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Pani puri shots, Scandi home inspiration, and secret summer lunches: The Indy/Life Loves List

Our new weekly round-up of the Independent lifestyle desk's favourite things

Wednesday 12 July 2017 14:39 BST
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Secret lunch spots

We don't really get the concept of “lunch” in the UK. OK, we’ve nailed weekend brunches. But our sorry excuses for meals at work consisting of soggy supermarket sandwiches and mediocre crisps eaten slumped at our desks are enough to make the French – who luxuriate in their hour-long afternoon meals - shudder. And rightly so. Well, we’re not having any of it. We’re turning lunchtimes into mini-holidays. Here’s how: find a secret suntrap near the office where your colleagues won't find you. Put down a blanket and settle down with a trashy book and a homemade salad (one of those ones that you’ve actually spent some time making). Done right, you can fool yourself into thinking that you’re on holiday - for half an hour or so, anyway.

Pani Puri Shots

These savoury street food snacks are found all over India, and consist of a hollow, crisp wheat balls stuffed with a mixture of spicy potato, and tangy tamarind chutney. We tried some recently at the Indian street food restaurant Chai Naasto, which was loving set up in homage to the owners’ grandma.

There, they are served in sixes in shot glasses on a miniature cart - and now we’re a bit addicted.

Political takes on pop culture

Ah, Love Island. It’s been a while since a reality TV show was this go-home-early-from-the-pub-to-watch-it, talk-about-it-as-soon-as-you-get-into-the-office popular. In this political climate, when we’re all suddenly highbrow theorists secretly harvesting the opinions of people smarter than us on social media to look clever, it’s not enough to just watch a popular show anymore. You need to have a hot take on how it plays into sexism or body shaming or civil rights. The same goes for the Handmaid’s Tale, which just months after its release is already being used as a symbol for protest. And frankly, we’re all for it!

Scandi interior design on Instagram

Whether you’re looking to redecorate your entire home or just a little interior escapism Instagram is the go-to place for snippets of daily inspiration. Packed with style and perfect for a quick aesthetic pick-me-up the accounts that have been getting double taps on our feed lately include Hygge for Home – a great source for home updates that promises a modern take on industrial – and Malmo and Moss – a mum of three boys that celebrates scandi simplicity, vintage finds and heaps of house plants.

Summer-proof make-up

While summertime calls for beach days, lounging by the pool and water sports, the heat and humidity that comes with it can play havoc on your make-up. And, nothing ruins a scorching day quite like realising your foundation is streaking down your face. Consequently, we’re loving waterproof make-up right now with Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Nude holding the top spot. A summer version of the brand’s classic, this one has SPF 30 and 24-hour staying power.

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