Compiled by Nicoline Greer
PATCHED UP The days of gritting teeth and wincing to remove a plaster could be over for you. Compeed's new liquid bandage takes a high-tech approach to cuts and scrapes. You squeeze on four drops of the liquid and it forms a clear, breathable seal over the injured area, keeping out water and dirt, and providing a healing environment. Once it dries, you can move it around, scratch it and wash it. And the fact that it is transparent might appeal to men who are prone to walking around with little bits of tissue attached to their face after shaving. Compeed Liquid Bandage, from chemists and supermarkets. €9.99 for approx. 10 applications.
BABY IN PRINT When Jane Craven had Molly, her first baby, last year, she was showered with gifts from friends and family. She wanted to send a unique thank-you card and with that idea, a business was also born. Babycards.ie is a service where people can choose colour, design and quantity from the selection on the website. You then attach a photo of your baby to be incorporated into the card. Within a couple of days customers receive a set of unique cards with envelopes. For those who haven't quite mastered the web, there is also the option to post the photo of your baby with an order form. There are templates for announcement cards, thank-you cards and christening cards. €99 for 50 cards (www.babycards.ie, jane@babycards.ie, 01-4960365)
KIDS KICK OFF As part of the International Dance Festival, The Ark in Temple Bar, Dublin, is running a workshop in Brazilian Capoeira for children tomorrow. Capoeira is a combination of martial arts, dance and acrobatics from Brazil. Prof Sansao, who came to Dublin to set up Dublin's ever-expanding Capoeira school, Oficina da Capoeira, will take the workshop. Capoeira comes from the days when African slaves were imported to Brazil. When self-defence was prohibited by the slave owners, the slaves hid their martial arts practice in a dance. The displays of balance, strength and flexibility was a practical training, and a means of restoring self-worth and power to those deprived of freedom. But children taking part in this workshop may be more concerned with the fact that it is just plain old good fun. Capoeira workshop for ages seven to nine, tomorrow, 11 a.m.-12.30 p.m. at The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (01-6707788)
DO THE FUNKY CHICKEN Fret no more about the plight of the cooped-up chickens that lay your eggs. Keeping your own is one way to be sure that the sunny side is up for them as well as you. The most stylish way to do this is with the new Eglu, a futuristic-looking chicken house designed for keeping a couple of chickens, even if you don't live in the countryside. It's the brainchild of four Royal College of Art graduates in the UK who set up the industrial design company Omlet. They recommend a fenced garden of minimum 6x8 metres and also provide a fox-proof run so your chickens can peck around when they are not snoozing or laying your brekkie. To find out more about how to do it, enrol in a poultry-keeping course at the Organic Centre, Leitrim, which deals with all aspects of keeping poultry at home including the time and effort required. Poultry-keeping course, 19th June, €75 at The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim (071-9854338, organiccentre@eircom.net). Eglu by Omlet (www.omlet.co.uk, 00-44-129-5750094)
UNDERGROUND SALE The common advice about sales is that if you wouldn't buy something at full price, don't buy it discounted. The other side is that cheap prices allow you to be adventurous and try things that you might not ordinarily buy. There's a sale on today by a group of Irish designers at The Vaults in Dublin 1: go to the rails of those you've never bought from before and take a second look at the style, colour or shape you usually stay away from. Being impulsive is half the fun. Those taking part include Deborah Veale, Helen Cody, Mary Gregory, Helen McAlinden, Helen James, Mary Grant and Lyn Mar. All these sales are essentially about the designers shifting clothes from seasons past, which hardly matters when you can get a Leigh Tucker (above right) white trouser suit for €150 (originally €450) or an Antonia Campbell Hughes (above left) black velvet dress with high ruched collar for €100 (was €350). The last Vaults sale saw queues before the doors opened, so you might want to arrive early. 10.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. at The Vaults, Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1 (01-6054700). Eoin Lyons
MARKET IN THE PARK Blackrock Park, Co Dublin, is the latest addition to a rapidly expanding list of farmers' markets around the country. Accessible via the Rock Road entrance to the park, it runs on Fridays 10 a.m.-3 p.m., year-round, rain or shine. You'll find many of the usual suspects - Denis Healy's organic produce (below), Sheridan's cheese, the Gallic Kitchen's savoury quiches and sandwiches - but there are also newcomers. Check out the organic rashers, sausages, extra-mature Angus beef and eggs at Jens Krumpe's Nenagh-based Terryglass Organics. Colin Fitzpatrick sells locally grown farm-pressed apple juice, and gorgeous purply-black tulips and other flowers. Coffee roaster Michael Kelly is Ireland's only supplier of Amigos Pellos Café from a workers' co-op in Brazil. Beautifully situated with a sea view, the market is the perfect jump-off for a summer picnic in the park. Elizabeth Field
BEYOND BINS
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) has a new website with information on home composting for reducing waste and recycling organic matter. It includes trouble-shooting for those with worm bin or compost bin problems and fact sheets on wildlife gardening and composting courses. www.ipcc.ie, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1 (01-8722397)
FRENCH FOOD FAIR "The French concept of l'aperitif goes beyond a mere drink before a meal. It's time to relax with friends and appreciate the good things in life," says Dominique Geary, chief executive of Sopexa Ireland. The French food and drink marketing body is organising the first L'Aperitif à la Française, an event in the Round Room of the Mansion House in June. This year, 16 cities are taking part. Guests will be able to stroll around a variety of stalls, sampling various French food and drink products available in Ireland. There will also be holidays in France to be won. It will happen on the first Thursday in June every year. L'Aperitif à la Française, June 3rd, 4-7 p.m. in the Round Room, Mansion House. €15 from selected off-licences. For further information, e-mail, aperitif@thedubliner.ie.