Good Housekeeping April 2022

Sponge painting is a simple way to take a blank wall from dull to dazzling. Dip the straight edge of a kitchen sponge in paint, then gently press it against the wall. Take inspiration from this entryway designed by bloggers Niña Williams and Cecilia Moyer and group the lines in threes, using a level to ensure straightness. Give your handiwork the space to shine by keeping decor to a minimum, adding sleek hooks and framed prints in complementary tones.…

CHIVE OIL In blender, puree 1 bunch chives and ½ cup canola or grapeseed oil until smooth. Transfer to small saucepan and cook on medium until mixture begins to simmer, about 3 min. Pour through coffee filter set over measuring cup. Drizzle over soups, eggs and your favorite vegetables. CHERRY TOMATO DRESSING To large mason jar, add 1 small shallot (thinly sliced), ⅓ cup 1-in. pieces chives, ¼ cup each basil and parsley (roughly chopped), ½ lb cherry or grape tomatoes (quartered), ¾ cup oil, ¼ cup red wine vinegar and ½ tsp each kosher salt and pepper; shake vigorously. Add another ½ lb cherry tomatoes (halved) and shake. Spoon over cooked steak, fish or chicken. HERBY CHEESE DIP In food processor, pulse 8 oz fresh goat cheese (at room…

FEEL-GOOD READ Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett Emma Starling was born with special healing abilities, but her life has basically gone downhill since. After dropping out of medical school, she returns to her small New Hampshire hometown to help care for her ailing father, Clive, who’s dying of a brain disease and hallucinating the ghost of a long-dead naturalist and his animal companions. As if that weren’t enough, her childhood best friend is missing, and Clive is the only one who seems to care. As Emma tries to put her life back together and keep her dad safe through the end of his, she helps her family and their little town realize what’s really important. This tragicomic novel is heartfelt, touching and delightfully quirky. You’ll fall in love with the…

Getting organized won’t happen in a day — and that’s OK. In fact, spreading your to-do list out over the course of the month will make the project seem far less daunting. “Visualizing the end goal and breaking down the tasks to get yourself there helps put the goal within reach and make it not feel as overwhelming,” says professional organizer and interior designer Jeffrey Phillip. “As we accomplish the tasks, we create positive reinforcement to continue to push ourselves forward and make more changes.” Even if those small jobs don’t seem like a big deal, ticking things off your to-do list can make everything in your life feel more manageable, which gives you a major self-esteem boost. “The simple act of taking care of our personal environments can be…

I’d never been much of a baby person. That is, I hadn’t until I held my cousin’s daughter for the first time and instantly felt the love. Hannah was just 3 days old and one of the tiniest things I could imagine. That heartstring pull happened again when I first laid eyes on my best friends’ babies, eventually my own (no surprise!) and finally my niece and nephews. I figure this is a fairly common phenomenon. When any of us first encounters a child of someone we love and know well, we experience an almost instant bond. Family, whether it’s one you’re born into or one you choose, can be a magical force. Just as there are infinite ways to define family, there are unique concoctions within it based on…

HOW-TOS, VIDEOS & MORE! I’ve been seeing QR codes everywhere these days, from restaurants to museums. I love the idea that anyone can access a complete menu or additional information just by aiming their phone at a code. In this issue, we’re excited to make use of our own QR codes. Look for them—it’s a bit like a really easy egg hunt! Just focus your phone’s camera on the code, and a link will pop up. Click the link to see tons of extras, from videos of our recipes to craft instructions. ENHANCE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION! Some of our special premium content is available only to GH+ club members. Our All-Access Subscription is only $20 per year and has so many benefits—like the chance to be a product tester for the…