I really enjoyed this post and am so glad you shared this preview of these three interests beyond design. That is a beautiful photograph you included. I'm excited to listen to the playlist you embedded. Thank you!
Love all of it!! It reminded me of the idea from Steal Like an Artist - "Don't through any of yourself away". Your photos are delightful! And thanks for the playlist! I am mostly a rock music lover, but I really enjoy exploring other (good) music genres!
Ahh the categories... I have a love-hate relationship in general with categories. Never seem to fit into one and then on the other hand they can be helpful when sorting out stuff as in "this I love and will keep", "those I detest and will throw away" and "hm these might be of interest to someone else".
The whole niche thing bothers me and as you find it difficult to only write about that one thing.
I loved to read about your hobbies! When it comes to photography, I really wish to take better pictures and put the blame on my poor iphone 6s.
My approach to photography (and writing) is just try it. It all takes practice and repetition, so keep trying and you never know what kinds of pictures you might capture! 📷
Yes absolutely Hannah, couldn’t agree more. I’m done with niching and pigeonholes and write whatever I fancy. I sometimes feel I should tag and categorise my posts, but honestly, I just don’t want to. I think it’s so much more interesting to read a wide variety of content and if the variety sits within the same substack, I love that too. My little mantra here, when I start worrying about categories and growth and stuff like that is, “I will write what I love and love what I write and that will be enough” 💛
I feel this Hannah - I write about everything and anything I worry it's a jumbled mess haha. But then I really enjoy other Substacks that contain a myriad of topics and that's why I love yours so much!
I like to see all sides of a person, not just the one dimension but perhaps that's personal preference 😁
I love the photos of your cocktails! And I'd love to try them 😋🍸
I also listen to jazz but mainly when I write, and sometimes have it on in the background. I find it very soothing 🥰
Those cocktails look amazing! A Mayflower Martini sounds like my kind of drink. I'm definitely going to try it. I don't know as much about jazz as you do, but one of my favorite combinations is a good cocktail and a solid crooner playlist. I could listen to Ella Fitzgerald all day. My boys call it "Mom's horn music."😂 Also goes perfectly with a cup of steaming coffee on a weekend morning! It's lovely to see how your creativity flows and overlaps through all of your interests.
Love this Hannah! I think its so much more exciting to discover all of someones interests rather than just one specific niche... God, I feel like the word "niche" has become a trigger word for me haha. Your cocktails look truly amazing!
I agree about the word niche! It doesn’t really mean anything anymore because it’s been so overused!
Substack is definitely the place I feel most at home to reveal myself in an honest way. Partly because of all the wonderful people I have the pleasure of interacting with. I still smile when I think of the evening we had drinks in London together. I’m so pleased we made that happen! ✨
I can relate to all three of your hobbies, the cocktails maybe not so much, I can drink them but never have the ingredients 😁. My husband started learning the saxophone when he was thinking of retiring and loved it. We used to go to Ronnie Scott’s it is a unique atmosphere and definitely worth an evening, or Sunday lunch, of anyone’s time. I love photography and it is something you can do anywhere. Your pictures are stunning xxx
So pleased you can relate, Jo! That’s wonderful that your husband found the saxophone later in his life. I think John Coltrane has to be my all time favourite sound, but there are so many great saxophonists out there. Ronnie’s is brilliant, I agree. An incomparable atmosphere. Thanks for the kind words about the photos too 😊 xxx
Love this post, Hannah. It's wonderful to see how you are sharing some more of your interests here in your newsletter. It's also interesting how some of these creative pursuits overlap too such as your photography (beautiful picture in Devon!) and your interior design business.
And I do love a gin-based cocktail, so if you have any recommendations, I'm keen to hear them :)
The mayflower martini that I mention is gin based and has a light floral element with the elderflower liqueur. Otherwise, I love a Sabot: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/7670/sabot (essentially a White Lady topped up with fizz) 🍸 🍾
ALL of this Hannah! I just ADORE you're a jazz musician. Who loves cocktails. Makes total sense to me. I've never been to Ronnie Scott's and always wanted to go!! I get this a lot: "You do PR? And you write poetry? How does THAT work?" Also makes total sense to me. Share ALL the parts of you xo
Thanks for giving the playlist a listen, Jeffrey! I saw Tord Gustavsen live last year and he (and his band) was sublime. It was like being in a state of meditation for 90 mins.
Oh we’ll have to meet in person one day, Hannah! So much in common! :-) I always appreciate when other writers cross category boundaries, though I feel very comfy staying in one myself 😂…maybe with time I’ll want to show a little more of me, we’ll see!
I adore a good cocktail, BUT in the last few years I’ve noticed that my tolerance for alcohol has plummeted and now it gives me headaches quickly. So I’ve been LOVING the mocktail trend, which I find London restaurants do particularly well! I had an amaretto sour mocktail at The Windmill in Clapham Common that I swear was better than the real thing!
I’m loving the photography challenges here on Substack. Haven’t gotten into a regular rhythm yet, but I love how accessible and inclusive they are - and it motivates me to take my photos seriously and to take an extra moment to get a shot just right!
My husband is a musician - jazz & Brazilian. Jazz is not my personal fav style but I’ve certainly learned to appreciate it. And our young son has been thoroughly brought into the fold…his Favourites playlist is mostly jazz instrumental pieces - daddy is VERY pleased ;-)! During the pandemic he started to post to YouTube…you can have a listen here if you like: https://youtube.com/@alexdalzochio?si=M-K2Yoa-mpAvjraN
I really enjoyed this post and am so glad you shared this preview of these three interests beyond design. That is a beautiful photograph you included. I'm excited to listen to the playlist you embedded. Thank you!
Thanks so much for reading, Bryce!
I hope you enjoy the playlist. I'm off to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London tonight to see Marcin Wasilewski and his trio play, and I can't wait! 🎹
I did! Hope you enjoy the concert. 🎹
Love all of it!! It reminded me of the idea from Steal Like an Artist - "Don't through any of yourself away". Your photos are delightful! And thanks for the playlist! I am mostly a rock music lover, but I really enjoy exploring other (good) music genres!
Thanks Lisa! Hope you enjoy the music 🎶
Ahh the categories... I have a love-hate relationship in general with categories. Never seem to fit into one and then on the other hand they can be helpful when sorting out stuff as in "this I love and will keep", "those I detest and will throw away" and "hm these might be of interest to someone else".
The whole niche thing bothers me and as you find it difficult to only write about that one thing.
I loved to read about your hobbies! When it comes to photography, I really wish to take better pictures and put the blame on my poor iphone 6s.
My approach to photography (and writing) is just try it. It all takes practice and repetition, so keep trying and you never know what kinds of pictures you might capture! 📷
Couldn't agree more and cheers to cocktail making, rather excellent at it myself (or so my wife would have me believe)
Yes absolutely Hannah, couldn’t agree more. I’m done with niching and pigeonholes and write whatever I fancy. I sometimes feel I should tag and categorise my posts, but honestly, I just don’t want to. I think it’s so much more interesting to read a wide variety of content and if the variety sits within the same substack, I love that too. My little mantra here, when I start worrying about categories and growth and stuff like that is, “I will write what I love and love what I write and that will be enough” 💛
I love that mantra, Emily!
My tags are all over the place, but I have no idea what they do anyway!
Here’s to writing about what we feel like writing about! 🙌🏻
Absolutely 💛💛💛😍
I feel this Hannah - I write about everything and anything I worry it's a jumbled mess haha. But then I really enjoy other Substacks that contain a myriad of topics and that's why I love yours so much!
I like to see all sides of a person, not just the one dimension but perhaps that's personal preference 😁
I love the photos of your cocktails! And I'd love to try them 😋🍸
I also listen to jazz but mainly when I write, and sometimes have it on in the background. I find it very soothing 🥰
I think jazz can be very soothing. I hope my little playlist might inspire some writing for you 🧡
Your Substack definitely isn’t a jumbled mess! I also love to read about all of your different interests. It’s what makes us unique.
Let me know if you try a cocktail! 🍸
Those cocktails look amazing! A Mayflower Martini sounds like my kind of drink. I'm definitely going to try it. I don't know as much about jazz as you do, but one of my favorite combinations is a good cocktail and a solid crooner playlist. I could listen to Ella Fitzgerald all day. My boys call it "Mom's horn music."😂 Also goes perfectly with a cup of steaming coffee on a weekend morning! It's lovely to see how your creativity flows and overlaps through all of your interests.
Oh yes, you can’t beat some Ella! And I agree that it’s perfect enjoyed with a cocktail or a coffee depending on the time of day/mood!
Let me know what you think of the Mayflower Martini.
It’s funny as I hadn’t thought about the creative links through all of these pursuits but, of course, you’re right!
Love this Hannah! I think its so much more exciting to discover all of someones interests rather than just one specific niche... God, I feel like the word "niche" has become a trigger word for me haha. Your cocktails look truly amazing!
