With a full-time job, busy social life, and social media to update, it’s challenging to keep up with all the newness out there.
So, we’ve created The Shopping Shortlist: a monthly need-to-know dispatch of the latest and greatest releases that should be on your radar for the month ahead.
Here at ES Best, we’ve got our ears to the ground and our noses pressed up against the digital shop fronts, always looking for the latest fashion, events, and food and drink - so you don’t have to. From sell-out collections to limited edition collaborations, with exclusive events, fresh launches and new store unveilings in between, we’ve got you covered so you don’t miss out on a thing.
June has burst onto the scene, heralding the start of live music season. Whether you’re off to the gig of the decade or a green field to dance until dawn, we’ve found the outfits for the moment.
It’s also Father’s Day in June - the 15th, in case you’d forgotten - giving you a chance to spoil the old man rotten. Scratching your head for inspo? We’ve got you covered with gift guides and food-laden hampers that any dad would be chuffed to receive.
And, of course, there’s the usual smorgasbord of glittering new launches, exciting collabs and epic shopping drops that will make this June feel utterly joyful.
If you’re ever at a loss for something to do on the weekend or want to scratch the retail therapy itch, we’ll keep this page updated throughout the month; best to bookmark it so you’ve always got the insider’s guide at your fingertips.
Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter version of this Shortlist for a weekly digest covering everything from fashion and furniture to tech and travel.
Ready, set, shop
It's the cheeky Nando's summer menu
The Nando's summer menu is here - and it may just be the motivation you need to shake up your signature order.
The Big Cheese swaps a classically chicken-filled burger with a wedge of grilled halloumi, excellently paired with red pepper, sliced avocado and pineapple salsa in true warm weather spirit. To round it off, Churrasco PERinaise is layered within the Portuguese roll.
If this is your main, double down on the cheese by sampling the Halloumi Sticks starter dunked in PERi-Honey and enjoy with a side of seasonal grains (chickpeas and dried apricots in lemon, oil, drizzled and a creamy yoghurt dressing) or Charred Corn, that turns the famous corn on the cob on its head with a smoky taste and creamy, garlicky sauce.
Buy now, Deliveroo
Stine Goya x Umbro collab
It’s not like sportswear needed a shot in the arm - London is packed with fashionable young things donning their team’s strip - but if you needed encouragement, Stine Goya’s collab with Umbro is it.
The Danish label has teamed up with the sports brand for a capsule collection that pays homage to the Women’s World Cup, which is set to dominate TV screens this summer. Football collides with fashion in the six-strong range, which includes football shirts, a skirt, a dress and, our favourite, a tracksuit with flared trousers. All are ready to go “from pitch to party”.
Prices from £40.
Buy now, Stine Goya
AllSaints x Poppies: Spitalfields' tastiest collab?
AllSaints is taking the 'love thy neighbour' commandment literally this June; it's teaming up with its Spitalfields neighbour, Poppies, the fish and chip shop.
The unlikely collab comprises crisp white tees and baseball caps finished with both brand names in a rather patriotic palette of red, white and blue.
Catherine Jobling, COO at AllSaints, said of the edit: "This collaboration brings together the best of British heritage, with fashion and food coming together in a fun, unexpected way that celebrates our shared love for quality and authenticity".
What's more, buy from the collection and you can score a discount on your fish supper, when bought on the same day. Race you there.
Launches June 6 with prices from £49.
Buy now, AllSaints
You can now get the latest version of Sky Glass for £6 a month
Exciting developments in the world of cutting-edge TVs: Sky has unveiled its latest creation, the Sky Glass Air. The main difference between this and its predecessors appears to be the shiny new Sky OS, which makes streaming your favourite content even smoother than before - and all without a dish, box or wires in sight.
Available from June 10, it comes in three sizes and three colours (none of them black, for once) to bring cinematic style to your space.
The set itself will cost as little as £6pm, but you’ll need a Sky subscription to do it any justice - plans start from £15pm for Essential and £21 for Premium.
