06. Around Town...

One party at a time!

42. What’s in Your Bag?

Your everyday essentials featuring Tanya Salman Aslam.

44. Gulzar Lawn by IVY

The perfect floral outfits for spring.

50. Hot Date

Up close and personal with Babar Rashid Khan,

co-founder of AUJ.

54. W’s Roving Eye

This week’s hottest looks! Who made the style A- list?

58. 8 Books We Have Lied About Reading

Reads that will make you instantly appear smarter!

64. The Edit

Style tips to elevate white pants.

66. The Dressing Room

Take a style tour of Zohra Rahman’s wardrobe.

68. 7 Days with QYT

Qasim Yar Tiwana’s unstoppable social calendar.

70. Technology: I Can’t Live, With or Without You

Sana Shah returns with her sage wisdom.

74. Travel & Cake

Cross the oldest bridge in Florence, Ponte Vecchio with Zainab Tariq

78. Love Struck

Weekend’s editors’ picks!

Chairperson/Publishing Editor: Rameeza Majid Nizami Editor The Nation: Salim Bokhari Editor-at-Large: Amal Khan

Managing Editor: Shazay Salahuddin Features Editor: Foha Raza Sub Editor: Rana Faizan Hussain Fashion Correspondent: Fatima Ameer

Creative Head: Faiz-ur-Rehman Creative Team: Talat Mahfooz, Shoaib Qadir, Faisal Fazal, Zeeshan Arif Photographer: M. Basharat Irshad

GM Marketing: Bilal MahmoodFor Advertising: Kherzan Zaidi - 0321 8976730,

Ata-ur-Rehman - 0332 2427473, Khalid Sheikh - 0345 5130728

CONTENTS

april 03, 2016

Hey Weekenders!March brings the wonderful season of spring accompanied by the light breeze, pretty flowers and vivid colors! On this pleasant note, we are happy to tell you about the super busy week we have had! Our very own CEO, rameeza Nizami got married this week amidst family, friends and of course, us. Our best wishes go out to the happy couple! Our busy social calendar led us to the launch of the latest lawn collections including Crescent by Faraz Manan, Élan, Crimson by Farah Talib aziz and exclusive exhibitions by Outhouse and Esque. it was like taking a walk through the blooming spring garden. We also caught up with Babar rashid Khan, co-founder of aUJ, for our hot date feature this week. also in this issue, Tanya Salman gives us a sneak

peek into the tips and tricks she uses for her every day

essential items in our feature ‘What’s in Your Bag’. QYT returns with his unstoppable social

calendar and Sana Shah talks to us about

her life in the era of technology. We get exclusive access to Zohra rahman’s fabulous wardrobe and we bring her very unique personal style to our readers, in our feature ‘The Dressing room’! all this and much

more. Don’t forget to Weekend!

Sincerely,Team Weekend.

Saad aziz, Sartaj Aziz & Ashar Aziz

Rameeza & Owais

Imran Peracha, Rameeza Majid Nizami, Owais Aziz & Feriha Peracha

Zehra Qadir

Azmi & Zimmi

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Dancing The Night AwayRameeza Nizami and Owais Aziz celebrated their Mehndi night among family and friends in a ceremony to remember, in Lahore. The event planner was Whimsical Parties by Sundus Mustafa.

The Aziz’s & Zakriya’s

Neelofer Chaudhry

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Osman Hameed, Ayesha Usman & Sana HameedSana ShahBilal & Saima Mehmood

Tom Reay & Louise Adil Bandial & Yousaf Shahbaz

Hissam Haider & Alyzeh Rahim

Nada Raja

Tehseen & Shenaz Minallah

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Ayesha Naseeb & friend

Nadira & Arjumand

Resham & FahadZayna with a friend

Sahar, Maryam & Shiem Shazay SalahuddinSaleha Waqar & Aneesa Agha

Aneela Shah

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Aamna Taseer, Natasha Monnoo & Saleeha Shah

Rocking The Casbah Khadijah Shah celebrated the success of her S/S’16 voile collection, Élan Lawn, in Lahore. The event was organized by Z&S Events and Public Relations for the event was handled by Lotus PR.

