The Arab Spring and the Gulf States: Time to embrace change By Mohamed Althani

I truly recommend this book! Written by Mohamed Althani, a former minister in Qatar government, it's a very easy book to read giving you a very interesting overview and analyses of important domestic areas like demography, security, and the political and economic system of the arab countries, considering specially the Arab Spring context that affected deeply this side of the world since 2011.

One of the author concerns is if the people in the Gulf region will see their country going to the right direction for its governance system to become durable and sustainable, with the support of its people and if it will be capable to be defended from internal and external threats. 

He also believes that the country and Gulf countries in general will be able to figure out their own democracy in a islamic system, believing that its not about following a european or american democracy, it's possible to find out a solution that suits the best the needs of the country.

In overall, M. Althani sees the Arab Spring uprisings with the demand for freedom and end of the tyrannic regimes, as a opportunity for the ruling elites to learn from recent history and events to embrace the need to change toward a greater freedom, democracy, more effective protection of peoples rights and bigger involvement of the private sector in the economy in order to ensure a stable and more prosperous future for the countries. 

David Bowie - The Return.....

David Bowie is one of those singers I grew up listening to. He is one of a kind... with is never changing style floating from androgynous to space age rock suits, he is unique in style and music.

And now finally after 10 long years he is releasing a new album "The Next Day"in March 12, a new song was released recently "Where Are We Now"in the day he celebrated he's 66th anniversary and announced is return.  A new song, the second single from his album, just came out "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)"and the video clip is like Bowie...artistic!

The video stars the singer and actor Tilda Swinton, where Bowie and her pretend to be a normal suburban couple. Then they're haunted by new noisy, freaky, androgynous pop stars neighbors, a celebrity couple played by the models Andrej Pejic (Gautier's favorite) and Saskia De Brauw a Burberry model..

Saskia De Brauw, Tilda Swinton, David Bowie, Andrej Pejic in the video to The Stars (Are out Tonight). Photograph: Floria Sigismondi

Directed by Floria Sigismondi and shot by Jeff Cronenweth, the video is intriguing and funny, filming the happy couple in their normal routines, suddenly disrupted by this crazy celebrity couple, who drug them and try to take over their lives. 

Can't wait for the album to come out!!!... Take a look at the video...

Karl Lagerfeld for Melissa

Karl Lagerfeld just teamed up with the famous Brazilian eco-friendly shoe brand Melissa. 

Melissa have had many successful partnership's in the past with names like Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gautier, Jason Wu, Gareth Pugh, Pedro Laurenco and Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrósio, but this tie-up is for sure the most exciting one.

The Brazilian footwear designer, Melissa is known for creating  recycled bright jelly bubblegum-scented footwear for the last 25 years. The brand has deep ecologic concerns and produce shoes with "zero waste ethos" recycling 99.9% of the factory water waste and their overstocked shoes, which is something remarkable!

Lagerfeld and Melissa will launch a unique and limited edition shoe collection with only 4 different styles for women embracing a mix between Brazilian fun and luxury.

Melissa excitement to work with Lagerfeld is clear in their words:

"In one of the most exciting collaborations the company has seen, Karl Lagerfeld the most iconic designers of the 21st Century, has extended his fashion reign into our world of Melissa,' (...)  'Karl's design talent synonymous with couture has been translated into footwear, bridging the gap between high-end and commercial, extending our customer base and making his name accessible for all." Paulo Pedó, Melissa CEO

Lagerfeld signed up for the next four seasons and will have the official launch to unveil the first range and a photo exhibition with the presence of Lagerfeld in March 26 at the Galeria Melissa in New York for the Autumn/ Winter Collection.

Can't wait to see see the final result! Exciting without any doubt....

Hermès - “Long Live Sport”

Maison Hermès just unveiled four cute and funny mini fashion films to celebrate their new S/S 2013 collection, with accessories and tableware as protagonists of outdoor sport activities. The campaign  "Long Live Sport" is a way to honor their high-end sportswear heritage. 

The stop-motion films were directed by Simon Cahn that captured perfectly the sport spirit for 2013 collection. Tableware, ties, bags, shoes, come alive in these smalls clips, where all these accessories are unexpectedly engaging in different sport activities in the open air.

Shoes playing leapfrog and ending up parachuting with the help of a foulard, neck ties roll out  in the field playing cricket match. Luxury bags attending a ping pong game where tableware and ceramic dishes are hitting up.

The films are very creative and with nice audio effects that adds a cool and positive atmosphere...check it out!

Long Live Sport and Long Live Hermès!!!

