Friday Five

After last Friday's Wonder Years post, I was inspired to start a weekly Friday Five feature, in which Friday's post centers around, you guessed it, the number five.

This week I'm going to tell you about my five favorite magazines.

Now, this is no easy feat. I used to be THE Magazine Queen. Total mag hussy. I bought them all, read them all. Lately I've cut back a ton, for several reasons being a) I've been devoting a large chunk of my "reading time" to actual books and b) magazines get expensive and they take up a lot of room.

I have to make a disclaimer before I announce the winners. VOGUE did not make the cut. You're shocked, I know. Especially because I interned there (WHILE reading The Devil Wears Prada - total out of body experience). Don't get me wrong - I have a HUGE amount of respect for this publication, and crazy stories to share from my time there (Like being sent down to the lobby to retrieve a bag from a man in a hat. No words were allowed to be spoken. I got back in the elevator and peeked in. There were $200,000 worth of diamonds in that flimsy plastic sack. You've probably heard that one before, but it bears repeating because it's a damn good story!). VOGUE is fabulous and interning there was an honor. It's just not Top Five material.

Without further ado...

FAVORITE WOMENS MAGAZINE (Overall)

Real Simple
TA-DA! Are you surprised, really? I can't say enough good things about Real Simple. It's lighthearted and effortless, with great editorial and relevant features. I literally jump for joy when I open my mailbox and see the latest issue. This magazine brings decorum to my little world. Real Simple is pleasant, fun, and makes my life, well, real simple!



FAVORITE WOMENS MAGAZINE (With a focus on fashion)

Marie Claire
Tough choice. It's often a toss-up between this and Glamour, which I really do love. But I gotta say, MC takes the cake every time. It's clever, edgy, and witty with both fashion and features about serious issues. I feel like I can look at beautiful clothing AND gain knowledge on issues while I'm flipping the pages, and I like doing double duty. I think Marie Claire is totally underrated in the magazine world and I hope it stays above water while so many great books are getting the ax. The last page (The Good, The Bad, The Ugly) never fails to make me laugh out loud.



FAVORITE FASHION MAGAZINE

In Style
I love IS for pretty much the opposite reason that I love MC. This is pure indulgence. The content is always fresh and always light, not dramatic like some other high fashion books (coughVOGUEcough). I love that the fashion spreads are silly rather than severe. I love that Rachel Bilson (who has fabulous taste) has her own column. In Style can really do no wrong in my mind. They hit the nail on the head every time.



FAVORITE LIFE STYLE MAGAZINE

Town & Country
This wouldn't be a list written by yours truly if there weren't one truly Waspy contender. Town & Country is classic and modern all at once. It is timeless. I love reading the monthly etiquette feature, and the people behind this publication have also executed some really great books pulled from magazine material.



FAVORITE WEEKLY

People
I could lie and tell you it's The New Yorker and make you believe that I am as intellectual as I wish I were. I do adore New Yorker, but on Friday evenings when I want to kick back with a good mag before gussying up and heading out for the night, this is always top pick. It's easily digestible, and, let's face it, pretty mindless. Sometimes, that's just what I need. I've been reading it since high school and have to be loyal.


So, there you have it! What are your five favorite magazines?

Wishes for a wonderful weekend, my dear readers.