Yesterday evening, I saw Sicko at the Electric Cinema.

I’m not a huge fan of movie theaters and generally prefer dvds, as not only can I pause and rewind as many times as I want, I don’t have to listen to other people chewing popcorn throughout the movie… But, if I have to go to one cinema in London, it will have to be The Electric for everyday movies, the only close contender being iMAX for major sci-fi or extremely graphic movies.

Sicko, is the new Michael Moore documentary/film, which mocks the American health care system, like his other documentaries (Bowling for Columbine, Farenheit 9/11 etc), it was an extremely one sided view on a serious topic which does not get enough media coverage… And though the American health care system was examined from only one point of view (it is bad, bad, bad), at least it is getting discussed.

Here are a few things I picked up from the movie, whether I agree with all of them or not is a different issue…

*France has the best health care system in the world. A long list of other countries, England and Canada included actually care more about sick poor people than Americans do… Even Cuba has a better health system.

*The American health care system only works if you’re rich. If you’re poor, too bad, as the health insurance companies care more about making money than sick people… Some even create margins which define the percentage of people who they actually accept to cover.
Former HMO employees who quit their jobs because they were offended by the way the corporations they worked for treated sick people, spoke about these practices.
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This is totally irrelevant, and I will never dare post this anywhere else… But I suppose this is one of the reasons why this site exists, so I can post the important, right next to the totally worthless…

Like the following, YouTube video called ‘internet thuggin’ which truly is, totally worthless. But hey! ITS SOOOOO FUNNY!

Shops in Chelsea and Knightsbridge:

CABBAGES & ROSES
English countryside chic at its best.
3 Langton St., 44-20-7352-7333, cabbagesandroses.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Antiques, Decorative/Lighting, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

DESIGNERS GUILD
Expect an amazing selection of wallpaper, linens, pillows, stationery, and tabletop goods in punchy, graphic prints.
267-271 and 275-277 King’s Rd., 44-20-7351-5775, designersguild.com
Products: Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

THE SHOP AT BLUEBIRD
The most exciting new boutique in London, located in an old supermarket.
350 King’s Rd., 44-20-7351-387

HARRODS
This luxurious, 150-year-old department store is Knightsbridge’s most famous fixture.
87-135 Brompton Rd., 44-20-7730-1234, harrods.com
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Books/Stationary, Gifts/Design

HARVEY NICHOLS
Retail heavyweight that consistently sources the newest young designers.
109-125 Knightsbridge, 44-20-7235-5000, harveynichols.com
Products: Swimwear, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty

ZARA HOME
Affordable home-goods offshoot of the wildly popular Spanish clothing chain Zara.
79-81 Brompton Rd., 44-20-7590-6990
Products: Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

Shops in the East End:

ABSOLUTE VINTAGE
Find old Barbour jackets and amazing bags at this vintage spot.
15 Hanbury St., 44-20-7247-3883, absolutevintage.co.uk
Products: Denim, Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

ALL SAINTS
A citified, edgy label with pieces that risk takers will love.
114 Commercial St., 44-20-7392-8098
Products: Women’s and Mens Clothing

BEYOND RETRO
London’s biggest (and arguably best) vintage emporium, located in an old warehouse.
110-112 Cheshire St., 44-20-7613-3636, beyondretro.com
Products: Denim, Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

BLONDIE
Glam yet affordable shop that specializes in shoes and bags from the ’60s through the ’80s.
114-118 Commercial St., 44-20-7247-0050
Products: Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags

HOXTON BOUTIQUE
Hip, gallerylike, small-label store that pioneered the East End retail scene.
2 Hoxton St., 44-20-7684-2083, hoxtonboutique.co.uk
Products: Women’s Clothing

LABOUR AND WAIT
General-store purveyor of retro-influenced home goods.
18 Cheshire Street, 44-20-7729-6253
Products: Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

MAR MAR CO.
Esoteric, smartly designed gifts from Scandinavia abound.
16 Cheshire St., 44-20-7729-1494
Products: Decorative/Lighting, Outdoor, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

PRECIOUS
Tons of small lines in a corner space located on the grounds of a former artillery range.
16 Artillery Passage, 44-20-7377-6668
Products: Women’s Clothing

SHELF
Lo-fi shop with cute hand-screened cards, clever toys, and one-of-a-kind journals.
40 Cheshire St., 44-20-7739-9444
Products: Books/Stationary, Gifts/Design

START
Newly expanded, truly cool indie-clothing destination.
42-44 Rivington St., 44-20-7729-3334, start-london.com
Products: Denim, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

