I browse magazine covers so you don't have to

I had some time before my train and popped into the fetid magazine shop in the station.
I had no intention of purchasing a magazine and this was reinforced by what I saw whilst browsing.



I am not sure I believe that is Oprah's hair. Or Oprah's arm. Or Oprah's waist. It doesn't matter to me, personally, but the deceptiveness of it burns me a little.



For many years I'd buy one bride magazine, in the spring or fall, a good thick one, and dream over the photos. Now I have the internet. It's easier.



I think Real Simple is a very good magazine. Really. I do. Good design, decent writing, nice photos and layouts, I even like the paper they print on. But it is the SAME magazine, month after month, year after year, and I'm not sure how it has managed to stay alive.



Architectural Digest does not make me feel inadequate. I do not wish for cavernous homes. Will and Jada look like they live in the wing of a hotel, and they seem happy about it. I'd like my dining room to be a bit bigger but the idea of what that hotel wing must have cost confounds me.



And, yet, Mrs. Obama is at a picnic table. Looking fresh and healthy indeed. I've never read Better Homes. Perhaps I'll pick it up at the airport on Friday.

'

Elle Decor is foreign to me as well. They've done a good job of making Courtney Cox look thick in the middle, haven't they? I cannot imagine how they managed that.



Dwell is altogether too sophisticated for me. Honestly. I've tried. I've got no idea what they are talking about.

On the other hand...