Raphael Stevens

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    in lifestyle and culture

    The real story behind the Middle East’s first domestic violence crisis platform

    Shamsaha is a groundbreaking platform in the Middle East – the first of its kind helping victims of domestic and sexual violence in the region.
    First launched in 2016 in Bahrain, the platform has now unveiled its 24/7 crisis support mobile app, making its crisis advocacy services available to women across the Middle East for the first time.
    From its inception, Shamsaha has aimed to focus on women’s empowerment and protection programs, offering support services in both English and Arabic. However, for the platform’s founder, Mary-Justine Todd, getting Shamsaha off the ground was no easy feat.
    “In the beginning, everyone said to me ‘it will never happen’, or ‘you’ll never get a permit’,” she tells Emirates Woman. “There were a lot of naysayers.”
    There was also a lot of red tape to jump through and Todd even admits she didn’t realise “how hard it would be”. However, when you’re breaking boundaries to become “the first”, naturally there will be hurdles to jump through.
    With perserverance the platform launched six years ago and since then the only way has been up. Not only has Shamsaha now launched its mobile app, the organisation has a long-term partnership with globally renowned beauty conglomerate L’Oreal.
    To learn more about the story behind the platform and its recent app launch, Emirates Woman sat down with Todd to discuss the ins and outs of Shamsaha.
    What inspired you to launch a 24/7 crisis support mobile application?
    When someone is going through what may be one of the worst times in their life, the only thing that can make it better is to know that they are not alone and I know how important that is. I wanted to do what I could, to ensure that women never had to face violence or abuse and suffer with it alone.
    Shamsaha is the first and only domestic violence crisis response programme in the Middle East, how was this a challenge and how did you overcome this?
    In the beginning, everyone said to me “it will never happen”, or “you’ll never get a permit”. There were a lot of naysayers. However, for me at the time, naivety was bliss. I didn’t realize how hard it would be, or how many hurdles we would have to surmount. But this was a good thing, because each time we face a problem, albeit about registration, or funding, or support, I just kept thinking that we would solve it. And so eventually we solved all the major problems and here we are.

    The application provides 24/7 assistance. Was this the motive from the outset?
    Violence and abuse do not keep to a schedule. Nor is it isolated to any one group or class of people. Violence against women cuts across all socioeconomic strata and affects women equally all over the world. Therefore, when a woman finds a window and is able to make the courageous choice to reach out for help, we must be reachable and that may be at 2 am or on Saturday morning. That is our duty so, we are there.
    What protocol do you follow for onboarding your volunteering advocates?
    Shamsaha’s Crisis Advocacy training is approved by the American National Advocacy Credentialling Programme (NACP) which is the women’s crisis regulatory support body in the USA. All of our volunteer advocates must complete a comprehensive NACP-approved 40-hour training programme before they get their crisis advocacy certification, after which they are eligible to serve as women’s crisis advocates. The training includes topics such as domestic and sexual violence in depth; subconscious bias, using trauma-informed practices, women in the media; and more. We ensure that every volunteer is highly trained and ready to support women during their time of need.

