Table of contents for September 2017 in Real Simple

Thoughtful Gift Love Found is a compilation of poetry that covers all stages of romance, from early lust to longterm partnership. Filled with touching words from 50 poems, including selections by Emily Dickinson and E.E. Cummings, this collection makes a sweet keepsake for someone you care about. Gripping Page-turner Three years after their daughter Madison goes missing in a remote forest in Oregon, the Culvers are exhausted by countless failed police searches. In a desperate attempt to bring their girl home, they hire a private investigator, Naomi. In The Child Finder, her second novel, Rene Denfeld tells the chilling story of Naomi’s search for Madison and own struggle with past demons. Great for Book Club Jojo, the 13-yearold protagonist of Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing, lives in Mississippi, caring for…

FEELING THE BACKTO- SCHOOL CHAOS? Get a list of these ideas and organize your family’s schedule with Cozi, a free shared calendar and list app from Time Inc. (available for iOS and Android). KEY LUBRICANT Rub the tip of a pencil on a stubborn key’s teeth. The graphite greases the metal, allowing the key to turn more easily. Works well on difficult zippers, too. PLANT MARKER Kids will have fun using a ruler to track a plant’s growth from seedling to adult. (Label the blank side with the plant’s name.) Also stakes plants that need support, like tomatoes. FRAME HELPER Crooked frame? Help it grip the wall by gluing a couple of small erasers to the lower backside corners. Use scissors to snip the rubber tops off old pencils.…

UNCOMMON SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY PROBLEMS We have interior designers to thank for the succulent boom. “They love them for their varying textures and colors,” says Robin Stockwell, author of Succulents: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Designing, and Growing 200 Easy-Care Plants. Even better, succulents are generally low-maintenance. Just water once every week or two and opt for a pot with drainage to prevent root rot. (Make sure you read the care instructions.) If you’ll be keeping your plant in a cubicle or low-sun room, go for a green variety, like the jade plant or miniature aloe. Colored succulents, like the echeveria Perle von Nürnberg pictured here, do best outdoors or on a windowsill where they can soak up two to three hours of direct sunlight every day. Learn how to…

EVEN IF YOU’RE A WORLD CHAMP at pasting on a smile and hiding howworried you feel, you could be wearing a bad day all over your skin. Stress can cause acne breakouts—this,you know— and flare-ups of skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (a.k.a. eczema), rosacea, and psoriasis. One reason: When you’re under physical or emotional stress, your body’s fight-or-flight response kicks in, which triggers the release of stress hormones. Chronic stress in particular is bad news for your skin because it can increase sensitivity and eventually weaken the skin’s barrier—the outermost layer that keepswater in and irritants out. Result: Your skin has a harder time staying hydrated and healing itself. The deluge of the stress hormone cortisol can also rev up activity in your oil glands, leading to blockages within the…

C.P. ASKS... A friend’s 2-year-old knocked over my coffee table at a party. The mom said shewas sorry, since it dented my floor. I said, “Noworries,” because my floor already had a few nicks. The next morning, I noticed that the edge of the tablewas cracked. I hesitated to tell her but decided to mention it in a text. Her answer was, “Oh no.” No apologies, no offer to pay for it. Should I have not mentioned it? Should she have offered to replace it? This situation falls under my general “People trump things” rule, and “No worries” was the right thing to say. Because guests are, well, human. They swing a hockey stick that breaks your light fixture, shatter wineglasses, bleed on the bed, and barf on the rug.…

Their “faults” will upset you more because they’re your faults, too. If you struggle with your body type and notice your daughter does as well, it’s easy to project a lifetime of not feeling good enough onto her. Work against that. They need your wisdom, not your commiseration. “My daughter and I are so similar that her experiences trigger my own childhood sadness, and then I forget that I need to be the stoic adult in the room,” says Jennifer Romolini, author of Weird in a World That’s Not. To help your children navigate their stuff, you have to separate yourself, sometimes literally. “I’ll leave the room for a few minutes, take a deep breath, and return to the conversation when I know I can be rational,” says Romolini. But…

Time Inc.’s* allknowing, straightshooting senior vice president of talent management, Bucky Keady, tackles your workplace conundrums. My manager has asked me to watch his cat while he’s on vacation. Must I say yes? If you have become friends and this is an organic request, then that’s a very fluid and normal thing. But if you don’t have that kind of relationship, you should absolutely say no. You shouldn’t feel coerced into doing something like that. This is the kind of thing that needs to be nipped in the bud early on, because if you say yes the first time you are asked, it will be hard to go back. In response, you can say something like, “You know I love my job, and I hope you see how fully committed…

