Desire Lines: Soft suede leather boots to help embrace frosty days

With temperatures dipping as low as -6 degrees this past week, it’s safe to say our winter boots aren’t being packed away just yet.

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026 - 01:00

The boots

With temperatures dipping as low as -6 degrees this past week, it’s safe to say our winter boots aren’t being packed away just yet. On our wishlist are the khaki-brown Iga boots from Parisian label Bobbies. Lined with sheep’s wool and finished in a soft, suede leather, we promise your feet will have no problem embracing frosty days in these (we can’t say the same for your nose). €350.

bobbies.com

The watch

Swatch’s newest release is the Mission to Earthphase - Moonshine Gold Cold Moon - is a real wrist-turner. Each model features a unique snowflake that has been laser-engraved onto its moon phase indicator, ensuring that, just like snowflakes, no two timepieces are the same.

The white chronograph features Swatch’s earth phase innovation and snowy illustrations from the world of Snoopy at the 9 o’clock position, Available worldwide until the last day of winter on March 20, 2026, at all Swatch stores carrying the Bioceramic MoonSwatch Collection, for approx €389. It will only be available in Switzerland when snow is falling!

Swatch Mission to Earthphase - Moonshine Gold Cold Moon, €389

swatch.com

The dinner

Now here’s a chef collab we are very excited about. Takashi Miyazaki of Ichigo Ichie in Cork city will join Meeran Manzoor at Rare at The Blue Haven in Kinsale for an exclusive one-night-only collaboration on Sunday, 25 January.

Together they will create a special tasting menu that focuses on the fusion of Japanese and Indian flavours while showcasing the very best of Cork’s food producers and local suppliers.

“A culinary journey bridging India and Japan, inspired by the historical Silk Road’, the seven-course tasting menu costs €150 per person, with optional wine pairings available. Sittings are at 5pm and 8pm, with accommodation packages also available at The Blue Haven and Old Bank Townhouse in Kinsale are available.

Rare x Ichigo, The Blue Haven Kinsale, €150 per person

rare1784.ie

The print

Created by Irish artist Laura Dempsey of Pickled Pom Pom in collaboration with sustainability-focused Faerly.ie, the Saoirse don Phalaistín limited-edition art print makes for a gift with real heart.

Featuring a keffiyeh moulded into a heart, this will take pride of place in any home keen to show their solidarity with the people of Palestine. Available in A4 and A3, with every cent of your purchase going directly to UNICEF’s Gaza Appeal and to olive-tree-planting support for Palestinian farmers. From €20.

Saoirse don Phalaistín - Limited Edition Art Print Supporting Palestine, Faerly.ie x Pickled Pom Pom, €20 - €30, A3 - A4, without frame

faerly.ie and pickledpompom.com

The festival

Picture This, Gurriers, Blindboy, Celine Byrne, Jack L and Altan are just some of the lineup for Brigid 2026, the Spirit of Kildare. Five days of music, art and family-friendly events will transform the city from Thursday January 29 to Monday February 2. Other highlights include Paul Noonan, Gemma Hayes and Lisa Hannigan, uniting as The Trio for a special performance at Cruinniú Chill Dara, bringing together three of Ireland’s most celebrated musicians. Ireland’s bilingual podcast, How To Gael, hosted by Doireann Ní Ghlacáin and Louise Cantillon, will also present a live show.

And for younger audiences, there’s a Taylor Swift Party at Cruinniú Chill Dara, while Carrying Her Flame, a powerful outdoor procession through the streets of Kildare Town, takes place later that day, marking the return of the light and the end of winter.

Altan, one of the bands featured in Brigid 2026, the Spirit of Kildare

spiritofbrigid.ie

The serum

Just what we need for the new year. Yon-Ka Paris has launched Serum Omega, a new intensive oil-in-serum designed to strengthen the skin barrier and deliver deep, targeted nourishment.

Omegas have long been trusted for their health benefits when taken internally, now Yon-Ka brings them to the skin for targeted, topical result to help soothe sensitivity, reduce redness and protect against dehydration and environmental stress. Serum Omega launches nationwide in clinics and online this January. Priced €88.

yonka.ie

The Gaeilge addition

As founder and CEO of Kinvara Skincare Dr Joanne Reilly set about the process of bringing her skincare brand to Canada, she noted a packaging requirement — all packaging must be dual language, French and English, recognising the country’s bilingualism.

Why, she wondered, did Ireland not require the same? “We wanted to lead by example,” Reilly told journalists and businesswomen at a Guaranteed Irish breakfast networking event.

The result is Kinvara’s newly updated packaging, now proudly featuring both English and Irish — a small but meaningful step that may signal a broader shift. We love to see it.

kinvaraskincare.com