Table of contents for March 2024 in Real Simple

HOW’D YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT? If you answered, “Soundly and for the prescribed 7½ hours,” bully for you! But if you’re like the third of Americans who don’t get enough z’s, you might have had trouble winding down. It’s not your fault, even if you rolled into one too many episodes of Yellowstone, or doomscrolled, or drank coffee after 3 p.m. or wine after 8 p.m. We all know rest is important. We know how darn good we feel when we manage to get a solid stretch of it. It’s just that our hyperstimulated, task-addled brains aren’t always able to shift into sleep mode when they should. I can fall asleep like a champ, often in inappropriate places, like the subway, the living room floor, my office. (Our readers do…

DISPLAY BOWLS Put your favorite stuff on a pedestal! Kinda literally! Made of durable borosilicate glass, these fun, jewel-toned dishes can be mixed and matched to create a pretty vignette featuring your most-worn bits and bobs. Pedestal Trinket Dishes, $20 each; anthropologie.com Small Bubble Dish, $52; mcachicagostore.org BAUBLE BOX Sleek and compact, this wooden case has eight cushy compartments, a mirror, and a drawer that pulls all the way out. Medium Cream Jewelry Box, $149; crateandbarrel.com STACKABLE SORTER This velvet-lined tray expands from 12 to almost 19 inches wide to fit snugly in drawers. If your collection rivals a royal’s, nest one on top of another. Stackers Medium Jewelry Tray, $50; containerstore.com WALL ORGANIZER Is it a work of art or storage? Both! This modern walnut shelf has space for your dangliest items to…

PAIRING WINE AND FOOD can seem oh-so serious, like if you don’t match your meal with the exact right varietal, you’ll not only be doomed to a dreadful dinner but harrumphed out of the restaurant…or your kitchen, where those wine snobs in your head are waiting to judge you. The pressure is enough to make me throw up my hands and open yet another bottle of Sancerre. But pairing is a thing for a reason, says sommelier Vanessa Price, who’s a managing partner at Mavericks Montauk, a beautiful, buzzy restaurant in Montauk, New York. “The wine you’re drinking and the food you’re eating may be delicious on their own. When they work well together, though, you get a crescendo of yumminess. That goes for a fancy restaurant meal or a…

Garlic & Rosemary Focaccia ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 10 HOURS, 15 MINUTES SERVES 10 2⅓ cups warm water (110°F)1 ¼-oz. envelope instant or quick-rising yeast¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for hands4 tsp. kosher salt (preferably Diamond Crystal)5 cups (about 21 ¼ oz.) all-purpose flourFlaky sea salt (such as Maldon)2 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary WHISK water, yeast, and 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl until yeast is dissolved. Whisk in kosher salt. Stir in flour with a rubber spatula until a sticky dough forms, almost like a very thick batter, and no dry bits of flour remain. Scrape down sides of bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until doubled in volume, at least 8 hours…

1 BEST BUDS Use these borosilicate pieces as two separate vases, or stack them for a color-blocked look. You’re in charge here! Block Design Stacking Glass Vase, $57; elsislosangeles.com 2 HEELING BALM Put your best foot forward with this glide-on wax stick. Loaded with hydrating vegan squalane and organic oils, it can soften and repair dry, cracked heels. Solemate Heel Repair Balm, $14; voesh.com 3 MAGIC WAND Did you know that copper has antimicrobial properties that can kill more than 99.9% of bacteria? Science! Simply roll this rod around in your hand for gloop-free, on-the-go sanitizing. Hand Roller, $33; staywellcopper.com 4 SALTY SOLUTION The folks at Morton are making cleaners out of their salt! With hypochlorous acid (a gentle disinfectant), this spray can safely break down germs on floors, counters,…

