Raphael Stevens

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    in lifestyle and culture

    An official holiday has been announced for the UAE’s public sector next week

    The Federal Authority for Government and Human Resources has announced those who work in the public sector will receive a day off next week in celebration of Prophet Muhammed’s Birthday, which will fall on Thursday, October 29.
    Taking to their official Twitter account, the authority announced there would be a three-day weekend next week for UAE government employees.

    This means a day off on Thursday, with employees returning to work on Sunday, November 1.

    تقرر أن تكون #إجازة_المولد_النبوي الشريف في #الحكومة_الاتحادية لدولة #الإمارات_العربية_المتحدة، يوم #الخميس 29 #أكتوبر 2020، على أن يستأنف الدوام الرسمي يوم #الأحد 1 #نوفمبر. pic.twitter.com/WCwLcTBsT2
    — FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) October 21, 2020

    A day off for the private sector has not been confirmed yet, but the official announcement is expected to follow shortly.
    Remaining public holidays for 2021
    Commemoration Day
    Commemoration Day honours the Emiratis who have sacrificed their lives to protect their country. On December 1, 2020, which falls on a Tuesday, there will be a day off, which is followed by UAE National Day (see below).
    UAE National Day
    Celebrating the unification of the seven emirates, there will two days off for UAE National Day on Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3. Combining these days off with Commemoration Day, this will mean a five-day weekend at the beginning of the final month of the year.
     – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Unsplash More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to return to London

    Last week, reports emerged that Prince Harry is set to return to London.
    According to The Sun, a source has claimed that royal staff at Windsor Castle, near where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s UK home Frogmore Cottage is located, were “told to prepare for the possibility Harry could come back”.

    “They are told that it could be within weeks but Meghan’s name was not mentioned,” the source added.
    However, it’s always been in the couple’s plans to return to London, albeit not full-time.

    Upon their announcement they were stepping down from public royal life, Prince Harry and Meghan, along with their son Archie, have remained in North Canada – firstly Canada before they relocated to California.

    But it was always in their plans to split their time between North America and the UK.
    “We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in their statement back in January. “This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter.”
    However, this plan to “balance their time” between both countries was very likely put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    According to Vogue.com, this is exactly the case. An apparent source told the publication that the family would “have already been back in the UK For events like Beatrice’s wedding and Trooping of the Colour” if it had not been for travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.
    Vanity Fair also recently reported the couple will be set to return to the UK as they are set to face The Mail on Sunday in court amidst Meghan’s legal battle against them – this is set to begin on January 11, 2021.
    At this point, it’s not a case if the Sussexes will return to the UK, but when and for how long.
     – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Getty/Sussex Royal Instagram More

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    in beauty and fashion

    Worth the Investment: 5 Coats That Will Be in Your Closet Forever

    About a year ago, whenever I was buying something to add to my wardrobe, I switched my mindset to focus on its potential cost per wear (each item’s price divided by how many times you’ll wear it). If I was buying something poorly-made that was super trendy that I was only going to get a few wears out of, obviously, the cost per wear would be unjustifiably high. But the things I knew could last for years to come and be worn over and over and over? My cost-per-wear radar would go off, signaling that it was indeed a smart buy.If there’s one item of clothing that continually falls under the “this fits my cost-per-wear model” consistently, it’s a classic coat. Sure, coat trends come and go, but some are simply forever—and those? Those are worth the purchase every single time.
    These are the five coats that will never go out of style, and that will get your cost per wear down to a big, fat $0. Buy these now, and thank yourself for years to come.

    1. A Camel Coat
    There’s hardly a wardrobe staple as quintessential as a camel coat. They somehow manage to make every single outfit they’re paired with chicer (and it doesn’t hurt that I’ve never seen a person who doesn’t look amazing in camel).

    2. A Classic Trench
    No capsule wardrobe is complete without a versatile trench coat. There’s a reason everyone and their mother has one: it’s a timeless, recognizable staple that instantly transforms you into a chicer version of yourself.

    3. A Plaid Coat
    Even if you’re not generally a plaid person, there’s something about a plaid coat that’s just *chef’s kiss.* Perfect for special occasions and everyday wear alike, they’ll dress up your look and give you a Meghan Markle-esque vibe that we’re never opposed to.

