So, as you know my new fave thing is cooking dinner for the BF! Only problem is that in my quest to save myself money I haven’t exactly invested in the right tools per se. I have expensive taste, what can I say. Le Creuset, Cuisinart, it’s a problem. That’s why I got excited that Giada De Laurentiis is doing a home collection for TARGET!

I have no idea what the quality of these puppies will be but they look pretty nice to me!

This looks like Le Crueset except it’s half the price! And it’s also still cast-iron. Only $69.00

This knife set is only $139.99. I’m very curious about their quality? Let me know if anyone tries them out. Though they’re not available till February! What am I gonna do till then!

Healthy meal of the year numero dos!

So, I happen to be obsessed with Frank’s Red Hot sauce. I also love Crispy Buffalo chicken sandwiches.  Too bad they’re uber fattening. Rachael Ray (my heroine) came up with this ingenius recipe.

What makes it cheap? Well, you know I always try to find shortcuts to save–for example the recipe calls for worcestershire sauce but I didn’t have it. I also didn’t have brown sugar so I just used white. I also didn’t have red-wine vin so I used white. Now, I realize this may have changed the taste a bit but the whole point of me cooking at home is saving money–if I bought all of those I would have spent at least an extra $12. Yes, I’d have them for recipes down the line but I just didn’t feel like it.

What makes it healthy?Another ben to cooking at home is that you can control the quality of your ingredients. Guarantee the organic chicken I bought in the store costs less even than an entree at some restaurant serving suspect meat that may or may not contain hormones. Ick!

What makes it low-fat? I used lean ground organic chicken, which has a fraction of the fat of beef.  I also used Arnold Select Sandwich Thins instead of using a bun. I bought the Multi-grain variety. They are only 100 calories each! And they’re soft and delicious. I’ve never cared much for wasting too many calories on the bread. I’d rather have more of the “stuff.” I’ve also been known to eat 2 open face sandwiches with the one bun!

Make Your Own Takeout: Spicy Peanutty Chicken. Yum!

Haaaaaaappy New Year!!! In honor of my New Year’s resolution (the same one I make each year, which lasts 2 weeks) I am going to try to eat healthier and save money by cooking at home.  Well, I love eating but I’m also really into being healthy right now–cue leafy greens, lots of fresh herbs and spices and organic grass fed meat.

So, I thought I’d share my fave recipes with you. This dish was a Rachel Ray–the idea was to cook your own takeout food. Now I love me some Ray Ray but she doesn’t always seem to factor in figure-friendly options to some of her meals. So, if you’re into possibly losing a little weight like I always am, I will decrease the oil or cream she suggests to add to the recipe.

Another $$$ saving tip: Portion out some for lunch the next day BEFORE you sink your teeth into your culinary creation. You’ll save money by not having to buy lunch and you’ll also not be kicking yourself for eating the entire portion for a family of 4…like I’ve been known to do.

Click here for the recipe!

Online Sample Sales

Invite codes are included! Boo ya!

Monday

Billion Dollar Babes: Daftbird, Joya, Tigerlilly (sales end 1/13)

Rue La La: The Final Sale Act 1 (sale ends 1/13)

Editor’s Closet: Pixi cosmetics (sale ends 1/12)

Gilt Fuse: Faryl Robin, Urban Posh Jewelry (sales end 1/13)

Gilt Groupe: Missoni, Rebecca Taylor shoes, Assael Jewelry, Cosabella, Leonello Borghi, littala (sale ends 1/13)

Hautelook: GoSmile, Riller & Fount, Le Sportsac, Andrew Marc, Jami Rodriguez (sale send 1/12)

ideeli: Betsey Johnson, Harajuku Lovers, Helena de Natalio, My Tribe (sales end 1/14)

The Top Secret: Jonano (sale ends 1/13)

RowNine: Glashutte Timepieces (sale ends 1/13)

Beyond the Rack: DVD sale, Jimmy Choo sunglasses, Yummie Tummie (sale ends 1/13)

Tuesday

Rue La La: The Final Sale Act 2 (sale ends 1/14)

Editor’s Closet: London Fog (sale ends 1/13)

Gilt Groupe: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Pour la Victoire, Ben-Amun jewelry, Gianfranco Ferre, Michael Aram (sales end 1/14)

Hautelook: Decades Two, Poleci, H2O, Blinde, Jewelry and Accessories blowout (sales end 1/14)

Gilt Fuse: BB Dakota (sale ends 1/14)

ideeli: Heys luggage, Voom by Joy Han, JJ Number 8 fragrances (sale ends 1/15)

Wednesday

Rue La La: Junior Drake, Mephisto, Skagen Denmark (sales end 1/15)

Gilt Groupe: Seven For All Mankind, Lacoste watches, ila & i jewelry, Luxury Accessories International (sales end 1/15)

Gilt Fuse: Rosegold, Privileged, LnA (sales end 1/15)

The Top Secret: New York Dog (sale ends 1/15)

Editor’s Closet: Rock and Bone (sale ends 1/14)

Hautelook: Urban Decay Cosmetics, Tibi and Butter shoes, Heather Hawkins, Sorrelli (sales end 1/15)

ideeli: Jessica Simpson bags (sale ends 1/16)

Thursday

Rue La La: 1891 by Sferra, Tivoli (sales end 1/16), DKNY Outerwear

The Top Secret: Tart (sale ends 1/18)

Gilt Groupe: Exhale Spa, Puma Accessories, Blueprint Cleanse, Y-3 Accessories (sales end 1/16)

Gilt Fuse: Beyond Yoga, Freestyle Watches (sales end 1/16)

Hautelook: DDF Skincare (sale ends 1/16)

Editor’s Closet: Madeline Beth (sale ends 1/15)

RowNine: Gervil Timepieces (sale ends 1/18)

ideeli: Holly Morgan (sale ends 1/17)

Friday

The Top Secret: Gucci and Dior sunglasses

Editor’s Closet: Betseyville

ideeli: Industry, Emilio Pucci

Tonight I went to see Memphis, the Broadway show, with BF so natch we had dinner before closeby.

I strongly suggest Bond 45 (also own Cafe Fiorello) very reasonable Italiano.

Most economical way to go? Share a pizza and get salad. The pizzas are f-ing fantastic. Super duper thin crust and way big enough to share.

Bond 45 is on 45th street between 6th and 7th ave.

BriteSmile is offering a generous 25% discount off any service nationwide (excluding veneers, invisalign or fillers) at a BriteSmile location booked now throughout the end of January.  See below for more details … and thanks for letting your readers know about this fabulous offer!  Happy Holidays!

Special Deal: 25%  off any service booked online now through January 31^st

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Offer Expires: January 31^st

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Deal: 50% to 70% off cashmere day dresses, blouses, silk party dresses, and more.