Outfits, ideas and activities to see you into the weekend …
There’s nothing quite like an early summer – long may it last! Make the most of it while you can by topping up on SPF, dressing the part, getting out into the fresh air or diving into a good book, here or on your travels. Remember to stay cool, hydrated and find shade during the midday sun – and take extra care with kids and pets. Here’s our glossy guide to handle the heat with aplomb …
TRAVEL IN STYLE: Whether you’re bound for sun-soaked beaches, bustling cities or somewhere in between, THE GLOSS Holiday Edit has everything you need – from airport outfits to daywear, evening silks, poolside pants sets, on-trend pareos, boho cover-ups and jewellery, sun hats and raffia totes – plus barely-there kitten heels and dressed-up, going-out versions of the jelly shoes you loved as a child. The search for the perfect weekend, carry-on or check-in bag can be almost as tricky as choosing the ideal destination. Find the best weekender bags here.
PACK YOUR BEAUTY BAG: Years of liquid restrictions have trained us into minimalism when travelling. Many airports, including Dublin, have now scrapped the plastic bag rule; you can take up to two litres of liquids in your carry-on (though check your return airport’s rules, too). Will we really go back to lugging full bottles of foundation and perfume? There’s no need to, according to Sarah Halliwell. See her make-up, SPF and perfume recommendations here.
GREECE IS THE WORD: Greek mythology is as hot as Athens, it seems, with Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated take on The Odyssey out in July. For several summers now, modern retellings of mythological figures from Achilles to Circe have topped bestseller lists, along with the rediscovery of gems like Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad. If you’re in a Greek state of mind, dreaming of cerulean sea and pristine white stone, discover scents and body care inspired by Greek myths from Memo Paris, Matiere Premiere, To My Ships and more.
EASY, BREEZY DRESSES: If you’re staying closer to home, it’s not all about separates as we’re re-entering the era of the dress, according to those in the know. It’s apt as our appetite for easy, wearable clothes has never been more intense. As much as we want a statement dress the reality is that, after a spring spent in drawstring jeans, we’re firmly creatures of comfort. See Sarah Macken’s selection of pretty dresses from Queens of Archive, Aligne, Rixo and more to kickstart summer – all from €60.
A LIGHT LUNCH: In My Foodie Weekend, Eccles Hotel Head Chef Eddie Atwell shares his ideal time off in West Cork and one of his favourite recipes. With pre-made ingredients in pickled beetroots, beetroot jam and granola, all you need is fresh salad leaves and quality cheese. The blue cheese can be made into a custard easily at home too if you follow his simple recipe.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF PARTY PLATTER: An anchovy draped over warm bread or toast is arguably one of the best snacks you can eat – especially when the sun is out or it’s day one of a holiday. Kitty Coles recommends quality tinned fish in five varieties to impress the uninitiated – mussels en escabeche, sardines in olive oil and lemon, yellowfin tuna in olive oil, anchovies and mackerel – alongside good butter, a parsley, chive and shallot salad dressed with lemon and olive oil, and the best baguette you can find. For how little effort it takes, it looks impressive. It’s safe to say she’s become hooked on tinned fish, so she did a deep dive in THE GLOSS Table newsletter. You can still read it if you sign up now.
LET’S GO OUTSIDE: Whatever the nature of your outdoor space – whether a balcony or garden with patio – a few thoughtfully chosen scene-setters, such as pots and planters brimming with scented herbs and lush blooms arranged around a seating area, can transform even the blandest corner into something special. Shop pretty parasols, space-saving retractable awnings, canopies and pots you’d spot at a chic boutique hotel to feel like you’re on the French Riviera.
TIME TO GET GARDENING: Learn how to create a new romantic garden with award-winning garden designer Jo Thompson, a judge at RHS Chelsea Flower Show who appeared at the Festival Of Gardens & Nature in Laois. For clothing the bones of a garden’s structure with romance and fragrance, she says that nothing comes close to stopping to smell the roses.
BOOK A SUMMER HOUSE: Celebrate slow living like designer Elin Alemdar, CEO of fashion label Stylein, whose Swedish retreat offers a softer take on Scandinavian minimalism. The open-plan layout is ideal for socialising, designed to catch the light at every stage of the day. The home boasts its own dock for swims, a sauna and guest house. On a typical day, a pre-dinner tradition is a sauna followed by an aperitif on the terrace, strategically positioned to soak up evening light. Just link us to the Airbnb listing.
CREATIVE RETREATS: Combine the joys of slow travel in niche destinations with meeting new people in serene surroundings thanks to this list for yoga and nature fans, foodies, herbalists, gardenistas and art enthusiasts, at home and abroad. Find more retreats in THE GLOSS MAGAZINE in stores now.
DIVE INTO A GOOD READ: We recommend 12 new books to add to your reading list to while away the time, including Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen’s latest novel, Our Deadly Summer. We suggest you pick one up, find a comfortable spot and make hay while the sun shines.
SEE MORE: Win 2 Tickets To Bord Bia Bloom
