RS - March 2016

realsimple LIFE MADE EASIER

THE BEST DRUGSTORE BEAUTY BUYS 5 ways to make mornings more manageable How to pull off a career pivot

FIND THE RIGHT SKIN-CARE PRODUCTS FOR YOU, STARTING AT $6

Parenting books that will change your life MARCH 2016

$4.99 $5.99 realsimple.com

© Clinique Laboratories, LLC

Our light bulb moment.

If a woman can do at least four things at once, her skin care should too.

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Lift.

Hydrate.

Clinique Smart™ SPF 15 Moisturizer. High-speed moisture plumps skin by 70% instantly. Proven to visibly smooth lines, even tone and lift at 4 weeks. More smart thinking at clinique.com Clinique Smart™ Custom-Repair Serum and New SPF 15 Moisturizer

New

Modern Classic Style Since 1947

“It’s not the face, but the expressions on it. It’s not the voice, but what you say. It’s not how you look in that body, but the things you do with it. You are beautiful.”

Photograph by Rania Matar

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INSTITUTE

ST E P H E N I E M E Y E R , T H E H O S T

YO UR MONTHLY D OSE OF USEFUL TIDBIT S, TIMELY T RIVIA, AND C ATCHY CONVER S ATION STARTER S

The total number of characters in the very first tweet, which went out 10 years ago, on March 21, 2006, courtesy of Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey.

Rather than challenging the 140-character limit, Dorsey’s tweet was brief (“just setting up my twttr”). And popular.

(It has received 67,485 retweets and more than 47,000 likes at press time.) What was the reasoning behind the 140character constraint?

Twitter says tweets were designed to mirror standard mobile-text-message lengths while still allowing people to get their points across. And even though some users seem to want more (see the January tweetstorm following rumors the character count would increase to 10,000), Dorsey was quick to tweet: “What makes Twitter, Twitter is its fast, public, live conversational nature,” and “tweets will always be short and sweet.” His complete response was actually 1,315 characters long. It had to live on Twitter as a screen grab. #irony

5 How many times all the Jelly Belly jelly beans eaten by everyone around the world last year could circle the earth, estimates the Jelly Belly Candy Company.

According to the new book Sweet As Sin, by food historian Susan Benjamin, our love for jelly beans began in the middle of the 19th century, when some clever person thought to add a sugar shell to Turkish delight. Kids could buy a pound of beans for just 9 to 12 cents. By 1930, jelly beans were a popular Easter candy, perhaps because their egglike shape symbolized new life, Benjamin muses.

And in 1983 jelly beans accompanied U.S. astronauts on a space mission. (Take that, Astro Pop!)

98

2 HOURS, 42 MINUTES

YEARS

Approximately how long, over the course of 100 years, that a water molecule spends in the ocean, according to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).

The tiny particle also spends about 20 months in the form of ice, two weeks in lakes and rivers, and less than seven days in the atmosphere. In honor of World Water Day, on March 22, here are more refreshing facts from the LDEQ: One birch tree emits 70 gallons of water daily through evaporation, while an acre of corn gives off 4,000 gallons. The sun evaporates 1 trillion tons.

Help preserve this precious commodity by fixing leaky faucets. Three of them dripping five times a minute can add up to one gallon of wasted water per day. Visit water. usgs.gov and use the “drip calculator” to see how much you lose.

Written by

N.Jamiyla Chisholm

How much total sleep teens tend to lose in the first five weeknights after daylight saving time (DST) begins, reports an August 2015 study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

That’s 32 minutes less of nightly shuteye compared with the week before clocks spring forward. (This year, DST starts on March 13.) In what the AASM calls the first study to quantify the adverse effects of DST, researchers measured the at-home sleep duration and in-school vigilance of high schoolers. On average, students slept 7 hours and 19 minutes each night. (The AASM recommends a little more than nine hours.)

And they were less able to focus and react quickly in class over those five days. In the words of grumpy teens everywhere: Duh.

Illustration by

Darling Clementine

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630 FEET

The height and width of St. Louis’s iconic Gateway Arch, the tallest manmade national monument in the country, as chronicled in the new book 50 Great American Places,

by Brent D. Glass. The 50-year-old structure, which cost $13 million to construct and is said to represent the city’s history as the Gateway to the West, is an engineering wonder. While its two bases are each 54 feet across, the steel arc is just 17 feet narrow at the top. Glass, the director emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, takes readers on a crosscountry tour of both popular and obscure U.S. sites, sharing juicy historical details about everything from Colorado’s ancient Mesa Verde to California’s Silicon Valley.

Road trip, anyone?

FOR MORE FUN FACTS AND FIGURES,

follow us on Twitter (@Real Simple).

T H A N K Y O U T O T H E U . S . G E O LO G I C A L S U R V E Y.

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Once pon a pringtime

Spring 2016

BO OKS FOR KIDS FOR CONFUSING TIMES ......111 03. 2016

O N T H E C OV E R : I T C O S M E T I C S C O N F I D E N C E I N A C R E A M ; R I C K Y ’ S S T R A I G H T P I N S T U D I O LO N G H A I R P I N S I N B R O N Z E ; T O M FO R D B R O N Z E R B R U S H ; M U J I B A L A N C I N G M O I S T U R I S I N G M I L K ; P H Y S I C I A N S FO R M U L A A R G A N W E A R U LT R A- N O U R I S H I N G A R G A N O I L FA C E P O W D E R ; B I O R É B A K I N G S O D A C L E A N S I N G S C R U B .

ON THE COVER The best drugstore beauty buys: find the right skin-care products for you, starting at $6 65 5 ways to make mornings more manageable 53 How to pull off a career pivot 124 Parenting books that will change your life 111 Cover Photograph by

Gentl & Hyers Floral Styling by

Nicolette Camille Set Design by

Jeffrey W. Miller T H E B E ST D RU G STO R E B E AU T Y B U YS ........... 65 STA N D O U T S P R I N G STA P L E S ...................................... 1 52

A H E A R T Y, H E A L T H Y B R E A K F A S T R E C I P E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 6

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YOU’LL FLIP! Learn why you should master this kitchen maneuver, page 172

Life Lessons GOOD READ

After cancer took the life of Kristopher Jansma’s sister, he learned that some chapters never end. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 THOUGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 THE SIMPLE LIST . . . . . . . . . 6

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY? Make every purchase count, page 82

MODERN MANNERS

Catherine Newman on parents who push boundaries, annoyances with friends, and more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EDITOR’S NOTE . . . . . . . . . 1 7

47

EXPERTISE

5 ways to make mornings more bearable . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53

BREATHE

Your Words What is your number one beauty rule? . . . . . . .

Relax, fast, with this month’s do-anywhere exercise . . .

59

19

the Guide the Realist MARCH AT A GLANCE

The colorful facts about rainbows . . . . . . . . 2 3

WASHING MACHINES 101

Everything you need to know before buying . . 1 0 3

Drugstore skin care worth every penny . . . . .

FAMILY

.... 24

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Manicures and pedicures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 TREND TO TRY

TRYING, TRANSITIONAL

Stripes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 PRETTY PRACTICAL

Unfussy French braid . . 3 0 NOW WHAT?!?

Smart solutions for life’s little disasters . . . . 3 6 LITTLE HELPERS . . . . . . . . 3 8

WHY NOT TRY…?

TIMES OF GROWING UP

MINDFUL SHOPPING

Learn how to think before you buy . . . . . . . . .

When a talk just won’t cut it . . . . . . . . . . .

82

Celery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 4 111

THE VIEW FROM HERE

5-MINUTE TRAINER

Michele Roberts, executive director, National Basketball Players Association . . .

............ 88

THE TRAINER IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

The 12 best at-home workouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A LIFE IN FULL 121

PRODUCTIVITY PRIMER 92

BETTER BREAKFAST

Brown Rice Bowl with Egg and Avocado . . . . . 1 7 6

WORK & MONEY

HEALTH Side lateral

THINGS COOKS KNOW. . 1 7 2

45 BOOKS FOR THE

FASHION

OLD THINGS

Food 5 EASY DINNERS . . . . . . . 1 6 3

65

PRETTY SMART . . . . . . . . . 7 6

NEW USES FOR

The beauty edition

BEAUTY SPEND LESS, GET MORE

Anna EvangelistaPerez: music teacher and wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 0

Smart career-change strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 4

HOME ASK THE ORGANIZER

MONEYWISE

Clutter conundrums, solved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 8

Car shopping 101 . . . . . 1 2 6

Features SO EASY IT WILL MAKE YOU BLUSH

Whether you favor hot pink shades or subtle shimmers, perk up your cheeks with this oh-so-pretty primer . . . . 1 3 2 THE DRIVERS OF DESIGN

Inside the lives (and work spaces) of three creative minds who bring art and style into your world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 8 NOODLE OVER THIS

Just add pasta to these 8 classic soups and stews for a warming winter treat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 4 SIGNS OF SPRING

Figure-flattering styles in pleasing, neutral palettes . . .

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REAL SIMPLE® (ISSN 1528-1701) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY TIME INC. PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 225 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10281. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW YORK, NY, AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND ALL UAA TO CFS. (SEE DMM 507.1.5.2); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 62120 TAMPA, FL 33662-2120. CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40110178. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADA ADDRESSES TO: POSTAL STN. A, P.O. BOX 4015, TORONTO, ON M5W 2T2 GST#888381621RT0001. SUBSCRIBERS: IF THE POSTAL SERVICE ALERTS US THAT YOUR MAGAZINE IS UNDELIVERABLE, WE HAVE NO FURTHER OBLIGATION UNLESS WE RECEIVE A CORRECTED ADDRESS WITHIN TWO YEARS. U.S. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $28.95 FOR ONE YEAR. YOUR BANK MAY PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE CARD INFORMATION WE HAVE ON FILE. YOU MAY OPT OUT OF THIS SERVICE AT ANY TIME. MAILING LIST: WE MAKE A PORTION OF OUR MAILING LIST AVAILABLE TO REPUTABLE FIRMS. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS: FOR 24/7 SERVICE, PLEASE USE OUR WEBSITE, REALSIMPLE.COM/CUSTOMERSERVICE. YOU CAN ALSO CALL 1-800-881-1172 OR WRITE TO REAL SIMPLE AT P.O. BOX 62120, TAMPA, FL 33662-2120. © 2016 TIME INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. REAL SIMPLE® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF TIME INC. VOLUME 17, ISSUE 3. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

MARCH 2016

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Naturally Beautiful Results

It’s a simple equation.

Healthy skin equals beautiful skin. ®

AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Body Wash give your skin 2X the nourishment when used together. The exclusive ACTIVE NATURALS Oat formula delivers healthy-looking skin in just one day. What a beautiful difference. *

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*twice the nourishing oat © Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. 2015

New on realsimple.com VISIT THE SITE FOR E XCLU SIVE IDE A S, TIP S, AND WAYS TO MAKE LIFE E A SIER—E VERY DAY.

I N STAG R A M

@real_simple OUR FOLLOWERS HAVE THE CUTEST FURRY FRIENDS. WHILE IT’S HARD TO PICK A FAVORITE, WE LOVED THESE ADORABLE #RSPETS.

FIND US ON FAC E B O O K AND T WIT TER

@realsimple

WE ASKED: What’s your favorite springtime flower? The winner: tulips, by a landslide. Here’s the breakdown.

32%

6%

17%

5%

13%

5%

Tulip

Lilac

Daffodil

7%

Hyacinth

E V E RY T H I N G YO U N E E D FO R T H E B E ST E A ST E R E V E R

@BISOUTHECAT

“This formerly feral rescue kitty loves snuggles and Netflix marathons.”

Ready to plan your celebration?

We can help you host an eggcellent (sorry) party. Visit RealSimple.com for: • The secrets to building the ultimate Easter basket • Creative-yet-simple ways to decorate eggs for a scavenger hunt • A colorful and delicious cake that is guaranteed to surprise your guests

@COMOANDTHECITY

“I’ll be here until dinner is ready.”

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7%

Crocus

Peony

Lily of the valley

Gerbera daisy

4%

Pansy

4% Iris

T O P L E F T: D AV I D P R I N C E /O F F S E T

@CHAMPAGNEANDMACAROONS

“When mom surprises the family with a staycation and even the fur babies get to go!”

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Introducing the newly redesigned Volkswagen Passat with Blind Spot Monitor, one of seven available Driver Assistance features.* Passat. Where family happens.

vw.com

When equipped with optional Front Assist

Simulated image. *Driver Assistance features are not substitutes for attentive driving. See Owner’s Manual for further details and important limitations. For more information, visit www.iihs.org. ©2015 Volkswagen of America, Inc.

P H O T O G R A P H BY P E R R Y H A G O P I A N ; H A I R BY PA U L WA R R E N U S I N G R E N E F U R T E R E R FO R A R T D E PA R T M E N T; M A K E U P BY M E L I S S A S I LV E R FO R M AY B E L L I N E N E W Y O R K . BY M A L E N E B I R G E R B LO U S E .

“W

HAT PRICE BEAUTY?” Do you know where that expression actually comes from? I didn’t until 20 minutes ago, when I asked Google— which is (scarily?) becoming how I solve just about any problem.

Turns out, at least according to my computer, What Price Beauty? is a 1925 silent film starring a bunch of people I’ve never heard of and partially set in a beauty salon called the House of Magic.

The House of Magic! Let me say, for the record, that should I ever find myself the owner of a salon, I’m going to name my place the House of Magic. But we’re not here to talk about salons; we’re here to talk about drugstores, and the price of beauty. I have a particular fondness for drugstores, perhaps because my first job, at age 15, was at Happy Harry’s drugstore, in Newark, Delaware.

When I worked late and the store was empty, I would walk up and down the aisles, moving bottles and cartons to the front of the shelves (there was a name for this that I can’t recall; maybe Google knows?), listening to songs playing on the speaker system from a local radio station, daydreaming about my boyfriend, and wondering when I would be grown up enough to understand what all of those products on the shelves were for. And would I really need them all?

As it turns out, I wouldn’t. But I recognized early on that a drugstore is its own house of magic. And if there was magic in those bottles and cartons back when I was 15, there’s a lot more magic now. Times have changed; formulations

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM @KVANOGTROP

have evolved; consumers have become more savvy. We have more choices, more products, more research, and Sephora!

But drugstores remain practical beauty’s best entry point. We know that you are passionate about skin care because you ask us about it all the time. We know that you care about price—and you want things that work. And so, for this month’s issue, we consulted five top dermatologists to find out their favorite (affordable, effective) drugstore skin-care products, for every skin type.

You’ll find their recommendations in “Spend Less, Get More” (page 65 ).

Or, if you don’t feel like turning the page, you could type, “What kind of morning cleanser should I use on my combination skin that doesn’t cost more than $7?” into your search bar. But I’m not sure even I would rely on that.

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HAVE YOU LISTENED TO REAL SIMPLE’S FREE PODCASTS? We have four of them— on everything from negotiating household conflicts (The Labor of Love) and navigating the confusion of your 20s (Adulthood Made Easy) to handling irritating personalities (I Want to Like You) and boiling down kitchen basics (Things Cooks Know). There are new episodes every week. Go to realsimple. com/podcasts and listen for free.

! " ! "

$ !

Q. What is your number one beauty rule?

A. Smile and use kind words. Roald Dahl once said, “If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” This is so true! Inner beauty always radiates out.

KATIE WICKERSHAM, Seattle, Washington

CURLED EYELASHES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. ON DAYS THAT I GO MAKEUPFREE, CURLING MY STICK-STRAIGHT LASHES OPENS UP MY EYES AND MAKES ME LOOK MORE AWAKE. ALLIE STEWART, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Every time I cook with olive oil, I dab a bit at the corners of my eyes to keep crow’s-feet at bay. It’s a trick I learned in my teens from my beautiful aunt, who now at age 70 has amazingly supple skin.

R ACHEL O’KEEFE, Elkhorn, Nebraska

Avoid magnifying mirrors!

MARTI FR ANTI, Lincoln, Nebraska

Love begets love. I remember looking at my mom when I was little and thinking she was so beautiful. Now when my kids look at me, I know they don’t see the wrinkles or dry spots; they see someone they love and who loves them. If that can’t give me a glow, no amount of moisturizer will be able to, either!

SAR AH HUDSPETH, Durham, North Carolina

Take care of your eyebrows.

They define your face.

LESLIE REYES, Crescent City, California

Eyelid primer! How did I live to my mid-30s before discovering this gem?

SAR AH MALCOLM, New Haven, Connecticut

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Illustration by

Dan Page

No shampoo.

For three years, I’ve used just baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and the occasional conditioner, and my hair has never been healthier.

PAMEL A ROY HOWELL, Nashville, Tennessee

SUBSCRIBER OF THE MONTH I sleep on a silk pillowcase each night. I’ve been an aesthetician for over 18 years, and this is the best skin-care advice I was ever given.

The fabric allows skin and hair to move easily over the pillow’s surface.

Flannel, cotton, and linen types may grab and abrade the skin. Of course, I follow the other rules for good skin (no sun, no smoking, and SPF every day), but this has been the most beneficial.

Stay out of the sun, and slather on the coconut oil.

MARY ROBERTSON M C CONNELL, Syracuse, New York

JENNY LAVEY HER ANSWER: The ultimate beauty trifecta: good sleep, coffee, and fresh air.

Repeat every day. It keeps you young and alive!

LISA MARIE PARR A, Portland, Oregon

HOW DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF?

YO U R W O R D S

@KINDREDSPIRIT84

I find joy in little moments. Like a grocerystore trip sans children, cups of tea and the newspaper before anyone wakes up, and pretending to, then actually falling asleep during nap time so that my kids will, too.

Rosewater facial mist. I use it first thing in the morning, throughout the day, and right before bed. I love the fresh feeling I get when I put it on, and the light fragrance is an added bonus.

WHAT TIPS DO YOU LIVE BY?

Champagne for large and small triumphs always. Boil the water for your dripcoffee machine—it really makes a difference! Unplugging in nature is the world’s best antidepressant. And denture cleaner works wonders for cleaning my wedding ring.

WHAT DO YOU DO WELL?

DARLENE PERRY, Valparaiso, Indiana

SAR AH COST PET TUS, Austin, Texas

SUSAN YOUAKIM, Tampa, Florida

STATS: 32; communications associate; married, with an infant and a three-yearold; Bozeman, Montana.

Never sleep in your makeup!

Eye cream and sunscreen every day. It may sound vain, but I want to be as wrinkle-free as possible for as long as possible. When I was in college, I worked at a cosmetics store, and one of my coworkers told me, “None of these creams will get rid of your wrinkles. You have to take care of your skin now.” I have never forgotten that.

MY NUMBER ONE BEAUTY RULE IS NOT TO COMPETE WITH OTHER WOMEN. LAMENTING THAT SOMEONE ELSE’S LEGS ARE LONGER OR TUMMY IS FLATTER DOES NOTHING BUT SAP YOUR OWN ENERGY AND LEAVE YOU FEELING UGLY INSIDE.

Three things: I can balance three mothersin-law—peacefully. I have the refined skill set to tidy up the house in less than five minutes. And the ability to create Saturday Night Live skits in my head during boring meetings. (I think some of them might be pretty good.)

Excellent posture. It takes conscious, consistent practice, but it pays big dividends.

And it's free!

Love your freckles!

AMANDA M C ALLISTER, Seattle, Washington

Only use your pinkie finger to apply lotion around your eyes.

It’s the weakest and keeps you from pressing or pulling too hard.

TERESA HOSFORD, Kingston, Washington

Weekly waxing.

CHRISTINE DICE, Broomfield, Colorado

@MRSRHEINFELDT UPCOMING QUESTION

MY NUMBER ONE BEAUTY RULE: WOULD MY GRANDPARENTS RECOGNIZE ME? L AURIE L ANE GOLDBERG, Loveland, Colorado

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How do you keep your closet tidy?

Go to realsimple.com/ yourwords and let us know your answer to this question. Your response could appear on these pages.

Savor the dark

Slow-Melting Chocolate. Complex Flavor.

Unrivaled Intensity. In Ten Luxurious Varieties.

UNCOMMON KNOWLED GE FOR MODERN TIME S

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIND THE END OF THE RAINBOW? SORRY TO you-know-what on your parade, but no. To explain why not, you should understand what it takes for a rainbow to happen in the first place. The science is complicated, but basically sun rays bend when they enter raindrops and ricochet off the interior side of the droplets. Then, when the light exits the drops, it has to bend at the magical angle of 40 to 42 degrees. The multicolored arc is visible only to those who have the center of the rainbow straight in front of them, explains Peggy LeMone, a senior scientist for the National Center of Atmospheric Research, in Boulder, Colorado.

P R O P S T Y L I N G BY M A R I A N A V E R A

What’s more, if you try to move toward a rainbow, it never seems to get closer.

