I think that anyone who has a love of all things homely combined with a deep, ongoing need to be visually and creatively inspired, is almost certain to be addicted to magazines. I know I am. I stand up and honestly declare :: hello, my name is Lucy and I am a Magazine-o-holic. I think there are far worse addictions, and that the £3.50 or thereabouts that this particular addiction costs me each week is so worth it. Worth every penny.
I really enjoy the pleasure that magazines bring, and I especially love to reserve that pleasure for the weekends. I absolutely adore heading into a weekend knowing there is a favourite magazine waiting to be devoured. Its pretty high on my list of weekend must-haves. I have often written about my love of magazines here on the blog, in particular I recall this post, where I am babbling about how the pages of magazines manage to reel me in, how they grab me by the heartstrings and make me want to live inside the very pages, to inhabit the beautiful interiors, to partake in beautifully seasonal activities, to surround myself with colour and pattern and exquisitely styled lovliness. Such fun, such joy! So pretty, so desirable! Let me at it, let my life be as charming as these pages.
I have my favourites of course :: Country Living and Country Homes and Interiors are monthly must-haves. Others come and go, depending on whether a quick flick through in the shop yields anything promising.
The weekend just gone by, I bought BBC Homes and Antiques (the Feb issue). It's not one I would normally get, and I bought this issue purely on the strength of the above image. Isn't that spread just beautiful? If you click the picture it'll pop up in a larger window so you can see the details...it was a styling article titled "Make do and mend", which went on to say :: "Sophisticated interiors don't always have to come with a hefty price tag - scour antiques markets and charity shops for unique finds to brighten your home". I just loved it.
There was also a most amazing house featured, a house made inside an old railway carriage....
...Oh I swooned. I fell in love. So desirable. So Chic!
I think there is definitely a theme running at the moment, a sort of Eco-chic if you like. A desire to recycle, to re-use, to give a new lease of life to old things. And I like it, like the idea very much.
The following images are from Country Homes (march issue). They sum up the things I most love in magazines :: good styling and good photography (the pure visual appreciation bit) combined with that desirable-lifestyle element (the tugging of the heart-strings bit).
See :: recycling/eco issues again, and made to look oh so beautiful too.
:: A stunning style-spread based on Waterside Living...
...oh yes, let me live right there, let me have a stripy rug and a fireside chair, a dinky little curtain and flowers in glass jars...
...yes please, I will happily sit in that chair by the waterside. I will paint things in those jaunty colours.
:: an inspiring invite to plant seeds...
...and make ones garden sing with colour! Yes please, I would love that! When can I start?
:: a beautifully photographed recipe section for all things breakfasty...
...and yes, let's bake!!! Yes me me me, I will go bake bread! Sprinkle seeds and tie with raffia, oh yes!
Ahhh, my weekend reading/browsing/daydreaming was divine.
I strolled in magazine-wonderland.
And it was beautiful.
Oh I wish thast Make do and mend print was more affordable!!!
Posted by: elizabeth of course | February 11, 2009 at 02:14 PM
*hands up* I am another potential member of MA. I buy and flick and dream and drool, then look despairingly at my hovel. My house-proud gene is in hibernation at the moment.
It's much easier to turn to the magazines - and to read your blog (which is easily as sumptuously photographed and scrummily styled as those glossies) - than to make any efforts to sort my own house out. Maybe in the Spring...
Posted by: Lindsey (ethel & edna) | February 06, 2009 at 09:26 AM
That Country Homes mag looks great. Wonder if I can find it in Australia.
Libby
Posted by: Libby | February 06, 2009 at 06:38 AM
I love magazines too and now you've teased us with all those wonderful images I'm going to have to rush out and get my own copies!!
Victoria xx
Posted by: Victoria | February 05, 2009 at 10:50 PM
That railway carriage was featured in an old Country Living article a year or two ago. When I read it then I fell in love with the cosiness of the bedroom, it truly was a room to hide in and snuggle up. How I wish I was rich and that was my holiday bolthole. Magazines - I tell myself I mustn't. My fingers linger and then I give in. There are worse habits.
Lisa
Posted by: Mrs Bun | February 05, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I've got that coffee pot but in yellow!!!, I found it complete with cups, jug and sugar bowl in oxfam one day on the way home from pre-school!
