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    In pics: Inside the chicest new restaurant in Dubai

    Lifestyle

    by Olivia Morris
    17 mins ago

    One of the most beloved restaurants in Dubai has officially opened in a new area of the emirate.
    Couqley Bistro & Bar first came to the UAE from the shores of Beirut in 2016 firmly cementing itself as a hotspot in JLT.
    Now, six years on, the restaurant has added a second location to its roster on the opposite end of the city in Business Bay.
    The Couqley French Brasserie has opened its doors in the Pullman Hotel, adding to the ever-growing dining scene in Downtown Dubai.
    Bringing the same beloved charm to its JLT flagship, the new Couqley space spans an impressive 6,250 square metres designed by Dubai-based Portuguese artist Ana D’Castro encapsulating the true spirit of Paris.
    Featuring an expansive outdoor terrace with views of Dubai Canal and Downtown Dubai, as well as a large indoor space with triple-height ceilings, the restaurant venue features soaring high walls in rich teal, a wooden parquet floor, a centrally located marble-top island bar and a semi-open kitchen creating a direct view of the chefs at work.
    While Couqley French Brasserie is certainly distinct in style, you’ll be welcomed with the same endearing hospitality and exquisite cuisine just like its sister JLT flagship. The Business Bay venue will also be serving up the same weekly dining deals allowing diners to indulge in Couqley’s Business Lunch, Steak Frites Mondays and Ladies Night.
    Take a look inside the brand-new Couqley French Brasserie below.

    The Couqley French Brasserie is located at the Pullman Dubai Downtown. 

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

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    UAE’s public holidays confirmed for 2023

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    44 mins ago

    As residents gear up for the last public holidays of 2022, it’s time to mark your calendars with all the upcoming public holidays in 2023.
    If you’re looking to plan for next year in advance, the UAE cabinet has approved the official holidays for the UAE’s public and private sectors for 2023 to ensure employees of both sectors have equal time off.
    Below, Emirates Woman outlines the official public holidays in the UAE for 2023.
    New Year’s Day
    There will be an official holiday to mark the first day of the calendar year – January 1, 2023.
    Eid Al Fitr
    The first day of Ramadan is predicted to fall around March 22, 2023, in the Gregorian calendar. The UAE cabinet confirmed Eid Al Fitr will be from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Per the Gregorian calendar, this will likely be from April 20 to April 23, 2023 with dates subject to the moon sighting.
    Arafah Day & Eid Al Adha
    A couple of months after Eid Al Fitr, the UAE will observe another public holiday, Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha will be from Dhul Hijjah 9 to Dhul Hijjah 12. This could potentially be a six-day break, making it the longest holiday next year from Tuesday, June 27 to Friday, June 30.
    Hijri New Year
    Hijiri or Islamic New Year falls on will fall on July 21, 2023, which will mean a three-day weekend for UAE citizens and residents.
    Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
    The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on the 12 of the Hijri month of Rabi Al Awwal, which will be September 29, 2023. This is a Friday, so it could be a three-day weekend for residents.
    Commemoration Day and National Day
    To close out 2023, those in the UAE will have another break to look forward to with Commemoration Day, December 1, and National Day, December 2 and December 3.

    #مجلس_الوزراء يعتمد أجندة العطلات الرسمية للعاملين في القطاعين الحكومي والخاص للعام 2023 pic.twitter.com/mgZiXfbaby
    — UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) November 27, 2022

    As always, the final and official dates and public holiday eligibility for public sector employees and private sector employees are always determined by UAE authorities.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram @dubai, Feature Image: @rjal_alfalahi More

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    16 Desk Essentials Your Body Will Thank You Big Time For

    If you often find yourself finishing up a long workday in pain, you’re not alone. After all, things like tech neck, back pain, and eye strain are just a few common symptoms that come from working at a desk and staring at a screen for prolonged periods of time. Granted, we all have to deal with and push through pain occasionally, but dealing with pain day in and day out can take a toll on your mental health and affect your overall performance at work.
    The truth is, continuously working through or going into your workday knowing it could potentially end in pain is not going to set you up for success, which is why finding items that can help minimize pain is key to working at your fullest potential.
    Start thriving instead of just surviving with these desk essentials. From CBD relief cream to back cushions, laptop risers and everything in-between, these are the ergonomic desk essentials you need to add to your workspace ASAP.

    Twelve South
    Curve Laptop Riser
    Calling all laptop owners: This is one item your wish list needs. This chic laptop riser comes in a matte black or sleek white finish, so it pairs beautifully with any laptop shade and looks nice on any surface. What’s more, it’ll help combat and prevent neck and shoulder pain and make your video calls look even better by placing your laptop at eye-level.

    Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
    Say goodbye to the days of trying to work through hand or wrist pain with this ergonomic keyboard. Designed with an ergonomic slope and built-in wrist rest for optimal hand and wrist placement, you’ll work in a more neutral position, combat hand pain, and prevent further injury or strain.

    Ergonomic Wrist Rest and Mouse Pad
    Lightweight, soft, durable, and slip-resistant, this wrist rest and mouse pad set is exactly what you need to alleviate hand and wrist pain. Plus, it’s made with memory foam for comfortable, easy use.
    Available in 15+ colors

    Cloud Cool Mist Humidifier
    Cold weather can exacerbate aches and pains, and indoor heating can zap moisture from the air. Breathe some life back into your space with Vitruvi’s Cloud Humidifier; the ultra-sleek, minimalist design can serve as desk decor while making your body feel better and improving your skin, hair, and natural immunity.
    Available in 3 colors

    Wear Me Pro
    Blue Light Glasses
    Combat screen-induced headaches and eye strain with a pair of blue light blocking glasses. We love a multitasking accessory, and these are super cute and effective.

    Simple Modern
    Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
    It’s no secret that staying hydrated can help keep your body in check, improve circulation, and reduce pain and inflammation. Keep a water bottle with you at all times to ensure you never forget to drink enough. The beauty of this size is that you’ll have to get up for more eventually, which will help break up the day, give your eyes a break from the screen, and get in some extra movement.

    Equilibria
    Relief Balm
    Pain can be unpredictable at times, but keeping Equilibria’s CBD Relief Balm handy can help.With 500mg of CBD and other loving ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, lavender, and menthol, this is a great all-natural alternative to over-the-counter pain reducers like Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Simply apply a pea-sized amount onto the affected area to calm down inflammation and provide much-needed relief.
    Use code ‘theeverygirl’ for 20% off of your first order at Equilibria!

    Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
    If you’re looking to upgrade your desk completely and say goodbye to neck and shoulder pain once and for all, look no further. FlexiSpot’s standing desk is electrically powered and fully customizable, and lets you program up to three presets, so you can save the desk positions and heights that work best for you.

    Branch Furniture
    Ergonomic Chair
    There’s a reason Branch Furniture’s Ergonomic Chair has a 5-star rating—because it works. It simultaneously provides comfort and firm lumbar support, relieves pressure in your body, and supports a healthy posture. So, add this to your holiday wish list and say goodbye to long days spent sitting in uncomfortable chairs.
    Available in 3 colors

    Portable Back Massage Cushion with Heat
    A back massager with a built-in heating system that can be strapped to your desk chair and used as you work? Say no more. Designed to relax and soothe, you’ll never want to rush through work again.

    Ergonomic Back Relief Cushion
    Give your office chair an upgrade this season. Available in 4 colors, this back relief cushion is contoured to fit your natural lumbar curve and provide necessary spine support. Plus, it can be strapped to fit almost any chair.

    Cushion Lab
    Pressure Relief Seat Cushion
    Remedy tailbone pain that comes from sitting for prolonged periods of time with this ergonomic seat cushion. Designed to improve posture and relieve sitting and hip pressure, this portable seat cushion has a grippy bottom that will fasten to any desk chair and provide comfort and support all-day long. Plus, with 2 sizes and 13 colors to choose from, you’re bound to find something that fits both your vibe and your needs.

    Cushion Lab
    Under Desk Foot Rest
    Sitting for hours on end can put a lot of added pressure on your body, but simply adding a foot rest under your desk can provide some pain relief. This footrest is made with an ergonomic design and 3D Wave Foot Massage that will stimulate blood flow and enhance circulation for deep tension release. Really, it’s like stepping on a cloud.
    Available in 10 colors

    Under Desk Elliptical
    This under desk elliptical should be on every working woman’s holiday wish list. Movement makes your body feel better and helps combat long-term pain, so place this under your desk to get in extra activity while you work. Also included in purchase is a mat that will protect your floor, a resistance band, caster stoppers to keep your chair in place while using, and a tether strap that will secure the elliptical to your desk chair. More

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    This advent calendar will make the countdown to Christmas extra special

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    2 hours ago

    IN PARTNERSHIP: There’s nothing better than a warm cup of tea to tame the holiday stress.
    As an annual treat for fine tea lovers, Newby Teas has launched an exclusive Hotel advent calendar that is set to make your teatime a daily delight. Making it the perfect gift for your friends and family, the blends are individually wrapped for utmost freshness with 96 tea bags in total.
    So, get ready to count down the days to Christmas with 24 unique blends cossetted in mini draws to replicate a sophisticated boutique-style hotel. After first launching in 2015, this one-of-a-kind box became an instant success with its luxury high-quality fine-teas catering to a wide audience.

