Wanderlust

Photos of Norway and Paris to add some wanderlust to your morning. Where would you like to go right now, if you could go anywhere?

P.S. Click on the top photo; it looks beautiful when it's blown up!

(Photo credits unknown)

Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Pinhole Press, one of my favorite companies in the world. They offer beautiful photo gifts, including books, framed photos, notepads and cards. Today, they're offering one lucky reader a personalized guest book. Would it be lovely to have one at home for visiting friends and family to write in? (It feels straight out of a Diane Keaton movie:) You could also make one as a heartfelt wedding or hostess gift.

For a chance to win, please take a look around Pinhole Press and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo Update: Bri B. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

Do or don't: Pale skin this summer

As summer approaches, I usually get a little shy about wearing shorts and exposing my so-white-they're-almost-blue legs. When I was in college, I even went fake tanning (yikes!) and slathered on orange self-tanner (not a good look).

But this summer, I've decided to embrace my pale skin and freckles. We've recently discovered two great natural, chemical-free sunscreens—Badger and the Yes to Cucumbers stick (which is super easy to apply on babies!)—and wear them everyday.

My darlings, this summer, will you rock the pale look? Would you prefer to get a tan? Have your feelings on tanning changed? What kind of sunscreen do you use? I'd love to hear...

(Photo by Garance Dore)

Two summer movies

This morning, I came across two amazing summer movie trailers: Our Idiot Brother (August 26th) and...
50/50 (September 30th). Don't they look great? Will you see them? xo

P.S. I have a secret crush on Seth Rogan.

Tuesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Rib & Hull, a beautiful bag shop based in Warsaw, Poland. The husband-and-wife team make gorgeous bags with organic linen, canvas and Italian leather. Aren't they lovely? Today they're offering one lucky winner her choice of canvas bag. (See them all here.) I'm in love with these red stripes!

For a chance to win, please visit Rib & Hull and leave a comment below telling us your favorite style of canvas bag. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Britta D. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo

Bonus for all readers: Receive 20% off your entire order with the code CUPOFJO. Good until July 8th.

Tattoo girls

Although I'm not a tattoo girl myself, I'm loving these clever and charming tattoos. What do you think?

P.S. Nine awesome tattoos...

(Via Tattoologist)

Motherhood Mondays: 8 confessions of a new dad

For today's second Motherhood Monday post, I'd love to talk about new fatherhood. On the three-hour drive home from the beach this weekend, Alex and I started talking about parenthood, and he revealed a few funny and surprising thoughts on our first year with a baby. Here were his eight confessions, in his own words, below...
Read More >

Salt-Water sandals

My darlings, another Motherhood Monday post is coming up (about husbands!), but in the meantime, I wanted to share these sandals for little dudes. Every child in our neighborhood wears Salt-Water sandals, which are adorable, comfy and tough enough for city streets, grass parks, sandy beaches, and, of course, salty water. Toby just got his first little pair, and we're loving them already.

Mamas, have you ever tried them? What other children's shoes do you swear by? xo

P.S. Funnily enough, the sandals are also becoming cool for grown-ups. We spotted some chicer-than-chic women wearing them in the Hamptons!
(Bottom photo by Fashion is Spinach)

Have a fun weekend!

My darlings, what are you up to this weekend? We're heading to East Hampton! I've never been before, but apparently it's beautiful and sceney and fun. We're staying with some friends in a house in the woods. I'm looking forward to grilling burgers and dipping my toes in the waves but not going in too far because I'm a wuss. :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and in the meantime, here are a few great posts from around the web... xo

What gorgeous business cards.

The perfect summer earrings: pretty stars.

This Manhattan apt has a POOL in the living room.

A groom's cake that looks like the groom.

This Fourth of July cake is so clever.

An iPhone app that lets your baby choose its name by kicking!

Do or don't: A candle that smells like the New York Times.

Tina Fey reads the book-on-tape version of her book herself! Wouldn't it be awesome to listen to her tell her hilarious story?

Fascinating NYTimes article on breast milk.

Whoa! Cup of Jo was named one of the Top 100 Websites for Women by ForbesWoman Magazine. I'm so flattered and thrilled!

Last but not least, I'm excited to announce that I'll be co-hosting BLOGSHOP, a Photoshop workshop specifically for bloggers, with Bri Emery, in New York this September 24th-25th. Want to join? It will be really fun, and I would love to meet you! xo
(Photos by The Morning Train; illustration by CICLE)

Just 'cause.

DIY wedding hair: Gibson roll

My dears, I'm excited to share our second wedding hair tutorial! My friend (and hair genius) Caroline adores this elegant twisted roll--and swears it's easy enough for brides to do themselves. So, we met at my favorite West Village wedding shop, and the wonderful Jamie Beck took photographs. Doesn't her hair look straight from the 1940's? So romantic.

Here are Caroline's steps, if you'd like to try it out...
This hairstyle is perfect for a black-tie wedding or to show off a pretty neckline--and it's great for girls with curly hair. It's super easy; I promise with the teensiest bit of practice, you'll be able to do it in less than five minutes!

1. Gather your hair into a low ponytail and secure with a rubber band. You want the ponytail to be pretty tight.

2. Next, slide the rubber band down the ponytail a little, so there's space between the rubber band and your scalp.

3. Create a little "hole" in the area above the rubber band. Make sure not to poke all the way through; you just want to make a little "nest" in your hair (which you'll use in step 5).

