Table of contents for April 2020 in Real Simple

I LIKE TO WASH the dishes. Sure, it can be a grind. And I’m more than happy to let things pile up in the sink for a day or three. But after a Friday night family dinner, I find nothing as satisfying as taking my time to rinse plates, then stacking the dishwasher just so. I wipe the stove and counters until nary a crumb can be found. When I shut off the light (I will have also scrubbed the switch plate), I get a glimmer of delight knowing that when I flick it back on the next morning, I’ll start my day in a clean, orderly space. Perhaps my job at Real Simple has awakened my compulsive neatness, a side of myself I forced to lie dormant when…

1 SMARTPHONE CLEANER Spritz your screen with the cleaning solution, then wipe it with the microfiber-covered side of the bottle. In five colors. TO BUY: PhoneSoap Shine, $8; phonesoap.com. 2 CHIC DOG BED This waterproof memory-foam dog bed looks just like a luxe shearling rug. The snuggly cover zips off and can be machine washed. TO BUY: Faux Fur Curve PupRug, from $119; paw.com. 3 PURSE NECESSITY This superstrong magnet clips to your purse and comes to the rescue when you find yourself in a bathroom stall with no bag hook. Holds up to eight pounds. TO BUY: Bagnet, from $19; bagnetcompany.com. 4 COMPOST BIN This roomy 1 ¾-gallon bin has a lid that stays open while you’re filling it, a handle, and an internal bucket you can put…

I’ve been doing calligraphy since middle school. Calligraphy is a very mindful act—you can’t think about anything else when you’ve got the pen in your hand. The formation of every single letter requires me to be in the moment, and it’s strengthened my mindset when I meet with my clients. To understand their wants, needs, and personalities, I have to be 100 percent focused on them and in tune with their vision. During my first Class 5 white water rafting trip, I was completely convinced I couldn’t do it. But I did—and it taught me I could do any-thing in work or life by breaking it down into smaller parts. If you look at any complicated river, there are so many intimidating complexities, like shallow rocks or rapids to…

THE DOWN & DIRTY ON SUPPLIES Brush up on the powers—and limitations—of your cleaning staples. VINEGAR DOES: Sanitize. Yeah, the stuff you use for salad dressing is also great at slashing bacteria. “You can go a long way toward reducing organisms by rubbing a surface with distilled white vinegar and water,” says Philip Tierno, PhD, clinical professor of microbiology and pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. DOESN’T: Disinfect. To disinfect, an ingredient must kill nearly all the microbes on a surface, which vinegar does not do. It’s strongest (and, unfortunately, smelliest) in its undiluted form, says Jason Tetro, a microbiologist and the author of The Germ Code. The more water you add, the less effective it becomes. GOOD TO KNOW: You can use a vinegar-and-water solution on some kitchen…

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 55 MINUTES SERVES 4 2 large zucchini, cut into 1-in. chunks (3 cups)⅓ cup plus 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided1 ½ tsp. kosher salt, divided½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided⅓ cup golden raisins¼ to ½ tsp. crushed red pepper¼ cup apple cider vinegar, divided1 cup dried beluga lentils or French green lentils, rinsed1 clove garlic, smashed2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced, white and green parts separated½ cup unsalted roasted sunflower seeds, plus more for serving½ tsp. Dijon mustardMicrogreens or sprouts, for serving PREHEAT broiler with rack in upper third. Stir zucchini, 2 tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper on a rimmed baking sheet; spread in an even layer. Broil until charred in spots and softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to…

MEET DEANNA LOWE DESIGN DIRECTOR AT REAL SIMPLE Currently binge-watching: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I love the color and the costumes. My happy place: Working at a pottery wheel helps me focus on the process of making something. It’s the perfect antidote to looking at a computer screen all day. Daily uniform: Black on black with a scarf, so I stay cozy. 35 Fast Dinner Ideas Short on time? Our filling, affordable, and (almost) entirely homemade meals take just 25 minutes or less. Get the recipes at realsimple.com/fastmeals. Waste Less, Live Better Every day can be Earth Day, thanks to our guide on sustainable living. It shows easy ways to recycle, use less plastic, and extend the life of clothing. Find it at realsimple.com/wasteless. 15 UNIQUE EASTER EGG DESIGNS…

1 SEE THE LIGHT This frosted-glass sconce is a balance of contemporary and vintage-inspired. TO BUY: Latitude Run Needham 2-Light Outdoor Sconce, from $170; allmodern.com. 2 STAND OUT Rest a stick umbrella against the rim and hang collapsible models from the hidden hooks. TO BUY: Hub Umbrella Stand, $50; umbra.com. 3 GET THE MESSAGE Switch up the vinyl “tiles” whenever the mood strikes so guests see a new greeting every time they visit. TO BUY: Tile Mat, $75; letterfolk.com. 4 BEAUTY BOX You’ll no longer forget to check the snail mail once you install this pretty box—it’s like jewelry for your house. TO BUY: Bow Angled Wall-Mounted Mailbox, $80; cb2.com. 5 TAKE A NUMBER These sleek, design-forward digits are hand-cast from recycled aluminum. TO BUY: Montague Metal Products Modern House…

