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    Optimize your time – The Horology Issue with Blacklane

    by

    Lifestyle

    by Amy Sessions
    34 mins ago

    VIEW GALLERY/ 13 IMAGES
    Words & Creative Direction: Amy SessionsPhotographer: Ziga MihelcicFashion Editor: Camille MacawiliMakeup & Hair: Ania Poniatowska at MMGModel: Kristina Stojanovic at MMG
    Welcome to The Horology Issue.
    For the cover, we have partnered with Blacklane, a luxury brand synonymous with a top-tier approach to saving time, with a dedicated team of professional Academy-trained chauffeurs that allow you to maximise your travel time.
    Blacklane’s Chauffeur Service delivers an unparalleled ride experience so you can optimize your travel time.
    You are the first all- electric fleet Chauffer service. Can you expand on this initiative and why it was so key to be sustainable?
    At Blacklane, we understand the significance of creating a sustainable future for generations to come. Our all-electric fleet in Dubai is a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship. We aim to make a positive impact by setting an example for others in the industry to follow, joining us in our mission towards sustainability. Since 2017, we have been offsetting carbon emissions, and in 2021, we went further by offsetting our remaining emissions from our inception. The next logical step was to reduce emissions altogether which is reflected by our transition to an all-electric fleet, this move also brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of becoming a net zero company by 2040.
    Blacklane is a luxury brand. What are the key signifiers for you of luxury?
    We pride ourselves on delivering a luxurious experience that sets us apart from other transportation options. We believe that certain signifiers such as comfort, convenience, and professionalism, are essential to our guests and our brand. We place a strong emphasis on attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of our guest’s rides is carefully considered and executed to perfection. Our chauffeurs are meticulously trained to provide a seamless and safe experience for our guests. From the cleanliness of the vehicle to the in-car amenities and features, we go above and beyond to exceed expectations. Guests can indulge in a variety of in-car amenities, such as choosing your own playlist, sipping on still or sparkling water, and even enjoying a massage in a cool-air ventilated seat. We believe that these small touches make a big difference, ensuring that the journey with us is not only comfortable but also enjoyable. Quality is another important signifier. We believe that our clients deserve the best, which is why we offer a fleet of premium vehicles that are well-maintained and equipped with the latest technology, included HEPA filtered cabins that remove fine particles and other pollutants from the air inside the car, ensuring our guests breathe clean, fresh air throughout their journey. We also understand that convenience is key and with our app, guests can select from our on-demand or pre-scheduled service, ensuring that they have the flexibility to book a ride that works best for them. We understand that unexpected delays can happen, which is why every booking comes with a complimentary 15-minute wait time, for airport pickups, we go the extra mile by offering a 60-minute complimentary wait time with a meet and greet service.
    What is the core DNA of the brand?
    At the heart of our brand, Blacklane is driven by a mission to create true peace of mind today for a better tomorrow. Through our commitment to delivering perfect experiences around the world, we seek to inspire a brighter future that is sustainable, socially responsible, and economically sound. Our core DNA is built around providing a seamless, premium travel experience that is tailored to individual needs. Our commitment to excellence, reliability, and professionalism is at the forefront of everything we do, ensuring that every journey with Blacklane is a memorable one.
    You train all Chauffeur’s in the Academy- can you tell us what this involves?
    Our chauffeurs are the backbone of our service. Their comprehensive training through the Blacklane Chauffeur Academy is essential in delivering unparalleled experiences to our clients. The Academy ensures that our chauffeurs are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to create seamless and memorable travel experiences. The program covers a diverse range of topics, from professional driving techniques, safety procedures, customer service, communication skills, navigation and route planning, vehicle maintenance and upkeep, to etiquette and discretion. Our training program, developed by global experts and conducted by experienced instructors, guarantees that our chauffeurs are always up to date on industry best practices.
    You have the option to have a female Chauffeur- is this popular with female clients in the region?
    We recognize the importance of personalization when it comes to delivering an exceptional ride experience and understand that our clients come from diverse backgrounds and have unique preferences, which is why we offer a range of options to better meet their needs. For instance, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests who have opted for our female chauffeurs and we’re proud to offer this option to ensure that every aspect of the travel experience is tailored to their preferences.
    Time is precious. How does this service allow its clients to optimize their time?
    Time is one of our most valuable commodities, and we’re dedicated to providing a service that optimizes every moment of our guest’s travel experience. Imagine being able to work on a crucial project, make an important call, catch up on some reading, or simply relax in a massage seat during your daily commute. Our easy-to-use app enables quick and hassle-free bookings, while our commitment to punctuality ensures that you’ll arrive at your destination on time.
    As well as advance booking trips you can book a car by the hour- has this been a popular feature to date?
    Our hourly booking option resonates deeply with the discerning clientele who value adaptability and the freedom to dictate their own schedules. This sought-after feature offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing our guests to travel the city at their leisure, enjoying the convenience of a dedicated chauffeur and a luxurious vehicle especially as temperatures rise. Our emphasis on personalization and timesaving ensures that we can cater to the needs of our guests, whenever and wherever they need us.
    You can now download the app from the iOS store here.
    May’s – The Horology 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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      Are you eligible for the UAE’s Golden Visa? Take the quiz to find out now…

