Last week, in the midst of one of this summer’s many heatwaves, I hosted eight of my friends in my garden as part of my hen do celebrations. I say ‘host’ loosely, as my job was simply to prepare the outdoor furniture and supply the hosting/kitchen essentials while my friends acted as chef, bar staff and waiters.

I thought I had everything covered to get my small garden ready to host. I’d invested in a £35 folding table from B&Q and some metal folding chairs from Habitat so everyone had a seat (but I could fold them away afterwards). I also pulled out my Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan, £129.99 at Shark, to help keep everyone cool, and used my Roberts Revival Petite 2 Radio, £99 at John Lewis, as a speaker for music.

However, I quickly realised I’d neglected several small details that would have made all the difference when hosting people outdoors in this current heat. Here are the buys I’ll be picking up before my next garden party.

1. Drinks cooler

My garden is tiny, and I figured I’d have no need for an outdoor cooler as my fridge is right next to the back door, barely 20 paces from the table. How wrong I was.

Whether you’re drinking beer, cocktails or fizz, keeping guests’ drinks topped up is a full job. Even with my fridge so close, it felt like a chore to tear yourself away from the conversations to grab a top-up of bubbly, and it was too hot to leave more than one bottle out at a time.

Next party, I’m planning to invest in either a chic metal cooler that I can fill with ice to keep bottles chilled or a full cool box instead of an outdoor fridge. I’m currently eyeing up the Argos Campos 25L Cool Box in green, which is £18 and would blend in beautifully with my mini outdoor kitchen.

2. Ice maker

Even though I’d purposely gone out to buy a new bag of ice on the morning of the party, we still blasted through it in topping up the soft drink pitcher alone. Next time I’m investing in an ice maker like this £99 from John Lewis. It produces 12kg of ice in 24 hours; for comparison, the average bag you can buy at the supermarket typically weighs around 2kg.

While I’m calling it a hosting essential, the rate I’ve been getting through ice this summer and the strain it’s put on my ice tray, an ice maker would pay for itself in no time.

3. Fly fans

When eating outside flies are always a pain, but this year (along with wasps) they’ve been next level. Once the food was out on the table, especially when it came to the cakes or sweet treats, we were dive-bombed by every flying insect and bug around.

I’d been relying on citronella candles to try and keep the flies away, but next time I’m investing in fly fans to protect the food. You’ll often see them used abroad in holiday resorts or at food markets in summer.

4. Parasol or gazebo

This is going to sound like a no-brainer, but I made the crucial mistake of not buying a parasol or shade structure back in late spring when there were plenty of budget versions available. I live in a north-facing garden, and so figured I could get away with the natural shade my fence and house provided. I should have known better.

While the day of the actual event wasn’t as hot as it had been, I still managed to get sunburnt, and we had to keep a close eye on the clotted cream and any iced cakes on the table, which swiftly turned into little puddles.

5. Seat pads

I own two seat pads already, but shamefully it didn’t occur to me to invest in some extra sets for the additional folding chairs and garden chairs I put out in the garden. It took my friends deciding who was wearing the most suitable outfit to risk sitting on the (baking hot) metal chairs for me to realise my mistake.

I always think seat pads are a lovely addition to personalise a bistro set, but I’m investing in a couple of back-up pads ahead of my next event to use on my metal folding seats and to make my mismatched indoor and outdoor seating combination look a little more uniform.

If you’re hosting a couple of summer gatherings and realise, like me, you’re missing one of these hosting essentials, I’d recommend buying fast. Outdoor furniture stock at the best places to buy garden furniture are dwindling fast, as are other outdoor hosting essentials, so my advice is to buy now or regret later.

If you’re in the market for handy and affordable kitchen storage solutions, get yourself to your local Lidl middle aisle as the supermarket is about to drop fridge and cupboard organisers from just £1.99 – this is what I’m snapping up for my tiny kitchen.

As I write, I’m looking at my tiny kitchen, and I’m determined to put some small kitchen storage ideas to good use. When you lack space, organisation and a few clever storage solutions are paramount for a tidy kitchen – and I’ve definitely seen my space descend into chaos when I lack these features.

