Indice dei contenuti per September 2019 in Real Simple

AT SOME POINT, WE STOPPED buying disposable plastic water bottles. I say “at some point” because the change was so smooth it didn’t register as a big deal at my house. In fact, it made life easier. We kept reusable metal water bottles in a basket by the door, so we ended up spending less money—and drinking more water. That’s almost always the upside to cutting back on waste: You save money, you save time, there’s less clutter, and you’re doing right by our planet. In “How to Waste Less Every Day” (page 114), Real Simple’s deputy editor, Anna Maltby, gives you an ambitious yet realistic guide for reducing the amount of stuff you throw away, from food to clothes to household items. When she first suggested the idea,…

LOVE BEAUTY AND PLANET SHAMPOO BAR IN BLOOMING COLOR It looks like it’s for your body, but it’s actually for your hair. Made with organic coconut oil and Amazonian murumuru butter, this vegan bar is color-safe and super moisturizing. Lather it up in your hands, then work the suds through hair and rinse. Great for vacation or the gym.TO BUY: $5 each; at Target. LIVE TINTED THE HUESTICKS IN ORIGIN, RISE, AND PERK Made for all skin tones (especially those not often represented), these vitamin-packed, multitasking crayons disguise dark circles and spots and also work as eye shadow, blush, and lip color. TO BUY: $24 each; livetinted.com. IT COSMETICS LASH BLOWOUT Inspired by the way a Drybar barrel brush creates a voluminous blowout, this wand catches all your hairs and…

Kale and Cheddar Flatbread ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES SERVES 4 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided, plus more for baking sheet1 medium onion, thinly sliced4 cloves garlic, chopped½ tsp. kosher salt½ tsp. black pepper1 bunch kale, leaves torn into bite-size pieces1 lb. prepared pizza dough, at room temperature2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained PREHEAT oven to 450°F. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add as much kale as will fit and cook, tossing often and adding more kale when there is room, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; let cool. STRETCH dough into a large oval.…

START WITH THE JACKET… TO BUY: Zip Leather Jacket, $225; karllagerfeldparis.com. …ADD A DRESS AND HEELS Transition your favorite floral dress from spring to fall with a camel suede belt, matching bag, and moto jacket. Metallic details add polish. TO BUY: Long Sleeve Paintbrush Dress, $595; rebeccataylor.com. Lizzie Fortunato Louise Belt, $250; thedreslyn.com. Mini Fiona Hoops, $75; mignonnegavigan.com. Kid Suede Clutch, $119; talbots.com. High Suzanne Heels, $210; sezane.com. …ADD LEOPARD-PRINT PANTS A white top and black leather jacket bring balance and sophistication to statement-making patterned jeans. TO BUY: Mock Neck Shell, $60; anntaylor.com. Leopard Print Skinny Jean, $99; vincecamuto.com. Animal Collar Necklace, $60; chicos.com. Dash Cuff Bracelet, $74; shopsoko.com. Beata Studded Bucket Bag, $178; usa.frenchconnection.com. Hara Bootie, $185; colehaan.com. …ADD A MIDI SKIRT AND BOOTS Mixing colors makes doubling up…

INVESTING WINNER: Ellevest For putting a woman’s perspective on investingand money management WHAT IT IS: An investing platform created by and for women. It offers a goal-focused investing approach, portfolio mixes that take into account women’s lower lifetime-earnings curves and longer life spans, and starting last year, an easy way to direct funds toward companies that advance women, are environmentally friendly, and have a positive social impact. WHY WE LOVE IT: A woman earning $50,000 a year might step into retirement with $268,639 less in her portfolio than a male peer. A woman earning just over six figures could have $1.05 million less than a male peer. Closing the investment gap, of course, can’t happen without getting in the game. Ellevest kills the intimidation factor without losing an ounce of…

Best Books of 2019 (so Far) Introducing our definitive list of the most noteworthy reads of the year, from historical fiction to page-turners you’ll have trouble putting down. See our list at realsimple.com/goodreads. Open and tap for back-to-school tips. 7 SNACKS TO EAT FOR LONG-TERM HEALTH Add these tasty, anti-inflammatory ingredients to your grocery cart to improve your health and happiness. Read more at realsimple.com/healthfood. FLIPBOARD Follow us on Flipboard for decorating tips, recipes, and more. Visit flipboard.com/@realsimple. PINTEREST@REALSIMPLE TWITTER@REALSIMPLE SNAPCHAT @REALSIMPLEMAG FACEBOOK @REALSIMPLE INSTAGRAM @REAL_SIMPLE…

