Table of contents for August 2020 in Real Simple

RELAX WITH A GOOD BOOK, they say. I could never do that. Books play many roles in my life. Occasionally they’re treats that go down easy. Many reveal themselves to be pencil-worthy. And others are like a great exercise session—they’re difficult while you’re in them, but you feel stronger and better once they’re behind you. The best are all three. Sheltering in place this spring, I thought I’d finally make headway on my latest pile of books (which always includes the five on The Short List, page 24). But March crawled into April, and April faded into May, and I hadn’t cracked a single one. I had reader’s block. I had the good fortune of a job, so I felt compelled to tend to it even more. When not…

SOUTHWEST Go with warm, earthy tones; graphic ceramics; and touches of leather and copper. 1 CANDLEHOLDER Tubular terra-cotta makes for a simple yet striking table accessory. TO BUY: Sin Uni Candlestick, $38; luluandgeorgia.com. 2 STATEMENT TILES Reminiscent of gorgeous Navajo rugs, these hand-painted tiles can be accents in your kitchen backsplash. Available in four colorways. TO BUY: Old Cairo Tiles, $35 each; fireclaytile.com. 3 SAGE STICKS Light these little bundles to give your house an herbaceous fragrance (and chase away bad vibes). TO BUY: Floral Sage Smudge Sticks, $18 each; blueribbongeneralstore.com. 4 STRIPED QUILT An American-made blanket the colors of the sky and red rocks at Zion National Park. Some proceeds go to the National Park Foundation. TO BUY: Zion National Park Pieced Quilt Set (opposite page), from $129; pendleton-usa.com.…

1 Beach Towel When it comes to iconic summertime stripes, a bold cabana print is second only to the American flag. TO BUY: Adult Cabana Rugby Stripe Beach Towel, $30; landsend.com. 2 Slides You’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day—just peep down at these comfy, rainproof slip-ons. TO BUY: Birkenstock Eva Sandal, $45; dillards.com. 3 Crewneck T-Shirt It has flattering stripes the color of sunbeams, plus a breezy, hip-skimming hem that keeps you cool. TO BUY: Boxy Stripe T-Shirt, $40; gap.com. 4 Nail Polish Yes, a muted Dijon counts as a work-appropriate neutral this summer. TO BUY: Nail Lacquer in Like Spring (left) and Like Lush, $22 each; paint-box.com. 5 Tote Bag The crochet texture and wooden handle are boho, but inside it’s all business, with plenty of room…

1 Soak up Nature… After Dark. Bring a flashlight—but for emergencies only. Instead, notice your night vision kick in. As you stare at a tree, your eyes will adjust and you’ll soon be able to pick out 10 leaves, then 100. Now look up at the moon. Walking toward it is how you’ll see best—it acts as a spotlight, illuminating details: small stones, gnarled roots, branches stretching to the stars. As you gaze up, find the Big Dipper. The middle star in the handle? Look closer: It’s actually two, side by side. Finally, as long as you don’t live in bear country, tiptoe with the wind at your face (so wildlife won’t smell you) and you may surprise a deer or a rabbit. TRISTAN GOOLEY IS THE AUTHOR OF THE…

IF YOU’RE HAVING an off day, here’s a quick tip: Check your posture in a mirror. How you hold yourself can be closely related to your emotions—the slump of your spine or curl of your shoulders can telegraph a lack of confidence and even be the cause of the blue mood. It’s why posture is one of the first criteria many people instinctively use to judge one another (not to mention every mom’s idée fixe). Healthy posture comes with a host of perks, both physical and mental. Emerging research into embodiment—the theory that our physical, emotional, and environmental states act in concert—suggests that simply shifting your physical position might change your emotions. Consider this: Tilting your head forward even 30 degrees (to look at your phone, say) is like…

Toasted-Coconut Key Lime Pie ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS, 30 MINUTES (INCLUDES FREEZING) SERVES 12 1 12.3-oz. pkg. coconut cookies (such as Voortman Bakery), finely crushed¼ cup coconut oil, melted2 Tbsp. granulated sugar2 9-oz. containers thawed frozen coconut whipped topping (such as So Delicious CocoWhip), divided1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed coconut milk1 Tbsp. lime zest plus ½ cup fresh juice (from 4 limes or 12 key limes), plus slices for servingToasted, sweetened shredded coconut, for serving PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Stir cookie crumbs, oil, and sugar in a large bowl. Press crumb mixture firmly into bottom and 1 ½ inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan or deep-dish pie plate. Bake until edges are golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 20…

