What We Are Buying Today: ‘Make Space for Happiness’

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Updated 24 December 2023
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What We Are Buying Today: ‘Make Space for Happiness’

With 2024 around the corner, “Make Space for Happiness” by Tracy McCubbin asks a question many of us are trying to answer: “How do you stop attracting clutter and start magnetizing the life you want?”

Every New Year, people seem to scramble to start it on a clean slate; they sign up for expensive gym memberships, buy new clothes and stock their kitchens with healthy foods. While that might be a good way to help support a better lifestyle, most of us are avoiding the real dusty elephant in the room.

Most of us don’t want to deal with decluttering the stuff we already have in our homes. It is often easier to add new shiny things to our rooms rather than mindfully remove old boring things.

We all have just too much stuff. Most homes — no matter how big or small — have drawers stuffed to the limit and closets bursting with mostly unworn garments and miscellaneous items.

How did it get that way? Why is it so hard to let go of things we don’t even want?

The book goes into what the author McCubbin refers to as “your seven emotional clutter magnets.” They are described as the “empty parts of us that desperately want to attract one of seven important feelings — purpose, love, connection, wisdom, confidence, self-respect and ease.”

“Clutter is not a superficial problem. It’s an emotional issue that requires an astute solution to help people attain life goals,” she writes.

The book goes into the history of clutter to offer insights into why, as a society, we went into consumerism and how effective marketing tricks cheated us into believing a new purchase would equal a new life.

The book looks at the vulnerable traps we all fall into. And it guides readers to try to understand the emotional reasons why we likely hoard or collect. “Make Space for Happiness” also tries to highlight the importance of overcoming shame or guilt over having too much clutter. Why do we continue to shop, even though we already have an abundance? How can we stop?

McCubbin, who is a professional organizer and CEO of dClutterfly, an LA-based home organizing company, uses examples from her own life and from her clients. The author describes herself as the “daughter of a hoarder,” and tells the reader how she knows firsthand how overwhelming it can be to be weighed down by physical items.

She also offers relatable antidotes from people facing similar things that many of us have gone through to illustrate how her clients were able to overcome some of this burden.

The book cautions us to avoid what she calls “the donation myth.” If you buy something and decide you no longer like it after all, we all tell ourselves “we will just donate it.” The thing is, most charity places don’t want your low-quality discarded items. They likely will end up in the landfill, and that is already a major issue and problem.

McCubbin’s book does not offer quick fixes or false hope. We still need to do the work and to better understand ourselves and our stuff. It is there to remind us that the simple act of reading this book proves you want to change. There is still a chance that we may find a way to declutter anyway so that we, as the title implies, can “Make Space for Happiness.”

 


Best and Worst: Layali Boker on beauty hacks, fashion trends, and great advice

Updated 26 March 2025
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Best and Worst: Layali Boker on beauty hacks, fashion trends, and great advice

DUBAI: The Saudi beauty influencer, who has 1.2 million followers on TikTok, on beauty hacks, fashion trends, and great advice.   

Best TV show/film you’ve ever seen?    

The “Harry Potter” films. They are timeless classics that never lose their magic. I love them. I watch them every winter. My year is not complete without watching “Harry Potter.” 

Worst TV show/film you’ve ever seen?  

Oh, my God. It’s a cinematic experience I would rather forget. It was “The Triangle.” I didn’t like it because it was a cycle of events that kept repeating the whole film. What’s worse is you don’t figure it out until the end. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Layali Boker (@layali.boker)

Best makeup look for you?  

This year, it’s the one I did for Saudi Founding Day! I had a pretty soft eye makeup look with glowing cheeks, and I wore a traditional Hejazi outfit.   

Worst makeup look you’ve done?  

All my looks are stunning. 

Best makeup hack? 

Honestly, doing my full base with a powder puff has been life-changing! I wash the powder puff after I use it. Over time, even my acne has reduced. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Layali Boker (@layali.boker)

Worst makeup hack? 

Putting loose or pressed powder on your lips before lip lining them. It’s just a feeling and texture that I really can’t tolerate. 

Best accessory for a little black dress?    

Gold. I am a gold person. Nothing screams effortless-but-put-together like a bit of shimmer and bling. I love it.  

Worst accessory for a little black dress?    

Well, fashion is quite personal. Let’s just agree on that first. But, to me, beaded necklaces and bracelets are… They just give me DIY summer-camp-craft energy and I can’t unsee it. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Layali Boker (@layali.boker)

Best fashion trend of 2025?    

I believe the low-rise jeans are back and I’m here for it! I also love the full denim look, because why be subtle when you can be denim?  

Worst fashion trend of 2024?    

I don’t like overly baggy silhouettes. I love a relaxed fit, but I also like looking like I have a body underneath all that fabric, you know? So yeah, overly baggy pieces like pants or tops. I’m not here for those. 

Best advice you’ve ever been given?   

Two pieces, actually. Both from my father. One is “This too shall pass.” I love this advice, although I don’t think it applies to embarrassing moments. They do not pass. They haunt you forever. I also like “It’s never too late.” That kind of motivates me. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Layali Boker (@layali.boker)

Worst advice you’ve ever been given? 

