Sunday 30 June 2013

Bold is Beautiful At The Luxury Closet @TheLuxuryCloset


Fashion is bold this summer. Big floral prints have hit the catwalk, and everywhere you turn, the fashion world seems to be bursting with colours and pattern.

It is certainly the season to make a bold fashion statement yourself and you need look no further than online fashion based retailer, The Luxury Closet.  Many items are pre-owned, meaning you can be the owner of an authentic couture bag for up to 70% off the original price!



The Matthew Williamson for Bvlgari Spring 2011 Evening Clutch (AED 3,840) is an example of a stunning bag that could be all yours. The dazzling blue kaleidoscope pattern on this clutch will turn heads and create conversation on any night out. This miniaudière is made from a silver metal frame and printed satin, accented with a Bvlgari engraved top snap closure and a long snake chain strap.

Bold is beautiful and just as pretty in pink! This Gucci Floral Fuchsia Jackie O Hobo Handbag (AED 2,855), crafted from printed pink canvas and pink leather trim is reminiscent of a beautiful summer’s garden. Perfect for a day out in the sun or an evening watching it set, summer has definitely arrived with this delightful designer handbag!

Alternatively, go retro with the Louis Vuitton ‘Cosmic Blossom’ Pochette (AED 2,140). Fun and flirty, this bag was designed by Takashi Murakami, combining a mixture of artistic prints with LV’s elegant style. Crafted from classic monogram coated canvas – this is one cool summer look!

Or be classically bold with Fendi. This Fendi Red Trim Studded Zucca Du Jour Handbag (AED 2,143) is accented with an FF logo and gold, grommet detailed, rolled leather handles, side pockets and gold tone hardware. This is a classic piece with a funky twist to help you stand out in style!

Only 100% authentic bags are eligible to be sold by The Luxury Closet. The company guarantees the authenticity of every purchase, or a full refund including all shipping costs across the world.

Visit www.theluxurycloset.com and shop for authentic brands, available to you at up to 70% off the original price.  Many items are pre-owned, which means not only can you purchase guilt-free, but you can sell your own luxury items too.


Be bold with a designer look this summer!

Thursday 27 June 2013

Celebrity-Coveted Barre-Based Fitness Company Physique 57 @Physique57 Goes Global @Physique57Dubai with Opening of First International Studio in Dubai this August 2013


Internationally renowned fitness company Physique 57 has announced the launch of its first international location in Dubai this summer with the opening of a state-of-the-art boutique studio in the heart of Jumeirah this August.

Physique 57 currently operates five luxurious studios: three in New York City, one in Beverly Hills and one in the Hamptons. With premium retail, award-winning DVDs, online workouts and a fitness and diet book, Physique 57 continues to foster an expanding global fan base and gorgeous physiques.

Since 2006, Physique 57 has been sculpting bodies and changing lives with their signature full body barre-based workout that blends intervals of cardio, strength training, stretching and recovery known to sculpt arms, thighs, seat and abs.  In each 57-minute class, muscles are targeted and overloaded to the point of fatigue, then stretched for relief. This process is called Interval Overload and helps to create a sexy, long, lean physique.

With a celebrity fan base that includes Demi Moore, Petra Nemcova and Emmy Rossum, the efficient and effective method attracts high-profile women from all over the world who flock to the winning combination of a challenging, dynamic and invigorating workout with inspirational instructors and a motivating class community within luxurious studios located in the best parts of each city.
Taking her first Physique 57 class in New York City was a life-changing moment for Maryam Fattahi Salaam, Owner of the Physique 57 Studio in Dubai. “Since its inception, Physique 57 has continued to raise the bar with an empowering and dynamic workout that delivers unbelievable results. However, this fitness method is so much more than a workout, it is a way of life,” says Fattahi Salaam, a lifelong Dubai resident, fitness enthusiast and attorney.

Certain that the combination of charismatic instructors, unparalleled method and incredible results would have her beloved city hooked, Maryam took action. She contacted Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi and Tanya Becker, co-founders of Physique 57®, with her proposal for a Physique 57® in CityWalk, Dubai's newest and most vibrant retail destination nestled in the heart of Jumeirah.

“We are excited to be taking Physique 57 to Dubai, the first step in responding to oft-expressed global demand for our unique exercise method. We’ve found the perfect partner in Maryam. Following the great success of our studios, we introduced the unique Physique 57 method to a broader audience by launching our award winning DVDs and recently, online streaming videos. Between the videos, our beautiful studios and global press coverage, we now have a strong
international following and Dubai, the new cross roads of the world, is an obvious choice for

expansion. With our involvement and Maryam’s passion for business and fitness, clients will enjoy the same world class instruction and experience they receive in our New York, Hamptons and Beverly Hills locations,” said Co-Founders Tanya Becker and Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi.

