There's no excuse to be bored in London.

We've discontinued our weekly updates since everything you need to know can be found in Here Is The City Life, but we hope you'll peruse the archives to check out our favourite things in London.

Week of 14th of April 2008

Road tax. Such a dull topic! And even though they have pretty hologram things in them, not really so pretty to look at. But on Pretty Taxing, you can buy a limited edition tax disc holder that speaks volumes about your style. Into nature? Get a butterfly. Prefer Goth skulls? Represented too. Classy blue plaques? No problem. Certainly the perfect expression for the art lover driving your car, even if you're the one who enjoys it most.

Week of 7th of April 2008

We're embarrassed it took us so long to read Freakonomics, especially after we finished it in near-record time and loved every word. Legalising abortion in the early '70ss caused crime to fall in the 90s? Makes sense to us. Since then, we've been checking in on the Freakonomics Blog, hosted by The New York Times Opinion section. These guys put forward a never-ending stream of interesting ideas. In the last few days: Do Hamburgers Cause Crime? (Near slaughterhouses, yes.) What is Fantasy For? (To help us appreciate the real world.) And an older one we particularly liked: Pilotless Airplanes? We'll let you read that one for the answer.

Week of 31st of March 2008

Maybe this isn't right for you, but it's probably right for your mom. The current trend online is to gather a panel of experts, and get them to contribute to topics relevant to the target audience. And talk about a panel! Former TV goddess Leslie Stahl, film comedienne Whoopie Goldberg, our favourite Judith Martin (Miss Manners), gossip columnist Liz Smith and cool actresses Lily Tomlin and Candice Bergen join a dozen other women discussing topics that are interesting to the 50+ crowd (and many younger, like us!). The site is called The Women on the Web, and you can see it here.

Week of 24th of March 2008

If you've got a baby coming, here's one less thing you need to import from the US. The Arms Reach co-sleeper is available through one distributor in the UK, located here. So you pay £199 instead of $150. (That's what your cushy expat package is for, offsetting things like this.) For the sake of convenience (and everything else you can now fit in your new baby-friendly luggage on that stock up trip to the US), it's worth considering. And note that it's not just the convenience of buying it here, it's also the convenience of having your new sweet thing right next to your bed!

Week of 17th of March 2008

For a culture injection, there are two exhibits worth checking out this week. One features 3D and light images of Queen Elizabeth II. The other is a series of films by Polish artist Marta Michalowska, showing at The Wapping Project. Chris Levine's portraits of The Queen were created after a sequence of photographs taken from a number of angles after two sittings, and are showing at Stolen Space Gallery (The Old Truman Brewery) until this Sunday the 23rd. Michalowska's films and photographs show life in Gdansk (Danzig), incorporating traces of former communism, recent history, and the modern country.

Week of 10th of March 2008

We love this silly thing: a shirt that measures the wi-fi signal available to you and your gadget. The decal which measures the wi-fi signal comes off for washing, and the battery pack is hidden in an inside pocket (also easily removed for washing, we assume). Convenience for you, and a service for other!

Week of 3rd of March 2008

On a recent trip to Bicester Village, I made a great discovery. The Links outlet sells 'Faulty' jewellery for a minimum of the price, and all you have to do is polish it or get it repaired. So here's what I bought: two broken long, silver big & small link necklaces (normally £295) for £30 each (one for me, one for my mum), a pair of tarnished matching earrings (normally £125) for £25, and one broken two-length silver chain (normally £50) for £5. Three necklaces will need to be soldered, so perhaps that's another £30 on top of the £90 I spent, bringing my total to £120. But for four items with a retail value of £765? That's good shopping sense!

Week of 25th of February 2008

March 1 is St. David's Day, the National Day of Wales. So what's the story here? In a nutshell: St David died on that day in 589, and it became a national day for Wales in the 18th century and now, Wales celebrates with parades all over the country, with the largest in Cardiff. St David was a teacher and ascetic, and who founded a monastic community at Glyn Rhosin. When he died, he said: 'Lords, brothers and sisters, be cheerful, keep the faith, and do those little things which ye have seen me do and heard me say.'

Week of 18th of February 2008

On your next trip to New York City, may we recommend two things: the burger at Josie's, and the toilets at TriBeca bar Smith and Mills. The former is almost as good as the Corner Bistro, but with better ambiance, and the latter is definitely better than Corner Bistro. Just kidding. The loos are in an old elevator, with folding railroad car sinks, and almost worth the trip alone.

Week of 11th of February 2008

Need a transportation alternative? Whilst we generally think Green Tomato is the best place to start (with Ecoigo being the evening alternative), it would be remiss not to mention Karma Kars, which believes that "the journey is more important than the arrival." With that in mind, their four (1960-era?) kars (in pink, black and white) are decorated inside and out, and for £40/hour, can be yours for pretty much anything when you need a change of pace.

