Here's what I would like to say to Southern Living magazine..."Welcome back to my coffee table y'all!" Southern Living has been the must-read magazine in my family since I was a small child. But lately...well, it just hasn't been very "Southern." Mama called me the other day and was talking about the magazine. She said, "You know how I've been saying that I just won't buy Southern Living anymore...'cuz it's so thin and full of nothing? Well, you simply have to go out and buy the October edition. It is beautiful!" She went on to say that "Somebody must have told them that it was bad, 'cuz everybody's (meaning all the ladies in the church) been talking about how bad it has gotten."Well, I took mama's word for it and when I got to the checkout line at Publix, I picked it up. The cover was certainly beautiful. I briefly looked inside...not at everything...just peeked at a few pages and I liked what I saw. When I got home, I poured myself some iced tea and sat down to enjoy a few moments of rest. Well...I was very happy with the "refreshening" of the layout and design that the Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Griffin and her staff have done with the magazine. Here's some of their new features:
~ Recipes, "Mama's Way or Your Way"--Recipes in the classic style your mama made or those for busy cooks stressed for time during weeknights.
~ Gardening 101--just for moi!--Southern Living has always had a great "Gardening" section, but now they've made it easy for novice gardeners like myself.
~ Great Southern Drives--they take a road, and tell you what to do all up and down it.
~ Half-Hour Hostess--I especially love this new section...recipes to get your party started in 30 minutes or less!
~ Done in a Day Decorating--Projects you can complete in a day!
This issue is packed full of fun, Southern stuff. Just in time for football season, they have a great article about "Tailgating." There's a beautiful "Fall Harvest Dinner Party" featured, with a lovely tablescape and all the recipes for the menu. For all of us Vera Bradley lovers, Southern Living allows you to peek inside an Inn in Florida that has all nine rooms decorated by Vera Bradley.
But my two favorite ideas in the magazine were the "Spooky Lollipops" and the darling "Moon Pies on-a-stick treats!" So, y'all need to run out right now and pick up your copy of this month's issue of Southern Living...enjoy their "bright new look!"
Welcome back to my coffee table Southern Living!
That's great to hear - I'm going to get this issue. I used to subscribe (helps me keep connected to my Southern roots out here in the Pacific Northwest) but I actually hadn't been reading them for awhile now - so thanks for the info :)
ReplyDeleteSouthern ways with southern charms are hard to beat.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
d
Oh fun! I'll have to pick that up this week.
ReplyDeleteHi, Miss Janice,
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many copies of October Southern Living you just now sold!
I know I'm on my way to get one.
Thanks.
Miss Hattie
Thanks for sharing this Miss Janice. I love SL magazine and this one really looks fantastic.
ReplyDelete~Blessings, ~Melissa :)
Thanks for the tip! I've always loved SOuthern Living but let my scrip expire last year for the same reason. I'll pick it up today at the market!
ReplyDeleteohhhh..I will have to for sure start stealing my mom's again. haha. Can't wait to get my hands on this issue! Hope your having a great Monday! = )
ReplyDeleteMy mother didn't renew her subscription this year, but I kept mine & I agree the October issue is the best in quite some time.
ReplyDeleteYes! SL was beautuiful this month. Here's hoping they can keep it up.:)
ReplyDeleteI am going to keep my eyes peeled for it on my next grocery shopping trip! So glad to hear it is a good issue!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a welcome back. I have subscribed to SL since I was 16 but last year I did not renew because the magazine had gone downhill so much. I am so glad it is coming back to its roots. I am picking up the new edition this week to take with me to the beach this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out the new features and your review!
I recently had jury duty, and bought this issue on a whim, on the way to the courthouse, as I figured there would be lots of waiting time. I loved it, and will be looking for the magazine from now on!
ReplyDeleteI'm sold! If Miss Janice recommends it I am on it. John just called and said he was having dinner with one of the grandchildren after their hockey game so I have a few minutes to head to the book store and pick up a copy of the NEW Southern Living.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
Southern Living is my favorite magazine as well!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely have to look for this on my next trip to the store. I let my subscription lapse a couple of years ago after subscribing for years; plus having 2 recipes published. After Time, Inc took over, it just wasn't "Southern" anymore. I'm glad to hear that she's coming back home.
ReplyDeleteI love Southern Living too! Such a great magazine!
ReplyDeleteI have this copy and have marked many of the pages! --Plan to hike the A.T. someday so I was glad to read about that (in the Travel section). Also the Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Bread pudding is on my list to make and that last page story by Valerie Fraser Luesse just had me in stiches!
ReplyDeleteMiss Janice you always know a good thing when you see it!
Hi Janice! It's been awhile!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been hearing the buzz that Southern Living is good once again. I just subscribed again recently, but haven't gotten my first issue yet. I may have to go purchase this one. So glad to hear you and your Mama say it's good again. I hope you'll stop by my blog and say hello once again!
Donna
I too have had SL in my home since I was a little girl. In recent yrs I actually quit taking it, just like your mama. (loved getting Cottage Living instead) You don't know how excited I am to read that it is back! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteI've also been taking Midwest Living since I am in Michigan, but won't need that one any longer since my move to Florida is drawing neigh!
I just attended a SL @ Home party on Friday night, and we were talking about those moon pie owls on a stick in the magazine. The problem is here, you can't buy moon pies any more at Wal-mart or Target, so you have to go to a store equivalent to your Publix (or I found them at Dollar General) to get them. I agree that not only Southern Living, but alot of the magazines I receive seem to have about as many ads as actual stories of interest now, and it makes me begin to question why I bother subscribing...and then a GOOD one comes along, and keeps you hooked.
ReplyDeleteSouthern Living has always been one of my favorites. I hear they are incorporating some of the successful features from Cottage Living in to their revamped design. I thoroughly enjoyed the most recent issue as well.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right about this Southern Living edition. It was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI love the new changes.
Oh, and I could have picked one up on my way home from the hospital today! It looks great. Yes, I had let my subscription go too. We Southern Ladies think a like. lol
ReplyDeleteI just gave you an award over on my blog! http://dcgopgirl.blogspot.com/2009/10/ove-top.html
ReplyDeleteI had let my subscription go a few years ago, but really did like that Oct cover. On your recommendation, I will buy it at the grocery store next trip! Thanks! :D Jewel
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the autumn edition of Southern Living - I even kept the October issue from last year and just renewed my subscription.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I have always loved Southern Living Magazine and Progressive Farmer, both these magazines have seemingly gone downhill over the years. It appears as though the company is more focused on profits, as opposed to its readers. The articles tend to be the same, and the photos are nothing at all like they once were. I read this edition and still felt that feeling. What happened to the old days of Southern Living, when everything was elegant and "southern."
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