What's your worst technological nightmare? A phone that makes tea, walks the dog and reminds you when your dad's birthday is, perhaps. It's astonishing how often people don't get the most from their various technological bits and bobs, whether through fear or because they don't read the instruction manual. But the Archos GMini 402 is an example of technological convergence that isn't the slightest bit intimidating. It plays up to 5,000 MP3 tracks and you can take photos, watch films (it holds up to 80 hours) and record video footage. And it's not terrifyingly expensive either . . . the price is 298.49 from Dixons.

Strung Out

It's a muso's delight at the Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks when an exhibition called 'RockChic . . . The Life and Times of the Electric Guitar' opens on 24 November.

This celebration looks back on 75 years of the instrument and features rare and vintage guitars, including the very first electric guitar, the Frying Pan. Guitars owned by Carlos Santana, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan are included, as well as some from Christina Aguilera and Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand. The exhibition also features a display of customised instruments from Jennifer Lopez, Bono and Bryan Adams, using the electric guitar as a bland canvas to tell a story or pay homage to their heroes. Admission is free and check www. museum. ie for details of opening hours.

Modern Life is Rubbish

The authors of the irreverently titled Is it just me or is everything sh*t? are back again to vent their spleen with a second volume. Steve Lowe and Alan MacArthur take on the inanities of all that is wrong in our society isn't as funny as they think it is but it's spot on in parts.

They're right about James Blunt, quite obviously one of the most annoying men on the planet, and other wellobserved targets include credit cards being marketed as sources of spiritual enlightenment; detox socks and Pete Doherty.

Tree People

There's been a move in recent years towards charitable Christmas gifts, and long may it continue. Vita (formerly known as Refugee Trust International) has introduced a gift scheme where people can buy an oak tree for 100. These trees will then be planted in Marley Park, Rathfarnham in Dublin, numbered and given the purchaser's name. For every oak tree purchased, 35 Moringa trees will be planted in Eritrea and Ethiopia. As every part of this tree can be used for fuel, food and medicine, it's been hailed as one of the world's most useful trees, making a significant difference to the lives of struggling families. To buy a tree call 1850 30 80 90 or visit www. vita. ie

What's On The Box

There's a massive market for toys-for-boys, those often pointless gizmos and gadgets designed for display in spaceage bachelor pads. Although www. firebox. com has such rubbish stuff in spades (Thinking Putty; chocolate fountains; a shelf designed to look like a giant book). It's also the source of some quirky gifts, like a USB turntable, which allows you to put all of your vinyl onto your computer and frames for displaying your digital pics, where you attach a memory card into the slot behind the frame. And forgive us Lord, for we are weak, but we can't help but be intrigued by Dave's Gourmet Adjustable Hot Heat Sauce, an ingenious chilli sauce which can be changed from spicy to life threatening with the turn of a nozzle.

Please Louise

When we grow up, we want to spend our days looking winsome, loitering elegantly on staircases in grand old houses and dressed in a Louise Kennedy evening dress. We can but dream of such a decadent existence but getting the look at least isn't beyond the realms of possibility. Grown up glamour is where it's at this season, and nobody does it as elegantly as Louise Kennedy.

Kennedy's attention of detail and fine handiwork . . . think beading, crochet, embroidery . . . and use of beautiful fabrics are in evidence, and the colour palates is rich. It's for the woman who wants to look alluring, demure and feminine all at once.

56 Merrion Square Dublin 2,

Doll Face

Contrary to what you might think, Barbie jewellery is not the preserve of the under-10s. Well, not when it's a Swarovski crystal collection from jewellery designer Tarina Tarantino. Tarantino (great name) is known for her witty, cute and whimsical designs and for this range, she's dug in Mattel's archive, as far back as 1959 and this pendant with glass pearl, lucite and crystal drop charms (pictured) gives the doll a Bridgette Bardot classicism. If you'd like to go all out, she also stocks a blue crystal Barbie tiara, but better stick to the black and pink range to stay on the right side of kidult. www. tarinatarantino. com

Fine Dining

John and Sally McKenna's considerations on all things food related are taken very seriously by both the hospitality industry itself, as well as the restaurant goer, who can rely on the McKennas' commitment to culinary excellence to guide them to the best eateries in Ireland. With their latest books, The Bridgestone 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland 2007 and Bridgestone 100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland 2007, they sing the praises of long-established places like L'Ecrivain and Chapter One, as well as welcoming new arrivals like The Winding Stairs and Fallon & Byrne, while castigating so called four-star establishments for their blandness.

Don't eat out or check in with reading these first.

Price 10 Claire O'Mahony hotshots@tribune. ie