Are you looking for ways to bring more organization and happiness to your home life? If so, we have real-life, tried-and-true tips that might help you achieve family bliss.

Small steps add up
to big help

Dishes are piling up in the sink. The kids need help with homework. Your project for work has a looming deadline. How do so many women achieve family bliss at home? SheKnows spoke with several moms to gain perspective on what it is they do to keep it all together. We learned that routines play a big part in family life. Perhaps you'll see a situation similar to your life, as well as tips you might use to help keep it all together.

The importance of consequences

Donna and her husband have their hands full with one young son and furry family members, too . Donna finds that with her hectic schedule, routines definitely work well. She says the days kick off with breakfast and go from there. "During the week, my son heads off to school after breakfast," explains Donna. "That's when I do cleaning, errands, doctors' and vet appointments, and grocery shopping. We have dinner roughly the same time every night when my husband is home, and on weekends we try to spend Sunday together as a family."

Aside from incorporating schedules into her family's life, Donna and her husband teach their son about consequences. "If he gives us a hard time, say, about not going to bed on time, we take something away from him. We feel it's a good way to teach him there are results associated with what he does or doesn't do," she says.

Learn about teaching responsibility>>

Family to lend a hand

Valerie is divorced and has three kids, ages 18, 13 and 6. Not only does she care for her children and work from her home, but she also cares for her father and her mother who has Alzheimer's. "We definitely have to have routines established in our house," explains Valerie, who paints a picture of all family members who pitch in. "My kids are a great help," she says. "My oldest needs to leave the house first, by 7 a.m., and my 13-year-old helps with my youngest. She helps with his breakfast and packs his lunch — love her for that!" Valerie describes the rest of the day: "After my daughter leaves, I take my youngest to daycare, then I'm back to the house to start my work shift. When the older kids get home, I head off to pick up the youngest, then hit the grocery store and make dinner. Then comes homework and chores and before you know it, it's bedtime."

Valerie is thankful for her large extended family that she can turn to for help. "My sisters live nearby and have helped me tremendously in raising my kids, mentally, emotionally and even financially," she notes. "They give me a break whenever I need it, so that's always nice!"

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Plan with flexibility in mind

As a telecommuting, working mother who also travels for work, Carol recognizes the importance of planning. As a stepmom whose kids split their time between two homes , she explains that you can't plan without being flexible. "I try to plan a week's worth of meals and do one shopping trip a week. I make one meal that I double and freeze for another week, and I try to plan a leftover night, too" describes Carol.

"We also have routines like 'Sunday cleanup,' which we've done since the kids were little: Everyone has to clean up his or her space on Sunday nights before watching TV," she notes. "Now we turn up the tunes to try to make this time more fun! I also think it's important to give the kids some say in whatever 'the plan' is. That way, they feel like they own part of it. But I also allow for flexibility. Sunday cleanup might not happen, but I try to be firm, flexible and have a sense of humor."

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Are alpha women, super women, women who seem to have it all together really healthier? Is success really all it is cracked up to be?

The impact of being
an alpha woman

Looking at accomplished women in the world, we often think about success in terms of career. But what about the health of women who seem to have it all? Success often comes with stress, and with stress comes health issues.

Make space for alone time

The most important thing for any successful woman to do to maintain her health is carve out time alone. Allow yourself moments of silence to just to sit and read a book, meditate or breathe! When we spend time alone we are not focused on being anyone except our true selves. Alone time can be five minutes or 15 minutes. Try not to limit yourself.

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Start your weight loss challenge

live the Biggest Loser lifestyle

Want to lose weight and get in shape the Biggest Loser way? Now you can! Shine America digital is relaunching their Biggest Loser Club, a division of BiggestLoser.com that provides viewers with the tools to live the Biggest Loser lifestyle every day – just in time for the series premiere set for Jan. 6.

What is the Biggest Loser Club?

If you watch The Biggest Loser, you know how many weight loss and health resources the contestants have at their disposal. Now fans of the show and all those who have vowed to get healthy can find similar support with the Biggest Loser Club. Members of the online club follow the Biggest Loser fitness philosophy, nutritional guidelines and community challenges, and have access to The Biggest Loser’s basic building blocks for healthy living, including recipes, workout tips from the show, weight loss trackers, sweepstakes invitations and more.

All of this comes with a bigger and better show website to further enhance the viewer’s experience of The Biggest Loser. “The new and enhanced BiggestLoser.com will bring together an array of tools and products that will inspire The Biggest Loser viewers and fans to tackle their own weight loss journey,” says Kim Niemi, senior vice president of NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products. “We are very excited to introduce the new site and to provide everyone with access to new, exclusive content as well as personalized health and wellness planning tools that will bring the benefits of The Biggest Loser lifestyle to people at home.”

What you get from the club

• Track your fitness and weight, as well as diet and water consumption.
• Sign up for daily and weekly challenges with recognition and prizes.
• Challenge other people and create your own challenges.
• Form teams to compete for recognition and prizes.

