Spring is finally in sight and there’s a bank holiday around the corner.
Welcome to the Citizen Femme team’s list of things to eat, buy, watch, try, and experience this April. This is the ultimate inspiration to see you into the new season.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
STAY I’m looking forward to a weekend at Le Bristol Paris, one of the greatest Grand Dame hotels in the French capital. I look forward to their incredibly indulgent hot chocolate, La Prairie Spa and walks around Faubourg Saint-Honoré. VISIT The exhibition showcasing silver screen icon Romy Schneider at the Cinémathèque Française in Paris, complete with clips from her films, interviews, behind-the-scenes set footage, and diary excerpts. SHOP Anything at La Boutique de Cara, a beautifully curated boutique off Rue de Turenne in Le Marais which remains one of Paris’ best kept secrets. There are rails with classic and more avant-garde pieces from across the decades: we’re talking Chanel jackets, Celine dresses and vintage Gucci boots. WATCH The epic saga of The Lehman Trilogy directed by Sam Mendes, the play’s second comeback to the West End, performed on Es Devlin’s modern boardroom set. EAT at Aqua Kyoto for their special menu celebrating Sakura Season, with all dishes inspired by the famous Japanese cherry blossom, a menu good enough to rival the beautiful interiors and views over my favourite street in London, Regent Street. TRY As a forever fan of the quintessentially Italian deli Lina Stores, I’ve indulged in a family-sized hamper to enjoy with the clan, including Baci mini eggs, Dulciar chocolate egg and Italian cookies.
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Gemma Louise Deeks, Contributing Fashion Editor
STAY I’ve booked a treehouse escape at Wildhive Callow Hall in the Peak District for the Easter weekend. BUY Dragon Diffusion’s Santa Croce Big woven leather tote for the perfect spring/summer everything bag. I’ll be using it as a work bag and a beach bag. WATCH Love Is Blind is back for a fourth season on Netflix and it’s the ultimate guilty pleasure TV. EAT At Archway Battersea for an intimate dining experience celebrating seasonal produce. TRY I am turning 31 this month and as an aesthetics virgin, I’m looking to try Doctor Bibi’s ‘Baby Botox’ for some natural line-filling.
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Lucy Halfhead, Content & Partnerships Director
STAY I’m escaping to Vermelho in the sleepy Portuguese beach town of Melides, the first hotel from shoe designer Christian Louboutin, with magical interiors and a bohemian vibe. EAT More is more at Richard Caring’s decadent new Mayfair restaurant Bacchanalia, where four Damien Hirst sculptures are suspended from huge round columns. VISIT Fortnum & Mason’s entire third floor is now home to the incredible Food & Drink Studio, a gastronomic hub for shopping the chicest cookware and a place to join live tastings and workshops. SEE With the arrival of a fresh new cast, I’ve booked tickets for Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution, a gripping production played out in a magnificent courtroom setting at London County Hall. BEAUTY I’m heading for a spring reset at The Connaught’s dreamy Aman spa, where the Aman Advanced Facial leaves you super relaxed and glowing for the season. LISTEN To DJ Annie Mac’s genius Before Midnight club night (7pm – 12am) means I can hit the dancefloor and still get a good night’s sleep.
Katie Silcox, Deputy Editor
STAY At Athens Flair, a listed building from the 1800s. Today it’s home to six suites with original features and a rooftop bar with views over the city. Here’s where I’ll be shopping in the Greek capital, too. EAT At Rambutan, a new Sri Lankan restaurant in Borough Market serving Tamil dishes. The red northern prawn curry with tamarind has caught my eye. VISIT The Fall in Love and Be More Tender exhibition at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. It’s a sparkling retrospective of Ashish Gupta’s fashion designs over the last twenty years. USE Davines NOUNOU shampoo and conditioner designed to nourish processed hair. READ I’m halfway through Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow, a sometimes harrowing story about three generations of Black women living in the American South between the 1930s – early 2000s.
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Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
STAY At Foresters Hall for some laid-back luxury on the Isle of Wight. I’ll need the relaxation after attempting a 106km ultra-marathon around the island to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Research. BUY Dior’s Diorshow Khôl eyeliner in Black Khôl; I really want to recreate the gorgeous makeup look by Peter Philip for Dior’s Fall 2023 collection, presented at the spectacular Gateway of India Monument in Mumbai. WATCH Finding Michael on Disney+. The story of Spencer Matthew’s search for his brother’s body on Everest is a powerful and conversation-starting exploration of human loss, hope and endurance. EAT & DRINK A cocktail or two alongside Cantonese small plates and live music at Lucy Wong, central London’s latest bar near Tottenham Court Road. TRY To actually study French on Duolingo throughout the whole month – I’m determined to get beyond ‘Désolée. Je ne comprends pas.’
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Morag Turner, Contributing Editor, Citizen Enfants
STAY At the Colony Club on the stunning west coast of Barbados. I’m going during the Easter holidays with my kids; it’s the perfect family hotel with tons of water sports to keep my boys busy. ENJOY We love Easter so I’ll be decorating my home and buying my family chocolate treats from Fortnum & Mason – no one makes prettier Easter eggs. WEAR This spring I’ll be living in my new quilted floral jacket from Wiggy Kit. It’s reversible and I adore both the prints. EAT I’m heading to Joia Battersea at the Power Station for a long overdue catch up with some girlfriends. It’s the first London restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, and the Iberian menu looks delicious. TRY I have completely fallen in love with Oribe Signature Moisture mask. Perfect for getting hair ready for summer. BUY I’ll be stopping by the gorgeous new Cake and Flowers boutique at The Dorchester to pick up some beautiful spring blooms. SEE The Tate Britain‘s major new exhibition, The Rossettis, which follows the romance and radicalism of the Rossetti generation, through and beyond the Pre-Raphaelite years.
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Sanjana Menon, Editorial Assistant
STAY At 976 Panangad, in the heart of Kochi, India. It’s a luxury four-bedroom property with an infinity pool and unparalleled views of the backwaters: the perfect place to unwind and spend time with family. BUY The Adidas Samba in ‘Chalky Brown Gum’ will be the next pair I add to my sneaker collection. WATCH The Night Manager on Disney+, a crime-thriller Bollywood remake of the British series of the same name, based on John Le Carre’s novel. It’s a suspenseful two-part series. The second part releases on 16th July. EAT At Sachi in Pantechnicon, a Japanese restaurant in Belgravia. Inspired by the craft and culture of Japan, the menu offers delicious sushi options and an incredible sake selection. TRY Bluejelly luxury cruises. An ultra-luxury houseboat on the serene backwaters of Kerala, India, with beautiful views accompanied by southern Indian cuisine.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?