86 SEPTEMBER 2009

86 SEPTEMBER 2009

L E G E N D S O F T H E S I L K ROA D O N W W W. A M O UAG E . C O M

T H E G I F T O F K I N G S

From the Desk

Retail theRapy They say purchases made by women globally, amount to trillions annually. To put it precisely, we are the Earth’s largest consumer group, spending approximately US $5 trillion every year. We account for 85 per cent of all consumer expenditures. Now how did that happen?

At the risk of generalising, with a few exceptions, women and men shop differently…

We rule the malls; the men tag along, some stoically, some reluctantly, if at all.

We love to buy stuff for ourselves and for others. We have a different perception of value and at the top of our list are trust and respect. We also want to enjoy the purchase process. We buy from a perspective of how it ‘feels’ rather than practicality and speed; which, say researchers, is largely the male-dominated approach to buying. Generally speaking, men walk into a shop to buy what they need and are out of there immediately. They also stick with a budget and hate to browse.

We thrive on browsing! Watch a woman at a perfume counter, she will practically inhale every perfume in the display before she buys the one she’d already made her mind up about, before she even came. We need to re-check, we need to re-confirm…and we need time to do that.

Ask a man to window shop and he might run a mile in the opposite direction. Ask a girlfriend and she will drop what she’s doing and join you in an afternoon of simply wandering in and out of shops.

In this issue we bring to you a fashion extravaganza — a look at what some of the best brands in Oman are presenting this festive season. Browse to your heart’s content and take your time with it. Make a trip to the stores we’ve listed and indulge in some retail therapy.

Team Al Mar’a wishes you Ramadan Mubarak and Eid Mubarak.

We’ll be seeing you next month…

Published byUnited Press & Publishing LLC

A Renaissance Services Company

P.O. Box 3305, Ruwi,Postal Code 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.Tel: 00 968 24700896 Fax: 00 968 24707939

e-mail: almara@umsoman.com

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced

without the express permission of the publishers.

Copyright © 2009United Press & Publishing LLC

Printed in the Sultanate of Oman atOman Printers & Stationers

Editorial

Editor-iN-CHiEFSalman Ibrahim Al Balushi

CoNSUltiNG EditorPriya Nair

aSSiStaNt Editor (CoNSUltiNG)Rekha Baala

aSSiStaNt EditorRana Alawneh

PriNCiPal CorrESPoNdENtDeepa Rajan

dESiGN

art dirECtorSandesh S. Rangnekar

dESiGNErS Aliya Al WaheibiSiham Al Zadjali

Rashida

SENior PHotoGraPHErRajesh Burman

PHotoGraPHErSathyadas C. Narayanan

ProdUCtioN MaNaGErGovindraj Ramesh

adVErtiSiNG & MarKEtiNG

GroUP adVErtiSiNG MaNaGErMimi Deb

aSSiStaNt adVErtiSiNG MaNaGErSBenu

Ritu

SENior MEdia EXECUtiVEFareeda Sulaiman Al Balushi

CorPoratE

CHiEF EXECUtiVESandeep Sehgal

EXECUtiVE ViCE PrESidENtAlpana Roy

ViCE PrESidENtRavi Raman

SENior BUSiNESS SUPPort EXECUtiVERadha Kumar

diStriBUtioNUnited Media Services LLC

SEPTEMBER 2009 Vol 7 No 78

CoVEr dESiGN : SaNdESH raNGNEKarPiCtUrE CoUrtESy: EliE SaaB

Co

Nte

Nts

Features

travel

58 On board the Celebrity Equinox…

top Drive

66 Al Mar’a test-drives the Mazda MX-5.

27al mar’a speCial — FashioN Fiesta! 28 The season’s hottest bags and hippest shoes…32 Accessorise with style…34 Jewellery in line with festive fervour…36 Designer shades for the fashionista...40 ‘Abayas’ in creative cuts and designer flair…42 Rock the party in trendy evening wear…44 Cool clothes and hot accessories for him…48 Showstoppers from across the world…

PersonaMeet Oman’s coolest DJ — Zahra Santos a.k.a DJ Z3E

FooDCuisine

78 A look at the way different coun-tries celebrate Eid — gastronomically speaking!Presenting three special Arabic dishes to make your Eid special in every way.

solutioNs people

My City,My Life

56 Where expats share sweet memories of home…Dunia Gatica on a chilled out weekend in Mexico City.

in every issue> Your Say> News etc> Reviews

> Stargazing

54

HeaLtHGet a load of the secrets of

the coconut’s amazing healing powers.

HeaLtH PLus

74 A Q & A session withDr Smita Lulla, Obstetrician &

Gynaecologist.

WeLLbeing

62 Dr Prema Seshadri offers her take on retail therapy.

WorkWise

64 The ultimate shopping guide for ‘perfect’ office attire…

at HoMe

68 Practical ideas for your home and you.

FashioN & BeautyBeauty Buzz52 Make up and techniques for the festive Fall season from the Grand Spa…

Beauty zoNe76 The beauty booty checklist…

72

Sequel NeededI really liked the ‘Auto Special’ features in the August issue of Al Mar’a. The feature on cars and movies made for such interesting reading! As a car enthusiast, I never miss any movie featuring cars. Your article made me go back in time to some of the greatest car movies I have ever seen. I totally adore the ‘Herbie’ series and the Volkswagen Beetle tops my list of car favourites. In fact, I feel you can definitely do a sequel to the article. There are even more car movies, that I feel deserve glowing praise… Also thanks for the exhaustive list of the top cars in the market. It is short and sweet guide for people looking for the right car.Salma Al BalushiAl Khuwair

World CuiSiNeThe Cuisine Section featuring Japanese cuisine in the August issue was a revelation! These were the recipes I was looking for… I love all the cuisines of the world and now my favourite magazine, Al Mar’a, is making life easier for me by featuring

them. How about Mexican or Italian next time?Seeta DesaiQurum

oNe-PagerS PleaSeI miss the one-pagers that made quick reading like Mandate, Feel Good, Career, etc. Will we see them again? They are so thoroughly entertaining; fun and fast! I’d love to see something more on what’s new in the market as well. Random collections from all over will also do. The thing is, I have grown to trust your taste and I really like what you put on your pages; it makes my life easier too. Jane EdwardsGhubra

all-Time FaveSuperstar Avril Lavigne is my all-time favourite! She is young, beautiful, trendy and full of spunk! And has such a beautiful voice to match! ‘The Best Damn Thing’ is my favourite album. Thanks, Al Mar’a for a wonderful article on my favourite superstar.Hana Al RiyamiQurum

PRIZE-WINNING LETTERS

your say

Hot Cars rule!Your interesting article on ‘Hot Wheels and Cool Flicks’ reminded me of the classic movie ‘Batman’. the roaring ‘Batmobile’ which featured in the movie was brought in for display cum sale to oman and the Gulf in the 1990s. Movie buffs were indeed fortunate to see the ‘Batmobile’ on display at the Motor show in Muscat. the people who brought in the high power car also obliged the public by starting the engine and everyone enjoyed the roar that matched that of a lion! Jonitha D’Cruz Muscat

Friends Foreverit was wonderful reading the article on ‘Friendships at Work’. it is true that when we spend most Contrary to what most people think, these friendships are strong and long-lasting. i came to oman from india six years ago. i still have friends from my earlier workplace and whenever i go on vacation, we meet up at least once for coffee and conversation. and since the internet and email has brought the world closer, it has become easier to keep in touch. networking sites like orkut and Facebook make this bond even stronger. Rashida JHMuttrah

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FordThey’ve unveiled a special offer that promises free service, parts and maintenance for the first five years — which means, you spend only on fuel. Ford will cover all other costs under the ‘Drive for Free’ Offer. Apart from this, you can also look forward to free insurance, an opportunity to win a Ford Explorer on the Grand Raffle, free high-value gifts and much more. Ford vehicles are marketed in the Sultanate by Arabian Car Marketing, a part of the renowned Saud Bahwan Group.

ramadan Promos

you simply need to

hear about

neWs, etC.

Wheels

Feel the poweRAnother Mazda car is all set to zip-zap-zoom on Oman’s roads. Towell Auto Centre (TAC) has only recently launched the second-generation Mazda3. Built on the excellent driving dynamics that helped make its predecessor, the all-new 2010 model has got the fresh new appeal that’s bound to sweep you off your feet and right into it. Available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models, the Mazda3 is aimed at the young at heart who love to drive and are technologically savvy! Book a test drive to feel the power of the all-new Mazda 3.

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WoW! It certainly was a dream come true! To touch, feel and sit in the new Ferrari California! Unveiled by the Sport Car section of Shanfari Automotive recently, the awesome car designed by Pininfarina, embodies a sporting design and embraces technology with innovation. And for the first time, the new V8 4.3 litre engine has been fitted in the mid-front position. The new model also features several other innovations. Wanna know more? Head to the Ferrari showroom right away!

MazdaEveryone’s a winner with their ‘Al Kul Fayez’ offer! Buy a Mazda this Ramadan and drive home with a free built-in car DVD entertainment system on the Mazda CX9 GT ALT, free 2,600 litres of petrol on 2.6 lt. engine BT-50 (4 x 2) pick ups, a free gift of a Nokia N97 GSM with the Mazda Ultra, free insurance and registration, five years free unlimited kms service on the CX9, five years unlimited kms warranty and AAA; and for the first time ever avail five years agency repair for accidents at any Towell Auto Service centres with your purchase. There are also Scratch and Win Vouchers on every purchase with special high value prizes. Furthermore, every Mazda customer gets to participate in the Grand Raffle which gives you a chance to win the new Mazda MX-5.

InfinitiThe offers here are totally irresistible! On offer is Infiniti’s G series which has been setting the standard in the luxury segment with its strong-selling line-up — the G37 (sedan and coupe models). The M series also on offer is part of Infiniti’s premium luxury sedan segment and is available in M35 and M45 versions, both being one of the most technologically advanced vehicles built by Infiniti. Prices have also been reduced on the EX, FX and QX models. The all-new FX50 is also available at an attractive price. The Infiniti QX56 has also been slashed in price. Purchase any of these models for personal use and receive a complimentary free (4yr/70,000 km) comprehensive vehicle maintenance and five-year unlimited mileage warranty (conditions apply). Every Infiniti model purchased during the Ramadan festive season will also receive a free high-value gift.

neWs, etC.

Wheels

ramadan Promos you simply need to hear about

GMC & SuzukiIt’s raining Ramadan offers at Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Company. They have a unique cash back offer on the GMC range of vehicles where you can take home up to RO1,000 in cash. Besides, you’re also entitled to free five-year unlimited mileage warranty and free service for one year or 20,000 kms on all GMC models. Other incentives include a free 32” LCD television, special interest rates for installment schemes, attractive trade-in prices for those of you looking for exchange and special insurance rates based on your preferences. GMC’s cash back offer is based on the model of the vehicle selected. If you’re buying a Sierra Denali, you take home RO1,000 while those buying a Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL Denali and Sierra Pickup get RO700. If you’re opting for an Acadia, you get RO500 and those preferring the Terrain or Envoy get RO250. From the same company comes the sensational ‘Value Offer’ with a gold bonanza on Suzuki cars. Besides a very attractive price offer, every Suzuki customer is entitled for a free service package for 100,000 km or five years whichever comes earlier, along with one-year free insurance, free registration and free AAA roadside assistance on all models and an exciting gift hamper with every purchase. Apart from the above, every week, one lucky Suzuki customer gets to win 10 tolas of gold and there are 100 tolas gold to be won in 10 weekly draws.

NissanWhat’s special here this Ramadan? Lots, we hear! The Nissan line-up — the

Tiida, Sunny, Qashqai, X-Trail, X-Terra, Armada, Murano, Pathfinder, Patrol and the Altima bought for personal use, come with free registration for the first year, and comprehensive service (2years/30,000 km). All 2009 model

saloon cars come with free first-year insurance (Oman only), except the Altima Coupe, GTR & 350Z. The latest X-Trail now comes with free registration and free comprehensive service (two years/30,000 kms). Hang on, there’s more —

extended warranty of five years with unlimited mileage on all vehicles (except taxis, rent-a-cars and commercial vehicles), free AAA roadside assistance, and

a free gift on every Nissan vehicle. Apart from all this, there are attractive trade-in offers and finance schemes. There are special schemes for government

employees too.