• A personalized meal and diet plan.
• A personalized fitness plan.
• Access to present and past contestants for motivation and tips.
• Access to The Biggest Loser trainer Dolvett Quince, including video and motivation tips.
• Enhanced access to community support, bulletin boards, etc.
• Access to video fitness content featuring some of the show’s experts.

Start your own weight loss challenge

Sometimes all you need to get moving and start on the path to a healthier lifestyle is a challenge. In addition to providing helpful fitness and weight loss tools and show content, the new and improved Biggest Loser site will allow viewers to “join the challenge” by signing up to participate in daily and weekly challenges that are integrated into this season’s Challenge America theme.

For season 14, The Biggest Loser is challenging viewers and America to join a nationwide movement to get healthy, with BiggestLoser.com providing the tools to help them get motivated to transform their lives, just like the contestants on the show.

Season 14 of The Biggest Loser begins with a two-night premiere event on Sunday, Jan. 6 and Monday, Jan. 7 , then airs weekly in its new time slot on Monday .

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Photo credit: Chris Haston/NBC

Are you ready to change your career path or heading out into the work world once again? We've searched the job market for the top opportunities for women in 2013 and are ready to help you make the most out of the new year.

Top jobs of the new year

Whether you are thinking about taking a few more classes or want to make the most out of the skills you already have, the new year is a perfect time to take advantage of careers in high demand. We've compiled a list of the hottest jobs for women in 2013 and are ready to share them with you to keep you one step ahead in the workforce.

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As the weather outside gets frightful, learn how to make a bed that's warm, soft and stylish.

Give your bedding
a makeover

One of the easiest ways to makeover your bedroom is to change your bedding. Ideal bedding should draw the eye and express your sense of style while providing you a cozy, comfortable place to rest your head. Use these tips to refresh your bedding for winter.

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Every awards show has its snubs — and the 2013 People's Choice Awards are no exception. This year's surprising snub has everything to do with Twilight, believe it or not.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson has been a mainstay at the People's Choice Awards since 2008, thanks to his role as Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga franchise.

This year, though? Nada. Nothing. Zilch.

Pattinson shouldn't feel too bad, though: On-again girlfriend Kristen Stewart was snubbed last year while he was nominated for Favorite Male Actor.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1

Pattinson's film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, was also snubbed from the nominations for 2013. At least Twihard were nominated as Favorite Movie Fan Following, though we have to ask: Who accepts on behalf of the Twihards if they win? We choose NuttyMadam to act on the behalf of crazy Twilight fans everywhere.

Darren Criss

Darren Criss is adorable as Blaine on Glee, but apparently the powers that be at the People's Choice Awards don't agree — he was snubbed from this year's categories. But Chris Colfer, his partner-in-crime on the hit Fox show, is nominated, though.

Howard Stern

Britney Spears, Adam Levine, Demi Lovato and Christina Aguilera are among the nominees for Favorite Celebrity Judge. However, we have to wonder why the self-proclaimed "America's Judge"Howard Stern wasn't nominated for his slot on America's Got Talent. He was much more entertaining than Britney Spears was on The X Factor, that's for sure.

Image courtesy WENN.com

Who else was snubbed from a People's Choice Award nomination?

Did ABC's Oscar.com site accidentally reveal one of the nominees? On Friday, an astute reporter over at Vanity Fair noticed something odd at the site: A test page was made public that showed costume designer for Django Unchained, Sharen Davis, is a nominee.

The page shared, "This is the third Academy Award nomination for Sharen Davis. She was previously nominated for Dreamgirls and Ray .”

Nominations are not scheduled to be unveiled until Jan. 10, but the magazine contacted Davis to inform her of the possibility. Davis handled the whole situation with a lot of humor.

She told VF, “Oh my gosh! I haven’t even lost weight! I never thought about an Oscar in my life. When they called me for Ray, I thought it was a prank call. I said, ‘Am I going to open the door and see one of those fake, standing Oscars?'"

The page has been changed to a generic Oscar Nominations announcement for now. But take a look at the URL. It still offers a clue as to what information was leaked earlier. It says, "nominees/costume-design/django-unchained".

The nominations are a closely-guarded secret each and every year. If this nomination turns out to be correct it would be a major mistake and it will be interesting to see who will take the blame. The Oscar.com website is run by the ABC network, the Oscars.org website is run by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the votes are tabulated by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

One important fact to note, though, is the nominations deadline. The original date was Jan. 3, 5 p.m. PT, but the date was extended this week to Jan. 4, 5 p.m. PT because Academy members were having difficulties with the newly-installed online voting system. Paper ballots are still in effect, but The Academy is trying to evolve with technology.

So, if the nomination for Lawrence is correct, that means she had enough votes before the nominations period even concluded. Or, was the test page just a practice run for the IT department over at Oscar.com to get ready for the big day?

Well, SheKnows got the answer from Academy spokesperson, Teni Melidonian, who told us exclusively, "ABC/Oscar.com builds such pages for all possible candidates based on eligible and shortlists in preparation for nominations morning. That specific test page mistakenly went live. It would have been impossible to determine a nominee as voting was still open in all categories at the time."

