Too simple?

My own mother was recently contemplating Martha Stewart over on her blog - simplehappyhome - and as a dutiful daughter and fan, I had to weigh in.

Basically, I appreciate the natural hostessing abilities that Martha exudes and admire her extensive knowledge of cornish hens, but I don't think I'd want to join her on vacation. And I think most of the stuff I like best from her magazine - easy, practical, cheap craft ideas - are generated by her staff and not her stodgy ol' self. (No offense, Marty, I'm sure you're totally cool with your peers, who also summer in the Hamptons and adore linen pants.)

But it got me thinking about her mag, which I enjoy but don't always treasure. Which got me thinking about another mag that I always think I love but then find myself tossing aside after a quick 15-minute run through. Any guesses? It's Real Simple. I've never seen a magazine, much less one that prides itself on simplicity, waste so much page space on nothing. I mean, it makes a great reference guide, but unless I happen to be shopping for bedding, I don't want a 10-page spread on the best pillow out there. Isn't brevity a form of simplicity?

I do like their recipes, and I'm all about the reader tips. But you're talking to someone who typically has to begin a magazine by reading every letter to the editor and cannot come up for air until each article has been read in order from front to back. I blame my father for the compulsive behavior, but nonetheless it makes for very thorough and enjoyable reading. A People magazine takes a good hour of my time.

But the other day I got a complimentary issue of Real Simple and was done in less than 10 minutes with rarely more than a glance at the pictures.

What gives? Is it just me or is the magazine lacking in substance?

And are there any great home magazines out there? Because what I really want are cheap, easy design ideas and non-crafty craft projects.

Any suggestions?

Sneak peek at Eliza

A little birdie - who drives a dragon red Vespa and once carried a Macauley Culkin doll wherever she went ... in college - recently sent me some advance copies of Eliza's debut issue.

First, what I loOove-

I did NOT want this magazine to come across as Mormon. Because even though I am a proud member of the LDS Church, I do not think that the only way to "be in the world but not of the world" is to watch "Singles Ward" ad naseum, purchase hymns set to hip-hop beats and wear 18 layers of tank tops to accommodate a scanty top. Also, sometimes Mormons can be cheesy. (I plead the fifth.) And I did not want this magazine to be cheesy. I wanted it to be hip, fresh and modest for a mass audience.

I'm happy to report that it is. The images are great. The clothing is classy couture. And the articles are good. For a first issue, it's pretty amazing.

I was not thrilled to discover, however, that there are no bylines for my stories, even though I am credited for two of them on the contributor page. Really long story short, it's a first issue so there were a few mistakes. But in case you're curious, I penned the following pages:
* 12 - Wedding 911: Your fashion first-aid kit
* 13 - Tradition: Classic wedding traditions and how to give them your own spin
* 26 - Body: Get Your Om on - finding the yoga that's right for you
* 33 - We've got Issues: Child bride or old maid?
* 36 - One Last Thing: Why fashion matters

Also, I'm not a big fan of the column layout. While the magazine's overall design is really cool, the columns are about an ant's-width apart, which makes the stories hard to read. Looks cool but not practical. Also, there is a major shortage of advertising, which is understandable for a starter mag - and much the relief of most of us who are sick of seeing ads with gaunt models making out with alligators - but a good portion of the ads are for Sorella Bellesa, which is a .... ? Um .... Well ... Since there's no additional information besides the company name - no website, no contact info, no explanation - I want to say it's a modest clothing line. (Apparently, there's not enough of those coming out of American Fork on a daily basis.) But I honestly have no clue, though I do think it might be connected to the Editor-in-Chief, whose last name is Bellessa. Maybe she's double-dipping into the Eliza pool?

Anyway, I don't mean to rain on Eliza's parade since I'm certainly a big fan and major contributor. But I'm a journalist so I'm pretty keen on objectivity. Also, I'm a blogger so I'm pretty keen on being blunt.

Overall, I'd give it a B. And since it's the first issue, I think you could expect A+ material in a year ... if the mag makes it since it's not the easiest industry to break into. But I wish them the best of luck.

Let me know what you think when you get your copy. Mine still hasn't arrived in the mail, but I hear they're coming.

Speaking of mags, what's your favorite magazine?

I'll never turn down a People mag, but I really enjoy Real Simple, Domino, In Style, Marie Claire and Cookie, which I just bought for the first time. Honestly, I wouldn't turn down most magazines.

But what gets your reading glasses on?

Do tell.

My kind of mag

Heaven for me would be a beach, my family and a good magazine. Scratch that -- lots of good magazines. (And maybe some flautas.)

I love magazines. Like, I have to start with the letters to the editor and not come up for air until I finish with the horoscope page. (Which I don't believe in but read out of sheer obligation.)

I skip no pages in the process, even to finish an article. I just work my way to the end and continue where I left off.

That's how much I love magazines.

Did I mention I love magazines?

The only catch is that I can hardly read one these days without feeling embarassed, ashamed, disturbed or just plain stupid.

(They're just like US? Seriously? I didn't need a pic to know that Jessica Alba squeezes her fruit just like me.)

Even the mags known for tasteful content, such as In Style, are full of questionable and bizarre ads. (Why is that naked model making out with a crocodile?) And much of the fashion is unwearable by someone who believes in a little something I like to call modesty. (And did I mention how much I hate the ankle boot?)

So it is with great elation that I announce the debut of a new magazine that caters to "women who are stylish, sexy and maintain high standards in dress, entertainment and lifestyle." So basically they're talking about me, except for the entertainment part. I have been known to indulge in some "America's Next Top Model" on occassion, which isn't immoral but really, really wrong.

The mag is called Eliza and you can subscribe here.

Did I mention it's only $10.97 for four quarterly issues?

You simply must do it. Now.

Take it from me -- I love magazines.