Favorite Things February #8: Simple

I am a simple person. Contrary to what my husband thinks, I don't think it's really too hard to please or entertain me. I like to think I have simple tastes and desires. (Dan is probably already building up his arguments in his head). That is why I really enjoy my 8th favorite thing. The magazine Real Simple. For the past 2 Christmases my mom has given me a gift subscription to the mag and I really hope she keeps up the tradition (wink, wink).

The reason I like this magazine is simple (ha!) it has great tips and info for every day life. I don't need to read about the latest celebrity sightings or what I should or should not be wearing. I don't need to be wearing $500 Jimmy Choo-choos or whatever they are called. I think a pair of $20 jeans from Gap is a steal. That's why this magazine appeals to me. I can pick it up flip through it get a few organizing ideas or great recipes and be done. I don't need to stress out about what celebrity is dating another celebrity who's really dating this celebrity. Too much drama, thank you very much.

Plus this magazine has some great ideas for everyday problems, like remedying something I did a few weeks ago...shrinking a wool sweater. (These instructions can be found on page 48 of the February 2010 issue).

1) Take 1 T of baby shampoo and add it to 1 quart of water.

2) Immerse shrunken sweater into water.

3) While the sweater is soaking, trace an outline of a similarly sized piece of clothing onto a piece of parchment paper.

4) Squeeze out the excess water from the garment and lay it on the paper.

5) Gently stretch the item so that it fits the traced outline.

6) Secure the edges of the garment with heavy objects (I used coffee mugs) until dry.

7) Tada!

Sweater before on top of an unshrunken (is that even a word?) sweater. I used the cream sweater underneath for my outline.

Sweater after. Now I can keep my sweater and not hand it down to Annika!