Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 283

Your Hair Questions Answered

A few weeks back I asked you to send me questions to bring to one of my favorite hairstylists, Simone at Paul Labrecque Salon. You came up with some interesting queries. I've broken them [...]

A Lesson for Teachers? How Not to Use Cell Phones

School districts around the country, concerned that teachers can get too cozy with students on the Internet or when communicating by cell phone, are making new rules to prohibit contact. In some places, Facebook [...]

Get There Faster: Take the Stairs!

Quick health tip during these busy, and often calorie-laden holidays: Next time you're faced with whether to take the stairs or hop in the elevator, consider this: If you want to get there faster [...]

Answer This Question for Our April Issue

Hi, Bookies: Out in the world it's holiday time, but down the hall on Real Simple's print side, it's spring. So as they put together the April issue, our friends over there would like [...]

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Book Three

Dear Bookies: Yesterday, December 15, would have been Francie Nolan's 110th birthday. Oh, Francie, what would you think today of your beloved Williamsburg, where the old Sicilian bakery is now a comic-book shop? I [...]

Snack Smartly at Tonight's Holiday Party

Tonight as you're standing at the hors d'oeuvres table at your holiday party, which of the two appetizers will you opt for: pigs in a blanket or a mini quiche? In the end the [...]

Don't Forget: Vote for January!

Hi, Bookies: I realize that I am likely the only one who monitors our book poll like it was the NYSE, but, yes, I track it closely enough that I pretty much could tell [...]

Finding new holiday traditions for my family

When my husband and I had children, I found myself craving holiday traditions but found that we didn't have many. In particular we didn't have any foods (other than clam chowder from Captain Marden's, [...]

Get Ready: Tomorrow is Free Shipping Day

If you haven't quite finished your holiday shopping (or if you haven't even started). Tonight would be a good night to make your game plan because tomorrow, Friday, December 16th is Free Shipping Day. [...]

Three French Hens, Two Turtledoves and … An Ugly Knitted Scarf

'Tis the season for receiving handmade gifts you wish you never knew existed. Here is one reader's situation: "One Christmas, my mother in law knitted me a scarf…. "It sounds mean, but I cannot [...]