A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Index
What's hot
White roses at ChristmasAnd the trusty poinsettia. In fact, any flowers at all will be very gratefully received
Kate Middleton's Zara's lace dressOf course it sold out in minutes. Can't wait for HRH to discover Penneys/Primark.
'Rev'Our favourite funny programme, it is gentle but clever. On at an earlier time than usual, 9.30pm, Tuesday, December 20th on BBC2
Flat shoesAll the models at the Chanel Metiers d'Arts show paraded in flats. Yes!!
Irish Design StudioOn Bow Lane (behind Stephen's Green Shopping Centre) and now also functioning as the RHA gift shop, in Ely Place. The felt snowflake placemats and coasters are ideal for the man (or woman) who has everything
M&S full length lurex cardiganIt will cheer you up, make you look smart and cover a multitude, for €60
Christmas books ordered by e-mail from the Winding Stair bookshopReady for collection when we eventually get into town for the last-minute shopping dash
Evensong, courtesy of carollersHow lovely to fa-la-la-la-la along at the start of a night out, not on our sorry way home
Free eventsIncluding Dublin Writers; Born Here, Lived Here, Wished We Were Here evening next Wednesday, December 21st at St Nicholas of Myra Parish Centre, off Francis Street, 8pm
Dublin ZooHoping to hit the one million visitor mark this year, and a new ticket price of €2.50 until the end of the month
WHAT’S NOT
The OnesieNot even as nightwear. Not even in the winter. Never
Carrying too many shopping bags can give you tennis elbowYes, it is pretty sore, actually
Leap integrated transport ticketsGreat idea, but buying one is pretty tricky
Morning after the night beforeWe don't want to know what you got up to last night, what your blood-alcohol level might be, or who you woke up with
Fur giletsOnly for the very, very slim. Shame really
Queuing In the cold . . .it may be Christmas, but nothing is worth the frostbite. Move on people
Artful songster
With just days to go before bidding closes on his Fundit.ie campaign to record his next album, Chequerboard’s (aka John Lambert) beautiful montages on old vinyl records are the perfect last-minute Christmas present. Patrons who pledge €75 or more for Lambert’s bid to record his next album with the world-class producer Ken Thomas (he of Sigur Ros, Cocteau Twins, M83 fame) will receive an archival quality art print, while those who bid €500 will be rewarded with an original montage (valued at up to €1,000) in a package that also includes two different art prints, a personalised Chequerboard postcard, a signed vinyl edition of the album, a download of his full back catalogue and a ticket to the album launch gig. The art pieces make for gorgeous gifts, while supporting Irish music at the same time. Patrons can offer any amount, with rewards starting from €10.
Emma Somers
Crackers about cockers
Are you dotty about Dalmatians? Bats about Boxers? Loopy about Lurchers? You’ll find hundreds of doggy delights in Oh My Dog, a book of photographs selected by Chris Deakin from the thousands that besotted humans send, with loving details and catchy captions, to his website ohmydog.ie. Every page guarantees a smile, from one-eyed Winky pirouetting at Portrane to sassy Pippa (right) gloriously juxtaposed with her castle, and from brown-eyed Bronson with his lookalike teddy to a brace of Irish Setters giving the Bus Éireann ad a run for its money. The book costs €11.60, including pp, of which €2 will be donated to All For Animals, an umbrella organisation for animal welfare groups all over Ireland. Order online from ohmydog.ie.
Joyce Hickey
A very tartan Christmas
We’ve seen the Tommy Hilfiger family Christmas card ads – complete with skis and basset hound – now meet the bratty teen of the clan. This preppy princess is cosy in her checks and tartans, complete with patchwork pet named Morgan and costing €89.90. Clearly the Hilfiger mansion is chilly this Christmas, what with polo necks worn under pyjamas. The Daisy Wool Slippers (€65) and Hilary Pyjama Set (€59.90) are just two of the decadent holiday gifts available at the Grafton Street store. Who knows, even the most indifferent teen might muster a smirk on Christmas morning with the Holly Medium Tote (€125).
Rachel Murphy
Gastronomy on a molecular level
Molecular gastronomy has been modish in restaurants for several years with leading practitioners Ferran Adrià and Heston Blumenthal tantalising taste buds with their edible theatre. Now foodies can try the science at home and show off to party guests thanks to Fallon Byrne's molecular cooking sets. The €44.95 set includes recipes that use popping sugar (like old-fashioned Space Dust), alginsphere to make those textural caviar-style balls, as well as scientific kit such as graduated pipettes and a draining spoon. Fans of Come Dine With Me will love its upstaging possibilities. See fallonandbyrne.com, tel: 01-4721010.
Alanna Gallagher
Look Ma, no pedals
When three Irish women set up companies selling toddler bikes with no pedals, they were met with a barrage of questions from puzzled parents. No pedals? How does that work, exactly? And what about stabilisers? Just over a year later, children scooting expertly around playgrounds on pedal-free balance bikes are a familiar sight, and Santa is expected to be packing plenty of them in his sack come Christmas Eve. Helen Hudson from Co Dublin began importing lightweight Strider Bikes (striderbikes.ie) in October last year after seeing children as young as 18 months zipping around a campsite in Italy. "It has definitely grown by word of mouth," she says. Her bikes cost €99 including delivery and can be adjusted for use by children from 18 months up to five years. "People understand the concept more now and love the fact that they cut out the need for stabilisers as children make the transition to regular pedal bikes with no fuss having learnt to balance already."
Cath Booth and Ulrike Bischoff are friends living in Co Meath who coincidentally set up balancebikes.ie around the same time as Hudson started her business. Their range starts from €59. "We've seen a huge increase in children using them which is great because these bikes encourage young children's natural intuitive skills," says Booth.
Roisin Ingle
Too cool for school
The Cambridge satchel is the hit bag story of the year having won the hearts of fashionistas and the frugal alike. An unlikely It bag, this hardy leather design is everything designer arm candy isn't – democratic, fun and affordable. Part of the secret to its success is its fabulous colour range, which includes super-hip metallics. Stockists can't keep up with demand, but Bow boutique in Powerscourt Town House in Dublin has several styles still available including fluro green, sunny yellow and pink, costing from €115 to €130. See bowpowerscourt.com, tel: 01-7071763.
Alanna Gallagher
Secret Sash
These storage books by House Doctor can secrete away jewellery, cigarettes, cigars, or even a naggin of your favourite alcohol. The book boxes are hardback and come in a giant paperback format. Pop discreetly into your bookshelves or leave with your bedside reading material. There are three designs available, €17.50 each, from Article in the Powerscourt
Townhouse Centre. See articledublin.com, tel: 01-6799268.
Alanna Gallagher
Kiely style in Soho
New York shoppers who find themselves in Soho will feel at home in Orla Kiely's Mercer Street store which houses her complete collection of bags, accessories, homewares, stationery and now beauty products. Designed by Dublin architects Architecture Republic, the fitout is based on a giant dolls' house with individual rooms decorated with the latest wall paper designs and fabrics. Meanwhile, if you can't make it to NY this year, the Kilkenny shop has a great range of Kiely homewares that come boxed and ready to wrap. Cheerful mugs from €8.95. For more from NY, read Catherine Cleary's review of Per Se, Thomas Keller's restaurant in the Time Warner Centre.
Creepy Christmas
Smyths Toys has been terrifying arachnophobes with its hyper-real remote control tarantula (€16.99). It is creepily life-like and will give messers of all ages a chance to pit their wits against relatives this Christmas. Expect peals of laughter and squeals of terror. Stock is limited, and don't forget to buy batteries.
Alanna Gallagher
