I will be selecting the winner for this glamorous competition on August 1. But until then, I have a few more pictures to share from my personal once-in-a-lifetime experience!
ARMED AND READY Ready for a day of fun and exploring, I’m all kitted out in black and white to match my classy Vespa for the day.
COMFORT FIRST Sure, the ladies of Vespa’s native Italy may be known for hitting the road in their sky-high stiletto heels. But, for this earth-bound newbie, it’s comfortable flats all the way. 
SIMPLE DOES IT My outfit of brilliant white mixed with neutral black was inspired by the chic and classic style of the Vespa. Just like the scooter itself, I went for a look based on timeless elegance and modern sophistication. 
SLEEK STYLING I simply adore the muted colors of this classic Vespa. The shades of the scooter’s body pay homage to the contemporary yet vintage style of the iconic Italian brand.
JUST CRUISING No matter what your skill level, Vespas are easy and straight-forward to drive. All it takes is a helmet and a hearty spirit of adventure!
FUN GUARANTEED Perched on the stunning scooter, I couldn’t help but have fun with varied, playful poses.
ALL ABOARD! This classic sailor’s hat added a touch of whimsy as I got to play dress-up alongside some classy wheels. 
SAFETY MEASURES While safety always comes first, it’s great to know that by Vespa’s standards, safety helmets get a chic and stylish upgrade!
Just looking back at these pictures, I fondly remember the fun and hearty laughs that we shared. Life certainly should be captured in a beautiful image. Once again, I want to express my sincere thanks to the wonderful team of Maria and Katya - two truly talented ladies without whom none of this would have been possible.
How to Enter!
And you can experience the glamour too! WMS is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a photoshoot with Maria and feel like a model for the day. The prize is valued at AED 3000! Simply fill in the competition entry form below.
- Please note the ‘Feel like a model for 1 day’ competition 2013 is for residents of the UAE only
- The shoot will take place in October 2013
- The competition winner will be selected on 1/8/2013 and notified by email on the 2/8/2013
- If the prize is not claimed within 14 days and confirmed receipt via email, the judges reserve the right to select another winner.
This year’s leg is scheduled for November 8, 2013 with the aim of acknowledging female empowerment by getting involved, getting fit and celebrating our health in the UAE.
WMS caught up with the amazing and inspiring Liesa, event director of the event, to chat about her views on staying fit and the true value of financial fitness.
Below she shares with us her take on wealth management. Meet the amazing Liesa…
1. Liesa, where do you live and where are your parents originally from?
I’ve been living in Dubai for nearly five years, in the Dubai Marina area. My parents are from the Caribbean - my mother is from St. Maarten and my father from Aruba. Today, they live in New York where I was born. I lived there for 24 years, followed by 20 years in St. Maarten and now, Dubai.
2. Tell us about your role in Dubai Women’s run?
I am the event director of the Run, so basically I plan and organize all aspects of the entire Run – from sponsorship for the event to the running route to setup and so forth. I take on a team in the last eight weeks of the Run, which all goes into planning and ensuring a successful annual event.
3. When was the event founded and what is its vision and mission?
The Run was founded five years ago by our President of the UAE Athletics Federation, Ahmad Al Kamali, who also founded the Standard Charter Dubai Marathon and is himself a former Olympic marathon runner. He is an IAAF Council member, GCC Athletics Federation President and serves on the National Olympic Committee Executive Council.
At the Federation, our vision is to encourage physical activity as an everyday part of life for women and girls. Why? Because being active gives us energy; being active gives us confidence and helps us achieve our personal best. But besides improving our overall health, being active can be social, fun and inspire others to do the same.
4. Why did you decide to take part in this event?
I have always been a champion of women’s causes throughout my life. In 1998, I founded a home/shelter for victims of domestic violence back home called the Safe Haven. And so, when the president of the UAE Athletics Federation approached me, I loved the idea of an event honoring women and accepted immediately. How exciting to organize a day just for ladies to unite and enjoy being healthy and active, not to mention all the special activities designed only for them.
5. To do your job, you need to be… (skills like being organized, creative etc…)
Ha ha! I think you need to be a little OCD! Details are so important in an event like this especially when it comes to women – don’t we just love the finer details? And there certainly are many elements to the Run – the course, the press conference, the water stations, the award ceremony, the registration, goodie bags, first aid, the police to block the roads, the list is endless. I love seeing everything come together after nine months of hard work 
6. What is your definition of time versus money?
Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time. One cannot truly be wealthy if your entire life is spent in an office, devoting all of your time to working and making money. Without any free time, how will you spend your hard-earned money? As rich as you may be, what is it worth if you have no time for friends, family, or even for yourself?
