Holiday parties are coming up soon, but they can be hard to photograph, don't you think? With dim lighting, moving guests and (most likely) a tipsy photographer, it's tricky to get good shots that capture the evening. Well, as part of a three-part series sponsored by Canon, here's a way to inspire fun photos...Read More >Thursday, 31 October 2013
Holiday parties are coming up soon, but they can be hard to photograph, don't you think? With dim lighting, moving guests and (most likely) a tipsy photographer, it's tricky to get good shots that capture the evening. Well, as part of a three-part series sponsored by Canon, here's a way to inspire fun photos...Read More >
"In New York City, subway conductors have to point at a black and white sign. At every hour of the day. At every stop. They do this to show that they've fully arrived on the platform. We decided to show our appreciation for their work." —Yosef Lerner.
This video is amazing!
Happy Halloween!!!! Toby was excited to be a giraffe, but when the costume arrived, he thought it was "a little bit scary." We had his old baseball costume from last year ready to go, but this morning he woke up and was super giraffe-ready. We took these shots this morning on the way to school (excuse the spilled juice box on his belly:)
(Doing a giraffe dance, naturally:)And this evening, we're going trick-or-treating around the 27 floors of our building and are hoping to meet some nice neighbors!
Have a wonderful Halloween!! xoxo
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Alex's birthday was this past Saturday, and I thought I'd share a few photos...
Last year, I was the worst since we were traveling on his birthday and I completely forgot to get him a cake (!) so I wanted to make up for it this year. Alex loves cheesecake, so I ordered one from the fancy French bakery Lady M, which is known for its ridiculously amazing cakes. This cheesecake had a cinnamon graham cracker crust and a thin layer of sweetened sour cream on top. Whattup!
We invited our friends over, along with their two kiddos. (Toby and their daughter have been best friends for years.) They had a tough time waiting for the cake to be cut...
Finally, we sang "Happy Birthday," Alex blew out the candle and we dove right in. It was delicious.
The little foursome! Love how Anton is trying to be part of the action. "Hey guys! Back here! How fun is this, you guys?"
The next day, Alex was running errands, so Toby and I dressed up like him and text him the photos as a joke. I think we kind of nailed it, though? Haha.Hope you guys are having a good week! Happy birthday, Alex!!! We love you!!! xo
This month, we've been asking food bloggers what they make for dinner when they're home alone. Today, Sarah from A House In the Hills shares these mini apple pies, which she dips in salted caramel. (Holy!) Here goes...Read More >
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
NYC was just voted the world’s favorite city. This month was my twelve-year anniversary of living here, and I love it here, too. But NYC can be a serious drag sometimes! (Remember the popularity of this Onion article?) So, although I often point out the positives of the city, in an effort to be even-handed, here are nine things about NYC that can drive you batshit crazy...
NYC pizza tastes like cardboard. There, I said it.
Rats come out when the sun sets. Kids at playgrounds will actually say, "Ok, let's go, it's rat time!"
Summer is humid and blazing hot; winter is bone-chillingly cold.
Many people you know have been mugged at one point or another. (When I was mugged in my twenties, two guys in hoodies came up to me and told me to give them my wallet. In a moment of very uncharacteristic bravery, I actually negotiated with them to see if I could just give them my cash and keep my wallet because I had a Nordstrom gift card from my boss in there! They said yes!)
The average wait time at a West Village restaurant on a typical evening is 90 minutes. 90 minutes!
Everyone's apartment is TEENY TINY. For example, our friends share a one-bedroom apartment with their two kids—the baby sleeps in a mini crib at the foot of their bed and the toddler sleeps in the closet!
As a thirtysomething adult with a full-time job, it’s very normal to not have a car, dishwasher or washing machine (and have to trek to the laundromat).
The city is filled with models. (For example, at the playground this summer, Alex ended up casually chatting with her!) So, you find yourself walking down the street feeling pretty good about yourself, and then you pass a gaggle of these ladies and you're like....oh, well, okay then.
Random things are psychotically expensive. For example, one chocolate-chip cookie will run you $4. One drop-in children's music class is $25. And I ordered a lemonade at a cafe this summer and when the check came it was $10. $10!But in the end, I can't help it...I'll always love you, New York City.
Anything else to add?? And if you live elsewhere, what's unglamorous about your town? :)
P.S. The Cup of Jo Guide to NYC. Plus, four posts with Gemma Correll: How to have sex, how to eat dinner, how to drink wine and how to feel pretty.
(Illustrations by Gemma Correll for Cup of Jo. Top graphic by Rachel Ball for Cup of Jo. This post was inspired by Anne's awesome series called Unglamorous Paris.)
