summer came early this year, and how we love it. throw a party, bare your legs--then go back to acting british.





itsy bitsy teenie weenie.
the bikini was born 60 years ago this summer, allowing us to tan (a.k.a burn) more pasty skin. sarah kennedy pays tribute with swimsuit (£19.99), showing incarnations from bardot to britney. on sale 7 may. www.carltonbooks.co.uk





just beachy.
photographer edward quinn captured the glamour of the 1950s french riviera. head to michael hoppen gallery to view a selection of his vintage prints, from grace kelly to marlon brando. through 17 june. michael hoppen gallery. 3 jubilee place. SW3 3TD. 020.7352.3649. www.michaelhoppengallery.com





heaven scent.
we never tire of the victorian flacons and elegant fragrances, possibly perfect for spring. tocca eau de parfum comes in scents of pomegranate, bergamot or blood orange. you might smell good enough to eat. www.tocca.com





fine fashion.
100 years of fashion illustration (£22.95) stunningly covers hundreds of illustrations from their 1920s heyday to current designers' creations. a selection of the iconic looks is also showing at william ling fine art. until 26 may. 97 golborne road. W10 5NL. 020.8543.6731. www.laurenceking.co.uk
www.williamling.com





have a blast.
the essential party guide (£5) is the perfect companion if you're bored to tears of everybody else's crap parties and are ready to have your own. www.theessentialpartyguide.com





lucky charms.
the german jeweler thomas sabo has presented his spring collection of glittering pendants and charming charms. take for example, the flip-flops and beach bags on an emerald bracelet. harrods. 87-135 brompton road. SW1X 7XL. 020.7730.1234. www.thomassabo.com





marketplace.
waiting wih baited breath on the next townhouse hotel? welcome haymarket hotel, smack in the middle of theatreland. the landmark building designed by john nash (the guy behind buckingham palace and trafalgar square) comprises 50 rooms, all now individually decorated with handpicked antiques and art. opens today. 1 suffolk place. SW1Y 4BP. 020.7470.4000. www.haymarkethotel.com





out with the old.
there is not a cranny in your closet with all the overflowing cashmeres and tweeds. call for julia dee's wardrobe service at designer alternations. she'll clean, mend and alter your tired clothes and store them till winter. 220a queenstown road, SW8 4LP. 020.7498.4360. www.designeralterations.com





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