Want to know more about those bees? There are some tasting sessions in store.

Fortnum & Mason honey and preserve book
Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly
London
United Kingdom
W1A 1ER

Carnaby Street book exchange
Ground floor, Kingly Court
Carnaby Street
London, W1

You expect, somehow, kind of guide. The word will soon feel too cold, this book is so much more than that. The pictures will catch your gaze at once. The purety of the lines. The beauty of the curves. The sublimed grain of wood. The refinement of combined fabrics. The delicate touches of a jewel.

The first time, you will go too fast, getting drunk on the illustrations. In a world numbed by high street stores, it is easy to forget the individuality of a unique object. The way it can touch you, mean so much more to you because, behind it, there is a story, an artist, not just a succession of machines and labels.

Then you slow down, take more time to turn a page. Each title plunges you straight into the personnality of each designer, inviting you to read further, jump right into their world. Funny how you will enjoy it as you would a collection of short stories, each staying with your thoughts. And so it will join your favourite art books on your coffee table, because, after all, it is one of them.

Handmade in Britain

And so you will see London from a different angle – a detout via a reconverted Edwardian picturehouse, another to have a look at a collection of accordions, maybe get yourself glasses worthy of Elton John or even a shop sign…

Seconhand and vintage London, £8.95

That’s art baby!
* Rediscover London through photographs of its past at the Wandworth museum

* Be amazed by Cate Blanchett, on the stage of the Barbican for a few days only.

Yummy-time ahead:
* Fall for the “Afternoon tea in the park” hampers by Bea’s . Ah, if only we also could order some sun!

* This week-end, the Southbank market celebrates India.

* Dine as on the Titanic -  the final menu is recreated at Hix for the centenary.

* A mobile tea-room – love it! Follow it in Soho.

Take the little ones along:
* A delicious idea from Carluccio’s: a biscuit workshop for bakers-to-be.

* Take them to see the newborn ducklings -  nothing could be cuter.

Out of the ordinary:
* On Thursday, shop rock’n'roll at a cute themed vintage market.

* Abracadabra, have a look at the Magic Circle Museum.

* On Friday, indulge in a free concert at the V&A, a mix of jazz and Indian music.

* Every Sunday until the end of August, the Spitafields City Farm proposes an outdoor “eco-chic” market -  worth a detour if you are around Brick Lane.

* Did you know you can swap your books on Carnaby street?

* On Sunday, to celebrate the Olivier Awards, the place to be will be the Covent garden Piazza with performances from top West End shows.

* Or celebrate Thai new year at the amazing temple in Wimbledon -  exoticism guaranteed. Or just stop by at Trafalgar square.

No hesitation there -  certainly not. The most amazing trends bloom here, the city constantly reinvents itself, plays on ephemeral boutiques or clandestine dining, you see the most inventive/daring/crazy/all-of-those-combined fashion in the street, underground and alternative is a normality here. Even museums join in with their fun late openings.

In parallel, some parts of London look lost in time, as if someone had pushed the pause button and forgotten about it. Just take the bus #274 from Oxford street to Islington – you will see shops and pubs that haven’t changed a thing since the 1970ies, very village-like neighbourhoods, adorable churches, an unknown park with a huge tower in its center. A thousand times, you will be tempted to jump out and wander around.

A few years back, I had read, re-read and re-re-read Time Out‘s 1000 things to do in London guide. So rich in tips that I still haven’t crossed out everything in their list. A new 2012 edition is now available with twice the amount of fantastic ideas and addresses. Some are linked to the Olympics and the Jubilee, others are one-offs festivities in the year. But you will also learm how to start urban gardening, where to share hearphones with complete strangers, on which roofs to party, in which pubs to singalong… and so much more. You thought, after all this time, you knew London. You realise you are just at the beginning of the exploration.

A must-have book for all those have just settled in the city or have lived herefor quite a while already.

Time out 2012 things to do in London, £12.99

And yes, of course, the theory is simple. Sugar, fruit, here you go. Then come unexpected challenges. Too fluid or slightly pasty -  where did you go wrong? Did you miss something? To go from simple to perfect jam, try Vivien Lloyd’s book. She has been making them for 20 years, won countless competitions including the World’s Original Marmelade Festival. With mention “Best of the best”. Says it all.

The book divides in three sections – marmelade, jam and chutney. Along the pages, beautiful pictures illustrate the process step by step, showing the textures you should get. Explanations are ever so clear too -  no way you can get wrong, bringing lots of interesting historical anecdotes too. There also are comparisons of methods -  frozen or fresh fruit? Pan, microwave, electric jam-maker? How does the acidity of a fruit influences the setting?

