The Social Kaleidoscope

Masood Alam and Imtezaj: A Fresh Twist to Pakistani Music

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 20:51:00 +0000

Masood Alam has a unique ability to capture diverse moods and the real essence of it. Even when the music industry was declining, he had a hope in his heart. A true artist always finds his way, and with that Masood Alam did not let the failure shackle him or his love for music. It was that peak in Masood Alam’s career when he made his first cover of an album called “Imtezaj” that brought a paradigm shift in the music industry. His creativity, his musical mastery and his utmost dedication towards composing music that had showcased every emotion, and every character with accuracy, made him the pioneer of the art of music. Soon after that year, the entire team of band got effected but Masood Alam held on his band mates till they recovered completely.

Masood Alam did not only build himself from the ashes and mastered in the Art of Music but he also helped many struggling artists in finding a platform that could showcase their passion. Masood Alam then introduced “Wajdaan Records” under the umbrella of “Imtezaj Foundry” and introduced a harmonious poetry to the world. This band produced and worked with many elite brands and composed music for the advertising and music industry of Pakistan.

Masood Alam's band out shined itself and produced many poetic and sophisticated harmonies. Writing and recording songs for the Imtezaj Band under the umbrella of Wajdaan Records has been Masood Alam’s biggest priority along with other musical composition work. "This album is a culmination of many years of experience and offers a new experience for listeners whilst retaining all the well-loved elements of my past composed music," he shares.

#TourDeKarachiXSuperSavariExpress: Co-Existence is a Thing of Beauty!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Akin to a rainbow comprising of various different colors, which adds to its beauty, the richness of a society is made up of various cultures and ethnicities co-existing in it and complementing to its vibrancy. Exploring this vibrant landscape, the rich diversity and the spirit of inclusiveness in various localities in Karachi, I had accompanied Team Tour De' Pakistan along with Super Savari Express on one of their photowalk tours revolving around the theme of "Co-existence."

Our first stop was Memon Masjid where the beautiful minarets and domes displaying the perfect symmetry captivated our interest and we continued to click until we were called to hop on board for the next destination, which was Karachi Parsi Institute.

This was my second trip to the historic place; however, I made sure to eat less nashta and explore more on this trip while capturing more pictures this time around. What was worth noticing at KPI included the statues of Edulji Dinshaw and Nadirshaw Edulji Dinshaw standing tall in the ground reminding us of the forgotten heroes.

We were headed to Gurdwara and Mandir next, finding ourselves in a state of piqued curiosity for there was a lot to be seen and observed. Luckily, we also ended up as "Begaani Shaadi Mein Abdullah Deewana" at a wedding ritual taking place at the venue.

The itinerary concluded with a trip to the Holy Trinity Cathedral where its wonderful architecture and glass paintings left us in awe and wonder. The collaborative photowalk between Tour De Pakistan and Super Savari Express turned out to be an amazing experience where I learnt about how the rituals and beliefs may differ from one religion to another but there's an invisible thread of faith which is what connects us together, making us a human family.

#InternationalIftar2019 at Avari Towers: Taste in Variety; Variety in Taste

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Fri, 31 May 2019 22:46:00 +0000

Good food brings people together and a good buffet in Ramadan brings them even closer. United by fast and feast in the holy month of Ramadan, a bunch of bloggers was invited to try out a variety of lavishly served dishes and delicacies at #InternationalIftar2019 buffet being held at Asia Live - AvariTowers, Karachi.

Serving desi delights and international favorites in a traditional setup, the Iftar/Dinner buffet at Avari Towers should certainly be on your checklist if you are looking for a sumptuous selection of food items, which are equally flavorsome.

My food itinerary began with a bowl of Chana Chaat and Dahi Baray without which an Iftaar platter would look incomplete to me. Next, I immediately headed over to the section where freshly-prepared Chinese/Japanese food was served. Since I had tried BBQ specialties at another buffet earlier, I decided to relish my taste-buds with some authentic Japanese/Thai cuisines this time around.

Starting off with some crisp Tempura prawns that were cooked to perfection, I also had portions of Thai Green Curry and Chicken Teppanyaki poured over a bowl of rice. The curry was creamy and delicious with the right mix of flavors while the perfectly spiced Chicken Teppanyaki also added to the savory experience. Other than what I tried, the huge variety at Asia Live buffet also included dishes like Beef in Oyster Sauce, Chicken in Black Bean Sauce, Wok Fried Noodles, etc.

A wide variety of Pakistani dishes were also included in the menu offering Halwa Puri, Mutton Karahi, Biryaani, etc, making it a challenge for us not to go for a second or third round. However, I kept some space for the desserts for I could see an attractively-presented assortment on the table serving colorful pastries, cakes, mousse, fruit tart, etc.

The food itinerary concluded with soft drinks and conversation over a cup of tea. How I wish I could have tried some fresh lemonade though!

The well-dressed staff was friendly and welcoming. One of their managers asked me if the buffet is worth the amount and I said YES! for this buffet doesn’t only have variety in taste but also has taste in variety that we all seek!

The #InternationalIftar dinner buffet also featured a mini exhibition where beautifully crafted products were displayed portraying our national beauty and diversity.

Priced at Rs. 3195 (+tax), it’s a food haven for those who are an ardent lover of Asian cuisines specifically the flavorsome Japanese delights. There’s no wonder that the space is usually fully-packed.

Here’s a quick rating of its taste, service and ambiance:

Taste: ✮✮✮✮✮

Service: ✮✮✮✮✮

Ambiance: ✮✮✮✮

For reservation and updates, Avari Towers can be digitally perused on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Iftaar-Dinner Buffet at Pearl Continental Hotel – Dishing Food with Style and Taste

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Sun, 26 May 2019 21:44:00 +0000

Celebrating the spirit of hospitality and sharing in Ramadan, the good people at Pearl Continental Hotel invited me for an Iftaar-Dinner buffet on May 13, 2019 - the very first Iftaar invitation of the season. Organized at the grand, spacious PC Marquee with all the necessary arrangements being done flawlessly, the buffet was a visual treat to the eyes displaying a huge variety of main course meals and desserts being artfully arranged on the round table.

Of all the buffets that I have tried during this season so far, I believe that Pearl Continental Hotel has an edge over them when it comes to food plating or presentation (and I'll let you be the judge here after browsing through the pictures). Speaking about the taste, what had appealed to my palate were Tempura Prawns, Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Fish and Chicken Wraps. Their live barbecue section delivering piping hot food items including Pasta, Chapli Kebabs, Sajji, Tempura Prawns, etc is worth giving a try!

The buffet also featured a decent selection of our regular Iftaar items including Pakoras, Samosas, Dahi Baray, etc. that I skipped for the dinner and desserts part looked more enticing to my taste buds. Moreover, there was a separate corner for tea enthusiasts where a good steaming cuppa was served to the guests.

The service was remarkable throughout the meal with their staff and chefs on a constant round, making sure that we enjoy the food (and know about what we are eating :p).

The event concluded with a lucky draw activity where prizes were distributed amongst the selected winners. I was fortunate enough to win a whole bag of goodies by Mehran Foods, which has made my kitchen Eid-ready with its savory delights.

