For my 30th birthday my ex-girlfriend, Nicci, presented me with an umbrella. This was not just any umbrella but one from James Smith & Sons of New Oxford Street, London.

Anyone who has spent more than a few months in London will have noticed this shop. It looks like it hasn’t changed for about 140 years. All the surrounding shops look shoddy and temporary in comparison. It makes me long for the wondrous Victorians who put so much pride into the everyday.

But the outside is but an hors d’oeurves to the wonders that lurk within. As you would expect, there are more brollies than you can shake a stick at. Who would have thought that the humble umbrella could exist in such a multiplicity of varieties?

If you want an umbrella with a handle shaped like Sherlock Holmes they will have it. How about an umbrella with a retractable blade like Patrick McNee used in the Avengers? Not a problem, sir!

They are not cheap but you are paying for rare craftsmanship, each umbrella is hand made. The manager told me that due to two terrible summers in a row, they have far more business than they can handle.

He was slightly reluctant to let me take pictures in case this piece sent a flood of bright young things through their doors. But don’t let him put you off. Visitors to London will need an umbrella and this is the place to buy one.

James Smith & Sons, 53 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1BL 

I used to work as a wine merchant during my early twenties and picked up a sizeable drink habit, a very basic knowledge of wine and a love of passionate salesmanship. There was nothing I liked more than a customer coming in and saying “what would you recommend for £7 to go with mutton”.

A few years ago I had quite a lot of money to spend on a case of wine for my father’s 60th birthday so I minced around various shops with an eager expression on my face determined to be sold something wonderful and, more importantly, to be taken seriously as wine buyer.

I was served my supercilious boys who treated me as an ignoramus or by older men who thought I was trying to steal something. Then I met Philip Shorten at Milroy’s. He listened to my needs, pretended that I really knew what I was talking about and I bought a case of Brunello di Montalcino from Sesti.

I would like to say that this was the start of a beautiful friendship but sadly I am generally short of cash and so tend to buy most of my wine from the bargain bins of supermarkets. If, however, I am having people over or want to impress my ladyfriend, then Philip is my first port of call. He has never let me down with a recommendation.

They are also a whisky specialist and Philip will often give you a little taste whilst you are browsing.

Twice a year they have free tastings to which they invite all their regular customers; I normally get drunk and disgrace myself and they keep inviting me back. Oh and if you live in the UK, get on their mailing list – they have some amazing sales.

Last Xmas I spent most of my bonus on mature Rieslings from Alsace – much better than squandering it on drugs and the horses like I normally do. 

Good recommendations:
 
The Dr. Burklin-Wolf Ruppersburger (2007)
 
Morgon Cote de Py, Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud. 2006

MILROY'S OF SOHO; 3 Greek Street, London W1D 4NX

I have a certain fascination for the young, hip model Agyness Deyn and other such cool Londoners. The kind of people who can wear a leather cap, striped tights, blue shorts, suspenders and yellow cardigan… and still look fabulous.

I love people who don’t play by the fashion rules, or any other strict social rules for that matter. Whenever I read about their shopping tips, I picture myself in one of their favourite London stores.

Take B Store, which is a firm favourite with the cool set. B Store is on a quiet strip in the fashionable and very expensive shopping area of Mayfair. On my first visit, I probably expected something a bit more spectacular, something over the top, or at least something bigger. I wondered what all the fuss was about. Why are all these hip people so into this shop?

But once I got closer look, I completely saw the point. The clothes for both men and women are absolutely amazing, contemporary and cutting edge. Some of them made by the two very individual and interesting London-based designers Jens Laugesen and Peter Jensen.

B Store, 24a Saville Row W15 3PR. Tube: Oxford Circus or Picadilly Circus.

Persephone Books 

'It is hard to be hip over thirty'. No this isn’t my confession (it might as well have been), but the title of my favourite book of poems from my all time favourite book shop.

London is the greatest place to shop for books. There are books on just about anything – even a coffee table book about coffee tables.

Head for the gigantic Waterstone’s on Piccadilly for the ‘3 for 2’ deals. Or do, as I love to do and visit the charming Persephone Books, which has recently become a small chain with two outlets. And sorry guys, but this one is strictly for the girls.

Persephone Books

This independent publishing house specialises in decorative, arty, old, rare and overlooked books by female authors.

I heard about the retired publisher’s initiative from a bestseller author I once interviewed – and immediately bought the sweet 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day' (soon out as a movie), along with several other books all with bookmarks and covers made from iconic art patterns and designs.

Persephone Books

59 Lamb's Conduit Street London, WC1N 3NB. Tube: Russel Square or Holborn

109 Kensington Church Street London, W8 7LN. Tube: Notting Hill Gate or Kensington High Street

I will briefly mention the most reputed and hyped shoe brands Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik, which are the shoes’ answer to Mozart. Shoe fashionistas flock to their temples.

Christian Louboutin is located on 23 Motcomb Street in Knightsbridge and Manolo Blahnik can be found on 49-51 Old Church Street in Chelsea. But I would rather suggest the far more charming designer, Tracy Neuls, who makes shoes with personality and humor, twisted toes and slanting heels. I went to her shop, TN29, with a colleague on research for an article on shoes and we each ended up spending all our money on a pair of ingenious red shoes. It was true love.

The shoes look like they’re straight out of a Harry Potter movie and costume designers from the film industry actually come here to borrow shoes for shoots. The shop is sometimes used for tiny theater productions at night. Tracy Neuls has two lines; one is expensive and the other more expensive!

TN 29, 29 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2NQ. Tube: Bond Street.

Extract from Karin Graabaek's book LONDON my love!, published by Gyldendal.