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Tag: home-life

  • Caffè Praha – the new, happening brunch place in town

    Caffè Praha – the new, happening brunch place in town

    Interior done in simple, soothing shades of mints and greys, Caffè Praha has caught the attention of Karachi ladies since it’s opening a fortnight back. Whether it is breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, or dinner, the place is always buzzing.

    I first visited the place for lunch and though I was really impressed by the mini lunch menu – it had just 6 mains – it was my second visit for a breakfast brunch which I actually enjoyed.

    Nonetheless, we began our meal with some meaty starters – Korean Sticky Wings, Prawn to be Wild and Chicken Strips. All three dishes were juicy, succulent and an absolute treat.

    • Chicken Strips
    • Korean Sticky Wings

    From the breakfast menu, we tried the Old Town Omelette, which was stuffed with cheese and spinach; the Salmon Avocado Brioche served with Hollandaise Sauce and Guacamole and the American Breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs and sausages. All three dishes were pleasing to the taste buds and did not fail to impress.

    • American Breakfast
    • Salmon Avocado Brioche
    • Old Town Omelette

    But the winning dish on the breakfast menu was the Steak on Toast. The delightful dish had succulent pieces of meat on scrambled eggs and mushroom in white sauce all perched on a bed of toast, potatoes and peas. I am without a doubt going back for this one.

    Steak on Toast

    Last but not the least we tried their Freshly Brewed Coffee and Rose Latte, which is coffee mixed with pink rose water. While we enjoyed the fresh coffee, the Rose Latte was a total disappointment – not recommended at all.

    • Freshly Brewed Coffee
    • Rose Latte

    To sum it all up, my friends and I had a wonderful experience at Caffè Praha. Happy staff, sinfully delicious food and reasonably priced, this place is here to stay.

  • Cousins allegedly set man on fire for slapping sister-in-law

    Cousins allegedly set man on fire for slapping sister-in-law

    A young man was allegedly set on fire by his cousins in Okara’s Fazawala village. He was taken to the DHQ hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries.

    According to reports, Afzal was doused with petrol by his cousins and set ablaze after because he had slapped his cousin’s wife.

    Afzal’s father confirmed the news and said that his nephews killed his son, adding that his nephews had also come to their house on Muharram 10 and had fought with Afzal.

    The father shared that the reason behind the conflict between Afzal and his cousins was that Afzal had slapped his sister-in-law.

    Police have initiated an inquiry into the incident.

  • How to keep your closet organised

    How to keep your closet organised

    We’ve all been through the never-ending process of trying to keep our cupboards organised. One minute it’s organised, and the next it’s an absolute disaster.

    Here are a few tips to help you keep your cupboard in good shape.

    Stack thick items like jeans and sweaters

    Winters are coming and sweaters tend to occupy a lot of space. The best solution is to stack up the bulky winter wear. These items are thick, so they won’t crinkle or lose their shape when you stack them. Also, you’ll be able to see each item in a stack clearly, making it that much easier to find what you’re looking for.

    Roll T-shirts and pajamas

    Things like cotton shirts, pajamas and even work out clothes can be organized by roll and tuck technique. And put them in your drawer or any storage box. This technique is a major space saver if you do it right. Tuck your rolled clothing into shoe boxes (great for sliding into drawers), or use wire baskets or clear bins (perfect for shelves).

    Hang scarves on hangers

    Sure, you can roll them up or stack them if they’re thick, but tying your scarves on a hanger is a way better option for organizing them. Hanging your scarves keeps them wrinkle-free and easy to see and access.

    Utilize your wall for hanging jewellery and accessories

    Hang accessories like belts, jewelry, hats or ties on a wall. You can use nails or towel hooks or opt for a more personalized approach like a stylish coat rack.

    Store your most-used clothes at eye level

    Keep everything you wear regularly in the middle of your closet at eye level so it’s easy to find. Put lesser-used pieces directly above or below your most popular clothes, and relegate your least-worn items to the top shelf.

  • Saudi Arabia drops abaya restriction for women tourists

    Saudi Arabia drops abaya restriction for women tourists

    To boost tourism in the country, Saudi Arabia has introduced a new visa system which will allow people to visit the country as tourists. Along with that, they have also announced that abayas will no longer be mandatory for women tourists. However, women are requested to dress modestly, including at public beaches.

    As per reports, the Kingdom is launching a new visa system for 49 countries to attract foreign companies to invest in a sector that can contribute towards ten percent of the country’s GDP by 2030.

