Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite

I like this book by Paul Arden - Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite. This book is a daring attack on the way we look at our work and our world. Instead of the usual boring advice, Paul Arden offers daring quips, aphorisms and paradoxes – all seeking to revise what we hold as our ‘common sense’. Whether you sell, manage or buy, Arden inspires you with his original thinking, startling anecdotes, brilliant photographs and offbeat quotations from artists, scientists and philosophers.

Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite will force a rupture in whatever it is you used to think – even if you didn’t know you thought it. And it will give you the confidence to take bigger risks and enjoy your work more than you can imagine.

Posted by: Linda

Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!

I like Whittlebury Hall Hotel Spa – this place is totally wonderful – not cheap, but absolutely the most relaxing place I’ve ever been, the facilities are beaut and you can choose from a wide range of relaxing activities or exercise, and the food is great too! They have a full range of massage treatments from Turkish Hamman to Indian head massage, along with Beauty treatments such as facials, hairdressing, mani/pedi etc. etc.

My Friday holiday went like this:
Lazing about in the following... Aromatherapy Crystal Steam Room... Caldarium... Experience Showers... Hydrotherapy Pool... Ice Cave (brrrrrrr!)... Roman Salt Steam Room... Sanarium... Tepidarium... Sauna

I also had some less lazy moments:
50 lengths in the pool... 30 mins in gym... 60 mins circuit training

The rest of the time I spent like this:
Eating & Drinking – fruit & water + healthy fish & salad buffet lunch + cream tea + 3 course gourmet meal + booze (so gradually ruined all the hard work)

Check it out:
http://www.whittleburyhall.co.uk/spa_index.asp

It’s near Silverstone (Milton Keynes, M1 Junction 14), and is where all the racing drivers usually stay, and is well lush!

Posted by: Clare

Scrambling in Wales

Squeezing in some last minute training for my upcoming trek to Everest Base Camp, I went to North Wales with a couple of friends to climb Mt Tryfan, which is just over 3,000ft. I did this route 6 years ago, and had forgotten 'the fear'. It was actually great fun in some sections, but pretty scary in others. Ended the day with a celebratory portion of chips and peas - perfect!

Posted by: Yvette

My Booky Wook by Russell Brand

You either love him or hate him - a bit like marmite. If you're a fan then it's well worth a read. He talks very honestly about his life, and with his inventive use of the English language it's incredibly funny - you can hear him reeling off his crazy dialect as you read.

Posted by: Yvette

Stasiland by Anna Funder

Stasiland was my holiday read. It is about The German Democratic Republic when the days of communism ruled East Germany and how the infamous "STASI" affected the people living in it.

Taking on the formula of a novel, Stasiland is a collection of peoples stories from this time, former Stasi officers as well as victims of the regime, both groups who look back on the days of the GDR very differently.

The book is a captivating read and a great way to learn a little about the subject, it takes a humanistic approach to a very uncompromising time in history.

Posted by: Matt

A cut above!

I like the papercut work of Peter Callesen.

Using the most commonly used media format - the humble A4 sheet of paper - he's created some amazingly intricate work.

Just a sheet of paper, a scalpel, a bit of glue and a whole lot of patience.

See lots more at http://www.petercallesen.com/

Posted by: Bew

That's why Matt's gone to Iceland…

Yep, expect the bad weather, but the charm of Iceland and its people make it very easy to fall in love with the country.

The views in Iceland are exhilarating; it was great to see all the natural wonders of the country, the huge waterfalls, glaciers, geysers and best of all, the geothermal blue lagoon set amongst the black rocks of the barren lava fields.

Our base was Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital and biggest city (Population around 120,000 of Iceland’s 330,000). It's no metropolis but that’s the beauty of the place. Thriving cafes, high-energy pubs and clubs, and a brightly coloured old town with rows of wood-and-corrugated-tin houses cluster together in the compact city centre. The place has a very relaxed atmosphere (except at the weekend, when the inhabitants indulge in some serious heavy drinking in the 15 or so pubs and clubs). A phenomenal place and the best fish and chips I have ever tasted!

Unfortunately the weather was that bad the pics don't do the place much justice. But check out http://gasperak.com/iceland/1/ which shows the place in its full glory (see if you can see the elf behind that rock!)

Posted by: Matt

All hail the print ad!!

I’ve been impressed recently by how many print ads have caught my eye with some even stopping me in my tracks! Whether it's magazine or outdoor I truly feel that a lot of company’s are going ‘back to basics’.

First up is Galaxy’s promoting Sex And The City on DVD showing NYC buildings made out of their chocolate - simple and effective.

Second is Lurpak’s where they focus on the quality of food which should go with their butter. In this instance it’s a classic baked potato but not just any, it’s a baked potato that is cooked to its best in an oven not a microwave – it’s clever and quirky.

Finally, a brand that always seems to get things right is Selfridges. Their ad ‘Treat Yourself’ works so well and is a great play on their key brand elements which are so recognisable and iconic now. Isn’t it great when you can sit back and let a brand work for you? Keeping it consistent with a sprinkle of freshness is the key!

Posted by: Jemma