John Lewis Wood-Effect Wind-Up Parasol, 2.2m
£65.00£19.50
No one spends more time browsing on the John Lewis app than our team of fashion and lifestyle journalists. So what will they be checking out come payday?
It might come as a shock, but I can’t stop thinking about cold air and shade. As a clichéd English person, I’m already panicking about how I’m going to handle the heat in August because, presumably, it’s only going to get hotter. My garden offers zero shade, so a parasol is necessary (as is its base). Other garden must-haves: an outdoor lamp to see summer evenings out long after it’s dark; Diptyque’s new Citronnelle candle – perfect for date nights in the garden so we can pretend we’re in the Mediterranean; and these amazing terracotta stripe towels which are absolutely necessary when any outdoor activity has my daughter involved because of her current obsession with ‘bubble water’ (washing up liquid in water, which she likes spilling the second it comes outside). Bedroom must-haves are linen sheets and a classic Dyson fan: two things you literally can’t go wrong with.
£65.00£19.50
£39.00£11.70
£349.00£289.98
It’s summer. Holiday season is here. And quite frankly, I can’t wait. Send me to a far-flung destination armed with these four beauties (hello, sunshine suitcase), a beach, a never-ending supply of mango sorbet and a loaded up Kindle and I’ll come back better than new. Promise.
My daughter is finally at a stage where I can actually dress her in cute stuff without worrying that she will immediately ruin it with food or ‘ducccce’ stains. She may not have fully perfected the art of not spilling, but she’s close and I’m willing to take risks if it means I can get her into some cute dresses this summer (and gingham is always a winner). This foldable tote is the perfect accompaniment for day trips and weekends away and I’ll be getting her this hat to combat the sun, chicly, during the run of summer weddings we’ve got coming up. The rainbow sprinkler? It’s for me. She can join in sometimes.