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Losing a pregnancy: When tears are not enough

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After each miscarriage I suffered, I felt a burning need to do something — or rather have something — to remind me and to acknowledge where we've been. I needed something to commemorate the tears and heartbreak; a way of memorializing five lives that never came to be and what the loss meant to me.

Five hearts - five miscarriages

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , anywhere from 10-25 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50-75 percent of all miscarriages.

The loss is great and the grieving can sometimes last forever when you've had a miscarriage. I should know, I've had five.

One day there's a heartbeat and the next there's not.

It's heartbreaking beyond belief.

Memorializing the losses

With each loss, I became sad and depressed. I wrote about my feelings, cried with my husband, read about how others had suffered, met with my counselor and support group, discussed what went wrong with my RE and slowly but surely gained enough strength to move on to the next cycle.

But the pain remains and there was now another longing, not just the longing for a child, but a longing and a necessity to memorialize the losses.

Glass hearts of hope

"I wanted to throw it against the wall and watch it shatter, like my own heart had."

I bought the first bright red glass heart just before we started our last round of IVF, a process that we were certain would work. I carried it with me everywhere, in my pocket or purse, always within reach. I carried it for luck and love, but most of all for hope.

When the process didn’t work, I wanted to throw it against the wall and watch it shatter, like my own heart had.

Again.

Instead, I placed it in a box that was once my mother's on my dresser and there it stayed.

What could have been

I have since added four more just like it because it has taken on a different meaning: What could have been.

I have learned that it's important to grieve for the lives and the ’what could have beens.’ It's part of the healing process and I realize that the emotional impact of a miscarriage can and probably will take longer to heal than the physical impact.

It is agonizing knowing those hearts are there, but they represent a very long and grueling journey that we have not yet completed.

They represent loss.

And peace.

And hope.

Image credit: Tonya Wertman

More on infertility

Holding on to hope during infertility
Infertility: With a little help from your friends
TTC: I quit


Maple & bacon breakfast cupcakes

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Cupcakes for breakfast? Yes, yes, yes! This simple cupcake is slightly sweet and topped with maple buttercream frosting. Plus there is some added bacon because breakfast wouldn't be complete without bacon.

Pancake cupcakes with maple buttercream and bacon

Who says you can't eat cupcakes for breakfast? These maple flavor-packed cupcakes are delicious and totally appropriate for early morning snacking. They have a thick pancake texture and flavor and are topped with whipped maple frosting and a little piece of maple bacon. No need to feel guilty while eating these cupcakes. They are delicious and adorable!

Maple & bacon breakfast cupcake recipe

Yields about 1 dozen

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2-3/4 teaspoon maple extract

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Sift together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and brown sugar in a large bowl.
  3. Whisk together buttermilk, egg, melted butter, maple extract and vanilla extract.
  4. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir till combined.
  5. Add cupcake liners to a 12 count cupcake pan. Fill cups 2/3 full and bake for about 15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when tested in the middle of the muffin.
  6. Let cool and then top with maple buttercream frosting.

Maple buttercream frosting recipe

Yields about 1 cup

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon maple extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer add butter and cream till smooth.
  2. Add in maple syrup and maple extract. Mix till blended.
  3. Slowly add in powdered sugar and mix till fluffy. If you notice that the frosting is too thick simply add a splash of milk to thin it out.

Maple bacon recipe

Yields 4 slices bacon

Ingredients:

  • 4 thick slices bacon
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Put a baking rack on a sheet pan and lay out strips of bacon.
  3. Bake for about 15 minutes until it starts to get crispy. Take bacon out of the oven and baste with maple syrup.
  4. Return pan to the oven and let the syrup "bake" onto the bacon, about 3 minutes.
  5. Break each slice of bacon into 4 pieces and stick into the frosting-topped cupcakes.

More cupcake recipes

Greek baklava cupcake recipe
Apple pie filled cupcake recipe
Mason jar pumpkin cupcake recipe

And baby makes three: Fergie & Josh Duhamel are expecting!

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It's not a rumor anymore: Fergie confirms that she's expecting her first child with husband — and Safe Haven hottie — Josh Duhamel.

Fergie is pregnant

Good fake out, Fergie!

Despite denying it earlier this month, the Black Eyed Peas singer confirmed that yes, she is expecting her first child with husband Josh Duhamel.

"Josh & Me & BABY makes three!!!" the 39-year-old singer tweeted on Monday.

The couple — married since 2009 — avoided questions about her womb status at the Safe Haven premiere in early February, though now it appears they were just waiting for the right time to announce the pregnancy.

Safe Haven's Josh Duhamel gives advice for making love last >>

The couple hasn't been shy about their desire for a child — Duhamel even said having a baby would be his "greatest life achievement."

But, it was never true— until now. The petite singer told reporters in September that her stomach is scrutinized because she's naturally thin.

"[People ask if I'm pregnant] every time I fluctuate a few pounds. Like right now, I'm a couple pounds up. Sometimes I go a couple pounds down and I wear the clothes that are more fitted, but people kind of look at me because they're expecting [that] it's that time. We do hope for children and that will be coming up, but it's not yet," she said.

Safe Haven set visit: Josh Duhamel makes a great dad >>

No word yet on the baby's sex or due date.

Duhamel is pretty excited about his wife's "#lovelyladybump" — he even posted a photoshopped pic of the couple as children. Their baby is going to be quite the adorable little tot, judging from the picture.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Read on for more celebrity baby news

Alec Baldwin is experiencing pregnancy pains
Beyoncé and Oprah talk pregnancy, weight gain and Jay-Z
Royal anger over Kate Middleton's bikini baby bump

Photo: Brian To/WENN.com

Is Taylor Armstrong getting the boot from Bravo?

