Friday, September 29, 2017

Review: Okja the Super Pig Movie


An amazing Korean Bong Joon-ho Netflix movie about the loveable computer generated, Okja, a super pig. The sweetest story of love and ugly, heartless multi-million $ corporations. Makes you rethink vegetarianism. 

It's a 10/10 for quality of filming and computer generated genius. The script and acting by the young Korean girl, Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal is just wonderful. 

Thursday, September 28, 2017

The Latest in Fashion at Harvey Nichols - Sadly this is no joke

I am almost lost for words. Do designers really think that if it's got their name on it people will buy it? 


The Awesome Red Arrows Back In Kuwait

Another amazing aeronautical acrobatic display by the incredible Red Arrows over the Kuwait Towers. What a treat.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Introduction to Writing Arabic Calligraphy Class

Grow Your Own Celery



Don't throw out the bottom part of your celery, stick it in a bowl put some water in it, change water daily and watch it grow. I'm really surprised at how fast it's growing I should have enough for a tuna salad soon.

Breaking News King Allows Saudi Woman To Drive

The new decree will be implemented in 2018. WTG ladies!

Monday, September 25, 2017

DIY Month

Okay husband is away and I have been dying to do some jobs in the kitchen and around the house. Seeing as he won't let me get up a ladder (not since I was 8 months pregnant up a tall ladder finishing off a hand-painted, full wall mural in the nursery). And he won't even let me look at his Black & Decker drill. But what he doesn't see won't hurt him and he is loving the pics of the finished updates. Although he doesn't believe I did it.. 

I have always hated our kitchen tiles so decided to paint them a cool grey, which I love. Now I didn't sand the tiles down so I'm expecting it to scuff a bit but have some paint standby for repairs. But I think now that my hubby sees it he might spring for re-tiling the kitchen. 


Added an Ikea curtain to hide my storage area. What a difference it made. 

Meanwhile I have rearranged the salon furniture and organised the storage cupboards. Next the family/junk room, wish me luck I'm going to need it.


Yucky old tiles spruced up on a budget with acrylic latex paint KD 12 and faux re-grouted with a white grouting pen approx KD 1.900 both from Ace Hardware, Al Rai. 

Ta dah! Okay granted I didn't sand down the tiles so I have no idea how long this will last but looks so much better.


Crap in unpainted storage area. Now you see it....


Now you don't. Curtain and rod from Ikea came to KD 14 to solve an eyesight that has bugged me forever.





Sunday, September 24, 2017

Red Arrows Incredible Acrobatic Display in Kuwait on 28th September at 3.30pm


Not to be missed get yourself down to the sea front on 28th September at  the Kuwait Towers at 3.30pm. I have heard it is a little later this year so the kids can make it after school. Can't wait!




Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Quote of the Week

Love Me Tender at Thouq, SoMu





And more intrepid, playful artwork by Ahmed Alghanim can be found for sale at Thouq.com. Thouq is a tongue-in-cheek gallery/shop next to Caffeine in SoMu [map] and well worth a visit when enjoying South Mubarikiya during the cooler months. All work is designed and made in Kuwait. Love, love, love it! 

I do believe that Ahmed is the also owner of my favourite coffee shop in SoMu, Bayt Ahmed. which is a MUST visit.

Did you guess who they all are? Elvis, Shei-kh Guevara, Audrey & Marilyn, Bob Marley and Edina & Patsy. 



Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Middle Eastern Cuisine Cookery Classes

Wife Exposes Husband's Fake Kuwaiti Citizenship After 22 Years




A Syrian national who had fraudulently acquired Kuwaiti citizenship 22 years ago has been arrested by the authorities in Kuwait.

He was arrested after his wife, in a fit of anger, reported about him to the authorities. She revealed that her husband was originally a Syrian and had forged documents to obtain Kuwaiti citizenship, and also took up a job in the public sector as Kuwaiti.

His nationality was ascertained after a DNA test and investigations revealed that he had entered the Gulf state with a Syrian passport, reported Kuwaiti daily Al Qabas.

The wife in her conversation with the police authorities made a revelation that her husband had lied about his nationality before getting married. She didn't divulge it to anybody after her marriage but could not longer restrain herself after he began criticising Kuwaitis.

After his Syrian identity is exposed, he and his children stand to lose their Kuwaiti status as per the Kuwaiti law.




Urban Culture Week

BAIA New Winter Schedule for All

WH Smith Books Buy 3 Get 1 Free

Monday, September 18, 2017

Charlotte Tilbury Make Up Opening in Avenues Phase III Very Soon

Review: Bouchon Bakery in The Avenues



Just recently opened in Avenues phase III opposite Juicy Couture. Lovely looking seating area, soft pastel colours, the restaurant was almost full when we got there for lunch. A small menu with only a few lunch items but all looked and sounded good. The ladies on the next table had ordered the French toast and that looked amazing so I asked how it was, to which they answered it was way too sweet and consequently left 3/4 of it. So I ordered the fresh  pineapple juice, salmon quinoa salad and their signature Rosewater Paris-Brest pastry.

