Inhaltsverzeichnis für September 2020 in Real Simple

INSPIRED BY LAURA Fenton’s piece, “Happy Home, Happy Life” (page 94), a wonderful collection of ideas to make your home joy-giving, I looked around. Here are three things about my house that lift my heart—even if they’ll never get me into Architectural Digest. • The word “tuba” typed on a P-touch label that’s been stuck above my doorbell for about five years. It’s random, it’s a little sloppy. It’s the non sequitur of greetings. But every time I look at it (which is every time I put my key in the front door), I picture our Olivia in the fifth grade with the biggest instrument in the orchestra on her lap. Welcome to our home. Tuba. • A handwritten note from the Easter Bunny. Eight Aprils ago, my daughters…

1 DEWY-SKIN STICK Cocokind Skin Nourishing Highlighter Deliver a healthy sheen (sans sparkles) to cheekbones, brow bones, and collarbones. The cherry on top: Mushroom powder and mango seed butter soothe skin. TO BUY: $12 each; cocokind.com. 2 UNDER-MAKEUP MUST-HAVE Lawless Set the Stage Hydrating Priming Serum Get serum, moisturizer, and primer in one swoop. With peptides and rose hip oil, this silicone-free gel keeps makeup looking fresh all day. TO BUY: $48; sephora.com. 3 DARK-SPOT DIMINISHER Zitsticka Hyperfade Microdart Blur Patches Help fade brown spots with these clear stickers. Each one has self-dissolving microdarts, which deposit brightening ingredients just where you want them. TO BUY: $34 for 12; zitsticka.com. 4 BRIGHTENING CLEANSER Tatcha The Rice Wash This frothy cleanser gently removes grime but restores natural oils, so skin never feels…

BEST RESET Sakara Life Organic Meal Delivery HOW IT WORKS: Choose the three- or five-day three-meal program for a short-term healthy-eating reboot. You receive a sweet treat for breakfast and two veggie-packed dishes per day, plus Sakara’s Detox Tea and Daily Probiotic, as well as access to online health coaches. You can customize weekly deliveries for a longer program. THE SCOOP: No, the service doesn’t come cheap. But if you want an all-inclusive plan with vibrant, plant-based meals and a touch of luxe, this one is for you. We also love how each meal’s packaging includes info on the nutritional benefits of the ingredients. FAVES: Daydreamer Soba Noodle Bowl, Prosperity Pad Thai, and Full Heart Brassica Bowl. TO BUY: $70 per day (plus delivery) for 5-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner…

BEST ON-THE-GO Vuori Performance Jogger This as-seen-on-Instagram pair features a cropped leg, roomy pockets, and a wide elastic waistband that stays put whether you place it mom-high or low on your hips. The ultra-soft fabric holds up wash after wash, so pilling isn’t a problem. TO BUY: $84; vuoriclothing.com. BEST BUDGET FRIENDLY Uniqlo Women’s Sweatpants When pants come this sleek and luxurious without a prohibitive price, you’ll want to own two pairs (so you can wear one while the other is in the wash). TO BUY: $20; uniqlo.com. BEST EXTENDED SIZES Universal Standard Bridget Jogger These have a thick waistband and a cut that looks good and feels even better. Keep in mind: The sizing isn’t traditional; double-check your measurements before you add the pants to your cart. TO BUY:…

BUDGETING, SAVING, INVESTING, and shopping have never been simpler, thanks to some ingenious tools now at our disposal. Our panel of money experts sifted through more than 300 new options to find the 23 products and services that will boost your bottom line—and that of our editors, who took a few out for a spin. BUDGETING BEST FOR Spotting Bad Habits Cleo WHAT IT IS “How much did I spend on takeout last week?” “Can I afford a new pair of shoes?” Connect your bank accounts to this app and it will scan your transactions to help answer questions like these, as well as identify trouble areas and—most helpfully—assist with planning and sticking to a budget. WHY WE LOVE IT Cleo’s ability to point out where people spend heavily makes…

I’ve recently had what I’ll call a “joy awakening.” Like everyone else, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time this year staring at my own walls. I was feeling restless, bored, and worried. Of course I craved happiness and change—and I found that using joy as a barometer made some decorating and organization decisions immediately clear. (That bunk bed my son has been begging me for? Totally joy-making—even if we’re not hosting any sleepovers just yet.) The elation a welcoming home can spark is more than a gut reaction: Science and expert experience tell us we can change our living spaces to make ourselves happier. Here’s how. Shift Your Perspective REMEMBER YOUR FAVORITE PLACES In her e-course Design a Joyful Home, author Ingrid Fetell Lee asks her students to think…

Turn your freezer fantasy (easy to excavate, blissfully organized) into reality with these silicone trays divided into half-cup, one-cup, and two-cup compartments. Pour your big-batch soups, chilis, or sauces right in, or layer in leftovers (like rice and beans or even spaghetti). Snap on the cover, stash in the freezer until solid, then pop out the single servings and reheat. Or move the cubes to gallon-size freezer bags—they nestle inside with Tetris-like precision. TO BUY: $20 for 1 (½ cup or 1 cup) tray, $37 for 2 (1 cup or 2 cup) trays; soupercubes.com.…

BEST SHADE RANGE Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler Rihanna, who created this brand, is known for offering inclusive shades. With this pencil, she didn’t skimp on color options, even including soft red and ash blond (plus 12 other hues). The precision point makes hairlike strokes easy, and the paddle brush blends smoothly. TO BUY: $20; sephora.com. BEST PEN Milk Makeup Kush Triple Brow Pen The three-pronged felt tip leaves natural-looking strokes. Sunflower oil and aloe hydrate and add shine. TO BUY: $22; sephora.com. BEST GEL Rodan + Fields Brow-Defining Boost A splurge for sure, but this cult-favorite formula encourages new growth (so long, sparse spots!), fills in color, and has conditioning castor oil. TO BUY: $112; rodanandfields.com. BEST PENCIL NYX Cosmetics Fill & Fluff Clear…

1 QUICK LOCK Before you pop into the coffee shop, secure your bike or kid’s scooter with this steel-enforced zip tie. In five colors. TO BUY: Hiplok Z Lok, $13; hiplok.com. 2 NUTTY KNIFE The seven-inch blade makes stirring and spreading nut butters a breeze, and that curved tip lets you get every last bit from the jar. TO BUY: PB-Jife, $13; pbjife.com. 3 IRONING BLANKET Unroll this six-layer wonder and behold an ironing board. It protects counters and carpets from heat and moisture, and it works with normal and steam irons. TO BUY: Brabantia Ironing Blanket, $45; wayfair.com. 4 PAPER TOWEL SUBSTITUTE Like a cross between a sponge and a bar mop, this machine-washable cellulose cloth can absorb nearly a cup of liquid. TO BUY: Ten and Co.…

Avoid a Morning Rush. Prepare multiples. Put together peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese, or turkey sandwiches (skip the lettuce and tomato) over the weekend and freeze them individually; they’ll defrost in the lunch box. Pack lunch right after dinner. You can immediately incorporate any dinner leftovers. Consider making an extra serving of dinner to pack for lunch the next day. Bonus: You only have to clean up once. Make mornings assembly-only. Prep whatever “main” you’re including ahead of time; pasta salads and soups keep well. In the a.m., fill out the box with fruit, crackers, and store-bought snacks. To pack soups, we like S’well Eats ($50 for 21 oz.; swell.com), an insulated container with a removable, microwave-safe bowl. Even salads can be made ahead. To keep lettuce…

…

IMAGINE THAT YOUR LIFE at 100 looked like this: waking up in your own home, taking regular brisk walks with friends, popping over-the-counter painkillers only once in a while. A spate of new research on “super agers”—people who live into their 80s, 90s, and beyond in great mental and physical shape—reveals some surprising lessons that may help the rest of us outsmart aging too. Of course, living to a very ripe old age involves some luck. It also runs in families. You might be in this enviable gene pool if you have close relatives who are spry nonagenarians. But while you can’t pick your parents, you can do a lot to add years to your life. People who enjoy healthy longevity “share certain habits and lifestyles. We can modify aging,”…

