Jashanmal gets charitable!

Ok so Jashanmal isn't a fashionable store nor does it sell clothes I'm particularly interested in (do Calvin Klein underware and pjs count?). However, they do have some really cute bathroom accessories and great, funky kitchenware so I thought I'd share this with you. 

I must say I am super impressed with Jashanmal's latest charity initiative. I visited the branch at Abu Dhabi Mall last week and was pleasantly surprised that I could get 30% off my purchase if exchanged an old item from my house. This could include any kind of chipped dinnerware that is still useable, cookware, bedsheets, towels or bathroom accessories. 

All of these old and used items will go to the Dubai Center for Special Needs which provides education and services to children with special needs and disabilities. 

If you have any old items in your house that you don't need, please donate them to Jashanmal. Not only will you be helping children in need, BUT you can also get 30% off new purchases. If that isn't a good incentive, I don't know what is :) 

Jashanmal will be accepting used items from November 13 to December 8 

Meet Lulu: Art made from our garbage!

I would like to take a moment to share with you an issue I find increasingly important, pollution.  I was VERY happy and surprised to find this issue addressed and on display in Abu Dhabi mall (of all places!) for all the shoppers to view. 

Can you believe this fish is made purely from TRASH collected from Lulu Island?!!  

In 2011, The Volvo Ocean Race committee wanted to raise awareness about the serious problems created by pollution of the sea. They created the 'Keep the Oceans Clean!' Project in collaboration with Skeleton Sea, artists and surfers who create art using beach-trash. Each port of the race created a sculpture using the garbage they collected from the beach in their area.

In January of 2012, Abu Dhabi participated in this project and 'Lulu Fish' was created using trash collected on Lulu Island. 90 people participated in the beach clean up and the Skeleton Sea Portuguese artist Joao Parrinha created this sculpture.

A close up of the trash items used to create Lulu Fish

Lulu Fish measures 2 metres in width and over 1.5 metres in height (its really quite impressive) and basically translates into the fact that there is A LOT of crap lying around on Lulu Island!

The message is clear: PLEASE stop littering because in the end, we are really only harming ourselves! Polluted seas mean polluted fish and seafood and that all comes back into us when we eat it! 

Lulu Fish is on display in Abu Dhabi mall and will be housed permanently at the head offices of NGSCO (the shipping arm of ADNOC). 

Get the Look for MUCH less!

I fell in LOVE with this Alexander Wang dress and have it on my wish list for when the weather gets colder:

Alexander Wang tweed mini dress at Boutique 1 

Fabric: Tweed

AED 2,225

Imagine my surprise when I passed by MANGO at Abu Dhabi Mall and found this very similar version for MUCH CHEAPER! 

Dog Tooth dress at MANGO

Fabric: Polyester

AED 239

How to wear: I would pair this dress with a big statement necklace, pumps or ankle boots, and a bright color clutch

Up Close & Personal: CORTO MOLTEDO

(Source: www.luxos.com)

There is a brand of handbags on my fashion radar that I have recently become OBSESSED! with, Corto Moltedo. Founded by Mr. Gabriel Corto Moltedo in 2004, the brand includes exquisitely designed handbags made of luxurious leathers and skins. All of the bags are SHOW-STOPPERS and literally crave attention because they are so beautiful and unique. 

Mr. Moltedo is the son of Bottega Veneta founders Vittorio and Laura Moltedo. Being a member of one of Italy's most prominent luxury goods families, he was raised as an apprentice to the trade of artisan- crafted leather. With his exclusive insight and experience, his passion for leathers and skins and his superb craftsmanship are evident in the handbags. Having been born and raised in New York, and now living between Paris, Venice and Florence, his collections are eclectic. 

I caught up with Mr. Moltedo on the eve of the Private Preview of the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection in Dubai.  I was lucky enough to get a EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW for my readers. Happy Reading! :) 

Tell me about your brand. What was your inspiration to start it?

I had a dream and I followed it. I was very lucky indeed to have people who believed in me, so I took the opportunity to follow my family's tradition of finely crafted accessories. 

Describe the typical woman you see carrying your bags?

This weekend she is reading the Financial Times with her husband in bed. She is skimming over the 'How to Spend it' section. Later, she will get ready for the Serpentine Gallery after a big brunch at Royal China dimsum. She also regularly updates Instagram and follows GiovannaBattaglia1979.

Among his inspirations, Mr. Moltedo is inspired by music as seen in this 

ARTO A4 clutch designed to look like a cassette tape 

Other than music, what else inspires you? 