Priced at 2600 PKR (excluding GST), the Iftaar-Dinner Buffet at Pearl Continental Hotel could be your next choice of visit if you enjoy eating BBQ at a comfortable dining spot. Also, there’s some good news for Faysal Bank card holders who can avail 40% off on their reservations. Hurry up before the offer lasts, as they say! ;)

Here's a quick rating for its taste, service and ambiance:

Taste: ✮✮✮

Service: ✮✮✮✮✮

Ambiance: ✮✮✮✮✮

Pearl Continental Hotel can be digitally perused on Facebook and Instagram.

Marhaba at Maraheb: Bringing Flavorsome Arabic Cuisine to Karachi

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 22:11:00 +0000

In the pursuit of adding new flavors to my life with good food,good people and good times,I decided to head over to a newly-opened eatery in K-town called, "Maraheb Pakistan." Located in Bahadurabad, the restaurant features a well-lit, elegantly-decorated setup with a friendly staff waiting to greet you at the entrance! The spacious seating area gives you another reason to visit this place along with your family and friends.

Speaking about the food, the menu for the day included Rainbow Hummus and Loaded Batata as Starters, Saltah Fasah with Muluawa Bread and Zorbiyan as the Main Course Meals, and Red Velvet Milk Cake and Kunafa with Ice-cream for Desserts.

The all-so-colorful "Rainbow Hummus" was served as the house special in four different flavors including original, beetroot, roasted capsicum,and a spicy blend.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Urooj & Qirat Parekh (@littlesheknow) on Mar 22, 2019 at 9:27am PDT

While I got a bit late to try out the Rainbow Hummus, I started off with a bowl full of "Loaded Batata" that not only looked pleasing to the eye but also turned out to be pleasing for the palate. with spicy potatoes topped with mozarella cheese and dynamite sauce, the flavorful explosion had such a delicious impact that I didn't feel like settling for one bowl only!
Next came Saltah Fahsa being served with Muluawa Bread where the bread looked more like a huge garlic naan, enough to fill the tummy of a group of 2-3 people. A sizzling pot of curry containing shredded beef being prepared with a 7-spice mix, the Yemeni dish tasted more or less similar like the spicy Pakistani Beef Stew - a comfort food for the meat lovers.

Being one of the recently introduced items on their menu, "Zorbiyan" was served the next, drawing our complete attention to it because of the way it is being brought on the table. Given a choice to choose between Madhbi and Zorbiyan, I decided to opt for a small portion of the well-cooked traditional Arabian rice, "Madhbi" that I enjoyed eating along with some tomato sauce.

What came as a delightful accompaniment to the entire good food menu were the desserts! While some of us took delight in feasting on "Kunafa" with Pistachio ice-cream, I stuffed myself with a heavenly slice of "Red Velvet Milk Cake," making it the second best item of the entire dining experience at Maraheb Pakistan.

Here's a quick rating for its taste, service and ambiance:

Taste:✭✭✭✭

Service:✭✭✭✭✭

Ambiance:✭✭✭✭✭

Maraheb Pakistan can be digitally perused on Facebook and Instagram.

Until next, Happy Munching Folks!

5 Reasons Why Gymboree Could Be the Next Best Gift for Your Toddler

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 20:13:00 +0000

“Gymboree is a wonderful interactive program. Parents and children will be delighted to spend time together building strong bonds that will last a lifetime.”

___Dr. Harvey Karp

It’s that time of the year again when I am eagerly anticipating the celebration of one of my favorite toddler’s birthday. My little nephew is turning a year old soon and we cannot just contain our excitement for planning his very first birthday party! A perfect birthday bash, however, remains incomplete without a special birthday gift for the little munchkin. Although, it’s pretty easy to find a super-duper cute birthday gift from any toy store, I had been on a hunt to find something exclusive and entertaining at the same time and that would benefit the baby in the long run. It was when I stumbled upon Gymboree Play & Music Pre-school after being suggested by a close acquaintance.

Getting to Know Gymboree Play & Music

Before I could finally enroll my little nephew into any of Gymboree Pre-school programs, I decided to explore more about this unique learning space, which eventually led to my very first visit at Gymboree Play & Music Clifton Center in Karachi. And I am so glad I made the right decision!

Greeted by such an amicable staff at the reception, I could clearly tell that I was in for a delightful experience. Ms. Javeria, a professionally-trained instructor at the center, introduced me to various facilities including state-of-the-art Play Gym, Art Studio and Skill Room. She further elaborated about how the colorful and unique class equipment and various play & learn activities being conducted at the center contributes towards early childhood development while producing a breed of talented toddlers. The best part about Gymboree is its curriculum that has been designed by its program directors in collaboration with the international child development experts, Zero to Three.

By the time she had ended her presentation, I was truly convinced about signing up my nephew for the Pre-school program and following are the five reasons why it turned out to be the best birthday gift for him;

- Learning Through Play & Fun

One cannot just deny the significance of playful learning in early childhood development process. Be it physical play, construction play, symbolic play or language play, the age-appropriate and goal-directed playful activities serve as an effective vehicle in ensuring the best enrichment education to children. Gymboree provides such opportunities for learning through age-appropriate play & learning activities that build confidence, creativity and imaginative skills in a child aged between 0-5 years.

“Through Play & Learn, art, movement to music, and tactile exploration, children start to figure out how the world works around them.” And that’s exactly what I wanted for my little Columbus.

- Where Safety Comes First

From padded floors to various super fun and colorful playing objects, every equipment is being specifically designed by keeping the needs of children in mind. The play floor at Gymboree provides a safe and secure environment for the kids to have fun, learn and explore under individual attention by professionally-trained teachers.

- Treasured Time with Your Munchkin

The best part about Gymboree classes is the flexibility being given to parents to take part in various fun activities along with their kids. Play dates and parties are being hosted each month for the members to experience a specialized Gymboree party. At Gymboree, it’s not just about kids but it also focuses on fostering a strong parent-child bond. Even the aunts like us could play!

- Fostering Friendship

Gymboree Play & Music classes not only let your tiny tots socialize and communicate in a friendly environment but it also lets you network with mothers in the house making it a perfect hang-out for new moms over cups and cradles.

- The Next Best Kid

Gymboree Play & Music is a center of holistic development that supports social, physical, emotional, and intellectual growth of kids and preschoolers. It is a place where children can find a plethora of learning opportunities and activities that are best suited to their needs. Through these activities, they are not only able to develop academic and cognitive skills but these also play an empirical role in cultivating confidence, communication, perseverance, and cooperation that eventually builds foundation for a healthy and happy future generation.

“Thank you Gymboree for giving my daughter the most amazing memories! She learned to speak when she came here. You’ve taught her such wonderful things,” says Mehreen Ahmed whose daughter had been taking classes at Gymboree while Aima’s mother adds to it;

In case you would like to learn more about Gymboree classes, do sign up for a free demo at Gymboree Play & Music Clifton Center in Karachi by calling them at (021) 35865301-02 or you may also consider attending one of their upcoming storytelling sessions titled, “Telling Tales by Unaizah Ali” scheduled to be held on February 10, 2018. Here’s where you can register for the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/165751084048535

Remember that it’s the Happy Kids Who Learn Best!

