Raphael Stevens

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  • 125 Shares

    in lifestyle and culture

    The internet can’t stop talking about the fog in Dubai

    With every winter in Dubai being accompanied by an unpredictable surreal sky, this morning was no different with cold temperatures being complemented with foggy skies.
    As with any significant change in the weather – including the rain – residents in Dubai cannot stop talking about it.

    Taking to social media, many residents have shared their different photos of the sky coated with thick fog, some of which are quite incredible to look at.

    The Beauty of Winter Morning #Fog in #Dubai pic.twitter.com/S05q6NlOwf
    — Peter Brun (@peter_brun) January 17, 2021

    Fog is covering #UAE sky scrappers and roads, stay safe and be careful while driving. #Dubai #foggy pic.twitter.com/PWWibXnX2L
    — Ijaz Malik (@Ijazmalik101) January 17, 2021

    Can never get enough of this. #fog #mydubai #dubaifog pic.twitter.com/odCY6kfX56
    — Florian Kriechbaumer (@djflore) January 17, 2021

    However, spectacular some of the images and footage is from the fog coating Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authoirty has urged drivers to be wearing while on the roads today.
    “Low visibility in fog reduces your sense of vehicle speed,” the RTA said on Twitter. “We advise you to lower speed and use fog lights for your safety and that of others on the road.”

    Low visibility in fog reduces your sense of vehicle speed. We advise you to lower speed and use fog lights for your safety and that of others on the road. For more guidelines, visit: https://t.co/kbt3iuJ3rH#RTA pic.twitter.com/0XyHvmm0sY
    — RTA (@rta_dubai) January 17, 2021

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature image @faz3 More

  • 113 Shares

    in beauty and fashion

    How to Make Your Puffer Coat Look Effortlessly Cool

    When it come to trends, it isn’t often that what’s in coincides with what’s actually functional. Usually you have to make some kind of sacrifice to your comfort to really pull off a trendy piece, but an exception to that rule has miraculously happened this winter. Enter: the puffer coat.No, a puffer coat isn’t exactly known as a fashion statement; they’re practical and necessary. But the fashion Gods have decided that in 2021, puffer coats are also on-trend.
    Throwing a puffer coat on is usually the last step in a getting-ready routine; you throw them on top of whatever you decided on wearing and call it a day. But now, we’re styling our outfits around our puffer coats, instead of vice-versa—and the result is an effortless coolness that will keep you both warm and stylish until the first day of spring. 

    1.

    puffer (currently on sale) / puffer (plus-size) / pants / sneakers / bag / sweatshirt

    2.

    puffer / puffer (plus-size) / joggers / sneakers / sweatshirt / sunglasses

    3. 

    puffer / puffer (plus-size) / jeans / T-shirt / boots

    4.

    puffer / faux-leather pants / sweater / boots

    5. 

    puffer / jeans / jeans (plus-size) / hoodie / boots / beanie

    6. 

    puffer / joggers / joggers (plus-size) / graphic tee / sneakers / sunglasses More

  • 163 Shares

    in health and weelbeing

    My Secrets for Eating Plant-Based, Even When I’m Too Busy to Grocery Shop

    Eating more fruits and veggies doesn’t sound revolutionary, but the only “diet” I’d universally recommend is plant-based, because it isn’t about limiting or labeling foods as “good” and “bad.” Eating plant-based is not a secret weight-loss diet or an unsustainable eating plan. Instead, it’s the simple decision to eat more of the natural foods from the earth that our bodies are meant to eat. But if eating healthy were that easy, everyone would be doing it, right? With overloaded work schedules and a stay-at-home order that took away our normalcy, toilet paper, and portion control, healthy eating has gone out the window for many of us. If a busy lifestyle leaves you ordering pizza most nights of the week since there’s nothing in the fridge, or staying at home has made you go through chocolate chip cookies quicker than you go through a new Netflix series, don’t worry. I’m often too busy to get to the grocery store, can get lazy with cooking or prepping, and love food way too much to give up my favorite meals and snacks. So if I can eat plant-based, so can you. Here are five secrets I live by for getting in all my fruits and veggies, no matter how busy my schedule is or the last time I went to the grocery store.

