Staying In

Watch A Documentary For Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, which has been celebrated every year since 1970 to raise awareness for environmental issues. Across the globe, people get involved by picking up litter, planting trees and lobbying for improved policies – but another way to mark the day is by tuning into one of the many eye-opening documentaries out there. Chasing Coral, for instance, captures the mass bleaching of the rainforests of the sea brought on by climate change (Netflix), while Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story explores society’s obsession with expiry dates, perfect-looking produce and portion sizes (Apple TV). Of course, there’s also the David Attenborough canon to delve into: A Life On Our Planet is vital viewing, telling the story of his life and how the planet has changed during that time (Netflix). These shows aim to educate and inspire viewers to take positive actions for the sake of our planet – tying in with this year’s Earth Day theme, ‘our power, our planet’, which, according to the organisers of Earth Day, ‘reflects a fundamental truth that transcends political cycles. Environmental stewardship has never depended on a single administration, institution, or election. It is sustained by the daily decisions of communities, educators, workers, innovators, and families who understand that protecting the places they live and work is both a responsibility and a long-term investment.’

Going Out

Book Shangri-La’s London-Paris Dual-City Break

This year, Shangri-La is inviting guests to plan a dual-city stay at their London and Paris outposts and enjoy VIP cultural experiences in both cities. Read why Rebecca Cox loves a visit to the Shangri-La Paris, with her highlights including the property’s unique history. Opulent French decor is not hard to come by in Paris’ best hotels, but a storied past quite like this one: almost impossible. Shangri-La Paris occupies the former private residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte, a direct descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte. Roland’s daughter, Princess Marie Bonaparte who lived in the property, became a pioneering feminist and psychoanalyst and a close friend of Sigmund Freud, while her father himself was known for his extensive botanical collection that inspires much of the interior decor today. Housed in a late-19th-century building that was meticulously restored before opening as a hotel in 2010, one of its most recognisable features is the sweeping white marble grand staircase, an original statement piece that has featured on-screen multiple times, as well as serving as a favourite spot for a well-planned romantic proposal. Book by 31 December 2026 for a dual-city Shangri-La escape from £3,285 or €3,785, based on one night in each hotel and the mentioned inclusions, shangri-la.com

Property Of The Day

C&TH Partnership

Fancy living in the historic city of Winchester? Five beautiful new detached homes are launching this weekend (25 April) in the village of Compton, just three miles from the city, offering 5,500 sqft of elegant living space. Built by Alfred Homes, each features five bedrooms, picturesque landscaped gardens with gated entrances and expansive reception areas, set in approximately one third of an acre. Plus, the location is ideally positioned to reach London Waterloo (around an hour by train), renowned schools, Hampshire countryside and the South Coast. It’s not too late to book your appointment to view the properties now and find your dream home.

Find out more and register to attend here. Prices from £2,950,000 to £3,250,000.

Little Luxury

Monica Vinader has unveiled its first original, trademarked diamond cut. Two years in development, the Siren™ Diamond moves away from the traditional round style in favour of an organic, uneven shape to maximise light return – resulting in a high-brilliance, sculptural stone. It’s available in 1ct and 0.5ct sizes, with every diamond sustainably lab-grown using 100 percent renewable energy. The range also includes earrings, a necklace and a bracelet, all set in recycled gold. MV Siren™ Solitaire Diamond Ring, £1500, monicavinader.com

Competition Time

Win a bed and breakfast stay at The Sun Inn on the Essex-Suffolk border in the heart of Constable country, including dinner (up to the value of £90) and a house drink on arrival.

Psssst…

Last week it was hojicha, now ube is the buzzy ingredient threatening to steal matcha’s crown. In 2026 all the cool kids are swapping their green lattes for purple concoctions made with the vibrant yam vegetable – beloved for its sweet, nutty flavour and increasingly appearing on the menus of UK cafes. 

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Doing the London Marathon this weekend? Don’t wait until Saturday night to start carb loading. ‘A frequent mistake made by athletes is eating one extra large dinner the night before the event,’ says nutritionist Georgia Chilton. ‘The problem with this is that it doesn’t give your body enough time to digest and you might still feel lethargic and perhaps bloated in the morning. On top of that, it’s not as efficient to try to fill your muscles with glycogen from just one meal.’ Instead, she recommends starting to up your carbohydrate intake three to five days prior to the big day.