That losing weight is the ultimate goal. I would honestly prioritize my health, my happiness and dessert. Right now, everyone is obsessed with losing weight and taking Ozempic as if they were vitamins. I do not get those comments from people on social media — I actually get them from people around me. I usually respond by saying it’s none of their business.  

Best book you’ve ever read?    

“Khawf” by Osamah Al-Muslim. It is so intense and gripping. I recommend you read it with the lights on, though, because it’s quite scary. It shows you life from other perspectives, from the other life that we don’t know anything about. It talks about demons and spirits. It is scary, but I loved it. 

Worst book you’ve ever read?    

I only get to read a few books apart from my medical books, so I try to make it worth it. But even if I don’t like a book, I learn from it and it gives me something to rant about.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Layali Boker (@layali.boker)

Best thing to do when you’re feeling low?  

I usually do breathing exercises, take a warm shower, spend time with my family or my best friends. I also try to remind myself always that even Beyoncé had bad days, so it’s OK.  

Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good?    

I would say sleeping too much. Why waste a perfectly good mood with a nap? That just doesn’t make sense to me.  

Best holiday destination?    

Bali was amazing. Every sunset was like a postcard. It was like we were living in a magazine. I’ve only been once, but I hope to go again soon. I spent my time forgetting about life, about phones, and just living the moments. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Layali Boker (@layali.boker)

Worst holiday destination?    

A trip is only good or bad depending on the company you have. I went to Turkey with my friends, and it was one of the worst experiences. I would never repeat it. I’d go to the country again, but I wouldn’t repeat that trip.  

Best subject at school?    

As I recall, it was physics. It made me feel so smart when I actually understood what was going on. It is a hard subject, but it is understandable.  

Worst subject at school?  

Math. I think numbers just never liked me back.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Layali Boker (@layali.boker)

Best thing to do to ensure you have a productive day?   

Praying Fajr on time and starting the day with a good breakfast. 

Worst thing to do when you’re trying to have a productive day?    

Oversleeping. You just become unproductive the whole day. You waste so much time when you wake up at midday. Half the day is already gone.  


Sofia Carson dons Elie Saab designs in New York

Updated 25 March 2025
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Sofia Carson dons Elie Saab designs in New York

DUBAI: Sofia Carson continues to make waves on the fashion front while promoting her latest project, “The Life List,” set to hit Netflix on March 28. 

This week, the actress and singer was spotted in two Elie Saab ensembles. 

The dress featured a plunging V-neckline and long, fitted sleeves. (Getty Images)

Carson arrived at the “CBS Mornings” show in New York City as part of her press tour, wearing a green dress from Elie Saab’s Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2023-2024 collection. 

The dress featured a plunging V-neckline and long, fitted sleeves. An oversized floral embellishment adorned her neck, combining vibrant yellows and soft whites. She completed the look with deep green knee-high boots and a matching bag.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

On Sunday, Carson wore another ensemble, a black dress that featured a fitted silhouette with structured shoulders. She paired the dress with long leather gloves, sheer black stockings and pointed-toe pumps.

Carson has been actively promoting her new film, “The Life List,” engaging in interviews and public appearances to drum up excitement. 

Directed by Adam Brooks, the film is adapted from Lori Nelson Spielman’s best-selling novel of the same name. It tells the story of Alex (Carson), a young woman who sets out on a transformative journey to fulfill her late mother’s bucket list. Along the way, she reconnects with herself and rediscovers the importance of dreams and aspirations. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

The film also stars Kyle Allen, Connie Britton, Marianne Rendon, Jose Zuniga, Rachel Zeiger-Haag, and others, with Liza Chasin serving as producer under 3dot Productions.

The actress took to Instagram to share her appreciation for her co-stars. She posted a photo featuring Kyle Allen and Sebastian De Souza, along with the caption: “The best guys I could ever hope to make a movie with. I love you, my Kyle and Seb. What a joy it is to share this journey with you.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

She also shared a picture with Britton and said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, THE Connie Britton. Connie, I can’t express how happy my heart is to share our film with the world so soon. You are sunshine. And it’s been my honor and joy to play your daughter (sic).”


Istituto Marangoni to shape Saudi Arabia’s fashion future

Updated 24 March 2025
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Istituto Marangoni to shape Saudi Arabia’s fashion future

RIYADH: Milan’s fashion and design-focused Istituto Marangoni will launch in Riyadh in August in collaboration with the Saudi Fashion Commission.

At a recent Ramadan event co-hosted by Istituto Marangoni and the Fashion Commission, key players explained why the move is a game-changer for aspiring creatives in the Kingdom.

Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, highlighted the significance of having Istituto Marangoni in Saudi Arabia, stating that its presence will allow aspiring designers to receive education without the need for international travel. “Having an institution like this on the ground will make it much easier for anyone interested in the fashion sector to study, take short programs, or even combine work with education,” he told Arab News.

