Tabla de contenidos para October 2023 en Real Simple

Real Simple|October 2023

All Things in Moderation

THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART is one of my favorite places in New York City. It’s a minimalist paradise, with a clean and spare interior that lets the world-class artwork shine. But when I go, I don’t spend a lot of time with the actual minimalists—instead, you’ll usually find me among the abstract expressionists. I’m in thrall to those de Koonings, Joan Mitchells, and Jackson Pollocks with their bold bursts of paint—brushed, splattered, and smeared in gorgeous, busy, balletic splendor. I’m drawn to the contrast between the spartan rooms and the joyful chaos of the works hung there, their wildness hemmed in by the firm, final borders of the frames. It all combines for a sense of balance that makes me happy and calm. Our sixth annual REAL SIMPLE…

2 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

What’s Your Most Irrational Phobia?

Bees! Just the sight of them makes me cry. I can’t control it. @JUST_4_JES Balloons. The sounds, the smells, the textures (flat or blown up). Horrendous, all of it! @TOMMIE_GRANT The ocean. It makes up about 71% of the earth, yet more than 80% is still unexplored. I don’t like those odds. I’m content vibing with the land part of the earth. The! Ocean! Is! Terrifying! EMILY BAKER ROCHESTER, NEW YORK Outer space. It just doesn’t end? It goes on and on forever? I will never get there in my lifetime, thank goodness. EMILY SCHROEDER BUFFALO, MINNESOTA Down escalators. I can go up. I just can’t go down! @MEGGOOTZA Getting lost in an underwater cave while scuba diving. Have I ever been in an underwater cave? Nope. Do I scuba…

3 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Home Office Reset

CHEERY FILE CABINET Say buh-bye to bulky, boring file cabinets and hellooo to this two-toned stunner. The upper drawers feature adjustable dividers, and the bottom file holder fits letter- and legal-size hanging folders. All three sections can be locked in one fell swoop to secure your top-secret stuff—and that bag of candy you’re trying to stretch out until Friday. Poppin 3-Drawer Stow Locking Filing Cabinet, $349; containerstore.com INBOX UPGRADE Stash your deal-with-it-later papers in this chic, sturdy lacquered bin. Just make sure you get to them eventually! Clara Resin Inlay Decorative Box, $80; crateandbarrel.com DOUBLE-DUTY LAMP This zero-glare LED task light brings more to the table than most: It’s got a built-in charging pad for your phone and earbuds. Talia Desk Lamp, $198; store.moma.org DISPLAY PIECE Sit tall with this…

1 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Spice up Your Night

IDEAS, DIYS & REALLY GOOD TIPS WHILE THERE’S A long list of grocery store shortcuts that just make sense (salad kits, rotisserie chicken, simmer sauces), spice blends aren’t usually on it, mostly because they’re needlessly expensive. You can mix up your own taco seasoning for pennies on the dollar compared with the cost of a packet. Plus, by going the DIY route, you’re able to make more on demand. And you’re in control—you can add more heat or salt as you wish and start with better raw ingredients. That’s key: You want to use fresh, high-quality herbs and spices (though not literally fresh—you’re going with dried here), says Lior Lev Sercarz, chef and founder of the global spice brand La Boîte and author of A Middle Eastern Pantry. “Dried herbs…

3 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Your Entire Shower

Tub & Shower Floor Fun fact: The best time to clean your tub or shower is right after you’re done using it, because (a) the steam from your bathing session loosens grime and mildew, and (b) the soap scum won’t have had time to settle. Get out, towel off, and spritz surfaces with Clorox Tilex Daily Shower Cleaner ($4 for 32 oz.; walmart.com). For a deeper clean every couple of weeks, reach for Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer ($5 for 32 oz.; amazon.com) or fill a bucket with two gallons of warm water, then add half a cup of powdered dishwasher detergent (it’s formulated to cut through grease, after all!). With either solution, use a soft sponge, as anything too abrasive can damage the finish. Tile & Grout That detergent…

