Good Housekeeping March 2013

Step into a yellow room, and you're almost guaranteed to have a happy disposition. Whether it's covering all four walls or just a few throw pillows, this zippy hue is easy to integrate into almost any decor. And with its ability to swing from traditional to country, yellow has uplifting powers that can invigorate neutrals and pep up light-starved spaces. Combine the color with pattern, and the result is a one-two punch of energy, as in the living room above. Anchored by simple pieces (a white side table and upholstered chairs, a sisal rug), the space gets its vibrancy from bold canary-based leaf-print wallpaper and curtain fabric. Adding patterned yellows to the ottomans and cushions layers on even more liveliness. Ready to catch some rays in your own home? Turn…

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RESEARCH INSTITUTE We evaluate products for the magazine and the Seal to make sure you get good value. 178 That's the number of times our textiles team passed pill-removing gadgets over knit sweaters to smooth their surfaces. See which were the best fuzz-busters on page 35. We do something that no other magazine does… If any product that has earned our Seal is defective, we'll replace it or refund your money—just notify us within two years of purchase (see details at right). DIRECTOR Miriam Arond FOOD DIRECTOR Susan Westmoreland FOOD ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Catherine Lo ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Erin Phraner ASSISTANT FOOD EDITOR Sherry Rujikarn NUTRITION NUTRITION DIRECTOR Samantha B. Cassetty, M.S., R.D. HOME HOME APPLIANCES, CLEANING PRODUCTS & TEXTILES DIRECTOR Carolyn E. Forté PRODUCT ANALYST Christina Peterson…

How to get More "Me Time" I'm typing these words at 5:22 A.M. Outside, it is still cold and dark, but here inside, I'm curled up on the sofa with the cat snuggled up alongside me. She's purring, and I'm happily typing away on my laptop. This is my quiet hour—when I get work done and prepare for the day in the stillness of the morning, while everyone else is still asleep. My life shifted into a different gear when I discovered that as much as I love to sleep in (especially on lingering winter days), I love having this early-morning quiet time more. And as a woman with a deep appreciation for multitasking, I crave both the calm and the productivity it brings. Gretchen Rubin, our happiness columnist, has…

$40 …and Under Treats for You SOAP STAR $17 Honeysuckle Rose Bath Soap (olivinanapavalley.com; use code GH13 for free shipping) moisturizes with hydrating olive butter and grape seed oil NECK AND NECK $13, $18 It's a tie for spring's most chic scarf: Old Navy's Floral Paisley (oldnavy.com), left, and Mark's Connect the Dots (meetmark.com), right A fast, pretty way to perk up basics TRIPLE TREAT $4 The delish Peanut Butter & Banana Chocolate Bar (wildophelia.com) subtly blends fave childhood flavors WE CAN'T RESIST …the desk-brightening charm of Wooster & Prince's Desktop Notes ($14, parksidepapers.com) IN A LATHER80¢ each Sample 14 lush scents, from mango to peony, with one-and-done Creamy Body Wash Caps (Sephora)—smart for the gym or for travel THE RIGHT CUFF $32 With its golden circles and coral-hued stones,…

What GH readers are doing and sharing now My Smart Solution "Rather than plug in a speaker, I use a drinking glass to amplify my iPhone's music while I'm cleaning the house or cooking. The shorter the glass, the less the echo effect. It's easy and portable—plus, no cords!" —ASHLEY BROWN, 27 HANOVER, VA Your best tips Unwind After Work Make Something! " I'll knit, sew, or paint. I find simple, repetitive motions very calming because I'm focusing on something truly rewarding." —DIANE RACINE, 57 PHIPPSBURG, ME Try a TV Dinner " I'll order in for supper and sit down with some guilty-pleasure television shows like The Real Housewives or Storage Wars." —KHRIS DELLA PACE, 42 NEW YORK CITY Wash It Away " A long, hot shower is tantamount to…

These themed ideas will make your gathering—whether new or reinvented—your favorite night of the month Maybe you're thinking of starting a book club but worry you'll be stuck with boring selections that you wouldn't use as doorstops. Or maybe you're in a longtime group that's feeling a tad predictable. These fresh ideas for themes (children's classics…made-into-a-movie novels…) are guaranteed to get you excited about what's on your bedside table or tablet—and revved up to share your insights with your best bookish buds. Read on. —Paula Derrow THE RETURN-TO-CHILDHOOD CLUB Revisit a favorite from your past for a glimpse of the girl you used to be, or crack open the latest YA best seller (yes, there are smart, compelling choices that aren't about vampires or zombies, we swear). Reading about characters…