Summer Uniform: Greek goddess

My sweets, do you have a favorite summer outfit? I'm excited to announce a new series on Cup of Jo, where I'll feature photos of stylish friends and show how to put together the look (mostly because I want to copy them myself!).

First up: My friend Kendra Smoot always looks gorgeous, but I especially love this ensemble (above) she wore on vacation in Greece. Relaxed, easy and beautiful, don't you think?

Here's how to get the look:
Polka-dot scarf: The Hill-Side, $50.
Round sunglasses: Madewell, $134.
Gray tee: LNA, $48.
Boyfriend shorts: Madewell, $50.
Gladiator sandals: Born (in saffron), $85.
Pink nail polish: Essie, $8.

Do you have a summer uniform? xo

(Photo by Akira Ruiz)

Summer love.

The weather in New York is hot and sunny, and it finally feels like summer. Where do you live, and what's the weather like? Have you pulled out your shorts and sunscreen yet? xo

(Photo credits unknown, via Erin Dermody)

Have a sexy weekend.

My lovelies, what are you doing this weekend? Alex and I went out for Japanese food tonight, and tomorrow we're throwing a birthday picnic for Toby! I also *finally* finished the Tina Fey book (yeah! only took me two months) and laughed out loud probably fifty times (when's the last time a book has made you do that?:) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and meanwhile here are a few fun links from around the web...

Cute outfit.

A DIY chandelier?! Jenny, I bow down.

The raddest bubbles!!!

Raising a genderless baby? Fascinating...

Dating in Brooklyn. :)

Breastfeeding in public.

Mason jar meals.

Loving this blue shirt.

Great Lakes design. (Yeah, Michigan!)

Matchmaking with New York Magazine.

Chalkboard state maps.

How to make your own striped shirt.

Remember these funny thank-you notes? Well, now there's a book!

I just read a glowing review of the new movie Midnight in Paris. Have you seen it?

Plus, three Cup of Jo posts you might have missed:
* Summer love.
* Crumpled maps.
* Floating houses.

Have a great one. xo

Greeting cards

These graphic greeting cards look just like old-school quilts.

(Via Design is Mine)

Summer nail polish

Refinery29 just wrote about the six coolest nail polish trends, and I'd love to try baby blue and very, very pale pink (I actually wore this exact pink at our wedding). Wouldn't they look pretty peeking out of sandals?

Do you have a nail-polish color you swear by?

Annoying words

When Kurt Andersen took over as editor of New York Magazine, he wrote a list of all the words he found annoying and told his staff not to use them during his tenure. They made me laugh out loud.

Do you agree with this list? What other words do you find annoying? (I hate triangulate and moist:)

(Via Swissmiss, via The New York Times)

Wednesday giveaway!

Glasses are an amazing way to change up your look, but having more than one pair can be crazy expensive. Luckily, today's giveaway is from Spex Club, an amazing and affordable online eyewear boutique. All their glasses are $88 or less--including your prescription. (Seriously!) Wouldn't it be fun to have a cute new pair for the summer?

They're offering THREE lucky readers a pair of glasses of their choice -- sunglasses, readers, or prescription frames. (My favorites are these. I love the nerdy glasses look.)

For a chance to win, please visit Spex Club and leave a comment below. (If you want, virtually try on glasses with Spex Vision.) A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: MacKenna K., Natalie F., and Jessi D. are our lucky winners. Thanks for playing. xo
(Top photo by Style Sightings)

Happy Birthday, Toby!

Happy 1st Birthday, Toby! Today we can do all your favorite things, including walking up stairs, going to the playground, eating hummus and not taking a bath under any circumstances. We absolutely adore you.

P.S. I can't believe this was a year ago today.

Do you heart New York....or not so much?

Some people (read: New Yorkers) often get into a frenzy about how amazing New York is, but this new book takes the middleground. "New York is a pretty okay city!" they say, "Have you ever loved something, but also totally not loved it at the same time? Obviously, we realize that there are some cool elements to the place, like some statues and stuff, but we also recognize that New York just seems like kind of a hassle."
Hilarious.

Do you have a phobia?

I'm going on 20/20 today to talk about my elevator phobia. Funnily enough, I'm way more nervous about taking the elevator up to the studio than being on TV. Wish me luck!!! :)

P.S. If you don't hear from me later today, it means I'm stuck on the elevator and you must come save me. Update: I made it, whew! The taping was really fun, although I definitely sounded like a bit of a nut. :) The show is slated to air on Friday, June 3rd an upcoming Friday, to be determined; I'll keep you posted!