MEET MICKEY O’CONNOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR AT REALSIMPLE.COM What is the coziest thing in your apartment? An overstuffed polka-dot armchair I inherited from my parents. Currently binge-watching: Nihilistic TV is my comfort food. I’m catching up with all the soulless people of Ozark and Succession. Go-to recipe: “Pink dip,” an O’Connor family secret. Smart Tips for Paying for College It’s never too late (or early!) to put together a higher-education payment plan. Get our advice at realsimple.com/payforcollege. The 14 Best Fruits and Veggies Right Now Yes, buy heirlooms and corn at the farm stand, but don’t miss the pluots, tomatillos, and okra—they’re at their peak too. See more at realsimple.com/freshproduce. Open and tap for our favorite BBQ sides. OUR ALL-TIME TOP ORGANIZING TRICKS We know you like your…

1 ALL FOR ONE This ingenious accessory acts as a vase, a phone rest and charger, and a clock radio doppelgänger. TO BUY: Bedside Smartphone Vase, $32; uncommongoods.com. 2 CREATURE COMFORTS Offer up cozy loungewear for spa-style pampering. These can go through the wash between visitors. TO BUY: Cotton Jersey Cushion Slippers, $15; muji.com. Cloud Cotton Robe, $99; parachutehome.com. 3 POWERFUL LIGHT The lamp base has a USB port, so no one needs to ransack the room looking for an outlet. TO BUY: Staggered Glass Table Lamp, $149; pbteen.com. 4 SCENTS OF OCCASION When overnighters get a whiff of this citrusy candle, they’ll think they’re on a beach vacation (despite the pullout bed!). TO BUY: Capri Blue Candle Tin, $16; anthropologie.com. 5 RAVE REVIEW Guests can jot down reminders (or…

Sweet, spicy, smoky, and just a touch sour—every spoonful of this summertime classic packs a wallop of flavor. After you’ve slathered the sauce on grilled chicken or pulled pork, pump up all sorts of other recipes. Use it to coat nuts for a can’t-stop-eating cocktail snack. Stir it into mayonnaise for a tangy sandwich schmear or veggie dip. Or make it the not-so-secret ingredient in an irresistible potato salad. Quick Ideas 1 BBQ-SPICED PECANS Whisk 2 large egg whites in a large bowl until foamy. Whisk in 6 Tbsp. barbecue sauce, ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tsp. kosher salt, and ¾ tsp. black pepper. Stir in 4 cups pecan halves. Arrange evenly on 2 rimmed, parchment-lined baking sheets. Roast at 300°F, stirring once, until pecans appear dry, about…

Getting a good night’s sleep is no easy feat once the mercury begins to rise. Aside from lowering the temperature with a fan or air-conditioner (the ideal sleeping temp is a chilly—though not cheap—60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit), one secret to staying cool is using linen bedding. Unlike flannel or high-thread-count cotton sheets, breathable linen fabric can help reduce sweating, making a comfortable snooze more likely. And if you share a bed, get your own blanket: “When bed partners have different optimal sleep temperatures, a solution is to use separate covers,” says Jennifer Martin, PhD, a board member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The common European practice of keeping two duvets on a bed helps people regulate their body temperature throughout the night—a midsummer night’s dream for restless…

Tools of the Trade Here’s what you’ll need to complete this DIY. □ Protective paper, like kraft or rosin □ Drop cloths □ 2-in. putty knife □ Premixed spackle □ 220-grit sandpaper □ 10-oz. tube latex caulk □ Caulking gun □ Painter’s tape □ Primer □ Paint □ Ceiling paint (optional) □ Rollers, roller covers, and roller extension pole □ Paint trays □ 2½-in. angled brush □ Stepladder 1 PREP YOUR SPACE Unless you like the ’80s paint-splatter look on your sofa, move as much furniture out of the room as possible, and clear the walls of art, light fixtures, and switch plates. (Store removed hardware in labeled zip-top bags to spare yourself a headache later.) Tape protective paper to the floor around the edges of the room, and…

