There have been whispers floating around that there may or may not have been some sort of election thing going on this week.  To help you snap out of the political coverage coma you’re likely still recovering from, here’s some non-political  features (remember those?) that you may have missed this week:

Regretsy showcases a typewriter that makes cocktails:

I feel like this is a contraption that Belle’s dad would have made in Beauty and the Beast. Crazy, old Maurice!

IMBOYCRAZY’s Alexi lists her top 75 reasons that keep her from wanting to die:

Thinking about the next thing I’m going to eat typically does it for me.

Tom and Lorenzo highlight the First Lady’s fashion:

I know that I said that there would only be political-free posts, but Michelle Obama’s fashion is always on point, objectively speaking, of course.

Turntable Kitchen features Sufjan Stevens’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banners:”

It’s like a patriotic sedative. Perfect timing, but also enjoyable any time of year.

Organic Authority lists laughter as a potential exercise:

I’m cancelling my gym membership immediately.

photo by flickr user Fraser Mummery

Post Sandy Sky

Hurricane Sandy has seriously affected so many people, homes and businesses this week, and that severity is not lost on us. This week, we’re shining a light on some of the storm-related posts–some with more (and arguably needed) levity than others. Between food contests, tongue-in-cheek survival guides and well-deserved doses of comic relief, there was no shortage of Hurricane Sandy coverage across the Blogads network this week:

Immaculate Infatuation wants you to enter your creative and delicious rations in their #SandySnacks Instagram contest:

Judging from some of the incredible pics, there’s no excuse for the rest of us to settle for microwaved ramen noodles tonight.

Gala Darling offers up 100 ideas to keep boredom at bay when you’re stuck inside:

I need to find out what a Monster High doll is.

Gala also provided a more serious and personal recap of what was going on in NYC after the storm:

Bill Cunningham is THE BEST.

Betches Love This have their very own Hurricane Sandy survivor guide:

It’s good to be prepared…in the betchiest way possible.

When #WhatShouldWeCallMe heard that all of their friends and family survived Sandy:

Hope everyone in the Northeast and/or with friends and family up there is doing well and able to get back to normal soon!!

photo by flickr user max_wei

This may be jumping the gun just a bit, but assuming that you’ll be celebrating Halloween this weekend rather than next Wednesday in order to avoid a brutal Thursday at work/school, gear up with these festive Halloween-themed posts from around the Blogads Network:

Betches Love This recap Pretty Little Liars‘ annual Halloween special episode:

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to be a full-grown adult and be completely invested in a high school show. No shame.

Gala Darling highlights some of last year’s best dog costumes at the Tompkins Square Park parade in the East Village:

Special shout-out to the hammerhead shark and the stegosaurus for teaching my heart what love is.

Oh, look! I also found Gala Darling’s 2010 coverage of the Tompkins Square Park dog parade:

Honorable mentions to Tron, Antoine Dodson and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Of course Regretsy has incredible Halloween costumes to share and inspire:

Aw, Bethany Hamilton…too soon.

Cutest Food shows off some tempting Halloween donuts:

WARNING: Do not go to this site when you’re hungry. It’s cruel.

The Pintester tries her hand at baking witch finger cookies:

Nailed it.

photo by flickr user hanna_horwarth

In case you’ve missed out on any of the following great finds from around the Blogads network, here’s a cheat sheet curated just for you:

The Comics Curmudgeon showcases what he does best- provides biting commentary on today’s comic strips:

Today’s selection includes disproportionate heads, an unrealistic celebrity drug deal and a pill-popping parent. Where is Peanuts when you need it?

Tom and Lorenzo takes a look at W‘s celebrity portrayal of style across the decades:

Looks like the art of not smiling was the only consistent trend over the years.

Regretsy offers up a peanut butter and jelly couple beard:

Just in time for Halloween! EVERYONE will get it.

Lamebook highlights some of the most successful Facebook statuses:

Liam Neeson quotes instantly up anybody’s Facebook street cred.

The Pintester answers the age old Pinterest question, “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?“:

Spoiler alert: It’s not world peace.

photo by flickr user Kara Allyson

If it’s been a long, exhausting week for you, we’ve got the perfect prescription to perk you back up. Doctor’s orders: take a minute to let your heart melt over some of the cutest posts around the Blogads network:

Cute Overload displays a precious baby animal that I’ve never heard of.

-What is that, and how do I get one immediately?!

Hawaii Kawaii shows off snuggly Alpaca earmuffs.

-I’m glad to see alpacas finally getting some recognition in the fashion industry. This has been a long time coming.

Love Meow introduces us to best friends, Ollie the kitten and Bacon the dog.

-They’re the new Milo and Otis, minus the all of the life-threatening adventures.

Cutest Foods features candy corn marshmallows for Halloween.

-So cute, I could eat them! But, really.

What Should We Call Me illustrates what happens when someone cute smiles at you.

