Tahnee, I am so sorry. It happens every year with one or two gifts. We always know it's going to happen but never know which gifts it will be. I apologize, and hope there was something else in our gift guide that you liked.

Tahnee -- I am one of the editors on our gift guide. I'm sorry that you weren't able to purchase the ticket stub diary. Luckily, the company received a new shipment today, so you can purchase it now.

Hi Kristin!
I actually read your editorials - since I wrote for a magainze and scripted a few editorials myself. I look forward to my copy of Real Simple each month and devour almost every article in the mag. I am creating a file folder to insert articles from Real Simple into categories - recipes, bedroom, kitchen, cleaning etc. for quick reference.
My sisters in law are getting subscriptions to Real Simple for Christmas.
Keep up the AWESOME work!

Well Kristin, it appears your family does not make the majority of your editor's note readers!

Maybe not, although I do have a really big family.

Hey Kristin, Long time, no talk... I love your magazine and loved to seeing you on the TODAY show...reminds me of our days at St. Mark's High School. You've come a long way since H.S. and I am so proud of you. Chaos, I hear you, with a 16, 15 and 4 year old...if I am not volunteering at the high school, or organizing a fundraising event for our Lacrosse team I am setting up some function as room mom for my daughter's preschool class...do we ever learn how to say NO....I guess I will have to wait until they are all in college where they do not have a a parent sign up to be the PTA President...LOL
Have a wonderful holiday season and keep up the great work!!!! Leanne

Thanks so much for linking to my blog!

I'm glad you managed to get the tree decorated. It sounds like it was quite a feat with all that you have going on right now.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Oh, my gosh, you guys. How can anyone say that our Earth is not the most important thing we have? Try living without it! We need to be doing everthing we possibly can do to protect and preserve it; it is the source of every single resource we use. A friend just emailed me this most wonderful short-subject that explains in very simple terms what our consumer society has done and is doing to the environment. If you would like to have your eyes opened to the effects of our current American lifestyle, check this out: storyofstuff.com

I must admit...I'm a RealSimple junkie! I've been a loyal reader since the magazine first came out.
With most magazines, I skip right over the editor's page. However, your column has always resonated with me and it's the first thing I read each month. I've also recently undertaken a home renovation. If you get the chance, read "Gutted: Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, and My Life" by Lawerence Larose. It's hysterical and will instantly make you feel better. For now, thanks for the wonderful work that you do to make our lives real simple!

I must admit...I'm a RealSimple junkie! I've been a loyal reader since the magazine first came out.
With most magazines, I skip right over the editor's page. However, your column has always resonated with me and it's the first thing I read each month. I've also recently undertaken a home renovation. If you get the chance, read "Gutted: Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, and My Life" by Lawerence Larose. It's hysterical and will instantly make you feel better. For now, thanks for the wonderful work that you do to make our lives real simple!

I must admit...I'm a RealSimple junkie! I've been a loyal reader since the magazine first came out.
With most magazines, I skip right over the editor's page. However, your column has always resonated with me and it's the first thing I read each month. I've also recently undertaken a home renovation. If you get the chance, read "Gutted: Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, and My Life" by Lawerence Larose. It's hysterical and will instantly make you feel better. For now, thanks for the wonderful work that you do to make our lives real simple!

I must admit...I'm a RealSimple junkie! I've been a loyal reader since the magazine first came out.
With most magazines, I skip right over the editor's page. However, your column has always resonated with me and it's the first thing I read each month. I've also recently undertaken a home renovation. If you get the chance, read "Gutted: Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, and My Life" by Lawerence Larose. It's hysterical and will instantly make you feel better. For now, thanks for the wonderful work that you do to make our lives real simple!

I was just looking through my January issue of Real Simple. I love Kristin's charm bracelet. It is a gorgeous piece and precious idea. I must know more about it- like where can I find one?!

