Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 84

A Tip for Making Great Holiday Videos

Looking for a way to make your holiday videos really come alive? Take this advice from Adam Cosco, a video expert at CyberLink: Quirky is way more interesting than pristine. That’s right; it’s the imperfect moments that make for great holiday videos. Says Cosco: “Be on the lookout for the not-so-perfect moments—the dishes piled up in the sink after a […]

How to Recycle Your Halloween Costume

After a long weekend of Halloween festivities, you probably have a slew of candy (er, candy wrappers) and discarded disguises on your hands. It’s easy to figure out what to do with all those sweets (hint: make some delicious desserts), but finding a place for worn costumes may present more of a challenge. Instead of tossing the get-up you spent […]

Pretty Cookie Packaging Idea from Loverly

[Photo by Elizabeth Messina on Kiss the Groom] Cookies are always a good idea. Sending guests home with yummy takeaways will make any celebration (wedding, baby shower, birthday party) all the more memorable.  And here’s a presentation idea worthy of a steal: Wrap homemade treats in glassine bags and seal with pretty patterned paper. Find even more unique and creative […]

Today’s Thought

Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com 10 Recipe Ideas for Potatoes Guide to Troubleshooting Your Appliances 10 Unexpected Natural CleanersFiled under: Daily Thought

A Quick Way to Test the Quality of a Fabric

Here’s a trick to use before buying a silk or knit item—and it won’t cost you a thing. Simply pull your potential purchase across width and lengthwise, testing the resilience. Lesser-quality material tends to sag, while higher quality will stay firmer. According to Beth Amason, a fabric coordinator for New York City clothing manufacturer Vandale Industries who has sourced materials […]

A Perfume for a Good Cause

Describing fragrances has been the bane of my beauty editor existence for years. How can I possibly relate to you what something smells like when it contains a blend of eight million notes (fragrance-eeze for specific aromas, such as “rose,” “jasmine,” or my favorite unknowable, “labdanum”)? It would be much easier if I could just give you the actual recipe for […]

Daylight Savings Ends This Weekend!

A quick reminder: If you live in an area that observes Daylight Savings time, it ends Sunday, November 3, at 2:00 a.m. Be sure to turn your clock back one hour—hello, extra hour of sleep! If you’re looking to seize the extra time, check out our ultimate to-do list. (But shut-eye is an excellent way of celebrating, too.)Filed under: Simple […]

How to Make Your Clothes Smell Good

If your clothes are clean but have lost that freshly-laundered smell, Kim Castellano, author of The Dirty Side of Fashion (To buy: $20, fashionfirstaid.com), recommends tossing your garments into the dryer with a sachet of lavender.

Today’s Thought

Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com Lease vs. Buy: The Right Route to a New Car 5 Lessons You Can Learn from Classic Movies How to Prevent Medical-Identity TheftFiled under: Daily Thought

Pumpkin Chips—Just in Time for the Holidays

Want to serve something a little unexpected this season? One of my favorite snack brands, Food Should Taste Good, has introduced a brand-new limited edition tortilla chip flavor that’s perfect for parties right now: Harvest Pumpkin. As soon as you open the bag, you’ll get a big whiff of what’s inside—sweet pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The chips smell just […]