About Physique 57®
A New York City fitness favorite since 2006, Physique 57® sparked a barre studio craze with its sold out classes, cult following and celebrity clientele. Praised by press and regulars alike for its rapid results, the signature full body barre-based workout blends intervals of cardio, strength training, stretching and recovery to sculpt your arms, thighs, seat and abs and build gorgeous, long, lean muscles. 
Physique 57® has five upscale studios - three in Manhattan, one in the Hamptons and one in Beverly Hills. The studio offerings are complemented by fitness retail boutiques, award-winning DVDs, online workouts, and a widely celebrated book, The Physique 57 Solution, written by co-founders Tanya Becker and Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi.  For more information on Physique 57®, please visit www.physique57.com.

HP Powers Productivity with Next-generation Personal Systems, Printing for the Enterprise @hp

Offerings increase efficiency, productivity and cost savings

HP has announced an expanded portfolio of printing and personal systems products and solutions designed to help organisations save time and resources.

The new offerings integrate seamlessly into existing enterprise environments and advance the speed of the organisation by increasing efficiency in creating, accessing and consuming content.
New HP Pro and HP Elite series desktop PCs, including space-saving commercial all-in-ones (AiOs) with rich multimedia and optional touch screens, act as the hub of enterprise productivity. Additionally, cloud-based printing solutions and a mobile point-of-sale solution based on the HP ElitePad, HP’s first tablet built for business, aid growth and efficiency.
“Organisations need every advantage they can get to stay competitive and continue growing and thriving,” said Salim Ziade, General Manager, Printing and Personal Systems, HP Middle East. “By delivering technology that enables efficiency, productivity and, ultimately, cost savings, HP helps customers move to a more modern solution that addresses the changing demands of an active enterprise landscape.”

Traditional PC and print industries have to evolve as customers’ habits, business situations and lifestyles change. HP is leading the era of connections and experiences with a portfolio that reflects the evolution of how customers engage with technology, delivering mobile capabilities, touchscreen access and cloud-powered solutions.

Mobility and functionality

Enterprise customers need technology that can deliver the power of mobility while seamlessly integrating into their existing systems. New HP innovations include:

· HP Retail Jacket for ElitePad allows businesses to meet customer needs anywhere in the store with mobile point of sale and assisted selling capabilities. The new mobile solution, based on the HP ElitePad, integrates into retailers’ existing IT infrastructure, allowing them to connect to existing store systems and improve customer service.

· HP ePrint Enterprise 2.2(1) now includes integration with mobile device management (MDM) solutions from Good Technology™, a partner with more than 3,800 customers globally. The HP ePrint Enterprise for Good iOS app gives mobile users the ability to securely print from Good applications while allowing enterprise IT administrators flexible control of security policies for a variety of mobile configurations.


Effectiveness powered by the cloud

In today’s always-on digital world, organisations require greater control and real-time infrastructure access. The cloud offers new delivery models to help organisations improve marketing effectiveness, build business efficiency and expand client portfolios. HP cloud innovations include:

· HP Relate simplifies the creation of compelling, highly personalised documents from anywhere within the Salesforce environment. Available on the Salesforce AppExchange, the world’s leading business apps marketplace, HP Relate allows anyone using Salesforce to spend less time creating documents and more time engaging with current and potential customers. HP Relate will be available in the United States in summer 2013 via the Salesforce AppExchange at www.appexchange.com.

· HP Flow CM Professional(2) enhancements give customers of the cloud-based, content management solution additional security and flexibility with encryption at rest and support for the Android platform. The new encryption-at-rest feature helps to ensure that sensitive business content remains secure and encrypted when access controls such as user names and passwords fail. HP Flow CM Professional is currently available in the United States only.

Increased productivity

HP products, solutions and services enable efficient productivity for a variety of organisations, from retail storefronts to behind-the-scenes enterprise management, and specific business and government verticals.

· HP Pro and HP Elite series desktop PCs pack high-powered computing functions into a range of compact form factors that fit easily into any office environment, while offering the highest levels of security.

· HP Pro and HP Elite series AiO PCs offer additional options for office productivity, including available touchscreen capabilities and integrated near-field communications (NFC) for quick and convenient file sharing, enabling easy access to computing power in almost any spot in the office.

· Microsoft will retire Windows® XP in April 2014, ending support for the longstanding operating system. HP is helping enterprises modernise their technology while increasing employee productivity and minimising downtime by offering new AiO and desktop PCs preloaded with a choice of either Microsoft® Windows 7 or Microsoft Windows 8. HP also offers comprehensive and cost-effective migration services for enterprise and small and mid-size business (SMB) customers.

Commitment to the channel

In addition to empowering a broad range of organisations to take their business to the next level, HP also is extending its commitment to the channel with new offerings that allow channel partners to better serve their customers and deliver on their business objectives.

The HP Managed Print Specialist Resell program is operational and gives partners the ability to sell HP hardware and supplies under contract. There are already approximately 300 HP partners actively selling MPS solutions across EMEA.

HP Services

HP complements its products with solutions, services and resources to help customers take full advantage of their HP devices. In addition to extensive phone and online support offerings, HP Care Pack Services offer support packages that expand and extend standard warranties for HP hardware and software, installation services, and premium support options to meet the needs of business-critical IT environments.

