Table of contents for June 2017 in Real Simple

EACH MORNING, the skirts would stare out at me from the bedroom closet as if sadly wondering whether today might be their big day. But it wasn’t. Not that day or any other, because while I’d fallen for them in the store, I’d never found tops that looked good with them. So there they hung, unworn and judging me each harried morning. The skirts had become less a wardrobe dilemma than a tiny failure. I hadwritten “skirts” on the to-do list on my phone months ago,which brought about zero action. Iwould see theword “skirts” on the list and think, “Really, this is still on the list?” I needed to do it or delete it. All of us have somethingwe’d like to get done,whether it’s a room that needs painting, a…

Great for Book Club InThe Gypsy Moth Summer,a prodigal daughter of Avalon Island’s most powerful white family returns with her African-American husband and their children to a community divided by race and social class. With vivid imagery, Julia Fierro immerses readers in this fractured world and the irreversible consequences of the daughter’s return. Delicious Explainer Why does eating off a blue plate make food taste saltier? Charles Spence has set out to explain how our eating experience affects our meals. InGastrophysics: The New Science of Eating,Spence explores the sensory research that proves the environment we eat in can transform how we taste our food. Riveting Memoir Souad Mekhennet has reported on some of the most wanted terrorist organizations in the world. InI Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind…

1 SCHOOLWORK SCRAPBOOK Endless boxes of kid creativity? This service binds favorites into a hardcover book. Pocket dividers hold mementos (like lunch box notes). TO BUY: 4-Ever Bound, from $50; 4everbound.com. 2 DRY BRUSH CLEANER Sanitize natural and synthetic makeup brushes fast sans water or soap with this cleansing spray. Spritz the bristles (they won’t feel damp), then stroke the brush on a clean towel. TO BUY: Pure Brush, $20; pure-brush.com. 3 DOG-WASHING WAND This clever wand attaches to a showerhead or spigot and creates a comblike spray to thoroughly rinse Rover. Use the pause mode to stop the water flow when it’s time to lather up. TO BUY: Waterpik Pet Wand Pro, $49; amazon.com. 4 HANDHELD PAINT PAI L Easily hold a quart of paint or stain in…

UNCOMMON SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY PROBLEMS THE TRICK TO keeping your summer MVP in tip-top shape starts before you even set foot in a pool, says swimsuit designer Heidi Klein. “Prior to swimming, saturate the suit with fresh water, which willmake it more difficult for damaging chlorine to soak in,” she says.Whenyou get home, turn the suit inside out and hand-wash in cold water with a mild detergent meant for delicates (try DelicateWash, $19; thelaundress.com).Then lay it on a flat surface to dry. Give your suit a day off before wearing it again to ensure that it returns to its sleek shape. Get five expert tips for finding the perfect bathing suit at realsimple.com/swim.…

Ready to revitalize the other drawers in your space? Find more organizational tips at realsimple.com/drawers.…

For sunscreen mistakes even smart people make, go to realsimple.com/SPF.…

Gifts for THE HOST Marbleized Vases Made in Istanbul, these eye-catching creations elevate a bookshelf or console. Ebru marble ceramic cylinder vases, $105 (medium) and $95 (small); bazaarwest.com. Handmade Napkins From a company renowned for its handcrafted and universally loved aprons come these linencotton beauties for your table. Napkins, $12.50 each; hedley andbennett.com. Statement Piece When your host has gone above and beyond, a sleek, sculptural accent conveys extreme gratitude— and ensures a repeat invite. Links in resin and wood (18 in.), $365; noble goods.com. Book of Wonder This coffee-table tome is filled with satellite photos of our planet. The patterns revealed from above are mesmerizing.Overview,$40; dailyoverview.com. Color-block Basket Add warmth to your host’s brunches and more with this handwoven serving piece, made of organic-dyed sisal and…

MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS IN A MODERN WORLD WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY AS MY FATHER? IT’S GRATIFYING to be told what you can’t possibly recall. My sons, both still young, laugh hysterically at tales of their infancy—their refusal to nap, their reliance on a pacifier. I hope someday to explain to them why I still have the blue shirt Iwore the day my husband and I sat in a conference room and met our oldest for the first time. It conjures for me that warm October afternoon, our dumbstruck silence in the cab heading to the meeting. Memory is not a record but a theory—a story we tell ourselves, close to the truth but not quite true. But this shirt is proof that my life changed in an instant; it helps…

WHEN INTERIOR designer Georgia Goldberg couldn’t find pet products stylish enough to blend in with her home decor, she took matters into her own hands—and those of her husband, Steve, a restaurateur and nightclub owner. In 2002 the duo opened Muttropolis, an emporium of elevated dog and cat essentials, in Solana Beach, California. Today, with a second location in La Jolla and an e-commerce site, Muttropolis is a go-to for high-end supplies, from gear made by local artisans to natural treats from a neighborhood baker. Georgia gave us a look at the shop’s most popular pet goodies. All products shown are available at muttropolis.com.…

1 PLAY WITH LIGHT Many offices are riddled with abrasive fluorescent fixtures. To combat this, Jana Bek, an Ann Arbor, Michigan?based interior designer, suggests this trio of lighting as space allows: a floor lamp for warm uplighting, a table lamp for a flattering glow (try a pink lightbulb for even more ambience), and a small swing-arm lamp for detailed tasks. For an array of all three types, visit lampsplus.com. 2 HAVE AN INBOX (AHEM, A REAL ONE) “Most people’s ‘inbasket’ is their entire desk,” says David Allen, author of Getting Things Done. “Having a single collection spot for action items clears mental and physical clutter.” And make your inbox a pretty one (Rustic letter tray, $13; staples.com): A 2012 study in Journal of Consumer Research found that selecting products…

“MANY PEOPLE AVOID mail because they have an underlying fear that if they go through the mail too quickly, they’ll throw out something crucial,” says Susan Bartell, PsyD, a psychologist in Port Washington, NewYork,who specializes in life balance. “But seeing that pile on the kitchen counter is anxiety-provoking. It’s a reminder of all the stuffyou haven’t taken care ofyet,which feels overwhelming.” Discipline yourself to tackle mail sooner and it will be less stressinducing, says Bartell. Train yourself to go through it as soon as it’s in your hand and immediately throw out the obvious junk. (Place a recycling bin in the garage or near the front door to prompt you.) “Very quickly, your pile will be less daunting,” she says. It’s easier to make quick decisions if you keep your…

BROWN-BAGGING is one of those things we know are virtuous—thrifty, healthy, timesaving— and yet many of us end up eating takeout anyway. So try focusing less on being virtuous and more on making lunch delicious. Stock up on ingredients you know you’ll enjoy eating. There’s no point buying a ton of lettuce for salads if you’re more of a hot-lunch gal. If you like sandwiches, load up on your favorite bread and a variety of fixings over the weekend and cut up some vegetables the night before. Toss them into your lunch bag for a balanced meal. Some lunches you can—and should—prep in advance. Hearty greens like kale will soften slightly if dressed ahead of time, and leftover soup always improves with age. If you do assemble in the a.m.,…

*SHE’S FICTIONAL! POSSIBLY THE ALL-TIME best compliment I’ve receivedwaswhen two boys in high school told me I reminded them of Elizabeth Bennet.We were reading Pride and Prejudice, a task so delightful I couldn’t believe itwas homework. I loved the book. Lizzy was funny, smart, stubborn, and down-to-earth. Did I possess those qualities? Maybe, if you overlooked my aura of awkwardness. As I grew up, Lizzy Bennet’s influence on me was quite literal: In my late 30s, I wrote my own modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, set in Cincinnati.Writing Eligible offered me the delicious experience of spending years sitting at my desk thinking about Pride and Prejudice (and it counted aswork!). It also prompted me to analyzewhy the novel resonates so deeply. There are multiple reasons—the humor, the romance, the…

