Kirsty Charlotte Hannah

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In August, I’ve been...

… listening to

No such thing as a fish Podcast – I’m so late to this bandwagon but been really enjoying listening to this on long walks or bus rides. The QI elves get round the mic to share their favourite facts every week.

The music at Storeys… well done DJ. http://www.storeys.london/

Ed Sheeran, James Bay and anything remixed by Kygo... I’m so predictable

… watching

Great British Menu and GBBO – obviously!

BBC Two documentaries: Madagascar (yay for David Attenborough), and Earth’s natural wonders: Living on the edge – both have fabulous photography, as you would expect

Films: Intouchables (again), Alien (for the first time!).

… reading / re-reading

Books: Steal like an artist; Lonely Planet guide to Croatia; and the everlasting Game of Thrones (now on Book 3). 

Website: http://alifeofproductivity.com/  

Blog: Ceri’s blog of adventures in Amurica http://properbrew.blogspot.co.uk/

Articles: The ways in which freelancers will change the economy (interesting for ‘trends of the future’ type stuff) http://www.fastcompany.com/3049857/the-future-of-work/5-major-ways-freelancers-will-change-the-economy-by-2040 ; ‘Four best tricks I learned at Google’ (I like the Snippets idea) http://www.fastcompany.com/3050258/know-it-all/the-four-best-productivity-tricks-i-learned-at-google

…doing

Colouring in. As ridiculous as it sounds, it’s my new therapy (and a great excuse to make Martha come to the art shop with me). Currently got Millie Marotta’s Tropical Wonderland.

Driving lessons… got my practical test on 23rd September – wish me luck! 

…writing

My self-appraisal for mid-year review at work… eurgh 

A list of things I love about winter… the other day I had Baileys for the first time since January, which reminded me of winter so I thought I would just run with that theme – there’s no point fighting it, winter is coming. I’ll probably put the list on here too.

A list of things I want to eat in Croatia. Lists make me happy.

About a thousand toolkits for HR people at Microsoft. Toolkits don’t make me happy.

BAT’s EVP and change narrative – a more interesting project that the toolkit one for sure.

… admiring

The transformation of this favela in Brazil (it’s not recent, but I still love it!) http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2012/04/praca-cantao-favela-painting-santa-marta-slum-rio-de-janeiro/ 

This message from Unilever & WWF, nicely done. http://www.fastcocreate.com/3050440/unilever-makes-like-a-tree-and-leaves-the-forest-for-the-streets 

This guy’s photography skills… https://instagram.com/robinthesky/ 

If you want Parisian more than American then try this guy too https://instagram.com/jeffonline/ 

... thinking about

Croatia. What we’ll do, where we’ll eat, how we will get from the airport, what I need to bring, where I can get some Kuna... classic travel stuff.

Matt’s birthday present. I think I have an idea, but need to think about it some more.

Christmas presents. I’m already plotting and planning as I’ve realised it’s one of the few things in life I can’t stand leaving to the last minute. (I also can’t afford to!)

Matt and I went to see a friend in Bristol for the weekend. Fruit stalls where we sat in the sun and had brunch on Sunday, and the lovely Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Four hour walk across three peaks, with typically Scottish and dramatic landscapes. The fresh air and wild view were exactly what I needed from that week away. 

As you may or may not have noticed, it isn't a recognised bank holiday. Shocking, I know. Although it all sounds very sweet and a little ridiculous, there has been a lot of research around a hug's potential health benefits over the last few years.

Stewart contemplating the neon.

One of my new favourite places in all of London. You simply couldn't be unhappy when surrounded by this much vintage neon signage. Not to mention the Vegas version of Jesus. Spectacular.