MARAKEZ Hosts The First-Ever Egyptian Fashion Awards at Mall of Arabia

February 22, 2022

MARAKEZ, one of the largest mixed-use developers in Egypt, will host the first-ever Egyptian Fashion Awards at Mall of Arabia on February 27 in cooperation with the Egyptian Fashion & Design Council and the British Council Egypt.

“Fashion is a pillar of the MARAKEZ business strategy and we proactively seek opportunities to support the next generation of local fashion designers to elevate young Egyptian talent and the fashion industry as a whole,” said Nadia Ezz, Director of Marketing, MARAKEZ.

“As one of Egypt’s largest commercial mixed-use developers with five commercial malls, two of which are opening soon, we are taking the lead by providing industry support for the Egyptian fashion ecosystem and empowering creatives and designers as future leaders of the sector.”

Titled “The London Fashion Experience,” the gala event and awards ceremony will take place at West Cairo’s favorite shopping destination, Mall of Arabia, on February 27 in front of Gala Restaurant. More than 130 entries were received across four categories: Young Designers – 2019 or 2020 graduates in the fashion, accessory or jewelry design sector and up to two years in the business; Emerging Designers – produce commercially available apparel for a minimum of two years and a maximum of eight years; Accessory Designers – produce commercially available accessories for a minimum of two years and a maximum of eight years; and Jewelry Designers – produce commercially available jewelry for a minimum of two years and a maximum of eight years.

In cooperation with the Egyptian Fashion & Design Council and the British Council Egypt, the winner will be announced in the gala event that will take place on February 27, 2022 at Mall of Arabia

20 finalists, 5 finalists in 4 categories, have been selected by an advisory board of international and regional fashion industry professionals

Public voting for a preferred fashion designer is taking place now through February 26

“Speaking on behalf of the Egyptian Fashion & Design Council Board Members, we truly appreciate the vision of Marakez and the British Council Egypt, and all partners that allow us to organize the first edition of the annual Egypt Fashion Awards, which is an important component in the EFDC’s aim to nurture, mentor and promote our young talents” said Susan Sabet, EFDC Board Member “We also want to thank our international advisory board members, all highly respected in the international fashion industry, who gave their time to select the finalists. The selection of our judges who will be crowning the 4 winners, presents a mix of highly professional individuals that are also freely giving their time and understand the importance of sharing their expertise in design, education, retail, marketing and business and of course a bit of “glamour”, briefly all elements of a successful fashion designer’s business.”

An advisory board of international and regional fashion industry members selected five finalists in each category:

Young Designers: Bassant Maximus, Marina Azer, Nada Hosny, Alaa Abo El Goud, Asmaa El Degwy
Emerging Designers: Rigash, Moaaz El Behairy, Maison Saedi, Double A, Alia Abaza
Accessories: Aliel, The Bag, Jarii, Rasha Pasha, Jlood
Jewelry: Menna Boudy, Reem Jano, Mimzo, Roknayah Design, Ammanii

Through February 26, the public can vote for their preferred designer by viewing their collections and casting their vote at Gate 13 in front of dstore in Mall of Arabia.

At the fashion show in front of Gala Restaurant, a high-profile jury of fashion industry members and celebrities will select and announce the winners. Mall of Arabia will display the finalists’ collections at a popup location in the mall, while the Egyptian Fashion & Design Council will offer mentorship and business guidance to the winners.

“I am happy to be part of the judging panel for Egypt Fashion Awards this year, and excited to see what the young talents have to show us” said Azza Fahmy, Chairwoman & Creative Director Azza Fahmy.

“I am honored to be part of Egypt Fashion Awards for emerging designers, I started young and I got the support I needed to reach where I am today, therefore I would love to do the same with the other designers, especially in our beloved region” Rami Kadi – Creative director of Rami Kadi Maison de Couture

With support from the British Council, the winner of each category will travel to London Fashion Week in September 2022 to enjoy the ultimate fashion experience, gain firsthand knowledge about a variety of facets of an international fashion week as they plan their own participation in the future.

“The British Council is proud to support work in the fashion and design field. Over the years we have offered a diverse range of international opportunities, including exhibitions, collaborative projects, educational activities, and specialist visits to the UK. We will continue this commitment to supporting opportunities for collaborations linking designers from Egypt and the UK. We are very excited that, through the Egyptian Fashion Awards, four designers will get a deeper look at the international fashion trade when it gathers at London Fashion Week in September.” said Cathy Costain, Head of Arts at The British Council.