I agree about the word niche! It doesn’t really mean anything anymore because it’s been so overused!
Substack is definitely the place I feel most at home to reveal myself in an honest way. Partly because of all the wonderful people I have the pleasure of interacting with. I still smile when I think of the evening we had drinks in London together. I’m so pleased we made that happen! ✨
Thank you for the mention, Hannah! Very much appreciated!
I even noticed I had completely missed Sarah's post, so much appreciated for linking it!
Thanks for doing what you do, Patrik! Looking forward to the next challenge ✨
I can relate to all three of your hobbies, the cocktails maybe not so much, I can drink them but never have the ingredients 😁. My husband started learning the saxophone when he was thinking of retiring and loved it. We used to go to Ronnie Scott’s it is a unique atmosphere and definitely worth an evening, or Sunday lunch, of anyone’s time. I love photography and it is something you can do anywhere. Your pictures are stunning xxx
So pleased you can relate, Jo! That’s wonderful that your husband found the saxophone later in his life. I think John Coltrane has to be my all time favourite sound, but there are so many great saxophonists out there. Ronnie’s is brilliant, I agree. An incomparable atmosphere. Thanks for the kind words about the photos too 😊 xxx
Love this post, Hannah. It's wonderful to see how you are sharing some more of your interests here in your newsletter. It's also interesting how some of these creative pursuits overlap too such as your photography (beautiful picture in Devon!) and your interior design business.
And I do love a gin-based cocktail, so if you have any recommendations, I'm keen to hear them :)
Thank you for shout-out too!
I was definitely inspired by you, Sarah!
The mayflower martini that I mention is gin based and has a light floral element with the elderflower liqueur. Otherwise, I love a Sabot: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/7670/sabot (essentially a White Lady topped up with fizz) 🍸 🍾
Just saw that your photo was chosen as part of Patrik’s challenge! Congratulations 🤩
Thanks for the drink recommendation, ingredients are now on my shopping list 😀
Let me know what you think!
ALL of this Hannah! I just ADORE you're a jazz musician. Who loves cocktails. Makes total sense to me. I've never been to Ronnie Scott's and always wanted to go!! I get this a lot: "You do PR? And you write poetry? How does THAT work?" Also makes total sense to me. Share ALL the parts of you xo
Thank you Antonia! I find that we’re often advised to stick to our ‘niche’ and honestly, I don’t want to!
I think PR and Poetry is a great name for a Substack 😉
But seriously, why can’t we do all of these things that make us who we are? I love that we’re unafraid of following what drives us! Xx
I loved the jazz! especially Glimmer of Hope and Edges of Happiness. Thank you for the tips.
Thanks for giving the playlist a listen, Jeffrey! I saw Tord Gustavsen live last year and he (and his band) was sublime. It was like being in a state of meditation for 90 mins.
Oh we’ll have to meet in person one day, Hannah! So much in common! :-) I always appreciate when other writers cross category boundaries, though I feel very comfy staying in one myself 😂…maybe with time I’ll want to show a little more of me, we’ll see!
I adore a good cocktail, BUT in the last few years I’ve noticed that my tolerance for alcohol has plummeted and now it gives me headaches quickly. So I’ve been LOVING the mocktail trend, which I find London restaurants do particularly well! I had an amaretto sour mocktail at The Windmill in Clapham Common that I swear was better than the real thing!
I’m loving the photography challenges here on Substack. Haven’t gotten into a regular rhythm yet, but I love how accessible and inclusive they are - and it motivates me to take my photos seriously and to take an extra moment to get a shot just right!
My husband is a musician - jazz & Brazilian. Jazz is not my personal fav style but I’ve certainly learned to appreciate it. And our young son has been thoroughly brought into the fold…his Favourites playlist is mostly jazz instrumental pieces - daddy is VERY pleased ;-)! During the pandemic he started to post to YouTube…you can have a listen here if you like: https://youtube.com/@alexdalzochio?si=M-K2Yoa-mpAvjraN
🎶🍸 📷
We really do have so much in common!
That’s wonderful that your son is showing an interest in jazz and thank you for the link to your husband’s music - I’m off for a listen right now!
I hope we can meet in real life one day too! ☺️
☺️👍🏽
I agree, the photography challenges (particularly from Patrik) are inclusive and the range of entries are fabulous!
Yes it’s such an enjoyable vibe!
I'm in the same boat when it comes to cocktails these days, so I must seek out that amaretto sour mocktail when I'm next in London.
:-) Do and let me know that you think!