Bryony Gordon
"This month’s hotlister is columnist Bryony Gordon, founder of Mental Health Mates, voice of the Mad World podcast and author of the newly launched book Eat, Drink, Run: How I Got Fit Without Going Too Mad" Jenny Halpern Prince. "I’m going to spend the summer at any one of London’s many luscious lidos. When the weather is amazing - and often even when it isn’t - there is nothing better than swimming outdoors in the city. It feels so exotic, so glamorous. I live slap bang between Brockwell lido and Tooting lido so am rather spoilt for choice - every Friday afternoon my daughter and I rush from school to Brockwell Park to get in a quick dip and now that the holidays are upon us we’ll probably do a grand tour of London lidos - Parliament Hill, London Fields, maybe even the Serpentine. I’ll be reading The Lido by Libby Page. Who needs Europe when you’ve got hot weather and good old-fashioned British lidos!" Bryony Gordon
BULK MARKET
We have been patiently waiting...ok, not so patiently waiting, for news of Bulk Marketreopening following their crowdfunding campaign to raise the cash for a new venue. And hurrah, the day is here...almost!!! Their brand spanking new store will be opening this month at 6 Bohemia Place, Hackney. But who are they, what are they, why are you so bloomin’ excited Halpern? Well let us tell you. Bulk Market is a social enterprise, BYO container store, that is fighting single use plastic by encouraging consumers to take along their own jars and boxes and fill them with produce goodness with everything from pasta to flour, herbs to dried fruits, dairy and eggs to bakery wonders as well as beers, wine, kombucha and even household goods available for purchase. Single use plastic and the devastating effect it is having on our planet is an issue that is thankfully moving front and centre to more and more people's minds each day and stores like Bulk Market are helping to eradicate its use. So gather your Kilner’s and head on down but stay tuned to the website for details on the exact opening date. If you’re early then just make sure to form a very British orderly queue....behind us. Facebook | Instagram | TwitterImage Credit Bulk Market© Facebook page.
INKO NITO
Not gonna lie, the website for Inko Nito doesn't give much away at first sight bar an address (55 Broadwick Street FYI). However, their reputation precedes them so fear not! From the team at Zuma and the second site to open following the original in LA, Inko Nito in Soho serves up Japanese Robatayaki which is a type of Japanese cooking where food is cooked on skewers over charcoal on a wide flat grill. Intrigued? Yeah so are we! Dishes include whole sea bass and scallops, tiger prawns, nigaki, panko fried chicken, grilled beef cheek with spicy Korean mayo plus a variety of veg served with dried yuzu and sansho salt. The cocktail list is plentiful with lots of personalised Inko twists on old classics plus of course a short but punchy sake menu to keep the mega fans refreshed. As for the interiors it's a calming atmosphere with lots of reclaimed wood and stone work plus the seating is all arranged at mixed heights. A kooky addition intended to give all diners a different view of the Robata. A bit novelty perhaps but we like it. Inko’s location in the heart of Soho will only further fuel its popularity. See you there!Instagram Image Credit Inko Nito Facebook page.
BRITISH SUMMER TIME OPEN HOUSE
Most Londoners will know that summer means a host of big name performers singing their hearts out at the series of British Summer Time concerts over various weekends in July. This year Bruno Mars, Eric Clapton, Michael Bublé and The Cure are amongst the acts taking to the stage. However, during the week from the 9th till the 12th July when the park is open, but the drumsticks are resting, there is BST Open House: four days of free activities, music, film and food in the park. With family friendly movies, live music from gospel choirs and DJ’s, plus Bingo, aerial circus acts, theatre performances AND screenings of the tennis action, it’s one not to miss and your bank account needn't take a hit on entry. We’ll personally be heading down on Tuesday 10th to see an open-air screening of The Greatest Showman. You really can’t beat sitting in the beautiful Hyde Park on a summers eve with a cold beer and a carton of chips in hand...in our humble opinion. Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Image Credit British Summer Time Open House©
FANTASIA
If you’ve ever wanted to dance with a magical hippo then read on...Disney’s Fantasia was released in 1940 and has since gone on to become one of the franchises most iconic films. To celebrate this, The Vaults at Waterloo have created a Sounds and Sorcery immersive music concert experience for fans around the capital and beyond. You’ll be given a headset upon arrival to fully immerse you into the atmosphere as you voyage round the space and its incredible installations, encountering characters from the film via 3D projections, all sound tracked by the instantly recognisable film score. Sounds and Sorcery is suitable for all ages with time slots available throughout the day. Tickets cost from £35 and can be booked here. The event opens on the 3rd July but is open until early September so don’t panic about missing out on the magical sweeping broomsticks as there is plenty of time to get down there for the fun. Instagram | Facebook Image Credit Disney©
SCOOP - A WONDERFUL ICE CREAM WORLD
