Dear Reader,
As promised, we at The Rhubarb Society are here to guide you through the upcoming long weekend, otherwise known as Easter. Whether you’re hunting for (Faberge) eggs, hosting an intimate lunch for 45, or pretending that your strict fasting is for Good Friday and not for superficial reasons, we have you covered. For those not partaking, we’ve already thought of some excuses for you to use.
‘There’s been nothing Good about a Friday since Soho in the ’80s so I will not be partaking in this holiday’
‘I’d love to come over for Easter lunch but I broke my leg on a black in Les Arcs two years ago around this time so it’s pretty emotional for me’
‘Oh, I’m going to Elton’s evening mass afterparty, and I plan on blacking out and resurrecting three days later like Jesus would have wanted’.
‘Chocolate/lamb/hot cross buns/prosecco (delete where necessary) gives me diarrhoea/migraines/covid (also delete where necessary)’
(to be sent on Easter Monday) ‘Oh god, I’m sorry, I only just saw your invite! signal is just terrible in the Caymans, but lunch at 5H when I’m back? xoxo’
Fashion
Here at the club, we love a holiday as much as the next funemployed member. However, the thing we love the most is dressing for the occasion and reminding our loved ones why we are indeed the best family member. This section is part of a paid advertisement feature from our generous sponsors at Paige, a firm favourite here at The Rhubarb Society. If you would like to see some IRL styling videos, you can do so here, and here. Otherwise, here are some of our Easter picks below.
1. For a look that says, ‘I have somewhere better to be after this’, you can’t go wrong with this ultra-cool denim two-piece from Paige (you can buy the vest and the trousers separately). Pair it with this Strathberry canvas and leather shoulder bag, some punchy jewellery like these Bottega dupes from Amazon (£11.99) and a vintage wood dial Rolex. Be sure to check your wrist constantly everyone so knows you have taste and somewhere to be.
2. Should you be entertaining an Al Fresco Easter celebration in the garden of your least favourite uncle’s country house, this look screams ‘refined picnic elegance’ (with the picnic Hermes Kelly to match). These crisp white trousers from Paige warn children to stay far away, especially when paired with a cashmere top and a Longchamp silk scarf. Add this Alighieri Dreamer Ring and Alighieri Necklace (inspired by Dante’s arrival into the second circle of Paradise) to your perfect pastel outfit and tell everyone you’re dressed as a Faberge egg.
3. For the girl leaving her quaint 3-bedroom apartment in Notting Hill to go back to the sticks for Easter, this look is for everyone wanting to let their relatives who never left their small town know that they are infinitely cooler than them. Wear your light and airy Paige Ginseng dress (with pockets included, of course) paired with a Toteme Alpaca knit slung effortlessly over your shoulders. Slip these Emmett leather mules on and accessorise with a pair of crystal and pearl earrings. For maximum impact, pair it with a tote bag from your favourite independent bookstore and an Oyster card.
Hosting
Tamsin’s Roast Chicken
A foolproof recipe that will carry you through Easter hosting and beyond.
You will need the following;
A Whole Chicken (The best quality you can afford – I normally get mine from The GingerPig)
My beloved Forntum’s poultry rub is currently not in stock (the mix is a blend of dried fennel seeds, lemon peel, black pepper, garlic, thyme and coriander seeds) however, I can recommend this one as a substitute. Do not underestimate the power of a good chicken rub!
A Lemon
Maldon Sea Salt (or any flaky salt)
Lemon Thyme
A Whole Garlic
Good Quality Butter
Method
The day before serving, unwrap your chicken (unfold the wings!) and tie its legs above itself. Thoroughly massage every bit of your chicken’s skin with your flaky sea salt. Lightly smash your whole garlic clove, slice your lemon in half and then put them in the chicken’s crevice with the lemon thyme. Lightly cover your chicken with foil and put it back in the fridge overnight. This step is essential as the salt will dry out the chicken skin making it extra crispy and tasty. On the day of roasting, remove your chicken from the fridge and massage your chicken rub all over the skin with a tablespoon of olive oil or butter (this quantity might differ depending on the size of your chicken). Let your chicken come to room temperature before putting it in the oven. I start with my oven at 180C, and I leave the chicken for an hour before opening the oven and basting the chicken in its own juices. I only do this once. Again, your timings will differ depending on the size of your chicken, but in the last 15 minutes, I turn my oven up to 200C to give the skin some extra crispiness. Remember to save the remaining chicken juices for your gravy!
Now you have the world’s best roast chicken with all of the sides to match; what are you going to do? Lay it on an undecorated, barely curated table? No! How could you? Whilst a few tablescape favourites have already been added to March’s version of ‘The Menu’, here are a few more we love.
1. H&M Patterned Tablecloth £14.99
2. Fortnum & Mason Milk Chocolate ‘Henrietta’ Chicken £12.95
3. Flying Tiger Easter Wreath £5
4. H&M Scalloped Placemats £12.95
5. Artificial Grass Table Runner £6
6. 3 Pack Flower Decorations £3.99
7. Decorative Easter Tree £5
8. Cotton Seat Cushion £9.99
Book Club
I‘m very happy to announce to all of our members that our book club has officially launched. This month’s pick is ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’, and for legal reasons, The Rhubarb Society must make it abundantly clear that this is in no way a guide or suggestion for certain members. If you would like to participate this month, you can find further details here.
‘Everyone in Fairview knows the story.
Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.
But she can’t shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?
Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur.’
Thank you to everyone who took part in our Oscar competition! In a rather unusual turn of events, six members got an impressive 7 of 9 correct Oscar winners, and as a result, I have decided to award two main prizes and 4 runner-up prizes based on a random draw. The results are as follows:
MAIN WINNER – FAYE T.
MAIN WINNER – ELIZA
RUNNER UP – KAT
RUNNER UP – ABBIEALICE
RUNNER UP – HSCANTS
RUNNER UP – MCKENNA
Main winners, please keep your eyes peeled on your emails as you will be contacted separately regarding your prize. Runner-ups, you will automatically be given free private membership for the next 3 months.
Members are also reminded that the membership committee are still accepting applications, despite counting down the days until they can flee to somewhere warmer for Easter. If you are looking to apply for Social or Private membership, you are encouraged to do so before all committee members have left the country.