7. Today do you feel you are really getting paid what you are worth?
Ha ha! This is an ongoing conversation with my President, and we both know that the answer is NO!
But we both share a mutual respect and inner peace to do our jobs with security and confidence. I love what I do as every day is extremely diversified. I definitely work more than I should and can often be found on the computer until 1am most nights.
8. There is something really special when people get together to run for a cause. Can you expand on this?
Besides celebrating a good cause, I think the best thing about participating in an event like this is that it helps us to remember how enjoyable running can be. It gives us a chance to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings, instead of just concentrating on the traffic or other negative elements.
We get to breathe in the fresh air and stop worrying about hitting that mile split or keeping up with our running partner. There’s also no pressure in casual running. Fast and slow runners alike can run side by side and slower paced runners can just enjoy the camaraderie without pressure or demands. It’s a great way to break up a training week and eliminate the pressure you might put on yourself – while still getting a solid workout.
9. What challenges do you think women face today running their own businesses, families and lives?
There are many! The first challenge facing female entrepreneurs is that of cultural value or tradition, especially where the cultural value entails that the man/husband be the bread winner. A woman exhibiting her entrepreneurial prowess is presumed as wanting to take over the leadership role of the husband.
The next challenge women face in business is societal discrimination. Most people still live with the mentality that certain businesses or tasks are better handled by men. Have you ever come across a female auto mechanic, commercial bus driver, plumber, mason or welder, for example?
Another challenge women face when starting a business is that of raising capital. Investors naturally give less consideration to businesswomen and I can’t really pinpoint the reason for this. Is it easier for a man to raise capital than a woman, even when she has proved her competence and credibility over time? Female entrepreneurs generally find it difficult to raise capital or obtain a bank loan because investors and bankers would rather risk their venture capital with male entrepreneurs than females.
Then comes the challenge of balancing business and family. Women are naturally the backbone of the family and so often times, find themselves torn between commitment to the family and business.s.
11: For anyone who want to come along to the exciting event
Anyone keen on participating in this exciting event can register at www.dubaiwomensrun.com where you’ll also find lots of information about the Run. All women are welcome to walk, run or jog, as well as companies that would like to participate in teams. There will also be a creche set for children with lots of activities to keep them occupied – perfect for Moms eager to participate but have nowhere to leave the kids on a Friday morning.
So why not sign up today and enjoy this active event, celebrating our health, fitness and sisterhood as women!
I hope you enjoyed today’s post!
Janelle xoxo
]]>So let’s take a look at some of the top tips and snooze news from Hästens Dubai.
10 Top Tips To Get Your Kids to Sleep
Anyone who has become a parent will read this post with feelings of wisdom, humor and even some elements of dread! The one defining point that unites us all as parents is lack of sleep during those first few years.
So if you’re going through this sleepy phase right now, rest assured – it will get better. But until then, here are some tried-and-tested techniques from parents in the know to help you take back the night. Hopefully these 10 tips will send your little night owl to sleep so that you too can rest easy.
Tip 1: Consistency The most suggested piece of advice to new parents is to keep your child’s sleep routine consistent. And with good reason – a sense of routine will help your baby fall asleep without trouble at set times. And when baby goes to sleep, so can you!
Tip 2: Partake It’s a well-known fact that a glass of warm milk promotes a restful night’s sleep. But that’s not the only super sleep enhancer. Try snacking on yoghurt, bananas, peanuts and even turkey before bed to benefit from the sleep stimulant tryptophan. Simply give your child one of these tryptophan-rich foods about 30 minutes before bedtime and they’ll be happily snoozing away in no time.
Tip 3: Soothing environment Promote a calm, soothing environment for your child by adding some gentle lavender-scented soap to his bath. It is simply lovely, and works just as well on frazzled, tired parents too!
Tip 4: Massage Use whatever little tricks and pampering techniques your child enjoys to help them relax and unwind before bed. Maybe it’s a gentle foot massage, a head rub or a back scratch. This is also a wonderful way to bond with your little one before they drift off to sleep.
