you through Paypal, which is a secure payment system where your credit card number is not exposed online. If you do not have a credit card you can choose to apply for an internet prepaid credit card through Credimax, where you can buy only if you have money in your card balance. Once you get your card go online and sign up for a Paypal account. Registering for a prepaid card is very easy and I did it online sitting at home just as I did trying out the jobs mentioned above, and again you don’t have to pay! So get working, from home. You might just surprise yourself!