4. Twist the length of your ponytail, like you would if you were making a bun.

5. Begin tucking your ponytail down into the little nest you made for it. (To make mine a little different, I tucked the hair off center, so it was slightly asymmetric.)

6 and 7. Keep tucking and rolling your ponytail into the nest...

8. Once you have all your hair hidden and tucked away, pin it in place with bobby pins. Don't forget to pin the sides of the hairstyle as well. Then spray your hair with some hairspray, and take along extra bobby pins for touch-ups!

Voila! Isn't it beautiful? Would you consider this wedding look? If you're already married, how did you wear your hair at your wedding? xo

P.S. More pretty hair tutorials...

(Photos by Jamie Beck for Cup of Jo. In the step-by-step photos, Caroline is wearing an Eberjey robe. In the wedding photos, Caroline's wedding dress is by Ivy & Aster from Lovely, a bridal boutique in the West Village. The hair piece is by Untamed Petals, available at Lovely, as well.Her jewelry is from her own line, Brvtvs, and her lip color is NARS lipstick in Manhunt--appropriately!:)

Swedish optical illusion

Swedish artist Erik Johansson created this incredible optical illusion in a Stockholm city square. The ravine looks so real, it gives me goosebumps!

(Via the brilliant NYMag)

EmersonMade giveaway!

Yahoo, the last EmersonMade giveaway was so well received that we decided to do it again! EmersonMade, the husband-and-wife clothing line based in New Hampshire, is offering a $1000 shopping spree to one lucky winner. They make lovely pieces, including dresses and bags; and their whole countryside life looks so dreamy that it makes me want to move to a farm, wear a flower brooch and raise chickens. Oh, just think how beautiful you'll look all summer. xo

For a chance to win, visit EmersonMade's shop (and consider signing up for their Facebook and twitter), and leave a comment below telling us your favorite pieces. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck. xo

Update: Erica M. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing--and for all the comments!

Deep dish cookies

Ooooh, yes please.

(Thanks, Kathryn)

What are your favorite books?

Recently I've been hunting for a new great book. Happily, I just stumbled upon the new website, What should I read next? You type in a book you like, and then it gives you recommendations of similar books.

My favorite book of all time is The History of Love, a novel about an old man remembering his love affair. It's so heartbreakingly beautiful that I underlined entire passages so I'd never forget them. At one point, I literally hugged the book as I read. What books do you love?

(Photo by Barca)

Pilsner cravings

What happens when you don't let Toby try a sip of beer at the Brooklyn beer hall.

Random beauty tip

I used to be so sleepy at the end of the night that I'd skip washing my face and just tumble into bed. But then a friend recommended these cucumber towelettes, and, I have to say, they've totally improved my bedtime routine. You just wipe your face (no water required), and they remove makeup, moisturize skin, smell amazing, and make you feel fresh and revitalized.

Have you ever used them? What's your bedtime beauty routine?

First day of summer

My lovelies, today is the first official day of summer! Do you have any fun plans for the season? Or anything you're wishing for?

P.S. More inspiring summer photos.

(Photos by Harley Haskett, Lauris Love and Satie)

Fountain bench

My mind is brimming with things to share today! But first: Does anyone know where to find this amazing fountain bench in New York City?! Wouldn't you love to be sitting there right now? xoxo

Update: Answer in the comments!

(Via Tina's instagram)

Motherhood Mondays: Has your style changed since having a baby?

For today's Motherhood Monday post, let's talk about style. I've always had a pretty low-key look (cardigans, flats), but after Toby arrived, my style became even more relaxed (read: worse!). I didn't have time to do much for my own look, and I sort of forgot about myself in that way. My focus was so much on sweet Toby. But now that Toby's a year old--and we feel much more comfortable and confident as parents--I'm excited to take some time for myself and reestablish my style. Here are the pieces that are getting me started:

* Red lipstick. Red lips make you feel glamorous and feminine, even when you're driving trucks in the sandbox or changing a diaper.

* Striped shirts. Along with everyone else in the (blog) world, I adore French-style striped shirts, which make you feel like a modern-day Jean Seberg.

* Dark jeans. Around a baby, you run a 100% risk of getting covered in banana, yogurt, sand, spit-up, snot, pee, or something strange-smelling and unidentifiable. Dark denim is the way to go! Spills just magically absorb until you have time to do laundry. :)

* Big bags. Instead of an actual diaper bag, I like carrying big regular bags and throwing everything in. I love this leather bag from Banana Republic. Bonus: It has a magnetic clasp, so it's easy to open and close while juggling a baby.

* Ring slings. I tried a Sakura Bloom ring sling for the first time recently and fell in love. Not only are they super cozy (Toby sleeps so well in it!) and surprisingly easy to put on, but they look beautiful. Instead of wearing a strappy carrier or pushing around a stroller, you wrap yourself and your baby in silk. It's a fashion statement as much as a baby carrier. Also, don't you love how you can see the shape of their big diaper butts? Heartbreakingly sweet. :)

So, I'd love to ask: What are your go-to pieces? How would you describe your style? If you're a mother, how has your style changed since having a baby? Do you ever wear your baby in a sling or carrier? xoxo

P.S. This post is part of the Sakura Bloom Styleathon, hosted by my friend Leigh. Read more here, if you'd like. I'm honored to be a part of it!
(Striped shirt from Chance; layering tank c/o Lilla P; jeans from Emersonmade; sling c/o Sakura Bloom; sunglasses c/o Selima Optique; heels from Michael Kors; bag from Banana Republic)