Im stuck in bed after pulling my back and the only thing thats been keeping me going is my mags and my fave. blogs!! (i think i might have to get someone to get me the bbc mag though, he he!!)
thanks lucy! xx
Posted by: felicity | February 05, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Looks like I'll be taking another trip to Borders to view the wonderful British edition of Country Living. It's always so cozy to sit in the store and sip Chai while reading in a comfy chair. I'd much rather be sitting in a comfy chair at home but buying a British issue is just too expensive here in the States. They are always a month behind, so I won't be reading the spring March issue for awhile. Thanks for showing these beautiful pictures, sweet Lucy. And enjoy your magazine reading time! Oh, and how do you get those lovely designs in your cups of coffee or tea? So charming and fascinating and so YOU!!!
Posted by: cathleen | February 05, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Oh, I love magazines - thanks for sharing! I call them my house porn! Another one for MA here :) love the second picture, although I'm not sure I'd manage to keep all those jars empty! x
Posted by: Jess | February 05, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Oh I so identify with you! I have resisted in buying too many this year but I really will have to go and buy one now! LOL
Posted by: alisonb2 | February 05, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Sometimes, it is great just to disappear into 'Magazine land'. I do it often ;-)
Posted by: Sal | February 05, 2009 at 06:17 PM
You are too darn funny! Maybe we should all start a MA group (magazine-aholics anonymous)! :) Not sure that would work though. All those pics stir ideas in me to gets things just the way I want them in my house. Not enough time! Thanks for sharing again Luce. Such wonderful inspiration dear. :)
Well off to getting something done. The hex blankie is "yelling" at me to get back to work. :) Hope you have a FAB day tomorrow.!
kar xxx
Posted by: Kar | February 05, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Thanks for the peek...It'll be probably another month before we see those issues in Vancouver!
Posted by: Beata | February 05, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Dear Lucy
Thanks for the message about the railway carriage house - it looks FAR whiter and tidier than mine - but hey, that's the Wonderful World of Magazineland for you... I used to work for these mags, so I know EXACTLY what mess and chaos may be going on just out of shot...
Lovely pics - though I have to say I really like yours, too.
And Cara thanks for the link to my blog.
xx Elspeth
Posted by: Elspeth Thompson | February 05, 2009 at 05:02 PM
If you like railway carriage houses you must visit Elspeth Thompsons blog :
http://elspeththompson.wordpress.com/
(Yes we share the same name!)
Posted by: carolyn | February 05, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Ok...now I need a Country homes magazine to go with them bloomin cookies you've made me fancy! Bah!
Btw...how do you get your chocolate star sprinkle on your coffee? I love those when we have Cappuchinos upstairs in the bookshop (I think its a costa coffee).
Julia x
Posted by: Julia Guthrie | February 05, 2009 at 04:07 PM
I´m a magazine-a-holic too.I love Country Living and Living by Martha Stewart. I live in Mexico and we don´t get over here the UK version of Country living, so I really appreciate your photos.
The site of the lady living in an eco house is:
www.eslpeththompson.co.uk
Love your blog
Posted by: paty z in mex | February 05, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Andrea's comment made me smile .... my reply to my husband is "I'm shopping off-list"
Wonderful post!
Posted by: Sandie | February 05, 2009 at 02:38 PM
BBC Home and Antiques has really stepped it's game up recently and is on my must have list every month.
Posted by: A Thrifty Mrs | February 05, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Oops! I meant to say, how do you get that little star on your drink?!
Posted by: Jill | February 05, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Like you I buy Country Homes and Interiors every month and love escaping to that beautiful place. I've just recently found your blog though and I find it provides that same lovely escapism! Keep up the good work! :)
Posted by: Vivienne | February 05, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Magazines aside, how do you that little star on your hot drink? It must make it taste even better than it normally would.
Jill
Posted by: Jill | February 05, 2009 at 02:33 PM
If you liked the railway carriage - you'll probably love this blog: http://elspeththompson.wordpress.com/
C x
Posted by: Cara @ Turvys | February 05, 2009 at 02:12 PM
It is so nice to see you have the same addiction as me! Magazines are my weak spot- almost all types( not trashy, tacky ones- just all the rest)I have mazine files from when i was just married. I tore out the most loved pages and put them in a binder. i have them in seasonal categories for ideas. A good magazine is always a treat.I will take a subcription to one of my favorites over jewelry any day.
Posted by: kim | February 05, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Oh, tell me about it, whenever we go to the supermarket my husband heaves a sign when he spots me heading towards the directions of the magazines and shouts we have only come for whats on the list remember!! They sooo don't understand do they??!! Andrea x
Posted by: Andrea | February 05, 2009 at 01:09 PM
There's a blog out there written by a lady who is doing up an old railway carriage by the sea, but for the life of me I can't find the link!! Wonder if it's the same one that's featured in the article? I'll hunt around some more for it!
Posted by: Brenda | February 05, 2009 at 01:05 PM