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

If you are a cautious car-driver like me, you will probably identify with this piece. Not everyone in this world, rides fast cars. We may want to, but some of us have our reasons to tread with caution. My children in the backseat are the biggest reason I never push the pedal. When invited to test drive the All New 2018 Honda Accord, it seemed like a dream come true. These new cars are slick and sporty. First introduced in 1976, the Honda Accord is the second longest-running automotive nameplate in Honda’s history, after the Honda Civic. The Accord was the first automobile from a Japanese automaker to be manufactured in America and has been in continuous production at the company’s Marysville, Ohio auto plant since November 1, 1982, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Total global Accord production exceeds 17.5 million units. The 2018 Accord is the 10th generation of Honda’s perennially best-selling midsize sedan. All new from the ground up, the new Accord is...

When singing, dancing and acting are all rolled in to one artist, it almost seems unreal. Award winning artist, Ricky Martin is all this and much more. On his first concert in Dubai, he certainly had us swaying to his tunes and literally transfixed. "It has taken me 17 years to be at this front line to watch Ricky Martin sing live, and today that wish has come true," says Hosam. This Iranian fan has flown all the way and paid handsomely, just to see one of his biggest idols in person. It is 12. 30 a.m. on a Saturday morning and the sensational Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin has just left the stage after 180 minutes of singing and dancing. It’s a night like no other for me. Not only am I covering the Dubai Jazz Festival, an event that's personally close to my heart because it promotes music, we are also given the rare priviledge to go up close for the first three songs of the show. When he first hits the stage the screaming fans don't know q...

When we first get to the entrance of Blaze Burgers, the sign on the door has a rather hilarious sign. 'No stupid people beyond this point.' Its a pretty bold statement to make for an eatery that's barely opened five months ago. This premium burger joint has met tremendous fame in Bahrain and is now receiving a lot of attention in the UAE. Something tells me that this was going to be a fun venue. We choose the outdoor seating to soak in the January weather. Located amid the bustling scene of The Walk at JBR. To me it resembles Beverly Hills, where luxury cars and fashionably dressed people brush past each other. We are literally a stone’s throw away from the beach access. In the distance an outdoor foos-ball table is set up for the public and teenagers are having a game. There’s an outdoor theatre in the vicinity and everyone seems to be on a mission to make their weekend matter. Soon our focus soon shifts to the spread prepared by the staff at ...

The news these days is often times pretty grim. Disasters and pollution seem to have sadly become a way of life. Thankfully we still have a lot that we can do to change the scene. On Saturday 13 January, a team of committed divers, volunteers and various officials got together to clean up our seas. The Souq Al Jubail fish market is one of the most busy areas for daily fish, vegetable and meat purchases by residents of Sharjah. The marine area surrounding the souq is home to many marine animals and fish which of course sustain most of us living in this Emirate. Many boats are permanently docked here as trade and purchase carries on. What we don't know is that unnecessary trash and old fishing nets and plastic is choking the sea.  The Sharjah Aquarium which is a part of the Sharjah Museums Authority, together with Sharjah Muncipality has been running clean up events such as this in various locations for the past 8 years. They believe that a lot can be done to create...

  When we arrived outside Crisol restaurant, we had to pause to pay attention to the stunning decor that made up the facade. It is tucked away on University Road in Sharjah and offers a pleasant change from the ordinary. Serving a fusion of Spanish, American and Mexican delights, I'd definitely reccomend going with an empty stomach. Brown panels and patches of green make up the spacious interiors which are dimly lit in gold lighting. Getting to the starters was easy. We were given a choice of a few dishes and we chose Trash can Nachos. Yes, the name did get me puzzled for a moment but I soon realised these cheesy, crunchy starters were definitely worth ordering. Topped with veggies and not overtly cheezy, the nacho portion is large enough for more than one.                                                         ...

Like a kid in a candy store, I set out to explore Anisaty Ladies Salon in Sharjah. What a better way to start the weekend! A trendy establishment Anisaty offers the works from flawless mani-pedi's to soothing hair treatments.  Located in the heart of Buhaira Corniche, right behind a swanky new Lulu supermarket, this salon has had a steady stream of clients for a long time. I first set out for a much-needed hair treatment. Like most women in the UAE, my hair is often dry and dull. Thanks to the staff at Anisaty this was soon a thing of the past. They gave me a quick hair wash and then applied a Loreal hair mask that was kept for an hour. In normal circumstances the hair mask needs to be on for about 10 minutes or so. I kept mine on while I had my nail treatment.  Soft tresses soon appeared leaving me speechless.   The lady doing my blow dry offered to try something different. We went in for soft curls at the end of my locks. It was a very welcome chan...