This insider’s guide to London by Carmen Allan-Petale is one of the entries for My Destination’s Biggest, Baddest Bucketlist competition.

For a chance of winning an all-expenses-paid trip around the world lasting for six months, all you have to do is create a short video about one of your favourite destinations.

The competition closes at the end of March 2013. You can see all of the London entries so far here and find out more at www.mydestination.com/bbb.

Love is in the air in London’s shops and markets in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day on 14 February. If you want to find the perfect gift for your loved-one, London has a whirl of Valentine’s shopping events to tickle your fancy.

The spruced-up William Morris Gallery is hosting the E17 Designers Valentine’s Day Special this Saturday (9 Feb), where 20 artists will be selling their hand-crafted items, including prints and precious gems, corsages and customised cufflinks. Expect wandering minstrels, love poetry and choir singing. Entry £2. Children under 16 free.

In East London’s hip Shoreditch, pop-up mall Boxpark is hosting romantic events aplenty, including macaroon-making classes (from now until 13 Feb) and love-inspired nail designs by Boom Nails (14-17 Feb). Boutique lingerie brand Playful Promises will be offering 20% off its sexy stock, from lingerie sets to risqué satin corsets (14-17 Feb).

Carnaby Street is spreading the love this V-Day with shed-loads of inspirational gift ideas.

Head to the Marshmallow Apothecary pop-up (9-23 Feb) in Kingly Court to be prescribed a bespoke box of marshmallows. Lovers can feast on aphrodisiac flavours including ginger and chilli, which can be taken away or enjoyed in the café with a hot chocolate or cocktail. For handmade gifts, visit Kingly Court for the Craft Jam Fair and Market this Saturday (9 Feb, 12-7pm), which offers everything from cards and accessories to homeware and artisan food.

Sutra Kitchen vegetarian cooking school and deli is hosting a Valentine’s Day cooking experience for couples. Get steamy in the kitchen under the guidance of head chef Jay Morjaria and then enjoy your creations, including wild mushroom and thyme risotto. The class is £25 and includes a glass of bubbly. Email info@sutrakitchen.co.uk to book.

Put a smile on your Valentine’s face by popping into the newly re-vamped British perfume house Penhaligons, in Regent Street. The brainchild of UK designer Christopher Jenner, the plush emporium is all wood panelling, padded walls, onion dome chandeliers and ceiling roses inspired by Westminster Cathedral. Don’t leave without taking a sniff of signature scent Blenheim Bouquet, which was created in 1902 and worn by Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde.

Harvey Nichols New-Look Lingerie Boutique
Knightsbridge stalwart Harvey Nichols has relaunched its lingerie boutique. As well as a complete shop-in-shop from Stella McCartney, and the latest collections from Elle Macpherson, Calvin Klein, Wolford and Spanx, the third floor boutique offers complimentary expert fittings to give you a flawless figure. To celebrate, Harvey Nichols is offering 20% off all lingerie until 21 October. Plus Nails inc are treating shoppers to a free shape and paint with every lingerie purchase over £50 or with the purchase of a matching lingerie set, meaning you can match your nails to your knickers.

Floris Opens New London Boutique, from 18 Oct
Perfumers to Her Majesty the Queen, and Prince Charles, Floris is one of London’s oldest retailers. Their first store was established on Jermyn Street way back in 1730. The brand is now expanding, with a second shop opening in Belgravia this week. The eighth and ninth generation of the family are now selling their wares at 147 Ebury Street. A growing waiting list precedes the opening of the new boutique which will offer Floris’ unique bespoke Perfumery Service as well as providing their eclectic range of scents for women, men and the home.

London College of Fashion “College Shop” Returns to Kingly Court, from 18 Oct
After the success of its pop-up shop last September, the London College of Fashion Shop is back. Opening on 18 October on Kingly Court off Carnaby Street, and running for just two weeks, the College Shop will stock unique and one-off creations from the college’s alumni. Pieces on offer are by Ada Zanditon; recent London Collections: Mens stars Joseph Turvey and Domingo Rodriguez; womenswear designer Para Manko; and fashion illustrator Rosie McGuiness. Stock will rotate daily and will also feature designs from recent graduates in womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories, jewellery, fashion photography and illustrations.

