Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2025 från Real Simple

NO ONE HAS EVER accused me of being a Pollyanna. (My editor, Lisa, will be laughing as she reads that because she knows ne’er a truer word was spoken.) I’m hyperaware of all the awful in the world—thanks, social media!—and sometimes it grabs me from below and pulls at me like my big brother used to do in the pool. (In the deep end, by the feet—a very drowny feeling and not fun for either of us once I told my mom.) But I’m also resilient, and one trick I use to not be constantly bummed out or a downer at dinner parties after a big news day is to focus on the things I can control. That’s actually a motto at our company; in this era of endless…

1. DRINK SAVERS Don’t let uninvited guests ruin cocktail hour on the patio! Use these weighted nets to keep bugs out of your drink—and to track whose glass is whose. Weighted Outdoor Wine Covers, $43 for 4; uncommongoods.com 2. PLUSH PERCH This sofa is part of a just-launched line of entirely cushy furniture (ottomans, coffee tables, and more!). Pieces come in over 30 colors and patterns and can be arranged into endless combos. Modular Seat, $279; thehouseofnoa.com 3. HOT STUFF Meet your new favorite travel companions: These cute little hair tools (they’re about eight inches long) are wireless, rechargeable, and lightweight. Compact Ceramic Hair Styling Tools, $40 each; store.moma.org 4. CLEAN SWEEP Someone over at Swiffer deserves a raise. The latest model features a collapsible pole for easy storage, scrubbier…

Avoid Ingrowns Maybe the biggest summer bummer of them all, ingrown hairs are a common phenomenon. They can be especially prevalent where hair is thick or curly—the bikini area, armpits, and nape of the neck. If you understand why they happen, it’s easy to prevent them, says Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a dermatologist in West Islip, New York. “As the hair grows out, it can get trapped under the skin’s surface. Instead of growing out straight from the pore, it curls back and creates the dreaded bump.” The more it grows, the more inflammation, redness, and irritation you get. For prevention, Mariwalla suggests exfoliating, which coaxes hairs out of their pores and keeps dead skin cells from building up and trapping the hairs. Use a pad containing alpha hydroxy and beta…

Brush up in Surprising Ways Used strategically, a little paint can have a major impact. These rooms are vibrant proof. Do Some Color Scheming Setting a consistent palette—and using it in various ways in different rooms—will make your home feel cohesive and purposeful. Here, tips from one of the best. Many interior designers will tell you it’s a good idea to establish a color palette for your entire home. And Charlotte, North Carolina–based Natalie Papier (@home_ec_op) is the GOAT when it comes to planning one out. Her secret? She starts by taking a look around. “When working with a client, I like to figure out what they’re naturally drawn toward—whether that’s a piece of art, a treasured textile, or even a favorite dress.” From there, she picks one main color…

When I was little, I insisted my room be painted lilac—the walls and the floor! I paired it with a green plaid bedspread. I like to think my interior design skills have improved since then. PAIGE McCARTHY COLUMBUS, OHIO My husband and I went to the Bahamas and were spellbound by Nassau’s colorful architecture. When we returned home, we longed to import that island vibe to the exterior of our house. The painters got to work, and my husband called to say, “It looks like Pepto-Bismol.” That was an understatement. We decided to dilute the pink paint with gallons of white paint, and we came up with a “custom blend.” CINDY HU SAN FRANCISCO I have a very large kitchen and decided to paint it buttercup yellow, which ended up…

Baggu Reusable Bags “Baggu bags have been around for a while, and I’ve loved them since the start. They’re lightweight and they fold into a tiny packet, so I can easily keep a few with me. They’re also machine washable and durable—I’ve had the same ones in rotation for at least seven years! And Baggu is always coming out with fun new designs.” —Deanna Lowe, design director $14; baggu.com Owala FreeSip “I wasn’t married to a specific water bottle until I met the Owala. It’s available in so many colors. Plus, the straw is hidden inside, which means I can carry it out into the world without worrying about picking up germs.” —Heather Muir Maffei, beauty director From $30 each; owalalife.com Lego Wildflower Bouquet “My husband got me this…

1. DISINFECT Your bag likely has a good case of the travel bug: As you drag it around, bacteria can hitch a ride! After each trip, give the plastic shell a once-over with a disinfecting wipe or a microfiber cloth dampened with water and a little liquid dish soap. Don’t forget the handle, the wheels, and all the crevices. 2. REMOVE SCUFFS If you see any marks, make a paste of equal parts baking soda and water, and use an old toothbrush or small soft-bristle brush to scrub them away. Wipe off any residual paste with a clean, damp cloth. 3. DEODORIZE THE INSIDE The inside isn’t nearly the microbe jamboree that the outside is, but it can start to smell stale after transporting your vacay’s dirty laundry. To fix…

WE ALL HAVE them in our lives: people we care about who seem to be on a very different page from us when it comes to finances. Money is a heavy and hard subject, embedded into our sense of self-worth, security, autonomy, and power. Our feelings around it are based on myriad factors from our upbringing and experiences, so our perspectives and practices are not always aligned with our friends’ and family members’, leading to interactions that feel stressful or even undermining. We may sense that being around these people is bad for us and our bank balance, but it doesn’t have to be that way! We asked experts to share some common financial negative influences and ways to improve our connection with them. The Budget Vampire WHO THEY ARE…

