Table of contents for July 2020 in Real Simple

I INTRODUCED the concept of the #simplestory here on my editor’s note back in January. You read, you commented, you wrote, you shared with me on Instagram. And now it’s time to start sharing with you. As I write this, it’s been eight weeks of working from home and social distancing. I mourn all the lives we’ve lost and grieve for those who’ve been away from loved ones, who’ve lost their jobs, who’ve had to shut down businesses. I’ve been holding up all too well (guilt!) in my suburban home with an office, and I’m grateful for every second with my nontoddler daughters who can distance learn without my help. I look forward to the time when we all come back stronger—when we connect with one another again in ways…

1 Rouge Hermès What’s that saying? Give a woman the right lipstick and she can conquer the world? Well, there’s no going wrong with these beauties. The French fashion label—known for its luxe leather goods—launched its first makeup collection, with 24 lip lacquers. Choose from satin and matte finishes or a sheer balm, all housed in chic, refillable tubes. TO BUY: $67 each; hermes.com. 2 POLISH PEN Candy Coat Stix If you can write with a pencil, you can paint your own nails, thanks to this handy polish pen. Pop off the cap, click until pigment fills the bristles, then start swiping with the precision of a pro. Here’s to no more spills! TO BUY: $8; lovecandycoat.com. 3 MULTITASKING DUO Wander Beauty Double Date Lip and Cheek Low-maintenance is the…

BEST HOT DOG Applegate Organics Uncured Beef Hot Dog Made with 100 percent grass-fed beef and nicely seasoned with paprika and cayenne, these robust dogs will stand up to all your favorite toppings. TO BUY: $7 for 10 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST MUSTARD Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard Heat up your burgers and dogs with a squirt of this bold condiment. Its earthy depth and punchy flavor make cookout mainstays crave-worthy. TO BUY: $1.50 for 12 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST BUN King’s Hawaiian Hot Dog Buns Buttery and downright irresistible, these slightly sweet rolls play well with savory fillings. (And they even stay soft when grilled!) TO BUY: $4 for 12 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST POTATO CHIPS Kettle Brand Sea Salt Potato Chips These satisfyingly salty chips are sliced…

SOFTEN FIRST, THEN SCOOP Before you bust out the blender, let the ice cream thaw on the counter for 15 minutes. If you simply can’t wait, microwave the pint for no longer than 10 seconds to create a more scoopable consistency. BLEND IT ALL TOGETHER To make one milkshake, fill your blender with three to four scoops of softened ice cream and half a cup of whole milk, says Jackie Cuscuna, coauthor of the cookbook Ample Hills Creamery. Blend for 15 to 30 seconds, drizzling in more milk if necessary to reach your preferred thickness. The total amount of milk will vary depending on the ice cream’s density, Cuscuna says, but a 1-to-4 milk-to-ice-cream ratio typically results in a thick yet sippable shake. AMP UP THE FLAVOR Add texture…

IF WE WERE financial robots, we could stick with the same wardrobe, sofa, stir-fry at home—day in and day out, without deviation. But we’re human. So we daydream about doing a kitchen reno with all the bells and whistles, or taking the whole family to see the ocean this summer. We want to treat ourselves, but we also don’t want to feel guilty about overspending. The trick is to be intentional about your big-ticket buys. Here are insider tips for cutting costs all over. Opt for a Fancy Lunch Instead of Dinner AMOUNT YOU CAN SAVE: Up to 30 percent off a typical restaurant meal That fine-dining restaurant will take a smaller bite out of your wallet if you go for lunch rather than dinner, says Lauren Greutman, a consumer…

Explore the colors and textures in this photo, letting your attention move freely, following the pattern of the sand. Notice the uniqueness of every grain and appreciate how each one contributes to the image as a whole. As you take in the colors, see if you can find the point where one shade changes to the next. Notice your breathing, and for a few moments allow it to be natural and relaxed while you enjoy the image. Now imagine you’re walking on a path to a long, sandy beach. As you step onto the sand, feel your feet sink into its warm, soft texture. Feel the sun on your shoulders. Look up at the beautifully clear sky. Take in the sapphire blue ocean, glistening in the sunlight. See the…

