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      One of Sheikh Hamdan’s favourite luxury Dubai hotspots unveils its new terrace

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      DIFC hotspot Gaia is expanding internationally this year, but its also expanding its Dubai HQ space.
      The homegrown Greek-Mediterranean restaurant – which is one of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai’s favourite places to go – has opened up its new terrace.

      Expanding into Gate Village, patrons are now able to embrace the atmosphere of DIFC combined with Gaia’s ambience, alongside impeccable cuisine.
      Chef Izu Ani, the concept creator of Gaia, notes how the new terrace encompasses Greek culture, encouraging guests to feel more connected to their surroundings and environment.

      “When we are at one with nature, and appreciate the beauty of our environment, we feel more connected to others and to ourselves,” he says. “In Greece, when you are walking through the villages, you can see tables sprawled out across the patio, filled with people sharing meals, laughing and enjoying.
      “We wanted to create this in DIFC, a community that brings people together and makes everyone feel at home.”
      Open from 12pm, the new terrace, as well as the entirety of Gaia, is consciously adhering to social distancing measures, as well as all COVID-19 protocols.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      This royal family member is now officially off the market

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      A member of the Moroccan royal family is officially off the market.

      An intimate ceremony, in line with COVID-19 guidelines, took place with close family members for King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s niece, Lalla Nouhaila who married Ali El Hajj on February 14, it was announced by the Ministry of the Royal House, Protocol and Chancellery.
      Lalla Nouhaila is the daughter of Princess Lalla Asma, who is the second daughter of Hassan II of Morocco and Lalla Latifa, and the sister of the current King of Morocco.
      While not holding the title of Princess or Royal Highness, Lalla Nouhaila has been honoured with the title of Lalla Cherifa, as she continues to follow in the humanitarian footsteps of her mother, who spends her time focusing on several charitable organisations that support children with disabilities.
      For the wedding celebration, she was dawned in a stunning emerald Kaftan embellished with gold stitching as she’s seen holding hands with her second half, with the first picture as the newly married couple looking happy to begin their lives together.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature image: Instagram @princesse.du.maroc More

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      Dubai has received worldwide recognition for the safeguarding of tourists

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      With glistening skylines, rich cultural heritage and beautiful structures, Dubai has always been a popular hotspot for visitors from around the world constantly going beyond tourism itself.

      While Dubai has been positioned as the commercial hub for tourists, its mission is to become a world-leading destination as it continues to revive the economy through the pandemic.
      Amidst the ongoing battle against COVID-19, the safeguarding visitors has been the main priority for tourism boards the globe-over, but Dubai especially has been recognised for its efforts by the World Tourism Organisation.
      “Dubai deserves recognition for pro-actively working to keep both tourists and tourist workers as safe as possible,” the Communications Department Chief of the UNWTO, Marcelo Risi, told Gulf News. “Tourism creates jobs and promotes economic growth.
      “And tourism delivers best when managed in harmony with people and the planet. Indeed, the current absence of tourism shows how important and relevant the sector is and how it touches on almost every part of our societies – from hospitality and leisure through to arts and culture as well as economic wellbeing.”
      As the Dubai prepares to host Expo 2020 – which is taking place a year later than planned due to the pandemic – the importance of safety and wellbeing of residents and tourists will be at the centre of the conversation.
      READ: COVID-19 in the UAE: Over 40 per cent of the population now has the jab
      However, with the nationwide vaccination drive in full swing and stringent health and safety protocols which have been implemented from the beginning, the UAE and Dubai will ensure their visitors are the top priority.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature image: Instagram @ahmaadmk More

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      8 inspiring GCC-based women discuss the power of love

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      February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now
      We asked some of the most inspiring women we know what love means to them.
      Ghizlan GuenezEntrepreneur@ghizlan_guenez_

      How do you show love?
      When it comes to family and very close friends, I’m very expressive and affectionate verbally and physically. In general, I show love by being supportive, caring and loyal. I learned that each of us has a preference on how we like to receive love based on our preferred love language (there are five!), so I try to keep that in mind when it comes to people close to my heart.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      It is important to understand that this is something that is ongoing. You don’t allocate one day a week to go to the spa and call it self-love. To me, loving myself takes different forms: the discipline to be healthy and workout, the ability to disengage with a toxic conversation or person, the strive to constantly grow and learn as a person. Self-love is about making the right choices for you even when they’re not the easiest.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      I’d like to think that love is the most incredible energy in the world. It goes far beyond the romantic notion and expands into all areas in life. It’s a driving force.
      Yasmin Al MullaCreative Director of YNM Dubai@yasminalmulla, @ynmdubai

