Tabla de contenidos para October 2024 en Real Simple

I LOVE A GOOD GUT RENO as much as the next guy. But you know what I really love? When, rather than scrapping what’s there and starting over, the gut-ers look at a place’s bones, see the beauty in it, and work with that. This is what our designers did for the big ol’ Brooklyn brownstone serving as this year’s REAL SIMPLE Home. Now, some show homes are heavy on the show and light on the home. They’re often nice places to visit—with bold concepts, cool accent lamps, and great ideas for wallpaper in your powder room—but you wouldn’t want to live there. We call ours an “ideas home.” You’ll find both the fantasy and the reality, beautiful rooms you want to move right into (I do!) and on-trend…

Lawn Put down the rake! Our experts suggest mowing your leaves—and leaving the bits and pieces in your wake. Why? They help contain weeds and, as they decompose, fertilize the soil with nutrients your grass needs, like nitrogen. During your final mowing session of the season, keep the grass on the longer side—around three inches. (The precise length depends on your region and the type of grass you have.) Taller grass has longer roots, which are able to reach more nutrients during winter and beyond. To further help grass get those nutrients, you may want to aerate your soil. Heavy rainfall in the spring and summer can compact dirt, making it harder for roots to penetrate. Rent a power aerator (from about $80 a day) and get to work punching…

Why Do I Want a Second Pet? To put it bluntly: The only good reason to get another pet is that you want one, says Ellen Lindell, VMD, a veterinary behaviorist in Asheville, North Carolina. It sounds a little selfish, yes, but you should get Dog Two for you—not for Dog One. While people often want a new dog to keep their first dog company, that just isn’t a great motive. In fact, when it comes to separation anxiety, research published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that having another dog in the house actually seems to increase symptoms. And if you’re hoping a new dog can show a skittish one how to be chiller, that’s also unlikely. “The chances of a second pet helping with any…

Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia “Situated on a cliff over the Mediterranean Sea, and full of beautiful whitewashed buildings with blue doors, Sidi Bou Said is one of my favorite places. It reminds me of Santorini, Greece—but without the swarm of tourists and high prices. Go to soak up the rich history of the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs.”LUCY HSU CALGIRL2003 Kyrgyzstan “Kyrgyzstan could be the next New Zealand when it comes to adventure tourism. This small, landlocked Asian country features spectacular landscapes, including snowcapped mountains and turquoise Alpine lakes. I was blown away by the beauty of Issyk-Kul Lake and Fairy Tale Canyon.”SANJAY SHARMA SANJAY1 São Tomé and Príncipe “I’ve been to more than 185 countries, and I don’t think there are many, if any, places on earth more beautiful than…

Pick Your Ultimate Destination Chances are, you already have something in mind. But if your bucket list is 30 places deep, you’re going to have to do some editing, says Kira McNeil, Latin America travel consultant for the global luxury travel company Scott Dunn. To narrow it down, think about previous vacations that still stand out to you and what made them so special, she suggests. Are you looking for something like that ski trip from five years ago—but even better? Or a far-flung spa where you can relax like you’ve never relaxed before? Cross off anything that doesn’t fit the bill until you’re down to a winner (or winners, plural, that take you in the same direction and might be combined into a megatrip). You could also scroll…

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 6 TO 8 2 Tbsp. olive oil1 medium yellow onion, chopped4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (about 4 tsp.)3 15-oz. cans black beans, drained2 28-oz. cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes1 15-oz. can corn, undrained¼ cup dry quinoa¼ cup ketchup3 Tbsp. salted butter2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce2 Tbsp. chili powder1 Tbsp. dried oregano1 Tbsp. garlic powder1 Tbsp. cumin1½ tsp. kosher salt1 Tbsp. smoked paprika (optional)Shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced scallions, cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, and/or plain Greek yogurt, for topping (optional) HEAT oil in a large pot over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, quinoa, ketchup, butter, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and 1 cup water. Bring…

One Halloween I went as a traffic light. My dad made it out of a cardboard box. The lights actually worked, and I could toggle between the colors with a controller. SARCASMWEARSEYELINER About 14 years ago, I made my own version of Björk’s swan dress. I’ve made a point to wear it many Halloweens since because of how much time I put into creating it. L.O.V.E.TERRA My friends and I were the Golden Girls, and I’ve never seen anyone do it as spot-on as we did. It’s the best holiday and never too early to talk about it or start planning. MICHELLE. ROTHENBERG We used a 50-pound sack of dog kibble as an outfit for my daughter. We cut out armholes and a hole on top for her head. Her…

