The July List
What I’m eating, drinking, reading, watching, wearing and generally loving right now
July has flown by. It’s flown by so fast that it’s only just dawned of me: as of tomorrow we’re in August. The summer holidays have a way of warping time like that: the one happy, sun-kissed day blends into the next; and before you know it, it’s back to school. Make it stop! Let it forever be July! Let Mondays always feel like Sundays…
Anyway, in the spirit of holding on to all that is good about summer that little bit longer, here are a few of my favourites, that I’ve especially enjoyed this month…
A woman obsessed, I’ve been making and eating this on repeat: juicy watermelon with fresh herbs, a crumbling of salty feta cheese and a generous dash of hot Tabasco (trust me on the Tabasco). Sweet and salty and wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer’s day.
I’m not typically a big fan of flavoured crisps: I like my potatoes with a little salt, perhaps a dash of vinegar and not much else… BUT salty fried potato and PICKLE, it turns out, is a match made in heaven. I can’t tell you how good these are. I could happily devour a whole bag all to myself. And in fact - I’m not going to lie - have done so on more than the one occasion.
An Italian summer classic: it’s iced black coffee but ‘shakerato’, shaken in a cocktail shaker (or blender if you want to go high tech) until the coffee turns light and delectably frothy. Think of it as kind of like an espresso martini but without the martini. You can add sugar to taste (either sweeten the coffee with regular sugar while still hot or add a splash of sugar syrup to it once iced and shaken); and I like to drink mine with a straw (but that’s by no means compulsory).
A painfully beautiful and unexpected love story, that plays out in the early 1920s right up until the Second World War. The Other Side of Paradise tells the story of an American heiress who marries into a grand but deeply troubled British aristocratic family. Utter heartbreak, but nonetheless a delicious page-turner with shades of Du Maurier’s Rebecca about it. A perfect summer holiday read.
A very glamorous Katherine Hepburn in 1950s Venice. This is pure joy to watch if only for Hepburn’s dresses (one more impossibly chic than the next), the dreamy cinematography and for the shots of Venice as it was once upon a time. I struggled to find the movie to download on ITunes or similar, but you can watch the whole thing here on YouTube and, I promise you it’s a treat.
I’ve said it before, but I do love this skirt: with a camisole or cotton t-shirt for daywear on a summer’s day; dressed up with a pair of heels and a fancy top for the evening; and, when the time comes, I just know that I’ll wear it every bit as much in the winter months, with boots and a chunky woolen jumper.
Anthony and I went to see Taylor Swift at Wembley last month and now I have the Eras Tour setlist playing on repeat. Can’t stop. Won’t stop. Just shaking it off at every chance I get.
With the summer months, comes the onslaught of mosquitos (most especially here in Venice). This citronella body spray from Diptyque not only comes in a very fabulous bottle, but smells delicious (and also doesn’t feel like you’re smothering your body in toxic chemicals) while still keeping away the bugs. Granted, it’s a little on the spoiling side, but otherwise and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a win win.
This is the third year of Anya Hindmarch’s annual summer Ice Cream Project: a pop up shop on Pont St selling delectable ice cream in the most unexpected flavours. Think everything from Heinz Baked Beans to Tiptree bitter orange marmalade. If you’re in London, go now and try them all!!! My stand-out favourites this year were Jaffa Cake (utter genius - why has no one attempted a Jaffa Cake ice cream before?!), Soy Sauce (sort of sweet and salty - almost tastes like a deep salted caramel), Sun Pat (a very fudgy peanut butter ice cream) and Maldon Salt (which is a dark chocolate sorbet flavoured with Maldon salt flakes). Open until 18th August and I cannot recommend it enough.
Two of my favourite brands, Markarian and Vibi Venezia, collaborating on a collection of elegant summer slippers that are every bit as beautiful as they are comfortable. Hooray! The collection comes in a selection of exquisite fabrics, with dresses to match. Love, love, love it all but these are my favourites.
My kinda DIY via Roland Mouret: two ways to wear a silk scarf as a top and a very clever way to fashion your scarf into a handbag.
I stayed here for a couple of nights earlier this year and loved every moment. THE most stunning views, spectacular jasmine-filled gardens that defy gravity and are set into the cliff face, and a dreamy beach club that feels straight out of a vintage movie.
The little white dress that makes you want to take up tennis just so you can wear the outfit. Classic, white and perfectly elegant. Wimbledon 2025, here I come…
On my moodboard since forever: I love everything about this vintage Pucci piece from the rainbow colours to the classic bustier-with-a-full-skirt shape. Incidentally, Hood London do a not dissimilar headpiece in a poppier print and in poppier colours (or in black moiré), should you too want to recreate the look.
I’m a longtime fan of Margie Nomura’s podcast, Desert Island Dishes, but now she’s taken on a 100 recipes in a 100 days challenge with new delights coming to her Instagram account every day: think Pistachio Cream French Toast, Crème Brûlée Cheesecake and ‘Fridge Drawer’ Tiramisù (a whole fridge drawer filled with tiramisù). It’s a wealth of delectable inspiration.
A few years ago I treated myself to a Loquet locket and now it’s one of my most treasured possessions. Inside, I keep the boys’ birthstones, lucky charms (I’m prone to being a tad superstitious), and charms that I’ve collected over the years to mark achievements and moments I want to hold on to.
Pollyanna Johnson’s ceramics are irreverent and thought provoking pieces that have long been on my wish list. She makes everything in her studio in East Sussex and each little object is a work of art.
This book is pure joy for anyone who loves to cook and/or is blessed with a dry sense of humour. In a collection of short essays, Barnes tackles themes such as how big actually is a ‘medium-sized’ onion? And what is it about the River Cafe Chocolate Nemesis Cake that it never quite tastes the same when you make it at home as it does in the restaurant, even if you follow the recipe to a ‘t’? Side-splitting-ly funny, the perfect little gift for the person who has everything and just generally a beautiful thing to have in your life.
Loved everything about this - perfect summer vibes! ☀️
Lovely post! Greetings from freezing Sydney!