Where do you live and why?
I live in New York, because I love it, and the South of France, near Port Grimaud, because it is the most divine place to be in the summer.

How long have you lived there?
In New York for two years and the South of France for 12.

What advice would you give to a tourist?
Don't get mugged.

What is your earliest London memory?
Coming out of the Tube station as a young child and seeing my aunt's flat in Marble Arch destroyed by the bombings in the Blitz.

What do you miss most when you're out of London?
Black cabs - they really are the best taxis in the world - and the luxury of having milk and newspapers delivered to one's front door.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
Make the green light coming into Trafalgar Square from The Mall last longer: currently the red light lasts over a minute, which holds up traffic down The Mall horribly, while the green light is only on for 13 seconds --it's iniquitous.

What is your life philosophy?
Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death; enjoy each day to the utmost, don't worry about tomorrow too much, and don't sweat the small stuff.

How do you get around town?
I am a heavy user of Computer Cab (although they let me down three times in one day this week) for booking black cabs or a chauffeured car. I hate driving in London.

Which fragrance do you wear?
Joan's Way, a new fragrance by me for me - it's a wonderfully subtle, spicy, sensual and exotic scent which I hope will be coming out next year.

What are your current projects?
My new novel, Misfortune's Daughters, has just been published. It's a family saga filled with fascinating characters, many of whom the reader can identify with.
It took me three years to write and it's my most ambitious novel yet. My husband, Percy Gibson, and I are working to produce a film of a novel called Eddie's Bastard, a coming-of-age story of a grandfather and his illegitimate grandson, and I am also working on a project for British television.

What are your extravagances?
Flying first class - on British Airways, which does Anya Hindmarch flight bags.

What was the last book you bought?
Nemesis, about the feud between Aristotle Onassis and the Kennedys, by Peter Evans. I buy books in Book Soup in Los Angeles, Borders in New York and John Sandoe Books in Chelsea.

Name three shops you rely on.
Allens, my all-time favourite butcher on Mount Street in Mayfair; Manolo Blahnik on Old Church Street in Chelsea; and Pulbrook & Gould on Sloane Street, my favourite florist. Good meat, good shoes and good flowers - all very important!

What was the last play you saw in London and did you enjoy it?
I've just seen the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of Wilkie Collins' novel The Woman in White. Michael Crawford was wonderful.

What was the last CD you bought?
Rod Stewart's The Great American Songbook. I buy CDs at whichever record shop is closest to where I am at the time.

Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
A private home in Acapulco, Mexico; the One & Only Le Touessrok in Mauritius; and the fabulous Pangkor Laut island resort in Malaysia.

What are your favourite home comforts?
Pure linen sheets by Frette and goose-down pillows from Harrods; scented candles by Trapp or Manuel Canovas; fresh flowers every day; and lots of framed photographs of my family.

What items are in your autumn wardrobe? Where did you get them?
As shopping is my hobby, I have bought too many things this season to mention, but I am most pleased with a pair of Dolce & Gabbana alligator-skin boots and a suede, fur-trimmed gilet from Olivier Strelli in St Tropez.

What have been your most memorable London meals?
There are too many to list, but among the most treasured are my wedding dinner at Claridge's, which was simply delicious. My latest book launch was at Marco Pierre White and Frankie Dettori's new restaurant, Frankie's, and I've had many wonderful evenings at Le Caprice and The Ivy.