Aneela Shah & Naz Mansha

Minahil, Anaum & Mehak Ellahi

Fatin & Alyzeh

Gauhar Bano, Mehriene Qureshi & Meher Bano Qureshi

Khadijah Shah Mahnum Kabir & Saleeha Shah

Amber Gohar

Zainab Salman, Aleena Raza & Rushna Shahjahan

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Jehanzeb Amin & Rabia Laeeq Erum Ahmed Natasha Monnoo, Natasha Kamal & Purniya Awan

Mehek Rizvi & Shehab NiaziMehvish Khan & Shazia DeenKulsum Nabeel & Mishal Asad

Hassan & Saad Sadaf Zarrar & Amna NiaziRehan Bashir & Shehrbano Taseer

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Amna Babar, Abdullah Haris & Rabia ButtAamir Mazhar Fatima Fazli Khuban Omar

Yasmin Shafiq, Mona Kasuri & Sophia KasuriHira Ali Noor Monnoo & Mahnum

Omayr, Alee & NatashaMomina SibtainSaher & Shazia

Cybil, Racheal & Nooray

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Mehwish Khan, Shazia Deen & Sara Tanwir

The Crescent Star

Faraz & Sundas Manan

Areeba Magsi

Shiza & Saira

Momina & Nael Zarar Shahjahan & Saif

The premier fashion brand Crescent by Shoaib Shaffi launched their latest Spring/Summer voile collection in collaboration with Faraz Manan at the launch of their flagship store in Lahore. The event and PR was handled by Savvy PR.

Momina Khyal

Amber Gohar

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Sheherbano & Aamna Taseer Naz Mansha Resham, Shahzad Raza & Fouzia

Tahir Saeed & Maria BRizwan, Shoaib & Sana BashirShazay

Marya Javed & SaniaMaha & Hira HashmiRima Farid & Ashraf Feerasta

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Nazia & Sharmeen Khuban & Khadijah Malik Mahwish Mukhtar

Nina KhanErum KamalShahzad NoorFiza Gillani

Nazish Butt & Zahra NaveedAmna Babar & Fatima KasuriDr Shahida Khawaja & Amina

Sania, Zobia, Saeeya & Sundus

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Anisa Khan & Tehmina Khaled

Haute CrossCross Stitch launched its S/S’16 collection at Dolmen Mall, Clifton, Karachi featuring a fashion showcase. PR for the event was handled by Take-ll and the event was managed by RAKA Associates.

Seemi Pasha & Ayesha Omar

Eshal Fayyaz

Nazneen Tariq

Sadia Nawabi & Amina MalikMarium & Mishal

Hina Pasha & Maliha Rao

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Bannita & Suneeta Marshall Iqra Fayyaz Asad & Mishal

Misbah MumtazPinky DurraniAreeba HabibAmber Javed

Saba Butt & Rose Muhammad Marzyeh Kanga Saim & Samra Khan

Anum

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Dr Ijaz & Ali Ch

Sunday BrunchShahjahan Grill hosted a brunch to inaugurate their restaurant. The PR of the event was handled by Latitude CRS.

Hifsa & Waqas Ali

Mag Babar

Fatima & Lubna

Maryam & SairaFatima & Anum

Ayesha

Fahad, Hassan & Asad

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Nazim & Yasmin

Summer Essentials Ittehad Lawn launched their latest Spring/Summer 2016 collection in collaboration with the fashion icon Nilofar Shahid. The launch was held at The Nishat Hotel. The event was organized by QYT and PR was handled by Aamir Mazhar.

Fizza Ali & Kuki

Sonia & Asim

Amna Baber & Bilal Mukhtar

QYT & Nilofar Shahid Maria & Usman

Shazad Raza

Faiza & Faisal

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Kanwal IlyasNooray Bhatti

Sehyr AnisAdil & Sonia

Chanda Wasim & Muniba Ahmad Mehreen Sayed Amal Khan Momina Sibtain

Nina & JunaidNatasha & Mehdi Tahir & Maria B

Amin Gulgee with Mr Murat & friend

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Saima, Ginwa Bhutto & Seemi Shoro

State Of The ArtAmin Gulgee Gallery hosted an art exhibition “The 70s: Pakistan’s Radioactive Decade”, curated by Amin Gulgee and Nilofer Farrukh in Karachi. The Exhibition was attended by a number of renowned celebrities, socialites and art enthusiasts.