We were sat close to the cashier and two collecting areas for plates which proved to be very noisy with clattering plates and dropped cutlery. Service was below par, I was asked how my salmon quinoa salad was, to which I replied that the quinoa salad was slimy (possibly overcooked certainly not nutty), oily and tasteless as if it had not been seasoned or dressed, it really needed some citrus to cut the oiliness. The salmon filet however was cooked to perfection crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. So even though I expressed my negative comment it was not dealt with in an appropriate manner. 

My friend wanted to leave as the clattering was getting on her nerves and the disappointment in my salad had her ready to go elsewhere for dessert. I convinced her to stay as I really wanted to try the signature choux pastry with pistachio cream and raspberries. With my dessert I ordered a cappuccino. The dessert and coffee arrived and the waiter put them down and left. There was no cutlery or sugar given. My friend got up and to get sugar from another table and after a short while one of the supervisors had seen I had no cutlery and brought some over and a bowl of sugar. 

The signature pastry was unremarkable, a choux bun with a smear of pistachio cream and a tinier smear of raspberry jam paired with a huge amount of  patisserie cream hence there was no taste of the pistachio cream and raspberry jam which had sounded so good. Plus the pic on the menu had 4 raspberries on top and I only received 2 and a 1/2.
Sorry Bouchon Bakery but a disappointing visit after all the hype. 

I give it a 5/10



The Eyelash Vending Machine in Kuwait

I love it! Koshi Collection, Rawda Co-op, Kuwait. Cash only.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Review: Victoria and Abdul the Movie



We saw this movie at the weekend in Grand Cinemas Al Hamra, a big double thumbs up for the Mall and cinema which is much more refined at the weekends than the other two biggies. 

I've been waiting to see this movie ever since I heard the incredible story based on letters that surfaced in 2010. Apparently, it is true and quite shocking but sweet and lovely too.

The austere and grumpy Queen Victoria who found friendship and candour in her Muslim Indian man servant. Dame Judi Dench is the dour Queen Victoria who is warmed by the handsome, candid foreigner Abdul Karim, played by Ali Fazal, who arrives from India to participate in Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The young clerk is surprised to find favour with the queen herself. As Victoria questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. As their friendship deepens, the queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes, joyfully reclaiming her humanity.

A lovely historical movie of an interesting yet scandalous friendship during an era of stringent propriety. I adore Judi Dench and enjoyed the movie but felt the script and movie could have been .... more. Not sure what it was lacking just needed more. I would rate it an 8/10. 

Tickets can be purchased online https://kw.grandcinemasme.com/en/book-movie


Review: Better Than Sex or Love Mascara



If you need a make-up recommendation ask a 14 year old. This mascara was highest on my daughter's list of must-haves. In fact she went on and on about it until in the end she bought it herself with her Eid money. The Too Faced mascara was renamed for the local market to avoid offending people's sensibilities. And let's get to the nitty gritty, is it any good? Yes, it is a great mascara, in my opinion and hers, it's the brush that makes it special but also the formula is not clumpy but really does plump up and elongate those lashes. It lasts and does not end up on your overhanging eyelids (not a problem my daughter has at her age). It's a 10 from me. Sephora in The Avenues stocks this item, when it isn't sold out, and it retails for around KD 9.800. 



Friday, September 15, 2017

DAI Youth Council

Second Hand Clothes Wanted For Charity


Pls note tel number change  501 82164



Premier Sport Academy New Season Free Opening Evenings For Kids





Welcome everyone to the beginning of a new season at the Premier Sport Academy - exciting, fun filled times ahead! We look forward to meeting everyone - old and new - during our free open evenings from 16th-20th September at Bayan between 5-8pm each evening. Come along, meet the coaches, enjoy a practice on the field, register and secure your place! Three new coaches from the U.K., Simon, Andrew and Luke join our coaching team, and together with our other regular coaches are all looking forward to meeting you next week.
Yours in Sport
Mike
Academy Director
PSA
Bayan
Block 7
Masjed Al-Aqsa St.
Abdulla Al-Rujaib High School
Kuwait
[map]


Thursday, September 14, 2017

The Latest Range of OPI Polish at Strands

Ooooooooh pretty...

Food For The Gods - Heavenly Blondies


Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 30ml Karo syrup or honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • Optional 1 cup of chopped dried figs or dried apricots 
Instructions
  1. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  2. Beat together butter and the two sugars. 
  3. Add the eggs one at a time. Add Karo syrup and vanilla.
  4. Add flour to the batter, mix until just combined
  5. Fold in dates, walnuts and optional figs or apricots.
  6. Pour batter over a lined 9x13 pan and bake at 350F/180C for 40 mins or until done.
  7. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Enjoy!