Featured in May 2009

See what was in this issue of Real Simple.

On the Cover

• Beauty secrets from the pros: time-saving tips and smart products (for as little as $4), p. 77, 155, 176
• Fast, healthy Mexican dinners, p. 192
• Essential career advice for trying times, p. 95
• Organize your outdoor gear: 20 solutions, p. 139

 

In This Issue

Thoughts, p. 6
 
 The Simple List, p. 10
 
 Contributors, p. 26
 
 Editor’s Note, p. 29
 
 Everyday Celebrations
All you need to know to host a fun and thrifty swap party, p. 35
 
 Your Words
What’s the greatest gift your mother ever gave you?, p. 47
 
 Solutions 

• Memorable gifts for Mom, p. 55
• New Uses for Old Things, p. 58
• Tech Decoder: Wi-Fi security, p. 62
• Easy Upgrade: personalized cards, p. 64
• Ask Real Simple: how to tell your boss that she has B.O., p. 66

Life Lessons
Writer Sally Koslow on why living with Mr. Clean isn’t as neat as you might think, p. 69
 
 Personal Best
Writer Judith Newman on the 10 questions to ask your mother now, p. 171
 
 Reality Check
Merit badges for grown-ups, p. 246
 
 Real Simple to Go, p. 248
 
 
 

The Guide

Beauty
 Hair, skin, and makeup experts reveal their best tips and products, p. 77
 
 Life
 No-nonsense advice for landing a new job―or keeping the one you have, p. 95
 Six common lies people tell―and 12 strategies to get closer to the truth, p. 129
 
 Style
 Twenty styles to take the trauma out of shopping for a swimsuit, p. 103
 Want a great summer tote for under $100? It’s in the bag, p. 117
 
 Body
Get schooled in calcium: a 101 course on the bone-building mineral, p. 123
 
 Home
Tackle the last frontier of organizing: the great outdoors, p. 139
 
 Moneywise
How to save on garden supplies, where to find the best clothing sales, and why to buy athletic gear now, p. 148
 
 

Road Test

• Budget makeup, p. 155
• Fruit juice, p. 161
• Dishwasher detergent, p. 167

 

Features

• To get a (practically) flawless face, follow these three simple steps, p. 176
• Go-to furnishings for any life stage, budget, or style, p. 182
• Fresh Mexican recipes light and easy enough for every day, p. 192
• Wear-anywhere summer dresses, p. 200
• The story of one same-sex couple and their simultaneous pregnancies, p. 208

 

Cooking

• Five Easy Dinners, p. 223
• Four ways to serve salmon, p. 235
• Nutritional Index, p. 240