    With over 15 years of experience in the industry to accomplish women’s empowerment and equality, how have you incorporated this into the application?
    Everything that we do at Shamsaha, including all of our support programmes for women is done in the spirit of intersectional feminism. Though the definition of feminism is debated, in general, it means to believe that the subordination of women is undesirable and that changing that is desirable. To do so with an intersectional spirit means to continuously think of, ask, and incorporate the needs of all women into the programming, rather than assuming that any one woman’s experience (such as mine – coming from an upper-middle-class white American community) is not considered the essential experience, to ensure inclusivity of all voices. Not until all women are empowered be it rich or poor, can any woman be truly empowered.
    Could you elaborate on the main features that set this application apart?
    Shamsaha is the first and only full-scale women’s crisis response programME in the Middle East, making our app the only one of its kind as well. With the new Shamsaha, mobile phone application women from all over the Middle East and North African region will be able to reach out and receive 24/7 support in English or Arabic from a specially trained volunteer. Using a survivor-centred approach, we provide emotional and informational support for victims of domestic abuse, along with an easily accessible list of community resources.
    Did you notice a stark increase in the number of domestic violence cases during the COVID-19 lockdown?
    Globally, there was an average increase of 45 per cent in the incidence of violence against women. Looking at a three-month average before and after the onset of the initial lockdowns in Bahrain, in March 2020, Shamsaha had a 41 per cent increase in cases reporting abuse. So the levels we faced were similar to that of the rest of the world. But the fact remains that when there is a global crisis, such as an economic crisis, or natural or man-made disasters, women often suffer first and suffer the most.
    What’s your advice for women to help each other and reach their best selves?
    Don’t judge anyone. Don’t give advice to anyone. Just be kind and be there for each other. An affirmation that I use every day and try to live by is as follows: I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy. Concentrate and think deeply about what each word means for you and in your life to access your most inspired self and live in a state of flow.
    The L’Oréal Fund for Women was born to empower women at risk and reach women worldwide. How does it feel to be supported by an entity that imbibes the same values?
    I am absolutely honoured to be partners with L’Oreal. They are an amazing corporation with an incredible team of women. Alexandra Palt the president of the L’Oreal Fund for Women is one of the smartest, most progressive, thoughtful and intelligent women I know.
    Are there any innovative features that you wish to incorporate in the future?
    The next phase of development for the app will be substantial. We intend to actually redevelop the entire app and break it into two separate apps. You can think of it like the Uber driver app which will be our volunteers and the Uber user app which will be the victims of abuse and the general public. This will allow us to incorporate an even more robust communication system that includes additional features for countries all over the world such as transportation and food delivery. We are currently fundraising for this next phase and hope to begin development in early 2023.
    To find out more information visit shamsaha.org
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Pexels @lizasummer More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    I Moved Across the Country for a New Job—Here’s How

    Since I was 14, I wanted to live in Boston. I spent a couple summers there at a young age and fell in love with everything about it. From then on, I dreamed of living in a brownstone on the cobblestone streets and drinking my Dunkin’ coffee on the T (if you know, you know).
    I grew up in the west. For the first 18 years of my life, Montana, and for the next eight years, Nevada. I remember working internship after internship saying to myself “Boston, Boston, Boston” over and over again to manifest this dream into reality. 
    After 12 years of wishing—I made the move.
    Making a change like this can be scary. Take it from me, not only did I uproot my life from Nevada to Massachusetts, I made a big career move too! Relocating for a job is terrifying because what if you fail? My question to you is, what if you don’t? If you’ve had a similar dream but are afraid of everything that comes with a big move, this article is for you. We’ll dive into how I got the job, prepped for the move, and finally took the leap.
    Here’s how I made my dream come true:

    I Wasn’t Afraid to Talk to People
    Prior to applying to jobs across the country, I reached out to anyone and everyone I knew in my current market that had moved to a new city for a job or had connections in Boston specifically. I reached out for coffee, drinks, and anything else I could do to chat with people that would be able to offer some guidance.
    I initially knew of a few people off the top of my head. To take it further, I reached out to past professors, classmates, and colleagues at different internships I had. I wasn’t afraid to tell people around me about my plans and dreams, and the more I talked about it, the more doors opened as people told me they knew someone that knew someone that lived in Boston or had followed a similar path.
    Tip: A great way to do this if you don’t know where to start is to get on LinkedIn and see if any of your connections work at companies you like or live in the market you are interested in!
    By doing this, I was able to fine-tune my resume, build relationships with people in my industry, and even talk to a few people who had worked in my dream market. The best part? Everyone was willing and excited to offer help, and while I didn’t land a job this way, the advice I received was invaluable to help get me there.
    Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask for help, and make connections with people that may seem out of reach. Chances are, they’d love to assist someone with a similar dream.

