Summer is in full swing and the Citizen Femme team’s calendar is filled with exciting things to do this August.
Including places to eat and stay, plus things to buy, watch and try – this is the ultimate inspiration to see you through the month.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
RELAX With a morning at Surrenne in The Emory Hotel for the Signature Hammam scalp and body treatment. EAT At a new favourite, Story Cellar in Covent Garden’s Neal’s Yard. It’s such a pretty part of London and being a huge fan of counter dining, this is a new hotspot for me. BOOK Anything teeth with Dr. Tom Crawford Clark of Luceo Dental, a dental artist extraordinaire. For ultra-natural looking results, his tooth whitening is straightforward and very effective, and Composite Bonding is excellent for a beautiful natural smile. WEAR These very dainty mesh ballerina flats from Dear Frances, a lovely summer alternative to sandals (especially if you’ve had a great pedicure). The site has a clever QR code which you can scan and see how they’ll look on you too. TRY The new Exhale Pilates in Marylebone. In a 55-minute session, you’ll learn quickly how to make Pilates work for you – and feel great afterwards.
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Gemma Louise Deeks, Contributing Fashion Editor
STAY At Parga Beach Resort in Greece with my partner and his children – they have a great family package which allows a perfect luxury experience for all of us, and it will be the last trip as a four before we become six! DRINK I’m on the hunt for good non-alcoholic drinks now that I’m pregnant, and I recently had a Virgin Picante using Pentire’s Margarita mix at a restaurant – I’m hooked! BUY Comfortable clothing for my growing bump, I have my eye on Bumpsuits; the best-selling designs are easy to style throughout the seasons of pregnancy and beyond. READ After an embarrassingly long time off, I really want to get back into reading. I bought a few books for my holiday, but I’m particularly looking forward to reading Coco Mellors’ Blue Sisters, an exploration of sisterhood, grief and growing up. TRY Nue Ground in South London, a fitness studio, café and wellness hub all under one roof. I’m looking forward to a Pilates class, followed by the Pregnancy Flexology treatment and a nutritious lunch.
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Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
STAY On the Cycladic island of Kythnos – which is just two hours by ferry from Athens, but flies under the tourism radar. I’ll be visiting for two nights and staying at Yfēs. EAT At a brand new dining destination on the Athens Riviera, Barbarossa Athens. Its sister restaurant is already a (very!) popular restaurant on the Greek island of Paros, which I dined at a few weeks ago too! BUY Anything from this Greek island style guide. I particularly love the gold-plated earrings from Greek brand, YSSO, Rail’s Maja Pants and the Sensi Studio straw striped tote. READ Solidarity: The Past, Present and Future of a World-Changing Idea by Leah Hunt-Hendrix and Astra Taylor who offer an ambitious but refreshing commitment to building solidarity in an era that sometimes feels ever more polarised. USE The Sanudo handcream by Naxos Apothecary for my sea- and sun-chapped hands. I love this brand, which was born on the Greek island of Naxos in 1988.
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Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
RELAX At The Spa at The Dorchester in London. I can’t wait to roll from the new quartz treatment beds to the acoustic deep meditation loungers – both are designed to help soothe your body from head-to-toe. TRY A builder gel manicure (inspired by summer’s biggest mani-pedi trends) in place of my usual extensions. I love a sleek, long nail, but am trying to improve the overall health of my nails. LISTEN To live music at the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch. It is my favourite place to discover up-and-coming bands. Tickets are either free or super affordable. BOOK A consultation with the incredible hair and makeup artists at Selfridges’ Beauty Concierge. It’s the place to go for tips and styling before a big event, including weddings this summer. ENJOY Cycling to the office on a Lime bike while the weather is good. The app is really easy to use and it’s a great way to start my day with some exercise, especially as I hate the tube.
