Blog Posts by Good Housekeeping

This year, give Mom a classic gift. These beauty staples have stood the test of time, and are still just as useful (and pretty) as when your mother (or her mother) first discovered them. And at less than $30 or less each, you can afford to get her a whole basket of her beauty favorites.

Glam I Am, circa 1953
Spicy floral Estée Lauder Youth Dew Eau de Parfum Spray comes in a vintage-style bottle ($28, department stores).

After spoiling Mom, spoil yourself on Mother's Day



Fresh Powder, circa 1935
A dusting of Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder hides skin flaws ($7.19, drugstores).


What's the best advice Mom ever gave?


Bar None, circa 1770
Suds away stress with Yardley London English Lavender Naturally Moisturizing Bar ($1.49, drugstores).

Remember these favorite (fictional) moms?


Handy Work, circa 1752
Dr. Hunter's Original Remedies Rosewater & Glycerine Hand Creme by Caswell-Massey softens rough hands ($12, caswellmassey.com).

25 things all moms should know


Bathing Beauty, circa 1849

On May 5,1862, an outnumbered and poorly armed Mexican militia whupped some major French tush near the city of Puebla. The soldiers ultimately failed to keep the French-backed Emperor Maximilian from the throne, but their victory on Cinco de Mayo is still reason to celebrate. Here are some ideas to get your fiesta on.

Invite
Notify guests of the impending festivities by fashioning uniquely Mexicano invites. Buy a set of Loteria Bingo cards, cut them up, and paste their fanciful symbols onto an invitation made by folding a piece of card stock in half. Or snap a quick shot of Junior or Fido wearing a sombrero, order or make your own prints, and let your progeny or pooch become your cover subject. Kids and canines camera shy? The Prints and Photographs Online Catalog at the Library of Congress's Website offers extraordinary, downloadable free images that should fit the bill. Enter keywords such as sombrero, fiesta, and cactus in the search field, and check the "bibliographical

It's nearly time for summer vacation, and if you're considering a portable DVD player for your family road trip, make sure you snag a good one. We tested a number of models to find the best options for your money. Check out our full test results here.



Sony DVP-FX820 ($180)
This Sony has an 8-inch swiveling screen that's hinged like a laptop but then can be turned and folded flat for better viewing. That, coupled with its conveniently located controls, helped it to earn its second-place title. To boot, the Sony also had one of the longest-lasting batteries, clocking in at over 5 hours, and our consumer testers found it a cinch to use, making it ideal for those non-tech-savvy travelers. It also has two headphone jacks, a car power adapter, AC adapter, and remote control, and Dolby Digital sound. Find It at Amazon.com


Travel Tip: How You Can Save More on Your Family Vacation





GPX PD708B ($80)
The GPX is durable, portable, and affordable - a fine choice for anyone on a budget. It

We women do some incredible things. We bear children, we nurture life, and we work hard at every task we undertake. And over the years, women have changed our world. We deserve to be honored for that, so in honor of our 125th anniversary, we at Good Housekeeping have chosen 125 women who have changed out world. Some made music, some made noise, all made a difference. While some are obvious choices and some obscure, all acted to increase our liberty, safety, and prosperity. We honor these matron saints whose work continues to bring pleasure, save lives, and widen the scope of little girls' dreams. Here are just a few of the women on our long list.

Eleanor Roosevelt

FIRST LADY, U.S. DELEGATE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST
FDR's helpmate, national reassurer during WW II, friend to working women and the downtrodden, battler against injustice, she overcame intense shyness to become a supremely public person.

Adopt these habits to make your marriage stronger

Nancy Drew

Bikini season is almost here and with it comes those not so-pleasant waxing sessions. To make sure you get waxed, not whacked, bring this checklist with you to the salon.

FIND THE BEST SWIMSUIT FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

1. The technicians' licenses for waxing are on display. (If not, check with your state's office of licenses.)

2. The facility is clean and well-lighted and has hot and cold running water and bathroom facilities.

3. After each client, the tables and bed are cleaned.

4. Technicians wear disposable gloves and change them after each client.

5. Waxing sticks are not used on more than one person. If more than one area of skin is being waxed, it's changed for each area. (Don't let them use the one from your face on your bikini area and vice versa. Yes, I know, Yuck!)

GET SLIM BY SUMMER

6. Instruments like scissors and tweezers are disinfected between clients.

7. Avoid the type of wax warmed and applied to skin by a roller device. (Rollers are

When debt consumes our life, we feel it everywhere -- in our bank accounts, at the grocery store, and most definitely in our marriage. But there are painless ways to get your life and finances back on track. Here's where you should start.

1. Quit buying on credit. Put your credit cards on ice (some people actually pop them in a bowl of water in the freezer), then stick to cash. If you can't afford to buy with what's in your wallet - or on a debit card - pass it by. Don't Miss: Been Laid Off? How to Keep Your Finances Afloat

2. Post your debts. Make a list of the amounts you owe on each credit card and tape it to the refrigerator. Next to each debt, write the interest rate and the minimum monthly payment required (or the larger monthly payment you intend to make). List the debts in order of size, the smallest first. (If you're paying off a big medical bill or student loan, include that too.)

Then, every month, pay the fixed amounts you put on the list. As the bills shrink,

It can be tough to know how much (or little) information to share with your kids when it come to what you can and cannot afford. A survey by Charles Schwab found that 93 percent of parents with teens worry their kids could make major financial mistakes. For answers to the toughest questions, we turned to some of the smartest financial advisers around.

Q. My daughter is spending way too much of her weekly allowance at the mall. Should I intervene?
A. "Let her experience the consequences," says Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, chief strategist of consumer education for Charles Schwab. If she has no money left at the end of the month to go to movies with friends, she'll learn the value of saving for the future. Still, make sure your daughter doesn't spend every last dime. Many experts recommend that kids save about 10 percent of their income or allowance. "I'd make saving a requirement," Schwab-Pomerantz says. "You want it to be in her DNA that money is always set aside for the long term."

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It's tough to get a loan these days, and a sinking credit score can make some purchases out of the question. But if you take action now, you can start improving your score in as little as a month. Soon, you may be able to lower everything from your credit card rate to insurance. Here's how to do it.

1. Get your current credit score. Most lenders use the so-called FICO formula, developed by banking consultant Fair Isaac Corporation, because it's considered the most accurate. Head to myfico.com and order a score ($15.95), based on your report from any of the major bureaus - Equifax, Experion, or Trans-Union. You'll get it immediately, online. When you receive the number, you will see personalized advice tailored to your debt history and credit habits.

2. Pay off all you can. Lenders like to see that you're spending within your means, which translates to using less of your credit limit - the lower percentage the better, says Barry Paperno, a credit-scoring expert for Fair Isaac.