Better Homes and Gardens November 2017

Last night I was doing the laundry. Inexplicably, it’s the folding that always seems to hold me up, so I usually put it off . I was sitting on the floor watching television and going through the repetitive motions of rolling socks, squaring up napkins, and unsuccessfully attempting to fold a fitted sheet (don’t judge). While working, I was viewing terrible things happening on the news: scenes of people caught in natural catastrophes around the world, footage of countries being torn apart by violence and political strife. It was horrible to watch and left me feeling helpless: What can one person do? So I just sat there and folded laundry. As I did, I realized how lucky I was to be doing this mundane thing that a few minutes ago I…

WHAT’S TRENDING ON BHG.COM 1 TAKEOUT TRADE-INS Make your own favorite takeout dishes at home. BHG.com/EatThisNow 2 FIRST IMPRESSIONS Hosting the holidays for the first time? Get budgeting tips, party ideas, and more. BHG.com/Firsts 3 COMFORT FOOD MAKEOVERS Delicious comfort food can be healthy, too. BHG.com/FastandFresh [ SWEEPSTAKES] Win $25,000 Go to BHG.com/ Kitchen25k for a chance to win your dream kitchen! Entry details on page 140. [GET SOCIAL] #BHGCELEBRATE Warm out of the oven, @mamagourmand’s Buckeye Turtle Brownies will satisfy your need for comfort food this time of year with layers of caramel, peanut butter, pecans, and chocolate. Visit #BHGCelebrate on Instagram for more comfort food recipes. Tag your own photos for a chance to be featured here or in the @betterhomesandgardens Instagram feed. [ EXCLUSIVE OFFER] RED DOUBLE AMARYLL IS IN WOVEN BASKET Just eight to 10 weeks after delivery, spectacular double…

A bottle of red, a bottle of white, or perhaps you want to show up with something a little more special for the host tonight? These are a few of our new favorite giftable goodies to change up the host-gift routine. Wrapping is optional, but whatever you do, don’t show up empty-handed.…

1 Cinnamon Vanilla Syrup makes pancakes extra sweet and a hot buttered rum even yummier. $17; runamokmaple.com 2 Whirl earthy Cremini Mushroom Pesto into pastas, omelets, and more. $10; thegracious gourmet.com 3 Enjoy a peaceful moment with floral-scented Vanilla Rose Ceylon black tea. $10; www.flyingbird botanicals.com 4 Blaak Drizzle, a tangy-sweet balsamic and fruit reduction, turns roasted vegetables, meats, even vanilla ice cream into something spectacular. $15; beekman1802.com 5 A spoonful of roasted Nuts & Honey, a favorite Tuscan treat, is killer over yogurt or cheese (or straight out of the jar). $13; bonniesjams.com 6 Blood Orange Olive Oil brightens salmon and salads and adds delicious notes to chocolate desserts. $20; calivirgin.com 7 The sriracha and smoked peppers in Pickled Bloody Mary Mix heat up Sunday funday. $16; kansascity canningco.com 8 Raw Acacia Honeycomb makes a host’s…

Artist and interior designer Kerri Rosenthal wants you to feel the sunshine when you step inside her XOKR Concept Shop. Even during cold, dark months, warmth radiates from the former fashion exec’s cheerful capsule collections of hand-painted denim and cashmere pieces, original decor, and graphic paintings. In true gallery fashion, the shop reinvents itself every two months. Its merchandise, art, and soundtrack morph into concepts like Tiki Summer and Old School. “We literally close our doors one night and open them the next morning with a whole new vibe,” says Kerri, who unveils each new theme via social media and hosts a launch party to celebrate. Shoppers flock in for a retail fix that’s pure joy, because, as Kerri says, “Happiness is addictive.” kerrirosenthal.com MAKE A DAY OF IT Westport has a…

THE REST IS HISTORY As a freelance illustrator, Johanna Basford was known for delicate blackand- white drawings on labels for things like chocolate boxes and wine. She got an offer to do a kid’s coloring book. But, Johanna says, “I wanted to do something intricate that adults—not children—could do. This was in 2011, long before adult coloring became a ‘thing,’ so imagine how quiet the editor went when I pitched my idea. To convince her, I drew five samples, a taster of what was to come. After that, we agreed to give it a go!” BY: KATY KIICK CONDON; PHOTO: JASON DONNELLY; COLORING BY: MARIA DURYEE…