Have a wonderful weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We're heading to Austin, YAHOO! It's slated to reach 90 degrees tomorrow, so hopefully we'll get to go swimming here. Wish us luck on the round-trip flight with this little dude, and I'm looking forward to sharing photos next week. Hope you have a great weekend, and here are are a few fun posts from around the web...

The funniest Tumblr ever. Made me laugh out loud like fifty times.

Fancy nannies = WOW.

Cute summer shoes. (On my wishlist.)

This colorful art exhibit looks rad.

Good quote about blogging.

Sleepy lambs.

Striped bridesmaids.

A Vogue writer puts her 7-year-old daughter on a strict diet. Controversy ensues.

Behind-the-scenes at Abbey Road.

Ombre nail polish.

It's hard to be two.

Sweet Easter egg.

Thumbs up for giant balloons!

What a fascinating article about love and life.

After going through my own bout of depression last year, I loved this description by Rachel Maddow about her experiences. (Listen from 32:00 to 33:30). Thought you might like.

Have a good one! xoxo

Los Angeles: Mini guide

Last fall, I wrote our personal Guide to NYC. But a few readers have also asked about our thoughts about LA, where we go every Christmas to visit Alex's family. We LOVE LA--and the sunny skies, taco trucks and dudes on skateboards. So, even though we're far from experts, I figured I'd share our favorite places in the city, and most of all I'd love to hear yours...
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Ballet dancers in super slow motion

Have you seen this video? Two dancers from Staatsballett Berlin are shown in slow motion at 1000 frames per second, to the song Radiohead's Everything in Its Right Place. I actually danced ballet in junior high and high school, and it's a super precise athletic endeavor that's a million times harder than it looks. (Plus, the teachers are terrifying!) Bravo, beautiful dancers! xoxo

(Via Swissmiss)

How big can your wedding kiss be?

Before Alex and I got hitched, I wondered if our wedding kiss should be big or small. In the end, swept up by the emotion of the day, we just went for it! And it felt awesome!


Would you do a big kiss? Or keep it small and grandparent-friendly? If you're married, what was your kiss like? Here's some lovely wedding-kiss inspiration...









P.S. A Swedish island wedding, and two rad City Hall weddings...

(Photos by Max Wanger, Jess + Nate, Our Labor of Love, Mikael Olsson, James Mountford, Lauren Ross, Bayly & Moore, Anastasia Volkova, Olivia Leigh Weddings, Kyle Hale and Boutwell Studio)

Made me laugh.

(Comic by Gemma Correll)

Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is a great one! Alexis Russell, a designer based in New York City, makes hand-crafted jewelry that feels raw yet elegant. (Wouldn't her rings be lovely for an engagement?) Today she's giving one lucky reader a pair of her rough diamond earrings, which are beautifully simple studs you can throw on every morning. I love how natural and real they are--just gorgeous.

For a chance to win, please visit Alexis Russell's shop and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo Update: Christine U. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

6 wine bottle stoppers

Our babysitter noticed how much I like wine (busted) and gave me three lady bottle stoppers for my last birthday. They make me smile every time I walk through our kitchen. Bottle stoppers make great gifts when going to a dinner party or wedding, and are also just sweet to have on your kitchen counter, chilling in a half-bottle of red.

Nine favorites, clockwise, above: Fish, anchor, piggie, lady, flower, bird. (And this thirsty bird is so cute, too!)
(Layout by Jennifer Hagler for Cup of Jo. Thanks to Emily Hsieh for scouting help. Comic by Christopher Weyant)

The Best Tomato Soup You'll Ever Have

New York is having a surprisingly chilly week, so we've been craving comfort foods, like tomato soup with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. There's nothing cozier and more bolstering on a cool day, or a lazy Sunday evening at home, don't you agree? Luckily, Helene from Tartelette has agreed to share her recipe for the perfect warm-you-up-and-hit-the-spot tomato soup...
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Toby says Night Night.

Alex and I usually put Toby to bed, but when we went out at dinner last week, our babysitter took this video of Toby saying goodnight. My heart swells whenever I hear his little voice--it's so magical to witness your child start to communicate! I can't wait to talk to him more as he grows, and hear what's going on in that little head. xoxo

Sleep well tonight, everyone!

