What's hot

THE SWEENEY: She's everywhere - presenting Saturday evening prime time shows, taking the hotseat with Graham Norton, and now she's taken the lead role in the West End's best selling musical Chicago. Claire Sweeney made the most of her time on Celebrity Big Brother, and the nation has taken her to its heart. She's feisty, talented, and seems to be an all-round good egg. She deserves her success.

FESTIVE CHEER: Good on Boots for really getting into the Christmas spirit. The High Street chemist chain has given its 50,000 workers half-a-day off work to go shopping, wrap presents or just relax in the hectic run-up to the big day. Full-time staff will get half a day and even part-timers will get some time off under a scheme called "chill time". Even though Boots shops throughout the country will be packed in the run-up to Christmas, the management has realised that if staff are stressed out, customers won't get the best service. Just a few hours off will make a world of difference to the staff and encourage them to be nicer to the rest of us in the stressful days up to Christmas. Maybe other employers should follow Boots' lead.

MONKEY BUSINESS: He may only be a foot high and look like an old sock but the ITV Digital Monkey is taking the world by storm. The chimp, who stars in the TV adverts with Johnny Vegas, is set to become an international superstar. Record companies have tried to sign the puppet up to make a single and a Hollywood producer has even suggested a film deal for the cute monkey. TV bosses have been inundated by people wanting to buy their own monkey and by grannies wanting a pattern to knit the little fella for their relatives. Made by Hendersons, the firm founded by Muppet genius Jim Henson, the monkey is one of the year's biggest marketing coups. He can't be bought in shops and the only way to get your hands on one is to sign up to ITV Digital before Christmas. It's a strange thought that the cuddly gimmick made to promote a TV service could sell better than the service itself.

STEP BACK: Victoriana is still the in-look on the High Street. If you haven't got lace, frills and taffeta in your wardrobe then you have simply missed the boat when it comes to top looks. The most daring fashion victims can go for big hats and buckle shoes teamed with fitted jackets and floating skirts to really get the look-off to a tee. But there is something we can all do to bring a bit of the Victorian age into our wardrobe. Think lace accessories, fake jewels and velvet bags if you want to give a nod to the look without going all out for the full effect.

What's not

BRA HA-HA: What has happened to the fashion world? Not content with heroin chic and sending little girls down the catwalk, the latest craze is for the feminine male wardrobe. Recently male models have been sheepishly sent down the catwalk with handbags and skirts - and we're not talking Beckham-style sarongs. Now women's underwear is making a bid for a place in the men's wardrobe. Tights - long-johns with feet - have been created by designer Wolford and now John Paul Gaultier has made the male bra. The flame orange silk and lace garment is said to give a deep plunge to a man's pecs. Any self-respecting woman will tell you that bras are worn more out of necessity than vanity, so it is highly unlikely men's versions will catch on.

TIN TURN-OFF For people too lazy to turn on the chip pan or oven, the ultimate convenience food has been produced. After putting sausages, black pudding and beans in the same tin, HP has gone one step further and put an omelette and chips in a can. The chips are not crispy but have been flash-fried so they don't get soggy in the tin. The omelettes come in plain or beef flavour so both vegetarians and meat eaters can jump on the super fast-food bandwagon. The people at HP reckon the meal is quick and tasty but even the worst cook could make something more appetising than a tinned omelette. Anyone desperate for chips should pop down the chippie and enjoy the real thing.

GOLDEN SILENCE: Mobile phones are as much a part of modern life as televisions, radios and computers. But some people are so desperate to escape the modern world that they are willing to inconvenience the rest of us to achieve their bit of heaven. Train companies have introduced quiet coaches where mobiles, personal stereos and computer games are banned. Sadly, more disturbing things like screaming children and drunken laughter are not banned, so it is only those who have embraced 21st century technology who are penalised. On rush hour trains or weekend trips it is wholly inappropriate to expect people to put their lives on hold while they are travelling. And anyway, we need to use them to tell those waiting at the other end just how late we'll be arriving.