The Zubair Automotive Group:The Group is sharing the spirit of giving this Ramadan by offering you the best prices on all models available at their showrooms across the Sultanate. You get to enjoy the best prices on leading brands including Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Audi, Peugeot, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Great Wall, Skoda and Citroen among many. In addition to the very best and the most competitive prices, Zubair

Automotive will include a year’s free insurance, free registration, free service, 1.000 lt, free fuel on certain models, and a free comprehensive warranty on Oman’s leading brands. The special prices will last for two months with the offer available

until October 9.

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14 SEPtEMBEr 2009

neWs, etC.

lifestyle…

Luxury on theGoThis is indeed the height of luxury! Check out the new Constellation Vivre Collection of handcrafted luxury mobile phones from Vertu — a result of a collaboration between celebrated actor Michelle Yeoh and Vertu’s Principal Designer, Frank Nuovo. Yeoh’s inspiration for the collection comes from the flora and woodlands of her spiritual home in Malaysia, which has been translated into a stylised leaf design onto Vertu’s best-selling handset — the Vertu Constellation. The intricate motif is stitched with metal-thread on the leather back plate and hand engraved onto the bezel of the handset. For further enquiries, contact Khimji’s Watches today.

‘Viera’ GoodWhen it comes to TVs, you’re really spoilt for choice! And now Panasonic has introduced an additional nine LCD and eight plasma high definition Viera TVs. There are three distinct advantages for the consumer, enhanced unique features like full-time full HD and Viera

image viewer function for the playback of pictures and videos by SD card. The new display panels for all 2009 Viera Plasma televisions offer exciting

new possibilities in image quality. All Panasonic panels made in Japan have a life of up to 100,000 hours, a lifespan of 30 years of viewing when watched eight hours a day. It just gets better and better, doesn’t it?

GlamGloss This lip effect is not for the faint-hearted! That’s how the makers of Effet 3D Max Gloss by Bourjois describe their new product. Everything about Effet 3D Max oozes femininity: the accentuated curves of the transparent tube echo the sensuality of the result. The colour matched lid indicates the shade within. The radiant gloss, links a new 3D texture boosted with shine micro-activators and a new generation applicator. It offers maximum impact, maximum volume and up to 33 per cent shine. Go on, dazzle ‘em!

The art scene in Oman sure is buzzing with excitement. And now for the first time ever in the Middle East, 100 Rembrandt etchings are on display at the Afrah Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel Muscat. Inaugurated by HH Sayyid Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, this exhibition has been organised by the Al Salmi Library in association with the Rembrandt House Museum, while the event is managed by NPA Events. Seventy-nine etchings on display belong to the Rembrandt House in Amsterdam and 21 etchings are from the German private collection of the Family Rumbler in Francfort. The exhibition will be open until September 19. Do drop by; remember there were few equals to this genius artist.

the LeGend lives oN

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TraveL SmartIn travel news, did you know that ‘Khimji’s House of Travel’, a new flagship brand for travel and tourism business services under the ‘Projects & Logistics Group of Khimji Ramdas’ has been launched recently? KHOT will focus on domestic and international air-travel, holiday packages, inbound tours, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference & Exhibitions) along with corporate and leisure services. KHOT is also associated with leading names in the business that include Costa Crociere, SOTC, Kuoni Travel, Gulliver’s Travel, Tour East, etc. KHOT will also offer the popular SOTC Coach Tours conducted in Europe, USA, Far East, China, Australia among other regions, around the world. Hope your bags are packed and you’re ready to head out to ‘the’ holiday hot-spots.

neWs, etC.

lifestyle…

TerrificDuoCellulite can be a well, ‘big’ problem, you’d agree… But hey, hang on, help is at hand. Check out Nuxe, Tonific Minceur — Anti-Cellulite Cream Gel Duo, a uniquely powerful and patented blend of botanicals that targets the specific causes and symptoms of cellulite. The cream gel acts against cellulite, sagging skin and ‘orange peel’ effects. It can be teamed with the Body Contouring Massage Oil, an ideal combination of highly concentrated essential oils and plant oils that fight against settled cellulite, localised curves and bloating sensations linked to fluid retention. Shape up, people! Available at Muscat Pharmacy.

Pretty & VaLue for

moneyAre you looking for some special, out-of-the-world

jewellery that is affordable too? This festive season, why not try on some fashion jewellery for a change? Divya

Bhavsar has on sale, one gram gold-plated jewellery from India studded with artificial stones. Pick up bangles,

anklets, rings, bridal jewellery, complete sets and more... Prices range from RO5 to RO50. Divya is also exhibiting her jewellery on September 11 (5pm onwards) at the Al Falaj Hotel. Check it out; there are some really pretty

designs on display. For more info, contact Divya on 95639020.

Everyone agrees that beauty isn’t just about outward appearances. Inner health and vitality are just as important to ‘feeling good’. So taking care of your body in all ways, inside as well as outside, offers the key to a better life. That’s where Hana’s Slimming and Skincare prides itself with; a one-stop centre for all your beauty and lifestyle needs. It offers permanent hair removal treatments, hair re-growth treatments, anti-ageing treatments, treatments for skin problems and weight loss programmes. It also represents two renowned brands, DuraSkin (U.S.A.) and Mary Cohr (Paris). The DuraSkin range refines skin pores, helps in pigmentation problems, helps erase fine lines and wrinkles and gives your skin a youthful and healthy glow. Mary Cohr is one of the most respected names in professional beauty treatments, and is used in premier skin clinics all over the world. Its luxurious plant-based skin care treatment is blended with the latest scientific technology to create effective solutions for all types of skin problems and also give super anti-ageing results. What’s special at Hana’s is that they also offer special membership privileges. On becoming a member you can avail of a 20 per cent discount on face treatments, a 15 per cent discount on regular salon services, a 10 per cent discount on products, a special 10 per cent discount if you are buying

a gift voucher and free gift vouchers on birthdays for card holders. What’s more is that a family of two adults and three children can avail of the same discounts. Go on then, give your lifestyle a new perspective by becoming a member of Hana’s Slimming and Skincare Centre today. When we recommend it, it’s gotta be a good thing!

Feel GooD!

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neWs, etC.

lifestyle…

Smart KitchenSIn the world of custom kitchens, Poggenpohl is a revered brand and is available in over 60 countries around the world, offering cutting-edge technology and the latest trends. It’s a name associated with the luxury of individual and exclusive kitchens. And now the latest, most up-to-date kitchen in the Poggenpohl portfolio is the Porsche Design Group and Poggenpohl collaboration, to produce the Porsche Design Kitchen. They are also known for the introduction of the Reform Kitchen with its connecting units and integrated storage space and Form 1000, the first ‘fitted Kitchen’. Poggenpohl Kitchens are available in Oman at SFO Furniture. Get your cooking space revamped this season…

DreaMessentialsIf you have heard of Index, Thailand’s largest and foremost manufacturer/retailer of high-class furniture and home furnishings, then you must know that it is represented by Muscat-based, exclusive distributor, Juman Sons Trading Co. LLC. Its first satellite branch in Al Khuwair has been operating successfully for three years now. There is even an experienced interior designer who can provide expert advice and recommend the best furniture pieces for your dream home. And furthermore, you can save up to 70 per cent while you shop during the Ramadan period. This sure is the time to plan for a new home or renovate your existing one. For further info, contact 24486017.

easy Banking The National Bank of Oman (NBO), inaugurated their 61st Branch, in the Shatti Al Qurum area, Muscat. The Chief Guest, H.E. Nasser Bin Khamis Al Jashmi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil & Gas, formally inaugurated the new branch. NBO has also inaugurated a new Sadara Wealth Management Centre; the third one of its kind. The Sadara Wealth Management service is an exclusive, premium banking service, tailor-made to provide privileged customers, with personalised attention and with the widest range of products, to meet all their financial needs.

Back to SchooLThis is good news if you want to upgrade your skills…The Gulf School of Business (GSB) has announced the launch of its management study programme for business managers by introducing practitioner-oriented management education. Prof S Sundararajan, who was a Senior Professor and Member of the Governing Body at the reputed Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, India, is the Dean of the GSB. There will be three long-duration programmes. The first will be a Programme in Practising Management — a 10-month part-time course with six weeks of contact sessions, followed by a week for project presentation; the second will be a Post Graduate Programme in Practising Management — a 15-month part-time course with 13 weeks of contact sessions; and the last, a Masters in Practicing Management — a 12-month full-time. Sign up, people!

Luxury LuGGaGe We hope you know that the world-renowned Tumi luggage is now available in Oman! You can find the entire range at the Capital Store, Qurum. Tumi is the leading international brand of luxury travel, business and lifestyle accessories. Utilising the finest materials, skilled production and ingenuity, Tumi embodies premium quality and design. Travel in total style now, girls.

mix and Match Here is some real, good news. Visit the Capital Store

showroom at Qurum to check out their special Ramadan promotional offers on Kenwood Kitchen Machine. The Kenwood Kitchen Machine is a high quality mixer that comes with a wide range of optional attachments. This is one robust and durable investment for your kitchen.

Cook up a storm with some reliable help now.

neWs, etC.

lifestyle…

Thirty international models. State-of-the-art lighting. Dynamic catwalk with hydraulic stages. A larger-than-life 20 metre video projection wall. Splash’s super-exclusive sneak-preview of top designs which will hit its stores in Autumn/Winter 2009.

These were the saucy ingredients that went into the thrilling visual treat, put together by the brand for select customers of Splash and of course discerning media and VIPs at the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah last month.

The dramatic show saw models sporting

props of the likes of warrior helmets, space swords, space masks… the works! The drama and the décor added a perfect futuristic infinity feel.

The media/VIP exclusive fashion show was preceded by two special previews held especially for all Splash customers. Over

miSSion faShionAl Mar’a gets a sneak preview of Splash’s Autumn-Winter 09 Collection...

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SEPtEMBEr 2009 21

2000 customers were selected from a pool of 10,000 plus participants, who had registered for the contest to win invites for the Splash Fashion Show. This was the first time in the UAE that a fashion brand has thrown open its doors to customers to experience a fashion show.

The dramatic themes that outlined the Fashion Show collection were ‘Warrior Supremacy’ and the ‘Star Wars Space Mission’. The first segment showed a winter-essential theme: ‘Defensive Dressing’. While women wore a smart mixture of mutton-sleeved shirts and tulip-shaped pencil skirts, men lived out the theme in heavy, military-inspired duffle coats laced with authentic looking military buttons; epaulette details and badges beamed the mean-lean `Men In Uniform` look. The very glam ‘Star Wars Space Mission’ saw the dominance of atmospheric digital prints, architectural futuristic forms and blown up oversized imagery on designer drapes. The astronaut-look in puffa jackets was the key silhouette for both men and women alike while the shark fin shoulder reflected uniqueness in the women’s collection.

The Splash Autumn/Winter 2009 Collection will be available in Splash stores across the region, end August onwards, through to December. This is a must-check-out, must-buy-some situation, people!

neWs, etC.

lifestyle… Spa-tacularNo time to go spa-hopping? Bring the spa home! We are talking about the Roca Spa, that allows you to relax in the personalised exterior or interior of your own spa. The Roca range, available at Khimji’s Bait Al Ahlam, offers you the choice of size (up to seven persons), shape and finishes. They incorporate an air/water whirlpool system, underwater light and perimeter overflow in certain models. The whole range is made from soundproofed material. Roca spas are equipped with two massage systems that operate independently or simultaneously. There is the Water Massage which injects water through orientable jets, producing a tonifying sensation all over the body and the Air Massage that injects air through multiple air jets located in the bottom of the spa, for a relaxing massage.

local WaresWe really hope you caught the exhibition at the Oman International Exhibition Centre, Seeb recently. We’re talking about the unique Stitching & Design Exhibition organised by Majan Expo. The Exhibition featured over 45 exhibitors from the local market who displayed a variety of wares that included different types of dresses, bridalwear, abayas and accessories. There was also a variety of stitching material to choose from. Many women also displayed different types of handicrafts. We picked up some real cool stuff, we hope you did too…(Al Mar’a was a media sponsor)

touch anD GoIn gizmo updates, Samsung brings to the Middle East, the Samsung i8910 HD, a full-touch handset that features the world’s first 720P HD video recording and decoding on mobile, as well as the world’s largest AMOLED screen on mobile. Samsung i8910 HD has a stunning design with a sleek finish and delivers the ultimate in digital entertainment. The Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) touch screen offers unrivalled sharpness of tone, vivid colours and greater clarity in direct sunlight as well as less power consumption. Now there’s one smart phone for you!