-That’s a smiling bunny, folks.

photo by flickr user a.drian

It’s Friday! In celebration of this momentous occasion, especially if this will also be a long weekend for you thanks to Columbus Day, here are some completely unrelated but highly enjoyable posts floating around the Blogads network:

GalaDarling gives a round-up of some of her recent favorite Internet finds:

A round-up within a round-up. This is very inception-y.

Design Seeds offers up pretty design inspiration based on colorful yarn:

Almost inspires a person to learn how to knit. Almost.

Immaculate Infatuation’s weekly Friday Fives feature gets a revamped format from Anson Mount of Hell on Wheels:

Rather than Mount just giving a straightforward rundown his favorite restaurant recs, the man wrote a screenplay. Definitely worth a read.

In case you’ve forgotten, the Rich Kids of Instagram are still rich. Need proof? They’re still documenting it, too:

So very happy for them.

The brave WTF, Pinterest? blogger divulges a dark secret–her ’80s glamour shot:

Timeless.

photo by flickr user Bob B. Brown

TIME curated a list of the top 50 Web sites that the “editors find to be useful, entertaining, innovative or just plain addictive,”  with Blogads’ partner Lamebook making the cut!

Lamebook.com is a popular and consistently hilarious resource to view the latest ridiculous and lame posts that people find worth sharing on Facebook. TIME described Lamebook as being “less about Facebook and more about human nature — whether you’re into social networking or not, there’s something for everyone here.”

We here at Blogads are thrilled for Lamebook’s recognition, and we highly suggest for anyone interested in the absurdity of human nature to check it out. Make sure to also check out the other sites that TIME highlights here.

I’ve gotten in the habit of bringing my lunch to work and then promptly eating it by 10:30 a.m. In light of this, here are some food-related posts from around the Blogads network to help torture fellow self-saboteurs:

Immaculate Infatuation’s busboy guest reviewers give their take on Rosemary’s:

In the second installment of the Busboy Review series, this video documents the restaurant review of Rosemary’s in the West Village from two lovable busboys, David and Charlie. Some favorite quotes from this review include:

• “Yo, dude- you just got us purple drank…”- Charlie on how David embarrassingly ordered red wine when everyone else was clearly drinking white

• “It’s basically a thunder dome, you know, of, like, fresh people trying to eat stuff.”- Charlie on Rosemary’s layout

Extra Fancy also gets some love from the busboy guest reviewers on Immaculate Infatuation:
So after the watching the review for Rosemary’s (above), I had to go back and watch the first installment in the Busboy Review series (two makes it a “series,” right?). David and Charlie review Extra Fancy in Willaimsburg, where they both work/have worked. Favorite quotes:

• “He puts the food down like you want to have sex with him. You know? It’s, like, amazing. You like the meal before you get the meal.”- David on Charlie’s food running technique

• “If you’re under 25, go for the shrimp roll. Like, you don’t have to be ashamed to go for the shrimp roll. It’s OK, you know? Over 25, like, pump it up a bit: go clam bake, go steak, ya know? Mix it up. Under 25, shrimp roll.”- David’s menu recommendations

The Purple Foodie has found a new-found love for avocados and gives the recipe for Avocado Toast:
WANT. I like any recipe that only requires assembly. Also, I consider the avocado the butter of the fruit world. And before you look it up–yes, I double-checked that avocados are in the fruit food group.

A Foodie Stays Fit provides the recipe for  Sweet Potato Waffles:
Anything with sweet potatoes is alright in my book, and I’m pretty sure they’re considered a super food because of their vitamins, so…let’s do this.

Cutest Food always gives adorable lunch ideas, like this Three Little Cats Bento:
Well, this puts my PB&J to shame, but I feel like replicating this would really cut into my morning snooze schedule. One day, though. One day.

photo by flickr user billaday

If you’re in a design rut and looking for some ideas for your office, home or crafts, we’ve got you covered.  Take notes from some of the aesthetically-gifted trendsetters from around the Blogads network:

Inhabitat — Cinderella-Inspired Pumpkin Room Transforms edg Creatives into Fairytale Brainstormers
I don’t remember Cinderella necessarily doing her best thinking in the pumpkin carriage (ie- should have planned a better exit strategy for later that evening), but creative office rooms seem like a great way to invigorate creative thinking!

The Graphics Fairy – Vintage Clip Art: Marvelous Pocket Watch
Consistently serving up different clip art ideas for your next craft or project, here’s one of the latest features inspired by steampunk.

Curbly – How To: Cheater Chalkboard Art
If you want to jazz up your walls and love artsy chalkboard typography, this is a great cheat-sheet for how to get it.

Design-Seeds – Color Sprig
Having trouble deciding which colors go best together? This a beautiful and soothing color palette.

Mr. Kate – DIY Whiteboard Wall
Terrific idea for an office space or kids’ room! Just add a moon-bounce floor, and we’re in business.

photo by flickr user Rilind Hoxha