Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 428

Seeing the Clutter

A few months ago, while cleaning out my basement, I came across a number of black Rubbermaid bins that were filled with my former teaching supplies. My first thoughts after noticing what was in the boxes were, "I kept this crap? Why did I keep all this stuff?!!"

I like to think of myself as being an uncluttered person, yet there were more than four large bins full of things I didn't even know were in my house. At some point over the years, my eyes stopped noticing the bins in the basement and ...

Iron Clothes for Half an Hour, Straighten Out Your Life

As previously reported on this blog, June is pretty much the most hideous month of the year. I realized the other night that one of the reasons my husband and I are still married is because we agree on so many things, like the fact that the three most stressful months of the year are June, December, and September, in that order. (Note to all engaged couples: The stressful-month ranking is a good litmus test for future compatibility. Try it.)

But now June is mostly behind us, and thank God for...

Health Headlines, Ha Ha Ha

Do you ever see a news headline and immediately think that while it's clearly not meant to be overtly funny, it somehow seems like something you could also see on satirical newspaper/website The Onion?

Here's one I saw just recently, and it made me giggle: "Botox May Affect Ability to Feel Emotions." All I could picture was the stereotypically frozen-faced starlet, insisting that she's having a nervous breakdown or is simply distraught beyond belief, but with a face simply stuck in a that hyp...

Custom Calligraphy Stamp from Primele on Etsy

I spotted these beautiful calligraphic return address stamps on Oh Joy! last week, and I'm completely in love with them. I don't yet have return address stickers (maybe due to budget cuts at the various charities that normally send them out to entice you to donate), so this is going on my wishlist. 

From the side they look so unassuming, just like any other old return address stamp.

 

But when you see what is actually printed when you stamp:

It's a lovely surprise.

The stamps are available f...

Jamie Ford Answers Questions...Plus, Your July Book

Hi, Bookies:

First off, your July book is...Dan Chaon's intriguing Await Your Reply. Staff editor Ashley Tate, who will lead July's discussion, will say hi later this week.

Next up: Jamie Ford. The author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet took some time this weekend to answer the questions you had about his book. (By the way, if you've thought of more questions, you haven't missed your opportunity: Jamie is happy to keep answering.) Enjoy!

From Lindsay: I've seen critics call your...

A Makeup Artist's Must-Haves

While on shoot for two days, working away on our fabulous September feature story (sorry, can't spill the beans just yet!), I had the opportunity and privilege to chat with New York City makeup artist extraordinaire, Melissa Silver.

Seriously, she has more talent in her little finger than I have in my entire body and is super sweet too! Basically, I want to be her--that's the short of it. From editorial spreads to personal appointments to weddings...she's done it all. And, through her vast...

Stylish Summer Tray

I'm currently obsessing over these gorgeous canvas trays from iomoi - one of my go-to gift sources. As if the punchy lucite ice buckets and personalized totes weren't enough...

Doesn't it just make you want to shake up some cocktails and get out by the pool?

 

So many whimsical graphics to choose from! A great gift for any summer hostess. 

 

Have you hosted any summer cocktail parties yet? Do tell!   

No Good Deed...

No Good Deed...

Recently, I attended a wedding with a friend who was nice enough to offer me a ride to the festivities. I wasn't sure how late I'd want to stay (I was nine months pregnant at the time), and let him know that if I needed to leave before he did, I could take a train back home. But when the time came, he said he was ready to leave, too, and offered me a ride home, which I gratefully accepted.

But somewhere between New Haven and Brooklyn, he mentioned that he needed to stop off at...

Molly Hatch Ceramicist

The work of Molly Hatch, an American ceramicist living and working in Northampton, Massachusetts, has me quite inspired lately which is why I'd like to share her work with you today. You will love this introduction!

Molly attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she earned her BFA and then at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she received her MFA, her work is becoming increasingly popular and for good reason, it's unique and beautifully crafted. 

 

I...

A Scientific Reason for Why Men and Women Often Don't See Eye to Eye

On the second date with the man who would become my husband, I wore an emerald green coat. I know it is emerald green because that is how the color was listed on the website from which I purchased it. My date, however, complimented me on my blue coat. To which I said, "Thanks! But it's green." He disagreed. Strongly. As did I. We consulted the bartender, a man who simply indicated it was a blue-green. Pfft.

Nearly four years later, I put a new duvet cover on our bed, a birthday gift from my p...