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The third season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills isn't even over, but the rumors for Season 4 are flying about. Are Taylor Armstrong and Adrienne Maloof getting the boot?

TaylorArmstrongfiredrumors

Even though Season 3 is currently airing, someone at Bravo TV is leaking the news that they are looking for a few new housewives on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsfor Season 4. According to a TMZ report, Taylor Armstrong is the one they want to replace.

On Friday, the entertainment gossip site said that the former host of Extra, Dayna Devon, is the front-runner to replace Armstrong, who's had a rough time after the suicide of her husband, Russell. In fact, Monday night's episode will address some of Armstrong's issues with alcohol.

If Devon replaces Armstrong, she'll fit well into the Beverly Hills profile. The TV host is married to well-known plastic surgeon Brent Moelleken. The couple starred on another reality special, Plastic Wives, for TLC.

On Saturday, Armstrong took to Twitter to debunk the rumors. She wrote, "I am happier and healthier than ever. Kennedy is so happy as well. We are doing great. Don't believe what you read."

In another Housewives twist, TMZ is also reporting that Adrienne Maloof is asking to leave the show because she believes the reality show has "ruined" her personal life. However, TMZ is also saying Maloof was on the chopping block alongside Armstrong. Perhaps Maloof sees the writing on the wall and she wants to exit gracefully on her own terms.

Maloof has been dealing with a nasty divorce from her former husband, plastic surgeon Paul Nassif, and her friendships with the ladies on the show has been pretty rocky in Season 3.

Who will replace Maloof? Coincidentally, it's Penny Lancaster, Rod Stewart's wife, who is also being looked at as a future replacement. Remember, Maloof is dating the rocker's much younger son, Sean.

Oh, what a tangled web these Housewives weave.

Do you want to see Taylor and Adrienne replaced on the show?

Image courtesy of Nikki Nelson / WENN.com

Creating accounts for kids: Practical and tax consequences

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It’s never too early to start saving. Opening a bank or other investment account for your child can be a great way to help her save for the future while teaching the importance of being financially responsible.
Little girl at the bank

It’s never too early to start saving. Opening a bank or other investment account for your child can be a great way to help her save for the future while teaching the importance of being financially responsible.

Best accounts
for your kids

When it comes to figuring out which kind of account to open for your child, it can be a bit overwhelming. Here’s a quick walk-through of some of the options that are available.

Custodial account

Under federal law, minors cannot open savings accounts in their own name alone. However, a minor can open a custodial account. A custodial account is technically the property of the minor but is managed by an adult, often referred to as a custodian, until the age of majority. Since the money inside of the account is considered the minor’s property, a custodian may not make withdrawals for his or her own benefit. When the minor reaches adult age, the account can be converted into a regular savings account. The most common kind of custodial account is a UGMA account, or Uniform Gift to Minors Act account.

Joint account

In some states, a minor may own a bank account jointly with an adult. In that event, both the parent and the minor will have access to the account and the account statements. Unlike a custodial account, the money is owned jointly and does not become the property of the minor at a certain age; it remains in joint names until the account owners indicate otherwise.

Totten trust or POD account

A Totten trust is a very simple kind of trust that doesn’t require a formal trust document. A Totten trust, also called a POD account, allows an adult to name a beneficiary, including a child, for the account. It’s an easy way to avoid probate costs at death but isn’t a terrific way to teach a child about money since the beneficiary of the account doesn’t have access to the funds until the death of the owner.

529 plan

A 529 plan, sometimes referred to as an education savings plan allows you to save for your child's education. The plan takes its name from section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which is appropriate: The main benefit of the plan is the tax savings. Neither the earnings from the investment nor the distributions or withdrawals from the plan are taxable for federal income tax purposes. Those investments grow tax-free and are never taxed for federal purposes so long as you use withdrawals from the investments for eligible college expenses, which includes most costs associated with college like tuition and room and board as well as fees, books, supplies and equipment. However, if you withdraw money from the plan for a purpose other than eligible college expenses, you will be subject to federal income tax and an additional 10 percent federal tax penalty on earnings.

Tax consequences

For federal income tax purposes, the amount of tax payable for a child’s account depends on three factors: The incidence of ownership; the type of income and the amount of income.

1

Incidence of ownership

The first piece is easy. To the extent that the child owned the account, the child is responsible for reporting the income, if required. To the extent that the child was merely a beneficiary of the account , the child is not responsible for reporting the income; that responsibility falls on the owner.

2

Type of income

The second piece is also easy. Dividends and interest from banking or brokerage accounts are considered unearned income . The rules for reporting unearned income are quite straightforward. If there is a mix of earned and unearned income , the rules can be more complicated: Check IRS Pub 929 for more information.

3

Amount of income

Finally, the amount of income comes into play. For the 2012 tax year, children under the age of 18 or children under the age of 23 who are full-time students treat the first $950 of unearned income as tax-free income; the next $950 is taxed at the child’s rate. Unearned income over those combined amounts, $950 + 950, or $1900, is taxed at the child’s parents’ tax rate. That’s the amount often referred to as the “kiddie tax.”

All of that said, don’t get wrapped up merely in the tax consequences when making your decision about the best way to save. Consider your end goals. Are you trying to teach financial responsibility? Save for a rainy day? Pay for college? The answer to those questions, combined with the tax consequences will help you make the best decision for you and your child.

More about family finances

The new tax picture in 2013
Claiming dependents on your taxes
Tax consequences of gifts to kids

Country singer Mindy McCready remembered in song

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With Mindy McCready's death at age 37 this weekend, the country music world has lost one of its own far too soon. We honor the legacy McCready left behind by looking back at some of her biggest hits.

