Kinfolk

Last Friday, Kinfolk Magazine, a new online and print magazine that is focused on the art of entertaining in small gatherings, launched it's inaugural issue, and it is safe to say that I am completely head over heels for it. What a beautifully constructed collection of photographs, articles, and videos. Beautiful simplicity reigns supreme throughout the publication from the physical layout of the magazine - articles in a gorgeous typeface and surrounded by enough white space to make me blissfully happy - to the gatherings described and depicted. In fact, their manifesto states that "Every element of Kinfolk – the features, photography, and general aesthetics – are consistent with the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived." The publication certainly lives up to this standard. What's more, the creative minds behind this publication are just that: creative minds. Kinfolk is written, photographed, compiled, edited, etc. by an international community of artists, and this creative energy saturates every element of the magazine. It is more than simply visually pleasing; it is enchanting and enticing, drawing readers in not with flashy layouts or brilliant colours but with restful, calming palettes that I could gaze at all day long. Extolling the virtues of small gatherings - beginning with time spent alone - Kinfolk has arrived at what is a rather appropriate time in my life. As I get older I am constantly struck by the importance of spending time with your dearest friends and have gradually come to recognize that perhaps this is not always a large group, but that a small group can be all the more enjoyable.  What's more, I'm at a point in life where friends are beginning to scatter far and wide as we graduate, get married, or move across the country and the importance of gatherings is becoming increasingly apparent, particularly the importance of simple gatherings where the focus is on the companionship and not the event. The idea of seeing time alone as an event is also beautiful and interesting as I begin to value my personal space and time more and more. Finally, I've consistently been learning the beauty and importance of simplicity in my life - whether it is in clothing or decor or taking joy in small things - and this is something captured and praised by Kinfolk. I am not sure that there is any other publication that could capture all of these things in such a beautiful package. If you haven't yet, go and check out the online edition. It's a must-read in my books.