AFTER READING MY WORK, people often tell me I am fearless and assume I have a lot of confidence. In truth, I’m just a writer. On the page, I am opinionated and more than willing to share my perspectives. I’ll even share my life and make myself vulnerable if the work demands it. I am firm in my convictions, and I take risks. But without words, I wouldn’t be that way. Most of my childhood memories are of books, and the fondest of these involve Laura Ingalls Wilder and the eight original novels in the Little House on the Prairie series. As an adult with an abiding commitment to social justice, I recognize how problematic these books are, particularly in their unabashed racism toward indigenous people. But I also recognize…

Easy Dinner 1 Pasta With Chicken Sausage, Corn, Leeks, and Mushrooms ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 4 Quick Cooking Family Friendly 8 oz. casarecce or other short pasta 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for pasta water 3 Tbsp. olive oil 1 12-oz. pkg. Italian chicken sausage, sliced crosswise into ¼-in.-thick pieces 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced 2½ cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (from about 4 ears) 2 medium leeks, chopped 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 tsp. lemon zest, plus 2 Tbsp. lemon juice (from 1 lemon) ¼ cup chopped fresh basil COOK pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until almost al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water. MEANWHILE, heat oil in a…

SWEET, TANGY barbecue sauce can be a (non-ketchup!) shortcut to making meals family friendly.Whether brushed onto grilled chicken, folded into meatloaf, or set on the side for dipping, it offers big flavor in a snap. But too often the bottled stuff is overwhelmingly sweet or distractingly smoky. Striking a balance between the two flavors is key. That’s why we make it ourselves, and you can, too.Want more bite? Amp up the vinegar. Less heat? Omit the cayenne. It’s our recipe but your rules. ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES MAKES 2 CUPS 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 cup ketchup ¼ cup lightly packed dark brown sugar 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp.…

MEET DANIELLE JONES DESIGN DIRECTOR AT REAL SIMPLE Where do you find design inspiration? Everywhere. I’m inspired by what’s around me. Summer plans? Lots of outdoor time with my fiancé and my dog. Beach days! What’s your “Get It Done” project? Finally organizing my closet. Shoes everywhere! @DANIELLEJONES713 ON INSTAGRAM SAVOR SUMMER Subscribe to our “Best of Summer” newsletter, and each week we’ll send travel tips, recipes (veggie tacos, anyone?), and more straight to your inbox. Sign up today by visiting realsimple.com/summer. CHECK IT OUT From cleaning to entertaining, we have a checklist for just about everything. Cross items off your to-do list with ease! Find them at realsimple.com/todo. Not Your Ordinary Ice Cream Cone Look closely: There’s a sneaky reason this cone isn’t melting. The “ice cream”…

EVERYTHING OUR EDITORS ARE BUZZING ABOUT THIS MONTH More to Love THE POWER WALK FOR DRESS FOR SUCCESS THIS ANNUAL 5K FUNDRAISER BENEFITS DRESS FOR SUCCESS, WHICH SUPPORTS WOMEN AS THEY WORK TO BECOME FINANCIALLY SELFSUFFICIENT. GO TO DRESSFOR SUCCESS .ORG TO FIND OUT WHEN THE WALK COMES TO A CITY NEAR YOU OR HOW YOU CAN DONATE. WONDER WOMAN IN THEATERS JUNE 2, this Warner Bros. flick will satisfy everyone in your household with epic battle scenes and showstopping World War I–era costumes. ROSÉ FEST THE INAUGURAL EVENT will take place at Sterling Vineyards in Napa Valley on June 24, showcasing wines from some of the nation’s top rose producers. Want in on the fun but can’t make it to California? Pick up a bottle of 2016 Sterling Vintner’s…