Tip 5: Temperature Don’t underestimate the effect of your child’s bedroom temperature! A room that is too cool may keep your child awake for longer; warmth, on the other hand, is known to be a natural human sedative. Also check that their pajamas are comfortable and appropriate for the weather – not too cool nor too warm.
Tip 6: Stretching Get their limbs, as well as yours, loose and limber before bed. Try some gentle stretching movements with your children – focus on easy stretches and poses to soothe their tired muscles. Just be careful not to get them too excited or energized or this might have the complete opposite effect! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbe-oIehMDM
Tip 7: Calming music Classical instrumental music is great to soothe and relax both parents and children before bed. A good suggestion is Fisher Price’s Lullaby Baby Bedtime music. Whatever you do, don’t give in to any requests for Hannah Montana or High School Musical, or you may have a dance party on your hands!
Tip 8: Narrate An old favorite is reading children a bedroom story. How about adding a personal touch and telling them a story instead? Tuck them into bed, turn out the lights and let them drift away as they listen to your voice.
Tip 9: Night Light A night-light is not only ideal to ward away any fears of the dark, but also helps to calm kids down before bed. Choose one in your child’s favorite Disney character.
Tip 10: Love Bedtime rituals should be all about hugs, kisses and wishes of sweet dreams. Be sure to always send your kids to sleep with a big dose of love and of-course with a Hästens experience.
So there you have it, I thought this was a beautiful little post care of the Hästens Dubai blog.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post!
Janelle xoxo
]]>Not being in a demanding job I had the chance to research what I needed to be fully protected as a new mum. And this thinking lead to an ever growing interest into wealth creation and living rich!
So for those who are time poor and feel that their credit card bill is bigger than them - here are my top 8 tips to get you back in a position of control before its too late!
Enjoy
Janelle xoxo
Eight tips for not playing the victim in the debt cycle
The National, Janelle Malone, June 8, 2013
Many have labelled this generation the She-conomy. The industries experiencing the most growth these days are geared primarily towards women – think fashion, beauty and entertainment as just a few. But this financial independence comes at a price and if not handled with care, our money matters can quickly head downwards.
Often it takes a major life event to start taking our money seriously. My “ah ha” moment came when I took a career break to have a baby. Whether it was the influx of hormones or a new-found need to protect, I saw parenthood as the catalyst to focus on our financial future.
And so I launched www.womenmoneyandstyle.com. Initially it was an outlet to blog about the transition in a language women could understand. Much to my surprise, I found I wasn’t alone. One recurring theme with my readers is debt – avoiding it, but more importantly, getting out of it. Ending the debt cycle begins with empowering ourselves with our minds; shifting away from victimhood and acknowledging that we are capable of change.
When managing debt, I believe in starting with these eight tips:
1: Your health is your wealth
There are two types of insurance you should focus on – life insurance and critical illness insurance, whether you are married or single. Should an unexpected illness or accident occur, you’ll rest easier knowing your money matters are in order.
2: Automate your savings
Wealth creation begins with organising your finances. By opening an offshore saving structure and a locally held e-saver bank account, you can cover all of your fixed quarterly costs with a slightly better interest rate. Most banks offer both a savings as well as a deposit account – this is essentially a way of budgeting your money to improve your cash flow.
3: Do your credit check
Credit card debt can quickly get out of control if misused and misunderstood. Ask your bank about every specific charge you are paying, such as interest rates on late payments. Nearly all those with bad debts are guilty of not reading the small print.
4: Work out your budget
Think of having a budget as doing a monthly stocktake of your financial status – knowing what’s going out and what’s coming in each month will enable you to live a better balanced life. Budgeting beginners should try iWallet, a free iPhone app that tracks monthly expenses or note your spending in a small diary.
5: Activate DCA
Dollar cost averaging or DCA is a regular investment or saving strategy, which takes the form of investing regular amounts into a particular investment or portfolio. How does it work? When you invest in regular monthly instalments (say US$100 monthly for 10 months), you are purchasing more shares when prices are low and less shares are purchased when prices are high.
As the markets go up and down, you benefit from the market changes in the long term. These fixed investments take the worry out of investing as, over time, regular saving could help average out any market volatility.
6: Understand how compound interest works for you
As Albert Einstein said: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it.” Compound interest refers to interest added to the principal, so that from that moment on, the interest that has been added also earns interest.
A bank account, for example, may have its interest compounded every year. So an account with Dh1,000 initial principal and 20 per cent interest per year would have a balance of Dh1,200 at the end of the first year, Dh1,440 at the end of the second year, and so on.
