Innehållsförteckning för December 2017 från Real Simple

SOME PEOPLE ARE amazing gift givers. They show up with a present you didn’t even realize you wanted, which then becomes something you can’t believe you ever lived without. I am not one of these people. I do finewhen I start months in advance and have time to really consider gift ideas. But sometimes I leave the shopping until too late, and a kind of manic panic sets in. I can’t think clearly. The stores seem hot and loud. Does he even wear chunky sweaters?Will caring for an orchid just be a burden on her? Myworst gift-giving moment happenedwhen my husbandwas still my new boyfriend. He had just moved into an apartment with blankwalls, so, determined to find him a cool, unique present, I went to a home-goods store I…

Great for Book Club In One Station Away, readers meet Magnus Colin, an accomplished neurologist, through the eyes of three women: his paralyzed patient, his famous pianist mother, and his late fiancée. Olaf Olafsson’s emotional novel takes Magnus around the globe as he searches for a way to heal his patients—and himself. International Thriller When successful Italian film producer Oscar Martello goes missing after a fire destroys his glamorous villa, Rome is left in shock. Was the fire set by his beautiful muse, his best friend, or someone else altogether? In his heart-pounding novel, We’ll Sleep When We’re Old, Pino Corrias explores the dark secrets of the city’s elite. Forgotten History Enchantress of Numbers imagines the life of Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, known today as the world’s first computer…

OF ALL THE COLORS in the universe, there are two that I am particularly fond of: purple and black. The former is forwriting. All my fountain pens have purple ink. The latter is forwearing. Iwear black a lot—like, on-all-occasionswithout- fail kind of a lot. I had to admit to myself just how often Iwore itwhenmy children peeked intomywardrobe the other day and started describing the items inside: “A black jacket, a black skirt, a black top, another black jacket...” Whenever I run into a woman sporting multihued garments and accessories, carrying her choice of style with perfect ease, I smile in admiration. But no amount of respect is enough for me to follow her lead. Maybe for a day or two, I try. I tell myself that enough is enough…

WORK, MONEY, AND HEALTH ADVICE FOR BUSY PEOPLE The good news: Once you have a life insurance policy, you could be hands-off for decades. 1 Press Pause on Your Assumptions. With life insurance, sometimes the hardest part is getting started. “Research shows that many people think they won’t qualify or won’t be able to afford it, but that’s generally not true,” says James Scanlon, senior research director at LIMRA, an insurance research association in Windsor, Connecticut. In one survey, 86 percent of respondents said they hadn’t bought life insurance because it was too expensive—but many overestimated the premiums by more than triple. The good news: Once you have a life insurance policy— unlike health insurance, which you might have to deal with every year— you could be hands-off for decades.…

Gifts for FOODIES 1 POP STARS This set features the top crispy, flavor-packed kernels popcorn lovers crave. TO BUY: Holiday sampler gift box, $26 for 3; poppyhand craftedpopcorn.com. 2 SPIRIT SET Smooth dry and aged gin in the prettiest pair of bottles. Floral and citrus notes make them easy to drink straight. TO BUY: Koval mini gin set, $45; mouth.com. 3 SCOOP AND SAVE This gilded bag clip keeps coffee grounds fresh and the tablespoon scoop right where you need it. TO BUY: Hay Clip Clip Spoon, $10; store.moma.org. 4 THE GIVING TREE Adopt an olive tree in Calabria, Italy, for a year and receive a certificate and a trio of olive oil from your grove. TO BUY: Olive tree adoption, from $80; treolive.com. 5 SMART SMOCK Adjustable cross-back straps…