(Illustration by Garance Dore)

Bicycle wedding

Pam and Joe are teachers in Brooklyn and didn't have a huge budget, but they put together the most gorgeous, heartfelt wedding. First they tied the knot at a neighborhood park, then rode bikes to a Brooklyn bar, where they'd had their first date. (Pam's biking secret? She wore denim cutoffs under her dress! Can you spot them, above?:)
Everyone drank beers and smashed a pinata...
...and they had whoopie pies instead of wedding cake.
Doesn't it look great? Sometimes the simplest weddings look the most relaxed and fun, don't you think? Congratulations, Pam and Joe! (See many more photos here.)

(Photos by Inbal Sivan, via Perfect Bound)

Motherhood Mondays: Ten tips for traveling with a baby

For today's Motherhood Monday post, I'd love to talk about traveling with a baby (and hear your tips). We just got back from a week in San Francisco, and we also took Toby to California last Christmas. During those long trips, we learned a few things (on the fly!) that helped us travel more smoothly and with fewer freak-outs. :) Here are 10 things that we discovered make traveling with a baby much easier...
Read More >

My favorite baby carrier

My sweets, hope you had a wonderful weekend! We're back in New York now, but already missing San Francisco (and shrimp tacos). Photos coming up!

Meanwhile, I'd love to do two Motherhood Monday posts today. First up, have you ever worn a baby carrier? The comfiest one I've found (by far) is the Ergo, $135, which is really easy to put on. It's great to walk around the city (and into stores) while wearing Toby; I wear him on the front, so we can chit-chat, and he's always more mellow than when he's in the stroller.

So I was psyched to see that the Ergo just got a makeover. I have the sea green color (which I like), but they're now offering it in beautiful fabrics, like this lovely one above. Wouldn't it add such a pretty touch to an outfit? I'm trying to rationalize buying one for the summer. :)

P.S. 10 things to wear as a nursing mother.

(Via Stroller Traffic)

Have a fun weekend!

Hope you had a wonderful week, my lovelies! We're heading home from chilly San Francisco tomorrow, and I'm excited to catch up with you on Monday. Have a good one! xoxo

(Photo by James Jean)

Guest Post: Rachel's summer wishlist

Summer is calling. Here's my wishlist...

1. The Flavour Thesaurus (a cookbook).

2. Beverage dispenser.

3. Bright pink flats.

4: An Alexander album.

5: A zigzag bag.

-- By Rachel from Black Eiffel

Guest Post: Chelsea's summer dreams

Bicycle rides + strawberry picking. (Find a farm here.)
Fentimans ginger beer + lawn games.
Tent camping!

These are my dreams for this summer. What are yours?

-- By Chelsea from Frolic!

Thursday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Freshly Picked, a Utah-based shop with pillows, shoes, wallets and bags. The designer Susan is offering one lucky reader a pair of children's moccasins. The shoes are handmade and buttery soft. Any child would be comfy (and look rad) walking around in these, and they'd make a wonderful baby shower gift. I LOVE them.

For a chance to win, please visit Freshly Picked and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo

Update: Stephanie R. is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Guest Post: Tomboy traveler

Sometimes the best part of traveling comes when the plan falls apart. I have a handful of crazy travel stories—from being temporarily trapped on a Swiss ski lift for hours during a wind storm, to being stranded at the Cairo International Airport for days. These experiences have taught me to pack smart while staying true to my style, knowing "adventure" may be lurking. Here are some items you can pack with you on your next one!

1. Lavender Essential Oil. I don't wear perfume, but I am a major fan of essential oils. Lavender is ideal for traveling because it calms, treats minor cuts or bites, helps induce sleep, and can act as a room fragrance. Plus, the bottles are always TSA-friendly.

2. Striped Linen Bandana. Easily packed and exceptionally versatile, bandanas always seem to come in handy when on an adventure.

3. Straw Hat. Practical and fashionable. This hat goes with everything in my closet—from bikinis to cocktail dresses.

4. Swatch Originals "New Gent." This is a great travel watch, because not only is it affordable and inconspicuous, but it's rubber—you don't have to take it off in the security line or the ocean, and I love an men's-sized watch on a woman.

