Category Archives: Life

Feb3

The art of gifting

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The art of gifting

Ever wonder how some people have the gifting process down and some don’t?? Well I’m blessed to be part of the first category.

I love giving gifts and making gifts and wrapping gifts….basically ANYTHING gifts is my joy. I love it so much that I turned it into a business back in 2005 and have developed it until “present day”, just imagine that being the caption while watching a romantic comedy movie, yes I will not fall under any other genre like thriller or action it could be drama at times but that’s too real… Lovely thing about blogging is the fact that it’s a fragment of reality so we’ll just stick with Romantic Comedy!

Back to the gifting…. I have had the pleasure of Bazaar magazine visiting my new store and writing a wonderful article about my pride and joy of a business. Thank you for everything Bazaar Staff!!!

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Be sure to Read the article!! “The Perfect Gift” 

Always remember its all about “Making Life Memorable”

 

Jan4

Happy New Year

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Happy New Year

2014
 
 
 
It’s been too long since I’ve last posted anything and I figured a little Happy wishing is due. (At least until I get my act together and get writing again!)

Hope everyone has made lists of wishes, wants and resolutions for the coming new year and I hope you get to accomplish all of them.

Here’s to a wonderful 2014!

Filed under Life | Comments Off on Happy New Year
Nov28

Guide to your Thanksgiving

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Guide to your Thanksgiving

Gobble Gobble Kuwait!!! Happy Thanksgiving Y’all. How’s your day going so far??

Many of you may be surprised that I don’t host or have Thanksgiving events…. Shocker isn’t it!?!? Well between Halloween events, my birthday & Jennah’s birthday all within a span of less than 2 weeks I call it a day or should I say “Month”, for November off course! Plus I must have a head start for my Christmas events.

With that said I love attending Thanksgiving events. Gives me a chance to be a guest rather than the hostess and THAT’S something to be VERY Thankful for:)

With That said I do want to give those planning their dinner tonight with something I received from allrecipes to make your day go a little smoother.

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Always remember its all about “Making Life Memorable” and don’t forget to give thanks and tell those you love that you are Thankful for having them in your life.

Nov24

Narnia in Kuwait

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Narnia in Kuwait

I’m a huge supporter of the ARTS and really imagine myself living on Broadway and going to the theatre every weekend. With little to resemble that in Kuwait I’m happy to see a shift with many Theatre organizations appearing and having productions for the public. I love how Kuwait has become more active in the Arts and people became more aware and supportive!

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This coming Thanksgiving Weekend at Bayt Abdulla is the production of “Narnia” If you haven’t booked yet you’ll be able to purchase ticket Today (Sunday, Nov. 24th 2013) Between 4:30 & 6:30 at the BaytLothan Courtyard.

The greater thing about this play other than it being very entertaining is that it’s also involved in a great charity. The play this week is to help raise KD 10,000 for Terminally ill children through KAACH.

So go ahead and plan a day with your family and friends and book your tickets.

Oct20

Annual Holiday Bazaar

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Annual Holiday Bazaar

bazaarFor the past 10+ years I’ve been participating in the biggest Holiday Bazaar in Kuwait.

Organized by K-Events with a multitude of vendors and a huge range of products.

If you are a business owner it’s surely something worth while participating in.The SECOND vendor sign up will be held on MONDAY, October 21st at the Applebee’s in Mishrif. Signup will be from 7pm to 9pm. Tables are available on a first come first serve basis….

If you are a shopper then be sure to mark your calendars and visit the bazaar. December 6th, 2013 at the Salwa Sabah Hall in Salmiya.

I’ll be posting more details closer to the date!

Oct15

Store Opening

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Store Opening

So I thought and thought and thought some more and decided that’s it let’s do the store opening cold turkey regardless of how “prepared” the shop is.

The main objective is to invite my family, friends, blog and social media followers.

Highlighting our Halloween collection and a sneak peek of our new store.

So if you’re in Kuwait be sure to stop by!!

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Hope to meet ya!

Oct13

My Store

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My Store

Have you missed me?? Did you notice I’ve been lagging on posting on the blog?? NO?! “Seriously” he he he!!!

Well in case you were wondering I’ve been overwhelmed with my upcoming store.

Its been more than a few months in the works…. Moved from our old location in Salmiya to a lovely big tower in sharq called “Kipco Tower”.

PaperworkThe first step in any business and change of location is paperwork, paperwork, paperwork…. oh did I mention more paperwork??

It would be nice if all this was done online….or at least part of it but we are where we are and you just have to accept it and go with the flow.

Off course we went through the usual hurdles, obstacles, leaps & jumps….a real test of endurance and I did it AAAAALLL with a big fat smile on my face.

Always keep in mind the end result, your goal should always be on the top of your mind don’t for a moment get discouraged! You’ll surely feel relief and accomplishment when it’s all over.

cleaning

Our space is about 80 square meters with a perfect little corner for my office.

After all the designs, carpentry and the works my operation manager (A.K.A my husband) looked after the final steps of making the store organized and squeaky clean.

We used a company called Bleach (tel: 65194789).

The first thing they did was assess our space and the work required. Followed by a quote. After my approval we set up the day and time and we moved forward.

I loved the fact that they were punctual. Such efficiency and time effectiveness. We were very happy with the job that they did and I would really recommend them to everyone that needs professional cleaning service.

