Real Simple September 2022

READY TO RESET? At every turning of the seasons, we take stock, inventory our world and our home and our brain, and gird for the next quarter of a year. But early autumn is especially charged with change. School starts. Work picks up. Fall sports devour our time. The holidays loom. I’d argue that feeling organized, feeling ready, is more crucial now than at any other time of year. In my house, with two working parents, two polymath kids, and a very low-maintenance dog (praise Jesus), every transition in and out of school is daunting. But even if you don’t have children at home, the impending arrival of autumn hits in that same place, the one that says, “It’s time to get back to business.” This issue is here to help…

BEHIND THE SCENES Flavia Nunez FASHION EDITOR @flaviacnunez Daily Uniform: An oversize button-up, baggy secondhand jeans, and a pair of sneakers—so basically the look on page 169 in “The New Blues” is me all day, every day. Dream Vacation: Seeing orcas in the wild in Alaska. I haven’t had the courage to do it yet, but hopefully soon! Most Sentimental Item in Your Home: A framed picture of my first dog (Muñeca) and my grandfather’s record player come with me wherever I go. See Flavia’s top picks for jeans this season on page 164. ON THE WEB Our Best-Ever Tips for Saving Money Check out our fourth annual expert-selected Smart Money Awards on page 48. To keep the conversation going (and your net worth growing), take a peek at our editors’ tried-and-true tips at realsimple.com/savings. IN YOUR HOME A Destination for DIYers Transform your home with…

#RSLOVE “Invest in yourself.” @CLEVELANDPARKFARMERSMARKET For sharing this photo with us, @clevelandparkfarmersmarket will receive our new special edition, The Power of Sleep. If you want your picture to be considered, tag photos on Instagram with #rslove. To hire a financial adviser! Which I did, and it changed my life. ELLE KORAL, DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA “Would you pay for that with your time?” When I got my first job, my mom told me to always know what my hourly take-home pay is after taxes. When I want to make a purchase, I think about how much of my time it would cost to afford it. My time is my most precious asset! CAITLÍN ROSBERG, CHICAGO “Money is fleeting.” I work in finance and have received a lot of advice. This is the best. STEPHANIE OWENS, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA My Russian grand-father’s advice:…

GATHER ’ROUND Silicone doughnuts are the cuter way to add weight to your workout. TO BUY: The Power Ring Set, $99 for 3; shopbala.com. HOME STRETCH Reach for a cheerful and 100 percent recyclable strap to nail some of the tougher yoga poses. TO BUY: Yoga Strap Mexicana, $18; yogadesignlab.com. WITH THE BAND The colors of these resistance bands correspond to strength level, so you can build slowly and safely. TO BUY: Resistance Bands 5 Set, $16; kikkerland.com. THE ALL-IN-ONE Need accountability? This modular weight set, cheaper than a personal trainer, is housed in a sleek, incognito side table. Link it to Tempo, an online platform, for virtual workouts and interactive coaching. TO BUY: Tempo Move, $495, and subscription, $59 per month; tempo.fit. ON THE BALL This textured foam roller helps massage away soreness for a faster recovery. Plus,…

Dazzling Debut In these connected short stories, author Jonathan Escoffery follows a Jamaican family from the 1970s, when they settle in Miami after fleeing political upheaval in their home country, to the modern day. Both outrageously funny and a piercing look at life in America, If I Survive You is the kind of book you’ll think about long after you finish it. Modern-Day Hero How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz is about a woman who’s been tossed around by life but refuses to surrender. Cara Romero is in her mid-50s when she loses her job and has to find work for the first time in decades. Told through Cara’s sessions with a job counselor, this relatable story shows what true resilience looks like. Moving Novel Sisters Ruth, Esther, and…

1 PALETTE PLEASER I’ve used hundreds of palettes, but this one wins for practicality—it both elevates your look and lightens your bag. Three matte shadows define your crease, beef up brows, and double as liner; highlighter lifts brow bones and brightens inner corners; and two shimmers enhance lids. TO BUY: Contour Eyeshadow Palette, $36 each; kevynaucoinbeauty.com. 2 BROWS THAT WOW This pencil acts kinda like dry shampoo for your eyebrows. Unlike wax-based formulas, which can stick to the skin, it has fibers and powder particles that attach to the hairs for fluffy fullness that doesn’t look fake. I lay the tip on its side to draw flicks, then smooth with the built-in spoolie. TO BUY: Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Pencil, $25; benefitcosmetics.com. 3 SLICK STICK From my kids’ dry skin to my chapped lips and tiny…