RSVP Magazine February 2010

Editor’s Note

February is known as the Month of Love with Valentine’s Day on the 14th when chocolates, flowers and candlelit dinners are the order of the day. Many people argue that the day is over commercialised and is little more than a money-making racket, but don’t let the cynics put you off. What can be bad about a day that reminds us to do something nice or surprise the people we love. Of course you don’t have to wait until Valentine’s day to tell the special person in your life how you feel about them, but the reality is that many couples these days are focused on the recession and how to survive it as well as jobs, bills, the weather and children. These worries and commitments have forced many of us to put romance on the back burner. Have you ever wondered how some relationships seem so strong after 20 or 30 years while others have gone belly up or turned cold? The experts tell us the key is to stay focused on the relationship, and while admittedly there are another 364 days in the year, spoiling your loved one on Valentine’s Day will certainly spice things up. And after the dreadful flooding, snow and freezing conditions of the winter combined with the recession, I think it is fair to say that we all need a bit of pampering. This month we have so many different suggestions and recommendations on how you can make the day more special: celebrity chef Rozanne Stevens has lots of ‘food for love’ ideas; we have an inspiring gift guide; and we feature some of Irelands most romantic hotels and restaurants. In this special love issue we are also featuring Ursula McLoughlin who specializes in spells of magic. Ursula tells us how she conjured up her own partner and shares her recipes for spells that she says will attract love or enhance love in an existing relationship. Staying with love our cover story this month is newly engaged lawyer and public commentator Gerald Kean and his stunning partner Lisa Murphy. The smitten duo exclusively shared their very intimate recent holiday in Miami with us where they went to celebrate their engagement in style and plan their upcoming wedding. The ever popular Maxi is another of our featured interviews this month, read how this charming and talented broadcaster thrives on a 3am alarm call every morning to present RTÉ’s Risin’ Time.

Paula Lenihan