Jennifer, I got my charm bracelet at a jewelry store in NYC called Kestenbaum & Weisner. I had it made, though, and worked with them in designing it. Definitely an indulgence but I don't regret it.

i read real simple religiously because of its articles, pictures (am a picture person, short attention span haha!), helpful tips about the many aspects of life and i especially enjoy the "editor's note."

what you wrote in the december issue about saying thanks and being grateful really moved me. unfortunately, my friend borrowed the issue and left town with it.

if it's not too much to ask, can you kindly email me the entire article? i wish to share it with my friends and family for a source of positive inspiration.

thanks, looking forward to reading more of your writing :)

arnieisa@yahoo.com

I absolutely love Real Simple! I am a busy working mom of four and I look foward to getting my issue every month because I will make 'Me Time" to have a cup of Starbucks Coffee and relax. I always read the editorial. It's strange but I find it comforting to know that someone has similar issues and concerns. Don't change a thing.

Editors Picks: I would like to find out if it is possible to know where I can find the charm bracelet that Kristin van Ogtrop picked as her favorites. It is really beautiful! I really enjoy reading your magazine.

Every month I look forward to receiving the latest issue but not always because of all the great tips, ideas, etc.. but because of your editor's note Kristin! You let me know that how I am feeling is so normal and so okay, and I am often reminded to pat myself on the back because being a busy mom, and being good at it is not always easy. But I give it my all and I appreicate your candid and genuine column. I have three kids and I love the idea of your charm bracelet. I'm currently on the look out. Thanks for letting us(your readers) share with you.

I love to get your magazine each month in the mail. I remember when it was new to my area and there were surveys being done to target audiences. I received phone calls that asked if they could interview me. I always hung up saying I will love that magazine based on the questions they were asking. I recieved a trial membership and have been re-newing ever since. Lately I have felt even more connected with your magazine when I read a story you wrote and referred to Happy Harry's Drug store. I also grew up in Newark. We lived in Nottingham. I could so relate to your story. I ripped it out and sent it to my sister. My friends and I always hopped on our bikes and rode down Main Street to Happy Harry's. Now the city has grown so much, and so has Happy Harry's. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your magazine and your stories. Thanks so much. Tara (Linscott) Dowling

Kristin, my 40th birthday is around the corner. You mentioned getting yourself a bracelet engraved with the names of your children for your 40th birthday....would you mind sharing with me where you got this special bracelet? I thought that was a great idea! :)

Nevermmind on the bracelet question - I just read a previous post where you shared that information. Thanks! I have read your magazine for several years - thank you! It is awesome! One section I miss seeing that you had in the beginning issues - I think it used to be called 'Life and Priorities' - something like that? It would feature a specific family - with a budget problem - and a financial counselor's advice.

I love the life's too short list. Amen. Thanks for the laugh during a busy day at work. Great sense of humor.

Dear Kristin-

I actually posted this letter to your customer service
department but I also wanted to make sure it was brought to your attention. I have been a subscriber to Real Simple for approximately the past 3 years and while I thoroughly enjoy your magazine, I have noticed that frequently my magazine subscription comes wrapped in plastic.

As a concerned citizen of our oceans and of the environment in general, I would like to request that your staffers eliminate this unnecessary and wasteful practice. I would actually prefer a wet magazine to one wrapped in plastic. To illustrate my point, I would like to recommend an article entitled "Plastic Ocean" by Susan Casey:

http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/health-fitness/Our_oceans_are_turning_into_plastic_are_we_2.shtml

In addition, I would also like to inquire about your publishing practices. For instance, is your magazine printed on recycled paper and do you use environmentally friendly ink? In the Your Words section the next question was entitled “Which eco-friendly changes have you made in your life?” I would also like to know what eco-friendly processes the “Real Simple” magazine practices.

Sincerely,

Tanya in San Francisco

LOVE your editor's letter page, and had to check out your blog! Everything you say ... it's as if you're reading my mind. And, your words are such a kick to read ... maybe because I can relate! When you mentioned, in a recent Editor's Letter, that you sometimes plan your day around a stop at Starbucks ... well, it was like I was meeting my kindred spirit! You're doing a great job ... with Real Simple AND your Adventures in Chaos!