In the month of commercial love, discover a few more things to fall in love with – almost free international calls, East London BBQ, the great Apple/PC guys, and news that Banana Republic is coming to town.

Wednesday, 28th Feb

Sitting firmly between the high street bookstore and the cute independent bookshop on the corner is Hatchard’s, which has been selling books since 1797, making them the oldest surviving bookshop in London. They’re located on Piccadilly, between Piccadilly Circus and Green Park, and feel a bit like a Waterstone’s – they even have 3 for 2 specials, knowing we’ve all been spoiled. Britain is a country of readers, and Londoners are lucky to have Hatchard’s.

Tuesday, 27th Feb

Beau Brummell was the first dandy, who lived from 1778-1840. He claimed to take five hours to dress, and in his opinion, thought that boots should be polished with champagne. (In our opinion, it should only be drunk, and regularly.) But he was a trendsetter, and men today can thank him – or curse him – for bringing the suit and necktie into fashion. His role in men’s fashion is commemorated by a statue on Jermyn Street, natch.

Monday, 26th Feb

In case you missed the newsflash, Banana Republic is coming to the UK. This is great for UK shoppers who want a better mid-priced offering than Reiss, Hobbs or Jigsaw, and terrible for those of us who stock up when we go to the US, then happily – and uniquely – wear our fashions on the London streets. The first location will be on Regent’s Street, and speculation (by analysts, not shoppers) is that some of the poorly performing Gap stores could be turned into Banana locations. Of course, once over the disappointment, we think, “What took so long?”

Friday, 23rd Feb

Until recently, water in the UK did not have fluoride in it, making dental health a challenge. It’s also very hard, leaving lime scale on appliances, and – if you believe Lush – in your hair. But the water here is good for drinking, and while every restaurant means bottles when they ask if you want water, all will give you tap if you ask. Even Gordon Ramsay (though we may not test this one). But if you see Belu on the menu, then by all means order it. Belu is the first bottled water that doesn’t contribute to climate change, and all of their profits go to clean water projects.

Thursday, 22nd Feb

Bodeans has the market on BBQ in London, with locations in Soho, Fulham and Clapham. But East London has Rhodes BBQ Shack, a funny little bolthole down from the Wapping Tube Station, where the charm oozes as happily as the (really really good) BBQ sauce. Their smokehouse is located off-site, and they do an extensive delivery service in the Docklands. Best choices include the nachos, pulled pork and BBQ beans. Damn fine. Recently reviewed by Time Out.

Wednesday, 21st Feb

A friend of mine has a completely unscientific theory that the time of year you arrive in London forever impacts your feeling on whether London is generally “really dark” or “a bit dark, but whatever.” If you arrive in the autumn or winter when the days are getting shorter (or already ridiculously short), the dark days of winter will feel even darker (and the long days of summer won’t rewrite this). If you’re a spring or summer arrival, even the dark winter days won’t be quite so bad.

Tuesday, 20th Feb

For anyone flying across oceans with any regularity, choosing the right seat can make all the difference (especially if you’re flying economy). Seat Guru has seating charts for the fleets of all major airlines, and they’re measured in four ways: good (a few seats), poor seats (a few seats), be aware (more seats), and no comment (most seats). In these days of online check-in before arriving at the airport, making the best decision is easier than ever.

Monday, 19th Feb

Victoria isn’t known for its selection of bars & restaurants, but even if it were, bbar would be worth a visit for eating or drinking. Its décor is colonial African, with animal prints and animal photos, and a few excellent South African dishes – carpaccio of kudu, and springbok on sweet potato mash. The menu is “world,” and also includes a very good BBQ chicken salad and delicious honeycomb ice cream.

Friday, 16th Feb

It’s time to start thinking about the beach. With a group of friend, in a big house, with a lovely pool, your own pink sand beach, lots of books and games, and even a community liquor cabinet. Along with a cat, two dishwashers, seven bedrooms and air taxi from Nassau. Sounds good? It is good.

