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I just stumbled across a new option on Society6 yesterday: throw pillows. And wouldn’t you know it, my couch is almost naked.

I love Society6 and their products. The fact that most shops carry options to purchase designs in several mediums, including stretched canvas and iphone cases is really great. Not everyone wants something they can put on their wall. Silly kids.

The idea of a painting or a photograph on a pillow greatly excites me and not ugly pillows are actually hard to find. I grabbed a few of my favorites last night, ones that I would actually consider putting on my couch.

There’s an option to buy just the case and another to include the insert. If you do buy one then grab the pillow insert, it’s a really good deal.

All of these ones also make me want to rehash some patterns I was working on last semester and getting those up in pillow form. Over the weekend I took a clearance tank I bought during the summer and managed to make a pillow out of it. Envelope pillow covers save my life when it comes to little sewing knowledge.

My naked couch needs more pillows. I’m definitely considering one of these Society6 ones but one could never have too many pillows.

Any good pillow sources?

It’s about damn time.

I feel like I’ve promised these for quite a while now. Like I made them way back in December for christmas presents. and it’s almost Valentine’s day.

So basically I’m saying give these blondies out instead of valentine’s. Move over power rangers or hunger games or whatever else is cool for kids this year.

Spoiler alert: It’s the hunger games.

Put something witty like “I wish Cupid was as good as Catniss with that arrow of his so we could win in this life of love we call the Hunger Games.”

Just kidding, sort of.

I’m not 100% smitten with the idea of Valentines day. I feel like you should tell people you love them more than once a year, right?

Has anyone else seen that Hallmark commercial where all those people keep saying tell me you love me or say that I’m beautiful and you’re all like uhh, I think you guys need more than a valentine, stop trying to toy with my emotions. Then there’s that one chick in there that’s chasing down the car saying tell me you’ll never let me go and you know that’s a first date and the guy said he had to pee but instead snuck out to leave in his cab but she won’t let him ’cause she’s crazy and you’re all like uhh, I think you need more than a valentine.

Maybe an espresso blondie? or a therapist?

Espresso blondies involve what I think might just be the perfect blondie recipe with a few teaspoons of instant espresso powder thrown in. I found the recipe in an old Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook and tweaked it just a little bit.

For Christmas gifts I gave out chocolate chunk and cashew blondies, and I made another batch that involved white chocolate, cashews, and cherry craisins. Classic chocolate and walnuts might just be my favorite though.

Bon Appetit said they’re a food trend for 2013, and I LOVE THEM. They’re chewy and taste like a giant toffee hug, if that’s a thing. (it is)

I’ve tried many a recipes, and most involve a ton of butter and creaming. This one involves melted butter and takes about 5 min to throw together. There is total potential for a one bowl creation here. I opt for a small saucepan and a bowl because my microwave more than sucks at melting butter.

Now, let’s make some blondies.

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So we’re not really “making” anything today. Imma be up front about that.

We are, however, spending next to nothing to get a new “cruet” or olive oil dispensing container. Have you seen a lot of the options out there? Italian chef motifs on clear bottles with crazy spouts clashes with all the other things in my kitchen that actually look good.

I got the idea when I found some insanely ugly cruets at the thrift store that were cheap and fulfilled the need. I but my olive oil in giant 2 packs at Costco because it’s good quality, inexpensive and that label design is out of control. Unfortunately this means giant glass bottles that dispense olive oil quickly and not so efficiently.

ps. sorry about the creepy wrist vein alien baby.

I came to the realization that I couldn’t use the ugly cruets in public and took the spouts out to recycle the glass, seeing the opening was about the same as a beer bottle. I went there. I stored my olive oil in a classy beer bottle that actually doesn’t look half bad. Trust.

Since then I’ve discovered the pink grapefruit flavored perrier and I’m more than mildy obsessed, It tastes so damn good, and this means a lot of those green bottles. I Switched the dispenser over and boom. New olive oil container that I love.

To “make” one of these ultra awesome cruets just clean the label off a colored glass bottle*, NO CLEAR ONES, and pop the dispenser in (these are perfect and cheap) and marvel at what you just did.