REALSIMPLE ROAD TEST BEST LIP COLOR Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss in Malibu Your purse and makeup bag just got a whole lot roomier, thanks to this go-to twofer. It’s a treatment and gloss in one: Peptides plump lips, and evening primrose oil makes them shiny. All it takes is a few swipes for the hyaluronic acid to work its magic and soothe dry lips. Our favorite part—it keeps lips slick, not sticky. TO BUY: $27; sephora.com. BEST HAIR PAIR Herbal Essences Potent Aloe and Eucalyptus Shampoo and Conditioner The sulfate- and paraben-free duo nourishes your scalp and cleans strands without stripping away natural oils. TO BUY: $6; target.com. BEST FOR BODY Plant Apothecary Calm Down Body Wash This organic formula goes from a honeylike gel to a gentle foamy…

Quick Ideas 1 CARROT MUFFINS Stir 2 cups almond flour, 1 ½ cups grated carrot, ½ cup chopped walnuts, 1 tsp. baking powder, and ½ tsp. each baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir in 3 Tbsp. melted butter, ½ cup honey, and 2 eggs. Fill greased muffin pan; bake at 350°F until set, 18 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan; let cool on a wire rack. 2 MACAROON CAKE Beat 3 eggs and 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl. Set over a pot of simmering water and whisk until warm, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; beat on high until tripled in volume, 5 minutes. Fold in 1 ½ cups each unsweetened shredded coconut…

1 FLITTY FLORAL The V-neck and sweet row of buttons are ultrafeminine, while the knee-skimming length and puffy sleeves feel modern. TO BUY: Ashley Dress, $400; chelseaandwalker.com. 2 PREPPY SHIFT It has everything you expect from a Lilly dress (fun pattern, crisp cotton) plus on-trend puffy sleeves. TO BUY: Daniela Stretch Dress, $198; lillypulitzer.com. 3 BLACK BEAUTY It’s as soft as your everyday black T-shirt but much more special, thanks to the stitched floral pattern on the roomy, elbow-length sleeves. TO BUY: Tai Embroidery Jersey, $275; rebeccataylor.com. 4 SPRINGY JUMPSUIT Puffy, gathered shoulders make this jumpsuit dressy; the loose, wide legs make it comfy. TO BUY: Tie Waist Jumpsuit, $179; anntaylor.com. 5 SILKY AND SIMPLE If your usual style is minimalist chic, try this sleek silhouette with understated bell…

ONE OF THE MOST distinctive things about my mother is her hands, though I would imagine that the hands of anyone’s mother would seem distinctive to them. Those are the hands, after all, that soothe us throughout so much of our childhood, that change our diapers and swaddle us and hold us, and comb our hair, and apply unwanted sunscreen and antiseptic and Band-Aids. But there is something about the way my mom, the chef Alice Waters, uses hers—which is to say, with total conviction and without fear—that makes them so distinctive. What other people often notice about her hands is her battery of rings: the stacks of unshowy stone-studded Victorian bands that grace nearly every finger. Having a modest treasury on her fingers doesn’t, however, prevent her from plunging…

SOME OF MY MOST enduring and cherished childhood memories revolve around the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in Piscataway, New Jersey, a humble building just under an eight-minute bike ride from my house. I’d grab my backpack, strap on my helmet, and pedal furiously down quiet side streets and through a tangled, grassy path until I emerged in the parking lot, skidded to a halt in the designated bike space, and headed inside for hours of browsing. There was no greater satisfaction than checking out a new batch of books and stuffing my backpack full to bursting. It felt like a miracle to have a place that contained so many worlds waiting to be discovered—and all for free. (Though, full disclosure, in my case late fees were more the…

BRIGHT BASICS When it comes to chic yet seriously weatherproof raincoats, Stutterheim is the leading brand. Stand out with this color-block version and polka dot umbrella. TO BUY Stockholm Patch Raincoat, $395; stutterheim.com. Women’s Grange Boots, $90; lacrossefootwear.com. Signature Manual Bubble Umbrella, $26; totes.com. POSH & PROPER Pop the collar on a polished trench that features a navy panel on the back. Add striped boots—plus a neutral bucket hat to keep frizzy tresses at bay. TO BUY Franklin Trench Coat, $240; bodenusa.com. Women’s Waterproof Rain Boots, $70; landsend.com. Auto Open Fashion Stick Umbrella, $30; shedrain.com. Exploration UPF Reversible Bucket Hat, $35; eddiebauer.com. FRESH FLORALS Pleated in the back, this translucent pastel jacket is just what you need to make a (fashion-forward) splash. Keep feet comfortable no matter the forecast…

