Table of contents for May 2023 in Real Simple

I LOVE A TO-DO LIST. Not because I relish the mundane tasks that devour whatever free time I might’ve hoped for on a Saturday. (You may love grocery shopping. I do not love grocery shopping.) But because, like a lot of people, I find joy in crossing things off, one at a time. Or several at once—bonus points! (Sometimes I even add the thing I just did, then put a line through it. You do that too. Admit it.) At the end of the day, I like to pour myself something cold, put my feet up, and enjoy the spoils of my labor. The daily to-do list is a friend of mine. However, the back burner to-do list, what this issue is all about, is my enemy. On this…

If something isn’t at eye level, I don’t dust it—unless guests are coming over or there are cobwebs.JEANNE SMYTH MILLBURY, MASSACHUSETTS I only buy name-brand cleaning products. Off-brand is not the same. @EMILYKRODGERS Dryer balls do nothing. And people are not ready to read this. @NATASHALGRAF Nothing cleans better than bleach. Mic drop. @THATKINDOFHAPPINESS I wash my cast-iron pans with a Lodge bristle brush and dish soap. The secret to making the pans last is drying them well after each wash (or putting them on the stove and turning on the burner until they’re dry) and keeping them well oiled at all times.   @JMCLARK08 Vinegar only. No other cleaning products. @SHANNONKMOON Vinegar and lemon do not work. #sorrynotsorry @NOLASMITTY Do not towel-dry hand-washed dishes! I’m a microbiologist, and my…

3 THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF TIMES YOU SHOULD SHOWER EACH WEEK (Seven is the max for most people!) Showering is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce disease. Just be warned: There is such a thing as being too clean. “When you overwash, you strip your skin of ceramides, setting yourself up for dryness and itchiness,” says Shari Marchbein, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. How do you know it’s time to wash? Do a sniff test. “Shower if you think you’re starting to smell, because it could signify a change in the skin’s microbiome, which can result in irritation,” advises Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Suds Selection When it comes to choosing a cleanser, the CDC and most dermatologists…

Beatrice Dixon had been living with bacterial vaginosis—an imbalance of the “good” and “bad” bacteria in the vagina—for months when her late grandmother came to her in a dream with a solution. “She said she had been watching me struggle, and suggested I try lavender, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil to alleviate the sensitivity,” says Dixon, who worked as a pharmacy technician for almost 10 years. She had tried plenty of doctor-prescribed meds, and nothing worked. (Still, you should always consult your doc!) After using the concoction from the dream, her symptoms cleared up and never came back. Feeling inspired and armed with her experience in medicine, Dixon launched the Honey Pot, a plant-derived feminine care line featuring organic tampons, bath bombs, refreshing wipes, and more. She also…

We’re happy to report that butter yellow decor is back in a big way. Soft and pretty, the color looks right at home with the florals and ornate trim “grandmillennial” influencers have had a field day with lately. The mellow yellow also gels with modern designs, acting as a near neutral when paired with wood tones, white, or black. We’ve even seen it whipped into palettes with cobalt blue, lavender, and poppy red to dazzling effect. Butter really does make everything better! Get the Look Navida Mahalia Pillow, $64; burkedecor.com M Mantel Clock, $49; burkedecor.com Yield Ceramic French Press, $85; anthropologie.com Mitzi Nightstand, $169; westelm.com Solis Wallpaper, $149; arhaus.com Middle Kingdom Miniature Porcelain Double Gourd Vase, $25; urbanoutfitters.com…

Organize Food Storage Containers Nothing says “certified adult” like a tidy setup of reusable containers. To get one, extend a small tension rod lengthwise across a deep kitchen drawer, leaving a two-inch gap between the rod and the drawer front. Then arrange all your lids by size, making sure there’s a container for each one, and slide them into that narrow space. Stack the containers on the other side of the rod. That’s it—you’ve officially got a system! Corral Baking Sheets Tired of releasing an avalanche of pans every time you want to do some baking? Empty out a cabinet (or at least one side) and install two tension rods vertically—one near the back of the cabinet and one parallel to it, closer to the door. Repeat as needed to…

Blankets Wash your duvet inserts, comforters, and quilts once a season. Check the label first, but in general, how you do it depends on the filling or material. DOWN INSERTS & COMFORTERS Believe it or not, these can usually go into a large-capacity washing machine. Use cold water and two to three teaspoons (max!) of mild detergent—too much can cause feathers to clump. If the fabric feels soapy, do another rinse cycle or two. Then gently press out excess water (don’t wring) and run the blanket through the dryer on low heat with wool dryer balls. Check in every 15 to 30 minutes, and fluff the blanket with your hands while you feel for lingering moisture. If you’d rather air-dry, fluff it every few hours. POLYFILL OR FIBERFILL INSERTS & COMFORTERS These…

KATIE ASKS… My 40th birthday is coming up, and I told my husband that my dream would be a tropical vacation with my sister, brother-in-law, and 3-year-old niece. He invited them and even offered to book a big house at no cost to them. They promptly declined without an explanation. I’m trying not to feel rejected and sad, but the truth is, it hurts. Should I bring it up to her or sweep it under the rug? Lawdy, lawdy, look who’s 40! Congratulations on your birthday and having enough money in the bank to make a trip happen! I’m going to be honest here: I have 4-year-old twins, and traveling with them is like all the seasons of The Amazing Race but with no prize at the end. I’m sure…

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE These delicate-looking leafy greens pack a surprisingly peppery punch (kind of like arugula), adding big flavor to all sorts of dishes. SHOP Look for bagged watercress near the other packaged greens at the grocery store, or grab bunches at the farmers market. Make sure the leaves are bright green and there’s no trace of icky slime. STORE Refrigerate in a ventilated container or bag for up to five days. PREP Toss with a creamy or lemony dressing for a bold salad (great with steak or roasted chicken!), or chop and add to soups or pastas. For a light but zippy snack, sandwich leaves between bread that’s slathered with salted butter.…

ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided, plus more for topping1 cup thinly sliced red onion (from 1 medium onion)1 tsp. kosher salt, divided½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided1 lb. sugar snap peas (5 cups), tough strings removed3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice¼ cup chopped fresh mint, plus more for topping1 tsp. ground sumac, plus more for topping (optional)1 8-oz. burrata cheese ball (or 2 [4-oz.] balls)Flaky sea salt, for topping HEAT 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add onion, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and lightly browned in spots, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. ADD snap peas to…

IN YOUR CLOSET Our Best Laundry Hacks of All Time Conquer Laundry Mountain! We’ve sorted through our countless tips and tricks and bundled the best to get you through the pile(s). Visit realsimple.com/laundrytips and give them a spin. ON YOUR SCREEN Tour the Get It Done Home See the home on page 68? You can take a virtual walk-through of it if you head over to realsimple.com/virtualhome. View the space, shop the decor, and more. ON THE WEB 7 Things to Consider Before a Paint Project Painting may be a DIY job you actually can do yourself, but at realsimple.com/DIYpainting, you’ll find a few things you should think about before you pick up that brush. IN YOUR KITCHEN 35 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes Work was bananas, your commute…

1 JOY STICKS Shampoo, cleanser, face mask, moisturizer, and shave gel—in stick form! You know, for a streamlined, mess-free routine. I love that I don’t have to dip my fingers into any goo. WYOS Sticks, from $16; wearewyos.com 2 BUMP ERASER My husband may be stubborn, but the red bumps on my upper arms are next-level. This light, unscented lotion contains alpha hydroxy acids, which have noticeably smoothed the dots. And the bottle is kinda cute! Welly Rough & Bumpy Body Lotion, $16; target.com 3 ACE OF BASE This is a foundation that doesn’t act like one. Available in 36 hues, it looks like your skin, only better, and feels like nothing at all. Glowy Super Skin Weightless Hydrobounce Serum Foundation, $40; saiehello.com 4 LIP SERVICE Recyclable aluminum tubes deliver…

BEST FOR BOOSTING GLOW Supergoop Daily Dose Bioretinol + Mineral SPF 40 This tinted stuff feels more like a fancy serum than a sunscreen. It’s so luxe, you’ll actually look forward to using it! In addition to protecting your skin from those UV rays, it has bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative), peptides, grapeseed extract, and English oak bark extract to help counteract the effects of sun damage. Rub in six drops after your moisturizer and you’re all set. $46; supergoop.com BEST BRIGHTENER BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal C Skin Refiner SPF 50 The brainchild of a cosmetic chemist, this lotion is full of vitamin C to help ward off dark spots and brighten existing ones. $85; beautystat.com BEST ON-THE-GO Coola Refreshing Water Hydration Stick Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 50 Three words: cooling…

ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 ½ cup all-purpose flour½ cup whole milk½ tsp. almond extract or 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract½ tsp. kosher salt3 large eggs3 ½ Tbsp. granulated sugar, divided3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces½ cup heavy cream¼ cup lemon curd (such as Bonne Maman)½ cup fresh raspberries2 Tbsp. toasted sliced almondsLemon zest, for topping PLACE a 10-inch oven-safe skillet in oven with rack in lower third position. Preheat oven to 425°F. BLEND flour, milk, almond extract, salt, eggs, and 2 ½ tablespoons sugar in a blender on low speed, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until batter is smooth, about 30 seconds. CAREFULLY remove skillet from oven and add butter. Return skillet to oven; bake until butter is melted and…

First things first: All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas. Both spirits are produced in Mexico from the agave plant, a giant spiky succulent, says Robert Simonson, author of several books on drinks, including Mezcal and Tequila Cocktails. “Tequila is made from the blue agave, while mezcal can be made from a couple of dozen different types of agave plants,” he adds. To make both spirits, the spines are cut off the plant, and the hearts, or piñas, are cooked and crushed to release the sweet juices, which are then fermented and distilled. For tequila, the piñas are steamed in an oven. For mezcal, they’re often roasted in a wood-fired pit, giving the spirit that smoky flavor. Traditionally, mezcal isn’t aged, but tequila often is. This is…

IF YOU WERE TO UNRAVEL all the DNA in your body and lay the strands end to end, that string would be about 67 billion miles long—enough to circle the globe more than 2.5 million times. That’s a lot of DNA, and it’s your personal, very detailed book of life. Crammed into nearly every single one of your cells, the famous double helix molecule (made up of sugar, phosphate, and chemicals known as A, C, G, and T) affects your eye color, the sound of your voice, your health, and on and on. The coolest thing about DNA? It makes you unique—but it also makes life on earth one big cozy family. Allow us to explain. HUMANS ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL What do you, your cousin, Nelson Mandela, a 12th-century…

Readers Say… Yes, Absolutely! “You need a towel load, a white load, a Lululemon load, and a color load! How else do you keep those whites nice and crisp?!” KELLYNIDA “I like to do batches on different days of the week. Whites and colors on Monday, jeans on Thursday, sheets and towels on Friday.” SANDY_JEAN_P “I do lights, colors, darks, sheets, towels, dog towels, kitchen towels, and more towels.” IAMSIMOOONE No, Not Important! “Brand-new clothes that could bleed? Yes, I sort. Otherwise? Nope. I have no time for all that. Sorry, not sorry.” PUTLALEDINBETTER “I never sort, and it has served me well for 10-plus years of laundry.” DAYNA5578 “I only sort when I have enough for two loads. If not, it all goes in together. Saves time, water, and…