Raphael Stevens

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    in lifestyle and culture

    The female Emirati footballer breaking boundaries and world records

    October’s – ‘The Bravery Issue’ – Download Now
    Making history as a Guinness World Record Holder for the most football ‘hotstepping’ in one minute, Emirati footballer Areej Al Hamadi discusses her brave steps towards normalizing women playing football in the region.
    What led you to football?
    I think sport is a safe place for people to be themselves, dream, and create without judgment. I was shy growing up, and I believe football helped me grow into who I am today, I owe a lot to it. My passion for football grew the more I learned and watched other teams play, in turn, it inspired me to continue pursuing it and to train myself to be the best I can be.
    What inspired you to break the world record?

    I have always loved the concept of the Guinness World Records. I grew up reading their books and watching records broken on television. The inspiration to try and break a record came during the pandemic, as there was a rise in social media challenges circulating around record-breaking. I also wanted to put UAE women’s football on the map.
    What motivates you to keep training?
    I think it is essential that you are patient when you’re training towards any goals in life. You don’t grow when things are easy, you grow when you face challenges, and the greater the challenges, the greater the rewards will be when you overcome them. I’ve always reminded myself of that.
    This year has been challenging for all. How do you overcome challenges?

    It emphasized my view on approaching challenges. It helps if you have patience and resilience in times like these. With all sporting events and facilities being closed down for health and safety purposes, you need to create your opportunities and approach to these challenges. Many of us have adapted to working on our fitness at home and improving our skills. Successful and talented Middle Eastern women have been supported in the UAE through various opportunities to develop them and acknowledge their multiple contributions.
    What’s next for you?
    I will continue to play football and I hope to win some competitions with my national team. I would like to further support women’s participation in sport and educate others on the health and mental benefits of participating in group sports and improving women’s football in the UAE.

    This is The Bravery Issue – what is bravery to you?
    Bravery is pursuing your dreams and passion. It is the courage to face all the challenges and pushback on your journey to success because success doesn’t come easy, and you will need to be brave to overcome those challenges. Bravery is taking risks and believing in your aspirations regardless of what everyone else says.
    What would be the bravest step you took to follow your passion?
    When I was growing up, women’s football was unheard of. To even dream of being part of something that didn’t exist at the time and keep pursuing it is brave because it meant taking a risk and some criticism along the way. But I think the bravest step I took was pursuing my dream and playing for the National Team.
    Even though it was my dream, it meant I would have to sacrifice a lot of things like my time with friends, family, and other hobbies and aspirations. It meant I had to adjust my lifestyle to fit all the training sessions and commitments I needed to make for the National Team. It also meant that I would be receiving some criticism from people, but when it’s your passion, you make that choice in a heartbeat, and I was lucky to have a supportive and understanding husband to help me achieve my goals.
    October’s – ‘The Bravery Issue’ – Download Now
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    in health and weelbeing

    I Never Spend More Than 30 Minutes on Dinner—Here Are My Secrets

    My first year living on my own, I ordered a take-out burrito bowl basically twice a week. I would rather starve all day and eat one hefty, greasy meal I picked up somewhere than spend the energy and time to cook myself something. For one, I barely knew how to cook eggs, let alone a meal, but I also found myself struggling with all the time it’d take to cook. I relished my free time way too much to spend it cooped up in the kitchen. And I couldn’t dare picture how some people actually found cooking to be a self-care activity. Isn’t that what the eating part is for? Fast-forward and in 2020, I’ve done basically a 180. Do I get takeout sometimes? Absolutely. But for the sake of my finances and my health, I began teaching myself a little here and there about cooking at home. But even while I’m spending all my time at home, I don’t enjoy spending a ton of time in the kitchen, so I vowed that every meal I made would be under 30 minutes (a good motivator, if I do say so myself). Over time, I’ve gotten more comfortable in the kitchen, but one thing’s remained: I spend way more time doing my skincare routine than I do cooking dinner. Here are my secrets:

    Source: Blue Apron

    One of the hardest parts of cooking is meal planning and getting everything from the grocery store. Although your meal might only take you 30 minutes, it might take you three hours to figure out what to make, create a list, wait in line at the grocery store, and get everything—and I forget something almost every single time. A meal-delivery service like Blue Apron takes away all of that time and energy planning and buying groceries, so your meals actually can take under 30 minutes.
    My favorite thing about Blue Apron is that you can easily see the recipes when you order, and they always tell you how long it takes to prep and cook. I’m able to order meals that exclusively take under 35 minutes to make, plus I can see how much prep work is involved. I’m making exciting new dishes I never would have made, but they feel easy and doable like everything else I cook. This has led me to keep all of my recipes handy to recreate them again, helping me to build an arsenal of quick and easy meals I know I already like. 
    New customers: click here to save over $60 on your first 3 boxes!