1 TRIM AND SHAPE Cut your nails so they’re all the same length, says Michelle Saunders, a nail expert in Los Angeles. She recommends using small clippers because they’re more precise than larger versions, which are better for toenails. We like the Tweezerman Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper ($7; tweezerman.com). Then shape nails with a zebra file; look for a grit of 180 for the most natural finish, regardless of your filing technique (back and forth is OK!). “Shape them to work with your lifestyle—there’s no right or wrong,” Saunders says, while noting that oval is the most low-maintenance. Soften any roughness at the tip with a white block buffer. 2 CLEAN AND PAINT Before painting, clean nail beds with an alcohol-saturated cotton pad. Choose a polish that contains a…

I DON’T HAVE THE BEST memory in the world—just ask my husband or kids, who, on a daily basis, are recruited to help me find my glasses or keys. But somehow I’ve been gifted with an almost perfect recollection of the period of time, from 1998 to 2000, that I spent writing my first book, Good in Bed. I remember every specific of being 28, single, recently dumped, and convinced I’d never love again. I spent my days as a reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer. I spent my nights and weekends in the spare bedroom of my two-bedroom apartment, sitting in front of my Mac Classic and thinking, “I am going to tell myself a story, and the story will be about a girl like me, and I will…

Look, really look, at the colors and textures in this photo. Let your eyes explore the patterns of light and shadow. Sense the movement of the water, like the ebb and flow of your breathing—rising as you breathe in and falling as you breathe out. For a few moments, connect with the feeling of your breath as you explore the image. Now imagine you can dive down beneath the waves of the ocean. With every breath you take, dive a little deeper. Everything is still and quiet. You are surrounded by rays of sunlight shimmering in the beautiful blue water. Immerse yourself in a sense of relaxation and ease, fully enjoying the peacefulness of the deep, still water. —JAMIE PRICE, MyLife, a personalized mindfulness app…

THE WHIFF OF A STRANGER’S PERFUME that reminds you of your mom. The coconutty suntan lotion that evokes the tropical island where you honeymooned. Your favorite flower in full bloom. Fragrance makers have long known that scents can reach us on a primal level. Once we associate a scent with an experience or feeling, just smelling it transports us to that time or place and conjurs a similar emotion. Usually, our reactions are highly individual, driven by life events, rituals, memories, and cultural backgrounds, says Pam Helms, executive director of research and development and the Fragrance Design Center at SC Johnson. Some scents may have universal effects, research finds—calming us, energizing us, and making us happier. That may explain why aromatherapy (the use of scented essential oils to improve well-being)…

1 Glossier Hand Cream Talk about lending a helping hand: The Instagram-favorite brand donated 10,000 of these squeezable pods to health-care workers on the front lines of the Covid crisis. The pink pepper scent is lovely, the lotion feels like velvet, and the flip top requires only one hand—whee! TO BUY: $18; glossier.com. 2 DARK CIRCLE BRIGHTENER Becca Cosmetics Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer Cool to the touch, this vitamin E–laced balm has a slight shimmer to counteract sallowness and fills fine lines to prevent the dreaded concealer creasing. TO BUY: $32; sephora.com. 3 SKIN TREAT Aveeno Oat Mask with Cucumber Extract Facial masks don’t have to be fancy. Smooth this on and rinse after five minutes. Oats restore your skin barrier while cucumber and seaweed extracts wake up your face.…

BEST NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER Santa Cruz Organic Light Roasted Creamy Peanut Butter Just peanuts and salt, this pick stood out from the other natural options thanks to its freshly ground taste and texture, plus its effortless stir. TO BUY: $6.10 for 16 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST ALMOND BUTTER Woodstock Dry Roasted Smooth Almond Butter We fell for this one at first bite. Made exclusively from dry-roasted almonds, it boasts full-bodied flavor and the perfect thickness (no drips!) for slathering on toast. TO BUY: $15 for 16 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST PEANUT BUTTER Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter A classic for a reason. This ultra-creamy, salty-sweet selection works magic on a squishy PB&J or in your favorite cookie recipe. TO BUY: $2.75 for 16.3 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST SEED…

