11 gift ideas for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day

Put some thought into your gifts this February 14, your Valentine will love you for it, writes Esther N McCarthy

1. MATTERS OF THE ART

Wearable art is the way to her heart. Go handmade and Irish-made with this 100% silk twill scarf by artist and designer Claire O’Connor. €190, www.clareoconnnor.net

2. SAVE YOUR SKIN

The newest launch in the iconic Bobbi Brown collection is the hydrating water fresh cream. Drenched with winter rose and hyaluronic-acid, it promises 100 hours of skin-rejuvenating hydration, plus it is silicone-free. €52.50. Brown Thomas, Arnotts,

Debenhams and www.bobbibrown.co.uk/

3. IN THE GOOD BOOKS

Show your sensitive side with the gift of poetry. Amy O’Connor has self-published her collection, A Beautiful Complexity. It’s aimed at males and females of any age and deals with the themes of love, loss and the journey through life. €10.70 on Amazon, €3 on Kindle. You can follow Amy’s writing over on her Instagram page @aocpoetry

4. LIFE’S A BEACH

I’m not hinting or anything, but a cruise to a private island really does say I love you, doesn’t it? It also says, check the credit card bill, pronto. Life is a beach at Royal Caribbean International’s new Coco Beach Club on Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Visit RoyalCaribbean.com for more info.

5. DRESS FOR SUCCESS

For a stunning and unique gift, Bray-based Audrey Vance will create a custom-made bridal illustration of your beloved’s wedding dress, prices start at €150, www.weddingdressink.com

6. TEA WITH A TWIST

Afternoon tea with a twist - a G & Tea, if you will. The River Lee has a fabulously decadent offering that

includes a cocktail as well as all the delicious foodie fare. The G&Afternoon Tea is €35 pp, www.doylecollection.com/

7. BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Instead of roses, why not this wild rose Kenmare Jersey cable dress from IrelandsEye Knitwear’s Just Breathe Collection? €150 from Kilkenny Shop, House of Ireland and www.irelandseyeonline.com/

8. ON THE MONEY

Indulge in a little ‘to me, from me’ and treat yourself to a stylish new Orla Kiely wallet, €90 from Kilkenny shop. www.kilkennyshop.com/

9. PICTURE PERFECT

Click the shutter for a heart flutter with Sony’s RX100 VII camera, the first of all the models to include a mic input, which combined with tilting screen, makes it a good choice when vlogging a romantic trip away (a cruise perhaps?) €1,300, www.sony.ie

10. LOUNGE AROUND

Loved one loves to lounge? Get her the B by Ted Baker robe, €77 from www.debenhams.ie

11. IN THE PINK

Pucker up for the kisses with Charlotte Tilbury’s best-selling, award-winning Pillow Talk. It’s the perfect nude-pink, suits-all, effortless, lip-enhancing shade for smooching on Valentine’s Day. €32, from BT and www.charlottetilbury.com/