On the Cover

12 Hot-Weather Hair Tricks, pg. 99

How to Keep the Weight Off, pg. 105

23 Ways to Beat the Heat, pg. 141

Make the Most of Summer, pg. 184

Easy Picnic Meals, pg. 204

Plus the Best...

• Pet Gear, pg. 113
• Teeth Whiteners, pg. 165
• Ice Cream Makers, pg. 173

In This Issue

Thoughts, pg. 6

Why Not?, pg. 10

Editor’s Note, pg. 27

Contributors, pg. 28

Real Inspiration 
Keep your guests in high spirits by throwing an easy outdoor cocktail party. Then add a few creative twists to shake it up, pg. 31

Your Words
What’s your best summer memory?, pg. 39

Simple Solutions
Use ice cream cones to bake cupcakes (plus other new uses for old things; unstick stubborn lids with a nifty new jar opener; and more, pg. 45 

The Organizer
Opening kitchen cabinets was a hazard until Real Simple picked up the pieces, pg. 149 

The Motivator
Find courage from your defining moments, pg. 177

The Best of Summer
Make the most of the season―tell the scariest ghost story, prepare a classic lobster roll, catch the most fireflies, and have a blast, pg. 184

Signature Style
Make your mark―and simplify your morning routine―with a look that’s totally your own, pg. 194

Life’s a Picnic
Everything you need for a day at the beach, a meal on the road, a lunch at the playground, and a concert in the park. Don’t forget the blanket, pg. 204

Open Books
Meet five women who turn blank pages into inspiring expressions of their everyday lives, pg. 212 

Credits, pg. 252

Real Life
Meet Real Simple reader Christina-Marie Wright, pg. 258

Real Simple to Go, pg. 260

The Guide

Style

• Put your best foot forward with these 12 stylish sneakers, pg. 73
• Metallic clothing and accessories to spark up your wardrobe, pg. 81

Beauty

• Close shaves and more: the best ways to stay stubble-free, pg. 91
• Summer hair guide: Don’t let the heat and humidity tie you up in knots, pg. 99

Body

• It’s common to gain weight as you age, but you can help prevent those pounds from creeping on. Find out how to turn back the scale, pg. 105

Life

• She’s so shy: confessions of a closet introvert, pg. 65
• New gear for furry friends, pg. 113
• Strategies to keep burglars at bay, pg. 123

Home

• Throw pillows can transform a room in a snap, pg. 131
• Fight the heat in 23 easy ways, pg.141

Road Tests

• Bras, pg. 157
• Teeth whiteners, pg. 165
• Pickles, pg. 169
• Ice cream makers, pg. 173

Cooking

• Five Easy Dinners, pg. 223
• Fake It, Don’t Make It: Quick Shrimp Po’ Boy, pg. 237
• Tasty Wines with Pretty Labels, pg. 241
• Shopping List/Recipe Index, pg. 250