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    Why a stay at Mandarin Oriental, New York should be added to your bucket list

    Lifestyle

    by David Roberts
    1 hour ago

    Background
    The property has been a part of New York City’s luxury hospitality setting since 2003. Two decades on, it shows no signs of having aged and instead manages to hold its own while several newer brands have flooded the market over the last few years.
    Where is it?
    It is located at one of the most coveted addresses in the city – more specifically on Manhattan’s Westside at Columbus Circle and at the southern entrance to the sprawling Central Park. The hotel is a part of the Deutsche Bank Centre – in fact, the third-floor lobby has an exclusive entrance to the retail floors of the centre.

    What’s it like?
    You’d be hard-pressed to find a better location than this. There may be only one dining option in the hotel itself, but there are plenty more among the wide selection of shops on the expansive retail floors. The lower lobby houses one of the largest Whole Foods shop that I’ve come across in New York and you are a hop, skip and a jump from Central Park. The staff are extremely welcoming and the MO Lounge offers breakfast, all-day dining and dinner with spectacular views.
    Rooms
    There are 244 rooms and suites in the hotel. We stayed in the spacious 75 sqm Hudson River View suite, whose shades of teal are a nod to the river. It features floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the room with light and there is a large desk to work, a sofa and a dining area for four, while the master bedroom has a king-size bed. If you’re looking for an ultra-luxurious experience at this hotel, there’s the 207 sqm Presidential suite that also features stunning 250-year-old parchment calligraphy.
    Food and Drink
    On the 35th floor is the MO Lounge whose contemporary furnishings and décor give it the feel of a by-invitation-only members club. However, all are welcome to this space which is open throughout the day. Its lunch and dinner menu is restricted to a page – but each item has been crafted to perfection. Hands down, the soup we ordered was the best soup we’ve tasted in all of NYC. The burrata, risotto, and salmon croque monsieur – with the option to add Golden Ossetra caviar – are all highly recommended.
    Meetings
    There are stunning events and meeting spaces on the property – perhaps the most impressive of them is the pillarless 550 sqm ballroom with commanding views over Central Park. There are three smaller rooms for board meetings, as well as The Gallery space where events are held amidst unique art pieces.
    Leisure
    A 1,350 sqm spa spans both the 34th and 35th floors. Rather than choosing a treatment type, you can opt for the Time Ritual wherein you specify a length of time and the therapist will offer a bespoke treatment to fit within that time slot. You can drop by the Technogym-fitted gym on the 36th floor, and you can also request a personal session with an on-call trainer. On the same floor is a 75ft lap pool with great views of the Hudson River.

    Verdict
    We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and whatever requests we had including transportation, etc. were dealt with very efficiently. It may be a hangover from the bad old days of Covid, but when we checked in there were no coffee and tea amenities in our room which we discovered needed to be requested – and were promptly provided by room service. The same applied to our mini bar which, although fully stocked, was not unlocked until we contacted reception. Probably a good idea to organise that at check-in.
    Best for
    Sweeping views of Central Park, NYC’s skyline and the Hudson River
    Don’t miss
    A meal at MO Lounge
    Price
    Internet rates for a weeknight in December for a Hudson RiverView suite start at US$3,075 (Dhs1,124)
    Contact
    80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, New York 100023; +1 212-805-8800; mandarinoriental.com
    This article was originally published on Business Traveller Middle East and has been repurposed here with permission.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More

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    Channel the South of France spirit as this sophisticated beach club in Dubai

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    4 hours ago

    IN PARTNERSHIP: Treat yourself to a world of resplendent tranquility with azure waters at Twiggy By La Cantine.
    Nestled on the shores of Dubai Creek, this sophisticated gem promises an unforgettable experience to all its visitors as it takes the art of idleness to new heights.
    Whether a weekend retreat or a midday break, the sun-drenched venue lies at the epitome of solitude with its Provence-inspired décor. With pastel hues and rattan touches, each element is carefully curated to create the perfect Mediterranean ambiance.