5. Madewell Perfect Chambray Shirt. I know these shirts have been covered every way to Sunday, but they are so great and can be dressed up with a skirt or worn simply as a beach cover-up.

6. Bass Slip-on Saddle Shoes. I wore these in grade school and now I wear them wherever I travel. They're easy on and off, comfortable and really smart looking with shorts, jeans and trousers.

7. The Gentlewoman Magazine. Required tomboy reading!

8. Trussardi iPad Case. Hardcore luxury.

9. Tampico Cotton Tote. This French brand is so simple, functional and chic. The top zipper and detachable shoulder strap are key for travel.

-- By Lizzie Garrett from Tomboy Style

Guest Post: Kate's Parisian wish list

After I read Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl, my interest in French culture turned from adoration to obsession. One of the many qualities I love about French women is that they slowly collect iconic pieces and keep them forever. So, I'm relentlessly ridding my wardrobe and home of pieces that don't hold much meaning to me. But here are a few objects on my love-for-a-lifetime list...

1. Milly cotton-voile dress. I'm crazy about the bright bold colors and full skirt.

2. Gold lamp and tumblers: I'm on a huge gold kick right now, expecially in sleek, modern forms.

3. The book Parisian Chic, A Style Guide by model Ines de la Fressange.

4. Chloe Ballerina Flats. There's something so timeless about these simple black flats.

-- By Kate from Wit & Delight

Guest Post: Krisatomic's illustrated summer faves

1. Outdoor dining--a picnic in a park, BBQ on a beach or dinner on a roof. Everything just seems to taste better outside!
2. The short but sweet season of my favorite flower--the peony.
3. My summer uniform (I live in the UK, so admittedly summer isn't always hot hot hot). My goal this summer is to break in my Swedish Hasbeens, because they're the perfect summer shoe, but my feet just haven't got the memo yet.

What are your favorite things about summer?

-- By the fabulous Krisatomic (who also did the AMAZING illustrations!)

Guest Post: Bri's summer inspiration

Her hair is short, her stripes are bright, her style is effortless. Doesn't she make you want to dive head first into summer?

Shoes; sunglasses; glasses; bowl; scarf.

-- By Bri Emery from Designlovefest

San Francisco trip

This cartoon made me laugh out loud. (Are you guilty?:) While we're on vacation in San Francisco this week, however, I've scheduled five fabulous guest posters, who will be sharing their favorite summer things. Looking forward to catching up next Monday, with a new Motherhood Monday post and photos from our trip.

Have a wonderful week, my lovelies! xoxoxo

Have a wonderful weekend!

My darlings, what are you doing this week? We're heading to San Francisco right now! (Fingers tightly crossed that Toby sleeps on the plane.) I can't wait to see my sister, and we made dinner reservations here, here and here. (Thanks again for your tips!) Next week, I am happy to have five great guest posters. Meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend, and see you soon!

These passive-aggressive wedding notes made me laugh.

The Beatles right before crossing Abbey Road. (Remember this?)

Agreed.

A gorgeous green wedding dress.

Make your own bell bottoms.

A fascinating look at the making of this hilarious book!

What a beautiful poem to remember.

My 10 favorite natural baby products.

Plus, a few Cup of Jo posts you might have missed:
* Blondes, brunettes and redheads.
* Red lipstick trick.
* Apples and cheddar.
* Umbrella built for two.
(Top photo by the Sartorialist; bottom photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on opening day, 1937)

The princes

What a great shot. (And that was one lucky photographer!)

Are you a William or Harry girl? :) (Or Charles?)

Land's End Canvas

For the past year, I've been wearing a steady uniform of boring tees and jeans, so I'm searching valiantly for some prettier summer clothes. Yesterday I came across Land's End Canvas, which has such adorable things! (Who knew?)

I'm excited to try them out; the dresses and skirts would be perfect for picnics and dinner dates. What will you be wearing this spring and summer? xo

* Blogger deleted this post during their service outage, and I'm not sure if it will be restored, so I'm reposting.

Caged animals

Barcelona photographer Oscar Ciutat took these photos of caged animals. “It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul," he explains. "I took a series of trips to the local zoo to photograph the eyes of animals held in captivity. I was intrigued by whether the lack of freedom would be apparent in the images." Aren't they haunting?

(Via The Lil Bee)

* Blogger deleted this post during their service outage, and I'm not sure if it will be restored, so I'm reposting.