A new year, and time for one last look back at the conversations, community, and advice in 2009. We love reader comments — even spirited debate — and you never fail to surprise us. Who knew that the most commented-on posts of ‘09 would be about whether we really need cable TV or microwaves? Check out the conversations we were having this year:

Bringing up the rear, but worth a click, are your thoughts on camping recipes, living without a refrigerator, how to prevent oil spills in your pantry, and our soft toilet paper addiction (no pun intended). You also wanted to know how to fix fruit fly problems, why more houses don’t have a laundry chute, and if anyone would pay $6,000 for an organic mattress. And then we all soothed ourselves with homemade ice cream recipes.

And now for the top ten of our most commented-on posts of 2009. Talk to you in 2010!

10. Do you buy holiday gifts for your pets?

9. Blast of steam from the past: the Ironrite Ironer

8. Do you enjoy a game night?

7. Do you eat meat?

6. How do you say goodbye to a pet?

5. Oh no! My IKEA KULLA lamp is possessed!

4. Would you keep chickens?

3. What should we do on our trip to Portland?

2. Do you have cable TV?

1. Do you have a microwave?

When A Great Full Day did a two-part post on sequin fashion, a bright, shiny lightbulb went on over my head. What could be more fun than some equally bright and shiny home decor to ring in the new year and keep the winter blahs at bay? Sequined home goods, however, turned out to be a little harder to find than you might imagine, so I broadened the category to “shiny.” If you have more ideas, please share them in comments. — Mary T.

First stop, Apartment Therapy, where a gorgeous Morrocan wedding blanket is glittery without being tacky. AT points us to Maryam for purchase, between $300-500.

If you want to inject some Hollywood Regency style without going over the top, this mirrored, upholstered ottoman would do nicely. It’s $369 from Everything Furniture. Horchow has a wide variety of mirrored furniture, such as the gorgeous chest of drawers above. We haven’t gotten tired of the mirrored trend yet, particularly the luxe yet modern look of these pieces.

A little bit of shine can go a long way — sometimes a pillow is plenty. (Remember my tribute to Michael Jackson?) Here are a few more lovely selections from Etsy sellers anitanirma, TheHomeCentric, RawStudio, and lailak. CB2 has a fun take on sequins, too — the Peace Out pillow is just $19.95.

How about a whole wall of shiny yet elegant style? You could try the silver textured metal wallpaper from DesignYourWall.com, or the creamy, silver luster of this Boreas wallpaper from Wallpaper from the 70s. Even Home Depot is getting in on the act with this Silver Asian Texture Wallpaper from the Wallpaper Company.

For a shiny pendant lamp without resorting to a disco ball, the Magdelena Large Pendant Light by Terzani is on sale for $2,720 at Ylighting. However, that’s no doubt still out of reach for most of us, so a few KALLT star lights from IKEA, just $1.99 for a strand of ten, will add sparkle any time of year.

To bring your own shine to the table, peruse Martha Stewart’s entire section of glitter projects — glittered candles, perhaps? Or stop by HGTV for a tutorial on making a sequin picture frame.

Of course, you could always choose to simply follow the sequin fashion guide at Great Full Day. That way, you’ll be the most eye-catching thing in the room! — Mary T.

For me, it’s pomegranate seeds. It started when I bought a container of seeds at Trader Joe’s (I know — wasteful) that I ate in one sitting. After that, I looked up how to open a fresh pomegranate, and since then nary a week has gone by without me gorging myself on those little bites of chewy, juicy delight. (I figure it’s better than an M&M obsession.) What foods have caught your fancy lately? — Mary T.

Photo by Rositsa Maslarska

As if I didn’t want an iPhone enough! These Vers hand-crafted wood cases totally made me swoon. Want to hear the best part? They’re renewable! For every tree used to make the cases, the company replants 100 through their partnership with The Arbor Day Foundation and the US Forestry Service. Order one from Amazon for just $29.99. — Erica P.

After an evening of New Year’s Eve revelry, when I finally stumble out of bed, this is what I’ll be making: a hearty saute of blackeyed peas and mustard greens with a touch of ham and basted eggs. Top if off with a hearty dose of sriracha hot sauce (Bon Appetit’s ingredient of the year, incidentally) and it’s a surefire way to kick out that hangover and get the new decade started on the right foot. Seven ingredients, one skillet, and fifteen minutes is all it takes. Promise! –Megan B. Click for New Year’s yumminess. (more…)

When I suggested the Unfinished Clock from MoMA Store as a possible new purchase for our apartment, my boyfriend immediately vetoed the idea. “I’ll never be able to tell what time it is,” he said. While I’m sure it’s not the easiest clock to read, I think what it lacks in practicality it makes up for in design points. (Besides, he wears a watch.) Get one for yourself right here for $46. — Erica P.

After I posted a link to Saveur’s Tom and Jerry recipe, I couldn’t get it out of my head. It just seemed so elegant and warm for the holidays, especially as we were having Christmas breakfast with two friends, so I decided to give the recipe a whirl. I think the drinks turned out exactly right, but not without a lot of effort.

First, separating eggs: I don’t find this that difficult (I just do what my mom taught me, which is to plunk the yellow back and forth between the shell halves while the white drains into a bowl) but I did that classic thing where you accidentally drop the yellow into the white, and it breaks, and then you start over.

Second, reading comprehension: All my ingredients are measured out, add the two cups of rum to the batter….hmm, that’s not thickening as promised. Oh, you said two TABLESPOONS of rum? My mistake. Dump the batter, and start over with the egg separating thing… Read on, if you dare. (more…)

I’m totally digging the silkscreened Rock, Paper, Scissors art from artist Alisha Gould. According to her Etsy shop, “the image was hand drawn and hand painted on the screen and printed in a limited edition of 100 using non-toxic waterbased ink.” For just $30, you can have a signed and numbered piece of original art — right now the only listing is reserved, but there are also notecards available. If you ask me, they rock. — Erica P.

Typical situation: I walked into Anthropologie yesterday and saw something for the “love” list. This week’s obsession? Felted soap. Handmade in the USA by Fiat Luxe, these adorable little soaps double as sudsy (and anti-fungal!) washcloths that can be reused when the original scented soap has magically disappeared. Made with no synthetic, chemical, nor animal ingredients, they may be the perfect thing for that weary post-holiday shopper: you! You can find Fiat Luxe Felted Soap for $14 at Anthropologie, Beautyhabit, or Amazon.com. Or if you prefer to let your wallet sleep in, see simple soap felting DIY instructions here and here. — Sarah C.

When I was a child, I took an origami class and emerged from it with nothing but paper cuts. I thought my paper crafting days were over until I spotted these bright cardboard critters sitting pretty at a local letterpress shop. Created by artist Junzo Terada, Magical Menagerie, $24.95 from Chronicle Books, is book of 20 punch-out animal sculptures that are constructed by simply fitting the matching slotted pieces together — no scissors, glue, or ornate folding required. The colorful creatures look great on display, and make for a fun activity or unconventional card. — Sarah C.