in need of a pick-me-up? be sure to keep hold of these things that might do the trick this month:
 
 
an indian affair.
atul kochhar's berkeley square spot, benares, deserves a visit, and soon. eat up poppodoms to paneers in the main room, or pop by for a kabob and samosa around the low lit bar. even the mocktails (non-alco) are surprisingly good. 12a berkeley square house. W1J 6BS. 020.7629.8886. www.benaresrestaurant.com
 

the new black.
as in a piece from the new black label collection from samsonite. (yes, samsonite.) the vintage series is a throwback to the days of travel trunks and beauty cases. warning: security may want to strip search your new luggage. 8 sloane street. SW1X 9LE. 020.7245.8261. www.samsoniteblacklabel.com
 

remain calmia.
the new pure skincare line from calmia is as calming as its marylebone spa. it's totally holistic, but isn't holier than thou. you don't have to give up all your bad skin habits (ahem, alcohol, a puff here and there). just be sure to stock up on their detox cleansing cream. 52-54 marylebone high street. W1U 5HR. 0845.009.2450. www.calmia.com

 
summer of 1963.
all you need to kick back in time is a pair of re-issued original sneaks from the lacoste archives. just in time for wimbledon where rene lacoste was a winner himself. or better yet, spring for junya watanabe's limited edition pair (found only at dover street market). dover street market. 17-18 dover street. W1S 4LT. 020.7518.0680. www.doverstreetmarket.com.


ahoy there.
marylebone's kabiri can barely keep philip crangi jewels in stock. could be that it's the only place in town where you can find his steel & gold collection. this summer's martime theme means you'll be docking with a 14 karat gold and blackened stainless steel, multi-anchored neckpiece. 37 marylebone high street. WIU 4QE. 020. 7224.1808. www.kabiri.co.uk


melt with you.
everything tastes as good as it looks at notting hill's melt. this chocolate shop not only delivers door-to-door, but they'll even cook up bespoke chocolates just for you. or might we suggest for someone else. 59 ledbury road. W11 2AA. 020.7727.5030. www.meltchocolates.com

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