We decided to consult the expertise of skin guru Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, to figure out what the editors at Real Simple are doing right (and wrong) in their skincare routines, based on their specific skin type and skin goals. And, well, let’s just say, we have quite a few adjustments to make. Morning: Thayer’s Facial Mist Witch Hazel Coconut Water ($7.50) Vitamin C serum IT Confidence in a Gel Lotion ($45) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+ ($15)...

In the online store, you can find an array of furniture, patio umbrellas, fire pits, outdoor lighting, area rugs, and even entertainment accessories, like waterproof speakers and mini outdoor projectors. The options are truly endless, which is why we narrowed down the search to just 10 picks, all under $300. Sunnyglade Patio Umbrella, $49 Guddl Outdoor String Lights, $35 with coupon (was $41) Furinno Tioman Outdoor Hardwood Patio Sun Lounger, $179 Uphome Indoor/Outdoor Rug, from $17 Sunnydaze Black Crossweave Outdoor Fire Pit, $199 (was $266) JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $110 (was $130) Christopher Knight Home Dean Outdoor Club Chair, $263 JHY Design Set of Two Metal Cage LED Lights, $35 Chihee Hammock Chair, $38 CiBest Mini Outdoor Projector, $59 with coupon ($90)...

The Home & Me Magnetic Dry Erase Boards come in a set of three to create a home base at your fridge for household-wide scheduling and organization at the month, week, and day level. This bundle also includes six dry erase markers (black, blue, red, green, pink, and purple) to keep everything color coordinated, too, and an eraser. The brand recommends hanging the markers upside down to help them last a good long time but also notes that the included board eraser can handle getting rid of anything written down with a marker up to 90 days after it’s written....

To buy: From $20 with coupon; amazon.com. These shoe organizers make the most out of the unused space under your bed and are only 6 inches tall, so they can squeeze into even the tightest areas. The shoe bag can store 16 pairs while the boot bag can store four for a total of 20 that are safely tucked away and out of sight. Made out of thick and tough reinforced nylon, these bags are built to keep shoes safe, plus they have clear, breathable tops so odors aren’t trapped and you can easily see what’s inside....

Sign up for a free trial now: Audible Premium Plus Membership, $0/month for 30 days. How Does Audible Work? Once you’re in the app, you can browse books in each genre via the “discover” tab. If you see a book you’d like to read later, add the title to your “wishlist.” Each book includes a summary, reviews, information about the narrator, and a sample for you to listen to. Once you select which book you’d like to read, your credit will be applied and the book is moved into your library, which can be organized by genre, author, or collection....

But budgeting can be easier said than done. It can be hard to figure out how to get started, and even harder to stay on track. Maybe you’ve remembered to budget for your kids’ sports registration fees, but not their uniforms—or maybe you’ve budgeted for gas, but not to replace your windshield’s glass when it cracks. That’s where backward budgeting comes in. It’s a technique that economists say is the best way to make a realistic budget....

Packed with flavor and nutrients, completely vegan, and good for the planet and our bodies, mushrooms are a true superfood. Keep reading to learn more about them. Nutritional Benefits “Mushrooms are my personal go-to for optimal wellness today, and the nutrients in them help protect against disease risk for tomorrow,” says Pam Smith, RDN, president and founder of Shaping America’s Plate, Inc. Mushrooms support cognitive and bone health. “Fresh mushrooms contain the minerals and phytochemicals that can support cognitive and bone health,” says Smith, “and are important for feeding the immune system with nutrients such as B vitamins and selenium, essential antioxidants, and in some instances, vitamin D....

Reader question: What is the best drugstore brand for base/primer? @jholley2005 We all love makeup and a good deal (see our concealer roundup from last week), so let’s talk drugstore primers. Primer may seem like a skippable step, but the makeup pre-game is arguably the most important consideration to take in your routine. Just like you would apply a base coat on your nails pre-polish (well, I hope so), primers give your foundation and concealer an even surface to grip onto so that makeup goes on evenly and lasts longer....

“Joint health affects almost everything we do,” says Erin Nance, MD, orthopedic surgeon and owner of Nance MD Hand Surgery. Even the most basic parts of human life, such as walking, making food, and brushing teeth, are possible thanks to our joints, says Dr. Nance, so everyone, young and old, should consider keeping their joints oiled up and healthy. Arthritis is a huge (and common) cause of joint pain. The term “arthritis” literally means joint inflammation, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and it affects about one in four U....

