Raphael Stevens

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    in beauty and fashion

    It’s the Winter of the Beret—Here’s How to Style Them

    I’m not usually a hat girl—burned from the plethora of bucket hats I owned, all with Kings Island branding like a proper Midwestern tween—but then berets sauntered back into my life on the wings of Emily in Paris and I. was. smitten. I haven’t worn a beret since attending Christmas Eve service in 1998, but this is the year it all changes. Berets are cropping up everywhere—from Netflix powerhouses to my Instagram feed—and they’ve never looked better. But how to wear a beret without looking like I tossed a wool dinner plate on top of my head? For the answer, I’m looking to memorable beret moments in my favorite series and movies—from classics to new binge-watches. In terms of actual wearage, I think there are two starter ways to place your beret. The first is pulled down, so the brim is hitting your forehead and covering the front of your hair. The second is tipped back more, so that the beret is curving over the crown of your head and leaves a bit of hair and bangs visible at the front. For the second option, I recommend jumbo bobby pins to help keep everything firmly in place. And now, on to the styling! 

    Use the beret as a pop of color 
    Berets are the perfect thing to wear right now if you’re headed on a socially distanced walk-date or meeting up with a friend outside. They add instant personality and interest to your outerwear. Go bright with a pop of color to dress up classic coats.  

    Source: Netflix

    Red Wool Beret / Houndstooth Coat / White SweaterFaux Leather Legging / Boots / Gold Necklace 

    Source: @kate.lavie

    Pink Beret / Faux Leather Jacket / Straight Leg JeansTurtleneck / Combat Boots 

    Go monochrome for an elevated look
    It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of monochrome dressing—it makes every outfit look so chic with minimal effort. If you’re easing into the beret trend, monochrome is a good way to go.

    Source: Netflix

    Long Coat / White Beret / Straight Leg Jeans V-Neck Sweater / Low-Heeled Boots / Silk Face Mask

    When in doubt, classic black is always timeless 
    You can never go wrong with a classic black beret—they’ve been worn by everyone from Janet Jackson to Cher from Clueless. Dress it up with a chic wrap coat or down with a moto jacket and jeans. 

    Source: @styleidealist

    Camel Coat / Black Beret / Dress Tights / Fringe Scarf / Low-Heeled Boots

    Source: Paramount Pictures

    Plaid Blazer Coat / Faux Leather Legging / Button-DownBlack Beret / Waterproof Boots / Mask with Chain More

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    in health and weelbeing

    The 5 Healthy Habits I Strive for When I’m Feeling Unmotivated

    Some days, I feel like a complete rockstar. I get up early, do my morning skincare routine, stay on top of my hydration game throughout the day, hit the gym, and shower. I fly through my to-do list, jump at opportunities to help coworkers, and create new tasks for myself. I feel social, I reach out to friends to see how they’re doing, and I am active in my family group chat.Other days, I feel like the human equivalent of a stale piece of bread. 
    It’s 100 percent normal to have good days and bad days. Those of you who have more good days than bad, I envy you! For me, especially this year, having a heavy amount of rough, unmotivated days has been more prominent. I’ve been trying really hard not to get too down on myself. Living alone and working from home has taken quite a toll on my mental health and, while I do my best to put my best foot forward (yay therapy! yay reaching out to friends! yay journaling!), some days I just straight up feel like garbage.
    Years ago, there was a darker time in my life where, on my days off from my job as a nurse, I literally wouldn’t get out of bed. If you’ve ever had one of those days… you already know. Feeling too anxious or depressed to get out of bed on top of feeling guilty for not being as motivated as you’re used to being is a vicious cycle and it can be tough to get out of. After too many days of feeling like an absolute blob, I made a not-feeling-so-great action plan to help me rebuild my confidence and to stay present on the days where I’m just not feeling it. Here are the five non-negotiable healthy habits that I prioritize on my most unmotivated days:

    1. Stay hydrated
    After I emerge from my nighttime slumber, I always, always, always rehydrate. Lately, I’ve been reaching for a big mason jar of hot lemon water to help me hydrate, improve digestion, and supplement some vitamin C. Drinking any kind of water is one of the easiest things you can do for your health and sets the tone for a better day. Trust me, being a dehydrated raisin withering away in bed is just not the move!

