Blog Posts by Good Housekeeping

Summer clothesWith summer winding down, it'll soon be time to retire your tank tops and shorts and bring out your long sleeved shirts and slacks. But before you simply toss them in a box in the back of the closet or in the basement, follow these tips to make sure that come next June they'll be in good condition.

As you remove items from your closet and dresser drawers, if you find that there are pieces that you haven't worn all summer, donate them to charity. Chances are you won't wear them next summer either.

Related: Inexpensive, Stylish Fall Shoes

Once you've decided what you're keeping, empty out the pockets and take the time to wash or dry clean any item that's been worn, even once. While this my be a major pain, hidden stains are a feast for pests like clothes moths and carpet beetles. Before packing, be sure your clothes are completely dry and neatly folded.

Avoid packing in cardboard boxes, as they allow bugs easy access to your clothing. Instead, choose plastic containers

Add mushrooms to your favorite recipes to celebrate National Mushroom Month this September September is National Mushroom Month! I know that might sound silly, but if you love mushrooms as much as I do, it will probably bring to mind all your favorite ways to enjoy them. A few of mine: Slow-braised and topped with a poached egg, sliced and sautéed for pizza, in a red-wine sauce over a seared steak and roasted with lots of olive and garlic until they're crispy around the edges.

Mouth-watering dishes aside, here are some more reasons I'm a fungi fanatic:

1. They're low in calories and sodium, so they add flavor and heft to meals without adding too much of the things you don't want.

Related: Warm Mushroom Salad with Endive and Watercress

2. They contain no fat or cholesterol. (When you sauté them in butter, though, that's a different story.)

3. Many varieties are in season year-round, so I can have them on my Fourth of July burger or my mid - winter stew.

4. They contain vitamin D (the only thing in the produce aisle that does!) and potassium, and

This trick-the-eye flounce can work like instant lipo to visually shrink your waist. Go sleek on the bottom, and forget flats - a pair of heels help balance the proportions.

Related: Drop-a-Decade in Style

Pep Talk
Pep Talk

A black blazer brings sophisticated polish to a camel blouse and trousers.

Shirt, $85, Pink Martini Collection. Pants, $198, J. Crew. Blazer, $50, H&M; H&M stores. Pumps, Johnston & Murphy.

Hip Check


Hip Check

Belt this houndstooth shell over a pleated skirt for a slim, feminine look.

Top, $47, New York & Company. Skirt, $178, Paperwhite; 540-687-8898. Bracelets, Marie Bruns. Pumps, Chromatic Gallerie.

Related: The Best Dress for Your Body

Office Mates

Office Mates

A casual knit pullover is work-ready when it's paired with a nubby, color-flecked pencil skirt.

Top, $68, Ann Taylor. Skirt, $90, Coldwater Creek. Scarf, Fraas; 212-575-0191. Pumps, Johnston & Murphy.

What fashion trend are you excited to try this fall? Let me know in the

Crossover vehiclesShopping for cars isn't easy. While it's tempting to stick with a brand you're familiar with, I'd encourage you to go out and try a variety of cars from several different manufacturers. Be sure you're comparing "apples to apples" by staying in the same category whether that's compact, midsize, or SUV. You might be surprised by a brand you'd never considered.

In our recent review of 19 Crossover vehicles (small SUV's) we found what we think are the best after extensive testing. While we strongly recommend our top 6 picks listed below, take a look at the following checklist to clarify what's important before you make a purchase.

Shopping Checklist:

Size: Naturally, this is your first consideration. If you're looking at crossovers and small SUVs, you'll notice that most manufacturers make a small, medium, and large crossover. If you're young, don't have much to lug around, want a fun ride and good fuel economy stick to a small model like the VW Tiguan. If you have a

These 8 chic styles, from casual to sophisticated, are wallet-friendly ways to stay warm.

Goes With EverythingGoes with Everything

A trend-proof belted trench (far left, $200, London Fog Heritage) with a detachable lining smartens up whatever's underneath. In black-and-white tweed, this fit-and-flare classic (near left, $190, Ivanka Trump) is equally sharp over a dress or jeans.

Tip: Huggable Hangers (hsn.com), a GH Seal holder, are just ¼ inch thick but strong, so you can slip more coats into your closet.

Dress, $79.90, G by Giuliana; hsn.com. Full-length trench, $200, London Fog Heritage; nordstrom.com. Earrings, $36, Wimberly Inc.; wimberlyinc.com. Tote, $90, Big Buddha; zappos.com. Tights, $23, Hue; hue.com. Laststraw boots, $179, Nine West; zappos.com. Coat, $190, Ivanka Trump; Macy's. Corduroy pants, $59, Chaps; chaps.com. Techno stripe scarf, $35, Loft; loft.com. Earrings, $36, Wimberly Inc.; see above. Embossed satchel, $64, London Fog for QVC; qvc.com. Heeled loafers, $100, Tommy

Lawn-care tips The summer's over and winter will be upon us sooner than we'd like. If you're particular about your lawn, now's the time to take a few preventative steps to keep the grass healthy enough to bounce back after the winter months. Here are our top tips to make sure your lawn looks perfect come spring:

1. The fall's a perfect time to apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer (for example, Scotts), which will not only help grass grow better until winter arrives but will help it revive quicker in the spring.

2. Water the grass consistently. This will help the fertilizer be absorbed into the grass more efficiently (especially if you live in a dry location), and will create an opportunity for root development.

Related: 10 DIY Projects to Finish Before Fall

3. If your lawn is patchy or inconsistent, seeding should primarily take place in autumn as well, as it allows plenty of time for the seeds to settle in and root deep into the ground.

4. As it gets cold, it's important to avoid

Gretchen RubinLast year, I spent the school year - from September through May - doing a new happiness project. I wanted to identify the small, realistic changes I could make to my life that would make me happier at home. After all, my experience of our apartment and all that it embodied was the foundation of my life.

For me, my sense of "home" also included my neighborhood. To cultivate a true sense of neighborliness, I recognized, I needed to extend my attention beyond my apartment building and my own circle of acquaintances. But how?

A few years ago, I set out to "imitate a spiritual master" in an effort to understand myself better. I identified my spiritual master as St. Thérèse of Lisieux - perhaps a curious choice, given that I'm not Catholic. I was haunted by different lines from her spiritual memoir, Story of a Soul, such as "When one loves, one does not calculate." My fascination with St. Thérèse was so deep that I'd become interested in the other spiritual masters in the Thérèse

Ka-ching! Count the savings on these first-rate hair stylers, anti-agers, and cosmetics with scents you'll actually like - all at bargain prices. Make sure to check out the rest of my beauty bargains at GoodHousekeeping.com.

Dove Style+Care1. Dove Style+Care Strength & Shine Flexible Hairspray ($4): Tired of untouchable tresses? This spray leaves hair soft, not lacquered.

2. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution Lightweight Frizz Control ($10): The famous smoothing serum now comes in a fine-hair formula with a featherlight feel and the same sleek finish.

Related: Must-Have Fall Hair Accessories

3. Goody QuikStyle Paddle Brush ($13): Calling all multitaskers: This brush styles and dries sans heat, thanks to absorbent microfiber.

Degree Women4. Degree Women Expert Protection in Linen Dry ($4): Friction pops its fresh-off-the-clothesline - scented beads when you walk, run, or simply move.

5. Jergens Daily Moisture Dry Skin Moisturizer ($7): A double deal: 33¢ an ounce, and a mild citrus