So the mystery is solved, but you can bet the Django costume designer is hoping for an official nomination Jan. 10.

Image courtesy of Alex Oliveira / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Extreme Cheapskates

TLC is the channel to watch for morbidly fascinating reality TV. Who can forget Kate Hashimoto, the extreme cheapskate who served her guests food she gathered from dumpster diving? Remember how Kate threw $5 in change on the counter for a $10 shirt and the guy told her to get bent? Awkward! We laughed aloud when Kate confessed that she took a futon out of a college dumpster. She went on to proudly explain how it serves as her couch and as a bed when she has guests. Which begs the question: Who in their right mind would visit Kate? Kate went on to demonstrate how she washes her laundry in the shower . But the climax of this deeply disturbing episode was when Kate showed us how she goes to the bathroom without using toilet paper . How is that possible, you ask? We don't know. We were laughing too loud when she said, "And when I take a dump..."

Real Housewives franchise

So what are you in the mood for? Thugs in diamonds and heels who will start throwing punches after a couple of drinks ? Glam goddesses with blond hair and big boobs who look like clones of one another and whose biggest drama is who will be a no-show at one of their over-the-top parties ? Maybe you prefer sassy Southern women who love gossip and who are living well beyond their means . Whatever tastes you have in dysfunctional, overindulged women, Bravo TV has a "reality" show for you.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Ordinarily, this might not make a list of nominations for Best Reality TV Show, but now that Kim Kardashian is pregnant, it's a whole new ball game. If a "Best Reality TV Show for Making People Famous for Nothing" category existed, then it would be a dead heat between Jersey Shore and Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Now that Kim K and Kanye have announced that they are in a family way, we expect whatever spin-off the PR machine that is the Kardashian family manufactures will be a huge success.

Honey Boo Boo

TLC officially bottomed out when it decided to profile a redneck family from Georgia whose daughter, Alana , is a beauty pageant contestant. Or maybe not. How many "Oh, I really shouldn't be laughing out loud," moments can one show provide? Apparently, many. Why is it so freakin' funny when Honey's mom, June, sneezes uncontrollably? How come we giggle every time TLC superimposes the sound of a fly swarming around someone's head whenever they do something outside? This family does gross like no other, which means TLC has nailed the "Laugh While Dry-Heaving" category. That has to be worth something!

Images courtesy WENN.com; shack image courtesy TLC

During a recent interview on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Courteney Cox told Ellen that she and ex-hubby David Arquette are still good friends.

"He's my best friend in the world," she said during the interview, which airs today .

Cox and Arquette married in 1999 and although it seemed like an odd pairing at first, the two quickly solidified themselves as a Hollywood couple everyone thought would last.

Five years later, in 2004, Cox and Arquette welcomed their daughter, Coco. In 2010, however, their marriage seemed to reach a rocky patch when they announced they were separating.

It took awhile, but two years later, in June 2012, the couple finally filed for divorce. They continue to be amicable to give Coco a "normal" life.

"It's hard," said Cox, the star of Cougar Town. "I don't recommend divorce in general, but you know, he is my best friend and we've both grown and changed, and I think we both appreciate each other more. I hope he does. I do."

That's pretty touching, considering how most Hollywood marriages end.

When the couple divorced, Cox moved farther out of town and let David and Coco stay where they were. She told Ellen that she recently bought a condo back in the city so she could be closer to her daughter and ex-husband. The worst part of moving? Re-potty training her old dogs, Harley and Hopper, who don't have the patience to go all the way downstairs.

Here's a part of Cox's interview that expands on her relationship with her ex, potty training, and all the things the 48-year-old does to stay looking young.

There's plenty more great stuff in the interview, so make sure to check it out. The Ellen Degeneres Show airs at 4/3c on NBC, but check listings in your area.

Photo credit: WENN.com

Negotiating a deal is a lot like going on a blind date — you put your best foot forward and hope for the best. Most of the time, a good deal is directly related to how well you negotiate. Studies show women pay almost 50 percent more for goods and services than men do. Ladies, let’s change this! The better your negotiating skills are, the less money you’ll end up paying. Before making your next big purchase — or even asking for that raise — fine-tune your skills with these tips to make sure you get what you want.

Be confident

Before you even begin the negotiating process, realize that you are worth standing up for. Know what you want and don’t settle for anything different. When salesmen see someone with confidence who’s willing to walk away from a deal, they’re more willing to bend the price to make you happy and have you as a customer.

Know what you’re willing to pay

Never try to negotiate a deal if you haven’t done any research or determined how much you’re willing to pay. It would be like going to a car dealership and paying full price. Unfortunately, that’s bound to happen if you’re not prepared. Take a close look at your budget and a hard look at what the product you want goes for. Have a target price in mind when negotiating and be willing to walk if that price is not met.

Do not get involved emotionally

Ladies, let’s be honest. We tend to “fall in love” with products pretty quickly. We get attached to something and have to have something without thinking it through. That’s OK, we all do it — but let’s try to back up our reasons for purchases before diving in head-first. You don’t need anything right now, and by waiting a few days in order to research and get the best deal, you’ll feel much better about the purchase.

Never give into pressure

It’s a salesperson’s job to get you to pay the highest price you’re willing to pay. Remember that. Also remember that salespeople want to close the deal as soon as possible, which can make you feel pressured. Car dealerships, furniture stores and gyms are known for saying “today only.” Trust us, the deal will still be there tomorrow. If you walk away from a deal saying you’ll think about it and let them know tomorrow, there’s a very good chance they’ll call you offering you the deal you wanted by the end of the day.

Let’s do this, ladies.

More on getting a good deal

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Moms and flexible work: How to negotiate a winning work schedule
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Pretty clothes and lingerie

Just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you can't wear fabulous dresses or sexy lingerie! Start by finding pretty, feminine maternity bras and panties . Top that with chic, fashion-forward outfits — have at least two choices in your maternity wardrobe. Try a glitzy top with black pants or a runway-inspired maternity dress. Put on the highest heels you feel comfortable in without the risk of falling, or if you wear flats, make sure they have some pizzazz to them, like rhinestone embellishments or leopard!

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The beloved Sean Lowe from Emily Maynard's season of The Bachelorette is back for a second chance at love as the 17th Bachelor on ABC this season. This time though, the cute Southern gentleman tells us we’re going to see a more laid-back side.

“I think this season people are going to see my sense of humor shine through and they're going to see me a lot more relaxed and goofy,” Sean told us recently in a phone call from his hometown of Dallas. “You're not going to see all the serious conversations that I seemed to have with Emily.”

Speaking of Emily, we likely won’t see Sean dwelling on their demise either. The new Bachelor told us that even before accepting the offer to be on the show, he had already come to terms with their breakup.

“Even before I decided to do The Bachelor, I knew that Emily wasn't the one for me,” says Sean. “That became clear over time. While I certainly wish her the best and I want nothing but good things for her, I know she's not the one for me.”

Sean said he was at his final destination of filming for The Bachelor when he heard about Emily’s split from Jef Holm, and was way beyond considering a reunion.

“I'm sorry it didn't work out with Jef because I know he's a good guy,” says Sean. “I really respect Emily and I've got nothing but positive feelings for her, but the woman I want to be with and spend the rest of my life with, I don't want her to have any doubts about me.”

And it all seems to have worked out for the best for Sean. Despite saying he was ready to be a father to Emily’s daughter, Ricki, the 29-year-old says he would prefer to wait to have kids with the woman he chooses this season.

“I want a family, but I could take my time with having kids,” he told SheKnows. “When I get married, ideally, I think I would like to give it a couple years so that I can just enjoy being with my wife before we start having kids and introducing children to the family. But obviously, as you saw with Emily, I would be prepared to take on that situation right now if I needed to.”

Although Sean could not disclose whether he had found his perfect mate or whether he was currently in love, he did tell us what qualities he’ll be looking for this season.

“I was looking for someone who was smart,” says Sean. “A woman's intellect is probably the sexiest thing for me. And I wanted someone who was funny, someone who just had a good heart, someone who is genuine and caring and loving and possesses all the qualities that you would want in a wife.”

And it seems like he had quite the selection.

“I was blown away by just the amount of wonderful women that we had this season,” he tells us.

Despite The Bachelor and Bachelorette’s track record of few long-term success stories, Sean says he is not discouraged and still hopes to find true, lasting love.

“I've never paid attention to the track record of [the show’s] past relationships,” he says. “My feelings for Emily were very real, and they were very authentic and genuine. I just wanted to know, could I find those feelings again? And because I had such a positive experience with Emily, I thought I owed it to myself to give it a try.”

Don’t miss Sean Lowe as the next Bachelor, premiering Monday, Jan. 7, on ABC, 8 p.m. EST.

Photo credit: ABC

Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that might take a little time to prepare but is more than worth the effort. The pasta seems to melt in your mouth and the combination of sauces and cheese is purely delectable.

Lasagna with bechamel and meat sauce recipe

Serves 4-6 

Meat sauce

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces ground beef
• 8 ounces ground pork
• 9 ounces tomato paste
• 8-1/2 ounces Marsala wine
• 8-1/2 ounces water
• 8 ounces tomato puree or diced tomatoes
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions:

1. Mix the tomato paste, Marsala and water in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Saute garlic in a pan with olive oil. When it turns golden, discard. Add chopped onion and carrot. Add meat after about 3 minutes.
3. When meat browns, pour tomato paste mixture and tomato puree into pan. Cover. Simmer for an hour on low fire. Stir occasionally. If the sauce is too dry, add hot water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bechamel

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces butter
• 3 ounces flour
• 3 cups milk
• Whole nutmeg, grated
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour with a whisk until thickened. Add milk and keep whisking over a very low heat.
2. Add grated nutmeg, salt and pepper according to taste. Remove from heat when the mixture becomes thick.

Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 package fresh or dry lasagna noodles
• Butter
• Bechamel
• Meat sauce
• 5 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Butter a baking dish .
3. Spread a thin layer of bechamel on the bottom of the dish. Layer lasagna noodles to cover the bottom, then spread with a layer of meat sauce, another layer of bechamel and sprinkle with cheese. Repeat to make 4-5 layers, depending on your dish and amount of ingredients. End with lasagna noodles, topped with a thin layer of bechamel and a sprinkle of cheese.
4. Scatter some diced butter over the dish.
5. Bake for 30 minutes or until top part is golden. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

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If food and wine are your passion, there's no better place to fuel it than Northern France. From Paris, to the Loire Valley to Champagne region, there are so many places to go to find truly incredible food and drink. So grab your fork, your wine glass and Champagne flute and explore the enchanting food and wine wonderland that is Northern France.

Best cafes and restaurants

If you want to eat and drink like a true Parisian, skip the touristy crepe stands and restaurants near the big sights, like the Eiffel Tower, and dine at a local sidewalk cafe or bistro. On the west side of town, stop by Le Cafe du Marche, which has some of the best people-watching in the city . The Delaville Cafe is another local favorite that is often packed with theater types and local students. La Rotunde les Touillers, near the Louvre, is a little pricier than other bistros but has a great vibe and fun, fresh classic dishes. Go with the onion soup or the handmade hamburger and frites. For an incredibly authentic, rustic French meal, dine at Aux Lyonnais. This Alain Ducasse restaurant is unpretentious with incredible local dishes like wild boar and fresh-made cheese. Plus, the resident sommelier stops by each table to assist in selecting a wine for each dish.

Don't think Paris is the only place you can find an incredible bistro. The Loire Valley, home to hundreds of castles, crisp white wines and France's vegetable and fruit bounty, has some truly exceptional eateries as well. Le Petit Patrimoine is a local favorite that often sees weeklong waiting lists for its incredibly humble and local menu. After visiting the breathtaking Chenonceau Chateau, stop at the charming little bistro Au Gateau Breton in the town of Chenonceaux. Order the whitefish with butter sauce and the house-made chocolate cake.

After a tour of the Champagne Valley's best bottles of bubbly, head to Le Cafe de Reims in the heart of Reims. This little bistro features traditional French fare with a fun twist, like beouf in bleu sauce and steak bavette. Enjoy another glass of Champagne with a famous Reims rose biscuit.

Photo credit: Ronald Roselli

Incredible wine bars & wineries

Wine bars, which used to be nonexistent in Paris and Northern France, are now popping up on every corner. The French are spending more time and money drinking better wines, which often results in more wines by the glass versus by the bottle. One of the most popular wine bars in Paris is Cavesteve. This wine shop first and eatery second has more than 300 labels to choose from, including crisp whites from the Loire Valley and full-bodied reds from Bordeaux. Le Dauphin is another Paris favorite from chef Inaki Aizpitarte that has a top-rated selection of wines by the glass and bottle and bite-size morsels like snails and pickled cabbage. Willi's Wine Bar is another local institution with an incredible selection of wines by the glass .

Located just about two hours outside of Paris is the Loire Valley, which has some of the world's most prestigious wine appellations, from sparkling Vouvrays to fruity roses and quite a few others around the valley's main wine producing regions: Muscadet, Saumur, Angers, Tours and Savennieres. Arguably some of the best wines produced in the valley come from the Savennieres and Saumur regions. The wine made at the Chateau de Chamboreau is some of the best in the region because all of the grapes are handpicked and fermented in wood rather than steel. Chateau de Hurea in the Saumur region is another one of the most esteemed. Don't leave without taking home a bottle of the incredibly light and bubbly Saumur Brut Rose.

If you prefer a heartier red, visit the Chinon appellation. Stop by the stunning 500-year-old Chateau de Collain for a bottle of their luscious, lighter-bodied ruby red. Locals also highly recommend trying a bottle of Charles Jugot's Clos de la Dioterie, which is a medium-bodied wine with real aging potential.

Up next: Dessert and Champagne in Paris >>

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Best chocolate shops & patisseries

For a chocolate experience, you have to visit Un Dimanche a Paris. The owner, Pierre Cluizel, is the son of a famous French chocolatier and makes some of the best chocolate in the country. The new 2,400-square-foot chocolate shop has entertainment, a cocktail lounge and a restaurant. Angelina is another well-known chocolate shop in Paris that has incredible homemade hot chocolate, rich cupcakes and delicate macaroons. Meert, another local favorite boutique in Marais, has more than just handmade chocolates, like homemade flavored marshmallows and gaufres . The Bigot Chocolaterie and patisserie in the town of Amboise is revered as one of the best chocolate shops in France. Here you'll find incredible chocolates, macaroons and freshly baked goods.

