Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 449

Do You Use Cake Mix?

When it comes to kitchen shortcuts, I'll try almost anything that makes baking easier. Some of the other editors in Real Simple's food department think this is a travesty. A cake mix is just a bunch of ingredients you already have in your pantry, they say. True, and I'm happy to let someone else measure them (ditto for pancake mix). I've made my share of "from scratch" desserts and they are almost always a disappointment. Plus, even though I use a mix for the cake, I top it with homemade fro...

Mod Walls Tile Collaborates With Henry Road

Have you heard of Henry Road in California who specializes in modern textiles? I'm a fan of their work and have been ever since they first launched as I know the owner through blogging, Paula Smail, and she's just a delight! I was pleased recently to find out about the collaboration between tile company Mod Walls and Henry Road -- they've teamed up to put Henry Road designs on their Lush line of glass tile. Check them out -- great, right?

 

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Dietary Late Bloomers: What Have You Still Not Tasted?

Spring is here, and as my eyes water and my nose itches with the blooming of the trees and flowers, I was thinking about another kind of blooming—that of one's palate and dietary adventurousness. I was especially reminded of this while talking with a friend yesterday, who confessed that she'd never had a pear or a raspberry until she was about 26. For real! I had to explain to her all about the various varieties of pears and what to look for at the market.

I nearly fell out of my chair when sh...

The May Book Poll Is Open!

Hello, Bookies:

May's choices include both fiction and nonfiction, new works by some of your favorite authors, and a 1999 best-seller that has been credited (rightly or wrongly, discuss amongst yourselves) with establishing the genre of chick lit. RealSimple.com blogger Kate Parker is on tap to lead the discussion of the winning book. Be sure to vote for your favorite by Sunday, April 25.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, by Michael Pollan

Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma,

A Delightful and Charming Wedding

Delightful and Charming really are two of the best words to describe this wedding, which I was fortunate enough not only to attend, but to take part in as a bridesmaid to my dear sweet friend Julia. Her wedding, held in October in beautiful Carmel, California, was the most incredible reflection of herself: beautiful, authentic, thoughtful, creative...and just plain fun. So you can imagine how excited I was for Julia when her wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty earlier this week (and...

Working Mom. Wife. Caregiver.

For the past few days I have been struggling to find a new healthcare provider for my 7-year-old son. He's been having some anxiety about our impending move and it's starting to affect his daily life. Complicating matters is our new health insurance plan with benefits I don't yet fully understand.

I made several phone calls to child psychologists and counseling centers that were never returned. Conducted hours of research on the Internet. Sent e-mails to other moms I know who have had to deal...

In Cases of Emergency, Being Uncluttered and Organized Can Help

I have had a crappy week. My aunt started radiation and chemotherapy to fight her brain tumor, her husband (my uncle) had a heart attack, my cat was diagnosed with cancer, and I tripped on my son's stroller and am now in a wheel chair (torn tendon and severe skin avulsions). This morning, when my coffee grinder broke, I honestly feared I might have a nervous breakdown.

Unfortunately, we all experience weeks like this every once in awhile. Life is full of ups and downs, and this is a rough...

How do You Search for Furniture on Craigslist?

As I mentioned on Monday, I have a new apartment. (I promise I won't bore you with too many posts about it, but it's on my mind this week.) And because it's larger than my old space, and I'm moving in with a new person, we have to get a lot of new furniture with out spending all of our savings.

In the past, I've really only used Craigslist to find apartments—never to find furniture. I did started browsing over the weekend, but short of just scanning the furniture by owner page, I don't really ...

TOMS Shoes Asks Us To Go "One Day Without Shoes"- April 8th

I just looooove kicking my shoes off after a long day. Don't you??

But, I never take the time to think about people you aren't able to do that simple task because they don't have any shoes in the first place. 

Soooo, TOMS shoes is asking us to participate in "One Day Without Shoes," tomorrow April 8th! Keep reading for details....

The TOMS shoes company is not only known for their cute and casual designs, but also their amazing One for One program---where with every pair you purchase, TOMS...

Who have you "stalked" on Facebook?

I admit it – I don't play most of the "games" on Facebook. I don't have a Farm. I won't join the Mafia. I used to be hooked on Scrabble and Jewel Quest. But mostly, the thing I enjoy doing most on Facebook is "stalk" people from my past.



You know what I'm talking about. Someone posts a photo of (or becomes friends with) a former flame, friend, classmate or business associate, and you spend the rest of the night finding that person; looking through their friends; checking out their spouse, fi...