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Have a great weekend.

2012-01-27T09:16:00.000-08:00

What are you doing this weekend? My birthday is coming up soon (eeks!) so we're having a cozy dinner at home on Saturday. I'm also getting a haircut today, and can't wait to get my hair washed. (I always half fall asleep:) Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

A cabin in Brooklyn!

Lace earrings.

Humblebrag is the funniest thing I've seen in ages.

How to create a smoky eye in 2 steps.

For when you're really, really hungry...

Homemade Skor bars.

NYC door knockers.

What a cute book--and reassuring!

Jenny is revealing her DIYs for our bedroom makeover. (She's a genius.)

Would love to try this restaurant.

Photo pillows.

How to throw yourself a pity party.

Now that's a tattoo.

Movies in a different era.

(Photo by Sharon Montrose)

Sh*t Liz Lemon Says

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

This video made me laugh out loud.

(My only question is, what about "nerds!")

Four things to say to a friend after a bad breakup

2012-01-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

After graduating from college, I went through a rough breakup...
Read more »

What's your favorite (and sexiest) body part?

2012-01-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

My friend L. and I were recently hanging out, when our conversation turned to dating and sex. "I feel amazing as soon as I take off my shirt," she admitted. "My breasts are my showpiece." It made me laugh; her confidence was inspiring.

I'm pale as a ghost and flat as a board, but I have to say, I really like my freckles, especially the Big Dipper constellation on my right thigh :) What do you love about your body? Your hair? Your eyes? Your legs?

(Photo from Victoria's Secret)

Wednesday giveaway!

2012-01-25T12:55:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Sakura Bloom, a sling company founded by a mother of two in Massachusetts. She crafts baby slings using all natural fibers: linen and silk. Slings are surprisingly easy to use, and your baby nestles cozily up against your heartbeat. I'm a huge fan of them, and Toby loves cuddling up in ours; they're a lifesaver if you have a fussy baby or want your little one to nap while you're on the go. And slings look beautiful, too--my friend even wore hers to a wedding!

Today, Sakura Bloom is offering one lucky reader a $200 gift certificate to choose her favorite sling. Aren't they lovely? Which would you pick?

For a chance to win, please visit Sakura Bloom, and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Miki is our winner. Thanks for playing.
(Top photos from our England summer vacation)

Baked potato bar

2012-01-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

We recently invited six friends over for dinner, and instead of juggling recipes (we aren't fancy cooks), we did a baked potato bar! Alex baked the potatoes in the oven for an hour, and we put out bowls with tons of toppings. Our list of toppings: butter, black pepper, goat cheese, sautéed spinach, avocados, chicken, brie and cranberry sauce, chili, grated cheddar cheese, sautéed mushrooms, onions and garlic. (I also wanted to do sour cream with caviar--how fabulous would that be? Next time!) It was super easy and delicious. What toppings do you like on baked potatoes? Any weird ones?

P.S. And a staring contest:)

(Graphic design by Jennifer Hagler for Cup of Jo)

iPhone cases

2012-01-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

Now that I have an iPhone, I'm looking for a cool case. Society6 has a bunch of rad ones...

My one-day hair makeover

2012-01-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

The other morning, I gave my hair a makeover...
Read more »

Wine documentary

2012-01-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

This soon-to-be-released documentary looks amazing: Somm is the story of four sommeliers attempting to pass the Master Sommelier exam, a grueling test with one of the lowest pass rates in the world. The exam covers literally anything having to do with wine, including history, geography and blind tastings. The four guys, who have been preparing for years, say that they're truly obsessed, and you can feel their athlete-like tension on the screen. What a fascinating peek into a competitive, high-brow world that most people never see. Would you watch this?

P.S. The 10 best documentaries, and the dos and don'ts of drinking wine.

(Thanks, Michelle)

Motherhood Mondays: My parents' two tricks

2012-01-23T12:23:00.000-08:00

My third story about parenting moments actually features my parents. They did two little things I always liked...
Read more »

Motherhood Mondays: 5-minute game to make your child feel loved

2012-01-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

Last night, I was reading the book Playful Parenting, when I came across an anecdote about a mother, who had just had a third child. Her older kids had gotten clingy because they felt that the new baby was taking away from their time with her. So, she made up a genius game...
Read more »

Motherhood Mondays: Naming identical twins

2012-01-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

Parenting brings lots of big life decisions (babysitters, sleep schedules), but most of parenthood really seems to be made up of smaller everyday moments (breakfasts, baths, haircuts, lullabies). So, it's inspiring to hear about times when parents come up with an awesome everyday idea and just nail it. Today I'll be sharing three of these!

First up: The way my friend Sharon named her identical twin boys...
Read more »

Have a relaxing weekend.

2012-01-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

What are you up to this weekend? Alex and I are going to watch this short movie, just for fun. Also, our Christmas lights are still up around our apartment, and I think we're going to keep them up. Is that bad luck? Anyway, hope you have a wonderful weekend (stay warm!), and here are a fun great posts from around the web...

Etta James. xoxo

Things New Yorkers say.

What a pretty dress for a destination wedding!

Porn for pregnant ladies.

This British clothing is beautiful.

An interview with a one-year-old.

This bedroom art made me laugh.

You can fall out of bed and look good.

Whoa, this makes me excited for spring.

Have you seen this sweet book?

The sandwich artist.

Get-drunk-faster glasses.

Foods that go together.

Cabin love.

Lovely Indian coin pouches.

Btw, have you seen the movie Beginners? We just watched it, and it's great (and co-stars Christopher Plummer from The Sound of Music). Anyway, have a good one! xoxo
(Top photo from City Dog Magazine, bottom photo of a 1961 Hollywood audition for a black cat!)

Travel backpack

2012-01-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

This BAGGU backpack looks genius for traveling. It folds up into its own tiny pocket. So, you can use it for picnics, beaches or exploring; and when you buy too many souvenirs, gifts, clothes and snacks on your trip--poof!--you have an extra bag to carry everything home on the plane. (You always need an extra bag, don't you find?) I just ordered a neon one for future trips.

What are your travel essentials? Red lipstick? Wool socks? A flashlight?
P.S. My #1 beauty product on vacation, five shoes for traveling, and 10 trips for traveling with a baby.

Thursday giveaway!

2012-01-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Of a Kind, a fabulous website run by two amazing women. Each week, they choose an emerging designer with whom they collaborate on a limited edition piece. They sell these gorgeous pieces (think: rings, necklaces, striped shirts) exclusively on their site until they sell out. Today they're giving away this subtle leather bow cuff, which would look beautiful and dramatic with a button-down shirt. Good things come in small batches, right?

