The Universe has blessed me with its infinite riches today. Walking back to work from my yoga class I went past the Hospice charity shop. Outside I spied a Victoria magazine. That, my friends, was just the tip of the iceberg.
I normally don’t carry money to my yoga class, but today I tucked $20 in my bag. For $1 each, I purchased thirteen copies, all in perfect condition and from the last few years. They are the new publication of Victoria, which I considered subscribing to, but it was very expensive to New Zealand and I decided against it.
I have a small number (less than a dozen) of ‘old’ Victorias (including a few of the French issues) which I’ve re-read regularly over the years. They always give me a feeling of peace, relaxation and serenity, and make me feel more creative.
My Auntie S has a similar sensibility to me, and was a subscriber of the ‘old’ Victoria right from the early days. She’s promised me she will never declutter her beloved copies without offering them to me first, and recently said she had put my name on the box so that I will inherit them one day!
Putting my new treasures in date order I found there was two double-ups. I think they will be finding their way to my Auntie.
Are you a fan of Victoria? I’m not a big Victoriana-style fan and sometimes (the older issues) were a bit frilly for me, but overall this magazine has dreamy and divine photo shoots and lovely, quaint writing. Reading a copy of Victoria whilst lying on the bed is one of my favourite ways to wind down on an early night. Perhaps with a chamomile or mint tea.
I can’t wait to treat myself to my ‘new’ copies.
And my plan is to declutter at least 13 magazine when I get home, possibly even doubling the number to 26. That may be a good way to declutter in between ‘actual’ declutterings. One in, two out. Not too onerous.
hi fiona,
ReplyDeletei used to love reading victoria magazine. i guess i just never reunited when it came back out. my girlfriend sounds just like you though. she loves it. and i like your theory of 1 in and 2 out.
xo
janet
ps ~ my 'tubes' are clean! ahahaha.
Oh I love that magazine too! Fell in love with it in junior high way back when it first came out! But like you, I'm not into Victorian type stuff~just the beautiful life, photographs and style!
ReplyDeleteI loved Victoria!! It was one of the very few magazines I would buy when younger. Years later, I became friends with a Canadian designer who (before retirement) advertised her garments there. Heck, her abode could have come straight out of its editorials. (She lived in a cottage on a Raj's estate--seriously *beautiful*.) You stumbled on such a deal.
ReplyDeleteSuch memories! I would give anything to have my old copies now.
I can identify with your excitement.
ReplyDeleteOld "Victorias" and the Christmas issues of "Country Living{, etc. are the only magazines left in our house (but there are a lot of 'em)!
I no longer subscribe to ANY magazines, but keep these old issues around for frequent perusal and pleasure.
I've never heard of this magazine. Not sure if it has ever been available in Europe. Can you share more about what this magazine is about. I'm really intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI recall the old Victoria and their lovely photo spreads of the English or French countryside. I liked how it was a cohesive magazine with a clear vision. It was all so relaxing. You found a treasure!
ReplyDeleteYes - I was a reader back when, and have a stack of old issues. Nothing beats a great charity shop find.
ReplyDeleteI used to buy every issue of Victoria magazine and decluttered a few years back...none left. I do however have a stack of Country Living UK...which I cannot part with..yet!
ReplyDeleteLove Yoga too.
I swear you and I must be related....somehow, some way. I have loved "Victoria" since its debut--and I have kept some of those earlier issues (and all of the French ones). Nothing compares to those older ones. I do have a current subscription (the only magazine I get after decluttering). I look forward to every issue. I wish it was a monthly magazine like it use to be but at least this way I collect less clutter--it can be hard to part with them, as you know.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call my style Victorian either. True Victorian is too busy and stuffy for me. But it's the more simple, quieter time that draws me in and somehow that is captured, even through modern articles, in the pages of "Victoria". Congratulations on your find! A treasure indeed.
What a great serendipitous find! I still have my old Victoria magazines too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Victoria fans are everywhere!
ReplyDeleteVanessa, their website for the new issues is www.victoriamag.com. It's an American magazine but I bought one of my copies when in London April 2001 (from Harrods, of course, it was probably twice as much there as anywhere else!).
so fun! I had that same feeling in a huge, musty, five story used bookstore where I unearthed a box that had Teen Vogues in it BUT behind them were over a dozen issues of DOMINO at 50 cents an issue. I mistakenly got so excited about finding copies of the out of print magazine that I'm sure the owner (who rang up my purchase) will probably change the price the next time they obtain a batch of Domino issues to sell. (they purchase items from estates and individuals).
ReplyDeleteI used to read the original Victoria and dreamed of living a Victoria life. Lucky you to find such a treasure today!
I read the old Victoria in high school. I wanted to live and dress like the models in the magazines, and I insisted on wearing fragrances from Crabtree & Evelyn and buying fake period jewelry to transport me into a Victoria world.
ReplyDeleteI am more of the modernist, but my best friend subscribes to Victoria and has nothing but antiques in her home. I love her home and her personal style. We just talked about how we truly love each other's homes but we are different. (I think that s why we get along so well!)
ReplyDeletei used to like the old victoria allthough my style is more a minimalistic one.i wonder what other magazines do you read[if you read any]?efi.
ReplyDeleteEvery month, I get out every past issue of Victoria and set out the entire stack to read through when I get time to sit. I never get tired of the old magazines and often see things I had not noticed before.
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! I have a few of the old issues but really wish I had more. Enjoy. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona! I absolutely love "Victoria" magazine although I let the subscription lapse a few years ago. Savoring the pages and articles always made me walk a little taller and and pamper myself a bit more...every publication is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Yahoo Group dedicated to the original Victoria magazine.
ReplyDeleteIt is called
"Return_To_Loveliness · Celebrating Victoria--The Quiet Center"
Check it out. It is a great group
Jeanne, thank you for reminding me of this group. I joined long ago but haven't been back for a while. Living in a gentle manner is always greatly pleasing to me.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't feel so guilty about holding on to these gems: my Victoria magazines. With so much pressure to give away your things, don't let clutter build up, etc..I wish they published them again. I have the "old" ones and really don't want to part with them. I feel better now that the intention to keep them to enjoy again and again is shared. Ah, tea time...
ReplyDeleteEfi, I'm sorry I missed your question. I flick through magazines such as Real Simple and Martha Stewart Living as well as fashion ones like Instyle, but I could live without them. There's just not that many magazines I can identify with these days. I prefer to make my own with articles I have torn out or printed off, by putting the pages into a clearfile. No advertisements and I can read them over and over and never get bored.
ReplyDeleteAnon, it's nice to have some decluttering non-negotiables isn't it? Some of the magazines I keep like Victoria are more like books the way I treat them.
I have the very first issue of Victoria magazine which was from Spring/Summer '87 but I was wondering if anyone knows of theexact year and month of last issue?
ReplyDeleteI "googled" Victoria magazine and was interested to find your post. I loved reading of your serendipitous find. In February of 2010, I started a blog called "Remembering Victoria" ...basically dedicated to sharing stories of how that magazine has touched our lives. I was hoping to find others with a similar fondness for the original Victoria that I loved. In small and large ways, it seems that magazine -- more than any other periodical I have come across -- struck such a resonant chord with those who loved it. I think that is evidenced by all the comments here on this post and by the varied ages of those commenting. It (the original) had a timeless beauty that has not been duplicated by any periodical since. I kept all my original copies and still read and enjoy their beauty... it is a classic as much for its literacy as for its beauty. I would love to hear from any of you who might want to share a Victoria story with me at victoria@charmandgrace.com or visit my blog at http://rememberingvictoria.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Christi