[#FeatureFriday] Bling it On, Brides with the Dazzling 5!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 14:56:00 +0000

It’s your wedding day and you want to remember it as the best day of your life – the day when you would want to look your best while never running out of wonderful compliments filled with love and adoration. And therefore, you pick and choose the most stunning wedding outfit on the shelf. But this alone won’t make you a stunner! Isn’t it?

In order to flaunt a perfect bridal look that cannot just go unnoticed, you need to complement the bridal wear with some exquisite jewelry that exudes beauty and brilliance, speaking of which, reminds me of my recent gem-of-a-kind hunt for the finest of all in the wedding bling. As suggested by a friend, I headed over to Moon’s Couture online store where I discovered some gorgeous pieces of wedding jewelry for the traditional and the style-savvy brides. Being based in London’s fashion hub, Moon’s Couture is being known for producing tailor-made jewelry collection, intricately designed by Ms. Memoona Qureshi. From precious pearls to ravishing rubies, dainty diamonds to exotic emeralds, the shop offers bling for every bride.

Here are my top 5 favorite picks from the exclusive collection for five different reasons:

- - The Beauty of Craftsmanship

Apart from good quality, it is that outstanding beauty of craftsmanship that makes it all appealing. From creating a design to the beading and fabrication, the entire process is dealt with focus and dedication as reflected in each of its pieces.

- - Personalized to Perfection

Moon’s Couture specializes in creating pieces of customized jewelry while translating your imagination into something beautifully tangible.

- - Beauty Lies in the Details

Need I say more.

- A Flair for Eastern Elegance

Traditional jewelry never runs out of style. It is the new contemporary that dazzles up your glam quotient while you are trying to be at your bridal best. With a flair of Eastern elegance fused with sophisticated ornamentation, Moon’s Couture creates masterpieces that are worth a stare!

- From Delicate to Dramatic

Whether you are looking for a beautifully-crafted Mongiya set or an adornment made with a stunning combo of beads and gemstones, Moon’s Couture is a one-stop shop for all. From delicate to dramatic, the crafted designs are worth a look!

Here’s where you can check out their lovely collection! And don’t forget to tell me your best find! :)

Happy Shopping!

[#ShotStory] – A Fun Weekend at #ParchiFunCity

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 20:49:00 +0000

Gone are the days when the upcoming films were only being marketed through various media platforms. Today, we live in an era of entertainment where a film trailer or a billboard poster is not just enough to captivate the attention of the audience but a wide range of interactive and innovative publicity campaigns are essential to gain the mass interest.

Following the same trail of promotion and ballyhoo, the cast and crew of the movie, “Parchi” spent an entire evening at Fun City Pakistan at Giga Mall on 28th December, 2017 and 29th December 2017 at Fun City Centaurus Mall, Islamabad, where they greeted the fans, took photos, signed autographs, experienced the rides and enjoyed an hour of interaction with them. Director Azfar Jafferi, Producer Imran Kazmi along with the cast members Ali Rehman Khan, Hareem Farooq, Usman Mukhtar, Ahmed Ali and Shafqat Khan attended this special meet and greet being hosted by Fun City Pakistan in order to entertain the movie buffs in the Capital.

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened at the #ParchiFunCity in amazing shots:

The Talk of the Town at the Fun City

Mojiz Hasan - The Wittiest of All

Parchi Makes its Way to the Fun City

All Hands up in the Air

Producer Imran Kazmi Interacting with the Audience

While the Audience Listens Intently

The Witty and the Charming Together in Frame

Fun City Pakistan has been supporting the local film industry for quite a while by highlighting various talent through meet & greets and charity events. The place not only caters to one’s recreational needs through games and rides but it has also been providing top-notch entertainment to its visitors through various events such as Wheel of Fortune game being held earlier.

In case you are looking for a quick escape from boredom, now you know where to head! Thank me later!

A Spell of Winning Spins and Winning Hearts at Fun City Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:53:00 +0000

“Food to eat and games to play.
Tell me why, tell me why.
Serve it out and eat it up.
Have a try, have a try.”

― Brian Jacques

What happens when a mall becomes all bright and cheery with evenings featuring exciting games and fun activities? It turns into a Fun City, that’s what! Basking in the ambiance of colors and delight, Fun City Pakistan hosted the first-ever Wheel of Fortune game event at Giga Mall as a part of their Shopping Festival celebration.

Spanning over a period of 10 days, the evenings presented some super fun game challenges to the visitors whose response had been nothing short of overwhelming. Not only the kids participated in the activities with full energy and zeal and zest, the youngsters and the elderly equally took part in them with the same pinch of enthusiasm. No wonder it was such a delight watching people playing musical chairs or blowing up balloons or trying their luck while rolling out dices on the giant Ludo floor competing for the win!

So wanna play on this jumbo luddo#funcitypk #funcityfortunewheel pic.twitter.com/kyc2nwl2GX
— Afshan Younus (@AfshanYounus) December 26, 2017

Although, “Everyone’s a Winner” at Fun City Pakistan, the individuals competing for the Wheel of Fortune game had to conquer various “Minute to Win It” challenges in order to qualify for the winning spin. Challenges like Flip the Lid, Face The Cookie, Spoon and Ball Race and Tea Party not only kept the participants entertained but it also turned out to be an enthralling experience for the audience.

The winning participants who qualified for the spin got their hands on exciting prizes and gift vouchers courtesy of various sponsoring brands including and not limited to Sana Safinaz, Oaks, Claire, Max & Max, Makeup City, Gloria Jeans, Bombay Chowpatti, Juices Island, Pepes Piri Piri, Burger King, China Grill. Now who wouldn’t want some free products on a shopping spree!

I hear Sana Safinaz is also giving away gift vouchers at the Fun City Wheel of Fortune. I'm there! #funcitypk
— Ayesha Jamal (@ayshjml) December 26, 2017

Aur kisi cheez k liye nae bus Makeup City k voucher k liye @funcitypk jaana hai #funcitypk #funcityfortunewheel
— Philomena (@Zee_e_) December 26, 2017

Claires♡♡♡♡♡ I'm never gonna be too old for it 🙈 #Funcitypk
— Nabeha Latif (@Nabehal) December 26, 2017

Turning out to be an ideal family outing for everyone this winter, the place had something for everybody to have a good time at the event. The ones who didn’t fancy playing games took delight in the musical performances by celebrities such as Rabi Peerzada who rocked the stage.

Facilitating entertainment to all age groups, Fun City Pakistan has emerged as one of the leading pioneers of family entertainment in Pakistan. Their high adrenaline rides, the Mini Dance Party 360, the Top Flip, etc. make it an amusing recreational hub for all ages and tastes.

So if you are up for some fun along with shopping in the Capital, now you know where to ride!

Follow #FunCityPk on Twitter for more updates on the joy ride!

Me-O Wonder Cat Show: A Purr-fect Rendezvous with Fabulous Felines

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 00:39:00 +0000

“I Tawt I Taw A Puddy Tat!” . . . . . . . that left me in awe and wonder.

Cats are the most beautiful pets one can have and while I remember keeping them as a pet long time ago, I do not recall if I ever thought much about the different breeds and colors of a cat until I headed over to a cat-walk being held in the neighborhood. Celebrating the fur-ever love for the furry balls, the 6^th Me-O Annual Wonder Cat Show was a total delight to watch!