Lyle & Scott’s Campaign for Wool in Covent Garden, 18-21 Oct
The excitement of Wool Week continues in London. Following last week’s news from M&S, this week the promotional campaign moves to Covent Garden. From 18 to 21 October, golf and knitwear brand Lyle & Scott is hosting a “baaa-rmy extravaganza” to show its support for The Campaign for Wool. There’ll be a mini-golf course set up on Covent Garden’s North Piazza, with woollen obstacles and sheep statues in place of the traditional AstroTurf and windmils. Fans of the brand can practice their putting for the chance to nab a 15% discount and a free Lyle & Scott golf ball. Lyle & Scott has also teamed up with a talented design student from the Wool School initiative to create a limited-edition sweater. The marl-stripe jumper is made using high-quality Hinchcliffe yarn and is on sale in the King Street store now.
Visit campaignforwool.org to find out more about Wool Week.

Selfridges Destination Denim: Until 8 Sep
If, like me, you’re on a near-constant quest for the perfect pair of jeans (I had them once: a pair of 7 For All Mankind, plucked randomly from a sale rail in New York; wore them till they fell apart), Selfridges may offer a solution. This month, they’re celebrating their longest denim wall in Europe with Destination Denim, an exciting store-wide denim event, including exclusive product launches, designer appearances, style advice and special events. Just this week, there’s a 12-hour online jean-a-thon with giveaways on the hour, every hour on Thursday. Women can get advice from Stylist magazine’s fashion editor on Thursday afternoon; while men can distress their denim with Denham between 30 August and 2 September. Find out more at denim.selfridges.com

Biscuit Decorating Demonstration at Fortnum & Mason: 23 Aug
If you need a new excuse to pop into the hallowed halls of Fortnum & Mason this week, here’s my suggestion. With the Great British Bake Off turning everyone crazy for cakes and barmy for biscuits, don’t miss this free decorating demonstration in store. Ellie, an artist-cum-baker creates Fortnum’s stunning animal decorated biscuits. She’ll be showing off how she works her magic powers with piping bags in the Demonstration Kitchen on the First Floor from 2pm. You’ll be wowing your tea party guests in no time.

Soho Arts Fair in Kingly Court: 24-25 Aug
This weekend, the Soho Arts Fair come to Kingly Court for the very first time, showcasing artworks by young adults produced in Art-Alive workshops. The Art Alive Arts Trust is a charity that works with children and young adults to develop creative skills through art. On display will be a variety of works ranging from fine art to fashion. If you’re inspired by the works on show, you can also get involved as there’ll be workshops on Mosaic and Ceramic art, Painting, Fashion Photography, T-Shirt printing and more. In a packed weekend of activities, there’ll also be live dance and music performances as well as street artists. Don’t miss the fashion show on Friday between 6pm and 9pm. This is the culmination of three months’ worth of workshops taking place in Kingly Court, giving young people the chance to explore their skills in photography, fine art, fashion design and ceramics.

Foyles Children’s Events at Westfield
Why not head to Westfield London this summer holiday as there are some special children’s events taking place in Foyles. On 25 August between 2 and 4pm, hear sea shanties and look for treasure with Hannah, the Queen of the Seven Seas: don’t forget to dress up as your favourite sea creature: Mermaid, Pirate, Squid… On 28 August between 2 and 3pm, Paddington will be in store, where the booksellers will be throwing a party to celebrate the end of the Great British Sumer. There’ll be storytelling, activities, and a chance to meet the great bear himself. Both events are free.

Set in the charming Kingly Court in Soho, the triyoga centre (one of three in London) is a welcoming oasis of candles and calm. There is a soothing quietness as soon as you enter the studio and a sense that people are here to learn and escape the chaos of everyday life.

My teacher, Leela Miller, has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years. Her obvious passion for yoga and the way she explains of some of the philosophy behind it is truly inspiring: ”At the heart of yoga is change”.

I’m brand new to yoga yet I found I was able to follow the class and adopt all the positions. Leela is a patient teacher and the class is just the right size. We were introduced to some of the fundamental yoga poses, concentrating on healthy alignment and establishing a deeper awareness of breathing.

I found the class challenging yet enjoyable and left feeling incredibly calm and centred. It provides the perfect escape from the fast pace of daily city life and I can already tell that triyoga will become my regular retreat in London. Watch this space as I’ll update you on my progress during the course.

Triyoga has centres in Primrose Hill, Soho and Covent Garden and specialise in yoga and pilates drop-in classes for beginners and experienced yogis as well as a range courses and treatments.