Better Homes and Gardens May 2016

We’ve been talking a lot about dinner lately. BHG has undeniable authority in the kitchen— it’s difficult to find a home without a copy of our iconic Red Plaid Cookbook. That’s why it made sense for us to dive right into a new food-theme issue. Food editor Nancy Wall Hopkins and her team went through our Food Factor survey, in which 2,000 people shared with us their thoughts on the American table, and found that dinner is paramount on people’s minds. That led to our first ever “Dinner Report” (page 110), where we learned some surprising things about what’s cooking in your kitchens. We also asked our staff about dinner in their homes. Senior editor Diana Dickinson: “One little tradition is called High-Low. We go around the table and everyone shares the…

1 STOP OVERCOOKING ASPARAGUS Here’s our asparagus refresher for the season. BHG.com/BestAsparagus 2 POWER PERENNIALS Fill your garden with these plants that thrive no matter what. BHG.com/ToughFlowers 3 RECHARGE YOUR GARAGE Have the best-looking garage on the block with these knockout ideas. BHG.com/GlamGarage [CONTEST] Enter for a chance to win $25,000 GO TO BHG.COM/WINUPGRADE FOR THE CHANCE TO RENOVATE YOUR KITCHEN! DETAILS, PAGE 149. Enter at BHG.com/KitchenWin [ BLOGGER OF THE MONTH] BAKING A MOMENT BHG.COM/ALLIEBLOG @BAKINGAMOMENT ALLIE // BAKINGAMOMENT.COM Allie launched her blog three years ago with the goal of treating readers to something delicious. Her favorite recipe? Simply Perfect Salted Caramel Sauce, which appears in many of her desserts (keep the butter and sugar handy; those are her go-to ingredients). But it’s colorful food that most inspires her. “Berries are a lot of fun to shoot,” she says. [READER SHOPPING] BUTTERFLY BANQUET COLLECTION Welcome…

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” —WILLIAM MORRIS…

“When you tidy your space completely, you transform the scenery.” —MARIE KONDO…

1 PREP THE SKIN “Bold colors will call attention to any dryness,” makeup artist Diane Kendal says. Exfoliate with a soft toothbrush or lip scrub and then top with a generous amount of your favorite balm. Let it sink in for at least a minute. 2 DEFINE YOUR LIPS Pick a pencil that closely matches your lipstick— Kendal likes MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Follow Your Heart ($16.50; maccosmetics.com). Outline your lips, defining your cupid’s bow so color looks crisp. Then fill in. 3 TOP WITH LIPSTICK It intensifies color and softens lips—MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Ruby Woo, ($17; maccosmetics.com) is a classic. Because this look is dramatic, keep the rest of your makeup minimal—almost nothing on eyes and cheeks, Kendal says. PHOTOS: (PRODUCTS) JEFF HARRIS, (PORTRAIT) LAURENT DARMON/TRUNK ARCHIVE…

8 A.M. I have to wake up at 5 on days when Modern Family is shooting, so it’s nice to be able to sleep in a little on off days. 8:05 A.M. Have coff ee and eat something light like a banana. Then I work out—usually Pilates. 9 A.M. Make myself a protein shake. 9:10 A.M. Shower. I have to do all kinds of things to my hair for my job, so I need something that nourishes my scalp but isn’t harsh. I use Head & Shoulders Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner ($4.99 each; headandshoulders.com), which also has a nice lavender scent. 9:25 A.M. After I get out, I use coconut oil on my body, wrap my hair in a towel, and put on sunscreen. 9:30 A.M. I’ve changed the way I do my makeup as…