Additional information about these offerings is available at www.hp.com/go/HPDiscover2013


Big On Children Sponsors Dubai Autism Center End of Year Party @DubaiAutism @BigOnChildren @SophiesDxb @KiducationDubai

Celebrating Engaging Activities with ‘Edutainment’ Products in Unique and Fun Learning Environment

Big On Children, UAE’s one-stop-shop for personalized children’s gifts, recently hosted a fun day of activities for students at the Dubai Autism Center in celebration of the end of year party.

As part of its continuous support to children with special needs, Big On Children celebrated the end of educational year with the children and teachers hosting entertaining and engaging activities with fun tunes from the popular Big On Children personalized music CDs and interactive edutainment products.

“Our company goal is to create fun and engaging products for children and we are keen to get involved in providing real solutions when it comes to edutainment for children, especially to those with special needs. Our personalized products are created to make all children feel special and focus on building their confidence and enhancing their abilities to communicate and interact with others,” said Samar Nabulsi, Big On Children Co-founder and Managing Director.

“We recognize that edutainment tools can be very effective for Children with Autism as it helps to increase students’ motivation to learn and encourage engagement by adding the entertainment element. Our aim is to support Dubai Autism Center and cooperate with them to provide unique and fun learning ideas for children with Autism and reach out to their families and UAE community,” added Samar.

During the day Big On Children showcased different edutainment products that are ideal for children from different age groups and can be useful for children with Autism to help them communicate in a unique and fun learning environment.

On this occasion Afaf Al Haddad - DAC Assistant Unit Head said: "The ’Big On Children’ management efforts to make the last day of this academic year truly memorable is commendable. The organizers took care of every single detail from a healthy menu to interactive activities that are not only fun but also enhance the students' skills. The center is really proud to be associated with such a company that is committed to providing quality events that addresses the students' education and nutrition needs. Big On Children involvement in the Autism cause will bring a new dimension to the meaning of CSR".

The day started with the screening of one of Big On Children’s most popular product, the Movie Star DVD, which is a personalized film that integrates images (picture of the child) in fun stories and adventures lasting over 20 minutes. Children had an exceptional visual experience watching the movie with the face of one of their teachers featured as the hero in the movie.



Children enjoyed an amazing interactive show by Mr. Twister from Kiducation Parties, UAE’s favorite Balloon Artist and the host of the famous TV show “Balloon World” on MBC3, accompanied with an exciting performance by Big On Children staff dancing and singing along with Big On Children fun tunes.

The younger children sat in to enjoy a story telling class with Big On Children interactive personalized Story Book CD, “My Day at Peek-a-Zoo” . Story Books CDs, one of Big On Children personalized products, are an amazing tool for teachers and parents to encourage children to read and learn in one of the exciting interactive and fun stories customized with the child’s name.



A healthy snack box was presented to each child from Sophie’s Gastro Café that is specialized in home-style fresh and natural food serving up an array of wholesome and healthy meals. A special treat for the kids was the Chocolate Zucchini Brownie, a new creation from the healthy range of Sophie’s cakes and pastries, dairy and gluten-free that is suitable for special diets.

FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP UAE 2013 TICKETS GO ON SALE TODAY! @fifaU17 @FIFAcom #u17wc


Venue packages now on sale for the 15th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Tickets for the highly anticipated FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 – taking place from October 17 to November 8 - go on sale to the public today on www.fifa.com/u17worldcup and through calling 800 STADIA (800 782342) toll-free from inside the UAE (+97156 2255927 from outside the UAE).
Ahead of the Official Draw on August 26, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) announced the sale of exclusive early bird venue packages at a special event in Dubai’s Wafi Mall. The venue packages allow fans to purchase a ticket for every match of the tournament in their selected host venue (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah) at a discounted rate.
Each venue offers two ticket categories, ranging from just 35AED for category two in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah up to 240AED for category one in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, meaning the UAE’s largest ever football celebration is affordable for all. Abu Dhabi venue packages include the third/fourth place match and the final, but fans opting for packages in other venues have the option to add the third/fourth place match and final to their package for 10AED (category two), or 40AED (category one).
The LOC celebrated this milestone by unveiling a special ‘Legends Wall’ in Wafi Mall, Dubai. The huge 6m x 3m wall was designed by renowned Dubai-based graffiti artists Sya & Bow, and features a young footballer volleying the official match ball of the tournament – the adidas Cafusa.
Fans and families are encouraged to get involved by leaving a good luck message on the legends wall for their favourite U-17 teams and players - the legends of tomorrow.
From Wednesday June 26 until Saturday June 29 the wall will be installed in the main entrance atrium area at Wafi Mall, where fans can leave their messages from 5.30pm – 9.30pm each day. At the end of the installation, tournament ambassador Omar Abdulrahman will choose his ten favourite messages and those ten lucky fans will win tournament merchandise signed by Omar himself.
Abdulrahman commented, “I am looking forward to seeing huge support for the tournament across the UAE. Fans around the world should log on to www.fifa.com/u17worldcup to secure their match tickets and get behind their team! This tournament has been the birthplace for many of the legends we see in the game today - international names like Luis Figo, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Petit and rising star Neymar all started out competing in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, so we can definitely expect to see some spectacular football.”
“This is a region that is crazy about football and with the 24 best U-17 teams in the world finally coming together in October to compete for the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy I am confident that tickets will sell fast.” said the 21-year-old UAE Player of the Year.
HE Mohammed Abdulla bin Bdoua, Tournament Director, added: “We are very excited to launch the FIFA U-17 World cup ticket sales to the public today. Our objective is to host a tournament where everyone is welcome and fans and families can enjoy a memorable experience at each of our six UAE stadiums. With less than four months to go until the tournament kicks off we urge fans to go out and buy their tournament ticket today.”
A total of 52 matches will be played over a three week period in six of the UAE’s top stadiums – Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah Stadium in Fujairah, Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, Rashid Stadium in Dubai and Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain.
The final 24 qualified nations will begin the tournament in six groups of four, with the top two teams in each group automatically qualifying for the Round of 16. The four best third-placed teams from the Group stages will also progress to the knock-out stages.          