    Source: Color Joy Stock

    I Got Real With My Budget
    In order to make this move, I had to get real about how much I would need to have in savings in order to get an apartment and get myself and my belongings over there. I also had to look at my finances and expenses to decide how much I would need to make once I got off the plane.
    I sat down with all of my monthly expenses and created a budget that included my estimations for the city. From there, I was able to go into job interviews knowing exactly what I needed to make in order to live in my dream city.
    Here are a few things I did to get ready:

    I took a look at rent prices for apartments and talked to anyone I knew that had lived in a similar market to gauge how much it would cost. This was important because different cities have different protocols for securing apartments. For example, broker fees and deposits can vary.
    I outlined my “needs” such as my estimated rent, utilities, phone bill, and groceries.
    I researched gyms in the area to get an idea of what they would cost per month.
    I reviewed the subscriptions I had and canceled anything unnecessary (this was a big one).
    I outlined my “wants”—nails, hair—the fun stuff.
    I realized that my lifestyle might have to change for a bit, but I accepted that that was okay because I knew the sacrifice would be worth it in the end.

    Once I got there, I pivoted as needed based on true prices, and I pivoted fast. I cut back on things I couldn’t fit into my budget and set goals for myself for future income in order to get where I wanted to be.

    Source: @Calpak

    I Didn’t Give Up
    Once I felt good about my resume, had talked to others that had taken the same path, and felt confident enough to put myself out there—I started applying. And let me tell you, this part wasn’t easy.
    For over a year and a half, I worked. I took interviews at 5 a.m. to talk to companies on the east coast before my day job. I worked during the day to continue to build my experience and portfolio, and at night, I applied to more jobs. At times, and after being ghosted by company after company, I thought it would never happen.
    And while I will always recommend having another job lined up before making a move, I did get to a point where it was time to take the leap without a set “plan.” Before I was anywhere close to ready, with no future job set-up—I gave my current company notice (a full six months so they could find a replacement and I could get all my ducks in a row).
    As soon as I made my decision and decided I knew this would happen for me, the universe answered. What can I say? Manifestation works. Within a few weeks of giving my company notice, I landed a job in Boston.
    While I had told my current company one timeline (six months), the universe had another timeline in store for me. And while it certainly wasn’t ideal to have to change the timing of my resignation from my employer, I had luckily worked hard to establish a solid relationship (and had AMAZING bosses), so when I had to make the shift, I was able to discuss my new plan and was met with their support.
    I ended up negotiating with my new employer in Boston to give me six weeks prior to starting. Between wanting to give my current role ample time to transition (pro tip: new employers actually like to see your loyalty!) and needing to pack up my entire life, they were more than willing to work with me. And so, I gave my current company a one-month notice and started wrapping things up and planning for my future.

    I Took It All In
    I lived for nearly five years in Boston. I made friends, moved up in my career, and created relationships with colleagues and people on the east coast that I will never take for granted. But after all those years of city life, I decided it was time to move back west to spend time with my family and take advantage of the new remote working world many of us now live in. It wasn’t an easy decision, and there’s a chance I’ll even be back on the east coast someday, but after working my way up at my company and proving to myself that I could do it, I was ultimately ready for a change… again.
    Looking back on my time in Boston, I have little regret. I did the best I could, and I grew in both my professional and personal life more than I could have ever imagined. The only thing I wish is that I had realized I was living my dream while I was in it. The biggest lesson I learned is that we never truly realize how lucky we are in each stage of life until the stage is gone. So once you accomplish your dream, don’t forget to soak it up—don’t forget to breathe it in. 

    How I Made the Leap From Full-Time to Freelancer Without Going Broke More

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    in health and weelbeing

    How To Recreate the Viral Hailey Bieber Smoothie on a Budget

    If there’s one thing I’m always on the lookout for, it’s tips on how to achieve flawless, glowing skin. Luckily, we have celebrities like Hailey Bieber to let us in on their skincare secrets. Well known for her flawless skin, she recently launched her own beauty line, Rhode. While Rhode currently has a waitlist, her viral Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie does not. 
    Launched at Erewhon Market in June, Hailey Bieber’s limited-edition smoothie includes skin-enhancing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (which, by the way, I did not know you could ingest) and sea moss, which Erewhon described as a “wellness supporting ingredient.” Coming in at $17, this smoothie promises to have your skin glowing from the inside out. If you’re like me and don’t have an Erewhon Market nearby, or if you want to save money (doesn’t everyone?), you can easily re-create the viral smoothie from the comfort of your own kitchen. To find out if the smoothie is worth the hype, I tested it out for myself. 