    Next to the white sand beaches lies the 100-metre infinity pool where visitors can lounge, swim, relax and unwind with utmost ease all day. At the heart of it all, lies an amalgamation of the royal view, the sea and the sky, to experience each side of the city.

    With an array of mouthwatering dishes to choose from, visitors can delve into the restaurant’s delectable classics such as Angus beef, black truffle pizza, king crab and more. Mastered to perfection by a team of culinary experts, the beach club promises eye-catching delights including a deliciously simple seafood platter and sushi platters.

    For an intimate experience, the six private cabanas set six to twelve people in their own secluded paradise to experience Dubai from a different lens. The coco cabana can seat up to eight guests and is priced at Dhs1,500 on weekdays and Dhs2,400 on weekends inclusive of a mini-bar with soft drinks and water. The Bardot can seat up to eight guests for Dhs2,400 on weekdays and Dhs2,800 on weekends and Grace can have up to 10 guests for Dhs3,000 on weekdays and Dhs3,500 on weekends, inclusive of a minibar with soft drinks and water along with direct pool access.

    So, if you’re in the need of plans you know exactly where to book for the ultimate luxe daycation experience. It’s bow time to discover this chic hangout and join La Cantine on its journée À la plage.
    Twiggy by La Cantine, located at the Park Hyatt Dubai Creek. The lagoon is open daily from 9am to Sunset and the restaurant is open from 12pm to 2am. For reservations, email book@twiggy.ae, call +971 4 602 1105 or visit twiggy.ae.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    6 adrenaline-fuelled activities that Sheikh Hamdan has ever done

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    2 hours ago

    His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is no amateur when it comes to extreme sports.
    By challenging the conventional norm, Fazza always takes a leap of faith and manages to outdo his previous activity.
    After digging through the archives, Emirates Woman takes a look at all the adrenaline-fuelled activities Dubai’s Crown Prince has taken part in through the years.
    Flying a motorised paraplane

    Known for his fine motor skills, Sheikh Hamdan shared a jaw-gripping video of himself flying a motorised paraplane which he smoothly maneuvers mid-air with the help of a parachute. In just about a few minutes of posting the video, it went viral and was shared on several social media platforms. After controlling it with ease, the aircraft is seen going several metres above the ground and he’s surely won the hearts of all his fans through his piloting skills, which is undoubtedly seen in this post.
    Riding on top of Ain Dubai

    The world’s largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai, opened in the emirate last month. Ahead of the official launch, Sheikh Hamdan perched himself on top of the wheel casually sipping a beverage. Showcasing the daredevil stunt, His Highness posted an impressive video on social media which, to date, has garnered over 10 million views.
    Taking a plunge in the world’s deepest pool

    Known as Deep Dive, this Dubai marvel holds an incredible 14 million litres of water and has a depth of 60 metres, making it the deepest pool in the world. head of the opening of the pool earlier this year, Sheikh Hamdan took his 12 million followers on Instagram on a tour of the latest attraction posting a video to the platform. “An entire world awaits you at Deep Dive Dubai the world’s deepest pool, with a depth of 60 meters (196 feet),” he said.
    Skydiving over Dubai

    As one of the most popular adrenaline junkie activities, it’s no surprise the Crown Prince is a keen fan of skydiving. In the video above, he’s seen jumping off a chopper with another member of the crew and is seen catapulting through the air down to the ground. Having complete grip over the parachute, he manages to make a smooth landing on the beach.
    Scaling the Burj Khalifa

    Ever wondered what the view is like from the world’s tallest building? Well, Sheikh Hamdan knows exactly what it looks like from up there and has previously shared it with his followers last year. Decked in his climbing gear, the Crown Prince took a snap of him standing on the tip of the spire while waving the UAE flag without the slightest hint of fear. Fazza had previously scaled the skyscraper back in 2013, in celebration of Dubai winning the bid to host Expo 2020.
    Showing off his flyboarding skills

