RIP my love, George

I am not sure what I should write about George Michael that could possibly explain what an influence he was on my life, or rather what he meant to me. From Last Christmas to Amazing - the crucifix earring and the stubble, the supermodels and the erotic music videos, George Michael defined pop culture,particularly fashion and sexuality for an entire generation. 

He was my first crush. He defined the kind of man I would look for and desire in the years to come. Rugged,older, broken,confident, damaged,sexy and intensely sexual. A man who could be both Father Figure and Fast Love(r). 

Imagine the disappointment of women when he was outed. Some how, that made him even more relatable.Not all of us are brave enough to 'come out'. He struggled with what was expected of him as a gay man. In fact, he once said his life had become tougher since the public declaration of his homosexuality. His big, fat Greek family was important to him and part of the reason for him staying in the closet was that. More than ever before, I loved George Michael for his emotional weakness and blatant sexual 'misdemeanour.'

He easily discarded earlier versions of himself with such rage.From Wham! to a solo artist, burning the infamous Faith jacket in Freedom 90, from straight to gay. He lived many lives in one. Yet, he remained true to his sound. You were more than the music to me. Thank you for being you. RIP George Michael.

[Travel] All I Want For Christmas Is.....

... TO SPEND TIME SHOPPING AT MY FAVORITE MALLS!

Yes, I confess I am a mall rat. Considering the climate we live in, a nice air-conditioned space with dining, entertainment and shopping options is the best place to even. And if you are travelling to the cooler regions, it's a good idea to get warmed up in a mall. Here's where I would rather be:

1. Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Year End Sale in Malaysia is a force of nature. The discounts are huge and the shoppers are fierce! Suria KLCC is one of my favorite destinations in KLCC and not just for the shopping. The dining options are endless (one of the best Nasi Ayam/Chicken Rice can be found at the Signatures Food Court on Level 2), a tropical park and a 12 screen cinema. Oh, and Aquaria KLCC, Petronas Art Gallery.... and so much more!

And Christmas really is the loveliest time of the year, even in the tropics. The Christmas decor is just stunning and the malls in KL really up their game every year. Check out Santa's workshop in the main Concourse at Suria KLCC this year. Also, don't forget to get your Tourist Privilege Card at the Concierge,


2. Dolmen Mall Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan

The greatest part about this one, it's home! Feels and smells like any international retail space should. The mall hosts fun activities from time to time but for a mall rat the best one is a nice, fat sale. This year's sale goes from 16th Dec to 1st Jan (I think it should be extended to include the next pay check).  For a list of the all discounts offered go here.  Besides the discounts there's Sunday brunch specials at the food court with live music, a Beauty Lounge and Kids Arena as well. And lots of activities for adults too, shop and win style. Because free stuff is always a winning feeling! They also have a bunch of online contests happening so do find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat as well!

3.  VivoCity, Singapore

Not only is VivoCity Mall the gateway to Sentosa Island, it is a destination in it's own right. And come Christmas season, the sales and freebies alone demand that you spend an entire day there. In terms of dining, your options range from Burger King to Jamie's Italian. The mall also has a 300 m water front boardwalk, a rooftop amphitheatre and a water feature the size of four Olympic sized pools! Is this a mall or WHAT? This Christmas, there's 107 ft tall tree and similar sized discounts all across the mall.

[Education] Horlicks and WWF Pakistan’s Initiative to Empower Ceative Minds!

The education system has long been criticized for rewarding conformity rather than creativity. As a teacher, I do feel that conformity is crucial in some areas. However, enabling creativity in young people propels them to achieve more than teachers and parents expect of them. Most importantly, enabling and encouraging creativity allows each child to learn in his/her own style. As educators, it is our duty to tailor our teaching styles and provide opportunities for children to arrive at their own answers to life's questions.

