Get out and about to see art, see secret Italian hidden gems with perfectly manicured nails, all with a spring bounce in your step.
For those on the go (probably all of us), don’t let a smudge delay your day, paint to perfection with this new nail lacquer. Take a trip to Battersea to source some great finds to adorn your walls and book an escape to this untapped Italian hideaway. Its a postcard to write home about. This is what we’re loving in this week’s Citizen Femme hotlist.
VISIT THIS Affordable Art Fair Battersea
Battersea is in overdrive, with the Power Station, family activities, developments and events surrounding it. Kicking off this week is the Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring edition from 12-16 March. Taking place at Evolution London, this is the ideal place if you’re a newbie to art, wanting to dip your toe into investing in art, or just love upcoming artists. With thousands of artworks distilled into curated displays, you’ll find ‘Finds Under £500’ and ‘Finds Under £1,000’ where budding collectors can find (and fall in love with) their first artistic investment. For those really starting young, new-for-2025 display ‘Little Visions, Big Imaginations’ is a curated display of artworks perfect for kids bedrooms, set to inspire a new generation of creatives, and plenty of other sections, all celebrating the very best contemporary art money can buy for less than £10,000. While The ‘art fair’ in ‘Affordable Art Fair’ is of course at the heart of the whole event, the first thing visitors will see this year is a bespoke, striking, large-scale installation by Margaux Carpentier, a sculptor known for her vibrant colours and rich symbolism. Entitled ‘Mother’, expect a giant, humanoid figure radiating colour. We’re also told: ‘if the viewer gets close enough, they may be able to get a glimpse of what mother holds inside, her secrets, her children, her fears and pleasures.’ Plus, female artists make up just 25 percent of the art market, and since Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring coincides with Women’s History Month, it’s only natural that a strong focus on women would result.
USE THIS OPI's RapiDry Quick-Dry Nail Polish
What’s the first thing you want to do when your nails are wet? Literally everything. The texts can’t wait. The snacks are calling. And so… the smudge appears. For me, the nail drying waiting time is the worst. Go from a fresh coat of nail paint to fast track through that airport with OPI RapiDry™ Quick-Dry Nail Polish, the brand’s latest nail polish innovation that delivers one coat of colour for a flawless manicure in 60 seconds. Thanks to the combo of built-in Drip Dry Drops and speedy solvents, along with an innovative Rush Brush™ featuring 200 extra bristles and a wide fanning brush for faster product pickup, spreading and drying. Now there’s no need to wait, you can rush out the door, no smudge in sight. Plus, its available in a wide palette range including brights, neutrals, and classic shades in shimmer, glitter, pearl, metallic, and crème finishes (all named after their quick drying effect, like Impromptu You, Awe of a Sudden and To Dry For, puns all intended).
ESCAPE HERE Villa Paola, Tropea
In the southern Italian town of Tropea, the “Pearl of Calabria”, you’ll find Villa Paola, a dreamy blackcurrant-hued 16th-century convent, now a 12-bedroom boutique hotel where toiletries smell of incense and nights are lit by candlelight. This is an Italian town that has yet to be tapped into, but this is one hidden gem you may want to keep quietly on your own radar. A visit in the summer means you’ll be mostly in the company of northern Italian holidaymakers unlike other parts of Italy. The hotel overlooks the town and the impossibly blue sea beyond and is steeped in years of history. One of the most important towns on the Coast of the Gods, Tropea was supposedly founded by Hercules. The region was part of Magna Graecia, with Greeks living here before the Romans. Nowadays, it’s best known for its pristine beaches and its prized red onions. The food in the hotel at De’ Minimi Restaurant is definitely one to write home about. Run by Emanuele Pucci, a Calabrian born rising star, he raises the bar of this fine dining destination to another level with 5, 7 and 9 courses. So let this be your escape in the madness of 2025.
GET OUT AND ABOUT WITH THESE New Balance
If the lighter mornings have suddenly made you want to lace up your trainers (and spring clean your fitness routine), these ones from New Balance will really help you spring off the sofa – while working out in style. Whether you’re embarking on a 5k jog or conquering your next gym session, the trainers’ cloud-like cushioning gives you unwavering support with every stride. Plus, the sleek design means they are stylish enough to wear beyond your workouts, including in the office. – Becki Murray.
BOOK AHEAD FOR THIS WildKitchen x Carousel 2025
Guy Ritchie reopens the gates of his Wiltshire estate for a luxury culinary getaway like no other. Following the success of the inaugural WildKitchen summer series, Ashcombe Estate and Carousel have teamed up once again to offer an English countryside experience to just sixteen guests at a time. Running from May to September, enjoy a series of culinary heavyweights at the WildKitchen like Charlie Tayler (Aulis, London), Debora Fadul (Diaca, Guatemala City), Masaki Sugisaki (Dinings SW3, London) and Andy Beynon (Behind, London), who will each offer a one-off tasting menu cooked exclusively over fire on the interactive chef’s table and served lakeside whilst the sun sets over the estate. As night falls and the embers die down, guests will be driven back to the farmhouse for a nightcap. Over their weekend escape, guests will also have plentiful opportunities to make the most of the estate and the local area including a bespoke Iglucraft sauna, wild swimming, yoga and treatment rooms for those looking to take things easy, more energetic guests can enjoy a long walk and a picnic in the grounds, plus workshops from the Carousel team.
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