Good Housekeeping August 2013

When they purchased this beach getaway in Water Mill, NY, five years ago, the homeowners had two requests for designer John Bjornen: timeless rooms and kick-off-your-shoes comfort. With two young boys, a baby due soon, and extended families bringing the guest count to 20 over the weekends, it's no surprise the couple requested crowd-proof livability—and Bjornen delivered with classic, casual rooms in a palette of marine blues. Like the unfussy sunporch, above: The rustic storage-chest coffee table came pre-distressed, the beige rug camouflages any dragged-in sand, and the vintage reed furniture is almost indestructible. "It's stylish as well as kid-friendly," says Bjornen, who continued the theme by upholstering sofas in weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric and choosing accessories with more personality than pedigree. The result: a chilled-out vacation home as laid-back as…

192,700 That's how many times the soles of 12 pairs of foldable flats rubbed against sandpaper on our abrasion-testing machine. Find out which can really pound the pavement on page 33. 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 TECHNICAL MANAGER & ENGINEERING DIRECTOR Rachel Rothman FOOD DIRECTOR Susan Westmoreland FOOD ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Catherine Lo ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Erin Phraner ASSISTANT FOOD EDITOR Sherry Rujikarn EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katie Holdefehr NUTRITION NUTRITION DIRECTOR Samantha B. Cassetty, M.S., R.D. HOME HOME APPLIANCES, CLEANING PRODUCTS & TEXTILES DIRECTOR Carolyn E. Forté SENIOR PRODUCT ANALYST, HOME CARE Christina Peterson TEXTILES PRODUCT ANALYST…

Let it never be said that you can't learn something new from your husband: Mine just taught me how to wash my hands. Really? you may think. (I thought that, too.) Then Jim explained that he had seen a short video online in which a guy discussed how many of us use multiple paper towels when we dry our hands (ummm, guilty as charged: I've always been at least a two-paper-towel girl, sometimes three). How Americans alone use 13 billion pounds of paper towels every year. How if all of us used only one paper towel fewer per day to dry our hands, we could save more than 571 million pounds of paper each year. He had my attention. Here's what you do: 1. Wash your hands as usual.…

$40…and Under Treats for You THE ICEMAN COMETH $26 If you want your beach read to deliver some goose bumps, snag Stephen P. Kiernan's The Curiosity. In this romantic thriller, a man who's been buried in Arctic ice for over a century is reanimated, with shocking results GEM DANDY $22 Juicy Jewels' statement necklace in refreshing mint and aqua tones (shoplately.com) will rev up a sundress or tee TOTAL BASKET/CASE $34 Tote towels to the pool in Dash & Albert's ample cotton carryall (garnethill.com); come fall, use it for stashing blankets or corralling clutter WE CAN'T RESIST …HannahMax Baking Cookie Chips ($5, Safeway). These thin, crisp, and insanely addictive treats are only about 25 calories each. In Original, Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate Chip, and Sea Salted Peanut Butter (our staff pick)…

My Smart Solution " I make smoothie packs for quick breakfasts: Split two 1-lb. bags of frozen fruit among six quart-size resealable plastic bags. Add half a peeled banana to each, seal, date, and freeze. On a busy morning you can just dump one into a blender with milk or juice!" —BETH MONCEL, 32, NEW ORLEANS reader feedback The Price of Pretty In June, our beauty editors rounded up top drugstore deals. What's the max you've shelled out for makeup? 20 % NO MORE THAN $5 37 % $15 23% $25 20% $50 Your best tips for… Actually Enjoying Exercise Pump It Up " My very crazy and embarrassing playlist keeps my workout fun. (I've been caught doing some interesting dance moves with my arms while running!)" —JACQUI GOLDBERG O'CONNELL,…

You want to chill—that's why you're heading out of town—and there's no reason to sweat the packing process. The happy news is how few items you really need for a weekend away, wherever you're going. Adopt a "less stuff, less stress" attitude from the start by committing to a carry-on–size bag—or an even smaller one, for that matter. Then pull out clothes that fit a basic color scheme: a neutral along with your favorite bright or pastel for effortless mixing and matching, suggests Anne McAlpin, author of Pack It Up: Travel Smart, Pack Light!, who shares her expert tips on these pages. For the most flexibility, leave prints at home and stick with solids; you can keep things interesting by changing up your accessories. Finally, packing is always more fun…