A believable bronzer is hard to come by. Some are too light (why bother?); some are too heavy (ew, Oompa Loompa). Lancome Belle de Teint Bronzer and Blush Palette ($45; lancome-usa .com) is just right: two tones of bronzer for warmth and definition, plus two blushes for a healthy flush. Swirl all over your face and collarbone for balanced, beautiful color?without a vacation.…

ABOUT FROZEN PRODUCE How to Freeze Fresh Summer Produce Freezing is great for those times when you overpurchase at the farmers’ market—and way easier than canning. Follow these steps and ta-da: sweet summer peaches (and snap peas and strawberries) in the middle of January. 1.Wash and prepare produce however you plan to use it (slice stone fruit and melon, pit cherries, trim green beans). Blanch and shock veggies; let dry. 2. Freeze items in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent clumping. Once the produce is frozen, pack it into freezer bags, squeezing out excess air, and return to freezer. (It’ll taste best if you use it within one year.) ABOUT OLIVE OIL Choosing the Best Olive Oil We asked Nicholas Coleman, the “oleologist” (that’s an olive…

1 GILD YOUR LIDS Prep your eyelids with a dab of concealer. It will neutralize any discoloration and double as primer, giving shadow something to adhere to (no creasing or fading). Dip a brush into a copper shadow, like NYX Prismatic Shadow in Liquid Gold ($6; nyx cosmetics.com), and apply it to the middle of the lid, sweeping it toward the inner corner of your eye. 2 THROW SHADE Unlike a traditional smoky eye (lighter shade on the lid, darker in the crease), this twotone technique puts lighter shadow on the inner half of the lid and crease and darker on the outer (lightening inner corners makes eyes pop). Using a chocolate shadow?try L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Eyeshadow in Quartz Fume ($6; target.com)?blend from the outer corner of…

Elevate your ensembles with even more striped styles (all under $100!) at realsimple.com/stripes.…

Horticulturist BRIE ARTHUR, 38, FUQUAY - VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA MY JOB: There are days when I’m in the garden from early morning until sundown—I’m always sweaty, dirty, and exposed to the sun. ME + THE SUN: I didn’t take care of my skin when I was younger; I would cover myself in baby oil and use reflective screens to intensify the sun’s effect. Now I try to position myself under the trees and garden in the early morning and early evening, when the sun is not high. I often say I have chlorophyll in my veins and need sunlight to photosynthesize, just like a plant. However, I’m aware of how dangerous the sun’s rays can be to my skin. SUNSCREEN: Gardeners rely on sunscreens that won’t wipe off. The…

WORK, MONEY, AND HEALTH ADVICE FOR BUSY PEOPLE ITINERARY 1 : ROAD TRIP PICK LODGING THAT DOES DOUBLE DUTY “Look for accommodations that are destinations,” says Sarah Waffle Gavin, a travel expert at Expedia. “The more time your kids spend in the pool, the less you’re spending on expensive activities.” Properties like Great Wolf Lodge— a chain with 14 locations in North America—cater to family sleep needs (think: tent-themed privacy partitions and bunk beds) and feature on-site water parks. And if your family does well in warm climates, you could save big this time of year. “The general rule in the summer is the hotter the destination, the hotter the deals are to stay there,” says Gavin. “Places like Las Vegas and Palm Springs are fantastic, and you can save…

F FOR YEARS, the story of myme time—those precious hours between the end of dinner and the beginning of sleep—has read like a handbook titled What Healthy People Don’t Do at Night. Wine. Tube cookie dough. A laptop-tablet-TV trifecta of sleepsabotaging blue light. And, yes, part of this has to do with having children: Preschoolers and teenagers alike have a way of sending parents into a postbedtime roundoff, back handspring, double-pike tumbling pass into our vice of choice. But honestly, I engaged in these subpar evening health habits before kids, too. Because ifyou’re a woman and you spend your day doing anything other than lounging at a pool, you need some time at night to unwind. Time to treat yourself.And, more often than not, time for all bad health to…

