Good Housekeeping July/August 2021

Give a drab cabinet a face-lift with graphic peel-and-stick wallpaper, like the Currents design from Chasing Paper shown here ($40, chasingpaper.com), which is easy to remove without damage. When picking a paper for your own project, GH Visual Styling Director Elisabeth Engelhart suggests that beginners stay away from linear patterns like stripes and plaid. “An allover pattern is much more forgiving, because you don’t have to line anything up,” she says. INSTRUCTIONS, PAGE 106…

QUICK CHOWDER In saucepan, sauté 1 large onion (chopped) in 2 Tbsp olive oil until tender. Add ½ lb potatoes (cut into ½-in. chunks), 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth and 1 cup half-and-half; simmer 12 min. Add 2½ cups corn kernels; simmer until potatoes are tender, 3 min. Puree half of soup. Serve topped with bacon and scallions. COUSCOUS SALAD Cook 2 cups pearl couscous; rinse to cool. Combine ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tsp grated lemon zest plus ¼ cup lemon juice; and ½ tsp salt. Stir in couscous, 1 shallot (finely chopped), 1½ pints small cherry tomatoes (halved) and 1½ cups corn kernels. Toss with 2 cups mixed herbs (parsley, basil, mint, chives; chopped) and ½ cup grated Parmesan. SHRIMP FRITTERS In bowl, whisk together ½ cup cornmeal,…

FEEL-GOOD READ What a Happy Family by Saumya Dave You can’t pick your family, but they’re supposed to love you no matter what, right? Those are the boundaries aspiring comedian Natasha tests in this sweet, funny and deeply touching novel. Natasha’s family, the Joshis, are the envy of their Atlanta Indian enclave—at least to the casual observer. Deepak and Bina are pillars of their community, he a successful psychiatrist and she the consummate wife and mother. Their eldest daughter, Suhani, is following in her father’s footsteps; Natasha is about to become engaged to a childhood friend; and their only son, Anuj, is the golden boy. But then a crisis reveals that all isn’t as perfect as it seems. Natasha finds herself in a downward spiral, Bina has to reckon with…

TURN IT UP Start the party with big sound in a small package. Our media experts confirmed that this Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speaker can play for up to 10 hours on one charge, and it’s rugged enough for outdoor fun. CHILL OUT This cooler is made from post-consumer recycled resin; built-in cupholders on top let it double as a table. Lab Lowdown: Its sturdy construction stood up to Kitchen Appliances Lab tests. PLAYTIME Forget croquet—our toy analysts confirm that this is the hottest lawn game out there this summer. Like a cross between bowling and horseshoes, it’s a Viking-inspired game the whole crew will want to play all afternoon. STOOLS WITH STORAGE These metal barrels with wooden tops can serve as places to perch, side tables or whatever the situation requires. Plus,…

REFRESH SWEATERS “This affordable gadget (Conair Fabric Shaver, $13) shaves fuzz, lint and pills off most fabrics, keeping my clothes looking like new.” —Amanda Garrity, associate lifestyle editor CALM MORNINGS “I wake up before my two small kids to read, have a cup of coffee or tea and plan my day in a way that helps alleviate the stress that comes with being a working mom.” —Monique Valeris, senior home editor CLEAN BROKEN GLASS “Press a slice of soft bread onto the floor like a stamp to pick up all the tiny shards. It really works!” —Marisa LaScala, parenting and relationships editor…

SET AN INTENTION Before you uncap your pen, spend a few minutes thinking about the purpose of your letter. Maybe you’d like to reestablish a connection with someone, thank a career mentor or simply share your love with a friend. Consider what you’d like to say before you start writing—unlike with a keyboard, there is no delete button! GET SPECIFIC Think back to your high school English class and avoid clichés. Instead, ponder cherished memories the two of you share and make them come to life by describing the details. Tell stories that carry meaning for you and express what you were feeling at the time. That personal touch adds depth and heart to any piece of writing. DON’T OVERTHINK IT Struggling with writer’s block? Don’t stress. A heartfelt message…