Country Singer Mindy McCready

"Guys Do It All the Time"

Arguably McCready’s biggest hit, “Guys Do It All the Time” topped the Billboard singles chart in 1996. A veritable she-power anthem, the song flipped the script on men everywhere — guys can stay out late drinkin’ and carryin’ on, so why can’t women? It’s hard not to love McCready’s stick-it-to-'em sentiment when she charges: Get over it honey, life’s a two way street/Or you won’t be a man of mine/So I had some beers with the girls last night/Guys do it all the time.

"Ten Thousand Angels"

I can tell he’s gonna ask me to dance/But that’s not as far as he wants to go/I need ten thousand angels/To help me tell him no. Oh, sweetie, we’ve all been there before! Sometimes it takes more than a little willpower to keep your wits about you when your crush is a-calling. McCready’s plea for divine intervention landed her on the Top Ten singles chart for “Ten Thousand Angels.” Recorded nearly two decades ago now, the song still resonates with fans for its flirty lyrics and McCready’s lilting delivery of them.

"A Girl's Gotta Do "

If you’ve recently gone through a bad breakup, chances are you’ve found your way to McCready’s Top Ten single “A Girl’s Gotta Do .” If you haven’t, girl, get on it! This song will help you put down the box of chocolates, slide on that sexy red dress and treat yourself to a night on the town — in spite of that silly ex who didn’t have the sense to hang onto your fine a**. And if you just so happen to run into said schmuck? Well, take a page from McCready’s book and tell the sorry sap to “give me a call sometime real soon/and remind me to remember/to forget about you!”

"You'll Never Know"

Leave it to a woman to bear her suffering in silence. We all know how it goes — the breakup, followed by the inevitable “I don’t love you anymore” song and dance. McCready softens the blow of being the only one left in love in a relationship with this spirited song about beckoning your best I’m-doing-just-fine smile during awkward run-ins with the ex: You'll never know I'll never find another/That could take your place/Cause I'll be smiling when I see you/No my tears won't ever show/Yeah I might always love you/But you'll never know.

"Maybe He'll Notice Her Now" with Richie McDonald

Listening to McCready’s duet with Riche McDonald now, the lyrics take on new meaning. Verses such as “Maybe he’ll notice her now/Maybe he’ll open his eyes/Sometimes it takes somebody leaving/For a man to realize” serve as a sad reminder of the singer’s untimely death and the demons she had long been battling. You've got our attention now, Mindy... you will surely be missed.

Image courtesy of Judy Eddy/WENN.com

How to organize a progressive dinner

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Never heard of a progressive dinner? This dinner party has not just one location, but at least four locations. So put on your walking shoes and get ready to party!
Friends having wine

Never heard of a progressive dinner? This dinner party has not just one location, but at least four locations. So put on your walking shoes and get ready to party!

Have a fun night
with friends!

Set a date on the calendar and get ready for a fun night of dinner parties! Just because you're sticking to a strict budget doesn't mean that you can't throw one heck of a stop! In fact, entertaining together, as a group, is much more economical than one host footing the entire bill. Learn how to organize your first progressive dinner.

Communication is key

Set up an online site where everyone can RSVP. Ask about any food-related allergies ahead of time. As a hostess, you never want to serve a dish that will cause your guests to become ill. Knowledge is power, so ask upfront!

Try these tips for relaxed hosting>>

Divide it up

Each neighbor provides one course of a typical dinner party, so divide up the menu and get started! The beauty of a progressive dinner is that there's less stress, and everyone gets to participate. Assign each course depending on strengths. If one neighbor outshines the others when it comes to cocktails and wine selection, ask them to to be the first stop for the progressive dinner. If another neighbor has a huge dining room, pick them for the main course.

Try these 5 Creative cocktail party appetizers >> 

Course by course

Ideally, the night will be spent within your neighborhood, so you can walk from house to house. First up is cocktails and appetizers, then you walk to the next house for soup and/or salad, the next house has the main course and you end the night at the dessert house!

Also keep in mind that you probably want to keep the cocktails or wine flowing at each stop, so pick inexpensive wines to complement your course. Neighbors could even consider purchasing a box of wines to carry from house to house. One box is the equivalent of four bottles, so the price is easy on your wallet!

Check out these great wines on a budget>>

Last stop

The grand finale of the night is the dessert house. This person has the greatest responsibility for making sure the party ends well. Whether there is a buffet of dessert options or one large dessert, keep the beverages flowing , the laughter glowing and the conversation knowing, then everyone will have a grand time!

More dinner party tips

Host a successful potluck party
10 Tips for a memorable dinner party
5 Tips for stress-free entertaining

Alabama Shakes makes some waves on Saturday Night Live

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Alabama Shakes made their mark this weekend when they performed on Saturday Night Live, making music fans take notice.

Alabama Shakes

While some people were buzzing about Oscar nominee Christoph Waltz's performance on Saturday Night Live, music fans were have been raving about Alabma Shakes' appearance on the show. The Grammy-nominated band is on the rise, so take notice.

The group is a relatively new rock band that formed in 2009 in Athens, Alabama. The four musicians — lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, and drummer Steve Johnson — released their first studio album, Boys & Girls, to great acclaim in April 2012.

The album resulted in three Grammy nominations, including for Best New Artist, Best Rock Performance for their single "Hold On," and Best Rock Performance for Boys & Girls. They also hit the late-night talk show circuit with appearances on Conan, the Late Show with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The return of indie at the Grammy Awards>>

It seems that their SNL performance really has audiences talking. On Saturday's show, they sang their Grammy-nominated single "Hold On" and "Always Alright," which was written for the Silver Linings Playbook soundtrack.

If their sound is familiar to you, you might have heard their song "You Ain't Alone" in a Zales jewelry ad from 2011.

