Happy 2021!
And hope your first month has been, if not awfully exciting, lovely and relaxing! Q+A HQ is looking pretty empty with another U.K national lockdown in full swing, but we're still keeping in contact to make sure everything runs smoothly from the comfort of our home offices! We've enjoyed brief bouts of snow, frosty mornings, and many the steaming tea and hot water bottles to survive the cold. But what else have we been up to?
What have we been watching?
Binge-watching under three blankets has never been this tempting...
Bridgerton
Chloe, who joined us full time this month as our Graphic Designer, loved this Netflix series this month, and Rose and Eliza can only agree!
The Great
Rich spent his January watching this comdey-drama show loosely based on Catherine the Great's rise to power, created by the same writer who co-wrote 'The Favourite'
Downton Abbey
Revisiting a recent favourite, Michelle and Alex, two of our lovely production assistants, and our Finance Director, Julia, have been re-watching this period drama
It's a Sin
Kieran and I binge watched this incredible drama by Russel T. Davies following a group of young adults living through the AIDS crisis in the UK. I cannot recommend it enough!
Other notables:
Trinkets - Lucy, Brand Marketing Coordinator
OJ: Made in America - Richard, Production Assistant
Last Chance U - Tim, Warehouse and Production Manager
The Serpent - Andrew, QA Manager
The Foreigner - Alexander, Director
Brooklyn 99 - Pati, Production Assistant
What are we reading?
A mix of classics, and some titles you may not have heard of...
Awakenings - Lucy Watson
Eliza has been upping her vegan game this Veganuary with Watson's practical guide to a vegan lifestyle, from food, to clothing, and skincare. Designed for beginners and long-time vegans alike, it has something for everyone
Simple Matters - Jenny Mustard
Chloe is focusing on simplifying her life this month, with this collection of essays outlining the importance of prioritising physical and emotional health, following one's goals, and finding their unique style
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly - Anthony Bourdain
Both Tim and Albie followed this culinary memoir filled with a look behind closed doors in the professional industry and his own personal advice for restaurant goers
Natives - Akala
Following a year of political turmoil and rising tensions, Andrew's pick is a look into the heart of British denial and avoidance of it's own legacy as an empire, which includes a focus on police, education, identity, politics, sexual objectification, and the far right
Other notables:
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - Julia, Finance Director
The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver - Isabella, Key Account Manager
Leonardo da Vinci by W. Isaacson - Pati, Production Assistant
The Course of Love by Alain Botton - Amy, eCommerce Coordinator
The End We Start From by Megan Hunter - Rich, Key Account Manager
What else have we been up to?
More lockdown, more time for hobbies!
Enjoying New Tech
Lucy picked up an Instax Mini Printer for her birthday this month, and is working on curating the perfect polaroid album, whereas Albie invested in a VR Headset for some immersive gaming experiences
Exercising New and Old Skills
Still inspired by 'The Queen's Gambit', Faye has been brushing up on her chess moves, Eliza decided to pick back up the piano, currently learning the works of Alexis Ffrench, and Pati decided to revisit his coding skills
Baking Brownies
Both Rose and Tim were baking these scrumptious treats in January. There's nothing quite like a brownie still warm from the oven on a chilly day, is there?
Arts and Crafts
Isabella has been putting her creative cap on and working on perfecting the art of calligraphy, and I have been busy crocheting a warm winter cardigan!
Playing in the Snow
Rich, and his family, took good use of our one snowy day to build snowmen!
Which Q+A products have we been reaching for?
It was a mixed bag of entries from Team Q+A this month, but some very good explanations... not to ignore that they're all vegan!
Eliza was happy that her new clear-skin hero, Zinc PCA Facial Serum, fit nicely into her vegan skincare routine, and Rose is loving it for a spotless and hydrated complexion, pairing it with our Chamomile Night Cream to tackle any angry spots as they arise. Al and Rich have been stocking with their Ginger Root Daily Moisturisers, loving their versatility as hand creams to fight against dry and sore hands this winter. And to put it in Al's words, "it works". You heard it here first!
Kieran and Lucy, on the other hand, are getting their essential moisture boost of moisture from the Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser. Sometimes it's all about the basics! But piping the others to the post is our recently released Grapefruit Cleansing Balm, which Andrew and Tim both agree has an amazing texture, and leaves the softest skin behind. And in case you didn't hear, this lovely product is also 100% natural!
And that's a wrap on January! Thank you for joining me again in the new year to see what Team Q+A is up to, and I hope we've provided some inspiration, whatever you're envisioning your February to entail...
A farewell to Jan, and a happy hello to Feb!
Amy Robson
Aspiring author, craft addict, and Q+A's eCommerce Coordinator