ACTIVE TIME 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 10 MINUTES SERVES 8 5 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (4 cups)1 Tbsp. plus 2½ tsp. kosher salt, divided2 Tbsp. olive oil2 Tbsp. unsalted butter1 large yellow onion, sliced12 large eggs1 cup heavy whipping cream1 12-oz. jar roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper8 oz. Manchego cheese, grated (2 cups), divided PREHEAT oven to 350°F with rack in upper third. Place potatoes in a large pot and just cover with water; stir in 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are just tender when pierced with a fork, about 3 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside. HEAT oil and butter in…

HOW TO VACUUM The vacuum is noisy and scary and the mortal enemy of pets. Still, it’s useful for cleaning the floor. First pick up the floor. No, don’t pick up the floor. You know what we mean. Move the stray Legos and Lego catalogs and slippers so you don’t have to vacuum around them and so you won’t suck them up by mistake. HOW TO SORT LAUNDRY Make two piles: “lights” and “darks,” assuming this is your house style of doing laundry (some families wash all the clothes together, which is fine too). Go through everybody’s pants pockets and remove whatever you find. Finders keepers! (Not really.) HOW TO WIPE THE TABLE AND COUNTERS Move things like salt shakers and candlesticks out of the way. Wipe up all…

1 Floral Street Eau De Parfum The vibrant glass bottles will look gorgeous on your vanity, and the nine modern, bloom-inspired scents come in biodegradable cartons you can use as seed trays—to grow flowers of your own. TO BUY: $78 for 1.7 oz.; sephora.com. 2 BLUSH AND GO Lilah B. Divine Duo Lip & Cheek The handy metal compact swivels to reveal a flattering multiuse cream (in 10 shades). Plus, the brand will recycle any beauty product you send them. TO BUY: $46; lilahbbeauty.com. 3 PORE PERFECTOR Kinship Insta Swipe These biodegradable wipes are infused with honey and alpha hydroxy acid, and the pot is crafted from recycled ocean-waste plastic. TO BUY: $22; lovekinship.com. 4 GREEN CLEANSER Mara Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil Papaya and pineapple enzymes combine with moringa and…

Our hairstylist cut Theresa’s bangs on a whim and applauded her for being “brave.” Her response: “When you’re my age, you just go with it.” IN SIXTH GRADE, Theresa Elvera, now 58, became acutely aware that her nose wasn’t like everyone else’s. “I remember thinking, ‘Man, your face is so long, and your nose is kind of long too,’” she says. That was when her comparison spiral began, lasting through her 20s. She recalls spending time with a good friend during those years: “She was blond, absolutely adorable, and she and I were just kind of polar opposites. We would go out together—we called it ‘clubbing’ even though we were in a small town in Minnesota—and the heads really turned for her. I felt as though I was just along…

1 Your conversations One way we can “clean up” our conversations, especially with kids, is by talking about people as individuals rather than as part of a group. You might think telling your daughter that girls like math is good because you’re countering a nefarious stereotype. But in fact, when you talk about girls as a category, you set up a structure that allows other stereotypes to seep in. Get in the habit of talking about individual strengths; describe one woman as great at math, another as great at something else. KATHERINE D. KINZLER, PHD, IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY AND THE AUTHOR OF HOW YOU SAY IT: WHY YOU TALK THE WAY YOU DO—AND WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT YOU (OUT IN JUNE). 2 Your…

When you’re anxious, try grounding yourself in the moment to restore your sense of balance. Explore the places you feel your body touching a surface—notice the grass, the bed, the hard floor, or whatever it may be. Bring all your attention to the weight of your body itself. Now feel the sensation of gravity pulling you into the earth. See if you can carry any of this groundedness with you through the day. —JAMIE PRICE, Stop, Breathe & Think For more meditations like this one, download the Stop, Breathe & Think app (free; iOS and Android).…

Mediterranean Chicken With Herby Pita Salad ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES SERVES 4 2 Tbsp. za’atar1 ¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided3 lb. bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks and thighs (4 drumsticks and 4 thighs)1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges6 Tbsp. olive oil, divided2 8-in. pita rounds, torn into 1-in. pieces2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)4 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced4 radishes, thinly sliced2 scallions, thinly sliced4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)¾ cup torn fresh dill¾ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, torn PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Stir za’atar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Toss chicken, onion wedges, and 2 tablespoons oil on a rimmed baking sheet, turning chicken to coat. Season…