You truly can't visit Paris without a stop at Laduree . Laduree is officially known as the birthplace of macaroons. They also make an incredible pain au chocolat aux amandes, or chocolate filled pastry.Du Pain et Des Idees is where most of the region's best chefs pick up their breads and pastries, including renowned chef Alain Ducasse. The most popular menu item here is the pain des amis , which has a perfect crispy crust and soft inside. Couple in the Champagne region has a great selection of homemade croissants and baguettes for a great price.

Must-see Champagne houses

Image via Renee Lightner.

If you're only in Northern France for a few days, a trip to the Champagne Valley is a must. Most of the Champagne is made between Reims and Epernay. Reims is home to more than 11 different Champagne houses, including the world famous G.H. Mumm, which has been around since 1827. One of Reim's most popular Champagne houses is the Celliers Ruinart. Locals rave that Ruinart, founded in 1729, produces some of the best Champagne in the region. Go on a guided tour through the cellars to see firsthand how Champagne is made. The tour ends with a tasting of their offerings and if you're lucky, maybe a taste of one of their vintage roses!

In the town of Epernay lies one of the most famous Champagne producers, Moet & Chandon. Founded in the 17th century, the cellars of Moet span more than 17.4 miles, making it the largest in the valley. Grab a tour through the cellars, which also ends in a tasting of their world-class Champagnes. Another Champagne house you may have heard of is Perrier-Jouet. Founded in 1891, this giant vineyard and producer makes more than 3 million bottles annually, including vintage and non-vintage bottles.

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Best known for Girl With a Pearl Earring — the book and movie starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth — about the Dutch maid who becomes Vermeer’s model, Tracy Chevalier is a master of historical fiction. In her latest novel, The Last Runaway, Chevalier explores life in 1850s Ohio from the point of view of a young woman who just settled there from England.

As the crossroads of the nation in the mid-19th century, Ohio was a key stop for slaves going North and attempting to reach Canada; an immigrant such as Chevalier’s protagonist, Honor, would not have been able to ignore that reality. The Last Runaway is not just about immigrating to pre-Civil War America, nor just about the Underground Railroad. Instead, it is a nuanced look at some of the many reasons why people chose to help — or to not help — smuggle others out of slavery.

About The Last Runaway

Honor Bright is looking for something new. She had an agreement for marriage with a young Quaker man, but he fell in love with a woman from outside their community and has now abandoned both Honor and the Quakers. So when Honor’s sister Grace leaves England to marry a Quaker man in Ohio and suggests that Honor join her, she jumps at the chance to do so. What does not occur to Honor when she leaves England is that it might be impossible for her to ever return home — not that she anticipates wanting to. The ocean crossing nearly kills her. She is violently ill for the entire passage, even when the seas are calm. Even worse things happen, however, after Honor and her sister land. On their way to Ohio, Grace gets very ill and dies, leaving Honor in a precarious position, without any real family or friends in America.

As Honor begins to make friends on her own in America, she gets drawn into the conflict over slaves escaping North, caught between a slave catcher and his sister who is a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Honor feels very strongly that her beliefs as a Quaker require her to help put an end to slavery, even if only by helping individuals escape it. Unfortunately, she finds that many other Americans do not feel the same way, even those who share her religious beliefs.

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He's Glee's new kid & our new crush

See, Dean Geyer is just unfair competition for any guy out there hoping to win a woman's heart. He's smoking hot, he's a singing, guitar-playing, acting talent, and he even seems like a really nice guy. Go home, other boys. Dean has handily made every woman in America swoon.

He had humble beginnings on reality TV

After he showed off that beautiful face and voice on Australian Idol, the rest of Geyer's career was gravy , because who can resist a talented young crooner and guitar player who looks like this? The cool thing about Dean, though? His humility. He never dreamed of being this successful — really!

"I literally came out of high school thinking that I was going to do something in the sports world because I grew up with a very sports-oriented family,"he told Backstage. "My last year of school I got involved with playing guitar and singing, and I joined a band and I just decided that year somehow that I was going to play music. I’ve never liked having like a set kind of schedule of training. Even when I was doing guitar lessons, I never used to practice. Having singing lessons was something that I kind of steered away from. During Australian Idol, that was the first time I ever had technical training, and since then, I still haven't had any technical training!'

You sound more than OK to us, Dean.

Dean at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards in 2007

Dean filming an episode of Glee with Lea Michele

Dean with girlfriend Jillian Murray

We love the show he's on right now

Glee was hot enough as it is, and then this male specimen swept into town as Brody Weston and made us love the show even more. Even better is that the first time we see him, he’s stepping out of the shower.

If he were in charge, which direction would the show go in?

"I think they need to do a Justin Timberlake week,"he told Celebritain.com. "I feel like my character would fit really well with that and I definitely think Ryan [Murphy] could do a lot with Justin Timberlake’s music. Justin is very influential and a great artist."

Now that’s bringing sexy back.

He takes things in stride

Starring in such a popular show in such a prominent role, there's bound to be some backlash from hardcore fans. He's even gotten "hate tweets" about his treatment of Rachel on the show! But it's all in good fun, he says.

