Now that school's back in session, stains are out in full force! From grass stains to juice box explosions, a little TLC can go a long way when you're doing the laundry.
Plus, get more great laundry tips!
1. Pre-treat grubby collars.
Body oils rub onto shirt collars and attract dirt, leaving them grimy and worse for the wear. Reverse the damage by grabbing shampoo and a clean paintbrush and paint a line over the soiled collar before washing.
2. Give clothes a good soak.
Soaking clothes overnight in a tub of water really helps loosen school day dirt and grime and can be especially effective for clothes that have that dingy-all-over look.
3. Snuff out stubborn stains.
For stubborn food stains, such as mustard, blot the troubled area with foam shaving cream and allow it to sit for half an hour. Repeat the process and if the stain remains, try leaving the cream in overnight.
Want more? Five tips to improve your laundry room.
4. Blast away bloodstains.
When conquering dried
Blog Posts by Country Living
Kids and adults alike will love these no-fuss after school snacks.
Read More »from Easy After School Snack Ideas
Plus, get more great summer recipes!
Avocado Ham Sandwich
Try avocado instead of Swiss in this classic recipe. Or, if your kid prefers the basics, stick with cheese.
Click here for the recipe.
Margherita Pizza
We make this divine Italian classic with fresh mozzarella and hand-torn basil leaves.
Click here for the recipe.
Check out these great DIY crafts!
Crispy Oven Chicken Fingers
We've cut the fat from these irresistibly crispy chicken fingers by baking them in the oven instead of deep frying.
Click here for the recipe.
Goldfish Crackers
Try this yummy homemade version of the classic cheesy snacks.
Click here for the recipe.
Milk and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies and milk are a match made in heaven.
Click here for the recipe.
Want more? Look at these living rooms you'll love.
Kiwi Ice Pops
Kiwi ice pops appeal to kids and adults alike. This recipe is not only mouthwatering but no fuss, making5 Crafts You Can Make out of School Supplies
By Country Living | Parenting – Thu, Jul 14, 2011 9:19 PM EDTPut your back-to-school supplies to work with one of these fun DIY projects you can make using pencils, erasers, books, and more.
Read More »from 5 Crafts You Can Make out of School Supplies
Plus! Buy it or DIY it for Less
1. Colored Pencil Vase
Magnify the hues of gifts from the garden with a kaleidoscope of colored pencils hot-glued to a glass vase or jar. Fill the vase with your favorite blossoms (we chose purple and white lilacs, anemone, and privet berry) and tie a bow (we used double-faced satin ribbon) around the bottom.
Sick of the typical flowers? Check out these 7 Herbs with Gorgeous Blooms.
2. Book Bag
Take a beloved hardcover off the shelf and put it on your shoulder by transforming it into a smart-looking purse. All you'll need, in addition to the book itself, is half a yard of fabric, a $4.99 handle kit, some ribbon, a button - and a free afternoon.
Complete How-To: Book Bag
3. Paper Vases
Near a favorite reading chair, present a page-turning vignette. Paint a silhouette on a backdrop of book pages. And cut vase shapes to give textWhether you're headed to the beach or just working in the garden, enhance your warm weather look with one of these attractive toppers.
Read More »from 7 Stylish Summer Hats
Plus: 14 Retro Swimsuits You'll Love
1. Timeless
Once worn by workers building the Panama Canal, this classic style has been revived as an elegant accessory. ($58; bcbg.com)
Looking for an island getaway? You may not need to go far! Check out the Best Islands in the U.S.
2. Preppy
Made of 100 percent cotton canvas, this cap features unexpected tartan detailing. ($89; barbour.com)
3. Affordable
Bring bohemian flair to the beach with this floppy, priced-right sun-shielder. ($19.50; americaneagle.com)
Plus: Buy it or DIY it for Less!
4. Eco-Friendly
Terrain's garden-esque version's hand-woven from sustainable palm fibers in Mexico. ($50; shopterrain.com)
Plus: Check out these 30 gorgeous and eco-friendly home goods!
5. Versatile
A straw bow bestows a hint of charm on this otherwise understated fedora. ($39.50; canvas.landsend.com)
6. Super Sun Protection
The wideWho needs the Caribbean? The United States boasts some of the most stunning getaway destinations in any ocean (or lake!).
Read More »from 5 Fantastic Island Destinations
Want more? Click here to read about America's best antique shows.
Santa Catalina, California
Just 22 miles from Los Angeles, Catalina (as most folks know it) delivers a laid-back touch of old Hollywood glamour-Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, and Clark Gable all played here. Laze on the Riviera-like beaches of Avalon Bay, take a cruise (310-510-8687) to gander at the region's famous flying fish, or hike the Trans-Catalina Trail (catalinaconservancy.org). You might catch sight of wild buffalo, descended from animals brought over for the filming of the 1925 movie The Vanishing American.
Where To Stay: The six-room Snug Harbor Inn, a splurge that's worth it, offers goose-down comforters and bay views. (From $250; snugharbor-inn.com)
Getting There: From L.A., head south to the ferry docks at either San Pedro or Long Beach.
