Blog Posts by Good Housekeeping

Find the perfect digital camera, for less, in AprilApril sees discounts on some big-ticket purchases - think old electronics moving out to make way for new models and spring-cleaning deals. It's Earth Month too, so look for all sorts of freebies and markdowns on green cleaners, recycled paper products, energy-efficient lighting, and more!

Related: Spring Trends That Flatter Every Figure

1. Digital Cameras: Retailers discount last year's models in the spring to make way for new ones. Here are tips for choosing a sharp shooter:

• Stop counting megapixels (MP). For most uses, 10MP is probably plenty - they can produce great prints up to 11" by 14".
• Splurge on a good zoom instead. A lens with a high optical zoom is worth the investment: 5x is good; 10x is excellent. (Ignore digital zoom, though. It can yield pixelated photos.)
• Look for image stabilization. Again, optical (rather than digital) image stabilization is the way to go, to help prevent blurry action shots.
• Consider the features. Look for things like

Check out these homemade hair cures for every type of hair1.The problem: Thinning hair
The fix: Fatten it up

If you have baby-fine hair, your biggest stresses might comprise hiding a visible scalp or worrying about strands you can't afford to lose. Dispel concerns with a protein-rich treatment that can plump up a wimpy mane. Steal this tip from Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, author of Hair Care Rehab: The Ultimate Hair Repair and Reconditioning Manual.

Make a "banana protein smoothie," which consists of amino acid-rich bananas and eggs to enhance hair elasticity, strengthen, and add thickness. Blend two egg yolks, two ripe bananas, two to three tablespoons of honey, half cup of conditioner, and two tablespoons of olive oil, until fully pureed. Slather all over and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes; rinse with cool water. "Results are immediate," says Davis-Sivasothy. "But keep in mind that it only lasts until your next shampoo." For a drugstore purchase, she suggests Nexxus Emergencée Strengthening Polymeric Hair Reconstructor ($12, amazon.com

Mix up mealtime and serve breakfast at night1. Breakfast Tortilla Stack

Swap your traditional burrito for a breakfast-inspired one. Add eggs to whole-wheat tortillas and sprinkle with your favorite Mexican toppings, such as salsa, cheese, and fat-free refried beans for a healthy meal.

Get the Breakfast Tortilla Stack recipe.

2. Baked Eggs and Polenta with Chunky Vegetable Sauce

For a gluten-free take on the breakfast taco, try our hearty polenta recipe with baked eggs. Serve it as a side dish or make a larger portion and enjoy a high-protein dinner.

Get the Baked Eggs and Polenta with Vegetable Sauce recipe.

Made with eggs, brown rice, and corn, this recipe is sure to fill you up (at less than 250 calories per serving!). Garnish with salsa and sour cream for a cheesey, satisfying meal.

Get the Southwestern Rice and Corn Frittata recipe.

Put an Italian spin on pancakes!

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute Engineering Lab put 26 six- to 12-sheet cross-cut shredders through their paces. We spent 40 hours feeding 'em paper (sometimes stapled or paper-clipped) and CDs to assess speed, safety, and noise levels. We also noted how easily they jammed or overheated and how much mess they left in their wake around the recycling bin.

Protect your identity with one of the five document-demolishing devices that aced our tests.

Black and Decker Studio Shredder1. Black & Decker Studio Shredder
6 sheets at a time ($48, amazon.com)

At 16" x 13" x 4", this stylish, lightweight device is ideal for small spaces and rolls easily to where you need it. Its pullout bin makes cleanup a snap - and we love the brilliant color.

2. Fellowes Powershred 73CI
16" x 21" x 11"; 12 sheets ($200, amazon.com)

A top choice for any office prone to pop-ins from pets or kids, it shuts off automatically if the paper slot is touched. Plus, it won't allow "overfeeding," so essentially,

Mad MenIf you're anything like us, you've been waiting with bated breath for the premiere of AMC's lush drama about an up-and-coming advertising agency set in the late 1960s. Having friends over to watch the first episode on April 7? We'll help you plan the perfect Mad Men-themed menu. And, just as the show's evolved with the times (Bye bye page boys and demure suits, hello big hair and crazy fashion!), we've tweaked these mid-century dishes to bring them into the modern era.

Related: Honey-Inspired Recipes

Traditional Waldorf salads are heavy on the mayonnaise, but our update uses nonfat yogurt instead to lighten up this classic. Prepping in a hurry? Pick up a rotisserie chicken to save some cooking time.

No 1960's party would be complete without a glazed ham, but our recipe includes some alternative options if the sweetness of pineapple isn't to your taste. Try our tomato and onion glaze for a more savory take.

Related: Sweet Recipes Turned Savory

Spice up a

Find out the best compact umbrellasThe only thing worse than getting caught in the rain without a brolly is being stuck with one that is flimsy or falls apart. That's why the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Textiles Lab evaluated 31 compact folding models for resistance to heavy rain and to turning inside out (inversion), as well as for ease of use. We also measured length, weight, and canopy diameter to help you find the ideal tote-able - and save your looks on your next good hair day.

Top Picks

Storm Warrior
Samsonite Windguard Auto Open Close ($30, amazon.com)

Fabric held fast to spokes with over 35 pounds of pulling force applied. Easy to operate.

Related: Best Rain Gear for Women

Lightweight Wonder
ShedRain RainEssentials Auto Open and Close ($32, amazon.com)

Just 0.45 lbs., and durable in inversion and spoke tests. Provides good coverage, too.

Related: Best Beach Umbrellas

Smallest Winnder
Totes Signature Micro 'Brella ($24, amazon.com)

This manual model has highly

Peeps celebrate 60 years For over 20 years, Peeps have reigned as the #1 non-chocolate Easter candy brand. We're paying tribute to the cute confection by celebrating the most important milestones in Peeps history.

1923: The Just Born Candy Company gets its name when founder Sam Born displays fresh chocolates and other candies in the window of his Brooklyn storefront with a sign proudly announcing, "just born." Born focused on bringing French-style chocolates to New York City long before he perfected the marshmallow chick.

1932: During the Great Depression, the company reduces costs by relocating to an empty printing factory in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Related: 12 Modern Ways To Display Easter Eggs

1953: Just Born acquires Rodda Candy Company, which made marshmallow chicks by Vintage Peepspainstakingly piping marshmallow through a pastry bag. To the right, Rodda Candy Company's vintage chicks show off their retro wings.

1954: The Peep meets mass production, thanks to Sam Born's son Bob, who mechanized

This stylish short cut, first popularized in the 1920s, has many famous fans. For a classic bob, make sure your ends reach your shoulders (if your hair is curly, they should fall just past your shoulders to compensate for shrinkage). Have your stylist lightly razor the tips so that they flip a bit. Ask for longer locks in the front, with angled, blunt edges gradually becoming shorter toward the back. "The swingy layers of the bob flatter all face shapes, from round to oval or square," says New York City hairstylist Sean James Decuers. This shorter length can also plump up fine hair by taking away some weight.

More from Good Housekeeping:

• Financial Goals You Can Actually Achieve
  
• 8 Ways to Cheat-Proof Your Diet
  
• 26 Delicious One-Dish Meals
  
• 10 Ways to Spice Up Your Relationship