For a chance to win, please visit Of a Kind (consider signing up for their newsletter here so you'll never miss an edition release) and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Alyssa T. is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Do you ever worry about your partner dying?

2012-01-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

So, as you may know, I'm a worrier, but here's the worry always in the back of my mind...
Read more »

On relationships

2012-01-19T07:41:00.000-08:00

Made me laugh.

(By GraphJam, via Wit & Delight)

Wednesday giveaway!

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from HATCH, a maternity line I'm in love with and one of my featured sponsors. Their clothes are chic and feminine, and the best part is that the fourteen easy pieces adapt to your body, so you can wear them before, during and after pregnancy. Today they're giving away this fabulous coat ($338) with an oversized collar, half-sleeves and a swing-coat silhouette that can button comfortably around that belly. How adorable is it? I'd love to wear it to brunch or shopping around New York, even when I wasn't pregnant.

For a chance to win, please visit HATCH (and feel free to like HATCH's Facebook page), and leave a comment with your favorite HATCH item below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Lauren C. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo

Our bedroom makeover

2012-01-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

This fall, Alex and I were in desperate need of a bedroom makeover. Since I work from home, I spend approximately a gazillion hours a week in our bedroom, and it was feeling a little drab. We were nervous about heading into a cold, dark New York winter with a dreary room, so we asked our dear friend Jenny Komenda--the genius interior decorator from Little Green Notebook--to help us make our bedroom bright and cheery, on a budget. Here are the before-and-after photos, taken by Oh Darling Photography, if you'd like to see...
Read more »

Which iPhone apps do you like?

2012-01-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

So, I finally joined the 21st century and got an iPhone. Until now, I had been rocking an old-school flip phone, which most people assumed was a toy for Toby. But then I lost the battery, and when I tried to replace it, Verizon told me they didn't make it anymore. I was like, OK, I get it.

Now I'm excited to have a shiny new iPhone. My only question is: What apps are awesome? I know nothing about iPhone apps--except Hipstamatic--so I'd love to hear your recommendations! Which apps do you use? I'm clueless!

P.S. Me with my old phone:

Best chocolate mousse of your life

2012-01-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Whoa. The best chocolate mousse of your life uses only two ingredients and takes less than 5 minutes. Would be perfect for dinner parties.

(Photos by Cafe Fernando)

Motherhood Mondays: Hidden mothers

2012-01-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

Years ago, for formal baby photos, the mother would hide under a blanket or rug and hold her baby still for the photographer. How bizarre are these photos?

P.S. More baby photos...

(I linked to this phenomenon a couple weekends ago, but can't help posting it, too. Via Retronaut and Flickr)

Bongos!

2012-01-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

Toby got bongos for Christmas, and now every time we have friends over, he gives a private performance. His mad skills are only exceeded by his relentless enthusiasm. (I love this photo from Saturday night:)

Have a wonderful long weekend!

2012-01-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? The weather is getting chilly in New York, so we're having a couple friends over tomorrow evening for chili and cornbread. Maybe we'll go crazy and bust out the Taboo. :) Hope you have a cozy weekend, and here are a few great (mostly travel-themed) posts from around the web...

This made me laugh out loud.

The Polar Bear Club is officially nuts.

LOVE this red dress.

Baby rock stars.

Great old couples.

Cute short wedding dress.

Sleep mask for planes.

An underwater hiking trail.

Regarding travel shoes, a few readers asked for easy-to-pack rain boots. These short boots would do the trick!

A brilliant guide to Paris with kids.

FYI, Shopbop is having a huge winter sale.

Anne Lamott is writing a new book!!!

Freshly squeezed cocktails.

Plus, six Cup of Jo travel posts, just for fun:
* Maine perfume.
* Sleeping outside in Denmark.
* Bike rush hour.
* Iceland escape.
* Haha, people are awesome.
* The Cup of Jo Guide to NYC.

(Photos by Phillip Kalantzis Cope and Robert Cameron)

Friday giveaway!

2012-01-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Cannon Lewis, an amazingly talented jewelry designer in Los Angeles. Her jewelry is sophisticated and playful, inspired by nature. She's offering one lucky reader her captivate necklace, with turquoise enclosed in 14K gold (worth $580). The beautiful pendant has a secret engraving on the back: "The outside is only a movement of the symphony within." Would you love to wear it close to your heart?

For a chance to win, please explore the Cannon Lewis online shop (she has such gorgeous pieces!) and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Bridget M. is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Get 20% off your order with the code CUPOFJO for the rest of the month.

5 weekend getaways near NYC

2012-01-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

New York is an awesome place to live, but sometimes you want to escape the crowds. Luckily, there are five amazing destinations less than 2 1/2 hours from the city, so you can treat yourself to a weekend getaway...
Read more »

Wedding in Italy

2012-01-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

This pitch-perfect Italian wedding has made the blog rounds this past week, but, in honor of this travel-themed week, I wanted to share my favorite photos...
Read more »

Wednesday giveaway!

2012-01-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Cardigan, a knitwear collection by New York designer Lynne Hiriak. Inspired by her love of cardigans, Lynne designs pieces that are beautiful and comforting (with stripes and polka dots!). Today Lynne is giving away her Elysse sweatshirt. Made with merino wool, it looks like a sweater, but is as comfy as a sweatshirt. Wouldn't you love to cuddle up in it all winter?

For a chance to win, please visit Cardigan's online shop and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen randomly tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Ashley E. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Take 15% off your order (including sale items) with the code CUPOFJO until January 31st.

P.S. Recognize the model? :)

Five best shoes for traveling

2012-01-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

What shoes do you bring when you travel? I used to get stumped, but over the past few years, I've thankfully come across five options that work really well.
For walking around big cities, like Paris, tan ballet flats are chic, comfy and won't make you look like a tourist.
For swimming at the beach, red-and-white striped espadrilles are fresh and pretty (and more grown-up than rubber flip flops).
For canoeing, camping and drinking beers with friends, Bensimon sneakers are adorable, tomboyish and last forever.
For exploring rainy towns and eating your weight in fish and chips, Hunter boots are the obvious classic. Your jeans will stay clean, and you'll look lanky and beautiful. Even the Queen wears them! (P.S. These short boots are cute, too, and might be easier to pack.)
For road trips with your crush, Minnetonka moccasins are my favorite. They're effortlessly cool (I spot them all over downtown NYC) and sturdy enough for whatever the day brings--and you feel like you're wearing bedroom slippers. I'll admit, I wear these everyday. :)

Which of these five shoes would you wear? What are your go-to travel shoes?

(Photos via Pinterest; top photo by Real Simple, beer girls photo by Brian Ferry)

Pretty hair while traveling

2012-01-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

Have you guys ever tried dry shampoo? It's a lifesaver when traveling. You just spray the shampoo on, and it instantly makes your hair look clean and full of volume. So, if you have an overnight flight, or can't check into your hotel right away, or explore a big city all day, you can still look fresh and gorgeous.

