I’m a big fan of independent publications, so when I come across magazines I enjoy, I like to share! Right now, I’m reading Pure and Papercut.

Pure is created in Portugal and available online (free, baby!) as a downloadable PDF. Fine, I don’t actually read it since my knowledge of Portuguese is limited to Teena Marie songs (RIP Lady Tee), but it’s fun to look at the pictures and see what they’re up to on their blog.

Papercut is dedicated to the emerging fashion community, and focuses on art, culture, and current events. Also: pretty pictures!

The Editor

Even if you don’t run an indie magazine, you can run your blog like an editor! I have a weird, lifelong love for forms–when I was little, I used to take stacks of deposit slips and mailing forms from the bank and post office and fill them out for fun. Yes, that IS as sad as it sounds. Go ahead and laugh. I’ll wait.

Luckily, Terra Black developed The Editor, a blogging planner that helps satiate my slightly OCD organizational tendencies by providing plenty of boxes and lines and note-taking space to scribble ideas and strategery.

Have I ever mentioned the time I spent, like, two hours picking out the perfect planner and portfolio at Staples ON MY BIRTHDAY? No? Let’s forget I mentioned that, then…

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I’ve never been good at New Year’s Resolutions. I have a serious sweet tooth, so for a long time I made the standard “Eat healthier” resolution. It always failed because I just crossed my fingers and hoped that I would wake up on January 1st WANTING to eat only raw broccoli with lemon zest for the rest of my life. That cookie/cake/pint of Haagen Dazs Dulce de Leche calling my name in the freezer wouldn’t seem appetizing at all! Unsurprisingly, that bit of post-holiday magic never happened.

So, this year, I’m trying something more realistic that makes sense for me:

I’m not saying it won’t be difficult, but this one? This one I think I can tough out for one measly year. Do you have any realistic resolutions for 2011?

Also, earlier this week I posted that I’m pulling a Carine and Style Sample magazine is shutting its doors. It’s been an amazing ride and I’ve learned more than I could’ve imagined–which is one of the reasons I started it in the first place. I’m still drawn to the idea of publishing a magazine, so who knows what the future holds?

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Last week, I lamented my work load on Twitter:

(You can follow @StyleSample for real-time updates–most of the time I’m not so complain-y, I swear.)

Between the new issue of Style Sample magazine (out tomorrow!), Style Tour reviews, and a few other projects, my eyes are crossed from staring at page layouts and WordPress admin screens. Good thing I love this stuff!

Here’s a peek at some of the things I’ve been working on:

Style Sample magazine

Issue #10 comes out tomorrow! This one includes several interviews with fashion industry professionals–Project Runway alum Althea Harper, fashion stylist Lauren Messiah, and Vogue writer Grace Timothy–as well as several gorgeous photo shoots.

I’m still trying to find the right balance of content, so let me know what you think once it’s released tomorrow.

Style Tour

All of the Style Tour stops can be viewed here, but I like things fancy so I’m creating a flashier presentation that can be embedded on other sites. I’m also working on the print version of the guide, which will be available online and in the 4th Street Boutique.

Stop Traffick gift guide

My friend Emily from Stop Traffick Fashion asked me to help her put together a holiday gift guide with new and popular items from the shop. For those who don’t know, Stop Traffick sells cute jewelry and accessories made by survivors of human trafficking and is a wonderful way to support the organizations who are rescuing and rehabilitating victims. Plus, I’m like, a moddle for them.

I created a hi-res PDF for printing, as well as a web-friendly version with clickable links to the items for sale on the site. You can check that out here.

Whew! I feel like a spa day (or at least some mani-pedi action) will be in order next week…

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I love reading and supporting other independent magazines, and while I usually focus on fashion and style publications, I enjoy pretty much anything with creative, pretty content.

So, when I came across Rue magazine last night, I spent at least an hour (an hour I was supposed to spend working) flipping through page after page of beautiful imagery and taking inspiration from the clean, colorful layout.

The magazine very adeptly combines fashion and home decor, and I’m only slightly (very) jealous that they have a team–a team!–of photographers and designers and writers who travel around the country snapping photos and hobnobbing with The Beautiful People. Sigh. Someday…

If you like interior decorating (and if you don’t, you should), have a look!

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Between hanging out with my family, acting as an all-you-can-eat buffet for mosquitoes, and perfecting my smoothie-making technique (I’m up to two per day. Seriously, it’s a problem), I spent most of the holiday weekend working on the new issue of Style Sample magazine. You can read the online version here, and order a copy of the print edition–which includes a pretty awesome bonus feature on personal styling–here.

I didn’t even get to see fireworks, and I love fireworks.  Ah, well. Maybe Labor Day…

How was your weekend?

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Y’all know how much I love magazines, especially my fellow indie publications. I was having an exceptionally unproductive morning (you know how sometimes it’s impossible to focus?), when I came across WWIT–short for We’re Worth It, Too.

I got about three quarters of the way through the magazine before I even realized it’s primarily a men’s publication–the entire thing is so well done, and I’d totally wear at least 80% of the clothing and accessories featured. I emailed the editor and it turns out he’s an absolute sweetheart as well.

What I know about men’s fashion could fit on the head of a pin, but WWIT makes me want to learn more…and possibly, dress like a boy.

Happy now, Kyle?

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From the May 7, 2010 issue of Women’s Wear Daily:

“A free digital magazine focused on and written by fashion bloggers, Style Sample just released it’s sixth issue [actually, it's the seventh issue]. While the base site is more of a boon for bloggers (it provides plenty of how-to info and technology tips), it also allows readers to click through to the issues. And that’s where an overload of creativity lives. Although it’s a bit meta for anyone who isn’t personally in the blogging trenches, it’s an excellent venue for scouting talent for possible corporate sponsorship. Beyond that, it’s just a fascinating place to hang out for anyone whose job description includes style.”

OH. EM. GEE.

For those not completely obsessed with fashion, WWD is basically the bible of the style industry. And Style Sample magazine is in it! Now, if you will excuse me, I’m ’bout to go do my happy dance…

WHOOOO!

Thanks to Ann of Holier Than Now for pointing it out, and to The Glamourai for posting the scans.

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