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neWs, etC.

AccolAdes, Achievements And UpdAtes…

For Women,By womenThis occasion really touched our hearts…The South African embassy celebrated National Women’s Day (South Africa) at the Grand Hyatt, Muscat on August 9. The day celebrated and commemorated the struggle of women for a free, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa. The day also marked the 53rd anniversary of the march of women of all races to the Union Buildings in protest against the oppressive apartheid laws. Dr Laila Gad, the UNICEF representative and Papri Ghosh, Principal of the Indian School, Al Ghubra, were the guest speakers for the evening. Here’s more power to women empowerment!

media BoomThe publishing scenario in Oman just gets better and better! We are talking of the new look ‘Y’, that was unveiled recently. The publication is a SABCO Media initiative, under the umbrella of the SABCO Group, the leading business group in the Sultanate. With the 27,000 copies freely distributed, as claimed, every Tuesday, Y’s new format aims to cater to Muscat’s growing cosmopolitan and educated populace in an exciting and dynamic manner. The publication comes with a new direction, offering local and global views on all cultural news and events. A new team has been drafted-in to implement the new vision of the Y, each armed with ample experience in their respective fields; they’re from different parts of the world and they present a fresh perspective and zest for investigative journalism, to all readers in Oman. All the best, you guys!

a Good Read In more media news, Al Mar’a columnist Prema Seshadri is going places. She has just written her first book, titled ‘Mayin’. This is a story of a third-generation Anglo-Indian, Mayin, who leads a life living the dreams and desires of everybody around her, without ever fulfilling her own. Lonely and troubled, she copes with her feelings of confusion and depression through flight and fantasy. Seshadri provides an unusual insight into the ramifications of a conflicting background on a woman’s persona and her search to find herself. Mayin is a beautiful fusion of personal and cultural crisis, with Seshadri leaving room for us to hope that both can be reconciled. Can’t wait to get our hands on this one!

feStiVe treatOman’s innovative mobile reseller has announced a special Ramadan offer where customers can purchase two renna starter packs with consecutive numbers for RO3. Customers will also receive RO1.5 free credit and 20 free local SMS’s per SIM Card. renna has also extended its Customer Contact Center hours of operation from 8am to 1am during the month of Ramadan to accommodate for more late evening callers. It is manned by a multi-lingual team that speaks Arabic, English and a variety of Asian languages.

What-a-car!Zubair Automotive has unveiled the all new Skoda Superb 1.8 LTSI at a special Ramadan launch event that was attended by Zubair Automotive customers and the general public at the Azaiba branch. The new Skoda Superb 1.8 LTSI, is a luxury saloon car that is ideal for both the senior executive and family seeking comfort and reliability with a 1.8 TSI engine and sporty 17 inch alloy wheel. Also avail of Skoda’s special offer for Ramadan that includes free insurance, free service for two years /45000Kms and free registration. All the more reason to go for the new Skoda!

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Italian Elegance!Check out the sprawling, spanking-new Vabene showroom at the Markaz Al Bahja. It offers the best in Italian kitchens, bathroom fittings, tiles and mixers…

Bathrooms — AeTThe AeT Italia brand is synonymous with quality, design and innovation. In just a few years, the company has become a reputed leader in the world of ceramics. The AeT products are realized in GREMAR, a special ceramic material porcelainised and improved in their laboratories.

Bathrooms — BMTThe wide variety of models made of ceramic allows maximum adaptability to any environment. The high-tech equipment and BMT’s ancient handicraft tradition are the real reasons for its success.

Kitchens — Vitali CucineVitali Cucine Kitchens are designed to fit all lifestyles, needs, tastes and satisfy one’s vision of space. They are featured in a wide range of bright colour options in glossy and matt finishes. The straight cuts, illuminated glass doors, long and slender handles... give them a touch of modern art. Classical kitchens are designed with traditional architecture using a selection of solid wood with brass handles that give an antique finish to your kitchens. The Italian Kitchens are designed with a range of stainless steel accessories, cutlery trays, plate racks with water drainer, hygiene arrangement for sink and dustbins, inbuilt electrical appliances and much more.

Bathroom Furnishing lines — EffepiFor Effepi, style, quality and effective ergonomics alone are not enough to enhance the personality of the bathroom. Modern technology has brought new designs and innovative forms that enhance the everyday feelings of the objects that surround us and that furnish our bathrooms.

Floor and Wall Tiles — PastorelliFounded in 1967, Pastorelli today boasts of experience of over 40 years in the design and manufacture of quality Italian tiles. It offers a range of indoor, outdoor and wall tile collection which includes porcelain and stone range with an array of decorative pieces in different colour options.

Drop by the Vabene showroom at Markaz Al Bahja and give your home a magical makeover!

Tel: 24538723, www.vabeneoman.com

The beauty about Italian design and elements is that it brings a defining blend of sophistication and natural charm right into your home. A

huge number of people swear by Italian design and functionality when it comes to kitchens, bathroom fittings, tiles and mixers.

At the huge Vabene showroom at Markaz al Bahja, experts help you make the right choices. Here are the major brands that are making a huge mark.... and that can make a difference to your home

SEPtEMBEr 2009 27

You’re not alone. All women love to shop! Shopping for some of us is a hobby and for some it is a must. We shop when we’re in a good mood, when we’re in a bad mood, when we’re bored, when we’re celebrating…

Most of us have never-ending, to-do lists, and we live under the constant pressure to get that list under control. Shrinks say shopping is a great stress-buster for us; just ticking off the bullets on the list, even if it’s at the hypermart, can also be so de-stressing, can’t it? It’s like through shopping, somehow we find a shift in focus and our mood is uplifted.

And when it comes to fashion, sky’s the limit! A new shirt in a happy colour brightens up a day. Those irresistible pair of gladiator sandals put a spring in our step. That absolutely gorgeous handbag is so confidence-boosting. And our little ones look even more angelic in that cute green hat which match the green pair of shoes…

In this festive season, Al Mar’a presents to you a plethora of super style choices… from haute couture to trendy evening wear, from shoes and bags to fashion accessories, from chic ‘Abayas’ to festive jewellery, from clothes for kids to threads for him…

Take your time with each; circle the ones you like best and head straight to the stores…

Happy Shopping, People! Fa

Sh

ion

FieSta

! it’s the festive

season; can a shopping spree be far

behind?

Fashion Fiesta co-ordinated by: Abigail LoboPhotographs: Rajesh Burman, Sathyadas C. Narayanan

28 SEPtEMBEr 2009

PARIS HILTONSOCIALITE

CORAL BAG FROM LANCEL

GENUINE LEATHER SHOULDER BAG

AND WALLET FROM LANCEL

GIVENCHYHANDBAG

LEATHER GLADIATORS FROM DUMOND FLATS FROM SHOE MART

Bag soMe!

strap soMe!

This season’s hottest bags and hippest shoes... Super-hot and

strikingly stylish!

FashioN Fiesta — shoes aND Bags

Dumond available at Qurum City CentreCharles and Keith available at Qurum City Centre, Muscat City Centre & Al Araimi ComplexShoe Mart available at all Centrepoint outlets.Lancel, Paris Hilton, Givenchy, Thierry Mugler bags available at Capital Store.Clarks Shoes available at Clarks outlets in Muscat.

30 SEPtEMBEr 2009

THIERRY MUGLER

CLUTCH FROM CHARLES & KEITH

SHOULDER BAG FROM DUMOND

FORMAL SHOES FROM CLARKS

PUMPS FROM CHARLES & KEITH

Shoes now come in multi-tones. They can be used to add colour and style to pretty much everything

Bag soMe!

strap soMe!

This season’s hottest bags and hippest shoes... Super-hot and

strikingly stylish!

FashioN Fiesta — shoes aND Bags

ANIMAL PRINT BAG FROM DUMOND

SANDALS FROM CLARKS

Get GorGeous!

Presenting style expressions of every kind… with accessories from the best brands in Oman.

ALDO

ALDO

Fashion Fiesta — accessories

Metallics make great accessories. Choose

metallic gold or silver as a neutral fashion colour

Aldo available at Aldo Accessories outlets in Muscat.Parfois available at Qurum City Centre & Muscat City Centre32 SEPTEMBER 2009

SEPTEMBER 2009 33

PARFOIS

ALDOPARFOIS

PARFOIS

PARFOIS

PARFOIS

ALDO

This season is all about colour, bright hues, dark

hues, yellows, oranges and bright greens.

34 SEPTEMBER 2009

Bejewelled ClassiCs!

Funky, chunky, traditional, modern or contemporary… Jewellery

takes on different hues in line with festive fervour!

Fashion Fiesta — Jewellery

Farfasha, Farasha, Rosato collections and traditional Arab jewellery from Damas available

at select Damas outets

DAMAS

09SSW004/44

36 SEPTEMBER 2009

TIFFANY - Fall/Winter 2009-2010

collections

CHOPARD

Fashion Fiesta — sUnGlasses

Oversized is still über cool.

shades of luxury

Designer eyewear for the ultimate fashionista...

VERSACE - Vanitas collection TIFFANY - Fall/

Winter 2009-2010 collections

CARTIER - Panthere

For further details contact Khimji’s Watches at24699173/ 24699174.

38 SEPTEMBER 2009

shades of luxury

Designer eyewear for the ultimate fashionista...

MONT BLANC - Spring/Summer 2009 collection

BVLGARI

VERSACE - Silmo 2008 collection

CARTIER - Panthere

Fashion Fiesta — sUnGlasses

SEPTEMBER 2009 39

TOM FORD - Elle, Fall 2009 collection

TOM FORD - Astrid, Fall 2009 collection

BVLGARI

CHOPARD

VERSACE - Silmo 2008 collection

Retro-inspired pieces harking back to the

60s and 70s (and even as early as the 40s and

50s) are particularly hip off late.

timeless ChiC!

This season, the ‘abaya’ and ‘jalabiya’ look young, feel great and drape

gracefully with creative cuts and designer flair…

Fashion Fiesta — abayas

40 SEPTEMBER 2009

SEPTEMBER 2009 41

Bolder colours, intricate embroidery and glittering embellishments give new

form, shape and identity to the ‘abaya’.

Ava

ilabl

e at A

l Mot

ahaj

iba,

Mus

cat C

ity C

entr

e

Fashion Fiesta — eVeninG wear

hey, Party Girl!

Presenting some very trendy evening wear… Get ready to sparkle and

shimmer… and rock the party!

Aftershock available at Muscat City Centre

AFTERSHOCK

SEPTEMBER 2009 43Mango Fall Winter collection

MANGO

44 SEPTEMBER 2009

wassuP, dude!

Cool clothes and hot accessories… for your man!

PORSCHE DESIGN - Siemens Nespresso

Machine

BRAND NAME

BRAND NAME

Fashion Fiesta — For him– shoes and accessories

SALAM - Dolce & Gabbana Shirt,

Hugo Boss Belt & shoes, Polo Ralph Lauren Trousers

SALAM - Hugo Boss genuine leather bag

TAHANI-Zegna Sport

TAHANI - Giorgio Armani wallet

PORSCHE DESIGN - P6910 Indicator

Chronograph

SEPTEMBER 2009 45

SALAM - Dolce & Gabbana leather

belts

SALAM - Dolce & Gabbana shining leather sneakers

TAHANI - Giorgio Armani Revolving

emblem TAHANI - Giorgio Armani Tuxedo

shoes

TAHANI - Zegna

Taha

ni ou

tlet a

t Sab

co C

entr

eD

olce

& G

abba

na, H

ugo B

oss &

Pol

o Ra

lph

Laur

en a

vaila

ble a

t Sal

am S

tore

s -

Qur

um o

utlet

and

Mus

cat C

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entr

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rsch

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ign

avai

labl

e at o

utlet

s at B

aree

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l Sha

tti &

Qur

um C

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PORSCHE DESIGN - P8480 Sunglasses from

Heritage Collection

PORS

CHE

DES

IGN

-

The

Esse

nce

PORS

CHE

DES

IGN

-

P313

0 M

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RAMI AL ALI

showstoppers! The latest collections from the top designer brands across the globe…

Fashion Fiesta – Global attractions

ShadeS of PrideThe flamboyant peacock is the subject of Rami Al Ali’s 2009/2010 Autumn-Winter Couture Collection. The designer portrays the pieces of his collection in shades of deep blue, emerald green, along touches of profound dark purple, with a combination of gold and silver hues to get the antique-like champagne colour.

