I am a lover of magazines. The glossy pages, the pictures, the smelly fragrance ads that I rip out and pile of the floor. My obsession started long ago when I was a little tweener girl flipping through the pages of Seventeen when I still had four years to go before I got there. I tend to pick up a magazine when I've had a bad day and I need to relax. Nowadays I hardly ever get through the first few pages before Lovey comes up and plays peekaboo over the top. I still love them nonetheless and I'm trying hard to devote more time to myself (the endless quest of mommyhood). I thought I'd share some of my favorites here. Sadly, some of my all-time favorites like Domino and Cookie are no longer (or in Cookie's case will shortly be defunct).

For fashion: I love Lucky. It is the sister publication of the aforementioned Domino. The best part is it comes with stickers you can put on the pages to refer back to. How cool is that? I also like Marie Claire, although not as much since they radically changed their format. InStyle is great too. I like to look at what the stars are wearing or how they live, even though I'll NEVER have a life like theirs. Nor would I want to. I'm an Independent Consultant for CAbi so I try to stay up to date on all the fashion trends.

For life: Real Simple. Plain and simple. My favorite part is Road Tested where readers test out shampoo or spaghetti sauce or black mascara and report back on what is the best one. I've spent lots o' money because of that section (Don't tell Honey.) I also love the recipes they suggest. Many of the ones we've tried have become family favorites.

For parenting: I seem to get a different parenting magazine at my door every.day. Most of them I got for free, I think. The thing that drives me nuts about parenting mags is that they all only cater to woman. News flash: Guys are parents too! And...they seem to dumb down parenting. I loved the intelligence of Cookie, but like I said, it's days are numbered. Parenting seems to be one of the only ones that gives logical advice in an intelligent way that doesn't overly cater to moms. Also, there are several different publications based on the age of your child so you aren't reading about homework when you really need to know the best diaper to buy. (The answer to the dipes question is Target brand by the way)

100 words of thanks.

I love Thanksgiving. I mean enamored by it. It is by far my favorite day of the year. I love the smell of Thanksgiving. I love the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade for all its cheesiness. (Who doesn't love a big balloon?) I am someone who is truly thankful at Thanksgiving and grateful to be surrounded by the people I love, with food. Food is important, especially the stuffing. I would marry stuffing if I could.

Sorry, I got lost in a moment of lusting after stuffing.

I was reading a blog I recently discovered written by a newbie to a messge board of woman that have become an integral part of my life. She had given herself the challenge to write down what she was thankful for in 100 words. I liked the idea and I stole it. We need more days like tomorrow to truly reflect on the joys of life around us. There are plenty of days where we focus on complaining about what isn't right or what we wish we had, but we need more days that are a celebration of life. And stuffing. In life we need more stuffing. So here are my thankfuls, in 100 words:

I am thankful for my husband and his undying love. For my daughter and all the gifts she has given me. For family, and friends that are like family. For laughing with co-workers when under stress. For coffee. I am thankful for health; mine and those I love. For my church and it’s parishioners who helped renew my faith. I am grateful to have a job and a home in this troubled economy when there are so many who are without. I am thankful for Obama. And optimism. Thank you for spa treatments. Facials, massages, pedicures. To stuffing: thanks!