The humble bank holiday saw its first sunny day in 1871, when it was declared in actual law (The Bank Holidays Act 1871, in fact) that no person could be compelled to make any payment or complete any action on a few beautiful days a year. Commencing in 1965, the August bank holiday weekend was begun 'to give a lead in extending British holidays over a longer summer period'.
Bravo, brave humans. Bravo. Bravo for giving us this last glimpse of the sun before we settle into a very British winter, beginning promptly on 1st September at 11 o'clock as the Hogwarts Express pulls out of King's Cross.
So slap on the sunscreen, light up the BBQs and toast the fine pioneers who gave us this small, but powerful, taste of freedom.
In case you're not in pyjamas all day
A member of the appropriately named 'Liberty' collection, this is the perfect shirt to button up on Monday morning, and then swiftly unbutton as you climb into bed for another two hours sleep because it's a bank holiday, folks.
Ladies Blue Flowers Fitted Shirt, £69.95 available at www.oxfordshirt.co.uk
Sharing is optional
'Isn't that a share bag?' He asks suspiciously.
'Nope. One portion. I promise.'
And then it was gone.
The Lily O’Brien’s Crispy Butterscotch Share Bags are available in major retailers nationwide, including Asda and Morrisons, or online at www.lilyobriens.co.uk for £2.50.
Bloomingly realistic
There's never a sadder moment than when a bunch of beautiful blooms starts to wilt and is relegated to the compost pile. These blooms are beautifully hand-painted and stunningly realistic - and to top it all off, they'll never die.
They're also over a metre tall, which means this vase must be giant.
Blush Rose Spray, set of six for £68 from www.sophieconran.com
Aloe, Aloe, Aloe
You're free! It's a bank holiday weekend! It's sunny! Thus, it stands to reason that at some stage over the next two days, you will get a little burned.
Perhaps you'll take your long weekend in France and your partner will assure you that sunscreen was unnecessary, then proceed to lead you on a two hour climb up a mountain under a completely blue sky. Perhaps your new neice will visit and you'll spend an entire afternoon admiring her perfect cherub cheeks (safely protected in a cool covered pram) as you stand in 31℃ in a strappy top.
Perhaps you, like me, are just a bit of an idiot.
Either way, soothe your outside with some aloe vera (the gel works best) and your inside with some aloe gin. Inspired by the desserts of South Africa, the can be no better tipple to cool you down than this blend of reassuringly-soothing flavours. And an ice bath.
Credit: Picasa
The Utterly Inessential Marathon Shopping List: The ulitmate survival kit, headphones to drown out the pain and a marathon where one can run with wine
This week on Utterly Inessential, we admire those who take part in one of the world's biggest fundraising events as
Credit: Atkin and Thyme
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Whisky is coming, a hat to blow you away and shuttlecock swim shorts
Welcome back to our friendly neighbourhood round-up of the best wine, furnishings and completely, utterly inessential products available now.
The Utterly Inessential Wimbledon Shopping List
We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products — posh tennis gear, in other words — that you absolutely do not need
The Utterly Inessential Polo Shopping List: Everything you'll need for The Hurlingham Polo International Day and beyond
Looking ahead to this Saturday, Alexandra Fraser rounds up all of the Utterly Inessential items you may desire to attend
Credit: Leo Acker/Country Life
The Utterly Inessential Henley Shopping List: From this weekend's Regatta to next week's fabulous Festival
We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products that you absolutely do not need (top hats for Ascot aside) to
Credit: Sarah Groves
The Utterly Inessential Beach Shopping List: From ocean-inspired drinks to a Dragon paddleboard for the entire family to enjoy
Bored of being in the office? Well, this weekend is your chance to drop everything and jump on a train
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
-
Five frankly enormous mansions, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country LifeSometimes bigger really is better.
-
Seven perfect Christmas gifts for people who just love beautiful, functional thingsWilliam Morris famously said to have nothing in your house that you don't know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. These things do their best to hit both targets.
-
Christmas gift ideas for menFrom fathers to brothers to lovers, we run through some smart ideas for Christmas presents for the men in your life.
-
Perfect Father’s Day gifts for dads who deserve itThere are many ways to show your dad that you love and appreciate him. There's breakfast in bed, an offer to mow the lawn, a big hug and the offer of the last biscuit. Or you could just buy him something that he definitely doesn't need, but we're pretty sure he'll want.
-
The Utterly Inessential Wimbledon Shopping ListWe've rounded up all the utterly inessential products — posh tennis gear, in other words — that you absolutely do not need to enjoy Wimbledon, but would probably fancy having anyway.
-
The Utterly Inessential Mother's Day list: 16 gifts guaranteed to either surprise or delightIs your mum the sort who's happiest with what she knows — or one who loves a surprise?
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Supercharged home Wi-Fi, smart headphones and a mobile phone literally anyone can useOur Utterly Inessential Shopping List returns with some technology that is far cleverer than we are.
-
The best weekend bags and finest holdalls that (rather a lot of) money can buyGoing somewhere nice? You might be soon, so here's Hetty Lintell with her pick of the finest holdalls and best weekend bags you can buy.
-
Best smart speakers for non-techie people: What to expect, what you'll love and what doesn't workSmart speakers are no longer the preserve of tech geeks and millennials — these handy speakers are, and (as we'll discover) particularly handy for those living in the countryside. We've looked at some of the main contenders to see which one comes out on top: Google Nest Audio, Amazon Echo Studio, the Apple HomePod Mini, and the Audio Pro G10.