Week of 4th of February 2008

And so the Giants swept the Super Bowl from the Patriots last night, ruining their chance of being the first team since 1972 to have a completely undefeated season. But just because you missed the game, there's no reason to miss the commercials (even if your UK colleagues aren't discussing them around the watercooler this week). Check out the archive on AdWeek and get lost in American culture.

Week of 28th of January 2008

Sophie Conran has designed the most basic - and beautiful - everyday china for Portmeirion. It's extremely reasonably priced, durable, and elegant but quirky, and just as happy in the microwave, oven, or dishwasher as on your table. But most of all, it's really, really lovely. And if I said it last year at some point, then please forgive me, but it's worth saying again.

Week of 21st of January 2008

Perusing New York Magazine online, I noticed a familiar title on the most e-mailed stories list. I clicked, and sure enough, it was a story from a year ago, still holding strong. And so I read it again. And if you've got a kid, you might want to read it too. The quick take-away is this: Kids who grow up being told all the time that they are smart often under perform at school because they believe they don't have to put in an effort, and don't want to appear dumb. Kids who are praised for their effort instead see themselves as in control of their success. The Inverse Power of Praising Kids. Take it or leave it, but there must be a reason it's still being read.

Week of 14th of January 2008

Living in the UK can sometimes be better with things from home. We're not talking McCambridge's Brown Bread, Toll House Chocolate Chips or Lowensenf Mustard. We're talking big things like pianos, nursery gliders and antique chests. Things you didn't think to move over in your initial shipment. When that happens, Baggage Express is your friend. They can either arrange for door-to-door delivery, or pick up your lonely (but important) goods at the airport, clear customs, and deliver them to your door. And just like that, make your life that much better.

Week of 7th of January 2008

This New Year's, we've resolved to make no New Year's resolutions. Our first year at Uni, we made a list of 18 things we were going to improve. Eighteen years later we realise it's all about being moderate in everything, and having fun with as much as possible. But in case you're planning on keeping the one you bravely made, here are some suggestions from UKTV Style: 1. Keep it real; 2. Going for goal; 3. Respect yourself; 4. One is the magic number; 5. Put pen to paper; 6. Don't worry, be happy; 7. Lead us not into temptation; 8. Mark it off, 9. If at first you don't succeed...; 10. Finally, to err is human. Wishing you all the best!

Week of 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st of December

Who are we trying to fool? We got side-tracked drinking mulled wine and looking at the Christmas lights, so aren't even going to try to play catch-up now. Instead, we're just going to wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Christmas, a Blessed Eid, a Happy New Year, and if you celebrate Hanukkah, we hope it was a happy one. See you on the 7th of January.

Week of 3rd December

Tis the season to buy a Christmas tree. So where do you do it? If you're lucky there's a lot down the street, but if you're not, you've got a few options. B&Q has a decent selection of trees, but you've got to have a car. You can also order one online from Pines and Needles or Christmas Tree Land. Or you can drive out to Chesham, Buckinghamshire and pick your own tree from the Christmas Tree Farm. If you've got the time, there's no question as to which option is best!

Week of 26th November

Once again we're loving Time Out, this time for exposing London's worst service culprits. From terrible loos (On the Rocks) and terrible pizza (Baker Street Food Station) to pushy ushers (Shakespeare's Globe) and rude bouncers (Astoria), they out them all. Or at least a few of them. A few other notables include exorbitant cancellation charges (Gordon Ramsey, Fifteen, La Gravroche) and family-unfriendly pubs (All Bar One, Spice of Life).

Week of 19th November

Tuesday the 20th of November is the 60th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip, and to commemorate this, Buckingham Palace has released 60 facts about their wedding. And as residents of the UK, we should know them. Our favourites: The Queen Mum gave Liz & Phil a salt cellar as a wedding gift (for the table, one presumes), their wedding cake was nine feet tall, and five of the choristers who sang at their wedding will be at this week's service of Thanksgiving. Read more here.

Week of 12th November

The other day our friend gave us these super cute mini calling cards with his info on one side, and photos he'd taken on the other. They were so cool! He made them on Moo, and we sound like an advertisement, but we're not. And so we ordered some as inserts for our Christmas cards (since everyone likes to see a photo, but few people want to see the card taken over by them). Creating them online couldn't be easier or - at £9.99 - more reasonable. Of course, they also print postcards and greeting cards, but it's the mini cards we love so much.