TIP Surprise guests with above-andbeyond extras, like relaxing essential oil towelettes. TO BUY: (Opposite page) Louise tray in brass and mint, $120 (large); hawkinsnewyork.com. Sweet Dreams Darling essential oil towelettes, $10 for 7; happyspritz.com. Calistoga bath towel in aqua, $48; serenaandlily.com. (This page) Linear nightstand, $299; cb2.com. Tivoli Model Three BT radio, $350; momastore.org. Azure glass carafe, $28; crateandbarrel.com. The Leavers by Lisa Ko, Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo, and Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward, $26 each; amazon.com. GUEST BATHROOM SUPPLIES travel-size toiletries saline solution cotton balls & cotton swabs towel & washcloths NIGHTSTAND NECESSITIES alarm clock radio carafe or bottled water books dish for jewelry TIP Have a spare house key made so guests can come and go as they please. Guest Room Channel what you love…

Easy Dinner 1 Lime-butter Cod With Zesty Slaw ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Healthy Pick ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 3 cups finely shredded red cabbage (from 1 small head) 1 medium carrot, shredded 1 scallion, thinly sliced 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice plus 1 tsp. zest (from 1 lime), plus wedges for serving 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1/2 tsp. black pepper, divided 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 4 4- to 5-oz. ski/nless cod fillets 2 Tbsp. cilantro leaves COMBINE cabbage, carrot, scallion, lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl; toss to combine. Set aside. MELT butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add lime zest and cook for 30 seconds. Season cod with…

MEET STEPHANIE SISCO HOME EDITOR AT REAL SIMPLE Best gift I’ve ever received: My fiancé surprised me with an industrial side table he’d built by hand. The thought and effort he put into it made me feel so incredibly special. Entertaining hack: Turn a bowl upside down and set a platter on top. Voilà! Instant elevation for a buffet. Go-to holiday dish: Hasselback potatoes. It’s such a fun way to “dress up” a standard side dish. @STEPH_SISCO ON INSTAGRAM A Natural Accent Pinecones are a decor staple this time of year (and as close as the backyard). We came up with some unique uses and DIY projects. Visit realsimple.com/pinecones. Rock the Cookie Swap Why not try something new? These recipes will wow—little more than a box of puff pastry…

1 Sip Responsibly Hundreds of millions of plastic pieces end up in the ocean every year, harming its inhabitants. Swap out your plastic straws for durable paper ones made by Aardvark. These biodegradable straws won’t break down as you drink and are available in metallic, holiday patterns, college logos, and more. Can’t find the perfect pack? Create your own at the Custom Straw Shop. TO BUY: From $5 for 24; aardvarkstraws.com. more to love 2 Add Some Sparkle Before the ball drops, prepare for 2018 with a new family tradition. The Oh! New Year’s Tree kit allows you to turn your Christmas tree into a New Year’s tree, with streamers and a golden topper. Fill out wish lists, sport silver party hats, and read a storybook about reinventing NYE. TO…

THE FASTEST WAY TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE SMELL GREAT Guests on their way over? This fresh simmer pot recipe combines zippy citrus, fragrant rosemary, and a touch of vanilla for a warm and inviting scent that will fill the whole house in eight minutes. Now, if only the vacuum would run itself. RECIPE Place 2 cups water in a 1-quart pot, boil, then add: 1 lemon, cut into thin slices 3 sprigs rosemary 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. orange zest Reduce to a simmer and add more water to the pot as needed. This easy trick will make your shower smell like Christmas: realsimple.com/ eucalyptus.…

...ADD JEANS AND SNEAKERS The tailored lines of a crisp buttondown combined with slim-cut jeans make a casual outfit feel more refined. TO BUY: Sonoma Goods for Life jeans, $40; kohls.com. Rebecca Taylor Tweed jacket, $495; rebeccataylor.com. Nautica Ladar sneakers, $60; nautica.com. Lele Sadoughi Telescope earrings, $230; saksfifthavenue.com. START WITH THE SHIRT... TO BUY: Brooks Brothers noniron fitted dress shirt, $98; brooks brothers.com. ...ADD AN EVENING-WORTHY SKIRT The unexpected pairing of a fancy metallic skirt gives this more formal ensemble an air of effortlessness. TO BUY: Ann Taylor Metallic Pleated skirt, $98, and Suede Tassel heels, $138; anntaylor.com. Tory Burch Cleo Fold-Over clutch, $428; toryburch.com. Anna & Ava “The Dylan” necklace, $45; dillards.com. ...ADD TROUSERS AND A VEST Styling the shirt with subtly striped pants…

