Have a delicious weekend.

What are your plans for this weekend? My mom has been here for almost three weeks, and she's leaving this Sunday. We're so sad for her to go back to Michigan! I wish we lived closer. Anyway, hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

Am I too old to read this book?

Tomato sandwiches.

26 ingenious ideas for your home.

Commission your own painting.

What a cool apartment.

21 reasons to love IKEA.

The six years when parents are happiest.

The power of doing something meaningless.

A new airline class for the child-intolerant.

Wow, Europe and Russia aren't kidding around.

What a beautiful locket.

This woman lives in a garden.

A game about real life.

Haha, these are so weird!!!

Let kids help.

(Photo by Alexandra's Kitchen. American Dreamers link via Swissmiss)

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Our fourth anniversary

Today is our fourth anniversary! Last night, Alex and I reminisced by looking through photos from when we were first dating...
This was the weekend he met my dad. How cute is he without a beard? (Although I'll never let him shave.)
Alex's old Brooklyn apartment had dark red walls in the living room, which I remember thinking was so cool and masculine when I went over there for the first time. We had a Friday night ritual of listening to music, watching movies and eating too much cheese.
Here we were at our friend's dinner party, looking out at the Manhattan skyline. How amazing was the view from their apartment?!
On our first trip together—to Berlin for ten days. I was so nervous that we'd run out of things to talk about! (We didn't.)
Visiting my grandmother in Cornwall...
...and on a walk with my family. (My grandparents' town is so small that if you send them a letter, you have to write "Polruan-by-Fowey" on the envelope so the mail carrier can figure out how to find it.)
Alex proposed on a sailboat in the Hudson River. The boat kept tilting from side to side, so I had to stick my hand into his backpack so he could put the ring on safely!
Saying our vows four years ago. Best decision I ever made.

Tonight we're sneaking away from the babies and going out to a neighborhood Italian restaurant, Gradisca, where the owner flies his mama in from Bologna to make pasta! And of course we'll meet there:)

Happy Anniversary, Alex! I love you.

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What to say when there's an awkward silence

Fill the Silence is a tumblr of fun facts that you can bust out when you find yourself in the middle of an awkward conversational pause. Thumbs up.

P.S. Another dorky fun fact.

(Via Messy Nessy Chic)

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United States cutting boards

AHeirloom, the Brooklyn-based etsy shop, makes fantastic United-States-shaped cutting boards. They have the whole country, individual states and other countries. Which would you choose? I'd go for England or Michigan...
They also have new monogrammed cutting boards and muddlers, which would make sweet wedding gifts, don't you think?

Today they're giving one reader a $150 gift certificate. For a chance to win, please visit AHeirloom and leave a comment below with your favorite item. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

Bonus for all readers: Get 10% off with the coupon code CUPOFJO, good through September 2nd.

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Anton at eight weeks

Oh, that little face. Since I have to juggle Toby and other responsibilities, I haven't had as much quality one-on-one time with Anton as I had with Toby (aww, the fate of a second child). But yesterday, Anton and I walked over to the water by ourselves and just lay around on blankets together. It was such a sweet hour and just what we needed. I can't tell you how much I love this little man.
(He's really starting to develop a look!)

P.S. We're also trying to figure out how to encourage him to sleep for longer stretches at night. His longest stretch is about three hours. Any tips would be so appreciated! :)

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The Best Homemade Pad Thai

This delicious recipe would make a perfect weeknight meal, and Jess from Cook Smarts says it's surprising easy to make at home. Here's how...
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Madewell's fall collection

Madewell's fall collection launched on their website today, and they nailed it. They're really coming into their own with this downtown girl look. I love the new direction they're going in. Everything feels urban, sexy and tomboyish, and the styling is more grown-up and laid-back. (And that messy hair!) See the full collection here. What do you think?
P.S. Their French knot skimmers are at the top of my wishlist:) Would look so great with jeans this fall.

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Let's talk about books...

Awesome People Reading is an addictive tumblr.
My friend Samantha's book, Well-Read Women, comes out today! She illustrated fifty watercolor portraits of heroines from literature, including Anna Karenina, Daisy Buchanan and Wendy Darling.
Jane Austen's face is coming to British money.
11 authors who hated the movie versions of their books.
Home inspiration: Leaning artwork on bookshelves.
Mr. Boddington’s pretty book plates.
T-shirts with the text of classic books.
Sexy men reading children’s books. Made me laugh, they sound like stalkers.
A closet reading nook.
Bookworms are smarter in old age. Keep reading!

P.S. Round-ups of fashion, cheese and summer...and Roald Dahl mugs and stamps.