I am inspired by my recent travels as that is all I seem to be doing these days! :) Occasionally, on my trips, I visit antique markets and museum exhibitions.

Tell me about your Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection:

Autumn/ Winter 2012 is all about Cherokee and military green and navy colours for my accessories. I've kept the bags very minimal, very clean and functional while pushing the evening clutches a bit with more colourful fantasy. I am going for a Western Look. You can find the collection at my website, www.corto.com, or at http://instagram.com/cortomoltedo. 

Bags from the Autume/Winter 2012 Collection

Do you have a favourite piece in this collection? 

I have many and the new ones I introduce for sure. Today I'm particularly fond of the BABY MONACO BAG, a small satchel that I like worn on the shoulder, particularly in the python and the goat variations. 

Goat and Python Baby Monaco bags

I'm also in love with the CORTO PANNIER bag which is great for an everyday carefree lifestyle. It is having a slow start but my friends are warming up to it little by little. With its two large pockets, it is all about back to school. 

The Corto Pannier Bag 

Tell me about any future collaborations or projects you have in the pipeline?

I am currently launching two collaborations:

- One with the cartoon company Olive Oyl (the female character in the Popeye cartoon) where I designed a bag for the character based on her asthetic: tall, lanky and colorful. It is a collector's piece. Very Manga in a way. This bag needs to be carried to be understood!

- The second collaboration is with jewellery designer Tom Binns. We are about to launch the Tarantula Susan Clutch. Pretty self-explanatory! 

Other than your boutiques in Paris and Milan, do you plan on opening any other stores? How about expansion in the Middle East? 

I have just launched www.corto.com and it is one year's work and all the bags I designed this past year all put on the web. I have to say I am very happy with it! We are already delivering all over the Middle East.

Describe your typical day?

7:00 am - Breakfast, which is usually coffee and almonds and banana yoghurt

8:00 am- Pilates with my trainer

9:00 am  to 9:00 pm - Work at my atelier checking production and new prototypes, meetings for future PRIVATE PREVIEW events worldwide, I have a small social media break, and more meetings

9:00 pm - I like to cook dinner for friends

12:00 midnight - Bed! 

To purchase a Corto Moltedo bag from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection, head down to the Private Preview in Dubai on Saturday Nov. 17 from 2- 8 pm 

Location: E54 - Corniche Street 1 - Emirates Hills- Dubai 

RSVP: dubai@corto.com 

Wadi Finan For Arts in Abu Dhabi

If you are looking for really great art for your house or office that won't break the bank, head down to the exhibition GEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST. In co-ordination with the spouse of the Jordanian Ambassador to Abu-dhabi, Mrs.Jathal Al Hindwai, Al Siwar Events brings you WADI FINAN ART GALLERY from Jordan. 

Showcasing art by emerging and up and coming artists from the Middle East, you are going to find treasures here. The BEST part about this exhibition is that all of the pieces are very affordable and they are all original prints so no-one one will have the same painting as you.

Here is a little background of the artists whose works will be showcased

(Note that the paintings shown are samples of these artists works and not necessarily what you will find at the exhibition)

Ahmad Subaih

Born in 1965, he studied at Yarmouk University in Jordan and has had many exhibitions in Jordan and around the world

Issam Tantawi

Born in Jerusalem in 1954, he started as an award winning photographer. He recently channeled his energy into painting and has showcased his works in exhibitions in Jordan, Tunisia, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Indonesia and the U.A.E 

Besher Koshaji

Born in Syria in 1983, this young artist holds a lot of promise. He completed his Masters of Fine Arts at Damascus University

Ayyad Al Nimr

Born and raised in Egypt, he taught art for ten years and published several art books. His works can be found at the National Museum of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Bahrain, the U.K, the U.A.E, France, Holland, Spain and the U.S

Fadi Daoud

He is Jordanian and has very linear art. His art is influenced by Hussein Bakeer, George Bahjouri 

and Sufi spirituality

Fares Rizk

He was born in Egypt and was named the 'Peinture Poete' by Fakhrenissa Zeid. Fares Rizk creates vibrant poetic paintings alive with colors that are inspired by his travels. He completed his Masters of Fine Arts in Painting from Parsons School of Design in NYC 

Samia Zaru

Samia was born in Palestine and studied Fine Arts in Beirut and in Washington. Her art is a blend of abstract work with handy crafts using oil, acrylic, water colors, and wooden blocks. She molds mettalic sculptures and does her own embroidery which she uses in her art

Riham Ghassib

Born in Amman, Riham paints from memory pictures that reflect her perception of the Jordanian country side with all its simplicity and beauty 

Ufemia Rizk

Born in Jaffa, Ufemia currently lives in Montreal. She studied at AUB, the Sorbonne in Paris and Dawson College in New York and has received distinctions from France and Japan

Rafiq Lahham

Born in Damascus, Rafiq Lahham is the first jordanian artist to work in print and uses calligraphy in his work 

Hassan Jalal

Born in Egypt, by the age of 52 he had produced FOUR THOUSAND pieces of art!

