This week kicked my ass. Am I alone in that? My hermit-ish ways continue and were completely at odds with a bustling after-work social schedule. This weekend I'm looking forward to a some napping (wish it was by a lake, see: above), some brunching and an Oscars party with Jenna, Nikki and Tammy. What are you guys up to? Here's some links to check out while you don't want to get out of bed on Saturday:

I adore my coffee shop, and I can't function without coffee first thing in the morning. If someone paid for my coffee, man, I'd be a pig in shit! There's a coffee shop where everyone pays for the next person's cup of coffee! I'm seriously considering doing this now...a little good karma...a little cuppa joe. Can't go wrong, right?

People are always talking about work/life balance, and I'm kinda at the point where I think it's hooey. At least for the profession I'm in. Brazen Careerist has three handy tips for achieving real work/life balance...and it has nothing to do with putting down your iPhone/iPad/Kindle.

Mmmmm RyGos. That hey girl shit never gets old!

It was just a few weeks ago that DC was named the 9th Drunkest City in the US by Daily Beast. A noteworthy honorific if I've ever heard one, so when my friend told me about the NIH's "how close are you to being a bonafide alcoholic" quiz, I was intrigued. Me? I can quit whenever I want!

Grant McCracken over at Harvard Business Review thinks snark is out and sweet is in. Kinda interesting to think about. How might that trickle down to the average person, say, on the internet, a notoriously snarky, acerbic place?

Fiery, looping plasm rain on the sun. 'Nuf said.

Last but not least, The Beyonce Sandwich. It's a thing, and I want to eat it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ_ZhB-N28I]

Photo credit: Alejandra Owens (me!)

This week got away from me, man! Each day went faster than the day before it and when I woke up this morning I actually thought to myself, "Is it Saturday?" I wish! As I type, I'm snuggled up on my couch with a big 'ol french press of Intelligentsia coffee and a bowl of greek yogurt with homemade granola and local honey drizzled all up in that piece. This weekend will be packed with tons of fun, but I'm committing to carving out time for a couple workouts. It's the most bang for my buck because it's both healthy AND it's alone time where I can do some thinking. Do you guys crave alone time? I'm such an extrovert, but lately I need more solo time than usual.

Before I bid you adieu, here's some of my favorite links from the week (share yours in the comments! I'm always looking for great new blogs and stuff to read.):

Stuart Freeborn, the guy who designed Yoda and Chewbacca, passed away at 98. To honor his great work, I'll be working on my Chewie impression all day.

8 words you should stop using in your food writing. We've officially moved beyond "yummy" but some of y'all are doing this annoying stuff...a lot.

If you don't see the genius of dogs, well then, we just can't be friends.

Do you know more about the news than the average American? Take the quiz. (I got 13/13, proud to say!)

The Best-Paying Cities For Women included DC at the #1 spot! Go DC! And go ladies!

Not to get all political, but I'm gonna get all political. My friend wrote a spot on post about what's really wrong with the Republican party. I'd really like my party to get their "shiitake mushrooms together," as it were.

CBS has guidelines for what you can't wear to the Grammys, chief among them: side boob. Here's 6 more things.

Design*Sponge is holding monthly Instagram challenges. This month's theme: declarations of love! Tag your loving instas with #DSLoveLetters to participate.

Photo: me! Alejandra Owens.

Weekend Reads