Compiled by Nicoline Greer
GET THE LINGO
Sex and the City may be gone, but the evolving language of young urban females lives on, as evidenced by the following gems, taken from a lexicon assembled by Dany Levy, editor of an online fashion newsletter, DailyCandy.com, and printed in the New York Times. Fatkins Disciples of Atkins who have taken "all the fat you can eat" idea to ludicrous extremes.
Gu Pronounced "goo". Acronym for geographically undesirable ("Great guy and all, but totally GU - he lives all the way in ... em ... Rathlin Island).
Stray A heterosexual male who everyone secretly thinks is gay.
Lush flush The rosy hue you get in your cheeks after a few too many glasses of wine. Biphonal Holding multiple phones to your ears. Drailing E-mailing when drunk. E-mauling Stalking someone via e-mail.
CARD CARRIERS
Those crafty people at a|wear have found a way to make us spend more money in their shop. The a|gift card is a new electronic wallet-sized gift card which can be used in any of a|wear's 19 shops in Ireland, at Brown Thomas and BT2. The marketers reckon it's the answer to every boy's prayers. Thoughtful present? Perhaps not. Easy present? Sure.
YOUNG AT HEART
The National Gallery of Ireland may be 150 years old this year, but it is looking to the younger generation for its next exhibition, 39 works by young people from primary and post-primary schools around Ireland. It represents their interpretation of selected works from the collection of the National Gallery, in the form of prose, poetry and art. The aim of the project, which dates back to 1999, was to encourage young people to be curious and creative by using the national collection as a source of inspiration, and to learn something about art and art history while exploring their own creative process. A catalogue with essays by artists, writers, poets and educators, together with an activity sheet, accompanies the show. "Learning from Art" until October 10th at the National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square and Clare Street, Dublin 2, admission free, 01-6615133.
• The Piping Boy by Laura Hourican, age 6, from Scoil Bhride Eglantine, Co Cork (inspired by Nathaniel Hone's painting of the same name)
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Walk the Burren with Tony Kirby and you will find out why Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine plants are all growing together in Co Clare; why the region boasts one of the most dense concentrations of archaeological sites in the north-west of Europe and all about the famous Burren wild goat herd. Tony made the move from Dublin to the Burren a year ago and he didn't buy a return ticket. His guided walks are a journey through Neolithic and Bronze Age tombs, ancient cooking sites, Iron Age hill forts, ring forts, holy wells, early Christian churches, medieval abbeys, tower houses and the thousands of kilometres of dry stone walls which punctuate the landscape. He is organising walking weekend packages for the month of October. The package includes two nights' bed and breakfast, two packed lunches, one evening meal, two days' guided walks and transport transfer to/from walks. €175 per person sharing. Regular walks €15 per person. Tony Kirby, Heart of Burren Walks, Carran, Co Clare, 065-7089998, 087-2925487, www.heartofburrenwalks.com
LET THEM EAT CAKE
Do you really want a pair of "Made in China" munchkins perched atop your wedding cake? Really, at your own wedding, who better to grace the top of the cake than the bride and groom? Fionnuala McMullin makes handmade miniature caricature-style sculptures to put a bit of bite into the cake. As well as the hand-painted original for the cake, she makes inscribed and dated metal-effect replicas to put on the tables so that guests can take a souvenir away as well. Hand-sculpted and painted bride and groom with 10 replicas is €950. Telephone 087-2773805 or see www.bluearkdesign.com/weddings.
IBIZA UNCLUBBED
It may be best known for its clubs, but Ibiza is increasingly popular as a yoga holiday destination. The island's sunny climate and gorgeous scenery make it an ideal location, with many classes taking place outdoors. Film-maker and former Head2Toe presenter Jennifer Keegan is also an experienced yoga teacher and is running a holiday in unspoilt north-west Ibiza on September 15th-22nd.
The holiday will be based in a private villa with an infinity pool and spectacular sea views. Groups are kept small (generally six to eight people) and in the first week there will be classes each morning for two-and-a-half to three hours. The afternoons are free for lounging by the pool, walks or trips to the beach or around the island. There is a second, optional stay-on week (September 22nd-29th ) for people to practise by themselves. Those who already do some yoga can opt to come for that week only. The first week (with tuition) costs €500, the second is €260. Accommodation is shared and breakfast is included (flights are not). Call Jennifer Keegan on 01-4537386 or on 00-34-971-334019 (from next Wednesday morning), or e-mail jenniferk@eircom.net. Cathy Dillon