The FIFA U-17 world Cup UAE 2013 Official Draw will take place on August 26, when single match tickets will also go on sale. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.fifa.com/u17worldcup. Check out all the latest tournament news with #u17wc on Twitter.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

McLaren Automotive announces new Regional Director for Middle East and Africa @McLarenAuto

  • Ian Gorsuch returns as McLaren Automotive Regional Director, Middle East and Africa 
Ian Gorsuch
McLaren Automotive has appointed Ian Gorsuch to the position of Regional Director, Middle East and Africa, to once again lead the company’s operations in the region.  Gorsuch will be based in Bahrain which is home of the McLaren Automotive Middle East and Africa regional office and the company’s principal shareholder Mumtalakat.  The move is effective from Monday 1 July.
Outgoing Regional Director, Mark Harrison, moves to a new senior role back at the McLaren Technology Centre headquarters in Woking, United Kingdom.
Gorsuch was responsible for launching McLaren Automotive in the Middle East and Africa in 2011, and returns to the region from Singapore where he was responsible for McLaren Automotive Asia.
Previous to McLaren Automotive, Gorsuch worked for luxury automotive brand Bentley Motors Limited, and with Champagne Krug in both commercial and customer service roles and has over ten years experience in the Middle East.
Commenting on his new Regional Director role Gorsuch said: I’m thrilled to be moving back to a region I know well, and inherit the role in a very strong position. This is thanks to the work over the last year by Mark and our network of retail partners in eight locations, across six countries in the region.”
Gorsuch continued: “I am looking forward to the meeting our 12C and 12C Spider customers and seeing our next generation ultimate supercar, the McLaren P1™, on the region’s roads as we start delivering the first cars to customers at the end of the year.”

Following the arrival in the region of 12C, the debut high performance sports car from McLaren Automotive and current Middle East Car of the Year, the brand has gone from strength to strength with sales exceeding expectations in the first half of this year, and the region’s allocation of the incredible McLaren P1™ has nearly sold out.

ICDL @ICDL_GCC holds its 12th computer summer camp centering on social media and cyber safety awareness


Annual event showcases private-public partnership in raising cyber vigilance among GCC teens

Jamil Ezzo
ICDL GCC Foundation, an organisation that advocates digital skills and Internet safety across the Gulf region, announced that its 12th ICDL Summer Camp programme will commence from June 30 to July 25. The annual event reflects a major and long-standing partnership between ICDL, government organisations, educational institutions and corporate citizens, all of which are buoyed by a common goal to promote digital and safety awareness among young people in the GCC.  
Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL GCC, said since the ICDL Summer Camp programme was launched in 2001, more than 50,000 regional youth have received the ICDL certification, motivating them to be more resourceful, committed and independent learners.

“The summer camp forms a major part of the foundation’s mission to raise digital awareness and increase technological adoption rate in order to encourage today’s youth to broaden their computer competency. The event also promotes new social skills through interaction with like-minded youth. Not only will participants gain new skills and have fun this summer, they will also obtain an international certification that is recognized for credit hours by many academic institutions worldwide,” Ezzo said.
Like in the past, this year’s summer camp will be supported by organisation from the public and private sectors, and this year ICDL is expecting record participation due to the introduction of new intriguing topics to kids in social media and IT security.
The content of the training will empower participants to acquire essential computer skills and be able to responsibly use the various social media websites. They will also be treated to a series of edutainment activities and exclusive gifts from event sponsors. Meals and transportation during the 4 weeks activity will also be provided.
The initiative, according to Ezzo, has been crucial especially in the GCC where Internet and mobile phone penetration levels, as well as mobile device ownership, are extremely high. Independent research company Portio, which focuses on studies about the mobile and wireless industry, predicted that the Middle East and Africa will outperform Europe as the second largest region for mobile subscribers by 2016.
“Social media and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have become an essential part of the GCC population’s daily life. They are used not only by adults and professionals, but also by students in their teens as well, which makes cyber safety and digital literacy skills all the more important in this part of the world,” Ezzo added.
Endorsed by educational authorities and supported by a growing number of industry leaders from the IT, media, leisure and various other sectors, the ICDL Summer Camp will be delivered through a regional coordinated effort between ICDL GCC Foundation and renowned academic institutions including: University of Sharjah, Kuwait University and Sultan Qaboos University,. Additional training providers will be assigned by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) including branches of HCT (Higher Colleges of Technology), Abu Dhabi University and UAE University in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western region. A number of privately owned accredited ICDL training centres across the region will also be running the initiative throughout the summer period.
Among ICDL’s industry partners this year include Coca-Cola, Canon, Brothers International, Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, Atlantis, Nokia, Seawings, Dreamland Aqua Park, Dubai Dolphinarium, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, HSBC, ITP Publishing, Sharaf DG andUPP printing.

