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July 2009 Keep-It-Together Checklist

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  • Let the grass grow. Raise your mower’s blade three inches or higher from now until Labor Day. Longer grass will shade the soil and slow down water loss, so your lawn will stay green in the hot, dry months of summer.

    Related: Shortcuts to a Backyard Makeover

  • Fire up the grill. A July 4 barbecue just wouldn’t be the same without tasty hot dogs. While they grill, dig into tasty dips, like Spinach and Parmesan Dip or Gazpacho Salsa and sip on summer coolers, like sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale or Cucumber and Lime Spritzers.

    Related: 13 Summer Drink, Dip, and Dessert Recipes

  • Stay stubble-free. Try an easy-to-use hair-removal products for smooth results. Then prevent hair regrowth with a soy-based hair-minimizing lotion.

    Related: 5 Easy-to-Use Hair Removal Products

  • Keep the heat out. Lower the blinds on south- and west-facing windows. This will prevent up to 45 percent of the sun’s heat from entering your home.
  • Add some color to your makeup palette. Take a cue from the blooms outside and put a pop of color into your makeup routine. Try a cherry red on your nails (RS pick: Dashing Diva Nail Color in Summer Fling, $8, dashingdiva.com) or a splash of green on your lids (RS pick: Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow in ME Green 550, $20, shuuemura-usa.com).

    Related: Wear Bright Colors on Lips, Nails, and Eyes

  • Be safe in the sun. Avoid a burn—and an increased chance of skin cancer—by applying a shot glass–size amount of sunscreen to your body and dime-size amounts to your chin, forehead, nose, and each cheek every two to four hours when you’re outside. Need more lotion? Look for one of these budget options.

    Related: Best Budget-Friendly Sunscreens

  • Schedule an eye exam. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you should have your eyes checked annually. If you’re between appointments, remember to eat dark, leafy greens and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong.

    Related: 10 Medical Tests Every Woman Should Have

  • Check your credit-card limit. Many banks are lowering limits, often without prior warning. To avoid a fee (around $35) for exceeding your limit, sign up at buxfer.com to receive free account-activity notifications.

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