There is also the widely held belief that the content taught in school, or rather the way the content is taught has very little connect to the outside world. So while our students may understand theories and principles, they may not be able make the connection between theories and physical manifestations. This is connected to the idea of 'mindfulness'. Not just children, but adults as well, are not mindful or aware of their surroundings - why do things happen the way they do, how can we improve our surroundings, what is my role in the bigger scheme of things - these are kind of reflective learners we need to nurture. It is important for parents, teachers, schools and even big businesses to realize this. After all, creative thinkers are good for business!

As a 'new' teacher, I have been going through some extensive training. It is encouraging to see that the focus of new teaching methodology is creativity, individuality and reflection. As a new generation of teachers takes over, I hope to see a generation of empowered students who take responsibility of their own learning and are mindful of their surroundings. It is now also time for big businesses to also step up - invest in a more creative workforce for the future! Horlicks Pakistan has recently launched an initiative to do just that.

Horlicks Pakistan in association with WWF brings #DreamsForTomorrow, an art competition that will take place in schools across Pakistan, bringing out the creative side of students. The campaign is focused towards engaging school going kids and their parents in a creative process of talking about a child’s dreams for the future. Participating schools will be given books that contain stories designed separately for each grade, providing the necessary direction for the creation of the artwork.  All schools will be submitting their entries for the competition.  If you are a parent or a child reading this, contact your school to find out if your school is part of the program. You can also find more details on this Facebook event page.

Horlicks Pakistan was kind enough to send over a kit for me to go through and make a mess painting with my nephew. While my 3-year-old nephew has usurped the art supplies, the books are an invaluable resource for children in Grade 1 to 10. The books are concise and written in the local context (there is a severe shortage of such content).

I remember filling in the WWF Sticker Book of Animals when I was a child. The joy it brought to me was immense – the agonizing over the Number 1 sticker ‘The Giant Panda’ led to many sleepless nights; learning about different species, the sense of responsibility and accomplishment was amazing! I hope that with #DreamsForTomorrow, this generation of Pakistani children can experience the same wonder and mindfulness that it instilled in us.

For more information on how I am using the kit, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - @sundusrasheed

[Ideas] How To Kill Time Without Internet

Although I clearly remember the pre-internet age when we looked forward to watching Star World sitcoms and Ninja Turtles. However, I cannot imagine a world without the interwebs now. Every now and then I do get nostalgic about the good old days but then I quickly remember how much they sucked. In the case that we do get sucked back into those days, here's some creative ways you can kill time at work without internet.

1. Chronicle your love life. Its time to start counting the hits and misses.
2. Paper football. You do not even have to have a partner. Just staple some paper into a ball and you're good to go!
3. Compliment your married coworkers on their weddings rings. People love talking about themselves so ask them how they met their better half.
4. Read the company handbook. Because why not.
5. Write down a business plan. Work on it during your employers' time, using their resources.
6. Plan your weekend shenanigans.
7. Clean your workspace. Your boss just might notice how dedicated you are.
8. Get faster internet.

Invest in 3 in 1 Storm Fiber - with a landline, cable tv and blazing internet that does not cost the earth.

Find them online at:
www.facebook.com/stormfiber
www.twitter.com/stormfiber

[Event]: Azadi Weekend!

I am not much a public celebration person. I tend to avoid going outdoors on festival days for several reasons:

1. It's hot
2. August is sticky and everyone is smelly
3. There's no lights to look at.

Yup, Karachi does not light up for Eid or 14th August the way it should. I suppose I am spoilt with celebrations having spent time in Malaysia (mostly in malls) where every festival is celebrated with such zest, fervour, decorations, promotions and sales! Luckily for me, Dolmen Mall exists.

It was lovely to see the atrium decked up in green and white, stalls selling patriotic T-shirts and badges, photobooths and just the general festive air that the space that to offer. Call me materialistic and missing the point of 'independence' but sales count!

