Rachael Ray

My how time flies! Holidays are over, kids are back in school and our New Year’s resolutions are almost a distant memory -must be January!! And, that means for lots of us it’s cold ‘n nasty and so our energy bills - Particularly if you’ve got leaks and are overlooking those nooks and crannies where heat and air conditioning can easily escape. Here are seven pocketbook ‘n manicure friendly ways to help you keep it toasty indoors without you and yours needing to wear your cold weather gear at the kitchen table. Bow wow! LET THE SUN SHINE IN: Seems like a no-brainer but the simplest way to warm up your home is to open all window shades, drapes and [...]...

Okey dokey we’re in the final stretch of getting all dolled up, partying ‘til we drop, and dealing with those annoying little fashion 911s that always happen at the wrong time.  But fear not, Gangnam Style fixes are here.  Gangnam Style she says???  That’s correcto.  I did some research to find out exactly what Gangnam Style is so here you go:  Gangnam means south (nam) of the river (gang) in Korean and it’s become the wealthiest area in South Korea.  So Gangman is seen as where peeps are rich, girls pretty, fashionistas rule, all is cool and you have ‘swag’.  So, with that as my inspiration I share some fast ‘n cool ways to deal with your fashion malfunctions, dance [...]...

Ok, all you procrastinators (of which I too am one!) there’s only a few more shopping days left ‘til Xmas and Kwanza so clearly your fingers are going to have to do most of the walking. But, rather then go for the tried and true why not turn your last minute gift buying into a do good deed!  Here are 5 ways from some amazing companies I’ve worked with to give those in need the help they need be they two or four legged creatures and they range from as little as .25 to $25 .  So read on and spread some glove! Happy Holidays! 2012 Aflac Holiday Duck $10-15:  Helping Pediatric Cancer Research ‘n Treatment Worldwide. C’mon who doesn’t smile [...]...

Not only is white vinegar a natural sanitizer and terrific way to kill mold, bacteria and germs ’cause of it’s acidity, it’s also a money and mani-friendly, way to deal with some holiday tasks.  AND, this ‘wine gone bad’ home-sweet-home staple also may be just what the doctor ordered! 1.     MANI-FRIENDLY LABEL REMOVER: I ‘accidentally’ and routinely break wine glasses.  And during the holidays I don’t want to break my bank replacing them when my guests follow suit.  So I’ve opted for those new cheap (or rather inexpensive) 8 glasses for $14.99 I found at Walmart.  Problem is, those sticky labels are not good for my manicure.  Here’s a solution that will save our mani and not leave any of [...]...

To play on The Donald’s famous two words “You’re fired”, the same sorta holds true for make-up items since make-up manufacturers are not required to give dates.   But, I’ve done some research and chatted over time with a few of my beauty gurus (thank you Bobby Brown ‘n Janine at Revive!) to help us know when we need to say sayonara.   Not surprisingly one of the keys is to approach it much as we do food that’s gone bad by using our sense of smell and sight.  If something looks clunky, lumpy, smells bad or has changed color it’s time for it to go.  Face it girlfriends (no pun intended!): the things we use generally don’t last more than six [...]...

Hopefully, the remains of Hurricane Sandy’s wrath have left you and your loved ones safe and with nothing more then your lawns blanketed in leaves, gutters stuffed to the gills and your windows covered in yuk.  So for those who now are ready to tackle this season’s outdoor clean-up here are several tips and tools that will help you minimize the time spent doing it and which won’t break the bank nor a nail.  BTW if you have a child of age 5 or older this is a terrific family activity. If you have no children, ask your BFF or a neighbor who has since they will probably not mind sharing theirs so they can enjoy a ‘break’ of their [...]...

Once upon a time there was a pumpkin that turned into a coach but that, my friends, is the wonderful stuff fairytales are made of.  And, though I wish I had a magic wand and fairy godmother to turn pumpkins into coaches (and my dollar bills into hundreds) alas all I have is a creative imagination which is how I came up with the following ways to use our season’s favorite fruit…Yes fruit! Pumpkins are fruits not veggies and fact be known, they’re berries… albeit ones that seem to have been on steroids.  And, their close cousins include cucumbers, melons, gourds and squash-whodathunk! PLEASE NOTE:  All of these ideas are great activities to do with you child under adult supervision including [...]...

There’s nothing like the fruity, bitter or pungent flavor and taste of a good olive oil whether it’s being used in our cooking, dipping or dressings.  But whodathunk that this yummy product has tons of uses outside of  our kitchen!  So what follows are 10 of them, ’cause like Rach who coined the term EVOO (which means Extra Virgin Olive Oil since she felt saying it all was a mouthful), I too like to find things that save time, money and my sanity in my everyday life: 1.    CREAKY HINGES/STICKY KEY HOLE:  Take aim with a can of cooking spray or simply wipe some on the hinge with a cotton ball 2.   SHINE/RESTORE LEATHER:  Put some on a clean cloth to buff [...]...

As autumn settles in so do our allergies, and though closing our windows and taking our fave allergy meds may help, they’re probably not the only reason for our sneezing, wheezing and teary eyes. Nope, it’s whom we’re sleeping with regardless if it’s Brad Pitt (I wish!), Ryan Gosling, your child’s pet, or for you gents reading this:  Megan Fox.   Each night and day we’re getting comfy with 1000’s of microscopic bugs known as dust mites and their doo. But fear not, here are simple ways to help save your family’s health and go back to dreaming about Brad, Ryan or Megan. THE POOP ON THESE PRE-HISTORIC POOPERS Courtesy of www.zonavip.net They’ve been sleeping with us for more than 23 [...]...