“I am honored to be selected as a juror for the first edition of Egypt Fashion Awards. Egypt has always been a center of creativity and style and initiatives like this help put us back on the global map. I believe in unleashing the potential of our young designers and I’m happy to support them in any way I can.” said Ola Dajani, Entrepreneur/Gender-Lens Investor

MARAKEZ has been a long-time, proud supporter of the Egyptian fashion industry. In addition to hosting the Egypt Fashion Awards 2022, the company also supported Egypt’s first ever fashion industry delegation to MQ Vienna Fashion Week in 2021, and previously partnered with Alashanek ya Balady Association for Sustainable Development, a local non-governmental organization (NGO), to support their mission and provide them with a booth at Mall of Arabia to sell products handmade by women the organization has trained through their programs.

MARAKEZ is also a strong supporter of athletes. MARAKEZ sponsors Hana Goda, Egypt’s youngest table tennis champion and number 1 worldwide under 15 and 17 and number 4 under 19 and has previously sponsored Olympic athletes at the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

DIY Bath Bombs You Can Customize and Make At Home

February 22, 2022

Make these easy-peasy bath bombs and infuse them with your favorite scents how you like them. No need to buy the expensive bombs now you’ll be able to give yourself some well-deserved spa time at home. DIY bath bombs

Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid
½ cup corn starch
1 teaspoon essential oil of your choice
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2-3 drops food coloring, optional
4 teaspoon freshly brewed green tea

Method:

In a medium bowl, combine baking soda, corn starch and citric acid.
Add coconut oil and whisk the mixture thoroughly to break any clumps.
In a separate small bowl, combine green tea, essential oil and food coloring.
Start adding wet ingredients to your dry ingredients 1 teaspoon at a time. Work with your fingers to mix and blend the mixture. DIY bath bombs
When the mixture starts to clump together when you squeeze it with your fingers, stop adding the liquid. You might need to add less than 4 teaspoons of liquid. Make sure not to add too much at once.
Fill halfway of each tin with bath bombs mixture. It makes about 11 bath bombs.
Press hard to pack the mixture as tight as possible.
Allow the bath bombs to set in the tray for at least 4 hours before inverting them. For optimal results, leave the bombs to dry overnight.
Lay out a soft towel and carefully turn the muffin tin onto it. You might want to lightly tap on the tray to release all bath bombs. DIY bath bombs

Tip: You can use different essential oils together like citrus, lavender, vanilla, coconut or peppermint for the most lovely scents

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4 Funky Banana Bread Recipes You Will Be Making Everyday

February 22, 2022

Banana bread is so easy to make at home and these funky banana bread recipes each have a little twist and a surprise ingredient that makes them worth doing from scratch.

By Mariam Elhamy

Note: Banana bread actually tastes better on the second and third day as it becomes sweeter. Just cover and place in the refrigerator. Banana Bread Recipes

Dulce de Leche Banana Bread

Have you tried dulce de leche banana bread before? You’re missing out big time!

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, 340g after mashing
1/2 cup 113g butter, melted
1/3 cup 70g full-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup 80g brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups 256g all-purpose flour
1/4 cup 80g dulce de leche, divided

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9X5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
Mash bananas in a large bowl until smooth (or chunky, if you prefer).
Add the melted butter and yogurt and whisk vigorously, until combined.
Stir in the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and salt, whisking until smooth.
Sift the baking soda and flour into the batter. Use a wooden spoon to gently mix, until no white spots remain. Batter will be thick, pour it in the prepared pan.
Divide the dulce de leche into 3 dollops and place them on the batter, in a row. Use a butter knife to swirl it, making sure to go deep so the dulce de leche is spread evenly throughout the bread.
Bake for 45-55 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let it cool in the pan for 10-15 mins.

Chunky Monkey Banana Bread

As a fun snack for kids, banana bread can be yummy and healthy at the same time. Make this recipe and everyone will fall in love with it, adults and kids alike.Banana Bread Recipes

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) room temperature
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Method:

Preheat oven to 325°F and spray a 9″ loaf pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in eggs one at a time until well combined.
In a separate bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Stir in milk. Add the banana mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined.
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and still just until combined – do not overmix.
Gently fold in chocolate chips and walnuts and pour batter into the loaf pan.
Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for half an hour.