So I put on my super duper patriotic Sonya Battla kurta and hit the mall not once but twice over the azadi weekend. It was also great for my Instagram following and I got to attend an InstaMeet! It was almost like a scavenger hunt and while I am a bit late to the InstaMeet party, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Who knew a trip to the mall would bring out the patriot in me? Dolmen Mall completes me. Those who know me well, know this well.

Here's to freedom! Freedom to live life to the fullest and spend our money any which way we like! Pakistan Zindabad!

Education for Kids: Parental and School Teaching

In the early year of a child’s up-bringing, education plays a great role. This means the contribution both at school from teachers and at home from parents. While both forms are important for the kids, maintaining balance between them is something that shouldn’t be ignored at any cost.

Kids these days end up spending a lot of time at schools which makes their teachers, friends and other students the primary source of learning. This plays a great role in shaping their personalities. While education at school is inclined towards academic and social up-bringing, the education at home solely focuses on the moral and ethical up-bringing of a child. Both parents and teachers play a vital role in shaping a child’s career, personality, decision making skills and abilities to function and adjust in the society.

Keeping that in mind, it is essential that a child gets, if not, perfect than a balanced mix of both in his or her growing years. Parents and teachers should always be aligned with the changes in the child’s behavior, the addition and subtractions to his or her daily requirements and how they are responsive to changes.
To ensure a balance, both parents and teachers should actively make an effort to engage the child in discussions, earning trusts and maintaining an overall environment. Kids these days learn so much from media and their surroundings, it’s the parents and teachers who have to build that sense of understanding for the kids to comprehend what they see, experience and learn.

[Tech]: The Infinix Hot S

Patience is a virtue they say. And I really wish I had waited for the launch of the Infinix Hot S before buying a new phone. Fortunately for you, I was there and am happy to report that the Infinix Hot S could be your next phone upgrade.

The phone has a 8 MP front camera and can take a 120 degree selfie - basically you and your phupo's family can fit into that valima selfie.  The phone has a 5.2 inch HD display and a ginormous 3000mAH battery for all those afflicted by Pokemon Go, Cooking Fever or load shedding. It's a pretty sleek looking phone with a metallic body. It retails for about Rs 18,000.

But honestly, the most exciting part of the launch for me was winning the brand new noise cancelling ear phones by Infinix. They are bloody brilliant! And I have used ALOT of ear phones in my life - from Seinheisers to Beats to Bose to Pioneer ( I work in radio). And for Rs 3000, these Infinix babies are a steal. They work with Android and iPhones. The sound is crisp and clear. And the noise cancelling feature is fantastic. They come with a carry case so you don't ruin them by throwing them in your bag (the easiest way to destroy your ear phones).

The phone seems to be a good choice for those who live online. The ear phones are for the hardcore music fan. Load your phone with music. Plug in and let's go!

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How To Choose School Bundle In Best Prices

It is the Back-to-School time and the level of excitement and stress is pretty much the same for both the parents and the students. 

 
Shopping for books and uniforms can be really stressful and costly at times. It takes time to master the art of creating the best bundle of all your essentials that also fits your budget. 

 
But you know what? Your lucky stars worked and Yayvo.com came up with the first ever Education E-store that lets you shop online from the comfort of your home for your kids’ new year of school.
How can you use this to your advantage? Here are some tricks you can use:
- Buy a combo instead of buying separate items. You can find of that fits your requirement at yayvo.com
- Recycle and recreate!
- List down all the things you need and make a checklist by allocating a certain budget for each item.
- Compare prices and value for your money!

All of this can turn out to be really helpful if you just organize yourself a little! Make a list, get your laptop and shop online with Yayvo! Stress free back-to-school shopping is a thing now! 

*This is a sponsored post.