That’s because different drops are reflecting back at you as you move. To put it another way, if your friend across the street is also looking at a rainbow, she isn’t seeing the same one as you, says LeMone: “If you quickly slide into her position, you’ll see her version.” Really, a rainbow is a brilliant optical illusion—which is why leprechauns, those tricksters of Irish folklore, picked the elusive end of the rainbow to hide their pots of gold.

Written by

Andra Chantim Photograph by

Ralph Smith

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N EW U S E S FOR O L D T H I N G S

The beauty edition

CASTOR OIL AS LASH GROWER

For fuller brows and lashes, dip a new mascara wand into a dish of castor oil, which is rich in natural fats that help promote healthy hair growth. Tap off the excess and apply once a night, says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York City.

T H E R E A L I ST

To minimize the irritation that occurs from coloring your hair, do as Beverly Hills–based hairstylist Lea Journo does: Mix 2 packets of the artificial sweetener into the bowl of dye, then apply as usual. The acid in the Sweet’N Low may help neutralize the harsh ingredients in the hair coloring.

GROUND CINNAMON AS LIP PLUMPER

Mix a dash of the spice with your regular lip balm and dab on lips. “Because cinnamon is an irritant, it causes inflammation and will temporarily—but not painfully—plump up the lips,” says Zeichner.

Written by Jenny Jin Photograph by Ralph Smith

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P R O P S T Y L I N G BY M A R I A N A V E R A . S P E C I A L T H A N K Y O U T O R O N R O B I N S O N , A C O S M E T I C C H E M I S T AT B E A U T Y S TAT.C O M .

SWEET’N LOW AS SCALP SOOTHER

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Manicures and pedicures The obsession with polished nails has reigned supreme for centuries—which may explain why you feel naked without a couple of coats of Ballet Slippers.

3000 B.C. Mixing gum arabic, beeswax, egg whites, gelatin, and vegetable dyes, the Chinese concoct polishes in red and black for royal fingers and toes. Later, during the Ming Dynasty, noble ladies grow fingernails up to 10 inches long to illustrate their avoidance of labor.

A.D. 1300 TO 1700 The typical Renaissance-era manicure? Bleach hands with lemon juice, massage with almond oil and honey, then swaddle in chamois gloves overnight.

L ATE 1800 S

Around 1400 to 1300 B.C., Egyptian royals, including Queen Nefertiti, dip-dye their tips in saffronhued henna.

Nail grooming becomes big business. The nail trimmer and the emery board are patented, and Mary E. Cobb opens America’s first nail salon for manicures in New York City.

1910 S TO 1920 S Manicures and pedicures are no longer just for the well-to-do. Housewives start to do their own nails when Cutex introduces mass-market sheer polish in 10 shades.

1930 S Movie stars like Bette Davis sport the moon manicure—a half-moon at the base of the nail is left bare, the tips are finished in white, and the center is painted red (thanks to Revlon’s first opaque polish, in 1932). “And just like that, nail art is born!” says Deborah Lippmann, the founder and creative director of the eponymous nail-polish line.

Before Cutex offers nail-polish remover, in 1928, women wait for polish to chip off or apply another (lumpy) coat over the last.

1970 S In a quest for the perfect 10, square acrylic nails replace the real thing; ridge fillers create a super-smooth lacquered surface; and the chic, white-tipped French manicure debuts, courtesy of Orly’s founder, Jeff Pink (who, by the way, is from Israel, not France).

1980 S Olympic gold-medal sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner, a.k.a. Flo-Jo, sets the mani bar high with her 3- to 6-inch-long multicolored talons. Many American women also opt to go to great lengths. Lee Press Ons adhesive fake nails become all the rage, while products to strengthen and grow natural nails pull in about $1 billion in 1988.

2010 S Treatments get exotic (and expensive): A pedicure that involves tiny fish devouring dead skin is banned in more than 10 states but is trendy in others; Brits pay 120 pounds for crystal-pavé pedis; and a California spa charges up to $300 to apply snakeskin to nails.

2016

MANI-PEDI PARTIES POP UP IN THE 2000 S AS THE GO-TO GIRLFRIENDS’ BONDING EXPERIENCE.

For the last few years, nail art—crackle finishes, geometric prints, peel-off foils—has been going strong. The newest craze is negative space, in which some sections are left bare and others are painted in. “It’s similar to how cutout shoulders and crop tops add youthfulness to a look,” says Madeline Poole, a global color ambassador for Sally Hansen.

Written by N.Jamiyla Chisholm

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C LO C KW I S E F R O M T O P R I G H T: S T E P H A N I E P I L I C K / D PA /C O R B I S ; M I S S _ J / I S T O C K ; T O N Y D U F F Y/G E T T Y I M A G E S ; © J O H N S P R I N G E R C O L L E C T I O N /C O R B I S ; © A S 4 0 0 D B /C O R B I S

T H E R E A L I ST

Even England’s Queen Mary loves a bargain.

Several newspapers report her picking up nail polish at Woolworth’s, a five-and-dime, in 1929.

“NYDJ” and its icon logo are registered trademarks of NYDJ Apparel, LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright 2016.

FIT TO BE

A FIT FOR ALL

T R E N D TO T RY

STRIPES Candy-colored lines are a sweet way to inject color into your finally-out-of-winter wardrobe.

3 2

4 TOE THE LINE

Pastel-striped faux snakeskin will look particularly fierce with a gray sheath. $350, etienneaigner.com.

5 CLUTCH PIECE

Treat this white-and-navy bag like a neutral and pair it with everything from solids to florals. $118, jcrew.com.

6 PEACHY-KEEN PENCIL

Printed with thick and thin lines, a slim skirt skews less prim. Elizabeth and James skirt, $142, theoutnet.com.

1

7 OUTFIT ANCHOR

T H E R E A L I ST

Fun espadrille wedges let you gain a little extra height comfortably. Franco Sarto wedges, $89, zappos.com.

4

1 CAT-EYE SUNGLASSES

These playful stripes beg for a spring-break getaway. $150, katespade.com.

5 7

2 RETRO BLOUSE

3 BAR-RAISING BANGLE

This rainbow bracelet looks chic with black or white (or any color on the spectrum, for that matter). $65, rjgraziano.com.

Written by

Brandi Broxson

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Photographs by

Philip Friedman

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S O F T S T Y L I N G BY C H A N E L K E N N E B R E W

Elongate your figure with the help of slimming verticals. $108, bodenusa.com.

NYDJ.COM B l o o m i n g d a l e’s L o r d & Ta y l o r

“NYDJ” and its icon logo are registered trademarks of NYDJ Apparel, LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright 2016.

FIT TO BE

BUILT TO FIT. D E S I G N E D TO I N S P I R E .

P R E T T Y P R AC T I C A L

Unfussy French braid The tightly woven version you wore when you were little is a pain to re-create. Today’s mussed-up interpretation looks cooler—and you won’t need your mom to help you.

1 Make waves Mist a texturizing spray all over dry hair and scrunch to create a rumpled, beachy look. Try L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Air-Blown Texture Mist ($5 at drugstores). If you have a few flyaways, let them be—they’ll contribute to the lived-in feel.

2 Weave in and out Divide hair at the crown of the head into three equal sections. Take the left section of hair and cross it over the center and below the right sections, as you would with a regular braid. As you continue, use your index fingers to pull in new pieces of hair to each side section before crossing them. Don’t stress if bumps form—the front will get covered. Once you reach the nape of your neck, secure hair with an elastic, letting the tail hang loose.

3 Band together

Written by Heather Muir Photograph by Molly Cranna

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Slide on a stretchy black headband (yes, like what you wear to wash your face and work out). Try the Scunci Effortless Beauty Headband ($6 for five at Walmart). Position it an inch past your hairline.

In addition to dressing down the braid and corralling strays, it conceals greasy roots when you have no time to shampoo.

H A I R BY PA U L WA R R E N FO R A M I K A @ A R T D E PA R T M E N T; M A K E U P BY A S H L E I G H C I U C C I ; S T I L L L I F E S BY P H I L I P F R I E D M A N ; R U N WAY I M A G E BY T H O S R O B I N S O N /G E T T Y I M A G E S

T H E R E A L I ST

RUNWAY INSPIRATION

Models at the Suno spring 2016 show looked sporty-sophisticated with chignoninspired French braids topped with casual, elastic headbands.

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CLEANSING BALMS

NO STRIPPING. NO FADING.

GENTLY CARE FOR AND CLEANSE COLOR-TREATED HAIR IN ONE REVOLUTIONARY STEP.

KEEP COLOR SHINY SO HAIR LOOKS AND FEELS HEALTHY.

BEFORE

AFTER

NO DRYING. NO WEIGH DOWN.

GENTLY CARE FOR AND CLEANSE DRY, DAMAGED HAIR IN ONE REVOLUTIONARY STEP.

RESTORE MOISTURE TO NOURISH CHEMICALLY DAMAGED HAIR SO IT’S SOFT, CONDITIONED AND HEALTHY-LOOKING.

BEFORE

AFTER

NO BUILD UP. NO FRIZZ.

GENTLY CARE FOR AND CLEANSE CURLY HAIR IN ONE REVOLUTIONARY STEP.

REHYDRATE CURLS WITHOUT WEIGHING THEM DOWN, SO THEY’RE SILKY-SOFT AND BOUNCY.

BEFORE

AFTER

T H E R E A L I ST

Now what?!?

Smart solutions for life’s little disasters Our dryer went on the fritz and shrunk our clothes.

MIR ANDA CALL, via Facebook

THE FIX: Try this rehab for knit clothes (or anything

with a bit of stretch) from Jill Nystul of the blog onegoodthingbyjillee.com: In the bathtub, mix half a cup of baby shampoo with a few inches of lukewarm water, then knead the shrunken clothing in the solution. “This helps relax the fibers,” says Nystul. Rinse, then gently squeeze out the excess. Next, lay the garment on a towel and roll it up to absorb moisture. Unroll and place on a dry towel. Finally, stretch the garment back to its original shape by delicately tugging all sides evenly.

Lay flat and dry before trying on for size. If the piece is still too small, repeat the process. As for woven fabrics? Sorry, but you may be out of luck.

There’s mold on the fridge’s door seal.

My lips itch whenever I eat mangoes.

JOSIE L AM, via e-mail

B. B., via e-mail

THE FIX: Gaskets are a hot spot for mold and mildew, which are caused when warm, moist air from the kitchen contacts the cooler surfaces of the refrigerator, says Dave Smith, the owner of Dave Smith Appliance Services, in Toledo. While wearing rubber gloves, clean the gasket gently with a cleanser like Soft Scrub ($3, target.com) and a soft cloth. Don’t use a scrub pad or rub excessively. Next, rub vinegar all over the seal to help prevent future mold growth. Clean every three months for best results.

THE FIX: Make sure to avoid contact with the peel. That’s where several allergens are found, including urushiol, a chemical found in mangoes (and poison ivy!). It can cause a reaction in some people that includes itching and blistering of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, says Julie Kuriakose, an allergist in New York City. To treat a reaction that has already occurred, wash your face with soap and water to remove any of the fruit’s oil, says Jennifer Krant, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, in New York City. Symptoms usually subside on their own. If there’s no improvement within a week or the symptoms are severe or especially bothersome, see a dermatologist or an allergist.

HAVE A DISASTER

that needs solving?

E-mail your problem to askrealsimple.com.

Written by Brandi Broxson Illustration by Peter Oumanski

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Little helpers 4 ingenious products to make your day easier 2 SUPERFOODS TABLET

Don’t let nicks send your pumps into early retirement. Stick these virtually invisible scratch guards on the backs to hide (and prevent) scuffs. Just for Kiix, $10, nordstrom.com.

No time to shop, chop, or blend? Plop a nutrient-rich supplement (featuring spinach, kale, and six other vegetables) into water for instant green juice. Tasty, too. $13, 8greens.com.

2

Eco quandary CONSIDERING THE BEE CRISIS, IS IT BAD TO BUY HONEY?

T H E R E A L I ST

1

3

4

3 EASY-CLOSE OXFORD

4 DIMMABLE BULB

Limited mobility (from arthritis, say) shouldn’t limit style. This magnetic-closure shirt takes the difficulty out of buttoning up. $65, magnaready.com.

It’s like installing a dimmer switch on any fixture. Just flick the on-off switch to vary the brightness of the long-lasting LED Nanoleaf Bloom. $40, nanoleaf.me.

Written by Tanya Christian Photographs by Philip Friedman

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Not at all! Since 2007, the United States has lost about a quarter of its beehives each year due to pathogens, parasites, pesticides, and poor nutrition. “Buying honey helps beekeepers offset the cost of maintaining colonies and keeping bees healthy,” says Christina Grozinger, Ph.D., the director of the Penn State Center for Pollinator Research.

Opting for local varieties supports producers near you, but purchasing supermarket brands is OK, too, says Becky Masterman, Ph.D., the program director for the University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad, which promotes healthy bee populations. “Commercial companies are often cooperatives that buy regional honey from beekeepers,” she says.

Bees are responsible for more than just our honey supply. Up to a third of our food supply depends on the work of pollinators, such as bees. So how can you help combat the loss of beehives? In addition to supporting the beekeepers by buying honey, plant flowers as a food source for bees—and skip the pesticides.

—KAITLYN PIRIE

P R O P S T Y L I N G BY C H A N E L K E N N E B R E W. I L L U S T R AT I O N BY P E T E R O U M A N S K I ; S P E C I A L T H A N K Y O U T O J A M E S C . N I E H , P H . D. , P R O F E S S O R I N T H E S E C T I O N O F E C O LO G Y, B E H AV I O R , A N D E VO L U T I O N AT U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I FO R N I A , S A N D I E G O ; T H O M A S D. S E E L E Y, P H . D. , P R O F E S S O R I N T H E D E PA R T M E N T O F N E U R O B I O LO G Y A N D B E H AV I O R AT C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y.

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Death in the middle

MAGNUM PHOTOS

After losing his younger sister to cancer, novelist Kristopher Jansma thought he would reach the end of a chapter. But then life got in the way.

Photograph by Ferdinando Scianna

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W H E N I T C O M E S to being a writer, you can’t beat Death as a way to wrap things up. If a story is refusing to end, just have the main character jump in front of a train or fall into a swimming pool. A quick epilogue about how everyone else gets on without them and soon you’ll be typing those long-awaited words: THE END. Death also makes for a strong opener. Meet our stoic protagonist, standing at the grave of a loved one, then walking into a new life marked by grief, searching for purpose and redemption. The rest almost writes itself.

But in 2008, when I found myself facing the death of my younger sister, Jennifer, I realized that Death

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When a second tumor appeared, on her neck, Jenn came to New York, where I lived, to be seen at Memorial Sloan Kettering. There, doctors recommended a new and more intense treatment: radiation, more chemo, more surgery. There was no question that she’d live with me while she went through it—rather, my question once again was: What about everything else?

My fiancée (she said yes!) and I lived in a one-bedroom apartment on Avenue C in Manhattan. She worked from eight to six as an editorial assistant at a publishing house and usually brought work home. I was an adjunct professor, teaching freshman composition at two colleges that were 45 minutes from each other. This paid rather badly, so I also fixed computers and printers for doctors’ offices part-time.

I was 25 years old. We were working around the clock; we were looking for places to get married; we were happy and young and in the prime of our dues-paying years.

Now we were also shuttling Jenn to treatments, running to the pharmacy to pick up endless medications. We cut and crushed pills, mixed them into nutrient-rich milk shakes, and pumped these into her stomach through a PEG tube when her mouth got so sore that she couldn’t swallow anything. Then grading, writing, looking for a wedding venue, cooking, America’s Next Top Model, teaching, editing, and back to the hospital for something else. We hurtled through the days like three coyotes going over a canyon. So long as we didn’t stop running, we thought, we’d never fall.

Ultimately, the treatments couldn’t keep up. We couldn’t keep up. The cancer moved to her legs and her arms and her lungs. Jenn flew down to Florida to be with my parents for the end, and life went on in New York.

The spring semester started. We had to renew our lease, buy groceries, send our save-the-date cards out, feed the

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We hurtled through the days like three coyotes going over a canyon. So long as we didn’t stop running, we thought, we’d never fall.

P H O T O G R A P H BY M I C H A E L L E V Y

L I F E L E SS O N S

just doesn’t work the way it often does in books or movies. It doesn’t happen at the beginning or the end, but right in the middle of everything.

Jenn was diagnosed with oral cancer at the age of 21. Not only was she young, but she was in excellent health, having been a professional ballet dancer for years, first in Miami and then in North Carolina. When a sore on her tongue wouldn’t go away, after much dragging of heels, she saw a dentist. He gave her a mouth guard to wear while she slept so she wouldn’t grind her teeth. Months later, when that didn’t help, someone finally did a biopsy. It came back positive, to pretty much everyone’s disbelief. Oral cancer, we were told repeatedly, was the kind of thing you usually got after chewing tobacco for decades. This was not part of Jenn’s story. The whole thing made no sense at all, but there it was, undeniably real.

My family didn’t know where to start or what to do. Should she get treatment in North Carolina, where she lived and worked? Should we go on the big vacation that we had been planning—a week on a boat in the Caribbean? I was going to propose to my girlfriend. Was this maybe not the best time?

What’s the etiquette on that? Our vague plan of attack was one of defiance. If cancer was going to intrude so rudely, we’d show it what was what and go right on with our plans.

When someone has cancer on TV or in a movie or even in most books, life tends to become temporarily suspended. The patient sits dolefully in a chair somewhere getting chemo, perhaps losing her hair, and everyone else rushes to her side and sits around thinking about what it all means. How short, how precious is life! What a silver lining it is to have this new appreciation of our priorities!

This turned out to be far from the About the author reality. Nothing was suspended. Jenn Kristopher Jansma still had to deal with all the ordinary is the author of Why things: work, boyfriend, furniture We Came to the City, reorganization, dishes, rent, her roompublished by Viking in mate, etc. Mundane or dramatic, life February, and The kept happening. It turns out that chemo Unchangeable Spots is more outpatient than fiction might of Leopards, winner lead you to believe. You’re in the hosof the Sherwood pital receiving treatments for only a Anderson Foundation few hours a week—then you’re just a Fiction Award. He person out in the world looking for a lives with his wife and parking spot. You just also have cancer. son in Brooklyn.

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Death changes everything, but it doesn’t offer profundities or epiphanies on its own.

There’s no time for that. It’s only later, while you’re doing something normal—cleaning the litter box or buying stamps—that its power arrives.

cat. Doctors’ computers kept breaking, and I kept fixing them.

Then, one day, wrist-deep in an endocrinologist’s printer, I got a call from my mother saying it was time. We flew down that night and spent the next few days with my little sister at the hospital, where she now needed a machine to help her breathe because the tumor in her lung had grown to the size of a baseball. It had been less than a year since her diagnosis. Now there was nothing left to fight; we had to let her go.

And even then—nothing else stopped. There was a funeral to plan. Suits to get dry-cleaned. Dresses to be hemmed. Friends and family needed to be picked up from airports, and hotels had to be booked.

I had a eulogy to write, but I couldn’t forget to brush my teeth. Barely a month into the New Year and we were out of vacation days, so it was right back to it.

Was I, at least, stoically beginning a new chapter?

Seeking redemption or grace? No, I can’t say that it seemed that way. My former life hadn’t gone anywhere, but for the first time I felt grateful for that: for work, for friends with other problems, for taxes to file. For all the important and unimportant things.

With everything still going on, it was a little harder to notice the things that weren’t.

Emily Dickinson might have gotten closest to it, when she wrote the lines, “Because I could not stop for Death— / He kindly stopped for me.” Eight years later, I look back on it all as some kind of blur, like the middle of a novel that I skimmed. People sometimes compliment me on my strength during that time, but I can’t recall feeling particularly strong at all. It’s more like I was on a kind of autopilot. A fugue state. A survival mode I’d never known myself capable of entering before. There was no long term, no thought, no reflection. I think my brain shut off its recording function to save RAM, because when I look back on those months, I find barely anything in memory. I know it really happened because it’s still happening. These days, coping with the loss of my sister is just one more thing on my to-do list.

Death changes everything, but unlike what you may have seen or read, it doesn’t offer profundities or epiphanies on its own. There’s no time for that.

It’s only later, after the fact, while you’re doing something normal—cleaning the litter box or buying stamps—that its power arrives. Because it is only life still going on in the present that makes what you’ve lost become part of the past. Q

while supplies last.

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Modern Manners RE AL SIMPLE’S E TIQUE T T E E XPERT, C ATHERINE NE WMAN, OFFER S HER BE ST ADVICE ON YO U R S O CI AL QUANDAR I E S.

My mother is turning 50 this year, and I want to throw her a surprise party. Unfortunately I am a broke college student who can’t really afford the dream party she deserves.

Would it be inappropriate for me to ask her friends to send money to fund the party in lieu of gifts? Or should I ask my grandmother to help? Or should I simplify the party so that fewer costs accumulate?

P.S. Is a cash bar always tacky?

know that your mom is going to be thrilled to have such a thoughtful child and a loving group of friends.

That’s what she’ll remember about turning 50.

About Catherine The author of Catastrophic Happiness (out in April) and Waiting for Birdy, Catherine Newman has shared her wisdom on matters ranging from family and friends to happiness and pickling in numerous publications. She gets advice from her husband and two opinionated children in Amherst, Massachusetts.

P O R T R A I T BY S A R A H M AY C O C K

A.S.

Think about it from your mother’s perspective for one second: Her lovely daughter wants to throw her a dream party! Can you imagine how happy she’ll be? Just the fact of your wanting this—to say nothing of the party itself. So treat the details as the icing on the cake, because that’s what they are. The only thing to avoid is anything that would add stress, rather than fun, to your mother’s experience. Asking her friends for money might trouble her if she finds out about it, so skip that. Likewise, if a cash bar would make her cringe, skip that, too. If your grandmother has the resources to help easily, perfect: Your mother’s own mother and daughter in celebratory cahoots sounds like the best of all possible worlds. But if it would be financially hard on your grandmother? Then don’t ask, and, yes, simplify. See if someone can volunteer her home; ask guests to bring wine or a dish to share; and

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A friend of mine was holding my eight-month-old baby and letting her play with a necklace that she was wearing. Not surprisingly, the string of beads broke. I apologized and offered to repair or replace it.

She said that she would get back to me with an estimate. Honestly, I offered to be nice—but I feel like she’s the one who let my infant play with the necklace in the first place, and it’s not really my responsibility to repair it. What should I do?

A. B.

It’s possible that something more than a necklace has been broken in this interaction. Because of her response to your offer, you have information about your friend that you didn’t want, and this might turn out to be a moment when you see that your priorities are diverging. That said, you did the right thing in offering to replace the necklace. Your friend should have said, “Please don’t worry! It’s just a necklace. Besides, I’m the one who was letting the baby play with it.” But she didn’t. So if she follows up, you will need to make good on your offer. (Mental note: Rhetorical offers can be taken literally, and doing the right thing can result in the wrong outcome.) Not to be a weird jewelry detective, but if the beads were something valuable,

such as pearls, they would have been knotted, so it’s unlikely that a dozen rolled into an air vent, requiring you to drain the baby’s college fund to replace them. But don’t pursue the matter unless your friend does.

Ideally she will reconsider and conclude that people are more valuable than things and that she should let the issue drop.

I have an acquaintance who goes on Facebook to “friend” the girlfriends I introduce her to over brunch. She has even reached out to one independently of me, to receive a favor—which I felt was overstepping. Am I being too sensitive?

L I F E L E SS O N S

J. B.

On the one hand, I completely understand your sensitivity here.

Friends becoming friends with one another can trigger jealousy or insecurity, and if this acquaintance is the kind of person who seems to want to be living your exact life, you might feel encroached upon and claustrophobic. On the other hand, other people’s actions and relationships aren’t yours to control.

Worst-case scenario: Your friends feel harassed by this interloping acquaintance. But that’s a situation that they can handle as they see fit; you do not need to intervene.

Best-case scenario: Your friends are creating meaningful relationships with one another, thanks to you.

Muster your most generous expansiveness and see yourself as the helpful hinge that you are.

than occasional couple friends. We are not very social and enjoy being at home. We are now telling little white lies to get out of doing things with them, but we don’t like being dishonest. How do we tell them that we would rather not be as social as they want to be without hurting their feelings?

homebodies. We just don’t like to go out that much.” (Happily, the truth is not an incrimination of their company; it only points out that the problem is the frequency.) I’ve been through something similar. A dear old friend of mine and I tried to integrate our husbands and children, only to discover that what was most precious to us was, really, our dear old friendship.

If my situation is a good predictor, you might have a brief awkward patch, but the friendship will regain its equilibrium.

S. M.

It’s tempting to keep declining the invitations with little white lies and assume that they’ll eventually get the message. I’ll admit that might be my first inclination. But as you say, this is dishonest, and lying often creates more problems than it solves. So in the interest of truthfulness, say something to your friend, since yours is the primary relationship here. “I’m sorry it’s not working out for the four of us to get together often,” you might say. “I love meeting you for lunch, but my husband and I are

My mom has a good job and disposable income. I am 28, have little disposable income (plus student loans), and live in a tiny apartment with my boyfriend. But my mother expects to sleep at my apartment whenever she visits. It makes both my boyfriend and me quite uncomfortable; we end up stressed and miss sleep. She doesn’t seem to care too much about our work schedules and cannot understand why we would feel put upon. Am I wrong to think she should book a hotel room?

I have a good friend whom I meet for lunch once a week. I very much enjoy having her as a friend. My husband and I occasionally go out with her and her husband, but lately they’ve been asking us to do something with them almost every week. We don’t want to be more

C. M.

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Your mother should book a hotel room. It sounds as though you’ve spoken directly with her about this, since you mention her awareness of how uncomfortable you are. So you’re going to have to be even more direct, and that will be difficult to do without hurting her feelings. I would frame it—because this is true—as an issue about maintaining your closeness, which matters a great deal to you. “Mom, I love you, but it’s not working to have you stay with us.

It’s too cramped, we end up losing sleep, and it’s awkward. I’d rather you stayed in a hotel than risk straining our relationship.” If she is feeling lonely in her stage of life right now, this might be even harder. Offer to meet her for breakfast or walk her back to the hotel after dinner so she doesn’t feel as if she’s missing out on time with you. And try asking her about her first serious relationship, to jog her memory about young love.

The thing is, even if this boyfriend is not “the one,” you are practicing putting your adult, homemade family first—ahead of your family of origin.

You are setting limits, establishing priorities, and flexing the muscle of your independence. This is an inevitable part of growing up, and it isn’t easy, but it is vitally important.

H AV E A N E T I Q U E T T E Q U E ST I O N ?

Submit your social conundrums to Catherine at REALSIMPLE.COM/ MODERNMANNERS. Selected letters will be featured on these pages every month.

A DVERT I SEM EN T

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–Kelly V., iTunes Review

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©2016 Cozi Inc. All Rights Reserved.

All referenced trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

E X P E RT I S E

5 ways to make mornings more bearable Apps that wake you up at an ideal time? Heated floors? Yawn.

According to these experts, including a baker and a morningnews anchor, it’s the simple things that are truly eye-opening.

1 K E L LY G L A Z E R B A RO N

Do something fun, first thing.

Bad mornings aren’t necessarily from unrefreshing sleep;

Written by Rebecca Webber Illustration by Ben Wiseman

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they exist because we dread starting our day—dealing with our commute, going to work. For many of my patients, doing something pleasant at the outset helps a lot.

You need transition time between sleep and getting out the door. There’s a name for it: sleep inertia.

Your brain is literally booting up. So get up earlier, have a cup of coffee—it’s a stimulant; it helps—and watch 30 minutes of your favorite show. Listen to a podcast or paint your nails. Do something you really like.

And don’t hit snooze!

It doesn’t make you feel better, because those snippets of sleep are interrupted.

You’re better off just sleeping a little longer if you need it.

3 2

Do everything the night before.

G E R A L D M AT T H E S

Mimic the Quakers.

L I F E L E SS O N S

5

A R I A N E A R A M B U RO

They have a wonderful phrase called “centering down.” It’s about being silent and reflecting on life. They do it when they first gather in a meeting house. I try to start my day with 10 to 20 minutes of quiet time, where I read something from the Bible or Desmond Tutu or another writer I admire and pray for the needs of family, friends, or bakery customers. In the last few minutes, I think about what challenges I might face that day: personnel conflicts or business relationships I need to address.

When I don’t have that morning quiet time and I just gulp down the day with no preparation, things always seem to be discombobulated.

I have to be at work at 3 A.M. Preparation the night before saves me.

Even when I’m dead tired—and I have a new baby, so I usually am— I shower, lay out my clothes and jewelry, and even put bags in the car that I know I need for work. When my alarm goes off at 2:30 A.M., all I have to do is brush my teeth, put my hair in a ponytail, put on my dress and some boots, and I’m out the door.

If I’m organized, I’m less stressed.

THE EXPERTS

K E L LY G L A Z E R BA R O N, P H . D. , is a specialist in behavioral sleep medicine, a clinical psychologist in the sleep program, and an assistant professor of neurology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

She lives in Chicago.

MARCH 2016

4 A S H A D O R N F E ST

Set timers.

Kids (and some adults) need to learn how to get through their morning routines in a certain amount of time. If your kids take 30 minutes to eat their breakfast, everything’s thrown off. Set alarms on your phone, or use a kitchen timer to alert everyone when to move on to the next task. For forgetful kids, stick a Post-it note next to the timer telling them what to do when the alarm goes off: Go brush your teeth! For older kids, use a big analog clock. With my family, I would put the Post-it where the hands would be—at 7:10, a note to brush teeth. It really helped them grasp the passage of time and got us out the door much faster in the morning.

G E R A L D M AT T H E S is the founder of the Give Thanks Bakery & Cafe, in Rochester, Michigan.

He lives in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

ARIANE ARAMBURO is the morning anchor and the executive producer of The Morning Edition, at KTUU, the NBC affiliate in Anchorage.

54

S H A N N O N A LG I E R E

Pamper yourself.

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Flower harvesting on the farm needs to happen very early, so I get up at 5 A.M. But I think of it as a sacred time of selfcare. First I write down any dreams I can remember in my journal. I drink apple cider vinegar in warm water to hydrate. I drink coffee and read or sometimes even look at family photo albums. I rinse my face and apply Dr Haushka’s Melissa Day Cream. Melissa is lemon balm, and the smell has a very uplifting quality. At the farm, we always invite visitors to put their noses into the lemon-balm plants and take a deep breath.

Herbalists say it can help relieve depression and tension.

A S H A D O R N F E S T is the author of Parent Hacks. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

SHANNON ALGIERE is the flower and herb manager at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, in Pocantico Hills, New York.

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B R E AT H E

You’ve probably had the experience of reading a book or an article and suddenly realizing that you’ve spaced out and missed the meaning of a whole passage. Of course, sometimes this is because you’re tired or not that interested in what you’re reading. But at other times a lapse like this has something to tell you. Next time you glaze over while reading, take a break. Look up from your book, sit back, and see what’s up. Notice where your mind went when it wandered, and let yourself follow the thought, whether it’s a familiar daydream, a memory, your grocery list, or a song. Maybe you can discover what took you there. Scan back in the text. No pressure to find an answer—just be curious. Was there something on the page that triggered a fantasy? Did a certain word or phrase remind you of someone? Or was this lapse in attention your mind’s way of avoiding something unpleasant? You might not be sure, but taking this minute to acknowledge that you were gone (and now you’re back) can be calming. It’s a nice, gentle alternative to scolding yourself for spacing out, and it lets you reengage with your book, refreshed.

THIS MONTH’S EXPERT

OFFSET

E DWA R D J O N E S has been teaching Buddhism-inspired vinyasa yoga in New York City and internationally for a decade. Find him online at wheelandaxle. net and in person at the Shala Yoga House (theshala.com), in New York City.

Photograph by Kate Mathis

MARCH 2016

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THE GUIDE beauty

YO U R D RU G STO R E P RO D U C T S CLEANSER: “You don’t even need to wash twice a day,” says Heather Rogers, M.D., a cofounder of Modern Dermatology, in Seattle. “Your skin naturally acts as a barrier, keeping out the bad stuff, like dirt and pollution. When people overcleanse their faces and suds up too often, it strips skin of the good stuff—the oils that keep your complexion balanced. Just wash with water in the morning.” You should, however, take the time to cleanse every night.

“At the end of the day,” she says, “you have to get all that grime and makeup off your face, even if you don’t worry about breakouts. Otherwise nighttime treatments can’t penetrate the skin.” Rogers recommends Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser ($6 at drugstores) because it foams and rinses away easily.

when

SUNSCREEN: “I cannot emphasize

enough how important it is to apply This Olay ProX cleansing brush ($35 at drugstores) lives up to the buzz.

REAL SIMPLE CHALLENGED

seasoned dermatologists to design tip-top skin-care routines using mostly drugstore products, it wasn’t much of a challenge at all. Turns out, the aisles are packed with effectiveyet-affordable formulas that beget healthy skin. Layer on one (or two) specialty products the dermatologists swear by, throw away a few superfluous items that you thought you needed (but don’t!), and your regimen is complete.

sunscreen every single day,” says Elizabeth Hale, M.D., a codirector of CompleteSkinMD, in Manhattan.

“And using foundation with sunscreen doesn’t count. You have to use a separate sun-blocking product.” Because daily application means you’ll go through a bottle

SKIN T YPE

rapidly, it makes sense to go with

Normal or combination

a fairly affordable option, and there are plenty. Try L’Oréal Paris

Of all the types, your skin is the easiest to care for because you don’t have a chronic condition (like acne) to manage. “I tell my normal-skin patients to keep their skin-care routines basic, because their skin behaves well on its own,” says Jill Waibel, M.D., director of the Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute.

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Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition SPF 30 Day Lotion ($20 at drugstores).

RETINOID: Retinoids help correct skin damage that has already occurred.

Many dermatologists agree that topical vitamin A is the best anti-aging ingredient we have to date. And because normal-to-combination skin is better able than other types to tolerate this potentially irritating

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ingredient, you have a wider range of options, many of which are inexpensive. One cream often cited for its efficacy and affordability: ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream ($23 at drugstores), which is meant to be applied before bed.

CLEANSING BRUSH: Rogers and

Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., of Union Square Laser Dermatology, in New York City, both agree that those

cleansing the T-zone with a brush

One key to economical skin care is learning how to use products properly.

That means not slathering on a quarter-size dollop when a dime-size drop will do—or layering products in the wrong order, preventing penetration of whatever lands on top. So what’s the right approach? Read on.

two times a week can help keep

DON’T OVERDOSE.

with combination skin, in particular, will reap big rewards by incorporating a brush into their regular routines. Why? Combination skin has a split personality, and the regimen outlined on these pages is geared more toward the normal half. Deep THE GUIDE beauty

Get the most for your money

that combination area clear of clogs. Then use the brush a third time each week, over the whole face, to remove dead skin cells.

This will leave your skin smooth and pave the way for antioxidant and retinoid products. Try the Olay Professional ProX Advanced Cleansing System ($35 at drugstores).

YO U R S P EC I A LT Y P RO D U C T ANTIOXIDANT SERUM: No matter your skin type, you should use an antioxidant product at least once a day, because it’s one of the first lines of defense the body uses to fight free radicals caused by environmental assaults, like ultraviolet (UV) rays and pollution, says Hale. (It’s the damage from sun and smog that can cause fine lines and sun spots.) But not all antioxidant serums are created equal.

Unlike cleansers and basic moisturizers, effective antioxidant serums are probably going to cost more than $30. “Antioxidants are pricey and

“Using sunscreen now helps you avoid major spending on age-reversing treatments, like lasers or surgery, later on,” says Elizabeth Hale.

hard to stabilize,” says Tina West, M.D., the director of the West Institute, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. “Finding an antioxidant for $10 is no bargain, because it’s unlikely to work.”

So for this product, you’ll need to step out of the drugstore and splurge online. One formula doctors swear by: SkinMedica Vitamin C + E Complex ($98, skinmedica.com), which leaves skin with a slightly matte finish—good for shine control.

J U ST S K I P I T MOISTURIZER: “Most women with

normal or combination skin don’t really need a hydrating lotion in APPLY IN THE RIGHT SEQUENCE. Think thin

to thick—serum, lotion, cream. The exception: If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, that should go on first, before any other product, since the sunscreen has to be absorbed to be effective.

Applying anything else first may prevent that.

To minimize waste, heed these guidelines from dermatologist Elizabeth Hale: You need no more than a nickel-size squirt of cleanser and facial moisturizer; two peasize drops of an antioxidant serum; one peasize drop of retinoid cream; a dime-size dollop of eye cream (half a dime per eye); and about a quarter-size pump of facial sunscreen.

DRY YOUR HANDS…

Warm, wet skin quickly absorbs anything you put on it, so make sure your hands are clean and dry before massaging in any facial products. Otherwise your fingertips may end up being the best-treated skin on your body.

addition to a hydrating sunscreen,” says Gmyrek. An inexpensive, SPFlaced lotion: Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($20 at drugstores). Same goes for your nighttime routine; choosing a retinoid with a richer base means you don’t need to spring for a separate moisturizing lotion. The exception: During the winter, you may want an extra layer of moisture to prevent or combat chapping. In that case, a simple drugstore formula will do.

Try CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM ($14 at drugstores), which can be applied as needed.

Note: If your under-eyes are feeling

…BUT DAMPEN YOUR FACE. It’s helpful to

apply an antioxidant serum after washing, because damp skin is very absorbent, and this will accelerate penetration. Exception to the rule: Don’t apply a retinoid to wet skin, since quick absorption in that case can lead to irritation.

dry, too, the CeraVe lotion can be safely tapped on that area; no need to buy a separate eye product.

SKIN T YPE

Oily/acne-prone “Many women with oily or blemishprone skin use too many products,” says Waibel. The motivation is obvious: You’re trying to stem relentless oil production and prevent annoy-

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ing breakouts. However, overdiligence can exacerbate both issues. “When you overstrip oil, your sebaceous glands start pumping out more sebum, because they think your skin is dry,” says Waibel.

And, she says, “all those active acne ingredients can cross-react, leading to redness and irritation.”

Simplifying your routine cuts costs

THE GUIDE beauty

and improves your complexion.

YO U R D RU G STO R E P RO D U C T S CLEANSER: “A gentle, foaming cleanser, used twice a day, is all you need,” says Rogers, who warns against using anything with acnefighting ingredients in the morning.

“I want patients to be able to tolerate an acne-fighting lotion at night, and using a strong cleanser may be too aggressive,” she says. Her pick: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser ($12 at drugstores).

RETINOID: Not only are retinoids

great anti-agers “but there’s also SUNSCREEN: “There are lots of

no better treatment for acne than

effective sunscreen options in

a retinoid,” says Rogers. As with

drugstores. Like cleansers, these are products that don’t require you to fork over a lot of money,” says Hale, who likes Coppertone ClearlySheer Faces SPF 30 ($9 at drugstores), which leaves a matte finish. If your skin is very broken out, some dermatologists recommend going with a physical block, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, rather than a chemical sunscreen, because blocks have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the redness and irritation associated with acne.

Try Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen SPF 60 ($12 at drugstores).

the antioxidant serum, many der-

YO U R S P EC I A LT Y P RO D U C T S ANTIOXIDANT SERUM: The same reasoning mentioned in the normal-skin category applies here. “Regardless of your skin type, in order to ensure that you’re getting an antioxidant formula that is both stable and effective, you need to pay a bit more,” says West.

One formula that is doctor-vetted and won’t clog pores: SkinCeuticals Serum 20 AOX+ ($119, skinceuticals. com). You should put it on in the morning, because the daytime is when you need the most protection.

But if you have very oily skin, morning application of some products may make you feel too tacky. In that case, find an antioxidant that comes in gel form to avoid that feeling.

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70

matologists say it’s worthwhile to pay a bit more for a proven (nondrugstore) formula when you’re battling both acne and aging, especially since that’s the only nighttime treatment you need. A prescription-strength formula would probably be the most effective. “The closest you can get to that in an over-the-counter product is SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 [$70, skinceuticals.com]. Because it’s the strongest product available over the counter, that necessitates starting slowly to avoid irritation,” says Rogers. Apply to dry skin after washing or over your antioxidant

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Drugstore containers tend to be larger than those you find at department stores, and that means you don’t have to skimp on the amount you apply.

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serum, if you choose to use a

MOISTURIZER: “I tell my patients,

more likely to get in. Therefore it

serum before bed. Rogers points

‘If your kitchen sink is clogged, you

can become easily inflamed. So it’s

out that you need to use only

don’t throw more food down the

important to be cautious and use

a pea-size drop of most retinoid

drain,’ ” says Waibel. Like people

only a handful of products that are

creams. The amount is so small,

with normal or combination skin,

effective but gentle. Less is truly

those with oily or acne-prone skin

more. (You’re welcome.)

most tubes will last almost a year, so even a $120 tube translates to about $10 a month. (Pay attention to the expiration date. Even though the product may still work, it may be weaker.)

J U ST S K I P T H E S E TONER: Oily-skin types often apply an astringent toner in an effort to curb oil. Fight the urge, says Gmyrek, as many contain skin-drying alcohol, which can to lead to oil overproduction and irritation.

You can expect to see results from using a retinoid after two to three months.

probably don’t need a separate moisturizer. You’ll get enough hydration from sunblock during the day and your anti-aging treatment at night. Just make sure you’re using one with a creamy base.

SKIN T YPE

Dry or sensitive This skin type typically has barrier issues, which is why moisture is hard to hold on to and irritants are

YO U R D RU G STO R E P RO D U C T S CLEANSER: “You want something creamy and soothing, without any active ingredients, like acids,” says Gmyrek. Try Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser ($10 at drugstores) or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($14 at drugstores).

Wash in the evenings but skip the mornings to avoid overstripping your skin (and to make your cleanser last longer).

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MOISTURIZER: Even if you use a rela-

tively moisturizing sunscreen (see our pros’ pick in the specialty section, below), it probably won’t provide enough hydration for your skin during the day. At the drugstore, look for a moisturizer containing at least one of these highly effective hydrating ingredients: hyaluronic acid (which helps skin hold more moisture, longer) and ceramides (which help repair tattered skin barriers to keep moisture in more effectively). Try Skin + Pharmacy Advanced Anti-Aging Therapy Intensive Hydration Cream ($20 at drugstores) with hyaluronic acid or CeraVe MoisturTHE GUIDE beauty

izing Cream ($15 at drugstores) with ceramides. Apply before sunscreen in the morning and after your anti-aging retinoid (below).

EYE CREAM: Because your skin is so dry, your under-eye area is probably parched, too. And while many doctors think a face cream can work just fine there, your propensity toward sensitivity calls for something made specifically for delicate under-eye skin. Try Burt’s Bees Sensitive Eye Cream ($18 at drugstores).

Slather this onto skin without water for a balmlike feel, then rinse.

many dermatologists’ medicine cabinets. Apply in the morning before your moisturizer and sunscreen.

dioxide, rather than a chemical sunscreen, like avobenzone (also called Parsol 1789). This is because blocks sit on top of the skin, rather than getting absorbed into it, making them less apt to irritate these sensitive-skin types.

YO U R S P EC I A LT Y P RO D U C T S SUNSCREEN: Those with dry or sen-

sitive skin require a sunscreen that

One that fits the bill: EltaMD UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ ($24, lovelyskin.com).

ANTIOXIDANT SERUM: Although your

physical. Dermatologists say that

skin craves moisture, many dermatologists say you’re still better off with an antioxidant serum, as opposed to a cream, because there’s some concern that creamy humectants may impede the skin’s ability to absorb the antioxidants. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($162, skinceuticals. com) is a formula you’re apt to find in

need to spend a little more. Opt for a creamy sunscreen to ensure that your skin isn’t missing another opportunity to hydrate. Also, look for a formula with a physical sunblock, like zinc oxide or titanium

to act as a buffer against retinoids, so you need to use one for sensitive skin,” says Rogers. Her pick: Avène RetrinAL 0.05 Cream ($61, dermstore.com). Minimize irritation by applying it twice a week, then work your way toward more frequent applications, followed by moisturizer if you have flaking.

J U ST S K I P I T

ticks off a lot of boxes: creamy and for the best version of this, you’ll

RETINOID: “Your skin has fewer oils

MARCH 2016

74

HARSH SCRUBS: Gently sloughing away dry skin helps moisture penetrate the skin better. And because dry-skin types often experience flakes, this is tempting. But grainy exfoliators that contain beads, enzymes, or acids can dry out and irritate your skin. Instead, once a week, use a washcloth and a gentle cleanser to remove dead skin cells.

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THE GUIDE beauty

Known for its tingly lip balm, Burt’s Bees now offers 100 percent natural lipstick ($9, burtsbees.com), which glides on like butter (thanks to beeswax and raspberry-seed oil), remains on lips (not the coffee cup), and comes in recyclable tubes. In 14 easy-to-wear shades.

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S P R AY P O L I S H

A tall drink of water

NAILING A MANICURE NO LONGER REQUIRES PRECISION. APPLY A BASE COAT, THEN USE THE NAILS INC. PAINT CAN ($12, ULTA.COM) TO MIST YOUR FINGERTIPS (SKIN AND ALL). BRUSH ON A TOPCOAT, THEN USE SOAPY WATER TO REMOVE THE POLISH—JUST LIKE THAT!—FROM YOUR SKIN.

Quench parched skin with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF 15 ($19 at drugstores). The hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and olive-extract formula in this moisturizer is time-released, so skin feels just as supple even hours after you apply it.

Frequent-filer miles When this nail file wears down, don’t chuck it. Instead, peel the top layer off to reveal a fresh surface underneath. Revlon Love Collection by Leah Goren File ’N’ Peel ($5 at drugstores) holds three files in one durable, floral-printed board.

THIS SIDE SHAPES NAILS; THE OTHER ONE BUFFS AWAY RIDGES.

What a drag

Reverse gears

A fine line

Bottle service

The Sephora Collection Color Switch by Vera Mona Sponge Cleaner ($18, sephora.com) makes it possible to use multiple makeup shades without alternating brushes. Just run the bristles over the sponge to remove pigments.

For those with fine hair that deflates after conditioning, consider Tresemmé Beauty-Full Volume Pre-Wash Conditioner and Shampoo ($5 each at drugstores).

You condition first, then shampoo to create (and preserve) body.

Maybelline Master Precise Skinny ($8 at drugstores) takes the intimidation out of drawing a thin line or winged cat-eyes.

Its teeny, 1.88-millimeter tip twists up like a mechanical pencil, and it deposits gel-like color that won’t smudge.

If a dermatologist appointment doesn’t fit in to your schedule, consider Curology ($20 a month, curology.com), a virtual option. Fill out a survey and upload photos, and a licensed dermatologist will mail you a personalized anti-aging or acne prescription.

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With the hold and control of a gel but the healing powers and shine of an oil, Bb.Curl AntiHumidity Gel-Oil ($34, bumbleandbumble.com) is a frizz-taming elixir that elongates tight curls.

Finally, your Dream Blender has arrived.

BEAUTY GLOSSARY: MICELLAR WATER

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THE GUIDE fashion

Mindful shopping Yes, it’s a thing. And like mindful eating and mindful breathing, this new sensibility ensures that every single purchase counts.

Written by Rosemary Counter

MARCH 2016

Illustrations by Karolin Schnoor

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T H I S I S YO U R B R A I N O N

You’re browsing in a department store or clicking absentmindedly around Shopbop and suddenly there it is—the siren call of the “impulse buy,” a tempting treat that you haven’t budgeted for, don’t need, and may regret. Yet you somehow plop down a credit card nonetheless. So what’s the secret to ignoring this siren call and discerning between a momentary mistake and a good investment?

It’s all about being conscious of what’s happening inside your head when you’re shopping.

SHOPPING.

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Why is shopping so seductive?

Although the impulse buy is framed as a rare and adorable accident— Oops! Guilty pleasure!—in fact, a massive 68 percent of consumer decisions are made at the point of purchase. And if you happen to pick up and hold what you are considering, you make an emotional connection that inspires ownership, and you are then 60 percent more likely to buy. Factor in a rough day at the office and you are particularly vulnerable, as you look to escape your emotional funk. “Buying actually elevates feel-good chemicals in your brain,” says New York psychologist April Lane Benson, the author of To Buy or Not to Buy. A 2013 survey from the coupon site Ebates.com found that more than half of Americans admit to “retail therapy”—shopping to boost mood— which, in moderation, has been proven to increase dopamine levels, ease life transitions, and reduce stress and anxiety.

Once you have surrendered to that initial purchase, you have unwittingly opened the floodgates to buying even more during that shopping trip, finds a 2007 study conducted by researchers from

Duke, Stanford, and Yale business schools, who call this “the shopping momentum effect.” After a consumer goes through the deliberation phase, in which she decides, yes, this item is worth opening her wallet for, she’s now in a mind-set to buy. As in: “I’m waiting on the checkout line anyway, so I might as well see if there’s anything else on the sale rack.”

“The autonomic nervous system is literally aroused by our wants,” says San Francisco consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow, the author of Decoding the Consumer Mind. It’s milder but similar to the way you experience other arousals—the heart beats faster, palms sweat—and that, says Yarrow, “makes rationality a little harder.”

But like all highs, says Benson, “of course, there is a crash.” Maybe it’s later that evening, or when the credit-card statement arrives, or when you

Although the impulse buy is framed as a rare and adorable accident—Oops!

Guilty pleasure!— in fact, a massive 68 percent of consumer decisions are made at the point of purchase.

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find the dress two years later with the tag still on—and boom—you’re hit with a reminder of your poor decision making. “Even if we can financially afford the habit, feelings of guilt, shame, and wastefulness can weigh on us and extract a huge psychological cost,” says Benson.

What’s really behind your shopping habit?

If you answer this question by saying you just love cute stuff, you’re not digging deep enough. You need to figure out what you’re really shopping for. Think about what your purchase represents—whether it’s status, professionalism, or attention from your partner, says Laura Martin.

(Martin’s shopping addiction landed her in the 12-step program Debtors Anonymous; she now teaches a class on mindfulness and money in Portland, Oregon.) Trendy pieces can mean you want to fit in with your

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HOW TO SHOP M I N D F U L LY ON THE B U Y- I T- N O W !

INTERNET Because all it takes is one quick tap to add to the cart, Graham Jones, a psychologist based in the United Kingdom and the author of Click.ology, offers ways to outsmart virtual temptation.

peers, while a cashmere collection may reveal a craving for comfort. Once you identify the root of your retail urges, you can seek out alternative (and arguably more effective) ways to satisfy these needs, perhaps through, say, regular lunch dates with colleagues or listening to soothing music.

Even in a fitting room, meditation principles can help you step back and see a purchase for what it really is, says Jan Chozen Bays, M.D., the author of Mindfulness on the Go. “Sit down on the bench, take three deep breaths, and ask yourself how you’re feeling,” she says. If your body responds that it is hungry, angry, tired, or lonely, you may be looking to meet those physical or emotional needs with material things. If the voice saying buy-buybuy sounds like a needy child, that’s a red flag that you’re not thinking practically. Bays calls this practice “surfing the urge” to illustrate how the desire is temporary, if you ride it out.

Other triggers to look out for? According to a 2014 study from Popsugar Insights, a marketing research platform, 45 percent of respondents say they shop online to relieve boredom or to kill time. Another 30 percent use it as a break from work. If you find yourself clicking on the new arrivals on autopilot, you may want to switch to watching, say, cat videos for the sake of your

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Avoid impaired clicking.

Late-night browsing with a glass of Pinot seems harmless, but making buying decisions when tired or tipsy (i.e., when your defenses are down) can lead to a bummer arriving on your doorstep days later. “Reserve the item in your cart, then revisit it the next morning, when you have a clear head,” says Jones.

Realize that you’re being peer-pressured. There’s a reason why many sites have a “customers who bought this item” suggestion box. Our desire to conform to social groups is deeply rooted, says Jones: “We like to buy what our friends buy or what people ‘like us’ buy because it helps confirm our self-identity.”

Sidestep the trap of free shipping. “Retailers set the minimum-order size for free shipping marginally above the average order size because that encourages additional purchasing,” says Jones.

If you seem to fall for this ploy every time, shop at sites that offer S&H gratis no matter what (like Zappos and L.L.Bean).

bank account (and stress levels—they’ve been scientifically proven to boost mood).

The mindful-shopping makeover Dismiss retail clickbait.

If those pumps you were eyeing pop up in a banner ad, it is not a sign from the universe that they were meant to be yours. To keep companies from reminding you that you “forgot” to buy something, clear your browser cookies or use an advertising blocker within your browser. (For details, Google “block ads in web browser.”)

Likewise, unsubscribe from e-mail newsletters to avoid being seduced daily by sale alerts.

Take a breather. Don’t rush into a purchase because of a flash sale’s countdown clock or a low-stock indicator (only 2 left!). “If an item we desire is scarce, our survival instincts kick in and we want that item now, in case we can’t have it in the future,” says Jones.

Consumers have no way of knowing if retailers are being misleading.

(They may have two in the warehouse but could order more.) Even if time is of the essence, step away from the computer for at least five minutes to help gain perspective.

Create a speed bump.

Instead of keeping your credit card stored on your go-to retail sites, use the guest-checkout option whenever possible. Not only does this increase security but it also means you’ll have time to consider if a purchase is worth the hassle of punching in address and credit-card info.

—Yolanda Wikiel

Good news: If you’re thinking about what you buy, you’ve already begun. Here are a few more exercises to add to your mindfulness practice.

Earn the purchase. “In a mindful purchase, there’s planning involved,” says Martin, who recounts a tale of a months-long quest to find the ultimate pair of boots. “They’re worth it because I earned them,” she says. Reframing purchases as something you “earn” rather than “get” adds a sense of appreciation. “We are goal-striving creatures,” explains Thomas Gilovich, a professor of psychology at Cornell University. “We gain a deep satisfaction from effortfully using our skills in pursuit of a goal.”

List the must-have features of your dream item, and don’t settle until you find the perfect thing that checks off all the boxes.

Realize that willpower is a finite resource.

Research has shown that willpower, like a muscle, can get fatigued. So it’s a good idea to identify the moments when you may be most defenseless.

For example, if you’ve abstained from Cinnabon at the food court, your self-control may be too tapped out to pass up a 40 percent–off sale at Macy’s. Luckily, the more you work your willpower muscle, the more resilient it will get.

Make the payment process more real. A 2008 study published in Journal of Experimental Psychology found that shoppers who hand over cold, hard cash as opposed to swiping a credit card experience a higher “pain of paying,” since the loss of funds is immediate. Researchers also note that when people pay by card, they are willing to spend more for the same product than when they have to fork over actual money.

Distinguish a want from a need. Remember that “almost everything is a want; very few things are needs,” says Yarrow. Put the item on hold, and tell yourself that you’ll come back. You’ll return with the satisfaction of knowing that you’re making the right choice with zero regrets. That’s slow shopping and smart shopping, and it never goes out of style.

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5-MINUTE TR AINER

SIDE L ATER AL 1

2

What it is

How to do it

This upper-body move targets the anterior and lateral deltoids, two of the three shoulder muscles (along with the posterior deltoids) that power your movements when you’re hoisting a carry-on into the overhead luggage bin or putting a stack of plates on a high shelf. Beyond strengthening your reach, this exercise also gives you sleeveless-ready shoulders and visually slims your hips. How’s that? “Working the middle deltoids gives the shoulders width and creates definition between the biceps and the triceps,” says fitness expert and American College of Sports Medicine and American Council on Exercise–certified personal trainer Keli Roberts. “It also creates great body symmetry: If your shoulders are wider, everything below looks smaller.”

STAND with your feet comfortably spaced, knees soft, hands holding three- to five-pound dumbbells by your sides with thumbs facing forward and palms facing in toward the thighs.

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REPEAT for 8 to 12 repetitions using a weight that feels challenging by the last rep. Complete three sets total.

KEEP your abdominals tight, your shoulders over your hips, and your neck in line with your spine.

RAISE the weights slowly out and up to shoulder height, rotating your arms outward so that your palms end up facing forward.

B O DY C H E C K 1 Raise your arms no higher than shoulder height. Going higher can lead to inflammation and irritation of the tendons around the shoulder joints.

2 Keep your neck long and natural. Elevating the shoulders can cause neck tension and overdevelop the upper trapeziuses (the muscles that lift the shoulders).

3 Lift and lower slowly for two to three counts each, holding your torso steady, so that you rely on muscle, not momentum.

PAUSE for a moment at the top of the move.

LOWER the weights as you rotate your arms to return to the starting position, with your palms facing your thighs and your thumbs pointing forward.

Kimberly Dawn Neumann Photograph by

Henry Leutwyler

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Muscles trained Anterior and lateral deltoids (shoulder muscles)

FA S H I O N S T Y L I N G BY A LY S S A D I N E E N ; H A I R A N D M A K E U P BY S U S A N D O N O G H U E FO R E N N I S I N C . I L L U S T R AT I O N BY R E M I E G E O F F R O I

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THE TRAINER IN YOUR LIVING ROOM When it comes to customizable workouts, the offerings on your mobile device or smart TV far outpace those at your local gym. Here are 12 worth working up a sweat over.

Written by Nicole Clancy Photograph by Richard Foulser

IT’S A UNIVERSAL TRUTH: The fewer stumbling blocks on the way to a workout (it’s raining; the class is booked; I’m just a beginner), the more likely you are to stick with a regimen.

Which is why you can thank technology for your soon-tobe-firmer thighs and mellower resting heart rate. A broad, new range of targeted DVDs, downloadable workout videos, and apps make it possible to find challenging and inspiring workouts around the clock.

“Fitness doesn’t have to be limited to the four walls of a gym or include special equipment for you to reap the many physiological and psychological benefits that exercise provides,” says Jessica Matthews, a senior advisor for health and fitness education for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). And building fitness skills or mastering exercise techniques at your own pace has never been more motivating. “From DVDs and live-streamed classes to free high-quality fitness videos on YouTube, there is no shortage of fun and effective ways to get in a great workout at home,” says Matthews. These workouts in particular earn top praise from fitness pros.

SIMPLY YOGA FREE (Apple and Android app, free). With this app, there’s always time for yoga. “I like that it has live videos to get into each asana, and it provides audio for 20-, 40-, and 60-minute sessions,” says Mindy Caplan, a clinical exercise physiologist certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor. This userfriendly app delivers clear narration that will have you performing poses you never thought possible, in the amount of time that you have.

RODNEY YEE’S YOGA FOR BEGINNERS (DVD, $15, yeeyoga.com). “Yoga can be challenging and even dangerous when you’re doing it yourself without any experience,” says Jim White, a spokesman for ACSM, an exercise physiologist, and the owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios. That’s why this DVD, which encourages mastery of basic yoga poses in the proper progression, is so effective. Yee carefully demonstrates each pose as a narrator offers precise instruction.

MARCH 2016

CARDIO

PILATES: KILLER ABS WITH KRISTIN M C GEE (digital download, $4, kristinmcgee.com). Ideal for days when time is tight, this Pilates ab workout clocks in at just under 17 minutes. McGee’s fast-paced, encouraging style keeps your body busy and your mind engaged. With functional Pilates moves, such as Bug, Twist, and Saw, you’ll find your strongest abs await.

PERFECT PILATES BODY WITH ANDREA SPEIR (DVD, $19; or digital downloads, $3 to $6 for each workout segment: andreaspeirpilates. com). Do the eight 10-minute workouts one at a time or in your preferred combination for a customizable experience; perform them all in succession for a full practice. Speir also includes breathing cues for an extra stress-releasing benefit.

“I love that the DVD focuses on strengthening, toning, and increasing flexibility of the entire body,” says White.

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AMY DIXON BREATHLESS BODY 2: THE EDGE (DVD or digital download, $20, amydixonfitness.com). This 55minute, no-equipment workout offers four sets of three drills, performed in 20-second intervals, with 10-second recovery periods. Exercises such as plyometric (highimpact) lunges and side hops will strengthen your muscles and your mind’s resolve.

Choose as many drills as you want, or follow Dixon through the entire circuit. You’ll cover multiple sets, targeting every muscle group, in one action-packed workout.

INDOOR JOGGING WORKOUT WITH JESSICA SMITH (video, free, jessicasmithtv. com). An indoor jogginginspired workout that doesn’t rely on a bulky treadmill? It’s not a dream—it’s this 40minute cardio session, which combines high- and lowimpact choreography. “It’s

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perfect for days when you can’t exercise outdoors,” says Matthews. Smith’s casual, welcoming coaching style emphasizes proper posture and form. She offers creative exercises that will challenge both the novice and the avid exerciser.

DAILY CARDIO WORKOUT FREE (Apple and Android app, free). Choose from 5-, 8-, and 10-minute high-intensity workouts. No equipment is required and not much space is needed as you’re guided through a series of heartpumping exercises—from squat knee-ups to mountain climbers. “This app is quick and challenging yet achievable,” says White. “I would recommend it for anyone trying to squeeze in a workout.”

ST R E N GT H TR AINING ACE HIIT SERIES WITH CHRIS FREYTAG (2 DVDs, $23; or digital download, $20: acefitness.org). Need some motivation? “Chris’s energy is contagious!” says Matthews.

(And if that doesn’t do the trick, the 30-day workout calendar will help keep you accountable.) All you need to do each day’s different 30minute workout is a set of 3to 10-pound dumbbells. This is a powerful, comprehensive program that offers maximum benefits, fast.

SWORKIT (Apple and Android app, free). This weight-free workout packs the training power of a weight room full of equipment. Use only your body for allover routines made up of moves such as genie sit,

IT WASN’T THAT LONG AGO THEY WERE COVERED IN DIRT.

© 2016 Crystal Farms

planks, and squats. Can’t let go of your faithful dumbbells? The $3-a-month Sworkit Premium upgrade lets you create custom routines.

“And by adding weights, you can get a stronger workout,” says Caplan.

ELEMENT: TARGETED TONING YOGA (DVD, $15, collagevideo.com).

Instructor Meaghan Kennedy Townsend guides you through extended holds of postures that load muscles far more than a traditional yoga workout. Choose one 20minute session (each targets gluteals, thighs, arms, shoulders, abdominals, or core), or stack workouts together for a total-body challenge.

VA R I E D W O R KO U T S SPIROFIT (streaming, $20 a month, spirofit.com). Like a pocket gym membership, SpiroFit has a large roster of videos and live classes from top pros in many disciplines, including balance, Tai Chi, indoor cycling, and martial arts. Choose a workout based on fitness category, intensity, experience level, or duration.