    Source: Blue Apron

    1. Get plant-based meals delivered
    Some weeks are just so busy that you don’t have time to plan, prepare, or shop for meals, which makes eating plant-based pretty difficult (Chinese takeout or frozen chicken nuggets are much more tempting). Luckily for the other busy women and health nuts out there, Blue Apron offers health-conscious options like vegetarian, 600 calories or less, etc., so not only can you select meals that you’ll look forward to all day, but you’ll be eating meals that keep you on track with your unique goals. 
    Plus, Blue Apron now offers customizations. What does that mean for your plant-based diet? You can now swap, add, or upgrade proteins on select meals to make them more plant-friendly. So if your roommate or significant other prefers meat, you won’t have to sacrifice your health-focused preferences since you both can get the protein you want (insider tip: look for the “see options” box under the meal’s image after signing up to see if it is customizable).
    New customers: click here to save over $60 on your first 3 boxes!

    Source: Kate Davidson | Colin Price Photography for The Everygirl

    2. Equip your kitchen
    If you’re newly plant-based, you might need some different equipment to make your cooking (and life) a little easier. Having the right tools on hand means a lot more variety in your meals, using the same food and ingredients. For example, try a spiralizer to turn zucchini into noodles, invest in a Nutribullet to quickly DIY a creamy soup out of cauliflower or butternut squash, and a pressure cooker to make dishes out of dried beans and grains (more on that below). 

    Source: Danielle Moss for The Everygirl

    3. Stock up on frozen produce
    Fresh is always best, but for times when you can’t get to the grocery store, stock up on frozen produce. Use frozen produce like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, or butternut squash for stews, stir-fries, and smoothies. Not only is frozen produce often cheaper, but it lasts much longer than the fresher versions, so you can keep it on hand for emergencies (AKA when you’re craving stir fry at 11 p.m.). It’s also frozen at peak freshness, which means it’s packed with as many nutrients as possible. Try frozen fruit for smoothies, riced cauliflower or broccoli florets for side dishes, and pre-made meals for the nights you don’t even have time to cook. If you prefer non-packaged produce, you can also chop up fresh veggies and freeze them yourself (produce like sweet potatoes and broccoli can last a long time in the freezer).

    Source: FOODISM360 | Unsplash

    4. Make dry food your best friend
    Just like stocking up on frozen food can prepare you for busy days, dried whole foods are the secret ingredient to satisfying plant-based meals, without the work of grocery shopping every week. Try stocking up on dried beans (like lentils, black beans, or pinto beans) and whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, or millet). They’ll last forever in your pantry, are cheaper than buying prepared (especially when bought in bulk), and can be made in a pressure cooker to save time.

    Source: Leigh Skomal | Unsplash

    5. Think of adding plants instead of taking away other food groups
    I love plant-based eating because it’s just about what you should add; you don’t have to cut out whole food groups or deprive yourself of foods you love. So when life gets busy (because it will) and you don’t have time to cook, prep, grocery shop, or plan ahead (because you won’t), you don’t need to stress and panic-order Papa John’s. Instead, make yourself some pasta (yes, even if it’s not “plant-based”) and think of what you can add to include more plant-powered nutrients. Maybe it’s blending lentils into the pasta sauce or heating frozen broccoli to eat with it.
    When I do order out (which has been more often than not this year, TBH), I get a pizza with all the veggie toppings and order a side salad to go with it, or load up on avocado rolls and shishito peppers. No matter how busy life gets, what ingredients you have in your kitchen, or even which restaurant you order from, don’t worry about how to stick to one diet or limit certain foods. Instead, get creative with how you can add more plants to any meal.

    What tips and tricks help you eat plant-based?

    This post includes a sponsored mention of Blue Apron, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

  • 100 Shares

    in beauty and fashion

    The Biggest Beauty Trends to Try in 2021

    I’m looking forward to a lot in 2021. A new president (hallelujah!), being able to safely see family and friends again, more shows I’ll engulf in a single day like “Bridgerton,” new music (I’m holding out for more quarantine albums, ahem Mr. Harry E. Styles), lots of time at home with my candles and good books, and maybe even a night out on the town or two if I’m super lucky. But I also look at January as a clean slate for my beauty routine. There’s so much time to experiment with new products, techniques, styles, and more. This year, I’m looking to these 11 beauty trends to get me out of bed and excited to start yet another day in what feels like our 27,000th day of March. I can’t deny that I’m overjoyed at the number of eye makeup trends we’re seeing pop up this year, but we’re also leaning into minimalist, at-home beauty too. If you’re excited to up your beauty game this year, here’s what to look out for:

    If you’re on Tik Tok, you’ve seen a little bit of this trend. We’re seeing tons of variations of this trend, from fluffy curls (think your mom’s hair in the ‘80s) to voluminous, natural texture, and even ‘90s-inspired big waves (all those hot roller tutorials might have you convinced!). No matter your hair type (textured, coily, wavy, straight), there’s a variation of this trend that’ll suit you.

