Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi
If your kids are fans of playareas in restaurants, we need to talk a restaurants with kids play area. If you have young kids, taking them out in public can be a real hassle. “Put that down!” “Sit down!” “Don’t break it!” are phrases parents are more than familiar with. What if you just want […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Public health student Anoud Mutlaq was stalling the inevitable – studying during finals – when she decided to start hiking. Ultimately a group activity, she didn’t let her solo status get in the way of her procrastination. Her first trek was with a group […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
When two crises arise at the same time, why tackle one when you can tackle both? As time goes by, we as a society begin to chip away at pieces of our culture. This is not to say that it’s always necessarily bad, it’s needed sometimes. However, it does not mean that we should abandon […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
If you are guilty of any of these, you need to reevaluate what you stand for. Leather Shoes Leather shoes on a treadmill are like flip-flops on an ice rink. You may think it’s fine, but I’m sure your feet will hate you for what you’ve put them through. Sneakers are the only appropriate gym […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
As the drinks prepare to take center stage, we take a look at how these stars made it. Banana Nut Smoothie (Freshi) This smoothie is the Sean Penn of drinks. It’s dramatic and gets you. Inconspicuous in appearance, mostly just bland white with freckles, but has the ability to fill you up completely. Location: Hittin […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
When two crises arise at the same time, why tackle one when you can tackle both? As time goes by, we as a society begin to chip away at pieces of our culture. This is not to say that it’s always necessarily bad, it’s needed sometimes. However, it does not mean that we should abandon […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Dear men. This is a gentle reminder from your loving sister to clean yourselves up. The best part of men’s clothing is that you don’t need that much to make it work. You literally have everything you need to look good in your closet as we speak! There’s just one problem with it. The key […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Movies with positive role models for your children. “Up” The heartwarming tale of an old man, a little boy, a dog and balloons is all you need for a good family movie night. This classic odd couple story has the ability to teach your kid lessons that they’ll appreciate later on. “E.T.” This timeless Steven […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Meet Almuhanad Alhassoun, chemical engineer, dedicated son and nephew, and one of Saudi’s goodwill ambassadors. It seems like social media influencers carry a lot of weight these days. Dictionary.com defines an influencer a “a person who has the power to influence many people, through social media or traditional media.” So what is that power really being used for? Some influencers use their power to line their proverbial pockets […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Whatever tired clichés that exist about university life out in the world, Riyadh is different. The Riyadh college experience is uniquely, well, Riyadh. So where is a high school senior supposed to turn to for advice about the world they’re about to step into? Here of course. The DR team is about to debunk some […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Aunting/uncling is basically parenting but for lazy people. It’s true if you think about it. If done right, you get all the joy of watching a person develop and the love that comes with that, but none of the icky poo and saving for college stuff. A lazy shortcut. I’ve been aunting on and off […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Get the best bang for your buck! KFC We asked Colonel Sanders for his go to kids’ meal and he delivered. Though, we’re not sure what exactly makes it a kid’s meal per say. Portion: One piece of chicken and fries was quite fulfilling 4/4 Toy: None, which defies the purpose. Bonus: This is not […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
This isn’t so much a recap as a commentary, but you’ll get the jist. The battle over the seven kingdoms began a couple of weeks ago, and we’ve been holding off on writing a recap until there was some more meat on the bones. GoT managed to double its premiere viewership since last year, making […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Gather around citizens of Westoros, for winter is here. July 17 marks the day that one of the greatest shows, arguably, will return to our screens. The newest season of “Game of Thrones” promises to be one of the most intense ones yet. With only two more seasons to go, fans of the books and […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
A Toyota pickup and a boofiya, what more can we ask for? This scene is so Riyadhi, and we love it. Here are seven other things that are also inherently Riyadhi. Strap in Riyadhis, Auntie Areeb is about to take you on a trip. You, however, don’t get to just sit in the backseat. This […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
There is no simple remedy for the suffering that accompanies long hair during the summer. There are few things quite like the disgusting feeling of having your hair stuck to the back of your neck in soaking clots. Sweat is a natural phenomenon in the heat, but sweat on hair is just wrong. Plain ol’ […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Come on Riyadhis! We can do better than an azeema with a bouncy castle, right? Picture 30-something kids gathered on the largest carpet any of them has ever seen. All silent despite the pent up excitement that’s threatening to spill over as their eyes scan the mountain of presents. As my cousin finishes reciting the […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Our guide to classic food combinations. Twix + Arabic Coffee Yaas! If there was perfect harmonious combination of the West and the Middle East, it’s this one right here. Politics aside, this staple is the closest second to the all time champion combination: dates and Arabic coffee. The genius idea of using a Twix bar […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Here are some ways to spruce up a family futoor. Saudis know about family time, and there is no period of time where that is most pronounced than in Ramadan. Since the entire family is present during futoor, because it’s a time-honored tradition only broken in extraneous circumstances, why not take advantage of it. Add […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
