The red cups return

Shock, horror - today marks the return of the red cups to Starbucks. And before you right-on, anti-Starbucks, fair trade hooligans start attacking me, I too hate Starbucks. Not so much because they exploit third world labour, sell fake corporate responsibility, or spread like a global virus destroying host cultures. No, I hate Starbucks simply because their product stinks. Their coffee is always bitter. But, that doesn't stop me extracting pleasure from the seasonal marketing campaign some sucker's £4/day double mint mocha decaf skim latté addiction is subsidising.

Blue skies, a crisp breeze, temperatures cold enough to warrant covering up any 'dinner-lady arms' (the only new phrase worth bovvering to remember from last week's Catherine Tate Show) with big woolly jumpers. What is there not to like about the Smoke in November? So, rather than wallow in the gloom of impending egg nog latté (which, incidentally, has more calories than a Big Mac) season, let's indulge in three reasons to be cheerful it's autumn in London. Because who needs Christmas in New York or springtime in Paris, when you can:

1) Celebrate whiskey season in style at Bumpkin: Westbourne Grove's latest culinary trailblazer that is part country brasserie, part restaurant, part whiskey room. Officially launches today.

2) Dress like a sleb (not a typo and better than A-lister) in Roland Mouret's hotly anticipated collection of dresses for Gap. Shouldn't be too surprising as we have been bigging up Gap for ages now. The most expensive one costs £78. On sale from 7 November.

3) Absorb the exuberance behind the paintings of young, LA-based, international art world sensation Laura Owens at the Camden Arts Centre. Well-known fans include David Hockney. Until 26 Nov.