Table of contents for April 2022 in Real Simple

WHEN THE REAL ESTATE agent drove me up to the house, the sight took my breath away. There, in front of what is now my home, was a majestic, 100-foot-tall American elm, with a twisting trunk and broad crown. I adore this tree, and ever since moving in 14 years ago, I’ve imagined her watching over my family, as she watched over the family with two children before us. My husband and I have always liked to relax in chairs on our shaded front lawn on warm evenings. But one late afternoon in the spring of 2020, I felt the unfamiliar sensation of sun dappling my legs. Looking up, I noticed her crown was sparse, several branches completely bare. An arborist came, then another, and the diagnosis made me…

MINI-MUDROOM IDEAS / RASPBERRY MARSHMALLOWS / THE CHARMS OF TEA GLAM GALOSHES Sayonara, soggy socks! These elegant rain boots have an adjustable gusset for a comfy fit. TO BUY: Joules Welly Print Waterproof Rain Boots, $85; nordstrom.com. 1 NEW GROUND Go ahead and scrape your muddy boots all over this slip-proof mat—it’s machine washable. TO BUY: Mix Floor Mat, from $150; heymat.com. 2 BAG OF TRICKS A hardworking, water-resistant backpack with two handy pockets can withstand the rainiest days of schlepping. TO BUY: Kane Double Pocket Large Backpack, $150; statebags.com. 3 SHELF HELP This sleek rack makes your family’s heap of shoes look like less of a mishmash. At about three feet wide, it fits at least nine pairs. TO BUY: Entryway Rack, $184; getopenspaces.com. 4 GRIN AND BEAR IT…

…ADD A SWEATER VEST AND JEANS A cashmere vest keeps you cozy, while white jeans and a bold bag practically scream spring. TO BUY: Cashmere Knitted Tank Top, $130; bodenusa.com. 1981 Straight Pant, $138; guess.com. Good Karma Bracelet Co. Cherry Quartz Gemstone Stretch Bracelet, $44; etsy.com. Gabbi Bag, $89; jwpei.com. 2790 Tank White Platforms, $89; superga-usa.com. …ADD A PLEATED SKIRT AND HEELS Fluttery pleats and textured pumps prove formal doesn’t have to be fussy. TO BUY: Belted Pleated Midi Skirt, $129; anntaylor.com. Ria Gem Choker Necklace, $98; sequin-nyc.com. Felice Clutch, $78; ninashoes.com. Tatiana Pointy Toe Pumps, $95; ninewest.com. …ADD A JUMPSUIT Layer some chambray under a denim jumpsuit, throw on a printed scarf, and voilà—you’ve got an outfit that’s equal parts comfy and cool. TO BUY: Women’s Shop Square Coveralls,…

HOPEFULLY YOU’RE ON TOP of your twice-yearly dental visits and your annual physical—but when it comes to eye exams, do you have a blind spot? According to a recent survey, 1 in 10 Americans haven’t had an eye exam in five years or more. But it’s not something to delay until you’re tired of squinting at menus: Our eyes are the windows not just to our souls but also to our well-being, and many of the most common vision-impairing diseases begin asymptomatically—though they can be treated if they’re detected early. Here are eight clear reasons to schedule your next exam today. 1 It can reveal important information about your health. Your ophthalmologist can examine blood vessels and tissues that go all the way to the brain, potentially detecting signs of…

WE ALL WANT the best for the people we love—but sometimes it seems they don’t want the best for themselves. Your mom complains that the physical therapy exercises for her hip are “too much trouble,” yet she hobbles down the hall moaning in pain. Or your husband says he wants to cut back on his drinking…every time he grabs another sixer from the garage. Or your teenage daughter readily admits that the polished perfection she sees on Instagram brings her down, but then checks the “likes” on her posts more reflexively than she breathes. It’s difficult to know how to support family members who want to develop healthier habits but get stuck in old patterns. Change is hard to begin with, but lifestyle-related shifts can be especially tough, because…

Checks, Please! The overall vibe is polished (bordering on Grace Kelly glam), but the stretchy waist means you can move and breathe easily all day. Mod Squad The A-line silhouette and graphic pattern hark back to the groovy-girl shift dress of the 1960s. Jump for Joy Take the freedom and comfort of your favorite pj’s…but make it so you can actually wear them to a dressy event. Power Pants Lantern-leg pants have a length and rise like sweatpants but are a million times more refined (just add tassel slides). Shoulder Season Asymmetrical and almost sculptural, this splurge-worthy cotton jumpsuit feels like a work of art. Jean Expression Yes, these pants have a supremely stretchy elastic waistband. And no, no one needs to know thanks to a cute, hip-skimming sweater.…

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 4 4 10-oz. sweet potatoes2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed1 tsp. ground cinnamon1 ½ Tbsp. olive oil, divided1 ¼ tsp. ground cumin, divided1 tsp. plus 1 pinch kosher salt, divided¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley2 Tbsp. thinly sliced chives¼ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt PREHEAT oven to 425°F with racks in upper third and center of oven. Prick potatoes all over with a fork and place on a baking sheet. Bake on center rack until very tender, 45 to 60 minutes. AFTER 30 minutes of bake time, toss together chickpeas, cinnamon, ½ tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake on top rack until chickpeas are fragrant and warmed through, about 12…

Meet the Owners JESSICA & TYLER MARÉS The Maréses really wanted the perks of a mudroom, but their 1,500-square-foot ranch in Thousand Oaks, California, lacked the space. And so the pair behind the Renovate 108 design blog reimagined their front hall closet. They got rid of the door and cumbersome closet rod to create an easy-access nook filled with cubbies, hooks, a bench for comfortably putting on shoes, and baskets for storage. Now they have all the features of a mudroom in less than seven square feet. Get the Look MAXIMUM STORAGE Brass nameplates assign a zone to each family member. The utility hooks corral bags, coats, and masks, and the cubbies hold sunglasses and mail. The side wall has a rack for keys; floor baskets hold reusable shopping bags…

SPALIKE BODY CARE / ECO-FRIENDLY MONEY SAVERS / PET-GROOMING TRICKS You’ve been downward dogging, sun saluting, and shavasana-ing on your trusty mat, and your sweat drips have slowly worn away the nonslip grip. Rather than replace your mat, simply wash it. Fill a bathtub halfway with lukewarm water and mix in a tablespoon of white vinegar (to remove dirt and help restore stickiness) and a tablespoon of tea tree oil (to deodorize), says Sarah Larson Levey, founder of Y7 Studio. Let it soak (ahhh) for about 10 minutes, pat it with a towel, then hang it over a chair or porch railing to dry overnight. You and your mat will be relaxed and ready to unroll once more.…

BEST MOISTURIZER Tula Take Care + Nourish Advanced Hydration Body Moisturizer Ashy ankles and cracked heels have met their match with this Marshmallow Fluff–like cream. Slathering it on post-shower feels more like a treat (looking at you, yummy vanilla-and-coconut scent) than a chore. And unlike a delicious dessert, this rub leaves you feeling supple, not sticky. It’s loaded with skin-loving ingredients, like vitamin C to brighten and ceramides to nourish. TO BUY: $38; tula.com. BEST PROTECTOR Supergoop Glowscreen Body SPF 40 This lightweight body lotion imparts a healthy sheen sans sun damage and blocks harmful UV rays. TO BUY: $42; sephora.com. BEST ACNE FIGHTER Bliss Clear Genius Body Acne Spray Got backne? This mist targets hard-to-reach spots without requiring a contortionist act. Salicylic acid clears pores; cica reduces redness. TO…

ETIQUETTE ISSUES / HELP LOVED ONES GET HEALTHIER / THERAPEUTIC GARDENING 1 Embrace Your Inner Cartoon Character. When I became an educator, I was inspired by the eccentric Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus, who often wears fun, themed attire to engage her students on another level. I now have accessories for every holiday. My students love my bold, unique outfits and glasses, and especially my pom-pom earrings, which I own in every color. When our school pivoted to online classes, my accessories became even more important, since they helped me keep the kids’ attention. They always remark, “I can’t wait to see what you’ll wear tomorrow!” KEANNA FUNDERBURK IS A FOURTH-GRADE TEACHER IN ATLANTA. 2 Swap and Shop Mom’s Closet. Growing up, I was inspired by photos…

“I Quit My Six-Figure Job to Become an Interior Designer” Beth Diana Smith, 42 IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY GROWING UP, Beth was a math whiz who dreamed of becoming an accountant. By her early 30s, she was director of finance at MTV International, earning six figures plus a bonus, socking away funds into a 401(k), and flying around the world for her job. She was able to spend money on renovating her home. At night after work, she read home magazines, and on weekends she redecorated. Her interest in design grew, and she enrolled in night classes at the New York School of Interior Design, thinking she might develop a side gig. But her passion skyrocketed to the point where design was the only thing she wanted to do. “Accounting…

