Get cooking

Cookbooks. I love cookbooks. I'm in the process of weeding out my collection, and stumbled on some old favorites.... like anything by Ina Garten or Nigella Lawson. Their food, their style -- it's just so inviting. It makes me want to have company. I admit it. I like Rachael Ray, too and I read her magazine every once in a while. They all make me want to have dinner parties. Casual, relaxed dinner parties. BBQ season isn't too far off. Right? Of course that means the perfect recipes, the perfect dish assortment, fun table linens, lovely candles.... You get the idea. I love going out to eat, don't get me wrong. But planning the perfect dinner party and making the details special for people I care about -- that's a special treat, too.

While flipping through Rachael Ray's magazine I saw an article on potato peelers. I admit it -- "Gadget Girl" (AKA: me) was intrigued. But do I really need the Prepara Trio Tri-Blade Peeler? I do love mashed potatoes (ask anyone in my family)... this might need to find its way into my kitchen. Maybe.

-reenie

Looking good is skin deep

OK... my ongoing theory about 'if you feel good - you look good.' Still works for me. A dear friend gave me a Christmas gift certificate for a relaxing massage at her favorite spa. I hadn't gotten around to using it -- silly, silly me. (Note to self -- never make that mistake again.) I finally made the appointment last week, and that short half hour was pure bliss and relaxation. I could have stayed for four short half hours, but one was a pretty sweet treat.

Best part? I spent the rest of the day feeling relaxed and happy, and I'm thinking it showed. A happy and relaxed Reenie, is a more attractive Reenie. The spa also had a steam room -- so I took advantage of that before showering. Such an amazing treat. This is my new go-to gift for good friends. What an amazing way to get a head start on the weekend.

-reenie

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your long hair

Is long hair coming back into vogue? I think it might be. I just read an article that notes Katie Holmes (Cruise) is the true hair trendsetter in this country, and she's letting those locks she cut so short last year grow out (oh, yeah, and has hair extensions to help the look when she's out on the town). The photos they showed of her at a recent event were quite lovely.

I, too, have been letting my hair grow out, and have to admit that I need to overhaul my whole "product" routine. My curly hair needs a completely different set of products when it starts to get longer. I guess you could say that gravity shifts the balance of power, but isn't that always the way??

I use a mismatch of products - never all one brand. A little of this and a little of that, but find that curly hair needs that as it starts to grow out (and when I say "out" - I mean "out").

What do you use to tame your curly hair? What works best for our straight-haired friends? I'm really curious, and am apt to try them all -- so fire away! And let it be known now -- I occasionally indulge in the perfect blow-out for special occasions. A girl needs options.

-reenie

Staying safe at home

I like to think on the bright side of life. Really, I do. But I'm also a realist. I have a security system in my home. I had it installed 5-6 years ago when I heard about burglaries in my neighborhood. Burglaries, unfortunately, are back in the news.

The system I had installed is almost wireless, but it will stay with the house when I move -- that's what it's meant to do. I thought it was pretty high tech back a few years ago when they first put it in and and walked me through the instructions. Recently, I read about this great new system that's available for renters (or for homeowners that don't want to drill lines, etc): called SimpliSafe. It's wireless and it's linked to an emergency dispatch center. Best of all -- when you move, you take it with you. It's portable security. Don't get me wrong -- I love the system I have. I love that it was there when my daughter was younger and home alone in the early evening. This seems like a great alternative for people who may be renting or contemplating a move in the short term. A nice happy, safe medium.

-reenie

Look good -- feel good

So, my New Year's resolution about that pesky weight thing... Well, let's just say that the weight is winning that one. Am I eating better? Yes, a little. But it's the exercise side of my life that needs a jump start. I've started my annual ritual of cleaning out closets and dresser drawers and my fitness pieces are jumping out at me. "Jumping" because they're cute and appealing? Uhh, no, not so much. Mostly because they're boring and uninspiring. Sometimes I just wonder what I might have been thinking...

To my rescue -- a press announcement that Cheryl Burke from Dancing with the Stars fame is launching a new exercise line. My new theory? If you look good when working out -- you'll feel even better. Right? In any case -- I think she's great. And I know there are other celebs out there with similar lines (in case Cheryl isn't your cup of tea). So, my humble advice: find the gear that makes you feel like a million bucks (but doesn't cost a million) and spend some time outside (or at your fave gym) getting your heart rate up a bit. Make sure that gear includes shoes/sneaks that make your feet feel good and offer the support you need. A healthy heart is a heart that lasts longer (and happier), and that's a good thing.

-reenie

She's come a long way in 50 years

You love her. You don't love her. If nothing else -- she is an icon and you will always remember her. Of whom do I speak? Barbie, of course. Mattel introduced her at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959 and she's been making news ever since. She's 50 this week, and that's making headlines around the world.

I had Barbie dolls. My daughter had Barbie dolls (perhaps, still has a few tucked away in a box in our attic), and they were always a big part of her play dates with other young girls. What I loved? That my daughter and her friends concocted great stories about the lives of these dolls. Any toy that sparks creative time and story telling gets a good grade from me.

I understand that during Barbie Millicent Roberts' birthday week (March 9-14) some retailers are selling Souvenir $3 Bathing Suit Barbie (R) -- the price charged for a Barbie back in 1959. It might be worth scooping one up. Who knows where she'll be in 2059 and what this 2009 souvenir edition might be worth.

I'm just curious... who makes her night cream?

-reenie

(Please note - I'm not sure if the souvenir version matches either of the dolls represented in this photo. Please check with local retailers for details.)

March deals

Well, it's the beginning of the month... that time when I like to gather tips and tidbits from a variety of sources to help us all save money. Big news for the month: March is the best time to get a deal on a new TV (thank you Real Simple and my daughter's friend who works for a large electronics retailer). Why you ask? Well, it's time to make space for all of the new models that were introduced in January. Second best time to buy a new TV? The day after Thanksgiving.

Others tips for the month? According to bankrate.com, March is the best time to buy windbreakers and raincoats, new luggage, gardening tools and frozen food. There must be a correlation here, but I'm not seeing it yet. In any case, I know a lot of people itching to get out into their gardens. New gardening tools might make Spring and Summer seem that much closer. New luggage might mean you just have to get away for a weekend. Even a local Inn would be a nice change of pace. All the better if you can save some cash when treating yourself.

And, finally, not so much a savings tip, but a reminder: we spring forward this weekend (for daylight savings time). I don't know about you, but I use this weekend's clock-changing chore as a reminder to replace batteries in all of my smoke detectors. I hope you do the same.

Happy March!

-reenie

So long smashed fingers

I'm not sure where I stumbled upon this item, but I've been giddy (yes, I know I get giddy when it comes to gadgets -- I'm trying to get help). In any case, this little goodie from Craftsman Tools is an automatic hammer (the Craftsman Nextec Hammerhead Auto Hammer, to be exact) . Say what? How do they do that? I thought I had to be a builder to have this much fun. Will this little darling save you any money? Maybe not tons, but for those of us who face depth-perception challenges -- it may save a manicure or five. It puts nails in their place with the press of a trigger. It even has a magnetic head to hold the little buggers in place when you're selecting just the perfect spot. Perfect housewarming gift for your favorite gadget girl or guy. I'm just saying...

-reenie