“I have two girls who are 3 and 6. I think it’s important for my kids to see me in action as much as possible. If I’m curating a dinner menu for a group or speaking on a panel with other chefs at an event, I like them to be a part of it. Also, because of the flexibility of my schedule, I take on a lot of the domestic duties, since my wife works a more traditional schedule. Domestic work is important, and so often the burden falls on women, so I think it’s good for them to see me pitching in and doing my part.” BRYANT TERRY, 42, CHEF AND AUTHOR “I used to work in the fashion industry, but after giving birth to my first son, I…

1 DISH IT OUT “If your host doesn’t have enough plates or flatware, lend them pieces from your own collection! Just pack them carefully in a cardboard box, with a couple layers of newspaper lining each plate.” 2 CHEERS TO LEFTOVERS “No worries if you get caught in the holiday spirit and end up eating less and talking more. Bring plastic containers to pack away the yummy leftovers. Nobody ever leaves a potluck without them!” 3 ONE-POT WONDER “One-pot meals and large-batch drinks are great to bring to potlucks. Not only can you prep them the night before, you can transport the lidded pot directly from the stove to the party. Reheat and serve from the same pot. So easy!” 4 BYOF: BRING YOUR OWN FLOWERS “Pre-arrange flowers and transport…

FORMALITY OF THE INVITATION If you receive a letterpress or embossed envelope in the mail, chances are a skirt or suit is required. A Facebook message, unless it specifies otherwise, likely calls for a much more casual look. LOCATION The venue imparts plenty of info. A wedding at a country club has a much different vibe than one on a beach or in a warehouse. If the event is at an unfamiliar spot, try searching online for photos ahead of time. TIME OF DAY The start time of a party sets the tone for the celebration. Typically, the earlier an event, the less formal it is. Remember to take into account seasonal changes: Sunset comes sooner in the fall than in the summer. DURATION Do what you can to suss…

INNISFREE MY COMPACT This Korean line takes the guesswork out of foundation shopping. Choose your coverage (light or full) and finish (dewy or matte), select your shade (out of 14), then pick a case that makes you happy. TO BUY: $26 each; us.innis free.com. NUNZIO SAVIANO DRY SHAMPOO BLOTTING SHEETS Blotting papers— for your hair! These rice papers are infused with transparent powder that absorbs oil from hair without leaving behind a chalky residue. TO BUY: $24 for 50; nunzio saviano.com. DERMALOGICA PRECLEANSE BALM Remove all traces of long-wear foundation and even waterproof mascara with this duo. Squeeze the apricot oil balm onto the mitt, then massage dry skin (the silicone nubs exfoliate). Add water and rinse. TO BUY: $45; dermalogica.com. BRANDLESS PEPPERMINT MOUTHWASH Fluoride- and alcoholfree, this mouthwash contains…

If You Have a Drawer... 1 TAKE INVENTORY First, sort your collection— categorizing like with like— to determine how much storage you’ll need. 2 GATHER CONTAINERS Search for items throughout your home that can be repurposed as in-drawer dividers, such as egg crates, teacups, or box tops. Use them to supplement store-bought drawer dividers. 3 DIVIDE BY STYLE Place similar jewels together within each container: Set chunky bracelets in a bowl, hang chandelier earrings over the edge of a cup, and put studs and rings in the smallest compartments. Limit groupings to no more than a few pieces to avoid overcrowding, so you can see all your options at a glance. 4 LAYER UP For drawers deeper than the one at left, use multilevel inserts: Stash in-season items on top…

