Out of the shadows
A remarkable photographic talent was lost when Harry Thullier Jnr died in 1997, aged 33. His lasting legacy is a beautiful and ethereal body of work, currently on display in the Cherryland Gallery in Delgany, Co Wicklow until 10 April. As a result of losing 80% of his photographic eye in 1990 (he was attacked with a bottle while photographing street punks in Dublin) he sought to find alternative ways of expressing himself through photography. This led him to the platinum palladium printing process, a largely forgotten technique, which was developed in England in the 1870s. Thullier's work is by turns melancholy and uplifting, and this is the first time that prints of his work are available for sale. See www. cherrylanefinearts. com

Let your eyes go a-wandering
Lonely Planet has cornered the market in reliable, inspirational travel writing for the independent wanderer. Its latest tome, The Cities Book, is a slick, beautifully photographed depiction of 200 of the world's most vibrant cities, from the obvious (Paris, New York and Barcelona) to the less namechecked (Thimpu in Bhutan and Apia in Samoa). Stats such as population, city origins and an account of the city's past, present and future are presented alongside information on the best places to eat, drink and go out. A suitably glossy coffee table addition and guaranteed to induce a severe bout of wanderlust.

La bella vita
Are you a spirited, sophisticated, confident sort of female? Do you love life and spontaneity and being playful? If so, Italian design house Missoni has your number. Its new fragrance, Missoni Profumi, was created with this colourful individual in mind, blending hints of Italian lemon, rose, mandarin and Gianduia chocolate. If the luscious smell doesn't get you, the packaging will. The eau de parfum spray bottles (from 56) come in red, orange and magenta, decorated with the signature Missoni fabric and brown cord, and if you really want to push the boat out, the parfum concentrate ( 300) is presented in a clear lucite box in a pretty cushioned pouch of Missoni material.

Available from Brown Thomas.

Happy Camper
Until now, Irish fans of Spanish shoe label Camper had to buy online or get their shoes abroad. But now devotees of the brand, whose unique selling point is quirky functionality, can stock up at the new Camper store at 10 Wicklow Street Dublin.

Spring/Summer collection highlights:

the Peu Herba for boys, a flexible espadrille that fits the foot perfectly, and for ladies, the Minie, a high heel that scores in the style and more unusually, the comfort stakes. The unisex offerings are also worth checking out.

Spring into spring
Spas were once the preserve of the rich and the indolent. They're now very necessary pit stops on the road to wellbeing, but back in 1996, their measure was largely unknown. So when Powerscourt Springs Health Farm opened its doors 10 years ago this month, it took a little time for the idea of a 'pampering' spa (as opposed to a 'dieting' health farm) to sink it.

How quickly we were won overf Now there is no stopping the proliferation of the spa scene, but Powerscourt Springs remains the original and the best in the eyes of many. Over the years the number of bedrooms and treatment rooms has increased and a tranquillity room, day room and Sensory Garden have been added, but the essence of the spa remains unchanged . . . excellent food and superb treatments in the most relaxed of environments.

I should cocoa
When you think about it, there's rarely an occasion where chocolate isn't appropriate.

When you've been dumped by your boyfriend, eat chocolate. When you deserve a treat, eat chocolate. When completely stuck for present ideas on birthdays and anniversaries, chocolate once again saves the day. But it really comes into its own at Easter, when eating your own body weight in the stuff is actively encouraged. Master chocolatier Lindt has been in the business since 1845 and it clearly appreciates the needs of a true chocolate lover because its Gold Easter Bunny weights in at a whopping 1kg. If you'd like to test your choc mettle, we have five Gold Bunnies (worth 49.99) and five Plush Bunnies (worth 19.99 to give away). Email your entry to hotshots@tribune. ie with your name, address, telephone number. Winners will be notified.

Play it again Sam
Embrace your literary side this month with a celebration of one of Ireland's most important writers. Twenty events are scheduled to mark the Samuel Beckett Centenary Festival, which is running from 6 to 29 April. The Gate presents new productions of Endgame, Play, and Waiting for Godot among the highlights. Beckett's Ghosts, at the Project Arts Centre, is a rare chance to see some of his later plays and the festival lineup includes plenty of outdoor events. The American artist Jenny Holzer is to cast projections of quotations from Beckett's work onto Dublin landmarks. See www. gate-theatre. ie and www. beckettcentenaryfestival. ie for more information.