Held on December 10, 2017 at Maritime Museum in Karachi, the event gathered more than 50 cat breeders and cat owners at one place. The event kicked off with a catwalk where owners took a stroll down the runway displaying their dapper, bowtie-clad cats to the audience after which they were carried to the judges’ table for further evaluation on how well they suited the standard for their own breed.

There was never a dull moment at the cat show where a range of pedigree and pure-bred cats kept the audience captivated and entertained with their feline beauty and grace.

Apart from the exciting catwalk, different kinds of fun activities such as Magic Show, Fire Dance, Hip Hop Dances, and Comedy Sessions were also arranged for the audience’ recreation. What the crowd enjoyed the most was the photo session where cat lovers took pictures with the adorable kitties.

The Me-O Annual Wonder Cat Show has been a regular feature for the last six years being organized by Qureshi Enterprises - the sole distributors of Me-O cat food in Pakistan. These one-of-its-kind cat shows have not only brought the cat enthusiasts together but they have also helped cat breeders in finding customers for their p-awesome beauties. Who wouldn’t want to own a fluffy kitten after all!

The Team Behind Me-O Wonder Cat Show

The event concluded with the distribution of shields and gift hampers to the winning participants, making us believe in what a famous musician, Ray Charles once said,

“Whether they be the musician cats in my band or the real cats of the world, they all got style.”

#IPPA Awards – Where Emerging Talent Meets Recognition

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 15:11:00 +0000

Recognizing the need to appreciate and acknowledge the exceptional talent being churned out across a wide range of creative spectrum, IPPA (International Pakistan Prestige Awards) is being scheduled to be held on September 17, 2017 in the city of London – a hub known for contrast and creativity.

Being one of the biggest International Pakistani Awards, IPPA is all set to celebrate the best of the best in Pakistan’s Film, Music, T.V, Fashion and Sports industry by presenting a set of 25 awards in various categories. Apart from rewarding the prominent and the distinguished for their outstanding performances in the year 2016, IPPA shall also be a springboard for some promising emerging talent, highlighting their achievements in their respective spheres.

Speaking of emerging talent, the awards night showcases a category titled, “Best Emerging Talent of the Year 2016,” which features an eclectic range of Pakistani talent hailing from diversified fields of creativity. One of the outstanding nominations include Komal Nasir - one of Pakistan‘s finest fashion designers known for exclusively designing shawls, scarves, capes and dupattas.

A graduate from College of Home Economics, Komal Nasir has become popular within the fashion fraternity over a short span of time. Known for her intricately designed shawls and dupattas for various occasions, her work is a masterpiece reflecting fine craftsmanship and finesse. Fusing culture and fashion together, her work shows her innate fondness for intricate embellished embroidery where Resham, Marrori, Sequins and Gota work are unmistakably rich and bespoke.

In case you are equally fond of her work as much as I am, don’t forget to cast your vote at IPPA Awards.

In order to keep yourself abreast of the latest and inside scoop on IPPA, you may follow the updates on their Facebook page or Instagram @ippaawardsofficial

May The Best Win! J

Can’t Cook? #DontCook! – Feasting Made Easy with #Foodpanda’s Scrumptious Deals

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Sun, 25 Dec 2016 17:57:00 +0000

‘Tis the season of festivities, family get-togethers, and parties with your favorite people and you know what that means? That entails a celebration of good times and cheer which can never be deemed complete without a gift of delicious food!

Be it a Christmas celebration with your best chums, a soiree during the winter semester break, a coffee klatch on a cozy night or a visit by your distant family relative during vacations, these are the times when you’d want good food being quickly made and readily available on the table! But then, there will be times when the laziness would reign and you wouldn’t want to cook!

For people like myself who often #DontCook food (unless they are being bribed by love), they eventually find themselves relying upon ordering food from an eatery while planning for a party. And that is how I discovered these amazing deals being available for ordering through the foodpanda app.

Celebrating the #BestOf2016 this year, foodpanda Pakistan has been offering up to 80% discount on more than 200 restaurants nationwide from Dec 23^rd – Dec 25^th, thus bringing one of the biggest-ever discounts of the year on our culinary favorites. The entire list of discounts being offered on food outlets in Karachi can be found here.

With the amazing discounts available at hand, treating friends to a luncheon or a dinner just got better, easier and so affordable! Guess it’ll be a right thing to say that foodpanda Pakistan has featured deals for almost every budget.

Following are the few more reasons behind opting for ordering food through foodpanda app:

Variety is the spice of life, they say!

One could find a long list of fast-food outlets and restaurants being located in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad that were offering up to 80% discount on their food items. From the cheesy and saucy burgers and pizzas to delectable desserts, foodpanda Pakistan had deals for all giving you the reason to not to cook, sit back, relax and enjoy this weekend!

Hello! Is it You I am Looking for?

My way or Subway ;) - Ordered through Foodpanda

The foodpanda app helps you answer this question by letting you discover the best dining outlet that serves in your area. Just a few clicks here and there, and you are good to go ordering!

Rock Around the Clock!

Being an online customer, the very first thing that you would take into consideration would be their time of delivery. Speaking of my maiden experience at foodpanda Pakistan, I’d say that I had my order delivered at home within the time limit that had been indicated on the app. Yes! You can keep a track of your order’s delivery while using the foodpanda’s app. Just keep a check on the clickety clock!

Ordering food through the foodpanda app turned out to be a seamless experience even during the time when they must have been occupied with a long list of orders and clientele owing to the festive season. On time delivery coupled with courteous and effective customer services is worth an appreciation, making you want to order through foodpanda again.

Don’t have the foodpanda app on your phone yet? Download it here now!

Tripping on Wheels Just Gets Better with #ServisTyre

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Thu, 19 May 2016 00:07:00 +0000

A journey only becomes more beautiful and memorable when you have the right companion by your side and reliable tyres for your vehicle. Servis Tyres, one of the leading manufacturers of motorcycle tyres in Pakistan, recently launched its new campaign with a star studded commercial revolving around the similar concept.

The new TVC of #ServisTyres draws its inspiration from the vivacious and venturesome segment of the society called youth, which is always passionate about living life to its fullest.

The new commercial consists of a captivating song called, ‘Chalti Rahay Zindagi’ that showcases three friends who have set out on a dream road trip. What makes it even better is the stardom seen in this advertisement. Superstars like Shaan Shahid, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Danish Taimoor have made it more interesting to watch as one can’t stop raving over their cool biker’s getup (and big, heavy bikes in case of gearheads).

Keeping the TVC very relatable to the audience, we see the group of friends in different locations while experiencing all the excitement that life has to offer.

While the encapsulating words and catchy music draw the attention of the viewer, vocals being performed by Ali Zafar also gets you trippin’!

Play it and see it for yourself, peeps! And get the wheels rolling! ;)

#ServisShoes: New Summer Collection for All Walks of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 21:58:00 +0000

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a pair of fabulous shoes.”

Setting out in search of your perfect sole, you come across several creations – each one depicting its own style and story. The quest is no less than a fairy-tale where you get to pick and choose the right one according to your choice and taste so that you could live in those shoes happily ever after.