46 SEPTEMBER 2009

SEPTEMBER 2009 47

DIOR

Surreal ComboJohn Galliano’s Pre-Fall Collection for Christian Dior takes inspiration from two distinct aesthetics: Alfred Hitchcock’s icy heroines and Helmut Newton’s tough-chic glamazons! It all adds up to a strong and graphic, yet feminine, collection with long dresses and coats, double-faced wool suits and luxurious furs and evening dresses which exhibit John Galliano’s instinctive feel for the Dior originals.

48 SEPTEMBER 2009

BODYAMR

reel over!The BODYAMR Autumn-Winter 09/10 Collection gives a standing ovation to the golden age of cinema and the starlets that encapsulated the era. Creative Director Amr Ali infuses reference points from his Omani heritage and juxtaposes Hard/Soft, Vintage/Futuristic, Bracing/Draped to produce directional, dark and sophisticated collections for a confi-dent, modern-day woman.

SEPTEMBER 2009 49

ELIE SAAB

a fairy TaleEvery look created by designer Elie Saab for his Fall/Winter 2009-2010 Couture Collection is in ethereal white. Celebrating purity, modernity and mineral white, this Collection explores the multi-faceted palette of pure light. The spectrum of white runs from sharp and dazzling to nuanced shades of mother-of-pearl and ivory.

50 SEPTEMBER 2009

OKAIDI & OBAIBI

KidS’ SPeCialFrench brand Okaidi &

Obaibi has created a range of fun and versatile clothes and accessories this season that will ap-peal to mums and kids

from age five to 14. Both ranges include sleepwear,

sportswear and beach-wear, so you can find

everything you need for all occasions from holidays to smart weekend wear.

SEPTEMBER 2009 51

WOMEN’SECRET

Cool CaSual The Autumn/Winter 2009 Col-lections from Women’secret has cute innerwear sets and playful casual attire to keep you cool and happy. Check out the Little Miss, Marieanne, Shop-ping Girl and Folk Collections.

52 SEPTEMBER 2009

step 1: Prepare the skin for make up by using a suitable foundation. Use some white shimmer just below the eyebrows. Now gently apply a base of brown eye shadow.

step 2: Apply red eye shadow gently on the eye bones. Blend in the brown and red eye shadows create a natural look.

step 3. Using a liquid eye-liner, trace an outline, working from the inside toward the ends. Apply some gold dust on the inner side to define the shape of your eyes.

beaUty bUzz

FallPaletteThe colours of autumn make a huge splash…

The beauty world is abuzz with make up for Fall 2009. The emerg-ing trends emphasise a heavy

accent on the eyes. And the trend leans toward rich, dark colours, with purple occupying a place of pride. Dark greens, browns and other earthy and forest col-ours are also what are hot in eye shad-ows. Gold and bronze are still dramatic and feminine. To emphasise your lips, bright reds and berry colours are the best colours this season. Rich reds, ranging from bright crimson to deep reds are also popular, while purple is the hottest trend!Makeup experts of Grand Spa demon-strate a step-by-step method on how to get that perfect ‘autumn’ look.

Loca

tion

cour

tesy

Gra

nd S

pa M

usca

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a Bra

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Opp

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Pho

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: Sat

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. Nar

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step 4. Darken your eyebrows by applying dark brown powder with a brush. step 5. Use a purple liner for the bottom. At the ends, gently merge them with the rest of the colours.

step 6. Line your lips with a dark red lip liner and fill in red lipstick with the help of a lip brush. For the final touch add on lash extensions and mascara to highlight your eyes even better.

1

2

3

4

5

6

52 SEPTEMBER 2009

SEPTEMBER 2009 53

Across the world, nearly 109 countries have significant coral reef communities and 85 per

cent of these countries are experiencing damage to their coral reefs. The threats are both local factors such as overfishing and coastal pollution, as well as other factors like global warming and ocean acidification. Coral reefs are much more than a pretty picture, they are important assets. Coral reefs in some parts of Southeast Asia are under pressure by intense destructive fishing and coastal pollution. In this case, local factors dwarf the effects of global factors such as global warming and ocean acidification. In other parts of the world, where pressures from local sources are lower, reefs are still declining at the rate of about 1-2 per cent per year.

Coral proteCtionThe Sultanate of Oman offers incredible dive locations abounding with fascinating marine environment and beautiful coral reefs. However, divers and fishermen often anchor their boats in areas where fragile coral reefs exist. Oman has launched a number of private-public measures to protect the coral reefs. For instance, mooring buoys have been

installed in certain areas to protect reefs from the danger of anchors which are let down by tourist boats. Further, coral cleaning is another important movement in the Sultanate. These initiatives are aimed at protecting and preserving the Sultanate’s coral reefs.

According to a report by the World Bank, the deterioration of coral reef ecosystems is a visually poignant reminder that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a development issue. Developing countries need support not only to mitigate future deterioration of their coral reefs, but also to adapt to a sustainable use of the diminishing returns these reefs are likely to provide.

eConomiC CasualtyMajor new research indicates that coral reefs will not survive the rapid increases in global temperatures and atmospheric CO2 that are forecast this century. The livelihoods of more than 100 million people living along the coasts of tropical developing countries will be among the first casualties of the loss of coral reef systems.

Developed countries must drive down global emissions, spearhead the development of new technologies and

sponsor the adaptation of developing countries. The latter is very important given that developing countries have often signed international treaties to pursue better management of their coastal resources, yet often have conflicting priorities and little financial resources or capacity to act on these commitments.

There is a responsibility for high carbon growth countries to make funds available to assist the most vulnerable coral reef states, who need support in adapting to climate change impacts while reducing local risks to reefs. At the local level, there needs to be immediate action to stop over-fishing, coastal pollution and unsustainable coastal development in the developing world.

The Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management Programme (CRTR), a global movement, was conceived to shed light on the impact of climate change and other human stressors on coral reefs through coordinated research, and to put this knowledge into the hands of decision-makers, thus improving management options and policy interventions.

For more information on Oman Green Awards login to www.oeronline.com/greenawards.

Coral are

In the run up to Oman Green Awards, Al Mar’a talks about the need for coral management...

enVironment

54 SEPTEMBER 2009

She’s got spunk, she’s got the right attitude and she’s one heck of a spinner! At 24, Zahra Santos is one of

the few female disc jockeys (DJs) in Oman who bring the house down with their music. With about a dozen parties and corporate events, including a 20-minute set in Thailand under her belt, Zahra, who goes by the name DJ Z3E (pronounced Zee), has been making people dance to her beat for the last two years.

Coming from a family of DJs (her cousin is a DJ and two of her uncles were also DJs), it was only natural that she inherited a love for music in abundance. Often scolded by her mother, for not learning her lessons, Zahra remembers

Persona

SPin Zone

Her DJ ideal: Trentemøller

Her favourite track: What Else is There (remixed by Trentmoller)

Personal High: Minimal House

Hobbies: Hanging out with family, dancing (is part of a fire show troupe as well)

DJ Z3eUnplugged… She puts a new spin on the term ‘out-of-the-ordinary’. She’s one of Oman’s coolest Disc Jockeys (DJs). Deepa Rajan gets into the groove with Zahra Santos a.k.a DJ Z3E…

SEPTEMBER 2009 55

that by-hearting the lyrics of the latest songs and dancing to then popular high school music that included the famous ‘Spice Girls’ was something that flowed far more easily.

After finishing her education here at the Muscat Private School, she travelled to the US for six months, only to return to Oman and get some work experience in PR and advertising firms, before flying off to Australia for a Graphic Design course.

Quite a far cry from the vocation that she is in now, wouldn’t you say! But it was in the Land Down Under that, Zahra was introduced to djing (disc jockeying). This is where one sees a lot of performances from DJs who come from across the world. “A lot of my friends were also into it [disc jockeying]. I learnt from them and experimented on my own with House music, which was more popular in Australia.” Zahra also credits some of her knowledge to DJ Double A, whom she went to school with.

When she came back to Oman, a friend at an event management company, helped organise her first ever performance in Muscat. “It was a strictly House music party and I opened for a DJ from Bahrain.” This was the beginning of DJ Z3E.

Why House music at a time when R&B and Hip Hop are clearly ruling the music roost among the youth? “Not many people appreciate House music in these parts and my aim was to popularise it. When I began, it was just a hobby and all I wanted to do was spread my love for music, especially House.”

Not surprising, considering she idolises Danish DJ and electronic musician Trentemøller who has enough House music in his repertoire. But, as music sensibilities change, won’t people’s affinity to House also wane? “The thing with House music is that it has so many genres in itself that there is a lot of scope to enjoy, and I know that there are people here who enjoy House more than R&B.”

Tough Zahra loves playing minimal House, she knows that the audience often enjoys a fast tempo and has often been appreciated for her innovative mash-ups of electro house and R&B vocals. Of course, it helps that that in the years she’s been in Oman, Zahra has seen music sensibilities grow immensely. She feels the radio has been an effective medium in making people aware of music such as House. “Ever since Hi FM has begun, they have been really promoting good music with RJs such as Mikey C playing house music on Thursdays,” she says.

So is Oman a receptive audience, especially when it has to groove to a woman’s beat? “When I began, I was the only woman DJ, maybe that is what created the hype. I had people encouraging me and wanting to hear more from me. I never thought it would become this big, but I am glad it did.” And, has she had any weird experiences? “Sometimes, I do get the odd stare when people see a girl playing music and stuff, but mostly I have had good experiences.” She recalls how at a recent event for Splash, Centrepoint, this person came up to her to appreciate her house track that was mixed with African music. Music can often touch the right chord and it can open up worlds like never before, she feels.

Well, male-dominated profession or not, Zahra’s popularity can be gauged by the fact that within three days of setting up a fan page on FB, she had more than 400 fans following her updates daily!

Currently in the midst of mixing her own CD, Zahra is also planning on more gigs abroad, especially in Dubai, and also get into radio. “It has been an amazing experience starting from scratch and reaching where I am today. All the events and the parties have given me good exposure and I am still learning by meeting and watching other DJs,” she insists.

So guess one safely assume that five years down the line, DJ Z3E is still going to be going great guns. But, like Zahra’s music, this one’s a real ‘spin’ too. Her dream job is that of a Sound Engineer and she is actually saving up to do a course. “It is very important to love what you do”, she says. “I have come a long way from just enjoying music to creating it. I have actually grown up a lot during the process.” And she has the same words of wisdom to offer to young women who want to accomplish something deemed out-of-the-ordinary. “Go out and do what you want to do. It will only help you grow as a person.” What more can we say! n

when i began, it was just a hobby and all i wanted to do was spread my love for music, especially house.

palacios’

56 SEPTEMBER 2009

It is 6am and it is a warm summer morning in a city surrounded by mountains with more than 20 million inhabitants. I think about the vast amount of options I have to choose from to enjoy the day and

have fun this Saturday when the weekend begins. The first thing I will do is go jogging in ‘Chapultepec’ which means the grasshopper hill, a name given by the ancient Aztec civilization. This is the biggest green area inside the city, also known as the great lung of the cosmopolitan metropolis that is Mexico. While jogging, I can see in the distance the Zoo, the Children’s Museum (the biggest and with the greatest technology in the world), the Anthropology Museum, a fair with a huge rollercoaster and of course the amazing Castle of Chapultepec which used to be the home of the Emperor Maximiliano during the monarchy and was constructed on top of an Aztec fortress. This park has a unique historical environment.

After my energising workout, I am starving! So I take a walk savouring the sunshine towards the upscale Polanco Neighbourhood to grab a bite. It is hard to decide with such a large selection of cafes, restaurants and of course the best hotels of the city serving great meals next to the sparkling pools. My breakfast consists of colourful fresh fruits and Mexican scrambled egg with finely chopped tomato, onion and green chillies,

sweet freshly-baked pastries and our world famous hot chocolate or ‘atole’, a beverage similar to the Arabic drink ‘sahlab’ made from corn starch and served very hot. That’s the way we have breakfast in Mexico.