While they didn't win any Grammys this year, it is clear they are ready to make a big mark on the music scene. As of Monday afternoon, their album remained at No. 2 on the iTunes charts, so music fans are clearly responding to their late-night comedy show appearance.

See their performance on SNL.

Image courtesy of Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Will any of the Avengers appear on ABC's S.H.I.E.L.D?

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Joss Whedon's returning to television with S.H.I.E.L.D., a new series based on the Marvel comic of the same name. It has a strong connection to The Avengers, which means there may be some surprise cameos.

Cobie Smulders

Co-writer and director Joss Whedon recently wrapped up production on S.H.I.E.L.D. The pilot was produced for ABC in the hope that it will become the next big thing.

S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't necessarily a spinoff of The Avengers. It's just another entity that happens to exist in the same universe. With that in mind, fans have been wondering if Iron Man, Thor or the rest of the gang will make cameos on the TV show.

Marvel reveals its top-secret TV show with Joss Whedon>>

Cobie Smulders, who played Agent Maria Hill in The Avengers, has hinted at a possible crossover. She's currently a regular on CBS' How I Met Your Mother, so her busy schedule is a deciding factor.

As for other possibilities, Whedon's optimistic but not putting all his eggs in one basket. He told TVLine, there's "not a ton" of familiar faces from the Marvel-verse, though "there's a little bit of talk of that. Right now, I want to involve people in the characters that we've created for the show and then we'll worry about [the other stuff]."

Joss Whedon's S.H.I.E.L.D. to skimp on the superheroes>>

Whedon's known for repeatedly working with the same actors. So should we expect some fan favorites from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly or Dollhouse to pop up on S.H.I.E.L.D.?

"You look for the best person for the role, and if that person is someone you already know, then great. That's some work done for you," Whedon explained. "But as much as I would love to — and once did — make a movie just with my friends, you always want to increase the family."

The current cast of S.H.I.E.L.D. includes Ming-Na Wen, Clark Gregg, Chloe Bennet, Elizabeth Henstridge, Scotsman Iain De Caestecker and Brett Dalton.

Photo credit: Dominic Chan/WENN

Chaz Bono's weight loss win: Down 40, aiming for 80!

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Chaz Bono's weight loss is going so well he's doubling down on the amount he aims to lose! No starvation though — the 43-year-old insists he's on a strictly healthy diet.

Chaz Bono

There's a little less of Chaz Bono to love these days, and he couldn't be happier! Already down an impressive 43 pounds, the former Dancing With the Stars contestant now has his sights set on an even bigger accomplishment.

Chaz Bono, seen here in December, first went public with his 50-pound weight-loss goal in mid-November. Although he's very close to reaching that amount, the bar has now been raised to an 80-pound goal!

Chaz Bono poses shirtless for Out>>

"I've been sticking to a really strict diet," Chaz Bono recently explained to People. "It's not any type of starvation thing. I'm just cutting out a lot of stuff and eating primarily protein and vegetables and fruit."

"It hasn't been that long, but when you're a guy and you've got a lot of weight to lose, the initial stuff comes off pretty easily," the only child of singer Cher and the late Sonny Bono, who legally became a man in 2010, continued.

"You start to see results and you want to keep going. It's not to say you don't have cravings sometimes, but I'm very happy with how I'm looking and feeling. Especially when I'm traveling or I have to go out to eat or whatever, it's actually kind of easier than I thought to [eat healthy], so that's been good."

Chaz Bono talks gender reassignment with mom Cher and Oprah>>

"There haven't really been any bad parts to this so far, except certain stuff that I miss eating," the 43-year-old added. "But ultimately, I would much rather look and feel better than eat those things. Everything else has been really great. I feel better and when I look in the mirror, I like what I see better."

Also helping Chaz Bono's weight loss success? Love from fans far and wide. He tweeted Monday evening, "Thanks for all the supportive tweets about my weight loss, appreciate it."

Image via WENN

Jurassic Park producer won't return for new sequel

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It's been two decades since the release of Jurassic Park, and people are still interested in the franchise. Steven Spielberg has plans for a fourth film, but it will be without his famous producing partner.

Kathleen Kennedy

Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most powerful women in Hollywood. She's produced iconic films that have stood the test of time. One of her biggest titles is Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. The franchise, which began in 1993, is set for a revival. Unfortunately, Kennedy won't be a part of it.

Steven Spielberg thinking about Jurassic Park IV>>

Kennedy has too much on her plate. As co-chair of Lucasfilm, she has a new Star Wars trilogy to think about. Therefore, her involvement with Jurassic Park IV seems highly unlikely.

Jurassic Park 4: It's on, says Steven Spielberg>>

On Twitter, Kennedy's husband, Frank Marshall, wrote, "No. Ms. Kennedy has moved onto Star Wars and will not be producing JP4. She's traded raptors for TIE fighters."

Meanwhile, Spielberg will be back but only as a producer. They've yet to hire a director to tackle the long-developing sequel. It's hard to believe, but the last Jurassic Park film hit theaters 12 years ago! Jurassic Park III opened in 2001 and was directed by Joe Johnston.

Some of Kennedy's notable works include E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones series, Back to the Future, The Color Purple, Schindler's List and, most recently, Lincoln.

Last year, she spoke to ComingSoon.net about the multiple attempts to revamp the dinosaur series.

"As filmmakers, we often sit there going, 'Okay. We have to answer the question, 'Why do another one?' If you can't answer that question, you shouldn't be doing it. It's tough. We're trying to come up with a story that makes sense and isn't going to disappoint people and is, hopefully, going to get people excited and reinvigorate the franchise."

Photo credit: WENN

Not your mother’s toy box

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Toy storage has come a long way from bland wooden boxes! One look at these stylish storage solutions and you’ll actually be welcoming more toys in your home so you’ll have an excuse to buy them!

If your house is starting to look less like a home and more like a Toys"R"Us, don't fret. Multipurpose toy storage can merge both form and function without sacrificing your home decor.

Dual-purpose modern

P'kolino storage chest

This P'kolino storage chest is a modern take on a classic toy box. It comes with a reversible chalkboard lid, is large enough to stash toys, even stuffed animals, but small enough to be stored in small spaces. Plus, it’s easy to move from room-to-room with its lightweight design and wheels on the bottom. Not only is this sleek little storage box adorable, but the reversible chalkboard lid means you get play and utility in one compact piece!

Bye bye book clutter

P'kolino bookshelf

Books are some of the best toys kids can have, but they're not always the easiest toys to keep neat. This P'kolino Playful Book Shelf has three shelves for books on the top as well as a large storage space on the bottom. Each forward-facing book shelf has chalkboard tabs, plus there's a chalkboard-painted sliding door below, so you can organize and personalize in style! It comes in a black and white color combo, bright fuchsia or bold cobalt blue.

Safe and stylish

Storage ottoman

If you have little ones who are just learning to walk, you’ll love this Safavieh Layla Storage Ottoman . The round design means you can keep it in your living room as accent furniture and let your little ones loose, without worrying that they might run into sharp corners or edges. Plus, with its plush, tufted top, it can pull double duty as an ottoman or end table. This multipurpose piece is perfect for toys, books and anything else you might need to stash in your living room... 10 minutes before company arrives, of course!

Clever cubbies

Clever cubbies

Few things beat cubbies and storage bins when it comes to organizing small toys and keeping different types of building blocks in their separate spaces. If you lean toward sleek and simple when it comes to style and you don’t want to compromise that for classroom-style cubbies, pick up an Expedit shelving unit and use it as a sideboard. By turning the shelving unit on its side, you can create cubbies that are within your little one’s reach. Plus, the unit can also serve as a bench that they can sit on or as a surface for puzzles. If you like to change up your decor often, you can always match your new playroom color palette or your child’s favorite new fad simply by swapping out the storage boxes!

More about storage & organization

Pretty and practical storage for Baby's room
6 Ways to get your family organized
Never step on another stray LEGO again

Clive Davis: Bisexuality came late in life

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Music industry icon Clive Davis has revealed he is bisexual in his new memoir, but that his marriages were not cover-ups for a sexual secret.

Clive Davis

Clive Davis holds the secrets of countless music greats, but there's one secret he says he isn't keeping for himself. The industry icon reveals in his memoir The Soundtrack of My Life that he is bisexual — but his two marriages to women were 100 percent sincere and real.

Davis, the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment who is responsible for the rise of such artists as Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, the Grateful Dead and Barry Manilow, among countless others, says he didn't discover this side to his sexuality until late in life.

"For over 50 years I never had sex with a male," he told ABC News. "It wasn't repressed. I had very good sexual relationships with women."

Davis, a father of three and Whitney Houston's mentor, was twice married to women and said he has been in two long-term relationships with males: One from 1990 to 2004, and another for the last seven years.

Clive Davis mourns Whitney Houston at Grammy party>>

He enjoyed sexual experimentation in all sorts of permutations, as he explained in detail. “There were married couples, gay couples, and single men and women, both straight and gay."

He says the shocking revelation was a "tough adjustment" for his son Mitchell, from whom he became temporarily estranged, but they worked it out after "one trying year."

Calling bisexuality "maligned and misunderstood," Davis insists he is not gay and his prior relationships with women were the real deal.

"I'm not lying," he said. "Bisexuality does exist."

Image courtesy Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com

Prince Michael Jackson gets a job on TV

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He spent much of his youth draped in veils or wearing a mask while in public. Now the 16-year-old son of Michael Jackson has a high-profile television job.

Prince Michael Jackson at a benefit

Congratulations to Prince Michael Jackson, who has a brand-new job: special guest correspondent for Entertainment Tonight.

Jackson, the eldest son of late singer Michael Jackson, landed the gig with ET due to his connection with correspondent Brooke Anderson, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Anderson told the Los Angeles Times that she shares a "mutual connection" with Jackson, and she'd been wanting to work with him since she met him.

She hit upon the idea of using him to interview the stars of Oz the Great and Powerful because dad Michael Jackson was in Wizard of Oz takeoff The Wiz in back in 1978.

Jackson, who's in high school, didn't miss any school for the job; ET filmed over the long President's Day weekend. It was an easy shoot, Anderson told the LA Times: "He really did not need that much coaching. This may sound strange because he's 16, but he was very smooth and confident," Anderson said.

Jackson interviewed director Sam Raimi and actors James Franco and Zach Braff. All Anderson said she had to do to prep him was go over potential questions, and brainstorm some ways to dispel tension .

Paris Jackson's acting dreams: Dammit, says Janet>>

"He created a really great energy, and they were all surprised by how knowledgeable he was about the film industry. He knew technical 3-D terms that I had no idea about," Anderson said.

Jackson's interviews with the Oz stars will air all this week.

Gotta hand it to MJ, he seemed like a weird guy but his kids only say great stuff about him. Anderson told Jackson he seemed wise for his age, and Jackson replied, "That was all thanks to my dad. He raised me right."

Prince Michael's sister Paris Jackson, 14, told Oprah's Next Chapter in 2012 that she still misses her father all the time, and that she and brothers Prince Michael and Blanket, 10, "had a normal childhood."

Are the Jackson siblings asking for an abnormal adolescence by checking into showbiz?

Image courtesy WENN.com

How to stop eating emotionally

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We all do it. We get upset or frustrated and reach for the nearest piece of junk food we can find. Once we feel better, we regret our decision to emotionally eat. It’s time to take charge of this unhealthy habit once and for all.
No more emotional eating
Sad woman eating chips

Take charge and end the habit

We all do it. We get upset or frustrated and reach for the nearest piece of junk food we can find. Once we feel better, we regret our decision to emotionally eat. It's time to take charge of this unhealthy habit once and for all.

Emotional eating is eating to feed a feeling, not your stomach. It's when you eat out of boredom, anger, stress, sadness or any other emotion. According to the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center, there are certain signs that differentiate eating out of hunger from eating out of emotions. Emotional eating signs include hunger coming on suddenly , developing a strong craving for something , not necessarily stopping when you are full and feeling a sense of guilt afterward. Obviously, this isn't good for your physical or emotional well-being, so let's learn to put a stop to it for good.

Recognize the signs

Just like any problem, the first step toward stopping emotional eating is recognizing and admitting that you have a problem. Start keeping a food journal and track what you're eating with what emotions you're feeling. After a few weeks, look back and see if you can pinpoint any patterns of behavior. For example, you may find you reach for a bag of potato chips every time you sit down to study or work, or you grab a bowl of ice cream when something's upset you. This is good — now you're aware of your triggers and you can work at correcting them.

Make a list of things to do

To help with eating out of boredom , have a list handy that you can refer to when you feel the urge to eat coming on. If you keep yourself busy, the craving will pass. Some ideas for this list include going for a walk, calling a friend, reading a magazine or book, watching a movie, going to the gym, window shopping, deep-cleaning your house or even taking a nap. Once you've completed the activity, the craving will have passed.

Other ways to manage a craving include:

"Remember that moderation is key."
  • Drink a large glass of water to fill you up
  • Brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash
  • Don't keep unhealthy food in the house
  • Chew gum
  • Eat a high-protein/high-fiber diet

Choose healthy alternatives

If you don't keep potato chips in the house, you're not going to reach for them when a craving strikes. We recommend stocking up on healthy foods to give yourself plenty of options when you're hungry. Eat small healthy meals throughout the day to keep yourself full, and if you can't help but give in to your craving, choose a healthy option. Instead of a bowl of ice cream, have a fruit and yogurt parfait drizzled with chocolate. Instead of chips, satisfy your crunchy craving with fresh vegetables or these stuffed dried fruit bites.

The key to taking control of emotional eating is recognizing the signs and working to change it. It takes practice, and, since no one's perfect, you're going to give in from time to time. That's OK — remember that moderation is key and to try and choose lighter, healthier options when possible.

Tell us

What are your tips for controlling emotional eating? Share in the comments below!

More on healthy eating

5 Ways to fight food cravings
Kick food cravings with a protein-rich breakfast
Healthy eating tips: Beyond the calorie count


Raising girls: Why we say no to playground kissing

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It seems innocent enough — a kiss on the playground — but there's something about it that makes my heart wrench as a mom of two girls. When our kindergartener told me that a boy was trying to kiss her at recess, I quickly realized that we needed to take a stance on playground kissing.
Playground kiss

Saving those first-kiss moments

It seems innocent enough — a kiss on the playground — but there's something about it that makes my heart wrench as a mom of two girls.

When our kindergartener told me that a boy was trying to kiss her at recess, I quickly realized that we needed to take a stance on playground kissing.

It's just a kiss!

I know it seems so silly to be so concerned about an innocent little playground kiss; it even makes me giggle a bit to share it with other moms, because in reality, Janie was only 6 and the kiss was surely just that — a sweet gesture from a little boy in her class who wanted to express how he was feeling about her. At first, I hardly made a fuss about it when she told me — in fact, I smiled a bit to myself, recalling my own first kiss and having a bit of a "here we go" moment, realizing that we'd suddenly been launched into the world where little boys and little girls were no longer playmates, but members of the opposite sex.

Little girl

It wasn't until later that evening that my feelings about her potentially being kissed on the playground sunk in. I felt overwhelmed with emotions — that I wanted her first kiss, even just that little peck, to be something that she really remembered and that as a kindergartener, she was too young for it to meansomething.

I also wanted to teach her that she was in control of her own body and that if she didn't want to be kissed by this little boy , that she had the right to say so. But, I found myself wanting to tell Janie even more than that — I wanted to tell her that she just wasn't old enough, that it wasn't time yet, that she wasn't allowed to kiss people or be kissed on the playground. I wanted to protect her from the opening of Pandora's box that I saw an innocent kiss leading to. I realized that it was crazy and that a kiss between two kindergarteners wasn't the fast road to a staring role on MTV's Teen Mom, but in my eyes, in that moment, it was all the same.

The conversation I had with Janie a couple of days later, after I had the chance to think things through a bit, and to chat with some of my other mom friends about how to work through the situation, helped settle me a bit.

"She wasn't any more ready to launch into the kissing scene than
I was... "

I was pleasantly surprised to hear Janie, in her own 6-year-old voice, reiterate everything that I had been feeling — she wasn't any more ready to launch into the kissing scene than I was and she candidly told me how she felt about kissing, letting me know that the only people she wanted to kiss her were Mommy and Daddy and sometimes her sister at bedtime. I let her lead most of the discussion, adding in a prompt or two, such as, "How would you use your words to tell someone that you don't want them to kiss you?" It was age-appropriate and seemed to both satisfy her curiosity and mine about the topic. By the end, Janie seemed to understand that her dad and I felt that kissing should be saved for when she was older — "Like, when I'm married or when I'm old enough to buy a car," she told me — and I felt as if we'd survived the first of many conversations such as this with our girls.

On the other side of things

While I was busy looking at it from the side of a mother of a girl in the situation, it took me a moment to realize that there is another perspective to this story — the side of the mother of the little boy! I couldn't help but ask a mom friend who has two boys, both of who are a bit older than Janie, what she thought about kissing on the playground.