With summers around the corner and shoe fetish blooming in heart, I have also been on a challenging quest of finding the right fit until I found Liza, which is one of the signature lines of Servis Shoes.

One of the Pakistan’s leading footwear brands, Servis, has recently launched its new summer collection including their signature lines Ndure, Liza and ToZ – and which are now available at their stores across Pakistan. This newly-launched collection can be one of the most suitable options for those seeking a blend of trend and comfort in their perfect sole-mate during summers.

The new collection has been launched by the brand, with a TVC campaign titled “Servis Shoes: Utaarney Ka Scene Hi Nahi”. The TVC shows various hip and youthful individuals in situations where one would take their shoes off, but in this case, they are so madly in love with their Servis shoes that shoe owners don’t take the shoes off – and are seen wearing the shoes to bed, while swimming and even while taking a bath!

Ever witnessed such true love, eh? Have a look!

Servis Summer Collection 2016
Servis ki New Summer Collection... Itni DILTASTIC prices mein ke Utaarnay Ka Scene Hee Nahi!#diltastic#sceneheenahi
Posted by Servis on Wednesday, February 17, 2016

This new TVC campaign by Servis reinforces the brand’s identity and its promise of catering to the daily footwear needs of people belonging to various age groups while the surprising variety of the shoe collection speaks for itself.

You can have a look at the new summer collection on their website at http://www.servis.com/ or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ServisPakistan

With its multi-brand approach and aesthetic designs, Servis Shoes has always remained one of the favorite choices for shoe aficionados and it also helped me in finding the perfect match!

“Colors of Spring” Festival: Love and Laughter in Full Bloom at Park Towers

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 17:03:00 +0000

You know that you can never keep spring from coming or keep love from finding a way to rejoice and celebrate! Celebrating the essence of a delightful springtime and the very richness of pure love on this Valentine’s Day, Park Towers recently organized a festival called “Colors of Spring” in Karachi from February 12- February 14, 2016.

Drawing a good number of people, the festival excelled at creating the perfect aura for the love-birds who had headed to the mall for V-day celebrations. Veteran TV actor, Adnan Shah Tipu and his wife were also spotted at the event.

The entire mall was adorned with beautiful floral decorations and red-and-white balloons while the aesthetically pleasing heart-shaped setup at the entrance added to the overall uniqueness (and I chose to take pictures of people taking pictures with it *wink wink*).

As I finally made my way into the mall after taking pictures, I was greeted by the lovely mascots who had become an instant favorite amongst the children. A quick hello was made and then I headed over to the counter where I found people purchasing fresh flowers and bouquets for their loved ones. It was such a delightful sight watching a little girl presenting a red rose to her parents while the feelings remain indescribable.

Other Valentine gifts such as handmade greeting cards, chocolate boxes, teddy bears, etc. were also available at various kiosks.

The main highlight of the festival was the Shop and Win Campaign where shoppers were able to participate in a lucky draw after making purchase worth Rs. 2500 at the mall’s outlets. Multiple winners were selected and announced on a daily basis while the gifts included various items such as Eco Star Sound Bar System, LG Juicer, Haier Mobile Phones, Anex Iron & Toaster, Bicycles, Neutrogena Products, Gift Hamper by Change and 1^st step.

Various other in-mall entertainment activities included Live Karaoke, a kiosk providing free Makeover to the beauties, a nail art stall, Fun Air Booth, Shoot a Wheel to Win, etc. while love tunes rang out over the mall’s stereo system. Moreover, cookies by Tiffany and coffee by Nescafe Dolce Gusto was also being served at the venue.

All in all, the “Colors of Spring” Festival turned out to be an enjoyable experience for the fun-loving crowd since it radiated the perfect festive vibe on Valentine’s Day. And people were glad that it happened. After all,

“Spring is Nature’s Way of Saying, “Let’s Party!” – Robin Williams

P.S. If you still haven’t bought a gift for your Valentine, there’s a Valentine Shoppers’ Guide and a monthly Shoppers’ Guide available at the venue to help you in making the right choice.

Happy Shopping, Peeps! :)

Buy Your Heart Out with #PTAnniversarySales at Park Towers

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 07:34:00 +0000

Park Towers announces 30% cash back vouchers on 1^st and 2^nd January, 2016.

Park Towers, being one of the oldest malls in Karachi, is back in action with a bang to commemorate its anniversary with a themed event titled, “Pakistan Festival” and a 30% cash back discount voucher to all the customers on shopping from any outlet on January 1st & 2nd, 2016.

Park Towers invites its shoppers to be a part of the anniversary celebration. The management has overhauled its ambience and architecture to give a new feel and finish to the premises. Moreover, they have also made arrangements for conducting Pakistan Festival that aims at highlighting and displaying different cultures and heritage from different provinces in Pakistan. With a view to let people know more about the country in a better way, Pakistan Festival incorporates a wide variety of products including food items, clothing and various other items from different areas of Pakistan.

Additionally, the management also offers discount in terms of 30% cash back vouchers on shopping at any of the outlets in the mall. Those shopping on January 1st & 2nd, 2016 will be entitled to get the discount, which can be availed at any outlet for future use.

Park Towers believes in celebrating anniversary with its valuable customers that it has garnered over the years, and thus takes pride in serving them with the best environment and one of the best discounts in K-Town.

Hurry! Hurry! And Shop Away!

#AtriumWSF15 Quaid Day/Christmas Celebrations – A Pakistani Winterlude to Remember

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 20:27:00 +0000

Packed with unbridled excitement and bringing the best of joy to the crowd, Team Atrium Mall celebrated Jinnah Day and Christmas with great fervor on December 25, 2015 in Karachi.

Followed by the grand fashion extravaganza, the #ColorsOfWinter Fashion Show being held earlier on December 19, 2015, the following event added more shades to the season’s celebrations while offering something for everyone at the venue.

Starting off with an exhilarating parade featuring a band of drummers, the celebrations became an instant hit amongst the audience who were delighted to see the performance.

The musical parade was then followed by the cake cutting ceremony and fireworks to mark Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s birth anniversary.

[#InstaEvent] #AtriumWSF15 - #Jinnah 's #birthday #celebrations at #AtriumMall #QuaidDay #QuaideAzam #JinnahDay #BirthdayCake #WinterEvening #Shopping #Festival #Fun #Entertainment #WeekendMade #KarachiEvents #Karachi #Lategram #PickOfTheDay #TheSocialKaleidoscope

A photo posted by Sarah Rahmaan (@the_social_kaleidoscope) on Dec 27, 2015 at 2:19am PST

While the crowd cheered and chanted enthusiastically, we anxiously waited for the most exclusive part of the birthday celebrations to begin, which was none other than the final reveal of Quaid-e-Azam’s portrait (on 35ft x 15ft canvas) called #LifeOfJinnah being made by Pakistan’s well-known graffiti artist, Sanki King.

