Yummy mummy heaven

Word to the wise: Despite first appearances, the store offers more than baby blankets, scented candles and pastel-coloured gardening equipment - there's an excellent cafe on the top floor and deli in the basement.

A small national chain, Avoca has cornered the Irish market in colourful, girly (and pricey) homewear and gently Bohemian clothes and accessories. Think of the American store Anthopologie and you're not a million miles off.

Luxurious, hand-woven wool blankets, scarves and the like are its stock in trade - the company sprang from a Wicklow mill established in 1723 and still operational - and those with kids to buy for will find it hard to resist the cute clothes and toys.