Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 388

What Papers Belong in a Filing Cabinet?

Your filing cabinet might be an organized thing of beauty, or it might be a chaotic disaster. Either way, the archived folders in your filing cabinet should only be holding two types of documents -- Can't Lose and Extended Knowledge papers.



Can't Lose documents are papers you could be in a lot of trouble if you misplace. Documents such as signed legal contracts.



Extended Knowledge documents are papers that provide you with information you wish you stored in your brain, but you don't. And, they're kept because eventually someone else will need to access this knowledge when you're not around. For example, plan details and contact information for your health insurance provider.



Here are the parameters I use to help me decide if a paper is a Can't Lose or an Extended Knowledge document:


If I get rid of this, will I be in a serious bind, lose my job, get sued, lose an irreplaceable amount of money, or go to jail? If so, retain the document.
Do I want to have this knowledge at my fingertips and will I have a difficult time getting my hands on this information later if I don't keeps this document? If so, retain the document.
Will keeping this document make it easier for someone else if I am unavailable? If so, retain the document.


Any document in your archives that doesn't meet these requirements can be recycled or shredded. You may choose to keep a few documents that don't meet these requirements -- specifically, don't throw away any working documents that aren't a part of your archives and that you reference in your current work -- but feel welcome to get rid of the clutter.



If you have a giant stack of papers to be filed, I recommend first going through the pile to see if all of the papers meet the Can't Lose or Extended Knowledge parameters. Then, with the papers that remain, dedicate yourself to filing just an inch of documents a day. Eventually, your stack will completely disappear.

My Weekend Project: D.I.Y. Ornament Wreath

I debated about getting a Christmas tree for my apartment this year. For the first time since moving to New York, I have a living room that could accommodate a full size tree without requiring a storage unit for half of my furniture. In the end, I decided against getting one since I'm not having a holiday party, and I won't be home much between now and the end of the year.

 

But I couldn't let my apartment stay completely undecorated. My compromise was to hang a wreath in the living room, since there is a brick wall that was just aching for some decoration.

 

After considering a yarn wreath, a fresh green wreath or a light wreath, I settled on an ornament wreath. Luckily, Eddie Ross has a tutorial for making an ornament wreath on his website. Here's how mine went:

 

I started out with a wire hanger and these . (I only spent $20 making this wreath. A steal in my mind.)

 

 

The first step was to secure the silver tops to the ornaments. For which I got to bust out my trusty glue gun. It's been years since I had occasion to use it. Hello, old friend.

 

 

After all the gluing, it was time to get stringing.

 

 

And here's the final product. The only thing I have left to do is get a better ribbon, and fix that one blue ornament that doesn't seem to want to play nice.

 

 

What do you think? I'd also love to know, how are you decorating your home for the holidays?

 

Kick-Start Your New Year

You're probably still in holiday mode—shopping for gifts, baking cookies, and trying to figure out what to wear to your holiday party—but on Simply Stated, we're starting to plan for the new year.

During the month of January, we want to help you get your new year started right. So we'll be blogging a quick to-do (they'll take 10 minutes or less) every day to help you feel more organized for 2011.

 

In the meantime, tell us what you want to tackle in the next year. Share in the comments below, or tweet your resolutions and goals using the hash tag #in2011. (You are following us on twitter, right?)

 

(calendar from Jack & Lulu, photo by Jose Picayo for Real Simple)

Online Shopping: Best Handmade Marketplaces, Ever!

Where are you shopping handmade online this season? Recently on decor8 I pulled together a post outlining all of my favorite must-shop handmade marketplaces online along with local craft market events being held between now and Christmas. In the spirit of giving, I thought I'd share the best of the best online marketplaces for handmade art & craft with all of you here today, too. Here's my round-up of the best handmade online marketplaces, ever!

Blue Caravan is an ethical design market so you can count on shops being all about delivering quality.

Indie Handmade, another online marketplace that is also curated by a blogger who knows her crafts!

Next is Ammiki - A curated art and design site for independent artists - like a blog only gallery style.

Papernstitch - A gorgeous curated online marketplace by blogger Brittni who definitely has great taste.

Poppytalk Handmade Market online run by Jan in Canada, also a popular blogger with a great eye.

DaWanda is the marketplace that everyone is talking about in Europe. It's based in Berlin with artists and designers from all over Europe and beyond so you can count on always finding new and very unique goods. Have you heard of Made It? If not, it is a online handmade market based in Australia that I also highly recommend. Another great online marketplace is called the Indie Fixx Galleria that is (surprise, surprise) also curated by a blogger who loves handmade.

I can't blog about the best handmade marketplaces online without giving a great big nod to Etsy -- clearly the leader of the pack who launched the whole idea of an online handmade marketplace back when I started blogging - I remember the day they launched and how excited I was!

Here are some more great online marketplaces both near and far: Georgie Love out of Australia, Bonanza based in the states (formerly called 1000 Markets), Leeloo in Australia, Indie in Australia, Coriandr, Folksy in the UK, Felt in New Zealand, Breslo in Romania, Signerat in Sweden, Artfire in the US.  

Do you know of any other online markets that you'd like to promote as a shopping source for all things handmade this month? Do share!

(images linked to their sources above)

Live Real Simple Fashion Show TODAY @ 12 noon

 

Real Simple's fashion department will be presenting our first ever fashion show...at Real Simple's first ever Pop Up Shop TODAY @ 12 noon in Rockefeller Center (10 West 49th Street) in NYC.

 

 

 

For those of you who are in New York City, please come by and see this amazing show. We have teamed up with Lord & Taylor to bring you the best (and affordable) holiday outfits. Sequins, feathers and lace...Oh my!

 

We're positive you'll be able to find something for your holiday parties/events and your budget!

 

And if you aren't in NYC today, don't worry...I will be video taping the show and posting it on the blog this week!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Holiday Jewelry For Under $100 From Charm&Chain

 

Tis the season for holiday fetes, which means it time to whip out the bling!

I got the amazing opportunity to be a "Guest Editor" on one of my favorite jewelry websites-- Charm & Chain!

 

I searched through all the stunning jewels and picked out 8 pieces that will have heads turning at all your holiday gatherings (or make dazzling gifts)--and they all retail for UNDER $100!

 

The site features renowned fashion jewelry designers, such as Alexis Bittar, Gemma Redux, Erickson Beamon, Kendra Scott and Kenneth Jay Lane, as well as many emerging designers. The sight is curated by the young, fabulous and uber talented Ali Galgano--the company's founder and CEO (checkout this video she shot with other amazing women entrepreneurs on DailyCandy.com).

 

One of the greatest aspects of the site--besides just darn beautiful everything is--is the fact that the price points are accessible to almost everyone. Prices start at just around $20 and go up from there. Amazing!

 

Click HERE to checkout my "Guest Editor" post and UNDER $100 picks!

 

Want a sneak peek?

 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Gift Wrap From Anthropologie

I don't know about you, but when I think of Anthropologie, gift wrap and notions do not spring to mind but now... well it's a different story. They've rolled out a limited edition line for the holidays and seeing it I can totally see this working well for them going forward during the holiday season. Did you have a chance to watch this cute video that they put together to show customers a glimpse of their goodies? If not, you have to check it out because it will surely put a smile on your face today.

Available both online and in-store, Anthropologie's handmade papers in vibrant patterns and finishes are from faraway places like Thailand and Nepal, with spools of string and ribbon, tags, tie-ons and other embellishments being from mostly indepedent crafters and artists closer to home.

"Trimming choices range from spools of string and ribbon range from pompom twine by Roost, velvet ribbon, tinsel to recycled cotton yarn. Playful embellishments include jars of vintage buttons from Wendy Addison and tie-ons such as hand-felted wool flowers and glittered butterflies and fireflies. Creative tags from Le Canot Rouge, who makes quirky animal tags from post-consumer recycled paper and donates 10% of their gross sales to animal welfare, are the perfect place for personal messages. We also have special collector's greeting cards from Austin Press, a collection of museum board alphabet cards die-cut by hand and letter-pressed with a vintage illustration."

What do you think of this collection? Do you like it? Have you seen it in-store? Will you buy these papers and things from Anthropologie this season?

(images: anthropologie)

I Capture the Castle: Part 1

Hi, Bookies:

So what is it about second daughters that they make such great literary companions? I'm thinking about Elizabeth Bennet and Jo March, and now Cassandra Mortmain. I love her voice: smart and funny, pragmatic, and occasionally naive. When I first read that the book was told in diary form, I was a little hesitant. I don't know what I was expecting--Hello Kitty? And I'm not sure why Dodie Smith chose to tell the story that way, except, I suppose, as a device. But I think it works, allowing Cassandra to be honest in her thoughts while organizing them for posterity too—or at least allowing her to practice being an author. (Another thing I love: that Smith winks at Pride and Prejudice, paralleling its plot, and then having Cassandra acknowledge the similarities. And here's something fun I found out: Jane Austen was herself a second daughter. Her older sister's name was. . .Cassandra.)

Now that we've met our cast of characters, what do you think of them? I don't think there's a single one I dislike—not even Rose, for all of her sulkiness. Just for the indignity of the screwball Rose-as-bear scene, I think I can forgive the less-than-gracious behavior that preceded it. I'm a bit torn about the father: On the one hand, I pity him because he's so aware of his failures (as much as Topaz tries to protect him). On the other hand, I just want to shake him! Go find a way to put food on the table! Which the most admirable Stephen does, and I think it would break my heart a little if Cassandra never realizes how rare he is. I have that little oh-no feeling in my stomach every time I think she's going to throw him over for the more obvious charms of the Cotton brothers.

Yes, they had some choice things to say about Rose, and they went on to snub the family. But by virtue of the laws of Austen-esque plots, they had to, right? And then they were such good sports about the ''bear.'' And then, let's face it, there's all that $$$—they are kind of the embodiment of the bluebell scent from that London department store. Still, right now Stephen has my heart.

As luck would have it, we left the Montmains just as they were about to make their debut at Scoatney Hall—kind of a cliff-hanger. This could be a big game-changer for the Montmains, so I'm glad I can now read on. Let's cover through Chapter 12 by next Friday.

Now, on a completely different topic, has anyone in the tri-state area stopped in at the Real Simple Pop-Up Shop? It opened in Rockefeller Center on Wednesday, a truly dismal rain-and-wind-fest here in NYC. But it's right across the plaza from the big Christmas tree, which I saw lit in all its glory for the first time last night as I was making my way to the shop. The store itself is fun—gifts, food demos, L'Oreal makeovers, and sweepstakes (one you can actually enter online). Anyway, this is a long windup to tell you that there will be four book signings there starting today. Tim Gunn and Jessica Seinfeld are among the authors. Stop by if you can!

Until next Friday, Bookies, have a great week.

—Maura

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Great Gift Find: Caja Jewelry & Sarah Chloe Jewelry

 

I'm a huge fan of personalized anything---clothing, jewelry, bags, pillow cases, blankets, etc. If you can monogram it or put your name on it...I'm in love! What about you?

 

I also think that personalized items are some of the best gifts you can give others (and yourself). Taking those few extra steps to customize an item adds a lot of TLC points!

 

I recently came across two amazing companies that take great pride and care in their personalized jewelry collections. Check them out...

 

 

Caja Jewelry

 

There are many reasons why I'm excited about this company...

 

1. They hand-cut all their pieces (yes, the old fashioned way)!

2. All items are made with eco-friendly reclaimed sterling silver (Green and gorgeous)! The gold pieces are plated with 18k gold vermeil.

3. The company is based in Brooklyn (Yea NYC)!

4. Single letter charms start at just $90 and full names range from $200-$240 (Not bad)!

5. I love the whimsical and sophisticated typography used with each piece!

 

Aren't they amazing?

 

 

I just couldn't resist :o)

 

 

 

Sarah Chloe Jewelry

 

This adorable company is named after the owner's daughter and it's filled with items for everyone on your list. There are several collections within the company....there is even a little girl's AND men's line!

I fell in love with these Little Girl monogrammed bangles ($78) and Men's monogrammed cuff-links ($98). And the price is right for an affordable and timeless gift.

 

 

 Happy personalizing!

 

RS Asks: Tim Gunn on the Holidays, Real Simple, and His New Book

Tim Gunn has served as a gentlemanly beacon of sanity to the young, super-stressed designers on the Emmy-winning Project Runway since the show debuted in 2004. The former chair of the fashion design department at Parsons The New School for Design, now chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne, Gunn published his second book, Gunn's Golden Rules ($24, amazon.com), in September. In it he roams widely through both his professional and personal lives, discussing everything from manners (or the lack thereof) to misbehaving bold-face names to—in a frank admission—a suicide attempt he made as a teen. Gunn will be appearing at the Real Simple Pop-Up Shop in New York City's Rockefeller Center from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, to sign his book. But for all those who can't join us, he answered a few questions beforehand.

You've had a big year, between Project Runway, appearing in that amazing Emmys opener, and a new book. Do you have a personal highlight?

I do and it's not on your list, because you wouldn't know about it. It was being part of filming the new Smurfs movie, which comes out next August. That was the most fabulous, wonderful, joyous nine days of filming I could ever imagine. It was glorious. Oh, but what am I. . .being on the New York Times best-seller list! I'm hugely proud of the book and I'm always saying if I were ever to get a tattoo it would be my Library of Congress catalogue number. Well, now I can say numbers! I could have one on each arm!

Speaking of which. . .Barack Obama, George W. Bush, the Pope, Tim Gunn. All had books come out in 2010. How does it feel to be in that company?

[Laughs.] Oh, I'm not in that company at all. You greatly flatter me. You're very generous, but I'm not in that company at all.

You have a lot of thoughts in your book about common courtesies that seem to have fallen by the wayside, but a lot of its message seems to be: Let's just be nicer to one another.

And acknowledge one another! Have respect for one another. I find it absolutely mind-boggling that one can stand and hold a door for someone, have them not acknowledge it at all, and then the next thing you know there are three people behind them coming through. It's shocking to me how inconsiderate people are, and the many forms that it takes, including simply seeming to be unaware of fellow human beings. I don't get it.

You revealed a lot in this book, both about your personal life and your professional life. Was there anything that, once it was in print, you thought, yikes!

There were things that I really debated about, especially things having to do with me and most particularly the suicide attempt. Little did I know that we would come up against these suicides this fall in the aftermath of all this bullying. But I feel it's important to come clean and be transparent with everyone and say, I didn't have the happiest childhood and I really suffered in that. And I got through it.

What I really want people to pick up from that is that life is a big collaboration. You cannot navigate it alone. And you should never think that you can, because my coming out of that dark period was the result of an intervention. And the suicide attempt was the catalyst for that. That was when everyone stopped and said, He needs serious help now. And of course I resisted initially but it saved me and helped put me on a new path. And then once on the path it became my decision-making about how I was going to navigate that new path. But I wrote that very specifically for younger people to say: Look, life's tough and you can get through this.

Let's talk about Tim Gunn as an arbiter of taste. Something else that comes up in the book: You write that people constantly worry that you're judging their clothes. So, do you have an outfit from the past that makes you cringe when you think about it?

Oh, I have to tell you, almost anything from the 1970s. I mean, that entire decade. The '70s and the '80s, talk about fashion disasters. It was the advent of polyester and bell-bottoms, and it was pretty hideous.

Any egregious holiday-wear, like a reindeer sweater or a light-up Christmas tree tie?

[Laughs.] No, and I don't as an antidote to all the things that my family members favor: There's plenty of light-up ties and Christmas sweaters and tartan plaid pants to go around for everyone. But I don't participate.

Does the Gunn family have any special holiday traditions?

Well, we have a routine. My sister and brother-in-law have a beach house near where my mother is on the Delaware shore. We always gather at their house. I certainly enjoy it and I love my family, but it's...nothing to put in a book. [Laughs.] Just very routine.

Let's take a step into Real Simple territory.

You know, I'm a huge Real Simple fan. I read it every month.

So, then, do you have any new uses for old things?

You know, I rarely reassign things other functions. I am very respectful of what they are and what they do. Which is not to say that Real Simple isn't. But for me, a lamp shade is a lamp shade is a lamp shade, and a vase is a vase is a vase. I read that section all the time and I am fascinated by it, but I actually can't say that I practice it.

You seem like a very organized person: Do you have any organizing tips?

Yes: Go through every closet and drawer at least once every six months, just to do an inventory. I was home over Thanksgiving, so I just did it, and it was not only cathartic, I felt physically lighter. And I felt I had taken stock in what I own. I went through my junk drawer, which I assume everybody has, and asked, Do you really need all these little things? I mean, I light candles about twice a year, do I need all these matches? So it was a good thing to do. I encourage everyone to do their closet and drawer inventory once every six months. I mean, once a year is probably good, too, but if they can, every six months.

Would you answer our top five, most-answered Real Simple Asks questions?

I'd love to know what they are!

Okay, then: Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Oh, morning.

Are you more sweet or salty, food-wise?

Salty.

Are you more inclined to make snap decisions or do you sleep on them?

Boy, that's a very good one. I mean, I'm really a hybrid. Depending upon what the circumstances are and what the context is, I'm capable of either. So in a way, both. I do make snap decisions, but there also times when I think, That's not a snap decision situation. It needs some pondering.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

From the time I get out of bed until the time I leave the apartment? An hour. My hour includes a little bit of puttering, but not as much puttering as I would like to do. If I need to, I can get up, shave, shower, dressed, out in 30 to 35 minutes, if I'm in a rush. But an hour is what it really takes me.

How many hours of sleep do you get every night?

I try to get around six, but I'm usually a little shy of that.

Finally, any 2011 resolutions?

[Laughs.] Well, to get through 2011 and into 2012. And I have to say, since I'll turn 58 next year, to really take care of my health. The older we get the more important it is to really see the doctors we need to see regularly and eat better and exercise. And I'm not a gym person, I've never belonged to a gym, but I do walk a lot. New York is a great city to do that.

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