My friend Caroline (of hair tutorial fame) first told me about it. "I swear by it," says Caroline, who travels all the time for work. "After being touristy all day, I hit my hair with the dry shampoo, and it looks clean and pretty at night."

Caroline's favorite is Klorane. "Every magazine editor and stylist uses this one," she says. "You'll see it on all their tables." Bonus: It's very gentle with natural, non-toxic ingredients.

Have you used dry shampoo? Any favorite beauty products when traveling? I'd love to hear!

(Thanks, Caroline)

Travel fantasy: Haven in Paris

2012-01-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the beautiful Parisian apartments from Haven in Paris? On vacation, I love staying in apartments versus hotels, since you feel like an insider (and can pretend that you live there:). You could have adventures around town, eat stinky cheeses on your balcony, have dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, then read books and curl up in your own comfy bed. Who's in?!

P.S. Look at the views from the windows, yowza!
Bonus for Cup of Jo readers: Get 20% off most Haven in Paris rentals if you visit this January or February by mentioning CUP OF JO.

Plane picnics

2012-01-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Plane food is usually rubbery and inedible--and now you have to pay for it!--so do you ever bring your own snacks on board? I love the idea of delicious plane picnics--think: cheese, bread, salami--so I just wrote a post for Conde Nast Traveler about five food writers' go-to picnics. I loved the suggestion to bring a clementine, not only to make you feel healthy but also to make you smell citrusy!

What's your favorite plane picnic?

(Photo by Anna Wolf; also, I'm thrilled to say I'm one of Conde Nast Traveler's new bloggers xoxo)

Travel-themed week

2012-01-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

This week, I'd love to do a fun little travel-themed week. (We actually started yesterday:) After the excitement of the holidays, aren't you feeling wanderlusty and itching to go somewhere beautiful?
I'm curious: Where would you go today, if you could beam yourself anywhere?

(Photos via Pinterest; canoe photo by Emily Chidester)

Elizabeth Street iPad app

2012-01-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of the new iPad app Elizabeth Street? I'm excited about it. Written by a group of super chic moms (designers, museum curators, etc.), the app is a travel and lifestyle guide to the cities of New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London and Milan (with more to come), where real moms share their favorite daily routines and feature restaurants, shops, activities and daytrips. I love that the stylish moms find things that are great for both parents and children, so the whole family has a good time.

I'm looking forward to using this when we travel, as well as here in New York. (I've already learned about the best black eyeliner and where you can pet goats and sheep at nearby farms.) Always amazing to get insider tips! Find the app here.
(Images from Vogue and the L.A. Times)

Motherhood Mondays: On Toby getting stitches

2012-01-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

While we were on Christmas vacation, Toby hurt his little foot...
Read more »

Have a fun weekend.

2012-01-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

What are your plans this weekend? Tonight Alex and I are going to our friend's belated holiday party, complete with dressy attire, Champagne and presents. Meanwhile, Toby remains addicted to his sound machine. :) Hope you stay warm and cozy, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

The invisible mother = so strange! (Thanks, Emma)

Pretty polka dots.

Yummy scrambled eggs.

I LOVE this coat, even though I'm not pregnant.

Matching pajamas is the cutest tradition.

Vintage Esquire covers.

Clever business card.

Would love to wear these red ballet flats with jeans.

Bathroom decor.

Questions for a baker.

How great is this chopped haircut?

Seven hair resolutions for 2012.

Wow, Kate can sing!

Friday giveaway!

2012-01-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Michelle Hartney, a beautiful jewelry designer based in Chicago. She makes lovely charms (like this cute fortune cookie!), geometric jewelry and alphabet necklaces. One lucky reader will win a $100 gift certificate to her shop. What would you choose?

For a chance to win, please visit Michelle Hartney's shop and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random on Monday. Good luck! Update: Sarah is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

Hunger panic

2012-01-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

Made me laugh. Who hasn't been guilty of this? :)

(By Someecards)

Do or don't: Thongs

2012-01-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

So. I have a secret...
I wear thongs!

Yes, it's true. For years, I figured they would be uncomfortable, so I avoided them; I was more of a cotton briefs girl. But then I tried Cosabella thongs, and I fell in love. They're made of soft, comfy lace, and the cut is chic and sexy. But the clincher for me? You don't get panty lines when wearing jeans, so you look SO much better from, ahem, behind. Now I wear them everyday.

What kind of underwear do you wear?

Graduate save-the-date

2012-01-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

My sister's friends Becky and Danny made this amazing save-the-date video for their wedding. It was inspired by the final scene of The Graduate. Aren't they geniuses?! I love their faces at the end.

(I posted this four years ago, but wanted to repost because it's so awesome.)

Vacation photos: Los Angeles and Palm Springs

2012-01-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

This holiday, we went to Los Angeles and Palm Springs to visit our families. Despite my computer breaking and Toby needing stitches (more on that later!), it was one of those great, boisterous trips where everyone's excited, and you return home happy and refreshed. I'd love to share a few of the highlights, if you'd like to see...
Read more »

Lip salve

2012-01-04T07:57:00.000-08:00

Are you a lipstick or chapstick girl? I'm usually a fan of red lipstick, but Alex shies away from kissing me when I'm wearing it because he doesn't want to wear it, too.

So! My friend Leigh told me about Rosebud Salve, which is soft, supple and slightly rose-scented. It will keep your lips moisturized and rose-tinted all winter. I brought some with us while traveling this holiday, and the crazy bonus is that you can also use it for dry skin in the winter, sunburns in the summer and diaper rash! Have you ever tried it?
(Photo by the Sartorialist)

Striped sheets

2012-01-03T11:30:00.000-08:00

I've never been one of those people who is obsessed with their bed (despite my best efforts!), but we just got these striped sheets for our bed, plus a striped crib sheet for Toby, and now I'm one step closer. They make our beds feel crisp and lovely. What kind of sheets are on your bed right now?
(Photos by Unison Home)

Paintings vs photographs

2012-01-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Remake project challenged art students to remake famous works of art, using photography. Aren't they compelling?
(I found this remake of "The Artist's Mother" by Whistler to be really touching.)

