Abi:original - If you aren't original, what are you?

Ellie Goulding stomped her feet from the time she came on stage till well over an hour and a half later. She sang without restraint and with a customary shrill that we've all grown accustomed to, hitting the high notes with ease. The audience at the World Trade Centre waited eagerly for Ellie on September 24. She was performing as a part of Dubai Music Week, an event that brings local and international talent to a common platform. Here is a singer that has already won best debut artist in Britain and is no stranger to fame. But Ellie did more than sing. She played the drums, rocked an electric guitar and did a cover version of Elton John's, 'Your song.' Dressed in a black jumpsuit that was embossed in gold, it perfectly reflected the array of lights during each performance and for me it took the show to a completely different level. With hits like 'Outside,' 'Burn,' 'Lights' and 'Anything can happen,' Ellie also offered fans a chance...

When invited to try the 'Offer of the month' at Tips and Toes Saloon, barely a month before we relocated, I felt like it was a warm welcome saying, ‘Welcome to our city.’ Probably the reason I was the ever eager client who showed up at 9.15 a.m. for a 10 a.m. appointment. Thankfully there were a few other store s open at Al Fardan Centre, Sharjah. I was able to somehow pass the time and enter the saloon at the top of the hour. Greeted by a sea of smiles and a dozen or so staff members who welcomed me to choose a seat for my treatment, I was soon completely overwhelmed by the view. The saloon faces the Buhaira Corniche. With one of the best views that Sharjah has to offer right in front of you, they have already managed to put clients at ease. My treatment was done by Chirstina and Charlyn, two efficient ladies who didn't drown my mani-pedi session in small talk among each other. Nope, they diligently worked their way through the Vanilla-Caramel mani-pedi sessio...

When invited to Pacha Ibiza, I didn't know what to expect. The venue is a diner, a nightclub and a venue for live performances all at the same time. The entrance to the venue at the gates of the Souq Madinat Jumeirah has a bright, welcoming red carpet. Pacha Ibiza's signature red cherry logo was everwhere and yet somehow it was not overpowering. The live acts began after 8.30 pm. While everyone feasted on appetizers and drinks, the entertainers moved through the crowd at regular intervals with live renditions and even a ballet performance. Pretty crowded for a Tuesday night, one couldn't help but think. Its definitely a different experience for Dubai residents. We don't normally see someone jump off a high rope from such close proximity. The stage at Pacha Ibiza Dubai, is strategically placed in the centre of the venue which has three floors that look down on to it. The DJs (I spotted two of them at different stations, there may have been more) managed to get mo...

The only thing constant in life is change. I hate that phrase, precisely because it is so true. You may have heard it a number of times as well. Its basically another way of saying, 'Get used to it, because that's just how things are.' At least for now. Change often comes and bites you in the rear end when you least expect it. So as I spend the last few days working for some of the publications that I know I will miss, more than they will miss me, there is an element of surprise for what lies ahead. Our family is relocating to the United Arab Emirates, a place we first called home as newlyweds. The country has expanded and then some, in more ways than one can ever measure. There are a few familiar spots and those give me comfort. I've put up a brave face for the children who have to leave their current group of friends and hesitatingly look for new ones. Thankfully everyone is more socially networked and that gives us some comfort of staying in touch. So as we ...

It is any girl’s dream to be offered free make up lessons by beauty experts. Glam was invited to partake in a personal session with Bobbi Brown’s Regional make up artist, Diana Kohvtova. The Serbian make up magician as I nicknamed her, has been with the international brand for close to a decade. She offers make up lessons to customers and faithful clients who want to learn the art of wearing their make up correctly. Over the past month the brand has introduced highly customised complimentary makeup lessons to show women that makeup should be simple, real and accessible. At all Bobbi Brown counters, expertly trained artists are available to teach women how to find the right colours to accentuate the eyes with a “Classic Eyes” lesson or how to easily create standout eyes with a “Smokey Eyes” tutorial, using new Sheer Brights Eye Shadows. Every lesson concludes with the creation of a personalised face chart to help women recreate the look at home. In order to render the entire Bobbi Bro...

It is not every day that a celebrity from Bollywood responds positively to a request for an interview across the miles in Doha. Not when the actress is about to release a star cast film and on the heels of a myriad projects. I considered myself fortunate when Kalki Koechlin agreed to an exclusive interview for Community. Surprisingly, the voice on the other end of the line was friendly and totally unpretentious. “I’ve never been to Doha yet, unfortunately,” she said, “Of course, I’d love to visit. Who knows maybe we could come to promote a film there soon.” Kalki isn’t like other celebrities who sometimes let stardom get the better of them. Her story is one that sets her apart from the crowd. For starters, she doesn’t have family ties or connections that would make it easy to land the laudable roles she’s been acquiring on merit. Born to French parents, who have lived in Pondicherry, India, for more than 40 years, Kalki speaks Tamil as fluently as she does French. She says, “India has...

When I first landed in Taiwan, I didn't realise I would be entering a world where the people are actually refreshingly pleasant. It has been a welcome change to meet people who aren't too shy to greet you with delight. A fellow traveller was embarassed when a Taiwanese acquaintance hugged her tightly and squealed with delight when she noticed a familiar face among the media present at an event. We are unaccustomed to wearing our feelings on our faces. The people here don't give a second thought and automatically offer a wide smile if you offer one in return. I've tested this more than once in the elevators and the streets of Taipei. A gentleman was counting down the floors with his young son and they grinned when I made small talk and offered to share names in broken English. Somewhere along the way, the rest of us have forgotten common compassion for fellow beings. It doesn't surprise me that Taiwanese people choose to live, for the most part, fairly s...