For the shopper, this unfortunately works against you if your credit card is not paid off. If you knew that a Dh2,000 top will cost you Dh10,000 by the time you finally paid for it, would you have bought it? Probably not.
7: Educate your kids
Money lessons should start earlier than high school. How early? Well, consider starting the topic as soon as they turn five or realise money buys things.
8: Smart style
Be efficient with your clothing budget. Identify your signature look – clothes that fit your lifestyle and look great. Divide them into categories – evening wear, daywear, around-the-house, casual and smart casual.
Next, pick out five outfits under each title and organise your wardrobe accordingly. You’ll soon find less need for the latest trends, but rather a mere update of what you already own.
At the end of the day if you are in debt, do something. Don’t bury your head in the sand; it will only get worse!
Janelle xoxo
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Today I am pleased to share this look with you as it’s flirty, fun, and ever so easy to wear! By using her staple uniform as a backdrop, we have created several unique looks with the help of 5 stunning jackets. It’s incredible how a little bit of color combined with basic staples can totally recreate your wardrobe!
SHE’S GOT THE LOOK The first of Rasheda’s ensembles combines her uniform of tailored white pants and vest with an aqua-themed printed jacket. The beautifully patterned neck scarf adds a relaxed, laidback air to the look.
STEP IN STYLE Rounding off her classic ensemble are tan peep-toe heels – the perfect footwear to add height and glamour to a sophisticated day look.
LEARNING THE BLUES And simply by swapping her previous jacket for this royal blue number, the entire look is transformed. From easy-going and laidback to polished and poised, Rasheda’s look gets a makeover.
FINER TOUCHES The mood is cool and sophisticated with Rasheda’s elegant day look, equally suited to the office or a casual lunch date.
OVERALL CHIC Recognize the decor in the background? Rasheda’s refurbished apartment provides the perfect backdrop for her style transformation.
PINK SCHEME The outfit combinations get a pink twist as Rasheda tries on this rose-colored jacket with pretty flowery lapel. Offset against her stark white wardrobe staples, the effect is feminine and chic.
PLAYTIME IN STYLE As the color palette switches to a cool watermelon, Rasheda finds a giggling little playmate ready to test out her new wardrobe choices.
LAIDBACK COOL And the outcome is a success! Every piece in her ensemble is light, effortless and comfortable, providing movement and style at the same time.
UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE With each outfit change, Rasheda could keep her hair and makeup in the exact same style – perfect for busy women on the go with no time to spare.
CHIC KALEIDOSCOPE This jacket choice channels the best of contemporary retro. The bold pattern looks trendy and stylish against the crisp white in the rest of her outfit. The turned-up cuffs of the jacket also add a fun pop of color for summer.
Isn’t it great to be inspired by someone else’s style? I love Rasheda’s clean lines, effortless simplicity and “real woman” style, something she admitted she loves about WMS. Rasheda confessed that she always believed that, to have fun with fashion, you needed to be a model with a size zero frame.
These pics prove the exact opposite! Her new style mantra is: have fun with fashion, embrace your beauty and wear it with style!
I hope you enjoyed today’s post!
Janelle xoxo
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With the expert help of my friend and beauty scientist, New York-based Nancy Ilaya, I have compiled my 7 top tips for keeping your makeup in place during the hot summer months!
TIP 1: Our skin produces more oil during the summer months, so be sure to grab an oil-preventing cleanser and blot before you apply.
Nancy’s top tip: “A cleansing oil, such as Shu Uemura’s cult cleansing oils, will remove facial oil and sunscreen in a cinch or, if you fear a breakout, go with a foaming cleanser.”
TIP 2: Apply foundation only where you need it – and if you can, skip it altogether! Especially in the summer, do not over-apply.
Nancy’s top tip: Switch out your liquid foundation and opt for concealer where you need it. Or else use a powder foundation dusted over a tinted sunscreen for complexion perfection.
Not a fan of physical sunscreen? Try Clairns tinted sunscreen, La Roche Posay Anthelios Tinted sunscreen and Chanel’s SPF lotion. Each are lightweight and extremely breathable. None of these will cause you to look ashy or ghastly as the sunscreen components are virtually colourless and blend beautifully into the skin.
TIP 3: Light, sheer coverage is best – choose a tinted moisturizer and use concealer where you need it.