Chac'Late - Katara

There's a new Chocolaterie in Doha that you should not miss.... Its  the Chac'Late.

Located in building 15 at Katara this Chocolate house, a paradise... for chocolate lovers like me, this boutique adorned with 24- katart gold leafing, offers you a unique experience in the chocolate world with the latest trends in the market but with an Arabic twist.

Created under Aspire Katara Hospitality, now Qatar has their own signature chocolate spot, with homemade chocolates with Arabic and other original and different flavors. The chocolates are a creation of the Spanish Chef Javier Martinez, who has more than 13 years experience in this field and that comes from a family of known chocolate makers.

You can also find the world best imported premium chocolate brands like Laderach, Rococo , Enric Rovina and others

Two gorgeous lion-head fountains adorn one of the interior walls of the store and guess what...paradise.....instead of water, dark and white chocolate flows out from their mouths...

 

In the menú you also will find a great variety of premium teas, hot chocolate, coffee and delicious homemade cakes.

The décor is beautiful, inspired in the classical French and Italian boutiques, the high ceiling is adorned with 24 Karat gold leafing and with these gorgeous exquisite chandeliers imported from Spain. 

The ambiance is great, the experience will be unique, a place to go...definitely!!!

Blue Favorite #3 Clarisonic

We girls all know that a clean skin looks smother and radiant and it's the first step towards a healthier and beautiful skin!

I saw many times Clarisonic in Spa's for facial treatments usage. I always wondered if I could get one of those miracle devices for my personal use. 

Guess what?! My beautiful blue Clarisonic is living happily with me now, so I can pamper my skin everyday.... How perfect is that?

Clarisonic is actually recommended by Spas and dermatologists and uses a patented sonic brush with a frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean and remove 's gently 6x more makeup and 2x more dirt and oil than regular cleansing products.

I'm in love with it! It's so easy to use, Clarisonic recommends you to spend 20 seconds on your forehead, 20 seconds on your nose/chin and 10 seconds on each cheek. One minute is perfectly enough.

You can take it with you while traveling and even (like me) use it in the shower since it's water proof, besides, it comes in really nice cute colors.

The results are amazing!!! It cleans, clarifies and stimulates the skin.

- Skin much smoother

- When you apply your daily MakeUp, the skin response is much better, even the MakeUp looks fresher through out the day 

- All skin products, like your daily cream penetrates deeper

- Significant reduction of dark spots (I would say that they disappear)

- Blemish reduction

Its so easy to use, with great results. It comes with a brush that should be changed each 4-6 months because of bacterial build up and the bristles can wear down. Clarisonic also has different types of brushes for the different type of skins.

I'm sure if you try it you will not get disappointed! I'm addicted....

Kronenhalle - Zurich

Zurich has an amazing variety of good places to eat, but there is one you really have to go, the famous Kronenhalle.

Located in the old part of the city,  this brasserie style establishment is known for its fine cuisine, friendly, highly attentive and impeccably mannered waiters and especially for its fabulous art collection with originals from Chagall, Miró, Matisse, Picasso, Paul Klee, Bonnard, Albert and Diego Giacometti and many others...

I immediately fall for Kronenhalle's charms, walking in the magnificent rooms with white tablecloths, dark oak paneling, muted colors, softy lightning, a magnificent decoration and of course the fact that you feel amazed eating in such artistic scenario suiting an old world feeling.

The story of Kronenhalle start's when Gottleib and Hulda Zumsteg purchased it in 1925. During the World War II the restaurant was the gathering place for many European artists who sought refuge from the Nazis, so this way they started to display art on the restaurant walls.

Later, Zumesteg's son Gustave started to built the art collection in the restaurant. He came to know couturiers like Channel, Dior, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Givenchy and through them the doors where open to became friend with artists like Chagall, Miró, Giacomettis and many others.

Each art work was acquired, inexpensively, Gustav managed to persuade Chagall to design the stained glass window on the outside wall, Picasso to donate several of his sketches, Giacomettis to design the tables and lamps.

The food is superb, regional specialities are served on a trolley by the hand of their old Europe school waiters. 
I went for a quick lunch and tried the very popular and famous Sliced veal "Kronenhalle", rösti, accompanied by a superb Burgundy. Followed by a incredibly tasty chocolate mousse as a desert. Next time... i will go for a full indulgence dinner and try as well the Ladykiller a specialty  of Kronenhalle Bar.

This is a  very special place to go where, while dining on fine cuisine, you are surrounded by exquisite and authentic treasures works of art of some of the most renowned artist in the world. It is a memorable experience, serves your appetite and soul.

Photos: the blue chic