    4. A Black Wool Coat
    You probably already have a black coat in some form, but a black wool coat has a certain je ne sais quoi that you’ll be happy to have for pairing with anything in your wardrobe—and for all-black moments—during the cold seasons to come.

    5. A Puffer
    For days you just need to be warm, a chic puffer is a must—preferably in a fun print or color. The best part? You can wear them with anything for office wear and errand-running alike. Pair it with a pom hat for maximum winter cuteness.

      More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    If Your Bedroom Is Your Desk, Here’s What to Do…

    If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve heard the warning, “You shouldn’t work from home in your bed,” I’d have enough money to move out of my cramped studio apartment and look for a more spacious option that would allow me the luxury of the desk/office space I’m missing. I can see where critics are coming from: a bed is a place for sleeping and, in an ideal world, having an out-of-bed workspace can have a positive impact on productivity, sleep, and our mental health. As much as I’m sure we’d all love to have a designated workspace that isn’t our bedroom, sometimes there’s just no getting around it. Whether it be having a small space to work with, attempting to work where kiddos are running around, hiding from a pet who has an affinity for your laptop keys (my cat is the queen of this), or sharing a WFH space with a partner who needs the living room for a conference call, sometimes working in bed might be your only option.
    So, let’s normalize working from home in bed! If working in your sleep space works for you, that’s 100 percent OK and totally doable. Here’s how to make the most of it.

    Separate sleep time from work time
    As tempting as it is to snooze your alarm until 8:28am to make your 8:30am start time, stay snuggled in your blanket burrito, and keep your pajamas on all day, don’t fall into the trap! In the interest of separating sleep time from work time, get up early and partake in a morning routine to get you out of bed and to signal to your brain that it’s time to wake up and seize the day. When you return to your room, transform it into a workspace. Open your blinds to let the light in, make your bed, set up your laptop, change into a designated work-from-home outfit, set your favorite productivity playlist, and get going. 

    Invest in a back pillow to improve posture
    While sitting up in bed is a good alternative to lying flat (which may put one on the fast track to a fatal, accidental nap), it offers little to no back support. These back pillows will help your alignment, assist in improving your posture, and are an absolute must for working from your bed.

    Get a laptop tray
    No desk? No problem. If you don’t already have one, laptop trays are such a game-changer for working in bed. Having a flat surface to rest your laptop, notebook, planner, and coffee is so necessary and serves the function of a desk without the bulkiness.

    Buy non-spill drinkware
    If you’re like me, no workday is complete without multiple cups of coffee, hundreds of milliliters of lemon water, and several glasses of matcha tea. I used to have a very horrible habit of placing my beverages on the corner of my laptop next to the keypad—I know it’s bad, please don’t yell at me! Now I am older, I am wiser, and I bought spill-proof cups with lids that have offered the perfect solution. The idea of past me alone gives me a mini heart-attack and sends shivers down my spine. 

    Add to your extension cord collection
    Unless your bedroom is stacked with outlets, you’re going to need to invest in additional extension cords and outlets to fuel your electronic lifelines. Most bedrooms weren’t designed to be offices and don’t have many/close enough outlets to allow us to have all of our devices charging in cord length distance of our beds. Alas, we shall adapt.

    Schedule breaks to get up and moving
    As with sitting at a desk all day, sitting in your makeshift desk-in-bed situation for prolonged periods can have a detrimental effect on our health. Dr. Jasmine Marcus, PT, DPT, CSCS told Popsugar that getting up and moving “anywhere from every half hour to every two hours” can be beneficial in combatting an otherwise sedentary workday. Schedule deliberate stretch and walk breaks throughout your day to relieve pressure on your spine.and to keep blood and endorphins flowing.

