All In A Woman's Day

Woman's Day Magazine has been around for years--as have I--and it continues to provide its readers with important and updated information on health, home, family, and nutrition.
The cover should intrigue most all women with homes and families, as the list of articles and color photos make for an interesting display of reading fodder.

Editor Jane Chestnutt greets readers with her summary of each issue. Her messages are upbeat and direct. Her photo shows a middle-aged woman with better-than-average looks, but certainly not fashion-model material. I think this is important, as she defines who the average woman in this country is.

Woman's Day's "How To..." column features tidbits from freelance writers sharing ideas on organizing, creating free time, and finding the simple pleasures in life. These are typically a couple of pages packed with punch--except for the reader-submitted blurb "Take a 10-minute Vacation". This is where readers can share their interpretation of what makes them feel invigorated and refreshed without leaving their home or office. Face it, you can only read about someone's meditation or browsing at loved one's photos so many times!

The "Neighbors" page features ideas and celebrations written by readers for other readers. Some issues find a wealth of information and creativity on this page, others a bland mixture of mushy sentiment. I mean no offense. If you like mushy sentiment, than this is a page you'll most definitely enjoy! This page also features a "Friends and Neighbors Award". This is a person nominated by another reader for something outstanding they did for another human being. I must admit I've been truly inspired on many occasions when reading of others kind deeds.

As always I peruse the masthead for a list of editors and department assistants. As a freelance writer I like to keep on top of this information, but still find it well worth a 50 cent phone call directly to the publication before querying, as these positions sometimes change rapidly, and it is imperative to address a query to the proper individual.

From this point the magazine follows a pattern of organizational articles, how-to's, and recent trends and discoveries in the health and nutrition fields. There is typically a diet article, and there is often a feature explaining how someone or a group of people have overcome extenuating odds.

I am especially pleased with the organizational articles. Throughout the years I have learned to effectively organize my home office, my holiday decorations, and my children's wardrobes and toys. Believe it or not, the tips and suggestions have really proved noteworthy!

The suggestions and ideas for purchasing items are always reasonable. I feel these are especially aimed at average-income families with children. They are definitely angled to suit women. But they are presented in a tone that is informative and upbeat, and not the least bit condescending.

I would compare this magazine to Family Circle. The format and style is similar, but where a man might indeed find something useful in Family Circle, he wouldn't be quite as likely to find it here.

Woman's Day ends its issue with a back page essay called "Happy Endings". And even though the story may be tainted with a taste of bittersweet, the ending is typically happy, and is one with which most women could relate.

Woman's Day is available on newsstands for $1.79. I have subscribed for a few years and -pay less than a dollar an issue.

Woman's Day also publishes specialty magazines for holidays--the Christmas ones are fantastic--and are loaded with affordable, easy-to-utilize ideas and tips.

I would deem this publication a must-read for women who consider their families and their homes to be of utmost priority. It is not a high fashion or gourmet-cook's magazine, but the info is timely and good.

My only peeve is the cooking section, which I believe is a little too repetitive. After all, just how many things can YOU creatively do with spaghetti?