Week of Chemistry’ at the Bahrain Science Centre

April 17, 2013Leave a comment

Detlef presenting a chemistry show

During the week of 22^nd to 25^th April 2013, the Bahrain Science Centre, part of Ministry of Social Development, will be featuring an intensive week of chemistry shows, discussions and debates.

World famous science educator, Detlef Basel from the Cape Town Science Centre in South Africa will present nine, one-hour ‘Hooked on Science’ chemistry shows throughout the week.

Detlef has over 40 years experience doing science shows and has performed on television and in front of huge live audiences. He is an expert at creating big (but safe) bangs, whizzes and pops and will enthrall you with his mastery of simple chemical elements, many of which can be found in your kitchen cupboard.

The ‘Hooked on Science’ shows are suitable for all age groups and will be presented during the mornings for school groups and during the afternoons and evenings for families. Visit the Science Centre’s website for more details.

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.

MTE Studios currently manages and operates the Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com. For information on the weekly programmes at the Bahrain Science Centre, please contact Amna Aldoseri at amna@mtestudios.com.

As long as it works….

April 17, 2013Leave a comment

Being a woman may be complicated but it is the very contradictory nature of the female that makes us interesting…or dare I say alluring. Today I’ve come to terms with being at odds with everything and celebrating my womanhood. In the process, I have also come to the conclusion that:

…it’s ok to have a chocolate binge during PMS – in fact, for the sanity of all around it’s highly recommended

…if i have put a warning sign not to cross my path if you value your life during PMS, heed it or be man or woman enough to face the consequences

…its normal to wake up being annoyed with the man because of a fight you had in a dream – he must have done something to cause that fight in the first place

…hitting the snooze button 3 times in the morning is acceptable behaviour and if it doesn’t work the fourth time, the team have a duty to call at 8am and be the personal alarm clock – every hour diva spends at work after all is valued at top dollar

…its human to scream on top of your voice during a brazilian. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a reptile!

…domestic work does not fit into the job scope of a diva. Somebody has to do something about it soon or be ready to face a chaotic home environment!

…diets are bogus if it does not accommodate a healthy dose of Belgian chocolates. You only live once and deprivation is not a word that exists in a diva dictionary.

…carrying 60 to 75 pairs of shoes in the car boot on an overloaded shoe rack is a life saver. It’s in the diva code in fact to ensure another 120 pairs remain on standby for the shoe rotation every 2 months.

…seeing a billboard of Fazza early morning on SZR can really lift up the spirits and set the tone for a great day. Alternatively, there is always the upbeat tunes of Amr Diab if it does not work out with Fazza

…Dancing is good for the soul – Belly Dancing and oriental beats are the best

… it’s ok to rant when the world does not keep up with Dubai and you have to put up with mediocre service when travelling. It’s normal to breath a sigh of relief when your feet touches the UAE soil 🙂

…its awesome to get an adrenaline kick on the race tracks as distraction because some idiot spoilt your mood/broke your heart/sent u meaningless bbms or texts/didn’t tell you were god’s gift to mankind etc…you get my drift!

…blame the scales if it tips towards the bigger numbers because of the sinful chocolate cake from Paul’s – then do a 60’s number on the twister to sweat it off

…send people who annoy you to Timbuktu in your mind. Always works!

People deal with stuff differently but as long as it works…who cares!

Hyundai exudes Luxury with the Centennial 2014

April 14, 2013Leave a comment

While I was in Bahrain last week, little diva was chauffeured in the amazing Hyundai Centennial to dinner on a luxury yacht with her dad and being a kid who has been in the best of cars that have landed in Dubai, she gushed on the phone about how cool the new Hyundai was.

Ever since its launch in 2009, the car has gone on to achieve staggering sales and impressive accolades. In line with the opulence that the new Centennial exudes, it has a significantly enhanced interior, a range of cutting-edge features, and the introduction of two new, high performance GDi engines.

Outside, the Centennial offers refined front and rear ends that reduce the amount of chrome trim applied, for a more refined finish, and customers can now choose between either vertical or horizontal type frontal grilles.

The rear LED lighting clusters have also been revamped and new, stylish 18 or 19 inch rims. Befitting a large luxury sedan, its imposing presence is helped by its striking dimensions – the new model is 5,160mm long, 1,890mm wide and 1,495mm high. For 2014, customers can choose from six elegant colours, including a new addition, Cona Black.

The interior is equally modern and stylish, and boasts a significantly redesigned dashboard featuring prominent lines and the highest quality trim, all of which oozes class. All driver controls fall easily to hand, while the introduction of the new Shift by Wire gear lever serves to free up space in the central console.

