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Dining al fresco in the park on a red plaid sheet with a basket full of fresh French bagels, jam, a selection of cheeses and a few glasses of vino: The simple pleasures! PICNIC is an original hand drawn and silkscreen printed illustration by Mengsel which for me encapsulates the joys of English summers.

The sun has got his hat on hip, hip, hip, hooray!

I have already seen a mind boggling number of short and flip flopped clad sun lovers roaming around the streets of London. So I imagine they are all off to bathe in the rays in a quaint pub with a pitcher of Pimms and this has prompted me to plan some after work drinks. It's how we do it in Britain, we just become far more pro-active after a bit of vitamin D.

So on my list is some fun and retro straws like these from Dotcomgiftshop, a bright shaker and some quirky glasses, both Drinkstuff. My drink of choice is a refreshing Elderflower and Cucumber Collins.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp chopped  cucumber, plus extra to garnish

• 1 tbsp elderflower cordial

• 35ml London gin (naturally)

• 25ml apple juice

Preparation method

1. Place the cucumber and elderflower cordial into a cocktail shaker and crush.

2. Add the gin, apple juice and a handful of ice and shake hard.

3. Pour the cocktail into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

With summer just around the corner, treat the little ones to this fabulous Traditional Canvas Wigwam Play Tent by When I Was A Kid at Not On The High Street.

The children will love this tent with its vibrant patterns and colours - put it up in the garden for an ideal hideaway for kids imaginations to run wild. In the winter months you could bring it in to the nursery for an instant bedroom makeover or as an innovative storage solution.

Traditional Canvas Wigwam Play Tent - £69

www.notonthehighstreet.com

Matalan is a the perfect place to shop for mum's on a budget. Its clothes are comfortable, fashionable and truly affordable. For blooming mums-to-be, try the gorgeous Maternity Jersey Sundress In Pink. This pretty dress is perfect for the warmer weather and offers real comfort with its elastic empire line.

Team it with some fabulous, bright accessories to perfect a casual, comfy Springtime look.

Maternity Jersey Sundress In Pink - £8

www.matalan.co.uk

I recently returned from a spa weekend with a pedicure disaster. My poor tootsies, once a vibrant coral shade, had become chipped and quite honestly an unsightly beauty crime in the few hours it took me to border hop from the rolling hills of Essex to my homelands of Surrey.  A home mani and pedi was in order. In times like this there was just one varnish I could turn to: Toma.

Toma's Tutti frutti collection is bursting with vibrant hues perfect for the summer and whilst I'm spending this summer in Blighty, their exotically named polishes made me feel I had been transported to tropical climes. Mango Sorbet was my polish of choice; its natural Pearl Formula ensured long-lasting colour and coverage to ensure that my talons are looking luscious. Once Mango Sorbet has tantalised my taste buds; I'll be coating my nails with one of their other offerings; whether it be Pistachio Cream, Tutti Frutti, Strawberries & Cream, Blueberry Sorbet or Grape Sorbet, I know that Toma will set off my summer wardrobe with style.  

Painting nails had often turned into a bit of a palava; until a godsend was granted by Aphrodite. Greek goddess of love and beauty, she has given to women roaming this earth Toma's Tutti Frutti Collection and with that, my nails are truly grateful.   

£7.45

www.madbeauty.com 

Vanitas, the latest fragrance from the fashion oligarch Versace, represents the brand through and through with its heady murmurs of beauty, self-assurance and femininity. 

The combination of zesty lime and freesia with exotic solar tiare flower makes Vanitas a sensual fragrance and it evokes memories of heady and seductive summer nights with its cedar wood finish.

Trend Life says – buy it!

Eau de Parfum £60 for 50ml

www.versace.com

The one thing I love most about summer is that with a hint of a tan I don’t need to wear nearly as much make-up which simplifies my morning beauty routine.

Just a little bit of concealer, mascara and then some blush. Becca Beach Tint is perfect for summer.

It comes in a range of wearable shades. It’s water-resistant, streak-free, non-greasy and non-drying, and just needs to be blended with your fingertips.

It’s a great holiday buy as it instantly revives your complexion and stays put even while at the beach.

Price: £19.00

Available from www.Zuneta.com

Just in time for summer, MAC launches their Surf, Baby! Collection. Choose from the Solar Riche Bronzing Powder or add shimmer with the new Gold-Go-Lightly Studio Care Blend/Pressed Powder.

Make sure your lips are suitably protected with Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lipbalms while the latest Skinsheen Bronzer Stick is perfect for adding contouring and dimension.

As always MAC ensure that this collection comes in fun and funky packaging and this time its bright and Hawaiian-inspired.

Prices start from £11.50

Available from MAC www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Space NK introduces a brand new fragrance Laughter Jour, a delicate scent inspired by a spring day in an English countryside.

With a bouquet of peony, lily of the valley, violet, jasmine and rose, punctuated by bergamot and green pear, it gives a refreshing twist on this new and exclusive scent at Space NK.

Also available as a body lotion, shower gel and body scrub.

Price: £45.00

www.spacenk.co.uk  

For when you’ve been partying a bit too hard or you’re suffering the effects of the three day festival, make sure you have some eyedrops on hand to brighten up your eyes.

Optrex has two brand new eye drops; Eyedew Dazzling and Eyedew Sparkling. For maximum impact choose Dazzling Eyedrops. It contains a clever blue ingredient which makes the whites of your eyes look even whiter.

To restore the natural brightness to your eyes, go for Eyedew Sparkling. It enhances your eyes and restores their natural brightness so they are clearer and brighter. The perfect summer essential to perk up those peepers.

£4.39 each from Boots www.boots.com

www.facebook.com/eyedew