Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 342
May 13, 2011
Friday Find: Elk Accessories & Clothing
I'm on bit of an Australian kick after my polka dot post yesterday inspired by Australian Fashion Week and my Friday Find about Australia based accessories company-- Goldenink a few weeks ago.
But, I can't resist the creativity and whimsical charm this continent is offering. Can you?
Just take a look at the adorable items from the company Elk--- the cloud cardigan...and the leather sandals....and the hot-air balloon charms...and the...well, you get the point!
Note: There is a $5 shipping fee for orders being shipped to the USA. But these amazing and affordable items are worth a 5 spot (in my humble opinion)!
Long Wood Bead Cluster necklace, $46
Cloud cashmere-blend cardigan, $150
Lakare leather frame purse, $70
Ceramic handmade hot-air balloon necklace, $69
Checkout the entire collection HERE.
Happy Friday!
"Hapify" Your Friday
Happy Friday afternoon everyone! The weekend is almost here, and we have a fun app to share with you that will make you smile the next time you're in a funk.
Check out Hapify. A collection of little things that make you happy. Once you've downloaded the app, either click "I'm Happy" to share the thing that's making you smile. Or if you need some cheering up, tap "Make Me Happy" to browse through other happy moments from your friends or the people around you based on your phone's GPS.
Let's start the weekend off right, and tell us what is the little thing that makes you happy that you'd add to Hapify?
Related:
Your Words: What is the one small thing that always makes you happy?
26 Low-Cost Make-You-Smile Ideas
3 Things to Love About May's Book Club Pick
Hello, Bookies!
Hope everyone is off and running with this month's book, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. This discussion will cover chapters 1 to 3 (pages 1 to 78 in my version). Shall we begin, class?
First off, let me say that, as a former English major AND a former major loudmouth in my former book club (rest its soul), this is a new experience for me. I've never reported in on a book without finishing it first (and, despite its small size, I haven't reached the end of this one—I'll start back on page 79 tomorrow). I usually like to reserve judgment until the very last word, so I am interested to see what my final thoughts (and yours!) are going to be when we discuss the rest of the story next week (May 20, for those of you keeping up).
That said, here's what I am liking so far, in list form (in case you forgot—I love lists):
1. Everybody's famous for something (i.e., the characters have memorable quirks). Sure, the book's title is about Jean Brodie, but this story offers tremendously colorful details about each of its many characters. There's Teddy Lloyd's one arm. The way the girls wear their panama hats in Senior school. The serious sewing sisters. Sandy's sudden launches into conversations with fictional or dead characters. Mary's death in the hotel fire. And I particularly delight in the reminders of why each of the Brodie set is "famous." My favorite reason: Monica's "mathematics and anger." (Why does the anger part make me sort of giggle?) What's your favorite character detail—big or small?
2. It keeps going back to the future. This book seamlessly jumps back and forth in time, revealing future insight about a character and then present-day (or sometimes past) information, oftentimes all at once. It just zooms you ahead, then immediately pops you back, but not in a jarring way. For example, in the middle of Chapter 2, we spend lots of time as Miss Brodie and her set walk together through the Old Town section of Edinburgh, then suddenly we're in a convent with future Sandy, who is now Sister Helena—a nun famous for an "odd psychological treatise" called "The Transfiguration of the Commonplace"—and then, boom, we're back to the walk in Old Town for the rest of the chapter.
Spark seems to be dropping hints for us, letting us put the pieces of this puzzle together slowly. There's always a peek into what's going to happen to each character, but it's always unexpected and never what you'd guess (Sandy, famous for her small eyes and vowel sounds, becomes a nun??). It keeps my brain on edge, and I like it. What has surprised you so far?
3. The judgment is still out on Jean. I'm still forming my thoughts on Miss Brodie herself; I'm trying to save that for the end. Truthfully, I don't know how to feel about her yet: sad? Annoyed? That she's before her time, or perhaps a victim of it? Is she conceited? Naive? What about you? What are your initial thoughts on Miss Brodie?