    Back in 2019, pictures went viral of the Dubai Crown Prince as he showed the world his serious core strength through this extreme watersport activity – flyboarding. While it might look easy, this sport is quite dangerous and requires a varied skill set. Propelled by jet sprays, one can twirl, flip and soar through the air, which Sheikh Hamdan exactly did.
    As the extremely popular Instagram account continues to accumulate a loyal fan base, it’s always exciting to see which extreme sport is next in the pipeline.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    An exclusive interview with Chef Timothy Newton, Executive Chef of Demind Group

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 hours ago

    As one of the most recognised figures in the F&B industry in the UAE, Chef Timothy Newton has taken the lead for some of the most beloved restaurants in the country.
    After moving to Dubai in 2010, he kickstarted his career in this part of the world at La Petit Maison (LPM) and later joined the Demind team, in order to bring years of invaluable experience to the table.
    Today, you will Chef Newton casting a careful eye as the Demind Executive Chef over the kitchens of Bagatelle, OPA, Myrra and more, where his knowledge and expertise have seen him create an outstanding repertoire of dishes renowned throughout the region.
    With years of culinary experience, he has created an outstanding repertoire of dishes renowned throughout the region.
    Emirates Woman sat down with the chef to discuss his journey and what inspired him to lead this F&B group.
    Can you talk us through your career history?
    Well, it has been quite a long journey. I started cooking at 16 years old which prepped me to then move into my first real kitchen at the age of 18. A year after I moved to Paris where I attended culinary school and opportunities took me everywhere around the world – from California, and London to Australia and last but not least Dubai.

    Where does your love for food and cooking come from?
    I grew up in a small town in the States and like many, we do not have a lot of options around. I think cooking was a way out, we all develop a dream when we were young and I believe it was my ticket to explore the world from a professional and personal perspective.
    What eventually brought you to Dubai?
    In 2009, I was in London working at Terroirs which lead to me landing an opportunity to move to Dubai in 2010 to open the acclaimed La Petite Maison in DIFC as an Executive Sous Chef. Three years later I joined the Demind team and since then we’ve been making history together.
    What are the hero dishes, in your opinion, at OPA and Myrra?
    The hero dish at OPA is definitely the Mixed grilled platter, It’s an amazing representation of a traditional mouth-watering Greek feast and it’s at a great value, it’s a best-selling dish for us, especially since OPA is all about those group gatherings and meal sharing – Myrra’s hero dishes are the calamari Kalamaki and the Paella fideau, each represents the Greek and Spanish cuisine. The Paella in particular always wins our guests’ hearts, we receive amazing feedback which we’re very proud of.
    What is the inspiration behind Myrra and OPA?
    The inspiration behind Opa was to bring a slice of Greece to the heart of Dubai, people usually escape to the Greek islands to experience the culture, amazing food and most importantly the vibrant entertainment. I would like to believe we managed to create this idea we had in mind and keep it at the top of people’s choices for four consecutive years. As for Myrra, we wanted a more laid back relaxed setting by the beach where we can bring Greek and Spanish cuisine to life and make it more accessible to diners. Both deliver high-quality food and top service.
    On the opposite end of the spectrum, what are the milestones?
    The major milestones in my career have varied. I think moving to Dubai was definitely a major step in my life because It opened up a lot of doors for me which ultimately led me to where I am right now – and joining Demind group definitely was a turning point for me from working on Bagatelle to opening OPA and taking the brand globally, building Myrra and our latest venture La Ñina.
    La Ñina is the most recent restaurant added to your portfolio – tell us more.
    La Nina is a modern Iberian and Latino concept. Again we wanted to do something different in Dubai, and bring a new touch to the fine dining scene in the city and i think we achieved that big time. The food is a mix of classic dishes brought up with modern techniques. A lot of our ingredients are imported from South America, it was really important for us to bring authenticity to the concept that diners can relate to and so far we’ve had amazing feedback and response from guests.
    What do you see next for both the Greek restaurants in the emirate?
    I have big expectations for both Myrra and OPA, I think they will continue to thrive and push the boundaries. Opa will soon be offering new dishes and traditional Greek shows to keep the guests entertained especially since we have a lot of regulars which we always take into consideration – as for Myrra, will focus more on the food element and drink options, we’ve recently revamped our beverage menu – our head of bar from Bagatelle recently moved to Myrra to give our drink menu a new elevated touch.
    How does the F&B industry differ here from the rest of the world?
    The competition in this region is tough, especially in Dubai. I think as a restaurant the first thing you need to check off your list is good consistent food and service and even that doesn’t mean success. Especially after the pandemic, we’ve seen a shift in the dining scene in the UAE so it’s really important to set yourself aside from your competitors, identify your niche and aim to always be at the top of your game and resist the noise around.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More