CHANCES ARE, you’ve got at least one nice piece of jewelry—whether it’s awedding ring, a family heirloom, or a pair of studs—that could use a little more attention than it normally gets. Dailywear can result in dings and loosened settings, while contact with corrosive materials, like sweat, perfume, and other jewelry, can dull even the shiniest sparklers over time. Diamonds and gold are easy to clean at home with a few drops of dish soap dissolved in warm water, and specialty cleaning cloths for sterling silver are readily available. Costume pieces can be spot-treated with a damp cloth—avoid soap or cleansers, as they may cause discoloration or break down the glue used in settings. At least once a year, a thorough professional cleaning is a good idea for fine jewelry.…

WHEN I GRADUATED from college in 1983, my first jobwas with a big company in Chicago, selling trainloads of raw materials used to make glass. I was the first woman sales rep in my territory. Iwas breaking new ground, though I didn’t think about that—I just thought, “Iwant to make money and live on my own, like Mary Richards.” I watched The Mary Tyler Moore Show as I entered my teens. My own momwas a homemaker for most of my childhood; she became a real estate agent when I was in high school. Back then there were very few single working women, and a TV show about one was radical. To see this alternative life was exciting. Mary throwing her hat in the air exemplified the freedom I wanted so…

IT’S A 10 HAIRCARE MIRACLE LEAVE-IN PRODUCT This stylist-favorite treatment and styling aid delivers 10 benefits—instantly— in one bottle. An ideal solution for smoothing hair, eliminating frizz, and restoring shine, it brings out the natural luster of all hair types and strengthens strands with each use. Check out itsa10haircare.com to order yours today. MRS. T’S® MINI FOUR CHEESE MEDLEY Get together and share a plate full of pierogies loaded with flavor. Whether you enjoy them grilled or sautéed, on a tasty kabob or in a savory salad, Mrs. T’s Minis are the perfect choice to bring a bit of extra flavor to your next get together. Visit mrstspierogies.com for recipes. GLAD® TRASH BAGS WITH THE IRRESISTIBLE SCENT OF GAIN™ Glad® bags, with the irresistible scent of Gain™, can keep your…

1. Wake up under the Broken Herringbone pattern quilt you hand-sewed (BROKEN HERRINGBONE PATTERN QUILT PDF!) and cheerfully hop out of bed and into the ankle boot slippers you made out of dryer lint (SIMPLE FELTED DRYER-LINT SLIPPER TUTORIAL). 2. Get started on one of nine BREAKFAST BOWLS TO JUMP-START YOUR MORNING! Almond butter! Eggs! Pecans! Out of quinoa? Substitute buckwheat! No buckwheat? Toss in some millet! No millet?Get it together?who among us doesn’t have millet?Hahahahaha,that was a great joke, the “no millet” thing. Obviously, you will occasionally run out of millet because your kidsliterally can’t stop eating it,and in that case you can (obviously) substitute eggshells or crumbled pieces of barnwood. If one of them isn’t into the breakfast bowls, you can whip up pancake muffins with raspberry syrup,…

It’s time for dill pickles to come out of hiding?from underneath your burger bun or tucked next to your turkey wrap. Let the spears take a stab at the spotlight! Chop them up and, much like capers, they’ll add savory zest to salad dressing, compound butter (that’s just butter with mix-ins), and even pan sauce. We love Claussen Kosher Dill Spears for their crisp crunch and balanced salty flavor; find them in the refrigerated section at the grocery store. Better stock up?it’s still pretty tempting to eat them straight from the jar. Quick Ideas 1 PICKLE COMPOUND BUTTER Pulse ½ cup softened butter, 3 Tbsp. chopped pickles, 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley, 1 clove chopped garlic, and ½ tsp. each lemon zest, kosher salt, and black pepper in a food processor…