    Source: rawpixel

    2. Save everything you see on IG, Pinterest, and YouTube
    One of my biggest sources of cooking inspiration as of late has been Instagram and Tik Tok. I’m constantly seeing new ways people are making delicious, easy meals that take seriously no time at all. However, it’s easy to forget them all. Lately, I’ve been saving all of my meal ideas in one place so that I can easily come back to them. I use Pinterest because you can Pin anything from the web right there, so pictures I see on Instagram, YouTube videos, and Tik Toks can be saved amongst all the other great recipe content on Pinterest. Every Sunday I look through this catalog of ideas and pick one or two to try for the week. 

    3. Eat breakfast for dinner!
    Once I got out of the funk that breakfast foods need to be eaten for breakfast and dinner foods can only be eaten at dinner, my world changed. Although I absolutely love breakfast foods, sometimes I’m craving a heartier meal when I eat in the mornings and opting for something that would ordinarily be a lunch or dinner for me has been a lifesaver. But like I said, I love breakfast foods (I could eat exclusively sunny-side-up eggs and hash browns with hot sauce for the rest of my life and be the happiest person on Earth), so when I’m in a rut about what to cook for dinner, I go with my go-to breakfast. As long as it has some protein and maybe a side salad (hence the maybe), I’m good to go.

    Source: Anthropologie

    4. Keep a go-to grocery list and meal ideas list on your phone
    This was one of the first pages I made when I started a Bullet Journal, but you can put it basically anywhere: a note on your phone, a page you keep in your purse, on your computer, or even in your car. I first created a list of all of my favorite easy, go-to meals. I started with things like chicken quesadilla, turkey tacos, chicken caesar wraps, pita pizzas, spicy noodles, and an egg scramble. Then, I broke each of those meals down into all of their ingredients and wrote that as a master grocery list. Then when I’m feeling uninspired in the kitchen, I already have a pre-made meal plan and grocery list to get me through the week. This has truly saved me on nights when I’d rather do anything but cook, but if I have these on hand, I know I can make a meal I absolutely love.

    5. Don’t underestimate the power of a doctored-up frozen meal
    Like most people, I live in the frozen section of a grocery store. It’s so much easier, and if you know what to look for, it’s not the worst thing for your body either. But sometimes you need a little something more, so I love taking frozen staples and doctoring them up just a little bit. I’ll take frozen cauliflower rice and cook it in a little bit of soy sauce and sriracha with grilled chicken and a scrambled egg. Add some veggies, and you have the most basic fried “rice” on the planet. Another favorite of mine is using frozen breaded chicken tenders for salads, sandwiches, and wraps for an adult meal instead of just dipping them in BBQ sauce and fries (which I definitely still do on occasion and have zero regrets).  
    I do the same with frozen vegetables, always serving them in a sauce or a ton of my favorite seasonings to make them taste a little fresher. Find whatever ways you can take the frozen items in your freezer to the next level.

    Source: @allyson.trammell

    6. Keep all of your go-to spices on-hand
    Make sure you have a constant flow of all of your go-to spices, seasoning blends, and sauces. For me, that’s garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, soy sauce, chili paste, cinnamon, and taco seasoning, but your list will be different based on what you like to cook! Having these in my cupboard and fridge at all times makes it easy to doctor up a plain meal or add a little extra flavor to something.

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

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    in lifestyle and culture

    5 Changes to Make to Your Finances Before Winter

    As the weather changes, naturally, so will your budget. The seasons can have an impact on your finances, whether it’s setting aside a little more money for brunch season with your friends in the summer or opening up a whole new savings account for holiday gift-giving in the winter. Preparing for the colder months is more than just about breaking out your old coats and sweaters; your finances also need prepping to plan for the change to your spending, especially if you are rebuilding financially from a tough year. Here are a few ways you can change up your budget to ring in the winter season wisely, without spending your last dollar. 

    1. Reevaluate your budget 
    The spending categories in your budget, which can include household bills, dining out, fixed expenses, and more, can—and most likely will—change and shift with the seasons. From your utilities increasing from being in the house more to preparing for holiday travel, make sure to reevaluate your budget to accommodate the change to your lifestyle this winter. 
    Whether you update your budget on a weekly, monthly, or a paycheck-by-paycheck basis, take time to make any modifications to your spending categories to be prepared for winter spending. Use your favorite budgeting software to update your spending in advance of the winter season. Your extra dollars may need to go toward your shopping budget for gift giving, or toward an increase in household items. Keep your budget flexible to accommodate your winter spending habits.

    2. Save in advance for the holidays 
    As soon as the weather breaks, the holidays are looming right around the corner, which means the season of gift-giving is near. Don’t let your wallet take a hit this winter while trying to gift shop for the holidays; prepare in advance and set aside savings specifically for the holidays. 
    Prepping for the holiday season can be daunting, especially if your budget isn’t prepared for it. Evaluate your finances to see how you can allocate more funds for gifts, holiday travel, decorations, and other celebratory plans. Make a plan to attack the holiday buying season by making a checklist of everyone you plan to shop for, how much you plan to allocate to their gift, and where in your budget your spending is coming from. Put yourself on a timeline for when your spending begins and ends for gift giving this winter, as it is easy to overspend on family and friends for the holidays. 
    Traveling for the holidays to spend time with friends and family can also make a dent in your finances. Budget for travel in advance by taking advantage of any travel deals available and saving up for any expenses associated with your travels, including gas, rentals, hotel stays, and airfare costs. 
    The holidays during the winter are very festive, and decorating your home to match the joy of the season can be costly. Look to use recycled decorations for the holidays instead of purchasing new items, or look for cheaper alternatives at your favorite stores to get your home holiday-ready.

    Source: colorjoy stock

    3. Change up your spending habits 
    Being in your home more during winter will most likely tempt you to order online more, versus dining out and going shopping in your favorite stores. Shift your budget to accommodate how your spending habits will change this winter season. 
    Your budget this winter might include more money allocated toward getting your basic household and beauty items delivered, versus going into the stores to save time and to protect your health ahead of the flu season. Dining out usually slows during the winter, especially now as we’re in the middle of a pandemic, so be prepared to make room in your budget for the change in your dining out habits. You may want to shift money around to accommodate spending more on groceries instead of going out when the temperature drops.
    Shopping and maintaining your winter attire will also require a few extra dollars in your budget. Prepare to spend a little more money on clothing items if you live in a colder climate. Winter clothing is usually a little more costly to buy while in season, so before the cold hits, shop around to prepare for what you might need, like coats, gloves, scarves, and boots. Anticipating what your spending habits may look like as winter approaches will help you shift your budget around proactively for a more realistic look at how winter might change your finances and your lifestyle.  

    4. Plan for an increase in household expenses 
    During the colder months, you’re in the home more than usual, which usually includes using more heat, electricity, and household appliances. Don’t let your utility bills shock you this coming winter season; prepare for an increase in household expenses before it’s time to hibernate during the colder months. 
    The colder the season, the more heat you and your family are likely to use to stay warm inside. Set aside more for household expenses and adjust your budget to make way for higher utility bills and any other expenses related to maintaining your home throughout the winter. Check in with your utility providers to see if they have cost-efficient ways you can save money on your utility bills in the winter, as many have peak savings days they recommend or tips on how you can use less energy throughout the season to lower your bill.
    You may want to make room in your budget for weather-related home maintenance as well, like snow removal or sealing your doors and windows to keep in the heat. Damages to many homes due to winter weather can break your savings, especially if you’re not properly prepared. Make sure you set aside more money in your home budget to make way for any unexpected home expenses the winter might inflict on your home.

    5. Prepare in advance for tax season 
    Time waits for no one, and neither does tax season! If you’re already sweating at the thought of filing taxes next year and feel unprepared, you are not alone. Get ready for tax season this winter by taking a closer look at your finances before the beginning of the new year. 
    Gather up all of your tax documents and receipts from the year so that you don’t miss a beat next year during tax season. This could include any itemizable expenses from working from home, unemployment benefits due to being laid off or furloughed, or relocation expenses that may be reimbursed. 
    Take this winter season to research and find a tax professional or trusted tax software you can use before the end of the year in order to plan your filings early. Get an early look at what your tax liabilities may look like next year, and get ahead of the game!  More

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    in health and weelbeing

    Update Your Workout Clothes With These 25 Editor-Approved Picks

    I’d be lying if I said I’ve kept up with the at-home workout plan I optimistically had in mind back in March. I had the best intentions, but alas, when a new Netflix series calls, I must answer. That is until I got a new set from Alo Yoga. In my experience, nothing is as motivating to get moving as a cute workout set. I’ve tried a lot of athletic-wear in my day, but I always come back to Alo Yoga because they truly make the best yoga clothing, with the mission to inspire mindful movement (and they do!). Plus, they are eco-friendly, sweatshop-free, and very high-quality, so you know the pieces are worth investing in. Whether you’re rolling out your mat for a quick yoga flow, RSVPing to virtual HIIT classes, or in search of some new comfy loungewear, the best workout clothes are the ones that do it in style. Also, an important PSA: Alo Yoga just launched a brand new color today, and it’s stunning. Blue Quartz is as cool as it sounds: it’s icy, pretty, and pairs perfectly with all your neutral pieces, making it the ideal color for winter (but low key, I’ll for sure be rocking it well into spring and summer).

    Shop the new color (before it sells out!) and all of our other favorite picks below. 

    Bras/Tops

    Bottoms

    Jackets

     

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

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    Saudi Arabia ranks number three on ‘happiest places to live’ report

    Saudi Arabia has ranked number three in a global happiness survey measuring the level of happiness in countries.

    The report measured a total of 27 countries globally, which was conducted by market research company Ipsos, based in France.
    Above Saudi Arabia, China ranked number one and the Netherlands ranked number two.
    After the Kingdom, France ranked number four; Canada number five; Australia number six; Great Britain number seven; Sweden number eight; Germany number nine; and round off the top 10 was Belgium.
    The full ranking of the 27 countries that participated in the report can be seen below.
    China
    Netherlands
    Saudi Arabia
    France
    Canada
    Australia
    Great Britain
    Sweden
    Germany
    Belgium
    United States
    Poland
    India
    Brazil
    Malaysia
    Italy
    Turkey
    Russia
    Japan
    South Korea
    South Africa
    Mexico
    Hungary
    Argentina
    Spain
    Chile
    Peru

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

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    in lifestyle and culture

    A Lebanese television host has been deported from Kuwait

    A Lebanese television host has been deported from Kuwait.
    According to reports, the presenter, Sazdel, had been based in the country for 10 years, but has been deported by orders from the Interior Ministry who stated it was of “public interest” to do so.

    Per local media reports, the 42-year-old – who is reportedly known as the ‘Kim Kardashian of the Arabs’ – allegedly had posted video clips and photos of herself online which were deemed as “violating public morals”.
    The Kuwait-based newspaper Al Qabas has reported the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations for the country took the Lebanese native through the motions to be deported and she was eventually booked on a flight to Beirut.

    However, the television personality, who has over 300,000 followers on Instagram, reportedly told newspaper Al Rai that she is married to a Kuwaiti.
    “What happened to me and the Interior Ministry’s deportation decision will evaporate once I show a contract of my marriage to a Kuwaiti,” she reportedly said.
    “He is now travelling abroad. When he returns, I’ll show it [the contract] and return to Kuwait because my husband is a Kuwaiti and they have no right to deport me.”
    Sazdel also took to her Instagram page to address the apparent deportation and announced that she was married to a Kuwaiti man.
    “He’s going to handle the legal procedures when he comes back from travel within a week,” she wrote in Arabic. “I’m really relaxed now and decided to get away and have some rest.” However,  the television host insisted she “won’t live in Kuwait”.
     – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Sazdel Instagram More

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    Kim Kardashian feared for her life during 2016 Paris robbery

    Kim Kardashian has opened up about the terrifying ordeal she went through when she was robbed in Paris 2016.
    In the new season of US TV host, David Letterman’s Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, the 39-year-old is set to open up about being robbed at gunpoint in the French capital, admitting she feared for her life during the incident.

    Recalling when the intruders broke into her hotel in Paris, Kim revealed she heard people “stomping up the stairs”, which sent her into an “immediate panic”.
    In Kim’s rundown of the events, the intruders broke into her hotel room before she had a chance to call the police, which is when they also ordered the reality star to surrender the diamond engagement ring her husband Kanye West had proposed to her with.

    [embedded content]
    Kim then told the television host that she had to “prepare herself” for what was about to happen, which is when she teared up recalling the series of events.
    “So, I did and then – I don’t know why I’m crying, I’ve talked about this before – and then he tied me up with handcuffs and zip-ties and then duct tape and duct-taped my mouth and my eyes,” Kim said.
    “I kept on thinking about Kourtney,” she added. “I kept on thinking, like, she’s gonna come home and I’m gonna be dead in the room and she’s gonna be traumatised for the rest of her life.”
    In the aftermath of the events, the beauty mogul admitted that she became “really paranoid”, and ensured she had “half a dozen” security guards protecting her at her house at all times.
    The new season of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction is set to premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, 21 October.
     – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Kim Kardashian Instagram, Video: Netflix/YouTube More

