1 — Get equipped with a trench coat as the champion of waterproof outer layers. This is a common denominator in the wardrobes of all the women we look up to for their expression of style. However different their personalities and sartorial sense, it is no coincidence that Audrey Hepburn, Jane Birkin and Lauren Hutton were seen countless times in similar iterations of this garment, and we have endless admiration for these confident dressers. A trench is an external shell that makes us feel instantly put together; we do not really need to think about what we wear underneath, liberating effort and time so we can get on the move.
2 — Newly published books in the Opinionated Guides series are a prompt to envisage London under different angles. In a digital age where information is super accessible, guides that express the writer's opinion feel warm and personal and that is the mission Hoxton Mini Press have set themselves in this collection.
London Markets illustrates that there is practically a market for everything in the city and although we adore Portobello Road Market, this title suggests forty-nine alternatives to find antiques, cheese and locally made jams. These places are more than cheerful arrays of merchandise, they are guided by communities and show off the vibrancy of London. Other new titles include Calm London, Design London and London. They make nice gifts too.
3 — Armed with a bounty of fresh produce (and a cheat ingredient), set to prepare Broccolini with Romesco Sauce and make the most of vegetables that are in season now.
Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Toss 200g tender stem broccoli, a chopped garlic clove and a pinch of salt in a generous amount of olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes, it should be lightly charred. In a blender, blitz 75g blanched or toasted almonds with 300g drained jarred roasted red peppers , a garlic clove, one teaspoon of white vinegar and salt to taste. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil and add a handful of panko breadcrumbs. Fry for a couple of minutes. To assemble, spoon the sauce onto a platter, stack the tender stem broccoli and sprinkle with the panko. Add shavings of pecorino cheese if you'd like.
4 — While the temperature only just hits double digits, a novel way to find calm in a rushed city life is to spend a moment in a timber clad sauna. The well-known Nordic tradition, celebrated for its mood-boosting and stress reducing benefits is now expanding in London with the addition of a communal or social element. The extreme heat followed by cold plunges provides a post workout exhilarating feeling but also serves as a new backdrop to meeting with friends. East London is home to Rooftop Saunas and Sauna Social Club can be found in South East London.
5 — Finally, there's nothing more evocative of spring that the emergence of new blooms and the Saatchi Gallery is truly embracing the idea in their new show Flowers — Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture. We love the explosion of colour and textures and the general joyful curation while some works deliver emotional messages. Every other Friday night, the gallery is hosting Flower Lates, a set of workshops centered around flowers, including drawing, printmaking and bouquet arranging (Duke of York Square, King's Road, London SW3 4RY).
Failing to travel to the other side of the world to discover its art, see Brasil!Brasil! The Birth of Modernism at the Royal Academy of Arts ( until 21st April). The works on display are as diverse as the country they emanate from and form a captivating exhibition.