For details regarding the ICDL Summer Camp, please log on to www.icdlgcc.org or contact +971 4 4540420. 

Tuesday 25 June 2013

SUMMER GETAWAY AT AL BUSTAN PALACE, A RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL @AlBustanPalace #worthavisit

Create Memories This Summer at the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel is introducing two packages this summer for GCC residents and guests looking to spend the hot summer months in the hotel’s lush and luxurious surroundings. 

GCC Summer Getaway 
Starting from OMR 85 per room per night, the GCC Summer Getaway package offers overnight accommodation, a sumptuous buffet breakfast for two adults at Al Khiran Terrace restaurant, and inclusive of service charge and tax. 

Family Fun 
Family Fun package offers attractive rates starting from OMR 145 per room per night with amenities suited to families on holiday such as overnight accommodation in two connecting rooms and breakfast for two adults and the little ones under 12 years old. The rate does not include service charge and tax. 
Recreational facilities in the palatial resort include the famed one-kilometre long private beach, a crystal blue infinity pool, a lagoon pool and well-manicured gardens. Families and couples may splash around in the four lagoons that run alongside the hotel, chill out by the serene infinity pool or take a stroll on the longest beach in the Sultanate. 
Inside the palace, a 39-metre high atrium, crowned with a cascading 18-metre high crystal chandelier makes more than just a stunning first impression. The Atrium Tea Lounge is the place to visit to indulge in delicious pastries and a selection of teas served in fine bone China. 

Both offers are available to book until September 21, 2013. For further information and reservations, guests may telephone +968 2476 4205 or email Reservations.Albustan@ritzcarlton.com or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/albustanpalace

New home grown company @healthyhomeME launches to offer first of its kind Indoor Environment improvement treatments



·         The Healthy Home Middle East launches with the goal to create awareness about Indoor Environment Control
·         The only company in the Middle East that leaves your mattress completely sanitized
·         Exclusive medical grade Ultra-Violet technology - remUVe® 


The Healthy Home, a Dubai-based home grown company that specializes in eliminating impurities and micro-organisms from all indoor environments, has launched with the goal to create awareness about Indoor Environment Control in order to improve the community’s overall well-being.

“The launch of the company holds significant value to the owner of The Healthy Home as he ventured through several solutions to improve his son’s health, who was suffering from mild asthma and hay fever at the age of 16 months. Today, due to his extensive research and the services that The Healthy Home now offers, his son is able to play like a normal toddler without the worries of frightening asthma attacks,” said Cecilia Humphreys, Sales and Marketing Manager, The Healthy Home.

The Healthy Home provides an innovative deep-cleaning and sanitizing treatment with a mission to eliminate dead or alive dust mites and their fragments from any home environment to limit exposure to indoor allergen. The company sanitizes the surface and inside of mattresses against dust mites, bed bugs, bacteria, mold and fungi.

The Middle East provides perfect breeding conditions for many impurities due to the extreme temperatures and humidity, poor indoor air quality due to the continuous use of air conditioning, double glazed windows that prevent direct UV sun light penetration (the first known natural disinfectant) and frequent sand storms and surrounding construction dust.

“At any given time there are two million dust mites living in your bed and the worst part is that these dust mites feed on you while you are sleeping at night, considering a person spends 1/3 of his or her life in bed! We want to educate people to take control of their own Indoor Environment and we want this message to go even further to the work place and commercial spaces like hotels, nurseries, offices and hospitals,” added Cecilia.

The dry, chemical-free and environment friendly treatment is performed in two steps:
Step 1:
·         A specialized industrial-strength pulsating vacuum device, that provides extreme vibration and suction to both sides of the mattress, is used to remove dust particles, fungal spores and other debris.
·         The Healthy Home specialized vacuums have 11 times the suction power of your regular off-the-shelf vacuum machine.
Step 2:
·         The exclusive medical grade sanitizing device is applied which uses powerful Ultra Violet light to destroy DNA, eliminating any remaining dust mites, bacteria, mold and other pathogens, leaving the mattress completely sanitized.
·         UV light mirrors the natural outdoor purification system of the sun, by decomposing the allergy and disease-causing microbes living and multiplying in unnoticed surfaces inside your home, while neutralizing unpleasant odors from the mattress ensuring freshness.