    The rose-coloured sandstone of Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia’s northwestern town of al-Ula

    Visas will be available online for about Rs 12,550 ($80) with no restrictions for unaccompanied women as in the past. This does not include the holy cities of Makkah and Medina.

    Visas in the desert kingdom, endowed with rich bedouin heritage and archaeological sites, are currently restricted to expat workers, their dependents and Muslim pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE can also travel freely to the country.

    Al Ula

    Saudi Arabia has splurged billions in an attempt to build a tourism industry from scratch.

    In 2017, the kingdom announced a multi-billion dollar project to turn 50 islands and other pristine sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.

    Last year, construction of Qiddiya “entertainment city” was launched near Riyadh, which would include high-end theme parks, motorsport facilities and a safari area.

    The country is also developing historic sites such as the centuries-old Mada’in Saleh, home to sandstone tombs of the same civilisation which built the Jordanian city of Petra.

  • Exploring the French Countryside

    Exploring the French Countryside

    It is always a delight to spend the summer in Europe but spending the summer in the European countryside is special. Think bright, sunny mornings, long, warm afternoons by the pool and cool nights under the starlit sky.

    This summer I had the chance to spend the summer in Provence, a historical province in southeastern France. The culturally rich province extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. To be honest, my family and I couldn’t have picked a better escape to relax and unwind from the hustle-bustle of our daily lives.

    What’s so special about Provence?

    Where to stay

    Chateau de Goult

    Getting around

    Places to explore

    Goult

    Provence Market

    Bonnieux

    Roussillon

    Gordes

    Learn how to make French Cuisine

    Don’t forget to soak in some Vitamin D.

    Just writing this piece has given me a serious case of wanderlust and made me want to go back.

  • Are fashion brands disconnected from reality? Under fire ‘Generation’ responds

    Are fashion brands disconnected from reality? Under fire ‘Generation’ responds

    With rising costs of basic necessities, other products which are categorized as “not so necessary,” such as expensive clothes, are taking the back seat. But it appears that fashion brands are oblivious to these shifts in the economy. Why? Because they seem to churn out products that are categorized as affordable but are way out of the average Pakistani woman’s league.

    On one hand, we have Generation, which has always prided itself for being inclusive and affordable and on the other, we have Elan, a high-street fashion brand which most people love from afar.

    Generation, with their latest campaign featuring teachers, has gotten a few things wrong. For starters, people are unhappy with the prices. The joras are priced between Rs 6500 – 9000. Most school teachers in the country, including those who work in private schools, earn up to Rs 40,000 a month. Given the rising costs of basic necessities, it is unlikely that teachers will have any money left over to splurge on such items.

    Social media users also thought the same and many of them commented on Generation’s posts, asking them to rethink their prices and offer discounts to teachers.

    When we contacted Generation for their response on the social media backlash, they commented, “We kicked off August with our “Back to College” campaign and the shoot in question, was its extension.”

    “Inspired by the nostalgia of college and the fact that a huge part of our customer base is from the teaching profession, we shot the campaign with Naveed Anjum, a college professor herself-who is a regular customer of GENERATION and who herself chose the clothes for this shoot. The blackboard, chalk and the old-school feel of the visuals served to evoke memories of good old classroom days with the teachers who shaped our present.”

    They added, “Our casual product price ranges from Rs 1,500 to 9,000 and we chose one of the more sober collections featuring three-piece suits which ranges from Rs 6000 to 9000 but perhaps price should have been centre stage in deciding which collection to feature for the teacher segment. We’ll be more mindful of these things in the future.”

    A balanced and well-curated response as one would expect, given their up-to-date marketing and PR teams.

    Meanwhile, Khadija Shah of Elan came under fire after she took to Twitter to announce that she is introducing an “unstitched wedding season collection” which will be priced between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1175801825393618944?s=20

    The trolling that Khadija received, after her tweet, had no end. People called her out for being an elitist who lives in her own bubble.

    https://twitter.com/Ruby2805/status/1176224699518529538?s=20

    At the same time, several people stepped forward to defend Khadija.

    Khadija also tried to reason and explain the logic behind the high prices. She said that because of the depreciating rupee, the cost of raw materials and production has increased.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1175854136782393346?s=20
    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1176066620470517761?s=20

    When the trolling increased, Khadija hit back saying that she is not forcing anyone to buy these.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1175855188952985600?s=20
    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1176157628470374400?s=20
  • ‘DON’T kiss babies’: Mother-of-four whose infant son nearly died begs adults

    ‘DON’T kiss babies’: Mother-of-four whose infant son nearly died begs adults

    A mother-of-four is warning others against kissing their newborns during the flu season after her own son barely survived a severe respiratory infection.