STORY
Look for ethereal dresses, skirts, and tops—along with decor items—with an earth-friendly point of view.
4 Wilkes St., 44-20-7377-0313
Products: Women’s Clothing

SUNDAY (UP)MARKET
Recently opened weekly market noteworthy for its adventurous mix of 140 vendors selling items new and old.
At the corner of Hanbury Street and Brick Lane in the Old Truman Brewery, no phone, sundayupmarket.co.uk
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Antiques, Decorative/Lighting, Linens, Tabletop, Books/Stationary, Gifts/Design

Shops in Soho and Mayfair:

BLACK TRUFFLE
Highly wearable, trend-weathering footwear from names including Repetto and Chie Mihara, plus an on-site shoemaking school.
52 Warren St., 44-20-7388-4547
Products: Shoes

THORSTEN VAN ELTEN
This incubator for young product designers features everyday objects with a twist.
22 Warren St., 44-20-7388-8008, thorstenvanelten.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Gifts/Design

ANTIPODIUM
Dramatically lit space known for its selection of forward-thinking Aussie and Kiwi labels.
5A Carlisle St., 44-20-7287-3841
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

B STORE
Stock up on the latest clothing and accessories from ultra-cool designers.
24A Savile Row, 44-20-7734-6846, bstorelondon.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

BEYOND RETRO
The second outpost of this excellent London vintage chain—located in an equally cool old warehouse.
58-59 Great Marlborough St., 44-20-7434-1406, beyondretro.com
Products: Denim, Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

BEYOND THE VALLEY
Sells clothing, accessories, and art by graduates of famed design school Central Saint Martins.
2 Newburgh St., 44-20-7437-7338, beyondthevalley.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Decorative/Lighting, Tabletop, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design

BROWNS FOCUS
An edgy offshoot of beloved London boutique Browns—known for its support of emerging talents.
38 S. Molton St., 44-20-7514-0063, brownsfashion.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

COCO DE MER
Burlesque-inspired lingerie in an opulent, boudoir-like den.
23 Monmouth St., 44-20-7836-8882, coco-de-mer-shop.co.uk
Products: Lingerie/Loungewear, Shoes, Jewelry, Gifts/Design

ANTIPODIUM
Dramatically lit space known for its selection of forward-thinking Aussie and Kiwi labels.
5A Carlisle St., 44-20-7287-3841
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

B STORE
Stock up on the latest clothing and accessories from ultra-cool designers.
24A Savile Row, 44-20-7734-6846, bstorelondon.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

BEYOND RETRO
The second outpost of this excellent London vintage chain—located in an equally cool old warehouse.
58-59 Great Marlborough St., 44-20-7434-1406, beyondretro.com
Products: Denim, Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

BEYOND THE VALLEY
Sells clothing, accessories, and art by graduates of famed design school Central Saint Martins.
2 Newburgh St., 44-20-7437-7338, beyondthevalley.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Decorative/Lighting, Tabletop, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design

BROWNS FOCUS
An edgy offshoot of beloved London boutique Browns—known for its support of emerging talents.
38 S. Molton St., 44-20-7514-0063, brownsfashion.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

COCO DE MER
Burlesque-inspired lingerie in an opulent, boudoir-like den.
23 Monmouth St., 44-20-7836-8882, coco-de-mer-shop.co.uk
Products: Lingerie/Loungewear, Shoes, Jewelry, Gifts/Design

DOORS BY JAS M.B.
Tiny, rustic space full of sturdy leather shoes and bags by designer Jas Shembi.
8 Ganton St., 44-20-7494-2288, doorsbyjasmb.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Bags

DOROTHY PERKINS
Reliably great dress shirts and pencil skirts that take the stuffiness out of office attire.
189 Oxford St., 44-20-7494-3769, dorothyperkins.co.uk
Products: Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

DOVER STREET MARKET
Incredibly hip shop in a Mayfair townhouse conceived by Comme des Garçons’ Rei Kawakubo.
17-18 Dover St., 44-20-7518-0680, doverstreetmarket.com
Products: Beauty, Gifts/Design

FENWICK
Under-the-radar department store with a masterful mix of traditional and offbeat labels: Pucci scarves and dresses by Anna Sui.
63 New Bond St., 44-20-7629-9161, fenwick.co.uk
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

FORTNUM & MASON
Fascinating old-school department store offering elegant teas and candies.
181 Piccadilly, 44-20-7734-8040, fortnumandmason.com
Products: Gifts/Design