GROKKER (digital downloads and streaming, $15 a month, grokker.com). Grokker takes a multipronged approach to fitness, with workouts, healthy recipes, cooking videos, reminder settings, and member forums. Disciplines, including meditation and HIIT Club, are varied and range in level from beginner fitness to advanced.

Launched her fashion line (Her daughter drew the cat)

Met her husband at an improv class in LA

Studied fashion in Illinois

Baked her way to stardom on Gilmore Girls

Grew up in a farm town

PICK UP A COPY IN STORES OR SUBSCRIBE AT PEOPLE.COM

Ask the Organizer

counter intuitive I want a bathroom that’s clean and serene, but I have a habit of accumulating beauty products that clutter the surfaces. Any advice?

tray. To keep hair tools off the counter, store them in a wall-mounted caddy (Blow Away vanity organizer, $8, organizeit.com). Last, set limits on duplicates. Relocate extra shampoos and conditioners from the shower ledge to a basket in a nearby closet, and toss or donate any that don’t fit into it.

a clothes call

Next to our bed, my husband keeps what I call his “nest”: a pile of clothes that he may or may not wear again before laundering. How do we get rid of it for good?

J . M . , V I A FAC E B O O K

I call this the “clerty” pile—part clean, part dirty.

In my house, we avoid it by using hooks to hold inlimbo stuff. I recommend just one hook for each family member, in an out-of-the-way area, like the back of a closet or bathroom door. Let your husband know this is the spot to hang the pair of jeans or shirt he thinks he might rewear—not a week’s worth of discarded clothing. Anything that doesn’t fit on the hook needs to be put back in a drawer or on a shelf or dropped in the hamper. It’s harder to make those decisions when you’re tired, so I advise my clients, whenever possible, to get ready for bed an hour before they plan to go to sleep. This way, they have the mental and physical energy to make the call and are less apt to succumb to the floor drop.

ORGANIZING PRO ERIN RO ONE Y D OL AND, BA SED IN

communication glitch I have a hard time keeping track of people I’ve called or e-mailed who haven’t responded. I’ll mentally cross them off my list and then forget to follow up. How do I do a better job of staying on top of this?

A . M . , V I A FAC E B O O K

Capturing all parts of a task (on paper, in your phone’s Notes app, or wherever you write down to-do’s) is the best way to keep up. Right below a main task—for example, “E-mail landscaper for appointment”—add a corresponding one for the response: “Hear back from landscaper.” You’ll stay aware that it’s pending until you cross it off. Need closure by a certain date? Enter the task on a Google calendar and set a reminder alert for following up. A regular to-do list review can keep things from falling through the cracks. At the same time daily— say, before you leave work or right after dinner cleanup—give yourself 10 minutes to look over the list and mark any actions to take the next day.

THE WA SHINGTON, D.C., ARE A, CU R E S YO U R CLU T T ER T ROU B L E S.

GOT A QUESTION?

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P O R T R A I T M Y S A R A H M AY C O C K

THE GUIDE home

G. B ., V I A FAC E B O O K

Counters become a drop zone when your products don’t have a defined storage space.

So I advise clients to compartmentalize their makeup in a vanity or in an expandable cosmetics case in a bathroom cabinet (Soho large train case, $35, bedbathandbeyond. com). If you need some favorites out in the open, group them neatly on a mirrored

HE FIGHTS DIRTY

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DIRTY IS.

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NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE, TOUGH MESSES DON’T STAND A CHANCE WHEN MR. CLEAN’S MAGIC ERASER IS PART OF YOUR CLEAN ROUTINE.

Wet before use. A rinse is required for surfaces that come in direct contact with food. Use as directed.

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WASHING MACHINES 101

P R O P S T Y L I N G BY S A R A H G U I D O - L A A K S O

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This no-spin guide to the three main types will help you choose— and use—yours correctly.

Written by Amanda Lecky Photograph by Yasu + Junko

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WASHING MACHINES have improved a lot in

the last decade, saving you time and money by washing larger loads more effectively while using less energy and water. But whether you have bought a new washer in recent years or are planning to upgrade at some point, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Here’s advice on sorting it all out—from finding your ideal machine to mastering the latest features.

THE WASHER EXPERTS NANCY BOCK,

senior vice president of education at the American Cleaning Institute.

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PENNY DIRR,

principal researcher at Procter & Gamble.

JENNIFER SCHOENEGGE,

product manager at General Electric.

CHRIS ZEISLER,

technical service supervisor at Repair Clinic.com.

CONVENTIONAL TO P- LOA D E R S Chances are, this type of machine, which (yup) opens from the top, is the kind you grew up with. And conventional top-loaders still account for about 40 percent of new washer sales today. During the wash cycle, a central agitator, which sticks up in the middle of the basket, turns clothes over, helping to clean the clothes and extract water.

PRICE RANGE: $400 to $650.

PROS: The least expensive of the three most common models, yet excellent at getting clothes clean.

MARY ZEITLER,

lead consumer scientist at the Whirlpool Corporation Institute of Home Science.

“Nothing beats one when it comes to ground-in dirt,” says Mary Zeitler. Usually about 10 percent smaller than most high-efficiency (HE) machines, they’re ideal for tight quarters or smaller families with less laundry.

CONS: Although conventional machines manufactured from 2010 on are more efficient than earlier models, they still don’t offer the monetary and energy savings that HE washers do. The agitator can be rough on clothes, and because a conventional toploader’s spin speeds are lower than those of HE models, clothing comes out of the washer wetter, so drying takes longer and uses more energy.

USAGE TIPS: Load laundry around the agitator, but avoid covering the top of the central post. “Clothing can become twisted around or under the agitator, so it’s a good idea to put bathing suits or undergarments in a lingerie bag and secure any drawstrings or straps on other clothing,” says Jennifer Schoenegge. When possible, hold off on doing laundry until you

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Lan Truong

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How long until your washing machine wears out? The life span of an average model is 11 years. have enough items for a full load.

“Too little laundry can cause conventional top-loaders to become off-balance,” says Chris Zeisler. “That can make the tub shake and damage its support system.” If the machine doesn’t have a dispenser, pour detergent into the washer basket before adding clothes so it starts working as the washer fills with water.

HIGH-EFFICIENCY TO P- LOA D E R S High-efficiency top-loaders account for about 35 percent of total washer sales. Like their conventional counterparts, they open from the top, but most high-efficiency machines lack a central agitator. Instead, they use a central wash plate (located on the bottom of the machine) and different agitator patterns to move the clothing through a smaller amount of water.

Electronic sensors automatically adjust the water level to match the load size and the soil level.

PRICE RANGE: $550 to $1,700.

PROS: “High-efficiency washers use about half as much water and about 65 percent less energy than pre-2010 top-loaders did, so the resource savings are great,” says Penny Dirr. Highspin speeds extract more water, which can cut drying time and energy use. These machines are about 40 percent larger than old conventional models, so they’re able to hold four standard loads (or up to 32 pounds) of laundry. But it’s fine to run a small load anytime without worrying about

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Keep your machine clean: Each month, use the basketcleaning cycle or run an empty load with a residue remover, like Affresh or Tide Washing Machine Cleaner.

wasting water. “The machine adjusts the water level to the amount of laundry inside,” says Nancy Bock. Without a central agitator, there’s less abrasion of fabrics, and many models offer a wide range of cycle options (such as sanitation, to tackle bacteria and dust mites; and timed soak, for stains), plus special features, such as steam-cleaning.

CONS: Washing times can be long.

With some models, a normal wash cycle can last two hours, says Dirr.

(Many machines do offer a half-hour quick cycle for lightly soiled loads.)

Also, larger load capacity means a bigger machine—up to three inches taller and six inches deeper than conventional top-loaders—so it can overpower a small laundry room.

USAGE TIPS: Fill the wash basket loosely and evenly, and avoid placing clothing above the top ring of the tub, because it can get damaged during the spin cycle. HE detergent is

a must with any highefficiency washer. (For amounts, follow the detergent manufacturer’s instructions.) “It produces fewer suds than regular detergents, so it rinses out more easily in the lower water levels of a highefficiency machine,” says Dirr. To prevent musty odors, leave the lid open between loads to allow the machine to dry out.

PROS: Water and energy savings are substantial. “An HE front-loader uses roughly a third of the water a conventional top-loader uses because the rotation of the tub moves the clothes through the water. There’s no need for the basket to fill completely,” says Schoenegge. The basket spins almost twice as fast as a conventional toploader’s, so clothing comes out less damp. Like HE top-loaders, frontloaders have no agitator, so they’re gentler on clothes. Most models offer a range of options and features (like steam cycles for dewrinkling and tub lights for visibility), and often they’re stackable. Many also hold a large volume (four standard loads) of laundry.

CONS: They’re pricey. “Electronic controls and higher spin speeds for efficiency drive up the cost,” says Schoenegge. Large machine sizes (akin to HE top-loaders) can crowd a small laundry room. There’s substan-

HIGHEFFICIENCY F RO N TLOA D E R S A front-loader’s wash basket sits horizontally and uses gravity to pull water through the clothes. The machine opens in front, and a thick gasket seals the door tightly when in use. About 25 percent of new washers sold in the United States are front-loaders.

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USAGE TIPS: Always use HE detergent to prevent oversudsing and poor rinsing. After each use, wipe around the gasket and leave the door open so the interior can dry. Every few months, clean out the coin trap (usually a panel in the washer’s lower front side), says Zeisler: “If you don’t, small objects, like paper clips, can block it and keep the machine from draining properly or cause it to stop before the cycle is finished.”

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MARCH 2016

tial bending and reaching involved in loading and emptying. Many manufacturers, however, offer a pedestal that elevates the machine 12 inches or more for easier access.

Also, the holes behind the rubber door gasket need periodic inspection to ensure that little things, like coins, aren’t blocking them.

The gasket may get moldy if it isn’t wiped down regularly.

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THE GUIDE family

BOOKS FOR THE TRYING, TR ANSITIONAL TIMES OF GROWING UP When words fail you— or your teenager tunes them out—it’s helpful to have someone else’s.

“The beauty of books is that kids can be self-reflective, without the anxiety they might feel talking about their own situation,” says Pauline Jordan, Ph.D., a child psychologist in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Consider this expertrecommended list a learning library for every age and stage.

NEW SIBLING Peter’s Chair

BY NATALIE SHAW

AGES 3 TO 7

BY ANNA DEWDNEY

AGES 3 TO 6

It’s his old favorite chair, so he runs away with it.

(Because, duh, the baby will take everything.)

AGES 2 TO 5

Advice on sharing toys and lulling a baby to sleep from a familiar face—er, snout.

AGES 2 TO 5

Illustrations by

Christopher Silas Neal

A simple rhyming book that emphasizes patience. (Bonus: durable, coated pages.)

MARCH 2016

111

Llama Llama Misses Mama

This classic expertly captures the up-anddown emotions of a toddler—Yes! Mama comes back!—making it easy for kids to connect.

BY JAN ORMEROD

AGES 4+

BY ALYSSA SATIN CAPUCILLI

Written by

BY EZRA JACK KEATS

101 Things to Do With Baby

Henry Is a Big Brother

Emily Hsieh

NEW SCHO OL

Olivia: A Guide to Being a Big Sister

From testing the bath to helping dress the baby, there are lots of things to make a reluctant older sibling feel involved, not left out.

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Bob and Flo

BY REBECCA ASHDOWN

AGES 4 TO 7

Two penguins forge a bond on the first day over a pink lunch bucket. (Message: You’ll find a friend.)

Lifetimes Timothy Goes to School

BY ROSEMARY WELLS

AGES 5+

AGES 2 TO 5

This book soothingly explains life cycles for everything from birds to bunnies to people.

The takeaway? Death is a part of life.

Finding a good friend can take a little time. This is a good read for kids who may feel left out at first.

The Truth About Twinkie Pie

BY KAT YEH

The Thing About Jellyfish

AGES 8 TO 12

BY ALI BENJAMIN

A story about sisters who move from a trailer park in South Carolina to New York and have to adapt to a fancy new school, this perfectly captures what it’s like to be an outsider.

AGES 10+

New Kid, New Scene: A Guide to Moving and Switching Schools THE GUIDE family

BY BRYAN MELLONIE AND ROBERT INGPEN

BY DEBBIE GLASSER AND EMILY SCHENCK

AGES 8+

Written by a psychologist and her college-age daughter, this is packed with tips and quizzes to help kids find their way.

Written from the perspective of a 12-year-old grappling with the drowning of a friend and finding reconciliation.

Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss

BY PAT SCHWIEBERT AND CHUCK DEKLYEN

AGES 8+

“This is a parable about a woman making soup who weaves in the stages of grief as she cooks. It reminds kids that recovery is a process,” says Katherine Megna-Weber.*

D E AT H When Dinosaurs Die

P U B E RT Y

BY LAURIE KRASNY BROWN

The Care & Keeping of You 1

AGES 4 TO 8

A straightforward story that covers the basics— what “dead” means, for starters—through the lens of a dinosaur family.

Death Is Stupid

BY ANASTASIA HIGGINBOTHAM

AGES 4 TO 8

Why pat answers (“She’s in a better place”) don’t always make sense—and how to really move on.

BY VALORIE LEE SCHAEFER

AGES 8+

Part of the American Girl series, this helps girls on the cusp of puberty who might not be asking questions—yet. Topics range from bad breath to pimples to buying a bra.

Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?

BY JULIE METZGER AND ROBERT LEHMAN

I Miss You

AGES 9 TO 12

BY PAT THOMAS

A unisex book with a buddy-buddy tone— it answers a lot of real-life questions from other tweens—that tackles issues with humor and accuracy.

AGES 4+

The question “What about you?” appears often, helping you gently assess how your kid really feels.

This One Summer

B U L LY I N G

BY MARIKO TAMAKI AND JILLIAN TAMAKI

One

AGES 12 TO 18

Need a break from hormone facts? Grab this: a graphic novel (i.e., comic book–style) about the emotional trickiness of being not yet grown-up.

BY KATHRYN OTOSHI

clear and simple— without too much detail about the, well, actual sex. In other words, it’s age-appropriate.

It’s Perfectly Normal

AGES 4+

Set up as a color and counting book (Red is a meanie), it emphasizes how one person can make a big difference in a group dynamic.

BY ROBIE H. HARRIS

The “What’s Happening to My Body?”

Book for Boys

BY LYNDA MADARAS AND AREA MADARAS

AGES 12 TO 15

All of the essentials (body hair, growth spurts, even a chapter on romantic feelings), plus boy-centric sections, like Penis Size: The Long and Short of It.

SEX

AGES 10+

“This book has been popular for more than 20 years, and for good reason. It teaches kids the matter-of-fact basics about sex, puberty, birth control, and much more,” says Lynn Lobash.

BY LAURIE KRASNY BROWN

AGES 4+

How babies are made,

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AGES 4+

Written by teachers— who clearly understand playground dynamics— the message here is that you’re not alone.

Simon’s Hook

BY JACQUI BAILEY

AGES 6+

A witty guide that gets straight to what most teens are thinking about, including ways to say no.

*FOR A LIST OF THE EXPERTS WHO RECOMMENDED THESE BOOKS, TURN TO PAGE 116.

MARCH 2016

BY BOB SORNSON AND MARIA DISMONDY

Sex, Puberty, and All That Stuff AGES 11 TO 16

What’s the Big Secret?

The Juice Box Bully

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BY KAREN GEDIG BURNETT

A simple fishing analogy— Don’t bite at every “hook”—helps kids deal with teasing and tough situations.

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My Secret Bully

BY TRUDY LUDWIG

AGES 6 TO 9

This story deals specifically with emotional bullying—exclusion, manipulation—in a group of girl friends. The main character takes power back with the help of her mother.

Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends

and their friendships.

It’s kind of like having a therapist in the room,” says Pauline Jordan.

Blue Cheese Breath and Stinky Feet

BY CATHERINE D EPINO

AGES 9+

BY SANDRA LEVINS

A short chapter book that shows how one picked-on kid makes a plan—with the help of his awesome parents!—to deal with a hurtful bully.

AGES 4+

Speak

BY LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON

AGES 12 TO 18

An empowering youngadult novel (note: the plot

No, splattering pudding everywhere didn’t make Mom move away.

It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear

BY VICKI LANSKY

AGES 3 TO 7

Another one to reassure kids that they aren’t to blame—with tips for parents in the margins.

THE GUIDE family

“This is a concrete guide to understanding friendship dynamics, and it encourages girls to hold a mirror up to themselves

D I VO RC E Was It the Chocolate Pudding?

BY PATTI KELLEY CRISWELL

AGES 8+

deals with a rape in high school) about learning to speak up for yourself.

“How the book is given is as important as the book itself,” says psychologist Pauline Jordan. So before you make it forced bedtime reading or toss it on your teen’s desk and run, read this.

READ IT FIRST. No matter

Divorce Is the Worst

how old your child is, do your homework. Even if you know the subject matter, you should make sure the advice is in line with your family’s norms and that it’s truly age-appropriate for your kid.

BY ANASTASIA HIGGINBOTHAM

WATCH YOUR TIMING.

With little ones, avoid reading a meaty book at night, when it could build anxiety and leave limited time to talk, says Kathryn Hoffses, a pediatric psychologist at the Nemours/ Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, in Wilmington, Delaware. Try after school or on a weekend.

DON’T OVERSELL IT. A long-

winded introduction about a book can make a child feel self-conscious. Simply say, “I got this book for us to read together.” With older kids, say that the book is a resource—not homework, just something they might find useful. Then back off and give them space.

FOLLOW THEIR LEAD. As you’re reading to little ones, you can interject questions. (“How do you think Ernie felt when his dad moved to another house?”) Crickets?

Then keep moving. When you’re following up with a teenager, don’t launch into a 45-minute conversation about hair growth. Ask, “Did you find the book useful?” or “Is there anything you want to talk about?” And remember: “You don’t get just one chance to engage,” says Jordan. “You can circle back many, many times.”

LET IT SINK IN. Leave the

book out with others so that a young child can leaf through it at her leisure.

Consider asking your child to “read” it to you, even if she can’t read yet. “That helps you figure out what she took away from it,” says Laurie Zelinger, a psychologist in Cedarhurst, New York.

MARCH 2016

114

“Young kids always gravitate toward this book because it has bold colors and it’s sort of funny,” says Molly Jardiniano.

REALSIMPLE.COM

AGES 4 TO 8

Although children are often told, “It’s for the best,” it rarely feels like that. This frank book follows kids and parents dealing with everyday life (washing dishes, vacuuming) while feeling angry or sad.

Divorce: The Ultimate Teen Guide

BY KATHLYN GAY

AGES 14 TO 18

This book addresses both the practical logistics and the emotional effects of divorce, with plenty of vignettes and examples.

R E M A R R I AG E Do You Sing Twinkle?

BY SANDRA LEVINS

AGES 3+

This answers little-kid questions about not only new stepparents but also new siblings, too.

The Invisible String

BY PATRICE KARST

AGES 3+

For kids who go between homes, this sends the message that they can still feel connected to their parents regardless of whose house they’re in.

Bigger Than a Bread Box

BY LAUREL SNYDER

AGES 8 TO 12

A powerful novel about 12-year-old Rebecca, who moves with her mom to her grandmother’s house after her parents’ divorce.

A magic bread box that

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RECOMMENDED BY THE FOLLOWING:

grants wishes makes things better—but then more complicated.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

BY ANN BRASHARES

AGES 12+

“Though mostly a story about the power of women and friendship, there’s a really relatable portrayal of one character’s parents’ divorce and her visiting her dad who is getting remarried.

Her despondence is captured perfectly,” says Cora Collette Breuner.

As warmer weather is starting to round the corner, make time for feel-good activities during the final stretch of winter. Schedule a weekly book club night, complete with popcorn, prizes, and a whole lot of family fun!

First, check out the local bookstore.

Pick out some old classics and soon-to-be favorites, and invite faraway friends to join in the fun via social media.

Next, set weekly reading goals, share progress and reactions via status updates, and award story-themed prizes to those who keep up.

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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

BY BENJAMIN ALIRE SAENZ

AGES 12+

A coming-of-age story about two boys’ growing friendship (and, eventually, relationship), as well as coming to terms with family history.

FA M I LY DIVERSIT Y The Family Book

10,000 Dresses

BY TODD PARR

BY MARCUS EWERT

AGES 3 TO 6

AGES 5 TO 9

This is about a boy who dreams of dresses—bringing in the theme of being misunderstood, with a comforting message that it’s all going to be fine.

Elena’s Serenade

BY CAMPBELL GEESLIN

“It presents children with a whole portfolio of different kinds of families. It’s really wonderful for little kids starting school, who might encounter and wonder about families that look different from theirs,” says Eliza Byard.

AGES 3 TO 7

A girl defies gender stereotyping by pursuing her dream of being a glassblower in Mexico.

George

BY ALEX GINO

Then, top it off with a treat! Make Orville Redenbacher’s® sweet and savory popcorn balls for the perfect way to celebrate your reading adventure. Don’t forget to tag and share your experience!

his orientation. “It’s compelling, and it creates a space for conversation about social class, sexual identity, and memory,” says Kevin Hicks.