    Having a set nighttime routine
    When your workday ends, clean up your workspace, say “goodbye” to your bedroom for a few hours, and treat yourself to a change of scenery to dissociate from your workday. Just as with a morning routine, perform a night routine of choice to help you wind down and to signal to your mind and body that it’s time for bed. Set the mood for bedtime, dim the lights, get in your coziest PJs, light a calming candle, and do a relaxing activity such as journaling or reading. Try your best not to scroll on IG or TikTok—your eyes and mind deserve a break! More

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    in health and weelbeing

    My Favorite 10-Minute Workouts to Do At Home

    I’ve met someone. 😍 💞We’re going pretty fast, and I love every second of it. We met, and then it was like we were instantly best friends. We started hanging out every single day without fail, and I even started putting our time together in my calendar. I told my parents, my best friends, my coworkers. Our love affair is strong and Taylor Swift-esque. And they always text me back. You guessed it: it’s Obé Fitness.
    Obé Fitness is currently my favorite way to workout from home. I’m obsessed with their live classes, but I’ve also developed quite the arsenal of favorites from their on-demand offerings. When I’m short on time (namely doing a lunch break workout), Obé’s 10-minute express workouts are all I need.
    Ready to try Obé for yourself?! Use code TEG50 for 50% off your first month and a seven-day free trial!
    After taking a bunch of workout classes (you’re welcome), I’m sharing my favorites: 

    After I did this workout, I told everyone I knew. This 10-minute workout absolutely knocked me off my feet (literally). It uses a resistance band to sculpt every part of your arms, especially focusing on the shoulders. This really burned out my muscles in the absolute perfect way. I did this alongside a 10-minute cardio workout, and I was sore for days.

    I love doing their sculpt express classes because they’re a great way to target a specific area. I’ll do two of these, and I always feel like I got a really good workout in for so little time. This obliques workout is hard as hell, but I felt so good after I completed it that I’ve done it two times since!

    I have pretty bad carpal tunnel that is only getting worse from constantly working on a laptop and never using my brace. This really affects my wrists during yoga, planks, and more. I’ve done this stretch a few times at night to stretch out my wrists, and it helps so much.

    This is a great beginner/low-impact butt/leg workout for runners looking to cool down, warm up, or keep their legs strong on off days! I, however, am not a runner, and I still love this for a quick workout when I want to really focus on strengthening those muscles.

    After taking enough Obe classes, I’ve really grown to see which instructors motivate me the best, and Alex is one of them. I took a Justin Bieber-themed class with her recently, and it was some of the most fun I’ve had working out in a while. This 10-minute cardio boxing class has been a great addition to my strength-training routine, as I’ll do this as a warm-up or cool-down on lifting days. I hate cardio with a passion, but these classes don’t feel like running the Pacer test as a kid—they’re actually fun! 

    Like I said, I love using my 10-minute Obe classes to target specific muscles and stretches, and this hip one has been a miracle worker. From sitting all day, my hips can get pretty tight, making it hard to do certain exercises if I don’t properly stretch 1-2 times a week. This one, by Beth C. (my favorite yoga instructor—her Fall Flow and live Maggie Rogers theme Vinyasa are amazing for after-work!), is great for stretching and strengthening those muscles in the hips. Over time, I’ve noticed I have to do it less and less because my muscles are actually getting stronger!

    Pilates is not a strong suit of mine. I vividly remember my first class a few years ago in which I was one of about five people in the room, and afterward, I said I would never try that again. Luckily, with Obé, I was able to test it out with a 10-minute class. I’m still working up the courage to try a 28 or 45-minute class, but this express one is perfect for learning the basics and strengthening those muscles for now.

    This dance HIIT class is so fun that you won’t even feel like you’re working out. It combines dance combinations with high-intensity interval training for an intense workout that works your entire body. I love these classes for early mornings because they get me up and moving first thing! 

    I love the variety of classes I can find on Obé. Some days, I want a powerful strength-training workout with weights; other days, I want to basically do corpse pose and heavy breathing for 20 minutes. A recent favorite of mine has been their barre classes, especially the express classes. They target one muscle group, so I like to pair this with another one to feel like I’m getting a really good barre class straight from my living room. I love barre legs because it works muscles I didn’t even know I had. Get ready to feel the burn!

    I get the best sleep when I do yoga before bed, and this has been a favorite routine of mine. Tip: sometimes, I skip the mat and do the entire routine in bed with all of the lights off. Ultra-relaxing!

    This post is sponsored by obé, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Sheikh Hamdan’s quest to make the UAE the ‘most active country in the world’

    As the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge is just around the corner, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is on an ambitious quest.

