Broke Ass Porn: Digital Magazines

I’ve always harbored a serious addiction to magazines. There’s just something about those glossy pages, slick photography and snappy writing that has me stockpiling just to las  a long Sunday afternoon.  I get ReadyMade when I want to pretend I’m crafty, Interview for great features, and any fashion magazine when I want to feel bad about myself.  Now that the print industry has been dying a slow and painful death, I try to support the rag trade even more. So what if I can’t afford lunch, at least I’ll be visually sustained on my not so discretionary spending. We’ve mentioned here before, that blogs can sometimes fill the void that fallen magazines leave behind, and are a hell of a lot cheaper. Plus you don’t have to shell out $8 for something that’s 70 percent luxury watch ads. And while I have my go-to bookmarks from everything from food, fashion and a Tom Selleck tumblr, I still miss flipping the pages of a cohesive whole. So while the industry still falters, people have figured out they can still put together an interesting publication sans paper. Digital magazines are popping up all over the place offering the same type of reading experience minus the hefty price tag. Here are some of my favorites to “flip” through.

N.E.E.T Magazine

N.E.E.T Magazine is like a fashion magazine, Etsy, and DIY guide all rolled into one. It’s published online quarterly and features tons of independent designers, eco fashion and plenty of vintage to please the eyes.  It’s a great outlet to discover young emerging talents and little labels you might have otherwise never heard of.  It was started five years ago in the U.K, and each issue is chocked full of inspiration of stuff you could actually afford and see yourself wearing. No Regretsy creations here. It’s like diving into your most stylish friend’s closet.  Besides great lookbooks, there’s also some great interviews of the web’s top style stars, designers and creative entrepreneurs.  I have to fight the impulse the print the whole thing out due to my hoarding tendencies.

Lonny Magazine

I may not live in the most artfully arranged apartment but that doesn’t mean I can’t pretend I will upholster and wallpaper everything one day. After decor mag, Domino folded last year, it’s former editor and interior designer,  Michelle Adams decided to take her expert eye to the web with her partner Patrick Cline and Lonny Magazine was born.  Think Design Sponge meets Elle Decor for the cash-strapped design enthusiasts.  With a beautiful layout from a variety of contributors, you kind of forget it hasn’t been around for forever.  While most of us aren’t really homeowners, it’s still fun to escape into the lush interiors within it’s pages.

h+Magazine

One can’t address digital technology without including a tech publication. h+ Magazine covers the convergence of  technology, science, and culture and the ways these affect the human experience.  I’m not usually an avid reader of science magazines, but h+ is less about abstract subjects and more about dissecting science fiction into the impossible and the very soon possible. It’s far more interesting than covering the latest gadgets and tracks technology breakthroughs from the field of medicine, physics and of course space travel. We nerds need our space travel.  Think of it as the antidote to US Weekly fueled brain damage.

Antler Magazine

What at first glance seems to be another indie Fashion rag, Antler Magazine proves right off the bat, they’re no one trick pony. Covering all art mediums from, painting, sculpture, literature, and everyone’s favorite, taxidermy; Antler has got it all. It’s published bimonthly and highlights all the rising stars in today’s creative industries. When they’re not working on their issues, they also have a regular blog to tie you over til the next issue.  Without the constraints of advertisers, this fashion art magazine can do whatever they hell they want. You won’t find any advertorial spreads or phony “must have” products in these pages. It’s one of those things where I can’t remember where I discovered it, but am so glad I did.

Be sure to check out the site Mygazines for a whole list of free publications for your procrastinating pleasure.

Photo Courtesy of: 3Dissue