San Juan Island, Washington
No one will10 Tips for a Classy and Creative Wedding Reception
By Country Living | Work + Money – Tue, Jul 5, 2011 9:46 PM EDTStylist Halligan Smith shares the party tricks that wowed at her wedding-and are sure to upgrade any event.
Get More From CountryLiving.com:
Refresh Any Room in a Flash
Ultimate Outdoor Party Guide
Beach House on a Budget 60 Living Rooms You'll LoveSubscribe to Country Living magazine and explore CountryLiving.com!
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
Read More »from 10 Tips for a Classy and Creative Wedding ReceptionThe Best Barbecue Sauce in the Country
By Country Living | Shine Food – Thu, Jun 30, 2011 8:46 PM EDT
Read More »from The Best Barbecue Sauce in the Country
It's a dirty job, but someone has to test out all of the small-batch BBQ sauce that have been cropping up in restaurants and smokehouses from coast to coast. Feast your eyes on the 11 winners our lips were lucky enough to taste.
Want great summer recipes? We've got them all here!
Big Butz Original B-B-Q Sauce
This Wisconsin Ya Butz sauce gets its mild, tangy-sweet flavor from vine-ripened tomatoes, molasses, and red peppers.
($9.90 for 2 pint jars; bigbutzbbqsauce.net)
Roasted Garlic Honey
Founded by three bikers in Syracuse, New York in 1988, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que now sells their popular sauces and slatherings, including Roasted Garlic and Honey, to fans nationwide.
($3.50 for a 19-ounce jar; dinosaurbarbque.com)
Fire in the Hive
Not for the fainthearted, this spicy sauce from California's Cahoots Catering Co. relies on smoky chipotle and jalapeño peppers for its intense heat.
($6.95 for a 13-ounce jar; cahootscatering.com)
Try this sauce as an accompaniment to our tasty BBQAn icy drink, fresh guacamole, spicy corn on the cob, and a juicy turkey burger round out this perfect Fourth of July meal. (Oh, and don't forget the fresh berry pie for dessert!)
Read More »from Your Perfect Fourth of July Meal
Want more? Click here for our ultimate summer recipe guide.
To Drink
Raspberry Rickey -- mixed with Red Raspberry-infused Vodka, or not -- quenches most thirsts on a balmy summer evening. Click here for the recipe.
To Snack
Fast, flavorful, and full of omega-3s, our Ultimate Guacamole will keep 'em coming back for more - you may need to make a double batch! Click here for the recipe.
Feeling patriotic? You'll love these new takes on Americana decor.
The Perfect Side
This spicy grilled corn on the cob gets its zip from ground chipotle, lime, and manchego cheese. Click here for the recipe.
The Star of the Show
These piquant turkey chili burgers can be made with items right from your pantry-marinara sauce, chili seasoning, chipotle peppers and bread crumbs. Click here for the recipe.
Plus, check out these4 Tips for a Perfect Patriotic Picnic Party
By Country Living | Fourth of July – Tue, Jun 28, 2011 7:22 PM EDTFresh-made pies, ice cream, and frosty drinks take pride of place at this Fourth of July picnic.
Read More »from 4 Tips for a Perfect Patriotic Picnic Party
Plus, check out our guide to the best summer recipes!
Picnic Buffet
Put your pies on a pedestal for a dessert buffet on the porch - shown here, cake stands in vintage milk glass and clear glass. Blue-and-white transferware plates are the perfect backdrop for golden hand-crimped crusts. Build a festive centerpiece using tiered wire baskets. Fill with help-yourself treats like ripe fruit - as well as utensils. Rolled red, white, and blue bandannas can serve as napkins.
Need a delicious pie recipe? Try this fresh berry pie.
Decor Ideas
A table is set up in a shady spot for guests to enjoy an array of fresh-made pies. Here is a chance to use that vintage lace-edged white tablecloth. Make it party perfect with a colorful piece of material - here, a yard or two of striped cotton ticking - that matches your theme. Finish by adorning each plate with a party favor flag.
Want more decor ideas?How charming are these patriotic paper hat place cards? This craft makes for a great way to spend a summer morning with the kids, and with a beautiful and customized end-product, they will be sure to show guests at your barbecue which ones they made.
Read More »from An Easy Patriotic Craft for Kids
Plus: The Best Grilling Tips of All-Time
The simple step-by-step how-to:
Need printable directions? We've got those too!
1. Fold a square of paper in half diagonally. Newspaper is the go-to, but thin decorative paper also works, or you can paint the mini-hats at the end.
More Cute Summer Crafts
2. Fold both sharp points up to the right-angled corner.
3. Rotate the model 180 degrees, then fold one of the sharp points to the upper corner.
Plus: Our Favorite Punch Recipes Perfect for Your Fourth!
4. Create the horn by folding the sharp point outwards, as shown. As a guide, try folding the point so that when you have done so, the upper edge rests parallel to the horizontal center crease.
5. Repeat step 4 on the other side. Then fold up a
