1-What do you do?

I’m getting a masters of science in Social and Cultural Anthropology in University College of London, and I also co-author the blog Al Moda with Bedour Al Saleh.

2- why do you do what you do?

I’m getting my masters in Anthropology because different cultures fascinate me, and you can understand more about where you are from by looking at different ways of life.  I studied philosophy and religion in Undergrad, but I was always interested in cultures and societies and how different parts of a culture work together.  How money, power, death, love, etc mean for different culture is always awesome stuff to learn.  I also want to understand Kuwait culturally, and by doing so I think in the future I can do something somehow by helping my community.

As for Al Moda, I do it because I’m obsessed with fashion and style.  It has been the one thing that I’ve been interested since I was 13 that hasn’t changed.  I started it with Bedour because we both respect each other’s styles and views about fashion, and thought it would be great to start a Kuwaiti blog that has to different perspectives on fashion.  Every post we publish makes me a little bit happier, and even though it’s fashion, I feel we are contributing a little something to the world.

3- where do you do it? (online shop, buisness address, contact details and blog)

I’m getting my Masters in London, but I am technically still employed by the Kuwait National Council of Culture, Arts, and Letters.

The blog is http://almodablog.blogspot.com

I also have a personal blog that is about different creative things such as the arts, life, music, and movies at http://hussahschoice.blogspot.com

4- Best birthday cake memory? taste? from?
The old school vanilla sponge cakes with a lot of thick white icing and pink flowers.  I don’t know when or where, but it must have been before the first gulf war and I just can still taste it when I think about.  I have no clue from where, it could be a figment of my imagination.  It is the perfect cake.

5- you have 30 kd and you need to feed 20 guests, what do you do? where do you go?

I would probably get falfal, hummous, and the works for Canary.  Go to Makoolat Khafeef at the jamiya and got a bunch of cheese and vegtable sambossas.

Get bread from the Iranian baker, and then different generic cheeses and cut some fresh vegetables.  All crowd pleasers.

And I think I’ll still have some leftover money.

6- What makes an event unique and meaningful to you??

When you see the host or hostesses personality in the event.   Even if its small and there’s no fuss, but when I can see personality I always enjoy the event.

7- What is your favourite celebration?

I like birthdays when they’re really small and family oriented.  When you just get a cake and blow the candles out.  They’re fun and real.  I also like my parent’s anniversary because they’re usually small and private, and we just get a cake after lunch and the siblings and grandkids hangout.  And every year I love my parent’s reaction to “haven’t you got bored of each other?”.

8- Name one wedding tradition that you wish to see re-invented.

I can tell you one tradition that I don’t want to get re-invented is the bride’s entarence to hab el saad. It always gives me goosebumps, in a good way.

9-What did you do/wear this Newyears eve?

I Went to dinner at Edu with my brothers and sister in law and some friends, and then went to a friends house.

I layered a grey tank over a black lace tank with a black cardigan, wore it with a long chiffon black skirt, blue snake skin Lououtin pumps, and a rainbow heart bib necklace from Sophia 203 for a pop of colour.

10- 2 must play songs for a chillout event?

It Had To Be You by Billie Holliday

Forever More by Moloko

11- Best snacks to have on cocktail tables at a party?

Tortilla chips and dip

Fatayer

12- Traditional wedding or mixed wedding?
Whatever feels right for the bride and groom, but for me personally I enjoy mixed weddings.

13- Cake or cupcakes?

Cakes taste better, but cupcakes are more functional.  How about macaroons, they’re my new obsession! Or meringues!
14- Best song to get everyone dancing?

Anything by Michael Jackson, but specifically Billie Jean.

15- If you can throw an event anywhere in Kuwait.. where would it be? (kuwait towers, green island?)

The middle of the dessert, but the northern part of the country where there are those little hills.

16- Ballroom or home weddings? mention pros and cons
Home weddings because they always have more personality.  I feel ballroom weddings are usually generic and look the same however way you decorate them.
17- hidden treasure , party suppliers in Kuwait?
you can name anything, from cool rugs in imbarakiya, to soog il blockaat, and then possibly some great gers egaily from a local bakery.. do tell! 🙂

Mubarkiya because its cheap, and usually find a lot of things in one place.

18 – any tips on making your home, event ready?
(certain candle scents, design tips? anything you want to share.)

Dim lighting and candlelight, and I always put bukhoor just right before everyone comes.  Makes everything smell and feel better.

19- if you are a recent bride or are married, any wedding planning advice?

20- source of inspiration in kuwait?

Old women: grandmas and old aunties, they always have random but wise advice.

20- and these are just for fun….what do you prefer?
challet or city? Challet
night owl or early bird? Early Bird
polka dots or stripes?  I wear stripes more, but I love polka dots
pastels or brights?  Pastels
morning fix?  French toast, feta cheese with zaatar, bagreer (Moroccan pancakes that I grew up on), whole wheat bread with peanut butter and raspberry jam, Indian style scrambled eggs (with tomatoes and scallions), the list can go on and on.  And of course a cup of plain coffee American, Turkish, or an espresso.