[Food] Iftar At Lals

There is something lovely about Lals. Is it the soft green French windows? Or the enchanting rustic interiors? The minute I step into a Lals outlet, I want to stay and buy. Buying chocolates and desserts are easy decisions to make but choosing Lals as an Iftar destination is not always the first choice that comes to one's mind. By my own choice, or by family and friends' choice, I have been having Iftar at Lals for the last three years. Since last year, they have a introduced a more Middle Eastern-Mediterranean menu. It's light and easy but filling. A little bit of this, a little of that keeps your taste buds buzzing.

The menus at their Shahbaz and Dolmen Mall outlets are different. The DMC one being cheaper than Shahbaz.  My blogger buddy Umair Mirza and I tried the Iftar at Shahbaz. The deal includes an Iftar Platter to share, two main courses, a scoop of gelato and free flowing mint lemonade.

The Iftar Platter includes: Zaatir Croissant, Pita Bread, Spinach Fatayer with Chilli Oil, Falafel with Tahini, Margerita Pizza, Chana Chaat, Fruit Salad and Hummus. The winner in this platter is the pizza. The falafel left me unimpressed.

The main course choices include: Chicken Skewers on Greens, Spicy Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Bowl, Lasagna, Fish and Chips and seven sandwiches to choose from! I picked the Lasagna. When it arrived, I thought woah, this is tiny. But I guess I was just being greedy as I had to take it home. The Lasagna is made with ricotta cheese (as it should be) and a really rich ragu sauce. I did feel it was a bit dry though.

The absolute best thing on the menu was the mango gelato. It is absolutely stellar. I want to buy a tub!

The damage for all of the above is (with two main courses) is Rs 2300 plus tax. I would give the Lals Iftar experience a 4 out of 5 for the thoughtfulness that has gone into planning the menu. It is carefully curated to cater to the local palette while retaining the international flavors that we recognize Lals for.

Go to Lals for a cool, calm and delicious Iftar.

[Beauty] Wake Up For Make Up

One of the easiest ways to kill time in Ramzan (for me) is window shopping - books, clothes, make up, accessories - you name it and I have never been more interested before. Make up is a recent 'interest' of mine and no doubt, being a blogger has fed the beast. Beauty related events are now my favorite events to attend - makeovers, make up to play, girly fun and so much more!

Recently, myself and a few other more experienced (read extraordinary) beauty bloggers visited the Make Up City outlet in Dolmen City Mall. We were treated to make up goods from Sweet Touch and given a brief understanding of the business of make up.

Here's what I got from the Sweet Touch range:

 A set of three nail colors for the price of two. Pretty sweet deal. Love the summer colors.

This lip shine in peanut butter looks delicious but doesn't work for me. I prefer bright lip but I reckon it would work on top of a nice pink for that extra shine.

 I am really digging the middle swatch. That's 731 Matte. The Maroon lip liner also does well. 

However, what you need to remember are the on going promotions. My advice is to stock up on the make up the offer is still on.

SMS 'Make Up City' to 8833 and avail :
- 10% off across the entire range at the store
 - a staggering 50% off on all makeovers
- a loyalty card

Make Up City is expanding across the country - from big cities to small towns. Find them on Facebook to find a store near you.


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[Food] Ole Express

The new kid on the delivery block, Ole is out to impress! Ole Express is an incarnate of the restaurant of the same name that was once located on Zamzama. Being mom-less this Ramzan, I have resorted to ordering in rather frequently and I have to admit, this was one of the most seamless and effortless processes ever.

The food was delivered hot and fresh.  And no leaks! Packaging is so crucial to a food delivery business but not enough businesses pay attention to it. The pasta was double wrapped in cling film to avoid any leaks. Call me weird, but that impressed me! But, taste is king of course. Here's what I tasted and loved (or not).

These Chicken Strips turned out to be my favorite thing on the order. The chicken meat was flavorsome (I am guessing it was buttermilk marinated), the coating crisp and the dipping sauce was not over powering. And real French fries. A starter with a side dish - now that's generous!