    2. Make a realistic to-do list
    I’m not talking about a list of “20 things that need to be done today.” Even on my most productive days, the likelihood that I fully complete a to-do list is rare, so I’m not trying to set myself up for failure. I’ll jot down multiple things that “need to be done at some point,” then, I’ll filter out my top three. Those three things must be done by the end of the day and I start with the least taxing first to help me ease in and to help me build my confidence. Checking something off of my to-do list always gets me going.

    3. Move my body
    I actually love working out once I get going but, like a lot of people, getting there can be the hardest part. When I’m feeling motivated and have time to spare, I could easily hit the gym for two hours to do cardio and lift which is a huge feat to tackle on days where I’m feeling low. On “blah” days, I still make sure I move my body to improve circulation, work on my mobility, and pump up my endorphins. I’m not talking anything crazy. I’ll either go on a walk if the weather is nice or I’ll pull out my yoga mat to either stretch or do a few yoga flows. 

    4. Tidy up my living space
    When I’m not feeling so hot, the last thing I want to do is fold laundry, do dishes, or round up the water cups that have been accumulating around my apartment. But this year, I’ve gotten in the habit of cleaning up as I go, no matter what (I know, groundbreaking). My grandmother was right: It has made the day-to-day cleanup more manageable. For me, there’s nothing less inspiring or more anxiety-inducing than being surrounded by clutter and having the constant visual reminder that my life is an absolute mess.

    5. Laugh
    They say that laughter is the best medicine and, honestly, I am “they.” Besides the known scientific benefits of laughing, I have found it to be one of the best ways to help me feel like myself again. Whether I find laughter in FaceTiming a friend, rewatching my favorite episode of The Office, putting on a stand-up comedy, or reading a humorous book, it is my daily challenge to find it—no joke. More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    12 of the best deals to take advantage of this Black Friday

    While the holiday shopping season might be in full swing this month, there are an avalanche of Black Friday Sales, coming up this weekend with discounts on some of your favourite brands.
    From bargains on the most coveted beauty products to gorgeous timepieces, you can purchase the items that have been on your wishlist without digging to deep into your wallet.

    Emirates Woman has curated a list of Black Friday sales that should be on your list to watch out for this weekend.
    The Outnet

    Celebrating the amazing Black Friday sale starting from today, November 24 – this luxe fashion portal has up to 70% with an extra 25% off on almost everything, just use the code ‘BLACKFRIDAY’ to get your hands on though delightful deals.
    Visit theoutnet.com
    Eideal

    Our hair deserves a little extra TLC occasionally too. From the entire stock range from Eideal, including cult hair products such as Olaplex, sustainable haircare heroes from Davines as well as Eideal hair tools, there are plenty of items to replenish your haircare cupboard or start stockpiling potential Christmas gifts with the promo code BLACKFRIDAY50 which will give you 50 per cent off its entire stock.
    Visit eideal.com
    Namshi

    Namshi, one of the region’s biggest e-commerce platforms, has an array of coveted fashion brands will make your shopping experience even more exciting with buy one get one free deals during the entire month of November, all you need to do is enter the code ‘BN’ at checkout to get your deal.
    In addition, if you’re looking to stock up on an array of beauty products, the Namshi Beauty Box is one to get – it could also be the perfect gift. With over 30 premium brands in one box, with full size and minis of Benefit, Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, Lancôme and Elizabeth Arden, the box is worth over Dhs1,800, but is available on the e-commerce site for Dhs499.
    Visit namshi.com
    Charlotte Tilbury

    To have your make-up on point this festive season, Charlotte Tilbury has released their first ever Mystery Box. This luxurious boxis a staple of the brand’s Black Friday offering internationally and will be making its debut in the Middle East this November 26 until November 30 *while stocks last.
    Noon