After my lovely breakfast, I drive through Reforma, the main street which leads you to the heart of Mexico City. It is one of the most stunning streets in this city, built with the purpose of looking similar to the Champs Elysees in Paris. In the middle of the avenue is the impressive golden Angel of the Independence, a gift from France to Mexico when we gained Independence. As I keep driving, I pass by the grand National Auditorium, recognised year after year as the best concert venue in the world. I

my city, my liFe

Mexico City, traditionally known as ‘the City of the Palaces’ (meaning

of the above), is truly a place where traditions and modernity blend

together as effortlessly as nature says Dunia Gatica who takes us through her typical Saturday (a

chilled-out weekend in that part of the world) when there.

‘la ciudadde los

SEPTEMBER 2009 57

finally arrive downtown, also known as the Zocalo, and I find myself standing next to my huge Mexican flag swaying in the wind. It is getting hotter; the summer reaches up to 35 degrees centigrade, so I make my way towards the terrace of an antique hotel where I have a stunning view of the National Palace, which used to be the residence for the ruling class of Mexico since the Aztec empire. I have a refreshing drink and carry on. The main square has a decidedly colonial flair; it is full of commercial stands selling all sorts of things from jewellery to antiquities. The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Palace) is the Opera house, the home of the National Symphonic Orchestra as well as a beautiful art gallery and I will not miss the chance to see the current exhibition. It is almost 4pm when I finish my walk around the vibrant Historic Centre.

It is shopping time and nothing better that the Plaza Antara, the newest and most modern shopping mall with boutiques of leading brands, trendy funky shops, restaurants, 25 cinema halls, etc. I do some shopping throughout the massive open air corridor and I meet my sister Michelle for a coffee in the piazza where the sky is blue and the sun is still shinning.

At 9pm the city is still alive under the cover of darkness so I attend a concert in the Foro Sol with a capacity for 50,000 people. It is impressive the amount of concerts the city offers every single weekend featuring all sorts of music styles such as rock, jazz, opera, folkloric, with world-famous artists sharing their music with the city.

At the end of the concert where you always bump into old friends and invariably make some new ones, we make our way to El Farolito (the little post lamp) one of the best places to enjoy tacos, the most famous and popular dish in Mexican gastronomy — these are round flat thin bread (tortillas) made out of corn, rolled over grilled beef and melted cheese. Eating here will definitely make you a taco aficionado.

This is a Saturday in this eclectic place of colours, tastes, sound and traditions, my beloved Mexico City. Home of four UNESCO world heritage sites including a floating garden (Xochimilco), with a rich and a diverse culture and distinctive character and where the people are humble and warm. A place where traditions and modernity blend together as effortlessly as nature… It is just a city beyond your imagination!n

58 SEPTEMBER 2009

lUxUry,UnlimiteD!

traVel

SEPTEMBER 2009 59

If you want to go all out on a holiday, this is the only way to do it! Where you sail the high seas, enjoying the comforts and the extravagance that

only a magnificent, luxury ship can offer … As cruise ships go, Celebrity Cruises offers

an amazing fleet for the perfect holiday! And with the launch of ‘Celebrity Equinox’, the newest member in Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice class, it’s ‘sibling revelry’, albeit of a newer kind.

The ‘Celebrity Equinox’, a 122,000-ton, 2850-passenger ship is one of the most innovative and luxurious ones, afloat in its class. Following in the wake of her brilliant sister, ‘Celebrity Solistice’, the new ship is truly a sight to behold.

Making its maiden voyage from Southampton in the UK to the Norwegian Fjords in Norway, on July 31, the ‘Celebrity Equinox’ gave her first-ever passengers a truly first-class experience! A beautiful blend of innovation, enrichment and indulgence, it would be an understatement to say that it leaves a lasting impression. Everything in the ship — from the staterooms, suites, restaurants, spas, the entertainment options, they all tell a story… Of unparalleled luxury and splendour! lUxUry,

UnlimiteD! Need to take some time out? Drift away to dreamy destinations, spend summer in Europe and the winter in the Caribbean, relax and recharge! And what better way to do so than on a cruise ship, and a luxury one at that! It’s the only way to truly indulge all your senses! Find your perfect spot to unwind aboard the ‘Celebrity Equinox’…

Here are but a few details; and yes, do get the bags out, you will want to book your berth aboard this beauty immediately…

the Brilliance…Playing on the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, the ‘Celebrity Equinox’ is a brilliant work of architecture. Here, balance is of key importance, what the ship’s maker’s term ‘exquisite’ balance in function, form, lines, colours and textures. Just like the equinox itself, that reflects a time of balance and renewal.

First appearances An enormous suspended vase — dotted with more than 500,000 Swarovski crystals — holding a live, 18-foot-fall tree in the upper portion of the ship’s sweeping Grand Foyer is a brilliant sign of things to come. The stunning creation by Argentinean duo Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt is paired with a sparkling display of the maxim ‘Here Comes the Sun’ spanning four decks.

room for luxuryAccommodation aboard the ‘Celebrity Equinox’ comes in a total of 1,426 cabins ranging from luxurious penthouse suites, a royal suite, a celebrity suite and a sky suite. Standard staterooms include the Ocean View Stateroom and the Inside Stateroom. The highlight is the AquaClass Spa Cabins on Deck 11 — a group of 130 staterooms that are truly out-of-this-world. Each of these staterooms offers a large balcony, a pillow menu, a range of spa amenities and customised lighting to suit your mood. And if that’s not enough, as part of this, you also get special perks around the ship, for various facilities. Luxury now has a class of its own!

a Green WorldImagine half-an-acre of fresh green grass… on a ship. High above fourteen decks, above water, on the stern is the Lawn Club, where you can enjoy a game of croquet, play golf or simply unwind. Another option is to simply lie down, gaze at the clouds over the horizon and enjoy

traVel

60 SEPTEMBER 2009

SEPTEMBER 2009 61

the sounds of silence. Or you could visit the Sky Observation Lounge, just behind the Lawn Club, the highest vantage point of the ship, to watch a glorious sunset as the sun sinks into the ocean and the brilliant stars come up.

Dine in StyleWhen on a cruise, you have all the time in the world to indulge in… good food! There are 10 restaurants offering all types of cuisine from French to Asian fusion. The main dining room is the ‘Silhouette’, while you can head to the ‘Oceanview Café’ on Deck 14 for a casual dining experience. Other eateries include the ‘Silk Harvest’ (Asian-fusion), the ‘Tuscan Grille’ (an Italian steakhouse) and the ‘Murano’ (popular fine dining). The AquaClass restaurant ‘Blu’ is reserved for its own passengers. For the health conscious, the ‘AquaSpa Café’ provides some scrumptious, healthy options.

Shop-a-HopShopaholics can shop anywhere, even on a ship! And on board the ‘Celebrity Equinox’, the two retail areas — ‘Shops on the Boulevard’ and ‘Galleria Boutiques’ — and several others stores like ‘Serendipity’, ‘The Showcase’, ‘Exquisites’, ‘Pieces of Time’, ‘Adagio’, etc., offer unlimited options to satiate the most devoted shopper’s appetite.

Art and MoreBrowse through a selection of artwork, comprising nearly half of the works from the Celebrity Galaxy Art Collection, as well as acquisitions from internationally established, mid-career and emerging artists. The truly splendid art collection adds to the pleasure of being on the ‘Celebrity Equinox’, only adding to the whole experience.

Loads of R&RGive yourself a thorough pampering while on holiday…. far away from the madding crowd, in the midst of the sea, treat yourself to a unique spa experience. The ship’s AquaSpa by Elemis offers a line-up of revitalising, restorative experiences for

individuals and couples. There is a whole plethora of massages, wraps, rituals and facials. Want a ‘luxuriant’ makeover? Try the 24-karat gold facial! Want to glam up your eyes? Visit the ‘lash and brow bar’ where you can select from a variety of eyelash enhancements! The full-service, fitness centre also keeps you in shape and fighting fit during your time of total indulgence.

Entertainment GaloreIf you are a theatre-buff, the Equinox Theatre is truly a feast for the senses. The exciting repertoire includes ‘Limelight – The Dream of Broadway’, ‘Remix’, ‘Equinox – The Show’, etc. The Entertainment Court is for smaller performances, the Celebrity Central for late-night comedy shows and the Qasar nightclub for scintillating light shows, and finally the Ensemble Lounge rounds off the entertainment options on board.

Super ShowThe Hot Glass Show is a fascinating way to witness how molten sand becomes sparkling glass, right in front of your eyes! A glassblower takes less than 30 minutes to turn liquid into art. The ‘glassmaking’ experience is like magic… it captures your imagination and truly enthrals!

A mere thousand words and a few pages cannot do justice to the ‘Celebrity Equinox’ experience! For it is not merely a journey from Point A to Point B. As Helen Beck, Regional Director of the company for the Middle East, Europe and Africa says, “Tourist voyages means the ability to choose, as it implies so many items other than relaxation, such as spending quality time with friends, doing a series of sophisticated and high class events and activities, and much more.”

True luxury simply knows no boundaries; and it is impossible to overdo luxury, especially aboard the ‘Celebrity Equinox’!

(With inputs from Rana Alawneh)

CRuiSE HiGHLiGHtS• Celebrity Equinox offers stunning visits to two unforgettable destinations, summering in Europe and wintering in the Caribbean with exciting shore excursions.

•Watch master artisans at work during the Hot Glass Show.

•Taste the culinary flavours of the world at speciality dining venues such as — Asian at Silk Harvest, Italian at Tuscan Grille, and plenty more!

• Brace yourselves for some no-holds-barred shopping on board!

62 SEPTEMBER 2009

Wellbeing

Human beings are born with the innate

need to possess but compulsive shopping

is not an antidote to pressing problems

and unsatisfied needs, says

Dr Prema Seshadri.

SEPTEMBER 2009 63

I loved my maternal grandfather. He was a fine grand-dad, kind, loving, giving, a generous and unlucky

opponent at the gaming table, and always cut a much larger coat than the cloth allowed! He must have been a frustrating father and husband. My grandmother had absolutely no illusions about his sense of self-grandeur. She balanced out the equation by living her life all packed into one suitcase — literally. She would think long and hard about buying four ugly coffee mugs from the roadside vendor and at the end of her deep reflection decide two were more than enough. And the beauty was she was very content and happy with her life packed into one suitcase. I was in awe of her. It isn’t easy to live a life looking at all things beautiful, constantly hear the clink of only a few pennies, swallow the want and be content with just the basic needs barely satisfied. And, as the final cherry on the topping, be able to laugh at herself and everything else around her. Yes, I truly admired that woman.

I sometimes feel that the whole concept of needs died with Maslow and Herzberg. We are prompted more by wants than by needs though our basic defence mechanisms do tend to attribute our driven behaviour to needs. A lie or ignorance or the perennial ostrich mentality, I am not sure, but the denial exists. We don’t need to look around the house; not even around the room; just a quick opening of a cupboard

— anywhere in the house — and you will know what I mean. More than 50 per cent of the things that we have on the shelves are not what we need. But they are there nevertheless. Having been culpable myself of such mindless acts on and off in my life, I have reflected on it and wondered what is it that’s responsible for triggering off this kind of compulsive behaviour.

Human beings are born with the innate need to possess. Possession is empowering. We love the beauty of a star-lit sky. Since we cannot possess it, we stick glow-stars on the bedroom ceiling! We see a beautiful piece of furniture in someone’s house or even on the cover of a magazine, and we have already mentally coveted it. And till we have acquired it, there is no peace! In most such instances in life, we don’t need any of these, but we want them.

Shops, boutiques, brands, malls, advertisements, salons and many more, continue to mushroom only because they have recognised the want behind human behaviour. And since it is there to stay, it is important that we learn about ourselves so that we make intelligent choices in life — choices that make for a truly healthy mind and hence life.

Beauty exists to be relished. But ignorance of our selves takes away the beauty and joy of truly relishing beauty. Understanding our needs and differentiating them from our wants is an important first step. There is joy in that

occasional indulgence so long as we are aware a hundred per cent about what we are up to.

It is also useful to remember what Herzberg said. He stated that need was something that when obtained would give satisfaction and when not obtained did not give dissatisfaction. There is a lot of sense in this. Wanting something is not stressful. Obsessing about it and then not getting what you want tends to take away that inner harmony. And by losing that inner peace, we begin to lose all sense of balance and centeredness. Therein lies the danger.

