THIS WEEKEND - Lots to do -First, "Let's Do Lacroix" and then, "Let's Save The Earth!"

So much to do and so little time, we have two suggestions, one sparkling with fun and the other, sparkling with meaning... read on...

Let's Do Lacroix, Dahlings!

I can already hear the oohing and aahing of fashionistas. Fans of haute couture and plain frumpy folk who live in casual tees and frayed jeans (that’s me) shouldn’t miss this. THIS is the Christian Lacroix Costumier Exhibition: high-octane glamour, drama and fabulicious fashion all rolled into one delicious package at the National Museum.

Expect nothing short of lavish from Christian Lacroix, couturier to the stars, whose flamboyant creations for celebrated theatrical productions will go on display at the museum from Friday, 20 March to 7 June. In Asia for the first time, around 80 spectacular costumes and 60 sketches from the collection of the Centre National du Costume de Scène (France’s National Stage Costume Centre) and from Lacroix’s personal collection will take centrestage in this special exhibition that chronicles the designer’s influences and inspirations in his 20-year flirtation with the theatrical arts. During this period, the haute couture designer, who is known for defining the look of the 1980s with its bright colours and over-the-top embellishments, produced some dazzling costume design work for the ballet, theatre and opera.

While the feted French designer – worshipped by models, fashion journalists and a certain cross-section of society ladies with unlimited dress allowances and a penchant for extravagant outfits – is famous for his catwalk excesses, the exhibition is as much about his talent for storytelling through clothes as it is about mere fashion. Lacroix's inspiration for productions such as Carmen, Othello and Cosi Fan Tutte draw from a wide variety of sources and are at once historical, yet modern.

Whatever the message, the medium promises to amuse, entertain, delight the senses and capture the imagination with its vivid colours, OTT splendour and sartorial magnificence. Just the thing we need in these dreary times, when one more “credit crunch” dollar-saving feature and gloomy economic projection might tip us over the edge.

This is going to be so much fun, I can hardly wait. For this, I will brave being crushed by fervent fashionistas in spiky heels and scary tai tais in multi-coloured leggings. Lose the sensible shoes, slip on those slinky, six-inch stillettos and let’s totter away to Lacroix’s glamourlicious world of make-believe!

Where and When: 

National Museum of Singapore

Exhibition Gallery 1 and Canyon

93 Stamford Road

Tel: 6332 3659

Web site: www.nationalmuseum.sg

Tix: $8 for adults; free for children aged six and below

Daily 10am-6pm

Sixty Minutes to Save the Earth

Turn off the lights. Save the earth. If only it were that simple.

Still, one has to begin somewhere, given the dangers of global warming and the perilious state to which we have reduced our planet by mindless over-consumption.

Let’s start with 60 minutes. Turn off the lights for one hour on the evening of 28 March (Saturday) and join MSN, Windows Live and the rest of the world in a quest to fight global warming. Earth Hour, first staged in Australia in 2007, now attracts more than 1 billion people in 1,000 cities worldwide pledging to turn off their lights for an hour in aid of combating global warming.

The time to flick off those light switches is 8.30PM. You could turn in and have an early night, for a change. You could also enjoy that time in various ways. Such as:

1. Plan a romantic candlelight dinner for your loved one. (Tip: Cool foods like salads and chilled soups are best, as they can be prepared ahead of time and you don’t have to sweat over the stove.)

2. Have a picnic with friends and family on the porch, patio, balcony or backyard. Chill out over sandwiches, cake, wine and cheese.

3. Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of life. Sit in the darkness and meditate. Visualise where you want to see yourself by the end of the year.

4. Light some candles, bring out the bath oils and enjoy a good soak in the tub.

5. Have a storytelling session. Sit in the dark and scare each other silly with ghost stories. Or, share your childhood memories and experiences with the kids.

6. Take a walk. Kill two birds with one stone -- get fit and save the environment!

7. Stargaze. Dance in the soft moonlight.

8. Spend some special time with that special someone. What that means is…entirely up to you and your imagination.

To find out more about Earth Hour, log on to MSN or sign up with Windows Live.