Real Simpleの June 2021 の目次

IT WAS A TUESDAY. In April. One of those warm, sunny spring days that make a man…buy a different house paint color than the one he and his wife had decided on. Steve and I had been living in our forever home for three years, and the time had come to paint the exterior. It was something I’d been looking forward to, considering the booger-green hue was the only thing I didn’t like about our home when we bought it. Knowing you should only paint a house in our area every seven or so years, Steve and I had not made the color decision lightly. I had driven, jogged, and walked around our neighborhood, coming to appreciate a pale-yellow-with-white-trim combo that looked lovely against the summer trees and projected…

1 PAINTERLY POUCH Keep brushes and pencils in this fabric roll that makes it so easy to set up on the patio for plein air painting. TO BUY: Case for Making x Gravel & Gold Brush Roll, $66; caseformaking.com. 2 RAINBOW IN THE ROUND The 21 watercolors are almost too pretty to paint with. But you’ll get over it when you realize how relaxing it is to swirl the pigments. TO BUY: Watercolors, $35; fredericksandmae.com. 3 CUT AND PASTE You’ll have plenty of collage material to work with thanks to the 1,500-plus images in this compilation. TO BUY: Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage by Maria Rivans, $20; store.moma.org. 4 SEW PRETTY Learn the art of sashiko—a Japanese stitching technique—as you create a set of linen coasters. TO BUY: Sashiko…

Some of the best meals I’ve ever eaten have come hot off the grill of Ted Broxson, my dad. Picture gulf shrimp kebabs, tender fillets, and expertly charred veggies. But it didn’t look easy. He had to tame the hulking, stainless-steel beast with coaxing whispers and patient tending. I never thought I’d be a grill master. But then I tried the Spark grill, a charcoal beauty with many features usually only found on gas versions. I don’t have to mess with lighter fluid or a chimney—an electric ignition lights the charcoal, and fans stoke the flames. I don’t have to guess (or hope!) that the grill is hot enough, because a temperature-control knob lets me set it from 250 to 900 degrees. A coordinating app and food probe alert me…

OUR METHOD We paired an editor “client” with each REAL SIMPLE Home designer to help determine the goals and challenges within the space. Here’s what Eduardo and photo director Muzam came up with for the outside. Eduardo Rodriguez INTERIOR DESIGNER Eduardo’s decades-long design career has included stints in fashion, theater, and window displays. “Having worked in these various fields helps me look at my projects through different lenses,” he says. Muzam Agha PHOTO DIRECTOR AT REAL SIMPLE An avid traveler with an affinity for warm-weather destinations, Muzam would love to replicate the easy indoor-outdoor flow of some of his favorite vacation rentals in Mexico. ROOM Rx Hues at the Door A black-and-white color scheme lets you have a little fun with the front door. Try an unexpected color, like…

If You’re Shopping for Stems at the Supermarket… PEEK UNDER THE PAPER Mold growth on stems or foliage is a sure sign of advanced age. If a stem is freshly cut, it should never look brown or feel soft. When in doubt, just ask yourself, “If this bouquet were edible, would I eat it?” If the answer is no, put the blooms back. SET A CALENDAR REMINDER Knowing when flowers are delivered to local grocery stores will allow you to pick them up as early as possible, ensuring you get the maximum amount of flower life in exchange for your time, effort, and money. PLAY AROUND WITH PRODUCE At the grocery store, be sure to hit the produce section too: Tomatoes on the vine or a bunch of grapes…

1 Don’t Be Afraid to Be Blue. Blue is known for its stress-reducing effects. That phenomenon is rooted in our biology. When we’re surrounded by the color in nature—a body of water, clear skies—we know we’re safe. We have water to drink, and the weather is good. My family tapped into this emotion when we moved into a new home and took down the drapes to let the windows frame the water outside. You can get the same benefit from large photos in which blue dominates, especially personal ones that remind you of a joyful day at the beach. WALLACE J. NICHOLS, PHD, IS A MARINE BIOLOGIST AND THE AUTHOR OF BLUE MIND. 2 Mix and Match Without Hesitation. Our annual color of the year reflects the current zeitgeist,…

TEXAN TREK A little bit city, a little bit country, this long-weekend drive combines the made-for-TV charms of Waco with the hipster cool of Austin and the pastoral beauty of Hill Country. DAY 1: WACO & SALADO Land early in Dallas for the nearly two-hour drive south to Waco, home to the Magnolia Journal’s Chip and Joanna Gaines. Visit their Magnolia Market for chic housewares and pick up some bacon-cheddar biscuits from the on-site bakery. Baylor University’s Mayborn Museum Complex has interactive exhibits that will entertain both tactile tots and temperamental tweens. Dig for antique treasures at Cameron Trading Co. before moving on to Salado. There, enjoy craft brews and food truck fare at Barrow Brewing Company, then turn in at the throwback Shady Villa Hotel (from $149 a night).…

