VIVA LA BIBA

Relaunched in 2006, iconic label Biba is looking to its '60s and '70s roots this season. Biba 2010 has two collections, both with a vintage theme of unique prints and embellishment. The first is 'Luxe', which is all about the velvet and brocade; the second is 'Soft Metallics' with an emphasis on silk and sheer, and a delicate colour palate. The lily print bell sleeve shift dress, pictured here, is €150 and the collection is going to be available exclusively from House of Fraser, Dundrum Town Centre, launching
9 September. We reckon it's going to fly out of the store

FELINE FINGERS

We are not going to bang on about how animal print is so big for this season. What's left to say about a trend that is now as classic as the trench coat, shift dress or pencil skirt? A whole new generation of animal-print wearers has arisen, for whom the caveat "And not to be worn in a Bet Lynch way" is redundant. Not that there's anything wrong with the perennially popular leopard-print coat, but these fingerless gloves from Accessorize (€18.90) are a very good way of working the look

CRYSTAL SWING

Orchid Home and Garden in Celbridge, Co Kildare, isn't just your average garden centre; it's also a fun day out. There are plenty of fabulous plants of course, but you'll also find a bustling café serving up home-cooked food as well as a pet and aquatic centre with small animals, exotic birds and reptiles. We especially like their home and giftware department, which stocks very lovely indoor and outdoor furniture and products, and we have our eye on this very pretty chandelier. Because everyone needs a chandelier in their lives. See www.theorchard.ie;

tel 01 6288903

BRING HOME THE BACON

Squeal! Not the sound that pigs make but our

reaction to this beyond-cute little porcine

being from Mamas and Papas. Percy Pig is part

of its farmhouse animals range which also

includes Claribel Cow, Melvin Mouse and Dee

Duck. Each character comes with its own

removable name tag with a nursery rhyme

especially for them. Who needs teddy bears

really? They cost €17; see www.mamasandpapas.com