Have a heart

Everyone should have a little Vivienne Westwood in their wardrobes. If the budget doesn't stretch to an iconic bowling bag or orb pendant, check out the more affordable option which is her collaboration with hip Brazilian label, Melissa, who have revolutionised plastic shoes as we know them. Called 'Lady Dragon' this pair is available online from

www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk, €83

Small, perfectly formed

What will the good people at Apple come up with next? The latest addition to the iPod fold is a new, teeny tiny Shuffle. How small? Ridiculously small, about the size of a thumb only thinner. The controls are located in the ear bud cord and the 4GB capacity allows you to store up to 1000 songs. But what's really interesting about it is the new VoiceOver feature. In the past, if you had a few hundred songs on your Shuffle, identifying all of them could be a challenge, but now, the touch of a button can tell you the name of the song or artist you're listening to. €75, www.apple.ie

Veg out

Were you inspired by the pictures of Michelle Obama tending the White House patch of lawn where she intends to grow her own vegetables? You too can follow suit with your own allotment at Hunting Brook, Blessington, Co Wicklow, where they're available to hire for €280 a year. In a random act of kindness, Hunting Brook is offering a free allotment for one year to a deserving person, or group, including free tuition for one person on all of their veg growing courses for 2009, with proprietor Jimi Blake on hand to advise. To suggest someone, send a letter or email to Jimi (Hunting Brook Gardens, Tinode, Blessington, Co Wicklow; jimi@huntingbrook.com), explaining why your candidate should win, before 15 April.

Toast mistress

If you usually lounge around the house in trackie bottoms and slightly grubby oversized tees, it's never too late to up your game. This ottoman rose
silk gown from UK company, Toast, is knee-length with three quarter length sleeves and a light cotton voile lining. It's so pretty that you could pop out to the shops for a pint of milk wearing it
with no shame whatsoever. Get it at www.toast.co.uk, £159

Got a minute to spare?

Book your ticket
now to see the
fabulously funny
Bill Bailey, who's announced extra dates at the Olympia in June. www.ticketmaster.ie

Got Monday evening to spare?

Flame! Join Bell X1 at Vicar Street tomorrow evening, tickets €35

Got Wednesday to spare?

Celebrate the legacy of Bram Stoker at the Dracula exhibition open in the National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. For further Bram Stoker-related events in April, check out www.dublinonecityonebook.ie

Got an afternoon to spare?

Head to Imma where the first exhibition devoted exclusively to the remarkable jewellery by the American artist Alexander Calder, seen here on Anjelica Huston, will open this Wednesday