    Ariana DiGrigorio’s son Antonio caught the flu when he was still an infant.

    For two months, they could not figure out why the symptoms persisted. Antonio was then diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

    Ariana shared a heart-wrenching photo of son in the hospital with all manner of supportive and monitoring tubes and wires coming from his tiny body on Facebook, urging parents to keep their babies away from relatives’ kisses, for the infants’ good.

    RSV is a common viral infection but for the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and especially babies, the virus can be dangerous.

    Most instances of pneumonia and bronchitis in infants are triggered by RSV.

    Antonio pulled through, but it was a terrifying time for the DiGrigorio family. Antonio finally pulled through.

    ‘Don’t be the reason a baby is hospitalized (or dead) because the baby was “just so cute I had to kiss her!”‘ Ariana wrote in a Facebook post that was shared over 2,500 times.

  • Peshawri chappal gets wings

    Peshawri chappal gets wings

    A Pakistani-American designer Saks Afridi collaborated with the shoe brand Markhor to create the Hawa Sandal which is an upgraded version of the traditional Peshawari Chappal.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Ry1QQl4GH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=dlfix

    The footwear is part of Saks Afridi’s space mosque collection that has a sci-fi Sufism theme. The designer has elaborated the concept behind the chappal in this Instagram post:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2T88sFFrip/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=dlfix

    He also shared shots of people wearing the Hawa Sandal and levitating.

    Previously, French fashion designer Christian Louboutin and British fashion designer Paul Smith have attempted (and failed) with their versions of the Peshawari chappal which is native to Pakistan’s northwestern regions.

    What do you think of this version of the Peshawari chappal?

  • FBR to regulate beauty parlours, bakeries

    FBR to regulate beauty parlours, bakeries

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to bring beauty parlours, bakeries, grocery stores, and all other retail outlets under an Invoice Monitoring System to check their tax and to ensure that no sales tax theft is taking place at these stores.

    As per reports, the FBR is going to launch its pilot project in Islamabad from next month. Under the plan, the Invoice Monitoring System will be installed at all commercial beauty parlours, bakeries, and grocery stores in the capital to record their actual sales. The project would gradually be extended across the country after its trial launch.

    The system works in a manner that whenever concerned outlets issue a copy of the invoice to a customer, an electronic copy will reach the linked FBR office. This will help the bureau keep a track of the actual sales and the amount of sales tax charged on each bill.

    The FBR officials expressed satisfaction over the system and hoped that it will help increase the revenue collection.

    Most parlours and grocery stores already charge tax so it is unlikely that the prices will be increased. However, this system will ensure that the tax you’ve paid reaches the relevant authorities and is not stolen along the way.

  • Zainab’s father appointed focal person for child abuse in Kasur

    Zainab’s father appointed focal person for child abuse in Kasur

    Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab Chairperson Sarah Ahmad on Tuesday announced that Zainab Ansari’s father Amin Ansari is being appointed as the focal person for child abuse in the Kasur district. According to details, the father of the six-year-old – who was raped and killed in January 2018 – volunteered himself for the task.

    Zainab’s case had sparked countrywide outrage and protests and her perpetrator Imran Ali was executed nine months after her death.

    The bureau, on the directives of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, has launched a campaign in Kasur to raise awareness regarding child sexual abuse. According to the chairperson, this is the “first time that the government has started a campaign in Kasur.” Previously only NGOs were the only ones working on the ground to tackle the problem of child abuse in the area.

    Though the bureau had established a small outreach centre at the TMA Hall in early 2018, after Zainab’s case, the centre had not been equipped properly and largely depended on the Lahore head office.

    The development comes days after the remains of three minor boys, whom police suspect were raped and murdered, were found in Kasur’s Chunian Tehsil. According to the police, two children were reported missing in August while a third had gone missing earlier this month. On the indication of a local worker, police found the body of one of the boys and the skeletal remains of the other two at a deserted place in Chunian Industrial Estate area. Residents in Chunian says that five children had gone missing in recent months. The remains of four have now been found.

    Investigators claim that the heinous crimes have been committed by a single person as suggested by the result of the samples taken from the body of one of the victims, Faizan. The police have so far detained 20 suspects from Chunian, while the samples of over 950 others have also been collected for DNA tests.

    The discovery of the bodies had led to violent protests after which the government including Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken notice of the incident.

    In recent years, Kasur has garnered international attention for being a hotspot for child abuse and pornography.