Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 167
February 14, 2013
Smart Product: Dual Beam Flashlight
How genius is this? Whenever I’ve had to deal with power outages (or the two times in my life that I’ve gone camping) and actually use a flashlight, I usually end up stubbing my toe or running into something because I’ve focused the beam on things at eye-level, not the ground. The Nightlighter Flashlight solves this problem by having two [...]
13 Beautiful Desserts via CookingLight.com
Our colleagues at CookingLight.com have compiled a gorgeous list of “wow-factor” desserts that would make the perfect treat for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. To see the full list of beautiful desserts, click here. Triple-Chocolate Cake anyone? Yes please! For more dessert and chocolate recipes ideas, check out these ideas on RealSimple.com: 50 Best Chocolate Recipes 5 Romantic Valentine’s Day Desserts 25 [...]
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com Wedding Cake Design Tips From an Industry Insider 5 Tips on How to Get More Exercise 32 Elegant Ideas for Dining Rooms Filed under: Daily Thought
February 13, 2013
Save Money by Running Your Dishwasher at Night
Did you know running your dishwasher at night could cut down on your utility bills? Because many electric companies charge lower rates for off-peak usage (generally between 7 P.M. and noon) you can save some green by running large appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, etc.) during those hours. Try to avoid peak energy times as well—2 P.M. is generally when [...]
Spread Out Exercise to Make it More Effective
If your weekdays are jam-packed, it’s tempting to try to cram all of your physical activity into a marathon session over the weekend, but experts recommend thinking twice before taking that approach. Why? The number one reason is that you’re more likely to injure yourself by over-exercising if you try to fit everything in two days. Second, you’re not getting [...]
Heart-Shaped Sweets for Valentine’s Day
If you’re going to be baking some sweets for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, consider one of these options. (And don’t forget the tutorial on how to make a heart-shaped cake I posted last week.) Conversation Heart Rice Krispie Treats from P.S. I Made This… Sweetheart Cherry Pies from Cake Student Chocolate Heart Sandwich Cookies from Shutterbean Mini Heart Sugar Cookies with [...]
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com Financial Questions to Ask Your Spouse Before the Wedding 5 Tips on How to Cut Back on Alcohol 33 Modern Living Room Design Ideas Filed under: Daily Thought
February 12, 2013
3 DIY Valentines for Grown-Ups
If you don’t want to spend a lot—or even a little—this Valentine’s Day, skip the store-bought card and make your own instead. All you need to create this cute option, featured in our February 2013 issue, is a white card (you can use an index card, or your own stationery), a restaurant matchbook, some tape or glue, and a marker [...]
2 Rules for Organizing Your Living Room Furniture
If you’re thinking about rearranging your furniture in the near future, or you’re moving in to a new space, keep these two rules in mind when deciding where to place everything. 1. Create two entries: Each seating area (if your space is big enough to have more than one) should be accessible via two different pathways. This way when you [...]
Another Way to Streamline Your Inbox: The Swizzle Sweeper
I’ve been on the hunt recently for ways to get (and keep) my personal e-mail inbox under control. I’ve gotten in to Mailbox, but haven’t spent enough time exploring it yet. And now I’m trying out Swizzle, specifically Swizzle Sweeper. What does it do? Swizzle Sweeper scans your inbox for any e-mail that appears to be an e-mail newsletter—basically, it [...]
