This fab little tunic dress will look great with gladiators and equally fab with a pair of wedges.
Dress, £22.99, 4-14, Mango (www.mango.com)

Coloured jeans were huge for spring, and we think you’ll still be needing them come August! Snap up this purple pink pair from New Look.
Jeans, £16.99, 8-20, New Look (www.newlook.com)

Inject some instant sunshine into your wardrobe with this sunny yellow top!
T-shirt, £17, xs-l, La Redoute (www.laredoute.co.uk)

We can always rely on Primark for some great on-trend pieces at purse-friendly prices. Get your hands on this beaut pleated maxi, great for summer evenings.
Maxi skirt, £18, 8-20, Primark (www.primark.co.uk)

Jemma Kidd Blushwear Crème Cheek Colour in Guava, £13 (www.feelunique.com)
Summertime calls for pretty pink cheeks to give you a lovely ‘outdoorsy’ glow. Use a cream blush instead of powder for a more natural, dewy finish and dab onto the apples of your cheeks, blending well. Our fave is this one by Jemma Kidd, which melts into the skin really easily for a super-natural look.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm, £16 (www.clinique.co.uk)
Is there anything more gorgeous than sexy red lips? Yes. Sexy pink ones! If you’re wary of bold colours, start with something sheer to build up your nerve. The Clinique Chubby Sticks are quite simply fabulous, with their ultra-nourishing formula and easy application. Our favourite shade is Woppin’ Watermelon, for a perfect unashamedly pink colour-pop!

MUA Poptastic Eyeshadow Palette, £4, Superdrug
Bored of neutral eye shadows and an eyeliner flick? Why not ring the changes with some bright shadows? This eyeshadow palette is cheap and, with these amazing colours, definitely cheerful! If the colours look a bit bright and terrifying, use a liner brush dipped in water for a striking alternative to black eyeliner.

DUNELM MILL GAS LIFT BAR STOOL, £39.99 (in red, green, purple, black, silver and white)
We’ve seen ultra-modern stools like this with a much higher price tag, so this one is well worth snapping up quickly.
www.dunelm-mill.com

MATALAN MOROCCAN-STYLE CARRY CUSHION, £14
The bright, vibrant colours of this large PVC floor cushion instantly made us feel all warm and summery – even when outside it’s far from that!
www.matalan.co.uk

MORRISONS TALL SUNDAE GLASSES, £1 EACH; ICE CREAM SCOOPS, £1 EACH
You don’t have to be the queen of desserts next time you’re entertaining with these glasses. Just add scoops of different flavoured ice cream and you’ve got yourself a fun-looking pud, fast – and don’t forget the sprinkles!
Morrisons nationwide

ASDA FUCHSIA POPPY CUSHION, £8
At this price you can buy it, enjoy it, then stash it away at the end of summer until next year with feeling guilty.
direct.asda.com

IKEA HERRANG BLOCK CANDLE HOLDERS, £9.99 EACH (in blue, yellow and pink)
You could stick to all one colour, but for the best effect, mix ‘em up for a really stunning effect.
www.ikea.com

BHS PINK CAKE DOME, £18
We think the best bit about the dome on this stand – apart from keeping the bugs away, if it ever turns nice enough for tea in the garden – is that it might stop you picking off bits of the cake every time you pass it!
www.bhs.co.uk

IKEA POPPTORP ARMCHAIR WITH CUSHION, £47 (in pink, green and white)
If it’s a bit too funky for indoors, then think about it as extra seating in the garden – just bring the cushion in and leave the chair outside when it starts drizzling.
www.ikea.com

Ready in 45 mins

2tbsp sunflower oil
500g free-range, boneless chicken thighs (or leftover cooked chicken), cut into large chunks
1 large onion, roughly chopped
2-3tbsp Thai red curry paste
2 red peppers, roughly chopped
1 medium butternut squash, peeled deseeded and cut into large chunks
400g tin reduced-fat coconut milk
200ml hot chicken stock
1 small (about 500g) cauliflower, broken into florets
4 sprigs of basil, leaves only, roughly torn
200g pack spinach
toasted coconut shavings

1. Heat the oil in a large pan or casserole. Add the chicken and onion and fry for 10 mins, stirring, until the chicken is golden brown. Stir in the curry paste and cook for a further min, then add the peppers and squash.

2. Add the coconut milk and stock, bring to the boil, cover loosely and simmer for 15 mins. Stir in the cauliflower and cook for a further 5-10 mins until tender. Stir through the basil and spinach until wilted. Remove from the heat, garnish with coconut shavings, and serve with coconut rice or steamed jasmine rice.

EAT COLOUR!! The benefits of eating colourful fruit and veg are endless. Reds contain powerful antioxidants, oranges contains beta-carotene which strengthens the immune system, green contains folate which keeps your heart healthy, and some whites can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Containing all the essentials required for a pampering night in, this heavenly scented, pretty gift bag includes…
75ml Body Lustre – Celestial Body Lustre will leave skin feeling silky smooth with a radiant sparkle to help provide great-looking skin.

75ml Body Crème – Spoil your body by using this wonderful Crème to leave skin nourished and enhanced.

75ml Body Wash – Make shower time luxurious with this divine Celestial Body Wash and leave your skin feeling, soft cleansed and beautifully fragranced.

40g Luxury Soap – The sophisticated fragrance will leave skin clean, refreshed and beautifully scented.

All presented in a pretty, pale gold satin bag with a chiffon and satin tie.

To order, go to www.beautynaturals.com/essentials, or call 0800 980 6665. Offer closes 31 May 2012.