     
    How to re-create the smoothie
    I followed the recipe Vital Proteins shared on their TikTok, which omits the hyaluronic acid and sea moss, making it more budget-friendly. Although these two ingredients are the stars of the smoothie show, don’t worry. This recipe is still packed with nutrient-dense flavors that are great for your skin. That being said, if you want to make the smoothie more authentic to the one sold at Erewhon Market, hyaluronic acid and sea moss are both available to order online. The recipe I followed does call for a strawberry glaze, which you can make yourself. For a more convenient option, it can also be purchased from the store, or you can use an alternative like strawberry jam or preserves. 

    Once I had my ingredients assembled, it was as simple as tossing them into my Nutribullet and blending until everything was well combined. In the meantime, I used the back of a spoon to spread coconut cream and strawberry glaze onto the sides of my drinking glass. You can skip the aesthetics and put both ingredients at the bottom of your glass for the same effect. 
    Before trying the smoothie out for yourself, I’d be remiss not to mention some quick tips. Depending on your blender, you may need to cut up the dates prior to blending to save yourself from big chunks of dates. Additionally, make sure to blend the smoothie thoroughly so that the collagen powder is well incorporated. Lastly, while dates, maple syrup, and strawberry glaze contain naturally-occurring sugars, the amount this smoothie calls for is something to be mindful of. If you want to make it less sweet, you can simply use only one date or omit the maple syrup or strawberry glaze altogether. 

    My thoughts as a registered dietitian
    I absolutely loved the texture of this smoothie. Thanks to the avocado, it was thick and creamy and much fluffier than other smoothies I’ve tried. The taste reminded me of a strawberry milkshake, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a delicious post-workout snack or an on-the-go breakfast option.
    For me, smoothies are my go-to summer breakfast, and I can definitely see myself adding this to my weekly smoothie rotation. I personally love to toss a handful of greens into all my smoothies for an extra nutrient boost, which I plan on doing with this recipe in the future. Chia seeds are my favorite smoothie topping to aid in digestion, and I think they would make an excellent match for this glowing skin smoothie. 
    While this smoothie does contain some amazing ingredients for your skin (think: healthy fats from the avocado, vitamin C from the strawberries, and collagen for tissue support), I wouldn’t say it’s a magic cure-all for your skincare woes. As always, staying hydrated and eating a well-rounded diet rich in plants and other whole foods will provide essential nutrients to protect and keep your skin healthy. 

    Elevate Your Morning Routine With This Celebrity-Favorite Breakfast More

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    in health and weelbeing

    Experiencing an End-of-Summer Health Slump? Here’s How To Get Out of It

    PSA: Starbucks‘ Pumpkin Spice Latte is returning on August 30. That can only mean one thing: Summer is on its way out. And bidding adieu to sun-kissed skin, laid-back vibes, and the peak of hot-girl-walk season is a hard pill to swallow. If you’re like me and experiencing the so-called “August Blues” (think: “Sunday Scaries,” but lasting for a month) as summer is coming to an end, the feelings of sadness and anxiety have set in. Your wellness routine is nowhere to be found, and you’re in an in-between funk. Sound familiar?
    Whether it’s the dog days of summer (extreme heat and humidity that leaves you exhausted), your going-out-and-drinking-more summer habits, or the notion that everyone else is on a European excursion while you’re at work, the August Blues are real. The silver lining? There are simple ways to get motivated and prevent playing Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness on repeat. Ahead, seven tips to get you out of your end-of-summer health slump and start looking forward to fall (read: pumpkin spice everything). 

    1. Prioritize your mental health 
    When it comes to health, we often only think of and take care of the physical aspect. But if the last couple of years has taught us anything, it’s how equally important it is to prioritize our mental health. It goes without saying that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health, so get in sync with your mind and body and listen to what you truly need. Perhaps that looks like seeking help from a therapist, reaching out to a family member, or taking a walk with a friend. Bottom line: Rather than isolating yourself in your slump, turn to your support system. 

