OUR BLOG

1- What do you do?

I’m a business graduate, but I found myself working in the creative field! I’m also a blogger, a writer and an editor at Khaleejesque.com. One day, I will also own a food business.

2- why do you do what you do??

I started my blog when I was working at an investment company. It was a creative outlet for me, one where I could express all the artistic sides of me and post inspiration from magazines, blogs and other sites as well. From there, I started getting writing commissions and also joined the team behind Khaleejesque. It is definitely not what I planned for, but I enjoy every minute of it.

I also cook & bake during my free time and am planning to start a food business (too early to say exactly what it is). I love it oh so much!

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

I blog at www.pomegranateandpatchouli.com and I am an editor at www.khaleejesque.com

4- Best birthday cake memory? taste? from?

In 2008, my friends got me a divine tasting chocolate layered cake with vanilla cream filling and chocolate ganache frosting from Sugar & Spice, and in 2010 they got me a cake from November that was half red velvet and half pistachio. I looooved it!

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

I like my meals to blend well together – I don’t like mixing a lot of cuisines in one meal. In this case, I would go Meditteranean. It is affordable and I can find all the ingredients in my local co-op. I’d make 2 salads: my favorite fig salad, and a greek salad. I’ll also make a chickpea hummus and a sun-dried tomato dip – served with grilled pitta bread. I’d make a meditteranean vegetable beef stew served with grilled bread or rice. For the vegetarians, roasted herb vegetables (eggplants, potatoes, zucchini, carrots). For dessert: oven roasted fruits topped with vanilla honey yoghurt!

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

When the seating is comfortable, the people are relaxed, the music is nice (and not too loud!) and of course when the food is delicious.

7- What is your favourite celebration?

A relative or a close friend’s wedding. If I personally know the bride, it makes all the difference!

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

The “yalwa”. I’d love it if more people did it.. I haven’t seen one in ages!

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

Call me boring, but I think the whole New Year celebration is so overrated. The last few years, I’ve been spent New Year’s Eve at home with my family gatherings chatting and having good food.

10- 2 must play songs for a chillout event?

Beyonce is pretty fun! I also don’t want to admit that I’m having fun listening to Ke$ha! Recently, I’ve been listening to more Dance/Techno/House and DJ remixes like those by David Guetta, so I think those are fun to play in the background.

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

Nuts, candied nuts, chocolates, dried fruits, dried fruits dipped in chocolate.. Basically, something sweet, something salty. And nothing that can ruin your dress if you accidentally drop it!
12- Traditional wedding or mixed wedding?

It depends on the family. Some people feel uncomfortable at a mixed wedding. My ideal situation would be, a traditional women’s ceremony, but mixed during the dinner/buffet. Why should the groom be the only one there?

13- Cake or cupcakes?

For weddings, definitely cake.

14- Best song to get everyone dancing?

English: Usher! Arabic: Anything by Mohammed Abdo I guess.

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

A seaside location with an ocean view.

16- Ballroom or home weddings? mention pros and cons

Recently I’ve been having more fun at the latter, because it has less people – more relatives less strangers – and almost everyone knows everyone else. They’re more intimate and relaxed. Obviously, the downside is that people tend to stuff too many guests in a small area, so service gets messy and the seating is oh so uncomfortable! Ballrooms of course have the added advantage of being more glamorous and have better facilities.

17- hidden treasure , party suppliers in Kuwait?

I think you can find anything and everything in Kuwait. I can’t understand why people bring in chocolates from abroad, when I’ve tasted some of the best in Kuwait. Some print their cards in another country, when we have great printers and graphic designers here. Some also get cheap looking party favors that cost them a fortune abroad. I can’t name one place, but if you’re serious about it, you can find everything you want in this country.

18 – any tips on making your home, event ready?

I’d say the simpler the home, the easier it is to have a party in it. The more columns, furniture, stairways, and rooms, the harder it is to plan an event. For those who are going to build a home, I suggest going smaller on the building, and having a bigger garden/porch. If the house is too small for a party, then the garden won’t be.

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

I’m not any of the above, but everything I wrote above is exactly what I would do when the time comes. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.

20- source of inspiration in kuwait?

Flower shops and furniture & accessories stores.

21- and these are just for fun….what do you prefer?
challet or city? Both. I can never give up one or the other.
night owl or early bird? Early bird.
polka dots or stripes? Tough one. Stripes.
pastels or brights? Pastels.
morning fix? Vanilla latte.

Regards,

Alya
Pomegranate & Patchouli
www.pomegranateandpatchouli.com

Posted by The November Company on April 3, 2011   /   Filed under:

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