Arif Mehmood, Ayesha Tammy Haq & Tapu Javeri

Deepak Perwani, Ayesha Tammy Haq, Amin Gulgee, Frieha Altaf with friend

Sherbanu Hussain, Mariam Khalil & Mr Khalil

Pommy Gohar, Nelofer Farrukh & Beneesh Mehmood

Wajiha & Shahbano

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Sehar Asher, Anush & Shazia Ammar

Fashion FirstZarqash Lawn held an exclusive preview of their Spring/Summer 2016 voile collection at the Grand Imperial Hall, Nishat Hotel, Lahore. The event was managed by Papermint Events.

Maheen Gilani & Hafsa

Omer & Hira

Huma & Amna Saeed

Jugan Kazim & Naz ManshaTina Haroon & Fizza Gillani

QYT

Anam & Willa

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Mehak Rizvi & Rabia MugheesSairaSana & Fatima

Hira & AnamAreeba & Khusnuma

Amna, Ahmad, Katie & Mehyr

Bisma Gillani

Anuma Sajid

Nazia & Afshan

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Zahra, Jaria, Mehak & Alina

Movie TimeThe red carpet premier of Kapoor & Sons took place at CineStar Cinema, Township, Lahore. The event and PR was managed by JBnJaws Productions.

Rabia & Munib Nawaz

Faisal & Abeer

Bilal Lashari

Amna Niazi & SadafArooj & Hina Salman

Fawad Khan

Amna Kardar, Sophia & Ahmed Kardar

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Sana, Arwa & AroojNimra KhokharUmair & Maira

Zarmisha & HassaanAhmed Butt & Fatima

Jahanzeb, Kumail & Sarfraz

Sara Shahid

Cybil Chaudry

Gulzar l awn

This season, Gulzar Lawn Collection by IVY brings

you prints of Spring; a floral theme that is all about the

blooming of flowers on bright sunny days. Our aesthetic is a delicate mix of local and

international trends creating a diverse and memorable range of designs for the modern as

well as the traditional woman.

PhOTOGraPhY: Khawar rIaz | MOdeL: Sadaf KanwaL | Brand: IVY

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We bring you some

of the hottest looks spotted

Shazay Salahuddin in MiSha lakhani

youSaf Shahbaz

in ali XeeShan pantS

W’s RoVinG eye

We are swooning over this bunty blue Misha Lakhani number on

Shazay! It is the perfect color and silhouette to keep it simple and

classy.

We are swooning over this bunty blue Misha Lakhani number on

Shazay! It is the perfect color and silhouette to keep it simple and

classy.

Is there a look that this guy can’t pull off? We just love the way Yousaf plays with bright and

blingy colours while keeping his cool with a basic white kurta.

Is there a look that this guy can’t pull off? We just love the way Yousaf plays with bright and

blingy colours while keeping his cool with a basic white kurta.

Sana Shah in Élan

We love how Sana is working the muted hues and

subtle floral motifs for this Spring wedding!

We love how Sana is working the muted hues and

subtle floral motifs for this Spring wedding!

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at Rameeza nizami’s wedding this week!

ayeSha uSManin buShRa huSSein

Saleeha Shah in her own brand

uptoWn

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W’s RoVinG eye

Ayesha Usman proves that bright colors look even more

sensational on black Nada Raja - Earthy tones

and the flare on those pants! Weekend approves.

Ayesha Usman proves that bright colors look even more

sensational on black Nada Raja - Earthy tones

and the flare on those pants! Weekend approves.

Saleeha Shah wears an eye-catching tangerine jacket by

her own brand, Uptown! Saleeha Shah wears an eye-catching tangerine jacket by

her own brand, Uptown!

zehRa QadiRin MiSha lakhaniZehra Qadir channels ocean

hues in an emerald green and teal Misha Lakhani outfit.

Zehra Qadir channels ocean hues in an emerald green and

teal Misha Lakhani outfit. A

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our lawn loving is at an all time

high and we know we’re not the only ones! our roving

khuban oMaR

MehViSh khan

W’s RoVinG eye

Nothing says cool like monotones of blue in

summer!