    2. Set new goals 
    You know that excitement you get from getting something new—a workout set, an apartment, a relationship, a desk organizer (#adulting)? Goals should be no different. Let’s say your health routine has gone out the window (and that’s OK)–start fresh by developing a new set of small goals to strive for. If your eating habits are bringing you down, make it a point to grocery shop and meal prep over the weekend so you have ready-to-go healthy fare on hand for the week. Maybe your social calendar has been so packed that you haven’t taken any time for yourself. Schedule a self-love date every week where you try a new hobby, volunteer, or re-read a favorite book. 

    3. Make future plans that will bring you joy
    When you have something to look forward to, you look to the future instead of dwelling on what was or should’ve been. So whether it’s booking your dream vacay (or a staycation), meeting a friend for a long overdue catch-up, or nabbing tickets to a Harry Styles concert, pencil in things in the near future that will give you a boost of feel-good energy. Whatever you schedule, make sure it’s out of pure joy and not out of obligation or FOMO. In other words, be intentional with your time and fill it with what you value. The result? You’ll only have plans you’re excited about, and the August Blues will be a distant memory. 

    4. Catch up on your Zzzs
    It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. A restless night or lack of sleep altogether can lead to not only those horrifying dark circles, but also mood swings and anxiety. And let’s face it: Summer has a way of putting us in vacay mode (even when we’re technically not) and keeping us up later at night, making it harder to get quality shut-eye. What’s a girl to do?! For starters, make the last call for alcohol or food 2-3 hours before you hit the hay and cut off caffeine at lunchtime. If your sleep schedule is out of whack (same), try establishing a sleep routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. Lastly, keep it cool—your bedroom, that is. The temperature sweet spot is between 65-72 degrees.

    5. Get moving 
    If there was such a thing as a cure-all, it would be movement. From enhancing your mood and promoting better sleep to giving your sex life some oomph, I could go on and on about the benefits of exercise (I’ll spare you). So dust off your gym shoes and get those endorphins going again with your workout of choice. And for bonus points, do it outside (you might as well take advantage of the warm weather while we’ve got it). Take to the streets for a hot girl walk, channel your inner Pilates girl, or see for yourself what all the hype is about with pickleball. 

    6. Use your PTO 
    Sometimes a break from everyday life or a change in scenery is all it takes to get out of a slump. Ladies, it’s time to push the, “I’ll take my PTO next year when things slow down” or “I’m saving up my PTO for when I take a big trip,” aside and take some much-needed and much-deserved time off. Take one day to catch up on some self-care or a few days to visit an old college friend. Either way, hitting reset will help avoid burnout, increase productivity, and reduce stress. In fact, according to a study released by the American Psychological Association, vacations can improve mood and reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with stress and anxiety. You don’t have to take a week-long trip—even a three-day respite has been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. If you can’t take time off from work, dedicate your day(s) off to breaking away from the day-to-day and doing something that fills your cup. 

    7. Refresh your home and look
    I feel like a new person when I get my hair done (who’s with me?). In the same vein, my home has a renewed energy after I’ve given it a good clean or decorated it with a new piece of art. For a mini-makeover and mood-booster in one, get that haircut you’ve been eyeing, update your wardrobe, switch up your bedding, or add a houseplant to the mix. And if you’re on a tight budget or sustainability is your middle name, you’d be surprised what a difference a little consignment shopping and rearranging furniture can make. 

    6 End-of-Summer Outfits for When You’re Over the Heat More

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    How Mysk Al Badayer’s luxe Sharjah retreat takes you back in time

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    1 hour ago

    Situated amidst the heart of Sharjah, Mysk Al Badayer is a traditional resort that projects the Emirati lifestyle with a modern touch.
    From sunsets over the endless dunes to a plethora of handcrafted dining options, this resort is backed by an authentic cultural experience for guests to have a complete 360-degree experience.
    Whether you’re looking for a refined family escape or a romantic getaway, this property will ensure guests go back in time as each element of the retreat has an ancient story to tell.
    To understand more about this sophisticated property, Emirates Woman sat down with Shafik Alaaeddine, the Area General Manager of Mysk Hotels.
    The general design of the room is reminiscent of caravanserais. What inspired this concept?
    The entire retreat was built on the concept of a caravanserai – an oasis nestled in the dunes, a meeting point for travellers to discover heritage, culture and adventure. Our interiors are an expression of traditional architecture, not cliché, yet maintaining elements of the Arabian culture. You can choose between staying in a traditional tent with a private pool or in a heritage room, depending on the journey you would like to foster.