If you want to… spread happiness. Pick yellow!
Yellow is the colour of happiness and sunshine. What more could we ask for on a week like this? If sunflower yellow is too much for you, go for a gold top, as this is also associated with lifting the spirits and positivity. One yellow wall has long been fashionable in kitchens – though a whole room of it would be too much!

If you want to… be calm. Pick blue!
Blue spells calm and serenity. Think of your favourite pair of blue jeans, they just make you feel relaxed, don’t they? Darker shades are professional and business-like, commanding respect in the workplace (why else did Bobbies traditionally wear blue?). The colour reminds others of water, hence its popularity in bathrooms, too. Warmer blues are particularly relaxing in furnishings.

If you want to… change. Pick green!
Green is considered the most restful colour for the eye. We think of change and new beginnings when we see green, so pop on a green top when you’re embarking on a new project or starting something new. Green’s also believed to help with fertility and, in some cultures, is often chosen for the bedroom! (Or you could just choose a plant instead!)

This is an absolute must-see! Following on from the amazingly funny 2 Days in Paris, Parisian Marion, played by Julie Delpy (Broken Flowers, The Three Colours Trilogy) has broken up with her ex and lives in New York with their child. But when her dad and sister come to visit, she’s unaware just how much the cultural differences between them and her new American boyfriend, played by Chris Rock (Death at a Funeral, Grown Ups), will affect an already stressful week. If you haven’t seen 2 Days of Paris, give it a go before you see this ­– you’ll love it!

Book

Stranded by Emily Barr (£12.99, Headline Review)

Another brilliantly gripping novel from Emily Barr, the master of psychological suspense. Esther Lomax needs to get away and Malaysia seems the perfect place. But the trip takes an awful turn when Esther and six other holiday-makers are left on a desert island and their guide doesn’t return. As the days pass, tensions explode and she finds herself wondering if she’ll make it off the island alive.

TV

Storyville: Man on Wire, Sunday, BBC TWO, 10pm

We cannot rave about this documentary enough – it’s completely fascinating! In 1974, French wire-walker Philippe Petit and his friends snuck into the Twin Towers with one sole purpose – to string a wire between each building and have Petit walk across it. Up there, he spent an hour kneeling, lying and dancing on the wire, with only the streets of Manhattan to stop his fall. We get to see how he plans his top-secret mission (which starts in 1968), right up to the moment he steps out into the clouds. Your mouth will be on the floor.

Get 20% off of wedges, flats, boots, pumps, flip flops – every kind of ladies shoe you can imagine!

There’s no minimum spend required, and the discount is even valid on top of all sale prices! What’s more the code can be used unlimited times before the expiry date, so get shopping!

Just add what you want to your basket at
www.a-shu.co.uk, then type PVAC-AGJS into the promotional box and voila! 20% discount!

Offer ends 3rd June 2012. Not valid in conjunction with any other vouchers or promotions.

If you’re after some affordable, first-class pampering, then you need to come on an Essentials reader break to Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire…

Choose from the following dates:

2 NIGHTS Sunday 23 to Tuesday 25 Sept 2012
2 NIGHTS Sunday 25 to Tuesday 27 Nov 2012


What your essentials break will include…

• Refreshments on arrival; a tour of Ragdale Hall.
• Two nights’ accommodation.
• Breakfast, lunch and three-course dinners.
• Complimentary robe hire.
• Pre-dinner drinks and prize draw with the Essentials team on your first evening.
• 50-min Natural Harmony Facial.
• 25-min Soothing Back Massage.
• Reader specials: Discover the new season’s make-up and skincare trends with Clarins; pop along to the Ragdale Fashion Show.
• Discount voucher for the Ragdale Boutique.
• Full use of the spa facilities, including a choice of exercise, relaxation and water classes, use of the gym and Thermal Spa, plus lots of outdoor activities to get involved in.
• Changing and luggage-storage available on your last day until 2pm.

Waiting for you in your room when you arrive at Ragdale Hall will be…

A fantastic three-piece gift from Clarins.

PLUS

Your Essentials goodie bag containing…

• A Spa Find Hand Care Set with Heavenly Hydration Cream and cotton gloves, Heavenly Hydration Mineralizing Bath Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Salt Scrub, worth £18 – www.shopforspa.com.

• Make Believe Foaming Self Tan Mousse with Bronzer, worth £30, and Make Believe Enhance Shimmer Lip Gloss, worth £10 – www.makebelievebeauty.com.

• Skin Revivals Revitalising Cream with White Tea & Rosehip, worth £9 – www.beautynaturals.com.

• Palmolive Bergamot & Verbena Refreshing & Aromatic Shower Gel, worth £2.03 – Sainsbury’s, Asda,Tesco and Boots.

• Mitchum Advanced Control 48 Hour Strength & Protection, worth £2.79 – www.mitchum.co.uk.

• Your chocolate treat – Elizabeth Shaw Flutes, worth £2.49 – www.elizabethshaw.co.uk.

• Weight Watchers Chocolate Biscuits, worth £1.59 – from Morrisons and independent retailers.

And all this for a great price…

Prices are per person based on two people sharing and include VAT. Triple rooms are available, on request.

MAY, SEPTEMBER & NOVEMBER

2 nights Economy, £275; Standard/Lodge, £306; Superior, £331

Single room supplement, £50

To book…

Just call 01664 433 000 and mention ‘essentials offer’.

See you there!

Why not subscribe to Essentials so you never miss an issue – and now is a great time to do it, because as well as getting our fab magazine dropping through your letter box every month, you’ll also get a fab free gift of Dove products worth £21. Interested? Just click here