It’s that time of year again where I will praise the genius and loveliness that is the Hobonichi Techo. Created by Shigesato Itoi, he is a well-known figure in Japan for being an advertising copywriter, creator of Mother 2/Earthbound, voice actor in My Neighbour Totoro and the founder of the online publication Hobo Nikkan Itoi …

Growing up I used to go to China Town with my parents either in Amsterdam, Birmingham, Manchester or London. I always opted for the bright red roast pork you’d see in the windows of the Chinese Cafés with boiled rice, bok choy and lots of soy sauce. Yum! After many years of researching recipes I decided …

I decided I really wanted to recreate a Chinese Take Away favourite of mine: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings. The crispy batter that’s been seasoned with salt, pepper and Chinese five spice, it’s just so fragrant and tasty! I must say I’m not the best at exact measurements but cooking is about the experimentation, right? …

So my partner took me out for a not-Valentines-Day-but-it’s-nice-to-go-out-for-a-meal, meal and we decided to head to Bistro Jacques in Shrewsbury which is classed as a rustic French restaurant. We both decided to go for a duck option on the menu. My main was a Gessingham Duck Breast, pan fried, with mash, vegetables in a Blackberry …

I was glancing through Pinterest and had a sudden urge to cook up some loaded potato skins. I had a bag of potatoes which were going to go off if I didn’t do something with them, cheese, bacon and sausages in the fridge. First I scrubbed the Maria Piper potatoes clean and dried them on …

www.1101.com/store/techo/2015/planner/ So early this year I discovered this amazing little journal/diary/sketchbook/scrapbook. It’s called the Hobonichi Techo and I import it from Japan. Customs charges get you, £25 extra is how much they get you. Initially it irritated me but then I got over it; I use this journal every day so I’m getting my monies …

“My definition of a great manager is someone with whom you can make a connection no matter where you sit in the organisation chart.” — Michael Loop I pay tribute to all the managers I’ve worked for who have respected me. To the ones that I respect and look up to. I thank them for all …

I decided to buy a mortar and pestle. I bought a granite one from Dunelm during my lunch at work and it cost £6 and 45 minutes of my flexi and 30 minute lunch break. Worth it. I got home and quickly set about to condition it by grinding some rice and rock salt to …

So I went on a mini road trip with Jonny. He prepped his van so it became a really comfortable camper van!  We first headed up to Betws-Y-Coed, North Wales. It was such a pretty little town and the amount of camping/outdoor shops was amazing. If only I was flush with money at the minute, …

So, been a while since I’ve updated. It’s been fairly busy at work and I’ve been also trying to have a life as well outside of computers and paperwork. I’ve also realised I can happily drink red wine on a Saturday morning (I’d like to add that it was late morning…basically lunchtime…ish). There was an …