    The property is an ode to the Emirati lifestyle. How did you manage to incorporate this throughout the retreat?
    Close your eyes and imagine a caravanserai coming from a long way along the Silk Road. That would be the perfect example of what the Mysk Al Badayer Retreat presents. A picturesque desert stop set against the sweeping dunes of central Sharjah. Live in a traditional Arabian castle from the age of times decorated with the comfort of modernity. Rooms are all adorned with Arabian culture and ornaments, leaving you with 1001 memories to reminisce about. The outdoor pool resembles an oasis, where the dwellers of the desert can relax and enjoy the sun.
    Mysk Al Badayer offers a traditional culinary experience, can you tell us more about how this has been carefully curated?
    Mysk Al Badayer Retreat will offer a traditional culinary experience for in-house guests as well as non-residents. Al Madam Restaurant is characterised by a contemporary design and interpretation of a modern-day eatery with elements of local charm. Al Madam offers a buffet breakfast, either buffet or set menu for lunch and dinner, and an à la carte menu covering international and regional fare. We also have a separate area upstairs, perfect for group seating with tailored menus as per choice, mainly for leisure or MICE groups.
    What main aspects constantly draw customers back to the property?
    The personal touch. We are a boutique retreat, where every individual guest is personally taken care by our trained staff. Due to the small size of our inventory, we are able to focus on personalised services and guest experiences. Each tent is also equipped with a Morafik that takes care of the guest’s needs 24/7 and it adds up to the overall oasis experience. The professionalism of the staff, their care and attention to detail, and the diversified and handcrafted Mysk Guest experiences are what usually attract customers to come back over and over to the property.
    The property offers a host of adrenaline-fuelled activities. Could you tell us more?
    Mysk Al Badayer retreat is created as a melting point for heritage, culture and adventure. It offers a lot for adventurers. Spend the day lounging as you enjoy the sun on your skin or go on an adrenaline-fueled adventure exploring the desert’s gems with desert safaris, quad biking, sand boarding, dune bashing, stargazing and falconry displays. Take a stroll along the golden glistening sand as it mystically sets on your vibrant energy with every footprint engraved along its path or go for a hiking trail through the mystique fossil rocks of Al Faya. Mysk Al Badayer has all the possibilities to encounter a raw desert at its fullest forms.

    From stargazing to Archery, guests have more than enough to do on the property. What are some of the upcoming activities in the next few months?
    We are enhancing the movie under the stars experience while adding more exposure to the zorb ball activity in the retreat and expanding on more Arabian journeys to allow our guests to be fully immersed in the desert experience. We are focusing on more desert F&B experiences as well such as afternoon tea by the dunes, romantic dinner surrounded by the dunes, outdoor pool special menu crafted for a day of fun.
    How is Sharjah developing as a hub for tourism?
    Sharjah has a unique place in the tourism landscape of the UAE. Sharjah got a great story to talk about heritage, arts, culture and nature. With the recent tourism infrastructure development rolled out under the vision of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah has attained many milestones in the tourism receipts to the emirates. Under the management of Shurooq and similar government-supported organization, many touristic destinations have been opened to the public, to experience the diversity of art, culture, heritage and nature that Sharjah has to offer. Sharjah Collection by Mysk, needless to say, has placed Sharjah on the luxury travel map with its unique experiential retreats and offerings
    How has the hospitality industry evolved since COVID-19?
    Hospitality has seen a significant change in its approach, both from the providers and the guests. Hotels have embraced new technologies in guest experiences like digital menus, touchless entries and customer engagement and have seen the power of Data and AI in terms of CRM, distribution systems and revenue management. From a consumer point of view, guests shifted their primary preferences to safety, privacy and exclusivity. The guests were ready to pay a premium for these factors and were cautious about the safety and hygiene features each hotel has to offer. Our retreats have performed exceptionally well during this time as our offering is matching the privacy, serenity, and far from the madding crowd attributes requested by the guests.
    You have guests from around the globe. How do you ensure a unique experience for each guest?
    The retreats are designed around guest experiences and a tailored customer journey. From the time a guest gets inspired and books our retreats, a well-defined customer journey has been curated for every single guest based on their choices and preferences. We use the power of technologies in gathering these data, and also through our trained Morafiks, who accompany the guests on this journey. We enrich their stay with memorable experiences and those little surprises which ensure their repeat visits. All these are handcrafted guest experiences, knitted through our customer knowledge, and get evolved from guest-to-guest engagements.
    To make a booking visit myskhotels.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More