1 ROCK ON It may look like a standard-issue folding chair, but it’s actually a collapsible rocker, complete with a flip-out cup holder and a carry bag. TO BUY: Rok-it Chair, $60; kijaro.com. 2 SIP IN STYLE Wrapped in a protective silicone sleeve, this lidded 15-ounce glass is practically made for tailgating. TO BUY: Porter Glass, $25; wandpdesign.com. 3 GRILL ON THE GO This portable charcoal grill includes a food-grade storage tray and bamboo prep board that stack neatly and lock in for easy transport. TO BUY: Everdure The Cube Grill, $229; williams-sonoma.com. 4 DURABLE DISHES Use these shatterproof BPA-free melamine plates for your burgers and dogs. TO BUY: Newport Plaid Outdoor Melamine Dinner Plates, $60 for 4; williams-sonoma.com. 5 IN THE CLEAR This transparent bag helps you breeze…

ERASABLE MARKER PENS These gel-ink pens have durable tips to keep handwriting crisp for to-do lists, planners, or bullet journals. TO BUY: Pilot Frixion Fineliner Erasable Marker Pens, $15 for 12; target.com. SHIRTSLEEVE CUFFER Place this handy tool over your forearm, roll up your sleeve, and tuck in the fabric to keep your sleeve cuffed and in place all day. Even works with delicate linen and silk. TO BUY: CuffedUp Cuff Roll, $20 for 2; cuffedup.com. BOOKWORM ESSENTIAL This sleek e-reader is the first under-$100 version from Amazon to feature a front light, which makes reading indoors or outside more enjoyable. Holds thousands of books, and one battery charge lasts up to four weeks. TO BUY: All-New Kindle, $90; amazon.com. BREATHABLE BRA The soft mesh backing will help you stay…

Want to bake up a blue-ribbon pie? Use at least two varieties of apples for balance in flavor and texture, says Amy Traverso, author of The Apple Lover’s Cookbook. Think 50 percent sweet, like Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious, and 50 percent tart, like Granny Smith or Cortland. If you have a local farmers’ market, you may be able to find specialty varieties, like the sweet Jonagold or Crispin or the tart GoldRush or Liberty. Before you buy, check for a fresh, fruity aroma, says Traverso. No smell? The apple could be mealy, which will leave your pie lacking in flavor. Plan on four pounds of apples for a deep-dish pie and three pounds for a standard nine-inch pie, says Dawn Perry, Real Simple’s food director. Contrary to what many recipes…

Lipstick Melted in My Purse. THE FIX: For stains on fabric lining, turn the bag inside out and remove the lipstick with the edge of a credit card. Gently dab the affected area with a clean cotton cloth dipped in micellar water, says Melissa Maker, founder of the website Clean My Space. Be sure to blot lightly—rubbing may make the stain spread. If you don’t have micellar water, baby wipes or rubbing alcohol can work in a pinch. For bags with a leather interior, mix a cup of water with half a teaspoon of dish soap. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and lightly wipe the stain, then blot dry. If the lipstick leaves an oil spot, cover the spot with cornstarch for an hour to help soak…

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum The potential downfall of retinol: It can cause sensitivity. But these biodegradable capsules—which you twist open to dispense a single, fresh dose—are laced with ceramides to counteract irritation. You reap the line-smoothing benefits without peeling. They’re also great for travel. TO BUY: $84 for 60; elizabetharden.com. BEST OIL StriVectin S.T.A.R. Light Retinol Night Oil This oil packs the anti-aging powers of retinol in a nongreasy squalane base. Press two drops into skin before bed. TO BUY: $99; strivectin.com.  BEST NIGHT CREAM Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer The glow-boosting duo of vitamin C and retinol lessens the look of dark spots. TO BUY: $90; ulta.com. BEST FOR ACNE Acne Free Adapalene Gel Formulated with adapalene (part of…

I GUESS YOU’D CALL ME a homebody, the type who celebrates when friends cancel plans. Socializing and small talk, even with people I know, can be draining. And meeting new people? Downright painful. I may be social on social media, but I am more likely to curl up in front of the TV than open my door and invite a neighbor in for tea. And yet, underneath my introverted exterior, I’ll admit: I’ve always wished to feel part of my community. This desire came into focus the day my husband, Arran, and I moved out of the city and the apartment I’d lived in for 10 years. When a neighbor I’d never seen before kindly helped Arran carry a heavy piece of furniture down the steps, I thanked the…