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      2 hours ago

      With numerous individuals in the UAE and globally being granted the Golden Visa, a new tool has officially been launched to check your eligibility for the same.
      Through a short quick quiz available on the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship, users can answer a few questions relating to their contribution to the country’s economy and additionally find out more about the supporting documents needed for each criteria.
      After first being implemented in 2019, the UAE’s Golden Visa residency programme was introduced as a means for expats to live, work and study in the UAE for a period of 10 years without the need for a sponsor.

      Several talented individuals such as Chef Izu, content creators Ola Farahat and Karen Wazen, actor Shah Rukh Khan and others have already been granted this visa after their notable achievements within the industry and beyond.
      With immense benefits for Golden Visa holders, the visas extend to immediate family members to ensure expats can keep their members can keep their family members live in the country hassle-free.
      Eligibility
      So, are you eligible for a Golden Visa? The UAE government has made it easy to see if you are with a two-minute quiz which you can take here.
      Below, we’ve also outlined the key players who are eligible for the Golden Visa.
      Entrepreneurs
      With the UAE considered a startup hub and with an influx of innovative business, entrepreneurs are now eligible to apply under this category. The requirements are for any small and medium enterprise (SME) to generate not less than Dhs1m in revenue or the individual should be a founder of a previous project that was sold for not less than Dhs7m and it needs to be approved by the Ministry of Economy or competent local authorities.
      Real estate investors
      The visa categories included those who have a property with a minimum investment of Dhs2 million in real estate, with investors who purchase properties on a mortgage plan where the total investment is Dhs2 million or more.
      ‘Exceptional talents’
      The categories for receiving the visa have been expanded. Under this category, individuals in fields such as culture & art, sports, investors & innovators, and digital technology can now be beneficiaries of this esteemed visa scheme.
      Scientists & researchers
      Any notable scientists and those conducting intense research in their field will have an opportunity to apply, based on the recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council. The requirements for this category include a Ph.D. or master’s degree in either of the heads that include engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from well-reputed universities along with proof of research and any achievements.
      Outstanding students
      Students in UAE secondary schools and exceptional graduates from UAE universities and 100 of the best situated worldwide have an opportunity to apply for this visa. The requirements include sharing their academic performance, year of graduation and university classification.
      Skilled workers
      Workers who have a Bachelor’s degree, and a valid contract of employment, are classified under the occupational level one or two as defined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and have a minimum monthly income of Dhs30,000 will be granted this visa in the UAE.
      How to apply once eligible?
      Eligible candidates will need to follow the six-step process via the Dubai Smart Application after downloading the GDRFA application, then create a new user account, select the required service, follow the attachment of the required documents, pay the fees and ultimately submit the request.
      Candidates can also apply for the UAE’s Golden Visa through AMER Center, if they wish to physically submit the documents and make the payment.
      If you think you’re a potential candidate to receive a Golden Visa, take this two minutes quiz on smartservices.icp.gov.ae to find out your eligibility.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram @Dubai More

    • 175 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      Are you eligible for the UAE’s Golden Visa? Take the quiz to find out…

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      2 hours ago

      With numerous individuals in the UAE and globally being granted the Golden Visa, a new tool has officially been launched to check your eligibility for the same.
      Through a short quick quiz available on the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship, users can answer a few questions relating to their contribution to the country’s economy and additionally find out more about the supporting documents needed for each criteria.
      After first being implemented in 2019, the UAE’s Golden Visa residency programme was introduced as a means for expats to live, work and study in the UAE for a period of 10 years without the need for a sponsor.