(Via Leigh)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Are you excited for 2012? I hope you have a wonderful year ahead of you, full of love, happiness and surprises. Let's take a quick look back over the past year, if you'd like...
Along with Jamie and Caroline, we did a series of 8 hair tutorials, and we'd love to do more this year! (Any requests?)
I launched the Motherhood Mondays series, where we've talked openly and honestly about everything about babies and new parenthood, from having a boy and how to talk to little girls to going outside all winter, a complete baby registry guide and kissing babies on the mouth (I have LOVED discussing all things baby with you; it has been so encouraging, eye-opening and amazing. Thank you for that)...
As part of Motherhood Mondays, I featured a weeklong series about work/life/baby balance -- a topic near and dear to my heart! -- from which I learned so much. (You are all such amazing women!!) We also shared dads' points of view, like 8 confessions of a new father, kissing your husband, and dads' birth stories.
After ten years living in Manhattan, I was thrilled to share my Guide to New York City, with my favorite places to eat, stay, shop and play, as well as how to flag a cab and how NOT to look like a tourist.
We talked about food, including the best chocolate chip cookie recipe, avocado popsicles and how to serve a perfect cheese plate...
...and how to drink wine correctly...
We started Relationship Thursdays, and discussed things like finding your soulmate, guys with beards, seeing movies alone, worrying too much, how to introduce people, first discovering sex and what guys think about while kissing...
...and, of course, weddings, like 10 unforgettable moments, genius proposals, simple rings and getting hitched at City Hall...
We chatted about fashion, like fall trends, tattoo girls and sunglasses...
Home decor, like ivy houses, throw blankets and our friends' rad apartment...
Beauty, like the magic of blush, nail polish and perfume...
Travel, like a gorgeous rental house, a Dutch subway slide, Breathless and our own vacations (during which we learned how to travel with a noisy baby)...
Personal posts, like birthday cheese, Toby's first steps and our date nights (including our very first date)...

Plus, I loved doing design round-ups, including 8 backpacks, 6 wedding rings, 5 books, 10 movies and how to buy houseplants...

...and Do or Don't posts, including surprise parties, false eyelashes and embracing pale skin (it was fun to hear your thoughts!)...
We ended the year with the 2011 holiday gift guides for men, women and little dudes...

...and, as always, had a bunch of just-for-fun posts, like funny comics, a trick for helping houseguests relax, winter blues and an idea for an Articles Club (starting this month!).

This year has been a wonderful gift, and I'm so thrilled to have such amazing women (plus a few guys!) reading the blog. You inspire me with your smart, funny and often profound comments everyday, and I can't express how grateful I am to have you here. Very much looking forward to exciting adventures in 2012. A kiss for all of you!

P.S. One year ago.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy (almost) New Year! This was a light week on the blog, but next week we'll be back to our regular scheduled programming. Do you have any fun plans for tomorrow night? Alex and I will be heading to our friends' apartment for blinis and Champagne, while Toby will sleep in his travel crib in their bedroom. Quiet New Year's Eves are my favorite. Have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

The world's best new affordable hotels.

A sweet take on a bedtime story.

Fun shoe clips to jazz up black flats.

Fashion from a book.

Three years.

The world according to Michigan. (Fellow Michiganders will chuckle:)

Inspiring tomboy style.

How to host house guests.

Did you see this insane pie in Oprah magazine?

Louis C.K. makes me laugh.

Remember A Very Young Dancer?

Plus, three Cup of Jo posts you may have missed:
* Winter bicyclists.
* Chop onions without crying.
* Adorable families.

(Photo of Hitchcock as a grandpa)

Who was your first love?

2011-12-29T10:15:00.000-08:00

The new French movie Goodbye, First Love looks heartbreakingly romantic and rings true--the 15-year-old protagonist takes her first relationship so seriously, without being guarded or jaded. It's raw and beautiful, and the film was a huge hit at film festivals. Really looking forward to seeing it.

Who was your first love? Where is he or she now?

City shower curtains

2011-12-28T08:33:00.000-08:00

How fabulous are these shower curtains? Above are Paris, Venice, the Brooklyn Bridge and London. What a way to start the day!

P.S. Another cool one.

Trader Joe's chocolate lava cakes

2011-12-27T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday! Looking forward to sharing photos of our trip (and hearing about yours), but first up: My dad made dinner on Christmas Eve, and afterward, he busted out individual chocolate lava cakes for everyone. His secret? Trader Joe's! You buy them frozen and then just heat them up in the microwave. They were insanely good.

Have you ever tried them?

P.S. My other favorite Trader Joe's dessert, and an ode to Trader Joe's.

(Photo via)

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a wonderful weekend to you all!!! Hope you have a relaxing time with friends and family, and sending you lots of love. (I'll be eating cookies and filling people's wine glasses:) If you're in a blog-reading mood, here are a few fun links from around the web...

Dressing up in the great outdoors.

What a sweet letter to Santa.

The world's weirdest hotels.

Soap rocks.

Pretty shirt (on my wish list).

Funny confession.

White lights vs. colored Christmas lights = hot debate.

Erin's adorable new calendar.

Christmas around the world.

We were photographed for Downtown from Behind. Thank you, Bridget!

Finally, regarding wine etiquette, Laura left the smart comment: You should "never ask a guest if they'd like MORE wine, even if its his fifth glass. It's better to say 'Would you like SOME wine,' as if you're filling his glass for the first time." Good to know!

xoxo Lots of love! Have a great weekend, and see you next Tuesday.

(Photo by Jennifer)

Black leggings

2011-12-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

When I was pregnant, I would wear a black tee and black leggings, and Alex would call me Marcel Marceau. Since then, I've missed wearing leggings. They're chic, comfy, slimming and make you feel like Audrey Hepburn. So I just ordered this fun bag o' black leggings, which I plan to wear all year. Do you ever wear them? xoxo

Winter solstice

2011-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

Did you know that today is the shortest (read: darkest) day of the year in North America? Today the sunset in New York will take place at 4:32pm. Zoinks!

Does it feel dark where you are? Do you ever get winter blues? It's hard not to, when the days are so dark. But! The good news is, the days will now get brighter every day for the rest of the winter. So if you can make it through today, you're all set. :)
(Actual photos of the earth at night by NASA)

Wednesday giveaway!

2011-12-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from LemLem, an amazing handcrafted clothing collection. When model/actress Liya Kebede discovered that weavers in her native country of Ethiopia were losing their jobs because of declining local demand for their goods, she started LemLem as a way to preserve the ancient art of weaving and help these traditional weavers thrive. (Just look at their amazing dresses and scarves!)

Today LemLem is offering a Hana Pocket Bag ($188), with a bold handwoven stripe and six outside pockets. Isn't it beautiful?