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    in beauty and fashion

    Where to Save Money in Your Skincare Routine—and Where to Invest

    The beauty industry is predicted to exceed $716 billion in sales by 2025. Likely due to the pandemic, e-commerce was up 30 percent in March and April from the same time period in 2019, with beauty purchases alone showing a 38 percent increase. The market is filled with options and products for basically everything we need, and we’re shopping big time. But that doesn’t mean we have to spend all of our hard-earned cash.Especially with the popular “10-step routine” all over the Internet, skincare is daunting enough before you have to consider the price tag of the total regimen, and depending on what you’re hoping to accomplish with your skin, you are probably using different products between your day and nighttime applications.
    Truth is, while you can easily spend a lot of money on all the necessary bells and whistles, you definitely don’t have to. There are plenty of steps in a full skincare routine that can and should be budget-friendly to ensure that your best skin isn’t putting you into debt. Wondering where to save your coin and where to spend it instead? We’re breaking it down nice and easy for you.
    A good rule of thumb to follow is that any product that you wash off your face can be on the less expensive side, whereas you might notice a bigger difference investing in the products that stay on for hours. Remember this isn’t a foolproof system. I sometimes splurge on a cleanser and go drugstore for a moisturizer. It’s all about what works for your skin and your budget. But if you’re looking for a short guide, this is it. 

    Where to save

    Makeup Removers
    There is a multitude of “high-end” makeup removers on the market, and the concept has always been really baffling — all they are intended to do is dissolve makeup before cleansing. Thankfully, micellar water has come along to shift the trend toward more affordable and more effective, as well as cleansing balms. Always cleanse after using a makeup remover, especially if you are using a traditional oil-in-water style remover.

    Cleansers 
    Cleansers are utility products. You have to have them no matter what, and since you use them up to twice a day, they should be at a price point that you feel comfortable spending every other month or so.
    Since cleansers are quickly rinsed off and don’t have long enough contact with the skin, they aren’t actually effective at addressing problems and are usually more expensive because of these additional ingredients. Cleansers should have little to no frills—they are simply meant to remove makeup and debris and hydrate.

    Source: @inspiredbylynne

    Face Masks
    Whether you prefer sheet masks, cream masks, or clay masks, there is one common thread between them all: they’re not that expensive to make, and they shouldn’t be expensive to purchase. You can walk into most health food stores and buy all the necessary components of a good face mask, so don’t bother spending an arm and a leg on a treatment mask you will use once or twice a week.

    SPF
    Sunscreen is the exception to the rule above for a few reasons. Firstly, inexpensive sunscreens have their formulas down pat, so you almost can get better formulations for less money. Also, you’ll be reapplying sunscreen a lot. This is a product you go through much more quickly than others, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun. Since daily sun protection is a non-negotiable step in every skincare routine, and for how much more of your skin you need to cover on your neck and chest as well as your face, stick to an affordable option that you can replace often.

    Where to spend

    Moisturizers + Oils
    It’s not a bad idea to spend money on moisturizers, but if you’re layering it over serums or treatments, then there really is no need to drop extortionate amounts of money on a moisturizer. As long as it is providing optimal hydration and protection, you’re good — that’s all a moisturizer is really intended to do. As your skin matures and you begin to incorporate more active ingredients such as acid-based treatments or retinol, then you’ll want to consider a moisturizer that includes peptides, which will cost a little extra.

    Serums
    In the same way that your moisturizer stays on your skin, your daily serum should be something that you really love because you’ll be applying it every day and it stays on your skin for hours. Ideally, you’ll want a serum that you can use day and night, so I prefer to focus on ingredients that work well with any acid exfoliation you might do as well as with SPF.

    Treatments
    A good treatment product is nowhere near few-and-far-between, as the market has been flooded with new options the last few years. However, a good treatment contains both high-quality acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, salicylic, for starters) or retinol with hydrating ingredients that balance the skin. Acids and retinol are known to sensitize the skin and cause irritation, so it’s imperative that those are combined with ingredients that bring the hydration back. Some treatments get washed off, but others, like retinol, stay on for long periods of time, meaning you’ll want something that plays well with your other products.

    Eye Creams
    The skin around your eyes is so thin and delicate that you want an eye cream that is made with high-quality ingredients and nourishing properties. Whether you’re tackling dark circles, wrinkle prevention or treatment, or puffiness, your eye cream should be something that you’re excited to use every day. 

    How do you save money on your own skincare routine?  More