The season of Bank Holidays is upon us, which means plenty of long weekends punctuated by shorter weeks in between - three cheers for that!
As the days get longer and we can enjoy sunshine well into the evening, you may be making plans with friends and family, playing social life catch-up after two years of you-know-what. Aside from making new memories, this means now’s the time to splash out on a new wardrobe. Find bargains and steals galore in our roundup of the best fashion sales.
There’s plenty to celebrate this month, from Cinco de Mayo fiestas, Eurovision parties and general weekend merriment. Whether you’re hosting or attending a soiree, don’t miss our monthly drinks roundup for deals and new launches.
Back to shopping, and big brands are joining forces and striving for greener practices in their collections, which gets a big thumbs up from us.
From retro-inspired sportswear and perfect mother-and-daughter dressing to a brand new gaming mecca in central London, here’s what you need to know for May.
Ready, set - shop!
Nail BBQ cooking with Gousto's Southern Smokehouse range
If there's one place that knows how to throw a really good BBQ, it's the USA's Deep South. In celebration of cookout season, recipe box Gousto has revealed eight new recipes inspired by North Carolina, Texas, Kansas City and Memphis, each more finger-lickin' than the last.
Pre-marinaded cuts, foolproof rubs, steps on making BBQ sauce from scratch and recipes for tasty sides that'll make your dinners sing, it's a great range to try now and keep up your sleeve for BBQs to come. Best of all, there's plenty of options for vegans too.
Buy now, Gousto
A new capsule collection from YOLKE x Penelope Chilvers
Head-to-toe summer dressing is made easier this month thanks to a tie-up between fashion label YOLKE and shoes from Penelope Chilvers. The eight-piece collection will feature looks for women and little girls, allowing mothers with young daughters to match effortlessly. To celebrate, 10 per cent of net sales of the LiTTLE YOLKE Pinafore Dresses and Penelope Chilvers Africa Espadrilles for girls will go directly to the Malaika Foundation, helping to support young women and girls of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Prices from £45 and available from May 18.
Buy now £45.00, YOLKE
Timberland launches new sustainable initiative Timberloop
With an eye on a greener future, boot brand Timberland has launched a new scheme called Timberloop. Already in operation in the US, Timberloop is a recycling concept where certain footwear can be easily removed and disassembled for use in new shoes.
The Timberloop Trekker, a hiking boot, features a unique sole construction which makes it easy to break down once it’s been used. It also uses a removable inner bootie made of 100 per cent recycled plastic ReBOTL™ fabric, finding more ways to make fashion less wasteful. Available for men and women from £160.
Buy now £160.00, Timberland
Hamleys gets its game face on
Child’s play is a whole new ball-game these days with tech increasingly taking centre-stage. Now London’s best-known toyshop Hamleys is stepping into the world of gaming with a dedicated 3000-sqft space offering 13 play zones, which kids can enjoy on their own or compete against Hamleys Gamer Pros. Found on the lower ground floor, this gaming mecca is where you’ll find the best in gaming with the biggest brands to try before you buy: think Xbox, Nintendo, Razer and more. Whisper it, but is it almost too good for children?
Buy now, Hamleys
Your freezer: locked and STOCKED
Juggling a full-time job, social life and family commitments can mean for many, ordering from Deliveroo is preferable over trying to whip up a healthy meal. Whether you’re a singleton or cooking for a family, there’s a new solution for time-poor folks hungry for a nutritious and tasty dinner. STOCKED offers a selection of hearty sauce-focused meals brimming with veg and protein that arrive frozen in single-portion blocks so you’re never far from your next meal.
If the concept sounds familiar, well, it is. Parents have been batch-cooking and freezing baby food in ice cube trays for their offspring for decades, but there’s never been a version for adults - until now.
The 70g blocks come in a selection of delicious flavours (think Beef Chilli, Chicken Tinga, vegan Chick’n Satay and Sizzling Tempeh to name but a few) and can be bought as a one-off purchase or on subscription. Choose either the four pack (up to 16 meals which is 32 Blocks) or the six pack option (this is better value with up to 24 meals = 48 Blocks).
Keep them in your freezer on standby for the next time you want something hot, delicious and nutritious. It couldn’t be easier.
Buy now, STOCKED
David Koma x Koral collab shows the coolness of going green
A new collab between the brands has given us a 24-piece collection centred around their shared commitment to the planet. Fabrics for the clubby athleisure looks have been made, in some cases, using green solar panel technology, biodegradable fabric and in designs that will stand the test of time to offer great value and avoid landfill for as long as possible.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
A car boot sale - at Selfridges
There's nothing like riffling through a car boot sale stall to unearth some bargains, but what if there was a place where everything was a treasure? Head behind Selfridges on May 14 and you'll find such a haven.
The department store is holding a Women for Women International x Alex Eagle Car Boot Sale in its car park - and you're invited! The luxury sale is powered by RESELLFRIDGES, the shop's resale platform and will be packed with sustainable, pre-loved, vintage and past-season items donated by designers and celebrities - think Jimmy Choo, Rixo, FRAME, Slip, Needle and Thread and Reformation as well as donations from Chanel and Balenciaga and other top-tier labels.
Best of all, all proceeds will go towards Women for Women International’s work supporting women survivors of war. It's a win win situation. Elbows at the ready.
Tickets from £10 but they’re selling out fast, so get to it.
Buy now, Women for Women
KFC in the bag
The Colonel is a smart-looking man, but we're more used to seeing his buckets than his bags. However to celebrate the launch of the chicken chain's Twister Wrap meal, the brand has released new merch in the form of arm candy. Behold, the Wrapuette, riffing off Carrie Bradshaw's favourite Fendi Baguette bag.
Styled in tribute to the Y2K look, the ketchup-red ‘The Wrapuette’ features an insulated layer to store a delicious Twister Wrap, ensuring you have a snack on the go at all times.
Sales from the limited edition bag will go to the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations and empowers young people across the UK. Like all IT bags, there is of course a waitlist, which you can join on the link below.
In more finger lickin’ good news, Just Eat is offering free portions of KFC Zinger Popcorn when you spend £20 on a KFC order on the site - the deal is available until May 15.
Buy now £198.00, KFC
