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Intersec 2013 – I’m feeling safer than ever living in the UAE

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I love living in UAE…it is I reckon the safest place in the whole world to be. There is no place I can think of that comes close to the safety and security this awesome country provides but it takes a lot of hard work to keep it this way by various industries. I feel so grateful when I hear of the UAE supporting exhibitions like Intersec because it reflects the importance the country gives to security to ensure we stay safe in every aspect of our lives….the authorities here have the latest technology available in the securities industry to keep it this way and Intersec is one place they find what is the best for all types of safety and security.

Intersec has played a major role in the last 14 years in reflecting the security industry worldwide. The exhibition and conference combines a strong international profile, with a huge regional impact. Intersec last year I remember showcased the latest technologies and apparatus in Commercial Security & Information Security, Aviation, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue and Safety & Health….I hear this year is no different.

I met casually with some decision makers from Dubai Police and Civil Defence Authorities and we got chatting about video surveillance last week – I would have loved to have some sort of IP surveillance when my daughter was small and I had to leave her with a maid while I was at work…..I am sure most parents feel the same way about wanting to know that their loved ones at home are looked after well while they are out. Then of course there is the airport security…without this we could have all sorts of dodgy people coming into the country so having this as a top-notch priority is great. I am glad that this is also something we are able to take granted for in UAE … the reason we are so safe is because of the tight security measures that are in place at airports etc. There are many safety and security elements covered at Intersec that is superb and I hope this year is no different from last year which had some cool gadgets for home use.

Intersec takes place from 15 – 17 January 2013, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. I personally can’t wait to check it out, especially the video surveillance systems and IP surveillance systems so that I can keep a watchful eye on my house and car. Check details on the exhibition on website: www.intersecexpo.com

Back to Café culture in Dubai with La Maison Du Cafe

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Shereen shabnam La Maison Du Cafe

Warm ambience of La Maison Du Cafe

It is great to be back in Dubai and in action after 3 weeks in KL and Bali….what I missed most was sitting in a café with nice ambience, people watching and typing away with other like-minded caffeine addicts. I started my first evening after work today at a new outfit on the way home…. the La Maison Du Cafe – ‘Cafe Najjar’ which is the internationally renowned Lebanese coffee concept that certainly  has opened a new world for coffee connoisseurs here to enjoy some of the most exclusive aromas.

The concept ‘Café’ was a cool find…it is on the way home for me next to Dubai Mall and has a lovely outdoor patio type set up that I love heaps when I want to write anything inspirational. The place was buzzing tonight with powerful local Emiratis, glamorous Lebanese all decked up for the night out and a mixture of serious business people and yuppies looking to hang out and have good coffee. I had a cup of cappuccino while drawing up my ‘To do’ list that has featured the same things that need to be done in the last 3-4 weeks.

I sat reading the brochure they had on the table when I got bored (I must really drag friends with me for coffee instead of always being a loner at these places). Café Najjar is essentially a Lebanese concept but is known in 57 countries abroad. With its firm philosophy that “Coffee… The word itself brings the entire globe together”  La Maison Du Café offers excellent coffee in a wide range of aromatic flavors that go hand in hand with the right choice of salads, sandwiches, main courses, homemade desserts and shisha. I don’t smoke so I sat inside for a much nicer experience minus the smell of shisha (Yes, I can be very boring at times but hey…my health is my number 1 priority now that I am approaching the big 40….lord help people around me when I actually hit the number and dwell on being ‘old’)

Back to coffee….The key to a really good cup of coffee can be summed up in one word: Freshness.  At La Maison du Café – ‘Café Najjar’ connoisseurs of fine coffee can choose from Dubai blend, Beirut blend, Brazilian, Brazilian Blond, Brazilian Santos, Colombian, Colombian filter, Costa Rican, Espresso  Italian, Espresso decaffeinated, Ethiopian, Harrar, Ivory Coast, Indonesian, Jamaican, Mocha and New Guinea. I would have tried a few of these but my dear boss wants me at a meeting at 8am and I couldn’t afford to be up buzzing with energy late night and turning up at the client’s office looking like a panda.

