Better Homes and Gardens July 2017

Several months back we conducted focus groups with our readers in several cities to hear what they think about Better Homes & Gardens® magazine. One of my takeaways was how many people keep at least two or three home improvement projects going at any given time. I remember the joyful way one mom in Atlanta described rotating through her weekend tasks. It made her happy to have a constant short list of creative ideas to work on when she wasn’t tending to her kids’ needs or thinking about work. Hearing her made me realize that all those little DIYs we take on give us time to ourselves and are part of the bond we have with our homes. I keep a few project ideas in rotation to develop and work on…

1 JULY 4TH PARTY We’ve got festive ideas for the ultimate red, white, and blue party. BHG.com/JulyBash 2 REFRESH FOR LESS Give your home a fresh look in a weekend with these DIY-friendly projects. BHG.com/WinTheWeekend 3 BACKYARD BASH Host a stress-free summer gathering using our easy outdoor party ideas. BHG.com/PartyOutside GET SOCIAL #BHGCELEBRATE Say cheers to summer by whipping up a batch of Salty Dogs a la @freutcake: 1 part simple syrup, 2 parts vodka, 3 parts grapefruit juice. Serve it in ice-filled glasses rimmed with salt. And tag your coolest entertaining ideas #BHGCelebrate on Instagram for a chance to be featured like she is here and in the @betterhomesandgardens Instagram feed.…

‘EDEN’S PERFUME’ produces delightfully fragrant, double, bright pink flowers up to 7" across. ‘FESTIVA MAXIMA’ is a classic with crimson-flecked big, blowsy white blooms that have a powerful scent. ‘RASPBERRY SUNDAE’ emits a sweet perfume from cream petals suffused with a raspberry shade. ORDER YOURS NOW AT BHG.com/PeonyTrio, or call 1-800-420-2852; refer to code BHS15, item GM083531. $45 for three bare-root peonies, plus shipping. They ship at the proper planting time for fall. Best in Zones 3-7S/8W.…

BASED ON THE SYMBOLS ON FLAGS USED TO RELAY MESSAGES BETWEEN SHIPS. 1 NAUTICAL PENNANT FLAG GARLAND Drape this garland made from old sails above an outdoor table. $60; seabags.com 2 WHITE ANCHORS THROW The crisp motif pops in quilt form. $145; utilitycanvas.com 3 SIREN SONG SWIZZLE STICKS Horn stirrers elevate highballs. $22 each; food52.com 4 NAUTICAL FLAGS COASTER SET Dock your drink on these hand-screened cotton squares. $90 for 26; shopthomaspaul.com 5 MARITIME JOURNAL Record summer adventures in a notebook that looks like an old captain’s log. $20; sevencolonial.com 6 WHALE BASKET At 30" wide and 17" deep, it’ll swallow up toys. $99; potterybarnkids.com 7 CREW VOTIVE HOLDERS These designs mimic signal flags used at sea. $3.50 each; shop.designideas.net 8 PORTHOLE MIRROR A borrowed-from-theboat look also works on the mainland, $105 (8.5"); shiplights.com MATE GALLERY Marine reigns supreme in…

I’m going to be tired for the foreseeable future. (With a new baby and a sassy 6-year-old, a full night’s sleep is my ultimate fantasy.) Still, that doesn’t mean I have to look exhausted, right? After all, “a good concealer can perform miracles for dark circles,” says Gita Bass, a celebrity makeup artist for Simple skin care. My lower lids throw more shade than a blackout curtain, and the skin is dry, too, so Bass suggests using a creamy stick, pot, or liquid. She says, “They provide good coverage without caking or creasing.” Happily, I find a few formulas that fake a decent catnap. And as for mornings when the shadows are borderline scary , a smidge of pink or peach corrector layered underneath concealer works wonders. (Try Cover FX…

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL Got sensitive skin? This seed oil’s high level of gamma linolenic fatty acid may help. “Evening primrose oil soothes skin, and some studies show it even alleviates conditions like eczema,” says New York City dermatologist Anthony Rossi, M.D. TRY Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil ($19.99; drugstores) and Yes To PrimRose Oil 2-in-1 Cleansing & Moisturizing Facial Wipes ($5.99; walmart.com) AVOCADO OIL This fruit oil feels lavish thanks to the dense fatty acid called oleic. “It’s very rich so is great for people with super-dry skin and hair,” says dermatologist Karyn Grossman, M.D. “It also acts like an antiinflammatory.” If you’re acne-prone or have fine hair though, it may be best to skip this one. TRY Nivea Nourishing Body Oil Avocado and Macadamia Oil ($11.99; drugstores) and Suave Professionals Avocado…