Retrieving a resource key in a custom LayoutsPageBase page used in SP2010

1. Create the following property in your aspx.cs file:

protected Type ResourceType
{
     get
     {
          return typeof(MyResources); // replace 'MyResources' with your own resources file
     }
}

2. Create the following method which will return the requested value stored in the .resx file by looking up the resource key

protected string GetResourceString(Type resourceType, string resourceKey)
{
     return SPUtility.GetLocalizedString(string.Format("$Resources:{0}, {1}", resourceType.Name, resourceKey), resourceType.FullName, getLanguage);
}

3. Good to go. Say you would need to populate a label in the Page_Load event with a string stored in the resources file with a key called 'MyLabelText'; you can then achieve this as follows:

protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
     lblMyLabel.Text = GetSourceString(ResourceType, "MyLabelText");
}

How to refresh parent page after closing a SP.UI.ModalDialog

var options = {
 url:'/_layouts/YourAspx/YourPage.aspx',
 title: 'Your Application Page Title',
 allowMaximize: false,
 showClose: true,
 width: 700,
 height: 260,
 dialogReturnValueCallback: RefreshOnDialogClose
 };
SP.UI.ModalDialog.showModalDialog(options);

Key here is the callback function; set it to RefreshOnDialogClose. Dead simple ;-)