Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 22
June 11, 2014
Here’s What Happens When You Stick a Camera In Your Dishwasher
On a day-to-day basis, you’re probably more concerned about the best way to load and run your dishwasher… but do ever wonder how a washing machine works its “magic”? This video from 2013 that’s currently making the rounds online shows you exactly how your dishes go from dirty to spick–and–span. Take a look—there’s nothing too unexpected going on, but we […]
The Best Ice Cream, Ever
Homemade ice cream is magical. Once a summer, at my grandma and granddad’s house in Missouri, where there were enough cousins to take turn churning the old hand crank, we made the world’s most perfectly creamy vanilla ice cream. Weeks later, following our return home to Illinois, nostalgia would set in, and my dad would haul out our own hand-crank […]
Can’t Afford a Vacation? Think Again!
Ah, summer vacation! When school breaks, the days are long, and the weather is balmy, it's tempting to plan a family getaway. And, according to the American Express Spending and Savings Tracker, 75 percent of Americans will do just that despite rising costs. 
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com 3 Elegant and Easy Bridal Hairstyles 5 Creative Weekend Getaway Ideas 10 Great Burger RecipesFiled under: Daily Thought
June 10, 2014
3 Beauty Cures for When You’re Feeling Like a Hot Mess
You know those days you wake up and don’t even know where to start? So you don’t even try, and then you feel worse as the day wears on? I was having one of those… but fortunately, my job involves meeting with and interviewing makeup artists on a daily basis. So today, when I ran into Yadim, Maybelline’s global makeup […]
A Must-Read Site for Nostalgia Lovers
Are you a fan of quirky vintage photos and facts? If you consider yourself a nostalgia junkie, you’ll definitely want to visit Retronaut brought to you by Chris Wild, a guest curator at the Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives, in England. Once there, just punch in a subject or an era (from B.C. to the aughts), and—boom—tons of historic images, wacky inventions (1950s telephone hats), and […]
The Hottest Hairstyles for Summer 2014 from Fox News Magazine
Searching for an amazing new summer ‘do? Check out the most stylish hair trends for summer 2014 from our friends at Fox News Magazine. They say, according to a recent New York Times article, “Women are flocking to their stylists in search of the perfect pixie, lob, or classic bob hairstyle. In other words, the shorter the better.” This trend has […]
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com 20 Quick Centerpiece Ideas How to Find the Right Babysitter Deep-Clean Your HomeFiled under: Daily Thought
June 9, 2014
Be Kind, Reply
[Note: A version of this article first appeared in the June 2014 issue of Real Simple.] How do we feel about the fact that most party invitations are now digital? I am not going to use this space to lament the decline of paper invites, although I certainly could. After all, there’s something magical about getting a beautiful invitation in the mail. […]
Help Kids in Need by Sharing Your Food Photos
Foodies of social media, rejoice. Now you can Instagram, tweet, and Facebook your dinners, drinks, and snacks for a cause. Feedie, an app co-founded by Chef Mario Batali partners with restaurants to harness the power of social media for philanthropy. Every time you share a food photo with Feedie at a participating restaurant, the establishment will put 25 cents toward the […]