STEP 1 Choose the right type of treat. Drop cookies, bar cookies, brittles, and snack mixes all ship well. Avoid anything frosted, filled, custardy, or delicate. STEP 2 Bake the treats the day you plan to ship them, and let them cool completely. Place two cookies back-to-back and wrap in plastic wrap. Wrap bar cookies individually. STEP 3 Place wrapped cookies in zip-top bags. Package similar cookies together; crispy cookies will get soggy if paired with soft cookies. STEP 4 Line a cookie tin or airtight container with tissue or wax paper. Alternate layers of wrapped cookies and paper. Pack in additional paper to fill any gaps in the tin. Close the lid and tape it shut. Give the tin a shake—nothing should move. STEP 5 Place the tin in…

1 Growing Up Every family does holidays differently; I think the key is to make the traditions work for your home. When we were little, my brother and I stuffed stockings for our parents, while my mom filled ours. He and I realized at some point that even though opening up the stockings in our parents’ bed had become a bit too weird, we would never be ready to give them up. Now our families open the stockings over breakfast on Christmas Day; any houseguest gets one, too. We also still allow ourselves, on Christmas Eve, to open one present that we know will be disappointing. We got this down to a fine art as kids: My best December 24 score was a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle of baked beans. FRANCESCA…

We Help Rescued Animals EARLIER THIS YEAR, my teenage daughters—city kids whose typical experience with the great outdoors involves watching pigeons fight over a hot dog bun on a concrete sidewalk—found themselves knee-deep in horse poop and hay as they mucked out a barn at theWoodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, New York, home to hundreds of animals that had been rescued from abuse and neglect. The girls couldn’t be happier to be there. They were just 7 and 9 when we first visited the sanctuary seven years ago.We drove past it one weekend and decided to stop in to visit the animals.We saw firsthand how affectionate the cows, pigs, and sheep were; many of them would have been put down because of physical imperfections but were now thriving. We…

Here’s a refreshing strategy for those sedentary days when you are stuck at your desk or sitting in an endless meeting. Little motions that nobody can see will help you feel better. Start with your feet. Breathe in and squeeze your toes as if you were making a foot fist. As you exhale, spread your toes as wide as you can, making “jazz toes.” Don’t worry if you are wearing shoes; just making the effort will still enliven your feet, ankles, and calves. Then do the same thing with your fingers and hands. Inhale to squeeze, exhale to stretch. Repeat five times.You can do this sequence again every 30 minutes. These subtle movements will infuse your body with energy while clearing your mind.…

COCOA CEREAL BRI T TLE ACTIVE TIME: 25 minutes TOTAL TIME: 1 hour (includes cooling) MAKES: About 2 1/4 pounds (4 to 6 gifts) Nonstick spray 1 1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup light corn syrup 3 cups Cocoa Pebbles or Cocoa Krispies cereal 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. baking soda Flaky salt (optional) LINE a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over mediumhigh. Bring to a boil and cook, undisturbed, until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. CONTINUE to cook, swirling saucepan occasionally, until edges turn golden; swirl pan to incorporate golden sugar into the rest of the mixture. When mixture is evenly…

Wrapping up another trip around the sun is cause for celebration but also reflection. Family dinners take on a little more meaning these days as we look back on what we’ve shared, gained, and lost. So nourish your loved ones and yourself: Try warming soups like potato-leek (page 161) or brighten chilly days with the pop of color from a vibrant red cabbage slaw (page 152). Bake a better cookie with our picks for the best pantry staples (page 162). Then join us as we toast with a glass of updated holiday punch (page 164). To a delicious new year! COOK WITH COZI Get Real Simple’s easy weeknight-dinner recipes in Cozi, a free meal-planning and organizing app from Time Inc. (available for iOS and Android).…

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ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES SERVES 25 1 cup granulated sugar 1 46-oz. can pineapple juice, chilled 2 cups (16 oz.) dark rum 11/2 cups (12 oz.) Campari 11/4 cups fresh lime juice (from 8 to 10 limes) 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1 750-ml bottle Prosecco, chilled Large ice cubes Orange and lime slices, for garnish STIR together sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Chill for at least 1 hour. STIR together pineapple juice, rum, Campari, lime juice, salt, and chilled simple syrup in a large bowl. Stir in Prosecco and ice cubes just before serving. Garnish with orange and lime slices. PER…