September 2011

Style means... finding those who inspire... and trusting yourself

Style, a famous fashion editor once suggested, can't be purchased-- "style one must possess." It's a memorable quote, but not exactly the whole truth. Because even though we can't buy style, we can certainly attain it. We can observe it and absorb it. We can nurture our sense of it. And we can seek out new ways to reveal it, as the readers of this magazine do every single month.

What I learned this month

Clean Out for Kids

WE ASKED OUR FACEBOOK FANS: Where do you get your style inspiration?

Win Daily Prizes!

Give your home the royal treatment: Enter the BHG.com Daily Sweepstakes every day for a chance to win our daily prize, like the purple goodies below. When you do, you're automatically entered into our grand prize giveaway!

More Inspiring Ideas From BHG

Define Your Decorating Style

Fall forward

There's something special about those first hints of autumn-- whether it comes from the crisp breeze that marks sweater-weather or glimpsing a crimson leaf.

Trophy rack

Sweet news...

Reading habits, revised

In honor of International Literary Day, Sept. 8, find a new way to experience your favorite page-turner or build your autumn reading list.

9/11 Day of Service

Message in a flower

Branch out

Hot off the press

Reader-friendly

Readin', writin', and 'rithmetic? Some tablets do it all, while others are focused simply on an excellent reading experience. No matter your preference, there's one right for you.

Days of Wine & Olives

Napa Valley's Carneros Inn epitomizes the low-key elegance of wine country. You're invited to bring its style home.

Perfectly Cast

Actor Nestor Carbonell and his family find just the right person to give them the comfy home they longed for.

Earthy Greens

Green is nature's favorite color, but why let the outdoors have all the fun? Adopt these muted shades to renew your rooms.

Stylemakers at Home

Step inside the homes of three tastemakers to learn the tricks of their trades.

Easy Like Sunday

Inspired by nature, Katie Brown refreshes her home and entertains her friends with a laid-back, keep-it-simple approach.

Elaine to the Rescue!

The sofa and chairs are chic, the window shades lovely, and the wall color perfectly pleasant, but this living room still made our resident stylemaker, Elaine Griffin, yawn. "This could have been a rent-by-the-hour conference room," she says. "Many people get to this point and run out of steam because they don't know what to do next, I see this a lot." Fortunately, Elaine's top 10 strategies for adding style to a room can make any "just fine" space sing, including yours.

Smooth Operator

Her slimming skivvies are Hollywood's secret for looking fab. Let Spanx founder Sara Blakely tone up your lingerie drawer.

8 Ways to Stretch a Small Kitchen

A few strategic switches can dramatically improve kitchen function.

Bright Spots

Doubling as artwork and light-enhancer, a starburst mirror is a versatile classic. Characterized by a circular mirror surrounded by decorative "rays," this design stands out among a room's usual mix of rectangular frames. And because it's continually reinterpreted, you'll find new and old versions in all decorating styles. Here's how to shoot for a star.

Can I install a chandelier over my tub?

Fresh Start

Earn your stripes

Sweet and Simple

The fresh fabrics that lend a low-key attitude to this enterprising mom's popular home decor brand are perfect for outdoor living.

Movable Feast

Bypass the mums this year! Here's a fresh alternative to fill fall pots: easy, pretty, delicious vegetables.

Outer Sanctum

HGTV star Jamie Durie uses unexpected designs to turn the barest backyards into green oases.

Perfect Together

A gardener learns how picking the right combinations can make a landscape sing.

Berry Bliss

Blooms are so yesterday for fall-fruiting shrubs. Our favorites wear their berries like bling, bringing bright hues to fall gardens.

Harvest Wrap Up

Ashes to Ashes

Woolly bears

Ready, set, mow

"Get a jump on fall garden cleanup by pulling withered annuals and stray weeds now...

Pink Blueberry

Wall Art

Divide Irises

Door Prop

WORDS TO GROW BY

3 Gorgeous Grasses

IN A PINCH

How long can I store leftover roasted chicken?

Sweet Treats

New Ways with Couscous

Party for One... Or More

Organization mom

Actress and mother Leah Remini explains how she keeps her back-to-school house in order

The bite stuff

These lunch, breakfast, and snack ideas will keep kids going strong, from top of the morning straight through afternoon practice.

Pack & play

A tricked-out knapsack has everything your 'tween needs to stay cool, connected, and comfortable.

Learning verve

Applications and attitude adjustments can make your home an optimal study zone. Here' s how to help your kids maximize their homework.

Before the bell

Preparation is key for a happy first day of school: 5 tips to get your family ready for the new year.

Teaching moment

Back-to-school tax breaks

Get pumped

Happy returns

I Did It!