3 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

In Case of Emergency

AFTER A SUMMER OF epically terrible storms and wildfires, many of us are probably a little more on edge than usual. And the feeling is statistically justified: According to the American Red Cross, everyone in the United States is at risk of experiencing at least one natural disaster at any given time. That includes—but is not limited to—fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and extreme heat and cold. The climate crisis is increasing both the frequency and severity of these events, warns Jennifer Pipa, vice president of disaster services for the American Red Cross. “It’s critically important for families to prepare for hazards that could impact their communities,” she says, adding that pets should be part of your plan. (They’re members of the fam, after all!) Here’s how you can keep your…

4 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Rest Insured

LET’S START WITH A QUIZ. True or false: “Coinsurance” refers to the fee you pay for medical appointments. The answer is false. Got it wrong? Lots of folks did: Of 2,000 people surveyed by Forbes Advisor last year, 77 percent missed it. (Coinsurance is the portion of the medical bill you’re responsible for after you meet your deductible; your insurer pays the rest. It’s not to be confused with a copay, which is what you fork over on the spot for a service.) The survey confirmed that most of us are confused about health insurance. “With a topic as complicated as this, the only thing you can do is take it step by step,” says Caitlin Donovan, a senior director with the National Patient Advocate Foundation, a group that lobbies…

5 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Very Superstitious

NOPE. Throwing salt over your shoulder when a shaker topples does not have magical powers to influence the future. But a bunch of us still do it! In fact, some estimates find that more than half of Americans are superstitious in some way. Researchers say it’s a control thing—an attempt to manage the uncertainty of life. The human brain is inclined to seek out cause-and-effect relationships to find order in the chaos, but sometimes it gets too eager to make connections and mistakes a coincidence for a consequence. Superstitious beliefs are then passed down in families and cultures, taking root in our psyches. Suddenly black cats are getting the cold shoulder. Read on to learn about a few superstitions that persist today. No judgments if you’re a believer! Or…

2 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Pears

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE It’s time this sweet fall fruit stops playing second fiddle to the apple. SHOP Look for pears free of cuts and bruises. But know that rough brown spots, called russeting, are A-OK and don’t affect the flavor. STORE Pears will continue to ripen at room temp. To speed up the process, store multiples in a paper bag. Once they’re ripe, put them in the crisper for up to five days. EAT Softer varieties, like Bartlett and Starkrimson, are best as a snack, on a cheese board, or sliced into salads. Bake firm varieties, like Bosc and Concorde, into sweet or savory tarts (they’re fab with bacon). Juicy Anjou pears, pictured, shine raw or cooked.…

1 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Should Jeans Be Washed After Every Wear?

Readers Say… Uh, Yeah! “You don’t realize what kinds of germs you’re carrying around after sitting on public surfaces. It’s like wearing your dirty shoes around your house!” @TRIXIEE_2015 “Why would you put dirty clothes on?” @CINDY_KENNEDY2 “Yes. I just can’t bring myself to wear them again without washing them.” @R.HART Nah! “Wash only when stained, soiled, or smelly.” @GGGMD “If the jeans are for riding on a Harley motorcycle, you are to never wash them! So says my husband!” @NORAANNCRAIG “I’m an every-two-or-three-wears kind of gal, barring any mishaps.” @MARYTMCCOY The Experts Say… Unless you got unusually filthy today, you can keep them out of the laundry. “Jeans generally don’t rub directly against the body parts that tend to have the most bacteria,” says Kathleen Stanton, a scientist at…

2 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Contributors

Hannah Baker REAL SIMPLE SENIOR HOME EDITOR Meet the newest member of our team! Hannah has an eye for design and always knows exactly what to buy. Where did you grow up? Athens, Georgia. We have a great music scene and delish food. So many people I love still live there, and I can’t wait for my next visit. Favorite item in your home: An antique library card catalog I got on the street. It’s mainly decorative, but it also stores odds and ends. Everyday uniform: I love vintage, oversize men’s button-ups. They’re versatile, classic, and often much better quality than women’s shirts. Christopher Testani PHOTOGRAPHER Once again, Christopher shot the REAL SIMPLE Home for us (page 82). Once again, he nailed it. Where’s your happy place? The Finger…

