With thanks to Country and Townhouse and Wilderness Ireland:

Dear,

My approach to AI is to make stand-offish friends with it. In a sort of, ‘I’ll make an effort if you will' kind of thing… The intel I’ve picked up from various people who know far more than me is that if you can understand – at least on some kind of level – what is coming (to your workplace/schools/health etc), then you’re more likely to be able to assimilate it without it freaking you the hell out. I met Daniel Doll-Steinberg last week, who’s written Unsupervised - navigating and influencing a world controlled by powerful new technologies. He gave me a copy and inscribed it, ‘It’s really not that scary’ (I feel that’s written slightly ironically and through clenched teeth), but given – like climate change – I can’t control it, at least I want to understand it (a bit). So I’m going to put my big girl AI pants on and see what’s what (and then possibly run away to the Welsh hills and live off-grid in a stone cottage for the rest of my life!).

Have a great week.

Photo: 'Grandiflora Rose' wallpaper design by Designers Guild

WHAT’S EXCITING ME THIS WEEK

EYE-OPENING
This autumn it’s all about radiant, dewy skin (just look at the RTW runways at Chanel and Emilia Wickstead) – which we know starts in the prep. I’ll be hooked to Chantecaille’s Bio Lifting range: the products are exquisite, like using dampen silk, my skin feels so hydrated, nourished and soft. And, having met one of their expert makeup artists, I now have a top tip: always use an eye pencil under your upper lashes. I’ve been trying it out – it’s really effective for opening the eye.

GLASTO '24
To my sorrow, I’ve never been to Glastonbury even though my dad lives just a few miles away. But maybe I’ll give it a whirl for next year if I follow this advice on how to get tickets. And we guess at who might be headlining. Harry, you coming or what?

ANYA'S BAGS ARE BACK
Anya Hindmarch almost single-handedly changed the conversation around plastic bags. Now she’s working with Tesco and Morrisons on the new Universal Bag to further encourage ditching the single use. I love her approach because it’s desirable, playful and fun, which is sometimes lost in the sustainability story.

FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS

A celebration of the capital’s buzzing food scene, the London Restaurant Festival returns this September for its autumn edition. 30 September – 31 October

Kew Gardens’ Temperate House is being transformed into a space to celebrate the connections between queer people and nature. 30 September – 29 October

Catch some of the biggest movies of the year at the BFI London Film Festival. Screenings, exhibitions and events are taking place all over the city – and many are free. 4 – 15 October

Fortnum & Mason’s new programme of pop-ups focuses on themes of farming, food and technology – think supper clubs, masterclasses and more. Throughout autumn

Looking for quirky Halloween plans? How about a stay in Shrek’s swamp: a new offering from Airbnb inspired by the film.

For more inspiration on things to do, eat, drink and see, check out C&TH on Flipboard.

WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH

Real-life Squid Game: is this the scariest reality show on TV?

Take a look inside this new billion-pound hotel

Fancy dress shops for Halloween 2023

Michelin’s best restaurants for solo dining

Win A Stay At Our Hotel Of The Week, The Dixon

Good news: we’ve partnered with The Dixon Hotel to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an overnight stay as well as a three-course dinner & breakfast.

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Country & Town House
Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

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