P.S. Five more Toby videos, since I can't help it:)

6 spring nail polish trends

My twin sister texted me from a San Francisco nail salon the other day. Standing in front of endless rows of polish, she had no idea which shade to choose. "Which colors are 'cool' right now?" she asked. Well, after our half-joking conversation, I researched this season's nail polish trends, and ever since I've been noticing (and admiring) these gorgeous colors on pretty girls around the city. Nails are on fire this spring!

Which color, below, do you like best? What color is on your fingers and toes as we speak? (My nails are currently orange, but my next color will be mint:) xoxo
Six nail polish trends: Very pale pink (or even beige), mint, lavender, bright orange, fuchsia and orange/red. (Find similar colors here, too.)

(Top photo of my sister and me. Polish layout by Em for Cup of Jo. Flower photos, cropped, by Paris Apartment, Flora Abundance, Kari Herer, Tongue in Cheek, Oh Happy Day and FlirtyFleurs.)

Resume makeover

Loft Resumes will give your old resume a design makeover. It probably wouldn't work for the most traditional workplaces, but would be rad for creative fields, to make your resume stand out. Thumbs up!

P.S. Also: Faxing and drinking.

(Via Swissmiss)

Motherhood Mondays: One woman asks: "I'm not sure if I want kids or not. How do you decide?"

My good friend Corrie Pikul, a 36-year-old magazine writer and blogger living in Brooklyn, has never been sure if she should have a child. She doesn't for sure want one, but she also doesn't not want one. She's completely 50/50. So, as she gets older, how will she make the decision? Here, Corrie shares her fascinating story...
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Have an amazing weekend.

What are you doing this weekend? We have a long-lost friend from England visiting tonight, and I'm also going to get a foot massage! Just as a little treat:) (Have you ever gotten one?) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few great links from around the web...

Cable guys? Thumbs up.

This wedding story is heartbreaking and affirming.

Funny inventions from Holland.

My favorite advice.

YES!!! A new Pigeon book. Already ordered.

Loving the color mint.

Little nappers.

A few cool plants.

The Bachelor drawings made me laugh out loud.

New sunnies for the summer.

Frogs I kissed and liked.

A very strong 12-year-old.

After this post, I realized I need this new app.

Parents and parents-to-be: Go to mOmma's facebook page to get a free product sample. Just enter the promo code CUPOFJO.

Finally, a song to kick off your weekend. xoxo

(Photo of Maui by Royce Bair)

Mad Men love

Who's psyched for Sunday?!! Will you be watching? Above is a hilarious video montage of Don Draper saying "What" and being awesome. (Watch it, you'll laugh out loud.)

Plus, a few posts to get you in the mood:
* Cool behind-the-scenes photos.
* Mad Men for kids.
* A guide to (the many) Mad Men romances.
* Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Moss chat about the Don/Peggy dynamic.
* Don Draper disapproves.
* How to drink like a Mad Man.
* An interview with Mad Men's "prop master."
* Three Mad Men cocktails.
* The ultimate Mad Men playlist.
* A Jon Hamm interview with Playboy (because we really do read Playboy for the articles:)

(Thanks to Shoko for scouting help)

Thursday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Curator, a beautiful line of clothing designed and produced in San Francisco. Their breezy dresses and cotton tops would be lovely to wear year-round. Today they're giving one lucky reader a $250 gift certificate to spend at their shop. What would you choose? (I'd go for this chambray dress and some beautiful soaps!)

For a chance to win, please visit Curator (and check out their Pinterest page, if you'd like) and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Marie S. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers; Get 15% off all clothing using the code CUPOFJO, for the next week.

Vintage ads

Oh my goodness, these vintage ads are jawdropping. (One ad actually says, "Men are better than women!") Can you believe these are from just a few decades ago? Our grandparents might have considered them normal!

More below...
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Do you pee in front of your significant other?

Ok, we've talked about enough intimate stuff on Cup of Jo that I think I'll just go for it today and ask the big question: Do you pee in front of your significant other? My answer...
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Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Mill & Bird, a hand-stitched leather bag shop based in North Carolina. The designer Krissy Anderson makes easy bags you can wear everyday and keep forever, and she strives to showcase the natural beauty of leather. Today she's offering one lucky reader her Amy Messenger Bag, made with soft moccasin leather with a drawstring closure and crossbody strap.