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    10 travel-inspired gifts for the globetrotter in your life

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    3 hours ago

    Since a cure for wanderlust doesn’t exist, finding the right gifts for those a love to travel is the perfect option.
    With the holiday season in full swing, finding keepsakes for the explorer has never been easier.
    From yoga mats to travel-fuelled books, here’s one more opportunity to brighten up the year to keep the wanderer at heart enlightened throughout the year.
    To save you the legwork, Emirates Woman has created the ultimate wanderlust-inspired gift guide to ensure every globe trotter is inspired this season.

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

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    What Your Resume Should Look Like, Based on the Job You Want To Land

    No company, role, or industry is the same. There are so many different career paths we can all take, which makes that nine-to-five life a whole lot more exciting. It also means that there is no one type of career advice that works for everyone. Luckily, there are a lot of resources that help make figuring out this whole climbing the ladder thing easier—including resume templates. Long gone are the days of trying to design a decent-looking resume in Word from scratch one indentation at a time. However, with so many options available, how do you know which one is best for you?
    When choosing a resume template, it’s important that you pick one that is appropriate for the industry, the type of companies you’re applying to, as well as the role at the company you’re applying to. That’s a lot to consider, so we’re breaking down what your resume should actually look like below:

    In this article

    Traditional Industries
    If you’re applying for a role such as an accountant or lawyer in a traditional industry, it’s best to keep things pretty clean with your resume. You’ll want to go for a classic resume template that isn’t designed with any flashy colors or graphics. Simply highlight your work experience and qualifications in a concise and straightforward way.
    It can be hard to design a simple and chic resume when you want to include a lot of information. To keep things streamlined, focus on the roles and skills that relate to the specific job you’re applying for (this means making some resume changes when applying for different types of jobs). 
    When it comes to designing a resume for a traditional industry, you should avoid fancy fonts or colors, as you don’t want to ruffle any old-school feathers by mistake. It’s always a good idea to use bold headings and bullet points where necessary in order to break up text into easily digestible information bites that quickly communicate important facts about yourself without going into too much detail.

    Creative Industries
    For roles in creative industries, you can have a lot more fun with your resume design. This is especially true if the role you’re applying for requires strong graphic design, visual, or branding skills. If you’re applying for a creative role in a very traditional industry, you may want to tread lightly here. It can still be helpful to choose a template that shows a strong eye for design, but you may want to swap any bright colors out for more neutral choices like navy or forest green. 
    For creative roles, you want to highlight your creative skills and your resume is a great place to showcase your strengths. Creative roles can also be quite competitive, so you need your resume to stand out in a sea of applications. Point being—don’t be afraid to think outside the box here. Go for a more unique template that will catch the reader’s eye with a bold color, modern font, or visual aids such as a chart or unique bullet points. 
    You also need to find a template that suits your unique needs as a job searcher in a creative industry. If you’re applying for a creative role, you may have an online portfolio that showcases past examples of your work (this is very common for writers, designers, photographers, and branding experts). Look for a resume template that includes a spot to prominently highlight your website address.

