A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Bridal rail sale
Take note, brides to be, of a special clearout sale in Emporium Kalu in Naas next Saturday and Sunday, January 21st-22nd, when all bridal and evening wear will be substantially reduced.
The dress by Catherine Deane (who was born in Ireland and now lives in Hong Kong) is €555.60, reduced from €1,389.
An off-the-shoulder red dress by Jenny Packham (worn by the Duchess of Cambridge in silver) was €1,680 and is now €672; both colours are in the sale. Other designers – with 60 per cent reductions – include Alice by Alice Temperley, Roberto Cavalli and John Galliano. Tel: 045-896222.
Deirdre McQuillan
CULTURE FOR TOTS
The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History at Collins Barracks, Dublin is launching Babies On Board (BOB), a free monthly tour for parents, grandparents or carers with infants. Starting on January 26th, artist Liz Smith leads a search for hidden animals lost in the museum, followed by a story and puppet show. Brambles Cafe offers discounted lunch for BOB members.
The cafe is also baby/breastfeeding and toddler friendly. Places are limited. See museum.ie, tel: 01-6777444.
Take a ride on the poetry bus
Climb aboard PB3, issue three of The Poetry Bus, a labour of love from Peadar O'Donoghue, who was made redundant two years ago.
He managed to get Roddy Doyle, who he had never met but made laugh on Facebook, to write Two Pints, a story of two auld fellas slagging off poetry in the pub. The publication is richly illustrated throughout. The decorative trawl through the spoken word includes work by the new wave of young Irish poets most notably Sarah Clancy and Sarah Maria Griffin. International works are also present; Hymn to a Hurricane by poet/photographer Rachel Elizah Griffiths looks at New Orleans and the impact of Hurricane Katrina. Missing Peace is written and illustrated by street artist Adw. The publication is for sale for €8 in The Winding Stair (01-8726576, winding-stair.com) and for €10 online (including PP) at thepoetrybus.blogspot.com.
Alanna Gallagher
Baby love
Congratulations to Beyoncé and Jay-Z on the birth of their daughter Blue Ivy Carter (Jay-Z’s real name is Shaun Carter), but what to buy the girl who has everything? A present with wow factor is the heirloom jewel coat (pictured left) from Lanvin Petite, the French label’s first children’s line. Heirlooms don’t come cheap, though: this beige silk/cotton mix coat costs €495 and given that the label dresses little girls aged between four and 10, Blue Ivy Carter will have to grow into it. Available at Brown Thomas’s Children’s Rooms (01-6056666, brownthomas.com).
Sophie the Giraffe is the must have for infants under three, says Pearl boutique owner and mother-of-four Sara Spencer. “Made from natural rubber, she is the perfect shape for little ones to hold and chew.” Originating in Paris in the 1960s, Sophie celebrates her 50th anniversary this year and is well priced at €19.90. See pearl.ie, tel: 01-6334817.
Alanna Gallagher
Go green
Encourage green fingers by taking the kids on a free guided tour of the Botanic Gardens in Dublin on Sundays at noon and 2.30pm. Explore the glasshouses, spot the first snowdrops and crocuses of the year and measure your height against some of its fine trees. One, a purple beech, is more than 200 years old. The tour is weather dependent. Tel: 01-8040300 or see botanicgardens.ie.
ZUMBA NATION
Zumba is the latest exercise craze sweeping the country – mostly because it doesn’t feel like exercise. Targeting the waistline while boosting energy levels, it’s a great way to dance away the January blues (and those Christmas pounds). See Zumbaireland.com for details of classes in your area. There’s a drop-in class at Sportsco on South Lotts Road, Dublin 4 on Monday and Wednesday nights, €10 per session.
