August Watch List
We're all staying up to date with the news and reading some interesting articles about how to stay safe and stay informed. But this is not related to that, at all. This is a rundown on what we're reading, watching and listening to, to keep our minds and bodies healthy and moving, and a little bit sane! We'll share some more resources as we come across them. Here's how we're currently winding down.
Have a hot tip? A must-read? A cult classic we haven't mentioned yet? Drop us a line with the subject line "Watch List" to info@thehandmadesoapcompany.ie.
READ
Accidentally Wes Anderson - Spawned from an Instagram account, AWA features stunning photography of phenomenal places. The book is currently available for pre-order and the Instagram account is definitely worth following for some visual love and inspiration, Wes Anderson style. You can even submit your own accidental Wes Anderson moments to be featured on their grid.
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond - A condensed history of the last 13,000 years. It won't be for everybody but we thought it was a particularly interesting read. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1997, the year of its release.
WATCH
Fast Times at Ridgemont High - A fundraising re-read of the 1980s classic with a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Aniston. Airs August 20th (tomorrow) online.
The Old Guard - Netflix have seriously upped their game of late; content-wise, not user-experience-wise unfortunately! And this is a pretty fine addition to their bow. Starring Charlize Theron, think of it as your summer blockbuster. Pull those curtains, make that popcorn and stick a (reusable) straw in your fizzy pop.
LISTEN
Joanna Newsom - Have we mentioned our love for Joanna before? She's a classically trained harpist with a take on music that will leave a mark on you - good or bad, she is so unique that you'd be amiss not to give her a listen or a watch.
PODCASTS
Podcasts - We get asked this a lot, so here's our current go-to list for Podcasts, with lots of Irish based listens of course. We'll keep adding as we find more:
Basically... with Stefanie Preissner
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
I Weigh with Jameela Jamil
Making Sense with Sam Harris
Where is my mind with Niall Breslin
The Blindboy Podcast with Blindboy Boatclub
NEWBIES - these are new to our list, so... let's see!
Busy Philipps is doing her best with Busy Philipps
Smartless with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes & Will Arnett
FREE RESOURCES
Quick Pilates Moves and Demos - JFo Fitness has tonnes of short videos on her Instagram page that are very doable at all fitness levels. And, she's a local Meath business, just down the road from our factory in Slane.
Free Guitar Lessons from Fender - They've extended the offer to 3 months of free guitar lessons to 1 million people. Head to their website here to sign up.
Cooking - Irish chef, Donal Skehan is sharing lots of recipes to get you through your day (and your pantry) on his Instagram and Facebook profiles. As well as already having an endless resource of recipes on his YouTube channel and website.
The Body Coach - Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, is doing Physical Education class for kids at 9am (GMT) Monday to Friday, on his YouTube channel.
Board Games - This article from NY Mag shares some great board-games for playing with your house-mate or your partner if you're not a big TV person, or you're just looking for a break from the screens.
Bedtime Stories - Josh Gad (the voice of Olaf in Frozen) is reading bedtime stories live on his Twitter page every night. For you or any little ones you may know!
Virtual Visits - Lots of zoos have webcams on certain animals so make sure to check out your local zoo too! Here are a few links to some of our favourites:
- Webcams at San Diego Zoo
- Take a Virtual Safari daily with Cincinnati Zoo
- Webcams at Dublin Zoo
- Virtual Tour of Áras an Uachtaráin (The home of the President of Ireland)