James Blunt

"This month’s hotlister is English singer-songwriter, record producer and former British Army Officer, James Blunt" Jenny Halpern Prince. "If you’re in London town this August, head to the newly opened Fox & Pheasant pub in Chelsea. Hidden at the back, it has a jasmine-filled open air conservatory, serving incredible food and chilled rosé, for lunch or dinner [more on this below!] ...And, if you’re going to Ibiza, Dubai, Barbados or even as far as Cornwall, the Mako Slingshot is the must-have next generation luxury watertoy. This superfast, carbon-fibre motorised surfboard is at the highest end of technology and design. It’s easy to ride, great fun and easy to travel with." James Blunt.

SPICE UP LONDON

Guys, it's finally happening. There’s a whole exhibition dedicated to the original Fantastic Five, the ladies that brought girl power to the forefront and have kept us dancing ever since. Yup, the Spice Girls. The Business Design Centre has just opened up this three week extravaganza called Spice Up London, the biggest ever exhibition of its kind dedicated to the ladies. It will be showcasing stage costumes, memorabilia, merchandise and all that’s in between for the chance to see up close, everything that made the group such a global commercial success. If you somehow miss the chance to see it in London then fear not because Spice Up London will be moving up the country (hopefully on the Spice Bus) and you can catch it all in Manchester from late August to early September. Their popularity has never waned, proving they really will Viva Forever, so get your union jack dresses, trainers, leopard print, baby dummies and pouts at the ready and zig a zig ah. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit: Thomas-James Fisher.

BLACKKKLANSMAN

Based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer from Colorado who successfully managed to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan and become the head of the local chapter, BlacKkKlansman has been billed as the “best film in years” and comes from visionary director Spike Lee. Stallworth, played by John David Washington, spots an ad in the paper for the local chapter of the Klu Klux Klan and phones them pretending to be a white supremacist, thus kick starting a very unlikely undercover operation. Due to the obvious fact he can't show his face at the meets, he sends in his fellow officer, Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver and together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group. Other stars of the film include Topher Grace, Alec Baldwin and Laura Harrier and the film is billed to be a gripping smash hit.Twitter Credit Twitter: @BlacKkKlansman

BRAT

We’re all for barbecues right now, less so the inside ones, but should this heatwave ever end (*prays it doesn't*) then we highly recommend heading to Redchurch Street in Shoreditch and taking a seat at Brat. Headed up by chef Tomos Parry, who hailed from Kitty Fishers, Brat offers diners a range of meat and fish dishes cooked over a wood-fuelled live fire. Unfortunately this is not really a menu that will appeal hugely to the vegans and vegetarians amongst you but pescatarians will be utterly satisfied with what's on offer. The menu is inspired by Getaria in the Basque Country, an area that’s known for its barbecues and produce is sourced locally...well in the UK. Much of the fish on offer has come from Cornish shores. The wine list is described as “approachable” and in addition there is a wonderful range of sherry available too. We think shezza may be making a comeback… The interior decor is simple if not slightly old school with wooden walls and plain tables but you’re there for the food, and that dear friends, is delicious. Instagram | Twitter

THE FOX AND PHEASANT

We recommend bars to you all the time here on the Halpern Hotlist but we think this may be the first time we’ve featured a good ol’ pub. They are central to British lifestyle and we spill out into the streets during the summer months then fight over seats closest to the fireplaces in the winter and frankly we wouldn't change it for anything. So we bring you The Fox and Pheasant, a beautiful little country pub newly opened in Chelsea by our very own Hotlister, James Blunt. It is situated in “The Billings” - that group of three streets full of brightly coloured mews houses just off the Fulham Road - and just before you go over the bridge to the Chelsea Football Club. They have installed a brand new wonderful kitchen which is producing delicious and original lunches and dinners as well as traditional pub fare and has a very pretty dining room with retractable roof and a private function room too. Plus of course, pints a plenty, bar snacks and plenty of wine and cocktails to keep all punters suitably refreshed. Steeped in history (which you can read up on, on the website) the venue is decorated beautifully, welcomes our canine friends and even has a classic dartboard for the competitive. Heaven. Credit: Paul Winch-Furness

