Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 30
May 14, 2014
Trivia: Women’s Health Week
In honor of National Women’s Health Week, which is May 11-17, check out this fascinating—and frankly, frustrating—infograph by Vitals.com, a search engine for medical providers. Do you pay more or less than the average woman pays per healthcare?: Feeling motivated to get healthy? Here’s all you need to know about eating a balanced, nutritional diet.Filed under: Conversation Starters, Where We're […]
Easy Ways to Combat Shyness
It seems like everyone has a friend who is effortlessly charming, ready to boldly engage any passerby in a thoughtful conversation at the drop of a hat. For the rest of us mere mortals, however, mingling at a wedding or chatting with a stranger in an elevator can bring out our most timorous qualities. The next time you feel shyness […]
How to Haggle at a Yard Sale
Hosting a garage sale to unload the old and make way for the new? Yard sale shoppers expect a bargain and aren't shy about asking for it, so toughen up and memorize these lines, courtesy of Aaron LaPedis, author of The Garage Sale Millionaire ($23, amazon.com). 
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com 8 Ec0-Friendly Laundry Tips How to Quickly Clean Your Bedroom 4 Fun Travel GamesFiled under: Daily Thought
May 13, 2014
An Easy Way to Book a Beauty Appointment On-the-Go
It’s usually not my policy to blog about something unless it is nationally available. But I’ll break with form for Priv, an on-demand beauty services provider, because it’s just such a good idea that the world needs to know about it. Plus, the company is expanding…and will hopefully be available wherever you are soon. But I digress. The concept is simple […]
41 Dreamy Strawberry Desserts from HuffPost Taste
Celebrate the sweet taste of spring with recipes using one of the most talked about seasonal berry. Our friends at HuffPost Taste have compiled a list of their favorite strawberry desserts that go from strawberry rhubarb pie and strawberry shortcake to bright granitas, mascarpone tarts and more. To see the full list, click here. What’s your favorite springtime recipe? More […]
Take our Tress Test
Have a good head on your shoulders? Brush up on your hair-care expertise with these questions. For answers, scroll below the scissors. 1. What’s the best strategy for applying a hair product? (a) Start at the ends of the hair and work your way upward to the crown. (b) Start at the hairline and work your way backward to the […]
Today’s Thought
Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com Colorful Decorating Ideas for a Small Room How to Decode a Travel Brochure 20 Trendy Sandals for SpringFiled under: Daily Thought
May 12, 2014
Ode to the Mother-In-Law
[Note: A version of this article first appeared in the May 2014 issue of Real Simple.] We’ve decided in the May issue of Real Simple to celebrate the unsung hero (or antihero, depending on whom you ask) in our domestic lives: The mother-in-law. Along with our in-book story “Mother-in-Law & Order,” we asked on Facebook: “What’s the nicest thing your […]
How to Debone a Whole Fish
For an elegant dinner party centerpiece, try serving a whole fish. It’s surprisingly fast and easy, but getting the fillet from fish to table can cause some stress. Here are two simple steps to success: Step 1 Divide the top fillet into 2 parts by running a knife down the center of the fish, gently pushing the 2 halves apart. Carefully […]
