Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 142

Today’s Thought

Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com All About Vitamin D: Benefits, Sources, and More The Best Swimsuits for All Body Types 15 Easy Eggplant Recipes Filed under: Daily Thought

How to Clean Burnt Food Spills in the Oven

We’ve all been there: the casserole or pie you’ve been baking has bubbled over and is now burnt onto the bottom of your oven. Before you reach for the cleaners that should really come with a haz-mat suit try this trick. Before the spill dries completely, cover it in regular table salt. The salt will soak up the spill, and [...]

Do You Care How Your Food Gets From Farm to Plate?

There’s been a lot of chatter lately about laws being introduced or passed in various states that would make it illegal to videotape or take photos of the inner workings of factory farms. The New York Times wrote an editorial that nicely sums up how I feel: “The food that comes from factory farms is ultimately consumed by the public, [...]

…And 10 Minutes Later Your Child is Grown Up

You see his little hand on the sonogram and 10 minutes later you’re ordering his senior school portrait. You carefully fold the blue onesies to put in his dresser drawer and 10 minutes later you’re buying a light pink tie to match his prom date’s light pink dress. You teach him the proper way to tie his shoes and brush [...]

Wednesday Trivia: It’s Ellis Island Family History Day!

Bet you didn’t know this little known holiday existed. But if you have relatives who emigrated through Ellis Island (over 40 percent of the American population can trace its roots back to the landmark—including me), you may be interested to know this fun little fact. April 17 was selected for the honor because on this date in 1907, a staggering [...]

Opposites Attract: How to Pair Tight and Loose Clothing

If the idea of wearing a head-to-toe, skin-tight outfit gives you pause, it should. You’d better have been hitting the gym pretty hard if you think you’re ready to attempt a look like that. But that doesn’t mean head-to-toe loose and baggy is the way to go. Often, drapey, billowy clothing can add visual weight. The key? Go for a [...]

Today’s Thought

Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com Colored Jeans for Every Shape The Best Bacon 6 Full-Body Stretching Exercises Filed under: Daily Thought

5 Quick Fixes: Tablets in the Kitchen from Remodelista.com

This past weekend my iPhone fell victim to a terrible accident which resulted in a shattered, however still functioning, screen. It was totally my fault—who leaves their phone on a small elevated surface above a concrete driveway with toddlers running around? Frustrated with my poor judgement (honestly, this is not the first time I’ve shattered an iPhone screen), it made me think about phone and tablet disasters [...]

The 3 Most Important Knives to Have in Your Kitchen

Whether you’re stocking a new kitchen or just upgrading your existing one, these are the three knives that you must have: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife. Not only can using the wrong knife for the job be frustrating, it can also be dangerous. Trying to cut through a butternut squash or a loaf of bread [...]

Don’t Wash Your Face in the Morning

Shocking advice, I know. But for most people (unless you have incredibly oily skin), just splashing water on your face in the shower is enough. If you’re good about removing your make up and washing your face at night, scrubbing it again as soon as you wake up can be too harsh on your skin. Instead, just give your complexion [...]