Bothar, those clever charitable sorts who made giving cows for Christmas sexy have come up with yet another great gift idea. This Valentine's day, instead of forking out on slightly-scented roses, or lard-laden chocolates, you can divert 50 into their coffers and thus sponsor a hive of honey bees, plus the necessary protective clothes and training for a family to become self-sufficient. These bee-hive projects are live in Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroon and Zambia and can be contributed to on www. bothar. org (or phone 061 414142). In return, your 'honey' will receive a cute card, giving details of what a kind, thoughtful kinda person their lover is.

Using your loaf

While wheat has been given a bit of a bashing in recent trendy dieting times, it seems we just can't resist our carbs. And who could blame us with Paul Rankin's range of breads and bakery offerings. From doughy soda farls to delicious cinnamon and raisin loaves, these have a delicious home-made taste and are well worth the indulgence.

Try Rankin's sour cream and chive potato cakes, topped with smoked salmon, a dollop of sour cream and some tomato salsa.

Delicious. Baked by Irwin's bakery and available in good supermarkets nationwide.

Shall I Compare Thee

If Valentine's Day is bringing out the rhyming couplet in you, it's worth getting your hands on The Doghouse Book of Ballad Poems ( 12), a really enjoyable mix of writing by a host of writers from Ireland and beyond. A perfect buffet of styles covering an array of subjects, it's the perfect bedside companion for enlightenment and a bit of self-betterment.

Published in collaboration with the Arts Council and out now.

Give me Space

If you're not already familiar with myspace. com, it surely won't be for much longer. This social networking website, which is consistently one of the five most trafficked websites on the net, is used by over 50 million people to post online identities and meet people. The MySpace Music Channel has been hugely successful and is used by 600,000 bands to promote their music and now aspiring Spike Jonzes are getting the same opportunity with MySpace Film. Here, indie filmmakers can post their profiles alongside short films, animation and other video. If it works as well as MySpace Music, it will be a super speedy route for budding auteurs to get global attention. www. myspace. com

Empty Vessels

Bodum is the Armani of homeware . . . all clean lines and modern classicism but also very affordable. Its new range of double-walled glasses follows the company's design ethos by being aesthetically pleasing and highly practical. They'll keep your chilled drinks cool (and yet you won't risk frostbitten fingers).

Similarly, they'll keep your Irish Coffee piping hot (without scalding your hands), making them a valuable kitchen addition all the year round. From stockists nationwide, prices start at 6.

Mother me!

Aghadoe Heights Hotel in Killarney is one of Ireland's most luxurious, stunningly appointed five-star treats in the country. Opening in March after a big refurbishment, they have a Mother's Day package that's well worth investigating right now. Treat your mum and book her into a double room, which will be upgraded to the best they have on offer that night, and she'll also receive champagne on arrival, dinner for two in the hotel's restaurant and free use of the thermal suite in the spa during her stay. Call 06431766 for full information.

Offer is valid until the end of April.

Funny fellows

Those who want to get the inside track on Ireland's offerings for the Montreal International Comedy Festival should head to Vicar Street on Thursday, 2 March to see the nation's funniest vie for a place to represent our nation in Canada's premier festival for laughs.

Hosted by firm favourite Barry Murphy, this year sees the likes of Neil Delamere (right), Andrew Stanley, Paddy C Courtney and Kevin Gildea battle it out amongst others.

Possibly the best way to spend an evening . . . having others entertain you and make you laugh your way happy . . . tickets are 16 from usual outlets.

Easy does it

With the growing trend for refined elegance on the way, it's good to see there are still some stores selling clothes we can wear when we're not preening ourselves up to look like cine idols, yet still want to feel good.

H&M, now available in abundance thanks to the opening of the Ilac Centre store before Christmas, has cute blouses, easy knits and the perfect pair of jeans to make any bottom look its best. Easy like a Sunday morning!