Featured in November 2007

See what was in this issue of Real Simple.

On the Cover

Affordable Entertaining
Merlot or Pinot? Real Simple throws a wine-tasting party that will impress everyone―from the novice to the expert, pg. 31
 
 Clever Hostess Gifts
Don’t show up empty-handed. Twenty gifts to buy in bulk that will get you invited back, pg. 211
 
 Back-to-Basics Thanksgiving
From a classic roast turkey to snazzed-up mashed potatoes (add caramelized shallots), a stress-free meal strategy for the big day, pg. 300
 
 Easy Organic Decorations
Bring the outdoors inside, without the mess of muddy footprints. Decorating with fruits, leaves, and herbs can freshen any room, pg. 312
 
 More Holiday Recipes 

• Holiday problems, solved, pg. 343
• Easy, unique hors d'oeuvres, pg. 351
• Updated Thanksgiving desserts, pg. 359

Plus the Best... 

• Cleaning tools, pg. 135
• Cold remedies, pg. 251
• Makeup pencils, pg. 265
• Cashmere sweaters, pg. 279

In This Issue

Thoughts, pg. 4
 

Why Not?, pg. 6
 

Contributors, pg. 26
 

Editor's Note, pg. 29

 Your Words
What is your most reliable Thanksgiving shortcut?, pg. 39

 Simple Solutions
An easy way to organize gift wrap; charging stations for electronic gadgets; where to store coffee; and more, pg. 53

Life Lessons
A mother tries her best to let go…of the car keys, pg. 75

 The Organizer
With a little finessing, one family’s linen closet goes from cluttered catchall to streamlined solution, pg. 157

The Motivator
Remembering late, lamented loved ones keeps them near. Life coach Gail Blanke shares the story of the brother she lost, pg. 291

 Giving Thanks
Five women say “Thank you” to the people who changed their lives, pg. 326

 Real Life
Meet reader Carmen Staicer, a Virginia mother, writer, and blogger who hopes to live to be 100 and run a marathon―but not necessarily in that order, pg. 396
 

Credits, pg. 390
 

Real Simple to Go, pg. 398

The Guide

Beauty 

• Three eye problems, fixed, pg. 87
• Decoding beauty ingredients, pg. 97
• Updos for holidays or Mondays, pg. 107
• Break out of your fragrance rut and try a new scent, pg. 332

Home 

• Timeless tips from legendary decorators, pg. 121
• The best cleaning tools, pg. 135
• Twelve problem-solving screens, pg. 145

Style 

• Stay warm in thick knits, pg. 165
• A buying (or just browsing) guide to gemstones, pg. 181
• Tie one on―a fun bow, that is, pg. 195

Life 

• Hostess gifts to have on hand, pg. 211
• The do’s and don’ts of extending an invitation, pg. 225
• How to avoid putting your foot in your mouth, pg. 233

Body 

• Solutions to common holiday posture problems, pg. 243
• A survival guide to cold-and-flu season, pg. 251
• What’s in a dream? The science behind sleeping story lines, pg. 320

Road Tests

• Makeup pencils, pg. 265
• Dish drainers, pg. 273
• Cashmere sweaters, pg. 279
• French fries, pg. 287

Cooking

• Five Easy Dinners, pg. 369
• Fake It, Don’t Make It: Quick Sticky Buns, pg. 381
• Shopping List/Recipe Index, pg. 385