Nothing says cool like monotones of blue in

summer! Mehvish Khan is all about accessorizing

the right way!

Mehvish Khan is all about accessorizing

the right way!

Accents of hot pink? Hell yes!

aMal khan

Accents of hot pink? Hell yes!

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eye has spotted some smitten ladies, painting the town red in the trend of the season!

nataSha Monnoo

nataSha SaleeM

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W’s RoVinG eye

Natasha keeps it simple with a sleek blow dry. What is not to love?

Natasha keeps it simple with a sleek blow dry. What is not to love?

Natasha definitely knows how to style eastern wear! Paired with Steve Madden Sassey Fringe

sandals and cute little blue fringe hoop earrings, this look is perfect

for the summer!

Natasha definitely knows how to style eastern wear! Paired with Steve Madden Sassey Fringe

sandals and cute little blue fringe hoop earrings, this look is perfect

for the summer!

khadiJa Malik

Natasha keeps it simple with a sleek blow dry. What

is not to love?

Natasha keeps it simple with a sleek blow dry. What

is not to love?

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White pants are probably one of the trickiest clothing essentials to dress up or down without losing some serious style cred! This week, we add a little inspiration to your

wardrobe with a selection of cool and creative ideas to work this staple like a pro!

1. Top – Pair the pants with either a button down or

oxford shirt for a casual but sophisticated day look. If

you’re not into taking risks then go with a black top,

preferably one that has prints or has distinct details

like the neckline or statement bow on these!

3. Accessories – We love accessories that

seek attention! It never hurts to add a much

needed spark or colour to your outfit espe-

cially if you’re going for a white on white look.

The right accessories will save you from the

risk of looking boring or washed out.

2. Outerwear – If you really feel like living it

up, wear a plain metallic jacket to add some disco

glam to your outfit without it being too flashy! Make

sure the material is light and airy. We don’t want you

sweating it out like crazy in the summer heat!

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4. Shoes – Summer, aka the season of sandals and slides, is upon us! With white pants, your shoe game can come out a lot stronger, brighter, bolder and bling-ier!

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The Dressing

room

If your pIeces were a person, how would you descrIbe them?refIned, progressIve, bold and ascertaIn

with Zohra Rahman

who Is your style Icon?I don’t have a style Icon per se but I admIre people wIth personal style - usually real people I meet/know rather than celebrItIes - can be a malang at a shrIne or a frIend of mIne.

the very fIrst pIece you created, would you stIll wear It?the fIrst pIece I ever created was In college. It was a toe rIng made wIth twIgs, rIbbons and wIres. I probably wouldn’t It wear It agaIn!

The T-shirt was m

ade by my college friend, Daniel Hurlin w

ho is a print designer at Givenchy now

. The jewellery is m

y own creation titled ‘Leaf Drop Earrings’

from the ‘Ceres’ Collection and the cuff is from

the ‘Unsent Letters’ collection.

Daniel Hurlin

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what Is one thIng about your work that you’d want to educate people about?most people do not realIze the amount of effort that goes Into creatIng orIgInal pIeces. I create prototypes, experIment and there Is a whole tIme consumIng process Involved lIke fIlIng, cuttIng and solderIng- It Is lIke engIneerIng! the craftsmanshIp must be exquIsIte. I have a team that I have traIned myself. we create all the pIeces In-house from scratch.

If money/tIme wasn’t an Issue, what would you Invest In thIs year?I would travel extensIvely around asIa, Improve my workshop by gettIng more machInes and open my own purpose buIlt jewellery store!

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‘Uns

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nd ri

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re fr

om ‘S

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ings

’.

Zohra Rahman by Salman Toor

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7 days with Qyt!

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. Be positive, have courage and be kind. See you all next week!”

– By Qasim yar Tiwana –

DAY 2:The young and handsome Nasir Ali Noon, son of Amir Ali Noon & Safia

Noon, got married to the stunning Afifa at the beautiful Qasr-e-Noor Hall 8. I

particularly love organizing weddings in this splendid space. This wedding

was a special one because it was a family wedding and so I worked a wee bit extra! A family wedding

also means meeting my cousins and people from Sargodha; Noons’ and Tiwanas’ city. Noons and Tiwanas have lots of inter marriages hence

the two aristocratic families are very tightly knit. Qureshis are also a very well known family of Sargodha and

they were very elegantly represented at the the Valima by my parents’ best

friends Brigadier Aslam Hayat Qureshi and Tasneem Qureshi. It is always a pleasure to meet such fine people.

