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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.

Taste the Caribbean in Brooklyn

ALL IT TAKES is a stroll through the streets of the Crown Heights and Flatbush neighborhoods to catch the vibe. Spiced smoke from grills wafts in the air; sidewalk markets overflow with mango, soursop, wiri-wiri peppers, and djondjon (dried black mushrooms); and homes and cars display flags as bright and joyful as the accented voices of the people who proudly represent them.

Taste the Trendiest Cuisine in Paris

\"HOSPITALITY IS inviting friends over for dinner,\" said Kamal Mouzawak, seated at the communal table of Tawlet (buffet $42), his restaurant in Paris's 11th Arrondissement. \"So I call all of my restaurants 'home kitchens.\"\"

Breaking Away

Finding solitude on a peaceful island in the Pacific Northwest.

Turkish Delight

A major waterfront revitalization project in Istanbul is giving visitors-and locals-a reason to stroll and stay awhile.

GROW - MOTHER OF ALL PONDS

AQUASCAPE FOUNDER GREG WITTSTOCK BUILT AN OASIS FOR HIS MOST LOYAL CHEERLEADER MOM.

CREST of the WAVE

On France's rugged Basque Coast, old-school glamour meets shaggy surf culture-and creates an irresistible mix.

Note Perfect

For centuries, the Italian town of Cremona has been home to the great instrument makers, and its streets continue to ring with music. For Julie Orringer, a family trip becomes a master class in the power of travel.

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.

AI Is Coming for Hollywood's Jobs

But so is everyone else.

WE KNOW WHAT YOUR CRUSH IS THINKING

That infamous \"I think we should break up\" text pops up (ouch). Or your situationship keeps saying they can't wait to hang out with you...until band practice, math homework, a pickup game and, well, just about anything else happens to get in the way.

LIFORNIA DREAMIN

Summer's in the air, so roll the windows down for a SoCal road trip with Descendants: The Rise of Red star Ruby Rose Turner taking the wheel. Hop in, bestie! You're on the aux.

NO MORE SUMMERTIME Sadness

School's out, the sun is shining and you're feeling...down in the dumps? Despite sleeping in, the newfound freedom from homework assignments, endless hours of leisure time and pool days aplenty, something's got you in a major funk.

Who's Your sunny Szn Bestie?

Your bsf packed her bags for sleepaway camp, leaving you stuck at home, hoping to find a friend to fill her flip-flops. So, in her absence, who's your go-to gal gonna be for the next 10 weeks?

PRESENTING YOUR no drama summer

You tell your dad you’re grabbing pizza with the girls…when you’re really headed on a date with that cutie from swim team.

5 SUMMERY LOVEVE RULES TO LIVE BY

Sooo what exactly does a girl have to do to make her \"Cruel Summer\" fantasy a reality?

Dear Carol

FRIENDS OR MORE? So I'm friends with this boy. People always assume he likes me because he is super nice to me and always smiles at me and stuff. What should I do?

WHAT'S YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER?

ASTROLOGY GIRLIES, LISTEN UP: NUMEROLOGY JUST BECAME YOUR NEWEST OBSESSION.

Gabrielle Nevach Green has a lot going on at the moment

With new music and the launch of her sustainable clothing line, the 19-year-old actress is pretty much in her personal Red era.

Hey girl drink your water

In case you needed another reason to hit *add to cart* on that trendy tumbler...

YOUR CLOSET IS ACTUALLY FULL OF Cash

You're about to clean your room, help the planet *and* find your aesthetic.

grief

KENNEDY MURPHY WAS JUST 5 YEARS OLD WHEN HER DAD DIED-AND HER WORLD WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. A DECADE LATER, SHE'S SHARING HOW SHE LIVES WITH LOSS AND HOW SHE HELPS OTHER KIDS COPE.

A Critic at Large - Off the Leash

The wacky and wonderful world of the Westminster Dog Show.

AMERICAN CHRONICLES - THE RIGHT TO HUG

Children are fighting to visit their parents in county jails.

PERSONAL HISTORY - TABULA RASA

THE WORDLE PHILOSOPHY

BLAME GAME

“Baby Reindeer” and Under the Bridge.”