‘I need to make more me-time’

Fashion designer and ambassador for City Walk’s most recent style event, ‘A Stylish Affair’, Buffi Jashanmal on remembering to breathe and not burn out!

What is the number one item on your wish list/to-do list?

My to-do list — well, there are many… I am a woman of many lists! My friends call an 
organised free spirit. I guess that’s because I appear to be a little left of centre, and 
therefore, carefree; however, I am pretty organised. As of now, at the top of my to-do list is: buy organic chicken carcass and make chicken broth (don’t ask, but it’s 
super healthy).

As for my wish list, I need to make more ‘me-time’. Chill a bit more, and avoid what we call at work ‘B.O.B’ — Burnt Out Buffi!

What good deed are you hoping to do today?

Be compassionate, even if I’m having a bad day. It’s important to remember that everyone else has things going on too. The world does not revolve around my 
issues, and my issues are no bigger than anyone else’s.

Also, smile! Even if you fake it, and you get a smile back, that returning smile will, for sure, put a genuine one on your face.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

To have an infinite amount of energy to do all the things I love! I don’t sleep much, but need it, so maybe if I didn’t need sleep, that would be a cool super power?!

Your fitness mantra?

Nike got it right — just do it! There is no secret to looking good, feeling good. If you just do it, you will improve, you will get stronger, fitter, leaner… The more you do, the more results you can see. Also, make it fun; make it social.

Or learn a new skill, if you don’t like the gym. I recently started pole dancing and I am hooked! I’ve also been trying my hand at aerial hoops, and it’s been a few months of acro-yoga now. Again, hooked! If you’ve ever taken one of my FlyBarre classes, you’ll know that I also point out that “shaking is good!” — in a go-for-the-burn kind of way.

The first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?

Breakfast!

The app on your Smartphone that you click on most often…

Facebook — I’m a slave to social media, argh!

Your favourite hangout in the UAE?

Right now, with the weather being awesome, I have to say I love the vibe down at City Walk. There is a lot going on — great shopping for clothes, gifts, and coffee shops. Who doesn’t want to be outside right now?

What is your greatest fear?

Being swallowed up by a sinkhole. I think living up on the 71st floor makes me feel a little bit safer.

Your favourite movie character of all time.

Right now, I am watching Mad Men (yes, I know — I’m six years behind; no matter, I don’t follow the crowds!). I love the redhead secretary; her style is awesome and her vibe is great. I wish I was that sexy, confident and cool.

What’s one thing you would like to change?

We’re all trying to figure that out, right? I need to slow down. That is my main issue. Focus, and be less crazy. Perhaps take a bit more time to breathe, which, sometimes, I think I forget all together.

As told to Rohit Nair