For a chance to win, please visit LemLem and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo Update: Sammie L. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

New Year's Eve hair

2011-12-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

My very first post on Cup of Jo talked about how I was staying in for New Year's Eve. But! If you're heading out this year, how cute would it be to wear something sparkly? Loving this gift bow, jumbo bobbi, heart headband and star headband. xoxo

P.S. Also! Look at this skirt! It's like a mermaid:)

Wine etiquette

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I'd love to share 8 fun tips for drinking wine! It's nerdy, but I like learning etiquette tips (do you?) and thought you might like to hear these fascinating wine dos and don'ts before heading out to holiday parties and romantic dinners. Below, I wrote out the tips, and the genius Gemma Correll illustrated them. Here goes...
1. Fill red wine glasses 1/3 full, white wine glasses 1/2 full, and sparkling wine 3/4 full.
2. Twist the bottle at the end of pouring a glass of wine, to prevent drips (and to give it a flourish!).
3. Cheers! When clinking glasses, make eye contact with the other person. Otherwise, according to French superstition, you'll risk seven years of bad luck (read: bad sex). You also should clink glasses individually with each person at the table without crossing anyone's arms.
4. If someone is toasting you (your wedding, your birthday, your general awesomeness), don't take a sip. Just smile and look humble.
5. Always hold your wine glass by the stem. Many people mistakenly think you only need to hold white wine by the stem (so you don't warm up the wine), but experts say you should hold red wine by the stem, too, so you can see its color and clarity, as well as to avoid smudging the glass with your fingerprints. Otherwise, wine snobs might call you a "bowl grabber"! :)
6. On the table, your wine glass goes to the right of your water glass.
7. While taking a sip, you should politely look into your glass. (And not at another person, if you're in the middle of a conversation.)
8. The host's duty is to make sure glasses stay filled. "My eyes go to empty glasses immediately," wine expert John Thoreen says. "It's a real radar thing for me."
9. Or happily forget all the tips above, and just eat, drink and be merry!

Hope you enjoyed these! Thanks again to Gemma for the awesome illustrations. xoxo

P.S. A lipstick trick with wine, and the #1 etiquette tip to remember for the holidays.

(Illustrations by Gemma Correll for A Cup of Jo. Thanks to Shoko for research help. Tips via Primer, SFGate and years of drinking experience:)

How long did you believe in Santa?

2011-12-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

How long did you believe in Santa? The website CapturetheMagic.com lets you upload a photo of your living room and then add a stock image of Santa into the scene. Voila! Proof for your little ones that Santa exists. How cute is that?!

Did you believe in Santa when you were growing up? Did you leave out cookies and notes?

Holiday hair tutorials

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

My lovelies, for parties and holiday dinners, feel free to look back through Caroline's 8 hair tutorials. It would be fun to wear a braided crown or three twisted buns with a little black dress! Find all eight tutorials here... xoxoxo

* Pretzel braid
* Gibson roll
* Chestnut bun
* Braided crown
* Braided top bun
* Three twisted buns
* Side ponytail
* Messy French bun

P.S. And the complete Cup of Jo 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Have a lovely weekend.

2011-12-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

What are you up to this weekend? We're heading to L.A. and Palm Springs, as I mentioned earlier, and I'm psyched for ripe avocados. Please wish us luck on the flight tonight (Toby is not loving the whole sitting-still thing these days), and I'm hoping our beloved sling will help. Have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun posts from around the web....

The perfect Chambray shirt (if money were no object).

Little Paris paintings.

The Home Alone house is for sale!

Sexy.

This cookbook cover made me laugh.

I just got this puffy coat for the winter. Bad weather, bring it on.

Glow-in-the-dark bathroom.

What a gorgeous print of the Met's rooftop exhibit.

The Hovey sisters are now designing apartments!

Curious to try a pair of clear glasses. Have you ever worn them?

This sweater made me LOL.

And the complete 2011 Cup of Jo Holiday Gift Guide.

(Photo of Anna Karina by Lennart Green, via Kate)

Thursday giveaway!

2011-12-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Lauren Haupt Jewelry, a studio in New York City. The handmade pieces have clean, elegant lines so you can wear them everyday. Today, Lauren is offering one lucky reader her Points Earrings, which are a little edgy and would be beautiful to wear all winter.

For a chance to win, please visit Lauren Haupt Jewelry and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Deirdre is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo

My own wishlist

2011-12-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Even though I don't wear much makeup, I'm a huge fan of blush. You can wake up exhausted and puffy-eyed, and if you put on a swipe of blush, you look like a fresh-faced beauty who just stepped in from the cold.

NARS Orgasm was my favorite for years (and one of the most award-winning blushes of all time), but NARS just launched a new color called G-Spot, and it looks amazing. Deeper, sexier, it apparently brings out a sultry plum color in your cheeks. Lucky Magazine calls it "wildly flattering." Aren't you psyched to try it? I'm secretly hoping to find it in my stocking. :)
P.S. The full Cup of Jo 2011 Gift Guide.

NYC Dates: Guggenheim and Meatballs

2011-12-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

Since I did my Guide to New York City, a few readers have asked for more New York recommendations, and I'd love to share some ideas. So! I'm thinking of starting a new series of NYC dates, featuring activities to do with friends or crushes around town. What do you think? Does that sound fun/interesting/relevant to you? I hope you enjoy it, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations, too. (We're always looking for offbeat date nights.) First up...
Have you ever been to the Guggenheim? Alex and I went...
Read more »

Wednesday giveaway!

2011-12-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Los-Angeles-based Future:Standard, an online boutique that curates ethical clothing and accessories. The shop is beautifully curated (I love these astrology necklaces). Today they're offering one lucky winner this Aztec-print blouse, which is made with 100% eco-friendly silk and would be perfect for wintertime dinners out. Don't you love the print?

For a chance to win, please visit Future:Standard and leave a comment below. A winner will be selected at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo Update: Major Gal is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Get a 15% with code CUPOFJO. Good until December 31st.

Haiku traffic signs

2011-12-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

New York City has launched a new set of traffic signs--written in haiku poems. They're designed to encourage people to be more sensitive and share the street. Genius.

P.S. Bike rush hour, and 10 ways not to look like a tourist.

(Via NPR)

Tuesday giveaway!

2011-12-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from MCMC, an amazing fragrance shop based in Brooklyn. The designer, Anne, is offering one lucky reader a full-sized eau de parfum of her choice from The Stories Collection, fragrances based on people, places and experiences from her life. For example, Hunter is inspired by her friend building maple sugar cabins in Vermont, and Maine conveys the scent of sage, roses, the sea, air, sun and pine. Also, wouldn't you love to smell the fragrance of Love?

For a chance to win, please visit MCMC and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Abigail from Philly is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.
Bonus for all readers: Get a 20% discount and free shipping with code CUPOFJO. Good until Monday, December 19th.

Gift Guide Part #7: Your Handsome Husband Who Looks Dashing in a Beard and Suit and Puts His Hand on the Small of Your Back at Parties.

