Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 347
April 26, 2011
There's Simply No Substitute for Sunshine
We modern humans can do without a lot of things—at least for relatively short periods of time. You know, life's little pleasures as bathing, caffeine, hugs, fresh flowers. But sunshine—oh no, we crave it and when it's in short supply, so is good humor, uplifted moods and that general sense of well-being. (Just think about how grumpy you can feel when it's been gray, rainy or cold for a week straight...)
Well, the sun (and some warmer weather!) has finally reappeared in New York after what legitimately was an excruciatingly long absence, and boy, does it feel good. There's simply nothing like a flat-out sunny day, with temperatures warm enough to banish coats and gloves to make everyone and everything look that much brighter. People hold the doors for one another, smile on the street, and I SWEAR I saw someone let another person cut in front of them at the post office, for no good reason.
While some people are clearly more affected by the season and the weather than others (and given how much I've been thinking about this, I believe I may be one of them) I'm wondering: Can a sunny day or a rainy day make or break your mood?
Photo from Flickr
Making a Plan for Your Summer
Summer is coming, at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere, and taking the time to plan now will help you fit everything in you want to do. Here is a simple plan to make your fun-in-the-sun plans possible:
Make a list. Start your summer planning process by creating a list of all the fun things you (and your family and friends) want to do. Do you want to go to the beach a couple times? Do you want to go to the pool at least three times a week? Do you want to go camping? Put all of your great ideas on your list.
Set your budget. Most of the plans on your list will probably be inexpensive, but go ahead and figure out the cost of gasoline, sunscreen, gear, and fees (like park fees if you plan to camp) for all of your summer fun and make sure you're going to have enough money to do all of the things you want to do.
With your budget and list of ideas ready to go, pull out your calendar and schedule all of your plans. It's a lot easier to make it to the pool a few times a week when you have these trips written in pen on the schedule. Plus, you'll want to make sure you have enough time to do all of your great ideas, and you'll want to spread these plans out over the entire summer.
Don't forget to schedule the details. You'll need a few days to get all of your camp supplies tested, cleaned, and packed, so be sure to schedule these preparation details on the calendar, too. If you'll need to get in a few weeks of practice before taking off on a 100-mile bike race, be sure to put all of those practice rides on the schedule.
Hang the calendar. Keep you calendar in a prominent location so you have a wonderful reminder of all the fun you're going to have. If you have young children with events on the calendar, review the plans with them to help build anticipation and excitement.
Take pictures and keep a journal. At the end of the summer it will be nice to sit down with the pictures and journal and review all the fun you had. You can also make notes in the journal about plans that worked well and plans that didn't, so you'll have a better idea for planning next year. Also, keep a record of things you want to do next summer that you didn't have a chance to fit in this year.
Have fun!
April 25, 2011
Hello, Bookies!
I'm Amy Feezor, and I am the copy director at Real Simple. Put simply, that means that I am the writer for the marketing side of the magazine.
I love to read slightly older books—in fact, I sort of prefer it—and on top of that, I am a huge fan of lists (which makes me a great fit for Real Simple, no?). So I was thrilled when you picked The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark, as our book for May. The novel is #76 on Modern Library's 100 Best Novels list, and I've been reading my way through the compilation ever since it appeared in 1998. (Favorites so far? The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton, and Sophie's Choice, by William Styron. Seriously. Go out and get them now if you haven't read them. Or at least go out after you finish Miss Jean Brodie.)
Miss Jean is a lean little book—my copy only has 137 pages—so this discussion will be a bit shorter than most. That said, here's how we'll set up our reading schedule:
Friday, May 13: Chapters 1 through 3 (pages 1 to 78 in my edition)
Friday, May 20: Chapters 4 through 6 (page 79 to the end)
Note that I'll be out of the office next week, so if you have any questions or comments for me ahead of time, I'll be able to answer them through April 29, and then can pick back up on May 9. (I'll be on vacation. Guess what I'll have in my bag for poolside reading?)
Until then, enjoy the book! I am hoping it's juicy and funny and memorable. Looking forward to our discussion on May 13.