Lidl’s new fridge and cupboard organisers drop on Sunday (2 August), and I’m not missing out on the opportunity to smarten up my cabinets and organise my fridge more efficiently.

For context, I have a small fridge and freezer built into my worktop, and about two kitchen cupboards for food storage. One of these cabinets has become a mini seasoning pantry, where I keep all my spices. Using my trusty shelf inserts (like this £16 Argos Home insert), these items all stay relatively tidy.

I can’t say the same about my dry goods, which seem to be in a permanent state of disarray. But this is where Lidl’s Kitchen Cupboard Organiser With Three Compartments (£1.99) will come in handy when organising kitchen cupboards. With three equally spaced compartments, it’s ideal for storing bags of rice, pasta and orzo (all of which are currently shoved in my cupboard with no thought behind it).

It’s also suitable for use in the fridge, and a great way to keep food groups together and in one place. If you like multiple cheeses, you can keep them together, or if you haven’t already invested in a produce saver, it can keep fresh produce in one place – reducing your chance of forgetting about veg in the back of the fridge.

Lidl also has a Kitchen Cupboard Organiser With Handles, which is a large container measuring L25.4 x W15.2 x H12.7cm. The brand will also be selling a more space-saving Kitchen Cupboard Organiser With Lower Front, which can store everything from fresh fruit to canned goods.

All organisers can handle a range of temperatures from -20 to 40°C and are made from transparent plastic to make it easy to identify their contents. The products will only be available in store. If you don’t have a Lidl local to you, I’ve rounded up a few more affordable options you can shop online.

A tidy and organised kitchen really does make all the difference on how it operates, and whether you actually enjoy spending time in yours. These Lidl organisers may seem like a small detail, but they will make a big difference to the run of your kitchen.

I love linen bedding. As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’ve spent the past five years testing the best bedding on the market, and, as a hot sleeper, I’ve learnt that I definitely sleep best under a cool and breathable linen bedding set.

However, I know that not everyone feels the same way. If you prefer the look of crisp, crease-free cotton sheets, then even the best linen bedding can feel a little *too* laidback and crumpled.

However, Marks and Spencer has just changed all that. In my opinion, the new M&S Pure Linen Bedding Set is the ideal solution if you want to benefit from a cooler sleep whilst still retaining elevated hotel-luxe vibes in your boudoir.

Why is this bedding set so different? Two things. First, this 190gsm fabric has a more structured feel than most linen bedding. That means that it drapes a little more smoothly when it’s on the bed, which results in a more refined look.

And secondly, those smart piped edges. It may seem like a small detail, but when it comes to bedding that delivers hotel-luxe vibes and brings a more ‘expensive’ and elevated feel to the bedroom, it is *all* about the detail.

Piped edges frequently feature on high-end cotton bedding, but it’s a detail I haven’t seen incorporated into a linen bedding set before. And, to my mind at least, it adds a whole new look to this timeless fabric.

Plus, you still get to benefit from linen’s *fantastic* breathability. Something especially important in this increasingly long run of hot weather we’ve been experiencing in many parts of the country.

That’s because good breathability equals good airflow, and bedding that allows good airflow enables the body to regulate its temperature better, which in turn results in a deeper and more restorative sleep.

Little wonder then that I’m not alone in being impressed by M&S’ new launch. ‘Beautiful quality linen,’ says one 5-star review on the M&S website. ‘Smart piping elevates the look.’

‘Great quality,’ raves another owner. ‘The piping on duvet cover and pillowcases is a nice addition… so far best linen bedding I have purchased. Highly recommended.’

‘Cool to sleep in and washes well,’ says another happy M&S shopper.

When it comes to where to buy bedding that offers both cool sleep and hotel-luxe design, M&S is clearly the place to shop.

Plus, Marks and Spencer is one of the best places to snap up affordable linen bedding; its non-piped bedding set is the most budget-friendly I’ve tested. I’ve rounded up a few more of the brand’s most cooling sleep solutions below.