The new Higher Training Institute, located in the King Abdullah Financial District, will offer three-year undergraduate advanced training diploma programs across several disciplines, including fashion business, fragrances and cosmetics, fashion design, and fashion styling.

Stefania Valenti, CEO of Istituto Marangoni, said that students will also have the option to transfer to global campuses to complete their studies, to gain exposure to international fashion hubs. “We work with all the major global brands, and we aim to connect Saudi talent with international opportunities,” she said.

In an interview with Arab News, Valenti revealed that the institute plans to expand its programs beyond fashion and fragrance, with courses in product and interior design set to launch in the future. “We believe this should be the second wave of creative education in Saudi Arabia,” she said.

To mark the launch, Istituto Marangoni will offer 50 scholarships to Saudi students enrolling in its Advanced Training Diploma Programs, open to Saudi nationals holding a high school certificate or its equivalent.

 

 


Jennifer Lopez hits Broadway in Zuhair Murad gown

Updated 24 March 2025
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Jennifer Lopez hits Broadway in Zuhair Murad gown

DUBAI: US superstar Jennifer Lopez attended the opening night of “Othello” on Broadway in New York in a gown from Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad’s Fall/Winter 2024 couture collection.

The figure-hugging, two-piece look boasted glittering embellishments and a high neckline and Lopez donned a fur-like coat to combat the cold weather in New York on Sunday.

US superstar Jennifer Lopez attended the opening night of “Othello” on Broadway in New York in a gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. (Getty Images)

She attended the premiere of the Shakespeare adaptation starring Hollywood heavyweights Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. Directed by Kenny Leon, the two hour and 35 minute Broadway show is set in the near future and sees Washington play Othello while Gyllenhaal wowed critics as the villainous Iago.

“Gyllenhaal bounds, loose-limbed and bursting with malevolent energy, onto the … stage and barely takes a breath for the next nearly three hours. It is a remarkable performance, conversational, contemporary and unerringly convincing,” Deadline’s review of the performance read.

Besides Lopez, other celebrities who took in the show on its opening night included Anna Wintour, Colman Domingo, Keegan-Michael Key, Ariana DeBose and Samuel L. Jackson.

Anna Wintour and Colman Domingo. (Getty Images)

Lopez spent the evening in New York as news broke that “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a musical remake from director Bill Condon starring Lopez, is close to finding a buyer after its much talked about Sundance Film Festival premiere in January.

Variety reported that Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate and independent studio LD Entertainment are in discussions to take on US domestic rights, though a deal has yet to close.

“Kiss of the Spider Woman” was independently financed in the high $30 million range, Variety reported.

The storyline centers on a political prisoner (Diego Luna), whose cellmate (Tonatiuh) creates a fantasy Hollywood narrative involving his favorite star, Ingrid Luna (Lopez).

It’s the second on screen version of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” following a 1985 feature from director Héctor Babenco. John Kander and Fred Ebb’s stage version opened on Broadway in 1993 and won seven Tony Awards.

The musical and both films adapted Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel of the same name.


Review: ‘Darlena’ – a Saudi brand traditional attire

Women cherish wearing these garments as a way to honor their heritage. (Supplied)
Updated 23 March 2025
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Review: ‘Darlena’ – a Saudi brand traditional attire

  • Darlena offers everything from basic designs to embroidered cloche abayas and options for the winter, all of which are regularly updated to keep pace with current fashion trends

If you’re in search of high-quality traditional attire with stunning designs, look no further than Darlena, a Saudi brand.

Darlena specializes in crafting pieces using premium fabrics, making them stand out in the realm of abayas and colorful jalabiyas.

Arabian culture places significant value on modest yet vibrant clothing, especially during special occasions like Ramadan and Eid. Women cherish wearing these garments as a way to honor their heritage.

Women cherish wearing these garments as a way to honor their heritage. (Supplied)

Darlena captures this cultural essence beautifully with its diverse range of designs that cater to all tastes. Their collection ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of individual style.

They offer dresses tailored specifically for both warm and cool skin tones, allowing every woman to feel elegant and feminine.

The intricate embroidery and vibrant sequins added to the dresses accentuate various body shapes, enhancing the overall beauty of the wearer.

Darlena offers everything from basic designs to embroidered cloche abayas and options for the winter, all of which are regularly updated to keep pace with current fashion trends.

While the prices may not fit every budget, the exceptional quality of the garments may justify the investment. Darlena also boasts a loyalty program, rewarding returning customers with exclusive benefits.

Additionally, their website includes a dedicated forum discussing the latest trends in abayas, fostering a community for fashion enthusiasts.

Recently, I purchased a jalabiya for my Eid breakfast, and I was thoroughly impressed. The fabric is cool, refreshing, and incredibly comfortable against the skin.

Best of all, I paid approximately SR 522 ($139) for it, a reasonable price for such quality. The dress arrived within three days, and I absolutely adored the vibrant colors and exquisite design.

Darlena truly encapsulates the spirit of traditional Arabian wear with a modern twist, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in modest fashion.