A few more things to think about:
What's the significance of repeating the poem "The Lady of Shalott," by Alfred Lord Tennyson? (THAT is an English paper dying to be written, although I can almost bet it already has.) Are the other poems offering insight?
What do you think about Miss Brodie's fascination with Fascism?
Team Lloyd or Team Lowther?
Let's open this discussion up. I'd love to hear your thoughts! We can chat down in the comments section on this page—then let's meet again to talk about the rest of the book on Friday, May 20. Speak soon!
—Amy
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May 12, 2011
Smart Product: "A Date with Wine" Wine Stopper
Avoid wasting an almost full bottle of wine by forgetting when you opened it with this clever wine stopper designed by le mouton noir & co.
When you're ready to put that half-finished bottle away, simply turn the dial so that day's date is lined up. That way you'll know for sure how long the wine has been open, and how much longer you have to enjoy it.
To buy: A Date With Wine Wine Stopper, $45, amazon.com
Related:
Make Boozy Syrup with Leftover Wine
10 Delicious Recipes for Leftover Wine
How to Remove a Red Wine Stain (VIDEO)
Get Spotted In Polka Dots!
You should get spotted in one of the season's most charming trends...polka dots!
I'm inspired by how pretty and chic these simple circles can be. Just look at the amazing dots displayed during Australian fashion week and captured by Phil Oh for Vogue.com.
And here's how you can get in on all the fun....
Miss America--Izzy sandal, $54.95
Kate Spade--Natalia dress, $375
Anthropologie--flipped dots cardigan, $98
Hansel From Basel tote bag, $29
When Your Mother-in-Law Does You a "Favor"
My friend Jill's mother-in-law ran over her dog. Not on purpose. She accidentally backed up her sport utility vehicle and crushed the dog's pelvis. While pet-sitting. As a favor.
The question: Who should pay for the dog's surgery and medical expenses?
After the accident, Jill got the news from her in-laws while on vacation at Yosemite National Park, learning: "The dog could be saved by an animal surgeon for a hefty price."
Four months of expensive treatment later—after an operation, bed rest, medication and physical therapy—the dog is fine.
Jill writes: "On one hand, it was our decision to pursue the expensive route rather than let the dog die. On the other hand, they RAN OVER OUR DOG! They caused the hardship, the heartache, the need for the poor dog to undergo such torture, and for us to endure such an expense. Should they have compensated us fully?"
Poor dog, enduring months of pain because of a careless accident! But "accident" is the key here. An experienced dog sitter—or a kennel, if Jill had boarded the dog—should have safeguards in place to prevent a mishap like this. If the dog got hurt while in the care of a professional, Jill would be entitled to compensation.
But the rules are different for family (and friends, by the way). If a relative offers to watch your dog as a favor, there's a tacit understanding between the two of you: You expect she's offering out of goodwill and wants no payment beyond gratitude. In return, she expects you to assume the risk of something going awry; after all, you knew you weren't hiring a professional.
That said, I understand how frustrating the situation must be. Maybe it would make Jill feel better to clear the air. If so, Jill could tell her mother-in-law, "I know you aren't obligated, but paying for the surgery after you crushed my pet's pelvis under your SUV would have been a stand-up thing to do. You had the opportunity to set a good example for your grandchildren by showing them how an adult takes responsibility for a mistake."
What do you think? Who should pay? And what would you say to your mother-in-law if she ran over your dog?
No More Tangles!
Pet Peeve: Tangles. Tangled necklaces, tangled cords, tangled headphones. Obviously, this is but a small annoyance, but spending ten minutes trying to unfurl unending, unrelenting knots before hitting the gym, going for a jog, or even just sitting down for a long ride on the bus is one of those things that can make my blood boil.
Simple solution: Zipbuds. (left) When these cuties arrived in the mail last week, I did a little jig of joy. Why hadn't someone thought of this before? Instead of two tangle-prone cords the Zipbuds merge into one colorful zipper, which of course you can adjust to suit your needs. When you're done listening, simply zip 'em up, wrap them around your ipod or just shove them in your purse and the next time you reach for them—voila! No tangles!! Ahh, the silent sound of a snag-free solution. ($40 per pair.)