MY TABLE LAMP by artist Jacques Duval- Brasseur looks like an abstract flower made of mixed metals, with stainless-steel petals and a curved bronze base. It’s a limited design from the 1970s that I fell in love with when I first saw it in vintage magazines, but it was expensive and rare. Then, about four years ago at a flea market in Paris, I saw the lamp peeking out at me from one of the stands. I brought it home and put it on the desk in my office so I could enjoy it every day. Nearly two years ago, I moved it onto a console in my dining room. It doesn’t give off a lot of light but rather glows, so we keep it on all the time to…

1 JAMES READ COCONUT MELTING TANNING BALM THE CLAIM: With organic coconut oil and DHA (the sugar that reacts with proteins in skin to create color), this clear balm smooths on like butter and gives you a streak-free tan in eight hours, no rinsing required. EXPERT TAKE: “It smelled sweet, more like Almond Joy than coconut, but it’s subtle,” says Anna Stankiewicz, a celebrity spray-tan artist in New York City. “It’s hard to know if you’re rubbing it in evenly— use the sheen as your guide. Wait 20 minutes before getting dressed, since it takes time to absorb. It took two applications before I noticed color, which is typical of gradual formulas.” BOTTOM LINE: If you have dry skin and want a natural, buildable tan, this is your balm.…

Something Bubbled Over in the Oven. E.E., VIA EMAIL THE FIX: Once the oven has cooled, remove any loose debris with a brush. Then, to soften stuck-on gunk, place a sponge on top of the burned spot and pour a little boiling water over it, says Donna Smallin Kuper, a certified housecleaning technician and the author of Cleaning Plain & Simple. Remove the sponge and repeat to treat other dirty spots. Make a paste with a little hot water and a few tablespoons of baking soda, apply to the spots with the wet sponge, and let it sit overnight. In the a.m., pour a little more boiling water on top and use a scrubby sponge to loosen any remaining gunk. Last step: Add a sheet of aluminum foil to the…

1 PICK THE RIGHT RACE For your first race, opt for a sprint triathlon, which is half the length of the standard Olympic distance, says Ryan Bolton, founder of the Santa Fe coaching group Bolton Endurance Sports Training. And if possible, “sign up for an all-women race, which often has a lot of first-timers,” says Dana Anello White, USA Triathlon Level 1 coach. 2 TRAIN FOR 3 TO 5 MONTHS You’ll need at least 12 weeks to prepare, but 20 is ideal for your first triathlon. Following an online training program is easy and relatively affordable, but if you need more flexibility, work with a coach to personalize your program. 3 GEAR UP No need for a pricey racing bike?a hybrid will work fine. Running shoes, a helmet, sunglasses, good…

Translucent Tints With a rainbow of options, there’s no clear winner (we love ’em all). 1 TED BAKER Yellow can be a tricky color to pull off, but this barely there golden hue looks lovely on all skin tones. TO BUY: $179; lordandtaylor.com. 2 WARBY PARKER Need prescription shades? This company can switch out the regular lenses for your Rx. TO BUY: Ormsby, $95; warbyparker.com. 3 CIRCUS BY SAM EDELMAN The palest purple adds a pop of color to any outfit and flatters without clashing. TO BUY: Wayfarer, $36; lordandtaylor.com. 4 SALT Made from premium acetate-which is more durable than low-priced plastic?this sturdy, polarized pair is lightweight and super comfortable. TO BUY: Tavita, $430; at Bergdorf Goodman (888-774-2424). 5 ROBERT MARC Even the hinges on this vaguely vintage pair, handcrafted…