1 FIRE STATION It’s s’mores season year-round thanks to this indoor-outdoor fireplace. It comes with six clean-burning, smoke-free gel canisters that last about three hours each. Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel Fireplace, $700; solostove.com 2 DRINKING BUDDY A total marvel, this steel straw has a microfilter that removes 99.9% of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and dirt in tap water, so you can confidently sip safely. LifeStraw Sip, $35; lifestraw.com 3 POP STAR Are errant kernels ruining your popcorn experience? The bottom of this stoneware bowl acts as a colander to sift out the ones that didn’t pop. The Popcorn Bowl with Kernel Sifter, $48; uncommongoods.com 4 CLICK BAIT These BPA-free plastic containers have magnetic screw-top lids that click and stack together for streamlined storage. The lids also have removable tabs for your labeling fun. 3-Pack, from…

Miso In The Global Pantry Cookbook, authors Ann Taylor Pittman and Scott Mowbray use the traditional Japanese soybean paste to up the umami in a French onion soup, season garlic butter for shrimp scampi, and even boost caramel sauce. “It adds a kind of richness and pleasant funkiness common in fermented foods,” Pittman says. For a mild, versatile option, reach for white miso, and add it during the final stages of cooking to preserve its delicate flavors. Look for it next to the tofu or dressings in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. Tahini Tahini, a sesame seed paste widely used in Middle Eastern cooking, creates a creaminess that’s especially handy in vegan cooking, says Remy Morimoto Park, author of Sesame, Soy, Spice. “I use it to thicken…

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE A hybrid of butternut and buttercup squashes, this petite, relatively new-to-the-scene veggie has sweet, velvety flesh and delicate skin that doesn’t need to be peeled. SHOP Choose hard squash that feels heavy for its size. STORE It’ll last for a few weeks at cool room temperature in a well-ventilated spot, like on a countertop. COOK Halve, remove the seeds and strings, and rub the flesh with olive oil. Season with salt and roast, cut side down, on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet until tender. Eat as is, drizzle with pesto, or scoop out the flesh and add to salads. As with pumpkins, you can roast the seeds for a snack.…

Readers Say… Paper Towels “I’m a paper towel user. Then I turn off the faucet and open the door with it. I count on no one to wash their hands.” TANJAMCGUCKIAN “I would rather wipe my hands on my pants than use the germ blower.” MARGIESME Hand Dryer “I use paper towels because my kids don’t like the loud noise the hand dryer makes. Sans kids, I use the hand dryer to reduce waste.” ALYSSA.BEEEE “Hand dryers keep restrooms clean from trash everywhere, so I use them. We’re so scared of germs in this society.” KAREN.GARCES.7 It Doesn’t Matter “Something is better than nothing. As long as you wash your hands, it’s a step in the right direction.” ILANASEGAL18 “I really don’t know what the big deal is. I’m almost…

If You’re Going to Paris STOP BY Marseille Chances are, you don’t need more things on your Parisian to-do list. But here are some ideas anyway: Hit up Le Marais (it’s the neighborhood for boutiques, bars, and galleries), shop at Merci (travel with plenty of room in your suitcase for all the home goods and clothing you’ll find), and check out the Oval Room at the National Library of France (featuring more than 20,000 books). Once you’ve crossed as much as possible off said list, head to Marseille. This southern city is the second most populated in France but not overrun with visitors. An hour-long flight (Air France typically offers about 10 direct flights a day), eight-hour drive, or three-hour-and-change train ride will get you there. Once you arrive, meander…

The Mills House Hotel Charleston, South Carolina YEAR BUILT 1836 FAMOUS GUESTS Princess Caroline of Monaco, Teddy Roosevelt, Elizabeth Taylor MAJOR MOMENT Before becoming the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, Joseph Rainey ran his barber shop on the ground floor of the hotel in the 1850s. WHY IT’S STILL COOL Located in the city’s historic district, it’s a convenient spot for on-foot exploring. When you feel like relaxing at your home base, the rooftop pool is a must-swim. From $259 a night; millshouse.com Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort Tucson, Arizona YEAR BUILT 1929 FAMOUS GUESTS Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, John Wayne MAJOR MOMENT The resort was originally built as a boarding school for girls and hosted students from some of the…