Behind the Scenes at Real Simple

Real Simple's paper sculptures

2008-07-17T11:15:00-04:00

Every month, Real Simple receives hundreds of letters from readers who can't seem to get enough of the paper sculptures that we feature in the magazine and that are the work of the talented Matthew Sporzynski. Recent comments have included "if he's not famous, he should be" and "PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT MATTHEW SPORZYNSKI!!!!!" (Caps and exclamation points are not mine, by the way.)

Since you asked, here's a little behind-the-scenes look at Matthew's creation of the paper sculptures that appear every month in Real Simple:

Here's Matthew in the Real Simple photo studio in downtown Manhattan. He's working on the flag that appears on the U.S. Capitol on page 65 of the July issue. "I wasn't sure how to execute the flag," says Matthew. "I went on the Internet and got an image of a flag and worked from there."

Here's the photographer, Monica Buck, shooting the finished Capitol, with Matthew's assistant, Craig, overseeing things. They're lucky if they get about five good shots in one day of work.

Here are the makings of the "vegetables" and "meat" that fill the sandwich you can find on page 183. Matthew says he's "very proud" of the lettuce, which he insisted be shredded, not in whole leaves. Matthew says that New York Central Art Supply has the "best paper. It's a fantastic art-supply store, and they have a very good paper department. Lots of very well-respected fine artists buy their materials there."

Here's Craig putting the "sandwich" together. Matthew says he couldn't do what he does without Craig, who is "very good at getting personality out of food. This is the third or fourth sandwich we've collaborated on."

The art sculptures begin with preliminary ideas and sketches from the designer director, Ellene Wundrok, and her art director, Heath Brockwell. The ideas (and a color palette) are approved by the magazine's managing editor, Kristin van Ogtrop, and then sent to Matthew. Matthew usually has about two weeks to create his paper sculptures before they have to go in front of the camera, and he works until the very last minute, even while the sculptures are being shot. "You have to keep working on them until they don't look like garbage anymore!" says Matthew, admitting that his sculptures are "far better received than I perceive them myself. I see the flaws."

All in a Day's Work...

2008-06-16T14:36:19-04:00

On Thursday afternoon, a few Real Simple staffers headed down to the Time Inc. children’s center (an on-site daycare facility) to conduct a cookie taste test for an upcoming issue of Real Simple Family. Sadly, it turned out to be a slow day for the center, so we headed back upstairs to package individual bags for staffers to take home to their children (see below). Needless to say, we couldn’t help but try—okay, devour—the selection as we sorted through the various oatmeal, cream-filled, chocolate chip, and animal-shaped picks. Look for the winners in the next issue of Real Simple Family, which will hit newsstands mid-August.

From left: Melanie Wagner (our fabulous summer intern), Jaimee Zanzinger (executive editor, special projects), Melinda Page (freelancer), and Elizabeth Passarella (freelancer).

A toast to Jackie Monk, Real Simple's Deputy Managing Editor (and Mentor Extraordinaire)

2008-06-05T18:12:20-04:00

This afternoon, Real Simple staffers gathered in the conference room to sip champagne, nibble on cupcakes, and toast Jackie Monk, who was nominated for the Magazine Mentor of the Year award. To find out more about the award, click here.

Way to go, Jackie!

Felicia Gray (right), a Time Inc. employee, nominated Jackie (left) for the award

A Real Simple Field Trip...

2008-06-02T13:45:12-04:00

On Friday afternoon, roughly 50 Real Simple staffers hit Times Square for a 12:30 screening of the new Sex and the City film. Turns out we weren't the only magazine in attendance: the staffs of Shape and Good Housekeeping were also on hand to watch Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha reunite on the big screen.

Pictured: Me, Kate Parker (Assistant Home Editor), Nicole Sforza (Senior Home Editor), a staffer's friend who tagged along for the fun, Allegra Muzillo (Reporter/Researcher), Kelley Carter (Home Market Editor), Julee Wilson (Associate Fashion Editor). (Wilson particularly loved Parker's whopping 81 costume changes! Check out her thoughts on the film over at her blog.)

