Gretta explains how she got today's outfit for under $50!
Dress: $25.99 – Buffalo Exchange
Shoes: $20.00 – Payless
Tights:$2.50 – Target
Bracelets: $.99 – Old Navy
Total: $49.48
blog archive
Gretta's $50 Fashion Challenge
Friday, November 30
Dress by Generation Love, tank by Alexander Wang, leggings by Helmut Lang, bracelet by Presh by Nicole Apostoli, shoes by rag & bone.
"Slow-Cooked Maple Pork, Slow-Baked Potatoes with Apples and Onions, Sweet and Savory Red Cabbage and Beets"
Slow-Cooked Maple Pork, Slow-Baked Potatoes with Apples and Onions, Sweet and Savory Red Cabbage and Beets
This dish is screaming for an Alsatian White like the Trimbach Riesling to pair with its sweet and sour flavors. Alsatian Rieslings aren't as sweet as German ones and have a bit more body which will match the weight of this dish. Plus, they have all that great Riesling acidity that’ll keep your mouth watering and get you ready for your next bite!
Thursday, November 29
Dress by Alice + Olivia, necklaces by Isabel Marant, shoes by Isabel Marant.
Wednesday, November 28
Blazer by rag & bone, tank by ALLSAINTS, jeans and shoes by Vince, necklace by botticelli's niece.
"Pork and Fennel Patties with Roasted Fennel, Onion & Potatoes"
Pork and Fennel Patties with Roasted Fennel, Onion & Potatoes
For these really yummy patties, I would pair a fruit-forward, yet tasty wine. Pinot Noir is a classic pairing here and I'd prefer one from Germany or Austria which has incredible value and have an added level of herbaceous to the beautiful Pinot Noir red berry fruit. One of my favorite German Pinot Noirs is the Becker from the Pfalz region. It is medium-bodied and ripe, but has a lot of earthiness. For something even lighter, I'd go with Stadlmann Pinot Noir from Thermenregion, Austria. Both are great values and couldn't be more delicious with Rachael's Pork and Fennel Patties.
Tuesday, November 27
Jacket by Velvet by Graham & Spencer, tank by All Saints, jeans by Vince, necklace by Jeweliany Jewelry, shoes by Vince.
Backstage Pass: Phillip Phillips
The American Idol sensation takes the "Rachael Ray Food Quiz"!
Monday, November 26
Shirt by Splendid, tank and shoes by Vince, leggings by Helmut Lang, necklace by Alexis Russell.
Friday, November 23
Sweater by Helmut Lang, tank, jeans and shoes by Vince, necklaces by Isabel Marant.
Thursday, November 22
Sweater, tank and leggings by Helmut Lang, necklace by Jessica Hicks, shoes by Vince.
Wednesday, November 21
Sweater by Zadig et Voltaire, tank, jeans and boots by Vince, jewelry by Presh by Nicole Apostoli.
"Leftover Lover's Turkey Tetrazzini"
Leftover Lover's Turkey Tetrazzini
You can go either way with this one, by pairing it with a fuller white or a lighter red wine. I love to do a red because of the nutmeg in the dish, which brings out all of these great warming spices. It’s similar to the flavors you might get from oak-aging in a red wine. A lighter red is a great call here because turkey isn't as flavorful as something like beef or even pork. My pick is from the north part of Italy, high up in the Foothills of the Alps, where they grow great Italian grapes, but also excel at Pinot Noir. This wine is so tasty that you definitely won't have any vino-leftovers!
Hofstatter Pinot Nero "Meczan" 2010 $18
Backstage Pass: Dr. Phil
Head backstage with Dr. Phil as he takes the "Rachael Ray Food Quiz!"
Tuesday, November 20
Sweater by Zadig et Voltaire, tank by Vince, leggings by Helmut Lang, necklace by Presh by Nicole Apostoli, shoes by Isabel Marant.
Monday, November 19
Sweater by Helmut Lang, tank by Alexander Wang, jeans by J Brand, necklace by Presh by Nicole Apostoli, shoes by DKNY.
Gretta's $50 Holiday Fashion Challenge
Gretta is a pro at putting together outfits for herself for $50 or less, but can she do it for her entire family? See how she pulls it off with adorable holiday looks for her and her guys! Plus, get more tips as Gretta helps a viewer find holiday looks for less!
Gretta: Pants and shoes from Buffalo Exchange, shirt from Macy's, jacket from Marshalls, necklace and earrings from H&M.
Ricky: Pants from Target, Calvin Klein shirt from Marshalls, shoes from Marshalls and tie from Kmart.
Kai: Pants and vest from Target, Old Navy shirt and shoes from Marshalls.
Friday, November 16
Sweater, tank and leggings by Helmut Lang, necklace by Jessica Hicks, shoes by Vince.
Thursday, November 15
Shirt by Alexander Wang, tank by Vince, jeans by J Brand, necklace by Isabel Marant, shoes by DKNY.
Wednesday, November 14
Sweater by Alice + Olivia, tank by Vince, jeans by J Brand, necklace available at warmnyc.com, shoes by DKNY.
"Parsley-Stuffed Chicken with Honey-Butter Sauce and Boiled Potatoes"
Parsley-Stuffed Chicken with Honey-Butter Sauce and Boiled Potatoes
This dish would be ideal with an American chardonnay. Not the overly-oaky, highly alcoholic stuff that a lot of producers make. But a balanced, fresh and delicious American chardonnay, that has some creaminess to complement the butter, but is still fresh and herbaceous enough to bring out the parsley, would be great. My choice is Lioco Sonoma County Chardonnay ($18). It is fresh and delicious with rejuvenating acidity that will make you want to drink more and more.
"Rachael Between the Scenes" -- Whitney Cummings
When Whitney Cummings plays our "Gobble Games" and identifies turkey dishes while blindfolded, she nearly loses a ring in the process!
Backstage Pass: Whitney Cummings
The Whitney star makes a few adorable friends backstage when two goats arrive to tape a show with Rachael!
"Cheesy Chicken in Poblano Sauce"
Cheesy Chicken in Poblano Sauce
This dish is just screaming for a margarita! Margaritas are relatively simple cocktails consisting of tequila, orange liquer, lime and simple syrup. For the tequila, make sure it is a good, unaged Blanco or Silver tequila as this is the most important ingredient. The orange liquer can be triple sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier. Always, always use freshly squeezed fruit juice. Your simple syrup can be a standard one (equal parts sugar and water) or a flavored one where you incorporate your favorite flavoring (try pomegranate juice!). My recipe is below:
Tequila, 2 ounces
Orange Liquer, 1.25 ounces
Lime Juice, .75 ounces
Simple Syrup, .75 ounces
In a chilled mixing glass, combine all of the above ingredients. Add ice and shake hard for 10 seconds. Pour and strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.
Tuesday, November 13
Sweater by Theory, tank by Vince, jeans by J Brand, necklace by nathan&moe, shoes by DKNY.
Monday, November 12
Sweater by Zadig et Voltaire, tank by Vince, jeans by J Brand, necklace by Presh by Nicole Apostoli, shoes by DKNY.
Friday, November 9
Sweater by Zadig et Voltaire, tank and shoes by Vince, leggings by Helmut Lang.
"Easy Beef and Bacon Bundles with Worcestershire Gravy"
Easy Beef and Bacon Bundles with Worcestershire Gravy
This is a savory flavorful dish that needs a juicy red wine to complement it. I would go with a Cotes du Rhone. These are ripe red wines, generally from the south of the Rhone Valley and when you find one from a great producer, they represent excellent values versus their more prestigious wines. I really love the Cotes du Rhone from Eric Texier and J.L. Chave, but there are many good ones out there.
Backstage Pass: Jennifer Morrison
The Once Upon a Time star shares her thoughts on eating eel when she takes the "Rachael Ray Food Quiz"!
Thursday, November 8
Sweater by Zadig et Voltaire, tank and shoes by Vince, leggings by Helmut Lang.
Backstage Pass: Jackie Evancho
The young singer gets a visit from one of the show's four-legged friends, Penny!
Wednesday, November 7
Sweater, tank and leggings by Helmut Lang, necklace by Jessica Hicks, shoes by Vince.
"Pumpkin Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese"
Pumpkin Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese
For this dish, I'd pair a Belgian (or Belgian-style spiced beer). The spices will really complement the pumpkin, and beer is the perfect beverage for mac and cheese. For an American beer, I'd try something by The Bruery, Allagash or Ommegang. They all are great brewers that specialize in Belgian-style beer. If you can, find a great small craft Belgian beer - they are the originals and do a great job. If nothing is available from a small brewer, a Hoegaarden would be an excellent pair for this dish as well.
Gretta's $50 Fashion Challenge: Today's Finds
See how Gretta pulls off this adorable look for less than $50 using a Forever 21 skirt, an H&M shirt, belt and necklace, and Payless shoes.
Backstage Pass: Matthew Morrison
The Glee star takes the "Rachael Ray Food Quiz" and shares why the thought of eating frog legs makes him turn green.
Tuesday, November 6
Sweater by Zadig et Voltaire, tank, jeans and shoes by Vince, necklace available at warmny.com.
Backstage Pass: Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield reveals the most reckless thing he ever ate when he takes the "Rachael Ray Food Quiz: On Tour Edition!"
"Mozzarella in Carrozza"
Mozzarella in Carrozza
Lambrusco -Bubbles (whether beer or wine) are my go-to for fried food. Since the froth is so refreshing, I love a sparkling Italian red to go with Rachael's delicious red sauce. It’s more intense and aromatic than a white wine and works well with the tomato flavor. Lambrusco is the perfect pairing here and my favorite is Lini Lambrusco "Labrusca" NV.
Monday, November 5
Blazer by rag & bone, tank by All Saints, jeans and shoes by Vince, necklace by Botticelli's Niece.
Friday, November 2
Sweater by Zadig et Voltaire, tank, jeans and shoes by Vince, necklace by Presh by Nicole Apostoli.