    If you’re looking to expand your tea horizons, the calendars have a plethora of blends to suit everyone’s needs. From Ginseng Oolong to Oriental Sencha, there’s a long list of unending rare varieties for a loaded tea-tasting month. With an array of classic blends such as Moroccan Mint, Ceylon, English Breakfast, Earl Grey and more, this box of 96 teabags taps into the unappreciated diversity of tea.
    Designed with ornate packaging, this sought-after hotel-shaped advent calendar can be repurposed for post-festive purposes. Curated with intricate Parisian designs, the box features charming accents depicting an escape in one of the most romantic destinations in the world. The black and white illustration closely portrays an attentive bell-boy, a chic woman walking her dog and a content creator capturing that perfect shot.

    This exclusive Hotel Newby advent calendar priced at Dhs1,000 is available at the Newby Teas Boutique at Park Hyatt Dubai, which is open daily from 9am to 7pm. As well as Hotel Newby, this quaint boutique has a full range of limited-edition festive gifts making it the perfect option for gifting this season.
    For more information visit newbyteas.com. 
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    Watch: Lebanese dance group Mayyas stun crowds in Saudi Arabia’s capital

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    3 hours ago

    Lebanese dance group Mayyas is continuing to wow crowds across the Middle East.
    Following their sensational performance in Dubai at the end of last month, the troupe made their way to Saudi Arabia earlier this week.
    In footage obtained by Arab News, the Americas Got Talent winners stunned the audience during a performance in Riyadh which featured theatrics, acrobatics and more.

    #Lebanese dance troupe and @AGT winners @mayyasofficial put on an electrifying show in #SaudiArabia this week at @RiyadhSeason https://t.co/2M7tF6sMuE pic.twitter.com/XL3OBhVP2b
    — Arab News (@arabnews) November 23, 2022

    The dance group’s performance was part of the Riyadh Season zone, Boulevard World.
    How did it all begin?
    The Lebanese dance group won the most recent season of Americas Got Talent after showcasing a series of seamless dance performances, including their finale performance, where the team of 30 women “danced as one” in the words of the actress and judge, Sophia Vergara.
    The female-led dance group took home a $1 million (Dhs3.7 million) grand prize, with a host of congratulatory messages being shared on social media from the likes of celebrities such as Lebanese singer Maya Diab, Egyptian superstar Sherihan and more.
    The performance ended on a joyous note with the audience holding up the Lebanese flag as they cheered for the crew.
    After months of hard work, the group is now known globally with the group now making its mark in the Middle East.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram/Twitter  More

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    The founder of Leila Heller Gallery discusses the key to investing in art pieces

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    30 mins ago

    Leila Heller has gained worldwide recognition as a pioneer in promoting creative dialogue in this part of the world and globally.
    After opening its first international location in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, this one-of-a-kind art gallery leaves a lasting impression on contemporary art and culture here in the Middle East.
    To understand more about the process of art curation, Emirates Woman spoke to Leila Heller, founder of the gallery about her approach to art.
    Talk us through your approach to curating an art collection.
    Collecting is definitely an art in itself and one has to be focused on the oeuvre and progression of artists they are collect- ing. There should be a theme or connection between the artists in one way or another. Personally, as a woman, I collect many female artists or art that has women as the subject. Some examples include Shirin Neshat, Marilyn Minter, Soraya Sharghi, Francesca Pasquali, Nan Swid, Mia Fonssagrives Solow, Rachel Lee Hovnanian, Ran Hwang, Mouna Rebeiz, Reza Derakshani, Gulay Semercioglu, Rob Wynn, Melis Buyruk, Hadieh Shafie, Aref Montazeri, and Ana D’Castro. I love abstraction but also texture and my collection have largely become based on materiality and what the work is made of. I also have a theme of modernist artists and contemporary masters such as Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Fernand Leger, Andre Lhote, Claudia Bravo, Marcos Grigorian, Manoucher Yektai, Farideh Lashai, Henry Moore, Gleize, Renoir, Matisse, and more.

