Blog Posts by Real Simple Magazine

Tune out distractions and stay on task with these seven expert-approved tactics. By Amy Spencer

Do the Worst Thing First

Maybe this is the last suggestion you want to hear. But there's a good reason to start with the tough stuff. "We have a limited, depletable supply of willpower and resources," says Piers Steel, Ph.D., a professor of human resources and organizational dynamics at the University of Calgary and the author of The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Things Done ($26, amazon.com). Attack the hardest task when your energy is fresh and you give yourself the strongest chance of success. Doing otherwise can have a damaging domino effect. "Putting off the dreaded item on your list saps your strength," says Eva Wisnik, who conducts time-management training for lawyers and corporations in New York City. Ultimately all your other tasks suffer-stressing over that worst thing "makes you not completely present with anything else,"

Answers to 10 restaurant-related questions you may be too embarrassed to ask. By Kyle Spencer

Problem: The restaurant is fully booked.
Solution: Put yourself on a waiting list. "People are often reluctant to do that, but it's the first place we look," says Tobie Cancino, maître d' at Café Gray, a popular French restaurant in New York City. Don't be afraid to emphasize how much you want that table, as your eagerness may help persuade the staff to fit you in, even when they're booked. "We will go out of our way for a diner who shows a real interest in our food," says Sandy Hanson, a manager at the New Orleans Creole restaurant Brigtsen's.

You can also get lucky by checking the restaurant for cancellations around the time the staff may be calling to confirm parties for the evening (often before or after lunch), suggests Tom Sietsema, a food critic for the Washington Post. Surprisingly, weekends can be the best time to land these last-minute tables, notes Michael Kaplan in his

Secret talents behind common household items.

Shower Cap as Shoe Bag
Prevent dirt or sand-covered shoes from mingling (and soiling) neatly packed clothes in your suitcase.

Address Labels as Travel ID Tags
Tag your precious travel items, such as your iPod and digital camera with return address labels. If you accidentally leave a device on the airplane, a Good Samaritan will know where to mail it. Consider them homing devices for your airborne companions.

See More: Surprising Cleaning New Uses

Bubble Wrap as Jewelry Organizer
For tangle-free jewlery on the go, place chains and earrings on a length of wrap, roll tightly, and tape closed. Your necklaces will emerge from your suitcase ready to wear, even if the same can't be said for your clothes.

Zippered Plastic Bag as Packing Material
Cushion precious cargo in a box. Before closing it all the way, slide a straw into the top, and inflate. Then remove the straw and completely seal the protective bubble.

You don't have to look perfect to take a perfect picture. "The most photogenic people are not necessarily the most attractive," says wedding photographer Denis Reggie. "They're just not intimidated by the camera." How do you overcome intimidation? Whether you're nervous about wrinkles or a double chin, the following eight tips will make solving photo issues a snap.

See More: 14 Shortcuts for Everday Life

Appear Less Posed
"Engage the photographer in a conversation about some topic you both may find of interest," says Los Angeles-based head-shot photographer Michael Calas. If your mind is focused on something other than the photo, you'll appear less rigid. You can also lean against something, interact with a pet or a child, or intertwine your arms with someone else's. Also, never keep your hands right by your sides, says Chuck DeLaney, dean of students at the New York Institute of Photography, in New York City. Clasp them in the front or in the back, or hold on to a glass

Check, credit card, or American Express points-which is best?

This article originally appeared on LearnVest.com.

Weigh Your Options
It's more than a little annoying that everyone around you is talking about how to spend a tax refund check, since you actually owe Uncle Sam a little money. On top of the fact that you have to pay out, you're also faced with the nuisance of deciding how. There are more options than ever to pay your taxes, and they all have their pros and cons. We've laid them out for you.

See More: Do You Need a Financial Guru?

Use a Check
Pros: The old fashioned way gets your taxes paid and out of the way in one easy shot.

Cons: If you were really caught off guard by your tax bill, paying it outright could deplete your cash reserve. So long, summer vacation…

See More: 11 Money-Etiquette Issues, Solved

Use A Debit Card
Pros: The same as paying by check, but with the possibility of at least earning points for this nuisance bill (if your

Real Simple readers admit to some parental fibbing.

I say that the ice cream truck that drives through our neighborhood is the "music truck." It plays music for people to enjoy during the summertime.
Breeze Watson
Lansing, Michigan

When I don't feel like playing with the toy that my toddler chooses, I tell her that it is out of batteries, even if the toy doesn't take batteries. It works with TV shows, too. "Sorry, honey, Dora must need new batteries. We'll check back later."
Christine Stevens
Issaquah, Washington

I pretend fortune-cookie fortunes say things like "Your bedtime tonight will be 15 minutes earlier." Unfortunately, this works only until they can read.
Rebecca Einstein Schorr
Fountain Valley, California

See More: 29 Ways to Entertain Kids

"Yes, we're having chicken for dinner." (I actually served fish.)
Doreen Saiz Flores
Barstow, California

That the car won't start unless everyone is buckled in. I just

Why book a flight to a touristy beach resort when you can try one of these off-the-beaten-path weekend escapes? By Maggie Shi

Rent a House
It has all the comforts of home but provides the excitement of something new. Renting a house for the weekend gives you plenty of freedom-cook, watch movies, take naps on the couch, play board games…the possibilities are endless. Most rentals are available on a nightly basis and come fully stocked with kitchen equipment, bedding, towels, and more-it's all up to the individual owners, so make sure you check what's included before booking. House rentals are also a great option if you're planning on getting away with a group; you'll have plenty of time and space to bond, and many larger rentals are cheaper than booking several individual hotel rooms.

Search homeaway.com for available properties and refine by date, size, and amenities. That three-bedroom lake house with a Jacuzzi and an outdoor deck you've been dreaming of? It can be

Looking for a twist on traditional Irish fare? Serve up one of these simple, delicious recipes.

Ale-Braised Corned Beef, Brussels Sprouts, and Carrots

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 8hr 00m

Ingredients
1 3-pound piece corned beef brisket (with spice packet, if included)
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch lengths
1 12-ounce bottle amber ale
3/4 pound Brussels sprouts
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

Directions
In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, place the beef, the contents of the spice packet (if included), carrots, and ale. Cook, covered, until the beef is tender, on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
Ten minutes before serving, thinly slice the Brussels sprouts. (This is easiest to do in a food processor with the slicing blade.)

Transfer the beef from the slow cooker to a cutting board; if the slow cooker is on the low setting,