      How do you show love?
      Caring and being there for my loved ones is the truest example of real love.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      By believing that you deserve to be happy! I strongly believe in the power of the law of attraction, therefore, treating yourself, appreciating your thoughts and embracing your hobbies are nothing but simple ways of bringing joy and love to yourself.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      Love is LIFE.
      Alexandra HirschiPresenter & Supercar enthusiast@supercarblondie

      How do you show love?
      Being in the moment with the people I love is super important. Make sure they know they’re more important than anything else by giving them all your attention.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      I’ve spent so many years giving my energy to everyone else to build my business. It took a mini break down for me to realise I need to put aside time for myself and what I love to do. That’s usually spending quality time with my dogs.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      Love is the thing that can carry you through any hardship. I’m so lucky to have lots of love in my life with my incredible husband, my family and friends.
      Alia Al NeyadiThe first Emirati ballerina@aliaalneyadii

      How do you show love?
      I have always been a big believer in ‘doing’ rather than ‘talking’ as one action can mean so much more than words. Don’t get me wrong, every conversation I have with my family ends with I love you and we know we mean it. However, actions can show us how much we mean to someone.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      Acceptance. I know that I must be happy with myself and love myself for all that I am. No matter what I must love myself because we only have one life – this isn’t a dress rehearsal.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      Love is life, it is living and being in this mystery and adventure we call. Everything we do is for love and everything we feel is because of love. All my decisions have been based on my love for my art, love makes you brave and committed to the journey ahead, because without love, we are empty.
      Haneen OdehFounder of Snob Salon@haneenodeh

      How do you show love?
      I love doing things for people I love. I may not be very expressive verbally with love, but if I know someone I love wants something I’ll be the first to get it done. Whether it’s cooking their favourite meal, surprising them with gifts, or even running an errand for them, it’s how I feel the most comfortable expressing love. Actions speak louder than words.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      Putting myself first. I realized the more you give away the less you have for your own self, and that’s not healthy. So now I prioritize my wellbeing. I cut out anything and anyone that makes me feel unhappy. I also invest in myself. Meditation, yoga, acupuncture, better eating habits, new experiences, exploring new hobbies. Just constantly taking myself on new adventures and trying new things.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      Love is acceptance and empowerment. When you love someone, you accept them. You don’t try to fundamentally change them. It’s unconditional.
      Lyndsay DoranFounder & CEO of L’Couture@lyndsay_doran

      How do you show love?
      I show love through acts of service, at work and at home. I like to show people I appreciate them by treating them. My favourite thing to do is plan and host dinner parties for my closest friends and family. Seeing them enjoy themselves makes me happy.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      I work out every day, whether it be yoga or weight training. I also love to switch off with a book at the beach and treat myself to a day at the salon.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      To me, love is unconditional support which is something that I found in my husband and my family. They supported me when I wanted to start my fitness journey five years ago which also led to me starting L’Couture.
      Rumana NazimFounder of The Edit Dubai@rnazim

      How do you show love?
      I’d like to believe I show love by making time for people, whether in person or just by lending a listening ear. That might sound like a small thing but we live in a chaotic world in which quality time is fast becoming a rare commodity. This is particularly so in Dubai where the pace of life can be quite frantic. Another way I show love is through food. If someone I care about is unwell or unhappy or otherwise needs reminding that I am here and that I love them, the first thing I do is head for the kitchen. I have a few ‘go-to’ recipes that tend to prove popular. Perhaps this habit stems from the fact I like receiving food from those who love me.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      On an emotional level, I think the basics of being kind and listening to what your mental health and body need are imperative – it allows you to be fair, forgiving and compassionate to yourself and in turn, to others. Physically, I implement self-love through a carefully curated night-time beauty regime honed over many years of practice and exercising as often as my schedule allows me to. An evening run on days that I don’t feel great is the best gift I give myself.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      Love to me is quality time, empathy, gratitude and working together on the same page. I’m also a romantic at heart and something like a beautiful picnic in a remote place would not go amiss! In addition, love to me is also spending time with my five-year-old niece. Seeing the world through her eyes, even if only for an hour, is a great reminder of how simple and pure life can be.
      Montaha Al AjeelFashion designer – Founder of Montaha Couture@montahacouture

      How do you show love?
      With my husband, we love each other deeply. There are many key things you need creating a successful relationship – sacrifice, forgiveness, compassion and more. For him, as he is a top cardiovascular surgeon, I encourage him and tell him I’m proud of him for his humanitarian work by saving lives. He does the same to me – that’s why we succeed in our careers. I like to show love in actions, not words.
      In your life, how do you implement self-love?
      Self-love is medicine for the soul. I believe that the foundation of love is self-love, so we must love ourselves before we can love others as we cannot give what we don’t have.
      This is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      Love is caring, trust, loyalty and sacrifice.
      February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now

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

      Images: Supplied/Instagram More

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      ‘The damage runs deep’: Meghan Markle speaks out after victory

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      For the last few months, Meghan Markle has been embroiled in a legal battle over privacy against The Mail on Sunday for publishing a private letter of correspondence between herself and her father Thomas Markle Sr.
      Over the weekend, it was ruled by the UK’s Justice Mark Warby that the Duchess of Sussex that the newspaper interfered with her privacy as the former Suits actress “had a reasonable expectation that the contents of the letter would remain private”.