*The colored glass is important because olive oil is light sensitive, clear glass can actually lead to spoiling and if you need any help with the label grab a bottle of this stuff – it’s magic – and it’s a total steal at the dollar store.

A while ago I found this bit of magic through wit + delight.

This trio of creatives in Chicago writes quotes and memories on inflated balloons and then deflates them, releasing the air like we do with our thoughts.

I’m mildly obsessed with a lot of them and was more than stoked to find out they sell 8.5×11 prints in their etsy shop. For $10! What?!

I purchased their mama raised a fighter print at the top mainly because that gold is out of control and that quote is fantastic for an office, which I’m working on finally setting up, a million years after moving into our current place.

This ‘baby, you so fierce’ was a close second and might just have to be purchased very soon or I’ll lose control. Their etsy shop doesn’t have every balloon, but their website says they can print anything if you ask them, which I think is the case for the baby, you so fierce print.

These are not only inexpensive for slapping on walls, but they’re just screaming for a plain white frame, un-matted, which makes them that much more inexpensive to display.

Keep your Instagram eyes peeled for when the print arrives.

Let’s be real: I have no interest in the superbowl this Weekend.

But I do have an interest in watching Beyonce perform. Even if I might already own this DVD that I can watch anytime. (p.s. I do and it’s fantastic)

When I was in grade school I never got to watch the superbowl because the teacher ALWAYS had our science fair project due the Monday after it. And I ALWAYS procrastinated until Superbowl Sunday to make the display board that I knocked out of the park every year.

I kid you not. I won third place when I was in 6th grade and my scientific portion was crap. But it looked awesome.

Back to Beyonce: Everyone needs snacks to eat while watching her perform with a giant fan. I want a Beyonce Fan.

HUMMUS! I’ve got this field covered, either classic hummus or cilantro lime.

Maybe you could make some tortilla chips to dip in there?

Is potato salad a thing at football Beyonce fan parties?

Cindy has this cheese dip that I want to use as a face mask but I probably shouldn’t do that.

Joy’s mini pretzel dogs look magical. I just remembered I have Costco polish dogs in the fridge…

AVOCADO FRIES. Touchdowns and full blast Beyonce fans for Megan.

How about little baby cheesecakes for dessert?

or maybe some Puppy Chow for humans from Kelly at The Best Remedy

What else are you having to prepare you for that jelly?

I leave you with this piece of grade school nostalgia, that I sing at the top of my lungs, every word, while driving in the car.

For the next week I’ll be cooking for one. That handsome man up there will be down south visiting family for a week and all I get to do is let Mose sleep in the bed.

side note: Mose is an ass when it’s time to sleep and he just stands and stares over you until you move the covers back.

With Steve gone it sucks because a) he’s gone, and b)I have to cook for one and try to not waste food. Usually I just stick with salads when I cook for myself, I can kind of set up a little salad bar in the fridge and have at it. I made these beans last night and added a healthy dose of taco seasoning. I think they might be made into refried beans tonight for tostadas.

For the rest of the time he’s gone I think I’m going to make whatever and give leftovers to people at work. I can’t live off salads for a week. Although I probably should.

or I could just live off Megan’s chili for a week. I’m sure I could totally do that. (via Take a Megabite)

This soup looks like it might actually make the menu this weekend, with a boatload of bacon and avocado. Muchos Gracias, Hungry Girl. (via Hungry Girl Por Vida)

Um, anything gravy would make me happy but I’m really feeling this tomato gravy. Breakfast for dinner for one? Yes please. (via Saveur)

With Steve gone I can also experiment with foods and not feel bad if they don’t turn out 110%. That man loves his chicken fingers so these are going to have to happen, then appear in salads and wraps. (via How Sweet It Is)

I’ve got the sweets department covered. I’m whipping up blondies to photograph and share with everyone. And I’m going to try and not eat the entire batch. We’ll see what happens.

And back to traditional Grocery Lists: I’ve got some kitchen music. Some really good punchdancing music. Twin Shadow is beyond excellent cooking music. I can just swing arms all over listening to it and mixing blondie dough. I originally got hooked on this beauty from their latest album (+ that video is out of control), but I then listened to the whole album which is awesome and this song happens to be one of my favorites:

Now punchdance your weekend away.