More often than not, we are deluded by the false comfort that shopping gives us. We seriously believe that the only way to fight the blues is to go on a shopping binge which is as serious as an eating or a drinking binge. The relief is very short-lived — as short-lived as the drive back home. Once the initial adrenaline rush has died down, the depression comes back with a greater, devastating intensity. There is an accompanying remorse, guilt, anger, bruised self-esteem, and of course the financial reckoning. In its wake comes breakdown of relationships, strain on the family, and the invariable deterioration of physical health.

This is not to say that shopping is not good. Far from it! But to use it as a hook, and believe it to be an antidote to pressing personal problems and realistic unsatisfied needs is, for sure, a tumble down the hill.n

Wants Needs?

64 SEPTEMBER 2009

Dressing for successYou are what you wear... And when it comes to dressing for work, our appearance usually speaks before we do... Hashani Perera compiles the ultimate shopping guide for ‘perfect’ office attire.

Most of us would agree that shopping for office wear is quite an assignment. Your goal should be to find

pieces to put together an outfit that makes you feel confident and comfortable.

Essentially, what you should wear depends on where you work. The way you dress should reflect the personality of the organisation you represent and the kind of job you do. The styles, fits, lengths and colours you choose will advertise your competence to the professional world you

WorkWise

work in. Since you are probably too busy at work to read up on office wear shopping, we’ve compiled the ultimate shopping guide for office attire.

Before you start, consider your type of work. Will you be walking a lot or sitting behind a desk? If your job requires you to meet professionals all the time, your attire should be strictly formal. Pay attention to how other people in your office dress and if there is one, the dress code of your organisation. Take into consideration, your career goals and dress the part. This way, you are more likely to be taken seriously and you may achieve your goals much faster.

Keep in mind that any piece of clothing or jewellery that is overly distracting is certainly not office appropriate. Keep an eye out for flat, sober colours like beige, grey, black, navy and dark reds. These colours are excellent for trousers, suits, jackets and skirts. These neutral colours when teamed with light-coloured, matching pieces gives a chic look.

Alternatively, to bring out the femininity in you, opt for colours like lilac, powder blue and ivory to complement darker shades. Steer clear from obnoxiously complicated and colourful patterns that cloud your professional image. Also remember when it comes to larger pieces like jackets, pants and skirts; darker colours are more flattering.

As hard as it may be, we must come to terms with the fact that not every style that is trendy is going to suit us. There are certain styles that flatter your body shape, personality and profession, and as soon as you realise which ones work for you, your

shopping trip becomes much easier. Gather good quality ‘base’ pieces like jackets, pants and skirts that fit well, in neutral colours, so that you can couple these pieces with other simpler tops, accessories / jewellery in a variety of ways. This way you can get more mileage out of your work wear.

If you are looking for a pantsuit or skirt suit, always remember to try on the outfit and go for simple, well-structured, sharp styles. Pants should be fitted straight leg, but not so tight that it shows embarrassing panty lines. Pencil skirts should fit well but be loose enough to sit in, comfortably.

When it comes to hemlines, always remember to find a skirt with a hem that hits the top of the knee. If you don’t like that, opt for a hem that ends at the bottom of your knee cap but remember to wear a higher heel so you don’t look stumpy. Jackets should always be well-tailored and fitted so they can be buttoned, but it doesn’t mean that it should be so fitted that a heavy sneeze would lead to a few missing buttons or so. Remember to avoid shoulder pads at all costs; they just make you look bulky.

To complement the larger pieces (pants, skirts and jackets) of your outfit, keep an eye out for soft-coloured tops and camisoles that you can wear with your ‘base’ pieces. When it comes to the neckline, always go for tops that have a straight, conservative neckline; you want to be appreciated for your depth of your intelligence and nothing else.

If you are on the heavier side, don’t go for clothing that’s too tight or too loose, either one would just disagree with you. Go for well-fitted clothes, with simple

uncluttered styles and structures that you feel comfortable in. If you are lucky enough to be petite, avoid large patterns and heavy detailing.

Always consider breathable and durable fabrics as you are going to spend a lot of time in your work clothes. It would also help you to tell the salesperson assisting you about the kind of work you do and what you prefer to wear.

When it comes to shoes and accessories, they should accentuate your outfit not decorate it. Find comfortable shoes in dark colours, which have a heel of about two inches or higher.

As for jewellery, take care not to wear too many pieces at once. Find a matching piece or two and wear it. For example, save your new chandelier earrings for a Thursday night party and put on some simple studs that favour your outfit.

Accessorise with scarves and brooches and find a handbag that is structured and not too slouchy, it contributes towards a more pulled-together look.

In essence, your office attire should display who you are as a professional and make you feel super confident in your work environment. And while you need to look professional and competent, you should also find ways to inject a dose of your individuality into your office attire, after all you don’t want to simply blend in. n

tHE OffiCE ESSEntiALS CHECkLiSt• Dark (black, brown, charcoal, navy) pantsuit/skirtsuit- Wear it strictly as a suit in professional settings, mix up the suit pieces in business casual environments.• A white shirt - Worn with smart black trousers and a simple piece of jewellery mean business casual. Paired with a black pantsuit it means strictly business.• Black pants. You can never have too many of these. Creative types can branch out into longer cropped styles. Low-heeled pumps. Closed-toe styles can go anywhere. While you may be limited to dark colors to match your suits, you can experiment with materials and textures for interest: suede, exotic skins, polished leather.• Structured handbag. A smooth, black or brown handbag with a structured frame gives you a pulled-together, tailored look. If you have some leeway in how you dress tie a pretty scarf on the handle or attach some charms for a spark of individuality.

66 SEPTEMBER 2009

Our car of the month is a consistent record-breaker. And quite aptly so! It’s a cutie and a hottie! The kind of car any woman would love! It’s good looking, packs in a neat punch and has a youthful

halo around it... just the car to drive and be seen driving.We are talking of the Mazda MX-5, the roadster listed in

the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling, two-seat convertible in history, and with good reason. It’s focused and doesn’t attempt to be what it’s not... a perfect two seat drop-top that turns every journey into an absolute dream. Did you know that the all-new MX-5 embodies refinements for an even purer experience of ‘Jinba Ittai’ — the unique feeling of oneness between driver and car that has distinguished the

ToTal‘JinbaiTTai’!Al Mar’a zips around the city in the Mazda MX-5, a small, fun-to-drive two-seat roadster with adorably cute looks.

Top Drive

MX-5 since its inception 20 years ago? The MX-5 was conceived around a simple concept.

To be a light-weight vehicle with minimal complexity but at the same time be thoroughly modern, do things brilliantly and be affordable to boot. Over the years, redesigns and numerous improvements have made the car better than it already was...

Al Mar’a decided to put the car through the paces with a quick drive around the city and here’s our verdict...

Its classy look turns heads; the Mazda MX-5 is built to hug the road and deliver an authentic roadster feel. The aerodynamic design also helps heighten its sporty performance.

Enter the car and practicality hits at you from every corner! In place of the small boot, there’s now enough room for a couple of large holdalls. For women on the move, a number of storage spaces are helpful while big door pockets and bottle holders are thoughtful too! Inside, the instrument binnacle looks handsome while the wheel is thick rimmed and feels good to hold.

The cabin is a snug fit... the seats are a treat, hugging you through the bends comfortably while you zoom across confidently, without a worry. Even with the top up, there is space to seat two full-grown adults in comfort without any feeling of being cramped. So while the seats are next to perfect, so are the controls. With the 7 Speaker Bose system with 6CD and MP3 blaring out your favourite hits, and with the roof down, (of course, we recommend doing that in winters only), you can zoom-zoom (as Mazda’s tagline rightly goes!) around the city without a care in the world.

The Mazda MX-5 is a driver’s dream and on the road, an absolute peach to drive. The steering feel is perfect, the brakes are great and the ride is surprisingly complaisant for a car like this. There is an easy go-cart like effect to the way the car moves, with an ample amount of grip and perfect handling, even when pushed to the limit.

When it comes to power, the Mazda MX-5 is powered by a 160hp 2.0l inline-4 engine which is ideal for everyday driving (as long as it being a two-seater does not matter to you) and is happiest when driven hard. It also comes with a host of safety features that includes Dynamic Stability Control and four Airbags.

You could actually run a checklist of what a roadster should be and it seems that the MX5 ticks all the right boxes — it looks great, is perfectly affordable, handles like a go-cart, sounds amazing and has the world’s fastest retractable hard top. And when you consider that only 12 seconds separate you from the pleasures of open-top motoring, what more can you ask for?

So, if you are window-shopping for a simple, uncomplicated, peppy, smart and agile convertible, that’s affordable, fun and good looking too, look no further, you’ve found the perfect one!n

68 SEPTEMBER 2009

For A Sore ThroAT: • A decoction made from tea leaves is very helpful in the treatment of a sore throat. This decoction, mixed with a little bit of salt, should be used as a gargle. It can be used two or three times daily for acquiring relief. It is not essential to use fresh leaves for this purpose. Pour boiling water over used tea leaves in the tea jug works just as well.

• Cinnamon is considered an effective remedy for a

sore throat resulting from a cold. One teaspoon of roughly

powdered cinnamon, boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder, and two

teaspoons of honey can be taken as a medicine in the treatment of

this situation. Two or three drops of cinnamon oil, mixed with a teaspoon of honey, also give relief. Gina Timothy, Qurum

STAIn oFF: • Raw tomato juice will remove most stains from garments, even red or black ink stains. • To remove iron stains from white cloth, dip the stained part in milk, rub well with table salt and wash • Fruit stains can be removed by soaking in a solution of warm water and borax. Rinse and dry.Rahima Al Balushi, Ruwi

BeAuTY DIY: • Pamper your face with an almond mask once in a while. Grind a tablespoon of almonds. Mix into a paste with a teaspoon of honey and a few spoonfuls of fresh milk. Apply thickly

on the face and neck and wash off with cold water. • For brightening and bleaching the skin, use a walnut paste. Grate a walnut and mix a tablespoon of milk with a few drops of rose water with it. Cover the face and neck evenly with the paste and wash off after half an hour. • An egg pack does wonders for the skin. First beat the white of an egg and apply it on the face. When it dries, beat the yolk and apply that over the white. When that dries and the skin feels taut, wash it off with warm water. This mask closes the pores and gently refreshes the face.Marissa Amos, Ruwi

SLeeP WeLL: • A glass of milk, sweetened with honey, should be taken every night before going to bed to treat insomnia. It acts as a tonic and a tranquiliser. • Massaging milk over the soles of the feet has also been found effective. • Regular active exercise during the day and mild exercise before retiring at night enhances the quantity and the quality of sleep. ‘Yoga’ helps in a majority of cases. Sudha Raghavan, Hamriya

Do share your fine housekeeping and personal grooming skills with other Al Mar’a readers. Write in to Al Mar’a, At Home, United Media Services, P.O. Box: 3305, Ruwi 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman or email us at almara@umsoman.com, Subject: At Home or fax us at 24707939. Do give us your name, address and GSM number.

Home remedies for everyday troubles…

AT HoMe

RAyon: InSTRuCTIonS foR fABRIC CARE

WASHInG TECHnIquE: Most rayon garments should be dry-cleaned, but some can be washed by hand or machine. Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the fabric. Smooth or shake out the fabric and place on a hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters should be laid flat to dry.

IRonInG: Between wearing, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron. Press the fabric while damp on the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If finishing on the right side is required, a press cloth should be used.

72 SEPTEMBER 2009

The word ‘coconut’ probably brings to mind images of exotic lands or tropical beaches with swaying

trees. The coconut palm grows mostly in warm, humid climates and its scientific name is ‘Cocos Nucifera’. Did you know the word ‘coco’ originally meant ‘monkey’, and the coconut was given its name because of the three spots on its shell that resemble a monkey’s face? Nucifera means ‘nut-bearing’.

The coconut has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations. Nearly one third of the world’s population depend on the coconut to some degree for their food and their economy. It’s said that cultures that use coconut in various forms have fewer

diseases and ailments.And it’s only recently that modern

medical science unlocked the secrets to the coconut’s amazing healing powers, what these cultures have known for generations! Now it’s proved that coconut water, milk, cream, oil and even coconut flesh are highly beneficial to your health.

The coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals and provides different products at different stages of its gestation. It’s classified as a ‘functional food’ because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Though the coconut is a member of the palm tree family, it’s not a fruit and not a tree nut either (hence coconut products are safe for those with tree nut

New information regarding the health benefits of coconut, in all its forms, have seen products from this functional food invade shelves across supermarkets the world over. Read on for more info…

tHEtREE OfLifE

Coconut has recently been reported to reduce the viral load of HIV. Coconut oil contains lauric acid which is converted by the body into monolaurin. The action attributed to monolaurin is that of solubilising the lipids, in the envelope of the virus, causing the disintegration of the virus envelope. Some of the pathogens inactivated by monolaurin include HIV, measles, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza virus and pneumonovirus, as well as several bacteria.

HeAlTH

SEPTEMBER 2009 73

allergies too). Let’s look at two of its main products

that are generating much excitement in the modern medical world…

CoConuT WATerYoung, green baby coconuts are filled

with water that is a mix of electrolytes. It’s a natural isotonic beverage filled with immune boosting vitamins and nutrients. For centuries, people in tropical regions have been drinking it to boost their immune systems and gain vitality.

Coconut water contains no fat and has more potassium than a banana, besides calcium, magnesium and other goodies. The electrolytes, with help from the potassium, help the body absorb water better. It goes straight into our blood stream so is extremely hydrating.

Coconut water does have sugar but it’s significantly less than most fruit juices and is a great alternative to sugary energy drinks. Abundant in calcium this drink serves as a nutritious, cholesterol-free boost after workouts. Coconut water also has less calories and sodium than most soft drinks or juices in the supermarket. Individuals with high blood pressure often suffer from low levels of potassium in their diet; drinking coconut water regularly can significantly reduce the risk of hypertension. This nutrient-rich beverage includes organic compounds with beneficial growth properties that can dramatically improve our health. It contains vitamins which help stop fatigue; it also has chloride, cytokinins, and lauric acid. Completely free of chemicals, it is safe for children, babies and pregnant women too (it helps ease digestion problems during pregnancy). The lauric acid found in coconut water is the same as human breast milk.

Regular consumption of coconut water can naturally improve immunity, increase metabolism, alter HDL and detoxify the body. It also helps regulate intestinal function which in turn provides a myriad of health benefits including a clearer complexion. It increases metabolism and aids weight

loss, balances body PH, aids blood circulation, treats kidney stones and reduces the risk of cancer. The monolaurin in coconut water acts as an antiviral monoglyceride that has the ability to kill an assortment of viruses and bacteria in the body.

In many third world countries coconut water is used as a blood plasma alternative method known as the Coconut IV. The nutrients and hydration simulates the plasma which contributes to 55 per cent of human blood.

CoConuT oILCoconut oil possesses healing

properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders, for instance, consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illnesses. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called ‘The Tree of Life’.

The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are predominately medium-chain fatty acids which do not have a negative effect and help to protect against heart disease. In fact, they help lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Coconut oil can also be used for hair care, skin care and stress relief; for maintaining cholesterol levels; for weight loss; to increase immunity; for proper digestion and to speed up metabolism; for relief from kidney problems; to treat heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer; for dental care and to strengthen bones.

These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to a) the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and b) its properties such as it being antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

And because coconut oil has such a high burn point, higher than olive oil, it is great for cooking too.

As you can see, the coconut isn’t just a versatile tropical nut that adds flavour to curries, soups, stews and desserts; it is also a highly beneficial health food!n

New studies show that virgin coconut oil (VCO), added to antibiotic therapy, may help relieve the symptoms of pneumonia in kids faster than antibiotic therapy alone. Children who received coconut oil therapy along with antibiotics had fewer crackles (a wheezing sound in the lungs), a shorter time with an elevated respiratory rate and fever, better oxygen saturation in the blood, and shorter hospital stays. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and is a serious infection in children. Lower respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of childhood mortality in developing countries.

Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. It kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

74 SEPTEMBER 2009

I am 35 years of age and am married for the last four years. I have a PCOD problem since two years. I took Krimson for five months and Dronis for one

month but the problem was not cured. I want to conceive as soon as possible. Please help me.

I do not have experience with Krimson or Dronis, but I understand that Dronis will only

help you regularise your periods and not help you ovulate. You should do an ultrasound on day 12 of the period to determine whether you are ovulating or not. If you are not ovulating, you can talk to your gynecologist about starting Clomid tablets. However, ultrasound monitoring is a must after taking Clomid to determine the most fertile period and also to ensure that the ovaries are not getting unduly enlarged. PCOD is present in 15-20 per cent of women and does not get ‘cured’. It remains life-long. If you do not ovulate because of PCOD that can be helped with medication like Clomid. Are your fallopian tubes okay? Has your husband’s semen been checked? Let me know all these, including your ultrasound report, so I can advise you further.

I am 29 years old and suffering from irregular periods. My doctor has prescribed Glycomet 250 twice a day with folic acid

5mg once a day to regularise my periods and conceive. It’s been four months taking these medicines and my periods are still not regular. Now she has prescribed Clomid. I want to know if it is safe (it won’t affect my child if I am pregnant) to take Clomid with Glycomet and folic acid. We really want a baby badly. Please help.

Folic acid is required while you are conceiving. You probably have PCOD, so Glycomet would help

in ovulation and regularise the periods. That is also safe. Since your periods are still irregular, you may not be ovulating. You can discuss with your gynecologist regarding taking Clomid tablets. However, ultrasound monitoring is a must after taking Clomid to determine the most fertile period and also to ensure that the ovaries are not getting unduly enlarged. You can take all the three medicines together. All the best!

I’m suffering from PCOD for the last eight years. I have irregular periods. Recently my FSH level was 4.89 and Lh level was 9.87 miu/ml. Ultrasound scan

was showing left ovary enlargement. My doctor prescribed Deviry 10mg for five days, one tab daily in a month. Is it okay?

PCOD is associated with irregular periods. You have not mentioned from which day of

the cycle you start the Deviry. If started

around the 21st day, it would induce a period after stopping it. Do you get a period with one tablet a day? Usually, one would require one tablet twice a day for five days. The tablet prescribed is okay for you.

I am 20 weeks pregnant. I had an IUFD at term (37 weeks) in my last pregnancy. No specific reasons were found out. Now I have persistent

monilial infection even after taking softules. I am taking ARG 9 now. Is it safe during pregnancy? Can you also tell me what treatment can be taken for the infection and what special care should be taken to prevent IUFD this time around?

Have a vaginal culture and sensitivity test done. If bacterial infection is detected, you would

require antibiotics. If the monilial infection is still present,, you can use Gyno Pevaryl ovules (50 mg) twice a day for seven days. I do not have any experience with ARG 9, so will be unable to comment on that. Check your blood sugar and blood pressure regularly and have doppler ultrasound done every four weeks. If there is growth retardation, adequate treatment can be given. All the best.

Find more questions and answers Fielded by dr. smita lulla at www.omanaccess.com

YOUR HEALTHave all your gynaecological queries answered by Dr. Smita Lulla — MBBS, M.D, D.G.O. (Gold Medallist), Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Qurum Clinic, Muscat. The veteran doctor has had advanced training in the UK in

Obstetric & Gynaecological Ultra-sonography & Infertility.

HeAlTH plUs

SEPTEMBER 2009 75

Books, movies & more…Best Friends Forever By JenniFer

Weiner [Book]The book centres around two women, shy Addie and Valerie, her old neighbour, who are forced to come to grips with their friendship’s awkward past and forge a new future. The story frequently shifts between the past and the present and the flashbacks help to move the story forward. Interesting reading for lazy afternoons...

Julie & Julia By Julie PoWell [Book]

Nearing 30 and trapped in a dead-end secretarial job, Julie Powell resolved to reclaim her life by cooking, in the span of a single year, she tried out every one of the 524 recipes in Julia Child’s (the legendary chef) ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’. Is this experience therapeutic? Find out in this wonderful book that has also been made into a movie.

the e.n.d. By Black eyed Peas [CD]

The Peas have much to live up to and their latest album tries to emulate the outstanding tone of the earlier hit, ‘Monkey Business’. Will.i.am’s computerised basso voice with ‘Boom Boom Pow’, and other noteworthy numbers like ‘Rock That Body’, ‘One Tribe’, ‘Party All The Time’ and cool tech gimmicks make ‘The E.N.D.’ totally worth listening to.

here We Go aGain By demi lovato [CD]

This girl can really sing and Demi seems to play around with a few styles on her second album. While songs such as the title track and ‘Solo’ stay loyal to the pop-rock genre, ‘Quiet’ and ‘Got Dynamite’ are definitely more focused on the rock aspect. ‘Every Time You Lie’ takes on a jazzy style, and ‘Remember December’ is more of a ‘dancey’ number. Watch out, Miley Cyrus!

last chance harvey starrinG:

dustin hoFFman and emma thomPson [Movie]Harvey Shine is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend to attend his daughter’s wedding but promises to be back on Monday morning to make an important meeting. Harvey arrives in London only to learn his daughter has chosen to have her stepfather walk her down. Find out what follows…

shark in venice starrinG:

stePhen BaldWin and vanessa Johansson [Movie]The seemingly tranquil waterways of Venice are terrorised by the perfect killing machine. In search of his father who has mysteriously disappeared while diving in the city, David stumbles across the cryptic trail leading to the long-lost fortune of the Medici — and the Mafia! Watch it!

httP://WWW.learn-to-draW.com/

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76 SEPTEMBER 2009

ALL THE bEAUTY STUff YOU SiMPLY MUST HAvE…

beAUTy zone

AquA VeniceA palette of aquatic shades, soft and calm like the light on the Grand Canal, — and yet, with one sweep of a brush they become theatrical and baroque with splendid accents. Vibrant Venice now finds resonance in the new Collection by Chanel for Autumn 2009. From eyes, lips, complexion to nails — there’s make-up that looks and feels like a dream.AM says: Dream on…

Be BAdBADgal waterproof is one BAD, black, waterproof mascara from Benefit that’ll have you singing in the rain, if, by any chance, it does rain! The waterproof and smudge-proof formula keeps your mascara intact no matter what elements your eyelashes may face. No more smudging or lingering on the lids... this stuff doesn’t move! AM says: Layer it on for lush lashes that will last and last and last…

Get the GlowEstee Lauder brings you the Nutritious Skincare Collection — to help bring balance and a radiant, healthy look back to your skin. Specially developed for the skincare needs of young women in Asia, it delivers a unique regimen that incorporates three key actions — it neutralises, detoxifies and infuses. This trio enables skin to recover its natural equilibrium and regain a natural radiant healthy look to reveal a new clarity and glowing vibrancy. AM says: Pure TLC for your skin.

SEPTEMBER 2009 77

Get Funky DSQUARED2 and M.A.C. have gotten together to bring you a funky make-up collection especially for the festive season. It starts with a strong, sooty, blackest-ever, wild-child eye, new greasepaint stick (also in blue and violet versions) and Pro Gloss to create it. Neutral and perfected skin gets more drama with highlighting and low lighting from Sculpt and Shape Powders and the 165 Tapered Cheek/Highlight Brush. And finally, the totally nude Pro Lip Erase does its stuff, followed by a light Lipstick and Lip Conditioner to put the lilt and lift back in your life. AM says: A must-have this festive season!

tAttoo SenSAtionSephora introduces a new

women’s fragrance created exclusively for Ed Hardy (a.k.a.

the ‘godfather of modern tattoo’) by Christian Audigier. Ed Hardy

Woman is a vintage-tattoo-inspired fragrance sensation that opens with tropical mango, wild

strawberry and ruby red grapefruit. It then adds a splash of rock ‘n’

roll edge with dark black freesia. This floral contrast merges into a

background of hot skin and warm soulful amber…

AM says: Very, very addictive!

Rock on!Here’s a fragrance that’s dark, fruity and floral with a rock star attitude that’s hip and modern. The scent opens with an exhilarating intro of succulent white peach, lush bittersweet red raspberry and the illuminating flash of vibrant bergamot. The chorus reveals itself in lovely layers of ultra-feminine florals. Hypnotic heliotrope, vintage-inspired rose, night-blooming jasmine, delicate lily and the unexpected riff of sharp, spicy floral notes. And for an unforgettable bridge, Rock Princess from Vera Wang is cloaked in the warm and sensual glow of plush cashmere woods, smouldering musk, elegant iris and creamy coconut.AM says: Perfect for today’s princesses!