GRAYS ANTIQUE MARKETS
A stunning array of costume and estate jewelry in a former plumbing factory.
1-7 Davies Mews, 44-20-7629-7034
Products: Jewelry, Antiques

HOBBS
Very English chain with loads of wardrobe classics.
217 Regent St., 44-20-7437-4418
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

KOH SAMUI
Slick, much-loved shop stocked with downtown-cool brands like Balenciaga and Chloé.
65-67 Monmouth St., 44-20-7240-4280
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

KURT GEIGER
For 40 years, this Brit footwear line has turned out impeccably made, runway-inspired shoes.
65 S. Molton St., 44-20-7758-8020, kurtgeiger.com
Products: Shoes

LIBERTY
Art nouveau department store known for its excellent indie labels (and famous Liberty-print textiles).
Great Marlborough St., 44-20-7734-1234
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty

MAGMA
Visual arts bookstore with the latest volumes by notable design stars.
8 Earlham St., 44-20-7240-8498, magmabooks.com
Products: Books/Stationery

MISS SELFRIDGE
One of the first High Street chains; has a sense of youthful playfulness.
36-38 Great Castle St., 44-20-7927-0188, missselfridge.co.uk
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

MUJI
Thoughtfully designed, thoroughly utilitarian items straight from Japan.
187 Oxford St., 44-20-7437-7503, mujionline.co.uk
Products: Decorative/Lighting, Tabletop, Books/Stationery

NEW LOOK
Solidly cool High Street brand that smartly interprets the trends.
175-179 Oxford St., 44-20-7025-6703, newlook.co.uk
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes

OASIS
A something-for-everyone chain with insanely good prices.
292 Regent St., 44-20-7323-5978
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

ORMONDE JAYNE
Rich, heady fragrances handmixed by a former perfumer for Chanel.
The Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond St., 44-20-7499-1100, ormondejayne.com
Products: Beauty

POSTE MISTRESS
An extraordinary selection of shoes from labels like L’Autre Chose and Vivienne Westwood.
61-63 Monmouth St., 44-20-7379-4040
Products: Shoes

REISS
High-Street luxe: Look for gorgeous leather bags, impeccably made shoes, and silk dresses.
78-79 New Bond St., 44-20-7493-4866, reiss.co.uk
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

SELFRIDGES
The best, most comprehensive department store in town—no exaggeration.
400 Oxford St., 44-87-0837-7377, selfridges.com
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design

SHOP AT MAISON BERTAUX
Located in the basement of one of London’s oldest tea parlors, this tiny spot is smitten with experimental labels.
27 Greek St., 44-56-0115-1584
Products: Women’s Clothing

SHOP AT MAISON BERTAUX
Located in the basement of one of London’s oldest tea parlors, this tiny spot is smitten with experimental labels.
27 Greek St., 44-56-0115-1584
Products: Women’s Clothing

SNIFF
Mod shoe shop that’s a big booster of favorite brands like French Sole and Miss L-Fire.
1 Great Titchfield St., 44-20-7299-3560
Products: Shoes

SOUVENIR
The go-to boutique for utterly feminine picks from bound-to-be-big labels.
53 Brewer St., 44-20-7287-8708
Products: Women’s Clothing

TOPSHOP
An incredible top-of-the-trends chain. The first place we head right off the plane.
214 Oxford St., 44-84-5214-1144, topshop.com
Products: Denim, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

TWINKLED
Stylized vintage store that’s great for those who love secondhand pieces but don’t like to dig.
1.5 Kingly Ct., 44-20-7734-1978
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

WAREHOUSE
Well-known brand famed for stylish goods that easily transition from one season to the next.
Oxford Street Plz., 44-20-7436-4179
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

THE WEST VILLAGE
Cheery clothing store with an eponymous line designed by a former British Vogue fashion editor.
44 Monmouth St., 44-20-7240-7835
Products: Women’s Clothing

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO
Quirky basement-level retailer with a street-chic mix of up-and-coming collections.
4 Brewer St., 44-20-7437-1259
Products: Women’s Clothing

Shops in Islington:

ANNIE’S VINTAGE COSTUME AND TEXTILES
Discover a trove of gorgeous dresses from the ’20s and ’30s.
12 Camden Passage, 44-20-7359-0796
Products: Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Jewelry

ATELIER ABIGAIL AHERN
Warm, welcoming shop filled with globally sourced objects that have a minimalist feel.
137 Upper St., 44-20-7354-8181
Products: Jewelry, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

EQUA
Eco-chic goods for the home and body.
28 Camden Passage, 44-20-7359-0955, equaclothing.com
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Women’s Clothing, Beauty

