Locked out. And winter is here.

Spent two hours assisting the locksmith in trying to pick the seemingly impossible lock to my apartment with my French neighbour's expensive nailfile, a borrowed wire coathanger and an x-ray, in my hastily assembled 'burglar' kit. The locksmith meanwhile had a roll of the x-ray paper too, so not as bonkers as it sounds, along with an array of threatening looking metal implements, not to mention a very loud drill.

When I had left in the morning, my key had literally crumbled in the lock - broken in half. The joy. Guess what worked though? Yup, the coathanger through a hole to hook onto the inside bolt handle trick. Super low-tech and (whispers) my idea. The locksmith couldn't decide whether to be happy for me or not when it worked, since his pride had taken a bashing. 120 whole minutes though. With my kids high on chocolate jumping around in the lobby.

My friend whose husband is manager of a chic Paris hotel warned me that when I understood wine, I'd only be able to drink the 'good stuff' thereon. I scoffed at the idea of ever being that fussy about anything other than men. But here I am. As a celebratory toast to my return indoors, the Pinot Noir is screaming 'drink me!'  But it just ain't up to scratch.  I put the kettle on for an English Breakfast tea.

My fave London bits this Autumn 11

Strangely I feel in a much better position to pick out my truly favourite London spots now that I travel more than I did when the city was my only home. 

Not only does living elsewhere give you a more objective take on the city's best bits, it also means that once back in the loving arms of Britain’s capital, you hone in on those destinations that are really special.  So, in no particular order, I humbly present my non-official guide to London hotspots in the hope that you might just fall in love with them.  Oh and on that note, I'd love to hear about your recommendations too!

Pollen St Social from English chef du jour, Jason Atherton, is hard to find even though at the very heart of West One.  Nestled in spitting distance from Conde Nast's Vogue House and bulging with fabulously expensive Brit art, you get to wave at cute chefs through the glass whilst they perform their culinary theatre.  The food is beautifully presented - check out the edible flowers in the broad bean and pea salad.  It's fashion dahling.  Almost too pretty to actually eat.  Fear not, carnivores.  There's also a cote de boeuf weighing in at 1kg for sharing. http://www.pollenstreetsocial.com/

Frame in Shoreditch is where to head when you're energised and ready to shake up your exercise routine and fashion-style.  Check out the rock ballet class (yes, really) or tone that butt to Beyoncé's booty workout.  Make sure to sport your best fluorescent workout gear.  Sweaty Betty or Stella McCartney for Adidas have hip selections.  Or you might fancy a yoga/spinning fusion - merge the Zen with the sweat.  It worked for Bikram, right? http://www.moveyourframe.com/

Ella's Bakehouse is where to head post-workout since you'll need a treat after all the exertion.  Like the best cities, London is all about the yin and the yang.  We Londoners worship excess on every level - it's in our DNA.  So, let us eat red velvet cake here, and my, what gorgeous baking this is from model turned chef, Lorraine Pascal.  She's the new, pretty Jamie Oliver, doncha know.  Inspired?  You may like to check out her new book, Homecooking Made Easy. http://ellasbakehouse.co.uk/

The hottest new resto/club opening this Autumn is Dorsia in Kensington, which was named after the impossible to book fictional restaurant in Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho.  http://www.thedorsia.co.uk/   Dining reservations open this week so fingers on the buttons.   And hairdo for the night out?   À la New York, blow dry bars are popping up all over London.  Check out Top Shop's and pick from the menu.  http://www.hershesons.com/contact   Or, if you're a girl - or even guy - super short on time, and, with enough hair, rock a neat ponytail.  Definitely the catwalk look du jour - high or low, it's the style that gets you max fashionista points and is beautifully simple, even working on dirty hair for that morning-after styling.

Back to Top Shop and like The Wolseley (one of my all time fave restaurants), this fashion store is firmly embedded in London culture and transcends trends if you will.  Visit the Oxford Street mecca on a Monday morning when you'll almost have the place to yourself.  If you must shop on a Friday/Saturday, head for the small but perfectly formed Knightsbridge branch, which offers a high-end edit of the store's new ranges.    http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=12556&catalogId=33057

Have a lovely evening and catch up soon. I'm off to paint my nails Gucci jewel purple for my Dorsia Friday night out. Perhaps I'll see you there.