Hey there!
And a warm welcome to the end of May... hasn't it been lovely to have some good weather finally!
May brought some exciting changes to Q+A HQ (by which I mean a coffee and ice machine), a wonderful discovery (a local cafe with lovely staff), and technological expansion (with some fancy new manufacturing machines), alongside our usual fun. I said goodbye to the team this month, travelling back home to Australia, so this update is as much for you as it is for me! So let's get on with it!
What are we reading?
We still managed to get some reading done in between pub visits...
The Dice Man - Luke Rhinehart
Tim's choice this month follows a psychiatrist who, in boredom, decides to make his day to day decisions based on the throw of a die... and it starts to spiral (or perhaps roll) out of control.
Shuggie Bain - Douglas Stuart
Andrew read this award-winning, heat-breaking novel in May, following a working-class family in Glasgow, Scotland in the 80s and their struggles both economically and personally.
I Thought My Father Was God: And Other True Tales from NPR's National Story -
Rich deviated from the classic fiction book with this collection of stories from 180 Americans as part of a radio show, where the only qualification was a real story with a compelling twist.
Driving Force - Dick Francis
Julia's choice was a murder mystery, the detective an ex-jockey running his own racehorse transport business.
Other notables:
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake - Amy
A Short History of England by Simon Jenkins - Albie
A Beginners Guide to the Stock Market by Matthew R. Kratter - Patrick
Q+A Loves Blog - Paige (I think she's just trying to butter me up!)
What have we been listening to?
Gearing up for some classic Summer jams...
NEVER SEEN THE RAIN
Tones and I
Isabella
Good Without
Mimi Webb
Rose
Early
Jo Crookes ft. Jafaris
Lucy
Drunk on a Rhythm
Gothic Tropic
Amy
Sub-culture
New Order
Faye
Waiting All Night
Rudimental ft. Ella Eyre
Tim
What else have we been up to?
From hobbies, to a little retail therapy and making the most of restrictions lifting...
Being excellent homemakers
Chris and Albie made very sensible purchases this month with a new vacuum cleaner and dishwasher respectively, but the big news was Lucy buying a new house! We're excited to see how she decorates (and how quickly she invites us over!)
Travelling
Paige enjoyed some time in Cambridge this month, with a focus on mastering punting throughout the canals. Going (just a little) further, I headed back home, and am enjoying all of the free time in quarantine that sunny Darwin affords!
Eating and Drinking
Chloe and I discovered a new cafe close-by to our office and enjoyed lunches outside when the weather afforded it, and roped plenty of others into our love for the delicious menu! Rose was also enjoying the return to bars and her choice of cocktails!
Grilling
Patrick bought himself a new barbecue this month, and wasted no time using it... with only one small complaint of smoking his eyes out!
Gardening
We love a green-thumb, and Rich (with the help of his kids) planted over 7000 seeds in his garden this Spring!
Socialising
Julia was excited to be back out seeing friends again this month, and Tim took it a step further by organising to have some fun Go Karting!
Which Q+A products have we been reaching for?
As per usual we're not all in agreement, there are just too many products that we love!
Starting with the eyes, Wendy was particularly happy with how her Seaweed Peptide Eye Gel was cooling and refreshing her tired eyes, and Paige is taking her 23rd Birthday this month as a sign to start on her anti-ageing routine with the Caffeine Eye Serum (although we don't think she needs it yet!).
Chloe is brightening her complexion with Vitamin A.C.E. Warming Gel Mask, and Rose is still loving her Grapefruit Cleansing Balm having found it doesn't sting her eyes like some others she's tried, not to mention the lush scent!
But the final crown must be split between fruit and veg, with Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel and Ginger Root Daily Moisturiser taking top spots! Faye and I have been loving smooth, post-exfoliating skin, and Julia and Tim have been raving about how handy their Ginger Roots are- going from a facial moisturiser to a hand cream in a pinch and with amazing results!
Goodbye to May, and Spring, and hello to Summer ☀️ I hope you have a lovely June, filled with all the exciting adventures you've been waiting for.. So long as you're staying safe!
See you next month!
Amy Robson
Aspiring author, craft addict, and Q+A's eCommerce Coordinator