May 11, 2011
Start Doodling During Your Next Long Phone Call
Take advantage of the next lengthy phone call you make to your family or friends to do a little doodling.
A long phone call is the perfect time to clean out your pen cup and get of the pens ones that are out of ink. It's an easy way to multitask without being distracted from the conversation you're having.
Do you doodle while you're on the phone?
[via Buttoned Up]
Related:
What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?
What If You Could Create Your Own Candle?
Much like choosing a perfume, picking a scented candle can be a pretty personal decision. So what if you could make your own candle? Bath and Body Works teamed up with one my favorite candle makers, Slatkin & Co., to help you do just that.
Candle scents should transport you somewhere else and completely change the mood of your room. I love using candles in my tiny—emphasis on tiny—apartment to freshen it up or to help mask cooking odors. The ceramic Slatkin & Co. candles are some of my favorites, because they don't even look like candles when they aren't lit. Plus they have several shapes, for example a pineapple (which are considered to be good luck in some cultures) and my personal favorite, their turtle shaped ones. How cute would these be for a summer party?
To buy: $28 for three, qvc.com
Even though we're just starting to feel the summer weather (well, in New York at least), Bath and Body Works and Slatkin are looking towards Holiday 2011. If you want have your perfect holiday scent enter their latest contest. Submit you're favorite dessert recipe at MyCandleRecipe.com for chance to have your tasty dessert turned into a candle and sold with Bath & Body Works Holiday Gourmand Candle Collection this year.
Best of luck beauty bakers!
Relate Links:
Everyday Indulgence: Unique Candle Holders
Sumptuous Fragrances, Soaps, and Candles
Looking for Work? Secrets From a Corporate HR Director
If you're on the hunt for a new position in the corporate world, you've likely been lured by what appears to be a simple and straightforward application process. You see a job you're interested in on a corporate website or job search site, you click the "apply here" button, start to upload your resume and figure you can get back to that dreary job you're dying to leave within a matter of seconds.
Except it doesn't really work that way. As anyone who has tried to apply for a position online these days knows, the reality is often a time-consuming and mind-numbing process that forces you to re-enter information you've already got on your resume. Depending on the company, you may be asked to list the names and contact numbers for three references, cite your college GPA, and enter in the dates you attended graduate school classes.
A single application can take up to 30 minutes and even then, you may encounter a system error and have to start all over again. If you've been fortunate to ride out the downturn in the economy and you're just now thinking about looking for a new job, you should know that some corporate HR directors continue to have more applications than they can possibly screen.
I recently asked my sister, a corporate HR director and former recruiter, what a woman can do to get her resume noticed in a system that seems to have taken the "human" out of Human Resources.
1. Customize your resume to the job. Read the job description several times and be sure your resume contains the same keywords or related content.
2. Be specific. Every applicant tracking system operates differently in how resume influx is managed. Sometimes there are pre-screening questions that are asked as part of the candidate's submission. Do not skip these. The "expected response" is often weighted, or scored, creating a short list of candidates for the recruiter to pursue first. While you can't predict the "expected response," chances are no response will fail.
3. Track the status of your application online. Some systems allow candidates to view the status of their applications. If you received an automated email response upon completion of your application, your resume was received. If you didn't, there may have been an error in the process. Log back in and try again.
4. Signal your willingness to negotiate. If the application asks for a number value for "desired salary," entering a false number like 0000 will allow you to complete the application while alerting recruiters that you wish to discuss the actual number. However, always use actual numbers when asked for salary history. Many companies today conduct background checks to verify salary information.
5. Follow protocol. Even if you've sent your resume to a friend or contact within the company, it's always a good idea to follow the process and apply through official channels. Stay positive and patient. Recruiters still have many more candidates to vet for each opening and the process takes time.
Have you had success applying for positions online? Do you have any questions about the online application process? In my next post, I'll share some expert advice on how to use LinkedIn to enhance your job search.
