Featured in October 2012

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Thoughts, p. 10

The Simple List, p. 14

Editor’s Note, p. 27

 

Your Words

• This Month’s Question, p. 30 
  What was the greatest Halloween costume you ever wore?
• No-Obligation Book Club, p. 40
  What book sparks the most interesting conversation?

 

Trends Worth Trying

• Instant Upgrade, p. 43
  Tiles with style
• New and Improved, p. 44
  Magnetic nail polish
• The Most Wearable Trend Right Now, p. 46
  Animal prints
• Five-Minute Wow, p. 48
  Goofproof pouf
• Better Than Basic, p. 50
  Gold-dipped shoes
• 10 Finds for $50 or Less, p. 52
  
  

Solutions

• New Uses for a Hair Dryer, p. 55
• Problem-Solvers of the Month, p. 56
• Start With, p. 58
  A vanilla cupcake
• Ask Real Simple, p. 60
  Can dry-cleaning shrink my clothes?
• Fresh Pick, p. 62
  Butternut squash
• 3 Halloween Costumes Made From a Cardboard Box, p. 64

 

Life Lessons

• Good Read, p. 67
  After a massive purge of her house, Lee Woodruff discovered that some stuff does matter
• Modern Manners, p. 71
  Michelle Slatalla on how to handle sticky trick-or-treat situations
• Expertise, p. 74
  Five vices you should embrace

 

The Guide

Fashion Special Section: Your Working Wardrobe

• What Does Your Work Look Say About You?, p. 81
  Industry pros reveal the message behind your style
• 7 Pieces, 6 Outfits, p. 97
  Smart pieces that you can combine in multiple ways
• Fit Lab, p. 105
  Work pants

Health

• Should You Try These Diet Trends?, p. 113
  Experts weigh in on the latest crazes

Beauty

• Pretty Smart, p. 125
  Fall’s best beauty products and tips that save time, money, and your sanity
• Beauty With Brains, p. 133
  Can I control my blushing?
• Road Test, p. 137
  Facial moisturizers

Home

• The Secret Life of Your Fridge, p. 141
  How to take care of your coolest appliance and maximize the shelf life of everything inside
• Personal Shopper, p. 150
  Whether sweet or eclectic, these duvet covers will wake up plain white sheets
• Road Test, p. 159
  Humidifiers

Money

• Moneywise, p. 161 
  How to save on seafood; the smarter way to keep track of your retirement accounts; the truth about virtual-currency websites

 

Features

• The Wow Factor, p. 170
  Design pros share their favorite picks for adding magic to any room
• The End of Us, p. 180
  What happens when your twin dies? Richard B. Stolley ponders the future without his other half
• One Shade Fits All, p. 184
  Fifteen lipsticks, nail polishes, blushes, and more that truly flatter all skin tones
• What’s for Dinner, p. 190
  Delicious recipes (and handy shopping lists) to keep you satisfied for the entire month
• Legends of the Fall, p. 200
  Fend off the cold with a bold and memorable coat

 

Food

• Revolutionizing Dinner (One Table at a Time), p. 209
  Meet the winners of Real Simple’s second annual Take Back Dinnertime contest—and learn how to conquer your own mealtime challenges
• Things Cooks Know, p. 228
  Simplifying strategies, techniques, and tips, from the Real Simple test kitchen to yours
• Quick Takes, p. 230
  10 ideas for kale
• Nutritional Index, p. 233

 

 

Credits, p. 238
Where to buy the products featured in this issue

 

Discounts & Deals, p. 242
Exclusive savings on photo accessories

Clip and Save: Real Simple to Go, p. 243