Wishing the newly wed couple all the best for the future.

DAY 1: An old friend of the family, Raja Riffat came to visit at my of-fice over a cup of coffee. I like meeting bureaucrats because they remind me of my father who was a D.I.G in the police. We were brought up in a bureau-cratic lifestyle and I feel nostalgic when I meet respectable and upright men like Raja Riffat. He is a young and handsome police office, a DIG of security with the Punjab special branch and a hardworking and competent of-ficer who has done his Masters in Criminology from Kings College London. I wish this bright young mind all the best for the future. Progressive and honest men like him will steer us towards a better Pakistan.

Day:3

The evening was spent

with the beautiful couple at

Lahore Social to celebrate

birthday of my stunning

friend Sara Mikaal, wife of

the famous actor Mikaal

Zulfiqar. It was a selective

gathering of friends and the

evening was full of fun and

good food.

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Day 4: Singer Annie Khalid

launched her very own pret line called Noor-

Ul-Ain. Her collection is available at Saleem Fabrics, Liberty, Lahore. Her ready

to wear kurtas are very competitively priced so be

sure not to miss it!

Day5 I visited Sialkot to organize a high profile event of my favourite client Samra aunty and her gorgeous daughter Ayesha, a very nice, educated & aristocratic family from Sialkot who live in New York. The event was themed around the colors of spring and everyone loved my work! This made me happy and I returned to Lahore highly motivated.

Day: 7 To support my friends Faraz Manan and Shoaib Shaffi I attended the official launch of their beautiful new store Crescent. The launch was followed by a late night dinner at Veranda Bistro to celebrate their success.

Day: 6Nina Junaid and I decided

to go to the launch of Sonia

Azhar, together. It was

beautifully organized by

Aamir Mazhar and Shazreh

Khalid at Mall One. There

we met the gorgeous super

models, Cybil Chowdhry,

Nooray Bhatti and Juggan

Kazim. Later Nina and I

went to our favorite Cosa

Deli to catch up over a cup

of steaming hot coffee. Apr

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Afew weeks ago, before my life got manic with visitors and travelling (which is why I have been a bit MIA as of

late—my apologies!), I found myself sitting in front of the television with the rare opportunity to watch whatever my heart desired. And so, as per Netflix’s suggestion, I decided to watch the “Chelsea (Handler) Does” docu-series. I am just two episodes in so far but surprisingly, found them both enjoyable and at times, dare I say, almost poignant. Yes, I am talking about the late night comedian Chelsea Handler. The episode on technology in particular struck a cord with me because it is something that I myself have been thinking about lately. I belong to a generation that grew up without a computer, or multiple laptops and cellular phones in the house, and that is yet very comfortable with technology.It is easy for me to forget that there was a time not too long ago when I used to battle it out with my siblings over the use of the cordless

phone. A time when connecting to the internet took forever and also meant that your phone line would be engaged if someone (like your parents) were trying to call you (busted and in major trouble!). Up untill a few years ago nobody really cared about the phone they carried either. I remember that till my last year of university, I owned an extremely sad looking Sony Ericsson that was run over by a taxi at some point and so was missing a keypad. While my broken phone may have been an extreme case, by then people had started sporting those cool Motorola Razr phones that said “Hello Moto” whenever they rang. Generally, phones were regarded as just phones, and it wasn’t as important to be sporting the latest and the greatest model as it is now. Of course, phones also had less functionality back then. They didn’t have all these exciting apps, games, books and music. My standard line till a few years ago (before I switched over to the iPhone) was

“Where’s my phone?” I just hardly ever kept it on me. Now, I think it is the first thing I reach for when I wake up in the morning.

