1. Cup of tea and an English breakfast

2. Getting hair and makeup ready for Evening Standard magazine!

3. Lovely Liberty prints in London

Bon weekend!

So thrilled to be a part of the Marie Claire Inspire & Mentor program, it’s a real honour! The mentorship scheme brings together six women (myself included!) to help put dreams into practice. We’ll be providing business, career and general advice to six Marie Claire readers (we’ll each be mentoring one person) over the course of this year. If you’re interested in having me as your mentor, (or one of the other lovely ladies participating in scheme), you can apply online here (Deadline: 17th May at 6pm UK time – so be quick!)

Thanks again Marie Claire, great opportunity for all involved.

The more places I visit the more I realise that street harassment is a real issue. Brooklyn-based artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh has taken the bold and courageous step to tackle street harassment through her artwork. Sick and tired of being catcalled on the street, she decided to express her frustrations (and those of women all over the world) via her art. Check out her sketches and messages on her blog.

2. Rollware by Altered Appliances (via @Good)

Click here to view the embedded video.

I want! I want! I want! Such a neat idea. Although I would need a bigger kitchen to store all the rolling pins. I’m always on the lookout for new kitchen ideas (storage, utensils, pots and pans…you name it). So it’s great to see such a cool and functional idea pop up online, like these rolling pins designed for rolling cool edible bread plates. I love that the Altered Appliances project celebrates the kitchen as an integral part of the home. Basically, the design project acknowledges that the kitchen is a place where creativity meets practicality. You can read up on the project here.

3. Kindness is contagious (via Creating Clever)

Click here to view the embedded video.

A virus is not usually associated with positive events. However the Good Virus concept is a healthy reminder that many little acts of kindness are usually bound to make more of a difference than a handle of infrequent big ones. Spread the word!

4. Herb drying rack (via @Frankie magazine)

This is a cool kitchen invention. Whether you use it as a herb drying rack, or a handy storage solution for tea towels and the like, you’re bound to put it to good use. The best bit? You don’t have to drill or nail the rack in place – it’s designed with magnetic cubes that can be attached to any steel or iron kitchen wall. Handy if you tend to move around a bit.

5. Everything is a Remix (via Aesop)

Click here to view the embedded video.

A four-part video series, the Everything is a Remix project covers everything from heavy metal and big blockbusters, to the toys that inspired Transformers and graphic novels. The video series looks at the process of creativity, and dissects when, where and how we become inspired. It doesn’t necessarily gloss over the creative process, but rather, presents it in a raw and honest way – and acknowledges that we draw inspiration from everywhere – and that no single idea is ever totally unique.

6. Summer tunes

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’m always on the look out for new tunes, remixes, and playlists to check out. Would love to hear your recommendations! I’m a fan of SoundCloud (love this one). What are you streaming/listening to at the moment?

7. Diptyque scents of spring

Can’t get enough of beautiful scented candles. There’s a whole bunch of lovely spring scents (delightfully fresh fragrances like mimosa, jonquil and Lily of the Valley) in the Diptyque spring range. They have a pretty Instagram feed too

8. Portes Ouvertes – Belleville (via Paris on Collected)

Check out creative folk in my hood in Paris this month, when a host of ateliers, studios and creative hubs open their doors in Belleville. The ‘open door’ event provides the chance to check out artists at work in their studios. I love these regular events in Paris – it really is a cool opportunity to see how art is created (and a good reminder that it is a real day job too).

9. Nice Things

Finally, time to start taking the winters layers off and wearing more summery clothes. This camping-inspired collection from Nice Things caught my eye recently in a shop-front window in Paris. This dress is called ‘Pitch a Proposal’, so cute. The lookbook and images from the collection are super bright and have a really positive vibe. The brand also has a cool May playlist too.

10. Letterpress Art Print cards

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Well I do have to agree with Cicero. Although my window boxes might not qualify as a garden in some people’s eyes, they certainly do the trick – and every spare inch of my apartment is practically covered in books – so I think I can confidently say I have some form of library! I love browsing the unique bits and bobs on Etsy, especially the handmade pieces. This set of letterpress cards makes me want to learn to how to use a letterpress…just need to find the time…and space for a letterpress!!

Next up on my eat/share/listen Q&A is leatherworker and bag designer Charlotte Brooks. (You might spy me wearing Charlotte’s handiwork here on Pharrell William’s YouTube channel i.am.other!). Charlotte makes her handstitched bags in the UK, and they are gorgeous! Thanks for your time, Charlotte.

Charlotte’s artisanal bags are handstitched

(eat) my fail-safe dish…? Sausage braise with cider. It’s very easy – brown the sausages, fry off some lardons and shallots, then add cider, thyme, a bay leaf and garlic and put it in the oven for an hour. It’s delicious every time I’ve cooked it.

(eat) favourite restaurant/cafe/bar and why…? Juliet’s Cafe in Tunbridge Wells – they have an amazing range of cakes and an extra big ‘cake of the day’ displayed in the window. Their lunches are great too, simple ingredients but unusual combinations of flavours. Also you can mix and match, so you can get a taste of everything if you want.

(share) can’t get through the day without… A cup of tea and chatting to my Mum.

(share) recent inspiring find I’ve discovered online… Spoonflower – it’s a company that allows people to create, print, buy and sell their own design of wallpaper and fabric. I think it’s brilliant that there is a growing number of companies that are creating opportunities for people to be creative, whilst giving customers the opportunity to buy something individual.