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Everything fell into place just in time for our big shipment of the season….

All these boxes are filled with lots & lots of fun gifts and collections that are unique, original and one of a kind.

I feel giddy every time I open every single carton, box after box I can’t wait to just open the doors and let all you in to share the joy!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Off course since we are a Gift Basket company I have to always make sure the choices of ribbons are available… I am in love with our ribbon & wrapping station!

It was so much fun organizing and sorting the ribbons!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Given that it’s Eid Holiday our (my) main goal is to open a few hours a day to all my followers and instagrammers (@obb_kuwait) to have a sneak peak of the store and get first bid purchases on our Halloween items.

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So far our “owl” shelf is complete.

So stay tuned for dates & times!!! I hope that this fun experience will “Make Life Memorable” for everyone that walks in through our door!

Oct6

Owning a Small Businesses in Kuwait

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Owning a Small Businesses in Kuwait

I vowed to myself that when I blog I will never, never, ever write anything negative or turn it into a rants and raving blog about Kuwait.

We all Love the country with all its good and bad. We are here and we all need to adjust and make the best of it.

In general, in my little la la fantasy world of a life all is well and smooth….. it’s once you venture out that you think HUH!!!! Seriously?! The best way to deal is put on a happy face and move one.

I started my Gift Basket Business called Bassinet back in 2005 when small businesses were very rare. The first official all inclusive gift store. Then I ventured out and bought The original Basket Boutique, a Canadian franchise that brought much added value to my business.

We had our ups our downs, trials and tribulations, but it’s been a journey. From a start-up small shop in Hawalli, a move 8 months to Salmiya and now getting ready to open our new doors in Kipco Tower. Many events, bazaars and exhibitions here and there… An online ordering website and a warehouse later I am still learning about the rules and regulations.

Unfortunately Kuwait is still “young” in dealing with SME’s. As there are so many new business owners it still isn’t that equipped. Over and above that there are no real guidelines that stick. What’s a law today might change in less than a month.

So my positive initiative today is this. Do you own a small business, would you like to share your story?? I would like to assist everyone that’s in my shoes and start an initiative, a forum a club or whatever. With each other success we all succeed.

e-mail me on samarhajjaj@gmail.com and lets join forces. “Making Life memorable” is also changing the system to the better.

Anyone out there with me?

Oct4

Fawaz’s Funky Friday

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Fawaz’s Funky Friday

It’s in Fawaz’s nature to always keep himself occupied, much like me just in different things.

Last week I talked about how you need to find a hobby and featured his diving.

Well as the weather starts to get cooler and diving season in Kuwait nears an end Fawaz must get his “winter hobby” back in shape…. that is Remote Control Cars.

Hold on… Hold on… Let me explain!!!!!

If you’re anything like me and a grown man tells you he’s into remote control cars and you get this “you can’t be serious” thought in your head as I did calm down its not just a silly remote control car we’re talking about.

These cars don’t come in a normal box and you just put 4 AA batteries in there to work. Faaaar from it.

These cars come in pieces, bolts, screws and all.

Fawaz can sit there for hours putting these high end cars together.

Yes he’s a handy man kind of guy. Loves to work with his hands.

He designs the cover, paints and puts all sorts of additions on to it to make it his own.

They even have little model men with helmet pieces that you paint and place into the car so it almost looks like someone is actually driving it.

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Off course next stage is heading to the garden and testing the car out.

Fun time starts!

The reward is the final car all together and him and his friends head out to the dessert and “play”.

Do you think your man would be into it?? Check out Tamiya online to get a better idea. Or you can purchase it as a surprise on his next birthday from My Toy Co (Kuwait) and totally “Make Life Memorable” with your creative gift for him!

Oct2

For the love of Reading

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For the love of Reading

There’s nothing warmer than curling up in a corner and enjoying a good book. A time when your head is cleared and you’re entering a world of your own.

I try really hard to make sure that the girls enjoy reading, that when they think things are getting a little “boring” the choice of activity is to reach out for a book and enter the world of imagination.

So when I hear of an exciting new venture that involves books I jump to the occasion!! And what do I find but a place that I would love to take my kids to every weekend.

Granted it’s no Barnes and Nobles or Chapters but more like the “shop around the corner”

A used bookstore run by young volunteers with wall to wall shelving and little reading areas to engross yourself in.

Jennah was in book heaven!!!

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Jennah immediately propped herself on the floor and started making choices.

Between fairytales, mystery & non-ficton it was getting to be difficult to choose the 3 books allowance rule made by me. (yes yes I run a tight ship of rules!)
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Book after book, in and out of the shelves….reading a few lines here and there…

 
 
 
 
 
Jennah finally made her choice that I approved of.

I couldn’t be happier!
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We Love Kuwait books are always a hit in our household!!

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The best part is you can buy the books for a fraction of their price and if you return them you get half your money back. Almost like a public library. Saves you so much space at home and it really gives children more selection to improve their reading.

So hats of to Bayt Lothan and double hats off to all the volunteers and a triple to all the patrons that support this effort.

Be sure to go to q8bookstore in Bayt lothan. Enjoy your relaxing time, choose a book prop onto the coach and “Make your Life Memorable”

Their hours are 5-9:30pm on weekdays
10am-9pm on weekends

For more information look the bookstore up on Instagram @q8bookstore