HORSES FOR COURSES: Talbot 101 is a Dublin restaurant we're very fond of, and at this time of year it's the perfect place to have a break after a gallop around Henry Street and environs.
You might find a few presents hanging right there on the wall, too, as Alwyn Gillespie's luminous watercolours - horses and life studies - go on show there tomorrow evening, at 6.30pm and remain on show until Christmas. Patsey Murphy
HOW THE WORLD FEEDS
In Material World, Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio used photographic images to demonstrate the consumer overdrive in some societies versus the material simplicity in others. Fans of that book will delight in the inspired idea behind Hungry Planet: What the World Eats. The book is a collection of portraits of 30 families in 24 countries pictured with a week's worth of their typical food purchases. Alongside each photo the authors have collected interesting information and essays on each family; every ounce of food consumed in that week is documented along with the costs and favourite family recipes.
We have, for example, a small German family who gorge on cinnamon rolls, croissants and beef roulades, and spend €500 a week. We also meet a family of 12 from Mali who spend roughly €30 a week, mostly on millet porridge. There are no lectures here - with the range of beautiful full-page photos, there does not need to be.
This fascinating global culinary tour packs a serious political punch. Available from www.amazon.co.uk for about €40, plus postage. Michael Kelly
A BUNCH OF LIGHTWEIGHTS
We love the kid mohair sweaters designed by Edmund McNulty of Drogheda for three reasons: they're flattering, they come in well-chosen colours - purple or crushed raspberry are favourites - and they are just the right weight to wear in over-heated offices. They can be worn as sweaters and as wraps and cost between €180 and €220. Look out for them in the Millmount Craft Centre in Drogheda; Lucy Erridge's shop in Adare, Co Limerick; Doolin Craft Gallery, Co Clare; Cleo in Dawson Street, Dublin, and Kenmare, Co Kerry; O Maille's in Galway; and Aliz in Magherafelt, Co Derry; or ring 041-9844199. Patsey Murphy
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Catalogue shopping is a life-saver at this time of year, when the shopping streets are jammed. A rewarding and feet-friendly alternative is Concern's Christmas Catalogue with a selection of life-changing presents for friends and family.
Whether it is a buffalo to help farmers, an emergency kit containing supplies vital for a family's survival or educational material to help the 121 million children who want to go back to school, the Concern With Love campaign can make a difference to those in the world's poorest countries. From as little as €15 you can make a difference. Now go polish up your halo. www.concernwithlove.org or call 1850-458400. Phyl Clarke
OUT OF AFRICA
Pop off the M7 anytime you are passing Exit 13 and have a look at the eye-catching large-format portraits of Kenya taken by the Irish Timesphotographer Alan Betson, among others, as part of a project he is involved in to set up an ongoing photographic business in Nairobi. The pictures are on show in the Kildare Village Outlet Shopping centre and cost £125. All proceeds generated from the sale will go to Goal and iCross.
THE HERBAL HOTELIER
If you stick your tongue out these days in Ireland, chances are a developer will come along and build a hotel on it. It's a pity, though, that the hotelier invasion has not included the Canadian group, Fairmont. The company practically wrote the book on sustainable practices for the hospitality industry.
One of the group's landmark hotels, the Royal York in Toronto, has undergone an eco-transformation, using non-toxic cleansers and implementing a comprehensive composting system and waste-reduction programme. The hotel's executive chef, David Garcelon, does his bit by buying local produce and growing herbs for the hotel kitchen.
This can be a challenge when your kitchen is high above Toronto's city centre, but the Royal York overcame the problem by planting an organic herb garden on the roof. Weeding and watering duties are shared by the apprentice chefs, and as there are not many insects to trouble the herbs at that altitude there's no need for insecticides.
The hotel operates a "Shop with Chef" weekend package in which guests are taken on a guided tour of local food markets, before sampling the fare in the hotel restaurant. www.fairmont.com Michael Kelly
THE PRICES ARE ONLY PRICELESS
Ever heard of a tablescape? In US interior design circles, it's a word used to describe a table setting, the view of the table laid for dinner. And in Dunsany Castle, Co Meath, where the creative entrepreneurial spirit of Lady Dunsany knows no bounds, she is selling tablescapes this Christmas from her interiors boutique to the affluent gift buyer.
This consists of a complete table setting for six in various styles and prices; this particular setting, for example, which has as its centrepiece Limoges porcelain designed by the artist Edward Plunkett, is the ultimate in luxury. Made from the finest white porcelain fired to a deep burgundy, it is hand-finished with gold and is machine washable (without soap). The placemats and napkins are hand-embroidered pure white linen and organza. The setting, complete with engraved crystal (glasses and candleholders), butter dishes, silver salt and pepper sets and basket tray, along with French ebony-handled cutlery, amounts to €5,000. Items can, however, be purchased individually from the Dunsany Home Collection; the dinner plates are about €150 each. Further details from the website: www.dunsany.com Deirdre McQuillan
QUITE A SCENT-SATION
We all know that some homes have more atmosphere than others. A warm inviting hallway, some creative lighting, the waft of baking coming from the kitchen, the friendly mutt that wags a tail hello. First impressions count. That's why I always make sure that the front-door brasses are polished, even if the beds aren't made. My husband used to throw a basin of water over the gate just before his parents arrived home from holidays. The theory was that if they thought he'd got around to washing the gate, everything inside the house must also be clean.
If you've completely run out of time and you can see your guests walking up the pathway, glamorise your home and get some instant Christmas ambience at the same time with Spicy Orange Festive Home Spray from L'Occitane (€39.99). The smell of oranges combined with spices will lend a warm glow to your nest. Their orange-scented candles are good at this time of year too.
I'm keeping a bottle on the hall table for some last-minute atmosphere. The bottle has a lovely vintage design, complete with atomiser pump. Try it. Phyl Clarke