This month’s top picks: from stylish tiles to the ultimate spaghetti

This month’s round-up includes our top fashion picks, homeware products and adventurous breaks

Top Picks October

 

Visit this

See Italy from a different perspective when you swap four wheels for two on a Freedom Trek break. With over 30 trips to choose from, you’ll experience rich renaissance art, baroque architecture and age-old family traditions as you tour through distinctive regions including Lake Garda, Chianti and Puglia. Expect easy cycling with plenty of gelato and coffee stops during the day, plus Florentine steak, fresh focaccia and Chianti wine at night!

For more info about destinations and prices, contact Freedom Treks on 01273 224066 or visit them here

On the bucket list  835742

Here’s one that’s going straight on the wish list this month: the Stacy Bucket Bag by Furla. Founded by the Furlanetto family in 1927, Furla makes gorgeous designer bags for all occasions, including this one, the Stacy, which we think has travel bag written all over it. Roomy and with a drawstring top, there’s plenty of room inside this soft leather bag for all your on-the-move essentials. Hot off the catwalk for the AW16 season, this lust-have comes in two sizes and two colourways, Onyx and Lava A.

Prices start from £200, find out more at Furla

Against the grain

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There’s nothing more satisfying than grinding your spices by hand, so why not treat yourself to one of these World of Flavours Italian Olive Wood pestles and mortars? Hand carved from olive trees that no longer produce fruit, the beautiful grain ensures they are as decorative as
they are functional.

Mortar and Pestle, £24.99, from Very

Pasta master   

waitrose_new-spaghetti-lunghi
225 years of Neapolitan pasta-making expertise has gone into this Spaghetti Lunghi from the new Waitrose 1 range. Shaped through bronze dies, it has a rough texture perfect for smooth sauces to cling on to.

£3.99/1kg, Waitrose

Flower power  
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Sometimes a few simple accessories are just what your home needs to give it an instant facelift. This aqua glazed ceramic vase from M&S caught our eye: its elegantly stylised embossed design and enigmatic expression reminds us of ancient Roman sculptures. The soft hue is one of this season’s neutrals and will blend in with most décors. We see it full of the last of the summer’s blowsy blooms – peonies or a tawny autumnal bouquet.

The Contessa vase measures 29.5cm high and costs £35 from Marks & Spencer 

On the tiles
Image: Tile Mountain
Image: Tile Mountain

These beautiful white porcelain floor and wall tiles will give you the look of Italian Calacatta marble but without breaking the bank. Subtly veined, they have a high gloss finish and are available in two sizes: 595x595mm and 595x1195mm.

Prices start from £45.55 per sqm, visit Tile Mountain