Lots of amazing recipes in this too – the chutney ones are particularly mouthwatering. If you ever fancy going further than your kitchen, there is a whole treasure of tips for competitions…

Oh, and we have one for you to win. Follow us on Facebook or/and Twitter then leave us a comment below. A lucky name will be drawn Sunday March 11. Keyboard ready? Type!

Vivien Lloyd First preserves. Marmelades|Jams|Chutneys
Have a look at her website too.

That’s art, baby:
* Rediscover the Sunday times mythical pictures at the Saatchi.
* Get your own pop-up London. To get it from Amazon, click here.
* London artist add a touch of blues to the capital.

Yummy time ahead:
* Pssst -  get your coffee at Salt and get a breakfast treat free this week, from Thursday to Sunday.
* Taste the Chelsea Physics Garden’s honey.
* Liquorice and sweets fans, rejoyce.
* It’s the last straw (almost) in Soho.
* The new fun way to eat cake is here.
* Gospel, brunch and a view.

Take the little ones along:
* Sing along the Gruffalo.
* At the Somerset House, the kids craft workshops will be about mirrors and marble effects.
* Kids have their own festival on Southbank.

Love, love, love:
* You probably do not know her yet. Lili Bé is one of the most talented froggies I know and she illustrates London and life with a smile. In French, but still, take a look at those limited edition posters and tell me you do not fall for it. I would love to have this a a bag too. Don’t you?

Out of the ordinary:
* The end of the world is getting nearer.
* Let your heart beat for flamenco.
* Find love heart sweets irresistible? Well, at the Jewellery school on Sunday, you can make you own charm one.

: We wish you a merry Christmas:
* Quick, a few days left to have a look at this life-size Advent calendar.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, there is shopping left to do:
* Cup of tea, anyone?
* A few places for late/last minute shopping, inclusing on the 24th.

Yummy time ahead:
* Add a little exotism to your last minute preparations and have a Turquish coffee. And maybe a cake. Or two.
* Eat smart. For lobster, click this way, we promise it will not break the bank.
* Fed up with the cooking spirit? Have a break. and a champagne brunch.
* Quick – note in your 2012 agenda your Monday appointments: delicious ramen.

That’s art, baby:
* Apocalypse at the Tate Britain.

A little touch of magic:
* Look out for leaves on the pavement. Between autumn and spring.
* Marvel at one of the most beautiful synagogues in London.
* Royal Mail will launch Roald Dahl stamps in January -  preorder them, they will be gone in no time!

I ♥ London:
* Fall in love again with the city.
* Well done! Fans of the inspiring blog Tired of London, tired of life will be delighted it will soon be followed by a book beginning of January. Well done to the gentle author!

And so I leafed through it. Nothing stops a foodie more in their tracks than a beautiful picture of a dish. I constantly looked for restaurant descriptions, noting them down and ended up, after 20 mn with more than a page of places I had never heard of yet was dying to go to. Preferably right now, even if it was not lunch time yet.

I also loved the accent on world cuisine and so from the very first chapter. We are all so focused on trying the trendiest places that we tend to forget the intriguing Brazilian, Jewish, Portuguese… dishes. London is a cultural melting pot and you can find your way through it in that book… Good idea to have added menu key words per language too.

Your wallet is in a crisis and restaurants are kept for celebrations? Not to worry -  you’ll get to know the best bânh mì cafés (serving these succulent Vietnamese baguettes), fish & chips, burgers in town or can choose from the many selections of budget bites.

And if you have a sweet tooth, have a look at that ice-cream parlour section – you will melt way before the summer’s back.

A mum of 2, I can only applaude that each entry mentions whether it is baby/kid friendly (with a distinction between admitted and welcome, as well as the vital notion of baby changing facility), offers high chairs, a play area and outside tables.

There also is a theme section: breakfast, brunch, enjoy the view, by the waterside, dishes to share. pretty handy and you will soon have the ideal meeting place with friends, no matter what you were looking for.

A very practical (with even detailed maps at the back), well illustrated, colourful, fabulous for any family outing or just to rediscover your favourite neighbourhoods. I will definitely offer it for Xmas or to any newcomer to London -  a must to start your life here.

Pssst: thanks to Time Out, we have 5 for you to win! How? nothing more simple. First, follow us on Facebook or/and Twitter. Then share in the comments below your favourite yummy place in London and why. You have until Friday November 11, midnight, to jooin in. The winner will be selected at random and the name announced Saturday Nov 12. Ready, steady, type!

Can’t wait? Buy it from the website. don’t forget to have a look at their Eating and Drinking Awards!