Buy now, Sky
New look Rituals Perfume Genie
If all you’re wishing for is a few moments of zen amid the chaos of modern life, Rituals has you covered. The beauty and wellness brand has revealed its new look perfume genie, which may be the prettiest smart diffuser I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Designed to promote calm, the sleek teardrop-shaped device offers a personalised fragrance experience that can be controlled via the companion Rituals Genie app.
The diffuser comes in black or gold colourways and can be filled with a menu of scent cartridge options from the Rituals range.
Buy now £114.90, Rituals
Arena Flowers reveals Stacey Dooley collaboration
Showing her softer side, investigative journalist Stacey Dooley has partnered with ethical florist Arena Flowers on a five-strong collection of bouquets. It's the first major partnership for the florist, with the sculptural and wild arrangements hand-tied available from £40.
We can vouch for the stunning flowers, which are not only visually stunning and long-lasting but are made with sustainably sourced stems (the best kind).
Buy now £40.00, Arena Flowers
The West End welcomes new Bath & Body Works flagship
Oxford Street just became a more fragrant place to be now that a Bath & Body Works has set up shop. The flagship, which opened at the end of May, is packed with fan-favourites, from hand soap and bath oils to candles and diffusers, all traced with its distinctive collection of scents.
Can't wait until the weekend to pay it a visit? Shop the range at Next instead.
Buy now, Next
Lulu Guinness now at By Rotation
Accessories can make the outfit, and now one of the biggest rental sites has added a new designer to its offering.
By Rotation has added Lulu Guinness to its list of designers (the first time that the brand has been available to rent), so you can pair a wedding guest or summer party outfit with one of the label's statement bags, including this archival black and ivory Schiaparelli-inspired bag.
Options from £5 a day.
Buy now, By Rotation
Five Guys launches kids meals
Widely touted as the best walk-in burger in London (and beyond), Five Guys is a takeaway favourite for many who can drop £20+ a go on it - costs can quickly add up if you're treating the whole family.
To address this, the chain has launched a kids' option called Little Guys at a similarly bite-sized price. The deal includes either a burger, hot dog or grilled cheese sandwich (with limited toppings), plus fries and a drink for £7, bringing down a family meal bill considerably. Three cheers for that.
Buy now £7.00, Deliveroo
Burger & Lobster lets slip a delicious menu hack
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For a restaurant that started out offering just two kinds of dishes, Burger & Lobster now has quite a selection on its menu. But if you've exhausted the selection, we've heard of a clever hack to request something off-menu.
Loaded fries are made a premium sharing dish with a topping of delicious, juicy lobster, cheese sauce, chives and that lemon and butter sauce that we would drink by the pint if we could. If you're feeling extra flush, you can even add 10g of caviar to it, creating the ultimate high-low snack to share with friends.
All you have to do is utter the words "I know about the secret loaded fries" to have them brought to your table. Knowing wink optional.
The secret menu item isn’t available for home delivery, but if all this B&L talk has stoked an urge, order on Deliveroo below.
Buy now £75.00, Deliveroo
Fight the frizz this summer with Fabriq
Hot weather is great and all, but if there's one part of the body that might protest, it's hair.
I’m talking frazzled strands, dulled shine, and split ends galore, but now you can wave goodbye to these nightmares with a fresh take on the Brazilian Blow Dry.
From haircare company Fabriq comes the Reset Enhanced Formula smoothing treatment, swerving harsh chemicals for low pH proteins to bond strands instead. It's so gentle, it's a safe treatment for pregnant women, and can be applied to all hair types.
The treatment leaves hair unbelievably smooth, shiny and frizz-free for up to four months. With the social season knocking, it’s a no-brainer of a beauty investment.
Best of all, Brooks & Brooks salon in Holborn is offering a 10 per cent discount for new customers until June 28. Prices start at £150.
Buy now £150.00, Brooks & Brooks