2011-12-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

A photographic print of one of his icons. $75 to $259.
Back-to-the-Future trilogy, since he's never seen it and it's awesome, $33.99...
...and a vest inspired by Marty McFly, here for $70; here for $175.
Monster socks, because he can't keep wearing those white ones with holes. $12 for three.
Tabletop foosball table, for rip-roaring games every night before dinner. $79.
Guts and Glory photography book, a slam-dunk gift for football lovers. $25.
Chambray tie, made in Brooklyn, $83.
Round ice-ball maker for impressive cocktails, $9.99.
SPF face cream that will make him "smell like a man." Kind of random, but AMAZINGLY sexy. Alex wears it everyday, and I l-o-v-e it. $7.19.
Sharon Montrose's fantastic new animal photography book for your coffee table, $16.99.
Copenhagen bell. A little piece of modern art for your bike (that rings beautifully). $65.
Twelve-hour hand warmer, $13, to keep his hands warm on long winter bike rides, ice-skating and romantic walks around the neighborhood.
Illuminated dog leash, $25. (Plus a dog.)
A book you know he'd find fascinating. $18.
A bright shiny Corvette rental car for a day (plus rental insurance).
A kiss and a promise to love him forever, since that's all he really wants anyway.

P.S. More gifts for husbands, and the complete 2011 gift guide.

(Zippo photo from Cool Material. Orange vest via GQ)

Folding money

2011-12-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

If you're giving money as gifts, here are some funny folding techniques. I love the too-cool-for-school Abe Lincoln.

(Via Nick Cannon)

Gift Guide Part #6: The Chubby Toddler Who Laughs at All Your Jokes (Even the Dumb Ones) And Never Refuses a Cheerio.

2011-12-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Finger puppets that you'll enjoy playing with, too. $16 each.
A rainbow machine for their bedroom! $20.
Hand-painted dog bike bell, $24.
Japanese egg molds to liven up breakfast, $3.89 for set of two.
A dedicated sound machine with wooshes, splats, bangs and honks to blow his baby mind, $18. (We already ordered this:)
Don't Break the Ice, $14.16. I loved this game when I was little, didn't you?
Mabo elf knot hat, $20, Toby's favorite hat of all time.
A holiday sweater or dress from Thumbeline, the cutest store. (How funny are these?)
Baby animal print, $25.
Ninja cookie cutters, $20.
The rollicking Loud Book to make them laugh...
...and The Quiet Book to slow things down before bedtime, $10 each.
Gravity-defying Hot Wheels wall tracks, $109 for the complete set. (Bonus: Would be great for small apartments!)
Giant play castle that you color yourself, $58.
A good old-fashioned Whoopee cushion, $2.49.
Anything Elmo-related, for obvious reasons.

P.S. More gift ideas for babies and kids, and the rest of my 2011 gift guide...

(Rainbow maker via Abbey; sound machine via Momfilter)

Motherhood Mondays: Make-your-own race track

2011-12-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

We're leaving for California this Friday (yahoo!), and I'm trying to figure out which toys to bring with us. We can't fit many into our suitcase, so I was psyched to see this post from a Norwegian family--what a brilliant idea! All you need is tape and a toy car!

Where will you be spending the holidays?

Earth View

2011-12-10T00:14:00.000-08:00

Have a magical weekend!

2011-12-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

What are you up to this weekend? We can't fit a tree into our apartment (and we'll have a big one in California anyway), so instead Alex draped white lights all over the living room furniture, even on the TV, which looks crazy but kind of awesome. Toby has been getting into the spirit (the photo, above, is of our neighborhood pharmacy's window display). Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few posts from around the web....

Five things on my own wishlist:
* Lacy underwear. :)
* Cozy sweater.
* Square earrings.
* Dinner here.
* A kiss on top of the Empire State Building.

Do you get a Christmas tree? Genius idea for small apartments.

What a heartwarming morning goodbye!

Hamburger wrapping paper.

Amazing choose-your-own adventure!!!

Ahhh, pets.

Holiday nail polish ideas.

Frog to prince.

Love this beautiful quarterly made in Portland.

Words to live by.

Zooey's funny holiday tips.

Pretty earrings.

This bride wore her mother's wedding dress.

Tag, you're it!

Gift Guide Part #5: Your Best Friend Who Looks Beautiful Even in a Hoodie Sweatshirt and Knows a Weird Amount of Sound-of-Music Trivia.

2011-12-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

Two tickets to the new Marilyn Monroe movie (to which you sneak in mini bottles of Champagne with straws, since that's what Marilyn would do).
MoroccanOil Treatment to keep her hair smooth and silky all winter. (I swear by this; it's magic.) $12.55.
An art print that's funny 'cause it's true. $17/small to $47/large, by Gemma Correll.
Adorable sparkly flats, in red, black or gold, which would look good with everything, $128.
Mistletoe for her house. $3.49 plain, $10 with a hanging kit and breath mints!
Fresh Sugar Passion Lip Treatment, because it's tinted and moisturizing (meaning, the best for kissing:), $22.50.
Cheeky umbrella, 45 Canadian dollars.
2012 subscription to Martha Stewart Living. The new editor-in-chief Pilar Guzman (formerly of Cookie Magazine) has amaaaazing ideas. Excited to see what's in store. $24.
Marble balloons, 8 for 1.99 British pounds (or 100 for 10.60 British pounds, if you want to go nuts).
Bensimon sneakers to wear all year (and delight her inner French girl). $57.
Fortune-Telling Book of Names, so she can look up herself, her friends, her future children...and every guy she's ever dated (obviously). $9.95.
Magic 8 Ball Pen, $7.
A candle inspired by Jane Austen, $22.
Wooden animal boxes, $49 each.
A tiny Rosemary or Lemon Cypress tree for her house (and they smell so good), $58.
@ personalized coffeetable book about her beloved pup. $44.
Striped ski hat, $85.

P.S. More gifts for best friends, and a funny article about ladies...

(Balloons via Abbey and Jordan)

Gift Guide Part #4: Your Adventurous Younger Brother Who Planted Flowers on His Fire Escape and Taught Your Toddler How to Wink.

2011-12-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

Rad cycling print, $20. (More sports here.)
Stuffed hamburger press, because it's slightly awesomer than it is gross. $12.95.
Manly lodge moccasins, for padding around the house, $49.50. (I have the girl's version and love them.)
A soap dish to inspire him every morning, $20.
Japanese bottle openers, $40 to $60, to impress beautiful women all his life.
High Falls class! No joke, this NYC class "preps students for the biggest adrenaline rush of their lives." After practicing on trampolines, students climb up a ladder to a platform and jump into an airbag below. Yikes!!! $75. (P.S. Course Horse is a rad website of NYC classes, including Microexpressions, Dancing and Sausages.)
Glow-in-the-dark frisbee, bocce ball, cornhole, etc. $9.40 to $75.
Saturdays tee, since it's his favorite day of the week, $40.
Laguiole pocket knife from France, $49.
GoPro HD Hero, a wearable digital camera, so he can film (in high def) his point-of-view while he mountain bikes, skis, snowboards, rides motorcycles, rollerblades, skateboards or anything else that would make your mom freak out. Camera, $199; chest mount, $39.
Balloon animals kit, because he's an uncle now. $16.
And, always and forever, the Icelandic beard cap, $104.

