A guide to simplifying life’s daily chores

Just because a book’s cover says it is crammed with helpful hints and useful tips, doesn’t mean the book will deliver the goods,

“Real Simple Solutions: Tricks, Wisdom and Easy Ideas to Simplify Every Day,” however, is the real thing.

Packed with photos and good ideas, “Real Simple Solutions …” from the pages of Real Simple Magazine, offers interesting ways to do, and re-do just about everything.

Topics covered include grooming, with recipes for homemade cosmetics and skin care products; kitchen tips, with instructions for making a disposable pie pan out of aluminum foil, and decorating advice for every room in the house.

Every chapter includes guides for organizing, refurbishing, how-to tips, new uses for old things, instructions for projects and how to work smarter by making household objects do double duty.

Extras include a guide to setting a table correctly and what you need in the pantry for a ready to cook kitchen and handy tear-out reference pages

One of my favorite tips, especially this time of year, was using a free-standing paper towel holder to store and dispense ribbon. It’s a great way to keep things organized for all those last-minute wrapping sessions.