    What advice would you impart to those starting their art collection?
    My biggest advice to art collectors is to love the work you buy. It has to be love at first sight. Then you do your research. Is it in a museum collection, part of biennales or curated shows? This shows the probability of the artist’s success going forward. But first and foremost, it must start with a passion and gut feeling.
    What is the most recent piece the gallery has added to its art collection?
    One of the most re- cent works I have added to my collection is Efe Alatin and Melis Buyruk, two Turkish artists who I have added personally to my collection but also to the gallery’s roster of artists.
    NFTs have rewritten the rules of the game. How has this impacted the art world?
    They became a craze but like many other trends, they have stabilised. Nonetheless, they have now been written into the canon of art history and definitely speak to this new age of technology. How do you suggest collectors take care of their pieces? In order to keep works of art in perfect condition for years to come, the best is to make sure they are not exposed to extreme temperatures of heat or cold as that can damage paintings, works on paper, and sculptures. Additionally, any work on paper should be behind a museum glass so that any sunlight does not discolour the paper and any bronze or metal sculptures should not be exposed to extreme humidity as they may rust. When cleaning art a feather duster is a good idea to gently remove dust from sculptures and paintings. No chemical cleaners or solutions should be used to clean any artwork at home.
    What value can working with an art consultant have on the curation process?
    This is a tricky question as there are different types. I know many extremely professional art advisors who are very educated in the field of art and have great experience working in museums, galleries, or other respectable art venues. Then there are others who call themselves art consultants without true knowledge of the art world, art history, or the art market, but use their connections to sell art. There are very honest and straightforward art advisors who have a fee structure they discuss with the client in advance and try their best on behalf of their client to negotiate down the price. However, there are many art consultants who get fees from both sides which aren’t done professionally. It is misleading in every way and prejudicial as they are paid from both sides. An art consultant can impose their own views on their client, so a client has to be aware and do their own due diligence and research to make sure it is a beneficial purchase. Some- times art consultants can be biased in their recommendations due to financial gain. How- ever, I do work with many art consultants who are extremely knowledgeable and helpful to both the buyer and the seller. If one would like to hire one, they should make sure to do their research to find a reputable person.

    What is your approach to art curation for an event?
    As I have worked in several museums, I have been trained as a curator. This experience has been a big help to me in curating my own shows in the gallery or curating shows in other venues and locations. I will come up with a concept or idea, and every artist I choose has a connection to the theme. A well-curated exhibition is a delight to view and a badly curated exhibition can be a detriment to the exhibition and the artist it features. Every show in my gallery, unless I have a guest curator, is curated by myself and I take great joy in doing so. The placement is all hand-chosen by me and I try to always find the synergy between each work included. When I work with a collector, I also often curate the works in their home, placing the works to create a dialogue between them and ensuring everything flows. Lighting and framing are big components of a well-curated exhibition. Works need to have room to breathe and show themselves in all of their glory to create a cohesive presence.
    November’s – The Collectors Issue – Download Now
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    Images: Supplied More

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    Salt Bae’s Dhs600,000 Abu Dhabi restaurant bill divides opinion

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    35 mins ago

    Would you ever guess a restaurant bill could cause a stir on social media? Well, it can…
    During a recent fine-dining experience at Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Abu Dhabi, a few diners spent over Dhs600,000.
    Nusret Gökçe, founder of his namesake restaurant and also known as ‘Salt Bae’, took to Instagram to share the astronomical restaurant bill on Instagram.
    Quality never expensive #saltbae #saltlife #salt…,” he captioned the post sharing the receipt of the restaurant bill.

    Of course, the post Salt Bae shared with his 49.2 million followers garnered a lot of attention and definitely divided opinion amongst his fans.
    In the breakdown of the bill, his followers were able to see that five portion of beef carpaccio would set you back Dhs1,200 on five portions of beef carpaccio, while two beef tenderloins came it in at a whopping Dhs4,500. To top it off, there was Dhs30,000 spent on VAT alone and over half a million dirhams spent on beverages.
    Naturally, the comments rolled in on the post.
    “Seeing this dinner bill and thinking this can save an entire city from hunger for days makes me feel sad,” one user commented. “No one should EVER pay 405 for a still water.”
    “This is so stupid… Paying this much for one meal,” another follower stated.
    Meanwhile another said, “90 percent of this is just alcohol, what quality are you talking about?? Did you produce the Petrus Louis 13?”
    Another person joked that despite the expensive bill it was “Only 27 on sparkling water.”

    After going viral in 2017 with his signature salt-sprinkling pose, the Turkish restauranteur has opened branches all across the world including Mayfair, London and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With each restaurant serving astonishing dishes such as gold-leaf covered steaks and Golden ottoman steaks, diners around the world have previously made comments pertaining to the exorbitant prices on these menus.
    Would you pay a visit to this world-famous restaurant?
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram @saltbae More

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    Kick-start your holiday playlist with Sonos

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    1 hour ago

    With the holiday season now upon us, you might start thinking about creating the ultimate holiday playlists or planning festive favourite movie marathons with family and friends.
    That being said with it being the time of gifting, Sonos have created audio solutions for the tech enthusiast in all of us that appreciate the superior sound quality.
    Sonos have a selection of compact products that promise sound quality like never before! Whether you want to connect wireless speakers throughout your home for your holiday party or create a cinematic experience with the Sound Bars, Sonos have you covered.
    All that’s left to do is invite friends over, grab the festive snacks and enjoy!
    Discover Sonos’ Holiday favourites below:

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