Portrait of Quaid-E-Azam revealed at Atrium Mall. #AtriumMall #AtriumWSF15 #LifeOfJinnah #igers #Karachi #BloggerLife #bloggers #pakistani #christmas #FatherOfNation #Birthday

A video posted by Faraz Ahmed (@fadsterj) on Dec 25, 2015 at 6:25am PST

A huge round of applause filled the entire hall as soon as the stupendous portrait was revealed and we are pretty sure that everyone liked it since nobody left that place without taking a picture or a selfie with it!

#Selfie with #SankiKing at #AtriumMall with his #QuaideAzam #graffiti behind us #AtriumWSF15 #HappyBirthdayJinnah pic.twitter.com/8tuCqKAhqP
— Faraz Ahmed (@fadsterj) December 25, 2015

While the final reveal had already captivated the crowd with its creativity, the other element that added more excitement to the festival was the Christmas celebrations. Atrium Mall had set up a fully-decorated activity area where one could spot the ever-amusing and vivacious VJ Godil engaging the audience in various games and giving away gifts like the generous Santa! *smiles*

And who wouldn’t love to have presents on Christmas, right?

While we weren’t able to make our way through the huge crowd and get our share of candies, we decided to walk around the shopping mall where we spotted some amazing discounts at many of the leading stores including Levi’s, Amir Adnan, Cambridge, Essence De Paris, etc. (The discounts and deals are expected to continue till January as a part of ongoing Winter Shopping Festival).

The exciting trip to the winter wonderland came to an end with a quick meet-up with VJ Godil (who I would love to call as Santa Godil now) and lots of wonderful memories to cherish for a long time.

Tis' a season to be jolly fa la la la la!

#AtriumWSF15 Fashion Show – Adding #ColorsOfWinter to the Fashion Solstice

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 17:18:00 +0000

When coldest winter draweth near,
Turn we to joy and make good cheer.

— Caitlin Matthews

Decem-Burr’s here! And it’s that time of the year when not only the weather or the length of the day changes but so do the fashion and clothing designs, which ultimately calls for some winter shopping! Although, winters in Karachi last hardly for a few weeks, the racks and shelves at shopping malls are usually found to be packed with winter clothing, blazers, sweaters, boots, etc for the fashion frenzy Karachiites. From household names and budding designers to the leading couturiers, every brand or individual comes up with an exclusive Winter Wear collection for the shopaholics. However, the real trick lies in finding out the best ones!

So, how do you do it when it comes to winter shopping? Attend a Winter Fashion Show, may be? J

Bringing several leading brands together on one ramp, Atrium Mall in collaboration with Kolachi Events organized the #ColorsOfWinter fashion show on December 19, 2015 in Karachi. Featuring a diversified range of winter apparel, the fashion show not only helped in revealing the latest trends but it turned out to be an absolute blast for the audience.

Hosted by the ever-stunning VJ Ahmed Godil, the show was graced by a number of renowned celebrities and socialites including Nadia Hussain, Abbas Jafri, Farhan Ahmed Malhi, Omer Shahzad, and Neelum Munir while the gorgeous models sashaying down the fashion runway included Sidra Sajid, Asif Rehman, Omer Yousuf, Amir Awan, Rameez Awan, Saima Haroon, Mahi Baloch, Sherjeel Ahmed and many more.

The event showcased popular brands including StoneAge, Royal Tag, Nathan’s Wear, Bonanza, Oxford, Diner’s, Change, Zeen by Cambridge, Bangkok City, Bali’s Shoes, Malash and Maaz Jee.

Here’s a quick look at a few of them . . . . . straight off the ramp!

Collection by StoneAge

Collection by Nathan's Wear

Collection by Royal Tag

Collection by Oxford

Collection by Diner's

Collection by Maaz Jee

Collection by Malash

Collection by Oxford

Collection by Bonanza

Collection by Malash

Want to see more pictures? Head over to my Instagram account @The_Social_Kaleidoscope or follow the #AtriumWSF15 hashtag to get the inside scoop! I promise that you won’t be disappointed! ;)

Until next, Stay Trendy! J

#AaRahaHaiX – A Twitter Tale of Pure Curiosity!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:46:00 +0000

So, here’s a story that occurred this past Monday evening while I was taking a stroll through the ever-evolving and engaging world of hashtags and retweets. While browsing and navigating my way through the nooks and crannies of the Tweetosphere, I saw #AaRahaHaiX as one of the trending topics and Lo! It just caught my attention right there. After all, it’s an X that always creates curiosity, isn’t it? *winks*

What added more to this unshaken curiosity was the picture featuring mesmerizingly lovely Nargis Fakhri pursing her lips into a Ssshh gesture, thus making it more captivating for the tweeples who couldn't help themselves from coming up with what you call as “the wild guesses.”

#AaRahaHaiX - Can't figure out what is it exactly. Smart phone? New service by @Mobilink? New 3G package? Come on. Tell us already!!!
— Sadiya Azhar (@SadiyaAzhar) December 15, 2015

Dinner date with Nargis Fakhri? #AaRahaHaiX pic.twitter.com/y4YB3zQcXx
— Fatima Malik (@FammaMalik) December 14, 2015

@SadiyaAzhar @Mobilink may be but I think it would be some new #3G packages #AaRahaHaiX
— Muhammad Abid Ayub (@Abidseo) December 14, 2015

However, all thanks to this tweet being posted by Mr. Aamir Ibrahim that helped us find one of the pieces of this enticing maze revolving around X. The tweet helped us know that #AaRahaHaiX has something to do with Mobilink, and something exciting is about to be revealed in the coming days.

Stay tuned for the most exciting telecom news of 2015 .. #aaRahaHaiX
— Aamir Ibrahim (@aamir_ibrahim01) December 14, 2015

In the quickly changing world of hashtags and tweets where events keep on unfolding in seconds, it isn’t easy for a certain hashtag to stand out from the rest, make it to the trending list and remain there for long. However, #AaRahaHaiX kept the entire Twitterati wondering for quite long, thus remaining on trend for several hours.

And #AaRahaHaiX trending in #Karachi on TOP :) pic.twitter.com/PwcvF04bzz
— FurorePK (@furorepk) December 14, 2015

Pakistan trends at 21:17: #PTIUturnNewsChannel, #AaRahaHaiX, Shujaat Azeem, #JahangirTareenVsNawazSharif, #ProtectOurAssets
— Trends in Pakistan (@PakTrendStats) December 14, 2015

Agreeing to what one of the Tweeples (@Quaid_Official) had posted, now we all do know that #AaRahaHaiX and its presence can be sensed somewhere around the corner but what exactly is it going to be, still remains a mystery. And as mentioned earlier, there have been plenty of wild guesses but tweets mentioning X to be a series of smartphones/android phones appear to be the most logical of all.

Good news for the technology addicted people because #AaRahaHaiX with exciting feature & smartphones in market.
— FurorePK (@furorepk) December 14, 2015

#AaRahaHaiX might bring new mobile phones to the market in afforadble prices @Mobilink
— Bilal Sulehri (@sulehri) December 15, 2015

X will be a leading innovator of mobile technology; I myself want to own one. #AaRahaHaiX
— Snober Alan Abbasi (@snobers) December 14, 2015

While the curtain still needs to be raised, all I can say is

#AaRahaHaiX & We Are Just Too Curious!!!

