Good news for Harrods shoppers! In August the store is opening a Gentleman’s lounge, a little place where bored boyfriends who are allergic to shopping can hang out.  The area has been cleverly kitted out with an interactive grooming area with skincare-analysis machines, Playstations, plasma TV’s screening sports and the best mail costmetics range around. Fitness experts and nutritional coaches will also be around giving advice on shaping up paunches and offering man-icures.  So you can indulge in some you time, and allow your man to do the same.  Shopping is about to get even better!

www.harrods.com

With a mission to bring the world’s teas to your door, a branch of the Chinese Tea Company has opened in Portobello Green Arcade with all kinds of speciality teas. As well as teas,the tea company also offer a wide range of teaware, designed to help you get the very best from your tea. Each piece is crafted from glass, exquisite porcelain, or Yixing earthenware which is generally marked by its simplicity and exquisite craftsmanship. The teaware will lend your tea-making an almost spiritual experience.

www.the-chinese-tea-company.com

With the long summer days finally upon us, the team at Cocomaya are now offering luxury picnic hampers and indulgent ice creams at their Connaught Village boutique bakery and chocolate shop. Wicker baskets filled with beautifully boxed Cocomaya goodies and decorated with edible flowers come in two sizes brimming with delicious seasonal fresh foods. 

The smaller hamper (£15 per head) includes cheese straws, three salads and a selection of mini desserts and cakes freshly prepared on the day.  For a more extravagant day out the high tea hamper (£25 per head) includes a selection of loose leaf teas, three varieties of filled sandwiches, plain and fruit scones with fresh clotted cream and home-made jam, a selection of mini desserts, cakes and pistachio biscotti.  All you need is a hot thermos flask, a cosy rug and the perfect spot in Hyde Park.

For those hot summer days Cocomaya’s luxury ice creams are a must.  Made from Cornish clotted cream these use the unique ganaches that form the base of their handmade chocolates.  Flavours will change throughout the summer using seasonal market produce as their inspiration and include varieties such as brown bread, salted caramel, chocolate brownie, pistachio and amarena cherries, cinnamon cheesecake and lemon meringue.  Prices range from £4 for an individual tub to £9 for 500ml.  Ahhh the thought, my mouth is watering all ready.

www.cocomaya.co.uk

To celebrate the launch of their ‘Harvest Celebration’ Garden at this year’s Hampton Court Flower Show, Tyrrells Potato Chips will be introducing a special performance at the show from The Tyrrells Vegetable Orchestra of Great Britain – the first of its kind anywhere in the UK!

Tim Cranmore, Head Musicologist at Tyrrells has created a range of instruments made entirely out of vegetables, which include drums made out of pumpkins and parsnips, a carrot recorder, courgette and pepper trumpets and a carrot xylophone, amongst others. Tim has recruited musicians from the Royal Academy of Music to perform with the special veg-struments, and will also be demonstrating his art live at the show on 5th and 6th July.

Tim comments: “Tyrrells Potato Chips are synonymous with celebrating the quirky British sense of humour and being able to give the public something to smile about, as well as producing delicious tasting crisps of course.  With the creation of the Tyrrells Vegetable Orchestra, we have managed to merge the nation’s love of sunshine, gardening, music and snacking all in one jolly package!”

The simple, yet delicious Butter & Mint seasoning will be a true commemoration of Tyrrells potato expertise. The new range epitomises their unique ‘seed to chip’ story in one eye-catching pack. Made from 100% Herefordshire Lady Rosetta Potatoes, the Chips Nouveau range will be available in 100g packs between August 1st and October 31st, priced at £1.29 and available from Waitrose, delicatessens, farm shops and food halls.

Kensington Gardens have just opened their very first allotment since the Second World War, complete with 6 hens as permanent residents. Built on an old store yard, the area will be maintained by volunteers as well as being used as a resource for school children, who will be encouraged to get their hands dirty and even take home some fresh produce.  The Royal Parks have also maintained a vegetable patch for NO 10 Downing street. So they are in good company.