    Casual Industries
    For more casual industries (hello startups), you have a bit more flexibility here. If you’re applying at a young company run by millennials, you’re much more likely to impress by having a less traditional resume. Professionals in informal industries such as retail or dining also won’t mind if your resume has a more unique design. If you aren’t applying for a design-centric role, there’s no need to get too fancy here. The goal is for your resume to be easy to read and to pop when hiring managers or recruiters sift through a bunch of resumes at once.  
    To add some personality to a resume, but to still maintain a professional vibe, consider using light color tones on your resume rather than black-and-white text throughout—just don’t go overboard and stay away from anything neon. 

    The Takeaway
    There is no one right way to format a resume. That being said, you want to keep the specific job and industry in mind when tailoring your resume for each application. Think about who is likely on the receiving end of that resume. Are you applying for a social media marketing role under a marketing director known for launching innovative campaigns? Even in a traditional industry, you can probably send a more creative resume their way.
    Customizing your resume is a great way to highlight the unique skills and experiences that you can apply to each job you’re interested in, but don’t forget you can also customize your resume design each time you apply for a job by quickly changing colors, fonts, and graphics.

    9 Unspoken Resume Rules You Should Be Following More

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    Saudi Arabia to send its first female astronaut to space in 2023

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 hours ago

    The Kingdom is continually making strides in the aviation and space sector.
    Per the latest announcement by the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi will be sending its first female astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi to the International Space Station (ISS) during the second quarter of 2023.
    As another milestone for the country, Barnawi will be accompanied by a male astronaut, Ali Al Qarni. The duo will join the crew of the AX-2 space mission with the flight that is scheduled to launch from the US to the ISS.
    Rayyana Barnawi will join fellow Saudi male astronaut Ali Al-Qarni on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) “during the second quarter of 2023”, the official Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.

    تعرّف على رائدة الفضاء: ريّانة برناويالسعودية #نحو_الفضاء
    Meet the astronaut: Rayyanah BarnawiSaudi Arabia Towards Space pic.twitter.com/o5qMWYJUwF
    — الهيئة السعودية للفضاء (@saudispace) February 12, 2023

    Additionally, two more astronauts, Mariam Fardous and Ali Al Gamdi, will also be trained on all mission requirements and be part of the same crew.
    After launching in 2018, this space programme has been part of Prince Salman’s 2023 vision for economic diversification. This initiative was introduced to increase the interest of graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in ordered to attract the right talent within the country.

    لكل رحلة روّادها.. ولكل مهمّة أبطالها!السعودية #نحو_الفضاء
    Every journey has its pioneers, and every mission has its heroes!Saudi Arabia Towards Space. pic.twitter.com/tXOQwrtB4m
    — الهيئة السعودية للفضاء (@saudispace) February 12, 2023

    With other GCC countries making an impact in this field, the UAE also selected its first female astronaut, Nora AlMatrooshi as part of the UAE Astronaut programme in 2021.
    Kudos to Saudi Arabia for yet another remarkable achievement in the pipeline.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Twitter @saudispace More

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    How I got my job as… Founder of this bespoke Dubai-based artistic cake business

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    1 hour ago

    Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
    This week we chat with Luma Makhlouf, Founder of Luma’s Cakes, an exclusive cake boutique with signature artistic creations to make each client feel special on their big day. With a passion for baking, Luma followed her heart to build a brand and design baked goods after founding the restaurant Maiz Tacos, Makhlouf has expanded its offering to bring you more decadency and deliciousness.
    Now, the scrumptious new creations are launching to the masses after two and a half years of being perfected by Luma, and tried and tested by her friends and family.
    Emirates Woman sat down with the brand’s founder to learn about her career path and how she’s converted her passion into a full-time business.
    What was your favourite subject at school?
    I absolutely loved English in school. I had some fantastic teachers who really made me enjoy reading and writing. I was a big fan of fiction and would spend my summers devouring tons of books.
    What was your first job?
    I started working at a mall when I was 14 years old. I was eager to be independent and earn my own money, so as soon as my parents let me, I never stopped working! I’ve had a lot of jobs over the years and learned a ton about people and work ethic. To this day, I still love working. Some people think I’m a little crazy for it, but I just can’t get enough, it keeps me sane.

