Featured in May 2014

Thoughts, p. 8

The Simple List, p. 12

Editor’s Note, p. 25

Your Words

• This Month’s Question, p. 27
  What smart tool helps you stay organized?
• No-Obligation Book Club, p. 30
  What contemporary book will stand the test of time?

The Realist

• May at a Glance, p.  35
  New-baby smell: It’s a real thing
• Worth Sharing, p. 36
  Monthly status updates from across the Web
• New Uses for a Carabiner, p. 38
• Trend Worth Trying, p. 40
  Nautical accents
• Fresh Pick, p. 42
  Strawberries
• Now What?!?, p. 44
  Smart solutions for life’s little disasters
• Beauty Boost, p. 46
  Charcoal skin care
• Real Simplifier, p. 48
  How to lead a group
• Little Helpers, p. 50

 

Life Lessons

• Good Read, p. 55
  Elizabeth Berg describes how one moment of regret taught her the importance of giving
• Modern Manners, p. 64
  Catherine Newman on dealing with dietary restrictions, disgruntled relatives, and more
• Expertise, p. 69
  Five things you should know about your mom

The Guide

Home

• 31 Ways to Get Organized Now, p. 76
  Budget-friendly must-haves and ingenious ideas for every room in the house
• Ask the Organizer, p. 91
  Your most confounding clutter conundrums, solved

Beauty

• Rays of Hope, p. 97
  Everything you want to know about laser treatments
• Road Test, p. 102
  Sponges
• Pretty Smart, p. 105
  The latest beauty products and tips that save time, money, and your sanity

Family

• Wait for It, p. 111
  Smart strategies to help you and your kids be more patient

Fashion

• Happy Feet, p. 119
  This season’s newest sandals, from minimalist to maximalist
• Your Ultimate Color Guide, p. 127
  The secrets to wearing it well
• Trend Analysis, p. 135
  The best tropical prints for your body type

Health

• Wallflowers in Bloom, p. 147
  Anyone can become more socially confident. Here’s how
• The Decoder, p. 159
  Tooth whiteners
• 10 Minutes and You’re Done, p. 165
  Plank workout

Money

• Moneywise, p. 169
  The best hotel rewards programs; what to ask at a job interview; the pros and cons of extended auto warranties

 

Features

• Mother-in-Law & Order, p. 178
  Why is the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship so fraught? And how, exactly, can you make it better?
• Yard-Sale Spectacular, p. 186
  The comprehensive, no-fail plan to cash in on your castoffs
• Simply Breathtaking, p. 192
  These sexy one-piece swimsuits will blow you out of the water

 

Food

• Cheat Sheets, p. 206 
  To make these six delicious dinners, all you need is a basic sheet pan and an oven. Done
• Things Cooks Know, p. 215
  Simplifying strategies, techniques, and tips—from the Real Simple test kitchen to yours
• Road Test, p. 217
  Yogurt
• Quick Takes, p. 222
  10 ideas for avocados
• Five Easy Dinners, p. 225
• Nutritional Index, p. 237

 

 

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

10 Under $50, p. 242

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