P.S. More gifts for brothers, and my favorite video of my brother...

Morse code bracelets

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

I've always been a huge fan of COATT, the genius Morse Code necklaces spelling words like "mom," "love," and "kiss me." Now the designer just launched a line of bracelets. How subtle and beautiful to wear a little note on your wrist. xo

How drunk can you get at your office party?

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have an office holiday party? I've always heard crazy stories about them, but I haven't worked in an office for four years (I miss it!). Anyway, this chart made me laugh. Where do you fit in?

Wednesday giveaway!

2011-12-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is a big one! Sachin + Babi is a husband-and-wife team who create the most beautiful--and slightly edgy--clothing. Sachin grew up in India and met Babi in New York, where they fell in love. Today they're offering one lucky reader their gorgeous Elizabeth jacket ($680), which is ivory herringbone with a leather collar and belt. Wouldn't you love to wear it all winter?

For a chance to win, please "like" Sachin + Babi on Facebook and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen on Friday, December 16th, so you have ten days. Good luck! Update: Molliee M. is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Gift Guide Part #3: Your Awesome Twin Sister Who Can Do Impersonations, Fake Accents and Knows Every Line from Seinfeld.

2011-12-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

Men's inspired pajamas. J.Crew and Victoria's Secret have adorable ones.
Jeni's ice cream, crazy amazing flavors made in Ohio. $12.
Kiehl's Essence Oils = simply the best perfume. $26. (My favorite is gardenia for women, musk for men.)
Fresh flowers. (Two great florists in San Francisco and New York.)
Skiing cutting board, $30. (Bonus: Chatty cheese servers, $40.)
Me and you pencils, since you're a good pair. $12.
Lobster mac-n-cheese, to make her feel like she's been whisked off to Maine. Two for $48.
Wooden hook magnet for her fridge, 7 British pounds.
The two funniest books of the year by Mindy Kaling and Tina Fey. $15 each.
Pumpkin-scented candle, since everything's better with pumpkin, $21.
Solar queen, $20. She waves her wrist when she's in the sun!

P.S. More gifts for sisters, and my favorite photo of my sister Lucy...

(Wooden hook magnet photo from Design*Sponge)

Old loves

2011-12-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

Old Loves, the tumblr about celebrity couples who used to be in love, is both fascinating and a little sad. Here are Charles & Diana on their honeymoon in Scotland, 1981...
Cher & Tom Cruise, 1986.
Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe.
Alec Baldwin & Kristin Davis, 2001.
Brandy Norwood & Usher, 1998.
Ethan Hawke & Uma Thurman, 2002.
Audrey Hepburn, who married Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, nine years her junior, in 1969. Hepburn said she would leave her acting career to become an "Italian housewife."

(Photos from Old Loves. Thanks, Leigh)

Tuesday giveaway!

2011-12-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Petitor, a jewelry shop with the sweetest simple pieces. The California-based designer is offering this triangle necklace, which would be beautiful to wear everyday with a red lipstick and a ponytail.

For a chance to win, please visit Petitor and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Kristi M. is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Get 10% off your order with code CUPOFJO, until this Sunday.

Gift Guide Part #2: Your British Dad Who Took You on Camping Trips and Can Cook a Mean Bullet Potato Over the Fire.

2011-12-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Wool sweater, because every dad needs a good elbow patch. $118.
Steve Jobs biography, $18.
German camping utensil set, $12.
Magnets of your childhood photos, to jazz up his fridge. Nine for $19.99.
Hot air balloon ride, $250/person.
Beer-of-the-month club, the gift that keeps on giving, $37/month.
Rad salut flask, $22.

Print of Enzo Ferrari, the #1 dad hero, internationally. $75 to $259.

Gold cheese!!! $Bucks.
Filson dopp kit, because he always had one growing up. Felt very debonaire/James Bond. $90.
All-natural products from Vermont, $22 to 26.
Finnish snowball, $28, to keep on his desk and remind him of his childhood. It feels just like a packed snowball and crunches in your hand, like the real thing. (I swear, it's weird and amazing. Like a stress ball, but way better!)
Napoleon wine bottle stopper, $14.50.
United States cutting board, featuring his favorite state, $40.

P.S. More gifts for dads (and how to make bullet potatoes:)

(Hot air balloon photo by Celine)

Ornament.

2011-12-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

Nice.

(Thanks, Kate)

Gift Guide Part #1: Your Brilliant Mom Who Can Finish the New York Times Crossword Puzzle and Still Signs Her Emails "Mommy."

2011-12-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

Diane Keaton's fantastic new memoir about her relationship with her mother--and Woody Allen, Warren Beatty and Al Pacino. $14.35.
Red lipstick, because she'd never buy it for herself. (Bonus: It's moisturizing.) $32.
The iconic Finnish Aalto vase, because it makes even a bunch of daisies look straight out of Helsinki. $50.
Brownies and chocolate chip cookies...combined. Six for $14.
A beautiful tiny bar necklace, $49. (I wear this everyday and adore it.)
Pinecone candles, $29.
Silk pillowcase, which not only feels good (and perfectly cold!) but helps you not get wrinkles when you sleep. $18.
A rad natural sea sponge, because she always had one when you were growing up. They're also unbelievably gentle on your face. $5.
Amagansett Sea Salt with a sweet, briny flavor, made by a husband and wife. All steps--from the ocean to the bottle--take place in their tiny town in the Hamptons. (Photos by the New York Times.)
Striped slippers from France, $88. (Or duvet socks!)

P.S. More gifts for moms...

The Cup-of-Jo 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

2011-12-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

Are you looking forward to the holidays this year? Manhattan is draped in white lights and wreaths, and all the street musicians are playing holiday music. I love it! I'm excited to kick off the 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. As always, I've tried to find things for every budget and personality, and hope you enjoy it.

You can look through past gift guides here: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

Ok, let's go! (I'll post one every day, along with regular posts.) xoxo

(Photo by Petra Warrass)

Motherhood Mondays: What are your favorite baby names?

2011-12-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

Want to hear the top 100 baby names of 2011?
Read more »

Have a good weekend.