Still haven't seen it? Make it a girls' night out and toast your friends pre- or post-film with this frozen twist on the beloved cosmopolitan.

And if you have seen it, what did you think?

Casting call!

2008-05-29T12:34:30-04:00

Hi, all. As Jim mentioned, Iâll be filling in for him over the next few weeks to keep you up to speed with all the goings on here at Real Simple.

First up: an exciting opportunity to be on our new television show. As you may or may not know, weâre teaming with TLC on an upcoming lifestyle makeover series dedicated to making womenâs lives less complicated and more rewarding. For more details, check out our myspace page. If you fit the bill and live in the greater Los Angeles area, email casting@bnent.com and tell us why.

And if youâre not in the Los Angeles area, we still want to know: What area(s) of your life would you like to make over and why? Tell us here!

Guest blogger

2008-05-28T17:01:52-04:00

Welcome to Rachel Hardage, who is the executive editor of our special projects department and who will be guest blogging for me while I work on an outside project for the next few weeks....You'll be hearing from her shortly.

Real Simple on Apple.com

2008-05-27T09:06:54-04:00

It's neat to see that our tech blogger's post about Bento got picked up by apple.com. You can see it under May 16th here.

Want to be in Real Simple?

2008-05-12T18:11:06-04:00

We're always looking for women whose homes are filled with great organizing systems—smart and stylish and surprising ways to keep books organized, display kids’ artwork, deal with bills and paperwork, reign in chaos in the front hall...you get the picture.

You don't need to have solved every organizing challenge, of course, but you should be living in a home that's both beautiful and efficient. You should also live in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut area, and can be married, single, or with or without kids.

If you fit the bill and you're interested, email me or post below.

Name Allie's dog.....

2008-05-05T15:35:25-04:00

OK, I know I've given a lot of—maybe too much—space to the animals of our new Food Director (I promise I'll show other staff pets soon), but I can't help this one. This is Allie Lewis-Clapp's new dog, who is nameless, and we were hoping that you could vote on (or come up with) a name for the little guy:

Allie says that she and her husband got him in Brooklyn on Sunday. "He’s settling in well with our other dog, Franny—constantly putting her whole tail in his mouth and pulling on her with his entire body weight," Allie writes. "Strangely, she seems to enjoy it, and leaves herself open for these types of attacks. Similarly, he digs his baby teeth into her harness and pulls on that, too — I actually think he might be just a little bit smarter than her!"

Here are the names in the running (with no clear winner):

*    Gus
*    Lou
*    Henry
*    Howard
*    Ed/Eddie (for either Edgar or Edward)
*    Joe
*    Earl
*    Theo
*    Norman

Which one do you like? Or nominate one of your own.....

Take your child to work day...

2008-05-02T16:48:04-04:00

..was April 24, and a number of Real Simple staffers' kids came to the offices and tried on clothes in our fashion closet. Here are a few of them:

This is Jackson in the fashion closet with a fancy hat, pretending to be Spiderman. He loved the pizza party we held, but his favorite part about Take Your Child to Work Day was being the only boy with all the big girls.

This is Kendall:

Kendall came with her best friend, Michelle. Michelle has older sisters and they watch America's Top Model. Before the day, Kendall's mom told her that they were all going to be models. Kendall and Michelle were so excited and practiced. So here's Kendall imitating America's top model.

And this is Bryn:

She says she liked "learning how to make a magazine," which is good since she wants to start Ice Cream magazine. The dress she is wearing above is her "favorite color," and "the scarf was the most beautiful I've ever seen." She is excited about appearing on this website and wants to say hello to her kindergarten class.

Finally (again) this is Allie Lewis-Clapp's dog Franny:

No, Franny wasn't in the fashion closet at Real Simple for Take Your Child to Work Day. But I couldn't resist this photo....