Day 2: Worth Subscribing

Over the years, my magazine subscriptions have varied…from style magazines in college to scrapbooking subscriptions in their heyday…to home decor.  

My all-time favorite magazine EVER was (and I think will always be) Cottage Living. I was so very disappointed when they ceased publication. I happened to subscribe from the very first issue (I think I received a card in the mail to try it out), and I have saved each and every issue. I still love to flip through those pages. I've used so many of their ideas and tried and loved so many of the recipes.

Does anyone else miss it too? I keep hoping that just maybe they will start again. We can hope, right!?!

In the meantime, there are three home magazines I have subscribed to for a long time:

As I grew up, my Mom subscribed to Southern Living. It seemed only natural to continue the tradition in my own home! I have lived in five (soon-to-be six) of the southern states that it features and love learning about the different regions of The South. I have seen this magazine change over the years, but it always remains true to its purpose.

The mix of home decor, regional travel suggestions, and unique southern products are my favorites. The garden section makes me want to try my hand at planting something new. And the recipes. Oh the recipes. I have yet to make something we haven't loved. I use SL recipes all the time when I have company because I know that I can count on them to be delicious. And I never miss reading that last page written by Rick Bragg.

I discovered Victoria right after we got married. I loved the warmth of the photography and the beauty of the writing immediately. There was an artistry to the way they featured home and travel and the outdoors that I fell in love with immediately. I was saddened when they ceased publication shortly afterwards…and then elated when many years later, they renewed publication!

I look forward to the issues that feature France and England and tempt me to travel to faraway places. I love the featured writers and artists in residence…and I love how they include poetry in their pages. (I just wish they'd bring back their "Calling Cards" feature…where I first started to appreciate unique business cards!)

And finally, Better Homes & Gardens.  I love the monthly focus page…the featured color page…and the DIY projects. I love that I often see the homes and spaces of favorite bloggers featured in the pages! And again, the recipes are some of my favorites! It was the last magazine to join my favorites, but I'm glad to say that I look forward to its arrival each month!

I will often pick up an extra magazine or two at the newsstand throughout the year, but these are my very favorites.

How about you? I'd love to pick up a new magazine for the fall season so share your own favorites with me in the comments!