2011-12-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? We're bundling up and taking Toby to the holiday train show in the Bronx. (He loves trains almost as much as cars, buses, taxis and garbage trucks, so he's going to be psyched:) Also, my gift guide will be posted all next week. Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, and here are a few posts from around the web...

11 things you believed as a kid.

Before-and-after photo. (Takes a second to load.)

Roast potatoes and asparagus look delicious.

How to choose the right red lipstick.

A wedding dress straight out of Jane Austen.

J.Crew's gift guide is actually really good.

Getting mugged in NYC.

Cozy Brooklyn apartment.

Diane Keaton's new book is getting rave reviews.

The secret to tying a bow.

Bonjour!

Yale offers a class on...NYC nightlife.

Legwarmers under a wedding dress. :)

(Cheesecake photo by Smitten Kitchen)

Personality test

2011-12-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

This made me laugh. Which are you?

(Comic by Pleated Jeans)

Holiday card giveaway!

2011-12-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Pinhole Press, one of my beloved sponsors and my favorite company for simple and beautiful photo gifts. Today they're giving away a $150 gift certificate to make your own holiday cards (or buy a present or framed photo or whatever you'd like!) And how cute are their pet photo gifts?

For a chance to win, please visit Pinhole Press and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Cassie is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Get 10% off with code CUPOFJO.

How did your parents first tell you about sex?

2011-12-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

My twin sister and I first heard the gory truth about sex when...
Read more »

French wedding dresses

2011-12-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Aren't these the most ridiculously beautiful French wedding dresses? So ethereal and romantic.

By the way, Glamour.com just wrote that the time between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day is "Engagement Season," since so many people propose at that point. Is anyone thinking they might get engaged?

P.S. My wedding dress, how to do your wedding hair, and other jaw-dropping wedding dresses.

(Thank you, Florence)

What kind of perfume do you wear?

2011-11-30T11:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Toby and I stopped into Sephora to smell perfumes. Toby had a stuffy nose, so he wasn't much help, but I fell in love with Clean. You smell like you just stepped out of the shower, all fresh and sexy and kissable. What perfume are you wearing these days?

P.S. Six other quirky perfumes.

(Top photo by Sweet Eventide)

My parents

2011-11-30T09:12:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I linked to this hilarious ad for Canadian whisky...
Shortly afterward, my mom sent me this photo of my parents in college in Virginia. They had been dating for a year. It's basically the same photo! (Did everyone sit like that in 1972?) It's so funny to see your parents when they were young, before a bunch of rowdy kids came along. My dad had a thick English accent and my mom was from Alabama.

P.S. My Parents Were Awesome and Dads Are the Original Hipsters.

Beautiful tattoo

2011-11-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

Love. Everyone should remember this.

P.S. More amazing women and their tattoos.

(Via Pinterest)

Tuesday giveaway!

2011-11-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from Terrain, the beautiful home and garden lifestyle shop based in Pennsylvania. Their store is all about simple pleasures, from cooking to entertaining to gardening--plus, they now have a fabulous holiday collection. Today, Terrain is offering one lucky reader a whopping $200 gift certificate. What would you pick? (I'd go for these apple cider caramels!)

For a chance to win, please visit Terrain and leave a comment telling us your favorite things from the store. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Morgan P. is our winner.

Bonus for all readers: Enter the code CUPOFJO for free shipping through December 5th.

Perfect winter lunch

2011-11-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

Every December, when we're in California, we go to our friends' house for lunch. And every year they make the same meal: Cauliflower soup, a green salad, gruyere and crusty French bread. They put avocados in the salad, since they live in LA and have an avocado tree in their backyard, but a plain green salad would be just as delicious. Can't wait to have it again this year!

(Photos by Rene, Esquire and Chef's Kitchen)

Would you wear sparkles?

2011-11-29T07:51:00.000-08:00

This season, sparkles seem to be everywhere! I adore this understated long dress, with a peek of a sequined skirt. Have you ever seen anything like it? Elegant and glamorous; you'd be the beautiful yet mysterious girl at the party. :)
And these sequined miniskirts are adorable for parties or even the office, since you could pair them with a wool sweater, like the model on the left.

What do you think? Will you wear sparkles this holiday?

Motherhood Mondays: Would you hyphenate your baby's last name?

2011-11-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

Want to hear Toby's full name?
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Our holiday cards

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

My darlings, it's officially the holiday season! Whoot whoot! We've never sent out family holiday cards before (have you?), but this year, we were really excited about it. We went with our favorite vacation photo, along with two different simple layouts from Pinhole Press, and we added red heart stickers to the envelopes. I'm looking forward to sending them to our friends and relatives, especially those who live an ocean away.
In other news: As we were taking these photos at my friend's house, Toby got his first kiss. He cried.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

2011-11-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

What are your Thanksgiving plans? We're heading to Brooklyn to have dinner with our friends, who have a working fireplace (score). Hope you have a delicious day with lots of pumpkin pie and loose pants. :) Meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web... xoxo

Smitten Kitchen knows her Thanksgiving foods.

Flirty bow heels.

YAY!!!! Best movie news ever.

A genius eyeliner trick--with scotch tape.

Give your fridge a makeover.

This wedding dress makes me want to get married again.

Awesome little boy's room.

Oooh, salty brownies.

What a funny slimming sweater--your waist would look teeny.

Secret passageway switch.

What? These are pajamas!

Fabric wrapping paper.

Holiday stamps.

And for holiday shopping, here are three big tips, just through Monday:
* J.Crew is 25% off with code SURPRISE.
* Shopbop is 20% off with code BIG EVENT.
* ASOS is 20% off with code HAPPYBLACKFRIDAY.

Have a good one! xoxo

(Taxi photo by Irene Suchocki)

Wednesday giveaway!

2011-11-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

Today's giveaway is from TENOVERSIX, an amazing LA-based boutique that focuses on creative, fashion-forward accessories from independent designers. Today, they're giving away a pair of these Vena Cava suede pumps ($325). They definitely feel like something that would a cool downtown girl would wear:) The winner can choose either the black or caramel color--which would you choose?

For a chance to win, please visit TENOVERSIX and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random on Monday, so you have five days to enter. Good luck! Update: Kate Ashlen is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

First steps

2011-11-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

So....guess who walks??? Yesterday afternoon, Toby finally put it all together and took his first steps! (Since he's almost 18 months old, we've secretly been on the edge of our seats and are now breathing a sigh of relief.) Now he is a walking machine and cannot be stopped.

(Thanks to our babysitter Ashley for helping film this morning:) Also, I realized that our hallway looks straight out of The Shining.)

Which of the Beatles would you kiss?

2011-11-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

A timeless quandary. I'm a John kind of girl, although I really love this song by George.

(Via Julia, via Abbey)