Exfoliate Smartly Since you’re likely sweating more and wearing SPF, you’ll benefit from a deeper cleanse than what your usual face wash can offer. To purge pores and slough away dead skin, use an exfoliant with gentle ingredients. “Try mandelic acid, lactic acid, or polylactic acid,” says Melanie D. Palm, MD, a dermatologist in Solana Beach, California. Kenneth Howe, MD, who practices at Wexler Dermatology in New York City, recommends glycolic acid, which “exfoliates gently and has the added benefit of stimulating collagen production.” Even gentle exfoliants expose a new layer of skin to sun damage, so you still want to be extra diligent about sunscreen. Find an SPF that won’t clog pores; look for the magic word “noncomedogenic” on the label. We like First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral…

IN HIS CLASSIC essay “The Myth of Sisyphus,” Albert Camus compared the punishment of Sisyphus—condemned by the gods to repeatedly roll a boulder up a mountain—to humanity’s futile search for meaning. But any parent would probably agree that the story of Sisyphus is really about…housecleaning. Similar to the Greek king, we seem doomed in our struggle against the toothpaste puddles and cast-off socks inflicted by our indifferent offspring. We vacuum! We scrub! We return every stray item to its place! But then—just as we get tantalizingly close to tidy—the kids tromp in, sending us back to the bottom of Mount Mess. “It’s a huge issue for parents,” says Amy McCready, a parenting coach in Raleigh, North Carolina, who created the online course Positive Parenting Solutions. “Parents get caught in…

WE ALL HAVE unique priorities and experiences, yet popular money advice is often one-size-fits-all: Avoid debt at all costs; budget every dollar; stop renting. But these edicts may be outdated, or just make no sense for your particular circumstances. Here, money experts explain why finances are more individual than you might think—and reveal which rules you can probably forget about. After all, what’s the fun of rules if you can’t break them? THE RULE: Make coffee at home because small expenses add up over time. INSTEAD, TRY THIS: Just buy the latte! Perhaps you’re familiar with the idea that frequent small purchases (like $5 lattes) stand in the way of building wealth. People looking to save money are often told to find daily luxuries they can cut out of…

TAKE A BREAK to stop and recenter during an overflowing day. “The science is straightforward: Spending a moment being mindful and breathing makes you more productive, more optimistic, and happier,” says Olav Krigolson, PhD, a neuroscientist at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. So we went digging for inspiration, asking experts, influencers, and readers how they steal their little moments of solace. We unearthed a gold mine of soothing strategies—drawn from the worlds of cooking, science, education, nature, and more—that can bring calm and restore a sense of order to our lives. COME TO YOUR SENSES Between clients, I try to engage all my senses. I might step outside to see the clouds or art hanging in a gallery window, and to smell a flower or the…

We’ve all been there: You’re heating kebabs over an open flame and—as you rotate them—the food spins around, resulting in inconsistent cooking. Happily, this doesn’t happen with the OXO Good Grips 6-Piece Grilling Skewer Set. Because the skewers are flat, not round, food doesn’t move when you turn them. The stainless-steel tips are supersharp, allowing for smooth, easy piercing of tender eggplant and cherry tomatoes, and the handles are large enough to be grabbed with or without tongs. Oh, and when you put them away? They nest for tidy storage. TO BUY: $13; oxo.com.…

ACTIVE TIME 45 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 30 MINUTES MAKES 24 MUFFINS 3 cups fresh blueberries (from 3 [6 oz.] containers)1 tsp. lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon)2 cups granulated sugar, dividedCooking spray, for pans4 cups all-purpose flour1 Tbsp. baking powder1 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. kosher salt¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature2 large eggs1 ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract1 ½ cups buttermilk2 Tbsp. turbinado sugar COMBINE blueberries, lemon zest and juice, and ½ cup granulated sugar in a large bowl. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until berries start to release their juices, 30 to 40 minutes. Line 2 (12 cup) muffin pans with paper liners or parchment; coat with cooking spray. PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and…

SOIL DETERMINES COLOR The hue of certain hydrangeas ultimately depends on the pH of the soil they grow in (and whether any aluminum is present). If the soil is lower in pH—i.e., more acidic—you’ll get blue or purple blooms, while an alkaline soil, which has a higher pH, will likely yield pink buds. BLOOMING BEGINS IN MAY Of the arguably dozens of hydrangea species that exist worldwide, four of the most popular in the United States are smooth hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, bigleaf hydrangeas, and the cone-shaped panicle hydrangeas. Depending on where you live, smooth and oakleaf generally blossom in May, bigleaf in June, and panicle in July. WHEN YOU PRUNE MATTERS Wait until the bud is fully mature and the petals feel papery before you snip a flower from…