Environmentally sound

Anyone who camped at the Electric Picnic this summer will probably remember the Silent Disco . . . one of the most entertaining spectacles overseen by two weirdy beardy Dutch DJs. Punters were given a set of cordless headphones broadcasting two different channels of music. While the music was decidedly mainstream and very much disco, the environment was noise-pollution free. The Silent Disco returns to the courtyard area of the PoD next Friday night, no doubt providing much hilarity to the neighbouring cops of Harcourt Street.

A la mode

O2's i-Mode service makes online booking and browsing available at the touch of a mobile keypad and there's already a host of bookmarkable sites available to surf. Forget wap, wifi and broadband . . .

this is the definition of well-connected. The handsets are pretty nifty too, especially the entrylevel NEC phone. At 29 for postpay customers, it's a handy bit of kit.

Boxing clever Make way for designer Sky+ digiboxes. Strictly limited edition, this collector's range has something for every taste and occasion. Unavailable in Ireland, you'll need to work quickly and call 01 6789333.

Ab Fab

Fab (Face and Body) is a new salon that has already earned its place in Ireland's lexicon of beauty. Owned by Emmett O'Neill and Sirin Lewendon, it's one of those calm, bright, white environments where girls gather to indulge in high-end pampering. Get botoxed by one of London's best practitioner's (the visiting Dr Roberto Veal), have a renewing facial peel, some laser work or a collagen facial. Fab is at 4a South Anne Street, Dublin 2 (Tel: 01 633 6640).

Western rising

The Bud Rising Festival travels through Galway, Limerick and Castlebar on 1719 November with gigs that sure beat a Pure Mule night down the local. Republic of Loose play the Royal Theatre, Castlebar (17th) with support from DJ David Holmes (right).

The Zutons and Republic of Loose play The Warwick in Galway (18th) before moving to Dolan's Limerick (19th). And Groove Armada play DJ sets in The Trinity Rooms, Limerick on the 18th and Bar Cuba, Galway on the 19th. See www. budrising. ie

Chocs Away

Aine's Chocolates won not just one but four gold medals at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in London this year. Available at Harvey Nichols or online at www. aineschocolates.com, Aine's Anne Rudden (049 854 2769) also does special commissions. (Bono got a chocolate guitar. )

Jamie's kitchen

Jamie Oliver spends the next few weeks convincing us that there are meals with a more Mediterranean flavour than Spag Bol. Touring Italy in his C4 show (Wednesdays), he discovers gems from street markets, restaurants, families and specialist stores. Jamie's Italy (Penguin) accompanies the series with easily prepared recipes that everyone will want to eat.

Bags us!

Just because you have a baby, doesn't necessarily mean you have to come over all Holly Hobbie. And thankfully, there's baby paraphernalia available that cool mothers will lust after at Serendipity, the kids' clothes shop in Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Check out the Petit Planet nappy bags . . . which cunningly contain 2 changing mats, a leather bottle holder and matching purse. Costing 195 each, they'll last longer than any treasure will stay in nappies, and can then become overnight carriers.