Week of 5th November

Attention, Americans! Thanksgiving is just two weeks away. Will you be cooking? Going out? Get the best of both worlds with Rhodes Bar-B-Q's Thanksgiving Hamper, delivered and ready to go. The feast, which serves 6-8, costs £160 (plus delivery) and includes Smoked Turkey with Stuffing and Rice, Sweet Potato, Blackpepper Cranberry Sauce, Potato Salad, Mixed Bar-B-Q Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Devilled Eggs, Corn Bread and Pumpkin Pie. And if it's anything like the food served from their Wapping "Bar-B-Q Shack," it will be something to give thanks for.

Week of 29th October

Now that Nike owns Converse sneakers, they seem to be taking over the world. This isn't a bad thing for anyone, except for those trendsetters who've abandoned them now that they're readily available. But hey, the look good and they're comfortable. And they're even more than all over Paris. Paris? Paris, the fashion capital of the world? Seems that way, with mothers, grandmothers and teens alike, all wearing Chucks. Of course, they still manage to pull it off with more panache than the rest of us. Must be something in the...wine.

Week of 22nd October

As we’ve been perusing the Time Out Eating & Drinking Awards, we couldn’t help but notice another article. The Best Champagne Bars in London. The article also talks about champagne’s sashay into the mainstream (apparently Woolworth’s is launching a £5 article), but we can really thank the gals in their 20s and 30s with disposable income and a penchant for bubbles for helping it become an everyday drink. To you, ladies!

Week of 15th October

This week kicks off the London Film Festival, which runs through 1 November. It’s a time to revisit old favourites (A Clockwork Orange), see recent releases (Brick Lane) or explore films from around the world. Or just go and see a free film compilation of London-based classics on Trafalgar Square at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.

Friday, 12th October

Starting next week, Life in London will be updated weekly. For more regular updates on cool things about check out this site.

Thursday, 11th October

Frieze sets Londontown alight with art, and lots of fairs follow in its wake. Among them is the Zoo Art Fair, which only features galleries under the age of six, but our favourite is the Bridge Art Fair. It takes places at the Trafalgar Hotel, so you wander from room to room, checking out the art (and vetting the rooms for your friend’s next visit).

Wednesday, 10th October

And now a shameless plug for the free wi-fi on offer at Le Pain Quotidien. The bread is good, the soup is good, the carrot cake is good. And the signal is strong. What more could a wandering worker ask for when in Soho, High Street Kensington, Chelsea, South Bank or Holborn?

Tuesday, 9th October

Until the 20th of October, Ermenegildo Zegna has a great offer on through Harrod’s, especially appealing for busy men. They’ll send a tailor to you (at no cost) to measure you for a suit, make your suit and send it to you. No need to even leave your office (except to find a life).

Monday, 8th October

This cool wall shelf gives new meaning to flat-pack. It comes as one piece, and you bend it by hand to create the shelves. It’s also light and only requires two screws (so is very assembly friendly). And it’s strong, magnetic and looks good. Not to mention none of your friends will have one.

Friday, 5th October

Hey guys: Find yourself on business in Kyoto? Contact Canadian Peter MacIntosh, who through his contacts can get you your very own, very real geisha for the evening. If that’s more than you can handle, he also leads tours through the Gion district. And if you’re not going to be in Kyoto anytime soon, he sells his images so you know what you’re missing.

Thursday, 4th October

For a new mom, picking out a diaper bag is as important as any other handbag (or so we’re told). It says plenty about you, so don’t screw up! And for dads it must be even harder. Answering that call is Diaper Dude, with very manly messenger/backpacks. And since all sorts of people issue calls for help, they even come in camouflage and shiny gold.

Wednesday, 3rd October

Will the novelty of cool, sustainable products ever wear off? For the benefit of our world, hopefully not, and if they keep coming up with cool products like these, then probably not. You can see them in the first two weeks of this month at Origin: The London Craft Fair, running at with two different exhibits from the 2nd-14th of October. Furniture, jewellery, textiles, art, housewares, clothing and more – it’s all there.

Tuesday, 2nd October

Rob Zombie deserves to have a hit movie, which is just what he’s made with Halloween. The former White Zombie frontman and creative force went on to have a few solo albums when the band broke up, and in the background, made a few movies. This one – like his others – stars Sheri Moon Zombie, his super-cute scream queen wife. So appropriate.

Monday, 1st October

There is perhaps no more important document in British History than the Magna Carta, which was written in 1215. (If you need more of a reminder, it basically put limits on the King and protected the people.) So as a British dweller you’ll be glad to know a copy is coming up for sale. Presently owned by the Perot Foundation, it’s expected to fetch about £10m from Sotheby’s. It’s got further cache in that it’s the only copy in private ownership. As if the document wasn’t enough…

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