1 NATALIE MACKEY, 33, COFOUNDER OF COSMETIC LINE WINKY LUX “Mornings used to feel manic because the first thing I did was look at my phone. So I bought an alarm clock and now try not to sleep with my phone next to my bed. I wake up at 6:30 a.m. and visualize the three things I want to get done. I always try to do the toughest thing first, which helps me feel productive and proactive instead of reactive.” 2 ROBERT BATTLE, 44, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER “I find that my creativity is most fertile in the morning. I get up around 7 or 8, and while my eyes are closed, I set an intention for the day. There’s something about the metaphor of morning…

THE BIGGEST REASONwe lose track of laundry midway through the process can be summarized by the adage “Out of sight, out of mind,” explains Meg Selig, author of Changepower! 37 Secrets to Habit Change Success. “Once laundry is in thewasher or dryer, it requires effort to remember it. So set up a cue to remind yourself that it’s in there, like leaving the laundry basket on your favorite chair. That way you’ll think, ‘Before I sit down, I should switch the laundry to the dryer.’ ” It also helps to find ways to make the task more pleasant, adds Julie Bestry, a pro organizer and productivity specialist: “Get rid of any clutter in the laundry room and install a valet hook, a rolling clothes rack, or a retractable clothesline. In…

MELON WITH CITRUS, MINT, AND PINK PEPPERCORNS ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 6 1 small cantaloupe, rind removed, seeded and thinly sliced 2 navel oranges 1 lime 1 tsp. pink peppercorns, coarsely chopped Small handful of fresh mint leaves 2 Tbsp. olive oil Flaky salt, for serving ARRANGE cantaloupe on a platter. CUT peel and pith from oranges using a sharp paring knife. Working directly over the platter, cut between membranes to release the orange segments over cantaloupe. Squeeze juice from remaining membranes. ZEST the lime over the cantaloupe using a microplane or the small holes of a box grater. Cut the lime in half and squeeze juice over fruit, tossing gently to coat. Sprinkle with pink peppercorns, top with mint, drizzle with oil, and season…

IWAS BORN RIGHT AFTERThe Color Purple came out, so I feel like Celie and I are the same age. I was probably 6when I first saw the movie. There were no real rules in my house about what we could watch. Then, in junior high, I read the book. Therewas nothing easy for Celie. Shewas struggling left and right, handed from one horrible man to another. And thewhole time Iwas reading about her, I was dealing with depression. I didn’t realize it as depression at the time, but every time I felt really, really low, Iwould pick up The Color Purple and read about Celie’s pain and how her struggle made her who shewas, and it made me feel better about my life. Because at least my daddy didn’t sell…

JUNE THIS TIME OF YEAR ushers in high season for gorgeous, ripe produce, from slender, snappable beans to crunchy lettuce. Get more green in your life by packing a healthy salad for lunch (we road tested our favorite containers on page 171). Or cook through this month’s easy, vegetable-centric recipes to find a new favorite. Enjoy it with a glass of lemonade (page 178), then head for the nearest hammock. COOK WITH COZI GetReal Simple’s easy weeknight-dinner recipes in Cozi, a free meal-planning and organizing app from Time Inc. (available on iTunes and Google Play). Go to realsimple.com/ dailyrecipe to have new favorite recipes delivered to your inbox every day.…

REAL SIMPLE ROAD TEST 1 BEST FOR LEFTOVERS OXO Good Grips 5.1 Cup SNAP Container Made from lightweight BPA-free plastic, this dishwasher-safe workhorse can go straight from freezer to microwave. A snug lid prevents leaks, and the large compartment holds a big serving of anything from salad to last night’s pasta. TO BUY: $7; oxo.com. 2 BEST FOR A SMORGASBORD Takenaka Bento Box Expanded Double If you’re the type who likes to pack a little of this, a little of that, you’ll love the three compartments in this stackable, beautiful box. It comes in a rainbow of irresistible pastel colors, each with a snap-in fork. TO BUY: $40; takenaka-global.com. 3 BEST FOR COMPACT STORAGE Blue Water Bento Seal Cups When you’re not packing salad dressing in the tiny container…