(Reading nook photo from Martha Stewart Living and leaning art photo by Victoria)

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Ergobaby's new swaddler

When we were brand new parents, one of the best tips we got (from nurses, friends and this brilliant book) was that babies love to be swaddled. Wrapping them up tightly makes them feel safe and helps them sleep longer. We swaddled Toby as a newborn, and now we swaddle Anton. And it works like a charm. He sleeps much, much better when swaddled, since his wriggly arms don't startle him as a newborn.

Since Ergobaby makes one of our favorite baby carriers, I was psyched to discover that they now have a swaddler. It's ergonomic for newborns, and keeps their legs loose and arms tight. It's easy to do (I always found the basic blankets tricky) and Anton has been so happy in it (and doesn't bust out in the middle of the night, hurray). And during the day, as soon as he gets fussy, I bundle him up like a burrito and he calms right down.

Ergobaby is giving away two swaddlers, if you're a new or expectant parent or have a friend with a little one. For a chance to win, please visit Ergobaby and leave a comment below. Two winners will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Thanks, Ergobaby! Update: The winners have been emailed. Thanks for playing.
P.S. What to register for your baby.

(Photos by Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo)

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12 Surprising Things About Parenting in Abu Dhabi

For our Motherhood Around the World series, our sixth interview features Kera Thompson, who lives in Abu Dhabi with her husband, McSean, and three kids, Owen, 6, Asher, 4, and Elena, 1. Here are 12 things that have surprised her about being a mom in Abu Dhabi...
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Have a great weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? Since the weather is so breezy and refreshing, we're hoping to have a picnic with friends. (Maybe we'll bring shrimp!) We've also been playing this game lately, which Toby finds hilarious. Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

Gruff French waiters get a makeover.

Beautiful ballet flats.

Relationship illustrations.

Culture shock: London to New York.

How to keep strawberries fresh.

Loving grey jeans for the fall.

Alternate brand slogans.

A beautiful post about marriage.

Paris wedding design.

Made me laugh.

Conflict Kitchen only serves cuisine from countries with which the United States is in conflict.

Andy Samberg is a cutie.

Fascinating read.

The world's best worst smartphone app.

Life lessons from kids.

(Photo by Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo)

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Tina Fey is always hilarious.

Since I'm still in a newborn baby haze, I'm not sure what's old news versus new news to people. But! Have you heard that Tina Fey sold TWO new sitcoms this week?! The first will be a Cheers-like comedy set on Fire Island, and the second is about a women’s college that begins accepting men.

Above is a clip of Tina on Letterman this week describing how her two-year-old is a psychopath. And a fun fact you might not know: Liz Lemon's catchphrase "I want to go to there" was originally said by her then-three-year-old daughter Alice.

P.S. Four more hilarious Tina Fey moments.

(Via Jezebel)

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Thursday giveaway

Today's giveaway is from A-Thread, an adorable and affordable online boutique. Most of their dresses and tops are under $50. It's nice to be able to browse a store without worrying that everything is above your budget! And the pieces are really cute.

Today they're offering one lucky reader a $200 gift certificate to freshen up her fall wardrobe. What would you pick? (I'd go for this top and this dress.) For a chance to win, please visit A-Thread and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: The winner has been emailed. Thanks for playing.

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Do you feel comfortable naked?

When I was dating my college boyfriend, I was pretty shy about letting him see me naked. In bed, I'd drape myself in sheets, and if I had to leave the bedroom, I'd grab a towel, or if there wasn't one, I'd slowly back out of the room, which in hindsight must have looked insane.

Thankfully nowadays I feel much more comfortable walking around starkers. Partly because I'm older and wiser (imperfections are beautiful! people aren't that critical!) and also because I'm married and know Alex loves me and is stuck with me. :)

Funnily enough, a new study says that women feel happiest with their naked bodies at 34 (my exact age)—which is, as Jezebel put it, "the magical age when, after 20 years of being overly self-critical, they finally realize how great they really are—just in time for the curtain call of the real shit show that is aging." Made me laugh.

I'm curious: On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable do you feel naked?

P.S. The secret to relationships, and would you wait to kiss until your wedding day?

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NYC City Hall weddings

When Alex and I stopped by City Hall four years ago to pick up our marriage license, we saw a bunch of couples tying the knot. Some wore tuxedos and puffy white dresses, some were in casual clothes and one entire family was wearing Mets jerseys. It's a giddy scene over there. I always thought it would be a fun tourist destination; you could spend an hour on the steps outside and people-watch. Or throw confetti!

Refinery29 recently stopped by City Hall and snapped photos of 21 happy couples; see the full slideshow here.

Would you get married at City Hall? Did you? xo

P.S. Wedding with a pink dress, and my friend's City Hall wedding.

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