Around the Web…

These links are worth a click: Fans flood the Duggar family with messages of support in the wake of their premature delivery — PEOPLE Obese women are facing tough new diet goals during pregnancy — New York Times Recall alert: Blinds and shades are being recalled due to a risk of strangulation — CNN Money A look back at the top 10 toy crazes of the decade — TIME Tips for taking festive pictures this holiday season — lilSugar Posted in Main, Other blogs

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Around the Web…

 Holiday Gift Guide: 5 things to know when buying a toaster or toaster oven

Our testers assess the color of toast. Toasters and toaster ovens might not be as innovative as the Kindle or Nook e-book readers , as cozy as a cashmere sweater, or as welcome as a cash gift, but your family and friends will likely appreciate getting a countertop appliances they can use for several snacks and meals a week.

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Holiday Gift Guide: 5 things to know when buying a toaster or toaster oven

 Kristy Swanson and Magnus’ LAX Landing

Bauer Griffin Giving her little frequent flier a lift, Kristy Swanson and son Magnus Hart , 2 ½, arrive at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday. Dad is Kristy’s husband Lloyd Eisler , whom she met when they were paired on the reality show Skating With Celebrities in 2006. The couple subsequently won the season

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Kristy Swanson and Magnus’ LAX Landing

 Poll: What Do You Think of Willow Smith’s Edgy New Haircut?

Marius Gulliksrud/Stella Mictures/Abaca; Scanpix-US/Sipa Taking her beauty cues from pop singers/stylesetters Rihanna and Cassie , Willow Smith , 9, debuted an edgy new hairstyle last week while hanging out with her parents and big bro, Jaden , at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and concert in Oslo, Norway. The daring tween — with the presumed sign-off from parents Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith — went for an asymmetrical (one side shaved, one side shoulder length) style

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Poll: What Do You Think of Willow Smith’s Edgy New Haircut?

 Sofia Coppola Expecting Second Child

Alexandra Wyman/WireImage Director Sofia Coppola and Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars are expecting their second child, the rocker confirms . In a backstage interview with Chicago’s WXRT, the French-born musician, seemingly surprised, nodded affirmatively when asked about his partner being pregnant. Sofia, 38, and Thomas have been together for four years and have a 3-year-old daughter , Romy

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Sofia Coppola Expecting Second Child

 LeapFrog Community: Teaching Charity This Holiday Season

In the very petite body of my almost 6 year old girl is the biggest heart in the world. Last year as we were talking about Christmas and making a list for Santa she told me that she “would be happy with anything he brought her.” This year I expected half a year of kindergarten to have corrupted her with excessive wants of material goods that she had heard about from her peers but she surprised me by saying, “I have all the toys I need.” Wow.

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LeapFrog Community: Teaching Charity This Holiday Season

 President Obama calls insulation "sexy." We say it’ll save you money

Adding insulation will save you money. What President Ronald Reagan did for jelly beans, President Barack Obama is trying to do for insulation.

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President Obama calls insulation "sexy." We say it’ll save you money

 Consumer Reports’ Top Buzzwords of 2009

2009 generated lots of hot words. We're always trying to stay on top of the latest trends for the home and related topics. As you'll read in ” Great Recession Spawns Big Crop of Buzzwords ,” some of our Buzzwords are among the hot words of 2009 that MSNBC has just catalogued.

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Consumer Reports’ Top Buzzwords of 2009

 Qualifying Words: To get cash for clunkers rebates, buy Energy Star-qualified appliances

While we've reported on some issues with the federal Energy Star program and certain aspects of the appliance industry's energy-use testing , Energy Star qualification usually provides you with some assurance that a refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, or other appliance is among the most energy-efficient products in its category. What's more, to take advantage of the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program , aka cash for clunkers for appliances , you need to buy appliances that are at least Energy Star qualified

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Qualifying Words: To get cash for clunkers rebates, buy Energy Star-qualified appliances

 Most Influential Home Products of the Decade, Part I: French-door refrigerators, low-VOC paints

French-door models have come of age. While Y2K got get this decade off with more of a whimper than a bang, there have been some seismic changes in the home arena over the first decade of the new millennium

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Most Influential Home Products of the Decade, Part I: French-door refrigerators, low-VOC paints

 By the Numbers: U.S. tap water contains hundreds of pollutants, says EWG

316 Is your tap water safe to drink? Number of different pollutants found in American tap water, according to an analysis of more than 20 million records obtained from state water officials, says the Environmental Working Group , which posits that almost 54 million Americans have polluted tap water

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By the Numbers: U.S. tap water contains hundreds of pollutants, says EWG

 Lose Weight at Home with these 5 Products

Goodness knows it’s hard enough to keep your weight in check on any ’ol ho-hum day, let alone during the ho–ho–holidays.  Heck, I can gain a pound just looking at a slice of cheesecake.  Think about this, though.  If you put on  just 1 pound a year , what will you weigh when you’re 60, 70, 80 or 90?  Mind boggling.

