Location: Lunch Meeting – London, UK

-Nik Thakkar (a brand developer – He has worked on some great collaborations including Karl Lagerfeld x Coca Cola!)
-Katie Bell (The founder of Stardolls – a huge interactive styling program for teens & tweens!)
-Paulina Bozek (App developer, who has just launched closet swap for teen girls)

Definitely 3 talented individuals worth researching about… and was moderated by the lovely, Lauretta Roberts (Director of the WGSN boutique and WGSN Global fashion awards). As a blogger, and avid social media-holic, It was great to learn about Digital generation – it’s status now, and what the future holds in Digital. It was also interesting to hear about how Technology can help a brand. Nik mentioned that ‘Digital is becoming the Norm these days’ (which is very true… you have brands that have digital teams, who specifically work on everything digital for the brand)

Some great tips mentioned at the talk:

-Listen to your customers and readers… they will help you flourish.
-Not every social network is right for every brand.
-Get ahead of social media, and think of exciting ways to use it for your brand. 

Thank you to super interesting panel, Courtney (The Industry’s founder) and the great team at ‘The Industry’!

http://www.theindustrylondon.com

Other talks I attended hosted by The Industry:
-Markus Lupfer talks to Dolly Jones
-Yasmin Sewell talks to Lauretta Roberts 

http://www.madlove.com.au/madlove

Location: London, UK

https://www.facebook.com/SaksDubai

Hi Shourouk, I LOVE your accessories! did you always know this is what you wanted to do?
I have not always known that I wanted to do accessories but looking back now I can tell that I have always payed a lot of attention to details. I am really sensible to the ornements on an outfit, it goes from a beautiful pair of shoes, an intricate embroidery, to the accumulation of bangles on a wrist. For me, one tiny detail can make a strong look. All those things, I think led me to design accessories.

I love the colors you use – what inspires you?
I am a big fan of the 80s, so I’ve always cherished pop colors! I also get inspired during my trips in Asia, when you go to bombay for exemple, you witness an explosion of colors in any part of the city.  The coloring is  a really important of my designs, I wanted particular colors I couldn’t find on the market, so we come up with our own technique and now we create our own colors.

You really do know how to create a statement piece – what tip would you give on wearing statement pieces?
I think that the best way to wear a statement piece is to wear it in a casual way. For me, the real “chic” is to dress nonchalantly. When you buy a statement piece, you’re thinking about a night out outfit, perfect dress, high heels, shiny hair, nail polish, but all of this can be too sophisticated, faultless. I would rather twist a statement piece, wearing it on a plain, used tee-shirt, it creates a more intriguing and strong look.

Do you read fashion blogs?
As a designer, I am more a book personn, I don’t spend that much time on the internet to get inspirations. I like to buy beautiful books when I travel or read paper magazines like Dazed and Confused, POP, I-D, and Vogue of course. I find that they have a unique approach of fashion, combined with a creative graphism.
But as girl, I will check Sea of shoes to see the last amazing pair of shoes she got, Garance doré for her writing or Style by Kling for her looks.

There has been a huge buzz around those pants so I was really eager to actually try them on for myself. Zaggora sold over 275,000 pairs within 5 months. The pants are supposed to harness the heat inside in order to burn more calories and reduce cellulite. I’m more of a pilates girl with a little cardio on the side so I decided to skip wearing it to pilates – 1) because the pants are quite thick… so it won’t be ideal to practice pilates in it. 2) I don’t sweat in pilates.

So, I decided to wear it to a body attack and Kangoo class. I didn’t really know what to expect… What I loved about them was that, even though they look like sky diving suits once you look at them, they actually didn’t look bad once I put them on- ran a few errands in them after the gym and they’re super comfortable. However, once you remove the pants, you do feel like the heat has been bottled inside and you’ll feel like you just came out of the pool. My legs felt super soft, so I would think they would be great for someone that wanted to reduce their cellulite. I don’t sweat very easily, so I also suggest it for someone who doesn’t as you get to release all the toxins as well as burn some extra calories!

