Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 100
September 10, 2013
How to Substitute Dried Herbs for Fresh
A recipe calls for fresh herbs but you only have the dried variety. What to do? First, taste the herb to determine if it’s weak or strong. (If your dried oregano has almost no flavor, neither will the sauce.) For strong herbs, use about a third of the amount of fresh herbs called for in the recipe. For extra-mild dried […]
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com How to Layer Clothes Real Wedding Signature Cocktails Help for 6 Common Money Issues Filed under: Daily Thought
September 9, 2013
Why New Jeans Stain Your Hands (and Clothes)
Ever noticed that after you wear a new pair of dark jeans, you end up with Indigo dye on your hands, your shirt, your purse, and whatever else comes in contact with your pants? There’s actually a name for this—crocking—and it happens naturally with most denim. (You have to use a lot of ink to get a rich color.) Here’s […]
A Trick to Get the Kids to School On Time
Getting the kids up and at 'em is no small feat in most households. Instead of nagging your child to get dressed for the umpteenth time, try turning the morning suit-up into a game.
Fall Wedding Idea from Loverly
For all those still savoring those last days of summer, we hope you won't mind a little fall wedding inspiration. If you're tying the knot in the months ahead, remember to take advantage of the rich colors (burgundy, chocolate, rust) and seasonal elements (pumpkins, pine cones, acorns) the season has to offer.
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com The Best Coconut Water 15 Mexican-Inspired Tortilla Recipes The Best Facial Cleansers Filed under: Daily Thought
September 6, 2013
Tips for Balancing Your Jewelry
One of the keys to pulling an outfit together is striking the right balance of jewelry. While there are many ways to do this—a minimalist look might require no jewelry at all, while others prefer to layer on as much as possible—there is one simple equation to help get it right every time. Think of it as a trifecta: 1 […]
A New Way to Hydrate Houseplants
Promote growth and root development in your houseplants with an unexpected ingredient: club soda. According to Deb Donaldson, a blue-ribbon winner at the Philadelphia Flower Show, club soda contains a phosphate, which is good for plants—better, in fact, than tap water. Use it as you would regular water, but be sure that your club soda is flat: The carbon dioxide […]
How to Keep Track of Your Kids’ Activities
Between play dates, soccer practice, and the math tutor, you might just forget that Junior had a piano lesson scheduled for this afternoon. Who can blame you? Ensure you don't miss a beat by trading your traditional calendar (complete with those tiny, over-filled boxes) for a dry-erase board in your entryway. 
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com How to Avoid an Impulse Buy When Shopping With Kids The End of Cursive Handwriting 15-Minute Entertaining Ideas Filed under: Daily Thought
