Table of contents for May 2024 in Real Simple

YOU HAVE TIME for what you make time for. I can’t remember where I first heard that line, but it really stuck with me. It’s often used as a retort to “I’m too busy,” but I’m not sure that’s fair. Most of us feel “too busy” most of the time. Theoretically, we’re free to occupy ourselves with what matters to us, but practically, life can feel like a whole lotta “have tos.” I have to give 110% at my day job. I have to handle the balance of stuff at home. I have to drive the kids everywhere. I have to figure out what’s for dinner (see pages 39, 84, 94, and 100 for some help with that). I have to join the PTA, send out my thank-you notes,…

TINY STASHERS Fill a clip-on pouch with credit cards, change, and odds and ends—then attach it to a zipper or strap to keep everything accessible. No more hunting for that earbud case! Clockwise from top left: Evie Coin Purse, $18; katieloxton.com The Circle Zip Pouches, $40 each; awaytravel.com Leather Card Holder with Keychain (similar to shown), $10;septemberskye.etsy.com The Leather Carabiner Mini Pouch, $30; madewell.com TOTE TAMER The problem with bucket bags: They’re buckets! This insert adds structure, with lots of pockets and a loop for your water bottle. Tall Easy Tote Insert, $98; cuyana.com CLEAR WINNERS Use these translucent pouches to color-code your supplies. Snacks in blue, makeup in pink, etc.! Marie Kondo Kawaii Pouches, $13 for 5; containerstore.com CASE CLOSED Made of supersoft leather, this sleeve fits a…

IDEAS, DIYS & REALLY GOOD TIPS Carrot Hummingbird Breakfast Bundt ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 3 HOURS, 30 MINUTES SERVES 12 Baking spray with flour2 large eggs, at room temperature1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained, juices reserved1¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar1¼ cups shredded peeled carrots (shredded on largest holes of a box grater) (from 2 or 3 carrots)¾ cup toasted sweetened flaked coconut, plus more for topping¾ cup mashed very ripe bananas (from 2 bananas)¾ cup vegetable oil⅔ cup chopped toasted pecans, plus more for topping⅔ cup (113 g) packed light brown sugar2 tsp. pure vanilla extract2½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour1½ tsp. baking soda1½ tsp. ground cinnamon1 tsp. baking powder¾ tsp. fine sea salt½ tsp. ground allspice4 oz. cream cheese (about ½ cup), at room temperature½ cup…

Best Day Serum SAINT JANE STAR FLOWER NIACINAMIDE SERUM Most serums that actually work come with a drawback—they sting or cause peeling. This gentle option doesn’t do either. And it soothes my redness while giving me a well-rested glow, despite my total lack of sleep (toddlers are fun!). Bonus: Micro pearls burst on contact, delivering a potent pop of brightening niacinamide. $95; saintjanebeauty.com Best Lipstick WESTMAN ATELIER LIP SUEDE MATTE LIPSTICK Testers swooned over the heft of this tube, the magnetic closure, and the heart-stamped stick, saying it was almost too pretty to use. Until they did…and then they never looked back. “She glides on, leaving lips matte yet moisturized,” Features Director Amy Maclin says. “The mirror in the cap makes for easy application while in an Uber.” $50; westman-atelier.com…

IN YOUR KITCHEN 10 Ingenious Organizers Our picks include a cord holder, a solution for all your zip-top bags, and, huzzah, something to get your under-the-sink space under control. Do some shopping at realsimple.com/kitchenstorage. IN YOUR HOME Tips for Installing Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Though there are technically just two steps (peel and stick), hanging the stuff takes a bit of finesse. We’ve got you covered! Roll up to realsimple.com/peelandstick for advice from the pros. ON THE WEB Get It Done—in a Day It’s our annual Get It Done issue! While we have tons of totally doable projects starting on page 62, if it’s near-instant gratification you’re after, head to realsimple.com/easydiy. There you’ll find genius DIYs that can be knocked out in 24 hours or less. IN YOUR WALLET A Gift…

Stir in Some Syrup For a sip that tastes like a treat, add a pump or two of flavored syrup. There are loads of store-bought options, including guava, strawberry, and cherry-lime (look for brands like Torani, usually in the coffee aisle). You can even make syrup from scratch: Add citrus peels, herbs, spices, or a combo to a 50-50 mix of sugar and water. Stir and simmer on the stove until the sugar dissolves, then strain and refrigerate for up to a week. Reach for the Vinegar Try spiking sparkling water with a fruity vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or Kosterina (we like the crushed strawberry version, $15 for 8 oz.; at Whole Foods Market). Start with a tablespoon per six ounces of sparkling water, and add more…