How to Make Planter Boxes for Railings Building a railing planter box is easier than you might think. In just a few hours, you’ll have instant curb appeal! Editor’s Tip: Be sure to have a partner help with the installation. Supplies Needed 2 window boxesDrill3/8-inch drill bitMeasuring tapeCircular saw1 x 4 x 96-inch cedar board1/2 x 1-1/2 x 96-inch cedar boardWood screws Step-by-Step Directions Our expert tips show you how to make a railing planter from two simple window boxes....

Burt’s Bees Firming Face Cream comes with a laundry list of benefits like increasing firmness, brightening skin tone, and reducing lines and wrinkles. If the cream sounds too good to be true, it’s due to the rich moisturizer’s impressive formula, of which bakuchiol is the main ingredient. If you’re not familiar with bakuchiol, here’s a quick introduction—it’s a buzzy skincare ingredient that mimics the benefits of retinol, except it’s a gentler alternative to beauty’s reigning hero ingredient....

Eliot, who was first introduced to meditation at the age of 9, is the expert you want on your side when it comes to feel-good breathing exercises. After facing several near-death experiences—including almost drowning and surviving the Thailand tsunami in 2004—Eliot came back to yoga and meditation, leaning on these two practices—both of which are deeply connected to breathwork—to center himself once again. But can his work and techniques actually change your body’s temperature?...

How to Freeze Zucchini No matter your preferred way to cut zucchini for freezing, you’ll follow the same four steps. Step 1: Cut Zucchini Using a sharp knife ($70, Bed Bath & Beyond), carefully slice the zucchini into whatever shape you like for freezing. Depending on how you’re planning to use the zucchini later, we recommend choosing one of these three cuts: Bite-size pieces or slices Shredded Zucchini Noodles cut with a spiralizer ($48, Target)...

It’s happened to many of us: A birthday check from Great Aunt Tilly goes AWOL, only to be found months—or years—later in your junk drawer. While your first instinct might be to cash it, bear this in mind: A bank is not required to pay a check that’s more than six months old. The Uniform Commercial Code says banks are under no obligation to accept checks, personal or business, more than 180 days old....

When we first moved into our house in Kansas, our neighbors invited us over at the end of the school year and we had a little dirt and worms dessert party. And by that I mean we pulled out some Snack Packs (like I use in my Dunkaroo dip), added some Oreo cookies, and some gummy worms. This year I thought it would be fun to try something different. I thought about making my super popular dirt and worms dessert but didn’t think that’d be quite as easy to eat individually....

While this post is sponsored by Perdue Farms, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. My family has done secret 12 days of Christmas gifts for a family in need for as long as I can remember. It’s a tradition that started back when I was young that we still do now. We’d organize 12 different secret drop-offs starting from 12 days before Christmas through Christmas morning. And I’ve been able to continue that tradition with my own family and friends – sending gifts to friends who have lost family members, new moms who needed a little cheer, and more!...

When you think cottage-core, you may imagine toile china tea cups, dried flowers, and thick wooden cutting boards carefully strewn across the countertops or perhaps, you think of flowy dresses, puffy sleeves, and bow-tie straps resting atop your collarbones. In which case, you wouldn’t be wrong, but the aesthetic is more than that. Popularized by internet culture, cottage-core represents an idealized version of quaint, country life. The nostalgic aesthetic is a nod to simpler times—you know, when you had to churn your own butter, tend to the chickens, and didn’t have air conditioning....

To sweeten the deal, we also added a cakey topping that tastes intensely like a molten chocolate cake. Every bite of this decadent dump cake is an addictive combination of custardy pumpkin and melted chocolate. It’s like barely-baked pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. Need we say more? You have our full permission to enjoy this dream team (pumpkin and chocolate, that is) all year long, not just around the holidays....

Why Disco Ball Decor Is Trending Trends in fashion and home decor are often cyclical, and with other ’70s-inspired home decor trends like rattan, velvet furniture, and bold colors making a comeback, it’s no surprise that disco-inspired decor is also having a moment. That said, some experts have reason to believe that the resurgence of disco decor is more than just innocent nostalgia. In the 1970s, disco culture acted as an escape for young people who were surrounded by the immense social and economic pressures of the decade....

Refrigerating Maple Syrup Indeed, even the biggest maple syrup lovers will rarely use a whole container all at once. When unopened, pure maple syrup has a long shelf life. But once it’s opened, the exposure to oxygen means that your syrup will start to deteriorate. So what do you do with the rest of an open container? According to Erin Lynch, an expert from Maple from Canada, there are two simple rules for keeping maple syrup once it’s open:...