Carrot Cake Banana Bread

Carrot Cake and Banana Bread? Are you about to discover what happens when you get the best of both worlds? Banana Bread Recipes

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
1 ½ cups mashed overripe bananas
½ cup finely shredded carrot
½ cup honey
¼ cup milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 tps vanilla
Crushed walnuts, pecans, or toasted coconut (optional)

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add in walnuts, pecans, or toasted coconut.
In a separate bowl, mix together mashed bananas, shredded carrot, honey, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla.
Mix together wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the rack before slicing.

Salted Caramel Banana Bread

If your sweet tooth is begging for more, this sweet and salty banana bread is perfect for you. Banana Bread Recipes

Ingredients:

½ cup melted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
¼ cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
3 mashed overripe bananas
½ cup caramel
Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together butter, brown sugar, buttermilk, vanilla, egg, and egg yolk. Combine your wet and dry ingredients and fold in the mashed bananas and caramel.
Pour batter into the pan and bake for 50-60 mins until deeply golden or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool and drizzle with caramel and flaky sea salt before serving.

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From Amman to Cairo: Idreesi Plays The Kind Of Music Anyone Would Love

February 17, 2022

Idreesi is a young Jordanian songwriter/producer who is currently staying in Amman. Together with his friend and producer Nayrouz, he mixes electronic music with acoustic instruments. If you’ve seen any of his song videos you would know that his style is very colorful and visual.

We had a quick chat with Idreesi to find out more about his music.

By Mariam Elhamy

How is Egypt treating you so far? Is this your first time here?

Egypt is amazing! It’s one of the countries I always miss and want to go back to. The first time I visited Egypt was in 2018 I believe.

Tell us about your concert at Cairo Jazz Club, did it go as expected?

It was way better than I expected. The vibe was great, the audience was fantastic and I personally really love the place. I was surprised with the way the audience reacted to my music and how they sang along with the songs that were played and enjoyed them.

I got really good feedback and it was one of the best concerts I ever did in my life.

How do you juggle between writing, producing and making music?

I’ve been writing music even before I started doing production. It all started with the guitar, I write songs and I just play them on my acoustic guitar, without any other instruments or elements.

Then three years ago I started going into production, I did some personal projects with my friends, nothing big. I don’t like wearing the producer’s mask a lot.

Do you ever get a creative block? How do you deal with it?

Yes of course it’s normal. I’m human I’m not a robot. I don’t really know how to deal with it I just wait for it to go on its own. There’s nothing you can do but wait and I try to go back to writing until the block is removed or my brain is clear.

What is the inspiration behind your music?

My story is the inspiration behind my music. I write about the things that happen to me in my life.

Tell us a bit about your project ‘Garaseen’ and how the idea started.

I started Garaseen with a friend of mine called Nayrouz who I know from college, we both used to study theater. Later we expanded our project and a few of our friends Zeid and Amer joined us. Zeid creates visuals and Amer does the production and I write the songs. We did our first EP then we stopped and took a very long break, until now.

Who are you targeting with your music?

I don’t know, I guess everyone. Anyone can listen to my music and enjoy it.

Do you usually listen to what your fans want or give them something unexpected that they might end up loving?

Whenever I like something I put it out there, I don’t really think about what anyone else wants. But I surely like to please the people who love listening to me and who wait for my music.

Who would you love to do a collaboration with?

George Wassouf.

Lastly, what are you doing on Valentine’s day?

We had a concert in Cairo.

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Makadi Heights And SolarizEgypt Collaborate On A Solar Plant

February 16, 2022

Makadi Heights, one of Orascom Development’s fully integrated towns, located in the Red Sea area, signed a cooperation agreement with SolarizEgypt, to develop a solar power plant in the heart of Makadi Heights.

The agreement is set to save electricity expenses and produce a significant amount of clean energy each year; with an initial investment of EGP 18 million. It was signed by Tamer Dewidar, CEO of Makadi Heights, and Yaseen Abdel Ghaffar, Founder and Managing Director of SolarizEgypt. Where the plant is expected to start operation by the first quarter of 2023, over an area of 15,000 sqm.

According to the Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) agreement, SolarizEgypt will be handling the financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar power plant for the next 25 years.

Tamer Dewidar, CEO of Makadi Heights, has expressed his gratitude for this partnership, where both companies share a common goal of supporting Egypt’s vision 2030 to rely on renewable energy sources and enhance the country’s environmental sustainability practices.

He commented, “We at Makadi Heights are working in-line with the sustainability efforts steered by the Red Sea governorate, such as using clean energy, and complementing the nation’s efforts to reach Egypt 2030 Vision, by hammering on the 7^th goal of the UNSDGs; which is to ensure everyone’s access to affordable and clean energy.”

He further elaborated, “The solar power plant will utilize 3,640 solar panels and is expected to generate over 3,304 MWh/year; producing up to 20% of the total power supply of Makadi Heights. This agreement will allow the solar power plant to offset 2,143 tons of CO2 each year, which is equivalent to removing 258 cars off the road for one year; saving 219,000 gallons of gas, and planting 1,600 trees. This will definitely leave a positive impact on the overall environment scene in the Red Sea area.”

Yaseen Abdel Ghaffar, Founder and Managing Director of SolarizEgypt said, “We are proud to announce this agreement with Makadi Heights. A unique business model, where SolarizEgypt acts as an Independent Power Producer and sells electricity directly to Makadi Heights; with competitive pricing, enables this 1.5 MW project. The project will also be financed by local banks, and will be part of the Green Economy Financing Facility; provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).”

He added, “SolarizEgypt is the leader in the commercial and industrial solar market with more than 50MWs of signed projects. We are committed to continuing our efforts to drive the broad adoption of solar energy in the Egyptian market.”

It is worth mentioning that SolarizEgypt is a certified company that finances, designs, installs, and commissions Photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants in Egypt since 2013. The company offers solutions to the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors; providing consumers with a better, cheaper, and cleaner alternative to conventional electrical energy.

Whereas, Makadi Heights is located in Makadi Bay, 15 minutes from Hurghada International Airport, 20 minutes from downtown Hurghada, and 40 minutes from El Gouna.

The town occupies a prime position reaching 78 meters above sea level, at the highest point of Makadi Bay; guaranteeing unbeatable panoramic views of the Red Sea, with more than 85% of its total land dedicated to green areas, water features, and open spaces.

Athens: A Budget Guide to Eating The Best Food in Greece

February 16, 2022

Think back to your most memorable holidays and what memories stand out. The views and scenery? The romantic sunsets? The way money runs through your fingers like water? For us, it has to be food that heads the list. Best Food in Greece

Athens is one of our top picks, with a perfect mix of traditional dishes that showcase local seasonal ingredients at their best. And the best thing is, you can still eat extremely well without making a big dent in your budget.

Athens boasts some excellent eateries that have been serving authentic, affordable Greek food for generations to locals and tourists alike. Get your taste buds ready for our recommendations!

Fast Food – Athenian style

Gyros, souvlaki, or kebab if you wish, are the classic fast-food options in Athens. And for good reason. Fresh, chewy, hot pitta bread crammed full of well-seasoned grilled meat, tomato, onion and lettuce. Sounds simple, but often recipes are handed down through generations and jealously guarded.

O Kostas

One of the most popular places to get top-notch gyros and souvlaki, O Kostas gets massively busy by midday and often sells out quickly. But, we assure you, it is worth queuing for. Best Food in Greece

Price: Affordable

Address: Pentelis 5, Athens (In Monastiraki, close to Syntagma Square)

O Thanasis

Another Monastiraki spot that rates highly, try to find a seat and soak up the atmosphere as you munch. Pair up your souvlaki with fries and a salad, or roasted peppers and fresh, garlicky tzatziki.

Price: A bit of a splurge if you go for a full meal, but worth it

Address: Mitropoleos 69, Athens

Lefteris O Politis

A little off the beaten track, but still centrally located near Omonia Square, this has been a local favorite for years. Skip the restaurant with the full menu, go to the next door where they roll out some of the best kebab and souvlaki in town.Best Food in Greece

Price: Budget

Address: Satovriandou 20, Athens

Pies galore Ariston

This famous pie shop close to the Houses of Parliament is still run by the same family who started it in 1910. You will find a huge selection of irresistible pies, savory and sweet, varying according to seasonal produce, with vegetarian options as well.

Don’t miss out on their best-selling tyropita kourou, a small warm feta pie with a butter-rich crust.

Price: Cheap, and great value

Address: 10 Voulis, Central Athens

FilloBest Food in Greece

Nettle pie from Magnesia, the plastos from Trikala with cornflour pastry stuffed with greens, herbs and feta, and kreatotourta from Chania in Crete, a lamb or goat pie flavored with fresh mint. And that is just the beginning. Put this on your bucket list!

