TODAY
Yard-O-Led at Smythson

Forget horoscopes, there’s nothing in the stars, and ditch the Magic 8 Ball. These days, we’re relying on the talents of graphologists. Also knows as handwriting analysis, experts claim to be able to read you via your penmanship, which is exactly what they’ll be doing down at Smythson today. Also a great opportunity to check out the stationer’s lovely Christmas cards, from Kissing Robins to Candle Trees. Outlook Good.

1pm-3pm, 40 New Bond Street, W1S 2DE.

TONIGHT
Seven Dials Festive Shopping Evening

Whoop whoop, it’s shopping bonanza time at the moment, so make the most of the discounts and get that tree looking healthy stocked up. Tonight it's Seven Dials' turn – print off your online coupon and get 20% off at over 100 stores including Coco de Mer, MAC and Diesel. There'll be bars and eateries involved too, as well as in-store entertainment including a street MC contest, free music giveaways, champagne, and random goodie bags being handed out on the night.

5pm-9pm.

COMPETITION
Win £250 to spend in Covent Garden

Despite being mired in the season of enforced gift–giving and therefore enforced shopping, stores seem to be all too happy to extend some sizeable discounts to their clientele. Apart from the major sample sales coming up in December (McQueen and Chris Kane), Covent Garden are throwing a late–night shopping night with 20% across the board of their fashionable retailers including Kurt Geiger, All Saints and Cos (remember to print off your online voucher). There’ll be free hot cider from an airstream, and gift bags up for grabs for Covent Garden Loyalty Card holders spending over £50. We on the other hand, have a whopping £250 up for grabs to spend at one retailer of your choice. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email us your name and chosen store, and we’ll play Santa for the day. Good luck!

2nd December, 5pm-9pm.

SHOP
Kensal Flea

Inspired by the Stateside 'Brooklyn Flea’ (named by The New York Times as 'one of the best urban experiences in NYC’), this Saturday sees Blighty retaliate with a little market action of their own. Clothing stalls come from the likes of Rag & Bow, Tallulah & Hope and even the Lexi Cinema who’ll be launching their new memberships, there’ll be a karaoke room, live music from the Dub Pistols’ Barry Ashworth and a little seasonal magic. All this and you’re even shopping to help Contact the Elderly and the Leukaemia Foundation. Saintly.

APPLY NOW
Curated by Lyle & Scott at XOYO

We’ve been hearing good things about the musical acts performing at XOYO lately (anyone else into Jessie J’s 'Do it like a Dude'?) so the line-up curated by menswear designers Lyle & Scott is right up our street. The series of four gigs aims to showcase new talent, and starts with folktronica star James Yuill on the 8th December before featuring Oxford trio Trophy Wife, dreamy Indie-pop duo Babe Shadow and a fourth slot to be filled by a fan-based vote in 2011. Check out the competitors at www.facebook.com/lyleandscott and apply for free tickets by going to www.lyleandscott.com/CBLS.

OFFER
20% off at Urban Outfitters today only!

We’re big fans of the gifty nicknacks and niche labels available at Urban Outfitters, perfect for a little stocking surprise. Take your pick from Pacman key chains, apothecary candles, monogrammed teacups and retro wristwatches, or check out the ever–increasing boutique brands from Acne and APC to Peter Jensen and Richard Nicoll. Shop today and you can claim 20% off at the checkout by entering TODAYONLY into the promo code box, or ask at your nearest store for in–store discount validity.

PLAYLIST
Lounge Lovers

If our Old Skool Party Bangers mix didn’t get you WHOOPing with the rest of us, fear not. You sophisticats can enjoy the lovely loungey tracks on this laid back playlist, or for those who are completely partied out, take this into the early hours and float into the AM on a sound cloud of chilled out choices.

Click here to listen to the mix..

BOOK AHEAD
Resident Advisor Xmas Party

Our friends at RA have been globetrotting their way through the party circuit this year, from Ibiza and New York to Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. But as winter sets in they’ve come home to roost, throwing a Christmas bash at The CAMP in Shoreditch with a bill headlined by one of house music's biggest enigmas: Pepe Bradock. He’ll be joined by Bruno Pronsato, Adam Marshall and local artist JOZIF, with a free interactive workshop upstairs for aspiring DJs and producers. What a gift. Bag your Early Bird ticket now.

4th December, 10pm-4am, CAMP, 70-74 City Road, Old Street, EC1Y 2BJ. £6 early bird, £10 general.

RESERVED
This week’s hottest foodie destination

North Road
Danish chef brings a touch of 'new Nordic' to Clerkenwell.

69-73 St John Street, EC1M 4AN - 020 3217 0033
www.northroadrestaurant.co.uk

Location
Although this destination stretch of East London (made famous by St John) might have recently lost Bjorn van der Horst's Eastside Inn it has gained this, Danish-born Christoffer Hruskova's second venture.

Vibe
Having taken over cosy neighbourhood spot Fig in Islington five years ago, Hruskova has now transferred the more innovative side of his earthy cooking style to the new venue. The menu is all very foragey and au courant,
bringing to mind Copenhagen's Noma and Bethnal Green's Viajante and the place has a cool Scandinavian feel.

Flavours
On the night we were there some dishes worked; mutton loin & onions in textures was sweet and rich and Dorset brill with stewed salsify and alexander (a type of sea herb, apparently) described as 'fabulous’. And some didn't; veal breast and tail, though nice and pink, was tougher than it should have been and cured native lobster & buttermilk provoked the same divided response as Marmite. The crisp pork, chicken and fish skin served with pickled quail eggs as an hors d'ouevre, however, was no one's favourite.

Décor
North Road is a great space and they’ve done a nice job with the decor: all creamy walls, elegant chairs, stylish pendulous lighting. There’s a simple, welcoming bar as you walk in and a rustic chef’s table that seats eight but it seems a pity that you can only peer into the kitchen through a window.

Upshot
I’m a big fan of the food Christoffer is now serving at what has become Fig Bistro but even in this nose-to-tail neck of the woods it will be interesting to see how his more adventurous menu goes down, and the place still needs to develop a buzz. Watch this space.