1 SUNSHINE IN A BOTTLE Made with 21 organic plant extracts that can help boost mood, this fragrance (featuring notes of orange blossom, white flowers, and vanilla that’s slightly salty) legit puts a long-lasting pep in my step. DedCool Sunlit Blooms, $90; sephora.com 2 HELPING HAND Even after lots of handwashing, I feel soothed by this quick-to-absorb lotion. For a fun mini massage, rub the container’s rounded edges into your palms. Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream, $18; sephora.com 3 A NEW BALL GAME Meet my go-to weapon against puffiness and redness: this serum with anti-inflammatory arnica! I roll it onto clean skin after a workout or night out for fast results. The Depuffer, $38; dridriss.com 4 CHEEKY FUN Take the confusion out of contouring. Swipe the blush-highlighter onto…

Simple Skin Care Is Best “A few years ago, I noticed my face had red, dry, scaly, itchy, irritated spots all over it. I threw on every lotion and potion. And I thought, You know, I’m working a lot. I have a lot of makeup and prosthetics on my face. I figured maybe it was some sort of allergic reaction. But when the symptoms persisted and nothing was helping, I finally went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis—a.k.a. eczema. It’s seasonal for me and tends to flare up when it’s really dry and cold. I found some lifestyle changes that help. I eat a lot of salmon and anything with omega-3s, which help my skin retain moisture. For products, I’ve been using anything that’s simple, scent-free,…

Take Care of Your HVAC When did your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) system last get some TLC? HomeServe, an international home repair service, estimates that most people don’t change the filter often enough and many don’t do it at all, allowing additional allergens and smoke into their indoor air. For the sake of your health and the health of the system, replace the filter every three months, more often if you have pets or use your fireplace frequently. Also, book an annual checkup with a technician, who can ensure everything is in working order. The house call should cost around $200. Increase Your Kitchen Ventilation Range hoods are pretty standard over-the-stove pieces of equipment, but many of them (especially the ones in apartments) don’t actually ventilate. Unless yours…

HERE’S AN ALARMING STAT: In a 2023 survey by SleepFoundation.org, 77% of respondents admitted they’ve lost sleep over money-related stresses. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough weighted blankets in the world to ward off the financial bogeyman. “If you’re up worrying, it may be that your subconscious wants you to stop avoiding something and take action,” says Elana Feinsmith, a certified financial therapist, certified financial planner, and founder of Oak Financial Coaching in Sunnyvale, California. Instead of checking under the bed, check in on your accounts. Keep reading for three common concerns—and steps you can take to put them to bed. WORRY: I’m Drowning in Debt Everything has become more expensive, and many of us have had to let our credit card balances grow. The total outstanding credit card debt in…

TIRED Set Boundaries Around Your Bedtime. INSPIRED Add More Self-care to Your Day. Ever feel personally offended that a long day is over and you haven’t had one minute just for you? So you blow off bedtime, then wake up exhausted? You may be a “revenge bedtime procrastinator,” delaying sleep to carve out time for yourself. In one study of Chinese nursing students, researchers found that bedtime procrastinators were more likely to experience self-regulatory fatigue. Self-regulation is controlling your feelings and behaviors so they conform to what’s expected by your boss, family, friends, even the critical inner voice that says you should stop biting your nails. After 12-plus hours of meeting deadlines, answering your kids’ questions, and passing on dessert, you may be too burned-out to face one more “should.”…

DOG WALKING TENDS to be a pretty uneventful activity. But Krista Wells, her husband, Matthew, and their American cocker spaniel, Eugene, returned from a stroll back in May 2021 with their dream house picked out. The Canadian couple had spotted a for-sale sign staked outside a green clapboard-sided cottage in the beautiful beach town of Bonavista (where they were vacationing from their normal lives in comparatively bustling St. John’s) and called the real estate agent right away. The next day, they toured the historic 1890s home. “I knew the moment I stepped inside that there was something special,” Krista recalls. Though the interior admittedly looked like “a glorified shed,” she could see the potential, she says. “I loved it at first sight.” Once the 122-year-old place was theirs, the…

ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4 1 large head cauliflower3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided½ tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper2 lemons1 small shallot, chopped¾ cup lower-sodium vegetable broth1 Tbsp. capers, drained2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, chilled2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley SLICE cauliflower into 4 (½-inch-thick) slices, leaving stem intact. Reserve any loose florets for another use. Coat slices with 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. THINLY slice 1 lemon. Zest and juice remaining lemon. HEAT 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add 2 cauliflower slices; cook until browned and beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 2 cauliflower slices. REDUCE…

A dressing room in a Lord & Taylor. I sat down to relax in a dress I was trying to zip up and went out like a light! @MICDEE_ In a New York City subway station. I was awakened by a rat tugging on my shoelace. True story. @CLAUDINE_OHAYON I was traveling in Italy. Our train was three hours late and it was 11 p.m. I crawled under a bush and went to sleep for two hours. It was a great nap. SUSAN BREAUX LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA On the boardwalk in Alaska at Brooks Falls. My husband had taken me to see the bears fishing for salmon—a lifelong dream of mine. I’d taken medicine so I wouldn’t get sick on the float plane, and it knocked me out flat! PEGGY RIDEOUT…

ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES MAKES 10 BIG COOKIES ⅔ cup (10⅔ Tbsp.) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-in. cubes⅔ cup packed light brown sugar½ cup granulated sugar1 large egg1 large egg yolk4 tsp. pure vanilla extract2⅔ cups all-purpose flour2 tsp. cornstarch1¾ tsp. baking powder1½ tsp. kosher salt (preferably Diamond Crystal)1 tsp. baking soda1 cup milk chocolate chips, plus more for topping1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, plus more for toppingFlaky sea salt, for topping (optional) STIR together butter and sugars in a large bowl. Use your fingertips to pinch and press butter cubes into sugar mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until combined and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg, yolk, and vanilla; beat on medium-low speed just until combined, 15…

Tire Them Out After a busy day, all we humans want is our bed. That’s true for our pets too—even your night owl kitty, says Brianna Im, DVM, a veterinarian in Portland, Oregon. “A tired cat is less likely to seek attention in the wee hours,” she adds. Play with cats for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day, using a fishing-pole-type teaser toy to tap into their natural hunt-eat-sleep cycle. The second session should be just before bed. Let them chase whatever is on the end of the pole, occasionally letting them catch the bait, as this helps with relaxation, says Rachel Geller, EdD, a cat behaviorist and the author of Saving the World, One Cat at a Time. End the game by making slower movements. “Let your cat…

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE Often a supporting player in salad mixes, these assertively bitter leaves deserve a chance to shine—especially when they’re at their peak in late winter and early spring. SHOP There are many varieties, but you’re most likely to find Chioggia (pictured) at the supermarket. Look for firm, compact heads. STORE When loosely wrapped in plastic, Chioggia can stay fresh in the crisper for several weeks. COOK For salads, mix with mild lettuces, or thinly slice and toss with other bold ingredients, like blue cheese, apples, and nuts. Roasting, sautéing, braising, and grilling will make radicchio more mellow and nutty (and fade the dramatic maroon color, alas). Serve as a side with roasted meat or poultry.…

Readers Say… The Snorer “Snorer moves. No question.” @DIGSPORTLAND “When I’m the guilty party, I’m happy to relocate. I’d rather have a rested partner than wake up next to someone who’s miserable because of me.” @LJLAIR “The nonsnorer moves because the snorer is busy snoring. Should the snorer move? Yes, but the person who wakes ends up moving.” @TAMMYLAFLEUR The Bothered Partner “The one who doesn’t have to lug a CPAP machine with them!” @SHANNONBREANNE “I move but make a lot of noise as I stumble down the hall. Passive aggressive? Yes! He goes back to snoring in minutes!” @MIMIDETTLE “I’m currently on the couch as my husband snores away.” @ELIZABETHSHOKO The Experts Say… When push comes to snore, the offending party should move. First things first, though: If you…