Featured in September 2009

See what was in this issue of Real Simple.

On the Cover

• Great style you can really afford: 35 timeless and versatile pieces, p. 182
• The ultimate small- space makeovers, p. 121
• Meatless meals the whole family will love, p. 204
• Make every day a good hair day: here’s how, p. 212

 

In This Issue

Thoughts, p. 4
 
 The Simple List, p. 6
 
 Contributors, p. 20
 
 Editor’s Note, p. 25 
 
 Your Words
 Who is your greatest fashion influence?, p. 27
 
 Solutions 

• New Uses for Old Things, p. 34
• Products of the Month, p. 38
• Either…Or?: Choosing between foam and down pillows, p. 42
• Uncommon Knowledge: the story behind Technicolor vegetables, p. 44
• Ask Real Simple: Should you wash new clothing before wearing it?, p. 46

Life Lessons
Writer Diana Abu-Jaber on her (unexpected) yearning for motherhood, p. 49
 
 Personal Best
Longtime fashion editor Kate Betts on the 10 most important things to keep in your closet (Spanx and fabulous shoes included), p. 175
 
 Credits
Where to buy products in this issue, p. 256
 
 Reality Check
My week in charts and graphs, p. 258
 
 Real Simple to Go, p. 260
 
 
 

The Guide

Beauty
 

• Naturalize your beauty routine with 12 good-for-you botanicals, p. 57
• From creamy nudes to stormy grays, flattering nail colors for fall, p. 67
• Road Test: budget wrinkle smoothers, p. 71
• Makeup artist Jenna Menard shares her picks for a flawless face, p. 79

Body
 

• Tips and strategies to take the stress out of common health tests, p. 89

Style
 

• This season’s skirt suits―they’re anything but stuffy, p. 99
• Lace, ruffles, and neon―oh my! Top trends for $99 or less, p. 111

Home
 

• From library to bar: three ways to transform an extra closet, p. 121
• Cut down your energy bills with low- or no-cost home upgrades, p. 127
• Road Test: coffeemakers, p. 137

Life
 

• How to manage your online identity with a few simple steps, p. 145
• Philosophy 101: six notable philosophers and what their big ideas mean to your life, p. 151

Money
 

• Eight easy strategies to help improve your credit score, p. 159
• Moneywise: when to leave a tip, why to buy plants now, and the brown-bag recipe of the month, gazpacho, p. 167

 

Features

• Clever superstars―new fall fashions that you’ll wear and love for years, p. 182
• Fresh ways to make over your living room, p. 194
• Writer A. J. Jacobs on his 30-day experiment in unitasking, p. 198
• Meatless meals that are hearty enough to satisfy the most die-hard carnivore, p. 204
• How to have great hair every day, whether you’ve got two minutes to spare or 20, p. 212

 

Cooking

• Five Easy Dinners, p. 225
• Road Test: breakfast cereal, p. 237
• Four new ways to spice up that weeknight staple, pork chops, p. 245
• Nutritional Index, p. 250