Bigger Splash
Billed as a beach bag, this Hockney Bigger Splash bag would also be terrific for holiday market shopping
Hockney Bigger Splash bag, £40 from shop.tate.org.uk
Plant for Peace
Superfood bars made from fruit grown on small Afghan farms. The Plant for Peace initiative makes it possible for Afghan farmers to grow mulberries and other fruit on their land rather than opium poppies destined for the heroin trade.
Plant for peace superfood bars in three flavours (mulberry chia, mulberry cocoa and orange, mulberry and apple) , £1.19 at Sainsbury’s. For every bar sold, a fruit tree is planted, plantforpeace.org
Le Soula Blanc
Great quality, fresh and distinctive Biodynamic wines grown 350-600m above sea level in Roussillon in South West France. The 2012 is ready now
Le Soula Blanc, from £26 from Berry Bros & Rudd, The Wine Society, Uncorked in Bishopsgate or visit le-soula.com
Plus… Five of the best places to eat Italian in the UK
Hartnett Holder & Co
Modern Italian food in a country house setting. Guiding inspiration comes from Angela Hartnett; head chef Luke Holder worked at the 3 Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri in Tuscany. Star of the show: Italian style charcuterie from their own smokery
Lime Wood, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst Hampshire, limewoodhotel.co.uk
Contini George Street
Gloriously over the top fresco-style renaissance figures decorate the walls of this former banking hall. Traditional Italian home cooking is on the all-day menu. Star of the show: the Scottish/Italian breakfast
103 George Stret, New Town Edinburgh, contini.com/contini-ristorante
The River Café
Ex-canteen caff, the Michelin-starred River Café , now in its 30th year, is still London’s premier Italian restaurant. Its river-side setting, terrace, glam dining room and terrific food makes every visit a real celebratory outing. Stars of the show: Ruth Rogers (chef/prop), Chargrilled squid with fresh red chilli and wild rocket
Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, London, rivercafe.co.uk
Lanterna Ristorante
Acclaimed Italian restaurant specializing in Piedmontese cooking and local seafood dishes. Stars of the show: Agnolotti Monferrini, white truffles in the winter season
33 Queen street, Scarborough North Yorkshire, lanterna-ristorante.co.uk
Caldesi in Campagna
Neighbour to Heston and the Rouxs at Bray on Thames, Caldesi in Campagna serves traditional Italian cooking in a converted house featuring open brick fireplaces and white linen tablecloths. Stars of the show: seared scallops, caciucco
Old Mill Lane, Bray Berkshire, caldesi.com
