How London’s Coolest Women Are Spending Their Summer

Harriet Rose, DJ and Presenter on Kiss FM Breakfast Show

This summer I’m most looking forward to...

Being hedonistic, I long to have a carefree summer hugging and kissing my friends and just being around people. We aren’t quite there yet but I am so excited for when we can really let loose.

When it comes to festivals...

I’m going to as many as I can fit in. Mighty Hoopla is my favourite London festival and I can’t wait for that to be back. Also I cannot wait for Pride in London. It’s going to be beautiful to be surrounded by people and music. Pure joy.

You’ll find me dancing….

In my living room mostly, but also I am back to DJing now and it’s absolutely stunning to be in rooms where people can get up and have a dance with each other again. I have a night called Harriet’s House Party which is back so I’m taking full advantage of being able to shake my arse at every single one.

I’ll be eating at...

One of my favourite London restaurants is Koya Bar in Soho - it’s an absolutely unreal Japanese Udon Noodle restaurant and the Hiyashi Udon dishes have actually changed my life.

I’ll be drinking...

Frozen margaritas all day long. Over lockdown I learnt how to make cocktails at home rather than how to speak a language, and I’m very proud of that.

I’ll be reading...

The Comfort Book by Matt Haig. ‘The Midnight Library’, his previous book, blew my mind, so I knew immediately I had to get his latest piece of work. I also love anything horror/thriller/ghost based and I’ve started the second of a book series I love about clairvoyants called Donn’s Shadow.

@iamharrietrose

Anna Shaffer, Actress and Co-founder, Hector’s wine bar

This summer I’m most looking forward to...

Swimming in the sea! I’m going to Fforest farm in Cardigan where the water is turquoise and icy cold. Heaven.

When it comes to festivals...

I’m hoping to make it to We Out Here and live at the Brownswood tent where our friends will be cooking and DJing.

You’ll find me dancing….

Probably going to keep that to my kitchen, nobody needs to see that.

I’ll be eating at…

Sargasso in Margate, followed by a quick go on the helter skelter in dreamland.

I’ll be drinking at....

At Hector’s of course! Whiling away the balmy evenings on the bench outside with a glass of Pet Nat. Yes please.

I’ll be reading...

I just finished Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers which I loved, and next on my list is Lisa Taddeo’s Novel, Animal. I adored Three Women, I think her writing is totally transcendent.

Hector’s is now open @hectorslondon @annasafffer

Yomi Adegoke, Co-author, Slay In Your Lane, columnist and podcast host

This summer I’m most looking forward to…

Seeing everyone!

When it comes to festivals…

I can’t wait for Yam carnival.

You’ll find me dancing….

At the Prince of Peckham.

I’ll be eating at…

Randall and Aubin

I’ll be drinking at...

London Cocktail Club - Clapham

I’ll be reading...

Lucky by Rachel Edwards

@yomi.adegoke

Ciara Madden, aka Ciara London, Founder of the Body By Ciara app

This summer I’m most looking forward to…

GOING ON HOLIDAYS!

When it comes to festivals…

None because I’m not organised enough to book tickets.

You’ll find me dancing…

In Ibiza :)

I’ll be eating at…

I love outdoor dining. Soho has loads of pedestrianised restaurants near Old Compton Street in the middle of the road, and I really enjoy that al fresco vibe.

I’ll be drinking…

On any rooftop bars are right up my street. I love a sunset.

I’ll be reading…

The Daily Stoic

@ciaralondon

Aimee Phillips, Creative Director, Consultant, DJ and mum

This summer I’m most looking forward to...

I’m going home to see my family and pals in NY after a full year away. I never thought I’d leave NY for 5 minutes, let alone a year! I feel like my actual soul needs the trip to survive.

When it comes to festivals...

I’m working on creative for two different artists at Creamfields, I think that will be the first big (legal) festival for a lot of people this year.

You’ll find me dancing…

With Annie Mac. I’m throwing her a party to celebrate her final Radio 1 show and I think everyone on that particular dance floor is going to have something close to a religious experience (myself included).

I’ll be eating at...

Elliot’s in Hackney, when it opens.

I’ll be drinking...

A glass of wine or an Aperol spritz on the patio at Trangallan in Newington Green on a warm summer night.

I’ll be reading...

I just finished The Girl With the Louding Voice which tore me up. I read the New Yorker every week and love it a lot. John Waters wrote a sort of half reportage half fiction book about hitchhiking across America which is on my list, and I’m also working my way through every David Sedaris book and my love affair with him continues!

@msaimeephillips

Olivia Petter, Senior Lifestyle writer at The Independent and author of Millennial Love

This summer I’m most looking forward to…

Having a glass of cold rosé on a sticky summer evening surrounded by friends. And ideally near a beach.

When it comes to festivals…

Standon Calling, End of the Road, All Points East

You’ll find me dancing….

EVERYWHERE. But also, The Box.

I’ll be eating at…

Laylow (haven’t been, desperate to go).

I’ll be drinking…

Sager + Wilde - lovely wine bar near me. Feels like you’re in New York.

I’ll be reading...

The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf (it’s amazing) - but I need to finish Red Comet by Heather Clarke first. It’s 800+ pages. No mean feat.

@oliviapetter8

Millenial Love is out now and can be purchased here.

Elizabeth Uviebinene, Co-author, Slay in Your Lane, writer and Financial Times Columnist

This summer I’m most looking forward to…

Seeing Wizkid at the O2

When it comes to festivals…

Yam Carnival in Clapham Common

You’ll find me dancing at….

Pitch Sundays

I’ll be eating out at...

Pastaio

I’ll be drinking at...

The Prince of Peckham

I’ll be reading...

The Other Black Girl

@elizabethuviebinene

Holly Humberstone singer-songwriter and Ivor Novello Rising Star Award Nominee

This summer I’m most looking forward to…

Being in a crowd at a festival. It’s pretty much all I’ve been dreaming of for the past two years and I feel like I’ve released all this music and had no one to play it to! Also, I’ve just missed being in a space full of people experiencing music together, I think the atmosphere is going to be crazy!

When it comes to festivals…

I’ve just played Standon Calling, Latitude, and Tramlines, and next month I’ll be playing Wilderness, Boardmasters, Leeds and Reading, and All Points East. I feel SO lucky to be busy again and to have such an amazing festival run lined-up for this summer. I think it’s going to be pretty surreal after a year indoors. I'll be doing a lot of performing but hopefully I’ll get a chance to dance and enjoy some other live acts too.

You’ll find me dancing at….

Anywhere there’s space to! I’ve made a pact with myself to enjoy every minute of this summer and to say yes to every social event no matter how tired I am. Life’s too short and I feel like all the fun and freedom could be taken away again at any second, so I’ll definitely be making the most of it.

I’ll be eating out at...

I’m obsessed with that Sushi roll place that you find at a lot of festivals. Also my favourite restaurant is Wagamama so it’s all I’ll be eating for the foreseeable.

I’ll be drinking at...

All the pubs of London because they’re always so fun. I’ve just missed having a chill drink at the pub with my friends after a day of work. I’m not sure I’m quite ready for the clubs yet though - I’m a little nervous to go back.

I’ll be reading...

All the Harry Potter books. I’m a bit of a nerd and I’d never read the series before and I’m really loving them. It’s a bit embarrassing getting Harry Potter out on the train but who really cares because they’re so good?I’m currently on The Order Of The Phoenix, it’s getting intense.

@hollyhumberstone

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