Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 171
February 1, 2013
How to Prepare for Unexpected Guests
Unexpected guests are always a pleasant surprise, but it always seems like someone decides to stop by when the house (or, in my case, apartment) is at it's worst. Before shooing them out the door and off to the restaurant down the street, here are a few tips for whipping your house into shape in a jiffy. 
Simple Ways to Start Creating Your Own Happiness at Home via Apartment Therapy
I recently read a post by our friends over at Apartment Therapy that I wanted to share. They’ve outlined five key steps—ranging from organization to adding a plant or two—that will help you create a happy home no matter where you live. To read the full article, click here. This article resonates with me because I often find myself (shamefully) comparing [...]
Do You Give Valentine’s Day Gifts? How Much Do You Spend?
Coming almost directly on the heels of paying off that holiday debt, Valentine’s Day has started to feel like a mini-Christmas. When I worked in an educational toy store during school, I was surprised by how many people bought rather pricey Valentine’s Day gifts for their kids. I can only imagine what they were spending on their significant others. So, [...]
How to Fix Common Zipper Problems
My zip-up boots and zippered parka have been getting a lot of use this winter—and, unfortunately, it shows. I’ve had one zipper fall off its slider, another get stuck, and another threaten to fall apart all together, thanks to worn, warped teeth. How to fix these zipper problems? Well, to unstick a stuck zipper, all you need is a graphite [...]
How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake
It’s February 1st! Let the Valentine’s Day madness begin. I’m not big into celebrating Valentine’s Day, but I do enjoy cake, so I loved this idea for a heart-shaped cake that you can make by using a round cake pan and a square cake pan—no extra heart-shaped supplies required. There are several tutorials around, but I liked this one from [...]
Today’s Thought
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January 31, 2013
How to Wear a Stack of Bangles
Curate a collection for your wrist! Stacks of bangles have a chic, I-just-threw-this-together appeal, but there’s a method to the madness. Keep three easy guidelines in mind to keep your “arm party” cohesive. 1. Contrast and Color – going monochrome or all gold is a safe bet, but for a little more flair, add bright contrasting colors. Orange bangles with [...]
How to Keep Waffles Warm (and Not Soggy) from The Fauxmartha
Okay, first things first, how delicious do those whole wheat waffles look? The photo is from Erin of Naturally Ella, whom I had the pleasure of meeting last week at the Altitude Design Summit. When you’re planning your brunch for this weekend, use this tip from The Fauxmartha on how to keep waffles warm—this would also work for pancakes, if [...]
Give an Old Coat New Life
Tired of putting on the same winter coat day in and day out? It’s easy to revive that cold-weather staple—or an old blazer—just by making one quick fix.
3 Moisturizing Rules for Winter Skin
Secretly, I hate body lotion. I know it’s something I need to use daily, and I’ll admit that it does make my skin look ten times better, but I hate the time it takes each morning. But I’ve resolved to be better about it since I know my skin will thank me in 10+ years. Here’s some advice I’m keeping [...]
