You know how it goes.  Just walked into Borders to grab a stash of magazine to take into Starbucks (browsing is for free ppl...).  Black Americano in one hand, magazine in the other, cute little USB stick attached to it......

Ok, so the last part doesn't quite fit but the latest issue of Amelia's Magazine does indeed come with a cute ickle USB stick.  Amelia's Magazine has always been fairly generous with their magazine freebies; Tatty Devine necklaces, exclusive 7 inch discs by Pete Doherty, cute notbook and smelly felt tip pens.  Buying an issue feels more like you're gifting yourself with an hours worth of fun that is best enjoyed at home with a cup of tea and Johanna Newsom in the background, and perhaps that's probably why Amelia's doesn't quite fit in my Starbucks/Borders flicking session.  It could have easily been a naff giveaway.  I used to walk around boring media tradeshows and every stall would be handing out branded USB sticks.  Oh the originality of it all.  But this one is a bit of a gem because it also comes with 22 tracks selected by Amelia's, by artists that have been featured in the new issue.  A nice touch to add and if there was a chart of magazine freebies, I think this gets the number one spot (with the Elle Celia Birtwell illustrated beige tote coming a close second....such a useful thing despite being completely ubiquitous...).    

Still, if the limited run of the USB sticks run out, it's still a
properly packed mag with the kind of fashion that isn't grossly
unattainable or oblique.   

Also, the artist John Dahlsen gets an Amelia's big up and I've been fascinated by his website ever since....