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

Bonus for all readers: Krissy is offering 25% off everything in her shop through March 31st.

Austin advice?

We're going to Austin!!! Our friends just moved there, so we're heading down for a weekend trip at the end of the month. (We figured we sneak in the trip before Toby turns two and we have to buy him plane seat.)

Everyone I know raves about Austin, and we can't wait to see it. Most of all, I'm excited to swim in Barton Springs, the 1,000-foot-long spring-fed natural pool. It looks incredible! (This monthly full-moon party would be a trip:)

Have you been to Austin? Do you live there? We'd be psyched for any recommendations! xoxo

P.S. Ten tips for traveling with a baby, and our guide to NYC.

(Photos by Budget Travel, MagazineUSA and Jack Archer)

The Best Banana Bread You'll Ever Have (with Bourbon and Chocolate Chunks)

My mom used to make banana bread when we were growing up. We'd smell it in the kitchen, and I'd request tastes right when it came out of the oven, when the bananas were soft, mushy and a little too hot. The memory alone makes me homesick for Michigan! Well, luckily, the fabulous Joy the Baker has agreed to share her #1 banana bread recipe with us today, and (record scratch) it includes bourbon and chocolate chunks. As she says, it's "bonkers delicious." Here's the recipe...
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How to make travel WAY easier

Can you imagine boarding a flight with just a wallet and your favorite book? Before you leave for vacation, LugLess will pick up your suitcases from your house and deliver them right to your destination.

A small suitcase costs $39 and a large suitcase costs $59, which are amazing prices considering that most airlines charge twenty-five bones to check a bag. Traveling without luggage would make a trip so much easier, especially when you have a wriggly baby in tow.

Having bags sent ahead is something I always assumed was reserved for the Rich & Famous, but this seems totally doable! Thumbs up, LugLess.

First day of spring

Today is the first day of spring. That's all! Celebrate!
(Top photo by The Sartorialist; bottom photos by Downtown From Behind)

Summer sneakers

Bensimon sneakers are the French girls' Converse. I bought my first pair for our honeymoon, and I've worn them every summer ever since. They look cute with jeans, shorts and dresses; and you can slip them on quickly when holding a wriggly baby. Well, Bensimon just released a limited-edition set of pastel colors for spring, made exclusively for Madewell. Aren't they lovely? (P.S. My big-foot size has already sold out, so hurry if you'd like a pair!)
(Top photo by The Singular; bottom layout by Jennifer Hagler for Cup of Jo)

A NYC weekend

New York City can feel so dark and dreary during the winter (puddles! gray buildings! umbrellas whacking you!) that it's always a restorative breath of fresh air when the sun comes back out. Everyone pours out of their cramped apartments, and the city comes alive. This weekend felt like summer, with blue skies and cool breezes. Hope you had a great one, and here are a few photos we snapped this weekend, if you'd like to see...
On Saturday, we rode bikes across the Brooklyn Bridge (this was the view from my bike seat!)...
We headed to the glorious Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo. You can see the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridges jutting out from each side, and hear the subways rattling noisily across them every ten minutes. (Our friends got married in this park a few years ago, and they had to pause their ceremony whenever the subways clattered overhead:)
We chilled in the grass (and I showed off my newly orange toes:), while Toby ate raisins and gazed at the enormous historic carousel that opened last summer...
So, we decided to buy tickets (the attendants' T-shirts say "Pony Up $2!") and take a spin on the carousel.
As we climbed on, Toby suddenly got freaked out by the horses (he cried at first!) so we sat together on the sleigh. (Note the other freaked out baby sitting behind us:)
Look at the rad backdrops in these photos!
We met up with our friends and headed to a nearby playground to hang out...
Dumbo is such a spectacular neighborhood. (This was just a random view we had when we walked to the deli to buy a snack!)
The next day, we headed to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn Heights, which is chock full of vintage subway cars. Toby's head almost exploded.
Taking photos was tricky because he was so excited and giddy that he literally ran everywhere. Just ran!! A little boy's dream come true:)

Oh, New York, sometimes we forget how great you are in the winter, but then summer comes, and we feel guilty for ever complaining. We love you! xoxo

(Toby's plaid shirt at top by Pearls & Popcorn; overalls by Carters)