      “Taken as a whole the disclosures were manifestly excessive and hence unlawful,” the judge added.
      While it’s a clear victory for Meghan and her husband Prince Harry, she’s also outlined how the damage that has been done “runs deep”.

      “For these outlets, it’s a game,” the duchess said in a statement. “For me and so many others, it’s real life, real relationships and very real sadness. The damage they have done and continue to do runs deep.
      “The world needs reliable, fact-checked, high-quality news.”
      Meghan then directly addressed the tabloid newspaper stating that what it and its partner publications do “is the opposite”.
      “We all lose when misinformation sells more than truth, when moral exploitation sells more than decency, and when companies create their business model to profit from people’s pain,” she added.

      However, brighter things are on the horizon for the couple. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced earlier this week they are expecting their second child together.
      The news was announced via a spokesperson for the couple, alongside a sweet black and white photo of the pair sitting in the sun together whilst Meghan cradled her small bump.
      “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother,” the spokesperson for the Sussexes said. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature image: Getty More

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      Chrissy Teigen showcases much fuller lips, but it’s not due to filler

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      Chrissy Teigen is always known for being open, honest and candid on social media.
      Most recently, the 34-year-old shared a very candid post on Instagram showcasing her much fuller lips. However, the result is not because of filler, which she knows what’s what many people would think.

      “You’re all just gonna think that I got lip fillers, but I didn’t get lip fillers between last night and now,” she said in a video she posted to her Instagram story. It was clear in the footage that her bottom lip was incredibly swollen.
      Teigen continued to explain, “I bit an orange to try to open it, and I think there must’ve been, like, a pesticide or something on it.”

      The mum-of-two then took to post to her Instagram grid showcasing her lips further, at which point they were even more swollen.

      Teigen sarcastically said she was “looking great”, also insisting it wasn’t a “filler fail”.
      “It happened after I bit the skin of a suspicious orange,” she explained for the second time. “Maybe pesticides on the outside? I look like a juicy blow-up doll, freshly unpacked.”
      While her fuller lips were nothing to do with filler, Teigen has been open in the past about the cosmetic procedures she has undergone.
      Last year in July 2020, Teigen was candid about removing her breast implants, which she had previously gotten when she was 20-years-old.
      “They’ve been great to me for many years but I’m just over it,” she explained. “I’d like to be able to zip a dress in my size, lay on my belly with pure comfort! No biggie! So don’t worry about me! All good. I’ll still have boobs, they’ll just be pure fat.”
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Chrissy Teigen Instagram More

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      COVID-19 in the UAE: Over 40 per cent of the population now has the jab

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      With the UAE aiming to vaccinate over half of the population against COVID-19 before the end of March, the country is well on its way to reaching this target.

      On Tuesday, it was announced by a top UAE official for the Ministry of Health and Prevention that over 40 per cent of the population has now received the COVID-19 vaccine.
      Dr Farida Al Hosani from the ministry explained that the vaccine will help the nation “reach herd immunity” against the novel coronavirus.
      So far, over five million vaccinations have been administered across the country, making the UAE one of the leading nations in the world in vaccination rates.
      At present, there are four COVID-19 vaccinations being administered in the UAE.
      READ: The 4 COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available in the UAE
      The first vaccine to be approved in the UAE was the Sinophram vaccine, followed by the Pfizer vaccine being permitted in Dubai towards the end of last year.
      In January, Russia’s Sputnik V was approved for emergency use. And now, just recently, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved in Dubai.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: @nassertone Instagram More

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      6 Things to Do RN to Set Your Business Up for Success in 2021

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      If you ran a business in 2020, we want to start by giving you a massive shoutout. We don’t need to explain why last year was so challenging for business owners, and we think you’re amazing for getting through such a hard year. Whether you already started a business and made it through 2020 or you’re planning on starting one this year (go for it!), we want to help you take some actionable steps that will set your business up for success in 2021. We put together six things you can do right now to get off to a great start this year—from creating a marketing plan to giving your website a strategic spruce. Start checking things off quickly with our platform of choice, Squarespace, which offers user-friendly tools on everything from building websites to tracking analytics to sending emails, so you can get back to doing more of what you love. 