"In this business, you are never going to please everyone, and so maybe you're going to get hate mail,"he told Theatermania. "But this is just my work, and it's fun to play this character who may be shaking things up."

We love a guy who's above the fray!

Onscreen, Dean charms actress Lea Michele, but in real life, he only has eyes for his girlfriend of more than two years, Jillian Murray, with whom he starred in Never Back Down 2. And he's super-supportive of his actress lady friend . He tweeted a link to a music video recently that starred Murray, saying: "And of course if you are watching the video, you know who the amazing gorgeous, sexy girl in it is ;) miss Jillian Murray ;)"

Awww — there's nothing more adorable than seeing a guy go to bat for his special gal.

More singing hunks

Man Candy Mondays: Justin Timberlake
Man Candy Mondays: Russell Crowe
Man Candy Mondays: Gerard Butler

Photo credits: Marc Stamas/WENN.com, Robert Wallace/WENN, Stefan Jeremiah/WENN.com, Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

The third season ofDownton Abbey starts off with Mary and Matthew's wedding rehearsal and Mary sulking because Sybil won't be attending her wedding.

As you may or may not remember, last season Mary's baby sister ran off with the chauffeur, Tom, and now resides in Ireland. The Earl of Grantham — Mary, Sybil and Edith's father — still hasn't quite forgiven her. Luckily, Grandma/Dowager Countess Grantham takes pity on her and sends the money for Sybil and her new husband to come for the wedding.

Sadly, Sybil and Tom stick out like sore thumbs. He isn't of the insanely rich variety, like the Crawleys. After all, he started as a chauffeur. When he comes to dinner without changing into tails , the chastising begins. They're especially patronizing to Tom, which really hurts Sybil's feelings.

That changes quite a bit though when Larry Grey slips something into Tom's drink and makes him appear drunk. After spending half of dinner raging against the throne, it finally comes out that Tom's been drugged. When Grey acts superior to Tom and degrades him, much of the table , stands up to the bully. To help Tom feel better, Matthew asks Tom to be his best man.

Kind of funny: The old women who force Tom into a morning coat. He looks so awkward and the women act like they've not done anything wrong or intrusive.

Throughout the show, we must also deal with the effects of Lord Grantham's quick trip to London. He goes there to meet with the family's lawyer and receives some dire news: He invested nearly all of his wife Cora/Lady Grantham's money into a railroad company that is about to go bankrupt. Eek.

On the upside: At least Mary might be taken care of. Matthew's first fiancée, Lavinia, had a very rich father. Once Lavinia passed away, he left all his money to three people... one of whom is Matthew. He and Mary ought to come into quite a bit of money. Matthew, however, is hesitant to take it.

That money was left to him under the pretense that he was in love with Lavinia. They have some long, drawn-out fights about that money, but in the end it appears that maybe, just maybe, Matthew might come to the Crawley's rescue. We'll find out!

Meanwhile, earlier in the show, Edith and Sir Anthony meet up in town and have a quick, awkward conversation. He turned down Edith awhile back, claiming he's too old for her. Edith was quite taken with him and she took the news rather solemnly.

Later, she puts him in his place and tells him how his pushing her away hurts her. When he swears he doesn't mean to, she demands he come to dinner and be with her family. Edith is amazing!

One thing: After dinner, the Earl asks Anthony to keep away. Poor E. Luckily, she's just as good at bending her father's will as she is Anthony's. Soon, Anthony is back at Downton and he and Edith are planning to wed.

With everything almost entirely squared away, we leave Downton for another week. Will Downton Abbey be saved from certain financial doom? And, will Edith finally really get to marry the man of her dreams? Only PBS knows for sure!

Images courtesy of WENN.com

More on Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey: Season 4 is a go, but will Matthew be back?
PBS is especially excited about the Emmys this year
Downton Abbey: Finale a huge rating success for PBS

National Bubble Bath Day

Splish splash

Jan. 8 is National Bubble Bath Day, and we don’t know about you, but we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate! To get you in the mood, we’ve comprised a list of four ah-mazing products that will have you chilling in the tub like a kid again. Because hey, after all that hard work you did in 2012, you deserve it girl.

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One of the biggest expenses most families deal with is medical care. Whether it's procedures that aren't covered by insurance or just life's little emergencies, can you get a better deal by negotiating?

Can you get
a better deal?

Medical expenses can take a toll on your family finances even if you have excellent insurance coverage. Copayments are higher and costs for outpatient procedures have skyrocketed. You may be able to lower some of your health care costs by negotiating with the provider ahead of time.

Get a deal ahead of time

In order to truly negotiate your medical costs you need to do a bit of homework. Has your doctor ordered a procedure or outpatient testing? Do your research online to find out what the typical costs are in your area. Your state hospital association or state health department are both good places to start. Medical costs can vary significantly by region, so be sure to find costs that are specific to where you live.

