Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 435

Finding Time for Friends

Friendship is on my mind this week.

Reason #1: I'm reading Jefferey Zaslow's The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship.

Reason #2: My birthday earlier this week meant friends old and new were sending cards, e-mail wishes and texts. I even received a phone call from my longtime friend Heather (whom I met in kindergarten).

Reason #3: My friend Kristin and I are sneaking away this afternoon for an early showing of Sex and the City. The release of the movie is being...

Small Touches, Big Impact

Hair accents seem like an after-thought in an accessory world flooded with jewelry, purses, shoes, and more. But, I find that they're rather an affordable investment: They dress up casual hairstyles with minimal effort (clip a flower pin next to a low, messy bun or tuck some bobbi pins near the base of a sleek ponytail) and add laid-back elegance to jeans, jersey dresses, even shorts, in seconds.

This Memorial Day weekend, whether you're lounging poolside or beachside, grilling some tasty...

Put Away Those Pots

With the official start of summer upon us, there's no better time to put away your pots and pans and celebrate easy no-cook summer meals. Fresh, seasonal ingredients make for delicious dishes that can be assembled in minutes - no stovetop or oven required. Think watermelon salad with feta and mint, heirloom tomatoes with mozzarella, or a crisp BLT sandwich. These meals all make me think of summer. Check out some great recipes here. As for my gorgeous Le Crueset pots? Don't worry, they'll be p...

Hello, and Happy Long Weekend!

Hello, Bookies!

As you all know, the June book that swept the poll is the novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford, and I'll be leading the group discussion.

I'm Lindsay Funston, Real Simple's Food Assistant. As my title suggests, I work in a land of edible treasures. Whether I'm testing dozens of pasta sauces or cocktail mixes for the magazine's Road Test column or sampling one of many goodies (cupcakes, macaroons, gourmet potato chips) that are constantly floating around...

Keep Your Music Close to Your Heart—Literally!

File this under "Liz's never-ending search for the best exercise gear for hand's free music listening." While there are great waistpacks, fannypacks, belts, armbands and wristbands for toting your iPod, your keys, or cash, the truth is that they, too, can chafe, bounce, or ride low/high on your torso. And they're just more things to have to remember on your way out the door!

Enter the "Power Pouch" sports bra tank top from Gracie's Gear (pictured at left). It has a zippered, just-the-right-s...

Tell me – What type of technology interests you?

For over a year I have had the privilege of writing on the topic of technology for this, Real Simple's Simply Stated blog. And I've discovered in that time that topic of "technology" is incredibly broad  and ever changing – video games, family organizing sites, gadgets and gizmos – oh my! There is so much to write about, and so little time!



I have also discovered that I am not alone in my fascination with all things technological. I want to thank each of you who have joined the conversation by...

To leave early, or not to leave early, that is the question...

 

 Iused to be a night owl. I would stay up late on weekend nights, and thensleep in the next morning for as long as I physically could, which with my super-sleeping strengthmeant until noon or one. To be honest, it's one of the reasons I put off having kids for solong.   But now that I have two, including a four-month-old baby, my wholesleeping-late persona has been seriously challenged. These days, I'm lucky if Iget to sleep until 6:30 a.m.  But in addition to decimating my belovedsleeping h...

Decorate Tip: Trend-Free Foundation

I may be moving in a few months (yay!) to a brand new flat and if I do, I will need many new things -- especially lighting because my new space will be much larger than my current one so I have to invest in several lamps and pendants so that I can see my way around! I've been researching lighting all week to see what I like, what I can afford (often a very different list!), and what I can live with long term that is not going to date my place in a year because it's a "hot new trend" that...

Looking Chic at the Beach

Like many of you, I'm looking forward to a fun Memorial Day weekend at the beach. There's nothing better than celebrating the official start of summer! The new women's kurtas from Rikshaw Design are all kinds of summer perfection, and I wish I could scoop them up in every color. One of these babies would be perfect to wear for our annual family beach picnic on Sunday night. 

 

 
 

What are your plans for the long weekend? I hope they include some fun in the sun, easy-breezy meals, and ice...

No More Little Bottles

I've been traveling some this year, and have started noticing more soap and shampoo dispensers in hotel room bathrooms. The explanation is that individual bottles of these items create environmental waste and an unjustified expense for hotels. I agree, but it still surprises me each time I see them.

MSNBC recently wrote about the new trend in their article "Hotels dispensing with bathroom clutter":

Pat Maher, the green consultant for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, predicts...