We’re 15 years old today

We’re 15 years old today – where have the last 12 months gone‽ As usual, each year on our birthday, we give our shop customers a discount for a week.

Use the code 15thbirthday at checkout to get 15% off your order (excludes postage & packing costs).

It can be used, as many times as you like, up until 14^th March 2022.

And don’t forget, we’re also offering someone the chance to win a £15 One4all gift card too – a pound for every year we’ve been trading. The great thing about this voucher / gift card is that it can be spent in so many different online and bricks & mortar high street outlets.

USE DISCOUNT CODE HERE

Food and drink ideas for a mixture of guests

One of the hardest things about hosting a dinner for someone you don’t know well is deciding what to serve. It’s hard because different people might have a range of food allergies, dietary restrictions and taste preferences.

It’s time-consuming to do your research ahead of time when you’re trying to make last-minute dinner arrangements! Plus, it can be awkward if one loves vegetables and another hates them, or one prefers a Non-Alcoholic Rose for their drink and someone else insists on a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. That’s why we’ve put together this post with some food and drink ideas you could serve when you have mixed company over for dinner.

Some of these dishes we’ve listed can be cooked in advance, so if you’re not the best cook, then you can leave it in the hands of your other half to prepare some of the food. If you go down this route, it may pay to have a few things available for people to nibble on while they’re waiting for dinner – crostini with pesto or hummus is perfect for this.

Some of the recipes are for dishes that don’t need to be cooked; but also, feel free to prepare others ahead of time.

1. Roast chicken and vegetables

Roast chicken and vegetables can be made in advance. You can even make them throughout the day, reserving the leftover cooking liquid to use in a soup or stew the following evening. Remove any skin or bones and cut them into pieces before serving. This, paired with a good wine, makes a delicious meal to serve your guests.

2. Garlic bread

This is a simple, easy dish to make for any meal, but it also lends itself well to being prepared in advance. You can put your bread under the grill with some olive oil and garlic cloves, or if you’re feeling super fancy, you can use a special garlic bread recipe!

3. Roasted garlic and herb potatoes

These potatoes are great as a side dish, or you can keep them on hand to pop in the oven and make mashed potatoes. You can also use them as a base for a quick soup! If you don’t want to be bothered with cooking the potatoes, you can buy pre-cooked ‘ready roasted’ ones at most supermarkets.

4. Brown rice and mung bean curry

This dish can be cooked in advance, so if you’re trying to keep things simple and have limited cooking time, this is a good choice. It’s also hearty enough to be served as a main course without being too heavy. You can even prepare it in advance, meaning you don’t have to worry about it while your other half is cooking the main course!

5. Feta and spinach strudel

This is an enjoyable dish to make as you can use different types of pastry. I’ve also seen versions that use filo pastry or tortillas. Make sure you cover it with something to stop the pastry from becoming soggy. I recommend tin foil or parchment paper. You can make this ahead of time, but you may have to reheat it in the oven before serving.

Some of the drinks you can serve with these:

a. Lemonade

Lemonade is an easy drink to make ahead of time, and you can use any fruit you like in it. It’s also an excellent drink for kids to make because it’s easy to prepare and tastes delicious!

b. Minted water

This is a refreshing and healthy drink that’s a nice alternative to plain water! Plus, it’s an easy recipe to make ahead of time, so there’s no need to worry about cooking water or waiting for the kettle.

c. Chai-spiced iced coffee

If you’re a fan of chai tea, this is a simple recipe for making it at home. You just need to make up your chai tea in advance and when you’re ready to serve it, just add the ice cubes!

d. Apple cider

This is another drink that can be prepared in advance. You can buy cider (or apple juice) in bottles or cartons, and once you’ve opened it, you’re good to go. You can also add spices such as cinnamon or vanilla extract to flavour it.

e. Rosewater water

This is a wonderful drink for hot summer days! It’s also lovely served with a slice of pomegranate in the warmer months – the rosewater and fruit go well together.