Nancy’s top tip: “A tinted sunscreen such as Avene Tinted Compact Sunscreen and Invisible Zinc’s tinted sunscreen/foundation sunscreen stick are good choices, as well as Shiseido’s SPF Powder foundation, MAC Studio Careblend powder with SPF or Becca’s Mineral Compact Foundation with SPF.”
TIP 4: If you can’t skip foundation, use a primer first, and then apply the foundation with your fingertips. This will warm it up and, once you hit the summer sun, it won’t be such a shock to your skin.
Nancy’s top tip: “BB Creams are another good option for eliminating the amount of product on your skin. As the temperatures rise, you want to limit the layers on skin as it can send oil production into overdrive.”
TIP 5: Cream and pressed powder eyeshadows are best because they’re less likely to move.
Nancy’s top tip: “Translucent powder can also double as a light, natural highlighter to open up the eyes. This creates a great fresh, bare-faced look for summer.”
TIP 6: When applying mascara, first coat the lashes with one swipe of mascara followed by a fine dusting of translucent powder; alternate between mascara and powder depending on how dark you wear your lashes.
The mascara first has to stick to the lashes – the underlying principle here is that the chemistry of the mascara is more attuned with your lash make up. The powder doesn’t stick as well to the mascara and lash and will cause it to slide.
Nancy’s top tip: Another alternative to the traditional mascara formula is the tube-based variety. This type only comes off when the eyes are gently rubbed during washing. Good ones to try are – Kevyn Aucoin Volume mascara, Kevyn Aucoin Curl mascara, Blinc Mascara, Imju Fibrewig mascara, and Clinique High Impact mascara.”
TIP 7: Wear Linen. There is something elegant and effortless about wearing linen fabrics in summer. They let your skin breathe naturally and, when air is free to circulate, you sweat less. This makes it a great way to ensure that your makeup stays put!
If you’re the type of woman who is constantly on the run regardless of the weather, today’s post is aimed at you! So make the time to give yourself a cooling mask and aim to wake up 5 minutes earlier so you can apply your make-up with care rather than in the car !
Here is the gorgeous Nancy & I in NYC – dinner on a beautiful summers evening in Central Park!
And I am sure you’ll enjoy a more breathable summer with melt-proof make-up in place!
I hope you enjoyed today’s post!
Janelle xx
]]>Upon entering Raja’s showroom, I was met by a beautifully stylish woman, full of grace and fashion savvy. But behind the exterior, she’s also very smart and understands the needs and desires of women like her. Simply put, Raja believes in great value. And today, she is sharing her insider secrets with you.
Yes, the wait is finally over! The date has arrived for Raja’s open house sale! The event takes place this Sunday and Monday, 2 -3 June. We found the chic fashionista playing dress-up in her show room. And, as you can see, the lady is dressed to the nines, awaiting your arrival.
So make sure you’re all set and ready to shop. Red means GO! 
WELCOME BRIGADE Raja is simply stunning in vibrant red, ready to welcome all budget fashionistas into her style studio. 
STYLE CELEBRATION Beyond excited at the thought of mingling with fellow fashionistas, Raja gets into the swing of things with a twirl around the work space!
STYLE SAMPLE Judging by Raja’s own personal sophisticated style, her sale garments are sure to be equally as style-savvy and elegant as she is. From top to toe, this Miss knows a thing or two about fashion!
DESIGN SPACE Raja’s home studio is decked out and ready to welcome new customers into her designer sale space.
FACE TIME With her easy-going personality and ready smile, Raja is on hand to guide you seamlessly through the shopping experience. What’s even better? She loves a good bargain just like you, so you can be sure to score the best deal from her!
CHANEL ANYONE? Who’s your favorite designer? Hermes or maybe Jimmy Choo? Whatever tickles your fancy, Raja’s got you covered. With her extensive knowledge of fine fashion and exceptional quality, you’re guaranteed to strike a stylish bargain!
STYLE SISTERS Upon meeting Raja, I was struck by her warmth and bubbly personality. Fellow shoppers, you’re in for a treat when you meet this sparkling personality.
YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED All the finer details regarding this weekend’s designer open house at Raja’s.
Ladies, the fashion forecast this weekend is looking bright and breezy! And Raja’s open house event is the hottest ticket in town. A word of warning though – you’ll most likely want to buy everything in her store. I certainly had to curb myself. Luckily, I went armed with my list of needed items and, thanks to Raja’s discount prices, my purchases stayed well within budget.
