A cover can sometime be the motivating factor in grabbing a particular magazine off a shelve, and in my case is performed with the enthusiasm of an addict on crack. The saying "don't judge a book by it's cover" doesn't really sync through to the world of magazines - an iconic publication is bound together by a beautiful paper cover, and ideally should transcend directly to one's literary soul.
These are some of my favourite covers, which essentially have inspired me to write more sweet nothings & create more magical concoctions in my 'lil old cerebellum.