      1. Refresh your website
      The start of a new year is a great time to revisit your current website (or set one up if you don’t have one already). You want your site to engage your audience and help you pull in new customers, inquiries, or readers. Go through an audit of each page and really think about what the color choices, website copy, and overall layout is communicating. Is your site layout easy to navigate and understand? Is your site set up for mobile viewing?
      We love and recommend Squarespace because it makes it easy to ensure your site is beautiful and functional. Pick from tons of templated designs, customize in a few hours, and your site is ready to rock. You can also preview how the site will look on mobile devices, which is essential, as that is where most of your traffic could be coming from— especially if you’re marketing on social platforms like Instagram. 

      2. Make your customer’s lives easier
      While the customer may not always be right (don’t tell them we said that!) they do always deserve to have a good experience with your business. Make their life way easier by making your processes, business hours, and other key information clear and easy to find.
      Use your website and social platforms to show how to contact you, what your store hours are, what items you have available to purchase, and any other key info they need in order to either buy from you or book an appointment with you in the simplest way possible. Don’t be afraid to reiterate this info in multiple places—it might seem like overkill to you, but new customers will be thankful to easily find exactly what they’re looking for. And because so many people hate calling during business hours to make appointments, add convenient features to your website, like appointment scheduling, to create as seamless of an experience as possible. 

      3. Let’s get automated
      If you’re a business owner, you know your to-do list never truly ends. You wear many different hats during the course of your day, and that can get really overwhelming, really fast. So anything you can do to save a little time here and there can be a game-changer. Enter: automations. As a business owner, it’s hard to let go, but utilizing automations to do some of your more mundane—but necessary—business tasks is something that will save you time, stress, and headaches in the long run. 
      Let’s look at email marketing as an example of how automations can make your life so much easier. Every business needs email marketing as a tool in their arsenal (btw, these are some of our go-to email tips!), and luckily email is one of the easiest things to automate. You can create automations that welcome new subscribers, send them a coupon, or recommend products they may like after they make a purchase—further engaging your audience and keeping your biz top of mind. If you’re not sure where to start, Squarespace email campaigns offer pre-set automation triggers that help you craft your emails, along with plug-n-play templates that look great on desktop or mobile. Win, win. 

       
       
      4. Create a fresh marketing plan
      It’s time to take last year’s data and put it to work! Take an hour or two to sit down and look at what really worked for you last year marketing wise, and equally as important, what didn’t work for you. Then take what you’ve learned and create an achievable and actionable marketing plan for the new year. If possible, create social media posts, email newsletters, and digital ads in bulk. Then schedule them out a bit in advance. 
      The key with any good marketing plan is to use data to make informed decisions. While your gut can lead you in the right direction at times, it’s also extremely valuable to have analytical insight on your side. Utilize the free analytics provided by the platforms you share on, like Instagram, to gauge what is resonating with your audience. We also love Squarespace’s built-in analytics to help you understand how your audience is interacting with your website. What pages, content, or products are engaging viewers the most? Use these insights to help you make a plan for the future.  

      5. Consider a rebrand 
      It’s always a nice feeling to give your brand a little refresh, and you don’t have to go all out with a complete rebrand to breath some new life into your aesthetics. Sometimes, just switching up your color palette or adding a new font into the mix can change the feeling of your brand, while still keeping consistent with your look and style. 
      Try adding a few fresh colors to your Instagram feed or switching up your website color palette to start. Just play around and have fun with it—no pressure to be perfect. Our graphic designer here at TEG recommends starting out with a moodboard to narrow in on colors, styles, and type treatments that you’re drawn to. Start by creating a board on Pinterest with images that you think reflect your brand and that would resonate with your audience. Then go through and find the recurring styles—i.e., warm earth tones, touches of handwritten script, etc.—and pull those into your own brand imagery and designs. For more of her tips, read our guide to common branding mistakes and how to fix them. 
      A bonus: If you’re using Squarespace, it’s super easy to test out different colors within your site with their built-in design editor and pre-made palettes. 

      6. Build your digital network
      It seems safe to say that most of us won’t be networking in person anytime soon. Luckily, there’s really no need to. Connect with like-minded individuals in your industry over social media, ask people you’re interested in getting to know for phone or Zoom dates instead of coffee dates, and check in with existing connections via email whenever you come across an article they may like or hear about a recent work accomplishment of theirs. Want the networking to come to you? Don’t forget to add a contact form to your website!

      What are you doing to help set your business up for success this year?

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