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Lose Weight at Home with these 5 Products

 Imprecious Fingerprint Charm Jewelry (w. earring giveaway!)

Why is it that no matter how much jewelry a woman has, she can always find another pair of must have earrings, coveted necklace, or much needed bracelet to adorn her wrist? I wish I could answer that but I certainly fall into the category of always being able to find more jewelry to put on my wish list! Most recently, I received my Cascade Necklace from Imprecious that is not only stunning but incredibly personal since the 4 charms that hang from the chain are fingerprints from each member of our family. Whenever I wear it I’m complimented on its design but then when I tell admirers that the charms are actually my family’s prints, they are in awe and love to look closely at them.

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Imprecious Fingerprint Charm Jewelry (w. earring giveaway!)

 Forum Friday: Heating and small-appliance topics warm up for the holidays

As wintry weather heralds the holiday gift-buying season, it’s no surprise that heating and small appliances were the most popular topics on our forums this week. Discussion like “ Which gas furnace should I buy ?” and “ Totally confused by gas brands ” include numerous comments on selecting and servicing a wide range of heating equipment, along with links to our buying advice and brand-reliability ratings for gas furnaces.

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Forum Friday: Heating and small-appliance topics warm up for the holidays

 Him for the Holidays

If you’re committed to the hook or needles, there’s still time to stitch-up a great gift for your guy. Here are a few ideas!”Ice Core Cap” Ribbed Beanie(Pattern Available in AwareKnits: Get it for almost $10 off list price in my Open Sky Shop!)”Greensleeves” Zippy Jacket(Pattern Available in AwareKnits)”Circumpolar” Scrap Scarf(Pattern Available in AwareKnits)”Tie-Phoon”(Pattern Available in

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Him for the Holidays

 Holiday Gift Guide: 5 things to know when buying a coffeemaker

A good coffeemaker makes a practical holiday gift that could also save the recipient money—if that person cuts down on pricey visits to a favorite java joint—and might even boost health and productivity . A number of competitively priced, competent models are featured in our ratings of coffeemakers (available to subscribers ), and while they might not brew quite as well as the benchmark $265 Technivorm Moccamaster KBT-741 , their overall performance is comparable and they won't bust your budget.

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Holiday Gift Guide: 5 things to know when buying a coffeemaker

 Head coach of 12-0 Saints becomes lead plaintiff in Chinese-drywall class action

With his National Football League team riding high with a 12-0 record so far this season, Sean Payton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints , might have more on his mind than Xs and Os these days. Payton (center, seen celebrating his squad’s clinching of the NFC South) is the lead plaintiff in a Chinese-drywall-related class action against Knauf Plasterboard Tainjin Co.

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Head coach of 12-0 Saints becomes lead plaintiff in Chinese-drywall class action

 iFood Assistant 2.0 for iPhone-Recipes at Your Fingertips!

You would think that since I’ve been reviewing products for my gift guides since October and publishing holiday gift suggestions at a furious pace that I would know that the holidays are upon us. Not so. All of a sudden the holidays have snuck up on me! While I have everything almost all squared away in the gift department, a month ago I volunteered to host my staff holiday party and now it is tomorrow! Although I have a great collection of cookbooks and a repertoire of tried and true crowd pleasers, I am not feeling inspired

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iFood Assistant 2.0 for iPhone-Recipes at Your Fingertips!

 I Love to Create: Sparkly Bow Necklace

While visiting family last month, I flipped through a copy of Elle Magazine and came across the Kate Spade Bow Necklace. It made me smile in all of it’s kitschy glory; also inspiring me to create a less-blingy, more affordable, ribbon version. I think the result is an adorable, vintage-style bit of sparkle that makes the perfect accessory to wear to those holiday parties

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I Love to Create: Sparkly Bow Necklace

 Cash for Clunkers for Appliances FAQ

What you need to know about the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program The U.S. Department of Energy’s $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program , otherwise known as cash for clunkers for appliances , is up and running in several states, and set to launch in others in early 2010. We’ve been getting a lot of questions from readers who want to take advantage of the incentives the states will dole out, so we’ve compiled this FAQ to fill you in on some specifics of the program.

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Cash for Clunkers for Appliances FAQ