Vanessa Hudgens has been left embarrassed by the nude pictures of hers All Over The Internet

What was she thinking about? Will she be able to negotiate for the third High School Musical?

Well, she is now regretting what she did in private.

"I want to apologize to my fans, whose support and trust mean the world to me. I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends," a website quoted her, as saying. The release of the images could pose trouble for Hudgens, who is currently in negotiations for a third High School Musical film.

Mattell Continues to Recall Chinese-made Toys: 2007 Christmas Toy List To Shop With

As you are about to shop for Christmas toys, you need to have a list of the toys recalled by Mattell and other companies. This way, you can be sure to shop for the right toys. To keep your kids safe, you'd better know what they are playing with.

"Mattell's action today involving a design flaw in 18.2 million magnetic toys, about half of them sold in the United States, expanded a recall initiated last year after reports of deaths and injuries to children who ingested magnets that had come loose. Mattel said the recall covered 63 varieties of toys, made since 2002 and sold before January of this year, including 44 Polly Pocket toys, 11 Doggie Day Care toys, 4 Batman toys, a One Piece toy, and two Barbie toys."

El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel said it is recalling these vendor-sourced toys:

675,000 Barbie Accessory Toys sold at U.S. retail outlets between October 2006 and August. Mattel said some of the accessories were produced by Holder Plastic Co., a contract vendor, which subcontracted the painting of miniature toy pets and small furniture pieces to Dong Lian Fa and Yip Sing. Mattel said those companies used uncertified paint and are no longer producing toys for Mattel.

90,000 Fisher-Price Geo Trax Locomotive Toys, sold in U.S. stores between September 2006 and August. The toys were manufactured by Apex Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a contract vendor, which outsourced paint work to Boyi Plastic Products Factory, Mattel said. Apex supplied Boyi with certified paint; but the toys were manufactured with uncertified paint, Mattel said, adding that Boyi is no longer in business.
8,900 Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys sold by its Fisher-Price unit between July and August. The toy was manufactured by Shun On Factory, one of Mattel's contract vendors, which outsourced the molding and painting of one plastic piece, Mattel said. A subcontractor, Jingying Tampo Printing Processing Factory, used uncertified paint on the affected piece, according to Mattel.

Get more recall info at Podshoppingblog.com

Small Lenders Hit by Credit Crunch

The credit crunch is putting the squeeze on small mortgage banks and brokers. Small lenders are being wiped out. Many small mortgage banks that specialize in loans that are out o ffavor with investors are desperate. This type of credit crunch has already caused a large rise in defaults, foreclosures that many had previously thought about. Borrowers are finding it very difficult to refinance to avoid rising payments on adjustable-rate mortages. They can not line up new loans either. Brokers are suffering just like the rest of the other interested parties. Lenders have to change their guidelines to stay in business.

Lenders, brokers and mortgage banks are going out of business in trove. The shakeout hits CountryWide Financial and many other companies.

Get more real estate, mortgage and financial news at Openhouselead Financial

Las Vegas Nightclub Owners Hire Hot Celebs to Promote their New Business

If you are a celebrity, just know that there is a huge market out there for you. Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton and the likes of major movie stars such as Sylvester Stallone and JLO get free stuff for identifying with a company's line of products. Who is not cashing in on this great source of revenue?

Celebrities often make appearances and walk the red carpet as part of the deal for coming to a nightclub. In return for generating media coverage, they receive all sorts of free goodies, if not cash. For nightclub operators, it has become the standard way of getting their establishments known.

Besides buzz, it generates more patrons, more people willing to pay a $30 cover charge, $15 for a cocktail and $500 for a bottle of name-brand vodka or champagne.

"If you quantify that in terms of the amount of press they got off it, the press they got off it was priceless," the former executive said.

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