It’s that time of year again – the leaves are falling, Christmas lights are already up on Oxford Street and you men and growing staches for charity, specifically for those supporting men’s health. Mo Bros, if you will.

Movember is a time when Mo Bros embrace pogonotrophy (the growing of facial hair) and compete to win the Movember prize! Er, we mean unite to raise vital funds and awareness for causes such as prostate cancer.

Turns out that it’s also a great time for discounts around London as a thank you for helping the cause.

At Penhaligon’s flagship boutique in Covent Garden, Mo Bros can receive a complimentary Mo Trim throughout the month of Movember. This gentleman’s shaving service was in place when Penhaligon’s first opened on Jermyn Street 140 years ago and is back exclusively for Mo Bros.

Meanwhile, free burgers are sizzlin’ on the grill at Byron’s for any Movember member who raises £25. Alternatively, you can order the Movember special: the Gizz-Mo. Created by chef and TV presenter Gizzi Erskine, the Gizz-Mo is a cheeseburger with Welsh Rarebit topping (made from mature Cheddar, smoked Cheddar, English mustard, Guinness and Worcestershire sauce) priced at £8.25 and will appear on the menu as a special throughout Movember. Byron also donates 50p for every Gizz-Mo served.

Lucky Voice in Islington will host a dating night for Mo Bros on Tuesday 22 November. According to Lucky Voice, women find men with moustaches to be “tough, mature, aggressive, dominant, and masculine—and as the best romantic partners, either for a fling or a long-term relationship”. Fascinating! We wish you the best of luck in your ‘tache-related romantic endeavours.

Over at Herman Ze German you Mo Bros can get 25% off sausages and coffee throughout Movember when you show your moustache and sponsorship page.  How’s that for short, sweet and simple?

Finally, you can look for other lip fluff related events here.

He first gave comedy a go at 17 and ever since then, Jason Manford has been winning awards left, right and centre. Not familiar with his work? Please take this opportunity to introduce yourself.

And on 14th November this Manchester FC supporter will release his second DVD, which we’re celebrating by giving away a pair of tickets to see the man himself at the O2 Arena on 29th November.

To win, enter in ONE of the following ways:

1. Email us with the subject line: “I want to see Jason Manford Live!”

2. Retweet our tweet: “RT this to win tickets for Jason Manford live!”

Closes Friday 18th November at 12pm. The prize consists of two tickets to see Jason Manford Live at The O2 on 29th November 2011. To claim this prize, you must be contactable by 1pm on Friday 18th November otherwise it’ll go to the next name drawn. The prize is not transferable, exchangeable for cash or anything other than what’s stated above, and must be redeemed in one visit; them’s the rules, so don’t hate the player, hate the game.

Packaging Design © 2011 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved

Chocolates by Melt

Perhaps when you think of Notting Hill you picture Julia Roberts falling for Hugh Grant against the Portobello Road Market backdrop, spurring fantasies about visiting fictional coffee shops and the closed-down bookstores used as filming locations for Notting Hill the next time you find yourself in the area. Or maybe you’re dreaming of the gorgeous antiques the guide book said you might find here. But forget that; there’s more to this West London neighbourhood than guide books and cinema have to tell you.

Start out at the Electric Brasserie for lunch near the Ladbroke Grove section of Portobello Road. This restaurant/bar/cinema is open daily from 8am and offers outdoor seating year round alongside mainstream and art house films.  However, they are open till midnight (or later) most nights so it also makes a great place to end a long day of traipsing about Notting Hill.

From here pop around the corner to Rough Trade West and listen to some tunes. The shop is much smaller than the Rough Trade East counterpart, but it’s well worth the visit. Also, unlike the Brick Lane sister store this shop isn’t mobbed at the weekends so you can rock out to their pre-selected sample tracks (which come in every genre and are typically excellent incase you aren’t familiar with the Rough Trade ethos) before deciding if you’d like to buy from this independent music shop. And if they don’t have the album out that you’d like to listen to? Not to worry! Just ask any staff member and they’ll be happy to play what you want to hear.

Once you’re done jammin’ to the personalised tunes on the headphones and read up on what in store gigs are on the Rough Trade schedule, it’s probably time for desert. And what better way to do that then take a detour from Portobello Road Market itself and wander over to Ledbury Road for Melt Chocolates.

This shop is filled with handmade luxury chocolates – note the chocolate kitchen at the back of the store – some of which you are free to sample. Keep in mind that the prices can be a bit steep, so make sure to talk with an employee to hear their opinion of the chocolate you are considering buying. Tell them what you like (or dislike) and they can come up with appropriate recommendations just for you. (And if you’re lucky they may even toss a little treat into your final purchase!)

Finally, when you’re ready to relax, you can head towards Holland Park Tube and up the hill to Holland Park. This park is not usually as crowded as other London parks (ie: Hyde Park) but still presents a high standard of horticulture and gardening. Here you can find peacocks wandering about the rose garden and all sorts of fauna, including trees with giant branches that provide excellent shelter from London’s unexpected rain.

All images by Katie Poole