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    We experienced about a decade of heavy, matte makeup, but we’ve also gone from lightly radiant to full-on wet dolphin skin in a matter of a few years. So, where do we go next? In 2021, expect natural skin to take over. Not overly dewy, but not matte either, this trend is basically adapting to your natural skin’s texture and keeping it the way it is. Foundations, concealers, and powders that look just like your natural skin are popping up everywhere, and we’re pretty excited. It’s what our skin has been waiting for. Plus, this trend really embraces your natural skin, including any blemishes or texture on the skin. It’s not about looking flawless; it’s about showing off your real skin.

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    After a year of trying dozens of new skincare products, I’m excited to welcome this trend with open arms. Instead of shelves upon shelves of products, we’re seeing a shift to shorter routines filled with products that pack a punch. Instead of five serums every night, opt for one product that does it all. This trend is really saying, “less is more.” Along with your skincare routine, this trend goes perfectly with quarantine. If wearing makeup isn’t your cup of tea, no worries. This trend welcomes the barest-of-bones when it comes to your makeup routine too.

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    The “fox eye”–popularized by Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and more–is here to stay, but we’re putting an even larger focus on winged liner as a whole. Instead of thick, long wings, 2021 will be full of casual, breezy thin lines that just slightly wing out at the ends. It’s perfect for Zoom meetings to make you look awake and alive without spending forever trying to perfect it just right.

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    Bangs, shags, layers, and more are popular words coming out of the mouths of hairstylists around the globe. Not ready to go full-force into a curtain bang or shaggy cut? Ask your stylist for long, face-framing layers (this often gets confused with curtain bangs; a curtain bang is a bang, meaning shorter than your eyeballs, while face-framing layers are typically chin-length or a little shorter). You can easily style these in a swoopy way to mimic bangs without having to deal with the short cut (perfect for people who dislike hair in their face, or work out or sweat a lot).

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    In 2021, the eyes have it! Because we’re likely wearing much less on the lips this year (except for maybe balm or a light gloss), makeup artists are going all out with color, texture, and blend this year. My favorite take on a bright eye look is a bright wash of color across the lids. The trick to this look is always using a primer so the shadow sticks and making sure to blend just above your crease (much above your crease if you have hooded eyes or monolids). All you have to wonder is which shade you’ll try next!

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    This has been trending the last few years, but with the resurgence of eye makeup, especially lashes and liner, of this year, we’re about to see it basically everywhere. This is a simple, easy way to look fresh and put-together without a crazy bright eye. It’s perfect for Zoom, giving off the slightest bit of color without looking too bright or unprofessional. If you’re scared, opt for trying the mascara just on the lower lashes for a little punch of color without being too bold.

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    Another Zoom-inspired trend, hair accessories are here to stay, and we’re not objecting. There’s no better way to hide that you haven’t washed your hair in seven full days than a strategically-placed headband, bandana, or barette. Plus, it looks put-together with the most minimal effort. Accessories to look out for: bandanas, bright-colored scrunchies, pearls, vintage-inspired pieces, and claw clips. 

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    Thanks to Ariana Grande’s “Positions” music video and the entire promo of the album, mod-inspired makeup (especially eyes) is at the forefront of our minds. We’d already seen mod hair all 2020 with flipped-out ends and voluminous updos, but it’s made its way to makeup this time around. This look is super easy with light brown eyeshadows and liners, but you can also go a little more intense with thin black liner in the crease and Twiggy bottom lashes (see more below!). Bonus: we’re seeing this trend on the nails too with daisy patterns!

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    When the time comes that we can finally head outside of our homes (hopefully by the end of 2021!), we’ll be excited to finally dress up for events again and maybe even go out on the town. With all that experience you put in getting better at eye makeup while wearing a mask, it’ll be the perfect time to try out a deep, classic smokey eye. And if you can’t go out, well, we’re not against dressing up for a dinner at home, complete with the staple date-night eye.

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    Like we said, the eyes are the key to all things 2021 beauty, and the easiest way to achieve that look is with a hefty coat (or six) of mascara. Big, bold lashes (whether with mascara or false lashes) are a simple way to make a major impact with your beauty routine. The trick, if you’re only using mascara, is to do multiple thin coats, waiting until the preceding one dries. (Also, a proper mascara that builds well is important too–the Gucci mascara was truly made for gigantic, spidery lashes like this!)

