Magazine Love

I love magazines, you should all know this by now.  Below are my very favorites!

Arise

This is a new magazine focusing on fashion, culture, politics and music on the African continent. It’s very well done and offers a fresh lens with which to view art and culture. I was a bit disappointed that the issue I purchased featured R Kelly, but was otherwise in love with the content. And it’s nice to see some of my favorite Black models (Sessilee Lopez is featured on the current cover).

Print & Communication Arts

My favorite design magazines, I have constant “ah ha!” moments while flipping through them. They are a constant source of inspiration, humor and beauty. The focus on branding in Comm Arts is especially interesting, while Print profiles the creative teams behind awesome campaigns.

AnOther Magazine

This over-sized beauty is always a treat, although I rarely allow myself a copy. It features some of the most beautiful editorials featuring celebrities. You can also browse artist collaborations on the site and purchase art and products, including the magazine’s portrait and fashion books (which may very well be on my Christmas wish list).

Fine Cooking & Saveur

Cooks Illustrated is instructional, Gourmet loved to explore food culture, Gastronomica feels almost too elevated, while Food & Wine doesn’t feel elevated enough. And forget Cooking Light, the recipes are forgettable. Both Fine Cooking and Saveur strike a perfect balance between accessibility and smarts. Fine Cooking has some of the best features (like a monthly “revamp” of a recipe, paired with its classic cousin–past recipes have included French onion soup and crab cakes). Saveur takes its reader around the world, exploring different cultures through food and the tradition of preparation. The writing is superb and while I rarely turn to the magazine for recipes (although their crab cake recipe is my very favorite–no onions!), it’s a joy to read through each issue. I save each and every issue.

Added bonus, both have fantastic websites.

Paris Vogue

By far the best of the Vogue family (with Italy and Nippon nipping closely at its heels), you’ll find the best editorials in this edition.

MilK & Small Magazine

I’m not entirely sure how, but two children-focused magazines churn out more inspiration than all fashion rags combined. The whimsy and creativity is overwhelming! Small magazine (online only) executes in new and creative ways each month, driven by found materials, emerging artists and innovative copy treatments. It feels crafty, but not in the Martha Stewart kind of way. MilK reads like a grown-up style magazine without overstepping, which is refreshing. Be forewarned, all of the kids in this magazine are more stylish than you.

Lula

Ah, Lula. It’s like a cupcake in magazine form. Romantic, dreamy, pretty and delicious.  I can rarely find this, but always snatch it up when I do.

What about you, what are your must-have magazines?