School of Tomorrow (#SOT15) – What’s in it For You?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:26:00 +0000

With 40 years of excellence in education in Pakistan, Beaconhouse is all set to organize a one-of-its-kind educational and cultural festival on the 28^th and 29^th of November at Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi. Initiated as an endeavor to shed light on the current status of education in the country and to redefine it, the School of Tomorrow (SOT) Conference is one of the very first International Education and Cultural Festival in Pakistan.

Spanning across a period of two days, the event will be graced by some of the distinguished experts and renowned thinkers in Pakistan and from various parts of the globe who will be delivering a series of essays and presentations on a wide variety of topics.

Be it an understanding of a child’s psychology or an issue revolving around digital safety and concerns, a story about massive cultural invasion or an in-depth study about arts, it is the broad spectrum of topics being chosen that has piqued my interest in attending this conference.

See: List of Sessions & Activities at #SOT15on Day 1

List of Sessions & Activities at #SOT15on Day 2

The School of Tomorrow (SOT) conference is a free-of-cost public event allowing accessibility to all and sundry; however, registration is compulsory for attending all the exclusive sessions at #SOT15.

Here’s the link to its online registration form.

Over all these years, Beaconhouse has not only been excelling in providing productive and meaningful education to children but it has also remained conscious of its role as a socially aware organization and has supported the community and contributed generously in times of national crisis through various activities and organizing the School of Tomorrow (SOT) conference comes under the same umbrella.

In case you would like to find out more about School of tomorrow, check out their Facebook page or their website: http://www.schooloftomorrow.beaconhouse.net

Come forward and be a part of the Educational Evolution as Beaconhouse takes the lead through #SOT15.

Until next, see ya! Happy Reading, Peeps! :)

Mobilink 3G Takes a Lead with #TheFasterTheBetter Services

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:03:00 +0000

Living in a fast-paced world where speed and convenience have become increasingly important in our various walks of life, the quintessential need for high-speed and super connectivity has also arisen. In today’s technology-driven world revolving around smartphones and tablets, we always feel the need to be inter-connected throughout the day and being separated from the device or being out of connection even for a minute is just a crippling thought! And this reminds me of my tour to Gaddani once where the cellular signals just went off all of a sudden except for the Mobilink network that worked, thus saving me from the brunt of an anticipated wrath.

It was since then that Mobilink became my most preferred choice amongst the cellular connections and the news revealing Mobilink as Pakistan’s best 3G network provider (as declared by PTA) did not come as a surprise. Because it was as true as a fact already!

Pakistan's Best 3G NetworkWe’re proud to announce that PTA has declared Mobilink to be Pakistan's Best 3G Network. Thank you for your constant support and trust throughout our journey of 20 years. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Posted by Mobilink on Monday, November 2, 2015

When it comes to an effective and reliable cellular connection, it’s not just the extensive reach or stable connectivity that counts. With cellular phones turning into more than just phones running on the Internet, a lot depends upon the speed of connectivity that truly defines one’s experience in the digital/mobile world. This is where Mobilink 3G network has taken a lead by bringing #TheFasterTheBetter services for its consumers and conquering #HarDilHarDin (being validated by the following tweets) as it continues its digital journey:

Digital is not a medium but an ecosystem. @Mobilink is perhaps the only telco that enriches our lives in the digital #TheFasterTheBetter
— MJ ™ (@MunawarJamal) November 9, 2015

We're facing coverage issues in a central area of #Karachi & I was on ufone, I switched to @Mobilink & now life's good! #TheFasterTheBetter
— Faiza Yousuf (@FaizaYousuf) November 9, 2015

A few months back, we could not even make seamless VoIP calls through mobile internet. Now we have video calls! #TheFasterTheBetter
— Bilal Sulehri (@sulehri) November 9, 2015

That one extra sim that we keep b/c network is awesome & that it is reliable whn others are not! That's @Mobilink for me #TheFasterTheBetter
— Aisha (@HariMirchein) November 9, 2015

I'm glad if other networks work for you. I am happy and content with @Mobilink's 3G. Been using Mobilink since 2007. =) #TheFasterTheBetter
— Sesh♡ (@Oh_My_Mascara) November 9, 2015

Introducing a variety of digital solutions, it looks like Mobilink shall be spearheading the Digital Revolution in Pakistan eventually giving rise to a digital society where everything would just be a few taps away! An interview being conducted by ProPakistani.pk with Deputy CEO of Mobilink, Mr. Aamir Ibrahim also reveals about the future prospects leading to a digital revolution in the country, which includes and is not limited to the development of store-front applications, payment gateways and other services necessary for the fulfillment of all sorts of digital needs.

“The road from developing to developed treads on a digital highway,” says Aamir Ibrahim and it certainly holds true for the ever-evolving technological world experiencing digitalization or a digital shift. Digitalization is the need of the hour. And as Mobilink takes on the digital challenge, let me leave you with a video depicting Mobilink’s road to digitalization in Pakistan:

Mobilink to Lead Digital Revolution in Pakistan“After being in conventional telecom business for over 20 years in the country, we are now all geared up to reshape the digital revolution in Pakistan by capitalizing on our market position through innovating new solutions that we aim to offer to Pakistanis during the next 5 years.” Aamir Ibrahim, Deputy CEO and CCO - MobilinkRead the full story here: http://goo.gl/qEfmO0
Posted by Mobilink on Thursday, November 5, 2015

What do you think about the video, Mobilinkers? Sounds interesting? Let me know #TheFasterTheBetter! ;)

Cheetos’ #FlaminHotToss – Let the #Cricket Begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:01:00 +0000

The game of cricket always begins with a toss and with each coin toss comes immense curiosity for the cricket enthusiasts if which team is going to bat or field first. However, it was not just about deciding the fate of the game this time. It was a little different. And a lot interesting indeed!

As I watched the first ODI begin with a coin toss between Pakistan and England today, it was something about the flip that caught my attention. I could see that the coin being tossed was branded by none other than one of our flavory favorites, the Cheetos! And this was “something out-of-the-box!”

The branded coin toss activity by Cheetos serves as an excellent example of positive brand exposure and marketing beyond advertisements on screen. In the world of marketing campaigns, #CheetosCoinToss emerged as a creative attempt at reinforcing the brand’s essence successfully through the #FlaminHotToss on ground, thus combining the elements of fun and sport together. And what a brilliant idea it was!

Photo Source: The News Tribe

From Kung Fu to Cricket, Cheetos has always been finding ways to entertain us and I wonder what’s next in its course of exciting journey! Until next, Eat, Pray & Love and

Let the Games Begin! J

Swarovski Hosts #SparklingCouture Exhibition in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:15:00 +0000

Photo Source: Swarovski Crystals

[Press Release] – Swarovski, the global leader in cut crystal and fashion jewelry, hosts the first ever #SparklingCouture exhibition, celebrating the brand’s long-standing relationship with couture designers, as well as its 120^th year of operation.

Over forty regional and international designers will exhibit custom-made pieces at the exhibition being held at The Madinat Arena in Dubai on November 4^th. More than 36 couturiers and 6 Jewelry & Accessory labels from across the Middle East and South Asia will come together in the first event of its kind –each showcasing one specially-designed creation at the event.

