What better way to start off the year than with a new airline, a great book, cupcakes, and a warm (alcoholic) drink?

Wednesday, 31st Jan

Every expat is familiar with at least one of the following – creative importing, finger crossing, and if nothing else, the best place serving (insert your home cuisine here). For expats and television, there are a number of options for getting a fix. The International Herald Tribune, which gives Americans a taste of home, checks out the options.

Tuesday, 30th Jan

Cupcakes should be more popular, but since they aren’t, those who make them well are not to be forgotten. And if you want to send them to someone, Lola’s Kitchen is a good bet – and a bargain at £30 for a dozen (including delivery to most Central London locations). Their assortment includes six flavours that are colour-coded for your convenience, and sugar-coated for your pleasure.

Monday, 29th Jan

The perfect gift for the person who has everything AND is hard to buy for is a leather-bound Mini A-Z. There’s a wide range, but my favourite is by Under Cover, in eggshell blue (which they call Sea Breeze) with a lime green elastic band. You can buy online or at Liberty.

Friday, 26th Jan

And speaking of magnums, the best deals in town is at Waitrose. Their magnum of non-vintage champagne (produced by the Heidsieck team and under the Waitrose name) is less than £35 and is really very good. Not to mention big enough for you and your best friend (but perhaps better for a group at brunch).

Thursday, 25th Jan

The Top Floor restaurant at 'Smiths' of Smithfield is great for a big night out, especially for larger groups, seated around an oval table. The views over The City are stunning and the steaks are legendary - some of the best in town. Best of all, they have a somewhat reasonably priced magnum of wine - which is both delicious and fun.

Wednesday, 24th Jan

It seems surprising, but Liverpool Street Station has a nice cheese shop that also has a small but very good wine selection. It’s not as fancy as some of its cousins, but it is a culinary oasis in an otherwise fast-food world, with a staff that's willing to help.

Tuesday, 23rd Jan

Doing the laundry in the UK is quite different than doing it in America. First, you probably have a single unit serving as both washer and dryer (and if you have a separate tumble dryer, then you are spoiled and happy). Secondly you have the choice of biological and non-biological detergent (supposedly non-bio is better for sensitive skin). Lastly, you have the choice of how fast you’d like the spin cycle to spin – normally from 600 to 1400 rotations per minute. While that’s really fast, the process is really slow – more than three hours for one load.

Monday, 22nd Jan

The Business-class only flight business between London and New York has become more interesting with the arrival of Silverjet, which unlike Maxjet, offers fully flat beds for not much more (£999 to Maxjet’s £854). Flights leave from Luton, accessible by train from St. Pancras, and the best news of all – you only have to arrive 30 minutes before departure!

Friday, 19th Jan

Kate Fox has written a hilarious, insightful book that dissects and tries to explain English behaviour. It’s a must-have for anyone who wants to understand the national obsession with the weather, the truth about the English garden and the many ways class differences still exist. I’ve already bought six copies of Watching the English and don’t plan to stop.

Thursday, 18th Jan

Now that our boroughs are hip to recycling, we have to get hip to the two-bin scenario. Simple Human makes the perfect bin – a 38L recycler with a butterfly top, and accompanying tall, skinny bags that fit perfectly. Alternatively, you can get free recycling bags by calling your local borough.

Wednesday, 17th Jan

Carry Me Home is an independent kids store on the 3rd level of Kingley Court, Carnaby Street carrying hand-made clothes and toys for babies and toddlers, as well as creations by the owner, Gayle. They’re also the only London location where you can buy onesies from Los Angeles-based e.k.g clothing (www.ekgclothing.com). So much better than Baby Gap.

Tuesday, 16th Jan

Pimm’s Winter (Number 3) was launched two years ago, and should be – like Pimm’s Number 1 – in every London resident’s home. Mixed with clear apple juice and warmed on the stove (ok, or in the microwave), it’s makes the most delicious nightcap. It’s almost as good as Frangelico on ice, another treat discovered at a Waitrose tasting on a Saturday afternoon.

Monday, 15th Jan

If you live in the UK, you can register for IRIS, a new scheme (a.k.a. program) that reads your iris and admits you back into the country at the airport without seeing an Immigration Agent or filling out a landing card. It takes 10 minutes to register before your flight out (the offices are on the other side of security – ask an agent for the location), and you’ll be enrolled for the duration of your visa. When you return, look for the IRIS sign at Passport Control, enter the booth, look at the camera, and within 10 seconds, your iris will be read and you’ll be on your way. Because the program is still new, there’s never anyone in line, making your walk through Immigration literally a walk through. It’s amazing!

Copyright © 2006-2007 by Arrivals Limited

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