With the always-present problem of food waste, Ramadan this year will hopefully shape up to be different. Food waste is arguably the single most pressing issue in Ramadan, and frankly all-year-round. Arab culture, and Saudi more specifically, places a high value on honoring your guests. Most of us assume that a large spread is the […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Traditional beauty hacks vs. Facts Twas the night before my graduation, and a pimple right between my eyebrows, which doubled as a practice target, haunted me. I began to panic when my mother, always the resourceful person, decided that myrrh was the only solution. She stood hunched over the sink like a mad scientist in […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Disclaimer: This article is a result of illness and an unwavering addiction to Netflix. This mystery show centers a suicide victim, Hannah Baker, and the lives of the people around her. Told through flashbacks and Hannah’s own narration, this show is incredibly thrilling and important at the same time (which ain’t easy). In case you […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Be Indispensable! Meet the first Saudi woman leader at Microsoft Arabia. In honor of Women’s Day, Alwaleed Philanthropies held its first The Evolving Role of Women in Saudi Arabia conference on March 11. With a campaign theme of Saudi Women Can, the conference shed some light on the growing role of women in the workforce […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
With the maker of Saudi Food with Eman comes a conversation with Eman. Ever since Eman Gazzaz was young, as a diplomat’s child, she was always reminded that she is an ambassador to her country. A reminder that still sticks with her even when she’s in her cozy kitchen with her three kids attempting to […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
A designer and an engineer by day, sound shapers and music lovers by night. Meet Sand Geist, Riyadh’s own sound engineers and producers. Riyadhis at birth, they met at a young age when playing music was all that they wanted to do, only to be reunited around a decade later to create music together. Both […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Hear ye hear ye citizens of the desert! This dry sunny weather can do more damage to the way you look than just the sweat stains on your shirt. With temperatures in the (insert unbelievable number here), our friendly sun will do more than just kiss the ends of your hair for that signature beach […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Alwaleed Philanthropies held a conference on Saturday March 12 under the title “Saudi Women Can”. The event, which featured leading female figures locally and internationally, discussed the changing role of women in the work force, and the media’s representation of women, both locally and internationally. Its aim was to empower Saudi women and push them […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
I am woman, hear me make reasonable and rational arguments. It’s International Women’s Day, so we decided to spare everyone the “you can do anything” speech that’s typical in occasions like this. This, my friends, is a direct call to action. The world is no one’s oyster. It will not wait for anyone to seize […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Two words that shaped artist Hiba Sultan. Hiba Sultan is an artist, though she is more than reluctant to call herself that. “I don’t feel I’m there yet,” she explains while somewhere thousands of miles away her work is being exhibited by prestigious galleries. Sultan was always surrounded by art. Her mother was an avid […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
The thrifty DIY DR staff is about to help you deck out your own theater room. Whether you’re decorating your Man Cave or your She Shack, there is no need to spend a lump sum in the process. THE BASICS A good projector and a sound system are not that hard to find for a […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
For those who didn’t catch part one of this series, I won’t reintroduce myself because… Well I’m lazy. Being lazy, or a part-time Narcoleptic for the politically correct police, we react to effort like a cat recoils from a cucumber- check out the videos, they’re hilarious! But human contact and socialization is an essential part […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Stop drifting through residential areas! At an almost clockwork like precision every weekend at around 1 a.m. I hear the sound of screeching tires from my bedroom window. I want to believe it’s just video games, but unfortunately it isn’t so. Now before you flip the page, bear with us. We promise we’ll deliver our […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
A commitment to entertainment in the Kingdom. We sat down with Al Hokair Group’s Vice Chairman, Majed Al Hokair, to discuss his family’s commitment to entertainment in Saudi Arabia. When I was growing up, the name Al Hokair was synonyms with fun. Driving past the colorful façade of Al Hokair Land on Riyadh’s Eastern Ring […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
From the team behind 10KSA, Alf Darb and Create comes a hewar (dialogue) on 20 Feb. between two change makers: one local, and the other international. Dr. Sebastian Stricker of ShareTheMeal and Nadeem Bakhsh of UXBERT Usability Lab shared their journeys with the audience. The two experts of Application Design, one the developer of Sawwagy, […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
