CATEGORIES

Modern Manners Advice for Your Social Quandaries

My husband's niece is getting married in eight months. The save-the-date only had my husband's name, my name, and my husband's two kids' names (my stepkids).

BLUEBERRY SWEET CORN SHORTCAKE

Two of summer's best ingredients come together in an epic dessert just begging to be invited to a party.

MAKE YOUR JEWELRY SHINE

A treasure trove of tips to get your sparkly things ready for primetime

THE BEST

Sometimes it's not enough for our editors to be instantly impressed by a product. Sometimes we want to push it to the limits in one of our three labs, our own homes, or both to see how it holds up under pressure. We cook, we wear, we smear, we clean. We evaluate and tally. Then we give out the REAL SIMPLE Selects seal. When we put that label on something, that means it's among the 5,200-plus products we've formally evaluated according to strict protocols. On this list: some of our current faves. If you see something you like, scan the QR code and get shopping!

Mess Busters Goodbye Stains

Spots and smells come with pet ownership. Luckily, our favorite tricks to remove them might be easier than you'd expect.

Trading Places

When the heat hits, a clever late-spring swap keeps this Georgia garden feeling light and refreshing.

The FRIENDLIEST Places in the South 2024

Hospitality is a hallmark of our region, but people define it in different ways. Is it a conversation in the checkout line? A bartender who knows your order before you sit down? The way a community welcomes people who are just passing through? So we asked you, our readers, to share the places that make you feel right at home on every level. Narrowing down thousands of nominations for hotels, restaurants, stores, nonprofits, and more was no small feat, but it was very uplifting. As these 20 standouts show, Southerners go above and beyond to take care of one another.

what to COOK

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE

Vacation MODE

Part vintage surfer pad, part tropical escape, part colorful boho paradise, this living room melds global influences into a space that evokes the joyful energy of being on holiday.

THE BEST GUY IN THE WORLD

From the very start, our rescue pup sensed what we needed from him.

YOUR BED OR MINE?

Doctors and sleep pros tackle the thorny question of where Pepper should sleep.

SPLISH, SPLASH

Before you let your pup dive into the deep end, here's how to help her get on swimmingly in the water.

EXPLORING THE EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF HAVING A DOG

Who gives the best warm fuzzies? That little furball curled up at your feet right now.

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE GETTING A DOG

She will change your world-in ways you can and can't imagine. Most important to both of you: building trust.

CHOW TIME

Make sure your dog is getting all the nutrition she needs.

THINGS PEOPLE DO THAT DOGS CAN'T STAND

Do you hug her? Dress her up? Rush through her walks? You may be getting on your pet's nerves.

SAVING MONEY ON DOG EXPENSES

Your pup can run up the bills, but we're here to help with some wallet-friendly tips and tricks.

THE RIGHT STUFF

Calling all puppy parents: Have you consulted our vet-approved checklist for all things dog?

NO GOING BACK

How a big, needy foster dog (who was afraid of everything) gained confidence, won over his new family, and inspired this touching, pandemic-era essay.

A POSITIVE BOND BETWEEN YOUR PUP AND YOUR KIDS

Start the work before your first meet-and-greet.

THE PERFECT COMPANION

Energizer bunny? Couch potato? Furry? Smooth? The pup that fits you.

A RUNNING START

Your dream jogging buddy has four legs and a fur coat, and she's ready to go.

HOME ALONE

A training pro offers advice to prep your pet for solo time.

BASIC TRAINING

Be consistent. Make it fun. And bring lots of treats.

Practically Perfect

Ingeniows design tricksiturn thig\Jacksonville, Florida, homefintoia kid-friendly neighborhood gem.

CREATIVE LICENSE

A Nashville ranch's palette feels personal and harmonious with the outdoors.

High Impact

For a family keen on modernizing their stately D.C. home, one designer zeroed in on unifying moments.

LIGHT HOUSE

A century-old Missouri grande dame warms up and wows-with an unlikely muse.

Q: What paint color is as versatile as a little black dress?

“Like an infinitely wearable LBD, a great paint color can give home interiors eternal flexibility, so I asked experts and designers to share their go-to shade.”

Gazing Inward

A newly built West Palm Beach home's sense of place comes from within.