My sisters picked the Peppery Fried Shrimps as the other starter. I do not eat sea food but they reported that these were possibly the best fried shrimps they had tried. My only issue is the quantity. Priced almost the same as the Chicken Strips and enough for only one person, as opposed to the chicken that could be shared by up to three people.

Pakistan's favorite pasta - Creamy Chicken Pasta - or some such thing. This rendition of the classic dish was rich but dry. I would have preferred a lighter but saucier sauce. Once again, the quantity is good for two.

The Stuffed Chicken with Tarragon Sauce proved to be the main event. Crispy exterior, moist interior and a sensational sauce to go with it. This was a 10 dish on all counts. Priced at Rs 610, this is a steal! Served with a generous side of fries (or mashed potatoes) and vegetables, this is also good for two.

Ole is a delivery service with class. Their menu is standard restaurant fare and can be served with the same finesse on your dining table. Whether you want to treat yourself or want to host a fancy dinner at home, get in touch with Ole. It would be interesting to see Ole venture into the catering side of things as well.

Will I be ordering from Ole again? Most definitely!

[Food] Ramzan Recipes Made Easy

Ramzan is always a great time for me to restore my passion for cooking. In regular days, I hardly find the time to try new things or frankly, make an effort to cook a meal for the family. Being a huge 'food fan', I follow a bunch of food websites, apps and blogs to discover new kinds of tastes, textures and flavours. More often than not, I find it difficult to follow recipes closely. Mostly, because many ingredients are not locally available (except for Middle Eastern and South East Asian products, which I bulk buy on my travels). But recipe resources are great for finding your inspiration to create new dishes. I was introduced to the National Made Easy recipe website and app last year. And I am happy to report that they have not disappointed me with regards to fresh, creative content.

Here's a break down of my cooking spree so far:

Chicken Qorma

This was an ambitious project for me, so I actually did not experiment much here. I followed the recipe on the box to the tee and used the video on the website as a rough guide. One thing that did help me was the home made fried onions I had stocked up on. It makes for a quick Qorma.

Chicken Tikka Wrap

Wraps and rolls are great for Ramzan. They are filling and easy to make - and appropriate for any time of the day. I make my on tortillas at home with some added mixed herbs or zaatir for an extra layer of flavour. The chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, salt and a spoon of National Tandoori Masala. I pan fried the chicken after marinated for a couple of hours. Scrape out the sticky bits out of the pan to make a spicy mayo. Add some pickled onions (just soaked in vinegar for a couple of hours) and spicy mayo. Viola! Chicken Tikka Wraps to go!

Chicken Qeema

I went a little nuts with this Chicken Qeema that I have not yet named. I continued with the National Tandoori but went a step ahead by adding my home-made Mexican chilli paste (yup, I made it). And added a desi touch by smoking it with coal. The result was a spicy, steaming Chicken Qeema that is great to wake up those taste buds at Iftar, Not recommended for Sehri.

Chicken Haleem

What is great for Sehri is Haleem! An excellent healthy mix of carbs and proteins. I love haleem and so does my family and therefore, I did not want to go beyond my abilities and completely fudge up the dish so I stuck to the recipe on the box. I just added a little bit of extra wheat as we like our haleem chewy. Turned out pretty well.

Sundus' Special Fried Noodles

Noodles are my super power. If there is one thing I learned living in Malaysia, it is a taste for noodles. I get my Asian condiments on my annual trip to Malaysia and I urge you to buy good quality Asian sauces and spice mixes if you like cooking Asian food. It makes a world of difference! The chicken is marinated in National Chicken Jalfrexi mix, light and dark soy sauce and garlic for a couple of hours. Pan fry the chicken until almost done and add your favorite vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, green beans, mushrooms). Add noodles and toss everything in some more soy sauce. I make own my own chilli sauce too but I am not giving away that recipe! Buahahah!

Here's to more fasting and feasting!

Note: Thanks to National Foods for suppling the spice mixes my cooking adventures.

