Featured in April 2012

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Thoughts, p. 8

The Simple List, p. 14

Editor’s Note, p. 27

 

Your Words

1. This Month’s Question, p. 31 
   What change to your routine has saved you the most time?
2. No-Obligation Book Club, p. 35
   What author do you admire most?

Trends Worth Trying

1. Objects of Desire, p. 37
   Tree-trunk tables
2. Style Revival, p. 38
   Peter Pan collars
3. Five-Minute Wow, p. 40
   Pastel eyes
4. The Most Wearable Trend Right Now, p. 42
   Modern preppy
5. Intelligent Design, p. 44
   Glamorous picnic basket
6. 10 Finds Under $50, p. 46
   

Women & Time

1. A special section, p. 49
   Revealing the results of Real Simple’s ground-breaking time survey—plus real-world advice on how to make every day less hectic and more joyful
   

Life Lessons

1. Good Read, p. 71
   Essay-contest winner Mara Eve Robbins recounts the moment when she first understood the meaning of love
2. Modern Manners, p. 77
   Michelle Slatalla on how to deal with coworkers who don’t respect your boundaries
3. Expertise, p. 81
   Five ways to be more optimistic

The Guide

Beauty

1. Pretty Smart, p. 87
   The latest beauty products and tips that save time, money, and your sanity
2. Road Test, p. 96
   Hairbrushes

Home

1. Make Over My Home Office, p. 99
   A Real Simple transformation, with tips for tidying up your own work space
2. Road Test, p. 110
   Printers
3. Decorating for Your Life Stage, p. 113
   More than a dozen stylish coffee-table options that will feel right at home in your home

Fashion

1. Real Steals, p. 121
   Eye-catching black and white pieces for $100 or less
2. Fit Lab, p. 131
   Lacy bras

Health

1. The Decoder, p. 139
   Dry eyes  

Money

1. How to Pay Off College Debt, p. 143
   Five smart strategies for repaying loans now (the second in a four-part series on debt)
2. Moneywise, p. 149 
   Tips to save on computer repairs; the smart way to negotiate with the IRS; what to do when you’re dissatisfied with your contractor

Features

1. Retro Fit, p. 158 
   This season’s throwback styles are tailor-made for women with curves. How quaint
2. Act Small, Save Big, p. 166
   Effortless everyday tactics to help you save more than $5,000 (!) this year
3. Open House, p. 176
   A look inside a beautiful home filled with resourceful decorating ideas, thrift-store finds, and love

Food

1. The Ultimate Food-Storage Guide, p. 184
   How to keep everything in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry fresh and flavorful
2. Quick Takes, p. 196
   10 ideas for chicken thighs
3. Tart Sweets, p. 199 
   Easy-to-make lemon desserts that taste as bright as spring
4. Road Test, p. 207
   Butter and spreads
5. Things Cooks Know, p. 210
   Simplifying strategies, techniques, and tips from the Real Simple test kitchen to yours
6. Five Easy Dinners, p. 213 
7. Nutritional Index, p. 223

 

Credits, p. 223
Where to buy the products featured in this issue

 

Discounts & Deals, p. 228
Exclusive savings on coffee and tea accessories

 

Clip and Save: Real Simple to Go, p. 229