(listen) a tune I turn up on the radio… Janelle Monáe – “Tightrope”

Click here to view the embedded video.

(listen) a quote that resonates with me… I’m can be quite a worrier sometimes which can be a little stifling, so Dan Zadra’s quote “worry is a misuse of imagination” definitely resonates with me!

* Carpe diem, in cartoon form.

* Love these paintings of Paris (via Oh Happy Day).

* Clever typographic posters.

* I’m a fan of this book, so it’s cool to see it in tea towel form!

* Always on the look out for vintage kitchen bits and bobs.

Salmon, you’re my ingredient of the month this May! I have to say that right now is a great time of year to get your hands on the freshest salmon around. Whether you plan on grilling it on the barbecue, tossing it through a salad, or adding it to a baked dish topped with cheese – you can be quite confident that you’ll be able to whip up any number of delicious dishes when you’re cooking with good-quality salmon. My tip? Keep it simple and let the flavour do the talking.

I’m always been a big fan of salmon. In my travels to Sweden, Norway and Denmark, I’ve been lucky enough to try some out-of-this-world smoked salmon. I really think you can’t go past Scandinavian smoked salmon. But you can also look closer to home too. I’ve recently sampled some delicious organic salmon from Scotland.

Scottish salmon from Autour du Saumon in Paris

Different smoked salmon varieties at Autour du Saumon

When serving smoked salmon, don’t go overboard with the lemon juice. You don’t want to overpower the salmon flavour, you just want to complement it. Last minute aperitif? A wedge of lemon, slices of smoked salmon and some knäckebrod or rye bread. I also make a quick pickle with thinly sliced mild onion that have been soaked in white wine vinegar for 10 minutes.

There is a bit of controversy about choosing the right kind of salmon. Now, I can’t pretend to be an expert on sustainable fisheries, but one thing I know for sure is that there are knowledgeable experts out there who are willing to help. So ask your local fish monger, chat to your local sustainability group, and ask questions about the salmon sold in your area – before you buy. It’s important to determine:

• How the salmon is fished (i.e. is it farmed or caught in the wild)?

• Are big numbers of fish being taken at a time (i.e. over-fishing)?

• Is there a big ‘by-catch’? (i.e. are there other types of fish and sea creatures being caught alongside the salmon?).

Here’s a helpful guide to sustainable seafood. And you also might want to check out this fish2fork guide that looks at sustainable seafood served in restaurants in the UK. Not as close to home – but still relevant to sustainable seafood practices anywhere in the world – the Australian Marine Conservation Society has some great tips and advice on what questions to ask when aiming to buy sustainable salmon. See the list here.

When you’ve found salmon that you’re happy and confident with, it’s time for the fun part – deciding how to cook it.

For a simple salad, break up pan-fried salmon fillets into small flakes, and toss through your favourite salad. Top with fresh lime juice, et voilà! I’m also a big fan of cooking fish in parcels. Remember to seal your baking paper parcels nice and tightly – to make sure all the tasty juices don’t escape.

I like to keep condiments nice and simple when I’m cooking salmon. A good dollop of crème fraîche, or a squeeze of citrus and some sea salt is usually all that’s needed.

Not sure where to start? Here are some mouthwatering salmon recipes for you to try!

Salmon and Samphire Open Lasagne

Salmon and Ginger Fish Cakes

Verrine fraîcheur: cucumber, yoghurt and smoked salmon

Try out my latest salmon recipe in my Evening Standard column (Miso salmon and sesame soba noodles)

And here’s a “world tour” of salmon recipes from Saveur. Enjoy!

My latest recipe in my Evening Standard column combines my favourite Japanese condiments with a French touch — Dijon mustard. Try out my Miso salmon and sesame soba noodles here. Bon appétit!

1. In kitchen heaven at Maison Empereur in Marseille.

2. My local bakery for the week. Pretty cute right?

3. Fish doesn’t get much fresher than this. Straight from the port in Marseille.

Bon weekend all, have a good one!

Will you be cooking this Food Revolution Day? Now, normally I don’t ever need an excuse to cook for friends (or with friends – or to eat food made by my friends!), but Food Revolution Day is the perfect opportunity to organise a get-together and celebrate all things food.

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day encourages people to share their own personal knowledge of cooking with others. Basically, the aim of the day is to foster a culture of sharing good-quality food, passing on tips,  and sharing recipes and simple – yet easily overlooked –  ‘how to’s’.

There would be no way that I would have succeeded in the food world if I hadn’t had the support of my family encouraging me to learn to cook when I was growing up, so I’m all for motivating people to learn as much as they can about healthy eating and simple cooking.

Food Revolution Day 2013 is May 17, and the overall aim is to cook it, share it, live it!

Also, if you’re on twitter, you can join the FRD Thunderclap (where we can all send out an automatic message at the same time on May 17 to support the day).

Look out for some familiar faces in the video below!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’m visiting Leiths School of Food and Wine in London for a special workshop on Saturday October 26 2013. We’ll be cooking recipes from my new book (coming out this autumn). The half day hands on workshop will focus on some of my favourite regional French dishes, inspired by my recent travels in France. I’ll be sharing plenty of tips along the way too

Whether you’re an experienced cook or new to cooking, we’ll be cooking French food with a twist – so I’m sure there’ll be something new for everyone to learn.

Click here for more information and pricing details. Hope to see some of you there!