Editor’s picks

A weekly round-up of stuff that’s made life better, prettier, entertaining, inspired — a few of my favourite things

Floored by Floral

This straight dress from Next promises to sort out existential dilemmas this sartorial summer. Classic floral prints. And a cut that can be carried off anywhere: formal, semi-formal, casual, stiff, outdoors, indoors — bring ‘em all on, baby.

Brazilian Bloom

By a happy coincidence, the FIFA World Cup will be on in Brazil while L’Occitane’s Feito no Brasil (Made in Brazil) range will rule in stores here. The Vitoria Régia-inspired (a giant water lily from Amazonia) ‘day’ products include a delicate eau de cologne and a handsome hand cream. Very nice, though I am still a bit flummoxed that hand creams need to be categorised into day and night.

Pretty Feet

It was the lovely Audrey Hepburn’s birthday on May 4 (she’d have been 85 — and still as gamine — if she’d been inhabiting this less rarefied realm), so Shoe Mart decided to come out with a line of ballet flats that she loved to waltz around in. Selling strong in a slew of cool shades, these will never go out of fashion. Am thinking of strutting around in accoutrements similar to Audrey’s, and singing “I could have danced all night…”

Sleuthing Around

There was a time when I believed small screen magic couldn’t get better than Sherlock. Season 1 and 2, that I bought together (combo offer DVD, with a 30 per cent off) were game-changers. Season 3, that I watched recently, was a kind of damp squib with infantile ravings and Holmes trying to be a playboy (worse, succeeding). Watson is as brill as ever, never mind his conflicted Significant Other. Elementary bottom line: interesting as a cultural marker, but I’m somehow not mad about Season 4 no more.

Grabbing Eyeballs

Gary Lineker

Claim to fame: Former English striker and now sports commentator.

I know I try to connect my tenuous interest in football with an abiding attachment to David Beckham, but the real reason why I warmed up to The Game was Gary Lineker. He was my high school crush, way before Beckham came into the picture. But I fear he may be fair game for crazy English soccer hooligans now — as they gear up for level playing field in Brazil. “We [the English team] look in a much better place than we did six months ago, but let’s be realistic: If we get to the quarter-finals (at the FIFA World Cup], that will be a very good effort, if we get further than that, we will be punching above their weight.” Oh dear!