CHIMICHURRI-YOGURT DIP ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 4 TO 6 2 small cloves garlic, grated (1 ¼ tsp.)¾ tsp. kosher salt2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar1 cup loosely packed fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves and tender stems, finely chopped⅓ cup olive oil¼ tsp. crushed red pepper¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper1 ¾ cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurtServing suggestions: Little Gem lettuce, watermelon radishes, radicchio, grissini PLACE garlic and salt in a medium bowl. Stir, lightly mashing, until a paste forms. Whisk in vinegar. Add oregano, parsley, oil, crushed red pepper, and black pepper; stir until well combined. POUR out any excess liquid from yogurt and stir until smooth. Transfer yogurt to a large serving bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons chimichurri.…

As you look at this pattern, notice how the waves of color expand outward, seeping into the space around them. Take a few slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Let go of any tension in your body and allow yourself to open, as if you were expanding into the space around you like these color waves. Relax your muscles with each exhale, releasing your jaw, shoulders, and arms. Observe the sensations in your body as you let go—maybe you experience warmth, tingling, or spaciousness.…

KULFI BEAUTY UNDERLINED KAJAL EYELINER Created by South Asian women, these intensely pigmented colors (blue, black, brown, terra-cotta, and purple) pop on dark skin tones. Aloe vera and vitamin E give the pencil a smooth glide—with results that impressively stay put until you wash your face. TO BUY: $20 each; kulfibeauty.com. 1 COOL SPF TOOL Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Baby SoftStick SPF 50 This was made for babies, but its squishy sponge-tip applicator spreads SPF so nicely, the whole family will reach for it. TO BUY: $13; target.com. 2 CLEVER CLIPPERS Kikkerland Magnifying Nail Clippers No need to grab your readers when prepping for sandal season! The mini magnifying glass lets you be super precise with your snipping. TO BUY: $9; kikkerland.com. 3 MULTITASKING MAKEUP Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum…

MONDAY. NEXT WEEK. Next month. As the pandemic dragged on, many of us made grand plans to transform our diets, vowing to go vegan, cut out sugar, guzzle a million glasses of water a day…but it was so easy to procrastinate. Here’s the thing, though: You don’t need to completely overhaul your diet. All it takes to improve your health is a few simple tweaks, like the effective yet eminently doable ideas we’ve rounded up here. Pick one or two—or try them all—and see how small shifts lead to great things. Veg Out at Breakfast Most Americans don’t eat the recommended two to three daily cups of vegetables, says Marisa Moore, RDN, a dietitian in Atlanta. “I like to think of suggestions that add things to your plate rather…

BEST KIT Olive & June the Mani System This has everything you need to master neater nails at home, even if you’re a DIY newbie. The set includes six summer-ready polishes, a glossy topcoat, a mess-free remover (no cotton ball required), cuticle serum, a cleanup brush, clippers, a file, and a buffer—whew. The highlight: a pop-on handle, called the Poppy, that gives you better control for steady strokes on both hands. TO BUY: $80; oliveandjune.com. BEST FOR SHINE CND Vinylux Long Wear Not only does this pigmented polish gleam in the sun, but natural light strengthens it for over a week of glassy shine. Choose from more than 100 shades. TO BUY: $10.50; amazon.com. BEST QUICK-DRY Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Waiting for polish to dry can test your patience. This cult…

“Rainbows Are the Best Medicine” Samantha Hahn FOUNDER OF MAISON RAINBOW MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY LAST MARCH, CHILDREN in pandemic-ravaged Italy began painting rainbows to hang in their windows, often captioned with the message andrà tutto bene, which roughly translates to “everything will be OK.” During one of the darkest periods in recent history, the multihued symbols of hope went viral (for lack of a better word), resonating with residents of locked-down cities around the world. Samantha Hahn, an illustrator, was especially entranced. Months before anyone had heard of Covid-19, she’d started building an online art shop devoted to rainbow prints, inspired in part by her 6-year-old daughter’s affection for the colorful symbol. When the coronavirus appeared in the U.S., Samantha—who has published two books and works regularly for publications…

These pinkish red beauties have a bright, sour flavor, so they pair perfectly with their sweet summer soulmate, strawberries. SHOP for crisp, colorful stalks with fresh-looking leaves. Don’t eat the leaves, though—they’re toxic. STORE in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, for up to three days. PREP with sugar to tame the sharpness. This sweet-tart combo makes rhubarb ideal in cakes, crisps, pies, and jams. Or simply toss with sugar on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and roast until tender. Don’t forget the ice cream! EASY DINNER 1 Grilled Steaks With Potato Skewers ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 55 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 5 large shallots, peeled, root ends intact, and halved lengthwise24 baby new potatoes (about 2 lb.)½ cup plus 1 ½ tsp. white…