BEAUTIFUL ALLOTMENT

Any. Excuse. To. Be. Outside. Right?! And what more beautiful setting than surrounded by flowers and foliage and all the thrill of an English Country Garden… allotment. The Geffrye museum in Hoxton has set up a quaint and life filled drinking destination to while away these glorious sunny days. The renowned and popular Bourne and Hollingsworth have set up this “Beautiful Allotment” residency to bring us sumptuous cocktails made with ingredients from the very garden you find yourself in and barbecued treats to scoff, from now until the end of the month. If you live or work within a mile radius of the venue then a tractor...yes a TRACTOR, will come and pick you up and trundle you along the roads of London with drinks en route, to drop you off (this comes with a price tag though). Screw you Uber. On arrival the mixologists will whip you up a refreshing cocktail to sip on in one of the potting sheds, treehouse, plentiful picnic style tables or indeed some of the homemade and beautiful furniture dotted around.Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit Facebook @BeautifulAllotment

MICHAEL JACKSON, ON THE WALL

From one infamous singing group to arguably the most famous male solo artist the world has seen, clearly 2018 is the year for celebrating the big hitters in the Hall of Music Fame. Michael Jackson, On the Wall, says on its own website that it’s the exhibition of the year (Soz Geri, Vicky B et al) so it clearly backs itself to be a real treat for the public. However, rather than displaying artefacts, memorabilia and the suchlike, the National Portrait Gallery is instead exploring the influence Michael Jackson had on those in the world of contemporary art : “Since Andy Warhol first used his image in 1982, Jackson has become the most depicted cultural figure in visual art by an extraordinary array of leading contemporary artists.” The exhibition features artwork from a select 40 of these artists including David LaChapelle, Catherine Opie, Grayson Perry and Warhol himself and is open for viewing until late October, all to tie in with what would have been the legends 60th birthday year. Tickets cost from £15 and you can book in advance via the website. You really can’t….Beat It. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit: David LaChalelle

EDINBURGH FRINGE

Continuing on from the Spice Girls ‘Girl Power’ theme and inspired by a recent article in Stylist magazine we wanted to tell you about all the badass and hilarious women who will be performing in one sense or another at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Festival runs from the 3rd to the 27th of this month and has been a staple of the arts performance scene since 1947! It’s been going longer than Glastonbury! More than 3,000 performers take to the stage throughout the month and our “editors picks” would be the following: Jessie Cave - the hilarious and witty comedienne who is well known for her series of cartoons that depict motherhood, love and everything in between. In her show she will be discussing break ups and balancing motherhood from a self-deprecating but hysterical view point. Secondly: Luisa Omielan - her show is called ‘Politics for Bitches’ and in her own words “I believe it is my right to have an opinion on something I know absolutely nothing about!”. But of course. And lastly: 007, Voices of Bond- Phoebe Katis, a vocalist of insane talent, takes the audience through the biggest and best hits of the Bond franchise. Now that’s just some of our recommendations but check out the website for the full listings and make sure to see as many shows as you can. You’ll have split sides by the end no doubt. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit Facebook @edfringe

#COPPAFEELAVON

CoppaFeel is a fantastic charity set up to help women everywhere stand the best possible chance of surviving breast cancer by educating us all on the symptoms and the importance of checking one’s boobs. They are the first breast cancer charity in the UK to solely create awareness amongst young people, with the aim of instilling the knowledge and tools they need to get to know their bodies. The topic is serious but they deliver their messaging in a light hearted and fun manner. A quarter of women admit to not knowing how to check their boobs properly for the signs and only 30% of women check regularly. With 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer in their life, these numbers need to change. CoppaFeel have just teamed up with Avon and launched the first ever Digital Breast Cancer Education Tool called CoppaCollege. With CoppaCollege you can access a “boobipedia” of information about the risks, signs and symptoms and where to seek advice and help. We can't encourage you enough to check out CoppaFeel and the work they do and make sure to tell your friends and family to do the same, so the messaging is spread. Look after your boobs ladies! Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #CoppafeelwithAvon

THOUGHTS

There are few who carry and pen and paper around with them these days, we all rely on our phones, and this is part of why we recommend an app to you each month. This month’s is simple, it’s called Thoughts and is used for sketching, doodling, writing notes and all the things you’d use a classic pen and paper for. It's no fuss and easy to use but overall very handy to have on the grid of your iOS or Android device. Your canvas is infinite, it can be colourful, and the best bit- you can use it in the dark so if you find your active mind stealing your sleep, fear not, your thoughts can be noted down and not lost to the land of nod.

LADY GARDEN FOUNDATION

The Lady Garden Foundation which you should all know of well by now, have teamed up with Fiat and Glamour to design a one off Fiat 500 filled with LOADS of stuff. All you have to do is a buy a ticket for £20 (which goes to charity, obvs) and you have a pretty good chance of winning! We are only selling 1000 tickets max, drawn at the 30th August. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter The Link to buy your tickets is here and campaign collaboration info can be found here