Battle those back-to-work blues by introducing a couple of colourful new elements into your interior. And don't forget - even the smallest of changes can have a massive impact.
1 Odds and ends
The Odd Piece will hold its first exhibition from January 10 to 13 in The Atrium, DIFC. The showcase will feature a range of vintage and contemporary furniture items and home accessories hand-picked from around the globe by the Saudi-born design enthusiast Arwa Hafiz. There will be some 120 pieces on offer, including mirrors, statement chairs, vintage Ottoman cushions and Murano chandeliers. One of the highlights of the show will be a retrospective collection of pieces by the acclaimed Lebanese architect, interior designer and furniture designer Sami El Khazen.
Visit The Odd Piece exhibition from January 10 to 13 in The Atrium, DIFC
2 Phone home
A few new scatter cushions can go a long way in refreshing the look of your interior. Home Centre has a number of new, very reasonably priced options in store, including this retro number covered in old-school telephones.
Dh49, Home Centre stores nationwide
3 Birds of a feather
We love these coasters from India Circus by Krsna Mehta. Part of Mehta's Kuheli collection, they feature a graceful peacock set against a vividly coloured background and come in a set of six.
Kuheli Peacock Dance Coasters, price on request, The Urban Yogi, www.theurbanyogi.me
4 Neat seat
There's a new addition to the Fatboy family of bean bag furniture. Baboesjka consists of three cushions that can be stacked to create a seat or scattered on the floor, majlis-style. There are five colour combinations available, with aqua, taupe, black and red options.
Baboesjka, Dh949, www.filini.com
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Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
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