AGES 8 TO 12

A wonderful, important story that centers on a girl who was born in a boy’s body—she’s named George but knows she’s really Melissa.

And Tango Makes Three

BY JUSTIN RICHARDSON

AGES 4 TO 8

Focusing on two male penguins who adopt a baby penguin, this affirms that no matter what your family looks like, it’s legitimate.

Asha’s Mums

BY ROSAMUND ELWIN AND MICHELE PAULSE

AGES 9 TO 12

More Happy Than Not

BY ADAM SILVERA

AGES 13+

A boy from the Bronx grappling with his sexuality contacts a mysterious institute to try to erase

Which name on the school permission slip is her mum? Well, it’s both.

One little girl tackles questions about samesex parents (making it easy for you to do the same with your kids).

MARCH 2016

116

CORA COLLETTE BREUNER, M.D.,

pediatrician and professor at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

ELIZA BYARD,

executive director of GLSEN, a gay, lesbian, and straight education network based in New York City.

KEVIN HICKS, PH.D.,

president and head of the Stevenson School, in Pebble Beach, California.

KATHRYN HOFFSES, PH.D.,

pediatric psychologist at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, in Wilmington, Delaware.

MOLLY JARDINIANO,

senior program manager of child and parent education at the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center.

PAULINE JORDAN, PH.D.,

clinical psychologist in Greenwich, Connecticut.

ANN LEVINE,

assistant manager at Bank Street Book Store, in New York City.

LYNN LOBASH,

manager of reader services at the New York Public Library.

KATHERINE MEGNA-WEBER,

children’s specialist at Books Inc., in San Francisco.

TAYLOR NAM,

children’s specialist at Books Inc., in San Francisco.

KELSEY PARKER,

high school counselor at the Bay School of San Francisco and a psychotherapist in private practice.

LAURIE ZELINGER, PH.D.,

psychologist specializing in clinical/school psychology in Cedarhurst, New York.

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Work & Money T H E V I E W F RO M H E R E

Tell us about your childhood.

I grew up in New York, in the South Bronx.

My father left a couple of years after I was born, and my four siblings and I were raised by my mom. We were raised on public assistance, and my mom would work multiple jobs. When I was 13, she discovered a program for so-called disadvantaged youth, and I ended up going to a boarding school for three years, then went off to Wellesley.

J E N N I F E R S . A LT M A N /G E T T Y I M A G E S

What drew you to law school?

When I was in second or third grade, we

Prominent attorney Michele Roberts has spent most of her career working on high-stakes criminal and corporate cases. Now executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, she uses her defensive skills to protect the rights of 400-plus pro ballers. Roberts, 59, talked to Real Simple about courting change, being decisive, and realizing that other people’s biases are their problems, not yours.

MARCH 2016

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REALSIMPLE.COM

started going to the court building not far from our apartment to watch trials. I understood very little of what I was seeing, but I did decide I wanted to be a public defender.

You did that for a long time. How was it?

When you lose a case, it means somebody is going to do a good chunk of time incarcerated. You have to compartmentalize in a way that’s very challenging.

I won most of my cases, but you don’t remember the ones you win. You remember the ones you lose.

When I saw families completely devastated by convictions, even with confidence that I had done the best I could, it was still hard to watch. At some point, I decided to do something different.

Written by

Jane Porter

THE GUIDE work & money

MICHELE ROBERTS • Executive director, National Basketball Players Association • New York City

How did you transition into the job?

I was elected by a committee of 36 players, but I’ve got 400-plus players in my union.

I’m not a fan of travel, but I did a lot of it, met the players, spoke with them. I wanted to introduce myself to my new bosses.

Are you a sports fan?

I’ve been a fan of basketball all my life.

Tell us your thoughts on leadership.

I quibble with the idea of leadership as a solo act. I have a collaborative management style.

But I tend to be fairly decisive. When I’ve made a decision, I don’t allow much secondguessing, by me or by other people. We have too much to do.

What’s your advice regarding failure?

You have to know that it’s part of being alive.

You’re not going to win every case. You’re not going to close every deal. But the way you

“I used to think I had to strategize around the fact that I was a woman or that I was AfricanAmerican. But at some point I decided it was not my problem.

You’d be surprised how liberating that is.” can get up and brush yourself off is to know that nothing about your preparation or your performance was the reason for it.

You’ve worked in male-dominated fields your entire career.

As a young lawyer, I was always very sensitive in thinking that I had to strategize around the fact that I was a woman or that I was African-American.

But at some point I decided it was not my problem. If it was a problem, it was someone else’s problem, and they would have to get over it. You’d be surprised how liberating it is when you realize it’s not your problem.

What does balance mean to you?

Work balance is an individual issue, and we can’t try to figure out some formula that’s going to work for every woman.

For me, not having

children was a deliberate decision. If I was going to have children, I was going to give them all the attention in the world, which was going to mean I couldn’t give my work as much time. I love my work. I didn’t know my kids, because I didn’t have any yet, so I chose the work.

Any wisdom for those just starting out?

Young people suffer with the notion that “whatever I decide I’m going to do with my life today is going to be how I live my life forever.” I used to think that, too. I’m glad that I was wrong about that.

Do you have time to exercise?

I work out nearly every day. I roll out of bed, check my e-mail, check the stories I need to check, and then roll on down to the fitness center in my building.

Do you cook?

I don’t cook. The beauty of living in New York is that I get great food delivered or I eat out.

Parting advice?

Don’t second-guess what your instincts tell you. We overestimate how much power other people have over our lives and our destiny, and we underestimate how much power we have.

MARCH 2016

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ASK BUCKY TIME INC.’S* ALL-KNOWING, STRAIGHTSHOOTING VICE PRESIDENT OF STAFFING, BUCKY KEADY, TACKLES YOUR WORKPLACE CONUNDRUMS.

I try to be clear and detailed in e-mails to my staff, but invariably they come to me asking questions I’ve already answered. Help!

Sometimes e-mails—in the spirit of thoroughness—can become too wordy and cumbersome, and they end up diluting the point. When you have something complex to share, grab people out of their offices and have a quick meeting. You can treat the meeting almost like an e-mail: Go after this one issue, and don’t even sit down. But everyone is right there, and you can address any confusion in the moment, so there’s no opportunity to get frustrated.

In general, I’m not a huge fan of e-mail as the number one communication tool. When I do use it, my style is direct, curt, and to the point. I tell my staff about this in advance and ask them not to read any additional meaning into the tone of my messages. But I think you save yourself so much time with drive-by visits. * TIME INC. IS THE PARENT COMPANY OF REAL SIMPLE.

P O R T R A I T BY S A R A H M AY C O C K

THE GUIDE work & money

You went into private practice, then corporate law, then to the NBA. What does your position entail?

Among other things, it involves improving working conditions and making sure that the players view the union as a place they can go for help.

Question:

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Why is Cereal a Great Breakfast Choice for Kids?

Answer: Most kids don’t get enough whole grains, fiber, vitamin D, potassium, and calcium in their diet but a cereal, fruit and milk breakfast can help1!

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• Look for cereals with whole grains and fiber.

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• Add color and more nutrients with scrumptious fruit.

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Choose smaller bowls and plates for your meals to control portions.

3 in 4 public school teachers say kids come to school hungry2. A good breakfast can start at home or at school to help kids stay focused.

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1 Nutrition information from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.

2 No Kid Hungry- Share Our Strength 2015 Hunger in Our Schools report.

P RO D U C T I V I T Y P R I M E R

Time for a career pivot?

Start here Whether it’s a necessity (your position is being eliminated) or a choice (you’re bored), switching job paths is a serious stressor.

Career-development expert and author Jenny Blake offers five smart strategies to set yourself up for success.

THE GUIDE work & money

2

1 Learn from the last gig, but don’t obsess about what went wrong. “People tend to blame themselves if an employment situation doesn’t work out,” says Blake, “but the reality is, the work world has evolved, and morefrequent job change is the new normal.” So don’t become stressedout over the idea that this shift will be a blotch on your résumé. Focus on the strengths and skills you’re walking away with; examine exactly what you liked and didn’t like about the role. Jot down some constructive notes.

Then move on.

Written by

Interview yourself about where and how you do your best work. If you feel silly playing career coach/shrink on your own, sit with a friend who’s willing to participate (then switch roles and help her find her mojo).

Ask yourself or each other macro and micro questions: What tasks make time fly? What attributes set you apart? How do you prefer to spend your free time? Which types of office environments do you thrive in, and which stress you out? Dip back into the past: What childhood activities did you gravitate toward? Zoom forward: What would you love your work life to look like a year from now?

Although there are no guarantees that you’ll find a job that checks all the boxes, solidifying your preferences will help you evaluate different options as they arise.

4

3 Divide the search phase of your plan into three components: people, skills, and opportunities.

When you focus on these elements separately, it gives shape to your action plan. Start with a big brainstorming session where you amass ideas in all three categories. Then, every time you sit down to work on your career, tackle one from each column. For people, say, set up coffee with peers you can learn from and keep an eye out for ways to connect with folks whose work you admire. Skills: Could you take an online course or volunteer somewhere that allows you to flex (or build) new professional muscles? Opportunities: This is the standard stuff— looking at job listings, sending in résumés, and reaching out to HR people and recruiters.

Stretch your brain with new possibilities.

Blake recommends the books StrengthsFinder 2.0, by Tom Rath, and StandOut, by Marcus Buckingham, to help assess how your background might have applications that have never occurred to you. Then “incrementally experiment and pilot,” seeking out specific low-risk opportunities for experimentation. Maybe there’s an exciting new team your company is creating—can you offer your services?

If you’re hoping to start your own business, consider whether there’s a way to launch a small (perhaps low-risk) slice of it to test the waters— a blog, say, if you’re hoping to write a book, or an Etsy shop if your idea is in retail. Blake offers a reminder: “It’s a pivot, not a leap.”

Sara Morrow

5 Remember that your career is always in play. So once you successfully pivot, don’t turn off this new way of thinking. Most of us assume that to commit wholly to a new gig, we must block out the job market and hunker down for the long haul. But keeping an eye out for opportunities and viewing each step as a small part of a larger plan isn’t treason—it’s just smart. (And you know what? Your boss is probably doing the same.)

Notes Blake: “You could face the same questions again in a year, through no fault of your own, so we should be continually examining what’s working best in our careers and exploring how we can do more of it. If change is the only constant, then let’s get better at it.”

FOR MORE FROM THIS EXPERT, GO TO JENNYBLAKE.ME.

Illustrations by

Robert Samuel Hanson

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I call this the calm before the shake.

Like you, we at Natural Balance believe every dog has something that makes them unique. Which is why they deserve food made with ingredients such as venison, salmon, duck and sweet potato.

Food with substance

TM

dogs with character.

MONEY WISE

The new rules of car shopping A little advance work can make a big difference: These insider tips on what to do before you visit a dealership—from Mike Austin, editor-in-chief of Autoblog—will get you revved to hunt, haggle, and drive off into the sunset.

THE GUIDE work & money

Look up the wholesale price. The actual cost dealers pay for the cars in their showrooms (insiders call it the “factory invoice price”) used to be unattainable information. Now you can—and should—Google this stat, so you’re armed when a dealer cries, “I’m losing money on this deal!”

W I L L E L EC T R I C C A R S E V E R B E A F FO R DA B L E ?

We all want to do right by the planet, but most of us assume that electric cars are financially out of reach. Teslas, it’s true, are priced like real estate. But Nissan offers an electric model called the Leaf that starts below $30,000.

You can also get a good deal on used electric cars these days, as electric devotees trade up for models with the latest technology. So you have options, as well as incentives.

There’s a federal tax credit worth up to $7,500 for buyers of electric cars, plus some state-specific rebates. Check the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, afdc.energy.gov, for possible rebates where you live.

MARCH 2016

Get dealers bidding for your business. Whether you’re shopping for a new or used car, go to TrueCar.com and find the model you’re thinking about. The site gets a bidding war going among local participating dealers (the dealers pay to be part of this service; it’s free for consumers) and sends you up to three offers. Even if you’d rather shop in person, having an offer in your back pocket will give you a sense of how far you can go in negotiations.

Make a stop at the bank.

A dealership is just one place to look for a car loan; get rates from your credit union or bank before you shop. Coming into the showroom with financing offers is, in a sense, like walking in with cash. That should give you negotiating

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power—and at the very least will give you a comparison point for the dealer’s financing offer.

Smarten up about your trade-in.

Consult more than one source to make sure you have a solid sense what your soon-to-be-former car is worth. Edmunds. com, a trusted resource for auto info (the company has been around for 50 years) and the Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) let you easily see the approximate value. For a more specific number, visit a CarMax near you (there are 150 nationwide). At no cost, this used-car retailer will check out the vehicle and give you a hard offer on a trade-in. Then you’ll be ready to get tough if a dealer lowballs you on the worth of your car. While you’re doing trade-in research, investigate cash-back offers on the vehicle you’re planning to purchase. At edmunds.com you can input the precise make, model, and details of the new car and learn what rebates are available.

Shop where everything is cheaper.

While the Kelley Blue Book is the standard source of used-car prices, Austin says local listings may be more relevant.

Whether you’re planning to purchase from an individual or a dealer, cast your shopping net a bit wider than the immediate area—especially if you live in a large city or a particularly desirable spot. Just a day trip away, you might be able to get what feels like a steal.

Written by Adam Baer Illustration by

Robert Samuel Hanson

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This is real 03 . 201 6

GALLERY STOCK

DANIEL ALL AN (LONDON, 2014)

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HOT PINK

Vibrant shades— think fuchsia and orange— dazzle on dark skin tones.

The secret to wearing them without looking clownish? Take a light-handed approach, build slowly, and keep the rest of your makeup minimal.

FOR INFO ON THE PRODUCTS USED ON THESE PAGES, SEE PAGE 137.

BL U S H

SO EASY, IT WILL MAKE YOU

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WITH JUST A FLICK OF THE WRIST (PAIRED WITH THE RIGHT COLOR AND FORMULA), YOU CAN BEAUTIFULLY WAKE UP YOUR FACE. Written by

Heather Muir Photographs by

Williams & Hirakawa

PETAL

Opposite: The romantic, understated pink is just the right (light) touch for fair skin tones.

To slim a round face, dab the color along your cheekbones, then blend downward.

C LO T H E S A N D J E W E L R Y: O B J E C T S W I T H O U T M E A N I N G B U T T O N - B A C K D R E S S , M O H AW KG E N E R A L S T O R E .C O M . S T E L L A & D O T E A R R I N G S A N D R I N G , S T E L L A D O T.C O M . C A R L I E D R E S S BY R E B E C C A M I N KO F F, R E B E C C A M I N KO F F.C O M . T O U C H S T O N E C R Y S TA L BY S WA R OV S K I F L I P S I D E E A R R I N G S , T O U C H S T O N E C R Y S TA L .C O M . I C B A C C O R D I O N - P L E AT E D K N I T D R E S S , J O S E P H ( S O H O ) , 2 1 2 - 5 7 0 - 0 0 7 7. A S T L E Y C L A R K E H O N E Y C O M B E A R R I N G S , A S T L E Y C L A R K E .C O M . 2 N D D AY D R E S S , A N N A R L E T T E B O U T I Q U E , 7 1 6 - 8 3 3 - 7 0 0 0. L A N A E A R R I N G S BY T W E LV E O T W O, T H E 9 T H M U S E .C O M .

CORAL

This page: Complement yellow undertones with this shade, which will warm up your complexion without looking too stripy.

Define cheekbones (whether yours are prominent or not) by applying blush in a check-mark shape—first downward, under your apples, then up, blending into your hairline.

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ROSY GOLD

Flatter medium skin tones with pink-tinged gold or copper blush.

Ensure that the metallic finish looks glowing (not gaudy) by using a formula with finemilled powder, as opposed to chunky glitter.

Brush on a C shape around each eye, starting above the temples and ending at the tops of the cheekbones, for a sultry-yetsubtle sheen.

1

IT’S COME A LONG WAY, BABY

Blush has evolved beyond the basic compact.

Here’s the 411 on the innovative formulas used in this story.

4

2

1

BOUNCY CREAM This brandnew, cushy iteration comes in a compact and feels like Play-Doh when you run your fingers over it. It goes on as a cream, making it easy to blend, yet transforms into a long-lasting powder after it hits the skin. (Talk about the best of both worlds.) It’s ideal for dry- or comboskin types, as its texture helps create a dewy look on parched skin (unlike powders, which can look chalky). Swipe it on with your fingertips, or use a sponge to build intensity. If you have oily skin, give the cream longevity by setting it with translucent powder.

3

TEXTURE:

Need a lift?

Apply the strongest color high on your cheekbones, next to your ears.

This draws the eye upward.

PRO TIP

Overdid it on the bold blush?

Put powder on a puff or a sponge and blot the area to tone it down.

S H OW N H E R E A N D O N PAG E 1 3 4 : Lancôme My Parisian Cream Blush in Corail de Ville, $39, lancome-usa.com.

2

OMBRÉ POWDER Why settle for just one blush when you can have two? The latest powders are silkier than TEXTURE:

ever. (These are not your grandma’s ashy pink powder.) And they’re designed in cool color gradations that blend for a realistic pop.

So instead of orange or pink, you get a dreamy sunset effect. Powder soaks up shine, making it a smart choice for oilyskin types. To ensure even application, first apply foundation, then swirl the blush on with a fluffy brush.

4

ROSE-GOLD SHIMMER

S H OW N H E R E A N D O N PAG E 1 3 2 : Essence Cosmetics Blush Up Powder Blush in Heat Wave, $4, Target.

3

GEL STAIN T E X T U R E : This sheer, looks-like-your-cheekcolor-only-better blush is genius. It’s lightweight, so you won’t feel as if you’re wearing makeup, plus it offers the luminous finish of a gel with the staying power of a stain. (So it won’t wear

MARCH 2016

off by lunch.) Some formulas, like the one shown here, contain pearlescent pigments to deposit a sheen on the skin. Apply with your fingers (no foundation makeup needed). It looks pretty when worn on eyes and lips, too.

S H OW N H E R E A N D O N PAG E 1 3 5 : Chantecaille Cheek Gelée in Happy, $39, chantecaille.com.

The most universal metallic, rose gold flatters warm skin tones (because of the gold) as well as cool ones (because of the pink). So, yes, you can wear it.

T E X T U R E : If you prefer bronzer or highlighter to blush, a metallic hybrid acts as all three, thanks to its light-reflecting pigments. The pressedpowder formula in this story has liquid binders, resulting in a creamier texture. And it contains a glowy mix of rose gold, gold, and copper flecks.

After circling your brush in the powder, blow on the bristles into a tissue or over the sink to remove the excess.

S H OW N H E R E A N D O N PAGE 136: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Rose Gold, $38, sephora.com.

HAIR STYLING BY PAUL WARREN FOR AMIKA AT ART DEPARTMENT. MAKEUP BY KAJSA SVANBERG USING DIORSHOW AT ART DEPARTMENT.

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THE

DRIVERS DESIGN OF

These tastemakers play a big role in styling your surroundings. So where do they find their ideas and inspiration? Here’s the big reveal.

Written by Betsy Goldberg Photographs by Christopher Sturman

“I wanted a conference room that feels warm and comfortable.

That’s where the books came in.

It’s turned into a game: Staffers often begin meetings by plucking a book from a shelf and reading a paragraph from whatever page they land on.”

MARIAM NAFICY

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MARIAM NAFICY

Founder of Minted SAN FRANCISCO

After leaving a banking career to co-launch (and later sell) the now defunct cosmetics retail site Eve.com, Naficy, a married mother of two, switched gears again in 2009 to create an online stationery boutique with a crowdsourcing concept: Minted holds challenges to select the designs that it will sell.

Artists give one another feedback before the voting, and the process has spawned a collaborative community.

Minted’s inventory has grown to include framed prints, fabrics, and home accessories.

Q. What sparked your interest in design?

A. My mom’s side of the family is very artistic, and my dad was an economist for the United Nations, so I grew up moving around the world every year or so. Being exposed to varied architecture and art gave me an appreciation for aesthetics.

Q. How did you decide to sell paper goods?

A. I saw that bloggers were emerging from the crowd on the Internet by producing great content, and I thought perhaps there were hidden pockets of talent elsewhere, like in product design, and I could help those

Q. It must be rewarding to help thousands of designers find success.

A. We have so many stories of people with pretty uncreative day jobs— plumbers, accountants, lawyers—winning our competitions. They never had a platform like this to have their design work validated. The best part is the pay-it-forward spirit of the community. The designers know if they help someone else, it’s very likely they’ll get help in the future. It’s more of a “co-opetition” than a competitive situation.

Q. What’s a typical day like for you?

A. I put my kids on the bus at 7:30—they’re 8 and 12—and some days I’ll squeeze in a run or a workout after. I get to the office by 9, and most nights I’m home by 6:30 for dinner with the family.