[Music] The Summer Setlist

My coping mechanism for most of life's curveballs is music. Currently, we (especially those of us in Karachi) are experiencing one of the hottest summers to date (they say that every year). Here's what I am listening to this summer to stay energized during the exhausting summer.

1. Don Omar ft Lucenzo - Danza Kuduro

Every summer needs a Latin beat featuring many different artists whose names you may or may not be able to pronounce correctly. Who cares. Just bounce along.

2. A-Ha ft. Kygo - Take On Me

A fresh new perspective on the 80s hit. Norden meets the Carribean in this summer anthem. And it's  totally legit! They even performed at the Nobel Prize Ceremony last year.

3. Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling

Every summer needs an all-American, blonde, blue eyed Justin Timberlake. This one makes me fall in love with small town America all over again.

4. Grupo Fantasma - Cayuco

I am biased towards Latin music, particularly in the summer. This summer, I urge you to discover the music, Grupo Fantasma - a Latin funk-fusion band based in Austin, Texas. I saw them perform in Karachi earlier this year and it was electric! Oh also, they played a few after-parties for Prince.

5. In Grid - Tu Ma Promis

Blast from the past that is still relevant for every summer romance gone wrong. 

What's on your summer setlist? Let me know in the comments below!

[Food] How To Survive This Summer In The Kitchen

Karachi is hot. And not in a sexy way. It is hot, humid, sweaty and sometimes smelly. So here's a pro tip about how to survive this summer in the average Karachi kitchen... Just don't. That's right, avoid cooking altogether. Well, as much as possible. My mother is away all summer and feeding the family is on my to-do-list. Here's a few basic tips on how to avoid cooking this sumer:

1. Freeze: Make your own kababs. Shami kababs are hard work. I opted for mince based burger style kababs instead. Get creative - add your own concoction of herbs and spices, something to bind it all together and just grill. Cook them fully - about 2 minutes each side for chicken. Then just cool and freeze.

Add carbs to your creation if needed

2. Greens: Being lazier has been never healthier. Get a head of ice berg lettuce every couple of days to make your own salad mix. I usually grill a spiced chicken breast and keep it in the fridge to add to my salad.

My  Citrus Sumac Salad

3. Order In: No really. Just order in. But when ordering for the whole family, it can get a bit pricey and you have to think of preferences. And children. I found the FoodPanda app to be quite helpful in this regard. I usually order in when I am craving something specific like pizza or Chinese. FoodPanda actually turned out to be a great tool for budgeting and planning meals. I gave myself a budget of Rs 1000 for dinner per day to feed the four of us and then spent quite a bit of time scrolling through the menus and prices on the app. Not only was I able to feed the family on a budget but we also got to try lots of new restaurants that we would not usually visit. I was also able to order much earlier on for the food to be delivered at a specific time. So even if I forgot my responsibilities, Panda did not,

BOTH.

What did I order and how did it taste? Watch this space for indiviual reviews coming up. 

[Beauty]: Ayesha Ziya's Oud Fragrances

 Growing up in a distinctly Arab family, the smell of Oud was lingered in the air. Whether it was actual Oud wood burning in the prayer room or  the perfume on my mother's clothes. The bottle of Oud oil perfume was always in my mother's purse encased in a green velvet pouch. She would let me wear some when we were going to a special event like a wedding or my own birthday. It still is one of her most prized possessions. All I knew about it was that it was really expensive and difficult to get.

When I got an invite to attend the launch of Ayesha Ziya's Oud fragrance range, I was rather excited. Finally, I would get my hands on my own bottle of this divine fragrance. 

That's the complete range of Ayesha Ziya's fragrances. At the launch, I assumed that all these perfumes are Oud based. However, according to the descriptions on the website, only Oud and Oud Signature are made of Oud wood. Their best seller is 'Irum'. I loved it's soft feminine tones and I would definitely consider gifting it. But for myself, I would invest in Royal Mirage - it's rich, strong and opulent. Just like I like my men.