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
WEAR A good slogan T-shirt or sweatshirt (depending on the British weather!) which I’ll throw on with denim shorts and my trusty Birkenstocks on the beach. My current faves are from 4th & Reckless and Sporty and Rich. STYLE My Devon summer house for dinners with friends. Nothing says coastal more than a stripe, so these napkins from Evie and Skye are great. I also love this platter from Lucie de Moyencourt, these pretty plates from Maison Flaneur, and these glasses from Daylesford. EAT The coolest take-out in Devon: Biffen’s Kitchen. Visit for delicious street food to eat while watching the waves break at Croyde beach. USE My favourite hair mask, Masquintense Riche by Kérastase, because swimming in the sea every day is really drying my hair out. BOOK Ahead for Jodie Whitaker’s new play The Duchess at the Trafalgar Theatre. It starts on 5 October but is likely to sell out soon.
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Bibiana Obahor, Head of Graphic Design
WATCH A film at one of London’s many outdoor cinemas. Dune: Part Two is showing at Everyman on the Canal, Pretty Woman is screening at Rooftop Film Club, and the high-school classic 10 Things I Hate About You will show at London’s floating cinema – all my faves! READ A light-hearted, laugh-out-loud summer read, I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue. The characters felt so real and I just couldn’t put it down. VISIT The Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, for street food and drinks amidst historic surroundings. It’s on from 24-26 August. TRY To skip the alcohol during long days in the sun, which can leave you dehydrated. Instead, I’m trying Kin Euphorics’ refreshing alternatives which are not only tasty, but also designed to elevate your mood without the downside of alcohol. BUY SPF, because it’s non-negotiable during the summer months. I keep my skin protected, heatwave or not, with the Sol de Janeiro Body Spray SPF, which smells like summer in a bottle. EAT I can’t resist classic British fish and chips at Tollington’s in Finsbury Park. It’s the ultimate comfort food, done to perfection.
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Ella Mansell, Editorial Assistant
August, the month of repose, when it feels like the city slows down just that little bit. To make the most of this quieter energy, I’ll READ A Woman by Sibilla Aleramo who’s fondly known as one of Italy’s first feminist writers. The book is hard to summarise in a sentence, but it’s one I think every woman should read. BUY (Or wish to buy) every piece by independent, modernist-style jewellery brand, mossquito. DRINK At a new wine bar in Islington, Goodbye Horses, which serves a wide selection of wines by the glass or bottle, alongside sharing plates by the chef from Papi and Planque – and lots of vinyl. VISIT Monk’s House (author Virginia Woolf’s house) and Charleston House (painter Vanessa Bell’s house) both a short hour train ride away from London, in Sussex. TRAVEL I’d love to do some longer-haul travel soon, and a trip to the Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic, the Azores, would be incredible.
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Sheila Victorio, Partnerships: Restaurants, Food & Drink
STAY At the stunning METT Marbella Beach Hotel which has a new beachfront Greek restaurant, Ammos, serving quality but laidback local cuisine such as fresh fish, tzatziki and souvlaki. EAT At CLAP London for excellent Japanese dining. Near Harrods in Knightsbridge, it’s a great date spot! BUY Cygnet Gin by opera singer Katherine Jenkins – she launched their first ready-to-drink gin and tonic and it’s perfect for al fresco evenings in the garden. WATCH BBC thriller, The Jetty starring Jenna Coleman. I’m hooked. I also loved The Idea of You starring Anne Hathaway and Nicolas Galitzine. I’m a sucker for a good old rom-com! LISTEN To Madonna in her 80s and 90s era. I’m playing classics like Holiday, La Isla Bonita, and Into the Groove on repeat – they’re ideal to hum along to on the Victoria line in the mornings.
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ALEXANDRA CARELLO, PR DIRECTOR
USE Suncream – every day! I love this SPF50 from Dr. Maryam Zamani and I’m also slightly obsessed with her Supercharged LED mask, which I have also been trying to use every day. BUY Talia Collins Swim; I love this 80s-inspired bikini for me, and the mini-me pieces for my girls. VISIT The Aeolian islands. These seven islands off the coast of Sicily take a long time to get to, but are heaven once there. WEAR A sarong – it’s all you need this season as a stylish yet practical beach look. I love these from Le Scarf. To match, I keep going back to my Manebi Double Sole espadrilles, the perfect holiday shoe.
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