"We've actually been on both sides of this situation," she told me candidly. "I've had one son who has been the kisser and one son who has been the kissed over the years — both times on the playground at school." She continued to tell me: "It's funny because in both cases, I heard about it from my boys and it has started some interesting conversations in our house about respecting women, privacy for their bodies and their own self-esteem/body image. I'd say that as a mom on the boy side, I encouraged my sons to use their words to express how they were feeling to their friends — both boys and girls."

What does your daughter think about her own body? Raising girls: The "I'm fat" conversation>>

Keeping the conversation going

The best lesson, as a mom, that I found in this situation, was that keeping the communication lines open with my daughter about her relationships — both now and moving forward — is so important. Although I wasn't thrilled about the thought of her getting smooched on the playground, I wanted her to feel like she could tell me without being punished or scolded for how she was feeling or how she reacted.

I know that as she moves from being 8 years old to being 18 years old to being 28 years old, Janie will tell me less and less, and I hope that if I can establish a solid foundation of communication with her now about these topics, that she will continue to come to me when she has questions or concerns.

How have you dealt with the kissing issue with your young child? Tell us about it below!

Photo credit: Andria Lindquist

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Zero Dark Thirty lead signs on for next Planet of the Apes

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Intense actor Jason Clarke, a breakout star thanks to his role as a ruthless CIA operative in Zero Dark Thirty, is confirmed to star in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

Jason Clarke at Spago

Oooh, the sequel to the 2011 hit Rise of the Planet of the Apes just got interesting: Zero Dark Thirty's Jason Clarke is cast as the lead, The Hollywood Reporter wrote today.

Clarke has been knocking around Hollywood for a while in films like Public Enemies and Lawless, but audiences really noticed him in Oscar-nommed Zero Dark Thirty, in which Clarke played a merciless CIA agent.

Look at this guy! Those eyes! He practically burst off the screen in Zero Dark Thirty. Now he's going to play, as The Hollywood Reporter uncovered, one of a "group of human scientists who are struggling to survive alone in San Francisco."

CGI acting legend Andy Serkis will also return as intelligent talking ape Caesar, who is struggling "to maintain dominance over his kingdom."

This sounds good. Planet of the Apes fanboys and -girls will recall that 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes starred James Franco as a San Fran scientist who created a wonky cure for Alzheimer's that he wound up delivering to a baby chimp.

Meet the hot men of Zero Dark Thirty>>

A pile of complications later, Caesar gave the smarty injection to a bunch of other apes who held an ape/human standoff on the Golden Gate Bridge, before escaping into a redwood forest. A short sequence during the movie's credits implied that humans were about to be wiped out by some type of global pandemic.

Sounds like in the sequel the humans have indeed been decimated and now the apes hope to take over. Cue the creepy shots of a deserted San Francisco, with apes swarming everywhere. 28 Days Later had such effective shots of an ominously still London, maybe the Dawn folk watched that for inspiration.

In any case, it sounds as if this series of Apes movies is taking a different tack than the 1960s-1970s Planet of the Apes series. The 1968 Planet of the Apes film, written by The Twilight Zone's Rod Serling and starring gun-lover Charlton Heston, started with a group of astronauts who crash-landed on a planet overtaken by apes, then pulled back to tell the story of how the planet got that way in a series of five films.

The 2011 reboot started with the smarty-ape beginning, and now seems to be moving on to the logical next chapter.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will be directed by Matt Reeves, who also helmed creepy 2008 monster movie Cloverfield, 2010 Swedish vampire remake Let Me In and um, a bunch of episodes of Felicity. Odd, that.

Are you excited for the next Planet of the Apes?

Image courtesy Brian To/WENN.com

Parenting in the age of Facebook: The pros and cons

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These days it seems like everyone is connected by Facebook, and it's a place where parenting topics are often discussed — but beware. Sometimes Facebook can be an amazing support network and a way to connect with other moms for friendship and parenting advice. Other times it can turn into another battleground for the mommy wars.
Mom on the computer

These days it seems like everyone is connected by Facebook, and it's definitely a place where parenting topics are often discussed — but beware. Facebook does have a negative side for moms.

When social networking and parenting collide

Sometimes Facebook can be an amazing support network and a way to connect with other moms for friendship and parenting advice. Other times it can turn into another battleground for the mommy wars.

Parenting has changed so much since our parents’ generation, and social media plays a huge role in that change. It’s hard to imagine parenting without around-the-clock access to much needed parenting advice, information, and the ability to connect with other moms. As a society, we have never been more interconnected, but the way we connect via social media outlets like Facebook can be both a blessing and a curse.

Kirk Voss, a Utah-based licensed marriage and family therapist says that Facebook can provide moms with a sense of connection and community. Voss says that it is human nature to seek out a sense of security, validation, and a feeling of being loved and appreciated. “Women, whether working from home or raising children, or both, very often seek those three things through a social connection with other women — and that's where Facebook becomes so meaningful for moms.” Voss says, “They can connect with a community of other moms, nearby or distant, and feel a sense of validation, empathy, confidence, reassurance and appreciation.”

Why moms love Facebook

Tina Hakala, mother of three in Michigan, loves the feeling of connectedness that Facebook provides her. “Connecting with other moms on Facebook has most definitely made me a better mother. It has increased my patience, given me a host of lactation consultants and midwives to get advice from, and it makes me feel like I'm not alone in this crazy, wonderful whirlwind of parenting.”

To moms who are feeling like they are the only ones pulling their hair out at the end of the day, seeing Facebook posts by other moms can be comforting. “Facebook puts things in perspective for me when other parents rant about losing their minds. It makes me relax and be more patient with my own kids,” Hakala says.