Emily favors vintage rugs because they mask any debris the kids track inside. If they’re threadbare from years of use, she plumps them up with an extra-thick rug pad beneath. AS BUSY parents of two young kids, super stylist Emily Henderson and her husband, Brian, aimed to create a spacewhere they could really live—a homewhere nothing is too precious and everything is easy to maintain. “This isn’t the time in our life toworry about water rings on the side table,” says theTarget home-style expert. Instead, she chose pieces that would hide imperfections (the patterned living room rug) and patina with use (the leather trunk turned accent table). An avid flea market shopper, Emily suggests homing in on items made with leather, aged wood, and unlacquered brass to achieve a similar…

Everyday noises set me off. I can’t stand to be around people who click their pens or crack their knuckles. Don’t even get me started on loud chewers or constant sniffers. I always want to ask them to stop, but because other people aren’t bothered, I feel like I’m theweird one. Is it unfair to ask this? Misophonia—meaning “hatred of sound”— is a condition in which certain noises trigger extreme agitation. It’s not an officially recognized diagnosis, and it’s a fairly new field of research, but just knowing you’re not “weird” or alone might help. Your fellow sufferers have generated lots of coping strategies. Always carrying headphones is one. Music, podcasts, or white noise can provide respite. But you’ll need a different plan for social situations and work meetings. A…

SEPTEMBER Depending on where you live, you may be digging jackets out of closets or still eating summery ripe tomatoes. School either started a couple of weeks ago or is just beginning.Whatever the case, we’ve got the right dishes for you, from a tomato tart (page 133) to cozy stuffed onions (page 130). As for busy school nights? Find our editors’ favorite childhood suppers, re-created, starting on page 142. COOK WITH COZI Get Real Simple’s easy weeknight-dinner recipes in Cozi, a free meal-planning and organizing app from Time Inc. (available for iOS and Android).…

OFFERS EVENTS FINDS GIVEAWAYS SOUTHERN LIVING SMALL SPACE IDEAS Never let small space keep you from big style! Maximize even the smallest areas with 165 design and style ideas in this new special edition from Southern Living. Now available from amazon.com. BEACH COCKTAILS Savor the end of summer with a delicious cocktail selected from more than 125 refreshing beverages tailor-made for warm weather in this new book from Coastal Living. Now available from amazon.com. TIME MINDFULNESS Uncover the secrets of mindfulness and discover why slowing down and staying present leads to a happier, less-stressed life in this special edition from TIME. Now available from amazon.com. REAL SIMPLE BOUQUETS BY 1-800-FLOWERS Designed for beauty and simplicity—often in reusable containers—the Real Simple Summer collection at 1-800-Flowers delivers style and delight to your…

MEET WENDY GRANGER PHOTO EDITOR AT REALSIMPLE.COM My favorite photographer: Lately I’ve been head over heels for Maria Svarbova’s In the Swimming Pool photo series. Photos I like to take: Architectural details, fruits and vegetables, and my cat. Always my cat. Why I love fall: I get to wear my favorite item of clothing: jackets! A GARDEN SNAP This spot at Lotusland in Montecito, California, caught Wendy’s eye. @WENDYLAVONNE ON INSTAGRAM An Easy Dessert Having guests over tonight? A dump cake will do the trick. The idea is that you throw all the ingredients in a dish and bake, with little mixing required. Check out our recipes at realsimple.com/dumpcakes. THE RIGHT FIT If you’ve ever tried to fold a fitted sheet, you know how crazy-making it is. Watch our…

EVERY THING OUR EDITORS ARE BUZZING ABOUT THIS MONTH COYUCHI FOR LIFE Because nothing beats a fluffy new towel: This premium-linen subscription service will send you a set of organic cotton towels (or sheets or a duvet) every six, 12, or 24 months. Best of all, it will also upcycle or recycle your old textiles. TO BUY: From $5 per month; coyuchi.com. THE BALANCE JOURNAL This felt-covered notebook features encouragement for both mindfulness and productivity. Use the labeled “do” pages to make lists and plans and the “undo” pages for creative contemplation. The journal invites you to rate your work each week and offers regular mindfulness exercises to help you break free from the daily grind. TO BUY: $35; liveundo.com. LANGUAGE LESSON GIFS AREN’T JUST FOR LAUGHS ANYMORE: USE THE…