The event will showcase Pakistani couturiers including Elan, Maria B, Faraz Manan and Tena Durrani, all presenting a contemporary take on Ethnic Bridal wear.

Visitors to #SparklingCouture will experience exquisite couture pieces made with Swarovski crystals including intricate bridal, occasion and ethnic wear pieces comprising of kaftans, evening gowns, accessories and jewelry.

“Sparkling Couture is a celebration of the incredible couturiers we have in the Middle East and South Asia,” said Flemming Nielsen, Vice President Operations, Asia South, “Our region is renowned for its love of customization, embellishments and, of course, bespoke couture. Bringing together these designers on one platform perfectly demonstrates the diversity of our couturiers and also offers a platform to celebrate our 120^th anniversary in a one-of-a-kind interpretation.”

Swarovski has had a presence in the Middle East since the 1970s, and since then has established itself fully in the burgeoning arts and design scene by collaborating with local fashion designers, architects, distributors, and local craft clusters that use Swarovski crystals in their unique work across the region.

“We are proud to be the partner of choice for many of the most talented designers across the region and internationally. The Sparkling Couture exhibition will bring to life how these talented artists create such wonderful pieces, using the finest crystals, forward integrated products and pearls from Swarovski,” added Andrew Mojica, Managing Director, Swarovski Middle East.

Sparkling Couture takes place on November 4^th at The Madinat Arena from

20:30 hrs - 00.00 hrs.

For more information on Sparkling Couture and on Swarovski in the Middle East, you can follow them at Swarovski Crystal Blog.

The #AsalFoodie Show – Grand Finale!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 18:46:00 +0000

Photo Source: 7Up Pakistan

Living in times where our TV screens are constantly being bombarded with a myriad of how-to cooking shows, The #AsalFoodie Show by 7Up Pakistan came as a wind of change introducing the concept of food tourism while bringing food, travel and entertainment together at the same time.

Spanning across a collection of four episodes, The #AsalFoodie Show is being hosted by our all-time favorites, Anoushey Ashraf and VJ Shahzad who take us out on a virtual tour on screen every weekend as they travel to a new city in each episode while searching for nation’s best local culinary delights. Throughout their action packed journey, they are also joined by various food-loving celebrities who get to share their inherent passion for food like never before.

Here’s a quick look at the teaser revealing what the show is all about:

Asal Foodies Show - TeaserCatch Anoushey Ashraf and VJ Shahzad in an exciting new TV Show. In each episode, we will explore Pakistan's most famous food spots and that too with your favorite celebrities!Watch the Asal Foodies Show every SATURDAY on your favourite channels:Show Timings:Aaj News - 6:30 pmDunya News - 5:00 pmUrdu 1 - 11:00 pmATV - 11:00 pmPTV Home - 11:00 pmTV One – 4:00 pmGeo Entertainment - 11:30 pmGeo Kahani - 11:00 pm
Posted by 7Up on Friday, October 2, 2015

A unique TV program showcasing some exciting food adventures, The #AsalFoodie Show’s itinerary started off with the chic and charming actress, Sarwat Gilani featured in its first episode where they went exploring the food outlets at Port Grand.

First stop - Karachi! Watch as our favourite foodies Anoushey Ashraf, Sarwat Gillani and Shehzad explore Karachi's Port Grand! #AsalFoodies
Posted by 7Up on Sunday, October 4, 2015

This was later followed by all-enthusiastic Ali Safina being featured in Multan and a true epicurean, Ali Hamza in Lahore as he treated Anoushey Ashraf and VJ Shahzad to various appetizing Lahori cuisines including the famous Paya Nashta at his very own home.

The Foodies Show - Episode 3Watch as Ali Hamza from Noori takes us around LAHORE! In this episode of 'The Asal Foodies Show', we explore some of his favorite food spots. #ManaLoFoodKaLove #AsalFoodies nooriWatch the Asal Foodies Show every SATURDAY on your favourite channels:Show Timings:Aaj News - 6:30 pmDunya News - 5:00 pmUrdu 1 - 11:00 pmATV - 11:00 pmPTV Home - 11:00 pmTV One – 4:00 pmGeo Entertainment - 11:30 pmGeo Kahani - 11:00 pm
Posted by 7Up on Tuesday, October 20, 2015

With each new episode being aired, the journey only gets more exciting for the food lovers who are no longer only interested in learning new recipes but they are also interested in knowing the food choices of our celebrities. And guess what? This week it’s going to be none other than the multi-talented Uzair Jaswal bringing this exciting show to a grand close!

The grand finale is to be shot in the beautiful city of Islamabad and will be highlighting some incredible food in the twin cities. So, if you haven’t watched this fantastic food series already, you know what you need to do. Grab some popcorns, hit the couch and #ManaLoFoodKaLove this weekend with the amazing trio including the young heartthrob, Uzair Jaswal as they travel and explore people, places and cuisines in the capital!

Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow, peeps! And for your reference, following are the show timings:

Show Timings
AAJ News	6:30 pm
Dunya News	5:00 pm
Urdu 1	11:00 pm
ATV	11:00 pm
PTV Home	11:00 pm
TV One	4:00 pm
GEO Entertainment	11:30 pm
GEO Kahani	11:00 pm

Until next, Bon Appetite! J

#Cheetos TVC – The Hunger Games with a Fist of FUN!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Rahman) — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 19:39:00 +0000

Photo Source: Cheetos Pakistan

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys."

Harmon Killebrew

And that’s how dads do the deal!

There’s no relationship quite like the one that exists between a father and a son. He’s not only a mentor to you but he’s more often than not the best companion one could ever have – the one who knows how to turn mere moments into exciting adventures while having fun! Cheetos with their new TVC, which is currently being aired, has encapsulated the same essence in their commercial unleashing a new type of Kung Fu fighting that is all about FUN than fury.

The advertisement opens with a father and son duo completely indulged in watching TV while munching on their favorite bright orange Cheetos only until they are left with the last one in the bowl. This is supposed to be the defining moment where the little boy drifts away into a fantasy battle while Chester, the Cheetos’ old time mascot, makes his appearance calling for some Kung Fu moves which makes this ad all entertaining. What makes this Kung Fu hustle more captivating is the fact that it is being played with a pair of dressed up hands acting like fighters kicking and stomping while battling for the last bite.

Focusing more on the visuals rather than jingles, it’s a kind of advertisement that would let you stay glued to your screens till it ends. Moreover, the TVC has its own share of catchy phrases that are designed to leave a lasting image on your mind. For instance, you never know you might be found exclaiming, “May the best hand wins!” once you are done watching the ad. Because that’s exactly what I did and that’s exactly what it does to you!

Resonating with its fun brand personality, I believe that the ad has turned out to be a success in building the brand’s imagery and in communicating the intended message to the viewers – that is to let Cheetos add flavors and fun to your life and moments (something that one can’t resist).

In case you haven’t seen the ad yet, you can watch it here:

How far can you go for the last bite of CHEETOS? Grab your favourite pack right now.. and LET THE FUN BEGIN!
Posted by Cheetos Pakistan on Sunday, October 18, 2015

P.S. Do you know that making a Kung Fu pose might just help you win some exciting prizes? Head over to Cheetos Pakistan and join in the competition! Let the FUN Begin! J