We’re kicking off our Summer of Sophia™ with a list of must-haves from author Sophia Money-Coutts herself! Did You Miss Me? is available now in Sainsbury’s, so why not pick up a copy along with this list of summer essentials?
La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 50
What is the point in spending around five hours every day cleansing, toning, seruming, moisurising, make-upping, then cleansing, toning, seruming and moisturising again every night if we stick our faces under the sun without protection? I didn’t realise this until I was about 35 when I started peering at my face in the mirror, trying to work out whether that was an age spot or a leftover crumb from lunch. Wear sunscreen.
Salt and Vinegar McCoy’s
The world’s finest crisps. No argument necessary. Especially good for scooping up hummus because they’re so, um, thick and ridged.
Mini mozzarella balls and sun-dried tomatoes
You know what I mean, the little tub of oily deliciousness that you find in the deli section. I think they’re probably made for sharing on picnics and not for one person, standing in her kitchen, spearing the little balls with a fork directly from the packet when she can’t be bothered to make lunch. But let’s overlook that.
Wagon Wheels
The chocolate coating. The soft, crumbly exterior. The gooey, marshmallowy middle. This is an excellent biscuit which I loved when little and so stuck into a key scene in Did You Miss Me? Good on a hangover with a cup of tea.
Bottle of VPR
This stands for Very Pale Rosé. Don’t blame me. I didn’t make it up. But around five or six years ago, everyone seemed to decide that they were wine experts and started marching into pubs and restaurants demanding ‘the palest rosé on the wine list’. Some people have since shortened this to ‘a bottle of VPR’ and, to be fair, it is a very refreshing drink. Doesn’t have to be Whispering Angel (the silliest name in the world?). Can be any pale rosé, which I would like in a glass with precisely three ice cubes.
Strawberries
A seasonal fruit which I’m including largely because I can’t eat cheese and chocolate all summer, and I should attempt at least one of my five a day.
A packet of Rennie
See everything I’ve written above. I keep one blister packet in the side pocket of my handbag at all times. Important to be prepared.
Did You Miss Me? by Sophia Money-Coutts is out now in paperback and available from Sainsbury’s! Making your own summer shopping list? Download our Summer of Sophia™ shopping list template here!