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    WhatsApp is rolling up some big updates – here’s everything you need to know

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 hours ago

    WhatsApp is rolling out more features and some of them are pretty major.
    As one of the popular messaging platforms around the globe, security concerns remain of prime importance and the app is continuously enhancing its features to further work on this.
    When the announcement was shared by Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, he said, “We’ll keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations.”
    With over two billion users globally, it’s important to be aware of the latest features introduced.
    Experience a swift group chat exit
    With the numerous group chats increasing over the years, users might want to clear their app of any unused groups. Previously, a notification would be seen for all members of the group, if any user left the chat.
    To reduce this attention, the latest feature allows for only the group admin to be aware of this, while the other members remain unaware of this.
    Limit your online status to some users
    There have been countless occasions when users would have liked to avoid individuals from seeing their online status. With the latest features, the platform allows users to block people on their chat from seeing that they’re online.
    Avoid screenshots for ‘view-once’ messages
    After introducing this long-awaited Snapchat-like feature in 2021, users were able to enjoy disappearing messages, allowing the application to advance its privacy settings with ease.
    Once a photo or video is opened, it automatically disappears from both the phones after being seen. However, receivers could previously take a screenshot of this. To further enhance security, receivers will not be able to take screenshots of photos or videos sent using the view-once feature and this will be implemented in the near future.
    For further details regarding the latest features visit here.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @styleograph More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Major changes to rules in Saudi Arabia for influencers

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 hours ago

    With an increase in Saudi Arabia’s tourism, content creators in the country are bound to grow.
    As numerous profiles are finding ways to benefit through social media, a new licensing system has been put in place to oversee this industry.
    From October 2022, all Saudi and non-Saudi influencers generating any revenue through advertising on social media must apply for a formal permit from the General Authority for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) The cost of the license starts from SAR 15,000 (Dhs14,672) and is valid for a tenure of three years.
    Per the GCAM, all Saudi and non-Saudi content creators after obtaining the permit can work with as many private organisations as they like and promote their products and services on their platform as long as no laws or values of the Kingdom are violated, per Arab News,
    “The influencer license does not allow censorship or blocking,” said GCAM CEO Esra Assery. “It’s more of a permit to enable the maturity of the sector. We want to help individuals grow professionally so they can make a career out of it.”
    For any non-Saudi residents, permission will first be required from the Ministry of Investment to work in the country, before applying for the license. Additionally, specific advertising agencies must also represent these individuals before applying for the permit.
    For those who don’t follow protocols, fines of up to SAR 5 million (Dhs4.89 million) or a five-year prison sentence could be imposed on them as per the GCAM.
    For more information visit my.gov.sa
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Emirates Woman February cover shoot More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Kylie Jenner and Stormi Webster’s cutest mother-daughter moments

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 hours ago

    VIEW GALLERY/ 9 IMAGES
    It’s safe to say Kylie Jenner and Stormi Webster are one of the coolest mother-daughter duos.
    From their matching outfits to lavish travels together, fans can’t get enough of their unbreakable bond.
    With that, Emirates Woman decided to dig into the archives to look back at some of the duo’s cutest mother-daughter moments.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied & Feature image: Instagram @kyliejenner More