Stuff I love....magazine addiction edition!

Hi, my name is Kristen and I am a magazine addict. I am. I love magazines. I have subscriptions to sooooo many. I have always loved to read. As a kid and well in to my teens and 20's my nose was always buried in a book. I have a list a mile long of books I still want to read, and I will, eventually. I don't read books as often as I used to. It is not that I don't love them. I do. I love the holding a book in my hand, the feel, the scent of the pages (mmm, especially library books!). I could never imagine having one of those e-readers that are so popular now. They are cool, but not for me. Call me old-fashioned but I love to turn the pages of a book. I have just found that in recent years that I don't have the focus I once had with reading books. Actually, that is not true. When I am reading a book I am usually so focused on it and so immersed in the story that I ignore everything else around me. Just ask my husband or my parents...If I am in to a book and they try to talk to me I will not hear them! Drives them all nuts! :-)

But this post is not about books. It is about my other printed love...magazines! I have found that since I am reading less books I am reading way more magazines. They just don't require the the time and commitment that a book does. I wanted to share my list of current favorite magazines. Maybe you will find something on there you have not checked out and will find a new favorite to add to your list!

1. Country Living
It is not all cutesy and hokey as the title sounds. I fell in love with this magazine several years ago and subscribed right away. I guess I would classify this as a lifestyle magazine. Lots of decorating ideas, recipes, gardening, shopping, etc. I get so many project ideas from this magazine. I learn a lot about subjects I am interested in. I think of Country Living as a magazine about a more modern, sophisticated country lifestyle...something I wrote about in a letter to the editor. They published it last year!

2. Real Simple
Another lifestyle magazine. First, this magazine is such a great buy because it is thick! You really get what you pay for. It does what is says it does: offers simple, do-able ideas for living well.

3. Everyday with Rachael Ray
I know people either love her or hate her. She can be annoying but I can't help it...I love her! I love her shows on Food Network, I love her talk show, and I love her magazine. Though I think the whole "30 minute meal" thing is crap (I can never make her recipes in under 30 minutes!) they still taste good. We have yet to try one of her recipes that we don't like. If you have never checked out her mag, the do it. It is such a fun publication, vibrant and colorful, great recipes, lifestyle articles, travel tips, even pet tips!

4. Better Homes & Gardens
A classic. Love it!

5. Us Weekly
I am not ashamed to admit I have a subscription to this celebrity gossip rag. I love it!

6. Food Network Magazine
Food Network is one of my favorite cable channels. Most of the chefs are so entertaining. We have gotten some great recipes from this, and the articles on the behind the scenes happenings are really interesting. Now only if HGTV would start a magazine.....!

7. Cloth Paper Scissors
One of my most favorite papercrafting magazines! I have gotten so many project ideas from this and have learned lots of new techniques.

8. Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS
A special publication of CPS that they put out a few times a year. I love looking in to people's home. Some of my favorite blogs are ones that have pictures of the bloggers home. This magazine gives me and up close and personl glimpse in to the creative spaces of so many artists and crafters I admire.

9. Somerset Memories and Somerset Studios
Two favorite papercrafting magazines put out by the same company. Somerset publications tend to be on the pricey side but if you want to move beyond the cutesy-cutesy stuff in mags like Creating Keepsakes and really bring out the artist in you, read these.

10. Flea Market Style
This is a brand new magazine. The first issue just debuted a couple months ago and the new issue is supposed to come out soon. The blog world was abuzz about this publication for good reason. I really enjoyed it, because my decorating tastes have been shifting a bit to a more funky, modern-vintage style.

11. Cooking Light
Another great resource for healthy, easy meals.

12. Country Living, British edition
The Brits have such a relaxed country style. I especially love English cottage gardens and I get my fix from this publication. You have to get this someplace like Borders or Barnes & Noble (or online).

13. Ladies Home Journal
Laugh all you want but this is another classic. It has been around for something like 100+ years, but it remains fresh and up-to-date. I enjoy it.

14. Body + Soul
I love this magazine for its focus on authentic living. I devour the articles on ways to de-stress naturally, to calm my mind and body, the healthful recipes, exercise tips, etc.

It's a lot, huh? You should see how this list increases between September and December when all the holiday magazines start coming out!

What are some of your favorites? Maybe I can add a few more to my list! ;-)