1 BAR KEEPERS FRIEND The ingredient that helps this product shine is oxalic acid, which occurs naturally in veggies like rhubarb and spinach. Bar Keepers Friend was originally marketed (back in 1882) to bartenders so they could polish brass fixtures in their pubs. It now comes in both powder and soft liquid formulas, and we use it to… REMOVE RINGS IN THE TOILET. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the acidity to work its magic, then scrub it off with your toilet brush. The liquid version is easier to apply (just aim and squeeze), but you can also sprinkle the powder around the bowl. ERASE SILVER MARKS ON PLATES. These scratches are just metal deposits from your silverware, not cracks. Sprinkle some powder on them, rub in a…

ACTIVE TIME 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 2 HOURS, 40 MINUTES MAKES 18 MARSHMALLOWS Cooking spray2 1.3-oz. pkg. freeze-dried raspberries3 ¼-oz. envelopes unflavored gelatin1 cup honey1 ¼ cups granulated sugar¼ tsp. kosher salt¼ cup confectioners’ sugar¼ cup cornstarch LIGHTLY coat a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Coat parchment paper with cooking spray. PLACE raspberries in a large zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin into a fine powder. Transfer half of powder to a medium bowl; reserve remaining half. Add ½ cup cool water to a large bowl and sprinkle gelatin over water. ADD honey to a large pot over medium-high; cook until fragrant and dark, 6 to 7 minutes. Whisk in granulated sugar, salt, and ½ cup cool water. Reduce heat to…

WHEN I FIRST LAID EYES on the house I’ve lived in for almost two decades, broker in tow, I loved everything about it: the arched doorways, the loftlike way the dining room blended into the living space, and the trees! A huge oak stood in the front lawn and another rose in the back, its crown providing shade and protection for our patio all summer. A few years later, the oak in front was struck by lightning while my 4-year-old napped in the room beneath it. The strike, as terrifyingly loud as anything I’ve ever heard in my life, left a 30-foot scorched gash along the side of the tree, instantly making it a falling hazard and a leading character in all my nightmares. The oak in the backyard? How…

THE THING ABOUT post-traumatic stress disorder is you never know when it will strike. The day I took my first post-vaccine stroll without a mask last April, I started feeling that familiar neck prickle. I was passing an outdoor garden-supply store at the time, so I hid behind a potted tree, took some deep breaths among the lilacs, and—on an impulse I can only describe as involuntary—purchased 12 seedlings: cherry tomatoes, mint, lettuces, rosemary, parsley, strawberries, sage, and bell peppers. Had I ever grown a garden before? No, I had not. But my subconscious had spoken, and if I’ve learned anything over decades of managing PTSD, it’s to tune in to that voice. Plus, watering and talking to my indoor plants during lockdown had become the one chore I…

Skillet Hash Browns With Smoked Salmon ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES SERVES 6 TO 8 2 1-lb. pkg. frozen shredded hash browns6 Tbsp. canola oil, divided½ tsp. kosher salt, divided2 Tbsp. olive oil1 8-oz. pkg. sliced smoked salmonSour cream, capers, sliced red onion, chopped dill, black pepper, flaky sea salt, and lemon wedges, for serving LINE a medium bowl with a kitchen towel and place hash browns in bowl. Defrost in microwave at 50 percent power for 10 to 12 minutes. (Alternatively, thaw hash browns in bowl in refrigerator for 12 hours.) Gather ends of towel together and wring out as much liquid as possible from hash browns. HEAT ¼ cup canola oil in a 10-inch cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium. Add hash browns; using a…

In spring, we toast to Champagne (or Ataulfo) mangoes, with sweet flesh and golden skin that’s way easier to peel than its red-and-green counterpart. SHOP for aromatic, unblemished fruit that gives a bit when gently squeezed. STORE at room temperature until the mangoes soften. Once ripe, they’ll keep in the fridge—either whole or peeled and cut—for up to five days. SERVE tossed with lime juice, tomatoes, and avocado for a fish or taco topping. Puree into a smoothie with coconut milk or yogurt. Add slices to a creamy curry for a splash of sweetness, or dip chunks in chili powder and lime zest for a savory-sweet snack. —Lizzy Briskin EASY DINNER 1 Broccoli-Cheddar Grilled Cheese ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ One…