—Amy
If you wish to comment, please click here.
Skip the Chemicals to Clean Your Shower Doors
Keeping your shower doors soap-scum-free is one of the biggest bathroom cleaning challenges. Luckily, you don't have to reach for the chemicals in order to keep them clean. Instead try two common household items—a dryer sheet and lemon oil.
First, use a dryer sheet to remove the soap scum that is already built up. Add a few drops of water to a used sheet and start scrubbing. Once it's gone through the dyer a fabric softener sheet is just abrasive enough to remove the scum with out scratching the glass. Plus, you're giving that dryer sheet new life before it's tossed.
Second, to prevent soap scum from coming back, put a few drops of lemon essential oil on a reusable cloth and wipe down your shower doors. Not only will your bathroom smell fresh, but you won't be pouring nasty chemicals down your drain or getting them on your skin when you shower.
Do you have an eco-friendly cleaning tip? Share it in the comments.
Related:
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To Get a Dog or Not? That's the Question.
I should start off by saying that my family had many pets when I was growing up. We had dogs from the K9 unit that rode with my dad in his police car. We had several cats including two kittens my dad rescued from an abandoned building that we named Starsky and Hutch. Later there was Boo-Boo Kitty. And I can't forget the occasional hamster who, despite my mother's protests, came to live with us at the end of the school year.
Depending on where I was in my life at the time, I had varying levels of interest in our pets. Some I loved with abandon, like our golden retriever/labrador mix, while others I completely ignored or griped about with a Valley Girl tone (it was the 80s after all). I mean, like, why do I have to empty the litter box all the time? Grody!
Now that I'm a mother of two little boys who really want a dog, I'm not sure what to do. I've always said I would never even consider a pet until both of my boys were completely potty trained and capable of cleaning up after themselves in the bathroom. They are about to turn seven and nine so that benchmark passed quite some time ago. (Although the cleaning up after themselves in the bathroom still leaves something to be desired).
This past week we visited friends and family back in Massachusetts and many of them have dogs. My sister had just put one of her dogs to sleep and she was very upset about it. Another friend had a new puppy and the parents looked tired. "Don't do it," they told me, only half joking. My other sister counseled that I consider a small dog that could do it's business in a litter box and not have to go out in the middle of the night or in blustery snow storms. Another friend advised me to buy pet insurance.
When I see my boys (the younger one, especially) around dogs it's clear how much they would love one of their own. A dog to be their playmate and companion. That friend who always listens and doesn't judge. For the same reasons I loved my dogs growing up I think I should get one for my boys. But what if we get a dog that isn't a good match for the family. How could I ever give it away? What about the expense of an electric fence? Will the deer and fox who like to come into our yard be a problem? Then there's obedience training, kennels when we travel, vet bills.
How will I know if it's the right time for our family and for me? Because let's be real, like most things around here, taking care of the dog is probably going to be my responsibility.
April 22, 2011
An Egg-cellent Easter Tradition
Hi Real Simple readers! I'm Brigitt Hauck, the latest addition to the RealSimple.com team and the new holidays and entertaining blogger. As an editorial assistant for the online team, I'll be writing some of the site's newsletters and helping the editors with a wide range of projects. I must confess, I'm really excited to share my thoughts on holidays and entertaining with you (and hear what you have to say). I come from a big, close-knit family (my maternal extended family all reside within 5 miles of each other), so holidays are always over-the-top and I'm no stranger to hosting a party or two.
In fact, with Easter being this weekend, my family has a very important affair planned—our annual egg dyeing party.
Our egg dyeing party the day before Easter is just as exciting as the holiday itself. Since I can remember, our ever-expanding clan has gathered together with dozens of eggs, buckets of dye, permanent markers, acrylic paints, and any other sparkly, fun arts and crafts supplies we can find.
With varying levels of crafty-ness, the masterpieces range from a toddler's scribbles to an artist's self-portrait to a jewelry-maker's beaded egg. And over the years we have tried everything and figured out what works and what doesn't.
Here are some family favorites that are sure to impress:
Glitter egg: For this egg you can use either a hardboiled or a blown egg. Simply pour loose glitter into a small bowl (Any color will do, but I like to use gold to make the "golden egg"), use a paint brush to brush glue onto the egg (or make it even easier and use a spray glue), then roll the egg in the glitter until it's thoroughly coated.
Tradition egg: If there has been a special event in the family, it's fun to make commemorative eggs. We have a collection of hand blown eggs that are decorated with the logos of our colleges, wedding anniversaries and more. Each year we bring these eggs out of storage for the hunt, and it's always a fun reminder of years past.
Swarovski egg: My aunt, the designer of Got Rox jewelry, makes the most elaborate eggs—she calls this one "caviar" (Get it? Fish egg). This breathtaking egg just won third prize in the Epicurious egg decorating contest. To recreate this beauty, use a needle to poke a hole in the bottom of an egg, blow out its contents and glue on a handcrafted paper fin, tail and multi-colored Swarovski crystals or rhinestones.
On Easter, whether the eggs are hard-boiled or blown, we hide our handcrafted eggs and host a hunt for the kids. After the hunt, all of the hard-boiled eggs go straight into the mixing bowl to make a delicious (and colorful!) egg salad.
What's the most creative egg you've decorated? I'd love to hear about your egg dyeing and Easter traditions.
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day, everyone! All month long we've been sharing easy tips for going green, but, today, we want to hear what steps you're taking to make the world a greener place.
Next week will be our last week of daily eco-friendly tips, (but we'll continue to do a green tip every Tuesday) and next Friday we'll be sharing some of our favorite reader tips. So leave your water-saving ideas, clever ways of reusing house-hold goods, and tips for recycling uncommon items in the comments.
Not sure where to start? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Going Green for ideas.
Related:
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Earth-Friendly Beauty Favorites
In celebration of Earth Day, I decided to wrangle together some of my favorite eco-friendly beauty brands. From head to toe, these 6 brands keep us beautiful without doing harm to our home.
Keep your locks, shiny and healthy with Yes to Carrots Daily Pampering Hair Care Regimen. All their products are a combination of organic fruits,vegetables and minerals found from the Dead Sea. In celebration of Earth Day, Yes to is offering a 25% discount off all purchases until Sunday, April 24th. Enter the code EARTH when checking out. Try their shampoo and conditioner—it's light weight and will leave your hair detangled and ready for styling.
To buy: $16, yestocarrots.com
Pucker up with Clark's Botanicals Lip Treatment Tints. These little tubes will make your lips super soft, while still giving you a subtle tint. This company has bloomed (pun intended) by focusing on all organic flower extracts-based products. These oils (the calendula flower is the main ingredients in the balms) are anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating. Look kissably cute and be good to yourself at the same time!
To buy: $19, clarksbotanicals.com
Bat those lashes with Origins Beyond the Fringe mascara set. This duo may look minimal, but they have a powerful swoosh. Made from natural and certified organic ingredients, these two steps will give volume, length and curl without any of the harsh chemicals. Their Earth Day Special is a free limited edition cleanser with any $30 purchase (click here for more details).
To buy: $21, origins.com
Stay perfectly polished with RGB's nail lacquers. This relatively new company has over 26 shades that are formaldehyde, DBP, and resin-free. They stay on amazingly well, without any of the toxic scents or formulas. For spring they launched three new colors, this bright coral is my favorite one. It would be so cute on a pedicure or square shaped short nails. Dig out your flip flips!
To buy: $14, rgbcosmetics.com
Wash up and donate to charity when you purchase Elemis' Wild Lavender Hand and Body Wash. The earth-conscious skincare and spa brand will donate $15 to Charity:Water per each sale of the product. The calming lavender is soothing and the scent will immediately relax you after a long day at work.
To buy: $30, timetospa.com
Sanitize without the alcohol scent with Hugo Naturals' French Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer. This combination of organic alcohol, aloe vera and lavender come together to no only keep you germ-free, while still being gentle on your hands.
To buy: $5, store.hugonaturals.com
What are some of your favorite eco-friendly products or brands? Share below!
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Get Planet-Friendly Beauty Products
InStyle's Favorite Earth Day Beauty Products
8 Eco-Friendly Clothing Items and Accessories
Friday Find: Marais Shoes (Under $100)
Ok, so not all the adorable shoes in the Marais collection retail under $100. BUT all the ones I have included in this post do!
Feast your eyes on these beauties...are your toes tingling with excitment? Mine are.
April 21, 2011
So you think your pet can do pet therapy?
I certainly did, given my dog's sociability, people-centric behavior, and working dog breed. But as I learned more about the stringent requirements and the zero tolerance for unpredictable behavior, I reconsidered. Even I had to admit that it probably wasn't a plus for Monkey, as he is so aptly named, to startle when a person in a wheelchair or a skateboarder raced by. Perhaps this was one Portuguese Water dog who needed to find a different line of work.
But before I sold him short and to understand this more fully, I spoke with Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA Adoptions Center.
Here's what I learned:
Q: Which types of animals can do pet therapy?
A: dogs (the majority), cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, horses
Q: What makes a pet a good candidate for therapy work?
A: Reliability, predictability, and controllability. They should be very social and enjoy interacting with people. They have to show no aggression to people or to other animals and have no bite history.
Q: What could disqualify a pet from doing therapy work?
A: Dogs that are fed a raw protein diet are not able to participate. This has to do with the risk of organisms that are carried in raw meat to an immune-compromised patient.
Q: What types of basic obedience are required?
A: Taking the example of a therapy dog, he should know the commands of "sit", "down", "stay" and "heel." "Leave it" is a very important command because a pet may be walking into a hospital where there's a food tray. He should have good recall, meaning that he comes when called. This level of basic obedience can be considered a prerequisite to signing up for a therapy training course.
Q: How much training is necessary?
A: There are a range of organizations. The ASPCA partners with the Delta Society and holds classes that can range from 6-8 weeks. Dogs learn about wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and such, so that they can walk into a facility with the hustle and bustle of people in lab coats and sometimes noisy equipment, and be completely nonplussed.
Q: What do therapy pets actually do?
A: Touch therapy, interacting in a social manner with the patient. There's a wide range of how this can happen. You could tell your dog "go say hi" and he could trot over and wag his tail, which is quite a thrill to someone lying in bed. A cat might crawl up to someone and purr and allow the patient to pet him or her and have the experience of touch and trust. A pet can have a calming effect just lying next to a patient on the bed or on a chair near the bed. The social interaction provides companionship that will trigger a wide range of emotions—a feeling of calm, safety, being uplifted—all those forms of reassurance.
Q: What about assisting specific segments of the human population, say children or the elderly?
A: Therapy pets aren't to be confused with animal assisted therapy, which is goal oriented. For example, at Equine-Assisted Therapy in Missouri, children with physical disabilities can have horse-back experiences that are not only fun but that may strengthen and support the natural motion of the spine and pelvis.
Q: Apparently Yale Law School students can "check out" a dog from the library for stress relief?
A: Checking a dog out of a library or leasing a pet for the day may not be all that safe or pleasing for the animal. Our recommendation would be to have that animal hang out in the library or take a walk with the animal's handler. We don't think of it so much as a therapy pet but more as a theapeutic team based on an animal and the person handling the animal. Whether it's a cat or dog, pets will respond differently to us versus to someone else.
(Editor's Note: Perhaps this "therapy dog" remains in his section of the library at all times—this bears more investigation/canine sniffing!)
As for Monkey the Portuguese Water dog, he has completely come to terms with people in wheelchairs and skateboarders, thanks to repeated instances of encountering both on city sidewalks and seeing that I was not at all alarmed.
(He's even run into life-sized witches in store fronts on Halloween!) This said, until he's a bit older and more mellow about sidewalk encounters with strangers, I'm planning to sign him up for agility training instead.
How about you? Have you considered doing therapy work with your pet? Do you think it would be a good fit?