My advice is to have a ball sampling and viewing the beautiful items on offer. As with all things in life – everything in moderation. Perhaps spoil yourself with that one luxury garment you’ve always dreamed of – you may even strike a bargain at a pretty price too!
Happy shopping!
Janelle xoxo
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This is huge honor for me as this column places me on the US playing field. The Conversation team quizzed me on my thoughts regarding success during their weeklong focus on education. And here’s what I had to say:
5 FUNDAMENTAL KEYS TO SUCCESS
Looking back on your life, have you ever thought about the real keys to success? When I look back on mine, I acknowledge that I have been gifted with opportunity and education at every turn, but not the type you may be thinking. My journey has been one of exploration, findings, dreams, heartache and struggle- to find myself and discover my own personal answers. I am grateful for every lesson and continue to learn every day.
I believe that education is all-important, particularly learning how to learn, to think, grow and be. Human beings will always have a natural curiosity to explore the world around them. For me, this wanderlust found me travelling to Brazil as a wide-eyed 16-year-old girl from a farm in Australia.
But each person’s journey is unique to their individual experiences. And while this path is guaranteed to present challenges and difficulties along the way, there are certain elements I believe will light the way.
These are my top 5 fundamental keys to success:
1. Life Skills
My thirst for knowledge began at the age of 16 when I was given the opportunity to travel and live in Brazil. As a farm girl from Australia, I was struck by the culture, the language and the exposure to other kids from around the world. That was in 1995, before the age of the Internet or mobile phones; travel was our real education to the world. This experience taught me to think on my feet, to network and to survive with my charm and street smarts without my parents guiding my every step.
2. Formal Education
What I discovered in Brazil was a love of travel and perhaps a career living abroad. This meant one thing: formal education. So with my dreams defined, I studied hard to get into university. Once here, I charted my course to educating myself in a career that would take me around the world.
I knew that without the proper qualifications behind my name, I would not reach my full potential. And so, although he may be young, I want to prepare my own son with the best possible education that I can. He is enrolled at the Montessori school here in Dubai and, even at the age of 2 years, I am in awe of his growth and development. The school is based on the philosophy that children learn best by doing; and that happy, self-motivated learners form positive images of themselves. This in turn promotes their confidence and self-esteem. It is this can-do mentality that I believe fosters a spirit of wanting to succeed.
3. Money Skills
At university, I learnt that if I wanted to realize my dream of getting a degree and going abroad, I would need to pave my own way forward financially. I saw the impact that student loans and credit card debt could have on my future. And so through sacrifice, hard work and determination, I worked three jobs while attending university to be able to graduate debt-free. I changed my study to part-time and focused on getting a foothold in my chosen field.
4. Emotional Intelligence
This is often our biggest life challenge. It’s when everyhting we’ve worked for seems to bear no relevance as something greater is lost or taken away from us. For me, this was the loss of my mother when I was 26 years old. Mourning the loss of my mentor and best friend, the skin on my face literally started peeling off. My face was an outer expression of what I felt inside: scorched and angry at the harsh conditions life had served me. It became so extreme that, with no skin from my nose downwards, my employer asked me to take a leave of absence from work.
It was not until I met with a life coach that I started to heal. In losing my face to the world, I saw that my skin mirrored my self-doubt, judgment and need for approval. Slowly I learnt to peel away these layers of insecurity and replace them with a shiny new armor, one of strength, courage and self-confidence.
5. Well Being & Spirituality
Today, at this time in my life as a mother, I am re-learning the importance of health and well-being; not just for myself, but especially for my family and my children. I want to live a long healthy life and be there for them. I believe a good sense of self love and respect will always take you to the doctor when you’re off centre.
It is with these principles in mind that I wish to raise my son. Education, to me, means creating a well-rounded individual who is conscious of his own strengths and is capable of using them to create his own success. And these fundamentals of education are priceless!
Writing this piece about my own education throughout my life really got me thinking. Education is such a broad concept – one that begins in childhood and never really ends. It also prompted me to take stock of my journey so far, and appreciate just how far I’ve come.
Maybe you too have been inspired to map your own path. What have been the biggest learning curves in your life? How have they shaped you and molded you into the person you are today? By looking for the wisdom behind each of life’s challenges, life can truly become an eternal lesson in enlightenment.
