1 — Catch up with friends after a holiday over afternoon tea. Unusual settings and timings for conversations will help to carry on the insouciant and indulgent mood of the summer. We particularly enjoy the experience at the Gallery at Sketch London. The patisserie is beautifully executed and the gloriously yellow walls feel like being wrapped up in sunshine. Another favourite, and not least for its prettiest Wedgwood porcelain, is the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho. South of the Thames, Petersham Nurseries offer a truly seasonal menu in the idyllic setting of a country garden, only on Fridays and weekends.
2 — Keep dressing easy and instantly smart with sturdy trousers. A good pair of canvas trousers will replace the jeans instinctively reached for when pressed for time. We recommend Aimé Drake trousers in off white as a reliable option to wear with literally anything, from a button down shirt for a work meeting to a sweat shirt on the school run. The slight ankle crop allows to flash that summer tan too.
3 — A whirlwind of blockbuster shows, from Michelangelo to Emin, will keep everyone pleased this autumn but outdoor events are a joy to attend while the weather is still clement. Frieze Sculpture starts on 18th September in London’s Regent’s Park and runs until 27th October. Now in its 12th edition, it will feature works by 22 artists and promise “daring and experimental approaches”.
With still a few weeks to go, Marc Quinn: Light into Life at Kew Gardens is a fascinating encounter between the artist, the viewer and nature; and one that is easy to attend with children.
4 — For future trips, note down an exciting hotel opening in Paris in the Opéra district. Hotel Hana, designed by Laura Gonzalez, is inspired by Japanese minimalism and Feng Shui she balances with extremely comfortable soft furnishings and opulent prints. Hanabi, the hotel restaurant deserves a visit in itself. It proposes “French classics twisted with Japanese finesse” and the most aesthetically pleasing plates we’ve seen for a while.
For an alternative dining option in the neighbourhood (actually dubbed Little Tokyo), try Kunitoraya. They have two options that range from the casual at the Udon bistro (no reservations, 1 rue Villédo, Paris 1er) to the tasting menu of the Charbon (5 rue Villédo, Paris 1er).
5 — No cooking required: the last of the summer crops, figs make a short appearance on tables that should not be missed. We love them simply quartered (unpeeled is fine), to accompany mozzarella, prosciutto, a generous drizzle of olive oil and lots of basil.