With the arrival of balmy weather, summer-party season is in full swing; and there’s no better way to spend a sunny afternoon than socialising outside with family and friends. Part of the point of a garden party is that it should be relaxed and informal, giving the hosts more time to enjoy it. But while … Read more
Charlotte bouclé throw, £25, John Lewis; Blanket-stitched basketweave throw, £625, Johnstons of Elgin What about drying? “Put it on a high spin, you don’t want it coming out of the machine wet,” says Browne. “If you’re going to dry it outside, make sure to space it out.” For those who favour a tumble dryer, be … Read more
“We recommend starting reasonably early – as soon as the pollen count starts to creep up, take antihistamines,” says Morris. “If that’s not controlling things, migrate onto the nasal spray and eye drops.” GPs can also prescribe steroid treatments when these options don’t work. People who are still debilitated by their hay fever symptoms after … Read more
It’s probably the most straightforward test of all: check the ingredients list and if it contains at least one item you don’t recognise as something found in standard kitchens, it’s more than likely UPF. These unrecognisable substances often appear at the beginning or the middle of the ingredients list. “If it looks like you couldn’t … Read more
A collection of the world’s most renowned experts in ultra-processed foods will convene in London for the International Food Addiction Consensus Conference next month. The gathering ultimately aims to get addiction to highly processed junk foods officially recognised as a condition by both the World Health Organisation and leading psychiatry institutions. “We’re getting together to … Read more
Do: make old look new. Don’t: go too trad A new collaboration between fabric house Sanderson and the fashion designer and illustrator Giles Deacon has ushered in a collection that evokes a certain feeling of grandeur and nostalgia, but is intended to be used in any style of home, whatever its size. Existing designs from … Read more
A couple of weeks ago, visiting my mother’s house, I picked up a book on the kitchen table – Clean and Green by former Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle. It was a revelation. You can make laundry detergent from conkers, says Birtwhistle. You can whiten yellowing pillow covers with citric acid and table … Read more
You’re not still suffering from bad sleep are you? Insomnia is so 2023. In 2024, there’s an app for that. Or an orthopaedic mattress. Or a light-therapy lamp… “The sleep economy has increased dramatically in recent years,” says Dr Guy Meadows, founder and clinical director of Sleep School, an organisation that supports people struggling with … Read more
The cultural tapestry of Sicily is a rich and varied one. Invasions by the Phoenicians, ancient Greeks, Romans, Moors, Normans, Spanish, and Italians left their mark, particularly in the island’s architecture and culinary traditions. The island is best explored through those understated haunts where locals convene, centuries-old buildings that lie well off the tourist track, … Read more