The June Issue : Our Guide on What to Do This Month (Safely)

The passing of time this past couple of months has been a strange phenomenon - days passing so slowly but the weeks disappearing fast. Now, without having been anywhere at all in April and May, we find ourselves at the start of June with summer firmly upon us. Whilst lockdown restrictions are gently easing - we are still mostly at home and out and about the focus is on very much staying outside, socially distanced. With that in mind here are our top tips on what to do, see, eat and wear this month. We hope it gives you some ideas - we certainly need them right now too!

Enjoy Nature at It's Finest...

The days are at their longest, the sun is shining and the roses are out. One of the best things we are finding for our wellbeing is getting out in nature. If you are getting bored of your local park National Trust properties are starting to open their gardens and parkland for advance bookings, meanwhile Forestry England and the Woodland Trust are also reopening. The quieter environment (and maybe the fact that are slowing down and taking note) is meaning we are able to see and hear birds in our gardens and on our balconies. It's amazing how addictive a bit of bird-watching can be! We just used the RSPB website to identify visitors to our garden including swallows, blue tits, robins and chaffinches - my 4 year old loved it and let's face it we all need wholesome distractions or the kids right now!

Embroidery...

Whilst on wholesome activities... have you noticed a lot of people are getting into embroidery?! Whilst it might conjure up images of bored Jane Austin heroines, embroidery can be a very therapeutic activity and you can make some really sweet little bits for home, or even to personalise your own or your little ones wardrobe. A little basic cross stitch might be a starting point, but soon you'll be monogramming your PJs! Look at Cressida Jamieson's beautiful work for inspiration. Also whilst you have your needle and thread out why not mend a couple of items that you need to repair? All part of the sustainable wardrobe mindset.

Cocktail Making....

If embroidery is a step too far, then I'll hazard a guess 'locktail' making might be of more appeal. We are on what feels like our 1000th night in and as much as we love a glass of wine or G&T, it can start to feel a bit samey. The sunshine has us craving cocktails - there are margs all over instagram and tequila sales are reportedly up by 55% so why not use this time wisely and learn how to make some! Sipsmith are offering live cocktail making workshops on their social media channels for a bit of inspiration or the Guardian offers a weekly cocktail recipe online. The prettier the better!

 Image: Laura Jackson

Comedy...

Whether you've had a tipple or two or not, we could all do with a little more laughter in our lives right now. As the Coronavirus memes start to dry up, there is a host of comedy available at your fingertips online, often allowing you to support struggling theatres and artists at the same time - for example look out for Soho Theatre on Demand which is showing its production of Fleabag. It's also a great time to discover new comedians online - Chortle offers an amazing selection of small comedy venues still showing online as well as ideas on what's streaming every day. Laughter is such great therapy!

What to Eat...

Picnics, obviously. This month we are making home made pizzas and quiche's to pack up and take out and about with us. It might not be the most fashionable choice but I have been thrashing out Delia Smith recipes at a rate of knots. Her Summer Collection is so nostalgic of my childhood and making her recipes with my Grannie but also they  are great summer eating / picnic ideas. Roast veggies and cous cous (quite revolutionary when published in the 90s!) and coconut lime cake are some faves plus her pastry recipes are the simplest to follow for the aforementioned quiches and tarts!  For pudding - in honour of Wimbledon - and because they are just so simple and good, simple stawberries and cream. Easy.

 

What to Wear...

As the temperatures rise, we are looking to flowing summer dresses and swimwear this month. Many of Clo Stories beautiful bikinis and one pieces are reversible giving you two looks in one - the one pieces, especially in the sea sponge fabric also work great worn as a top. Best of all they are all made of recycled materials. Our latest brand arrival, A Perfect Nomad, is full of stunning, organic cotton and peace silk dresses and jumpsuits with a bohemian spirit inspired by Ibiza. We might not be able to get to the Balearics right now but wearing one of these dresses will bring them to you. Lastly, we are still well and truly lounging, and could not be more excited to have new brand elliot. organics land this month - perfect lounge, night and underwear in organic cotton and bamboo.