Very happy with my flare pants at a very affordable cost! For more on the styles and prices, see link below.

www.zaggora.com

Location: Meetings & university – London, UK

http://negarinlondon.com

Anything bronze and shimmer, I LOVE. When I was in Dubai earlier this month, I was at Sephora several times a week. I never get sick of looking at the make up and trying out new products. I was looking for a shimmer powder, an alternative to my shimmer sticks and came across this one by Smashbox. I have tried MANY (and I mean many…) shimmer powders and this one has got to be the best one I have ever come across. Once you even tap a finger, you get this strong, yet somehow subtle shimmer straight away. I love using a brush to apply on the brow bones and top cheeks. Definitely recommend this, if you’re looking for a shimmery (sans glitter) illuminating powder!

http://www.sephora-me.com

The other best part, I will be meeting all of you at their ‘Around the world’ event – so make sure you come on over for some fun and fashion… can’t wait!

oh, and it is my first time in Qatar so please do share your recommendations via the comment box, facebook, twitter. I will be there for a short trip, but I will make sure to visit as many of the recommendations

I look forward to seeing my Qatari Fashionistas!! x

http://www.facebook.com/ImpressionBoutique

Day one: Hat – Maje, Coat – Mackage, Jeans – Citizens of humanity, Boots – Stuart Weissman, Bag – Givenchy.
Day Two: Dress – Herve Leger, Shoes – Ellie Tahari, Clutch – Chanel.
Day Three: Necklace – House of Harlow, Dress – Mason, Shoes – YSL, Bag, Chanel.

Day Four: Dress – Halson Heritage, Bag – Chanel, Shoes, Ellie Tahari.
Day Five: Jumper – Markus Lupfer, Jeans – Topshop, Shoes – Sebastian, Bag – Balenciaga.

Day six: Top – Vince, Skirt – Patrizia Pepe, Shoes – Christian Louboutin, Bag – Fendi.
Day seven: Dress – Thayer, Clutch – Miu Miu, Shoes – Balenciaga.

For more, click HERE.

Shop the current collection HERE

The spa in a whole needs no introduction but personally, it is always one of those places I know I’ll be leaving happy. Once you come in, you zone out… The coconut scrub treatment begun with a foot bath, followed by the main coconut scrub… when I thought it just couldn’t get better, I had to take a little shower to remove the excess oil and scrub beads,  followed by one of their great signature massages – felt pampered and completely relaxed! Oh, and make sure to always keep some extra time to sit and chill in the lounge after with a cup of delicious honey lemon ginger tea & vegetables!

The main oil used in the scrub is Virgin Coconut oil – I was told by my one of my favorite therapists, Ronnie… that it’s great for  relaxing, cleansing, hydrating and exfoliating.

I was so impressed with the treatment, definitely one I will be coming back for and recommend it to all of you. My skin felt so soft, and so clean… also left feeling fresh and so energized for the rest of the week. For us busy women, this is perfect as you come out with perfectly exfoliated and soft skin, whilst pampering ourselves after a super busy week

http://www.sensasiaspas.com

http://www.dior.com

Location: Weekend in London, UK

The Place to EAT:   

-Five Points on Bowery, NYC
- Via Quadronno, NYC for Breakfast & Italian Capuccino
-Latteria San Marco, Milan  (favorite place for lunch!)
-Le Voltaire, Paris
-Chips and queso from Coronado Country Club, El Paso (my hometown!)

The Place to SHOP:   

-Bergdorf Goodman, NYC
-Kirna Zabete, NYC
-Forty Five Ten, Dallas
-The Webster, Miami 

The Place to CHILL:  

Going to El Paso is always relaxing, Tulum, Capri, The Aoilian Islands in Italy
I always like to go somewhere I have never been at least once a year – last year I went to Puerto Rico, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Escondido, Lisbon, Portugal.  This year I am going to Oaxaca, Mexico and hopefully China!

The Place to PAMPER:

-Mandarin Oriental Hotel in NYC
-John Barrett Salon, NYC for a mani & pedi.
-Chris Lospalluto at Sharon Dorram at Sally Herschberger, NYC. for a haircut

The Place to PARTY:

-Boom Boom Room at the Standard, NYC
-Le Baron, Paris

Location: London, UK