But usually two nights a week I’ll have to be late and miss it. After the kids are asleep, around 9, I’m back online, and I work almost all the way up until I go to bed.

Q. You get to see design

trends bubble up on the

T H E D I S C OV E R E R

GRACE BONNEY Founder of Design*Sponge ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK

site. Do those influence your personal style?

A. Trend spotting is one of the most fascinating parts of my job, and I do like to change things up in my house often. But the palette—mustard, rose, black, and cream— stays consistent, as does my style, global and a little bohemian. I like to pair inexpensive pieces with pricier ones: a framed swatch of fabric from a small town I visited in Turkey alongside fine art, for example. A high-low mix keeps things from feeling too fussy.

Q. Are Minted’s headquarters unfussy, too?

A. I’ve always wondered why an office has to have a corporate look. If people are spending a fair amount of time there, why can’t it feel as comfortable as a home? I love warm neutrals and lots of texture and letting the raw essence of a material show through. Our floors are made of unfinished wood that was used for outdoor scaffolding. It has a beautiful wear and tear to it. Our space is flexible. We created places where you can sit, lie down, lean back, or stand to work. We have a cappuccino bar and a stash of healthy snacks—I come from a family who love a full fridge!—and every Thursday we get everyone together for a catered lunch. When your goal is to have people from all departments collaborate, it helps to give them a chance to sit and eat together.

When Bonney started a home-decor and DIY blog more than 10 years ago, it was meant to be a stepping stone to landing an editorial job at a home magazine. But her site quickly garnered a loyal following (10,000 readers a day in the first six months!), so she stuck with it. Today she shares beautifully styled house tours and inspiring makeover projects with more than 1 million readers every day. A follow-up to her first book, Design*Sponge at Home, is due out this fall. In the Company of Women is a collection of profiles of inspiring women in creative fields.

Q. When did your decorating obsession begin?

A. In college. I would religiously watch Trading Spaces after all my classes and then go and build furniture for my dorm room and my friends’ rooms.

Q. After you started the blog, when did you realize that it was a hit?

A. The first time I was able to afford to hire writers, about four years in. Blogs can be very solitary, even though they connect you to other people, so this was a turning point. Then, in 2011, when my book came out, it became clear that what I thought was a step toward something else was actually the full-time dream job I never knew could happen.

Q. How do you continuously find inspiring designers and artists to feature?

A. I am the queen of delving into people’s Instagram feeds and Tumblr pages. I am forever following one link down a rabbit hole of artists, galleries, or makers.

Q. It’s easier now than a decade ago.

A. Yes, but now that there’s so much out

there on the Internet, the challenge is, how do you find things in places where other people aren’t looking? Everyone knows that Instagram is an incredible resource, so how do you dig deeper?

Q. Have you figured that out?

A. One of my secret weapons is the

exhibitor list at trade and craft fairs. You CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 2

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O P E N I N G PA G E S : H A I R A N D M A K E U P BY TA M A R A B R O W N FO R A R T I S T U N T I E D A G E N C Y

T H E CU R ATO R

designers rise. I also wanted to build a retail company where the merchandise is always fresh and completely right, and I knew I could produce two-dimensional designs more easily than 3-D ones, like clothing.

We can turn patterns and images into stationery or art prints relatively fast. The crowdsourcing success was a surprise, though. At first we were selling mostly established stationery brands, but the competition is what took off.

“As a kid, I always did homework at the kitchen table so it was less isolating. I carried over that habit to blogger life. I love spreading out magazines, books, and papers as far as I can on our huge farm table.”

GR ACE BONNEY

Q. Working from home, how do you

structure your days?

A. I wake up around 7 A.M., let our two dogs out, start coffee, and spend my morning making sure that all of the day’s posts are copyedited and ready to go.

I do a very surface-level scan of e-mails to tackle any pressing ones. Around 9, I have breakfast with my wife [food writer Julia Turshen]. I spend the rest of the day writing or researching and try to close up shop around sevenish and focus on life outside the screen.

Q. How have you created an environment that’s inspiring and comfortable?

A. We live in an old farmhouse in upstate New York with lots of natural light, my biggest requirement. So we keep it simple with a minimalist traditional vibe.

We put our most treasured hand-medowns front and center. For example, our kitchen is built around our collection of blue-and-white china from our families. With the pets, low-maintenance is big. I love Dash & Albert rugs, since they hide wear and tear.

Q. Is there any aspect of the blog that you’ve struggled with?

A. Early on, I realized I was a terrible interviewer. That part of the site wasn’t going well. To develop that skill, I signed on to host a series of 100 podcasts. I figured I would either sink or swim, and I was very much committed to swimming. The first episodes were really rocky, but I found my footing over two years. I had to let myself go through the stumbling and stuttering on air until I could finally interview well.

Q. Any other big lessons you’ve learned from running Design*Sponge?

A. That it’s important to make sure all our readers can see themselves in our content. For a while, we weren’t doing a great job of that. It’s easy to find pretty homes of upwardly mobile people in large metropolitan areas, so we had plenty of those. But we weren’t representing people of color, people from the LGBT community, people who are differently abled. A huge focus for us now is to have all readers feel welcome.

T H E V I S I O N A RY

MICHELLE KOHANZO

Managing director for the Land of Nod CHICAGO

A 17-year veteran of the retail world, Michelle Kohanzo started at the Land of Nod as a customer-service representative. She now heads the children’sdecor company, overseeing operations, product development, and partnerships with other retailers and more than 200 independent artists.

Q. Where did your artsiness come from?

A. My grandmother, who worked in textile manufacturing and was a quilter and a crafter.

My brother and sister and I spent summers in Wisconsin with our grandparents, so she taught me how to sew at a very young age, and we were always creating something together.

I’m still compulsively crafting in my free time.

Q. How do you use that craftiness in your job?

A. I love working with my team and our artists to figure out how to turn their work into products.

Their artistry gives our items a lot more soul. I’m always aware that if we were only designing products internally, the brand would feel much flatter.

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Q. How do you find the artists you work with?

A. It changes, but lately I’ve been working closely with Etsy’s wholesale marketplace, a service that helps retailers discover designers. Along with Instagram, it’s a big source of artists. A lot of connections happen through my personal purchasing. One of our most prolific artists, Ashley Goldberg, started working with us because I bought a print from her for my home six years ago, and in the receipt e-mail she wrote she was a fan of the Land of Nod. Q. How do product ideas come about?

A. Partly from listening to what the customers are wanting. We get input through our call center and in our stores, and we publish my e-mail address pretty regularly on outgoing packages, so people are sending me comments all the time.

Fashion is a big influence for us, too, so we’re very focused on what’s coming with each runway season. On top of that, our internal team is hugely creative. There’s just a constant churn of ideas and inspiring objects all around us. I’ll walk by someone’s desk and see a weird sculpture on it and think, What if we changed that to make it a ceiling light? Which artist could do that best?

Q. Whose style do you most admire?

A. Actually, I would say my 17-year-old daughter Emily’s. She has this really bold, fearless look—I’d call it boho punk. She does her own styling and makeup and is my icon.

Q. You and your husband have three boys as well.

REALSIMPLE.COM

How do you balance work and family time?

A. I get home by 6:30, so I can have dinner with everyone and we get a chance to sit down and talk about our day. We also spend a lot of time on my bed watching TV or chatting. It’s kind of the meeting place. But I also make sleep a priority.

I like to go to bed at 9 so I get a minimum of eight hours. I’m, like, the laziest CEO in the world. I don’t work out, but I do drink six cups of coffee a day.

I’m pretty intense when I’m awake, and then I’m asleep. No in-between.

Q. When you’re at work, how do you foster a creative atmosphere?

A. Four years ago, when I first became managing director, it was important to me that creativity was at the center of our culture and that everyone would participate in that.

We relaxed some rules.

We started holding more family-friendly and philanthropic events. We gave a mandate to take your birthday off. It’s hard and fast: You cannot be here.

You have to get out and take care of yourself, so people do spa days or travel. We also have something called “Surprise and Delight,” where any team can throw a party for the office, from a happy hour to an Olympics tournament. Sometimes I’ll make pancakes for the whole office. We’ll get out the griddle and it’s like, “Breakfast!” Our job is to make kids happy, so in order to do that, we have to be happy, too.

T H I S PA G E : H A I R BY M A R I S E L A G U E R R A ; M A K E U P BY S H A N N O N O ’ B R I E N

look up those artists on Instagram to see who their friends and followers are, then check out those artists’ blogs and links.

I could spend an entire day searching through four people’s archives and links just to find an undiscovered artist.

“My office is a riot of artwork, inspiration, and just stuff: pictures of my kids, a handblocked sari that I got in India, a giant caribou head from a flea market. I’m not neat, but it feels like my sanctuary.”

MICHELLE KOHANZO

OVER

Almost any soup—even chili!—gets better when you drop in some pasta. Here are eight delicious new ways to warm up the last days of winter.

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AVG O L E M O N O (GREEK LEMON AND EGG S O U P ) W I T H O R ZO

Recipes by Anna Painter Photographs by Christopher Baker Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich Set Design by Jeffrey W. Miller

O P E N I N G PA G E S , L E F T: E T O I L E S S E R V I C E P L AT E BY B E R N A R D A U D ; R I G H T: E T O I L E S S E R V I C E P L AT E BY B E R N A R D A U D ; R I M M E D S O U P P L AT E BY B E R N A R D A U D : 2 1 2 - 3 7 1 - 4 3 0 0. T H I S PA G E : T O S C A N A B L U E S E R V I C E P L AT E BY G I N O R I ; VO L I E R E R I M M E D S O U P P L AT E BY G I N O R I : 2 1 2 - 2 1 3 - 6 8 8 4 .

CLASSIC AMERICAN C H I L I M AC WITH ELBOWS

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1 : O R I E N T E I TA L I A N O V E R M I G L I O S E R V I C E P L AT E BY G I N O R I ; C O N T E S S A Y E L LO W R I M M E D S O U P P L AT E BY G I N O R I : 2 1 2 - 2 1 3 - 6 8 8 4 .

2 : T O S C A N A G R E E N S E R V I C E P L AT E BY G I N O R I . 3 : F L I G H T B A R R W O R C E S T E R P E A C H A R M O R I A L S O U P P L AT E ( E N G L I S H 1 8 2 0 ) F R O M B A R D I T H L I M I T E D, 2 1 2 - 7 3 7- 3 7 7 5 . 4 : O R I E N T E I TA L I A N O B A R I O S E R V I C E P L AT E BY G I N O R I ; O R I E N T E I TA L I A N O M A L A C H I T E R I M M E D S O U P P L AT E BY G I N O R I .

1 2

3 4

1 S P R I N G M I N E ST RO N E W I T H G E M E L L I 2 B RO K E N D U M P L I N G S O U P 3 S M O KY C H I C K E N S O U P W I T H EG G N O O D L E S

4 B U T T E R N U T S Q UA S H A N D M U S H RO O M S O U P W I T H L A S AG N A N O O D L E S

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G I L L I A Q U A M A R I N E S E R V I C E P L AT E BY G I N O R I , 2 1 2 - 2 1 3 - 6 8 8 4 .

THAI SHRIMP SOUP WITH RICE NOODLES

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Avgolemono (Greek lemon and egg soup) with orzo ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 6

Spring minestrone with gemelli

Classic American chili mac with elbows

ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES SERVES 6

ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 6

8 oz. gemelli or fusilli pasta

2 shallots, finely chopped

8 oz. elbow macaroni

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 medium yellow onions, chopped

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced lengthwise, cut into 1½-inch matchsticks

1 cup orzo

¾ tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. black pepper 1½ Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 lb. ground beef

3 cups cooked chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)

½ tsp. black pepper

2 large eggs, at room temperature ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup chopped dill Sliced lemons, for serving the orzo according to the package directions. Drain and reserve.

COOK

MEANWHILE, cook the shallots,

garlic, salt, and pepper in the olive oil in a large pot over medium, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened, 10 minutes. Add the broth and chicken. Simmer 10 minutes.

Remove 1 cup of hot broth in a heatproof measuring cup. the eggs and lemon juice in a bowl. Slowly add the reserved broth, whisking constantly. Stir into the soup.

BEAT

STIR in the orzo and chopped dill and serve immediately, garnished with sliced lemon.

EASY HOMEMADE PARMESAN BROTH Combine 12 oz. Parmesan cheese rinds with 2 yellow onions (sliced), 3 medium carrots (peeled and sliced), 1 smashed garlic clove, and 4 bay leaves in a large pot. Add 5 quarts cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavorful, 30 minutes. Strain and cool completely. Makes 4½ quarts (18 cups).

1 tsp. kosher salt ½ tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. kosher salt

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. ground cumin

2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise, cut into 1½-inch matchsticks

3 (15-oz.) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed 2 (14.5-oz.) cans diced tomatoes with chiles

2 cups grape tomatoes, quartered

6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

8 cups Easy Homemade Parmesan Broth (see recipe, below) or vegetable broth

Shredded cheddar, sliced scallions, and corn bread, for serving

Shaved Parmesan and chopped parsley, for serving

COOK the macaroni according to the package directions.

Drain and reserve.

MEANWHILE, cook the onions

and garlic in the olive oil in a large pot over medium until the onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and ground cumin; cook 2 minutes more. Add the beans, canned tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes. in the macaroni to warm and serve, garnished with shredded cheddar and sliced scallions, and with corn bread on the side.

STIR

COOK the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and reserve.

MEANWHILE, cook the garlic, onion, carrot, salt, and black pepper in the olive oil in a large pot over medium until just tender, about 10 minutes. Add the bell pepper, zucchini, and grape tomatoes and cook until the vegetables are just tender, 5 minutes more. Add the broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

STIR in the pasta to warm and serve, garnished with shaved Parmesan and chopped parsley.

Parmesan broth adds more flavor and body to vegetarian soups than vegetable broth or water. Save rinds in the refrigerator or freezer for up to 3 months to make this broth. Freeze the finished broth for up to 2 months.

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Broken dumpling soup ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 55 MINUTES SERVES 6

1 lb. ground pork 2 large eggs, lightly beaten ½ cup chopped chives, divided 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil, divided ½ tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. black pepper 1 (12-oz.) package wonton wrappers 10 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 Tbsp. finely chopped, peeled fresh ginger (from a 3-inch piece) 1½ Tbsp. soy sauce 6 heads baby bok choy, stalks and leaves divided, cut into ½-inch pieces Chili-garlic sauce, optional, for serving COMBINE the pork, eggs, ¼ cup of the chives, garlic, and ¼ teaspoon of the sesame oil in a medium bowl with the salt and pepper. Form into 30 tablespoon-size balls; chill for 15 minutes.

MEANWHILE, slice the wonton wrappers into ½-inch noodles.

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the wonton noodles for 1 minute, stirring to keep from sticking.

Drain and rinse; reserve in a bowl of cold water.

COMBINE the broth, ginger, soy sauce, and remaining sesame oil in a large pot. Simmer 15 minutes. Add the meatballs; cook until just firm, 7 minutes more. Add the bok choy stalks and cook 3 minutes more. Add the bok choy leaves and remaining chives.

STIR in the wonton noodles to warm and serve with chiligarlic sauce, if desired.

For best results, you should boil the pasta separately. Why? If you add dry pasta to soup broth, it will absorb a lot of liquid and release starch, making the soup too thick.

Butternut squash and mushroom soup with lasagna noodles

Thai shrimp soup with rice noodles

ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 6

ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 6

8 oz. small lasagna noodle (rombi) pasta or 12 lasagna noodles, broken into ½-inch pieces

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 6

5 oz. egg noodles 1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) unsalted butter 2 tsp. smoked paprika 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 red bell peppers, thinly sliced 1 tsp. kosher salt ¾ tsp. black pepper 2 (15-oz.) cans diced tomatoes 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth 3 cups cooked chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken) Sour cream and chopped dill, for serving COOK the noodles according to the package directions.

Drain and reserve.

MEANWHILE, cook the butter and smoked paprika in a large pot over medium. Add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 20 minutes. Add the tomatoes, broth, and chicken and simmer 5 minutes more.

1½ lb. large shrimp (raw, shell-on)

in the noodles to warm and serve, garnished with sour cream and dill.

STIR

2 Thai or some other small, hot chiles

1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

1 garlic clove, smashed

1½ tsp. kosher salt, divided

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1¼ tsp. black pepper, divided 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 tsp. Asian fish sauce

2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

¾ tsp. kosher salt

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

¼ tsp. black pepper 4 scallions, sliced (¼ cup), divided

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

¾ cup cilantro leaves, divided

1 medium butternut squash (about 2½ lb.), peeled, seeded, and cut into ½-inch cubes

3 cups mung bean sprouts ½ cup salted roasted peanuts, chopped

2 (10-oz.) packages button mushrooms, thinly sliced

Lime wedges, for serving

8 cups coarsely chopped curly kale (from 1 large bunch)

the noodles according to the package directions.

Rinse with cold water, drain, and toss with the sesame oil; reserve.

COOK

12 cups Easy Homemade Parmesan Broth or vegetable broth Torn basil leaves, for serving COOK the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and reserve.

COMBINE the ricotta, lemon zest, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl.

Set aside.

WARM the olive oil with the

thyme in a pot over medium until fragrant. Add the garlic, onion, and remaining salt and pepper. Cook over medium until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add the squash and mushrooms; cook, partially covered, until the squash is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the kale. Add the broth and simmer 15 minutes.

MEANWHILE, peel and devein the shrimp; set the shells aside.

Cook the shells in a large pot (dry) over medium until pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chiles and garlic; cook 30 seconds more. Add the broth and fish sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the shells, chiles, and garlic and discard.

the peeled shrimp to the broth; cook until pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the salt, pepper, and half of the scallions and cilantro.

ADD

DIVIDE the noodles and soup among 6 bowls. Serve with bean sprouts, peanuts, lime wedges, and the remaining scallions and cilantro.

STIR in the noodles to warm and serve, garnished with the seasoned ricotta and basil.

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ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 55 MINUTES SERVES 6

8 oz. dried rice noodles ½ tsp. toasted sesame oil

1 cup fresh ricotta

Smoky chicken soup with egg noodles

Spicy tomato soup with lamb meatballs and Israeli couscous

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1 slice white sandwich bread, crusts removed and torn into small pieces 2 Tbsp. milk 1 lb. ground lamb 1½ tsp. coriander 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided ½ tsp. black pepper, divided 1 cup Israeli couscous 3 small yellow onions, finely chopped 2 Tbsp. harissa 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth Sliced mint leaves, for serving HEAT the broiler to high.

Combine the bread and milk in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Add the lamb, coriander, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Form into 50 teaspoon-size balls. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and broil 3 minutes. Remove from the oven.

MEANWHILE, cook the Israeli couscous according to the package directions; reserve.

COOK the onions, harissa, and the remaining salt and pepper in the olive oil in a large pot over moderate heat, partially covered, until the onions are softened, 8 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, broth, and meatballs and simmer for 15 minutes.

STIR in the couscous to warm and serve, garnished with mint.

T O S C A N A P E A C H S E R V I C E P L AT E BY G I N O R I , 2 1 2 - 2 1 3 - 6 8 8 4 ; W E D G W O O D C R E A M WA R E R I M M E D S O U P P L AT E ( M I D –1 9 T H C E N T U R Y ) F R O M B A R D I T H L I M I T E D, 2 1 2 - 7 3 7- 3 7 7 5 .

S P I CY TO M ATO S O U P W I T H L A M B M E AT B A L L S AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS

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Fashion Editor

Victoria Sanchez-Lincoln Written by

Rebecca Daly Photographs by

Paul Westlake

S I G N S

O F

S P R I N G

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S P R I N G ’ S M O S T R E F R E S H I N G FA S H I O N T R E N D? A N I N D U S T RYW I D E M OV E M E N T TOWA R D S T Y L E S T H AT F L AT T E R A N D F I T O U R E V E RY DAY L I V E S . S O G O A H E A D —S L I P I N TO S OM E T H I N G M O R E C OM F O RTA B L E .

WIDE-LEG PANTS

CHECK PRINTS Timelessly feminine, check prints become office-level polished when they’re in a neutral palette.

(Save the sweet red-andwhite for the weekend.)

T H I S PAG E :

TO BUY: O’2nd dress,

$695, By George, 512472-5951. Sequin bracelet, $98, sequin-nyc.com.

Suz Somersall ring, $250, suzsomersall.com.

O P P O S I T E : After years of wriggling into skinny jeans, who isn’t ready for this new silhouette?

Drapey, loose fabric (aah) skims the hips and reaches to the floor, brilliantly elongating legs.

TO BUY: Alice + Olivia trousers, $298, aliceand olivia.com. By Marlene Birger top, $330, fleurboutique.com. Banana Republic fringe sandals, $148, bananarepublic.com.

Jennifer Fisher bracelet, $655, jenniferfisherjewelry. com. Mejuri rings, $59 to $89, mejuri.com.