INVEST A MONTH’S PAYCHECK WITHOUT FEELING IT Many people are paid over 26 pay periods. That means, twice a year, you could receive three paychecks a month instead of the typical two. Mark these extra paychecks on your calendar and arrange to put them in an investment, retirement, or high-interest savings account. PATRICK B. MARTINEZ, FOUNDER AND CEO OF 3/AXIS WEALTH IN CHICAGO FLIP WORK REIMBURSEMENTS If you submit expenses that are later reimbursed, have the money sent to your savings account instead of your checking account. It feels like extra money. BOLA SOKUNBI, FOUNDER OF THE WEBSITE CLEVER GIRL FINANCE AUTOMATE TO ACCUMULATE For a workplace retirement savings account, many companies offer an autoincrease feature that lets you increase your per-paycheck contribution by 1 percent or more at…

Honey Nut Popcorn ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES MAKES 8 CUPS Cooking spray ½ cup popcorn kernels or 1 3-oz. bag microwave popcorn1 cup peanuts, almonds, pecans, or pistachios⅔ cup honey4 Tbsp. unsalted butter1 Tbsp. kosher salt PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Coat your largest bowl with cooking spray. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. POP popcorn according to package directions; transfer to bowl and add nuts. COMBINE honey, butter, and salt in a medium skillet over medium. Cook, stirring often, until slightly darkened, about 4 minutes. Pour honey mixture over popcorn and nuts and, using a rubber spatula, toss to coat. Spread in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. BAKE until darkened and bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir to incorporate honey syrup,…

It’s back to school, back to work, back to all of it. Stay sane with these easy meals up your sleeve. When you can’t eat together, keep a dish of green chile enchiladas (page 142) in the oven for comers and goers. Wake up the pasta program with brown butter and broccoli rabe (page 143) or a silky cauliflower Alfredo sauce (page 148). And don’t forget about breakfast. Stock one—or all—of our favorite frozen options (page 150) to help weekday mornings run smoothly. Now, back to your regularly scheduled program.…

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 4 4 cups cauliflower florets (from a 1-lb. head)1 cup unsweetened cashew milk2 cloves garlic, smashed2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast1 ¼ tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving⅛ tsp. ground nutmeg1 lb. fettuccine, cooked according to package directionsChopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for serving PLACE cauliflower, cashew milk, and garlic in a saucepan. Cover and cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender and most of the cashew milk is absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes. TRANSFER mixture to a blender. Add nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and ¼ cup water. Process until very smooth, scraping down sides as needed. TOSS pasta with sauce until evenly coated. Top with parsley and several grinds of pepper. (Sauce can be…

BEST BOWL Daily Harvest Apple + Cinnamon Oat Bowl Packed with apples, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, this superfood oat bowl tastes like apple pie in a cup. The best part? It’s delivered right to your door.TO BUY: From $7 per cup; daily-harvest.com. BEST WAFFLES Birch Benders Buttermilk Toaster Waffles Surprise ingredients, like oatmeal and yogurt, add flavor and texture to these golden waffles. They’re so good, we didn’t need syrup. TO BUY: $5; at grocery stores. BEST BURRITO Sweet Earth Baja Breakfast Burrito While the competition fell apart, this tortilla held its shape without getting mushy. The meat-free favorite also packs a chipotle kick. TO BUY: $3; at grocery stores. BEST SANDWICH Jimmy Dean Egg & Cheese Biscuit Roll-Ups Buttery, flaky biscuits are wrapped around cheesy eggs for a…

1 You’re working from home and on an important conference call when your child says, “Alexa, play ‘7 Rings.’” Calculate how quickly you can hit mute on your phone, factoring in how soon the song will start and how loud the volume will be. 2 You recently decided to take a job that pays 20 percent less than your previous job but allows you to work from home 30 percent more. Your property taxes increase by 50 percent. Have you made a good decision or a bad one? Show your work. 3 You are home alone with some miniature peanut butter cups your child got from her teacher for Valentine’s Day. How long can you resist eating some, and how many can you take before your child notices? Bonus…

Sherry & John Petersik Founders of the site Young House Love FIND A BALANCE When planning a space that serves both kids and adults, aim for something inviting, uncluttered, and not too serious. We do this by incorporating a mix of concealed and open storage. Cabinetry and baskets keep items like games and craft supplies out of sight but within easy reach, while shelving displays art and decorative toys. Nothing should feel too precious. HAVE AN OPEN DIALOGUE Talk with your family about what you want to do together in a playroom or other shared space. Offer a starting point to help narrow down the options and determine what will work best for everyone: “We’re thinking of an L-shaped sectional for movie nights and sleepovers. Would you like that, or…