Voss says that Facebook can be a good outlet for a mom to share her feelings and experiences with a community of people who know exactly what she is going through. He adds, “Almost instantly, moms can hear words of encouragement, reassurances that things will work out, suggestions for almost any parenting dilemma, and most importantly, words of empathy and validation when life gets hard.” The feeling that we’re all in this together is what brings many moms to Facebook day after day.

How to connect with other moms in the digital world>>

The downside of Facebook

While some moms view Facebook as an invaluable tool in their parenting arsenal, other moms see it more negatively. Cristina Wong, mom to one in Arizona, thinks that Facebook can be a source of unnecessary drama: “Topics that would have never come up in regular conversation come up on Facebook, and responses are there for everyone to see.”

Wong says she has lost friends over disagreements on Facebook. “I find that people say things in ways they never would face-to-face and have no problem gathering a lynch mob when they disagree on a topic.” In the world of Facebook, it can be easy for moms to broadcast opinions on hot-button topics, leading to another battle in the so-called mommy wars.

“Sometimes we start out wanting very simple advice on a certain topic, and the comments that follow can become overwhelming, depressing, or unhelpful,” cautions Voss. Unsolicited advice from others can often leave us feeling lectured or judged, rather than supported.

Check out these tips for handling internet disputes>>

It's all about balance

Andrea Engelman, mom of two, thinks it’s possible to discuss parenting topics and still keep it friendly.  “Remember that everyone only wants the best for their children, even if we might disagree on what’s best. Sometimes we might even learn something from someone we previously disagreed with,” Engelman says.

Voss points out that it is important to keep our Facebook relationships in perspective. “While Facebook can be a fun, comforting and bonding network, it shouldn't become our main source of connection.” Facebook should be a means to supplement our interactions with other people, and not completely replace that social connection.

More on Facebook and parenting

Facebook and kids: How young is too young?
Can you steer your kids away from Facebook?
7 Tips for Facebook parents

Peanut butter Oreo stuffed brownies

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Who doesn't love when their food is stuffed? These simple brownie bites are stuffed with not one but two Oreos! Then, sandwiched between them is a layer of peanut butter. It's amazing!

Peanut butter oreo stuffed brownies

These brownies are over the top! Your kids will love them, your partner will love them and your office mates are sure to love them! They are super simple and stuffed with tons of sweet treats. Don't worry if you think these are complicated to make. They are beyond easy! Create a little peanut butter Oreo sandwich and cover with brownie batter. Simply bake and enjoy... it's that simple!

Peanut butter Oreo stuffed brownie recipe

Yielda 12 cupcake-sized stuffed brownies

Ingredients:

  • 1 brownie mix for an 8 x 8-inch pan
  • 24 Oreo cookies
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Make brownie mix according to directions. Do not bake.
  3. Fill cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Add about a teaspoon of peanut butter between two Oreo cookies. Put completed peanut butter Oreo sandwich into a lined cupcake space.
  4. Scoop about 2 tablespoons brownie batter over top of the peanut butter Oreo sandwiches.
  5. Bake for about 20 minutes until cooked through. Let brownies cool completely before eating.

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Benefits of chapter books for young readers

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Helping your children become avid readers is one of the most important things that you can do to help them succeed. Whether you are a homeschooling family or not, your children can benefit tremendously from reading chapter books at home.
Kids reading

Helping your children become avid readers is one of the most important things that you can do to help them succeed. Whether you are a homeschool family or not, your children can benefit tremendously from reading chapter books at home.

How to introduce chapter books

There's nothing I love more than seeing my son lost in adventures between the pages of a book, to see him go back to a book, day after day to learn what happens next. It's magical!

Books take us to places we can only dream about, we find new friends in characters that we grow to love. Introducing children to chapter books at an early age can nurture a love of reading and help children on the road to becoming avid readers.

Where to start?

Start at the beginning, start with picture books, lots and lots of picture books. Make reading fun, use various character voices as you read and discuss the pictures on the pages.

"Make reading fun,
use various character voices as you read and discuss the pictures
on the pages."

Once your child can sit still for 20 minutes of read-aloud time and understand what was read, you can slowly introduce him to read-aloud chapter books. There are many benefits to starting the reading process with read-alouds. Reading aloud to your child helps with listening and comprehension skills, helps build his vocabulary, improves memory skills and teaches life lessons through discussion. While chapter books have many benefits, they should by no means replace picture books; picture books are just as important as they help children master visual literacy.

Independent reading

Once your child has transitioned from beginning readers to more advanced readers, she will more than likely be ready to explore the world of chapter books. A chapter book series is the perfect place to start. As your child finishes one book, she will be eager to read the next book in the series. Be prepared, there will be bumps in the road — your child will encounter times of frustration, be sure not to push too quickly. Allowing your child to read chapter books out loud to you or a sibling will make a world of difference. Again, it's all about making it fun while enjoying books together!

To combat the frustration difficult words bring my sons, we created a game with an ongoing list of new words they learn. Instead of feeling frustrated when coming upon a word they cannot pronounce or do not know the meaning of, they are excited to find a new word to add to our word wall.

Chapter books to try

  • Circle C Adventures
  • Magic Tree House
  • The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Books
  • Cul-de-Sac Kids
  • Little Britches
  • Stuart Little
  • James and the Giant Peach
  • Little House Books
  • The Birchbark House
  • The Phantom Tollbooth
  • The Tale of Despereaux
  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Keep reading to your children

Continue to read to your children as they grow. Bedtime read-alouds will become something your children look forward to, a memorable part of their childhood. Take advantage of the precious time you have with your children, enjoy good books, start great discussions and let their imaginations soar.

More about reading

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Best book series for young readers
Why you should read to your baby

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