Thursday, 15th Feb

Unless you have a cushy work mobile plan, calling abroad can be expensive. But it’s important to be able to, so here’s the secret. If you’re on Orange, Virgin, O2 or T-Mobile you can call 07744 700 300, then enter the destination number (e.g. 001 212 867 5309 to reach Jenny in NYC). The minutes will come out of your regular plan as local, cross-network minutes. To program it all into speed dial, enter the access number, followed by three stars (for a pause), the number you’re calling, and then a hash sign. So: 07744700300***0012128675309#

Wednesday, 14th Feb

Although very much in love, I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. Give me flowers, chocolates and jewels (oh yes, and words of love) any other day of the year. But it would be cynical not to pay homage to the Neolithic skeleton couple found last week 25 miles south of Verona (home of Romeo and Juliet). For the last 5,000-6,000 years they’ve been holding each other, suggesting they died young and tragically, and very much in love.

Tuesday, 13th Feb

HereIsTheCity serves the financial community with news, jobs and gossip. But for anyone who has ever had a job in an office, HereIsTheCity is the best source for hilarious things that leak. Like the famous party invite from last year. The priceless job application (complete with video). The woman who left her job. And let’s not forget the fake IT letters, which are just plain silly (and totally worth reading).

Monday, 12th Feb

If you still need a plan for the 14th (single or not), Improv group Fluxx will be performing upstairs at the Soho Theatre. The storyline has been set – an office that didn’t get a Christmas party has a ’60s themed Valentine’s party instead – but most of the production (and all of the party) will be made up on the spot. Given the talented improvisational abilites of some of the group members, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be great.

Friday, 9th Feb

One of the most popular drinks at dim sum emporium Ping Pong (aside from Sun Lik, the only beer they sell) is the Jasmine Flower Tea. In a tall glass it grows from a dried ball the size of a 10p coin to a plant complete with flowering top. It looks pretty and tastes nice, which holds true for almost everything they serve (especially the Crispy Prawn Balls, Hoi Sin Duck Rolls, Prawn and Bamboo dumplings, Baked Puffs and Spinach Prawn wraps). And now, Ping Pong sells boxes of Jasmine Flower Tea to enjoy at home.

Thursday, 8th Feb

The Telegraph has a great campaign running: Want a better quality free afternoon newspaper? Print your own. And indeed, the battle playing out every weekday between London Lite and The London Paper ensures that we're given the lowest form of disposable "news." But in a weak moment, this was spotted in one of those rags. Subversive Cross Stitch. Order in time for Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, 7th Feb

Mitchell & Webb starred in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show and had a few successful BBC radio & TV skits & comedies – That Mitchell & Webb Look and That Mitchell & Webb Sound. And right now they’re starring in the hilarious Apple ads, which are as good with them as the US originals. But do note the cultural difference – the UK Mac is more sarcastic than the US Mac, who’s more gentle and sympathetic, and indeed the UK does love its witty sarcasm.

Tuesday, 6th Feb

TK Maxx is loved by some and hated by others. Two girls – both from proper, posh English families love TK Maxx. One girl – an American bargain hunter – doesn't get the appeal, and another girl (yours truly) can't get enough. Another guy – a German expat – hates it and gets dragged – then always finds something good. So what is it? A crazy, hodgepodge of a place to find great deals on things you don't know you need but really do need, then use all the time (hopefully).

Monday, 5th Feb

Primrose Hill is one of the few places in London where you won’t see a Starbucks. In fact, when the company tried to purchase a location on their busy high street in 2002, Regent’s Park Road, the local shop owners complained and stopped them from moving in. With few exceptions, this road is full of independent shops, selling every fabulous thing you could want. You can read how it happened here.

Friday, 2nd Feb

Some people don’t read the Evening Standard, and these people include intellectuals, culture snobs, and happening young professionals who think they’re too fabulous. But every Friday the Evening Standard comes with a magazine that is happening, fabulous, classy and interesting. At 50p, it’s a magazine bargain – and even more of one if you ask the ES paper stand seller if you can just buy the magazine…

Thursday, 1st Feb

London Eating is one of the best places to get the real deal on a restaurant. For the most part, you get a very good sense of places that are consistently good (or bad), what restaurants value service more than others, and helpful suggestions and observations (like “skip this place for lunch”). And on occasion you get the hilarious reviews. What can we say about the people who eat at Oxo Tower Brasserie? That at least a few of them are hilarious, if nothing else.

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