Magazines

Reading is one of my favorite things to do, but I don't always have time to sit down with a whole book. Or if I do find some extra time and grab a novel, then all I do is read, read, read for three days until it's done. Which is cool on my end, but customers usually expect me to make the jewelry they buy, so days-long reading marathons aren't great for my life right now.

What works really well instead are magazines. They're short enough that I won't throw my whole day off if I start to read during lunch, but still have enough content to make me feel like I'm workin' the old grey matter. I subscribe to a few of them, and it's like getting a present every time one of them shows up in the mailbox. I immediately start thinking about when I can take a break with a cup of tea. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm due for a couple of new issues, so while it's on my mind, let me tell you about my favorites.

National Geographic -- I thought I'd start with the one that's a little unexpected. The readership is usually older than people in their late 20s, but whatever. I like to know what's going on, and they cover a lot of interesting topics that I might not otherwise hear about. Like how certain venoms can cure unrelated diseases, or a tribe in Afghanistan who live in the mountains above the tree line and call their area "the roof of the world." It's just so interesting, and when I finish an issue I always have 10 new things to talk about.

This Old House -- Our abode was built in 1970, which isn't OLD old, but it's definitely not new either.  Approaching middle-age? Let's go with that. Anyway, This Old House has a great combination of pretty home features and practical information. Their DIY projects aren't always the flashiest or most interesting, but they're helpful. And really, when you own a house that isn't new construction, that's the kind of stuff you need.

ShopSmart -- This is the sister publication to Consumer Reports, which I also like, but it's honestly kind of a snore. ShopSmart covers more fun topics, like the best makeup brands and tastiest chocolate. They also have sections with info from Consumer Reports--appliances and cars, for example--but they approach the findings more like a regular magazine instead of with charts and graphs. I'm a visual learner, so the more product pictures they stick in there, the better.

House Beautiful -- We don't subscribe to this one, but I buy the latest issue every time I travel. They have nice interviews with the homeowners and designers for all of their featured homes, and I like to know why they chose what they did. I have a feeling that will come in handy for me someday.

Are you a magazine person? Do you get them on paper, or read them on your iPad? (I'm still a paper fan, obviously.) Which ones are your favorites? Anybody else love National Geographic?!