1) The mac-n-cheese debate rages on. Many of you love Alton Brown’s recipe, but when it comes to this dish, you’re not shy to voice your favorites. Shoppingsmycardio says, “ooh, yummy, gooey, carb-y goodness! this recipe is delish (i’ve made it), but i’ll see your alton brown, and raise you the single best mac i’ve ever tasted: Martha Stewart’s.” Commenter Ellobie reps P. Diddy’s Mack’n Cheez, which Laura has reproduced in comments in this post.

2) Stargazer lilies are a fragrant option, but keep them away from cats! Like our peppermint oil quick fix, these lilies freshen up a room, but are not feline-friendly. Heidi says, “I love lilies and this is a great idea! However, pet owners (especially cat owners) beware. Lilies are highly toxic to animals, so make sure they’re out of reach of your pets.” Click here for more information.

3) Painting upholstery brings back bad makeover show memories. Mary’s adventures in cushion restoration may have been a bust, but if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that cheap makeovers aren’t always worth it. Suswhit says, “There used to be a decorating show on tv, Trading Spaces or something, and the “designers” used to spray paint upholstery on a regular basis. The premise was that you redecorated your neighbor’s house and they redecorated yours. I can not imagine the horror of coming home and finding that they had spray painted your couch.” Eek! Back to Ikea it is!

4) Flowers and food rank highly as your favorite “just because” gifts. Jennifer says, “My family always makes sure mom has fresh flowers in the house, and every time we come home with some she seems as excited and touched as if we haven’t been doing it for years.” What is your favorite thing to give or get “just because?”

5) We’re enamored with Iris Conrad’s refurbished Ikea credenza. Meags says, “It looks excellent! I’ve always wanted to paint Ikea furniture but have been scared because I have read that the coating is difficult to both remove and paint over. Do you have any tips on how to paint successfully?” In fact, she does! See the makeover here and find her how-to tips at her flickr page.

image by flickr member Théo La Photo