Words: Holly Swayne
Hello weekend. This one's bringing 48-hours of indulgence, from posh festivals to cocktails at the Gherkin and a healthy dose of Alexander Skarsgård.
FESTIVAL: Wilderness
If 'festival season' makes you cringe at the thought of mosh pits in the mud, then you should give Wilderness a try. Dubbed 'the world's biggest dinner party', its achingly sophisticated line-up spans restaurant pop-ups from Michelin-starred HIX, a '20s themed champagne tent (left) by Laurent-Perrier, theatre from the Old Vic and intellectual stimulation in the form of political debates and mindfulness workshops. Not to mention Bjork selecting the festival as the only UK fixture to tour her new album. Exclusive indeed.
6-9th August; £187.62 (General Weekend Camping), Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, OX7 3DG,
BEAUTY: Askinology
Blow dry bars and 30-minute manis have made savvy time savers to our beauty regime, (weekends are for more than just preening after all), but now you can add super-quick facials to the list. Just-opened at Leadenhall market, Askinology is the UK's first facial bar offering expert skincare in under an hour. Try a moisturising 'Plump Up The Volume' treatment with hyaluronic acid for luminous, party-ready skin.
Open now,
EAT: Netil Market
Haven't made it past the interminable queues at new Soho restaurant Bao? Don't worry. Its coveted Taiwanese steamed buns have returned to Hackney's Netil Market. Still hungry? The market's legendary cheese stall Morty & Bobs is always worth a pit stop - this Saturday debuting a mushroom truffle oil recipe, complete with three different British cheeses on sourdough bread. Drool.
Every Saturday, Netil Market, 13 - 23 Westgate Street, London E8 3RL,
FILM: The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Alexa Chung's new BF is reason enough to see this new release, and we're even bigger fans of Alexander Skarsgård since he turned up to the premiere wearing full-on drag (he's got a GSOH too, natch). But back to the film - set in '70s San Francisco, the story follows 15-year-old Minnie (played by newbie Brit actress Bel Powley) as she documents her first sexual encounters with her mother's 34-year-old boyfriend. Witty, nostalgic and full of great sartorial inspiration for Autumn/Winter's '70s revival.
In cinemas 7th August
SHOP: The Refinery
A village feel and one-off boutiquey shops make London's Newburgh Quarter a clever alternative to the logistical nightmare of weekend shopping on Oxford Street. This Saturday the area is putting on a one-day event, 'The Refinery', where live music, free workshops and spoken word poets will take to its cobbled streets from 12-5pm. We say catch the denim masterclass at Levi's Vintage, watch engraving at Nixon or gin tasting sessions at bespoke eyewear store Cubitts.
8th August, 12-5pm, Newburgh Quarter, Carnaby, London W1 (no website)
DRINK: Moroccan Sky Riad
A Friday night Mojito gets a whole new thrill when you're sitting 590ft high up on a Moroccan 'Sultan Bed'. Usually a strictly-operated private members' bar, Searcy's at the top of the Gherkin has opened to the public with a Riad-themed pop up this August. Take in London's greatest architectural hits over cocktails and mezze, or sample the 5-course taster menu (think mango ganache, harissa prawns, cumin lamb) at the restaurant one floor down.
Until 5th September,
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