Being a millennial I feel very comfortable around technology and generally have no issues adapting to it (unlike Chelsea in the show).In fact, in a lot of ways I love technology and thrive on it! For example, I love that when Mr. M had a meeting in Milan and left me and Baby N on my own in the city, I just logged on to Google Maps and comfortably navigated a city that was entirely unknown to me. I love the convenience of Amazon and getting books, baby stuff and kitchen supplies in one day with just a click of a button. I love reading blogs and finding out about new restaurants or foreign cuisines. I love taking pictures of Baby N on my phone and getting to document every precious moment without worrying about the camera film running out. Parking assistance in cars, internet banking, digital thermometers (to date I can never spot the mercury in those old school thermometers) and direct debit are all conveniences that without a doubt make our lives much simpler. And then of course, everybody knows my obsession with Netflix and Apple TV—the convenience of streaming shows and movies over downloading or renting out DVD’s just can’t be beat. However, recently, I have begun to feel increasingly suffocated and cramped

Technology I cAn’T lIve, wITh or

wIThouT youby Sana Shah

sunshineandco.co

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by certain kinds of technology and the way they are advancing.

For one thing, and I know that many people may disagree with me on this, but yes while I don’t mind being given suggestions on what to BUY based on my previous purchases, I certainly don’t like being chased around over the internet by items on any random website I visit. I also don’t like that my Facebook newsfeed content is pre-filtered for me based on the kinds of things I usually click on. While I may go through a phase where I don’t want to read the latest news on war or bloodshed, I may instead find myself visiting Hollywood gossip websites, it doesn’t mean that I want Facebook to make sure that I never get to read news again! It’s like your ability to think for yourself or make your own decisions is slowly being taken away. I find the suggestions quite helpful but what is missing, is that the content gets filtered out based on algorithms devoid of feelings, mood and circumstances; I would like to still have the option to peruse freely. Did you know that even a search on Google is based on your history, preferences and activity? We could search for the same things

on different laptops and come up with different results. I also don’t like how conversations I have on Whatsapp suddenly start popping up on my Facebook newsfeed in the form of related articles or webpages. I was

sick the other day and I just talked about it on Whatsapp (which has been acquired by Facebook) with a friend and when I logged on to Facebook, my newsfeed was full of links for soup recipes. Same with Gmail—I often find that Google Ad’s surrounding my inbox are eerily reflective of the content of my PRIVATE emails. Nothing seems to be private anymore and everything seems to be filtered.

The internet is no longer a free place. My friends and I were discussing how today you can easily guess what a person searches for or the websites they visit by the ad’s that pop up in their browser. Good luck trying to keep any of your shopping secrets!

Then there is the obsession with our phones. I only got the iPhone two years ago and when I would see Mr. M spending hours and hours on it, checking emails, browsing, playing games etc. I never understood

the fascination. Today, I am very sad to

admit that I am exactly the same. I spend way too much time doing a b s o l u t e l y nothing on my phone. I find myself reaching for it first thing in the morning, and it is definitely the last thing I set aside before going to sleep. Incessantly going over my Instagram feed, or my Facebook feed, or browsing one website after the other. It’s maddening! What bothers me and

is probably the one factor that will lead me to curb this tendency of mine is that Baby N sees me on it way too much and it most definitely distracts me from my daughter. And okay, by now you might have realized I am not one of those

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The author, affectionately referred to as Sunshine by her loved ones, recently moved to London from New York. She is enjoying settling in while discovering

the city with her 8-month-old daughter in tow. Watch this space for her mus-ings on London, sweet treats (that she shouldn’t be consuming now that the

baby is no longer an excuse!), parenting, decorating, and anything really that

tickles her fancy!

I belong to a generatIon that grew up wIthout

a computer, or multIple laptops

and cellular phones In the

house, and that Is yet very

comfortable wIth technology

mothers who advocates that every second of one’s time should be spent with one’s kid. But if they are looking to catch your attention and you’re too busy trying to figure out why some girl you knew way back in highschool is posting crazy status updates, then something has gotta change my friend. I am also one of those people who gets irritated if people are on their phones around me. So yes, I admit that I spend way too much time on my phone when I’m on my own, but I tend to curb it when I have company or if I am out. There is nothing more infuriating then having a conversation with a person who can’t take their eyes off their phone or are looking at you with a glazed expression while replying to a whatsapp or text.I have also noticed that my phone is making me slightly narcissistic. This whole “selfie” business can eventually get to your head, especially when the iPhone makes it so easy to take a 1000 photos in seconds. The other day I noticed for the first time that my phone has an automatically generated album dedicated to selfies with virtually the