LACE IN LAYERS It’s infamous for tipping either too granny or too sexy. But lace mixed with lace—a crochetlike tatting against filigreed gossamer panels— makes a piece of clothing feel more modern and down-to-earth.

T H I S PAG E :

TO BUY: Nha Khanh dress,

$450, nhakhanh.com.

Miriam Haskell earrings, $220, and ring, $200: miriamhaskell.com. Lulu Frost ring, $115, lulufrost. com. Cynthia Rybakoff bracelet set, $78, cynthiarybakoff.com.

OPEN SHOULDERS O P P O S I T E : Want a safe way to show some skin?

Bare-shoulder tops— whether with cutouts or off the shoulder—still provide coverage in key areas (arms included).

TO BUY: Cooper & Ella top,

$125, bloomingdales.com.

Tenby skirt, $1,295, tenbynyc.com. Jean-Michel Cazabat sandals, $470, farfetch.com. Margaret Elizabeth earrings, $264, margaretelizabeth.com.

Artisan Gems ring, $46, artisangemsboutique.com.

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70 S DETAILS From long, loose dresses to ruffles and bell sleeves, bohemian-inspired styles are still having a moment—and they feel just right for warmer weather. Bring the look into the current decade with contemporary accessories, like anklewrap high-heeled sandals.

TO BUY: Le Fou by Wilfred for Aritzia dress, $295, aritzia.com. Ann Taylor heels, $118, anntaylor.com.

FOLKSY PRINTS Abstract motifs, inspired by designs from China, Morocco, and beyond, give your wardrobe a touch of exotic individualism.

Try pairing the patterns against a bright solid color (or white!) to really make the design pop.

TO BUY: Zara top, $50, zara.com. Rebecca Taylor skirt, $475, saks.com.

Banana Republic earrings, $58, bananarepublic.com.

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BRIGHT BLOOMS A perennial favorite, this spring’s freshest florals come in saturated shades that make pale pastels look washedout. You’ll see them popping up everywhere, even on more structured pieces, like this figureflattering peplum top.

TO BUY : Rebecca Taylor top, $295, rebeccataylor. com. Josie Natori pants, $325, natori.com.

Arianna earrings by Margaret Elizabeth, $145, margaretelizabeth.com.

HAIR BY GERALD DECOCK USING ORIBE HAIR CARE AND ENZO MILANO PRO. MAKEUP BY CLELIA BERGONZOLI AT UTOPIA, THE AGENCY USING MAC PRO.

MAXI DRESSES Last but not least, a one-style-flatters-all dress. Tie this flowing, forgiving maxi at the waist to create an instant hourglass shape, then accessorize sparingly.

The elegant embroidery is almost all you need.

TO BUY: Hemant & Nandita dress, $391, revolve clothing.com. L.K. Bennett sandals, $475, lkbennett. com. Deepa Gurnani earrings, $185, deepagurnani. com. Miranda Frye bracelet set, $85, mirandafrye.com.

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Quick Cooking 164, 168, 175, 176

Healthy Pick 164, 170, 175, 176

Freezable 149, 150, 170 Make Ahead 149, 150, 168, 170, 175

C U R LY CU E S

THE RUFFLED EDGES OF CURLY (OFTEN CALLED BLOOMSDALE OR SAVOY) SPINACH ARE GREAT FOR GRABBING DRESSING (LIKE IN THE BROCCOLI AND SPINACH SALAD ON PAGE 164).

Big Batch 149, 150 Slow Cooker 170 One Pot 166, 170, 175 Whole-Grain 163, 176 Vegetarian 149, 150, 164, 175, 176

Gluten-Free 150, 164, 166, 170, 175, 176

C RU N C H T I M E

Sesame seeds are a nutty finishing touch for everything from rice bowls (page 176) to stir-fries and even pasta (page 163).

P R O P S T Y L I N G BY PA M E L A D U N C A N S I LV E R

S A LT Y S P LU RG E

Authentic ParmigianoReggiano is produced in specific regions of Northern Italy, giving it a rich signature flavor.

A little goes a long way on a simple spaghetti (page 163).

Photographs by Con Poulos Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

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It doesn’t take a big commitment to make a big difference.

Together, with millions of other volunteers, your time adds up and helps the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks serve 46 million Americans every year. Help the Feeding America network get food in the hands of those who need it most.

Pledge to volunteer at your local food bank.

FeedingAmerica.org/Pledge

E A SY D I N N E R

1 Whole-wheat spaghetti with steak and arugula pesto ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES

Quick Cooking Healthy Pick Freezable Make Ahead Big Batch Slow Cooker One Pot Whole-Grain Vegetarian Gluten-Free

SERVES 4

2 cups arugula, roughly chopped ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds, plus more for garnish ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving 1 scallion, sliced, plus more for garnish 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided FO OD

½ tsp. black pepper, divided ½ cup plus 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 lb. skirt steak, cut crosswise into 2 equal pieces 12 oz. whole-wheat spaghetti COMBINE the arugula, sesame seeds, cheese, scallion, lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of the salt, ¼ teaspoon of the pepper, and ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of the oil in a food processor. Pulse just to combine.

HEAT a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Rub the steak with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and season with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Cook, turning halfway through, until medium-rare, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing against the grain.

MEANWHILE, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta, cooking water, and pesto to the pot and toss to coat.

DIVIDE the pasta and steak among 4 plates and garnish with scallions, sesame seeds, and cheese.

Recipes by Kay Chun

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Quick Cooking Healthy Pick Freezable Make Ahead Big Batch Slow Cooker One Pot Whole-Grain Vegetarian Gluten-Free

E A SY D I N N E R

2 Roasted broccoli and white bean salad with Dijon-caper dressing ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES

SERVES 4

1 large head broccoli, trimmed and cut into large spears ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided ¼ tsp. kosher salt FO OD

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 2 hard-boiled eggs 3 Tbsp. drained capers, chopped 2 Tbsp. chopped dill, plus more for garnish 1 (15-oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 8 cups curly spinach, stemmed PREHEAT the oven to 450°. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

COMBINE the broccoli, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and the salt on the prepared sheet and toss to evenly coat. Roast until golden and tender, stirring halfway through, about 20 minutes.

MEANWHILE, combine the lemon juice, mustard, eggs, and 1 tablespoon of water in a food processor and pulse to combine. With the machine on, slowly drizzle in the remaining ¼ cup of oil until the dressing is smooth. Stir in the capers and dill. Scrape half of the dressing into a large bowl. Add the warm broccoli, beans, and spinach and toss to coat.

Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm, sprinkled with more dill, with the remaining dressing on the side.

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Replace expected with

AWESOME.

SWAP Meat for Alaska Seafood. It’s a matter of taste.

Replace veal in Veal Parmesan with delicious Alaska Cod and savor the difference.

Wild and sustainable Alaska Seafood does more than bump up the flavor. It’s better for our planet and your body. Healthier planet. Healthier you. That’s pretty awesome.

Discover more ways to SWAP MEAT at wildalaskaseafood.com ©2016 Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

Quick Cooking Healthy Pick Freezable Make Ahead Big Batch Slow Cooker One Pot Whole-Grain Vegetarian Gluten-Free

E A SY D I N N E R

3 Hake with bacon-roasted leeks and mushrooms ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR

SERVES 4

6 leeks (2¼ lb.), white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise 1 lb. cremini mushrooms, halved if large 4 oz. bacon, chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped FO OD

6 sage leaves 2 lemons, halved ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 tsp. kosher salt 4 6-oz. skinless hake fillets Chopped chives, optional, for garnish PREHEAT

the oven to 425°.

the leeks, mushrooms, bacon, garlic, sage, lemons, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and ½ teaspoon of the salt on a baking sheet and toss to coat. Roast until the leeks are softened, 20 minutes. Rub the fish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and season with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Arrange the fish on top of the vegetables and roast until the vegetables are tender, the bacon is crisp, and the fish is cooked through, about 15 minutes more.

COMBINE

;

DIVIDE the vegetables, fish, and lemon halves (for squeezing) on 4 plates and garnish with chives if desired.

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SILKY SMOOTH TASTE WITHOUT THE SUGAR

Character is a trademark of WhiteWave Foods. *Typical skim milk has 12 grams of sugar per serving vs. 0 grams in Silk Vanilla Unsweetened Almondmilk per serving. Dairy data from USDA Nutrient Database, Release 28.

Unlike the 12 grams of sugar in dairy milk,* Silk® Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk has 0 sugar and always tastes silky smooth.

Quick Cooking Healthy Pick Freezable Make Ahead Big Batch Slow Cooker One Pot Whole-Grain Vegetarian Gluten-Free

E A SY D I N N E R

4 Pork gyro burgers with marinated cucumbers ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES

SERVES 4

3 Persian cucumbers, sliced ¼ inch thick ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 cup parsley leaves 1½ lb. ground pork FO OD

2 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. dried thyme ¾ tsp. black pepper 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 4 pitas, warmed Greek yogurt and sliced red onion, for serving PLACE the cucumbers in a medium bowl and toss with the red pepper, 1 of the finely chopped garlic cloves, and ¼ teaspoon of the salt. Toss to coat and let stand for 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley.

MEANWHILE, combine the pork, oregano, thyme, black pepper, the remaining ¾ teaspoon of salt, and the remaining garlic in a large bowl and mix well. Divide into 4 equal pieces and form into ½-inch-thick burgers. Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet. Add the burgers and cook over medium, turning once, until golden and cooked through, about 8 minutes.

SLICE the top ⅓ off each pita and spread the yogurt inside the pocket. Stuff with the burgers, onion, and salted cucumbers.

Serve warm.

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Turn your kitchen into the family snack bar with light, flaky, buttery Club® Snack Crackers.

For satisfied customers, every time.

Quick Cooking Healthy Pick Freezable Make Ahead Big Batch Slow Cooker One Pot Whole-Grain Vegetarian Gluten-Free

E A SY D I N N E R

5 Slow-cooker chicken and potato curry ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS, 20 MINUTES TO 7 HOURS, 20 MINUTES SERVES 4

3 baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1½-inch pieces 2 red onions, cut into wedges 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger 8 garlic cloves, chopped (about 2 Tbsp.)

2 Tbsp. curry powder FO OD

1 tsp. coriander seeds, crushed 1 tsp. kosher salt ½ tsp. black pepper 6 skinless chicken legs (3 lb.)

1 (15-oz.) can unsweetened coconut milk Chopped cilantro and steamed basmati rice, for serving COMBINE the potatoes and onions in a 6-quart slow cooker. Mix the ginger, garlic, curry powder, coriander, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat.

PLACE the chicken in the slow cooker, pouring over any loose spices and the coconut milk. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through, on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.

GARNISH the curry with chopped cilantro.

Serve over steamed basmati rice.

NUTRITION

Get details on fat, calories, and sodium at the bottom of each recipe on RealSimple.com.

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NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. NO ARTIFICIAL COLOR.

Actor Portrayal. ©2016 R&B Foods, Inc.

NO ARTIFICIAL HISTORY.

K I TC H E N S K I L L S

Things Cooks Know Simplifying strategies, techniques, and tips— from the Real Simple test kitchen to yours The neatest way to peel and devein shrimp It’s always fastest to buy shrimp that are already peeled and deveined.

But if you choose to do the job yourself (and save a few bucks in the process), clean them with this 1-2-3 method.

FO OD

Why you should try tossing food in a skillet You’ve seen this move on TV—a chef effortlessly works a pan to flip food, never dropping a single pepper slice. But it’s a smart move to use at home. Tossing food, rather than turning with tongs, is faster, and it helps food brown evenly without any bruising. The motion works best with nonstick, slope-sided pans. Here’s how to master it: Lift the skillet two inches from the stove, angling the far side of the pan downward. Don’t try to throw the food up and down. Instead, push the skillet forward, then quickly pull it back. The food will—fingers crossed!—flip up over itself.

H O W TO C U T AN ONION WITHOUT C RY I N G, AC C O R D I N G TO S C I E N C E Stinging eyes and tears, caused by sulfuric molecules released when the cell walls of an onion are ruptured, are nature’s way of saying, “Back away!” It’s a deterrent for certain animals. (Onions

FLIP IT GOOD

A nonstick pan is a must for beginners.

A little extra oil or butter can also help you keep food loose and ready to toss and release without a hitch.

are poisonous to cats and dogs—and only a little less hazardous to human first dates.) But those sulfur compounds also give onions the pungent flavor that we love. So first make sure that your knife is sharp—a cleaner cut means fewer ruptured cells—and follow these steps to slice with less suffering.

STEP 1: Chill the onion.

Placing it in the freezer or a bowl of ice water for at least 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator for a couple of hours, may temporarily quiet the compounds.

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CRACK the shell by grasping the head and bending the tail back and forth.

Written by

Heath Goldman Illustrations by

Melinda Josie

STEP 2: After cutting the onion in half, rinse both sides under cold running water for 1 minute. This will wash away some of the irritants.

STEP 3: Hold a piece of bread in your mouth.

A possible theory why this works? You may inhale slightly less of the fumes, since you can’t breathe through your mouth.

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PINCH the shell over the tail, pull up, and with your other hand, run a finger under the legs to free the shell.

INSERT one tine of a fork under the vein, at the head of the shrimp. Lift up and pull forward.

The vein should pull out in one piece.

©2016 ©20 16 Bum Bumble ble Be B e Seaf Seaf eafood oodss ood

W H Y N OT T RY… ?

On leaves

FO OD

Don’t discard the frilly fronds. Fresh, slightly astringent, and packed with intense celery flavor, celery leaves can be stuffed into sandwiches or mixed into salads.

To perk up wilted leaves, soak in a glass of ice water for 30 minutes.

Ants on a log?

Celery can do better.

Turn this crunchy mainstay into a hearty dinner salad.

Make a new kind of smoothie. And if you must pair it with peanut butter and raisins, just try to up the ante a bit.

CELERY

Snap it up Choose celery that is light green, with perky leaves and bruise-free stalks. Try gently squeezing a bunch; it should squeak faintly. Celery lasts for up to 10 days in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

Recipes by Anna Painter Written by Heath Goldman Photographs by Levi Brown Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero

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1 Stir-fried shrimp and celery

3

Celery, cucumber, and pineapple smoothie Puree 2 cups frozen PINEAPPLE CHUNKS, 2 cups peeled CUCUMBER CHUNKS, and 1 cup CELERY CHUNKS with 2 Tbsp.

FRESH BASIL, 2 tsp. LIME JUICE, 1 cup WATER, a pinch of SALT, and ½ cup ICE until smooth. Garnish with a CELERY STALK or a BASIL SPRIG. SERVES 2

Ants-on-a-log sandwich Spread 2 Tbsp. CHUNKY PEANUT BUTTER on 2 thick slices toasted RAISIN BREAD. Toss 1½ cups thinly sliced CELERY with ⅓ cup sliced CELERY LEAVES, 1 tsp. LEMON JUICE, 1 Tbsp. OLIVE OIL, and ½ tsp. each KOSHER SALT and BLACK PEPPER. Divide the celery mixture between the toasts.

SERVES 2

FO OD

Heat ¼ tsp. CHILI FLAKES in 3 Tbsp.

CANOLA OIL. Add 1 lb. peeled and deveined SHRIMP, ½ tsp. SALT, and ¼ tsp.

BLACK PEPPER; cook until just opaque, 2 minutes. Remove shrimp and reserve.

Add 1½ cups sliced CELERY, 1 cup SNOW PEAS, 2 finely chopped GARLIC CLOVES, and 1 Tbsp. grated GINGER. Cook until crisp-tender. Stir in the shrimp and 1 Tbsp. each RICE VINEGAR and SOY SAUCE. Cook 2 minutes more. Serve with RICE and sliced SCALLIONS. SERVES 4

2

4

5

6

Apple, pear, and celery salad

Braised celery and sausage

Italian deli salad

Toss 1 each thinly sliced GRANNY SMITH APPLE and BARTLETT PEAR with 3 stalks thinly sliced CELERY and ½ cup each chopped PARSLEY and CELERY LEAVES. Whisk 2 Tbsp. LEMON JUICE, 1½ tsp.

HONEY, ¼ cup OLIVE OIL, and ¼ tsp. each KOSHER SALT, BLACK PEPPER, and CAYENNE PEPPER. Toss salad with dressing and ¾ cup shaved PARMESAN CHEESE.

Cook 1 cup chopped ONION and 2 finely chopped GARLIC CLOVES in 2 Tbsp. OLIVE OIL with 1 tsp. KOSHER SALT and ¼ tsp.

BLACK PEPPER until tender. Add 1½ lb.

SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE . Cook until brown. Add 1 cup WHITE WINE; cook to reduce liquid by half. Add 8 CELERY STALKS (cut into 2-inch pieces) to the pot along with 1 (15-oz.) can DICED TOMATOES. Simmer, about 40 minutes.

Serve with SOFT POLENTA and chopped

Combine 8 oz. cooked PENNE, 2 cups thinly sliced CELERY, 1 cup quartered CHERRY TOMATOES, ½ cup quartered OLIVES, and ½ cup each finely diced SALAMI and PROVOLONE in a bowl. Put ¼ cup OLIVE OIL, 3 Tbsp. RED WINE VINEGAR, ½ tsp.

DRIED OREGANO, ½ tsp. KOSHER SALT, and ½ tsp. BLACK PEPPER in a lidded jar; shake to combine. Toss the dressing and ¼ cup each chopped BASIL and PARSLEY with the penne before serving. SERVES 4

SERVES 2

PARSLEY. SERVES 4

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FO OD

B E T T E R B R E A K FA ST

SPINACH SWAP

For savory-breakfast fans, this hearty, healthy combo contains everything but the kitchen sink.

ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4

5 pieces bacon, chopped 2 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish 8 oz. curly spinach, stemmed (8 packed cups) ¼ tsp. kosher salt

COOK the bacon and scallions in a large skillet over medium until the bacon is crispy, 5 minutes. Add the spinach, salt, and pepper and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute.

WHISK the oil, vinegar, and sesame seeds in a small bowl.

¼ tsp. pepper 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil 2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar 2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds, plus more for garnish

DIVIDE the brown rice, spinach mixture, avocado, and radishes in the bowls. Top with the eggs and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Drizzle with the sesame dressing and serve warm, with more dressing on the side.

4 cups cooked brown rice, warm Recipe by Kay Chun

1 avocado, thinly sliced

Photograph by Con Poulos

4 radishes, thinly sliced

Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

4 large fried eggs

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ON THE GO

For 10 homemade portable-breakfast recipes, go to realsimple.com/breakfast.

P R O P S T Y L I N G BY PA M E L A D U N C A N S I LV E R

Brown rice bowl with egg and avocado

Try other green vegetables in your bowl: Broccoli, zucchini, and Swiss chard all work well.

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W H E N H E R ST U D E N T S ’ S C H O O L S L E T O U T F O R T H E DAY, THIS MUSIC TE ACHER’S S CHEDULE PICK S UP D OUBLE TIME. WAT C H H E R K E E P I N S T E P.

ANNA EVANGELISTA-PEREZ, 40

SWEAT ETHIC

• Cofounder of Vanguard Music Studio, in Denville, New Jersey • Married to Betsy Evangelista-Perez • Montclair, New Jersey

“Exercising isn’t about looking good anymore. I want to be healthy—or at least not be out of breath going up the stairs.”

9:35 A.M. “My wife, Betsy, works from home, as do I in the A.M. We manage not to get into each other’s way. I focus on e-mails, scheduling, and looking for venues for my students to perform.”

1:30 P.M. “Time for boxing with my trainer, Shubert Lesperance.

He’s a marine and doesn’t mess around. If I complain, he just makes me worker harder, so I’ve learned to suck it up.”

3:15 P.M. “Before I go to the studio, I have a private lesson

5:20 P.M. “In between lessons, I sneak in some piano time

with my longtime student Ryan Crooker. We work on technique, building dexterity in fingers, then practice his new piece.”

with my business partner, Andrew Shantz. We have a big student recital coming up, and we need to plan the program.”

6:05 P.M. “My next class is Rock Band. These guys go by ‘the Wireless Dragons.’ Kids love to learn music they like, but they also develop strong interaction skills playing off each other.”

9:20 P.M. “When I work late, Betsy and I tend to end up at Ani Ramen House nearby. We’ve been together 13 years, but our wedding last year lifted all my anxieties about coming out.”

WHAT TEACHING TAUGHT ANNA No.1

“Don’t be afraid to break tradition. It was important to me to be the music teacher I never had.

I didn’t want to be the stern taskmaster.”

No.2

“Know thyself.

It’s like I have Peter Pan syndrome. My career is the result of wanting to surround myself with the imagination and energy of kids.”

No. 3

“Instill passion, not just the mechanics.

Children flourish when they learn the elements that bring music to life—the color, melody, and dynamics.”

Photographs by Emily Kinni

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WORKS BOTH WAYS

“Starting a business has been an adjustment.

Four years in, I’m still figuring out how to juggle the management aspects with the creative side.”

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