For those of you who don’t know, Broad City is a show about two girls living in New York. No, it’s not remotely like 2 Broke Girls, and we love it for that. Aside from being an incredibly entertaining show, Broad City is also…. Um… Educational? Yeah, let’s go with that word. Anywho, here are […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
The jump from being an engineer to a completely different career. Abdulkareem Alalami, or Kareem to family and friends, was an aerospace engineer. After graduating with a BS in Aerospace engineering from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals and a masters in Aerospace Designing from the University of Liverpool, Alalami worked for the military […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Seven foods that may help boost your creativity. Fruits Fruits aren’t just nature’s candy, they’re also apparently nature’s literal creative juice! Studies suggest according to the researchers of a recent study from Leiden University, tyrosine goes further than keeping our body in top shape; it can also affect our mind. It essentially allows us to […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Our tips on how to add a bit of culture to your closet. The Bedouin Win Top off your look with a denim jacket to urbanize your favorite jalabiya. Jalabiya: Sraay Instagram: sraay-kwt Hoodie & Denim Jacket: Izy Design Instagram: designIzy Abbey Road vs Abaya Road Add some Saudi flare to the London look. T-shirts: […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Delivery has always been the bane of every Riyadhi’s existence, so we’re taking out the pain and delivering the gain. We all love a good take out restaurant, but sometimes you just want to eat something right now. A reliable delivery time is almost non-existent around here, something we all know to be inherently true. […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Hear ye hear ye citizens of the desert! This dry sunny weather can do more damage to the way you look than just the sweat stains on your shirt. With this local heat, our friendly sun will do more than just kiss the ends of your hair for that signature beach dweller look. It will launch […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
It’s that time of week again. Let’s Netflix and Laugh with the best comedic documentaries. An Idiot Abroad A travel documentary unlike any you’ve ever seen. From executive producers Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais (of The Office fame) come the adventures of a middle-aged British “idiot” as he’s thrust into situations far outside his comfort […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Let’s Netflix and Learn with our favorite documentary picks. Stream these shocking but fascinating crime documentaries. Making a Murder A rollercoaster of emotions ensues as you watch this ten-years-in-the-making documentary unfold. It follows the case of Steven Avery, a small-town salvage yard owner who has been in jail for 18 years on a sexual assault […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Move aside gentlemen, the ladies are here to represent and on time for the Olympics… Four years after the first two Saudi female athletes paved the way to the Olympics, Saudi Arabia has established the Women’s Division in the General Sports Authority. Spear heading this division as its vice president, is Princess Reema bint Bandar. […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Let’s Netflix and Learn with our favorite documentary picks. It’s the battle of the sexes’ documentaries. Miss Representation Which comes first, public opinion or media representation? Which informs the other? These are some of the questions this documentary explores. It criticizes the way mainstream media repeatedly underrepresents and misrepresent women which leads to them being under represented in […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Three restaurants and cafes that have gone a little further to distinguish themselves. With so many restaurants competing for our attention, we decided to single out ones that have a little somethin’ extra. Acoustic The all-women café aims to give its costumer a comfort she can’t find anywhere else. The café was founded as the […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Food trucks and carts have risen in popularity, so we’ve decided to give you a little insight on this popular trend. NEWPORT BURGERS Founder: Yosef Alodan Origin: I studied in California where there were food trucks everywhere. I noticed that Saudis were big fans of them and wondered why we didn’t have any back home. […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Let’s Netflix and Learn with our favorite documentary picks. First up is technology. We Are Legion The documentary follows a hacktivist group called Anonymous, who have been called pranksters, geeks, heroes, vigilantes, criminals and even terrorists. They are responsible for some of the last few years’ biggest security breaches around the world as well as […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
You may claim our Wall of Thrones is an obsession, but we prefer to think of it as a way of life. In case you don’t know, Game of Thrones is an obsession around here. Many Tuesdays have been spent in deep and insightful conversations about which characters have gotten more attractive and which haven’t. […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
There are certain social media archetypes that everyone has. Whether you hate them or love them, they collectively make up our social media ecosystem. The Fashionista One of the most common creatures in the social media sphere. They can usually be found plugging/promoting something, and are characterized by their overuse of hashtags. E.g. You can […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
Strapped for things to do in the summer? Throw your own event to cool everyone down. Now that the heat’s turned up, we all have to resist the urge to crawl into our air conditioned shells. For the ones who can afford heading to a beachside resort this summer, we salute you. And for those […]
By Areeb Al Shathri
