Welcome to July, the month of the second week of Wimbledon and maybe the first week of some decent summer weather.

Tuesday, 31th July

On a drive through the country, The Dashwood Hotel made itself known. A nice sign, an even nicer building. The country hotel, located outside of Oxford, has attic rooms and a very stylish interior, and the English/Canadian couple on Trip Advisor loved it. Paddy Burt in the Telegraph had a great dinner there (but felt breakfast was lacking). All things considered – and it’s location close to Bicester Village – a place worth trying.

Monday, 30th July

It’s not brand-new, but it’s still worth mentioning that Sophie Conran’s line for Portmeirion is lovely. It’s perfect for every day (and priced to allow for plenty of breakage), and combines the feel of porcelain and pottery (but don’t let the idea of pottery put you off). It’s elegant, simple and just the thing if you’re looking for new tablewear.

Friday, 27th July

‘Bring’ and ‘take.’ Why do Brits use it correctly and the Americans use it wrong? I take the water with me, says a Brit, and that’s right. I bring the water with me, says an American, and that’s wrong. ‘Bring’ is for movement toward the speaker, and ‘take’ is for movement accompanying (or away from) the speaker. Americans, let’s learn from our hosts!

Thursday, 26th July

Hand dryers in public loos. What a naff topic! But honestly, this one is amazing. It’s like a science experiment. It blows air so hard that if you hold your hand close to the nozzle, your skin will move. Seriously. It is fascinating. We’ve only seen them at Heathrow, but if you spot them elsewhere, let us know. Not surprisingly, they’re called Xlerator Excel Dryers. Crazy!

Wednesday, 25th July

Marc Jacobs has a sense of humour. Thank God. Because if he didn’t, this was the end. The bag said: Jacobs by Marc Jacobs/For Marc by Marc Jacobs/In collaboration by Marc Jacobs for Marc Marc Jacobs. And as a $12 substitute for a plastic bag, we approve. Even if by taking the mickey he’s still getting his name out there.

Tuesday, 24th July

In February, we talked about free international calls from your mobile with www.briing.com. Fabulous! And over. Orange, like other carriers, start charging for numbers like this once they discover their use (which is to get you on their network so your international calls simply come out of local minutes). So be warned, this good thing may have also come to an end on your carrier.

Monday, 23rd July

Did something just happen with Facebook? In the last two weeks, everyone we’ve ever met showed up on it (including us). And then we heard that their growth was 143% from May 06 to May 07, and the largest segment was 25-34 year olds (well, we’re almost in that segment). But it’s no surprise – it’s so superior to MySpace, and the fact you’re only connected to your group is, well, something we adults actually want. If you’re not already on, get on now, before you’re in the last wave.

Friday, 20th July

Lots of spas offer Dermalogica facials, and although Dermalogica is strict, you still don’t know what you’re getting. Which makes the Dermalogica Kensington such a wonderful place. Dermalogica at a Dermalogica establishment, and the only one in London. Can we say it again? Dermalogica. Damn. (8 Lancer Square, Kensington Church Street London, W8 4EH –020 7937 7060)

Thursday, 19th July

Ah, the Fatherland! Now you too can drink like a German without leaving town. Steins Bavarian Beergarden was made for summers like this. (Actually, for summers with sun.) May we recommend Erdinger Weissbier or Paulaner Dunkles and to eat, a Bratwurst with sauerkraut, of course. There’s no need to go to the Tiroler Hut on Westbourne Grove anymore.

Wednesday, 18th July

Until the end of August, The O2 is a beach. An indoor beach, which means no sunscreen needed, right? All day it’s got kid’s activities, and in the evenings it’s got events on for adults. Sporting events are shown on Mondays, and cult classic films on Wednesdays and Sundays. And Thursdays and Fridays of course see the DJs. What was that? Yes, of course there’s a beach bar.

Tuesday, 17th July

The Wellcome Collection is a new exhibit space in town, run by The Wellcome Trust, which began in 1936. Sir Henry Wellcome spent his career in pharmaceuticals, and introduced England to the tablet. (Thank you Sir Henry!) There are new exhibits weekly, all centering on health and medicine. So if there’s a doctor in the house, send him there.

