Costume jewellery king Kenneth Jay Lane does the most covetable strawberry pendent ever but tap into the trend and save the cents by buying this instead.

Strawberry pendant, New Look, Euro9

FOOD KINGDOM DON some unrestrictive clothing if you plan on attending the Gourmet Extravaganza Weekend at the Muckross Park Hotel on March 9-10. Michelin-starred restaurateurs Derry and Sallyann Clarke of L'Ecrivian have come together with Jackie Lavin and Bill Cullen to host the event.

Friday starts off with a tasting menu and Saturday finishes up with a gala dinner attended by the French Ambassador, Frederic Grasset. A sublime gourmet experience is assured. A two. night stay including ticket to both events is Euro390 pps. The one night stay including gourmet dinner is Euro235 pps. Tel 064 23400.

www. muckrosspark. com

GO WILDE THE tale of illicit passion and obsessive love makes any production of Oscar Wilde's Salome worth checking out.

But when Alan Stanford stages it and plays Herod, with Fiona O'Shaughnessy as Salome and set design by Robert Ballagh, this is must-see theatre.

It's coming to the Gate Theatre for only three weeks, starting 15 March, so book now as this will be a very hot ticket.

AGA SAGA FORGIVE us our Aga obsession but they symbolise the kind of dreamy, domesticated way of living that you fantasise about as you queue with your microwavable shepherd's pie in Tesco. Spending too long looking at lace doilies in Laura Ashley can produce the same effect but lifestyle aspirations aside, Agas are fine solid cooking legends that you won't regret investing in. Its not marketing speak when they talk about the distinct Aga taste.

The company have opened a new store at City Quarters, Lapps Quay in Cork (the only other Irish store is in Dun Laoghaire). You might see us there, sighing and caressing cookers in a slightly inappropriate fashion.

MOTHER LOVE Next Sunday is Mother's Day. So prepare to treat the Marge in your life to something really special and avoid the usual "I thought you were getting her something" hurled amongst siblings, get the act together now and sort out something lovely for her next weekend.

Make her afternoon tea. If baking one from scratch is beyond your capabilities, pop into Marks and Spencers and pick up this butterfly one instead. Madeira sponge, butter cream and jam filling (so good), soft icing and hand decorated with butterflies. �8.99 .

Get her portrait done.

Photographs are lovely, personal presents.

Venture in Dun Laoghaire and Swords has a Mother's Day offer of �60, worth �250.

This includes a photos session and a 10 x 4 framed image Some smellies. Crabtree and Evelyn's Nadira Body Meringue Cream has a blend of gardenia, Moroccan rose, amber and sandalwood. Nourishing, smells divine and costs �20. From department stores and pharmacies A you-and-her trip to Sligo. The Radisson SAS Sligo Hotel and Spa at Rosses Point has a special Mother's Day offer. For �200 per person sharing, you and your mum will get one night's midweek accommodation (with a glass of bubbly on arrival); buffet breakfast and pampering in the Solas Spa, including some treatments. Valid from March 12-23 and booking essential. Tel 071 914 0008. W www. sligo. radissonsas. com

OR WHAT ABOUT. . .

�Lunch at the Merrion Hotel. The Cellar restaurant is hosting a three course-lunch to celebrate. It's an extensive menu including dishes Portobello mushroom soup with tarragon cream and seared fillet of haddock with Savoy cabbage, cockles, mussel and herb broth with smoked salmon. All mums get a gift upon leaving as well. �49. Call 01 6030600 or visit www. merrionhotel. com � A pampering session in Cork. Inchydoney has pulled out all the stops with its Mother's Day package - wine, chocolate and fruit basket on arrival, dinner, accommodation in an ocean view room, with a full Irish breakfast. Weekends cost �250 pps, with 10% service charge at weekends and �200 pps midweek, plus 10% service charge. Tel 023 33143.

W: www. inchydoneyisland. com