The exhibition will be held from November 20 through 23, from 11 am to 9 pm at Cafe Arabia

Location: 15th Street between 2nd/Airport Road and 24th/Karamah. Opposite Al Mushrif Park. 

 Tel: 02- 643 9699 

   

See you there! :)

Lebanese Designers SHINE at Twilight Premier

Have I ever told you about my OBSESSION with the Twilight Saga? I'm so crazy about it that I coincided my honeymoon in Rio Di Janeiro to be during the release of Breaking Dawn: Part 1 in cinemas there. It was especially cool because in the movie, Edward and Bella spend their honeymoon at at island off of Rio. It was SOOO worth it (and I'm starting to sound a little sad!) Well now that Part 2 is finally out, I can hardly contain my excitement! 

The movie will be released in cinemas in the U.A.E starting at midnight tonight.

Now on to more important things... what the cast wore to the premiere of Breaking Dawn: Part 2 on Monday in LA. All of the cast members and actors looked fabulous but it was  the dresses by Lebanese designers that really SHINED and stood out from all the rest! 

Kristen Stewart, who plays the main role of Bella in the movie, dazzled in a gold lace and chiffon gown by Zuhair Murad

The dress was completely see-through and showed her matching gold underwear and killer curves underneath

(Source: www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com)

Dakota Fanning wore an incredible emerald green Elie Saab Couture dress

I don't think I've ever seen her look so good!

Here is a look at some of the other outfits at the premiere 

(In my opinion, they don't stand a chance against the Lebanese ones above)

Robbert Pattinson wore a green Gucci suit

Nikki Reed wore a grey Versace gown

(Source: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP at www.huffingtonpost.co.uk)

Ashley Greene wore a pastel pink Donna Karen dress

Taylor Lautner wore a grey Z Zegna suit 

(Source: www.becauseiamfabulous.com) 

Elizabeth Reaser who plays Esme wore a Carolina Herrera gown 

(Unless otherwise noted, all pictures are from www.dailymail.co.uk) 

Which is your favourite look at the premier? 

Brad Pitt & Chanel No. 5

Check out the above video of Brad Pitt promoting Chanel No. 5

Its Chanel No.5. And its Brad Pitt. A timeless perfume that has been passed down through generations of women and being promoted by a timeless, gorgeous, superstar actor. They seem the perfect fit but for some reason I can't pinpoint, I don't like the advertisement! It seems too sombre and sad. Where is the music?  I much preferred this video for Coco Mademoiselle with Kiera Knightley. 

What do you think? 

On the flip side, when I walked past the Chanel fragrance stand at Selfridges and found a huge poster of Brad Pitt looking down at me, I couldn't help but stop and stare. The man is gorgeous and if he thinks that women should wear Chanel perfume, then perhaps we should! (I already do but was so tempted to buy another bottle!)

Fabulous Hair Brush

Last week, I accidentally stumbled upon one of the greatest hair products I have EVER used - The TRESemme Ceramic Paddle Brush.

I find buying a hair brush one of the hardest things to buy:

1) The really good ones are not widely available in the supermarkets and drugstores in the U.A.E so I usually buy them when I travel

2) Stores always put a cardboard cover over the brush so you can't try it till you get home

3) What exactly is the difference between ceramic, natural bristle, boar brush etc? Why is no-one ever around to explain which brush is suitable for your hair type?!!!!

I was in Boots and randomly picked up a brush that said "Anti-frizz" on it. I SERIOUSLY LUCKED OUT!  The Ceramic Paddle Brush brushes through my tangles so painlessly and so quickly that my long hair can be completely brushed in less than ten seconds. Also, the ceramic part of it speeds up blow drying time. Finally, I have curly hair and the plastic ionic bristles leave my hair less frizzy with fewer fly-aways. I mean whats not to love?! 

I'm OBSESSED! and recommend you try this brush for yourself if you have longer, curly or frizzy hair. You will love me! 

Do you have a hair brush that you absolutely love and will never part with?