JURLIQUE ROSEWATER BALANCING MIST INTENSE This limited-edition bottle is double the size of the original, and it contains four more rose varieties to soothe and smooth. Spritz onto clean skin, after applying makeup, or whenever you need a hydrating boost. TO BUY: $65; skinstore.com. CULT FAVORITE This month, we’re loving new versions of classics. BAREMINERALS BAREPRO PERFORMANCE WEAR LIQUID FOUNDATION In 30 shades, this foundation mimics lipids in your skin, so it blends seamlessly (no settling!). TO BUY: $34 each; sephora.com. FRESH SUGAR CREAM LIP TREATMENT IN BABY Addicted to the classic Sugar Lip Treatment? You can now reap the same nourishing benefits of grapeseed and avocado oils in a cush iony petal-pink gloss. TO BUY: $24; fresh.com. L’ORÉAL PARIS PURE-CLAY CLEANSER EUCALYPTUS Detox congested post-summer skin: This soap-free eucalyptus-and-clay…

1 ELEVATE SUPPLIES Help keep the desktop clear by stashing grab-and-go items, like scissors and spare tape, on a pegboard or open shelves. TO BUY: Peg-It-All storage panel, from $100; kreisdesign.com. 2 ELIMINATE EXTRAS Whether they’re pens and pencils or notebooks and erasers, edit out supplies that have seen better days. Having fewer items in the rotation will reduce clutter and stop it from spreading to the rest of your house. TO BUY: Mint signature ballpoint pens, $12 for 12; poppin.com. 3 SIZE UP Choose a piece of furniture that will continue to work as your student grows. Seek out an option with ample drawer storage to avoid surface clutter. 4 ESTABLISH ORDER Set up simple systems for your kids to follow: a tray for paper, a spot for books,…

There’s a Tick on My Child. K.D., VIA EMAIL THE FIX: Using tweezers, grasp the tick by the head, as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up and out. Don’t twist and never grab a tick by the abdomen, which could squeeze pathogens into the bite site, says entomologist Nancy Troyano, PhD, director of technical education and training at Rentokil Steritech. If part of the tick stays in the skin, it will eventually work its way out. After removal, wash the area and your hands with soap and warm water. There’s no need to apply an ointment, but keep an eye on the bite site for any sign of a rash or an infection. Save the tick—it may still be alive—in a jar and take it to…

MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS IN A MODERN WORLD ADOPT A “READ AND DISCUSS” POLICY At university, I got into the habit of starting assignments right away, even if they weren’t due for two weeks. That way, I could actually finish the task with the right amount of preparation and work. Now my partner and I have four kids, and the nonprocrastination idea looks more like this: Our oldest child, who is 7, has weekly homework.When she gets an assignment, we spend a few moments the first evening reading and discussing it. It doesn’t feel like work; we’re not “doing” homework, but really, we are. Understanding the task and its purpose is an important part. I’d be more impressed if a child could describe the task she needs to do and why than…

WORK, MONEY, AND HEALTH ADVICE FOR BUSY PEOPLE Sharing your space—whether it’s with a boyfriend, an aging parent, or a college-grad kid—brings with it a pile of money-related questions. How should finances be handled?Who pays what, and why? Follow these strategies for navigating three potentially fraught situations. “When everyone has contributed to the best of their abilities, the outcome is gratifying.” “My boyfriend and I are moving in together—yay! Should we split all the finances?” Some choose to keep accounts separate, while others have a joint account—and it’s a personal preference. But if you decide to go joint, take precautions. “Keep only the amount you need for rent, utilities, and other shared expenses in that account,” says Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial…

1 SANDRA OH LIN, 42, Founder of KiwiCo, Maker of Kiwi Crate for Kids The key thing for me is to always try to be present for my three children. Often that means putting the phone somewhere else physically. The door is always open for an e-commerce business, so on weekends I usually check my email in the morning and once in the evening. It’s absolutely a challenge, but I don’t feel an urgency to respond to email right away. During the day on the weekend is my time with my family. That is my priority. 2 ALINA VILLASANTE, 56, Founder of Peace Love World Clothing I love being able to communicate directly with people, and I’m constantly finding inspiration that I want to send to my team or assistant…

