I really like this magazine.  It has a simple format that they rarely deviate from.  Though I do joke with my sister that living “Realy Simply” apparently costs money.  Usually, they will do some sort of feature like…the best jeans for your body.  AWESOME!  We all wear jeans right…apparently every body needs $200 dollars jeans.  But this issue surprised me.  Sure there were some $400 dresses, but they were mixed in with dresses that cost $45 as well..and they were just as cute.  Here are some of the highlights: (this issue was packed with great info, so I might break this up into two posts)

Each month there is a quote, or a thought as the magazine calls it..usually accompanied with a picture.  This month’s quote is from Oscar Wilde: “All Women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No Man does. That’s his.”  Now, I sat there and thought…”Huh?  Is that true?” And then I got a bit offended.  When I was 16, if someone told me I was just like my mom, I got offended…but now, I can see that many of the qualities she possesses are truly admirable.  Sure, sometimes she says something hurtful, and doesn’t apologize, but I have never known her to back down from expressing her opinion.  She has always stood her ground, whether she has the popular opinion or not.  I am proud to have that same trait.  On the other hand…my husband’s mother…my mother in law, is a pretty great woman as well.  She has some qualities, like my mother, that are also truly admirable, and I think my husband got some of the best ones.  Guess, ole Oscar was WRONG!

Each month there is also a question of the month?  They publish some of the best responses from readers.  This month’s question: What’s the Greatest gift your mother ever gave you?  Easy…she gave me life.  Sure, sure, some would say that is the easy part…raising a child is where the challenge comes in, but when I say she gave me life…I mean she gave me A life.  Again, growing up…I thought she was strict, I thought she was mean..I rebelled.  Whatever she wanted for me, I wanted the opposite.  But she never gave up on me.  We argued, we fought, we cried…but when the chips were down, she NEVER let me down.  It took me almost 35 years to realize that behind the rules, and the regulations…there is a lot of love.  And I am glad that I realized that before it was too late.

“New Uses for Old Things”-they repurpose things here.  This month they had a great idea, that actually works well for me.  With five boys we ALWAYS have single mittens and gloves.  Real Simple suggests using them as holders for glasses.  Nice.

“The Insider’s Guide To Beauty”-what I like about instyle is that when they ask ‘experts’ to weight in..they actually seem to look for experts that have something relevant to the article.  They also list their qualifications..cool.  This way we can at least make an informed decision as to whether or not their advice is crap or not.  Here they look to experts in the beauty field to share their tips.  Dr. Jeanine Downie, a Dermatologist from New Jersey reminds us that sunscreen should be a must in ANY beauty routine…man or woman.  Might sound like common sense, but I don’t think that tip can be stressed enough!  Brigitte Reiss-Andersen a makeup artist from NYC offers up this-Don’t be afraid to take a chance.  Makeup isn’t permanent, experiment.  Makes sense, too bad I am too much of a wuss to do anything more than wear a darker red at night. Laura Geller, another makeup artist outside of NYC (she also has her own popular and respected makeup line) has a great tip.  I haven’t tried it yet, but in the heat I will be: After applying makeup, take a powder puff and wet it, squeezing out all the excess water.  Press it over your face, this will lock in the makeup, so to speak, leaving you smear free in the heat!  Mark Garrison is a hairstylist, also from NYC-I tried this yesterday, and AMAZING results.  IN the heat, to control frizz condition BEFORE you shampoo.  Your hair gets clean without the drying impact of the shampoo.  I was skeptical, but I tried this, got out of the shower and my hair looked great.  Even without my frizz fighting goo.

I admit that cleaning and organizing the basement or the garage is not my idea of a fun way to spend the weekend.  I walk down the stairs, see the mess that is our basement, and walk right back up the stairs.  Same with the garage…all the tools, and wrenches, the bikes and lawnmowers…what a mess!  But real simple offers up 20 tips to control the mess.  I admit…I didn’t read it, but I did tear it out for my husband.