“We are committed to caring about our community’s well-being. We know that people are aware of the fact that they do not feel well and are experiencing different allergies in their homes which are some of the symptoms to look out for, however they don’t do anything about it as they blame their illnesses on the harsh weather conditions and their lifestyles. The smallest change to their Indoor Environment can have the biggest positive impact to their well-being,” concluded Cecilia.

Common symptoms to look out for are headaches, fatigue, red or watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and itchiness (throat, skin, nose, eyes). These symptoms can further lead to diseases that can have severe effects on people such as Rhinitis (Hay Fever), Sinusitis, Asthma, Eczema, Bronchitis and Conjunctivitis. The reality is that these impurities and micro-organisms are part of our lives however it is recommended that mattresses be sanitized at least twice a year, or every three months in case of any allergy sufferer in the household to prevent and alleviate these diseases.
 

To book your free demo or to schedule an appointment with your trusted go-to-partner for your indoor deep cleaning and sanitizing call 800 SANITIZE (800 72648493) or visit www.thehealthyhome.me.

LUSH dyeing to tell you about Henna @LushLtd

Everything you’ve been dyeing to know about henna!
LUSH fresh, hand-made cosmetics offers a highly original concept – henna hair colourants formulated with cocoa butter that come in solid block form.   Well-known for innovative ideas for beauty products – Lush solid henna blocks are free of any synthetic ingredients and contain simply the best Persian hennas and indigos.  The range is available in four colour variants: Marron, Noir, Rouge and Brun priced 90aed for 325g.  
We make our hair colours with no synthetic ingredients, not one.  We want everyone to know that it is perfectly possible to have beautifully coloured hair without covering your hair with chemicals, which then make their way into your body and into the environment, completely unnecessarily.
Lush offers the service of applying the Henna in our local stores across the UAE for a fee of 150aed and it includes one Henna block, application of the Henna and a knotwrap. The duration the Henna is left on hair depends on the hair length and clients are welcome to stay at the shop and the Lushies would wash it off or can leave and wash their hair at home. Please book your appointment prior to visiting at Any Lush Store- for Lush shops contact info, please go to www.lush.ae.
Which Henna is for me?
Because the Henna’s work like a varnish, the natural colour of your hair will still shine through the henna coating, meaning that the results will vary for different people. Generally, people with naturally blonde or grey hair will see a much more striking difference in their colour after a henna treatment than people whose hair is darker.
Rouge is the full-on red henna, turning blondes and greys into fiery redheads. Those with naturally dark brown hair will see a more subtle result; a warm natural red tone with a glossy sheen which will catch in the sun.
Marron will give blondes shiny hair the colour of autumn conkers. Brunettes will get a pleasing reddish tinge, though less pronounced than those using Rouge.
Brun will make blonde hair several shades darker, giving a rich coffee-coloured glaze. For brunettes, this is the Caca to use if you want the conditioning benefits of henna without drastically changing your natural colour.
Noir is mixed with indigo to give a black gloss with a very slight reddish tinge. All hair will go several shades darker after using Noir.
MORE ON HENNA
What is henna? 
Henna is a plant native to the Middle East, which has been used since ancient times to dye the skin and hair. The leaves are dried and ground into a powder and it is this powder that forms the basis of our Hennas.  We mix the finest Persian henna powder with conditioning cocoa butter to form it into a block, this also helps the henna to cling to your hair and so intensify the colour. We add some clove bud oil for perfume, as well as other natural ingredients to bring out the different shades in our four henna varieties.
Where we buy it …
The Iranian henna we use is cultivated in the Kerman Province of Iran and hand harvested twice a year by the local producers and their families. The Kerman Province is the biggest producing region of henna in Iran and is said to yield the best quality, giving its famous vibrant red colour that Lush loves.  Generally the henna is grown on privately owned farms that are scattered over the region with only a relatively small output (meaning that we cannot have our full annual supply from just one henna supplier, otherwise this would need to be a large monoculture of crop which is against Lush’s sustainability values). There are two crops in the summer: June-July and September-October.  The harvesting requires a certain level of expertise and skill, which is passed on through the generations by the families that grow henna.
After harvesting, the leaves are dried and then transported to Yazd where the milling and packaging happens. The mills in Yazd use very traditional methods of grinding the leaves into powder (no animals are used to power the grinding stone these days though!).  Before the dried leaves are ground into powder, they are sifted to remove twigs and stems (if there are too many present then the quality of powder and colour is reduced).  Our supplier checks and buys only the best quality henna from the mill in Yazd before it is delivered to Lush.
How is henna different from a chemical dye? 
The outer covering of a hair consists of cuticles - these look a bit like the scales on a fish when viewed under a microscope – which normally lie flat and protect the central shaft of the hair containing the cells which give hair its colour.  Chemical dyes work by forcing the cuticles open and pouring colour underneath them, permanently dyeing the hair. However, once the cuticles have been lifted in this way they will never quite go back the same or lie as flat, making your hair feel rough and out of condition. As you keep re-colouring over time, cuticles will start to break and your hair will feel thinner and lose its shine. Instead of forcing the cuticles open with chemicals, henna coats them in a protective layer of glossy natural colour. Think of it as a varnish covering each hair and thickening it, giving it shine and making it more manageable. It’ll add weight to flyaway hair, calm and soften frizzy hair and smooth hair that tends to be affected by static or tangles. Henna really is the ultimate conditioning treatment!
Meet the Inventor
Mark Constantine OBE – LUSH MD, Inventor & Co-Founder.  Mark is also a qualified Trichologist (hair/scalp health), who started his career working in an Elizabeth Arden salon in London’s West End.
 “The question of the dangers of using hair dyes that come into contact with the scalp has been lurking within the hair care industry for many years.   In fact, I wrote a book on herbal hair care and using natural colourants as far back as 1978 at a time when there was another major scandal relating to dyes.  Sadly, not much has been done since then to educate and advise the consumer.   The truth is that the chemicals used in hair colourants are highly toxic.  They are known mutants and go right through the body.”
 “I suspect that, a little like smoking, people will still go on using hair dyes, particularly since natural hair dyes do have their limitations, so I doubt you can ban them, but there are alternatives on the market.“
Mark co-founded LUSH in 1995 with six co-founders including wife Mo. Mark is the driving force behind the business and also works as part of the product development team creating ground-breaking haircare, skincare & body creams and spa treatments. It is Mark’s beliefs and morals that LUSH is based on, that have become the backbone of the company. LUSH’s stringent ‘animal testing policy’ is just one example of how his strong beliefs have transformed the cosmetics industry.  

