Autumn is in full swing and the Citizen Femme team’s calendar is filled with exciting things to do this October.
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
ATTEND I’m very excited to kick off Art Month with an exclusive Citizen Femme dinner at Apollo’s Muse, Bacchanalia with an incredible group of brilliant women in arts and culture. DINE At perhaps one of my favourite new restaurants, Story Cellar. Take a pew at the bar with a date (friend or otherwise), share the rotisserie chicken (quite literally mouthwatering) and finish off with a bread and butter pudding. BOOK A treatment using the LYMA laser (or you could splurge and get one to use at home), for full skin rejuvenation – face and neck. DRINK A green powder.Having just bought myself a portable juicer, I’m definitely adding this into my daily health concoction. WATCH Nobody Wants This on Netflix. An unlikely pair in a culture-clash love story. There’s enough in it to care about the characters, but it makes for a very easy watch with an evening glass of wine.
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Gemma Louise Deeks, Contributing Fashion Editor
STAY We’re looking to book a babymoon this month. As much as I would love some winter sun, we’re having to stay closer to home, so a cosy countryside escape is on the agenda. TRY Sofitel SPA St James’ Mummy Time massage. Suitable from three months of pregnancy, this is a lovely treat for mums-to-be to soothe aching muscles, improve circulation and calm pregnancy-induced stress. I’ll visit the hotel’s Michelin-star restaurant Wild Honey afterwards for a delicious lunch – the seasonal menu changes daily. VISIT Otiumberg’s first flagship store (opening in London’s Holland Park from 10 October) to shop their best-sellers and new-season pieces. BUY Onyx’s very chic fitness products that look aesthetically pleasing in your home, combining style and functionality. I’ve been using the Pilates mat and ball for pre-natal exercises. EAT At Nessa Soho. This intimate neighbourhood bar and restaurant is a great autumnal dinner spot with a seasonal menu from top chef Tom Cenci and overall good vibes.
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Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
STAY At the Burj Al Arab, Dubai. I lived in Dubai for three years and while I visited the hotel for dinner and afternoon tea, I’ve never stayed over so am very curious to spend a few nights. BUY Anything from this burgundy fashion edit. Seriously, I’m obsessed with the colour. I want it all, but especially this Veronica Beard jacket, this ILA dress, this A.P.C bag, these Massimo Dutti earrings… I could go on. EAT Nepalese dumplings at Eat Momo which opened at Borough Yards in August. There are just four types of momo on the menu – pork, chicken, vegetable and paneer – and I’ll be ordering one of each. READ Gliff by Ali Smith; available for pre-order from 31 October. It’s the first of two new novels from Smith – to be read together or independently (the second, Glyph, will be released a year later). According to her publisher the book, “explores how and why we endeavour to make a mark on the world.” WATCH Dahomey at Film Africa 2024, a documentary film by French-Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop, about the repatriation of cultural artefacts from France to the Kingdom of Dahomey (now within modern-day Benin). It’s showing on 25 October at BFI Southbank, and tickets are on sale now.
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Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
STAY At Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, the ultimate country staycation in Oxfordshire. Known for its farm-to-table approach to two-Michelin star dining, the joy-inspiring menu is perfect for the grey autumn weather. BUY A pair of Alexander McQueen Suede-Trimmed Sneakers – my top pick for this season’s best transitional shoe. They are also practical enough for my walk to work, come rain or shine. LISTEN To leading names in the aesthetics industry at the exclusive Alma Academy in Thailand. It’s now my go-to source for the latest trends in non-invasive treatments, especially laser-based skin rejuvenation. EAT At El Pastor in Soho for some of the best Mexican food in Central London. Go with your best friends for the brilliant tuna tostadas and stay for the energy-boosting atmosphere. ENJOY The warming fruity aroma of Floral Street’s new limited edition candle Berry Bloom. With notes of red apples and muddled berries it’s the cosseting autumnal scent you need for cold, dark evenings.
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
STAY At the beautiful Portrait Firenze in Florence for a weekend away with my husband. We haven’t been to Florence in nearly 10 years so I can’t wait to wander the cobbled streets again, visiting the stunning cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery. I’ll also be popping into the flagship Carolina Bucci store. SEE I’m looking forward to the new Francis Bacon exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery which opens this month. WEAR These square toe ankle boots from Arket. Perfect with wide-leg jeans and a cashmere sweater. BUY I’m a big fan of the gorgeous stationary from Memo Press so I was thrilled to see that their founder Alice has collaborated with Gingerlily London to create a gorgeous new bedding range. BOOK I love looking ahead to Christmas at this time of year and I’ll be booking tickets to see the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker with friends.
