My London: Candace Bushnell

Where do you stay when you're in London and why? In Chelsea. It's where my boyfriend Stephen [Morris, an internet millionaire] lives.

If money were no object, where would you like to live in London? A huge house in Belgrave Square.

Are you a member of any club? The Harrington. It's the first club I've ever been a member of. I've never had any of their treatments, but occasionally I go into the spa and sniff - it smells so wonderful that I know life could be better.

What was the last book you bought and where did you buy it? The Children by Edith Wharton. I ordered it from Amazon and it took six months to arrive. It was out of print but they still have the plates, so they probably made a copy just for me. It cost $100.

Do you have a favourite restaurant? I love Zaika, the Michelin-starred Indian on the Fulham Road, but you've got to book - in London you need a reservation to cross the street. I also like the new Marco Pierre White restaurant, Drones, but the portions are tiny. I felt like Oliver: 'Please, sir, can I have some more?'

What keeps you awake at night? Worries. I worry that I've said the wrong thing to somebody. I'm obsessed with not hurting people.

Who would you most like to get stuck in a London Eye pod with? My boyfriend. If we went there we probably would get stuck.

When did you last lose something valuable and what was it? My sanity. That was years ago.

What do you dislike about London life? People tend to be quite disparaging about people they don't really know. They're like, 'Yuk! I can't be at a party with that person.' I think it's to do with the class system. It's very un-American because, as we say in New York, today's assistant is tomorrow's CEO.

Is there anything you would make compulsory for Londoners? The Royal Family. They should make more appearances on the balcony instead of always running off to their private estates.

When and where did you last get drunk? At lunch today at The Savoy on champagne.

When was the last time you went to a nightclub? About a year ago I went to Chinawhite. I don't go to nightclubs much any more.

What don't you leave New York without? My passport and Merit cigarettes - they're impossible to get here.

What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done in London? Shown up.

Admit to one thing you've done in London that you've never told anyone before. I tend to tell everybody everything, so nothing!

When did you last lose your temper? I try to be very good-tempered. In New York it's easy to lose your temper. Everyone's so rude you can get away with it. If you're in a queue and everybody's being slow you can say, 'Excuse me. I've got an appointment. Would you mind paying more quickly?' But you can't really get away with that here.

Where did you last blow £1,000 and what was it on? A Thirties bracelet from an antiques shop on the King's Road. It cost about £1,200. I'm not sure it was worth it, though - the diamonds are very small.

What's the first piece of advice you'd give a London tourist? You can have a good time but it's better if you know somebody. So meet a local. So many people over here have a spare bedroom. That doesn't happen in New York - nobody has an ounce of space.

What was the last conversation you had with a London cabbie? I asked him, 'What's a slapper?' He said, 'It's a woman you can buy a drink for and then take into the bathroom.' I was shocked!

When was the last time you broke the law? Yesterday, during a shoot. A policeman came along and asked the photographer to move the car.

If you were invisible for a day, where would you go in London and what would you do? I'd go to the Queen's wardrobe and look at her shoes and sensible bows.

What's the best thing you can do in London without paying for it? Walk around and look at the architecture. For an American, it is like being on a movie set.

What's the most misleading thing about London? The idea that men wear socks in bed - I've yet to encounter one.

What do you miss most when you're out of London? The taxis. You have the best taxi drivers; they're so nice.

Have you ever been refused entry anywhere? No.

Have you ever been a victim of violence in London? Not yet, knock on wood. That's a scary question - now I'm going to get mugged on the way home.

What is the most expensive meal you've had in London and who did you eat it with? I had an incredibly expensive meal at Harry's Bar, but I didn't pay. It was with my girlfriends.

Which shop could you not live without? I go to Bentleys on Walton Street all the time. It's full of old Louis Vuitton trunks and Twenties picnic baskets for £10,000. I told the owner, 'It's filled with things that nobody would ever need.' He said, 'I know. That's exactly the point.'

What is your favourite view? The Mall.

What and where is your favourite painting or work of art? A painting of my boyfriend by my friend Teresa Manners. It does him justice.

What last made you cry? I don't cry very often - the last time was probably about five years ago.

Where's the best place to meet men in London? There's no particular place - meeting men is all about attitude. It's incredibly easy. You just go up and say hi.

Where would you have your ashes scattered? In New England, where I grew up.

If your house were on fire, what would you rescue? Nothing. People who try rescuing things always end up getting burned.