Kimchi and Beef Wontons ACTIVE TIME 45 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 4 6 oz. ground beef, thawed if frozen1 large egg, beaten¾ cup kimchi (from a 16-oz. jar), drained and finely chopped, plus 2 Tbsp. liquid from jar½ cup frozen riced cauliflower or broccoli1 1-in. piece fresh ginger, grated4 scallions, finely chopped, divided1 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more for water1 ¼ tsp. soy sauce, divided32 square wonton wrappers2 shallots, thinly sliced (½ cup)¼ cup vegetable oil3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds Find wonton wrappers and jarred kimchi near the tofu or in the refrigerated produce section. LINE a baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir beef, egg, kimchi, cauliflower, ginger, 2 tablespoons scallions, and ¾ teaspoon each salt and soy sauce in a large bowl until well combined. FILL…

Easy Dinner 1 Rainbow Paella ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 4 2 Tbsp. olive oil2 medium leeks (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced2 medium summer squash, sliced (about 3 cups)1 12-oz. jar roasted red bell peppers, drained and thinly sliced8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced1 ½ cups arborio rice2 tsp. smoked paprika1 ½ tsp. kosher salt4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth4 canned artichoke hearts, drained and halved lengthwise1 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsleyLemon wedges, for serving HEAT oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add squash, bell peppers, and garlic; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Stir in rice, paprika, and salt; cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Stir in broth and bring mixture to…

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL decades, men have made strides toward sharing household chores, from cleaning to childcare. What still weighs women down, though, is the mental load—the invisible labor of maintaining an endless internal to-do list for the home and kids. According to a 2019 study by Arizona State University, 90 percent of women say they feel responsible for managing the family schedules, almost 80 percent for communicating with the kids’ teachers, and 70 percent for assigning household chores. These women also reported feeling empty, exhausted, and less satisfied with their marriages and life in general. In fairness, the mental load can be hard to off-load. The burden is more than just buying the jumbo pack of paper towels; it’s knowing exactly how frequently the paper towels run out…

Explore the colors and textures of this glass orb, allowing your attention to drift. Observe the shapes and patterns. As you take in the colors, notice if any feelings arise—like calm, warmth, or joy. Now, sitting up straight, inhale deeply and exhale all the way out. Close your eyes and notice the sounds around you. Just listen, letting them come to you. Shift your focus to the quietest sound, then the loudest. Gently turn your awareness to the sounds of your inhales and exhales. When you’re ready, return to the sounds of the environment. Feel the rhythm of your breath, then open your eyes, concentrate again on the glass, and immerse yourself in a sense of ease.…

It doesn’t get more comfy than an A-line silhouette with hidden pockets. A statement necklace adds some bling to your LBT (little black tunic, of course!). Puffed sleeves and flowy fabric make this menswear-inspired dress feminine for dinner dates— and the deep pockets make it functional for everything in between. Break the rules and wear white after Labor Day, especially if it’s a slim-fit pair of cargo(ish) pants with enough pockets—count ’em, seven!—to tote along everything you might need. Crisp poplin puts a tailored spin on the jumpsuit. Round out the look (and supplement the four pockets) with a belt bag that lets you go completely hands-free. Beyond this light jacket’s practical details, like gusset pockets and a waist-defining belt, you’ll love its versatility: Wear it as a top…

YOU SHOULD AVOID MIXING METALS Storing silver and gold next to each other can make them tarnish. Stash your fine and costume jewelry in separate containers, and place each earring in its own pouch to prevent scratches. FLANNEL PRESERVES SILVER Keep silver jewelry away from high humidity and heat. Find a cool, dry spot in your home, and tuck silver pieces in layers of soft flannel to help them stay pristine and polished. KITCHEN STAPLES CAN BRIGHTEN TREASURES To help restore shine to your silver and gold jewelry, soak the pieces in a solution of warm water and three or four drops of gentle liquid dish soap. Let the jewelry sit in the soapy mixture for two to three minutes, then scrub with a clean, soft toothbrush to dislodge any…