Hidden away in a basement on Dublin's South William Street is Proxy, a newish boutique stocking avant-garde, high fashion labels. But this description doesn't do justice to the fashion frisson you'll get when you descend the steps into this little white store space. You may know some of the labels stocked by Dubliner Damien Gahan and Australian Fiona Mullen . . .

Best Behavior, Henrik Vibskov, Reality Studio . . . or you may not. It doesn't matter because here you'll find some of the most divine, covetable clothes available in this city and the prices aren't bad at all either.

51 South William Street, Tel 01 672 436 www. proxy. ie

Show your cards

If you're a bit clever, you'll start thinking about (but not necessarily buying) Christmas presents about now. Do it before your brain is turned to mush by the relentless jangling of piped carols and you panic-buy some terrible perfume coffret. You can't really go astray with the Four Seasons gift card that comes in a swish tissue lined box and can be given for any amount you like, from 5 to 5million. It can be used anywhere in the hotel, including the Seasons Restaurant, the Lounge Lobby, Spa or . . . and this is where it could get dangerous . . . the ICE bar. Get yours from the reception in the Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge.

Beauty's in the eye of the blogger

Rather hilariously, visitors to beauty blog www. beaut. ie (pronounce it beauty) recently voted Jackie Stallone as having the best celebrity make-up. It just goes to show one of two things: that Irish girls have a great sense of humour or that they have no idea how much they need this blog in their lives.

Kirstie and Aisling McDermott, the sisters behind the blog, are self-confessed product sluts who say if they were Golden Girls characters, they would both be Blanche Devereaux. The site is updated a few times a day and features lots of promotions, offers, reviews, DIY beauty recipes and celeb watching. A must for both beauty product junkies and those who have yet to find their way in the world of make-up.

Poster boy

Design Week, which runs from 6-11 November, has an international flavour this year, including some of the leading names in Dutch design, as well as Richard Seymour, one of Europe's leading product designers. A must-see is An Exhibition in Mono which runs from 3-17 November at the Image Now gallery space, 17a New Bride Street, Dublin 8.

Image Now were one of 28 leading graphic design agencies around the world, all given the same brief: to design an A1 poster, in portrait format, using black and white only. Aiden Grenelle's contribution, 'Measure', was described by influential design mag, Creative Review as "stunning" . . . it charts every punch thrown during the Rumble in the Jungle fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali in 1974. Opening hours are 12 noon-5pm Monday-Friday, and you can buy the limited edition posters at www. blanka. co. uk

Milky way kid

Let's hear it for releasing your inner child, and there's nothing as powerful in helping you do so as literary escapism, as the Harry Potter novels will attest. The latest creation to vie for attention of adults and children alike is Tommy Storm by AJ Healy. Set 90 years in the future, it's the story of a boy (Tommy) who is sent to school (of sorts) on the far side of the Milky Way. Here he trains on a space station, learns how to jump through wig-holes and has all kinds of larks, ultimately ending up trying to save the Earth. An interesting tale from a first time author who has many fantastical tales of his own, at one point quitting a job in Goldman Sachs to start a brick factory in South Africa. www. tommystorm. com

Black magic

Heaven knows there are already enough potential addictions out there (X Factor and Toffy Pops especially) so to knowingly put yourself at risk of one of the most addictive things in the modern world is ludicrous. But what can we say except that we still want a Blackberry?

The latest addition to the stable is the Blackberry Pearl 8100, which is the size of a small mobile phone with all the usual Blackberry email benefits, MP3 and video player, as well as a 1.3 MP camera. This small but perfectly formed phone is in O2 stores now and costs 199 (including VAT).

Come into the garden

What's so special about the new Elemis spa at Druid's Glen Hotel and Country Club? Oh, just about everything. The Wicklow setting is spectacular and every aspect of your visit is geared towards soothing the body, mind and spirit . . . something you mightn't think is possible somewhere situated only 30 minutes' drive from Dublin city.

Try an Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap or the Aroma Stone Therapy. Then when you're suitably beautified and chilled out, retire to The Fairways, one of their four dining options, for the healthy options menu. Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow. Tel: 01 287 0800.