These changes are all in line with Hyundai’s Modern Premium concept – a move that challenges generic notions of luxury, and insists that it extends into new possibilities with new thinking. The brand has steadily shown its ability to dominate in the luxury segment and the new model only boosts Hyundai’s position as a contender in the race.

The new Centennial 2014 appeals to the social status conscious, who still require practical spaces and features. The combination of the latest technology, with premium levels of comfort and coupled with a stylish interior and exterior, mean this car was made to stand out from the crowd and get noticed….diva is impressed and cant wait to check it out over a weekend.

House of Chic debuts in Dubai

March 23, 2013Leave a comment

It’s a crazy Saturday – in between the Art Show, Fashion shows and the Horse Show, little diva and I will be spending some time witnessing the debut of the first House Of Chic Asian Fashion Pop-Up Store concept today.

The Los Angeles based House Of Chic, was launched in the USA by two young ladies – Jinali Sutariya and Heena Surani – as a pop-up store with great success and fanfare. Now these two enterprising fashionistas are bringing this novel concept to Dubai for the first time. Included in the line-up are several well-known and emerging fashion designers and accessory brands.

Scheduled to take place at The Palace Downtown, Dubai, our very own uber charming socialite, Jawaher tells us of the impressive and extensive designer line-up who are:

Nikhil Thampi

Gauri & Nainika

Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna

Shashank & Prajwal

Geisha Designs by Paras & Shalini

Darshi Adani

Payal Singhal

Alpana Neeraj

Nimirta Lalwani

Poonam Bhagat

Alka Vora

Surily Goel

Hemant & Nandita

Am:Pm

Pia Pauro

Dolly J

Shivan & Narresh

Komal Sood

Rahul Mishra

Kavita Vanita

Kiran Uttam Ghosh

Farhana Zahedi

Accessories

Malleka

Janavi

Just Jewelry

House of Chic

The event is being conceptualised and executed by Unimonde Experiences so it is bound to be smashing. Don’t miss out!

Zandonai’s Francesca Da Rimini @MeydanIMAX

March 22, 2013Leave a comment

Its been weeks since Tasha and I went to see the a MET Opera production….it was Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda so news that another MET production is coming to IMAX was music to our ears. This time it’s Zandonai’s ‘Francesca Da Rimini’. The good thing is that both Tash and I don’t know the storyline or have read any reviews so this will be a total surprise and what’s great is that we will once see it on the biggest screen in Dubai at Meydan Imax. I reckon the best thing I’ve done since I met Afsana is get registered for updates via email on what’s happening at IMAX….I keep getting their latest schedules and my viewing pleasure has improved ten-fold.

The next MET Opera is at 7pm on the 25th of March. It’s perfect timing as I usually leave the office at Media City at 6pm and arrive at Meydan IMAX just in time to meet Tash, buy popcorn and see the show…plus indulge in their amazing oreo cake that is sinfully delicious and takes you to heaven for the evening.

As I keep talking endlessly about how much I enjoy the MET shows, ticket costs for everyone who makes a booking and say’s ‘Fijianchick’ get AED 50/- off their tickets. So…if you like opera and like to see the show, mention my blog and get the tickets for AED100/- instead of AED150/-. Enjoy!

The A 250 Sport: The hottest hatch in town

March 21, 2013Leave a comment

Mercedes is back in the good books of diva…after their big foray into 6×6 (I really think they should stay out of this segment and stick to their awesome luxury cars), I got news via Bassam that with the new A 250 Sport, Mercedes-Benz has entered an entirely new segment in the Middle East in the luxury compact segment.

I was cynical at first (especially after getting over the 6×6 news)…. it’s just not very ‘Mercedes’ but then I was converted when I saw the images – it certainly looks like a powerful, sporty and luxuriously designed hot hatch that will excite and enthrall the region’s aspirational go-getters of the next-cool-things.

I can only comment on the tech specs and the looks for now because I have not driven the car so my opinion on this is purely from a perspective of someone who loves cars and can comment on the looks and power based on previous experience. It is apparently a powerful four-cylinder, two-litre turbocharged engine that produces a roaring 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque, thundering a market that demands success to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds….cool aye!

Like most Mercs, it comes with GCC standard specifications and is fully loaded compared to the international market, including a very sporty interior design with red stitching, designo red seat belts, red framed SLS AMG style air vents, comfortable sport seats, aggressive exterior look with diamond grille, red brake callipers, 18” five spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in high sheen black finish and headlamps with red marker rings.

For safety, the standard specification includes, amongst other things, the radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system. Smiles will broaden when learning that ownership of a car sporting the unmistakable status of the sparkling three-pointed star starts at just USD$37,000 GCC wide. GCC options in addition to the standard specification include Xenon Lights, Active Parking Assist, and a Light Sight Package (Interior Ambient Lighting).