Fish Tacos With Broccol I Slaw and Cumin Sour Cream ACTIVE TIME: 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 25 MINUTES SERVES: 4 2 10-oz. packages frozen fish sticks 12 oz. broccoli (about 2 crowns) ½ small red onion, thinly sliced Juice of 2 limes, plus lime wedges for serving 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems 2 Tbsp. olive oil ½ cup sour cream ½ tsp. ground cumin 8 corn or flour tortillas, warmed COOK fish sticks according to package directions. MEANWHILE, divide broccoli tops from stalks; finely chop tops. Peel stalks with a vegetable peeler and cut into matchsticks. Place onion, lime juice, and ¾ teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Toss to combine and set aside to marinate, about 10 minutes. Add broccoli tops and…

Easy Dinner 1 Crispy Fried Eggs With Rosemary Potatoes and Bacon ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 1 lb. baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved or quartered if large 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided 8 slices thick-cut bacon 8 large eggs 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1 clove garlic, grated ¼ tsp. black pepper 3 cupsgreen seedless grapes PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Toss potatoes with oil and ½ teaspoon salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until golden and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. MEANWHILE, working in batches, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium until golden and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. WORKING in…

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES MAKES 8 BURRITOS 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and grated on large holes of a box grater ¼ cup olive oil ¾ tsp. chipotle chili powder 1½ tsp. kosher salt, divided 1½ tsp. black pepper, divided 2 plumtomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels ½ cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice 2 15.5-oz. cans pinto or black beans, drained 8 oz. sharp white Cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups) 8 large burrito-size flour tortillas PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Toss sweet potatoes with oil, chili powder, and ¾ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Spread out on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. Roast, stirring halfway through, until most potatoes are…

Quick Ideas 1 MOLASSES-SPICED SPIKED CIDER Combine 4 cups apple cider, 3 Tbsp. molasses, 2 cinnamon sticks, a 1-in. piece of ginger, and 1 sliced orange in a medium saucepan. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in ½ cup rum or bourbon. Serve warm. Serves 8. 2 SPICY MOLASSESROASTED SWEET POTATOES Cut 3 sweet potatoes into 24 wedges. Toss with 2 Tbsp. each olive oil and molasses, 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar, 1 sliced jalapeño, and 1 tsp. each grainy mustard and kosher salt. Roast at 425°F until tender, 20 to 22 minutes. Serves 4. 3 MOLASSES TIRAMISU Beat 1 cup each heavy cream and mascarpone with ¼ cup each powdered sugar and molasses to form medium peaks. Dip 24 ladyfingers in 1½ cups cooled coffee. Layer with cream…

BACKPACK CATCHALL Stow your child’s number-two pencils in this handy threein- one plastic container. The lid includes a built-in pencil sharpener, and the bottom twists off to store erasers and other small supplies. TO BUY: CRG2 Stow-It storage container, $9; officedepot.com. PROJECTOR TO GO Screen movies or share vacation photos with this two-inch portable wonder. It easily connects to phones, laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles to project a 120-inch display onto a wall or other surface. TO BUY: RIF6 Cube, $250; amazon.com. AROMATIC SURFACE SPRAY This all-natural option gets its cleaning power from essential oils (like grapefruit and spruce) and castile soap. It works on countertops, floors, and just about anything else. Comes in three spa-like scents. TO BUY: Saint Olio cleaner, $20 for 16 oz.; saintolio.com. CEREAL CLEANER UPPER…

Q: What are the most common mistakes people make when choosing a contractor? A: Number one: choosing the contractor based solely on price. It may make your wallet happy, but the lowest bid isn’t always the best. Number two: not checking references and inspecting the contractor’s work. The truth is that any joe can shell out a few hundred dollars and put together a website that will impress you. But you’ll never know whether he’s any good without seeing past projects—and that means visiting a previous client and running your hands over the counters and opening and closing drawers. Q: Why do bids often vary wildly in price? How negotiable are they? A: It can be confusing when one contractor quotes you a certain price while another quotes you a…

RUNWAY INSPIRATION Models at Public School Fall/Winter 2017 showed off a low-maintenance approach to lipstick: a pink stain that looks like it was applied with fingers. 1POLISH Matte formulas tend to draw attention to dry flakes, so it’s worth the extra prep step to ensure a smooth canvas. Gently massage a sugar scrub into lips using circular motions for 30 seconds, then tissue off. Try Sara Happ The Lip Scrub in Pink Grapefruit ($22; sarahapp .com) or DIY with one tablespoon coconut oil, two tablespoons sugar, and a half tablespoon warm water. 2CONCEAL Since you won’t be covering your lips with an even coat of lipstick, it’s key to tone down your natural lip color. Doing so helps you get the true color you see in the tube, and…