Easy Dinner 1 Crispy Bacon and Egg Tacos ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 8 slices bacon½ cup white vinegar1 tsp. sugar1 ½ tsp. kosher salt, divided3 medium radishes, thinly sliced8 large eggs, lightly beaten8 6-in. corn tortillas, warmed1 avocado, peeled and thinly sliced¼ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stemsHot sauce, for serving HEAT a large nonstick skillet over medium. Working in 2 batches, add bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Discard all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet. MEANWHILE, stir vinegar, ½ cup water, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over medium-high. Bring to a boil, stirring to…

What are the differences between injectables? There are two main types of shots: wrinkle reducers and dermal fillers. “Wrinkle reducers, also known as neuromodulators and neurotoxins, relax the muscles and prevent folding of the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are all FDA-approved brands, and they’re most often used around the eyes, on the forehead and jawline, and between the eyebrows. Fillers—Restylane, Juvéderm, Belotero, Radiesse, and Sculptra—“volumize and plump the skin, similar to how air inflates a flat tire,” Zeichner says. They’re commonly used on lips, cheeks, undereye troughs, temples, and hands. Unlike wrinkle reducers, which have to wear off, certain fillers are reversible—an enzyme can be injected to…

BREAD Drizzle slices with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and grill until golden on both sides. For extra zing, rub with garlic after grilling. Serve as is, top with cooked veggies, or tear into croutons for salad. TOFU Start with pressed firm or extra-firm tofu. Cut into ½-inch-thick slabs, brush with olive oil, and cook over high until grill marks appear. Drizzle with oil and vinegar. Add herbs, salt, and pepper. BROCCOLI Peel stalks and slice them lengthwise so they resemble Broccolini. Grill naked over direct heat, turning occasionally, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter and dress with olive oil, salt, lemon, and grated Parmesan. FRUIT Halve and pit stone fruit. Cut pineapple lengthwise (remove the woody core) and slice watermelon into wedges. Coat with…

A SCARY HEALTH DIAGNOSIS can trigger many things to worry about—and for a lot of people, work is unfortunately on the list. In November 2017, Kate, 44, a gender and women’s studies professor at a public university, was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. At first, she thought she was just going to need a relatively minor surgery and radiation, and she made tweaks to her schedule with her department chair. Then, in January 2018, she discovered she needed chemotherapy. “My health was my primary concern,” Kate says, “but with the semester about to start, I was also concerned that we had so little time to adjust the plan for this unexpected situation.” Kate had accrued enough sick hours to take some time off. “But I didn’t want to…

Grilled Mediterranean Salad ACTIVE TIME 45 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 8 1 lb. uncooked campanelle pasta¼ cup balsamic vinegar¾ cup olive oil, divided, plus more for grill grates2 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more for water2 medium zucchini, trimmed and cut into ¼-in. planks2 red bell peppers, halved lengthwise, cored, and seeded1 red onion, cut into ½-in. wedges8 oz. Halloumi cheese, cut into ½-in. slabs2 Tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped, plus more for serving1 cup chopped roasted almonds, divided BRING a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water and drain again. Transfer to a large bowl. WHILE pasta cooks, whisk vinegar, ½ cup oil, and 1 teaspoon salt in…

I’M NOT IN THERAPY THESE DAYS, but like many people, I have issues that could use some working through. Just ask my husband or my teenage daughter (but not my mother—please, not her!). In the past, I’ve seen compassionate, well-trained therapists who offered sound advice and plenty of tissues, but those weekly sessions never lasted for the long haul. They started getting expensive, and—for an introvert like me, who prefers to let other people do the talking—50 minutes of forced conversation began being something to dread. The concept of bibliotherapy, therefore, struck me as not only practical but downright inviting. Bibliotherapy is the practice of reading books to help address the everyday ailments of life, such as low-level anxiety, heartache, and midlife ennui. (Let’s be clear: It’s not intended…

BEST EPILATOR Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex Epilator This tool houses 40 little tweezers that move in a (pain-free!) blur to grip and remove hair. Results can last up to four weeks. TO BUY: $180; amazon.com. BEST AT-HOME WAX Flamingo Body Wax Kit Double-sided strips pull hair from the root; post-care cloths prevent ingrowns. Better yet, the kit requires no heat—just open and use. TO BUY: $10; target.com. BEST RAZOR Venus Colorblocked Razor These color-coded razors give shaving a major upgrade. The three hues differentiate each type of shave: Coral contains a head infused with Olay body butter for a smooth swipe, teal offers extra lubrication for sensitive skin, and purple features a tiny comb that guides hair to the blade. TO BUY: $13 each; walgreens.com. BEST TWEEZERS Tweezerman Rose Gold…

