For those of my followers who live in, near to or may be visiting London, here are five ideas of things to do:

How to get a private doctor on tap, and the comedy series coming to London's oldest botanical garden

London Fashion Week has just passed in a haze of Zooms and private appointments, but you can’t keep creativity down. I absolutely loved the colour pop and joy of Molly Goddard (and her super cool – or rather cosy – collaboration with Ugg), but I also had a walk round the studio of Preen, where designers Thea Bregazzi and Justin Thornton showed me the most beautiful confections: a pink dress dyed from beetroot juice, a turquoise one made entirely from single use plastic, and a jewellery collection made from broken up ceramics. Fashion continues to inspire…

Have a great week.

Lucy

FIVE THINGS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

Explore Harrods’ new standalone beauty concept, H beauty in Intu Lakeside, Essex. Browse products from over 80 premium brands, treat yourself to a facial and enjoy patisserie and fizz at The Champagne Bar.

Empty retail spaces on the King’s Road have been given over to local artists to transform as part of Kensington + Chelsea Art Week, which returns this October with an eclectic programme of talks, installations and exhibitions.

Claire Dowie’s comedic series The Year of the Monkey is being shown at London’s oldest botanical garden, Chelsea Physic Garden, for two days this week. Book one of the twilight performances for an entirely unique experience.

Scottish chef Craig Grozier kicks off Carousel’s new foraging-focused culinary series, running in partnership with The Botanist. Sip on gin cocktails and discover the delights of Scottish autumnal produce.

Lit lovers, get involved with this year’s Bookshop Day: an annual celebration of bookshops in the UK. Charlie Mackesy, Elizabeth Day and Matt Haig have already pledged their support – check out what’s going on here.

WHAT’S GETTING US THROUGH THE WEEK

ASPHALTE

This four-year-old French brand has taken a new path when it comes to retail. Using their friends as style gatekeepers, and with a transparent production journey, the team behind Asphalte has created a brand offering long-lasting wardrobe classics for men that can only be pre-ordered meaning no excess and no waste. Just launching in the UK, there will be two to three product drops a month – it’s a brand that relies on word of mouth but once you hear about it, you’re hooked. Pre-order from 29 September, available until 25 October, 99€, buy here

PURE PACKAGE

Getting into better eating habits post lockdown is still evading me, so it’s time to take affirmative action. Luckily a food delivery programme from Pure Package is an easy way to ease myself back into a positive food frame of mind (no more wolfing the children’s leftovers). Even though it’s 1300 calories a day, the dishes are so delicious, exciting and colourful you just don’t notice.

A PRIVATE DOCTOR ON TAP

Want a gold standard Abbott IgG Covid-19 antibody test to see whether you’ve already had the virus? Or need a fit-to-fly certificate? Or do you have other medical concerns? Book a GP online with DocTap, a brilliant service that offers same-day private doctor appointments in its 12 London clinics. Check out the clay pomades and spa bath seaweed box – among the crutches and wheelchairs – if you visit their clinic at John Bell & Croyden, pharmacy to the Queen, on Wigmore Street. For a Covid antibody test, your lab results will be back less than 72 hours later, along with the doc’s detailed notes of your consultation. Consultation fee from £34 for 15 minutes. Covid-19 antibody test (£45 plus consultation fee). More on post-lockdown services here

NEVILLE HAIR & BEAUTY

I was so pleased to have snuck in for a cut and colour this week at Neville, who do some of the best blondes in town. I was reassured to see impeccable Covid practice but also to hear the chitchat of other clients under curlers and hairdryers – despite the omnipresent masks, it felt somewhat normal in this abnormal world. With rumours of more draconian measures to halt the virus, the simple act of having a hair cut and coloured was a luxury much missed during lockdown. Let’s pray it doesn’t happen again.

Is your autumn wardrobe in need of a refresh? Enter our competition now for the chance to win £1000 to spend with Dubarry of Ireland, famous for its waterproof leather boots.