2 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Great Snakes

FOR SELF-CARE, HOME CARE & ALL YOUR OTHER CARES MISTAKES YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU WERE MAKING Area Rugs Los Angeles–based interior designer Jaqui Seerman rolls out suggestions for fixing common slipups and getting a space that’ll floor you. You’re Not Spending Enough “Invest in a rug. It will perform better over time and save you money in the long run,” Seerman says. (You’ll also avoid wasting afternoons vacuuming up tumbleweeds.) Cheaper rugs often mean cheaper quality. Look for one that’s tightly woven—the more knots per square inch, the more durable the rug tends to be. You’re Going Too Small Your space will seem off if your rug doesn’t fill it properly. In most cases, at least the front legs of all your furniture (chairs, sofas, side tables, everything!) should be…

2 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Genius Beauty

1 A MINI MASTERPIECE Curated and compact, this palette houses a champagne highlighter and four blendable neutrals you can mix and match for endless easy eye looks. I love wearing the green as liner. Lancôme x Louvre Richelieu Wing Palette, $89; ulta.com 2 PORE PURGER I’ve been reaching for this clay mask in the morning whenever I’ve conked out with makeup still on (oopsie!). I wash my bod and shave while the mask draws out gunk, calms redness, and smells like a spa. Mmm, eucalyptus. Squalane + 10% Azelaic Acid Shower Mask, $42; biossance.com 3 MAGIC WAND This well-designed mascara brush features 220 wavy bristles that separate lashes for a fanned-out, fluttery effect. Of course, the mascara is nice too: Nourishing rice wax and vitamin B5 keep lashes from feeling…

1 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Sipping Outside My Comfort Zone

TAKE ME TO A BAR, and I’ll order the most mezcal- or tequila-forward cocktail on the menu. Offer me a drink at your place, and I’ll ask for Campari or gin. What I have historically never, ever gone for is brown spirits. Especially bourbon—it always seemed too harsh, too strong, too not for me. Elizabeth McCall, master distiller at the major bourbon brand Woodford Reserve, says she’s heard my story before. “The biggest hurdle for many women has been the stereotype of the typical bourbon drinker: an older man with a drink in a library with a cigar.” But she says that’s changing. “Women are now driving the bourbon category.” And it’s definitely going places. Bourbon production has grown by 360 percent in the last two decades, according to the…

4 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

5 Tricks for an Even Better Candle Season

USE Spaghetti TO Light a Hard-to-Reach Pillar Pasta can do so many things! It can feed a hungry crowd, become a kindergartner’s craft necklace…and handily light a wick that’s sitting deep inside a tall hurricane vase or lantern. That’s right. Instead of awkwardly trying to wriggle a lighter or match in there (and risking burning yourself!), take an uncooked piece of spaghetti (a.k.a. a spaghetto) and kindle one end with a lighter. Then use your noodle to get the candle going. USE Rubber Bands TO Straighten Wobbly Tapers Tilted tapers are a no-no for two reasons. First: They can make your lovely table setup look wonky. Second, and worse: They’re a serious fire hazard! To straighten them out, wrap a rubber band around the base of the candle, the way…

2 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Make Every Day of Vacay the Best It Can Be

WE’VE ALL MADE that joke about how we need a vacation after our vacation. It’s funny because it’s true! On some trips, you work so hard at maximizing each moment, you run yourself ragged. On others, you feel like you didn’t get to do half of what you’d hoped. The solution is balance, says Jerry Justin Alexidor, founder and CEO of Black Zama, a Tulum, Mexico–focused travel company. “Doing activities and exploring the culture of a place are important, but you should also give yourself time to actually relax,” he says. Here are tricks for nailing that vacation vibe every single day you’re away. Departure Day You’ve wrapped up as much work as you possibly could, set your out-of-office message, and put pinch hitters in place. (We know this…

