CLEAN YOUR COUTURE A new service specialising in the cleaning and preservation of cherished items of clothing such as wedding or couture dresses, Christening robes and family heirlooms has just opened in Dublin.
Couture Care is the brainchild of former museum conservator, Erica Devine, who has worked for the National Museum and the National Trust and has all the specialist skills necessary to care for items which pose problems for dry cleaners. Her website, www.couturecare.ie also gives tips on how to choose dry cleaners. Some solvents, for example, dissolve beads, and some garments should not be dried at certain temperatures. She claims she can return any item "to salon condition", packing it in handmade, museum standard acid-free boxes along with cotton "researcher" gloves and desiccant sachets. Prices start at €190 for the Gold Service and from €250 upwards for very complex garments. Preservation kits start at €26.50 for small items, and go up up to €69.50 for larger items. Couture Care, 01-2401385, 085-1498831. Deirdre McQuillan
TIGHT SQUEEZE As a publicity stunt, it hits the mark, but who will part with €320 for a pair of tights? That's the price tag on what must be the most expensive piece of hosiery in the world, which goes on sale in the new Harvey Nichols shop in Dundrum at the end of this month. The tights are studded with Swarovski crystals - you need to wear gloves putting them on - and were made by New York designer Zac Posen for Wolford. They made their leggy debut during New York fashion week earlier this year. Harvey Nichols acquired seven pairs for their Knightsbridge and Dublin stores and have already sold two in London, while Dublin will receive just one pair. "I won't apologise for Harvey Nichols selling quality goods," says Harvey Nichols press manager Richard Gray, defending the price, "if you want cheap tights, Tesco is just down the road." Deirdre McQuillan
PAINT IT GREEN Whether you are painting your walls magnolia or duck-egg blue, you can also make sure they are green. Painter Gerard Greene will give demonstrations in Leitrim about the preparation and use of natural paints at the Green Festival in the northwest, which begins next Friday. He learnt about natural paints in Denmark, and can show how to make paints of various colours for use inside and out. The events in Leitrim and surrounding counties in the northwest cover heritage, environment, health, the arts and food. Book yourself in for one of the "Food Glorious Food" events - such as the Gastronomic and Musical Surprise in the Courthouse Restaurant at Kinlough (September 27th, book on 071-9842391) or the Slow Food event next Saturday at the Benwiskin Centre in Ballintrillick, north Sligo, where everyone brings along their favourite dish and then goes on a wild food forage to collect and cook berries, mushrooms, nuts and seaweed. The Green Festival Sept 16th-25th, http://thegreenfestival.com, 071-9854338. Nicoline Greer
CRAFTY MOVE A weekly craft and furniture market, selling pieces not readily available in shops, joins the line-up of outdoor markets in Dublin's Temple Bar next weekend. The Temple Bar Craft and Furniture Market in Meeting House Square (Sundays between 12pm and 6pm), will have 35 stalls selling furniture from up-and-coming designers, alongside original craft pieces and small furnishings such as this lamp (right) from Enlightenment Lighting, which costs from €40. Marie-Claire Digby
MUMS ON THE RUN It seems a shame that only mothers are supposed to use OiOi bags; they look so good. The Australian bags are specially designed for baby paraphernalia, with pockets and compartments for wipes, nappies and creams and they are lined with a wipe-clean fabric. They come with a changing mat, bottle holder and a PVC mess bag. The colours and prints are Orla Kiely-esque - no cutsie little appliqued teddies or furry animals here. From €100 at Bella Mamma, The Triangle, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. (01) 4968598. Nicoline Greer
BOOK THESE COOKS Focaccia; pea risotto; spaghetti with salsa verde and roasted tomatoes; lemon ice-cream; strawberry mascarpone tartlets, and barista-standard cappuccinos and lattes - is it possible to make all this in just two and a half hours? It is if you put yourself in the hands of Vanessa Greenwood, and her team of tutors at Cooks Academy in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Greenwood (pictured above right, with fellow tutor Síle Mannion on the left), has an MBS from the Smurfit Business School and was formerly involved in executive education. A career change led her to begin cooking professionally six years ago, and she spent a year researching and planning Cooks Academy before it opened in Charlemont Terrace, opposite the Dart station, last May. In bright and spacious surroundings you can watch demos given by Greenwood and her team, or sign up for a hands-on course - in which case be prepared for some healthy competition; you want your focaccia to be just as well-risen and as light as your classmates', don't you? Forthcoming classes include Cooking for Toddlers (Sept 15th, 7pm-9.30pm, €45); a sushi workshop (Sept 18th, 10am-12.30pm, €50) and a six-week night class in Nutrition and Wholefood Cookery (Oct 6th-Nov 17th, 7pm-9.30pm, €360). There is also a class entitled Cooking for Blokes (Oct 11th, 7pm-9.30pm, €45) but don't worry, it doesn't mean you'll have to slave over the stove while he relaxes - quite the opposite, actually. www.cooksacademy.com, 01-2145002. Marie-Claire Digby
ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE WEST Rural towns can be "starved of music", according to Charlotte Eglinton of the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO). But towns on the west coast of Ireland will not have to go hungry this month as the ICO goes on tour, taking in eight venues from Limerick to Donegal. Inishbofin, with a population of only 200 people, was packed when the ICO last visited, and they will call there again on this tour. The full list of concert dates is: Limerick, Sept 22nd; Kilkee, Sept 23rd; Clifden, Sept 24th; Inishbofin, Sept 25th; Castlebar, Sept 26th; Letterkenny, Sept 28th; Ballyshannon, Sept 29th; Carrick-on-Shannon, Sept 30th. The tour is sponsored by Murray O'Laoire Architects, and the programme includes Elaine Agnew's new concerto for two violins, The Night of the Big Wind, based on a massive storm in Ireland in 1831, and Boccerini's portrayal of a military band returning to the barracks through the streets of night-time Madrid. ICO West Coast Tour, Sept 22nd-30th. Book on 1890-923543 or 061-331549. Nicoline Greer
CIAO FELLINI Hey, ragazzi! La dolce vita comes to the IFI, Temple Bar, literally, when the Buitoni Italian Film Classics series opens today. Every second Saturday morning at 11am, a different film from the Italian classics canon will be screened, kicking off with Fellini's La Dolce Vita today, and including such favourites as Cinema Paradiso, Il Postino and Life is Beautiful. And, just like the real experience of la dolce vita, they're all free, but you do have to apply for a ticket through www.buitoni-films.ie. So if you've had enough of dolce far niente (sweet laziness), join Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Roberto Benigni and the rest of the Cinecittà crowd for a change of scenery - for free. Christine Madden