Welcome to September! This is the last chance to catch some decent weather in London for this year. Or maybe it's just a continuation of the autumn we had for the last few months!

Friday, 28th September

It’s important to keep up with current affairs, so today we mention the 17.5lb baby born 10 days ago in Russia. This is not, in fact the heaviest baby on record – that honour (torture?) rests with a baby born in Italy in 1955 (22.5lb). A baby was born in the US in 1879 weighing 23.8lb, but he died 11 hours later.

Thursday, 27th September

And now for something no one needs: A platinum Swiss Army Knife. It’s inset with 430 IF-VVS diamonds (weighing four carats total), and includes the tools you need for life well, just about anywhere. Large blade, small blade, nail file and cleaner, scissors, orange peeler with screwdriver, ring and tweezers. It comes on a platinum chain, which may suggest what you’re really supposed to do with it.

Wednesday, 26th September

Remember the olden days when Victoria’s Secret signage suggested the store originated at No. 10 Margaret Street? As it turns out, Limited Brands has at least some presence at that location – and after years is bringing Victoria’s Secret to our shores. Initially the goods will be sold through Duty Free at airports. No chance The Queen will give up Rigby & Peller for them, but for some, it will be good news.

Tuesday, 25th September

We didn’t even realise there were American-style curly fries to be found in London – but we should have known better. Tonight an event brought us to the Barracuda Bar on Houndsditch in the City, and there they were! A bucket for under £4. And they were good. We don’t recommend going for many other reasons, but if you need a fried taste of home, that’s where to find one.

Monday, 24th September

We love these funny New York artists. The couple paints a picture of what they want, and sells it for the price of that item. An iPhone painting costs $432.42, a beer costs $7 (tip included). Thus far no one has bought financial security ($1m), but they do have buffalo wings ($12.70). Their other website business is selling NYC garbage in beautiful plexiglass boxes. There are boxes from the opening of Yankee Stadium, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the RNC. Talk about cleve.

Friday, 21st September

Is your life in London lacking a bit of oomph? If so, joining the 8th Day Adventure Club could do the trick. The club, based on the idea that if there was an 8th day in the week you would spend it having fun, organises local events and longer trips. There’s hiking, tennis, trampolining and salsa, but there’s also whisky tasting, cult movie nights and mobile throwing championships. Yes, mobile phone throwing!

Thursday, 20th September

Missing your days in Tokyo? Fiasko Design, based in Helsinki, makes black out blinds with Shinjuku city views perforated by hand. You can also get a view of Helsinki’s Kallio district (we assume complete with church). May you sleep long and wake up to a surprise every day.

Wednesday, 19th September

We love The Cool Hunter, and today we love them for turning us on to this: go karts in Berlin. On the street. Apparently they’re legal, and as a visitor you can rent them. Just visit Kart 4 You and as they say here, Bob’s your uncle.

Tuesday, 18th September

Green Apple sells handbags made from vintage upholstery material, but make no mistake. These aren’t your grandma’s hand-me-downs. The hip bags are made to order, which means they’re one-of-a kind. A steal at £140 (and ethical too).

Monday, 17th September

There’s something about French Country. Living off the land, drinking champagne at lunch, seeking your own truffles. And, of course, planting in old champagne crates. To complete your look (in France or elsewhere), check out these French sack cushions. They’re not made from originals (that would be gross), but textile designer Joy Jolliffe uses the prints for lots of things. Perfect for your conservatory or your shopping (see below).

Friday, 14th September

This weekend sees the first Oz Bus depart from London for Sydney. The three-month trip goes through 30 countries and costs £3750. Aimed at backpackers, they haven’t pimped the ride, and you have to help with the cooking at campsites. But you get to visit Transylvania, Iran, Nepal and East Timor. Which must be some adventure.

Thursday, 13th September

If the Interweb is just to big and you’ve got a specific need, the Hitwise 2006 award list is a good site to have bookmarked. It lists the most popular 10 sites in a number of categories. Dating? Check. Weddings? Check. Movies, Health Insurance, Cruises? Check, check, check. Automotive Classifies and Flowers and Gifts are also included, which we’ve already found quite useful.

Wednesday, 12th September

A waiter-less restaurant? Could only happen in Germany, where efficiency and engineering were practically invented. And indeed this is the case at Bagger’s, outside Nuremberg. You order on a touch screen, and the food comes sailing across the room on rails. Comparisons have been made to farm animals, so one can only assume 12.5% optional gratuity isn’t included.

Tuesday, 11th September

O Plus D makes the most hilarious cards, as well they should since O means offensive and D means delightful. Their slogan is “Life is short. Laugh it up.” And so we do, with cards that say “I’m So F*&%ing Happy for You!” and “I’ve Been Such an Ass*&^e, Please Accept My Apologies” and “You’ve Just Had a Baby…Time to Start Drinking.” We’d like one of each, please.

Monday, 10th September

That’s it – no more taking plastic carrier bags from Waitrose. From now on out you must bring your own cloth bags. It’s just not right not to. So you need a few, and missed out on the “I’m not a plastic bag” phenomenon (which by the way wasn’t very ethically produced anyway)? If you’re not with the program yet, here are three choices: one made from recycled juice boxes, one cute stripy number and one that says “I’m not a clone.”. If you can’t give up the plastic carrier bags, at least reuse them, keeping them in this.

Friday, 7th September

You arrived in London, found the perfect pad, and filled it with a lovely mix of modern/vintage with a twist of humour. But what about your outdoor space? Even if it’s just a window ledge, The Balcombe Street Window Box Company will deliver the perfectly planted box to your door. They also do larger spaces, leaving you with just the challenge of keeping them alive.

Thursday, 6th September

Two days ago the Eurostar set a new record travelling from Paris to its soon-to-be new home at St Pancras in 2 hours and 3 minutes. Once trains open to the public on 14 November, the trip will take 2:15 – 20 minutes less than from Waterloo. Apparently St Pancras will also have the longest champagne bar in Europe, which sounds pretty good to us!

Wednesday, 5th September

Whether you’re a Simpsons fan or not, being 'Simpsonized' is pretty cool. The website lets you turn yourself into a Simpsons character, no (extra) dysfunction required. All you have to do is upload a photo of yourself (though we’re not sure why), the select features to build the perfect you. We promise you’ll leave even cuter than when you came.

Tuesday, 4th September

Getting a little bored of doing the laundry? The Orgasmatron 3000 can help. Designed for an exhibit, but on sale for real, the leather clad washing machine has settings like ‘oh!’, ‘oooh!’ and ‘oooooh’ (among others), and has a saddle mounted on top. What does this have to do with living in London? Everything or nothing – you decide!

Monday, 3rd September

Moving abroad is hard, but moving home can be even harder. It’s a well-known fact, but one that has surprisingly few resources. If you’re getting ready to move home (to America), this is a blog for you to follow. John and Laura moved to London 4.5 years ago, after living in China and (in John’s case) a few other countries. They flew home yesterday, more than a little apprehensive of their new lives in their old country. We know we’ll be reading with great interest.

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