ALL DUE RESPECT to the mimosa, that lovely, fizzy brunch classic. But sometimes I want a drink with more presence, some savoriness—a cocktail that drinks like a meal. In those cases, the Bloody Mary is the only option. Touted as a hangover cure (I wouldn’t know…), the spicy tomato-juice-and-vodka combo has a murky history. Some say it was invented by a Paris bartender in 1921; others trace its origin to 1930s Chicago. Regardless, it’s zesty, full of flavor, and downright delightful any time of day. While you can certainly open a high-quality mixer (see right) for your drink, a DIY one takes about five minutes and tastes ultra fresh. Tomato juice, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces, and something acidic, like lemon juice, are typical components, says Maggie Hoffman, author of Batch…

Teak To clean this durable wood, make a solution of one gallon of warm water and a quarter cup of liquid dish soap. Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub gently in the direction of the grain. Rinse with water, then dry the wood with a towel ASAP—don’t leave droplets just chilling there, because they can make rings. The wood will naturally turn more silvery gray with age, but if you want to maintain that original honey color, apply teak oil (see right) once or twice a year. Rattan Back in style in a big way, this material can be vulnerable to the elements. Keep your pieces on a covered porch or under an awning when not in use to limit exposure—yes, even if you have covers for everything. That said,…

Apricot-Fresno Glazed Chicken ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 6 ½ cup apricot preserves¼ cup apple cider vinegar4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce2 tsp. grated fresh ginger (from a 2-in. piece)2 large red Fresno chiles, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)1 4 ½-lb. pkg. bone-in chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings)1 Tbsp. kosher salt¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper2 Tbsp. olive oilFresh basil leaves, for topping PREHEAT oven to 350°F with rack 8 inches from heat. Whisk preserves, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and ginger in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in chiles. PAT chicken dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. HEAT oil in a large broiler-safe skillet over medium-high. Add chicken, skin side down; cook, undisturbed, until skin is crisp and golden brown, about 10…

#1 / Veggie Pancakes With Sesame Fried Eggs ACTIVE TIME 45 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Vegetarian ✓ Dairy-Free 1¼ cups all-purpose flour5 Tbsp. cornstarch or potato starch2 tsp. kosher salt, divided1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into matchsticks8 oz. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced1 large bunch scallions, trimmed, halved lengthwise, and cut crosswise into 3-in. lengths, plus more, thinly sliced, for topping6 Tbsp. neutral oil (such as canola), divided2 Tbsp. sesame seeds4 large eggs PREHEAT oven to 250°F and place a wire rack inside a baking sheet. WHISK flour, cornstarch, and 1½ teaspoons salt in a large bowl until combined. Gradually whisk in 1½ cups ice-cold water until smooth (batter will be thin). Stir in sweet potato, mushrooms, and scallions. HEAT 1 tablespoon oil in a…

I wanted a little more character in my foyer, so I made stained-glass windows using metal strips, glass paint, and patience. The light splashes color onto the walls each morning and makes me happy. SUSAN SMITH CARMEL, INDIANA As a retirement project, I waterproofed my entire basement myself. My husband was really impressed! MICHELE SAGE COLUMBUS, OHIO I hated my red brick fireplace and decided to do something about it. I found stacked slates at Lowe’s and got some good advice on adhesives. I’ve done a fair amount of tile work and own a wet saw, so I felt brave enough to tackle it. It took three days, and I love the results! I’ve gotten lots of compliments. ALLISON KORN COLUMBIA, MARYLAND My wife scored a set of wooden cubbies…

1 PLUCKY PICK Prevent boilovers, but make it cute! This little daisy clips onto a pot and raises the lid just enough. And awww: Its petals spin as steam escapes. Flower Power Steam Releaser, $16; ototodesign.com 2 EVERYTHING MONITOR This smart device does so many things. It controls your home’s temp, keeps an eye on air quality, and acts as a smoke alarm and security system. Plus, it’s not half bad to look at. Smart Thermostat Premium, $250; ecobee.com 3 HYDRATION STATION Filter, flavor, and remineralize your tap water with this self-cleaning countertop system. It gets rid of nasty microplastics, bacteria, and more for healthier H2O. TheWell, $375; drinklang.us 4 KIBBLE KEEPER Is it just us, or does this airtight food storage container kinda resemble a sweet little pup? Regardless,…

