by jnoelbell

Just when you thought you couldn't hold out any longer, Spring is finally here.

You know the smell of Spring - it’s the smell of earth warming, trees stretching, the thin hint of fresh greenery sharp in your nose. It’s so recognisable you can almost feel the sea change, pinpoint the exact day the seasons turn. A visceral intuitive knowledge. The days are longer, the scarves are packed away (but not the brollies!) and you find yourself looking for a reason to get out an *breathe*. Here are a few seasonally themed events to get you back in touch with Mother Nature and put the "spring" back in your step.

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by jnoelbell 

For all its great history, sometimes London can be very... well, traditional.

And sometimes, you just want to shake loose and do something a little different, explore (or create!) a new niche in an old city full of old things. With spring creeping around the corner, here are three offbeat activities to try, to get you off the couch and out the door - new exploits for a new season.

Looking for something a little bit retro, a little bit rock n' roll? Everything old is new again! Check out the London Rollergirls, a funky group of women who are single-handedly working to bring back the lost art of flat track roller derby.

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by jnoelbell 

Valentine's Day is a few days away - did you forget to make dinner reservations at the hottest restaurant? It's a little too late for that now, but that doesn't mean you can't still score some points in the romance department by being a little creative.

From Masquerade Balls to exotic hothouses, champagne skylines to sultry jazz - here are some last minute ideas to save you from the dog house! As of publication tickets were still available for all of the below events...

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by jnoelbell

Last week was officially the most miserable week of the year. Holiday debt, failed resolutions, and dreary weather all combined to make us long for some kind, any kind of escape. But if you can't afford to jet away for a getaway, try these mini mid-city oases instead.

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by  jnoelbell

It's a new year for Londoners, and two things are certain: hangovers and transportation price hikes.

The cost of taking the Tube goes up every year, but no more so than this year, with a whopping 33% increase to single cash journey bus and Tube fares. Going into central London's Zone 1 now costs a staggering £4, if you care to pay in pounds. Hopping the bus costs £2. The Tube has become far and away the the single most expensive transport system in the world.

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by jnoelbell

It's that time of year again, when we drag out and dust off all the old resolutions - you know, the ones you made 365 days ago, with all the best of intentions?

If you're like most people, those resolutions fall into one of the top two categories: quitting smoking or losing weight. Living in London is unhealthy enough - why not take advantage of some resources to help you be fag-free and fitter for the coming year? Here are some ideas:

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by jnoelbell 

If you're in the market for a more ethical way to part with your pounds, here are a few ideas to help you feel better about buying into the seasonal spending spree.

Why not invest in a Wedge Card? Their motto is "Think local. Shop local." For just £20 you get the satisfaction of knowing you're supporting local businesses, yet the bonus of a whole range of discounts and special offers that sweeten the deal. Each card is good for a year, and with an ever-growing network of shops and services from all over London, it's a gift that keeps on giving.

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by jnoelbell

It's a well worn cliché, but there really is something magical which settles over London at the holidays. During the rest of the year, the urban qualities of a large city are characteristics you either love or hate: the throngs of cityfolk, the non-stop lifestyle, the concrete buildings, the public transportation, the touristy attractions. No matter how much you love city living, it's bound to drive you mad from time to time. So as the end of the year approaches, it becomes all too easy to spend your commute cocooned in your iPod, or walk to your destinations with head down and shoulders squared against the world.

As the daylight gets shorter and the damp fog of autumn descends over both city and dwellers, it can get downright dreary. But it doesn't have to be this way...

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by anglofille

If you’re like me (and I hope you’re not), you have to pee more often than a woman who’s nine months pregnant with triplets.  Not surprisingly, when I’m out in public I often need to find a loo in a hurry and as such, I am a bit of an expert at finding sweet relief (if you know what I mean). While I have often seen men relieving themselves on the streets of London, even in Trafalgar Square, this is not an option for women or civilized people of any gender. So herewith, I have compiled a handy guide to the best places to pee in London:  

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by anglofille

After living in London for almost a year, it’s obvious to me that as an American, I smile more than most of the native population here. I’ve noticed this phenomenon when I’ve visited other European countries as well. In general, I think Americans smile more and are friendlier than their European cousins.  There are regional variations when it comes to American friendliness, to be sure.  People in the Northeastern are much less friendly than people from other parts of the country, but in general it’s safe to say that Americans are a rather friendly bunch.

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by anglofille

Now that it’s summer and London is mobbed with foreign tourists, the likelihood of seeing someone get hit by a taxi or a bus has increased dramatically.  I’ve seen way too many vehicles swerving to avoid hitting clueless tourists who step right out in front of them because they’re looking the wrong way. (And the obscenities such drivers often shout out the window certainly make the day brighter.)

These near-misses happen despite the fact that virtually every pedestrian crossing in London is painted with an important directive to visitors:

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by anglofille

As an American living in London, I find myself in the minority when it comes to excitement over the World Cup.  It’s not my cuppa tea.  I tried to get into it, I really did.  And to be honest, I’m disappointed that I turned out to be such a cliché.  I normally try to rise above the tired stereotypes of my homeland, but I failed this time.  However, although the actual matches being played bore me to tears, the World Cup as a cultural spectacle fascinates me.  Take, for example, the WAGs.  

Photo via Frankfurter Allgemeine

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by anglofille

Borough Market was on my list of places to go for ages and I finally made it there last Friday.  It’s the oldest market in Britain, located under the elevated railway arches of London Bridge station and in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral. During the week it’s a wholesale market that sells to all the top restaurants and chefs in London, but on Friday and Saturday it’s open to regular folks.  It’s the perfect place to shop if you’re going to throw a dinner party.  However, since I am not in possession of a real kitchen or even a dining table, I just went for the sheer spectacle. 

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by anglofille

One of the iconic images of London is of course the red phone booth.  If you walk around the touristy areas of London, you will almost always stumble upon visitors having their photos taken while pretending to make a call.  It’s lame and embarrassing, but also a requirement.  [You may not be aware that when you arrive at the international terminals at Heathrow and Gatwick, one of the conditions of entry is to swear an oath that you’ll humiliate yourself in such a way.]

While these phone booths may look charming and quaint from the outside, many of them harbour a dirty little secret: They are filled with pornographic images in the form of advertisements for prostitutes.  Many phone booths in London are plastered with these ads, called “tart cards.”  I have travelled fairly extensively and I have never seen this phenomenon in any other city.

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Photo credit: Samtenserri

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by anglofille

The Evening Standard reported last Friday that May 2006 is on track to become Britain’s wettest May since 1773.  They are dubbing it the “May Monsoon.”  Some “experts” are claiming there’s a drought, but they’re obviously high. Because London may soon be submerged Atlantis-like underwater, these blog dispatches could become valuable historical evidence.  Print them out!

We’ve just finished a long bank holiday weekend in the UK and while everyone else was complaining that it was ruined because of the weather, I have surrendered to my fate.  I can proudly declare that I love rain!  Earlier this week I was threatening to check myself into a mental hospital, but now I realize that a positive attitude is more effective than electroshock therapy.  I’m just worried I won’t be able to adjust to dry life again – if that ever becomes necessary.

Photo credit: mrlerone

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