To pick up these and many more ethical, cruelty free cosmetics visit Lush shops nationwide in DCC, MCC, The Dubai Mall, Mercato in Dubai and IN AL Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, soon to open in Dalma Mall. For shop details or for Lush online go to www.lush.ae

Frequently Asked Questions About Ramadan and Diabetes - ICLDC answers these queries!



1.    Can I fast during Ramadan if I have diabetes?

For the majority of people with type 2 diabetes it is perfectly safe to fast during Ramadan provided that you prepare well and talk to your doctor. However it is not safe for everyone with diabetes to fast. Your ability to safely fast will depend on your medication. It will also depend on how well your diabetes is controlled, especially if you’re prone to either frequent high (Hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia).

You must realise the importance of your medical assessment before you start, especially if you are taking any medication. Your doctor will guide you to create a fasting plan which works for you.

People with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk compared to those with type 2 diabetes when fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

It is very important that as a type 1 diabetes patient intending to fast you should be closely supervised and have your blood sugar regularly monitored to mitigate health risks.

2.    Do I need to go on a special diet during Ramadan, if I have diabetes?

No, you do not need to eat differently. In fact you should eat normally with the only difference being the time you eat rather than quantity or type of food consumed.

ICLDC’s nutritionist Rahma Al Ketbi says that the Ramadan diet should be kept simple and not much different from your normal daily diet. It should contain foods from all the food groups including:

Bread, cereals or rice
Meat, chicken, fish or beans
Milk, laban or yogurt
Fruits and vegetables

Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast, just after sunset. It comes after the long hours of fasting. However, it is important that it remains a meal and not become a feast!

You must also be very aware of the need to drink enough to remain hydrated during fasting hours.

One other thing to be particularly aware of is the risk of increasing blood sugar levels after iftar, especially with sweet foods.

  1. How many people have diabetes, worldwide, and where does the UAE rank?

2012 figures from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) suggest that 371 million people are living with diabetes, worldwide.

In the UAE, diabetes currently affects 18.9 per cent of the population, placing the nation eleventh worldwide for countries with the highest diabetes prevalence per capita.

It is also important to note that diabetes is a regional challenge. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar all feature in the top ten countries, worldwide.

These statistics indicate that the region has high risk factors for diabetes, mostly related to rising obesity rates and physical inactivity.

Indeed, rapid economic growth, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet have all contributed to increased obesity and have fuelled diabetes prevalence in the region. It is important that we stay focused on educating region-wide populations on the management and prevention of diabetes.

  1. What is the age range of people affected?

People of most ages are affected by diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition where the pancreas is attacked by auto-antibodies causing it to fail. It mostly develops before adulthood in younger people and remains with them throughout their life.

Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is mainly brought on by an unhealthy, inactive lifestyle, weight gain and genetics. Obesity is known to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

However with the rise in childhood obesity in recent years, the picture has changed. Recent statistics show that 10 per cent of children and adolescents - between 16 and 17 years old, suffer from obesity, worldwide. In the UAE, figures suggest that a third of the population is obese, with many of those school children.

Indeed, there has been an increase of type 2 diabetes in younger people due to obesity linked to physical inactivity and unhealthy diets.

  1. Which group of people is most affected age/gender etc?

Most people living with diabetes are between 40 to 59 years, although recent research is showing a worrying rise among younger age groups.

