January & July sales -- London's sales supposedly take place twice a year -- January and July. Haven't been here in July, but the January sales seem to take place in every store on the High Street. Took me a while to figure out just what the High Street was since I couldn't understand how every single store could be on one street named High. However, this just refers to the branded retailers which are found all over the UK such as Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Oasis, TopShop and the like.

Selfridges -- If you're looking for designer fashions in a store you can get lost in, Selfridges is the place to go. The store boasts Europe's largest perfume department and has floors filled with everything from luggage to a spa, restaurant, and food hall. (Tube: Bond Street/Marble Arch)

John Lewis -- The best place to get household stuff and things you just don't know where else to find such as sink plugs, shoe laces, coat hangers etc.

Marks & Spencer -- This old British favourite doesn't have especially stylish or designer clothes, but if you're looking for a plain suit, blouse or skirt (or a pair of underwear), M&S is the place to go. The store is working on their old-fashioned image, having top designers bring their collections into their stores. M&S can be found all over London, but there's one on the corner where Oxford Street meets Baker Street, across from Selfridges.

Fortnum & Mason -- Walking into Fortnum & Mason feels like a high-class British experience. It must be the building itself with its wooden staircases, beautiful carpets, and spaces clear of racks upon racks of clothes. The food hall downstairs is expensive but wonderful; you can get fabulous meats and dressings and sometimes they give samples. (Tube: Green Park/Piccadilly Circus)

Harrods -- You can't come to London without going to Harrods. There's enough on the bottom floor alone to keep you entertained. In fact, I don't think most people venture past that point. The food hall is something to see with counters of foods you can eat-in or take-away (including sushi, pizza, chicken or sandwiches), a room full of fruits and flowers, a room full of meats and cheeses, and a room full of chocolates and breads. Just beware -- with all the tourists, there's barely room to breathe in the wonderful aromas. (Tube: Knightsbridge)

Harvey Nichols -- "Harvey Nicks", as it is called, is famous for being Princess Diana's 'hunting grounds'. That said, you can figure out that this is one upscale department store with six floors of shopping, restaurants, and a spa. (Tube: Knightsbridge)

Hamley's -- The choice for those that are still a kid at heart. Hamley's has five floors full of toys. And not only do you get to look, you can actually play. It's a fun experience for all ages -- as long as there are no screaming kids in the store. Plus, there's a place to eat downstairs. (Tube: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus)

Oxford Street -- Oxford Street is often called 'the longest shopping street in the world' with well over a mile of stores terminally congested by locals and tourists. Close to the school, it's an experience you have to see for yourself -- once.

Regent Street -- Regent's Street, which intersects Oxford Street at its midsection, is far more elegant than Oxford Street. Here you'll find boutiques, china shops, and jewellers.

Bond Street, Sloan Street, and Knightsbridge -- If you want high-end clothes from international designers, these are the places to go.

King's Road in Chelsea -- On King's Road there are dozens of high-end chain stores and a great people-watching experience. Also good for homeware -- try Heal's and Habitat.

Free hair cuts? -- Yes, some things in life are free. One person reports: "I was flipping through a magazine called Ms. London one day when I found an ad for a free haircut. The catch was that you had to go to the Toni & Guy Academy where students would be working on you. I always have this theory that hair will grow back, so I gave it a go. And yes, it was completely free. Unfortunately, I had to wait on the stairs for half an hour while they got the appointments sorted out and the haircut took over two hours, but that was just part of the experience. Even better than the haircut I got from Toni & Guy was the one I had at the Vidal Sassoon Academy (yes, students cut hair here too).

"I found an ad in the Metro that said the haircut would cost a mere £5. Again, there was a long wait to get seated in front of a mirror and an even longer wait while the student cut my hair, but I received the best haircut I've gotten in my entire life. It felt wonderful to walk around London with my stylish new Vidal Sassoon cut. They're slogan, "If you don't look good, we don't look good," obviously rings true. Both Toni & Guy and Vidal Sassoon also offer colours at reduced rates as well as cuts so go for it! The academies are both located near Bond Street; Vidal Sassoon at Davies Mews, Toni & Guy at St. Christopher's Place. If you don't want to take a chance with a student, there's always Supercuts which cuts your hair for something like £10 or £11. There's one in the Bond Street Station, but check your phone book for other locations."

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