5 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

When Bad Behavior Happens to Good People

WE MAY THINK of toxic behavior as tossing insults or hurling plates. Often, though, it’s much more subtle. Those little white lies you tell to avoid owning up to mistakes? A kind of gaslighting. Letting out a loud sigh when cleaning up a mess your spouse left? A wee bit passive aggressive. Sometimes these actions are intentional. Sometimes they happen without much thought. Either way, they’re not great. And they can erode the bonds of a relationship, warns Robin Stern, PhD, cofounder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and senior adviser to its director. “That’s why it’s so important to identify and talk through what’s happening,” she adds. The first step is understanding toxicity so you can spot it in yourself and others. The next is dealing with it,…

6 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Movin’ on Up

Primary Bedroom David Quarles IV@david.quarlesiv The Memphis, Tennessee–based designer created a playful oasis featuring mixed patterns, lush textures…and a tiger pillow triptych. He took color inspo from the city below, with an orange shag rug (the sunset), navy blue walls (the night sky), and an earthy green bed and ceiling (the trees). Speaking of the ceiling, the overhead light (seen on previous page) is actually three identical pendants, hung at varying heights to look like a custom fixture. An accent wall displays the ’70s-style biophilic wallpaper David designed and named after his grandma, Ruth (aww!). “I’m putting the jungle back in concrete jungle,” he says. Office Michelle Gage@michellecgage You can do a little wallpaper, or you can do a lot! Michelle went with option B. “I try to strike a…

10 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

5 Easy Dinners

#1 / Skillet Chicken With Grapes & Shallots ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Dairy-Free 1 cup instant polenta1½ tsp. kosher salt, divided¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided8 4-to-6-oz. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs1 Tbsp. olive oil1 cup seedless red grapes4 medium shallots, trimmed and quartered¼ cup dry white wine2 Tbsp. drained capers3 to 4 sprigs thyme, plus 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves for topping PREHEAT oven to 475°F. Cook polenta according to package directions, using ¼ teaspoon salt. Cover and set aside. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper over both sides of chicken thighs. Heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add 4 chicken thighs, skin side down; cook until golden brown and easily lifted from…

5 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

REAL SIMPLE Everywhere

IN YOUR ROOM Pack up Those Hotel Vibes For a luxurious, five-star stay in your own home (where checkout is never o’clock), head over to realsimple.com/boutiquehome. Settle in and you’ll find bedding ideas, bathroom tricks, and more. IN YOUR WALLET Big Deals Score 10% off your first order of fine or children’s art from minted.com using the code RSNCART and get free shipping on print orders totaling $500 or more with RSFREESHIP. Valid 9/22/23 through 12/31/23. ON YOUR CALENDAR Get Your Flu Shot Now’s the time! And this year, there’s a new shot to consider: the RSV vaccine, available to high-risk groups (including people over 60 or under 8 months). Schedule yours, then learn how to get through these germy months at realsimple.com/fluseason.…

1 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Clever Items

1 WET & WILD This adorable towel has a different design on each side. More importantly, it’s made of recycled plastic bottles (five!) and can absorb up to seven times its weight. The Double Sided Kitchen Towel, $18; buzzeewraps.com 2 SUPER BOWL A double-walled stainless-steel serving bowl that keeps food cold—or hot—for hours on end? Get outta here! The large one ($80) holds 2½ quarts. Vacuum-Insulated Serving Bowl, from $50; shopserved.com 3 SOAP STAR Make washing dishes butter! Er, better. This refillable ceramic container hides a semisolid soap that you dab at with a wet brush or sponge. One block can replace two or three bottles of the liquid stuff. Dish Butter, $25; nelliesclean.com 4 MAIN SQUEEZE For everyone who’s struggled to open a drawer because of their citrus squeezer:…

1 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

The Books List

Historical Fiction Two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward’s new novel, Let Us Descend, is set in the South before the Civil War. Annis, an enslaved teenager in the Carolinas, gets sold by the man who fathered her to a slave market in New Orleans. As she walks all the way there, she survives by summoning memories of her mother and visions of an ancestral spirit. The writing is so visceral that you truly feel Annis’s experience, making the latest from one of our greatest literary minds a devastating, deeply moving masterpiece. Inspiring Memoir In How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair, the poet, now in her late 30s, recounts growing up in Jamaica with a strict Rastafarian father. In their home, women were expected to be obedient above all…

2 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Apple Spice Doughnut Bread Pudding

