• I’m sorry, but I’m sick in bed today and can barely force myself to look at my computer, let alone work on it. Still, minimums and traffic goals and required promotion, oh my! Below are a few links to my posts on Babble.

• Have you seen all the new goodies at west elm? I think I’m going to pick up a few outdoor pillows for the front porch.

• Some gorgeous options for customized IKEA kitchen.

• The perfect pop of color in mint, turquoise, or coral.

• Deceptively simple modern desk accessories.

• A fun video from Nate Berkus, discussing everything from his cooking skills to design mistakes.

• Cute dog tags that give back to charity.

• It was a good week for blogger home reveals. First up was Bri’s new living room, designed by Emily. Then we had Jordan’s apartment featured by Joanna.

  Also, you like how I refer to them all by first name because we’re all besties (obviously)? Blogging is weird.

• I had a dream once that I was doing parkour (really well!), and when I sleepily told Brandon about it that morning, I referred to it as “outsiding.” I have thought of it as such ever since, even though I know better. (Just like I know how to pronounce Penelope, but I always read it as rhyming with cantaloupe.)

  Anyway, this looks fun!

• I can’t even handle this right now.

• You know how sometimes you see a headline and you just have to click? “Miley Cyrus twerks in a unicorn onesie.” Yeah.

  (Also, I kinda want her short hair. Hers, or Tilda Swinton’s. Brandon doesn’t think I can pull it off, but I believe I can.)

• Wrapping paper as wallpaper? Brilliant.

• Hey, those Kate Spade pointy-toed sneakers I wrote about are available again!

• Need some teeny tiny felt ball garland for your dollhouse? How about miniscule crayons, or a little artist’s paint box? Duh, of course you do.

• Spring is here — huzzah! Time to dress your table for the season.

• How did my daughter turn out so girly, and my son so boyish?

• Sign Painters looks fantastic. I wish I had that kind of mastery over letterforms and a paintbrush.

• Stay on the bus. [via Raincoast Cottage]

• Looking for a Google Reader alternative? I think I’m switching to Feedly. (Unless you have a better suggestion.)

• Instagram Polaroid!

• Recognize these floor plans? An interior designer drew them, and explains why they don’t actually work.

• Have you seen the new line from Jonathan Adler for JC Penney yet? Good stuff.

• I want to create a whole little village with miniature garden planters.

• How amazing would this modern playhouse be in the yard? (Answer: super-amazing.)

• Some ideas for the Easter basket.

• Books! Everywhere! (I don’t mind.)

• I’m teaching my class about Understanding Analytics again next Wednesday for Alt Summit.
  I don’t teach this one as often as my other (Growing Your Readership), so if you’re interested, you should sign up. I’ve gone through and updated a few things — it’s crazy how fast things have changed in the year since I first put the presentation together.

• How much should freelance writers be paid? The Atlantic has one idea. And these people have a few more.

• Erin’s update on slowing down. “Whenever I find myself saying, “I don’t have time,” I mentally re-word the phrase into “That’s just not a high priority for me right now.””

• Pixar’s 22 rules of storytelling.

• Urban planners battle it out in the new SimCity for bragging rights. (Again, I say it is extremely fortunate for me and my productivity that the Mac version has not yet been released.)

• Nine Inch Nails meets Carly Rae Jepsen. Oddly listenable.
  (Good thing high school Nicole couldn’t see this coming. She would have dressed in all black, spent all of her time in her room, and been so surly. Oh, wait…)

• Spring is coming! Yeah, I had to step over a slushy pile of dirty snow when I went outside today, but spring is most definitely on its way. So hurray, it’s time for spring dresses! (I want this black and white wide-striped frock.)

• Of course I would love these mid-century modern prints.

• Easter comes early this year (at the end of this month), so it’s time to get your craft on. And have you seen these dyable ceramic eggs? Brilliant.

• Pretty little things for the home.

This week on MIL’s Facebook page, enter to win a $100 gift card to LA Plates. Good luck!