Throw on a Jacket “Growing up, I’d watch my mother put on a tailored suit jacket and trousers, or reach into her closet for a classic blazer to dress up a T-shirt and jeans (think: Princess Diana at a polo match, minus the baseball cap). She’d do it time and again to create a look that felt put-together, polished, and, to me, distinctly her. On days when I’m in a rush or I simply don’t know what to wear, I’ll go with a classic black or navy jacket over a white tee or thin cashmere sweater, sometimes with a silk scarf looped around my neck to add some color. Or I’ll pick a statement blazer with an interesting print or detail to make a very simple look stand out.”SALLY HOLMES,…

Make Sure Your Dog Is Ready Every dog has his day. It’s just not always at the dog park! Potential candidates should be friendly, fixed, fully vaccinated, and at least 6 months old, says Alexandra Bassett, a certified dog trainer and behavior specialist in Los Angeles. “Ideally, pets should also follow some basic obedience cues—such as ‘come,’ ‘down,’ and ‘stay’—even in distracting environments,” Bassett says. If it’s your first time, consider finding a park with separate areas for small and large dogs so your pup can play with others his size, and try to go during off-peak hours (generally midday on weekdays and late afternoon on weekends). And always look for signs outlining specific rules of the park. Bring Three Things—and Only Three Things Communal water bowls can harbor…

STENCIL YOUR WALLS Wallpaper can be spendy and hard to hang. Understatement of the year? Enter: this idea from Emma Courtney (@emmacourtneyhome), a DIYer based in Toronto. She faked the luxe look of real paper using paint and a stencil from Etsy ($77; stenciledup.etsy.com). According to Courtney—and the crew who prepped the set for our cover shoot—the key here is patience. “You also want a stencil with a registration mark,” Courtney says. These marks are small design elements cut into the edge of the stencil that help you repeat the pattern evenly. Carve out a few hours per wall, gather your supplies, and follow these steps. 1 Clean and prep your walls as you normally would before painting, sanding down imperfections and making sure they’re free of grease, dust, and…

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE All hail the quintessential spring veggie, beloved for its unique grassy flavor and gorgeous color. SHOP & STORE Look for closed, tight tips and firm stalks. Refrigerate wrapped in an unsealed plastic bag for a day or two at most. The sooner you eat them, the sweeter they’ll be. PREP Chop or snap off tough ends (they’ll break in just the right place, like magic!) and compost them. Rinse or soak stalks in cold water. There may be grit hiding in the tips. COOK Blanch in boiling salted water until bright green, then drizzle with brown butter. Toss with olive oil and salt and roast until crisp in spots. Throw a bunch into a grill basket. Or shave raw stalks for salads or flatbread (see page…

ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided1 lb. frozen cauliflower gnocchi (or potato gnocchi, if desired)1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh garlic (from about 3 cloves)¾ cup vegetable or no-chicken stock¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into 6 to 8 pieces1 tsp. lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon)8 oz. fresh asparagus, trimmed and sliced diagonally into 1-in. pieces (about 1½ cups)1 cup (about 3 oz.) fresh sugar snap peas, strings removed and thinly sliced lengthwise½ cup frozen sweet peas¾ tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more for topping⅓ cup finely chopped mixed fresh tender herbs (such as chives, tarragon, parsley, and/or basil)Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional) HEAT 1 tablespoon oil in a large…

Readers Say… Skip the Soap! “I don’t use anything but lemon, oil, and salt. Anything else is blasphemous, according to Great-Grandma.” @DORIEJH “My grandmother had a skillet that was so old, and it had never seen soap. Made the best fried chicken in Alabama!” @ANELA.MARIANNE “I use salt and hot water. No soap needed. Why waste good soap?” @JDCH2 Bring on the Suds! “If Dawn doesn’t hurt a duck covered with oil, it won’t hurt my skillet!” @WEEZERJOHNSON “I love when you buy a 100-year-old skillet because it’s indestructible, and then you start worrying that you washed it with soap. It will be just fine. I do it all the time.” @JUSTANINSTAGRANDMA2 “I think the myth was begun by pioneers traipsing across the plains without dish soap.” @JAYCO2001 The Experts…