Once you have an idea of what the procedure should cost, you have a basis for bargaining. Many physicians' billing offices allow a percentage reduction in fees for cash payment in advance, which saves them the time and effort of billing you. "More and more billing offices, whether it's a hospital or doctor's office, are much more receptive to bargaining," says Nancy Fase Guernon, director of operations at CareCounsel, a health advocacy firm. "There [are] definitely ways to negotiate the bill."

Be up front about your situation

Having difficulty paying a large bill for medical services? Be honest with the physician or hospital billing office about your payment difficulties and see what you can work out. Many medical providers will offer patients a no-interest payment plan. Offer to make monthly payments in an amount you can afford or offer a lump sum to settle the debt at significantly lower cost. Your physician is competing for your business and most are more willing to negotiate than consumers realize.

Check your bills

In addition to negotiating your overall costs, start paying closer attention to your medical bills. Medical codes and jargon make the bills anything but easy to understand. Many people simply pay the bills when they arrive, not really knowing if they are completely accurate. Become familiar with your insurance coverage and deductibles or copays. Some insurance plans cover annual checkups at 100 percent, but if your doctor uses the code for a regular office visit you will be charged full price. "You want to make sure if it's the insurance company's responsibility to pay it, it's paying what it should according to the plan," says Fase Guernon.

Ask for itemized bills so you can check each line item for accuracy. It is common for bills to include duplicate charges for items or inaccurate codes that cause patients to be overcharged. Once you become familiar with checking your bills, you will have a better understanding of what you are paying for.

Don't be afraid to ask

If you were interested in a pair of shoes without a price tag, you wouldn't just buy them without asking the price. Medical care shouldn't be any different — yet consumers are reluctant to ask about costs. If you are reasonable with your questions and informed you are more likely to be successful in negotiating with your medical providers.

More on family finances

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Debt breakdown: Is being debt-free a realistic goal?
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Happily ever after?

Though all marriages can be trying and stressful — whether you are the parent of a child with special needs or not — it doesn't mean we can't all find our own version of the American Dream.

Living the
American Dream

About half of marriages end in divorce, and for parents of children with special needs, the divorce statistics are even more grim.

On Sunday, December 9, 2012, my parents celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. If you ask my father about being married to my mother for 56 years, he invariably replies, “They were the best 18 years of my life.” When you’re married 56 years, rule one for survival is a sense of humor.

In those 56 years, my parents lived the proverbial American Dream: 2.5 children ; a home with a white picket fence ; a dog ; a station wagon ; and, what I can only assume was manageable debt.

My dad, an assistant principal at a junior high school was also a well-known New Jersey society band/orchestra leader, and mom, a legal assistant at a law firm begun by her father, managed to put all three kids through college, plus one brother through law school and another brother through medical school.

The modern American Dream

On April 25, 2013, my husband and I will be married nine years. We too, live the media’s version of the American Dream, with a few modern modifications: 2.0 children ; a home with a New England stone wall instead of the picket fence; no dog… yet; a minivan ; and what I can only assume is manageable debt.

Even with the American Dream at our fingertips, the thought of being married for 56 years like my parents is scary.

Don’t misunderstand. My husband, whom I love as much as the day we married, is one of the two most wonderful men on the planet — my dad being the other. He’s incredibly smart, considerate, handsome, empathic, an excellent father, son, brother, uncle and provider. What scares me is the rumored divorce rate for parents of children with special needs.

Eighty percent!

While the national divorce/separation rate for first marriages hovers at 40 to 50 percent, divorce rates for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders specifically, is said to be as high as 80 percent. Eighty percent!

While there is little empirical or epidemiological research on the topic, there are two studies worth citing. In their most simplistic form, the first one from The Journal of Family Psychology, August 2010, entitled, “The relative risk and timing of divorce in families of children with an autism spectrum disorder” concluded: The divorce rate for parents of children with ASD is higher. The second study from Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders, May 2011 entitled, “Relationship Status Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Population-Based Study” concluded: The divorce rate is the same for parents of children with ASD as for parents of neurotypicals. Helpful, no?

Magnification of issues

My husband and I do tend to have different parenting styles: He feels a warm forehead is cause for national alarm; my approach is to simply give fever-reducing medicine, wait and see. He constantly worries if we’re doing enough to further Ethan’s progress; I believe that the 10 different therapies/activities he has each week have more than proven their worth.

While neither scientist nor mathematician , for parents who have children with ASD, the equation is positively Pythagorean Theorem-like: Greater financial/emotional burden + convoluted family dynamic = greater marital strain. Every marriage has strain; the addition of a child with special needs merely magnifies that strain. Still, our children are the lights of our lives, and we wouldn’t change a thing. Stress or no stress.

Save the date

The American Dream is what you make of it. Life holds no guarantees. As I’ve told my husband many times, “We will never get divorced because there is no one on this earth that I would rather infuriate, exasperate or embarrass for the rest of my life than you.” It’s meant in the most loving way possible. In the meantime, is it too early to send out save-the-date invitations for April 25, 2060? That’s the day my 98-year-old husband and I will celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary.

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