LABOUR OF LOVE
Expect a range of trend-making pieces by little-known European names.
193 Upper St., 44-20-7354-9333, labour-of-love.co.uk
Products: Women’s Clothing

LOLLIPOP LONDON
Stylish, wearable shoes from a coterie of young designers.
114 Islington High St., 44-20-7226-4005
Products: Shoes

PALETTE LONDON
Collectible vintage clothing and accessories, plus choice picks from rising talents.
21 Canonbury Ln., 44-20-7288-7428, palette-london.com
Products: Denim, Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Furniture, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

Shops in Marylebone:

ALFIES ANTIQUE MARKET
Get lost meandering through this antique bazaar.
13-25 Church St., 44-20-7723-6066, alfiesantiques.com
Products: Jewelry, Antiques, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

JEZEBELL
Hip, unpretentious boutique co-owned by the wife of the bassist for Coldplay.
59 Blandford St., 44-20-7935-7109, jezebell.co.uk
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry

KABIRI
Modern jewelry from emerging names in a sleek, minimalist environment.
37 Marylebone High St., 44-20-7224-1808, kabiri.co.uk
Products: Jewelry

KJ’S LAUNDRY
A new shop brimming with one of the city’s best selections of young designers.
74 Marylebone Ln., 44-20-7486-7855, kjslaundry.com
Products: Women’s Clothing

MINT
Home-design powerhouse offering labels like Maarten Baas and Hella Jongerius.
70 Wigmore St., 44-20-7224-4406, mintshop.co.uk
Products: Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop

NEW LOOK
Solidly cool High Street brand that smartly interprets new trends.
500-502 Oxford St., 44-20-7290-7860, newlook.co.uk
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Shoes

VV ROULEAUX
A madhouse of elegant ribbon—from tartan plaid to silk grosgrain.
102 Marylebone Ln., 44-20-7224-5179, vvrouleaux.com
Products: Books/Stationery

Shops in Notting Hill:

AIMÉ
A wealth of chic French labels, from A.P.C. to Isabel Marant, awaits.
32 Ledbury Rd., 44-20-7221-7070, aimelondon.com
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Tabletop

ALICE & ASTRID
Pretty, pastel-painted spot with delicate, ultra-feminine lingerie.
30 Artesian Rd., 44-20-7985-0888
Products: Lingerie/Loungewear

COCO RIBBON
Entirely girly store with a stellar array of lingerie and swimwear.
21 Kensington Park Rd., 44-20-7229-0555, cocoribbon.com
Products: Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Jewelry

EC ONE
Husband-and-wife-owned jewelry boutique beloved for its unusual semiprecious and precious pieces.
184 Westbourne Grove, 44-20-7243-8811
Products: Jewelry

HAND
Head down a quiet mews to unearth globally sourced objects for the home.
11 Colville Mews, 44-20-7792-1292
Products: Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

HEIDI KLEIN
A famed swimwear resource offering a spot-on array of bikinis, tanks, and caftans by hard-to-find names.
174 Westbourne Grove, 44-20-7243-5665, heidiklein.co.uk
Products: Swimwear

NATURAL HISTORY
Outstandingly cool examples of Victorian taxidermy abound.
286 Westbourne Grove, 44-20-8926-7297
Products: Gifts/Design

ONE
Luxe retailer of high-end clothing made from remnants of antique fabrics.
30 Ledbury Rd., 44-20-7221-5300
Products: Women’s Clothing

PAUL SMITH
Brit designer who combines style with wearability.
122 Kensington Park Rd., 44-20-7727-3553, paulsmith.co.uk
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags

PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET
Weekly outdoor antiques and vintage-clothing juggernaut.
Portobello Road between Pembridge Road and Golborne Road, no phone
Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Antiques, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design

SERA OF LONDON SHOP
Lavish lingerie destination known for pinup-girl-style underthings.
3 Lonsdale Rd., 44-20-7467-0799
Products: Lingerie/Loungewear, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop

WILD AT HEART
Famed florist, recently expanded to accommodate a wealth of luxe housewares.
49A Ledbury Rd., 44-20-7221-6434
Products: Outdoor

Shops in Hampstead and Primrose Hill:

MAIDEN
Load up on earthy-luxe items for the home, like cotton-fringe towels.
9 Princess Rd., 44-20-7449-0770, maiden-uk.com
Products: Beauty, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design

COCHINECHINE
Quaint bilevel spot rife with exceedingly hip lines.
74 Heath St., 44-20-7435-9377
Products: Women’s Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry