So I was in Houston and Chicago last week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Real Simple and to promote my book. It was a busy/fun/wonderful/action-packed week, which was 95% terrific and 5% awful because I had high heels on for about 80 hours straight. My calves may never be the same. One of the best things about getting out […]
Recent Posts By Kristin van Ogtrop
Please Come Say Hi
So Real Simple is celebrating its 10th anniversary in April, which is wonderful and fun and pride-inducing and, frankly, completely exhausting. We’ve got scores of people on staff working to produce two all-day celebratory events, one in Chicago and one in New York. Details below. I’d love to meet you if you’re in the neighborhood: IN CHICAGO When: Friday, April […]
One Thing That Is Definitely Not Like Childbirth
My book officially comes out two weeks from today, which means that (a) you can actually get it now, if you are so inclined, and (b) I have spent the last year and a half hearing countless people tell me that writing a book is like childbirth. I personally don’t think writing a book is anything at all like childbirth. […]
True or False: People Feel About You the Exact Same Way You Feel About Them
Ok, I realize that is a convoluted sentiment, but bear with me. Last week I had lunch with my old friend Richard, a fellow magazine editor and very entertaining guy. Near the end of lunch, he remarked, “You know, after 50 years of living, I’ve come to realize one thing that is absolutely true: People feel the exact same way […]
Think of Your Life as a Commercial (or, the Secret to Enjoying Your Existence)
I don’t know about you, but I am definitely suffering from P.O.D.: Post-Olympics Depression. Until Monday night, life was just so sparkly! There was always something to look forward to at the end of the day, besides a glass of wine and a warm bed. Drama! Excitement! Surprise! Divas, heroes; courage, pain. Bode! Lindsey! Apolo! And those really cute guys […]
What Is Your Perfect Song?
Last night we had one of those transcendent family moments of absolute happiness; the ones that come somewhat rarely and unexpectedly and make you glad that you decided to have all those kids after all. Eldest, Baby, and I were sitting at the dinner table, the remnants of the meal around us but in no hurry to clean them up. […]
Those Times in Life When You Need Your Tiara
Like millions of Americans, I have been obsessed with the Olympics this past week. So many questions! (Doesn’t Shaun White’s hair ever get in the way? Why is Johnny Weir obsessed with all things Russian? Why doesn’t NBC show curling in prime time? Why do all the snowboard tricks have such bizarre names? Who is the mother of Bode Miller’s […]
I’ll Tell You Some Stories If You’ll Tell Me Some
As some of you know—and as my whole family knows but would like to forget, since it was a semi-obsession all of last year—I’ve written a book that’s coming out on April 1. If you’re a faithful reader of this blog, you might like my book, as they both feature the same crazy main character. I sort of look at […]
Funny Things Your Mother Used to Say That Get Stuck in Your Head. Forever.
This morning I got to work and went into the ladies’ room and happened to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. One expression immediately came to mind: Death warmed over. Death warmed over is what my mother used to say to describe just about any appearance of exhaustion, haggardness, or overall unattractiveness in the face department. As in: […]
Haiti: How Much Do You Show the Kids?
Ever since last Wednesday I’ve been engaging in an internal battle over how much Haiti media exposure—if any—my kids can and should handle. Eldest is 14 and Middle is 11 and although the subject of Haiti has come up at home and in school, my impulse as a parent is to shield them from the stories and images that dominate […]