There are lots of different things you can serve in different combinations for a mixed company dinner. And all you have to do is make sure that your food is sufficiently warmed if you’re serving it as finger food!

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5 different ways to update your kitchen

The kitchen is the centre and the heart of every home; this is the very reason kitchen improvements have such a massive impact on property value. But beyond that, because the kitchen is an area of your home where you’ll probably spend quite a lot of time, it’s worthwhile investing in improvements even if you aren’t planning on selling.

It’s no secret that a modern, functional kitchen can be life-enhancing. Below, we’ve listed five different ways to update your kitchen for appeal and functionality.

Invest in counter stools

If your kitchen has an island, it’s worth enhancing the function by adding some counter stools. These stools will turn your kitchen island into a practical breakfast bar. Woven counter stools also have a modern look, which will tie in perfectly with a contemporary interior.

Add a coffee bar

If you’re a self-confessed coffee lover, there’s no good reason why you shouldn’t add a coffee bar to your kitchen design. All you will need is a coffee maker of your choice, a selection of coffee beans and some mugs. There are tons of ways to design a compact coffee bar; however, for a modern interior, minimal is best. Opt for a coffee machine that can do it all, so you don’t have to clutter the space with an additional French press and other extras.

Invest in modern appliances

The appliances in your kitchen determine the overall functionality of the space. And a functional kitchen requires several different appliances. Saying that, modern appliances are energy efficient, and they have far more functions than older models by default. In addition, modern appliances can also have a sleek look. So, by updating the appliances in your kitchen, you’ll instantly elevate the look of the interior.

Replace the lighting

Lighting impacts a lot more than we realise. Insufficient lighting can make a small kitchen seem even smaller. Beyond that, poor lighting is also not good when working with knives and kitchen appliances.

Illuminating your kitchen with the right kind of lights will enhance the space. In addition, you can use lighting fixtures as a striking décor statement. For example, chrome pendant lighting can instantly add a modernist feel to the room.

Refresh the cabinets

While replacing the cabinets is enough to give your kitchen an instant makeover, if you don’t have the budget for this, you can refresh your cabinets. You could repaint them, replace the handles and knobs or varnish and stain them.

If you have funds left in your kitchen remodel budget, you could consider replacing the tiling and adding a modern splash-back. That said, it’s also essential to keep your kitchen organised.

Investing in kitchen remodel projects is an excellent way to dramatically boost property value. What’s more, if you’re giving your kitchen a makeover on a budget, it’s best to focus on one kitchen update project at a time and remodel your kitchen over a more extended period. This way, you could save for the next project and opt for the materials and finish that you really want, instead of having to settle for cheaper options to suit your spending limits.

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Designer Desire: Ed McLachlan

Ed McLachlan (b. 1940) was born in Humberstone, Leicestershire. He attended Wyggeston Grammar School, Leicester before winning a place to study at the Leicester College of Art (1956-59), where he became a lecturer in graphics between 1967 and 1970.

After sending Punch a portfolio of his cartoons, Ed McLachlan began his career as a cartoonist in 1961, contributing regularly to the magazine. He has since created cartoons for a host of other periodicals; amongst them Private Eye, Spectator, The Oldie, Saga Magazine and The Big Issue.

He has worked on advertising campaigns for many national and international organisations including the Post Office, the NHS, Renault, Volvo, the Open University and Friends of the Earth.

He has written & illustrated many children’s books such as The Dragon Who Could Only Breathe Smoke, Magnus & the Land of Lost Property and the Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings series.

As well as doing the artwork for his own books, he provided the illustrations for authors such as Roger Kilroy, Robert Kirkwood, John Rogerson, Paul Groves and even the actress Nanette Newman who wrote over 30 children’s books.

There are over 500 of his original works currently for sale on the Chris Beetles Gallery website. A book of his cartoons was published in 1976, entitled The Cartoons of Edward McLachlan.

Here’s Ed McLachlan in 2016 accepting his honorary degree from the University of Leicester. The introduction by the chancellor gives you far more information about the man and his work than I’ve included above.