Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 160

Ice Cream Cone Garland from Oh Happy Day

If you’re a long-time Simply Stated reader, you might remember how much I love ice cream. In fact, I celebrated Ice Cream Month a couple of summers ago with a daily ice cream blog. So, as I’m starting to think about planning a spring ice cream social, I couldn’t resist sharing this ice cream garland idea from Oh Happy Day. [...]

There’s a Sinkhole in My Head

We’ve all been thinking a lot about sinkholes this week, because of everything that’s happening in Florida, suddenly the sinkhole capital of the world.  And the more I thought about sinkholes, the more I realized that I have sinkholes all over my life. To wit: 1. Sinkhole next to the phone in the kitchen. That’s where the unsigned, green high school athletic [...]

The Office Item You Should Be Cleaning

When you're using your computer day in and day out (in fact, you're probably using it to read this right now!), it's no surprise that your keyboard and mouse can be a hot spot for food residue, dirt, and germs. With all the tiny crevices, your keyboard is particularly susceptible to trapping unwanted grime. Here's how to give it a quick clean:

To Keep Scissors Sharp Make Them a Single Purpose Tool

I’ve had the same pair of scissors in my sewing kit since 1997. In those 16 years, they have never (to my knowledge) been used to cut anything other than fabric or thread. Why? Because cutting paper would actually dull them. And I want to be sure when cutting fabric for a sewing project that my scissors don’t cause snags. [...]

3 Morning Mistakes That Slow Down Metabolism from PopSugar.com

Spring is right around the corner, meaning, so are shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits. No more fleece jackets, baggy sweats, and boots to cover the winter layer has been accumulating underneath. I’ve been doing some fitness research today and stumbled across an interesting article from our friends at PopSugar.com titled, “3 Morning Mistakes that Slow Down Metabolism.” According to the post, eating breakfast too late is, “one of [...]

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 Shampoos Entertaining New Uses 19 Amazing Kitchen Decorating Ideas Filed under: Daily Thought

Foundation Application Trick: Wet the Makeup Sponge

Want your foundation to go on more smoothly and cover your skin better? (Is there anyone who didn’t answer yes to that question?) If you do, try this trick tomorrow. Wet your makeup sponge (we swear by the Beauty Blender), and then wring it out so it’s almost dry. Then put a small amount of your foundation on the back of [...]

5-Minute DIY: Hanging Lamp Upgrade

There are a lot of beautiful and very expensive pendant lights out there. Which is why I love this easy DIY project from Design and Form. With just a toilet paper tube, a hanging lantern kit, and some decorative metallic paper you can replicate those pricey pendants without putting a dent in your wallet. Head over to Design and Form [...]

When to Salt Your Pasta Water

If pasta is on your dinner menu for tonight, use this tip for perfectly cooked noodles. Wait until the water for your pasta is already boiling before adding the salt. Why? If you’re using an aluminum pan the salt sitting on the bottom could cause pitting over time. And unless you have dietary restrictions, don’t skip or skimp on the [...]

A Surprising New Reason to Serve Vegetables

You know eating vegetables will make you healthier. But did you also know that serving them makes you seem like a better cook—and person? A study from the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab (soon to be published in the journal Public Health and Nutrition) showed just that. According to the release put out by Cornell, the study asked participants to evaluate [...]