Kristin van Ogtrop (Col ’86), editor of Real Simple magazine Photo by Kim Myers Robertson, courtesy of Real Simple
Kristin van Ogtrop (Col ’86) has built a career helping people make their lives easier.
As managing editor of Real Simple magazine, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in April, van Ogtrop coordinates stories that offer tips about new trends, suggest new uses for old objects and recommend ways to carve extra minutes out of every day. “Life Made Easier” is the banner that attracts nearly 2 million readers a month to the publication.
Van Ogtrop also just completed a book tour promoting Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom (Little, Brown and Co., April 2010). In describing the art of tending to career, husband, kids and pets, she offers advice like “Kill the messenger: The action you must take in order to forget about the office for a time—that is, to remove your Blackberry/Treo/ iPhone/whatever from your person and store it as far away as your neurotic self will allow.”
Here, van Ogtrop shares some tips for making the most of outdoor entertaining.
10 Tips for Easy Outdoor Entertaining
- Thick, comfortable cushions on the chairs will encourage guests to linger at the table.
Keep bugs away from food with an upended wire-mesh colander. Photo by Miki Duisterhof, courtesy of Real Simple - Lay brown craft paper across a table for a casually finished look―and super-easy cleanup.
- Don’t get overly fussy with china: An eclectic mix feels more laid-back.
- An umbrella not only has the obvious task of providing shade, it also helps define your outdoor dining room.
- Keep food simple for a backyard picnic: salads, fresh fruit, cold drinks.
- Set up tables in separate areas―say, drinks in one spot, dessert in another―to encourage guests to roam.
- Stock a bar cart with essentials: glasses, plates, ice, a cocktail shaker and swizzle sticks. Wheel it back to the kitchen if you run low.
- Keep bugs away from food with an upended wire-mesh colander. Use Popsicle sticks to distinguish the rare burgers from well-done ones.
- At twilight, make sure you provide plenty of lighting. Paper lanterns draped from tree limbs (with dark extension cords that blend in) are charmingly festive.
- Circle your party area with citronella candles or incense sticks to light when night falls.
Comments
Wow, I didn't know Kristin was an alum! This is the only magazine I subscribe to - consistently amazing recipes, advice and stories!
Excellent tips! Should have know that Kristin was a Wahoo by the product of her labors. Real Simple is simply the best!
Great hearing about successful 'Hoos! I'm the Schools Comm Chair for the Salt Lake City/ Park City UVA Alumni Club. Let me know if you're in the area Kristin. We 're always looking for interesting speakers and you would be great!
As an expat in Bangkok, I feel very lucky when I can get my mitts on a copy of Real Simple because it sells out quickly from the English-language bookshops that carry it. My Singaporean and Aussie friends and I were just discussing yesterday how much we enjoy this magazine. Quelle surprise that its managing editor is a fellow 'Hoo! Well done, Kristin.
I agree- this is one of my favourite magazines- the quirky cute home ideas I get the most compliments on are inspired by Real Simple! Go hoos!
So we're from the same hometown AND both Wahoos?? I am on the board of our local club here in Wilmington and we are looking for a speaker for a fall event.....please let me know if you would be interested!
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