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  • 113 Shares

    in lifestyle and culture

    Emirates suspended flights to 6 cities over the weekend

    Dubai-based airline Emirates suspended flights to six cities in Australia and South Africa over the weekend, citing “operational reasons” for the postponement.

    It’s been announced that flights to the South African cities of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg will be postponed for the next two weeks from January 16 to January 28.
    Meanwhile, flight routes between Dubai and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been suspended and no date has been given as to when they will resume.
    The final routes for Dubai-Australia flights include Dubai to Melbourne on January 19; Melbourne to Dubai on January 20; Dubai to Sydney on January 18; Sydney to Dubai on January 19; and Brisbane to Dubai on January 17.
    The Dubai airline apologised for all inconveniences caused on their website and also advised passengers affected to contact Emirates for rebooking options.
    Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry has been severely affected due to countries closing borders and the overall demand for flights decreasing.
    However, Emirates has been making strong headway in resuming flights to many of its global destinations, particularly after Dubai reopened its borders to tourists in July 2020.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Emirates Instagram More

  • 175 Shares

    in lifestyle and culture

    This hijabi model and activist became the first person to graduate in her family

    Model and activist Hamdia Ahmed has become the first person in her family to graduate from university.
    The 21-year-old shared her joy on Twitter over her success, being the first one out of her father, mother and siblings to obtain her Bachelor’s degree, which she received from the University of Southern Maine.

    It’s an incredible achievement for the model, as for the first seven years of her life she was a refugee in Kenya. Ahmed’s mother was nine months pregnant with her when she was forced to flee Somalia with her four elder siblings.
    The family eventually moved to the USA in 2005.

    Now having graduated from university, Ahmed reflected on her struggles and the struggles of her family, her mother in particular.

    “Twenty-one years ago my mother gave birth to me while she was escaping from a civil war,” she said. I spent the first seven years of my life in a refugee camp. My parents sacrificed so much for their kids.
    “Today, I became the first person to graduate from college in my family.”
    The university graduate also shared two photos – one of herself holding her degree and one embracing her mother.
    Back in 2017, Ahmed became the first hijabi contestant to enter the Miss Maine pageant with the aim to break down stereotypes of Muslims and to have more representation in such events.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Hamdia Ahmed Twitter/E! News, Feature Image: Instagram More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomes King Abdullah of Jordan to the UAE

    King Abdullah II of Jordan touched down in the UAE over the weekend and was greeted in Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
    His Majesty King Abdullah is here on an official visit, which Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stated that the UAE was committed to continuing the strong allyship between the UAE and Jordan.

    “I was pleased to have met my brother King Abdullah II of Jordan in Abu Dhabi,” His Highness said.
    “Our countries share a strong commitment to strengthening our cooperation and focusing on stability and development in our region.”

    I was pleased to have met my brother King Abdullah II of Jordan in Abu Dhabi. Our countries share a strong commitment to strengthening our cooperation and focusing on stability and development in our region. pic.twitter.com/OhQ6N84hyj
    — محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) January 16, 2021

    Alongside this, His Highness posted a photo of himself greeting King Abdullah as he disembarked the plane.
    Leading by example given the current pandemic, both the Jordanian royal and the UAE royal were socially distanced and were wearing masks.
    A few days prior to his visit to the UAE, His Majesty received a COVID-19 vaccine alongside his son Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan.

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Inside the chic new beach club with some of the best views of Dubai

    A brand new beach club has arrived in Dubai and offers sweeping views of the emirate’s skyline.

    Say hello Twiggy, the brand new establishment located at the Park Hyatt Dubai Creek.
    Offering a true taste of the south of France in its idyllic setting, Twiggy is the latest venture for those who created Dubai hotspots La Cantine du Faubourg, Ninive, and Lana Lusa.
    The ideal place for both alfresco dining and relaxing, guests can enjoy both the restaurant and the beach club, which features a 100-metre infinity pool.
    With an array of different dishes on the Mediterranean-inspired menu – with some delectable sushi also available – Twiggy delivers in both ambience and food.
    As the beach club is set to open on Sunday, January 24, take a sneak peek inside ahead of its opening.

    Twiggy Dubai

    Twiggy Dubai

    Twiggy Dubai

    Twiggy Dubai

    Twiggy Dubai

    Twiggy Dubai

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More