Take it with a pinch of (posh) salt
As a balsamic-vinegar addict (yes, my name is Victoria and I’m a balsamico… balsamohol… oh, never mind), combining it with my sugar and salt was really the next logical step. Balsamic on your cornflakes? Why the devil not! On a more serious note, these are really very nice with salady stuff such as radishes and celery (the salt, specifically) and strawberries (the sugar). Although you’re welcome to put salt on your strawberries if you want to. Who am I to judge, when I drown everything in balsamic glaze? VM
£5.95 each from Burren Balsamics
A clock that cures a migraine
I generally think of myself as a calm and accepting person, yet – if I'm honest — there are things that truly infuriate me (this will not surprise anyone who read this article). Top of my Rage List® are those clocks that tick loudly. You know the ones — they'd drown out a soft play centre full of three-year-olds, and somehow turn their volume up at night. And it's nice to know that I can't be alone, because Addison Ross have this silent-ticking clock for me and my fellow tormented souls — not to mention any crocodiles hoping to sneak up on Captain Hook. TK
By a neck
Does anyone wear a neckerchief anymore? No? Not even at a jaunty angle? Well, they should do. Particularly, but not exclusively, when line dancing. VM
A dinner party in a box... except with no food
Yep, that's right: no food included. Nor are there knives, forks, table linen, music, or guests.
But for £400 or so McQueens Flowers will provide a selection of bouquets, vases, candles, tea lights and 'bobèches' (no, us neither) and a nice bottle of Perrier Jouet to make your dinner party practically perfect in every way. (As long as you don't burn the food, or accidentally invite one of those idiots who constantly tells stories about people you've never heard of, and then professes amazement that 'Oh my God, you don't know Timbo?' when you have the temerity to ask who on earth they're talking about.) TK
Air your (hopefully not dirty) linen
It’s that time of year again, when everyone packs away their linen ensembles and stops pretending they’re on holiday. But we say, don't do it. Rage against the dying of the (summer) light and deck yourself out in summery clothes, in defiance of the weather and the season, and also in defiance of the fact that we're about to be stuck at home once more. Forget the cosy jumpers and instead pull on a linen shirt — ideally in this nice shade of aqua. VM
£54.95 from The Oxford Shirt Company
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Cute cups, posh pants, and a secret snooker table
After a few weeks of sipping cocktails beside a hotel bar in Cap d'Antibes, albeit sadly only in their dreams,
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
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Back to university special, featuring eight creative ways to blow through your student loans
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Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 picturesPlus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
