LOOKING to jush up your home, buy an alternative wedding gift or get a new look for autumn?

You need go no further than Kirkby Lonsdale.

Lingerie

Next down on the Main Street is the friendly face of Jill, at Brief Encounter.

As you walk in, you half expect the door to 'ting-a-ling' - once a little cottage, it still has the original flagged floors and sloping ceilings.

I was quite surprised to see Jill behind the counter and not Mrs Tiggywinkle.

Although Jill only started the lingerie shop in February this year, she now has customers coming to her from far and wide.

While chatting to her, two ladies came in - one from Ulverston to buy the Friesian cow dressing gown by Cosmopolitan (£65) and the other, an elderly lady from Sedbergh, for a private fitting.

As Jill sells bra sizes from 32A to 44G plus, she is used to hearing her clients breathe a sigh of relief to find their right size.

Jill also does private fittings by appointment when the shop is closed.

Gorgeous soft full-length dressing gowns with hoods hang from the walls in everything from lilac to leopard print and the lingerie on display serves to remind me how important it is to look good underneath our clothes, for shape and support, but also for that feelgood feminine factor.

Lisa Charmel has sculpted bra and brief sets that I'd actually hate to have to hide - a work of art in themselves.

Fantasie are all out for the perfect fit with comfort, making a bra for larger busts (D-G) with incredible support and no cup seams for a smoother look.

Jill also sells Rigby & Peller, who have gone incredibly lacy for 2000 with their Bonita and Musk designs.

As it's still fashion to show a glimpse of bra strap, think about colour too.

R & P do the Lucetta in soft red with a very feminine lacy strap, but remember lacy briefs often cause the dreaded VPL (visible panty line), so go for the string if you are wearing them with trousers.

Along with the private fittings, Jill also has a mail order service, 015242-73220.

Meals, Music and Vegation

Those of you who read Gillian Cowburn's restaurant guide a few week's ago covering John Pratt and Ken Lowe, owners of the new Artisan cafe, may already have been tempted to try out the delicious recipes on offer in the lovely laid-back atmosphere of their courtyard premises, but what you may not know is that the boys from Brixton are already set on using their floorspace for other exciting things.

Their tapes of Billy Holliday and Chet Baker will be exchanged for the music that accompanies the teaching of Yoga and meditation and the ancient healing practice of Reiki.

Later on, there will be instructors teaching Shamanic sound healing, crystals and Tai Chi.

For an insight into forthcoming classes and events, the boys will be opening their courtyard for a Hallowe'en Fair on October 21 from 10am-7pm.

Stalls will be set out for readings and organic vegetarian food will be served through till candlelight.

Artisan is at 50A Main Street.

For class info, call 015242-73324.

New Age - Crystals and Aromatherapy

Then you come to Libra, a shop with feelgood factor for spiritual investment.

Beautiful raw and cut crystals adorn the stands next to books on health, empowerment and healing.

Essential oils to invigorate, stimulate or relax you are sold in different strengths for burners or baths.

But best of all, you've got proprietor Ann Blackmore-Tucker on hand with advice and tips.

A mine of information, she has seen a lot of changes in Kirkby since opening Libra six years ago.

Ahead of her time, the shop was something of an enigma at first but, with the increasing hunger for knowledge in self-healing and calm from women today, Ann's shop has never been busier.

At the back of the store is Valerie Mannion's clinic.

Valerie is a professional clinical aromatherapist who works with homeopathy and remedial massage.

Since joining Libra, she has built up a large client base that she now works long after the shop is closed.

Libra is on Market Street.

Valerie can be contacted on 015242-71208.

For answers to any fashion, hair or cosmetic problems, write to Lucinda at: Looking Good, The Westmorland Gazette, 22 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4NE.

Lucinda will attempt to reply to all letters and include a brief summary in next month's Looking Good.