Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 440

Should Children Be Welcome at Fancy Restaurants?

When I take my nephews out for dinner in NYC, I try to choose a restaurant that I know will be loud, hectic, have kid-acceptable items on the menu, and doesn't have a theme (to me, a theme pretty much guarantees a terrible meal). What I gravitate toward are high-end burger and pizza places like BLT Burger (those milkshakes are amazing) and Otto. Would I ever consider taking them to the highly acclaimed Gramercy Tavern? Probably not. Until now...

CNN.com recently reported about tots eating at...

Shades of Light

Are you looking for something to light up your life? A lamp maybe? I've shopped for clients at Shades of Light in the past and always founds their lighting to be of good quality and value. Have you checked out their selection lately? Shipping is usually fast and reliable and everything arrives packed extremely well -- I've never had to deal with breaks or disappointment of any kind. Has this been your experience too?  

They even stock eco-friendly lighting that is stylish and modern, like...

Lilly & Van's Bright and Breezy Style on QVC Tomorrow

I'm not a big TV-shopper (you know, QVC...HSN...etc). I guess I'm just not in front of my television enough to capitalize on all the great deals. And oh boy, there are some great finds. Luckily my mother and grandmother had the time and credit cards to do some QVC damage and I luckily got to partake in all the goodies (it also helps when the QVC headquarters and store...yes, they have store...are located near my hometown in PA). 

I digress.

With all that said, I wanted to tell you about the...

Perfect Can Be the Enemy of the Good

Back when I was teaching U.S. and British literature, each semester I would have a student who was extremely bright and capable but who had a difficult time turning in assignments. These students were typically so concerned with getting everything perfect on an assignment that they would be paralyzed by fear of finishing the work. Instead of turning in something with mistakes in it, they wouldn't turn in the assignment at all.

Many people have a similar problem with organizing. The idea is...

Here's a Question for You, Bookies

As always, it comes from our friends down the hall on the print side of Real Simple; your answer could appear in the September issue. And the question is:

What is the most memorable book you read in school?

And, of course, why? Did you bawl your eyes out while reading Wilson Rawls' Where the Red Fern Grows, stumble your way through Plato's Symposium, devour Madame Bovary? Please include the title and the author as you tell us know why this particular book comes to mind when you think back on...

BUILT Fishnet Laptop Sleeve Discount & Giveaway....That's Right, Fishnet!

Fishnets aren't just for your legs anymore....Ooo la la!

Thanks to our friends at the BUILT bag company, that sexy, slinky and sophisticated fishnet look can now be donned by your laptop! The slits allow your computer to shine through, while still keeping it protected. Perfection.

The sleeves, retailing for $30, are made of a stain-resistant neoprene (aka wetsuit material) that stretch to fit over 14-15 inch laptops. And don't worry about taking it off at the airport--the sleeves are...

Small Appliances That Are Worth the Space

Juicers and coffee makers and toaster ovens, oh my! It seems like there are a million different small kitchen appliances designed to take up precious counter space. But how many of them are actually worth it in terms of cost, electricity usage, and of course, space?

I have a short list of appliances that I think are "worth it," as I'm sure you do too. I also have a list of appliances that I'm on the fence about, and I would love to hear if any of them are on your must-have list.

Here's my...

Trina Turk Home

When I first started heard about fashion designer Trina Turk looking to launch a home line, I felt a tingle of excitement as so often I've looked at her clothes and imagined them as soft furnishings for the home. There are many prints and patterns in the fashion world that can easily cross over to interiors and Trina Turk's bold patterns and colorways is a stunning example of this. In this collection you can find table linens, rugs, towels, pillows and candles... let's have a look at a few...

Pick Your June Book!

Hello, Bookies:

So what's in the mix this time? Everything from a debut novel to an indisputable classic, a short story collection to intriguing historical fiction. Real Simple Food Assistant Lindsay Funston will lead next month's discussion of the winning book. Pick your favorite of the four below by Sunday, May 23!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford

Ford's debut novel, set in the Seattle of World War II, is a story of love young and old, familial relationships across...

Grow into Gardening, Plus a Giveaway

Each Tuesday in May we will have a guest post from Jessie Atchison, brand manager for Burpee Home Gardens,
about how to start your own vegetable garden. They are also giving away
eight complete garden starter kits. Click here for the original post and giveaway details.

So you want to grow your own vegetables this year? Great!You're not alone. According to the 2009 Edibles Gardening Trends ResearchReport, nearly 7.7 million households were new to vegetable gardening in 2009. The key to a...