    Noon has managed to revolutionise the e-commerce marketplace in the UAE has also expanded into the food sector and is now back with their biggest sale of the year with a discount of unto 80 per cent on various products, along with buy one get one free deals and other sales from November 23 to 29.
    Visit noon.com
    Amazon

    With new deals every day from top brands such as Samsung, Sony and Dyson, Amazon.ae’s massive White Friday sale, is almost here, giving customers the chance to enjoy savings of up to 70% across a seven day period.
    Visit amazon.ae
    Book Depository

    For the avid reader, the world’s most international online bookstore is offering massive discounts in their Black Friday Deals Week with free delivery on every order and new deals coming up every 24 hours. So if you’re looking to have a cozy night in with your favourite book, head over to make sure you don’t miss out.
    Head to bookdepository.com
    PrettyLittleThing

    Keep your style game strong this season with up to 70 per cent off across the entire website, with deals that are already live, on the most adored dresses and looks for the season.
    Visit prettylittlething.ae to find out more.
    Haul In One

    From bespoke sets to adding a personalized touch to every box, this new female-founded startup, add a little HAULsome goodness to box that is collated especially for you. Simpy sign up to Haul In One subscription and add your favourite brands to your box and get 25% off on this box that can make any woman feel special.
    haulinoneworld.com
    Privilee

    If you’ve been thinking about investing in a Privilee membership, now is the time to do so. As part of their amazing Black Friday offer, UAE residents will be able to purchase a three-month Privilee membership at a reduced price of Dhs1,599, which works out at Dh533 per month which is the same price as one staycation.
    The limited-time deal is available to purchase from 25 November – 27 November and will enable people to enjoy unlimited access to Privilee’s ever-growing portfolio of amazing beach resorts, private pools and fitness venues like Zabeel Saray, Park Hyatt, Atlantis The Palm, Bab Al Shams, FitRepublik, SEVEN Gym, and many more.
    Foreo

    Invest in some skin-tech pieces this Black Friday from Foreo. The pioneering skincare brand is offering up to 40 per cent off some of their hero products including the best-selling UFO device.
    The exclusive sale will run from November 20th – December 4th across both Namshi and foreo.com.
    NRG Fitness

    Don’t wait until the New Year to kick-start your gym journey as NRG Fitness has some amazing offers to take advantage of between now and this Saturday. Until November 27, new members can get 16 classes for Dhs909 (was Dhs1,299), 24 classes for Dhs1,299 (was Dhs1,799) and a six-month membership for Dhs599 per month (was Dhs899 per month). NRG offers HIIT, KO8, Zumba, Barre, Lift, TOA and indoor cycling.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature image: 20th Century Fox More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Sheikha Bodour becomes the first Arab woman to lead this century-old initiative

    Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi has become the first-ever Arab woman to head up an 124-year-old international organisation.
    It was announced on Monday that Sheikha Bodour has been appointed President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), an organisation which was established in 1896. She will officially assume the position at the beginning of next year in January 2021.

    Prior to being appointed president, Sheikha Bodour had been vice president of the international organisation since 2018.
    For years, Sheikha Bodour has continually championed the publishing industry in the UAE and the wider GCC region.

    In 2007, she founded Kalimat Group, which became the first publishing group in the UAE focussing on children’s books in Arabic. She is also the founder of the Emirates Publishers Association, which was established in 2009, and is the founder of the UAE Board on Books for Young People.
    Being an avid supporter and leader in the UAE publishing industry, earlier this year Sheikha Bodour launched a Dhs1 million emergency fund to help the industry which has been struggling due to the knock-on effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    The Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund worked with local publishers and Emirati bookmakers in order to identify the challenges the industry is currently dealing, with the aim of helping to boost business.
    “With every crisis, comes an opportunity, and we need to rope in appropriate mechanisms to boost industry resilience and emerge out of it stronger,” Sheikha Bodour said at the time. “Today, we stand with our publishers to support and lead them onward to fulfilling vital projects that will boost our knowledge and creativity.”
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature image: Supplied More