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Bibiana Obahor, Head of Graphic Design
EAT At The Ninth, Jun Tanaka’s Michelin-starred spot on Charlotte Street. The pain perdu is an absolute must. STAY My boyfriend and I are heading to Paris for a quick weekend getaway. We’re staying at Château Voltaire, just a short walk from Galeries Lafayette so, naturally, I’m planning on squeezing in lots of shopping. There’s no shortage of chic restaurants in the city, but I’m most excited about dining at César, my absolute favourite. If you go, you have to order the prawn rissotto. WATCH Shifters at the Duke of York Theatre. Written by the brilliant Benedict Lombe and directed by the award-winning Lynette Linton, this is a stunning tale of love, memory, and second chances. But hurry – it’s only on for two more weeks, until 17 October. BUY It’s that awkward in-between weather – not hot, not freezing – and I’m looking for the perfect transitional jacket. Reformation’s Enzo Jacket has caught my eye. TRY Mel’s Maple Matcha. Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe, aka @MelissasWardrobe, has teamed up with Blank Street Coffee to create this limited-edition autumnal drink. Maple, cinnamon, and matcha – the dream combo. It’s available in Blank Street locations across New York and the UK, but only for a short time.
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Ella Mansell, Editorial Assistant
VISIT I’m feeling very fortunate to visit Saudi Arabia for the first time; I’ll be in Riyadh for a few days early this month. I’m looking forward to hearing about the country’s shifting culture and community firsthand. I’m staying at Four Seasons Riyadh to try chef Daniel Boulud’s much anticipated restaurant. EAT Back in London, Piccolino are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year with a special menu featuring all their classic Italian favourites plus a selection of limited edition dishes – and a few glasses of fizz, of course! A highlight has got to be the lasagne al wagyu e tartufo. WATCH In Vogue: The 90s is now out on Disney+ and I’m intrigued to discover the two sides of the fashion world in the 90s. SEE London’s Photographers’ Gallery is exhibiting one of my favourite ever fashion photographers, Deborah Turbeville, this month. She redefined fashion photography – manipulating editorials into avant-garde pieces of art. SHOP Dôen have some really cute knitwear staples this season; I have my eye on the Fairchild Cashmere Cardigan for its tailored shape. The brand also has a ‘Hand Me Dôen’ initiative where you can trade in pre-loved Dôen items.
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Sheila Victorio, Partnerships: Restaurants, Food & Drink
STAY In one of the beautiful cottages at Newhall Mains, a boutique hotel located on the Black Isle in the heart of the Scottish highlands, complete with its own airfield, plus an asado and whiskey bar. EAT At 40 Dean Street, a hidden gem in the heart of Soho. It’s my go-to for Italian cuisine. My favourite dishes are the seafood linguine and lobster ravioli. The profiteroles filled with cream and drowned in chocolate sauce are also sensational. ENJOY Parrillan in Coal Drop Yard. Armed with tongs (and grilling skills), there is satisfaction in cooking a delicious meal of gambas, sardines and scallops on the parrilla. WATCH My Mum, Your Dad on ITVX– a reality dating series hosted by Davina McCall. It’s such a great watch, so heart-warming and tissues are needed – I was sobbing in the first five minutes! VISIT Canary Wharf’s newest opening, Hovarda. Designed by acclaimed interior designers Hurle & Martin and marking their first restaurant project in London, it’s a gorgeous setting for Aegean-inspired food and drinks. The restaurant is on the stunning floating pavilion in Wood Wharf with a beautiful terrace overlooking the water.
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Lucy Halfhead, Content & Partnerships Director
STAY The Feathers Hotel in Woodstock has just reopened after a top-to-toe refurbishment and it looks perfect for an autumnal staycation. BUY I’ll be popping into Astrid & Miyu’s new Carnaby Street store to curate a new earring stack for the season. WATCH I’m so excited for the film adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s bestselling book The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan and set in the wild beauty of Orkney. EAT Old-school New York meets classic Italian charm at under-the-radar Mayfair restaurant The Dover – think prawn cocktail, spaghetti meatballs, and an enticing array of martinis. USE With temperatures dropping, my skin is looking forward to some extra TLC courtesy of Skinwork’s glow-inducing Clean + Contour facial. DRINK The Emory x Tato pop up sees legendary bartender Tato Giovannoni bringing a dash of Argentinian flair to the cocktails and snacks at the hotel’s rooftop bar (until 5 November).
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ALEXANDRA CARELLO, PR DIRECTOR
SEE Barbie®: The Exhibition at The Design Museum. I had a private viewing via The Cultivist which was very special, they provide exclusive access to art and culture. WEAR Carolina Herrera is the epitome of chic. How beautiful is this purple, 60s inspired dress for party season? Pair with this new clutch from Marina Raphael, it will turn heads! WATCH The Lehman Trilogy is back on with a limited encore of performances until 5 January 2025 at Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End, and I cannot wait to see it. The play is directed by Golden Globe winner Sam Mendes. BUY Joseph is one of my all time favourite brands and I recently bought this leather skirt which I’ll be wearing all autumn.
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