Welcome!
We’re shaking things up this week with something a little different.. a new segment called Q+A Loves. Each month we’ll be giving you a roundup of team Q+A’s various favourite songs, books, buys, hobbies etc. to help you get to know us a little better, or provide a little inspiration for your own downtime! Which means if you have a question for us… ask away!
So today we mark June’s roundup, which may turn out to mark the last month for a while where we have to settle for a movie or book in leu of the pubs being open (it’s the UK, what else?), so I’m excited to share what we’ve been up to in lockdown!
What are we reading?
A mix of classics, and some titles you may not have heard of...
Friday's Child, Georgette Heyer
Janet, our Head of NPD & Purchasing, first read this novel at 11 and always comes back to it when she needs a laugh!
The Happy News Paper
Designed as a platform for celebrating the good in our world, Key Account Manager Isabella has been getting her quarterly dose of joy
Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Sales Manager Jose has been pleasantly surprised by his enjoyment of this book, and has found it quite the faunal learning experience
My Sister the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite
Winner of the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction, this satirical novel kept Lucy, our Marking Coordinator, morbidly amused
Other notables:
The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla - Julia, Finance Director
The Alchemist by Paulo Choelho - Freddy, Founder/Director
10 Minutes, 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak - Amy, Online Community Coordinator
Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs - Chris, Business Systems Analyst
What are we watching?
Whilst we're not hard at work, what have we been screening at home?
Kath and Kim
As it marked 9 months of living in the UK, this show has carried me through the homesickness with ease. For some quality Aussie TV, look no further!
Lord of the Rings
Both Jose and Freddy took advantage of endless indoor time by jumping into the LOTR trilogy - maybe we'll be seeing The Hobbit pop up next month?
Other notables:
The Last Dance - Albie
Money Heist - Chris
James Martin French Adventure - Julia
Somebody Feed Phil - Rich
What have we been learning?
Some things the team has been proud of learning or doing over June...
Gardening
Both Chris and Julia have been turning their attentions to their gardens! Chris has been planting new flowers, whilst Julia is trying her hand at planting trees instead
Cooking
Freddy is honing his culinary skills by practising School of Wok recipes on YouTube - I can't be the only one hoping for a post-lockdown team dinner...?
Honing Parenting Skills
Rich isn't just a Key Account Manager, he's also spent some of June off on paternity leave with the arrival of his second child, Rose. And he's proud to say his nappy changing skills have been honed down to under one minute!
Chairing Morning Meetings
Alexander has been our faultless host during morning online meetings, making sure we're always feeling positive for the day ahead and connected despite the circumstances - the continual sense of community is very much appreciated!
Other notables:
Perfecting puppy parenting - Isabella recently brought home Elvis, the gorgeous Viszla, and is making sure he gets all the walkies he needs!
Keeping the mind sharp - Albie has taken up doing the Guardian crosswords - let's hope his briefings don't get too cryptic... (sorry)
Crafting - I recently taught myself to hand-sew some non medical face masks for venturing into public
Keeping fit - Our Warehouse & Production Manager Tim has said going on runs, 16k one weekend, is a liberating hobby during lockdown
Which Insta feeds have we been scrolling?
Who doesn't love a little social media distraction?
Albie has been keeping himself entertained with Conan - https://www.instagram.com/teamcoco/?hl=en
Julia has been keeping fit at home - https://www.instagram.com/liam.cavanagh.fitness/
Isabella is following her joyous theme with the founder of Happy News Paper - https://www.instagram.com/emilycoxhead/?hl=en
As part of the movement to diversity your feed, Lucy has found a new favourite - https://www.instagram.com/charlottesevensix/
Which Q+A products have we been reaching for?
Besides Elvis, who is a clear Hyaluronic Acid Serum fan...
Jose is starting to take his under eye care seriously with our Caffeine Eye Serum, and Lucy is loving the Super Food Facial Oil!
I hope you've enjoyed getting to know us a little better! We'll be getting more involved across our various platforms in the coming months, so stay tuned and let us know if you have any burning questions for the team!
Happy end of June, and here's to a wonderful July!
Amy Robson
Aspiring author, craft addict, and Q+A's Online Community Coordinator