SINGLE ORIGIN These beans are traceable to a single country and sometimes a single farm. The unique char-acteristics of the soil, climate, and elevation shine through when the beans are brewed. FAIR TRADE Purchasing fair-trade coffee supports small producers and their communities. Brands that earn this certification guarantee coffee growers a minimum price for their beans, giving them economic stability in a volatile market. INSTANT A powdered or crystallized coffee made by spray-or freeze-drying freshly brewed coffee. The category has expanded to include single-serve packets, some from specialty coffee roasters, that can be mixed with hot or cold water (iced coffee at the ready!). POUR OVER This trendy method yields a delicate yet complex cup, thanks to the slow pouring process that extracts more flavor from the grounds. Fill…

1 BRING IN THE BIG BINS Group like items (cleaning products, sports equipment) in clear bins so it’s easy to spot what’s inside. Stick with the same brand in a variety of shapes and sizes to keep your aesthetic consistent and clutter contained. TO BUY: Our Jumbo Box, $19; containerstore.com. 2 LABEL NEW HOMES Mark each bin with a label. This helps discourage you from stashing something random in a bin where it doesn’t belong, lending your new system staying power. TO BUY: Brother P-touch Cube Plus Label Maker, $100; amazon.com. 3 CREATE EASY ACCESS Place regularly used items in open bins at eye level for grab-and-go convenience. Store seasonal and occasionally used items up high in covered bins to save prime real estate. TO BUY: Large European Commercial…

The Key Pieces DOUBLE-BREASTED PLAID BLAZER Brown Plaid Blazer, $199; bananarepublic.com. PLEATED MIDI SKIRT Kristen Skirt, $170; bodenusa.com. FRINGE BUCKET BAG Phoebe Bag, $178; thefryecompany.com. ANKLE PANTS So Slimming Sophia Ankle Pant, $90; chicos.com. STATEMENT-SLEEVE TOP Puff Sleeve Turtleneck, $130; amodenim.com. CORDUROY PANTS Rachel 35" High Rise Flare Pants, $219; dl1961.com. METALLIC FLATS The Quadratini Flats, $228; mgemi.com. CASHMERE TURTLENECK Whip Stitch Mock, $319; minnierose.com. FLORAL BOHO DRESS Shoshanna Tyler Dress, $429; halsbrook.com. SUEDE ANKLE BOOTS Joliee Boots, $129; ninewest.com. TOP + CORDUROY PANTS Bell-bottoms are back: A rich, earthy hue makes the ’70s staple feel seasonal and grown-up. ANN TAYLOR NECKLACE Ribbon Necklace, $80; anntaylor.com. BLAZER + SWEATER + SKIRT A menswear-inspired blazer makes a pleated skirt more office-ready. MULBERRY & GRAND EARRINGS Jonona Earrings, $26; mulberry-grand.com. SWEATER +…

GARFIELD THE CAT got two things very right: First, lasagna is delicious. Second, Mondays can be a real drag. It’s not merely the transition from playtime to the work and school week. Many of us stay up later on weekend nights and sleep in during the day, messing up our circadian rhythms and making us grumpy and irritable when the alarm goes off on Monday morning. The stress of starting the week may even affect our health. A 2004 study found that blood pressure tends to be highest on Monday mornings, while another concluded that Monday is the most common day of the week for heart attacks. All of this may make you want to hit snooze and spend Mondays under the covers. Yet fortunately, you can reverse the trend…

“I wish I had more time to read.” I hear this almost anytime I mention my job as Real Simple’s books editor. To decide what titles we recommend in the magazine and online, I finish between one and three books in an average week. That’s not counting the 50 pages I might read of a book before I realize it’s not for our readers. Or the purely personal reading I do for my monthly book club and to satisfy niche interests. Even before I made a living reading, I always loved books—the escape they gave me, the perspective even fiction offered on my own life. But a few years ago, I felt I wasn’t finishing as many as I used to (having cable for the first time in a…

Easy Dinner 1 Green Chile Enchiladas ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 4 ✓ Freezable ✓ Make Ahead ✓ Vegetarian✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 2 Tbsp. canola oil2 tsp. ground cumin1 yellow onion, seeded and chopped1 poblano chile, chopped1 tsp. kosher salt, divided1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels (from 2 ears)1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed6 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 ½ cups), divided1 ⅓ cups tomatillo salsa or salsa verde1 4.5-oz. can chopped green chiles, drained¾ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for serving½ cup sour cream, divided8 6-in. corn tortillas PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add cumin and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion, poblano, and ½ teaspoon…