1 SOG-FREE TOWEL Crafted from recycled water bottles, this beach essential dries as much as four times faster than a cotton towel and rolls up smaller than your average burrito. TO BUY: HalfDay Towel, $40; takeahalfday.com. 2 HIDDEN CHARGER Eliminate tangled wires with this 36-inch cord that retracts when not in use (the prongs snap flat too). Works for phones and tablets. TO BUY: Bibicharger, $20; bibicord.com. 3 GRILL MULTITASKER Like a Swiss Army knife but for grilling, this tool has a spatula, fork, knife, meat tenderizer, and—most importantly—bottle opener. TO BUY: Flipfork 5-in-1 Boss, $20; myflipfork.com. 4 SOAP WITH A PRIZE Kids have a built-in incentive to thoroughly wash their hands with this soap: The paraben-free orb hides a toy in its center. TO BUY: Sohp Shop Surprise…

1 LULUS DRESS What makes a breezy chiffon sundress feel breezier on hot days? Accordion pleats all the way around the bottom. TO BUY: Beat of the Music Pleated Midi Dress, $62; lulus.com. 2 STERLING FOREVER EARRINGS A row of shells on delicate dangle earrings dresses up even the simplest blouse. TO BUY: Scallop Shell Drop Earrings, $90; sterlingforever.com. 3 ZARA BAG Get your pleat on with a baby blue bucket bag. It works with floral dresses in summer and chunky knits come fall. TO BUY: Pleated Bucket Bag, $30; zara.com. 4 COTIDIÉ SHIRT From the front, it’s a classic white shirt—but the back has mini pleats that billow to keep you cool. TO BUY: Ada Top, $100; cotidie.com. 5 LOEFFLER RANDALL SHOES Wear pleats down to your toes with…

THE THREE FAVORITE WORDS in the English language (after “I love you”) might be “June,” “July,” and “August.” And this summer, we could probably all use a few easy, breezy ways to reset the fun of our routines. Check out the ideas below for making it feel like a brand-new season. Come September, when friends ask how you spent the summer, instead of wondering where the time went you’ll wonder, “Where should I start?” TO WELCOME SUMMER Invent a New Ritual. As kids transition from remote learning to summer recess, it can feel like we’re just rolling into a new season rather than celebrating it. Now, more than ever, we need to embrace rituals, says Christine Carter, PhD, a sociologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of…

Condition Your Curls Curly-haired girls know the drill: Moisture can make or break your look, and summer’s humidity poses a threat. The most important thing here is hydration, which will help keep the cuticle smooth and the frizz to a minimum. Look for ingredients that quench thirsty curls, like oils and butters. “It’s all about layering,” says New York City celebrity hairstylist Tommy Buckett. OGX has a Pracaxi Oil line, including shampoo, conditioner, moisture treatment, and combing cream ($9 each; ulta.com), that keeps curls conditioned yet weightless. And don’t be afraid to add more. “Products tend to evaporate more quickly when it’s hot,” Buckett points out. Another must: “Use a diffuser when you’re drying,” says Adir Abergel, a Hollywood hairstylist and the creative director of Virtue Labs; the attachment maintains…

ACTIVE TIME 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 8 2 lb. multicolored baby creamer potatoes2 Tbsp. olive oil1 tsp. kosher salt, divided1 lb. hot Italian sausage, casings removed6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted1 tsp. smoked paprika1 tsp. celery seeds1 lb. peeled and deveined tail-on extra-large shrimp2 lb. mussels, scrubbed and debearded3 lb. littleneck clams, scrubbedChopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, for servingLemon wedges, for serving PREHEAT oven to 450°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Toss potatoes with oil and ½ teaspoon salt on a large rimmed baking sheet; spread in an even layer. Tear sausage into chunks and place around potatoes. Roast on bottom rack until sausage is cooked through and potatoes are just tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven. STIR butter, paprika, celery seeds, and remaining…