    What brought you to Dubai?
    After university, I took some time off and ended up in Jordan with my mom. I worked there for a few months and then got offered a job in Dubai. I had heard so much about it and it sounded like such a different experience from my life in Chicago, so I decided to give it a shot. 14 years later, I’m so glad I did! Dubai is an incredible place with so many opportunities for women and entrepreneurs.
    What inspired you to enter the food space and launch HL Food?
    I’ve always had a dream of being a chef, and my mom was my biggest inspiration. So when I was living in Dubai about 8 years ago, I enrolled in culinary school to learn more. Then, when my husband and I got married, we decided to launch a food truck called Maiz Tacos. It’s been a dream come true and I’ve never been happier. From there, we expanded our brand and started two more businesses: Good Burger and Luma Cakes. They’re all like our babies and we’re so passionate about them. We really believe they fill a need in the market and are doing something special. I grew up in Chicago where Mexican food is as popular as shawarma is here, so I knew I wanted to create an authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican brand. For Luma Cakes, it was similar. I missed those simple, fresh, flavorful cakes that my grandma used to make, so I worked with a fantastic team to bring that experience to life.
    Talk us through the inspiration of your pieces.
    The inspiration behind all of our brands is to use only the freshest ingredients. No canned goods, no frozen food, no chemicals or hormones. We believe in using raw, premium ingredients to create the best possible versions of our recipes. That’s really the secret to our success, and of course excellent customer service. I waitressed all through college, and we invest just as much time in our front of house as we do the back, we want you to feel the vibe when you interact with our brand at every touch point.
    What are the key elements of your role?
    Since it’s just my husband and me running the business, I wear a lot of hats. I might be a waitress one day, a chef the next while working on marketing strategies simutaneously. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the wheels turning. The one thing I’m not great at is admin and accounting, so you’ll probably catch me snoozing during those meetings. But my husband is a wizard in that department, so we make a good team.
    Talk us through your daily routine.
    I’m a mom of two now – a newborn and a three-year-old. Mornings are a little hectic getting my older one ready for school and trying to keep the baby on a sleep schedule. I love getting my little one dressed for the day, then snuggling with the baby before starting my day. I check my phone for any urgent work stuff like catering or cake orders, then have breakfast and reply to emails. I feed the baby again and head out for any errands or appointments I have that day.
    What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
    For anyone looking to start their own business, my advice would be to focus on your why and keep going. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, but it’s important to remember your own path and goals. Some days will be tough, but if it’s truly your passion, you’ll find a way to make it work. And don’t be afraid to ask for help or delegate tasks to your team if you need to.
    What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
    The best advice I ever received was to delegate, ie hire a general manager. When I finally started to let go a bit, and trust in the process and my amazing team I learned that it was possible to remain on track while not doing every single task asked of the business. It has changed my work–life relationship for the better.

    And the worst advice
    That I had to have investors to succeed in Dubai. I learned that you can definitely make it work on your own, it just takes a little more effort and determination.
    What is the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
    One of the biggest challenges I faced was during the pandemic. We had just opened our first location and I had just given birth to my daughter. There were times when we thought we might not make it, but we kept coming up with creative ways to connect with our customers and build trust. And before we knew it, we were actually growing more than ever!
    What are the future plans for your brands?
    In terms of the future, we’re looking to expand our brand to new locations and potentially even create new ones. Exciting times are ahead.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram & Supplied More