This month’s Real Simple issue has had me thinking quite a bit about how best to sum it up. Because this issue, unlike any other, is a bit more special. It’s the mother of all RS chronicles – the 10th year anniversary issue. Now, when this gem popped up in my mail box, I gasped at the number 10 on the cover. 10 years!? How many issues does that mean I’ve missed!? Obviously I haven’t been reading this since I was 16 (come on, I’m not THAT lame) but if I would have had the foresight or wisdom in my teen years, I just may have been devouring the early issues of RS and learning tons of tricks for my more sophisticated future self (ahem). Nonetheless, this issue does a great job of summing up the last ten years for me – and I’ll do just the same for you.
This issue focuses on TIME. The time that RS saves all of us by their little tricks and tips. The time that is more organized and efficient thanks the articles within. So for this round-up, I’ll forgo the standard summation of my 3 favorite articles and give the 10 best tips that are scattered throughout this huge issue, so all you lovely people can save some time on reading the whole magazine. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for anyways?
Sidenote: Real Simple commissioned some well-known designers to design custom clocks for their time-centered issue. Pretty neato, huh?
1. Apply nail polish on the bottom of your metal shaving cream bottle to avoid any rust stains forming on the ledge of your tub.
2. Use an old toothbrush to remove those pesky pieces of corn silk from your corn on the cob.
3. Use hair conditioner as your shaving cream. You’ll eliminate the extra bottle in your shower and save a little chedda’ as well.
4. Hate hand washing your fancy sweaters and waiting days for them to dry? Pop them into a large salad spinner and pull that extra water out in seconds.
5. A brightly colored wallet is easier to spot in a messy handbag, saving you precious moments on searching for the darn thing.
6. Not only is green tea packed with anti-oxidants, but it also freshens your breath. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
7. Store each sheet set in one of the pillow cases. This will make your linen closet look neater and make finding things a lot quicker.
8. Light hard to reach candles with raw spaghetti strands.
9. To keep brown sugar from getting hard as a rock, throw a few marshmallows in the bag.
10. Use your lemon zester to mince garlic. A heck of a lot easier than using a knife.
All tips courtesy of Real Simple – like I’m really that clever myself. :P
1. Transform a Corner. First off, I have to address the new look to my beloved Real Simple. In the editor’s note, that I’ve featured 
2. Money Conversations Everyone Should Have. I lean more toward dunce than doyen when it comes to finances, but Real Simple is always there to lead me in the right direction. This article lists some awkward, but necessary, conversations that we should all think about having when it comes to our finances. Talking with your spouse about who pays what and where your investments are allocated are just some of the issues this article brings up. It also touches on approaching your parents on their nest eggs (and if it’s enough to keep them afloat in the future) and sharing the responsibility with your children on saving for college. Each scenario is broken out by why it’s important, when to talk about it and how – a perfect little list to guide me through the uncharted territory of financial land.
3. The Hectic Holiday Handbook. Nevermind the incredible Thanksgiving recipes that are in this issue (seriously, there is drool all over my issue; not a pretty site) RS also included this handy dandy guide to the holiday season. One of the things I love about Real Simple is their vast array of seemingly useless knowledge that they throw at you, and this article is no exception. Did you know that miniature quiches are one of the worst things you can eat at a buffet spread? And that an opened can of cranberry sauce is good for up to two weeks? Or that you should splurge on club soda and bourbon, and but can skimp on gin and vodka when stocking a bar? Now that RS has given me tons of knowledge like this, I can keep this in the bank and pull them out at any time to sound like a smarty. And what’s better than sounding like a smarty pants? Not much else in my book. Thanks Real Simple, for making me look good.
1. Real Simple Paper Artist. This isn’t an article, but there is quite a cult following of RS’s amazing paper sculptures that appear in every issue. I can’t wait to flip through my monthly issue to see what crazy object they’ve decided to make out of paper this month. The artist is Matthew Sporzynski, and he’s a friggin genius who also happens to be on the faculty for Parsons the new school for design. Google his name and enjoy the smorgasbord of goodness that he creates – you won’t be sorry!
2. Home Office How-To. Since my husband works from home on a semi-regular basis, I may leave this article strategically placed around the house so he can read all of the great information it has to share. This article not only touches on the importance of ergonomics during your workday (good posture = less problems/less fatigue) but it also gives some interesting tips on how to set up your work space and how to properly stay focused if you aren’t working in a typical office environment. Some of my favorites tidbits were that people are more productive in blue-green environments as opposed to red, and that your computer screen should be brighter than the ambient light in the room. Oh, and this article also points out that the typical Facebook visitor spends 4 hours and 33 minutes on the site a day. Talk about loss of productivity.
3. Fall Shopping Made Easy. Once again, Real Simple has camped out in my brain and made an article directly from my brain cells. It’s starting to freak me out. This article polled RS readers to find the 5 retailers they frequented most often, and researched all of the best finds at each one so we didn’t have to. Talk about making it easy for a girl! 4 of the 5 stores were my favorite mall stops, so I was happy to find the sweetest deals without having to spend so much time in the stores (new boots at the Loft – yay!). They also pointed out that the average mall visit takes 77.9 minutes, which is a lot of time in a busy girl’s schedule. Thanks for giving me an hour back, RS. I owe ya one.
1. Home: Wait, that was a closet? In honor of all things DIY around these parts, and of my love for small spaces, I’m sharing Real Simple’s article about small spaces turned fabulous. These redesigns show cramped and inefficient spaces that have been re-purposed to not only function better, but look better as well. I love this piece because I have quite the affection for small spaces. I think my fascination started when my parents were designing a house when I was in high school and purchased a book called 
2. Editor’s Note. Now, this isn’t an article per say, but I have to point out how wonderful Real Simple’s editor is. I love her. I want us to be best friends and discuss design and organizational techniques over coffee. And I don’t even drink coffee. She writes little snippets of loveliness in every issue that probably go unnoticed by the typical reader. This month’s is a recap of her search for the perfect work bag – nothing extraordinary, but the way she writes makes her stories so relate-able and poignant. She often touches on her life, her children, the world today, etc. Every piece puts a smile on my face and makes me love her that much more… in a non-stalker kind of way, of course.
3. 4 Ways to Remake your Space. Why another article on home design? Oh, because I can, gosh darn it! I really have to applaud RS for showcasing great design for a non-design magazine. I love that they aren’t afraid of color (spoken by one true color lover) and can put out some really beautiful, eclectic room scenes. This article is no exception. They call out 4 basic ways to spruce up your space and then delve into the nitty gritty of how to make them a reality. The four topics are: Use color creatively, Perk up a neutral palette, Embrace black & white, and Aim for playfulness, not perfection. If these 4 points weren’t so wordy, I might just make them my personal mantra. I love all of the points they listed for everyday homeowners to try. Seriously, check this one out and take some of the tips to heart. You’ll be loving your space in no time. Here’s to another issue of RS in the future, assuming the pup isn’t on the warpath that day. Fingers crossed!
You may recall how we’ve started to trust Charlie a bit more while alone in the house, by making the big move of taking the 
…all the way back to our den.
It was quite the literary bloodbath. Le sigh. So, my monthly RS roundup may be postponed until the next go round, unless I can get my hands on a non-mangled copy before then. Charlie was very regretful of his episode, complete with lowered tail and the saddest little face you could imagine. I bet he had a grand ol’ time ripping my mag to shreds, so I can’t really blame him too much. At least it’s only paper, right? I think I’m going to eat my words again…
1. How to Snack Smarter. For as long as I can remember, my big brother has to lovingly referred to me as “snackie”. Sure, it’s not the best nickname, but it’s nothing if not accurate. I’m a bonafide small-meal snack-a-holic. I schedule my work day around my morning and afternoon snacks and always have to be sure I have a snackie in my purse if I’ll be away from the house for more than a few hours. Blame it on hypoglycemia or low blood sugar… or pure insanity. This article is the perfect one for me – and all of you as well! RS points out the pros to snacking, or eating small meals throughout the day (keeps your metabolism running, puts you in a good mood, etc). Plus, it gives some great suggestions for healthy, yummy snacks that provide a good combo of protein, good fats and carbs. Chow down!
