The lifestyle edit: August
August has arrived. And with it, a new attitude in what we want to wear, eat, read and more
... Audrey Hepburn: Beyond The Screen. To commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of her death, Proud Galleries London is bringing together a rare collection of Audrey Hepburn photographs captured by a number of the world's most respected fashion photographers. Escape the inner-city heat to muse upon the face that launched a thousand tribute posters.
Read more here
Wear...
... The feather-light and free-flowing shirt dress, which marries comfort with elegance in the perfect sartorial summer romance. Pair with a basket bag, low-maintenance hair and large sunglasses à la @louloudesaison for ultimate impact. Both holiday friendly and city chic all at once. Shop Zara's riff on the trend (above right) here.
Dine...
...At Cub's secret summer garden supper clubs, where all dishes are made using hyperlocal produce grown in lush neighbourhood gardens throughout London. In the spirit of secrecy, guests will only learn the exact location of their garden sanctuary the day before, but July's date took us to a pop-up gazebo in a King's Cross community garden. Keep an eye out for booking details for August here.
Bathe...
... In the alchemic opulence of historic Parisian pharmacist Buly 1803. From exotic oils and scented matches to tortoiseshell combs and candles, this is packaging at its most beautiful. If you can't pop to Paris to visit the oak panelled apothecary, both Net-A-Porter and Selfridges stock the brand, as well as in store at Dover Street Market.
Follow...
...@matthieuvenot. A browse through the self-taught French photographer's IG feed takes you through rows of perfect pastel details, from corners of balconies framed by sky to lonely vespers, and not a human to be found. A mood board for summer.
Download...
... Plantsnap, an app that is essentially the Shazam of the natural world. It identifies plants, flowers, trees, cacti and mushrooms when you upload a photograph of the mystery plant. Perfect for ambling countryside walks or escapes into your very own backyard oasis. Find out more here
Read...
... The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh. A strange, slippery tale of three sisters living on an island is tricky to describe. In the evocative, evasive dystopian world of Sophie Mackintosh's debut novel we know that something is not right. With Mackintosh’s hypnotic prose rippling with water imagery and slipping from voices and perspective, The Water Cure is a short dreamy read for those who like their stories murky and deep.
See our other summer reading suggestions here.
Sip...
... Champagne cocktails at Mayfair's trendiest new restaurant and bar Gazelle. East End cool has truly landed in Mayfair with Bar Termini maestro Tony Conigliaro and Rob Roy Cameron from Albert Adria's trailblazing 40 Degrees in Barcelona. Read our ★★★★★ review here.
Party...
... Like a Montague (or Capulet). Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers are getting the Secret Cinema treatment as Baz Lurhmann's hit film comes to life in a secret outdoor location. Read more here.
Listen...
... To Hive Mind – the fourth album from dreamy, soft-focus R&B collective The Internet. Combining Motown melodies and subtle guitar with pop vitality and house music, this is the soundtrack to your summer, whether it be background music at an al fresco dinner party or your long-haul flight companion.
