Staying In

Dress Your Bed For The Heatwave

Struggling to wind down in this heat? Not for long. The key to a good night’s sleep, say design experts, is having the proper bedding come summer. ‘The perfect summer bed should feel light, breathable and inviting,’ says Claire Hester, director of design, merchandising & sourcing at British linens label Christy’s. ‘Summer is all about simplifying, so I like to use the season to replace heavier bedding with breathable fabrics like organic cotton, cotton seersucker or linen to help regulate temperature. And pairing these with soft whites and natural colours creates a bedroom that feels fresh, airy and cool.’ The golden rule: swerve synthetics for natural materials. ‘Avoid synthetic bedding where possible, as it can trap heat,’ emphasises Claire. ‘Natural fibres like organic cotton are more breathable and help create a cooler, more comfortable sleep environment.’ For more tips on summer bedscaping, see our full guide here.

Going Out

Dine At The New Bar Blondie

Queen’s Park – a leafy, North West London neighbourhood tucked between Kilburn and Kensal Rise – has been gradually building up its culinary reputation for years. Spots like Milk Beach, Alice House, Ida and the recently revamped Salusbury pub put it on the map, but bakery-cum-restaurant Don’t Tell Dad really cemented Queen’s Park’s reputation as a foodie mecca. And now there’s a new spot to know: Bar Blondie. Taking over Milk Beach’s old unit, which has been painted a sunny lemon yellow, Bar Blondie is helmed by Milk Beach founder Elliot Milne along with sommelier Alex Price, who has crafted a creative 200-bin wine list for the occasion. The interiors are stylish yet homely, like an artist’s living room, while the concise menu is packed with fresh produce. Begin with the bluefin and stracciatella crostini, a morsel crispy bread topped with chunks of bright, lemony tuna and a slathering of creamy cheese. And don’t miss the pasta dishes; the fazzoletti with devon crab, chilli and lemon will transport you to Italy. Read the full C&TH take here. Walk-ins welcome or book your table at barblondie.co.uk

Property Of The Day

The childhood home of Princess Margaret’s husband, Lord Snowdon, this 24-acre estate is nestled in the picturesque village of Womersley. As well as the 10-bedroom main house, the estate features five additional properties and a coffee shop. Inside: 17th century stained glass and bookcases from 18th century architect Robert Adam.

£4,000,000, struttandparker.com

Little Luxury

If you’re yet to secure your go-to holiday shoe, check out the new launches from British brand Fairfax & Favor. We’ve got our eye on the Ebury Tan Leather Sandals, which feature padded crossover straps, a non-slip sole and a small heel to ensure both comfort and style throughout the warmer months. £165, fairfaxandfavor.com

Competition Time

Fancy a city escape complete with great food, great drink and great views across London? This competition gives you the chance to win a two-night stay at Andaz London Liverpool Street, including daily breakfast at Eastway Brasserie, one three-course dinner with drinks at Rake’s Café Bar, and a drink at Lady Abercorn’s Pub & Kitchen.

Psssst…

Next week (4-9 August), the freshly revamped Olympia London will play host to the UK’s first elite professional padel tournament. The Premier Padel P1, which is the second-highest tier of tournament category for pro padel players, will see players compete for a slice of an enormous prize pool (€479,068!). Spectators can catch the action, with dedicated fanzones and live music, from £41.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Run a bath tonight. More than half of England is officially in drought, so it’s more important than ever to be mindful about our water usage. While the average bath uses about 80 to 100 litres of water, a standard shower uses nine to 14 litres per minute – find more ways to use less here.

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