I would certainly go back and try their cookies with the coffee soon though….the cookies looked fresh and wholesome but I had to rush back home to put little diva to bed – even coffee takes a back seat when it comes to cuddles with NJD. See you at La Maison Du café soon – and say hello if you see an exotic islander stuck to a computer gulping down pots of green tea and coffee on the way home!

DUBAI FILM CONNECTION AWARDS OVER USD100,000 FOR PROJECTS FROM ARAB WORLD

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NJD with Sheri Sebbens one of the stars of The Sapphires #DIFF2012

NJD with Sheri Sebbens one of the stars of The Sapphires #DIFF2012

It’s been an exhilarating weekend at DIFF 2012 ….full of amazing movies, boat rides that are more awesome than Venice, red carpet moments, indulging little diva with cast and directors of children’s films from abroad, meeting fellow script editors, catching up with media friends….and more. The weather in Dubai is absolutely amazing so being out and about makes absolute sense. Right now little diva (NJD) and I are having hot chocolate on the patio of Kubba at Al Qasr hotel overlooking the sea, beautiful landscapes, boats winding their way from one place to another and of course and amazing view of the Burj Al Arab….amongst this is all the hustle and bustle of DIFF 2012 which, as a member of Universal Film Makers, I feel like I am in heaven…the talent at DIFF 2012 is inspiring, entertaining and uplifting.

To support the industry,  DIFF has also announced the winners of its Dubai Film Connection (DFC), a highly successful co-production market held in conjunction with the festival introduces selected film projects by Arab filmmakers to regional and international film professionals.

The awards of over USD100,000 represent three prizes from DIFF of USD25,000, as well as other awards from international organisations including:the Film Clinic /DIFF Debut Feature Award of USD10,000; EUR6,000 from ARTE to a filmmaker for exceptional originality, writing style and motivation; USD 10,000 for the Front Row / KNCC Award which is new for 2012; EUR5,000 from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, presented to a film produced and directed in a Francophone Arab country; and accreditation for the prestigious Producers Network at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 for 10 Arab producers participating at the DFC.

The awards of course add additional support for filmmakers as the sole aim of DFC is to promote film production in the Arab world. The Dubai Film Connection was launched in 2007. Since then, 31 projects have been completed and a further 13 are in various stages of production. Recent successes include Wadjdaby Haifaa Al Mansour; When I Saw You by Annemarie Jacir; and Fidai by Damien Ounouri. It is awesome seeing all this talent being given a chance to shine!

LEGENDARY TIFFANY DIAMOND IN DUBAI

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Diva with Michael J. Kowalski, Chairman and CEO of Tiffany & Co

Diva with Michael J. Kowalski, Chairman and CEO of Tiffany & Co

Women in Dubai were in seventh heaven yesterday…they got to see a spectacular diamond and jewellery exhibition by Tiffany to celebrate their 175th Anniversary.  Tiffany & Co. marked 175 years of design excellence with ‘A Legacy of Diamonds’ exhibition, featuring jewellery from the Tiffany Archives, surrounding the company’s greatest icon—the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond….i can’t express how beautiful this piece of jewellery was…breathtaking would be an understatement!

We also saw a contemporary collection of handcrafted jewellery featuring the gemstones the company first introduced—along with the world’s rarest colored diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond is the finest and most beautiful fancy yellow diamond ever discovered. Its transcendent beauty symbolizes Tiffany’s diamond heritage. In honor of the company’s anniversary, the priceless gem was reset in a dazzling diamond and platinum necklace of a graceful and modern elegance. Over a year in the making, the design of white diamonds totals over 100 carats and features 20 Lucida® diamonds and 58 brilliant-cut diamonds, with a mounting of 481 sparkling stones, each hand cut and set by skilled artisans.

I had a quick chat with Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer of Tiffany & Co who, much to our delight sees Dubai alongside Tokyo and Beijing as an international luxury retail destination and highlights the importance of this market to Tiffany’s global strategy.

Going back to the yellow diamond….it was discovered in the Kimberley diamond mines in South Africa in 1877, the 287.42-carat rough stone was acquired the following year by founder Charles Lewis Tiffany. The acquisition underscored Mr. Tiffany’s reputation as the “King of Diamonds” and made his enterprise the world’s diamond authority. The rough stone was cut into a cushion-shape brilliant weighing 128.54 carats. Cut to maximize its extraordinary color, the diamond sparkles as if lit by an inner flame.

The Tiffany Diamond was a highlight of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the 1939–40 World’s Fair in New York City, and has been exhibited in museums worldwide. It is the centerpiece of the Legacy of Diamonds exhibition, which is based on three themes.

The Gilded Age (1876–1916) showcases the diamond jewels that Tiffany created during this opulent era, along with a diamond and emerald brooch from the French Crown Jewels that the company purchased in 1887. Inspired by Nature highlights the natural world as an important theme of Tiffany design, with archival botanical illustrations and the jewels they inspired, such as a chrysanthemum brooch of diamonds and pearls and an enameled orchid brooch that were included in Tiffany’s gold medal exhibit at the 1889 Paris World’s Fair. New York Glamour illuminates Tiffany as the crown jewel of the city, with diamonds that reflect the streamlined contours of its Art Deco skyscrapers.

If you are a Tiffany fan, you may want to explore the Legacy Gemstones of Tiffany, a collection of jewelry featuring the gemstones Tiffany introduced to the world: shimmering pink morganite, discovered in Madagasgar and named for American financier and gem collector John Pierpont Morgan; lilac-pink kunzite from California, named for Tiffany’s eminent gemologist Dr. George Frederick Kunz; tanzanite, found in Tanzania and coveted for its color that captures the blue of the ocean with flashes of violet; and tsavorite, also from Africa, distinguished by a rich green hue and invigorating spirit.

Tiffany’s fancy color diamonds are a marvel of nature, wondrous to behold. These most sought-after stones are distinguished by evenly saturated color and a cut that fully reveals their natural charisma. Among them are Tiffany Yellow Diamonds with a tantalizing colour that is as pure as sunlight; pink diamond rings that bloom like roses and blue diamond’s of an electrifying hue.

Mounted in custom settings of exquisite craftsmanship, these sparkling diamonds and gemstones are the latest jewels of a great tradition and the epitome of modern glamour and luxury…diva likes. Now where’s that Loverboy of mine – I reckon a trip to Tiffany is in order!

The Tiffany Diamond - Photo Credit: Carlton Davis

The Tiffany Diamond – Photo Credit: Carlton Davis

Hitchcock – Directed by Sacha Gervasi

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Little diva at DIFF 2012

Little diva at DIFF 2012

Tonight is the Gala night for Hitchcock…. among a lucky few, last Thursday little diva and I were invited with a select group of people to see Hitchcock ahead of the gala and we absolutely loved the movie. It’s a love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century and although I never saw Psyhco, the story was about Alfred Hitchcock and his wife and partner Alma Reville during the making of Hitchcock’s seminal movie Psycho which everyone seemed to know about except moi …but then I am a romantic comedy fan and hardly see scary, violent or sad movies.

What interested me though was the fact that the movie they were making was based on a book….and as my Masters thesis is on genre transformation, this naturally appealed heaps to me. My thesis case study was on ‘The English Patient’ and although I had selected my thesis before reading the book or seeing the movie, it was the perfect choice – once I saw the movie, there was no looking back.

Similarly, Hitchcock is based on a book called Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by an author called Stephen Rebello. I will only know if the movie did justice to the book and what really went behind the scenes when I read the book but I know from my previous thesis and studies that as much as I love the book, the treatment in the movie always fascinates me a lot more as it appeals to a lot more senses.

As a marketing chick, it was great looking at what went behind the scenes and the awesome way Hitchcock marketed the movie when it opened. I don’t think anyone else could have done a better job in the way it was presented. Very unorthodox.

I’m sure many men and women will relate to the sentiments of Hitchcock and Alma in the parts where he fears deception by Alma although Alma always strived to do what was always best for him, stood by his side, made sacrifices. Men generally don’t appreciate the sacrifices women make for them until the thought of losing them comes to light or when they get a knock on the head.

As we see in the movie, Alma edits his scripts, constantly gives notes, adds the wow factor to the story and even directs while her husband is laid up at home sick and yet receives little credit. The pressure imposed by Hitch quickly reveals insecurities of old age…why do men think that a blonde bimbo on their arm will make them feel younger? Hitch always seemed to search for the perfect blonde and Alma felt she perhaps could not fit the bill. (On second thoughts, I’m glad Hitch at least had good sense to get detracted by a blonde in form of the beautiful Scarlett Johansson than some dark-haired old granny from South America who in an attempt to leave the poverty of her country would have played mind games that would have given Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ a totally different twist…).

I found Alma’s character, played by Helen Mirren incredibly strong. Given the complex moods of Hitch, her outlook, strength and grace with which she makes it all work is admirable. She may have allowed herself to become a footnote in Hitch’s career, but it is clear from this autobiography that without her, Hitchcock would not have had the accolades he received. It was also evident that Alma chose to be behind the scenes but I loved how she fought back when her loyalty to Hitchcock was questioned. I think we as women are often the strength behind the men in our lives but either the men are too stupid or too involved to see the loyalty we hold or by the time they see it, it is often too late. There were moments in the movie when I wished Whitfield would just take Alma away just so Hitch could see what he had and lost…but then we would be detracting from what really happened in the original circumstances! And Whitfield was a womaniser so it would be like out of the frying pan into the fire.

I wish I had seen this movie a lot earlier….I am sure a lot of people in Dubai would have finally seen this movie tonight as part of DIFF…it was a really great choice. Thanks #DIFF12 for yet another thought-provoking film.

BMW Group at UN Climate Change Conference COP 18

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Since my friends have started making fun of my absolutely beautiful Fiji Islands that it will sink soon, I have started supporting organizations that are helping to make people aware of climate change…afterall, we can’t afford to let paradise go under water.

BMW Group is one company that has continued the long-lasting involvement in the UN Climate Change Conferences during the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP18) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 8th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP8) that took place in Doha, Qatar.

During several events and panel sessions BMW Group emphasized its commitment to a sustainable business management, the reduction of CO2 emissions in the value chain and to the ongoing reduction of CO2 emissions of its new car fleet. Furthermore delegates of the BMW Group presented the holistic approach of the sub-brand BMW i and its visionary electric and plug-in hybrid cars, mobility services and its new understanding of individual mobility that is strongly defined by sustainability.

At an official side event of the conference held by the Climate Action Reserve and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), BMW speakers discussed the importance of developing a systematic approach to facilitate the implementation of electric mobility. One relevant factor in this context is the integration of transportation fuels in an emission trading system. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and BMW Group have analyzed the effects of such an approach in the study CITIES

(http://www.bmwgroup.com/d/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/forschung_entwicklung/publikationen/_pdf/cities_de.pdf).

Further activities of the BMW Group at COP 18 included panel participation at the business side event World Climate Summit 2012, a hub for key business, financier and government leaders to meet and discuss innovative green business strategies.

In addition, BMW Group presented its sustainability strategy and the political implications at the Doha Business Day, organized by WBCSD and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Since 2008, BMW Group has been a partner and stakeholder in the COP process. With this engagement, BMW Group extends the constructive dialog with key stakeholder to tackle the challenges of climate change….a noble deed indeed!

Hublot now in Abu Dhabi

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With Hublot Chairman

With Hublot Chairman

While attending the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, I did a quick detour to the Marina Mall to meet with Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot in Abu Dhabi. My gal pals had been raving about the boutique opening so I sacrificed a morning of coffee sessions with the race track dudes at F1 in favour of a coastal drive, a short tryst at Hublot and coffee at the Emirates Palace.

Hublot is the Official Watch of Formula 1™ and Abu Dhabi’s second Hublot boutique was opened to mark the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Grand Prix. In true diva fashion, I arrived late because having a touch of mascara was a bit more important but it was worth it as we listened to a very passionate Jean-Claude Biver giving us a low down on the expertise of the Swiss watchmaking art, expressed through their watch collections.