Quick Ideas RASPBERRY-GLAZED PORK Sprinkle 1 lb. pork tenderloin with 1 tsp. black pepper and ¾ tsp. kosher salt. Whisk ½ cup seedless raspberry jam, 1 Tbsp. maple syrup, 1 ½ tsp. red wine vinegar, and 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce; reserve ¼ cup. Grill pork over medium, covered, turning and brushing with raspberry glaze occasionally, until internal temperature registers 140°F, 14 to 16 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes. Serve with reserved glaze. RASPBERRY CRUMB BARS Process 1 cup whole raw almonds and 1 cup sugar in a food processor until ground. Add 1 cup flour, ½ cup cubed butter, and ½ tsp. kosher salt; process until crumbly. Press 2 ½ cups mixture into a parchment-lined, greased 9-in. square baking pan. Spread with 1 cup raspberry jam. Sprinkle with…

For the Hosts 1 MODERN WIND CHIME As the warm breeze moves the clay disks, they create a soundtrack of summer. TO BUY: Ceramic Chimes, from $36; fettleandfire.com. 2 SOOTHING SOAPS Send a set of small-batch soaps crafted with plant-based oils and scented with lavender, lemon, and more. TO BUY: Favorites Box Set, $36 for 4; thegirlinthegarden.com. 3 DOLLY PUZZLE After working 9 to 5, they can kick back and assemble a depiction of the beloved American icon. TO BUY: Dolly Parton 500 Piece Puzzle, $24; nathanandco.com. 4 A NEW LEAF Give this propagation kit to the plant whisperer who you’re convinced can grow a forest from a blade of grass. TO BUY: Arch Propagation Kit, $35; bloomscape.com. 5 STAND-UP ACT You’ll be known as the hero who took Taco…

THE FIREWORKS SHOW would have been spectacular, if only its origins weren’t the cabinet-mount microwave over my range. After I white-knuckled through some oohs and aahs, the grand finale was an appliance that could not so much as pop a kernel of corn. And yet its built-in—and very much needed—fan and task lights still worked, leaving me with a conundrum: Should I live without a microwave, make do with a cheap dorm version, or cough up $600 for the same model—even though I was planning to reconfigure my kitchen in the next two years? Anticipating that larger renovation, I made do with a cheap dorm version. And I used the busted microwave for lights, venting…and critical snack storage. Cover the Unexpected Expense Granted, if you have to replace an…

THE QUICK FIX Just divide everything by size. LITTLE THINGS: Stash buckets, shovels, and floaties in mesh laundry bags hung from hooks or nails in the garage or on a covered patio. The mesh lets sand fall out and items dry so they don’t get mildewy. TALLER ITEMS: Corral beach umbrellas and pool noodles in corners or between exposed studs with the help of bungee cords. Place one cord at about knee height and one around shoulder height. If the item is particularly tall or heavy, add a third in the middle. THE MANTRA Dry, dry, dry! The best way to keep your gear in good working order for multiple seasons is to make sure everything is completely dry before you put it in storage. THE HABIT At the end…

1 SUMMERSALT X THE HOME EDIT TUNIC The Short Effortless Shirtdress, $95; summersalt.com. 2 ANN TAYLOR TOP Floral Puff Sleeve Sweatshirt, $59.50; anntaylor.com. 3 LAURA ASHLEY PANTS Sand Dunes Leaves Cafe Trouser, $118; lauraashleyusa.com. 4 ARITZIA SHORTS Wilfred Ibiza Short, $98; aritzia.com. 5 AEROSOLES LOAFERS Hour Flats, $120; aerosoles.com. 6 DILLARD’S SKIRT Gloria Vanderbilt Denim Skirt, $49; dillards.com. 7 KATE SPADE X DR. SCHOLL’S SANDALS Original Polka Dot Sandal, $130; katespade.com. 8 HYER GOODS CROSSBODY Camera Bag, $165; hyergoods.com. 9 MADEWELL CARDIGAN Broadway Cardigan Sweater, $88; madewell.com. 10 TYLER BÖE DRESS Paulette Wrap Dress, $224; tylerboe.com.…

AS YOU AND THE REST of the world may have heard, meditation is as beneficial as physical exercise: It can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and even help with chronic pain. Though I’m intimately familiar with stress and insomnia—and a recent tumble off a bike has added pain to the mix—I long avoided mindfulness, telling myself that only the deeply woo-woo put those pouf pillows to use. I managed my stress by jogging to the bad boy anthems of Machine Gun Kelly. Then I learned that even MGK meditates every morning, and I knew it was time to reassess. According to a Harvard University study, the average person’s mind wanders 47 percent of the time, and a wandering mind is an unhappier one. Thankfully, there are innumerable ways to tap…

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4 2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed½ cup jarred harissa (such as Mina), plus more for serving (optional)1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves and/or flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped½ cup panko1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)1 ½ tsp. kosher saltFreshly ground black pepper2 Tbsp. olive oil2 avocados4 brioche buns, split and toastedSliced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and red leaf lettuce, for topping PLACE chickpeas and harissa in a large bowl. Mash with a masher or fork until a coarse paste forms; leave some slightly larger pieces of chickpeas. (Alternatively, place chickpeas and harissa in a food processor and pulse until a coarse paste forms, 8 to 10 pulses.) Add herbs, panko, lemon juice, salt, and several grinds…