During my first pregnancy, I purchased pretty much every maternity magazine and book known to woman. I had books on nutrition, exercise and types of childbirth. You name it–I had it. Unfortunately, It wasn’t long before I was a complete basket case, filled with guilt and anxiety about absolutely everything baby related.
Shortly after my son was born, I read a statistic in one of my maternity magazines that mothers who experience stress during pregnancy are more likely to have children with Reactive Airway Disease. My father was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer during my seventh month of pregnancy. Needless to say, I was stressed. (That’s probably putting it a little mildly) Unfortunately, my son also happens to have Reactive Airway Disease. I have never been able to forget the “statistic” in the magazine. I’m not convinced that there is a correlation between my son’s RAD and my stress level during pregnancy and I find it completely misleading for magazines to print one line “statistics” without sharing the entire article.
One of the perks of my previous place of employment was learning how to read and interpret studies. Based on my self-proclaimed expert opinion, the study in this magazine sucked. I’m sure there are a handful of additional correlations that the magazine decided to leave out. (Including family history) For the life of me, I don’t understand why a magazine would print such a thing. I don’t think any expectant mother wants to be stressed, I know I definitely wish my father hadn’t been diagnosed with cancer. Life is stressful and I tend to read magazines to relax and unwind. It probably goes without saying, that I did not renew my subscription to this particular magazine.
Lately, I have started picking up magazines that inspire me, both to be a better mother and a better version of me. (In addition to my gossips mags of course) One recent fabulous find includes: Real Simple Family. I have always enjoyed the magazine Real Simple, and was pleasantly surprised to learn they have a family edition.
The magazine is really wonderful. I have had it on my kitchen counter for over a month and haven’t been able to get rid of it. The magazine is creative. It’s sweet. It’s inspiring. Don’t believe me? 
Check out this link for a month’s worth of delicious recipes, including suggested wine pairings AND a shopping list. How is that for simple? Now if they could just send someone over to cook.
Here are a couple of other new magazines that I have my eye on.
la petite magazine has only two issues under its belt, however, the issues are adorable! I absolutely love the photography and the clothing featured in the fall issue. I’m very much looking forward to issue number three.
Confession: I don’t follow a lot of blogs. However, one blog that I do follow is Anne Sage’s blog, The City Sage. Her blog serves up a daily dose of inspiring creations that a mother of two can only fantasize about. Her looks are beyond gorgeous and one day, when I get the crayon off the walls, I’m hunting down the City Sage to style my house (and maybe me too). Until then, color on kiddos. The world is a canvas and apparently so is my house. 
Image credits: 1 & 2 Real Simple Family. 3 la petite magazine. 4. rue magazine.
Arm Candy Confessions 
Totally agree on the Real Simple magazine. Went to the Container Store and they were offering a discount on the subscription so I got it and look forward to getting it. It gives out great ideas on recipes and how to organize your home. Absolutely love it!
You have me curious now…I will have to check it out!