Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 405

Do Successful Women Wear Smart Shoes?

Last week I was at a business event that involved a full-day conference followed by an evening reception, film screening and a late dinner with colleagues. I wore what I judged to be an appropriate outfit for the occasion: fitted skirt, cute top from Banana Republic, cardigan sweater and pointy-toed pumps. I knew the shoes were a risky choice but convinced myself I could make it from 7:30am to 11:00pm because there would be plenty of sitting around. By the end of the night my feet were killing me. Absolutely killing me.

Over dinner, as I whined about my aching feet, a colleague lectured me on my poor choice of shoes. She spoke not in a mean way, but in a matter-of-fact tone that suggested in my 20 years of professional experience I had somehow failed to receive the all important shoes memo.

To: Successful Career Women

Subject: Smart Shoes

"Everyone knows that successful women wear smart shoes," she explained.

I wanted to press her on exactly who those successful women were. Hilary Clinton? Elana Kagan? Angelina Jolie? I immediately began assembling my defense.

They're actually comfortable as long as I'm not running through a museum trying to wrangle talent, I thought. But I knew it was no use. I scanned the floor and took note of my colleague's shoes, and then the shoes of the two other women with us.

Flats.

"Erin, someone somewhere convinced you that those shoes were necessary. Why?"

"Because they look good," I replied.

Fast forward to this week. As I packed my suitcase for the third time in as many weeks I momentarily considered my choice of shoes. And then I crammed my feet into a pair of brown tortoise shell thick-heeled pumps and headed to the airport.

It was rainy outside when my husband dropped me curbside. As I strutted into the terminal, my laptop bag heavy on my shoulder and my rollerboard suitcase in tow, I slipped and fell flat on both knees, my hands protecting my face from making impact with the floor. I may have even let out a tiny yelp.

Three baggage handlers on a coffee break tried unsuccessfully to restrain their laughter. Humiliated, I rose up and smoothed my trousers before continuing on to the ticket kiosk. My face was hot when a counter agent approached to ask if I was alright.

"It's your shoes, isn't it?" he asked with concern.

In the back of my mind I heard my colleague saying, "Successful women wear smart shoes."

And maybe the rest of us, I thought, wear stupid heels.



So which do you prefer? Heels or flats?

Are You Gaga for Apples During the Fall?

Hello, readers! I am thrilled to say that I am one of the newest bloggers to SimplyStated. My name is Lindsay and I am the Food Assistant at Real Simple. What does that mean exactly? Yes, I eat--a lot--but I also write about food (I've covered everything from your microwave to ribs to cocktail mixes, one of my personal favorites). I'm not a trained foodie, but I am learning how to cook with the help of Real Simple's delicious, easy recipes. On the blog, I will cover interesting food news and trends, tasty products I stumble upon, and behind-the-scenes moments at the Real Simple test kitchen. Hungry yet?

With fall in full swing, I have been thinking about and eating a lot of apples. I want to make my own cider, my second attempt (from-scratch dough is so testy!) at a classic apple pie, and, best of all, pick my own! I have always wanted to go to an orchard and P.M.O. ever since moving to the East Coast (Californians don't do that type of thing). And I finally will this month: I am headed to Connecticut next weekend---there aren't many orchards in New York City! (Head to pickyourown.org for info on where to pluck the fruit in your area.) I know you're supposed to pick ones from the outer branches, where the apples tend to be ripest, but does anyone have any other good tips? Or any apple variety that I must try?

L'Oreal's Latest (and Limited Edition) Launch

L'Oreal's newest limited edition collection, Midnight Muse, is a stunning set of vampy shades for eyes, lips, and nails that'll leave you looking alluringly mysterious, not Twilight-obsessed.

 

PRO Manicure polishes include shimmering blood red and eggplant hues while the Colour Riche lipsticks promise to coat mouths in saturated mauve, deep plum, and berry stains. Colour Riche Glosses, in high-shine raisin and rose tints, are softer alternatives to these intensely pigmented (but so sexy) shades.

 

To deck the eyes, try HIP Studio Secrets Eye Shadow duos in mauve/dark gray, brown/gold, olive/stormy blue for smoky lids and and better-than-liquid (they sweep on so easily and stay put!) eyeliner pencils in intense black, brown, and violet.

This collection is only available through the end of October at drugstores. Though all of the shades on very on-trend and super flattering, my favorites are the Colour Riche Lipcolour in Berry Alluring and PRO Manicure in Femme Noir.

 

 

How do you usually change up your makeup in the fall and winter? Do you switch to darker shades or stick with lighter hues?

Money Rant of the Week: Buying Airline Tickets

 

As someone who loves to travel, I'm willing to put up with some of those less-than-thrilling experiences you must endure to get from point A to point B when you're flying. (Really, I can handle going without peanuts or pretzels or even a pillow, the 3 oz. toiletry rule, and even the frustration that one airport let me through security with my cuticle clippers only to have them confiscated at another airport during my return trip.)

 

 

But what sends me over the edge is the game I have to play every time I go to buy plane tickets. A sampling of what goes through my head:

 

What are the chances that the price will go up if I don't buy RIGHT NOW?

 

Is that really the lowest the price is ever going to be?

 

How is the price for tickets nine months from now that high? I could see nine days, but not nine months!

 

Do I use an online ticket website (like Expedia.com) or order them directly from the airline? Does it ever make sense to buy over the phone? And what about through a travel agent?

 

Should I buy a more expensive ticket if that airline doesn't charge me to check my luggage?

 

Despite all the neurotic thoughts, I have no answers. And with each flight I purchase, these voices in my head get a little louder. (Joking.)

 

I've been obsessively checking prices on Kayak.com (a website that aggregates prices from both airline and clearinghouse sites) trying to get a good deal on tickets for a vacation that the husband and I are taking next month. And unfortunately, I lost the game—the prices jumped $120. Per ticket. So now I'm left mad at myself that I didn't make the purchase sooner. And I'm $240 poorer.

 

I had suck it up and paid the higher fee—for the exact same tickets. I think that's the most infuriating thing, you know? Paying more for the same uncomfortable cardboard seat. And also the fact that there really isn't any logical reason for the price to jump. It's not like the higher price gets me a seat that actually reclines or one that comes with a plastic bottle of wine. (Nope, that still costs an additional $7.) From now on, once I click that "buy now" button, I'm going to register my reservation with Yapta.com. That way, if the price actually goes down before the travel date, I'll receive an email from the site alerting me that I am entitled to a refund for the difference in price.

 

Which maybe I'll use to buy some over-priced snacks at the airport.

 

Are you as frustrated as I am about buying plane tickets? How do you guarantee that you're getting the best deal? Sound off below.

Day 3: Turkey Burgers with Romaine Slaw

Our third brave chef is Kaitlyn Pirie a reporter in our research department. Like Claudia she checks the facts in our stories and also helps out with reporting if a story needs some additional information.


Any cooking skills that I possess stem from an eagerness to experiment and "just see what happens." Thankfully, the Turkey Burgers with Romaine Slaw secured itself a spot on my list of successful experiments.

The whole thing came together rather quickly and I was able to prepare the slaw while the burgers cooked. I confess that I substituted white balsamic vinegar for white wine vinegar in the slaw because that's all Trader Joe's had in stock, and I don't mind the sweeter taste. I also couldn't find my grater amongst the clutter of moving into a new apartment so I resorted to cutting the carrots into small, thin slices rather than grating them. As long as you don't mind slaw with a bit more heft, this technique will suffice.

I'm generally not a carrot person, and the thought of topping my turkey burgers with a carrot mixture made me a little uneasy, but with this recipe I've discovered a new tasty way to incorporate carrots into my diet. The sweet and tangy qualities of the slaw complimented the scallions in the burgers, and it reminded me of summer. I can't wait to try these on the grill sometime.

 

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how you liked it in the comments, and share your photos by following @RealSimpleFood on Twitter and using the hashtag #OctDinner.

Your Final Round of Questions for Farnoosh Torabi

During the month of September (and in this case a little belated into October), our Real Simple Family financial expert, Farnoosh Torabi will be answering a few of your family financial questions. And you can read more of Farnoosh's advice for Real Simple readers in the article from our 2010 issue of Real Simple Family: What Does It Cost to Raise Your Family?

 

Here's the final set of questions for Farnoosh:

 

 

I need your advice Farnoosh!

I am a recent college graduate that also just got engaged. My fiancé and I now have "real" jobs in the "real" world. Combined, we're bringing home around $62,000. After budgeting, we have about $350 each per month for personal spending. Divided into 4 weeks that roughly $85/week. Most of my friends are making and budgeting the same as I am but I see them spend tons more on personal/recreation expenses. Where/How are they getting all that extra cash? Am I missing some vital piece of the equation here?
 
Please help!
Ashley
 
Hi Ashley,
 
We never really know what's going on in people's personal financial lives but if your friends truly earn and budget the same as you and your fiancé, it's possible they're paying for expenses on a credit card and carrying a balance month to month, or perhaps they're getting some financial help from family? Don't worry about them. Stay focused on your goals and living below your means. While $85 a week may not seem like a ton of money, know that there are new and better ways to stretch your dollars when you eat out or go for a night on the town. Some of my top tips for having fun on a dime are:
 

Sign Up for Daily Deals. Sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, and BuyWithMe offer daily deals on restaurants and entertainment.  Also check out MyHappyHour for updated listings of drink and food specials near you.
Order appetizers at restaurants instead of entrees. In most restaurants, the portions are still plenty and you save 50%. Or ask if the chef can make you an appetizer portion of anything on the menu, which again can lower your dinner bill.
Eat the bar. There you can eat well at a fraction of the price if you stick to the bar menu—and I'm not just talking fish and chips. Many restaurants are offering fancy food on the cheap while eating at the bar. You can easily save 30 percent off your normal dining bill.
Get discounted movie tickets. If you're a Costco or AAA member you can get discounted movie tickets which can save you as much as 40 percent off the cinema price. Tickets are valid for any movie at the theater. More money for popcorn!

 

Farnoosh,
 
I will be needing to purchase a newer used car in the next year and will need to get a loan. How much of a down payment should I have, where should I look first for the best car loan rates, and what percentage of my monthly household income can I set aside for monthly payments? We own our own home.

Thanks,
 Michele

Hi Michele,
 
Good idea going for a used car, since new cars lost 40% of their value as soon as you drive them off the dealer's lot. Just make sure that whatever you buy, it's certified and still comes with a warranty. As far as a down payment, you want to have at least 10 to 15% in cash upfront (that's equal to the first year's depreciation on a used vehicle). But also know that the more you offer to pay in cash the more you can haggle down the sticker price. If you have 20% or more to offer upfront, you can really negotiate.
 
To find the best car loan rates comparison shop at your local banks and credit unions. You can also check out rates at bankrate.com. The dealer may offer its own financing, but check out rates elsewhere before signing a deal. You are not obligated to finances the car through the dealership. Make sure whatever loan you get that you can be done paying off the car in 3 years or less.
 
When budgeting for a car I say no more than 15% of your take-home pay on car payments and insurance. So, for example, if you net $5,000 a month, that's $750 a month for both the car payment and insurance.
 
Some additional sites that can help answer your car buying questions include Edmunds.com and ConsumerReports.org.
 

Dear Farnoosh,
 
How do you set up a budget when your income is not a steady rate? My husband is self-employed and his income varies from week to week. How do I budget and save for the future when I don't know what his income will be from week to week or even month to month? This is something that I have battled with for years. Please consider answering this question. I would be so grateful.
 
Thank you,
Patty
 

Dear Patty,
 
As someone who is also self-employed, I have felt your anguish! The most important piece of your family's budget when you have inconsistent income is savings. Your income is almost a game of wait and see, so to keep you sleeping well at night, make sure your savings account is being replenished well and often.
 
Every month take 10% out of your checking account and put it in a savings account. Each time your husband gets paid, also make sure he is also automatically placing 10% (at least) into savings.  Do so until you have eight or nine months of your living expenses paid accounted for. As for retirement, take another 5 to 10% of your monthly earnings and put that into a tax-advantaged retirement account like an IRA (individual retirement account) if you're not already. The limit this year is $5,000 per IRA. Self-employed individuals can also set up a SEP-IRA (simplified employee pension IRA), which allow for bigger annual contributions. 

 

A big thank you to Farnoosh for blogging for us this month!

 

About Farnoosh Torabi

Farnoosh's financial advice has been featured in the pages of Real Simple, People, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Glamour, and The New York Post, as well as on The Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, and Thew View. Her second book Psych Yourself Rich comes out in September 2010. Find out more about Farnoosh on her website Farnoosh.tv.

Amy Butler Shower Curtains

When it comes to shower curtains, I often have a hard time finding exactly what I like. As a result, I am forced to get creative and whip up one using bed linens and a plastic liner -- something I learned from my mother since she always made them for our home. Thankfully though, over the years som great shower curtains have emerged and can be found at stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target but still... I think that there is still a gap when it comes to finding ones that feel feminine yet modern without either being contemporary or Shabby Chic. Perhaps Amy Butlers' new line can fill the niche? Her new shower curtains are in her "midwest modern" style which is feminine, colorful, modern and even a bit country rolled into one.

In addition to being bright and stylish, they are eco-friendly using organic materials showing that going green need not be boring or beige. Amy has bath towels, bedding, wallpaper, books, and so much more in her signature style that you can most likely find something to appeal to your taste and style. Her shower curtains will be available on her website and at Bed, Bath & Beyond soon.

What do you think? Do you like them? Would you own one?

(images: david butler)

Are You Considering Pet Adoption?

October is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)'s Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. I asked Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA Adoptions Center, to list her top considerations for making your best match.



Choosing Your Pet



1) Good Behavior Counts



Gail's Take: Don't judge a book by its cover.  All too often, decisions are made solely based on a pet's appearance. Instead, ask the animal shelter for information on a pet's behavior and if there's been an evaluation.



My Take: Looks will only get you so far. The temperament of the animal is much more important. 



2) Are You Compatible?



Gail's Take: It's important to think about your family's lifestyle and household members. Is your home more like Grand Central Station or a library? How will a new pet impact other pets or children in the home? Is every member of the family on the same page about what will be involved in the new pet's care?



My Take: Don't just consider the compatibility question from your perspective. Think about how much play interaction your pet will expect from you, and choose accordingly. 



3) Old Age is Underrated



Gail's Take: Puppies require a lot of attention and time. Kittens have higher care requirements than older cats. Kittens are most awake and active around 4:00 AM. The ASPCA frequently receives calls about kittens who are hanging from the drapes or the highest available place they can climb.



My Take: 4:00 AM is not my finest hour.  I appreciate an older pet who's discovered the merits of sleeping in.



4) Active or Not? Energy Matters



Gail's Take: This topic requires household discussion. If family members know that they prefer watching TV to going for a run, they're better off choosing a dog that fits their lifestyle--say a lap dog versus a high-energy level dog. Many people think that small dogs are calmer but the inverse is true--larger dogs are often mellow and can require less exercise than a small, hyper dog, depending on the individual dog.



My Take: The sneaker has to fit. If you don't love to exercise, consider a less active dog who will share your philosophy, especially on a hot, muggy day.



5) The Cost of Pet Adoption



Gail's Take: Most animal shelters and rescues have a fee, which is minimal when you consider the costs they have already assumed for services such as spaying or neutering, microchipping, and vaccinating your future pet.  Puppies and kittens are in high demand as are small dogs, and thus are a little more expensive. People are encouraged to adopt pairs of kittens rather than single kittens as this improves their socialization and saves another animal's life.



My Take: Caring for a pet comes with costs--vet visits, medicine, pet insurance, food, treats, toys, dog walkers, kennels--but at least you won't have to pay for a college education! 



Bringing Your Pet Home



6) Timing is Everything



Gail's Take: You don't want to adopt a pet and then go away on vacation shortly thereafter. It's best to adopt when you can devote time to the adjustment of the pet in the home, providing your undivided attention for at least 36 hours.



My Take: An ideal time to transition a pet into your home is during a staycation, when there will be ample time for bonding and getting used to each other's routines.



Caring for Your Pet



7) Setting the Rules



Gail's Take: Ask about a pet's level of training and then weigh that against the amount of training you and your family intend to do. Consider your lifestyle: Are you around the house during the day to house-train your pet, monitor behavior, and reward good behavior? Remember, the best way to train a pet is to consistently reward him for behaving the way you want him to, and you have to be home with him to do this--especially for a puppy! If instead, you work long hours outside the home and have an inflexible schedule, you might consider a pet who already knows a thing or two about obedience and training.