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES SERVES 10 12 glazed yeast doughnuts (about 26 oz. total)2 large eggs1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk½ cup heavy cream2 tsp. pure vanilla extract1 tsp. kosher salt½ tsp. ground nutmeg3 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish2 large Honeycrisp apples, chopped (about 3¼ cups)¼ cup packed light brown sugarVanilla ice cream, for serving PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart or 9-inch square baking dish with butter. Cut doughnuts into eighths. Scatter in baking dish. WHISK eggs, condensed milk, cream, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour mixture over doughnuts; toss gently to combine. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature for 10 minutes, stirring twice.…

1 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Baby Got Back…Trouble

IT IS A TRUTH universally acknowledged (by most spine specialists, anyway) that if you’re an adult, you either have had back trouble, will have back trouble, or are having back trouble right this minute. According to a study in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, an estimated 80 percent of people in the United States will experience lower back pain at least once—but Brett A. Freedman, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, believes the figure is actually closer to 100 percent. “Part of understanding back pain is understanding that it’s part of being human,” Freedman says. In fact, a Mayo Clinic study found that it’s one of the top three reasons people go to the doctor (after skin issues and joint pain). Why…

8 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

The Power of Small Rituals

ADVICE, INSPIRATION & A LITTLE PEACE OF MIND ALMOST EVERY WEEK, Maryam Ajayi goes to her local farmers market to buy flowers. “I walk around, smelling the different types, touching their petals, seeing what emotions they spark,” she says. “I let my intuition guide me.” When she gets home, she arranges her flowers with care, making the process into, well, a bit of a thing. “It always leaves me feeling more grounded and joyful,” says Ajayi, founder and CEO of Dive in Well, an organization that promotes inclusivity in mental health and wellness. And the flowers’ impact is long-lasting: “When I look at them during the week, they remind me of nature, the good energy I’ve brought into my home.” The word “ritual” may make you think of pomp…

8 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Modern Manners

Q GRACE ASKS… How can I leave a party without calling attention to myself, while still being polite and thanking the host? Grace, I heart this question so much! When I’m at a party, I personally love to go straight to the host, wait till they’re done with their conversation, and not only thank them for an amazing time but also let them know who I met at the party, how much fun their friends are, and which snack was my favorite. Party hosts really appreciate those little details. Let me tell you, Grace, I also love to host parties, and I’m always grateful when someone comes to me (when I’m not in the middle of three things) to tell me how much fun they had before they say goodbye.…

5 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Squash Season

Grilled Honeynut & Cabbage Salad With Miso-Mustard Dressing ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar3 Tbsp. white miso2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup1 Tbsp. spicy brown mustard1 clove garlic, finely grated⅓ cup olive oil, plus more for cabbage1½ lb. honeynut or red kuri squash (about 2 honeynut or 1 red kuri), trimmed, halved, seeded, and sliced lengthwise into ½-in. wedges½ napa cabbage, trimmed and halved through center into 2 large wedgesKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper1 5-oz. head radicchio, trimmed, leaves torn into bite-size piecesRoasted salted pepitas and fresh mint leaves, for topping (optional) WHISK vinegar, miso, syrup, mustard, and garlic in a small bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. PREHEAT grill or a grill pan to medium…

8 min.

Real Simple|October 2023

Falafel Bites with Tzatziki

ACTIVE TIME 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 6 1 small Persian cucumber¾ cup plain Greek-style yogurt1 tsp. lemon zest plus 2 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon)3½ Tbsp. olive oil, divided, plus moreif needed½ cup chopped fresh dill, divided¼ cup chopped fresh mint, plus more for topping1¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided2 cloves garlic1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry½ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves⅓ cup chopped yellow onion1 tsp. seeded and chopped serrano chile5 Tbsp. all-purpose or chickpea flour2 Tbsp. tahini¾ tsp. ground cumin½ tsp. baking powder GRATE cucumber on largest holes of a box grater. Squeeze to remove excess liquid. Stir together yogurt, cucumber, lemon zest and juice, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon dill, 1 tablespoon mint, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.…

1 min.