same picture of me at different times. I was embarrassed just looking at them. Gone are the old days where you had all these candid photos, which we love to scan and upload now to share with our friends, but that we never take with our iPhones today. I also have to confess that after watching Chelsea Does Technology I actually for a second contemplated downloading an app Khloe Kardashian was advocating which re-touches all your photos and just makes you look beautiful. Basically Instagram filters on steroids. I almost

downloaded this application until, somehow, better sense prevailed and I realized I wasn’t a model, or a fashion icon, or a Hollywood starlet and so I really had no reason to try to fool people with heavily manufactured and altered pictures of mine. I mean at the end of the day most of the people on my Facebook and Instagram have seen me in real life and know exactly how I look like—so who am I trying to trick here? And why?

Lately, I have also begun questioning the supposed benefit of “connectivity” that today’s technology offers. Let’s take Whatsapp as an example—it offers a level of connectivity that I just do not want in my life, at least with

everybody. There should be rules for Whatsapp. It should only be for your close friends and family. I hate the fact that anybody who has your number can add you on Whatsapp, send you messages and then track your online presence. It is just another level of stalking and it makes me way too uncomfortable. Why should people be able to track my activity like this. Gone are the days when one could reply to an email or text message at one’s own leisure. Or not reply at all and then never have to deal with the person again. Now said person will add you on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, what have you, send you incessant messages, know

whether you’ve read them or not and then hate you for not replying. They will also religiously follow your every move on social media. I find I just can’t ignore messages anymore. I have this strange guilty personality that compels me to accept “friend requests”or reply

to messages on these social media platforms from people who I do not consider my friends. On some level, and because that is the kind of paranoid person I am, I have started questioning my interaction and relationship with everybody. Am I a friend? Are they a friend? Or am I the stalker? Or are they the stalker? My silent and useless rebellion in this case has been to stop wishing people a happy birthday unless I actually know and care to know when their birthday is. I also removed my birthday from Facebook. I know—lame! But honestly guys, I know I write a blog and so social media is in some ways my bread and butter, but there are days when I seriously consider shutting down all these sites.

My prediction is that more and more people from my generation, who still remember a time when they weren’t glued to their phones, or who still reminisce about their weekly trips to the bookstore or the library with their parents, or yearn for the days they spent sitting on a bench watching people go by with no phone to entertain them, will strive to once again find a balance where technology, social media etc. complements the way they choose to interact with the world, but does not rule it.

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Today, I am very sad To

admIT ThaT I am exacTly The

same. I spend way Too much

TIme doIng absoluTely

noThIng on my phone.

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TRAVEL & CAKEHi, I’m Zainab, and I’m going to use this space to share my favourite spots around Europe. While I was studying

in Barcelona, I got the chance to explore and experience cities like a local, so here’s my

scoop!

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The Golden Bridge.Zainab Tariq

Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, once stood alone across the River Arno. It was used as a trader’s point, where butchers displayed their products for the merchants that crossed over.

Today, the arched stone bridge has withstood many battles, weather and rulers. The Medici’s of Florence had it renovated to connect the two palaces on both sides of the river, and as you can imagine, the Renaissance inspired façade is not the only change that they funded. Jewelers, art dealers, ceram-ic and souvenir sellers have been tightly packed on the five-minute stretch since, with no remnant of butchers or fishmongers.

You can find hustle and bustle there at any time of the week. Honeymoon-ers dancing to the sound of live jazz, chatty shopaholic tourists bumping into each other, gelato lovers sitting on the sidewalk enjoying their curious combinations of icecream, not to forget the young artists painting the scene live. This bridge is an iconic landmark for people from all walks of life.

I found myself wandering up and down the bridge many times. On occasion browsing the antique pieces on display, other times enjoying the chatter of enthusiastic pedestrians. My most cherished memory is the sunset and reflections of the city in the river over the sounds of local musicians. If I ever got lucky and found a spot, I would take a seat against the wall and hang around till the moon came out and the wind got unbearably chilly. This is my picturesque experience of Florence; I never wanted to leave!

LoveStruck

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