Entries by alaradesigns@gmail.com

The Revenger’s Tragedy

      This week’s motif seems to be all about revenge. Christians are of course famously forbidden to seek revenge, a fact that I’ve always found quite distressing as I believe I’d be spectacularly good at it. So before we go on, remember- ‘Vengeance is mine’ saith the Lord, ‘I will repay’. If you […]

Meltdown

Do you ever have days when the Universe does not feel impersonal? When it actually feels like it’s a sentient being who’s having a laugh at your expense? Oh, you have entire weeks which feel like that? I totally sympathise. I have to admit that there is no shortage of friends and family who would […]

Fine and Dandy

London Fashion Week and its intoxicating  mix of inspiration, craziness and verve is upon us. The manner in which the London branches of the design shows have accrued respect and influence over the last two decades is truly amazing. This has given a real fillip to the quality of work being produced by artisans and […]

The Traveller’s Tale

Conde Nast has recently published a list of the most over-rated hotel perks on offer to the discerning traveller who already has everything and then some. Personal favourites include provision of your own butler, a 6-person dining room, 2 head- shoulder massages and 2 Dolphin encounters etc etc (Thank you, Atlantis Palm, Dubai), a Fashion […]

Classical gems

Latest gem from Rick Stein while he was filming in Laconia, Greece. The word laconic comes from the taciturnity attributed to the people from that region. He retells the story of Philip II of Macedon threatening to invade and destroy Sparta after invading Greece. He sends a message to the leaders in Laconia saying,’If I […]