#Relationships
Building genuine professional and personal connections, from a library fine that became a real lesson for my own daughter through to what I actually ask when interviewing someone new, and why those connections matter most.
From instant coffee to a precision Italian espresso machine
A smart plug wakes my espresso machine at 4am, hours before I do. This is the story of how a jar of instant coffee, a mate in Perth, and one life-changing French press turned into a four-shots-a-day habit I still can't shake.
Molly’s love of books & her fall from grace
When a library fine landed with my name on it instead of hers, my 15 year old had to find her own way out of an $80 mess, and back into everyone's good books, including her own, without help. No lecture, just what actually happened next.
One wrong booking ended up with five cards on the table
Everyone has values. Few people can actually name their own core values without stopping to think hard about it. Here's how one wrong online booking led me to finally find mine, and why I wish I'd done it sooner. A five minute exercise that.
How I’m wired: ENFJ, CliftonStrengths & pattern recognition
Personality tests are one of those things hiring managers love to ask about. Rather than hunting through old emails every time, here's how my ENFJ result, CliftonStrengths top 10, and neurodivergent thinking all point the same way.
Best things to see & do in Wellington, New Zealand
When friends and family fly in from overseas, this is the list I actually send them, the best places to eat, where to find good craft beer and a decent coffee, and what genuinely fills a few days in Wellington, New Zealand.
How to brew the perfect cup of tea
Boil water, add tea, wait, done. It should be simple, but watch how differently people actually make a pot of tea and you'll quickly see it isn't. Here's the step-by-step French press method a good friend taught me years ago.
Where to buy vinyl records online & in-store in New Zealand
Twelve places I actually buy from, big Auckland institutions, one-person operations run off a Facebook page, and a few worth knowing about for the rare stuff. What each is good for, and the shipping deals worth waiting for.
How to use Discogs to build your vinyl record collection
I just finished adding my entire record collection to Discogs, the largest online music database where collectors buy and sell with each other. A look at the collection itself, my home listening setup, and how it all came together.
How to make the perfect Espresso Martini
I met Angus while we were both working at HazardCo back in 2020. Little did I know he'd end up giving me his go-to Espresso Martini recipe, equal parts vodka, espresso and Kahlúa, shaken hard for the best result every time.
Questions I ask when interviewing & applying for UX roles
The questions I actually ask when interviewing for a UX/UI design role, plus the frameworks, from the three lenses of innovation through to the double diamond, that shape how I work once hired. Questions that reveal more than a resume ever.
Surfing, friends & travel: What I’m thankful for in 2019
It's only when you pause and properly look back that you realise how many memories got packed into a single year. Reflecting on the moments that made 2019 unforgettable, surfing in Wales, six countries, a new album, and turning 40.
Two months off work over the NZ summer school holidays
Every school holidays, I take at least a week off instead of putting the kids into holiday programs or after-school care. Here's how Molly, Charlie and I sit down together and plan what we get up to. No holiday programs, just time actually.
Looking for the ideal Wellington Product Design UX/UI role
"What's the problem you're trying to solve?" That's usually my first question when exploring a new opportunity, and honestly, the answer carries a lot of weight. Here's what my ideal Product Design UX/UI role would actually look like.