Happy learning!
Janelle xoxo
]]>In addition to showcasing her spectacular paintings, the real spotlight fell on Kate’s creatively inspired line of scarves. 
CREATIVE CONCEPTS Just one of Kate’s inspired works. She draws great inspiration from the rich landscape of Brazil, as can be seen in her vibrant use of gold, purple and royal blue.
DUBAI ON CANVAS Kate has been living in Dubai for the past 5 years and the desert environment has made quite the impression on her, particularly the architecture found in the old souks and villages.
“I have combined my Brazilian palette with the architecture of the region and something really vibrant evolved. I am reminded of the richness of the culture and its history,” she said.
MEETING OF MINDS Kate mingles with her guests at the exhibition – all surely very interested in the stories and inspiration behind the artist’s unique and intricate pieces.
ARTFULLY SO Here I am at the event, my own outfit inspired by the textures and rich colors in Kate’s work. The loose-fitting blouse is comfortable and easy-going while remaining elegant and chic.
ANCIENT INSPIRATION Kate’s collection was themed Inspiration from Medieval Persia. Speaking about the line, she said: “It shows the collector side of me.
I love porcelain and its patterns, and I try and give them a spin through my art. What is minute on porcelain gets a different dimension on my canvas.”
WEARABLE ART Up close, Kate’s collection of scarves pay perfect homage to her paintings. Each individual piece conveys the exact color, pattern and texture as its original inspiration – the likeness is simply extraordinary!
ARTIST’S CORNER The Aliel showroom at the DIFC was transformed into an artsy hub for a few hours as the art and jewellery worlds met and mingled the night away.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL Guests at the event got the chance to experience the jewels as well as the artwork under close review. And to add to the drama, we were welcomed under a canopy of glittering lights in the form of a fine hanging crystal.
OH GOODIE! Guests were treated to complementary gift bags from Aliel Jewelers for attending the event.
DINNER FOR TWO After the exhibition, my husband and I went out for a lovely dinner to Alfie’s (a nod to the name of our son). And so a night that started out immersed in the art world transformed into an unexpected date night!
IN GOOD COMPANY After a great evening spent exploring and learning about art, what better way to unwind than with a good dinner in great company?
Kate is a creative ingénue in her own right. Her bright and bold designs draw inspiration from her time spent in her birth place of Tanzania and later New Zealand. But the true passion behind her creations came to life during her 20 years spent living in Sao Paolo, Brazil. If you would like to contact Kate about her beautiful scarf’s you can here [email protected].
I hope you enjoyed today’s post.
Janelle xoxo
]]>And so with time, budget and style on the brain, here’s my go-to style guide to take you from mum to work in 5 minutes… and yes, it really is 5 minutes!
PIN-UP PRETTY Normally I like to make an effort with my hair when prepping for a business meeting - you know, the usual: wash , blow dry and even a quick run with a curling wand over the ends.
But today just didn’t allow for such luxuries, and so I reached for my trusty black-and-white printed scarf to save the day. I must admit though, I do quite like the end result – not to mention the extra time I saved!
WAISTCOAT WINNER Here is another waistcoat, only this one is made of linen. You may remember my peach silk option of a few posts ago – while it’s one of my favorites, the fabric does not fare too well in humid weather.
And so, when it comes to the super hot summer months, linen is my go-to fabric! The belt, I’m proud to say, is one that I found during a try-on night! It’s by Kenneth Cole and what makes his designs extra special is his understanding of real women’s bodies – yes, we have hips!
THE FULL PACKAGE Here is my look from head to toe. And I know what you’re probably thinking – for work wear, one needs a jacket or sleeves at the very least. But to be truly honest, the temperature is simply too high! My white jeans are from Salsa; I simply love the flare bottom with heels – feminine and elegant with a beautiful silhouette.
LEATHER LOVELIES Here is a close-up of the shoe – an open-toed wedge heel, just perfect to cool down our gorgeous feet during the extreme summer heat! You won’t believe the absolute bargain that I struck with these – a steal at AED100!
READY TO GO And in literally five minutes, my entire ensemble is complete and I’m ready to head out the door! If, like me, you struggle to get ready in busy mornings, trust me – these wardrobe rules will work for just about anyone. Go on – why not try my outfit ideas for yourself? Or maybe you have a fall-back work outfit that gets you going in a rush.
I hope you enjoyed todays style post!
Janelle xoxo
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