Designer Slacks

We were in luck ! The posh mall Salam which imports designer wares is having a season sale, everything was on 50% or more discounts. I managed to score some couture jeans at really reasonable prices from 200-400 riyals (USD 80-150). The prices were slashed from their previous thousands so even though I didn't need 3 pairs of jeans, I bought them anyway.

In my defense, they were in different styles.

A pair of washed grey Marc Cain boot-leg jeans.

I like the flair that starts from the tapered dart that you can see he's detailed with a small metallic stud.

Here is a second pair from Diesel this time, also in grey but softer in tones and has a grunge look with its torn detailing and very subtle black sequinned trim down the sides.

The last pair is from See by Chloe and is a cream cropped 3-quartered length. Simple but fitted me so well.

So see, all 3 are different.

T came away with just one pair of denim but found some great shirts and a pair of shoes from Paul Smith. I rummaged through the mens section and stopped in my tracks when I saw this scarf also from PS.

Love love love the medley of Autumn hues and it was cashmere. Such a brillant find.

Retail therapy ! Doesn't get better than that !

Project ID

I signed up for a course at a college here. One of the really fortunate things about Doha is that there are some really prestigious universities here like Georgetown. If I don't start working in the next year, I am considering doing a full time course, on what, I'm not sure yet.

For now, VCU which is the Virginia Community University offers spring classes on languages, art, jewellery making ... I scanned the courses and found the ID one to my delight.

What fun, a course on designing your home. The syllabus covers lighting, space management and colours among other aspects of ID. The course is bi-weekly and will be for 2 months. I have so far attended 2 classes and tonight, is Class 3.

Manju, our teacher is a designer and has been teaching for several years now. She is expecting us to produce 3D dioramas of our work by the end of the course and the best one will be showcased at an exhibition.

The class only had 12 students and there was a Egyptian housewife, some students, a real estate guy, a French interior designer and me. During the second class we were told to flip through magazines and pick 4-5 images that captured our attention. We then had to explain why they were meaningful to us and develop a concept from these images.

I sort of had a idea from the magazines, but then when I was at home one day having coffee and surfing the net, I came across something else that drew my attention and I have since built a concept around it.

This is a series of 4 commercials from EF (Education First)





I loved the cinematography and the typography.

I took this and have developed it further. This ad is for learning a new language but why stop there? Learning is a lifetime process and to be inspired to keep learning everyday whether it is reading about a new topic or finding your inner Picasso, is a noble idea. They say a keen mind lengthens life.

Keep Learning. That's my concept for the room.

Will post more but gotta run for my class tonight. Have a lovely evening.

Such a sweetie !

No need for words here...

Have a sweet week you guys.

Pull!

What do you do when you are bored in the desert?

Go shooting. Right in the centre of town, next to the police training grounds and the North Atlantic College, was the Doha shooting range. The grounds were very basic and was nothing more than a sandy pit.

75 riyals for a box of ammo and the chap gave us some ear phones before giving us some instructions on using the shotgun. He had a handheld remote that controlled the targets that come flying out about 10 metres from us into the dusty arena. The targets were small red discs and so hard to aim at but I managed to hit one! Pure chance anyway, I think I had both my eyes closed at some point. the blast was so loud and the recoil against my shoulder made it sore only after a few tries.

Still, not a bad way to spend an afternoon with some mates. Good to release some stress, just imagine your nemesis and fire away !

(pics from here)

Eye on Turkey

One of my fav. bloggers, Luxirare posted her travels in Istanbul recently. Her photos are just phenomenal and I could not resist not mentioning it today.

She captured the dusting of pistachios on the honeyed drenched donuts magically. You must visit here to see the rest of her photos.

Footie for Tots

I have been busy over the past week doing some design work besides watching the incredible events unfolding in the Mid-East. D, my good friend from KL is over to cover the events for the channel and we have been spending much time catching up and playing with the little boy during free afternoons.

As for the design stuff, D from Hong Kong is organising a birthday party for her 2 year old. His favourite sport is soccer and his mum has invited his coach in Socotots to attend the party. My job was to design a card and offer up some suggestions for party decor.

The internet as always, had plenty of ideas for a footie party. Ball-inspired icing cookies.

Faux grass centerpiece with miniature tropies as decoration.

Party bags and water bottles with personalized themes and names.

I finally came up with L.W's card and it is a postcard with double sided print.

As part of party favours, D is going to print out some T-shirts for the little ones using the Thomas Cup theme. It would be a cute keepsake and make for some great photos.

I wish that I could be there for the celebration but am sure it will be a roaring success !