      Several talented individuals such as Chef Izu, content creators Ola Farahat and Karen Wazen, actor Shah Rukh Khan and others have already been granted this visa after their notable achievements within the industry and beyond.
      With immense benefits for Golden Visa holders, the visas extend to immediate family members to ensure expats can keep their members can keep their family members live in the country hassle-free.
      Eligibility
      So, are you eligible for a Golden Visa? The UAE government has made it easy to see if you are with a two-minute quiz which you can take here.
      Below, we’ve also outlined the key players who are eligible for the Golden Visa.
      Entrepreneurs
      With the UAE considered a startup hub and with an influx of innovative business, entrepreneurs are now eligible to apply under this category. The requirements are for any small and medium enterprise (SME) to generate not less than Dhs1m in revenue or the individual should be a founder of a previous project that was sold for not less than Dhs7m and it needs to be approved by the Ministry of Economy or competent local authorities.
      Real estate investors
      The visa categories included those who have a property with a minimum investment of Dhs2 million in real estate, with investors who purchase properties on a mortgage plan where the total investment is Dhs2 million or more.
      ‘Exceptional talents’
      The categories for receiving the visa have been expanded. Under this category, individuals in fields such as culture & art, sports, investors & innovators, and digital technology can now be beneficiaries of this esteemed visa scheme.
      Scientists & researchers
      Any notable scientists and those conducting intense research in their field will have an opportunity to apply, based on the recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council. The requirements for this category include a Ph.D. or master’s degree in either of the heads that include engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from well-reputed universities along with proof of research and any achievements.
      Outstanding students
      Students in UAE secondary schools and exceptional graduates from UAE universities and 100 of the best situated worldwide have an opportunity to apply for this visa. The requirements include sharing their academic performance, year of graduation and university classification.
      Skilled workers
      Workers who have a Bachelor’s degree, and a valid contract of employment, are classified under the occupational level one or two as defined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and have a minimum monthly income of Dhs30,000 will be granted this visa in the UAE.
      How to apply once eligible?
      Eligible candidates will need to follow the six-step process via the Dubai Smart Application after downloading the GDRFA application, then create a new user account, select the required service, follow the attachment of the required documents, pay the fees and ultimately submit the request.
      Candidates can also apply for the UAE’s Golden Visa through AMER Center, if they wish to physically submit the documents and make the payment.
      If you think you’re a potential candidate to receive a Golden Visa, take this two minutes quiz on smartservices.icp.gov.ae to find out your eligibility.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram @Dubai More

    • 175 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      How I got my job as… Founder of the UAE’s first leading decluttering company

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      3 hours 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 Shelina Jokhiya, founder of DeCluttr Me and author of “Can you Find it in Five Seconds?” As the first podcast show in the Middle East focusing on decluttering and organizing your life, Jokhiya brings practical advice on how to achieve a clutter-free space and set up systems tailored to each individual’s needs.
      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?
      My favourite subject was English literature and Chemistry.
      What was your first job?
      In my late teens, I worked at Mcdonald’s making the burgers and putting the dressings on them – I was an expert. When I realised that I wanted to study law, I also worked as an intern at the county court chambers, and various law firms to learn more about the profession.