SuBtle ShAdeSClarins presents Nude Inspiration, a make-up collection for autumn. The golden rule of “Nude Inspiration” is simple. The complexion is veiled in transparent beiges and seems bare. The lips are a delicate pink and eyes are dressed in matching tones. The result is a naturally enhanced beauty and the subtle simplicity that those who respect their true nature are looking for.AM says: Keep it to the ‘bare’ minimum!

ScAlp SyneRGyHarsh hair products, pollution, hard water and even stress weaken your scalp’s natural protective barrier, making it more fragile and prone to irritation and itching. This shampoo from L’Occitane has selected a complex of five essential oils (chamomile, mandarin, orange, cedar, basil and lemongrass), which work in synergy to soothe irritated scalps and help rebuild the scalp’s natural defenses. AM says: Go on, pamper your hair like never before.

78 SEPTEMBER 2009

The Assorted

Flavours of Eid

food is an inherent part of any celebration. Al Mar’a takes a look at how different countries of the world celebrate the occasion of Eid-Al-fitr with

food special for the occasion…

CUisine

SEPTEMBER 2009 79

Eid-Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid symbolises the breaking of the fasting

period. It is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

Around the world, a wide range of customs and traditions mark Eid-Al-Fitr. It’s generally looked upon as a day of celebration, of spending time with family and friends. The day begins with a small breakfast (as a sign of not being on a fast on that day) of preferably dates, special Eid prayers at a mosque and is followed by a large celebratory lunch at the home of the head of the family. Everywhere children receive gifts of cash known as ‘Eidiya’.

Preparation for the festival usually starts a few days in advance, especially for the big feast, which is a major highlight of the festival. The ways of celebration vary in different countries but the general feeling is one of togetherness, bonding and bonhomie. And food is of course, an important binding factor.

We already know how most of us celebrate around the GCC; let’s look at the way different countries celebrate Eid — gastronomically speaking!

iRAq: Families in Iraq usually begin Eid day with a breakfast of buffalo milk cream with honey and bread before going for the family get-together. Sometimes, a lamb is sacrificed for the meal but a special Eid

sweetmeat called ‘Klaicha’, a date-filled pastry is definitely part of the occasion.

EGypt:Celebrations in Egypt extend to four days, with preparations starting several days in advance. Special biscuits are prepared to share with friends and relatives on Eid day. The men attend prayers at the mosque early in the morning while the women start work on fish preparations that form the centrepiece of a great celebratory lunch.

SOutH ASiA In South Asia, especially Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, gifts and new clothes are traditional. After Eid prayers in the morning, it is common for families to visit graveyards and pray for the departed souls. Special dishes for the celebration include ‘Sivayyan’, a dish of fine, toasted, sweet vermicelli noodles with milk and dry fruits. In Bangladesh, this dish is called ‘Shemai’.

pALEStinE:Here, in addition to prayers and family celebrations, a special sweetmeat, ‘K’ak Al-Tamar’, is made to serve with coffee.

JORDAn:The women of the family gather to mass produce gigantic amounts of ‘Ma’mool’ during the week before Eid. The dates are transformed into a sweet paste, the dough is prepared into cakes that is satiated with

the paste, and then each cake is carefully stamped with pretty patterns and powdered sugar. The ‘Ma’mool’ is then wrapped and presented to each visiting family.

SOMALiA:Somalians take great pride in the Eid lunch — an important part of their three-day celebrations. The meal includes rice mixed with meat and vegetables, and pasta accompanied by ‘Anjira’ (a thick bread). A special cumin-flavoured custard, much like ‘Halwa’ is also served along with special biscuits.

inDOnESiA:The family Eid lunch in Indonesia is elaborate and comprises dishes made of chicken, lamb or beef but never fish. The traditional sweet is ‘Lapis Legit’, a rich-layered cake. Celebrations sometimes last for a whole month.

MALAySiA In Malaysia, three public holidays mark Eid, but the visiting and celebrations will continue for a month. Festive dishes include ‘Ketupat’ (rice cooked in wrapped coconut leaves) and ‘Lemang’ (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo cane), served with beef ‘Rendang’.

Read on for a few recipes from Oman’s very own chefs and whip up your own Eid treats…

80 SEPTEMBER 2009

CUisine

KishK Walnut With shrimps & papriKa sauce Serves: 6

For the Kishk400 gm Labneh 150 gm burghol (soak in water for 15 minutes).40 gm chopped mint.100 gm chopped onions.50 gm chopped garlic40 gm chopped red chilli200 gm chopped walnuts. Salt and pepper to taste.Mix all the above ingredients together and set aside.

For the shrimps:20 gm chopped garlicThe juice of one lemon20 gm chopped coriander.Salt & pepper to taste.Clean shrimps; poach them in hot water to which lemon juice, salt and pepper have been added. Marinate them with garlic, lemon juice, coriander, salt and pepper for a few hours.

For the paprika sauce:50 gm paprika powder50 ml olive oil20 gm dried mint20 ml red vinegar (about one soup spoon)Salt & pepper to tasteMix well and set aside.To serve, place the Kishk on a plate, then place the shrimps on top and finish off with paprika sauce and chopped coriander.

All the Goodness! Traditions may differ, celebrations may change and food may vary but Eid-Al-fitr is

celebrated elaborately all over the world. This is the time for families to come together, pray, give each other gifts and celebrate. And food of course, plays an important part.

The Chefs at the Radisson blu Hotel Muscat present three special Arabic dishes to make your Eid special in every way. Happy cooking and Eid Mubarak!

SEPTEMBER 2009 81

hammour With couscous andpomegranate sauce Serves: 6

Ingredients750 gm hammour fillet 300 gm couscous150 gm chopped capsicum (small cubes)60 gm chopped onion (small cubes)20 gm chopped garlic (very fine)50 ml virgin olive oilSalt and pepper to taste 60 gm basil paste150 gm breadcrumbs 20 gm fried rice noodles for garnish

Season the fish with salt, pepper and olive oil. Then put it in hot frying pan for 1 minute on each side. Mix together the basil paste and bread crumbs and coat the fish on both sides with this mixture. Put the fish in an oven at 150 celsuis for 8/10 minutes till golden brown.

Now start preparing the couscous. Fill a couscousier (pot with a steamer insert) with boiling chicken stock up to half the pot. Mix the couscous grains with 50 ml of olive oil in a bowl, pour the couscous into the (steamer insert) couscousier and cook for about 20/25 minutes, stirring every five minutes and ladling three to four spoons of the chicken stock from the pot to the couscous it will absorb it. When the couscous is ready, keep aside.

For the pomegranate sauce:3 cl corn oil100 gm fresh pomegranate chopped.50 gm walnuts, chopped30 gm onion, chopped20 gm butter200 ml water50 ml Pomegranate molassesSalt and pepper to taste

Pour the corn oil into a casserole and when hot add the chopped fresh pomegranate seeds, chopped walnut, chopped onion; add salt and pepper finally to taste.

Sauté for two minutes, then add the water and let it reduce for 15 to 20 minutes. Once reduced, set aside to cool slightly before blending it all together. Once blended put it back in the casserole and let it cook for few minutes. Add about 50 ml pomegranate molasses and let it cook for another two minutes. Check seasoning and add the butter. Whisk till butter is melted and incorporated to the sauce. Finish it with some pomegranate.

To serve:Take a small bowl, humidify (put some water with kitchen towel inside the bowl to avoid the couscous from sticking to the bowl). Fill with couscous and press so that it is compressed. Now reverse the bowl into the middle of a serving plate and shake it on to the plate. Place the fish on top and pour the sauce on top. You could also decorate the dish with deep-fried rice noodles and fresh pomegranate.

82 SEPTEMBER 2009

CUisine

date mousse Serves: 2

Ingredients50 gm dates240 ml black tea infusion.2 egg yolks50 gm sugar150 gm fresh cream 2 gm gelatine leavesChocolate sauce and date syrup for garnish

De-seed dates, and boil with tea water for half-an-hour till it reduces to half and set aside to cool down; whisk when cool. Whisk yolks and sugar until smooth. Whisk the fresh cream till stiff and set aside. Soak gelatine leaves in cold water for 10 minutes. Mix together the egg yolk, sugar, dates and tea. Then add the whipped cream and finally the melted gelatine. Put this mixture in a round mould or any small bowl. Refrigerate for two hours. Un-mould on to a plate, cover with thick chocolate sauce and serve with date syrup.

Prepared by Sous Chefs Alla Eddin, Samer Zeegan and Chef de Partie Iroshan

Bandara, Radisson Blu Hotel MuscatCoordinated by: Rekha BaalaPhotographs: Rajesh Burman

84 SEPTEMBER 2009

Aries March 21 - April 20Work responsibilities and challenges will take most of your time and attention this month. You will have to review projects you thought were complete. But

the good thing is that you possess a lot of energy for work, as well as for home, so no one is gonna complain! Your sincere approach to the world will earn you trust and respect from those around you.

TAurus April 21 - May 20Hobbies, enjoyable pastimes, activities with children, and romance are all top priority for you in September. After the 15th, a creative project is likely,

leading to a fresh start or a sense of renewal. A friend needs your help; so be there. Home life is satisfying and heart-warming. At work, you will present your ideas with passion. Make the most of good times.

GeMini May 21 - June 21This is a strong month for harmonising, collecting yourself and peacemaking for you. But the focus mostly rests on home,

family and domestic activities. More responsibility is needed on this front around mid-month when a crisis may disrupt the peace without warning. Money-making activities and plans are energetic. There is also a flurry of activity on the personal level.

CAnCer June 22 - July 23A sociable and energetic month is in store, dear Cancer. You are feeling especially independent and determined and will

accomplish a lot this month, on the home and work front. Your need for healthy and light social interaction is clear. However, a serious discussion mid-month helps to renew your focus on what is most important in your life. Making purchases

and investments for luxury items is an urge. Leo July 24 - August 23September is a month in which your desire for pleasure and comfort tends to rule, dear Leo. You will find others appreciative

of your sense of style. The go-getter in you tends to be a little laidback this month, when you take a little extra downtime and engage in more private activities and passions.

VirGo August 24 - september 23This month, slight tensions may create a ripple in your mostly-comfortable life. While you may be feeling misunderstood at times,

you will nevertheless get noticed and appreciated. Activities with children and creative endeavours are especially rich and rewarding. You will also enjoy pleasant get-togethers with friends and family.

LibrA september 24 - october 22Focus is on career, friendships, long-term goals, and weeding out that which is unnecessary or holding you back from accomplishment this month, dear

Libra. A serious assessment of your attitude towards life mid-month brings you to a whole new life plan and motivates you to start completely afresh. Friends are especially supportive, and you of them.

sCorpio october 23 - november 22Connections made this month may be surprising and especially rewarding at the same time, both on personal and professional fronts. You might find yourself

creating bridges between others and enjoying the process. The need for adventurous excitement and mental stimulation is strong this month. A tug of war between a friend and you or your attention to activities might figure at the end of the month.

sAGiTTArius november 23 - December 22September is a time to shine on a professional or public level. The more responsible and competent side of your nature is activated, and others more easily place their

faith in you. It is a good time to ask for a raise or a promotion at work. While your personal life may be on the backburner much of September, your family and domestic life requires special attention.

CApriCorn December 23 - January 20In your drive for new experiences, you could enjoy a rich, playful and spirited month. Your relationships with others, especially with dear ones, will be close and intense.

There may be grievances that could surface and it’s best to manage them promptly or proactively. Business matters will begin to take more priority.

AquArius January 21 - February 19Committed relationships are especially rewarding this month, dear Aquarius. Significant others and their agendas are assuming more importance in your life than

your personal goals now. You have much energy to pour into work, health routines, and taking care of business. A spirit for adventure and increasing your knowledge grabs hold in the last week of the month.

pisCes February 20 - March 20You attract strong, supportive, and powerful people to you this month and that is a wonderful way to move forward, dear Pisces. Relationships with others

are spirited, dynamic, and in strong focus. You are especially willing to please a partner, but not afraid to take the lead either. A feeling that you don’t know where you stand with a significant other eases towards month’s end. Work is pleasurable, and so is leisure time.

What the sTars foretell this month…

STARGAZING

86 SEPTEMBER 2009

86 SEPTEMBER 2009Sultanate of Oman, Markaz Al Bahja, Seeb. Tel: 24536035 www.marksandspencerme.com

Celebrate with