TODAY
British Designer Collective

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Bicester (especially after a massive Christmas Burberry win), and now the discount shopping village has one more reason that’s getting us hotfooting it to Marylebone. Having hooked up with the British Fashion Council, today sees the launch of their Designer Collective pop-up featuring designs by Holly Fulton, Jonathan Saunders, Todd Lynn, Markus Lupfer, Georgina Goodman, Emma Cook, Osman and Marios Schwab at up to 60% off.

Bicester Village, 50 Pringle Drive, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 6WD.
Until mid-May. Mon – Weds & Sun 10am – 6pm
Thurs to Sat 10am – 7pm.

SHOP
Green & Spring

A change in the weather always does funny things to our skin – so we’re loving Green & Spring’s range of body beautiful products inspired entirely by the British countryside using native herbs and flowers like lavender, chamomile, rosemary, dandelion, and rose. Our office lifesaver? The new intensive hand cream with clary sage and lavender – yes it smells kind of medicinal, but we like the whole apothecary effect.

£12

UJ OFFER
Free Pilates and Massage

Here at UJ we’re big fans of the PilatesK studio (right opposite Liverpool Street, though we’re hearing rumblings of a West End expansion) for their awesome staff and the fact that they introduced us to our own abs (no really...). And they love our subs right back; bag yourself a free session and a twenty minute massage on the house and seriously shape-up for summer.  Just quote UJ – and give us a wave when you’re down there.

HEAD’S UP
Pollen Street Social

With Spuntino’s recent opening we’re kind of catching onto a new way of eating; informal dining, whenever and however you like it. At Spuntino (which we love) it’s as acceptable to sup on a cocktail as it is to gorge on mac & cheese (and if you like that watch out for the ‘SpagWednesday Meatball’ pop-up; we’ll let you know when). Jason Atherton of ex-Maze fame, and the brains behind Pollen Street Social, has proclaimed his new restaurant will be the customers’ space where you can mix it up from a simple glass of  Prosecco or something from the hot/cold/meat/fish divided menu, to coffee with sweets from their dedicated DESSERT BAR (we know). Rigid fine dining is dead, and would we like to observe a minute’s silence to mark our respects? Nah.

8-13 Pollen Street, W1S 1NQ. 0207 290 7600.
Booking lines open today, restaurant launches on 18th April.

BOOK AHEAD
Somerset House Summer Series

With tickets for the Somerset House Summer Series going on sale tomorrow, we’ve had a little looksee at the line-up in preparation for the scrum and to be perfectly honest, we’re a little surprised. With more leftfield artist choices than usual, we’re plumping for Blondie, and betting on the amazing atmosphere to keep us entertained. Take your pick from rockabilly pin-up Imelda May, electronic lot Lamb, soulful Ellie Goulding, and Hackney’s own Professor Green.

7th-17th July. Tickets go on sale 1st April at 9am.

LAST CHANCE
Red Bull Music Academy Tokyo 2011

If you’re a budding producer, DJ, vocalist or instrumentalist and fancy yourself as a bit of an unsung (yep, see what we did there?) talent, then you’ve only got a few days left to send your CD and application in for this year’s Red Bull Music Academy. A select group will then get to fly out to Tokyo to take part in two weeks of lectures, recording sessions and performances with serious industry influencers. Collaborate, tinker with studio technology and shoot the breeze with likeminded folk – and come back with something we can dance to, damnit! 

Applications close Monday April 4th.

INTERNATIONAL
St. Regis Bangkok Launches

We know Thailand gets the gap year thumbs up, but having been for the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange last year we can confidently say that there’s plenty for grown-ups to enjoy too – and we’re not talking Patpong ping-pong either. Get opening rates at the gorgeous new St Regis Hotel in the capital Bangkok, and enjoy all that 5-star perfection (pool, limousines, and infinitely accommodating service) with a little home comfort via the Elemis spa and a branch of Knightsbridge’s Zuma restaurant, complete with outdoor terrace. Ditch the backpack at the door.

From £154. St Regis, 159 Rajadamri Road, Bangkok,
10330, Thailand.

UJ LOVES
The Handysquad

Doing flatpack is practically the least of our problems when it comes to in-home handyness. There’s the fekking wi-fi printer that doesn’t want to be found, the mirror that hasn’t been hung, and phone cables that are tripping up the cat. We need a hug. Rather than pound a hole through your plasterboard or annihilate your IP address, call The Handysquad. We did – and Ernest was fast, professional, and a pleasure to have around. He’s still in our cupboard if anyone’s looking. We’re not giving him up without a fight. He’s fine, honestly.

PODCAST OF THE WEEK
Festival Warm-Up

With festival season not far off and the UJ office puzzling over Sonar versus Outlook for our international music fix, we thought we’d feature a little wellie warm-up courtesy of The Collection DJ, Blonde Ambition. Sure it might seem a bit premature but with the warm-up rounds going from Sonar at the Roundhouse to the upcoming Lovebox teaser over the April bank holidays, it’s worth keeping up. Featuring the likes of Lykee Li, Basement Jaxx, Prince Club and Real Life, with a few rehashed classics from Push It to Paul Simon in the mix, it’ll have you feeling sunny in no time. Like what you’re hearing? Blonde Ambition will also be playing in-store at the Topshop Oxford Circus flagship on Friday and Saturday between 1pm and 3pm, and will be headlining at The Hoxton Pony on Friday night in Shoreditch.

Click through to listen...

YELL
Ministry of Found Dance & Music Exchange

Whilst the actual Ministry of Sound is busy celebrating its 20th anniversary (hell’s bells was it really 1991?),Yell is busy bringing back the decade in its fullest, rave hysteria form with a Ministry of Found pop-up shop on Brick Lane. Get down for a weekend of classic tunes, a vinyl shop where you can both buy and exchange, a talk with the Utah Saints, and book ahead for dance lessons where ‘Big Fish Little Fish’ is a legit move. Let’s face it – you won’t get an excuse to do that again – and now you’ll know what to bring to Ministry (not MC Hammer pants, please, even we have limits). Glow sticks at the ready.

1st-2nd April. Dray Walk, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. 11pm-6am.