As for gender distribution, the estimates for both 2003 and 2025 showed a female predominance in the number of persons with diabetes. The female numbers were about 10 per cent higher than for males.

There was also a female predominance in the number of persons with pre-diabetes in the estimates for both 2003 and 2025. The female numbers were about 20 per cent higher than for males.

  1. We are seeing more children with type 2, even though it normally only appears in adults over the age of 40; Why is that?

Research has indicated that type 2 diabetes is mainly brought on by an unhealthy, inactive lifestyle and weight gain. In recent years, we have seen a (rapid) spread over all age groups.

Among children, type 2 diabetes is fast becoming recognised as a global public health issue with potentially serious health outcomes.

In the UAE we are hopeful that through our public health awareness campaign ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’, we will be able to help children and adults alike living with, or at the risk of developing diabetes. Also through research we hope to determine why diabetes occurs at such high levels in the country and instigate further preventative measures.

  1. How many people are believed to have diabetes but are undiagnosed?

According to the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas in 2012, around half of the estimated 371 million people with diabetes worldwide were unaware they had it.

There is a similar trend in the UAE as the IDF estimates that just under half of the people with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease.

8.    What are the main causes of diabetes in the UAE e.g the triggers and factors contributing to diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that is characterised by an above normal level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

It is characterised by either a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin. 

This is because the pancreas does not make enough insulin or insulin becomes ineffective. Insulin, a hormone generated in the pancreas, normally controls blood sugar levels and allows the glucose to enter the cells in the body to provide energy. In type 2 diabetes resistance to insulin is aggravated by obesity.

In people with diabetes, high levels of glucose remain in the bloodstream causing hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar).

Those at increased risk include individuals who have a history of diabetes in their family, people over 40, those who are overweight or obese and inactive individuals.

Many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and obese and this is an important factor in causing diabetes.

  1. Is diabetes a big concern in the UAE - and why?

Yes, diabetes has generally been on the rise in the UAE. According to the International Diabetes Federation’s World Diabetes Atlas 2012, the UAE is ranked 11th worldwide, with 18.9 per cent of the UAE population living with diabetes

There seems to be a genetic predisposition to the disease among UAE nationals and statistics show that they have a higher prevalence than other nationalities within the UAE.

Tendencies towards an inactive lifestyle, weight gain, an imbalanced diet and/or a lack of exercise seem to be major contributors.

Research is on-going with the overriding aim to help explain why diabetes occurs at such high levels in the country. This will also help instigate preventative measures.

  1. What are some of the serious effects of diabetes you are seeing in the UAE?

Diabetes brings with it serious complications related to the heart, eyes, blood vessels, kidneys, feet and nerves.

Some of the cases that we have witnessed in the UAE are:

Diabetic eye disease including diabetic retinopathy is a key cause of blindness, occurring as a result of long-term accumulated damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. After 15 years of diabetes, approximately two per cent of people become blind, and about 10 per cent develop severe visual impairment.

Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves as a result of diabetes, and affects up to 50 per cent of people with diabetes. Although many different complications can occur as a result of diabetic neuropathy, common symptoms are tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the feet and hands. Combined with reduced blood flow, neuropathy in the feet increases the chance of foot ulcers and eventual limb amputation.

Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure. Approximately 10-20 per cent of people with diabetes die from this complication.

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. People with type 2 diabetes are over twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as people who do not have diabetes.

Overall, the risk of premature death among people with diabetes is at least double the risk of those without diabetes. According to statistics, mortality linked to diabetes mellitus constitutes 75 per cent of the deaths among UAE nationals and 31 per cent among non-nationals

  1. Is there much awareness of diabetes and how to prevent it amongst the UAE population?

Diabetes is now on the country’s top list of health concerns and is being tackled through awareness campaigns that focus on lifestyle changes. 

We believe that at governmental level the UAE is taking steps in the right direction by planning various nutrition and physical activity programmes in addition to driving public awareness campaigns.

Certainly, at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre we have contributed with a public health awareness campaign ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’.

Launched in 2007 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ is our multi-faceted public health awareness campaign.

‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ is focused on disseminating knowledge surrounding diabetes prevention, symptoms and lifestyle support activities.

The campaign aims to inform the UAE community of the simple smart steps to maintain a healthy life, the risks of an unhealthy life, the complications that diabetes brings with it while making available the latest evidence-based treatments.

It aims to help prevent the number of diabetes patients through education and encourage testing for diabetes on a nationwide level so that people learn if they are affected or at risk.

The campaign’s main aim is to communicate how easy it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by adopting a balanced diet and taking a 30-minute brisk walk each day.

The campaign presently has four pillars:

  • Eat for Life invites children, parents and carers to consider what makes a balanced diet.

  • Cook for Life looks to inspire families to cook healthy meals.

  • Play for Life promotes regular exercise for healthy living to corporate teams.

  • Walk for Life encourages the community to take at least a 30-minite brisk walk each day. Now in its seventh year, more than 17,000 people are expected to join in the nation’s leading annual Walk 2013 on November 15, to pace the five kilometre main walk around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.