PLEATED SKIRTS Inspired by ballet skirts, these universally flattering midi-length styles make any ensemble more graceful. STATEMENT CUFFS Bold, eye-catching bracelets make for one-step accessorizing— no other jewelry necessary. DAY CLUTCHES These handheld bags fit your essentials but won’t weigh you down. And they make even denim feel dressy. WALKABLE HEELS Dressy enough for work, comfortable enough for running errands, and stylish enough to be your new favorite shoe. See even more of our favorite fall styles at realsimple.com/fallfinds. UPDATED BLAZERS Unexpected fabrics and design details let you have a little fun with a stalwart wardrobe staple.…

RAISING ANY HUMAN BEING is hard, but when that human is nothing like you, the degree of difficulty goes way up. “You’re going to spend a lot of time outside your comfort zone,” says Laura Markham, PhD, a clinical psychologist and the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. “It’s harder to relate to them, to connect with them, and to value what they value.” You may also have to work through some disappointment if you envisioned a specific type of child and got another. “But when I point out to parents that the child is merely different than they are, a lightbulb goes off, and a breakthrough can happen,” says Markham. Ready for yours? You’re outgoing and will happily talk to every cashier. Your little guy struggles with saying hello…

Here’s a secret: You don’t have to quit your day job to bring in extra cash. Whether you already have an idea brewing, want to sample a new career before taking the leap, or aren’t working and want to get back into the game, starting a side hustle is easier than you think. Plus, it brings the benefits of added job security and personal satisfaction. “Just start where you are and take action,” says Chris Guillebeau, author of Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days. Here’s how. 1 COME UP WITH A FEW IDEAS Think about skills or assets you already have. An unused basement could be turned into a Pilates studio; a veteran teacher can sell lesson plans. If you know a lot about fish tanks, you…

Ritual and repetition are part of what makes the practice of yoga transporting. As we breathe through sun salutations, the repetition of movement aligns our body and mind. But rituals need not be confined to yoga. Consider how you approach something as mundane as making the bed or brewing coffee. As with yoga, we start with the breath. Take a moment to pause and focus on the present. Consider why you’re doing what you’re doing. When we are aware of the self-care involved in our routines, our joy in doing them increases. Witness the precision of your movements. Feel the texture of the linen. Savor the aroma of the coffee. You know how to do these things by rote, but can you slow down to appreciate the satisfaction of a…

The KNIT Trendy tie sleeves and a funnel neck make this cozy sweater dressy enough for the office. Silvery, slimcut bottoms add even more polish. The BLACK PANTS Black pants may be an essential building block of a work wardrobe, but they need not be boring. Fresh features (like a detailed waistband) create interest without going offdress- code. The WHITE SHIRT The crisp white poplin is traditional; the updated silhouettes— peplums, tie waists, exaggerated sleeves—are anything but. The SKIRT Pair this skirt’s pretty pleats and understated lace with silk tops (or thin knits) for a feminine look that transitions seamlessly from desk to dinner. The SUIT Matching two-piece sets create a look that’s just as refined as—but more fashion-forward than—an expected jacket-and-pants combo (not to mention that they make short…

BEST SOBA Organic Planet Soba Noodles Soba made of buckwheat alone can taste muddy and bitter. Thanks to their blend of wheat and buckwheat flours, these are ideal for soba newbies. TO BUY: $3 for 8 oz.; at natural-food stores. BEST LO MEIN Nasoya Chinese Style Noodles Tasters preferred the fresh pasta flavor of this refrigerated option. Try the noodles warm in stir-fries or chilled and tossed with sesame oil. TO BUY: $2.80 for 9 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST UDON Wel-Pac Japanese Udon Noodles These substantial wheat noodles easily absorb flavor, making them our favorite for saucy dishes. TO BUY: $2 for 10 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST BEAN THREAD Dynasty Saifun Bean Threads Unlike the competition, these delicate noodles held their shape after cooking. Tuck…

A simple sheet cake eaten straight from the pan is one of life’s simplest sweet pleasures. Some people still dream of the corner rosette slice from birthdays gone by, but these dayswe prefer something just a little,well, less. You’ll find nothing mysterious in this batter— butter, sugar, flour, eggs—and nothing freaky in the frosting. Just an honest-to-goodness vanilla-scented base with a healthy smear of genuine chocolate ganache (which is just a fancy type of frosting). It’s cake in its purest form, and that’s something to celebrate. ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 30 MINUTES SERVES 12 TO 16 CAKE ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for baking pan 3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for baking pan 2¼ tsp. baking powder 1¼ tsp.…