Hey friends!
Welcome to our first seasonal round-up. We'll be regularly posting to keep you up to date with what's been happening in store, the looks we're loving, where to hang and what tunes we've been digging...
WEAR
Based on the beautiful South Coast and drawing inspiration from the likes of Aus and California, it comes as no surprise that we're big into Summer! Floaty dresses, statement sunnies and effortless, loose fits have been crucial to our summer wardrobe and we've loved styling them for you, as you may have seen on our socials.
The ever-popular Jaase dresses have been a huge hit and flying out the door on their way to various weddings, garden parties and holidays abroad!
Nat (above) wears the Luna Tessa Maxi dress - the ultimate summer staple combined with a rattan beach bag, double strap sandals and one of our iconic rancher hats. If you're local or in the area, we'd recommend wearing this for a day trip over to Studland, casual enough for a stroll on the beach but fancy enough for lunch at The Pig!
No summer outfit is complete without a pair of shades and we're stoked to be stocking Copenhagen-based brand, A.Kjaerbede. Their wide range of styles at affordable prices means there’s something for everyone, regardless of your face shape or budget! In fact, their price points are so reasonable that you could even treat yourself to a couple of pairs, ensuring you'll compliment your outfit of the day. Rest assured that there's no skimping on quality - with UV 400 protection, scratch-resistant lenses and high-quality hinges, we'll be bringing these modern yet timeless sunnies out throughout the seasons, come rain or shine!
We've taken the liberty of hunting down the best sun spots in the area (what a gruelling task, we know) so you can truly put your sunnies to the test!
Welcome the morning sunshine of a new day with a dog walk at Hengistbury Head, plus a cheeky little sea dip if you're feeling that way inclined!
Stop by Little Perth in Southbourne for your morning coffee fix - their window bar and outdoor tables are ideal to sit and enjoy a flat white, or try their avocado toast topped with juicy pomegranate!
If you follow us on Insta, you may have seen that the RTS team were fortunate enough to host a little yacht party this Summer... but whether it's by boat, kayak or paddle board, we truly recommend getting out on the water around Sandbanks and Poole Harbour. It'll give you true holiday vibes!
In the same vein, head to Makla for Moroccan & Lebanese small plates and cocktails... plus you'll find live music downstairs on weekends!
A summer round-up wouldn't be complete without a mention of the Dr. Denim Echo jeans, that we've been living in! With a sky high waist and snug fit across the seat, these jeans are super flattering and so easy to style.
We love them worn with a pair of sandals and our favourites basics (hello American Vintage!) but they seem to work with just about anything! So you can expect to see them following us into the next season too...
You guys have been loving our palm leaf wall hanging in our changing rooms so we recently got in some smaller versions for you to take home, along with lots more homewares ready for those cosy months ahead and enjoying the pleasures of our favourite indoor spaces: our homes.
FEAST
Talking of home, why not whip up a feast in the kitchen with one of the stunning recipes from Under Coconut Skies - Feasts & Stories From The Philippines - one of our favourite recipes this Summer has to be the 'Crispy Garlic & Spring Onion Pancake with Caramelised Chilli Jam':
Ingredients
-150g flour
-35g cornflour
-Seasalt and black pepper
-250ml veg stock
-1 egg yolk lightly beaten
-8 garlic cloves smashed
-Bunch spring onions
-plain flour
-125ml canola oil
-Fresh coriander
-Fresh mint
-35g cornflour
-Seasalt and black pepper
-250ml veg stock
-1 egg yolk lightly beaten
-8 garlic cloves smashed
-Bunch spring onions
-plain flour
-125ml canola oil
-Fresh coriander
-Fresh mint
Caramelised Chilli Jam
-1 tablespoon vegetable oil
-1/2 red onion
-2 long red chillis
-1.5 tablespoons caster sugar
-60ml rice wine vinegar
-1/2 red onion
-2 long red chillis
-1.5 tablespoons caster sugar
-60ml rice wine vinegar
Method:
Place the flours in a large bowl, season generously with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Place the soy sauce and egg yolk in a separate bowl and whisk to combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and using a fork, whisk 10 - 15 times, until almost combined (it will be a little lumpy). Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Meanwhile, to make the caramelised chilli jam, heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the red onion and chilli, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 - 10 minutes, until soft and almost caramelised. Add the sugar and cook, stirring, for 1 - 2 minutes, until caramelised. Stir in the vinegar, bring to a simmer, then remove the pan from the heat. Set aside to cool until needed.
Remove the batter from the fridge (it will look like it has separated). Add the garlic and spring onion and stir to combine. Heat 60ml of the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering and just smoking. Add half the batter and use a spatula to spread it over the base of the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2-3 minutes, until golden and crisp on the bottom. Carefully flip the pancake and cook, gently pressing occasionally.
Scatter the pancakes with the coriander and mint leaves, drizzle with a little caramelised chilli jam and serve immediately.
LISTEN
Finally, a playlist of some of the tunes we've had on repeat to soundtrack your bank holiday weekend.