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE WHAT IT IS Not to be confused with Calabrian chili paste, this jarred dynamo is made of chiles sourced from the toe of Italy’s boot, olive oil, and slow-cooked vegetables, like artichokes and eggplant. “It adds heat but also lots of flavor,” says Anna Francese Gass, host of the TV series Instant Italian and author of Italian Snacking. HOW TO USE IT Stir a spoonful into mayo for a french fry dip. Gass also suggests adding it to pasta or spreading it on a sandwich or a slice of pizza. “Honestly, it’s good on anything that could use a kick.”…

ACTIVE TIME 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 2 1⅓ cups whole milk½ cup plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt2 Tbsp. honey1½ Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 or 2 limes), plus lime zest for garnish⅛ tsp. ground cardamom⅛ tsp. kosher salt1½ lb. ripe peaches, sliced and frozen, or 4 cups frozen sliced peaches, plus fresh peach slices for garnish¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted¼ cup granola2 tsp. seeds (such as hemp, chia, sesame, and/or pepitas) PLACE milk, yogurt, honey, lime juice, cardamom, salt, and peaches, in that order, in a high-speed blender. Process until thickened and smooth, about 2 minutes. (If using a regular blender, process mixture in 2 batches, adding a little cold water if needed.) DIVIDE smoothie between 2 shallow bowls. Top with peach slices, almonds, granola, and…

DO GOOD Parks Service Did you know you can volunteer to help out at a national park? You can! For just a single day or longer. Your options include all sorts of things, like rebuilding trails, monitoring wildlife, and even serving as a campground host for visiting families. Learn more at nps.gov, or search the site of a park near you. EYE SPY Throwing Shade When it comes to sunglasses, the darkness of the lenses is not an indication of UV protection, says Steven T. Reed, a doctor of optometry and the president of the American Optometric Association. “Your lenses need to block light, so try them on in front of a mirror,” he says. If you see your eyes easily, the lenses probably aren’t effective enough. ADD TO…

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES SERVES 8 1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (about 3 cups)3 large eggs¾ cup whole milk½ cup heavy cream½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour½ cup (48 g) blanched almond flour½ cup (99 g) granulated sugar3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for baking dish2 tsp. pure vanilla extract1 tsp. lemon zest (from 1 lemon)¼ tsp. fine sea saltConfectioners’ sugar, for dusting PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Generously grease a 10-inch round or an 11-inch oval baking dish with butter. Scatter halved strawberries in dish. BLEND eggs, milk, cream, flours, granulated sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt in a blender until combined, about 10 seconds. Scrape down sides with a spatula and blend until smooth and slightly frothy, about 5…

GROW UPWARD Maximize the vertical space behind any work surface by mounting shelves and loading them up with supplies. Alternatively, a pegboard—with lots of hooks—can hold all your hand tools. SORT & STORE SEEDS Genius idea: Slide seed packets into photo albums so you can easily flip through and ID what you have. Place loose seeds in repurposed pill bottles, airtight jars, or tackle boxes—just make sure you label what’s what! DECANT YOUR DIRT While keeping garden soil in its original bag can be OK in the short term, any tears or openings may invite pests or let in too much humidity, which can ruin it in a matter of weeks. Instead, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark spot. HANG AROUND Magnetic and…

FOR DECADES, I got on the back of a motorcycle with anyone who’d take me for a ride. I don’t like roller coasters, race cars, or speedboats, but moving through the air like a turtle outside its shell on a motorized bike does it for me. It might be the only activity I’ve ever been completely present for, maybe because the risk is so great. Which is also what kept me on the back, as a passenger, believing I couldn’t handle a 500-pound machine on my own. Then I got engaged at age 35, and my fiancé proposed a solution: a Vespa. Same wind in my face, same commitment to the moment, but so much lighter and, in turn, so much easier to control. We planned to buy one just…

Shawarma Skewers With Herby Yogurt Sauce ACTIVE TIME 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 8 Give your guests options with spiced-just-right chicken and shrimp skewers. For a vegetarian pick, swap one of them out for cubed tofu or feta. Sauce ½ cup plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt½ cup mayonnaise¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley¼ cup chopped fresh mint1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)1 clove garlic, grated (about ½ tsp.)¾ tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper Skewers 1 bell pepper (any color), cut into 1-in. chunks (about 1⅔ cups)1 small red onion, cut into large chunks (about 1 cup)4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided, plus more for grill2½ tsp. kosher salt, divided1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, patted dry and cut into 1½-in. chunks1 lb. peeled, deveined extra-large raw shrimp, tails…

#1 / Shrimp & Couscous Salad With Cucumbers ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Make Ahead 1½ cups Israeli couscous5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided2 tsp. kosher salt, divided1¼ lb. peeled, deveined large raw shrimp3 tsp. za’atar, divided3½ Tbsp. red wine vinegar3 tsp. whole-grain mustard3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 1½ cups)4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion¼ cup chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish PREHEAT broiler with oven rack 6 inches from heat. PLACE couscous and 1½ teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium; cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add 1¾ cups water and ½ teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring…