Kristin is an assistant editor at Real Simple, where she reports and writes for several sections of the magazine, including Solutions, Body, and Life.

As a recent transplant to New York City from Kansas City, she continually strives to maximize the little space she has in her Harlem apartment, while trying to fit in all kinds of DIY projects on the weekends. Next on her crafting agenda: printing her own letterpress stationery, and figuring out if there’s enough room in apartment to start silk-screening again.

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Jim Baker is the editorial development director of REAL SIMPLE, where he has worked for almost five years. In his role, he oversees the brand’s extensions—among them special issues (Travel, Family), books (Weddings, Celebrations), the Real Simple line of products, this website, and the International editions (Japan, South America, Greece). He is also involved with the new REAL SIMPLE TV show on TLC. He began his career with the launch of TIME OUT NEW YORK in 1995 and has worked at US and GLAMOUR. He is an adjunct professor at New York University and is struggling in his spare time to learn Spanish. (Hard, when you’re 44.) He lives in Westchester, New York. 

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Holly Becker is a writer and interior design consultant who presides over one of the web's top design blogs, decor8.

Her love for design began early: When Becker was a child growing up in coastal South Carolina, her mother -- herself a talented decorator, landscape designer, seamstress, and painter -- never knew where her young daughter would move the sofa next. She often accompanied her mother to garden shops and flea markets and loved assisting her in decorating the family home which was constantly being tweaked for as long as Becker can remember. Her family instilled in her a love for creating things by hand, an entrepreneurial spirit, a reverence for nature, and a passion for renovating and decorating.

During a decade-long stint in the corporate world, where she worked in communications and facilities management, Becker oversaw office space redesigns, handled employee relocations, and helped plan large building projects. She also led volunteer efforts for various nonprofit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and Project Bread, heading up home-renovation teams, organizing park clean-ups, and pounding nails at home-construction sites.

Through this work and from the encouragement of her peers and family, Becker realized her twin passions: Interior design and design writing, and decided to branch out on her own to pursue them. Her independent design firm was launched in May 2005 and her design blog, decor8, followed in January 2006, growing from a few dozen readers in the early days to a daily worldwide audience that currently numbers more than 17,000.

In addition to her blog, design practice, and work with Real Simple, Becker has contributed to Domino magazine, The Boston Globe, HGTV.com, HGTV Ideas magazine, Boston magazine, Adorn, ApartmentTherapy.com, Filly.ca, as well as writing for companies in both the U.S. and Europe.

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Heath is not a gardener. He is a busy person, just like you. He gets home from work and wants a quick meal and often that meal is reworked leftovers or take-out sushi.

A few years ago, Heath and his boyfriend Stephen purchased a small weekend house in The Pocono region of Pennsylvania and it came with some property. That land now hosts his very own Victory Garden: a mix of vegetables, flowers, and fruits.

During the week you can find Heath working as the art director of Real Simple and living in Queens. However on weekends he escapes to Pennsylvania and toils in the garden. Early in the morning to late afternoon you can find him carting dirt around, planting seeds and seedlings, weeding, or napping in his hammock.

All this labor yields some mighty tasty ingredients that are combined with what’s in season at the Farmer’s Market and what’s on sale at the local Shop Rite grocery story. The results are some pretty amazing meals, which remind Heath there are dinner options beyond fast-food pizza.

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Corynne L. Corbett is the executive editor of Real Simple. She currently works directly with the fashion, beauty, and food departments and oversees all staff development. Before assuming this role, Corbett was the beauty & wellness director at the magazine. Prior to joining Real Simple she was the editor-in chief of Heart & Soul and served as editor-in chief and executive editor of Mode. She also spent a number of years as a freelance writer and has written for a number of publications including Essence, Self, and Town & Country. Corbett spent the early years of her career in the beauty department of Elle. She still loves all things that can make one beautiful inside and out. She is addicted to Pilates and lives in Essex County, New Jersey.

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Margit Detweiler, editorial director for RealSimple.com, is getting hitched this July! In “Nearly Wed” she shares wedding tips and tricks, kvetches and giggles about the mania of marriage, and shamelessly solicits advice from you, dear reader. Really, she’s just your average bride. The mission? Keep it simple.

Before joining Real Simple, Margit held posts as executive editor for EverydayHealth.com and as the editorial director for AOL Health and AOL CityGuide. She worked for 10 years as Managing Editor and Music & Style Editor at the Philadelphia City Paper where she won several awards for her writing and editing. She’s written for the Village Voice, Nylon, Rolling Stone, Bust, Beliefnet.com and many others.

Margit lives in Manhattan with her fiancé and two cranky cats.

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I write about technology as a blogger and a mom who wants to cut through the tech glitz to find the gadgets and tools that help us get through the day a little easier, a little smarter, and a little saner. I've been blogging about technology and family for the past two years on Yahoo! Tech after many years as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and freelance writer.

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Erin Rooney Doland is Editor-in-Chief of Unclutterer.com, a website providing daily articles on home and office organization. With the motto "A place for everything and everything in its place," one might incorrectly assume that the writers are rigid, high-maintenance neatniks. The truth is that the Unclutterers are simply people who have found that being organized provides them with more time and less stress in their lives so that they can enjoy the things that truly matter.

Erin was once a pack rat who held on to objects like her third grade math assignments and every note she passed in high school. When she moved into an 850 sq. foot, one bedroom apartment with her husband in downtown D.C., however, she realized that it was time to change her ways. Now, she is committed to a simple lifestyle and reaps its benefits. She believes in buying quality over quantity, and experience has taught her that a clean, uncluttered home is an essential component of a remarkable life.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas, William Allen White School of Journalism, and her master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. She has worked in public affairs for political and economics' groups, taught high school English, and paid for college by spinning tunes as a disc jockey at a commercial radio station. Writing and organization are two of her greatest passions, and her job at Unclutterer allows her to combine these while working
with an amazing staff of writers, researchers, and programmers.

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Lygeia Grace is the senior food editor of Real Simple, where she writes and edits regular columns like “Fake It, Don’t Make It,” the Real Simple “Road Test,” and “What’s In Season,” in addition to helping conceive and produce recipe and entertaining features.

Though she's devoted to all things delicious, she's also passionate about home design and she has combined these interests as an editor at magazines such as House & Garden, Organic Style, and O, the Oprah Magazine, among others. A born and bred New Yorker, Lygeia lives in Manhattan with her husband, daughter, and two goldfish. She swears that this will be the summer when she finally gets her driver’s license.

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Liz Krieger is a senior editor at Real Simple, where she covers health, fitness, and general wellness topics. She’s had a lifelong interest in health and fitness—starting with 10 years of gymnastics as a child, then continuing to competitive tennis (high school) and water polo (college), hiking, kayaking or rafting vacations (throughout), and these days, staying fit through yoga and running. Since moving to New York City five years ago, she’s run six half-marathons—and is contemplating trying for the full 26.2 miles some day.

Her interest in health, science and medicine, in particular, has led many friends to nickname her “Dr. Krieger” and seek health advice—a fact which is surely appalling to the actual doctors she’s friends with, since she merely attained a bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literature (from Brown University).

When not trying out new fitness gadgets and gear, or attempting to make sense of the latest health study or scientific news, Liz battles a fairly entrenched addiction to diet soda and Doritos, a gargantuan sweet tooth, and an inability to be coherent much later than 10:30 pm. She lives in New York City with her fiancé and their dog, Franny. Thankfully, her fiancé does most of the late-night dog walks.

Prior to working at Real Simple, Liz worked at Health, WebMD.com, More, and Allure.

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Allie Lewis Clapp was named Food Director for Real Simple in February 2008. She runs the Real Simple food department, shaping the magazine’s monthly food content, developing recipes, and overseeing the brand’s food content across multimedia platforms.

She was previously Deputy Food Editor for Everyday Food magazine at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, where she served as a co-host on the PBS series, Everyday Food since 2005. She was a contributor at sister publication, Blueprint, and made frequent appearances on NBC, Today and Martha. Lewis Clapp joined MSLO in 2002 as part of the Everyday Food launch team.

Prior to that, Allie was an event coordinator at Tentation Special Events Catering, Food & Beverage Director for Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill and Bolo restaurants, as well as chef/owner of Aubergine Catering & Event Consulting. She has also held a number of posts in the restaurant industry, including a stint in Paris, France.

She was trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and received a BA in Economics from Yale University. She currently lives in New York City with her husband.

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Michelle Madhok is Founder of SheFinds.com and MomFinds.com, online publications distributed via e-mail and blogs that help busy women everywhere shop the web for the latest beauty and style finds.

A widely regarded expert in online shopping, Michelle is also the style columnist for and a contributing editor for MSN Shopping, Cotton Incorporated and the American Heart Association. Her style and shopping tips have been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines, radio and television interviews, including Metro newspapers in New York and Boston,Women's Wear Daily, The Tyra Banks show, NBC, Investor's Business Daily, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Post, and the Washington Post.

Prior to launching SheFinds, Michelle enjoyed a career in new media. First, she was the Director of Entertainment Marketing for CBS Broadcasting New Media and then she was the Group Director of Editorial Products for women and oversaw all content for women at AOL. Michelle has a BS in Communications from UC Berkeley and a MS in Marketing from Northwestern University. She currently resides in New York City.

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Welcome readers! Since you’re here, we can only assume you have some interest in learning more about how technology can simplify your life. Whether you are an avid tech user, or a Blackberry virgin, we’re here to help. Because let’s be honest, there’s something exhilarating about coyly responding to work emails from your hand-held device while attending your kid’s school play.

Most women we know have a love/hate relationship with technology. Instinctively, we all know tech can be good. But it takes a lot of time to get up to speed on how it all works. Our goal is to get you using your tech to your advantage. Work out to great playlists you find on iTunes. IM your husband to say “get milk on the way home.” Videochat with the grandparents. Use your Blackberry to its full potential!

So who are we to be delivering you tech advice? Well, we’re not computer programmers or high tech professionals. Fact is, we’re probably a lot like you: crazy busy moms who have too many commitments and too few hours in the day. Erin is a self-employed publicist who promotes media projects and Kristin is a vice president at a marketing and advertising agency. In our “spare” time, we produce and co-host a weekly podcast called “Manic Mommies” and run a companion website at ManicMommies.com.

When we’re not working, blogging, or podcasting, we’re spending time with our supportive husbands and little kids. Erin has two boys (3 and 5) and a husband who never grocery shops, but who’s great about folding laundry. Kristin also has two young ones (boy 5 and girl 2) and a husband who is a hobby carpenter. We became fast friends in 2003 when we realized we were both working moms trying to do it all—and having a difficult time with it some days. In our suburban Boston neighborhood that was the exception, not the rule.

We hope you’ll come back and read our posts regularly and share with us your own challenges/frustrations/successes with technology. Just don’t expect us to interpret those error messages coming out of your computer. Even the most tech-savvy manic mommies know when it’s time to call in the pros.

Kristin Brandt and Erin Kane a.k.a the Manic Mommies

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I'm a pretty serious foodie -- and have been since the age of 3. That’s when, dressed in an apron and standing on a stool, I garnered my first of many kitchen souvenirs: I cut myself slicing something -- I can't remember what now -- with my parents’ serious kitchen knives as I tried to help make dinner.

I grew up in kitchens that were social places. They were lived in, not just cooked in. My grandparents owned a restaurant in Queens, NY. The menu was made up of traditional recipes, many of which were from my great-grandmother's kitchen. I remember Friday night dinners at the restaurant’s designated family table and sneaking into the kitchen, if only just to catch a glimpse of what was being put into the pot next.

At Yale I was an anthropology major and, not surprisingly, was more interested in the cultural aspect of food than the mating rituals of primates. So when graduation came, I knew my next step had to be something related to food.

I worked for a year or so -- first at a large food service corporation and then as a line cook at Bayard’s, a classic French restaurant in lower Manhattan -- to gain the experience required to enroll at the Culinary Institute of America. I decided on the CIA not necessarily to learn how to be a chef, but to learn how and why food preparation has evolved the way that it has. The cache of having a CIA degree didn’t hurt either. During my time there, I got more restaurant experience working as a line cook at one of New York City’s famous restaurants, The Gotham Bar and Grill. I studied and worked hard during my two-year program and, given all the competition there, was lucky enough to graduate first in my class.

After graduation, I worked freelance for a while before meeting the person who would bring me to the Real Simple team, working in the food department. Now, as the magazine’s Associate Food Editor, I try to translate traditional and modern food dishes, into everyday recipes that will make the experience of food and cooking as enjoyable -- and as inclusive -- for others as it was for me and my family.

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Kathleen is a Senior Editor for RealSimple.com, focusing on her true passions: food, home and organizing, and travel. Naturally, her ideal vacation involves browsing cool design shops before sitting down to an incredible (and exotic) meal. Previously, she was Deputy Editor at TheKnot.com, and can answer even the most random wedding questions (Can you fire a bridesmaid? Um, no).

Her career has lead her through all aspects of media, working for numerous websites, magazines, and custom publications, interspersed by a brief foray into book publishing (she co-wrote The Catholic Girl’s Guide to Sex). She lives in New York City with her husband.

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Kim O’Donnel has been cooking professionally since 1996. A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York, Kim has worked in various capacities in the food world, including line cook, caterer, instructor, private chef and online cooking personality.

It is at washingtonpost.com where Kim spread her online wings, as creator and host of “What’s Cooking,” a live Web chat about cooking launched in 1999. In addition, she is the hand that feeds and the voice of “A Mighty Appetite,” washingtonpost.com’s food blog.

Kim’s culinary curiosity has taken her to various points around the world, including southern Africa, the West Indies and the Piedmont region of Italy, where she took a Master course in Italian cuisine. In 2007, Kim was a volunteer chef in New Orleans with CulinaryCorps, a New York-based organization.

For three years, Kim penned “Kitchen Witch,” a recipe column for an Atlanta newsweekly. Her work has also appeared in the Washington Post Food and Travel sections. In 2007, she self-published her first cookbook, “A Mighty Appetite for the Holidays.”

When not at the stove, Kim is devouring cookbooks and food memoirs, usually curled under the covers in Arlington, Va., where she lives with her husband, who happens to be a very good eater.

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Kate Parker is an assistant home editor at Real Simple, focusing on home decorating, organizing, cleaning, and entertaining. In addition to testing products, writing stories, and producing photo shoots, she's also a regular on early-morning TV segments and at Real Simpleevents.

Kate lives in New York City's Soho neighborhood and enjoys entertaining, cooking, traveling to beachy climates, running, and drinking good wine -- not all at the same time.

Before joining Real Simple, Kate worked in the Fashion Industry (in PR and design) and as an Interior Design Consultant. She’s always adored fabrics (those that adorn the body and the home), and loves a good reason to dress up.

New to "the blogosphere," she hopes to bring a relaxed, whimsical approach to Celebrations. Entertaining can be enjoyable, affordable, and stress-free...and Kate intends to show you how.

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Sara is a California native and former restaurant owner/chef of Jack Rabbit Moon Restaurant and Bar in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. She made the move to New York City 5 years ago and works as part of the Real Simple food team developing recipes and food styling. Her "desert island" meal would be guacamole & chips, shrimp tacos, and margaritas. She is an Aquarius.

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Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is a writer working on The Happiness Project (forthcoming HarperCollins 2009)—an account of the year she spent test-driving every conceivable principle about how to be happy, from Aristotle to Ben Franklin to Oprah to Martin Seligman. On her popular blog, The Happiness Project, she reports on her daily adventures on her way to becoming happier.

Among other things, since she started her Happiness Project, she has cleaned out her closets, written a novel, tried hypnosis, started a children’s literature reading group, quit nagging her husband (mostly), joined the Council on Foreign Relations, abandoned her gratitude journal, started singing in the morning, and launched a one-minute internet movie, The Years Are Short.

Gretchen is a graduate of Yale Law School and was editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal. She was clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized that she really wanted to be a writer.

Her bestselling Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill and Forty Ways to Look at JFK are succinct, provocative biographies. Power Money Fame Sex: A User’s Guide  is biting social criticism in the form of a user’s manual. She also has three terrible novels safely locked in a desk drawer.

She lives in New York City with her husband and two young daughters.

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Jennifer Sbranti is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of HostessWithTheMostess.com. She resides in San Diego, California with her husband, Sonny Sbranti, and their beloved yellow labs, Jazz and Max.

Prior to the launch of HostessWithTheMostess.com, Jennifer pursued a career in graphic and web design, first working in the publishing and advertising industries, then founding her own design firm, Sbranti Design, in 2002. Armed with a successful background in graphic design and an affinity towards having a good time, Jennifer saw an opportunity to fuse these two passions together -- and thus experienced that infamous "A-Ha!" moment.

In 2006, Jennifer and Sonny founded Hostess with the Mostess, Inc., an ambitious venture that brings modern and innovative entertaining ideas to light through an all-encompassing party planning website and contemporary entertaining blog. Having hosted countless celebrations herself, ranging from special occasion showers and theme parties to casual, everyday get-togethers, she now shares her hip, unique style and no-fuss approach to entertaining with others.

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Nykia writes for the Fashion, Beauty, and Simple Solutions sections of Real Simple, but in the midst of it all, the editorial assistant has developed a passion for home décor –- particularly revamping antiques and creating her version of looks for less. She says that if there were such a thing as rehab for HGTV addicts she would be the first person checking in.

Her obsession with decorating and design began a little over a year ago, shortly after getting married and moving into her own place in Brooklyn, NY. She plans to share inspirations, favorite looks, resources, how-to guides, and just the right perspective needed to enjoy every minute of any DIY project, big or small— all without breaking the bank. 

Before joining Real Simple in 2006, Nykia wrangled celebrity beauty trends as the Assistant Beauty Editor at Life & Style Weekly Magazine. She's also worked for Heart & Soul Magazine, and interned with Redbook Magazine.

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Kristin van Ogtrop was named Managing Editor of Real Simple magazine in 2003. Since that time, Real Simple has grown to include books, special issues, products, international editions, television shows and, of course, realsimple.com. Kristin began her career in magazines at Vogue, and has also worked at Glamour, Premiere, and Travel and Leisure. As the editor of Real Simple, she does a lot of things that don't look like editing: going on professional panels, making speeches, going on t.v. very early in the morning. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in English from Columbia University.

She lives in the New York suburbs with her husband, who is also a magazine editor, their three sons, a shedding dog, a very old cat, a few hamsters (they come and go) and a handful of fish which, unfortunately, never last long.

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Associate fashion editor Julee Wilson can trace her passion for fashion all the way back to second grade, when she often attempted (always unsuccessfully) to sneak her beloved tutu and princess dresses to school. Fast forward a few decades and Julee now gets to, essentially, play dress-up everyday!

In her current role, Julee writes and styles fashion stories and oversees the intimates and athletic-wear markets while also extending Real Simple’s ever-growing brand on TV and at events around the country. Before landing in the fashion department, Julee served as an assistant to the managing editor, Kristin van Ogtrop.

Prior to joining Real Simple, Julee completed internships at Bergdorf Goodman, Vibe, Condé Nast Traveler, and Parenting. She has a B.A. in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond, Virginia. Julee lives in Manhattan and one day hopes to own a brownstone in Harlem -- where she’ll reside with two French bulldogs named, naturally, Manolo and Blahnik.

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