The perfumes will soon be available to purchase at selected outlets. While I loved the perfumes, the event/information session itself was not fitting for a luxury perfume launch. A dreary room with white table cloth and samosas just didn't cut it.

Would I buy the perfume? Possibly. Depends on the pricing. However, the starter kit at GBP 14 is great value for both personal use and gifting.

For more information on the perfume: www.ayeshaziya.com

[Event]: YSL and Lancome come to Karachi!

There's nothing like make up to cheer up a girl with a sprained foot. Yes, that would be me at the Scentsation launch of YSL and Lancome beauty lines in Karachi. But there's something about a make up store that makes it all okay - the sweet scents, the colors, the smiling ladies.... I love browsing through make up! Luckily, for my sprained foot the latest goodies were right at the front of the store AND I was lucky enough to be selected for a quick make over with the Lancome range.

Looking and feeling better

So now that we have established that I look good in Lancome make up (and more importantly, feel good), let's go back a little bit. Multitech are the good guys bringing all these colorful goodies to Pakistan and they will be stocked at Scentsation. In my interaction with the brand team of Multitech and Scentsation, I made one important discovery - they invest in and believe in staff training. So, when you step into their store, you can be assured that the girls know what they are talking about - in fact, all of them fantastic make up artists too! There is something to be said about companies that take training and development seriously. As much as I love getting made up, the fact of the matter is that I know very little about make up. The girls were very knowledgeable about the range of products offered by YSL and Lancome and were happy to recommend shades based on my skin tone. Frankly, if you are going to parting with your hard earned cash, it better be the right shade!

The beauty range is to die for!

How much for the whole display?

The Masters Rabiyah Tungekar and Nida Moughal at work.

So, here's my recommendation. If you (like me) prefer a clean, natural yet colorful face then go with Lancome. They have a lot of shade and color choices that are understated and perfect for daily wear. If you are more skilled with make up application and adventurous than try the rich, vibrant colors of YSL. BUT, please talk to the consultants before you make a purchase. They are skilled and polite

Can't wait to go spend another afternoon trying the goodies at Scentsation!

[Event]: #RealDestinations

Shell Rimula, premium heavy duty engine oil, launched a new campaign called Real Destinations. The campaign looks at the life of truck drivers and farmers of Pakistan, their dreams and aspirations and emphasizes on the hard work they put in every single day to accomplish them.

The Sadqain Gallery hosted the launch event.

Real Destinations represents the largest ever integrated marketing campaign from Shell Rimula and marks the latest step towards a more emotional global brand marketing approach. The campaign reveals the personal motivations and goals in the life of Pakistan’s truckers and farmers.

Shell Rimula has consistently worked towards empowering its consumers by providing them with premium oils that ensure engine protection against wear and tear making the journey towards reaching their dreams smooth, regardless of the driving conditions.

Commenting at the launch event of the Real Destinations campaign, Omar Sheikh, Managing Director of Shell Pakistan Limited said, “Farmers and truckers are crucial for the Pakistani economy and we applaud their efforts through the Shell Rimula – Real Destinations campaign. We acknowledge their hard work and perseverance and Shell Rimula stands by them every step of the way. We realize that our consumers for Shell Rimula depend solely on their trucks & tractors for their livelihood, our heavy duty oils have been designed to improve performance of their engines because we understand that less downtime on the roads or in the fields, means more quality time for them with their families.”

Reading by Rahat Kazmi 

The global campaign of Real Destinations has been localized and developed specially for this purpose. A television commercial is also produced to run in Pakistan by one of the most talented filmmakers of the country, Jamshed Mehmood (JAMI).

The TVC which was showcased at the event highlighted the intricate balance of life in the consumer’s everyday life. The Real Destinations campaign is currently running in 17 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, including Pakistan.