My Take: If a pet's already graduated from basic training, you can still set the rules that apply in your home. Just be consistent--either a dog is or is not allowed up on the bed--you can't expect him to avail himself of this privilege only on weekends.



8) Learn What Your Pet Needs



Gail's Take: Some people come to a shelter without knowing if they want to adopt a cat or a dog. One species' care requirements can differ from another's and also one animal can differ from another. An animal might need to take a pill every day or have specific grooming needs. Grooming for non-shedding dogs or long-haired cats is actually a necessity for proper health, since the failure to provide professional grooming can lead to hair-matting which can cause problems such as skin irritation and bruising.



My Take: The next time someone mocks my dog's grooming regimen, I'll remind them that it's health-related. He gets a full salon treatment complete with shampoo and blow-dry, pedicure, teeth-brushing, and other indignities not worth detailing here.



Are you considering adopting a pet? Have you adopted pets before and how did you decide he or she was the one for you?

For questions to ask when visiting a shelter and how to get the most out of your visit, read the ASPCA's complete guide to adopting a shelter dog.

Secrets of the Super-Healthy: How DO They Fend off Colds??

I was talking to my daughter's babysitter the other day, noting that I was headed to the doctor to get my yearly flu shot. She's in her late 50s and announced, proudly, that she'd never gotten a flu shot, ever. And that she rarely gets sick. In fact, she said that she's always been this way; it's not like she was cold-and-flu prone as a younger woman and then as an older woman she's become more resilient. It's simply always been this way for her. (Lucky, huh!?)

But it got me thinking, and then prompted me to dig into a book I'd been sent a while ago called The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick, by Gene Stone. (It goes on sale October 20th.)

Most of the time, doctors explain the fact that older people sometimes get fewer colds on the fact that they've simply lived longer and therefore been exposed to more strains of viruses, therefore building up a wider base of resistance. But for other people, there are habits and practices that may also contribute to their impermeability in the face of all those germs.

In the book, Stone interviews 25 different people who self-report their good health, and gets the skinny on 25 different "secrets"—most of which he even tries himself. There's the person who swears by daily cold showers and the ones who does yoga religiously; there's someone who ingests enough garlic to scare a vampire, to another person who dunks his head in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water every day...Others credit running, napping or a relentlessly positive attitude for their hale and hearty existences. Stone looks at all these tactics and weaves in the relevant research (if any) that's been done on it.

And while I'm not about to start taking icy baths or eating dirt, the book is fascinating and compelling... and I did add an extra clove of garlic to my stir fry the other night! Perhaps I'll be able to fend off the next wave of germs...or maybe I'll just end up with garlic breath. For advice on how to incorporate six of the most proven cold-prevention strategies, check out this list. And if you're already sniffing and sneezing, get information and help here and here.

 

Can I avoid laptop lap burn?

Anyone who has worked/played with their notebook computer on their lap could not be surprised by reports yesterday and today that the devices can get hot. But who knew that they could actually cause mild burns to your thighs (and really, there are few places worse than your upper thighs to get burned)?



Personally, I have resorted to some of the tactics demonstrated on the news today for keeping my lap cool, including using a throw pillow to separate my computer from my lap. But, according to Becky Worley on Good Morning America, that can block the vents on my computer, causing it to work harder.



So what's a gal to do? I could sit at a desk (which after a long day in the office is not going to happen), or I could invest in one of these solutions:



Lap Desk ($59.95) The LapDeskLady on Etsy has some really cute variations on the traditional lap desk. Each desk combines my pillow solution with a flat desk surface, but in a wide variety of colors and patterns (I really like the zebra stripe, pictured above).



Compact Laptop Desk ($29.99) For something a lot less bulky and more portable, there is the Targus compact laptop. The vented surface protects your legs, but still allows the air to flow.



HeatShift Laptop Cooler ($29.99 for 15") According to the web site, the laptop cooler contains crystals which absorb the heat from your computer. Heat is absorbed and dissipated to cooler areas by melting the crystals into a gel which reforms into a solid when the pad isn't in use.



Dave Laptop Table ($17.99) The most affordable option may be my favorite, a cute laptop table from Ikea (pictured at right)! I can put it next to the couch when I'm trying to work/surf Facebook and watch Grey's Anatomy, then hide it in a closet when I don't need it.



How do you prevent your laptop from heating up your lap?