WORDS FROM THE WISE Brazilian author Paolo Coelho is one of the world's best loved and most widely read authors, as sales of his book, The Alchemist (translated in 61 languages and over 75 million copies sold) will attest. His mix of spirituality, the supernatural and mysticism is distilled in a new compilation of his most enlightening quotations taken from The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage and Eleven Minutes, as well as from previously unpublished works and interviews.

Beautifully illustrated, Life: Selected Quotations is the book to keep at hand when the weight of the world descends upon you. Are you fearful of change and of the future? Turn to page 64 where Coelho tells you: "A boat is safest when it is in port but that is not what boats were built for". Out next month

BAG IT UP Not won over by the profusion of floral prints dominating clothes shops at present?

There's no shame it that because the fear of looking like a pair of curtains is ever present.

Go subtle instead with some floral-themed accessories like this shopper from Oilily, which is made from ribsatin, with a rose print and yarn embroidery. It's summery, it's chic and hardworking, the latter obviously being the most important when you're trying to carry a bag of baby potatoes home from the shop.

Get it at Clerys, Shaws, McCabes pharmacies and Sam McCauley chemists, price Euro79

AXE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE Lovers of classical guitar have a treat in store when the fourth Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland takes place from 27 June - 1 July all around Dublin, including a number of free concerts in Temple Bar.

Highlights include John Feeley in St Ann's Church on Dawson Street on 28 June, Welsh prodigy Gareth Pearson (pictured) in Meeting House Square on 28 June and the world's premier classical guitar ensemble, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet in the National Concert Hall on 30 June.

The popular tuition courses in both steel-string and classical guitar will be taking place again, but places are limited so book early. Check out www. guitarfestivalofireland. com or you can buy tickets by phoning 059 9146287.

We have five pairs of tickets to see the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet play. To enter, send your name, address and contact details to hotshots@tribune. ie.

Good luck!

PUCKER UP You've got to love hip make-up brand Benefit, on lots of levels. The packaging is quirky and a trip to one of their counters will get you the best brow wax in town. Many of their products like lip and cheek stain Benetint, blush and bronzer combo Dallas and highlighter High Beam are cult classics but never one to rest on its laurels, the company just keeps coming up with new creations that are impossible to resist. The latest product is a lipgloss. Ah, but not any lipgloss. California Kissin' is a lip shine with a slight blue sheen to make teeth seem whiter and a minty taste that freshens the breath.

We're sold. Euro20.50 from Benefit counters in Arnotts and Brown Thomas, www. benefitcosmetics. com

BUY IT THIS WEEK Be a bad boy in a T-shirt from Affliction, the LA label worn by athletes, rockers and hard men. Get them at Genius, 6A Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Clarendon street, Dublin 2 (01 6729350), the only Irish stockist carrying the label at present. Price Euro59.99-Euro65

NUTS ABOUT KNUTTEL Graham Knuttel has scarcely left his studio in recent times, in preparation for his forthcoming exhibition at the Leinster Gallery, South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. The artist has been working for up to 15 hours a day over the last three years and now 10 new tapis will be on display.

This is the first time that all four of the mediums in which he works - painting, sculptures, tapestries and rugs - will be exhibited under the one roof and also on view is the chess set which he collaborated on with David Linley, the furniture maker and son of the late Princess Margaret. 13 June-7 July. Visit www. knuttel. com