After we let last week's list run away with us, we return to our normal round up of all the things which nobody needs, but everyone needs to look at.
Why is a peacock like a writing desk?
After a 'quick' whip around the office determined that none of us know why our logo here at Country Life is a peacock, as well as taking up a portion of time I probably couldn't afford to lose given the number of Bank Holidays coming up (bless them, they do make one rather busy), I've decided to give up my quest.
Although the mystery of our peacock has not been revealed today, one cannot help but call it a fitting emblem; Roy Strong compared our magazine to parkland in his book The English Arcadia, describing it as one ‘in which to go for a walk’. This comparison is good enough reason for me, although if one of our dedicated readers happens to know the answer, I'm all ears.
Peacock candle, £18, English Heritage, www.boon.gives or www.english-heritageshop.org.uk
For once the weather settles
I love picnic baskets, specifically because as the second-youngest of five and most decidedly the shortest, I never have to carry them. Family business Amberley Hampers is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new personalisation service; perfect to keep your basket safe from insidious clutches on the 4th June or Founder's Day.
A splash of colour...
...Is always charming, but as our Luxury Editor says, 'a gent should wear his subtly'. I once knew a gent with a perfectly-respectable pearly-grey three-piece which, once the jacket was removed, revealed a bright-teal waistcoat back. The softly muted Indian ikat fabrics of Jayjee's silk reverses are perhaps less surprising, but nevertheless offer a fun change of pace for when wedding dance floors begin to heat up this summer.
Heera double-breasted waistcoat, £170, www.jayjee.co.uk
Spoiler alert: It's unisex
I would like to shake the hand of the person who a) buys this and b) wears it outside of their home, without a hint of irony.
Tarantara Red silk shirt, £290, Kitty Arden, www.kittyarden.com
For those post-Easter cravings
Farmison & Co. can vouch for the yumminess of the lamb, I can vouch for the claret.
The F&Co Extra Ordinary Lamb Rack Box, £45, Farmison & Co, www.farmison.com
For when one claret is just not enough...
Harry Eyres, our wine columnist, swears that every claret lover needs a bottle of this exceptional vintage. The Domaine de Chevalier 2018 (right, est £325–£390 per six IB; www.leaandsandeman.co.uk) has beautiful, fresh elegance and completeness, with layer upon layer of pure fruit.
Domaine de Chevalier 2018, est £325–£390 per six IB, www.leaandsandeman.co.uk
If you purchased our entire shopping list you would have spent £1,083 and might I compliment your good taste. Join us next Thursday for more Utterly Inessential goods and services.
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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
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The Utterly Inessential Easter List: Bunny headphones, a terrific toothbrush and eggs, from scotch to cheese to (of course) chocolate
What ho! It's time for our regularly scheduled decadence to receive its regularly scheduled seasonal edit. This week we're considering
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The utterly inessential shopping list: Christmas jumpers for two, and a rare chance to witness the £210 pencil sharpener
Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Spring scarves, wonderful wine for your Easter lamb and Godiva's £10,000 Easter egg
As we leave the snowdrops behind and welcome the bluebells, we turn away from the world of wellies and jackets
The utterly inessential shopping list: A toaster you'll want to drive, the world's smartest cardigan and a £2,700 bedside lamp
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The utterly inessential shopping list: A pair of swim trunks with your name on them, the chair fit for a yeti and a very special sausage roll
A new year, a new you and a new list of utterly inessentials to purchase. Alexandra Fraser takes a look
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If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future tooIt's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
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Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
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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.