      What brought you to Dubai?
      I had been working as a solicitor in London and then I got a job as a lawyer at Emirates in 2005. I had visited Dubai 3 years before with my family so I knew a little bit about it.
      What inspired you to enter the organizational space?
      I have always been organised since I was a child. I used to organise my Madonna collection, music, DVDs, anything and everything. I dreamt about being an organiser when working in London in the early 2000s but I didn’t think anyone would pay for this service. After so many years of being a lawyer, I was fed up with my life and started to research online about being an organizer. That’s when I realised that it was a thriving industry and no one else was doing it in the Middle East so I thought I would start.
      How did you come to launch your own company?
      I created the website and social media accounts for DeCluttr Me in March 2013 whilst still working and then blogged for a few months to build content. I saved money at the same time and finally quit in September 2013 from my job to start this full-time. DeCluttr Me became the region’s first licensed, professional organising service.
      What are the key elements of your role?
      Mostly decluttering and organizing clients’ homes, especially closets and kitchens. But I also help clients when they are moving into new homes with unpacking and organizing. I help a lot of clients who are dealing with mental health issues, grief, divorce or abuse which has manifested into physical clutter so it is not just about organizing and labelling items into nice boxes.
      Talk us through your daily routine
      I try not to look at my phone in the morning except to play Wordle, breakfast is cereal and a coffee and then if I’m working with a client it is getting my work bag ready and heading to their place. Usually I work an 8-hour session with clients so I am exhausted by the time I finish and get home. I try to cook in advance so that I can warm up the food, eat, catch up on admin and watch some tv and then sleep. If I have a day off I love hiding in the cinema watching movies. I love switching off my phone and my mind, and just concentrating on whatever I am watching. I am also currently trying to see as much of the UAE as possible so will book to go to a tourist attraction in one of the emirates on my day off.
      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      Think about how you can help your clients. It is not just about organising into nice boxes like you see on TV and social media, there are other elements to consider when being a professional organizer including the temperaments of the clients and the clutter they have. If you get overwhelmed seeing clutter then this is not the job for you.

      What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
      If you are a solopreneur like me, have a board of friends and advisers to talk to about your business and to give you non-biased advice. I have five people I can contact at any time to discuss my business issues and achievements and to get their sage advice.
      And what is the worst? –
      I get so much unsolicited advice from people that I tend to block them out now.
      What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
      Getting people to understand what decluttering is and how it can be beneficial for you mentally and physically. Now it has become a cool thing to do but it took many years to get to this point.

      What are the future plans for your brand?
      I recently published my first book “Can you find it in five seconds?” which is available in hard copy and e-book on Amazon. I have also expanded DeCluttr Me to offer a wardrobe shopping service. It involves a visit from our stylist, who will assess the current contents of your wardrobe, evaluate what works for you, determine what should be kept, and how items can be mixed, matched and accessorised to create new looks. The idea is to help you to achieve a more sustainable, compact, capsule wardrobe that suits your style, from items you already have, without spending on new clothes. Next, I plan on creating another book, publishing worldwide and also getting a tv show about how decluttering and organizing has benefited my clients in the region.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Pexels @marina-podrez More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      This leading Dubai photography studio captures the most precious family moments

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Team Emirates Woman
      1 minute ago

      When it comes to capturing precious family moments, this Dubai-based photography studio knows how to do it best.
      You+Baby Studio has been a leader in the photography space since it launched in 2018, specialising in creative newborn photography, maternity photo shoots, family portraits and more.
      The unique photography space is truly one-of-a-kind in the emirate under the vision of the studio’s founder, Natalia Leanca.
      With a keen passion for creativity and photography, Leanca saw an opportunity to capture the most important moments in the lives of families, creating a dedicated space to focus solely on baby and family photography.

      Now, four years on, the founder now has an all-female team of six photographers and offers a wide range of services including maternity photography, newborn photography, cake smash sessions, capturing a baby’s first year, family photography, mommy and me photo sessions and more.
      With their premium studio located in Al Safa 1 on Sheikh Zayed Road, the You+Baby Studio team ensure the entire photo shoot process is seamless.
      From an easy access venue, to an inviting space for guests, the space is equipped with state-of-the-art air purifiers, sterilizers and other tools to ensure your little ones are comfortable and safe. & Toys & Props Sterilizer
      Each session is bespoke to the individual client and there are a range of props and an adorable range of costumes to choose from including chef attire, ballerina and baby boss attire, just to name a few.

      The studio space is also home to You Baby Store, a premium mother and baby shop with pieces made from organic materials for optimum breathability and comfort. Designed from bamboo, the buttery soft clothes come in a variety of prints and in matching co-ord sets for both the mother and baby.
      Having photographed over 1,000 babies, the experts at You+Baby Studio are more than ready to welcome you and your little one to create memories that will last a lifetime.
      For more information youbabystudio.com.
      This article was powered by You+Baby Studio. 
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More