Launched with the tagline ‘Drive yourself’, the arrival of the A 250 Sport to the region aims to turn the luxury small car segment on its head and marks a new direction for Mercedes-Benz in the region.

In summary…the car has good looks, performance, prestige and attitude, at a price point that makes attainability of the brand a reality for those that may consider owning a Mercedes-Benz as ‘something they want but sometime in the future’.

Not enough shoes!

March 21, 2013Leave a comment

Having over 250 pairs of shoes is driving the man in the house nuts but little diva and I never seem to have just the right shoes every time we step out the door….couple of weeks ago we actually were scuffling over one pair we both wanted and when Eric pointed out that with over 250 pairs around the house, surely we should not be fighting over just one.

See…man don’t get it. We may have loads of shoes but we have phases where we just like that one pair for each purpose and we wear it to the bone…but we also like the comfort of having heaps of choice. Currently Tash and I are into comfy chic so this is a problem that gets out of hand when we both have PMS….dealing with one woman on PMS at a time is bad enough for any man but with two at a go can test the patience of anyone.

So this show diva is currently eyeing The Rockport Company® which is introducing a group of 2013 Spring/Summer footwear collections that is avant-garde inspired, featuring a luminous color palette, silent technologies, and functional materials.

These styles are ideal for your weekend brunch to afternoon cocktails during spring and summer’s first warm weekends….with feminine styles, unique screen prints and the functional and practical elements are perfect to pair with free-flowing dresses or slim or snug fit trousers (I need to lose a few kilos before I do the snug trousers bit)

Meanwhile, the shoe fight continues in my household with males around us seeing no rhyme or reason why women can be so obsessed with shoes…as we let the men mull, we head to see what The Rockport Company® has in store for us.

Saying yes to ‘Prose’

March 20, 20132 Comments

Being a poet, seeing the word prose bring many different thoughts to my forever overactive mind so when I saw the name on a perfume bottle, I had to try it…especially as the bottle was red and I am known for my splashes of red indulgence at home and in my accessories.

Little diva is also into perfumes these days and this fragrance definitely caters to the young and vibrant diva. Not sure how thrilled I am about this as she has already taken over my extensive shoe collection and continually asks if she is inheriting every cool piece of jewellery I wear. But as much as I love Prose, which is a delectable, vivacious, and spirited fragrance, I will share this one with Natasha even if it is in small doses.

Prose emanates a feminine, warm, and playful aroma that is impossible for any young lady to resist – perhaps it’s because this charming contemporary fragrance is infused with delicious scent combinations, featuring the perfect balance between fresh, younger notes, and a more mature, and earthly aroma. I guess that’s why both Tash and I love it…. Not that being 40 means that I am the mature one J

For people who like looking at the ingredients base of a perfume, Prose combines hints of bright and fresh citrus fruits such as orange, melon, and apple, with a fruity trifecta of strawberry, coconut, and sugar – all a brief prelude to an invigorating base composed of a rich laden amber, vanilla, and musk.

Because this nice wonder comes from Ajmal Perfumes, the region’s multi award-winning fragrance house, I was surprised that Prose is priced at AED 100…very affordable and great to buy for yourself and your pre teen and teen divas…my little diva absolutely loves it.

Swan Lake returns to Meydan IMAX

March 15, 20132 Comments

Last week, Little diva, NJD and I decided to be naughty stop-outs and went to see Swan Lake on a school night – I am a sucker for nice films in general while she absolutely lives for ballet so it made sense to both of us that the opportunity to see it on a super big screen was not to be missed…the show was amazing. We were enthralled and the great news is that it’s back to the IMAX screen again tomorrow.

Since then we have seen other ballet performances from Bolshoi and they were enchanting to say the least.

If you are into the performing arts culture, the show is highly recommended…happy viewing! It’s on tomorrow, Saturday 16th March, 12 noon at Meydan IMAX.

Hey Sugar!

March 7, 2013Leave a comment

I love sugary sweet things…even my name ‘Shereen’ means sweet or is referred to as a synonym for sweets in so many cultures. Hence I always look out for anything that is sinfully delightful and news from Hey Sugar always puts a smile on my face.

With throngs of art lovers descending into Dubai this March, Hey Sugar Bakeshop gets into the spirit with a cool selection of art-inspired, Limited Edition cupcakes.

Munch on the masters as sets of 6 assorted cupcakes will be available exclusively at Hey Sugar’s Jumeirah Location for just 3 days, from the 21st till the 23rd of March….does that give me an excuse to get sugar injected and commit some calorie laden sin? Afterall it is in the name of art!

Globalista Extraordinaire

TEEN lifestyle in the UAE, SPAIN, UK and FIJI ISLANDS