• Added: 23rd of September 2008
• Area: Bond Street
• Category: Shops

London W1U 1NS
020 7224 2953

Natnat said
If you like amber, you'll love this place
This shop has to be seen to be believed. It is literally full of amber in all shades, shapes and sizes, including brooches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and pendants, some set in gold or silver. Some pieces contain fossilised creatures which, depending on your point of view, can either add to the intrigue of the piece or freak you out a little! I wandered in looking for a present for a friend and it took about half an hour to narrow it down to one piece, there were simply so many things to choose from. The man who runs the store was able to offer advice and was extremely helpful, and I came away with a gorgeous pendant. The store is located just off Oxford Street, in St Christopher's Place, a haven of calm away from the busy main street.

• Added: 23rd of September 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Shops

London WC2H 9PA
020 7836 2911

Natnat said
Kiddy fun for adults and children alike
Octopus is a quirky, colourful, fun shop offering a cornucopia of wonderful gifts and knick knacks for the young at heart. There are handbags in the shape of watering cans, purses made from pressed and dried flowers, unusual jewellery and funky items for the home - including dusters - to jazz up even the most mundane household chore. Their tables and lamps go to show that even the most fun products can have a practical purpose. There are now several Octopus stores dotted around, including one in the Covent Garden arcade, and one in Carnaby Street, and the first was on Kings Road.

• Added: 23rd of September 2008
• Area: Southwark
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 8LF
020 7928 2111

Natnat said
Fresh, tasty and affordable
I love the atmosphere is Tas - it's laidback, unhurried and friendly, with an interesting menu to please both carnivores and veggies alike. My personal favourite is the meze, or "renk" menu, where you get 8 or 9 different dishes including hummous, tabule, kalamari, falafel and a delicious aubergine dish, plus bread, and the baklava is to die for. You can cap it all off with a potent Turkish coffee at the end of your meal. At the weekend there's often live guitar music while you dine. Tas on the Cut is just a short walk from Waterloo, and there are several others to choose from, including one close to the British Museum which is also recommended.

• Added: 23rd of September 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Shops

London W1B 5AH

Natnat said
Relaxed and decadent
The place of the purple bags has something for all tastes and budgets. I often pop in for a browse - there's a wonderful cards and gifts department on the ground floor, in with a heavenly selection of chocolates and yummy things. The stationery department, also on the ground floor, has similarly inspiring bits and bobs, from leather bound notebooks to quirky invitation cards. Stop at one of the cafes for a cream tea or slice of cake, or head round the kitchen section for ideas and novelty items. You don't need to be a millionaire to shop here, and the staff are extremely welcoming and never snooty. For those with a larger budget, however, it's possible to go crazy in the bags and clothes departments. Heavenly.

• Added: 19th of September 2008
• Area: Brixton
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW9 8PY

Natnat said
Great backstreet find
This is the perfect place to sit with a newspaper for an hour or two if you're by yourself, against a backdrop of chilled out music, or for a laid back chat with a group of friends. It's slightly tucked away, and so ideal for getting away from the hustle and bustle of Brixton without having to head too far. They offer a good range of both coffees and hot drinks, as well as alcoholic drinks, and the food ranges from lite bites such as pitta and dips, to fry-ups. The only downside is - unless this has changed recently (please correct me if I'm wrong) - this place isn't open on a Sunday, as the place really lends itself to a Sunday afternoon.

• Added: 19th of September 2008
• Area: Herne Hill
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SE24 9HU
020 7733 8838

Natnat said
Yummy scrummy deli
Mimosa is a deli-cum-cafe based in the centre of Herne Hill. You can sit here with a chocolate brownie and a mug of something, either in the window seat and watch the world go by, or on a sunny day, in the little garden at the back. Alternatively buy something yummy from the deli and take it over to Brockwell Park for a picnic. There's a range of delicious cheeses, cakes, breads, meats and savouries, as well as salads. If you're looking for a gift or something for the kitchen, there's also a good selection of preserves, chocolates, vinegars etc.

• Added: 19th of September 2008
• Area: Dulwich
• Category: Shops

London SE21 7BJ
020 8299 1260

Natnat said
A real treasure trove
This gift shop, located in Dulwich village, is a real little treasure trove. Ideal for finding presents and nick nacks for the home, it's well worth a browse, and I think it's pretty good value too, with products for every budget. In previous years they've had great Christmas ranges too, perfect for decorating your home and Christmas tree. They also have bits and bobs for children, the garden, and some pretty clothes as well. The Dulwich location is another bonus - a wander round the park, something to eat and then a browse in here makes for a lovely chilled out weekend.

• Added: 18th of September 2008
• Area: Charing Cross
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW1A 2DY
020 7839 7701

Natnat said
Reliable, no frills pub
The Wetherspoons chain has become well known for offering good beer at reasonable prices, and the Lord Moon is no exception. It always has a selection of real ales on tap, differing from week to week, with the occasional beer festival thrown in to boot. There's also a very decent range of ciders and drinks to suit every taste. It's a large pub, but even so it does get busy, especially directly after work as the civil servants pour out of Whitehall. While the food isn't the best quality, it's cheap and I like this place for meeting up with a big group of friends. All in all it's a reliable, no frills place to kick off an evening.

• Added: 18th of September 2008
• Area: Brixton
• Category: Events and Entertainment

London SW2 1JG
020 7733 2229

Natnat said
A quirky cinema experience
I absolutely love this place. One of a handful of picturehouses in London, the Brixton Ritzy shows a broad variety of art house, independent and foreign language films, in addition to the bigger blockbusters. More than that though, it's a wonderful place to stop for a drink - there's a bar at the side of the cinema, and a cafe upstairs where you can have a light bite before a film. They have special screenings for those with young children under 12 months ("The Big Scream") as well as autism friendly showings. The main screen, screen one, is my favourite, as it's really old school, with worn red velvet seats.

• Added: 18th of September 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1F 0TR
020 7255 8686

Natnat said
Quick and healthy
This place is always packed at lunchtime and in the evening, and it’s easy to see why. The food is fresh and delicious (and healthy too), and there’s an interesting selection of teas and juices to accompany your meal. Expect to pay around a tenner for a drink and a meal. Diners sit around large square tables, and there’s never a long wait to be served (although you may queue to get in of an evening). The only downside is that it isn’t somewhere where you might spend a long drawn out evening – it’s very much eat and leave. This is one of a chain of restaurants in the capital.