Price: Super affordable

Address: 14 Karagiorgi Servias, Central Athens

Mam 2

Ask any Athenian and they will rave about this longstanding favorite. Selling exceptional quality home-baked cheese pies since 1958, they also turn out spinach pies and a minced meat version.

The recipes remain unchanged from day one, and with a tasty and filling bite at just one Euro, it won’t break the bank. What we love most, any pies not sold at the end of the day are offered to the homeless and other people in need.

Price: Amazingly cheap

Address: 3 Pesmazoglou, Central Athens

Go Traditional

To Kati Allo

Sometimes the best things in life are right under your nose, but easy to miss. Just down a small street round the corner from the Acropolis Museum you can find a Greek taverna where members of a local family have been serving traditional meals for over 30 years.

Recipes have been handed down through generations, and everything is authentic and delicious. Simple but welcoming, there’s no menu, just a display of what has come out of the oven. Try the moussaka if possible, it is memorable.

Price: Great value for money

Address: Chatzichristou 12, Athens

Diporto

Named for its two entrances, this renowned basement spot in downtown Athens has no sign and no menu. Don’t expect the rather gruff waiters to speak much English, just let them bring you a selection of what is available, the chickpea soup and small fried fish are highly recommended.

This time warp that will take you back to working-class Athens of the mid-50s, it is an experience that will immerse you in another era. With only a few tables, this vintage gem can get packed, a testament to how good the simple food is.

Price: Affordable

Address: Sokratous 9 and Theatrou, Omonia, Athens

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6 Programs in Egypt To Help You Travel, Work and Study Abroad

February 15, 2022

What better time than now to follow your dreams and study, work or volunteer abroad? These 6 programs were designed by the biggest study/work/volunteer abroad NPO organizations in Egypt.

What’s the point, you ask? They will help you travel wherever you want to go, meet new people and have mind-blowing experiences.

By Mariam Elhamy

Educatly

Competing for places in prestigious educational institutions across the globe has become a nightmare for many students. Educatly is making educational opportunities accessible and transparent for everyone, everywhere.

CISV

CISV is an international organization that educates and inspires youth to build a more peaceful world by providing life-changing experiences and building friendships that lasts a lifetime. They offer volunteering and educational programs for students wishing to travel abroad.

Global Study UK

Global Study UK is an educational consultancy based in London. If you’re interested in studying abroad, they help you find and apply to the best university for you in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and more.

AIESEC

AIESEC is a global platform for young people to develop their leadership potential through international internships and volunteer opportunities. They can take you anywhere in the world you just have to pick a program and a city.

Uni Pal Egypt

Uni Pal has partnered with more than 480 universities worldwide and they will help you find the most suitable option for you so you can complete your studies abroad. They will take care of the admission process, paperwork, accommodation booking and help you with your visa acceptance.

Have A Dream

Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have A Dream”, Have a Dream is an organization that arranges volunteering programs that help youth get out of their comfort zone, discover the world and get to know new people. They encourage diversity and living together despite differences or appearances.

How to Create Enduring Relationships

February 14, 2022

Relationships can sometimes be like chewing gum. As weird as that sounds, it’s actually true if you really think about it because the best relationships are the ones that last the longest while maintaining that good flavor.

Other times, relationships can just keep going on and on for the wrong reasons and eventually cause some serious damage to one or both people. To prevent this from happening, people should apply these 5 simple yet effective pointers in order to keep things sweet.

By Ahmed Talal

1. First and foremost, honesty in relationships is the golden rule.

At times, people neglect expressing how they are feeling just so they can avoid having a tough conversation. This serves nobody in the relationship because people end up suppressing their feelings and that can manifest later on in the relationship in an ugly way.

In other words, bottling up emotion and not letting a partner know how you feel will probably lead to the end of that relationship. So, be sure to honestly discuss exactly what both of you expect from each other. The goal here is to compromise, not sacrifice, which should cater to both of your needs.

2. Open communication goes hand-in-hand with honesty.

Put everything out in the open and make things clear and transparent. No-one in a relationship should rely on their significant other to guess what is happening or how the other person is feeling. Relationships are not a game of charades, everything should be crystal clear and addressed so that nobody feels like they are being mistreated.