    Ahead of the 2020 challenge beginning at the end of next week, the Crown Prince of Dubai made a statement as he called on community members, government entities, businesses and schools to take part, he announced he wants to make the UAE “the most active country in the world”.
    “The return of Dubai Fitness Challenge is a testament to the emirate’s resilience and its commitment to rebuild a stronger and happier society by embracing the benefits of fitness and wellness habits,” he said in a statement, per state news agency WAM. “When we create the right habits and make them a part of our lives, we have the opportunity to truly transform ourselves.”

    This year marks the fourth edition of the DFC, which will run from October 30 to November 28, and aims to encourage those who live in Dubai, and beyond, to pursue an active lifestyle.
    “Dubai is a city that recognises the importance of physical, mental and social well-being, and constantly strives to provide everyone opportunities for an active lifestyle,” Sheikh Hamdan continued. “All it takes for you to succeed is an unyielding pledge to enjoy 30 minutes of activity for 30 days.
    “I challenge each and every one of you to embrace your fitness journey and make a difference in your life. Together, let’s make the UAE the most active country in the world.”
     – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Your new destination for the best staycation deals in the UAE

    With the surge in international travel and Dubai weather being as glorious as it is, it’s time to take advantage of some amazing offers for a short staycation or a longer getaway.
    To help you do that is Retreatmi.com, the world’s first custom-made retreat builder. It brings together unique locations, first-class instructors and a variety wellness options – from indulgent spa and beauty treatments to culinary experiences – so you can search, curate, select your dream holiday.

    Whilst the Retreatmi.com site includes options all over the globe, the site provides a wealth of UAE-based staycations. There are numerous options for every budget and requirement, including family and pet-friendly options.
    Think goal-driven trips that push urbanites of their comfort zones, back to nature desert retreats that nourish the soul and solo micro-breaks which transform and engage through physical exploration.

    Founded by Stacey Elizabeth Sharp – a qualified STOTT Pilates teacher and Nutritionist – this comprehensive virtual hub keeps you connected and up to date with the latest travel news, information and expert advice from the leaders in health, wellness and tourism across the globe.

    Here are a few options currently available on RetreatMi.com
    ICE THERAPY Workshop at Wim Hof Method – 24 October for Dhs380 per person
    Discover the benefits of cold exposure, breathing techniques and the power of the mind to conquer the cold and overcome fear. Book here.
    Weekend in Hajjar – 23 to the 24 October for Dhs660 per person
    Just an hour’s drive from Dubai, you will head deep inside the Hajjar Range of Musandam and make your base in a secluded farm at an altitude of 950 meters, where the temperature drops. There you will hike the wadi and indulge in the fresh morning breeze, sleep outdoors at high altitude and sit by a campfire. Book here.
    Rayya Wellness Retreats at The Retreat, Palm Jumeirah – three, five and seven-night options with packages starting from Dhs5,380 per person
    The Rayya Wellness Centre provides 360-degree wellness solutions designed to help you achieve a personal transformation of body, mind and soul, through a variety of treatments and retreat packages. Book three nights here.
     – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    A staple in-flight aspect is returning to Emirates

    Earlier this year, the travel industry was hit hard at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries closed their borders, flights were grounded and air travel ceased to exist as we knew it for a while.
    However, over the past few months, Emirates has slowly but surely been recommencing flights to key desintations and is now currently flying to over 90 cities globally.

    Throughout the pandemic, a number of key flight aspects have been put on hold, including in-flight meals and complimentary beverages. These restrictions were put in place in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 during travel.
    However, in another step in returning to normality, Emirates has announced it’s resuming food and beverage services on all of their flights from the beginning of next month.
    READ: A complete list of the destinations Emirates is currently flying to

    From November 1, complimentary beverages will now be available on all flights, as well as hot and cold meals.
    In a statement issued by Emirates, the airline stated its “onboard dining experience will return to its signature service while observing strict hygiene protocols”.
    “Customers in all classes will enjoy multi-course meals and choose from a complimentary selection of beverages including wine and beer, as well as juices and soft drinks,” the statement added. “Cocktails will also be served in premium classes.
    “In Economy Class, customers can choose from two wines; in Business Class, customers can choose from six wines including port and champagne, while in First Class, customers will have a selection of 11 wines including a dessert wine, port and Dom Perignon champagne.”
    Emirates Airline has ensured it’s taking every precaution necessary in order to protect its staff and employees. This includes covering any COVID-19 medical costs any Emirates passengers may incur during their travels.
     – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Sara Shakeel Instagram More