real simple

Forget your portable speakers at home? No problem. If you have a common household item, that is. The geniuses at Real Simple know a thing or two about DIYing and repurposing an old item as something new, but this tip is just too easy.

Use a regular kitchen bowl as a smartphone speaker if you're without a plug-and-play version of your own. The concave shape of the bowl amplifies sound, helping your tunes reach more ears.

Do you have any "so-easy-why-didn't-I-think-of-that" geek tips of your own? Share them with us in the comments!

When it comes to candy making, a great place to start is with bark. The technique for making bark is simple: you melt chocolate, spread on a baking sheet, throw on the toppings, refrigerate until cold, then break into pieces.

Use whatever kind of chocolate (milk, white, dark) and toppings (nuts, dried fruit, candy) you feel like. When selecting toppings, choose an assortment of flavors and textures: chewy, crunchy, sweet, salty — this will result in a delicious bark where each bite is filled with layers of goodies.

To celebrate Halloween, I made black and orange bark with a mixture of dark and milk chocolate, dried apricots, pretzels, and candy corn. It's a great after-dinner treat, or packaged in a pretty cellophane bag makes a fun edible gift. To learn the easy and adaptable method to making bark, keep reading.

I'm no Joey Chestnut, however the warm Summer weather has left me a little crazy for hot dogs. My favorite frank to eat is one that's been dressed up, Chicago-style, but since the authentic specialty toppings aren't always easy to obtain on the West Coast, I went a different route this past weekend.

This tropical topping doesn't contain any of the same ingredients, yet it nonetheless achieves a similarly sweet, salty, sour, and spicy quality. Use all-natural hot dogs and buns, and you've got yourself a far less processed version of the ballpark hot dog. The best part? It takes minutes to make. For the ridiculously easy recipe, read more.

Instead of joining the crowds of party-goers this New Year's Eve, I'm staying in, and I invite you to do the same! Call up some friends and host a festive and special dinner party that lasts until the countdown. Start with a luxurious duo of appetizers: oysters on the half shell with two types of sauces (cucumber mignonette and classic cocktail sauce) and a bubbling pot of cheese fondue with lots of delicious items for dipping (bread cubes, potatoes, broccoli, etc.). For the main course, offer a thick and slow-cooked pork ragu with pasta. It's comforting and hearty. Crusty bread and a big green salad round out the menu. Check out the recommended recipes after the break.

I'm hosting Christmas dinner for the first time this year, and I want to serve a meal that is traditional but uncomplicated to make. To start, I'll offer my signature appetizer: shrimp. This time I'm salt-roasting them and pairing them with a lemon-pesto.

For the main course, I'm skipping the honey-baked ham and roasting a whole beef tenderloin. It's served alongside a roasted red pepper and black olive sauce. On the side? Fresh citrus and cranberry salad and a giant casserole dish of classic macaroni and cheese. Interested in these recipes? Keep reading!

Last December, my family started a new tradition: a holiday pub crawl! We met for heavy hors d'oeuvres at a cousin's house, then afterward took a tour of the neighborhood's best bars. It's a casual but festive style of soirée, and since everyone always has lots of parties to attend, friends and family members can stop by for one drink or take part in the entire crawl. When planning the first leg, offer a good quantity of appetizers with an assortment of textures and flavors: serve something cheesy, something meaty, and something seafood. Baked camembert is sophisticated and colorful when topped with sun-dried tomatoes; pair with crackers and bread.

Meatballs are a classic holiday bite, but update them by using ground lamb and exotic spices rather than the same old pork-beef mixture. Tuna tartar on thick-cut potato chips is addictive and irresistible. Head to the store for the rest of the menu; pick up your favorite crudités with ranch dip, charcuterie, nuts, or olives. To check out the suggested recipes, keep reading.

Bacon, spaghetti, and grated cheese are all massively popular in their own right, so it's no wonder that the synergy's magical when you put them together. But as crave-worthy as dishes like pasta carbonara can be, they're heavy on the meat, fat, and carbs but not much else.

Next time you're craving the killer combination, round out your meal by tossing in sautéed cauliflower, along with a few leaves of fresh sage for some earthy, herbal notes. You'll find the result more satisfying. To add creaminess and heft, stir in an egg at the end, too. Want the simple supper now? Then read on.

Don't be scared to host a holiday party. With a little planning and creativity, one can easily throw together a fabulous shindig. A holiday open house is ideal because it doesn't involve making a complete meal, and it's less formal than a cocktail party. Begin the open house in the afternoon or late evening. Offer a couple of uncomplicated but classic apps alongside store-bought nuts, olives, and charcuterie. Chicken skewers are always a hit, and they're delicious fresh from the oven or at room temperature. Puff pastry pinwheels are one of my go-to recipes during the holidays. Fill with cheese and herbs in advance, then slice and bake as needed.

Lastly serve an assembled hors d'oeuvre, like bacon wrapped apricots, which requires nothing more than a quick bake in the oven. Interested in these recommended recipes? Keep reading.