Monday, 16th July

Americans earning dollars, we’re sorry. It’s been rough. But don’t worry, it’s not going to get (much) worse. Or so says the Times, anyway. So rest your fears. There may be other issues, but a collapsing dollar isn’t one of them, even if the end of last week did signal a new low for us. David Beckham’s $250m deal becomes cheaper by the minute.

Friday, 13th July

Rigby & Peller fits brassieres for The Queen. That’s all you have to know. So if you need one, you go there. And today and tomorrow they’re having a Warehouse Sale, from 10-8 on Friday and 10-6 on Saturday. They take credit and debit cards as well as cash, and the location (1st floor, 45 Conduit Street, W1S 2XT) is perfect for a post-shopping stroll around Mayfair. And no, they don’t only do stodgy.

Thursday, 12th July

People who live W8, W14, W11, SW5 and SW7 are lucky. They can get some of London’s best Chinese restaurant delivered by Memories of China on Kensington High Street. It’s not cheap (the minimum order is £30), but it’s so very good. The Chicken in Black Bean Sauce is delicious, and so is the Crispy Aromatic Duck (which you order by the whole, half or quarter). Ask for it off the bone, and enjoy your delicious pancakes. Just don’t forget to ask for it…

Wednesday, 11th July

In April, we talked about the website Remember the Milk. A more sophisticated way to keep your to-do list, easily accessible, online. We said check back in a month to see how our trial went. And a month went by. And another month went by. And we forgot about it. We did not remember the milk. But that’s not to say that you won’t! The concept is great, we just happen to be ones who work better with computer stickies” and paper.

Tuesday, 10th July

Arrivals toasts the launch of Here Is The City Life with a quote: “In victory you deserve Champagne; in defeat you need it.” (Napoleon) and a poem: “Wine comes in at the mouth/And love comes in at the eye/That’s all we shall know for truth/Before we grow old and die/I lift my glass to my mouth/I look at you and I sigh.” (Yeats)

Monday, 9th July

For those not living in the UK, Boots is a bit of a thing. First foreigners got addicted to a product, then, it was a Boots-brand product. And Boots realized this. They teamed up with American retailer Target (a cooler Asda) and created a Boots aisle. And now they’re going for world domination. Boots is for sale in CVS, one of the world’s biggest drug store chains. Life in the US just got a little better.

Friday, 6th July

Part Two: More common accolades include (in decreasing order): OBE (Officer), CBE (Commander) and MBE (member). These are awarded to a wide variety of people – pop stars, government officials, professional sportsmen, inventors, and businesspeople. And should one come your way, you can decline the honour – or accept it and be stripped of it for illegal behaviour. Now you know.

Thursday, 5th July

Part One: Those new to the home of Queen Elizabeth’s may need a refresher course on The Order of the British Empire. If knighted, you must be a British citizen to use the title Sir or Dame before your name. If you are a woman and your husband is knighted, you will become Lady. If you are a man and your wife is knighted, there is nothing for you. There are two levels of honorary knighthood: GBE (Knight/Dame Grand Cross) is the highest, and next down is KBE or DBE (Knight Commander).

Wednesday, 4th July

It’s Independence Day somewhere! And so today we suggest places to get some good American staples. For a hot dog, visit Ed’s Easy Diner. For great onion rings, Milk & Honey. Excellent milkshakes are at Automat. A good burger is served at Lilly’s in Wapping. Or you can go to Lucky 7 and get all of them (plus a side of devilled eggs).

Tuesday, 3rd July

There are some excellent airplane photos available out there, and Airliners.net has them all. Here are links to our favourites: two views of an Air France 747 landing over a beach in St. Maarten, the northern lights over Canada, and a big guy, little guy. Yes, we’re signing up for a T5 test drive.

Monday, 2nd July

The first Yotel has opened in Gatwick’s South Terminal, and sounds pretty good. The “cabins” come in standard and premium, with the main difference being space – 7m and 10m rooms respectively. (The premium bed also becomes a couch, and both rooms have fold out desks and flat-screen TVs.) The plan is to open in Heathrow later this year, and with a four hour booking minimum (£25 or £40), opens all sorts of possibilities!

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