I loved the boutique-lounge set that is designed with the fusion of materials such as natural buckskin and ebony which create a warm yet hushed atmosphere. Amongst the notable features is an extremely elegant floor with leather tiles, created by a master craftsman and artist, which is now one of the signatures of the Hublot boutiques, with the ensemble completed by a wall of screens which immediately immerse the visitor in the brand’s world, with films on events, the latest new products and the ambassadors.

I thought that was indeed a nice touch….different and yet elegant. Check it out!

With gal pals at HUBLOT Abu Dhabi

With gal pals at HUBLOT Abu Dhabi

When Monaliza Smiled – DIFF impresses diva

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Loved 'When Monaliza Smiled'

Loved ‘When Monaliza Smiled’

One of the nicest movies I have seen this month is in fact part of DIFF 2012 in Arabic, ‘When Monaliza Smiled’. This Arabic movie (with subtitles of course) is a  love story between Monaliza, a young Jordanian woman, and Hamdi, an Egyptian office boy with the cutest smile J. The story is touching as its shown in parallel with other related stories that reveal some very real human feelings, situations, realities often similar to what people endure in many other countries except that this is in Jordan.

I met the director at Mall of the Emirates, Fadi G.Haddad who mentioned the movie was filmed entirely in Jordan. I recognized elements of the views from my visit to Amman and how much character some of the areas in the city had. He has done an amazing job.

The actress who plays Monaliza is gorgeous even though initially she rarely smiles. She works in a government office, where she meets Hamdi and together they dream of a life straight out of the romantic movies of the past as we see scenes within the film with Omar Sharif and Faten Hamama… Their fantasy is challenged as they’re surrounded by inquistive individuals, who impose restrictions typical of Amman’s society which to be honest is similar in many Muslim communities as I have been told and witnessed in Fiji  and Malaysia.

I loved the fun-loving nature of Hamdi in contrast to Monaliza and it was nice to see their relationship blossom as Hamdi shows her a life from a new perspective that is about trying new things, visiting new places etc. I guess we meet many Hamdi’s in our day-to-day life – young men who live away from their home to support their families, the challenges they face and their love for life where they take joy in the simplest of things that we ignore because of the rat race. It was also beautiful to see the story of Monaliza’s neighbor who lost her husband who was never found but every day she washes his clothes, prepares dinner and makes herself beautiful in the event that he will turn up at her door one day, unexpected.

I loved the movie for the purity of the romance, the way the characters enjoyed the ordinary things in life, the family obligations we often get caught up in, the love we wait for despite knowing that it may be in vain and so much more that it is hard to do justice in a few paragraphs.

If you do see ‘When Monaliza Smiled’ during DIFF, let me know your thoughts on the movie.

Crazy for Folli Follie

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crown

Always saw Folli Follie, the fashion brand renowned for its trendy jewellery, watches and accessories around but didn’t pay much attention to it until  the latest Autumn Winter 2012/13 collection in partnership with Damas, which is my favourite store for jewellery and watches.

In the new collection, luxury and versatility are epitomized in the grouping of jewellery, timepieces, and accessories. The pieces easily transition from pretty or edgy daytime looks into opulent evening style. This abundance of fashionable options is meant to empower girls to mix and match, creating beautiful signature styles for any moment or occasion.

I’m certainly loving Folli Follie’s high-quality fashionable luxury since it’s at an affordable and accessible price. Folli Follie’s new collection is available at Folli Follie boutiques, located at the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City, Abu Dhabi Al Wahda Mall and Al Ain Mall.  For more information, visit www.follifollie.com.

View a meteorite shower with Bahrain Science Centre

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Bahrain Science Centre this month has a number of activities lined up as the theme of the month is Arab innovations and Invention and activities include an excursion to view a meteorite shower, interesting debates, workshops and science experiments.

On Thursday the 13th December, there will be a Static electricity demonstration at 10.30am and an animal story telling session at 5.30pm. Friday the 14th will feature henna and face painting experiences from 5pm onwards. The week finishes on the same day with a METEORITE SHOWER observation that will take place at Jazayer Beach, Southern Governorate at 8 PM until midnight.

An expert astronomer will be available to interpret the observations with a telescope provided by the center

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

– ENDS –

Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.