Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar's Blog, page 10

Fashion Friday: The Neon Pencil Skirt in the Office

Part of working in the Middle East means hem length is very important. Knee length (or even longer is preferred). Which leads me to a burgeoning respect for the pencil skirt. Neon shades of the rainbow are coming back in so whatever your favorite, a pop of color can enliven an otherwise staid office staple.

Wordless Wednesday: Shards of Glass

I was inspired and startled by “Drowning Sorrows,” an installation at the Mathaf Museum of Modern Arab Art. What has surprised you lately?

My Writing Process Blog Tour: The Mohadoha Stop

  Thanks to Kate Lord Browne for asking me to participate in this blog hop. KLB is the author of ‘The Beauty Chorus’ and ‘The Perfume Garden’, which was shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year. She also writes the Ahlan! magazine Book Club column, the first of its kind in the Middle East, and […]

Sunday Supper: Salmon Cakes with Avocado Cream

I love fish. Since I gave up meat as part of my 2014 New Year’s resolution, I love seafood even more. Here’s a hearty dinner that is easy on prep time (but messy in prep). Through in whatever veggies are in the fridge while baking the salmon cakes, and presto!

Friday Fashion: Linen in the Office

I love linen, even in the desert, because it is a breathable (if wrinkly) fabric. Here’s a dress that has stitched detail under the bust and lower torso that offers a sophisticated take on green, proving you can be feminine and professional. Another outfit courtesy of my favorite department store in Doha, Marks & Spencer’s. […]

You in the Web of Human Trafficking

A friend, who is also Kuwaiti, came into my office, eyes wide, full of regret. She had been employing an undocumented cleaner. Someone she describes as one of many who “fall through the cracks of the outdated, extortionate, unjust Kafala (or sponsorship,  work permit system used in this region including my Kuwait) ) system.” She […]

Sunday Supper: Homemade Shrimp Pad Thai

My husband’s family is from Laos, a country that shares borders with Thailand and Vietnam. We love Asian food and for me, noodles in particular. A casual night in with friends (and four toddlers) was the perfect excuse to try my hand at pad Thai. Not as hard as you’d think. I’m often intimidated from […]

Wordless Wednesday: Augmented Reality

Very exciting to exhibit in an art installation this week. Co-curated material with a colleague, Law Alsobrook, whose idea it as to use Layar, to add additional material to our posters. Layar allows you to scan a piece of work and access additional materials on a secondary site. See how it works here. (And we’ll […]

Monday Mindfulness: Pushing Past Revision Blues

You think the more you do something, the better you get at it. On average, my books have at least 13 revisions (many of them many more). Since I’ve written, edited, and revised so many in the last few years, you’d think revision came naturally to me. Sadly this is not the case. Yesterday afternoon […]

Sunday Supper: Zucchini Pasta with Tuna and Tomato

I adapted this recipe from Five and Spice for Zucchini Noodles with Tuna and Tomato. Using thin slices of zucchini instead of pasta is a great way to eat more veggies and half your carbs. Not to mention, absolutely delicious. Be careful to use only a few tablespoons of water when you blanch the zucchini. […]