You scream, we scream, the whole of London screams for ice cream….and the British Museum of Food have answered us, along with the cheeky chaps from Bompas and Parr. Hallelujah! SCOOP, is the first ever exhibition from BMOF and they've licked off with a bang with this interactive and udderly FAB journey into the history of our favourite sweet treat. We needn’t give you 99 reasons to go but the history of ice cream has been far from a Rocky Road and this summer coincides with the 300th anniversary of Mary Eales’ Receipts, the first printed volume to feature ice cream in an English publication. 300 years of ice cream! It was mint to be. The sensory immersion includes glow in the dark flavours, flavoured fog, a sub-zero ice chamber, Victorian Ice Cream tasting classes, artworks, artefacts and paraphernalia as well as an 18+ only section. Ooh err! Goes to show anything is popsicle. The exhibition opens on the 3rd of the month until the end of September. We’re no experts but Sundae may be the best day to visit, just make sure to take an umbrella...there's a chance of sprinkles. Instagram | Twitter
HENLEY FESTIVAL
Bye Bye glittered cheeks, bye bye unflattering sequinned body suits, hello shmancy dresses and dapper suits. It’s a festival, Henley style yah dahlings. Keep your wits about you as you navigate the crowds dodging air kisses and popping champagne corks because this is a festival for the fancy, seriously no wellies allowed, not even Hunters. From the 11th to the 15th July, descend upon this beaut riverside town for Henley Festival, a boutique event celebrating the best of UK & international music and arts. “It's a place to soak up the atmosphere and be entertained whilst experiencing a vibrant programme from pop to world music, classical to jazz, blues to ‘street’ musicians, where art, comedy and gastronomy share equal billing with music.” The Festival has been going on since 1983 and its 35th year looks set to be as big as ever with performances from Rita Ora, Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers and Bistrotet to name but a mere few. The Black-Tie dress code has us seriously excited and of course, we jest slightly, sequins and glitter are allowed, as long as they adorn your floor length gown! Tickets cost from £70 and can be bought here. Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Image Credit: Henley Festival Facebook
PRIDE IN LONDON
Yasss kweens, it’s our favourite time of year, Pride in London! The parade, aka the best bit, takes place on Saturday 7th July across town providing a platform for every part of London’s LGBT+ community to raise awareness of LGBT+ issues. The first official London Pride was held in 1972, with 2,000 people. Last year the events attracted one million partygoers and 2018 is set to be bigger and better than ever. The various floats are fabulous, colourful and full of enthusiasm as they make their way along the route to Trafalgar Square with the streets lined with crowds. There are a heap of events taking place that day and in the days leading up to it if you can't make it to the parade itself. Fitness activities, theatrical performances, musical acts and a film festival all form the wonderfully vibrant programme. Our personal picks would be Grindr: The Opera on the 4th at the Above the Stag theatre, Life Drawing at The Tate, Little Gay Brother of Secret Garden origin at OMeara and Romeo and Juliet, the alternative version, at Waterloo East Theatre. #LondonPride2018 Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
WILD AT HEART FOUNDATION
The Wild at Heart Foundation was created in 2015 by Nadine Kayser and Nikki Tibbles who you will know as florist extraordinaire with stores in Westbourne Grove, Belgravia and within Liberty. The foundation was set up with the aim to help animals all over the world funding animal welfare projects across the globe. In particular, they want to compassionately reduce the world's 600 million stray dog population. Rescue projects, neutering programmes and education initiatives are all part of their work and Sophie Dahl, Noel Gallagher and Josh Wood are a few of the well-known names who have rescued their beloved pets via Wild at Heart. Check out the website for full details on how you can help via donations or rescuing an animal for your family. By 2020, Wild at Heart want to support 100 international projects, rehome 1,000 animals, neuter 100,000 dogs and educate 1,000,000 children. Big goals but goals we are fully behind. Instagram | Facebook
TOO GOOD TO GO
Too Good to Go is on a mission to tackle food waste and we are fully behind them! The clue is in the name really as the app helps you find food from your favourite restaurants or cuisines that is simply, too good to go. Did you know that every year, 1/3 of all food produced is wasted? If this food waste were a country it would be the third largest emitter of CO2 – only behind the USA and China! With so much being done to tackle CO2 emissions in these countries, why are we forgetting about food waste? Instead of stores throwing away their unsold produce, you can buy it at a reduced cost via the app so everyone's a winner. The app works with your location and will show you which food retailers nearby have food to buy and at what price. Restaurants already involved include Yo Sushi, Hummus Bros, Pix, Island Poke and many more. If you yourself work at a store, bakery, supermarket, hotel, cafe or other and want to get involved in this food waste revolution then you can also do that via the app too. In 2 short years they have partnered with over 5000 retailers and over 2.5 million meals have been rescued! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook