My London: Liberty Ross

Model Liberty Ross misses tea, Sunday lunch and the Portobello Road when she's out of her home town but not the trendy pubs and Oxford Street. She shares what's hot and what's not about London with Maggie Davis.

Where do you live, and why? I live in New York in the East Village, but I keep my place in Shepherd's Bush - I love the neighbourhood and it's around the corner from my parents, who live in Ladbroke Grove. I'm also currently renovating a bungalow in Hampshire.

How long have you lived there? I've been in New York for about six months and I've had my place in London for four years.

What was the last play you saw in London and did you enjoy it? It was Peter Pan, starring my three-year-old niece, and I loved it!

What advice would you give to a tourist? Go to Tate Modern, the Serpentine Gallery, and Richmond Park, and avoid Oxford Street.

Who's in your secret address book? Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald, Les Couilles du Chien (an antique shop on the Golborne Road), Mikanov Brothers (a grocer in Holland Park), my hairdresser Lyndell Mansfield at Daniel Hersheson, and Johnny Rocket, an amazing jeweller in Whitechapel.

What have been your most memorable London meals? I love J Sheekey for amazing fish, desserts and blinis. Other than that, my favourite meals are Sunday lunches spent with my family around Mum and Dad's kitchen table.

What's your earliest London memory? Being teased in the Fox Primary School playground in Kensington for having an American accent. I spent my early childhood in California.

Which is your favourite: Harvey Nicks or Selfridges? Harvey Nicks has a great restaurant and food hall, and Selfridges has everything you could ever need under one roof, including one of the best bookshops in London, so I can't choose between them.

What do you miss most when you're out of London? A good cup of tea - you can't find one anywhere outside the UK.

What are your favourite home comforts? Tea and toast.

What are your extravagances? Fine French bed linen and cashmere sweaters.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day? I'd swap the number of traffic wardens with the number of policemen. There are too many of the former and not enough of the latter.

What is your life philosophy? Know who you are and how lucky you are.

Do you have a favourite pub? The Hawkley Inn in Liss, Hampshire. It's old and rustic and cosy and has great food. I hate London pubs. Most aren't very traditional - they tend to be trendy, organic restaurants wtih very little charm.

Where do you buy your accessories? The Gold Centre in Portobello Road for gold. I've also just bought a new mobile - a Motorola Timeport 280.

Where do you buy your vintage? At One of A Kidn in Portobello Road and thrift markets in London and New York. I get loads of second-hand clothes in New York in those tiny East Village shops.

What are your favourite shops? Fieldhouse, a brilliant undiscovered gift shop on Wandsworth Bridge Road, Manolo Blahnik for shoes, and Lidgate, a butcher on Holland Park Avenue.

What's in your autumn wardrobe? A vintage fur and snakeskin coat and my red Juicy Couture cashmere tracksuit.