Nobody likes discussing boundaries and rules but they are essential to the contentment of both individuals. Open communication in all situations is vital to having a healthy relationship that stands the test of time.

3. Accepting one another’s flaws is paramount to building a healthy relationship that lasts.

All people were not created equal. Loving and accepting someone regardless of their flaws is a very powerful thing and people should learn to do that more. Having a healthy relationship requires both an individual and collective effort for self-betterment.

Meaning, each partner should try to help improve them rather than expect change without offering any help. This does not mean settle for less, both partners should make a conscious effort to always work on and improve themselves.

4. Appreciate the small things because they matter.

Noticing a partner’s effort to look better or their self-progress will always be one of the most loving acts a partner can make. Taking note of those small details actually make the biggest difference in the other partner’s confidence because they feel appreciated.

Those are some of the things that people tend to do early on in relationships probably because they are still in the “honeymoon” stage. However, exceptional relationships only get stronger with time because both individuals are still making an effort to better themselves and each other and are both still appreciating those minor changes.

5. Finally, make the relationship a priority.

Sounds simple enough, however life will get in the way of that more times than you can ever expect. So, be sure to make quality time for one another regardless of how long the relationship has been going on for.

The secret is to continue doing the things that both individuals were doing when the relationship first started. No matter how hectic life gets, the relationship is the one thing that should not take a toll because relationships are meant to bring people together to enjoy each other’s company and make that last for life.

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8 Affordable And Creative Valentine’s Day Gifts

February 9, 2022

We know how expensive gifts can be but don’t stress yet, because there are many creative ways that you can express your love without selling a kidney, or for less dramatic purposes, blowing all of your paychecks in one go. Valentine’s Day Gifts

Rather than material things, why not put your heart and feelings on display this year? Here are 8 affordable, creative, and thoughtful gift ideas to spoil your special someone this month of love.

By: Aliaa ElSherbini

Home Cooked Candle Lit Dinner

You can create the fancy restaurants dining experience at home while skipping the reservation hassle and fat check and adding extra love and quality time. Cook your partner’s favorite meal, dress the table, take out the fancy cutlery, get a nice beverage, and light up some candles for a perfect date night at home. Valentine’s Day Gifts

Massage

We know it’s only February but life is stressful, so we bet a soothing massage can be exactly what your partner needs. Get a few essential oils, a towel, and a scented candle or vaporizer, and message your spouse for a relaxed and sensual Valentine’s Day.

Double Date in the Garden

Invite your couple of friends over for a V-Day double date night. If you are a new couple and don’t want to put pressure on your first Valentine’s Day together, or if you need to break the routine, a double date is a perfect celebration for you.

Create a romantic atmosphere in the garden by using fairy lights or dimmed spotlights and let each couple cook for the other as a fun switch and good conversation starter.

DIY Gifts

Get crafty. This way, you will save money and put thought and effort into the gift, which counts more. Valentine’s Day Gifts

DIY Card: All you need are some paper and colored pens that you probably have at home, score, glue, and glitter if that’s your style.

DIY Frame: Print your picture together and put it in a frame that you can customize yourself with stickers, paper motifs, or even writing and drawings.

DIY Calendar: That way, you are sure to highlight all the important days that they might forget.

Scrapbook

This is the perfect holiday to be as cheesy as you want to. And nothing screams “I love You” more than a scrapbook with all your memories together with some cute anecdotes to remind them of your good times.

Romantic Set-Up

This is 100% inspired by the movies. So if you are a hopeless romantic, you can create a rose pedals extravaganza for your partner all over the house or even their office if you want to shout to the world that you are in love.

Get flowers from your garden to make this extra budget-friendly.

Ideas:

Rose petal path until the dining room where there will be more flowers
Spell out their name with roses on the bed or their desk
Make them a bouquet with colorful flowers

Cozy Movie Night

Sometimes love can be expressed in the smallest and calmest way, like a cozy movie night. Take a break from your busy schedules that day to catch up over a movie all cuddled up with your favorite snacks.

Write A Love Letter

For the longest time, love letters have been the ultimate love declaration. Now that we have the internet, written letters have been disregarded. However, they still hold their value as a grand romantic gesture because it is intimate, raw, and physical.

Something about writing your feelings down and expressing sincere sentiments to your loved ones is precious. Spray your perfume on the letter to let your partner imagine you as they read it. Do it for dramatic effects. It’s Valentine’s Day, and you are allowed to go all out.

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