Monday, 28 October 2013
As I mentioned before, we recently moved to a new apartment, and designer Emily Henderson is helping us give it a makeover. We are so excited to have this amazing opportunity. Emily and her team arrived in New York this morning, and everything will be installed, arranged, hung and designed by Thursday. Whew!As the first step, a few weeks ago, Emily asked us to show her photos of rooms we liked. Here's what we showed her...Read More >
Friday, 25 October 2013
What are your plans for this weekend? Alex's birthday is tomorrow, so we'll have having cake and candles...but maybe not singing Happy Birthday:) Also, thank you so much for the amazing emails about the reader makeovers; everyone who wrote was so cute and funny. It's going to be impossible to pick three people! Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...A song for your weekend.
A Michigan tattoo!
Men in love walk more slowly.
Craving these fried bananas.
Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, a coffeetable book.
Why we need sleep.
Paying it forward in the drive-thru.
Would you wear tangerine lipstick?
How popcorn took over movie theaters.
Cute new bags.
This cat made me laugh.
A half-birthday cake.
Skootcase.
(Photo of little Anton!)
Thursday, 24 October 2013
A few people on instagram have asked about my grey jeans, and I love them so much that I thought I'd share the info here, too: They're this AG pair. They have a bit of stretch, so they're super flattering. They were the first jeans I wore after having a baby, and they miraculously made me feel sexy while my other pairs still looked terrible. They're not cheap, but I think jeans are worth splurging on, since you wear them all the time, right? It's the whole cost-per-wear idea. Anyway, I'd highly recommend them!Any recommendations of fall clothes you love?
P.S. Pretty shoes.
(Photo by Julia Robbs for this post. Bag from Madewell)
I'm a sucker for personality tests, so I wanted to post this quiz that my sister sent me: Which state matches your personality?Here are a few fun facts:
* Wisconsin is the most extroverted state.
* Vermont is the most introverted state.
* Utah is the most agreeable and least neurotic state.
* West Virginia is the most neurotic state.
* Washington, D.C., is the most open-minded state.
Which state did you get? (I got Georgia!) Take the quiz here, and leave your answer below...xoxo
P.S. United States pillows and cutting boards.
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Richard Betts is one of a couple hundred master sommeliers in the world, but he’s not a snob. He actually believes that “wine is a grocery, not a luxury.” Cheers to that!So he has written a scratch-and-sniff book all about wine. You learn how to identify wine aromas from bacon to fruit to cat pee (for real) and figure out which wines you like best. The book is beautifully illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton and seems to have a great sense of humor. More photos, below...Read More >
This month, we've been asking food bloggers what they make for dinner when they're home alone. Today, Carey of Reclaiming Provincial shares these delicious garlicky buttery roasted mushrooms. Can't you imagine drinking wine and mopping them up from the pan with a piece of bread? Here goes...Read More >
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
For years—literally years—I've wanted to do reader makeovers. I just think it sounds like a fun excuse to get together and spend an afternoon eating snacks and getting dolled up. Right?Well, my favorite online eyewear brand Lookmatic is making that idea happen. We'll be doing three glasses makeovers in NYC, and finding pairs that suit people perfectly. I'm so excited!
Here's how it works: If you live in NYC (or nearby and are willing to travel) and would like new glasses, just email us a snapshot of yourself wearing your current glasses to newglassesplease@gmail.com and tell us your favorite Lookmatic pairs. We'll select three readers with different face shapes. Then we'll meet in NYC in early November, eat some snacks, find new glasses that suit you beautifully, and feature your cute self on Cup of Jo.
Who's in?!
Thank you so much!!! It will be really fun, and I'd love to meet you!!! Anton will be there, too, haha.
P.S. My favorite pair of glasses.(Photos by the Sartorialist)
The temperatures are dropping this week, so it's time to get cozy! Here's an amazing way to make your whole house smell amazing...
First combine ingredients, like citrus basil (fresh and clean)...
Juniper and pepper (masculine)...
...or vanilla cinnamon (cozy and festive)...All you have to do is cover the ingredients with water and simmer on the stove—and voila! Your entire home will smell incredible. Great for a cold day inside, right? Or a holiday party! xo
(Photos by Alpha Smoot for Cup of Jo; styling by Kendra Smoot)
Monday, 21 October 2013
I was working on a longer post for today, but things got chaotic, so I'll have to run it another day. But meanwhile my sister sent me this beautiful post about telling your friends—and even strangers—that they are good mothers. It made me realize that while I'm always admiring my friends' parenting styles, I rarely say that kind of thing out loud. And it means so much to hear, right?So to all you mothers out there: You are a wonderful mama. :)
P.S. Six words to say to your child, and do your eyes light up when they walk into the room?
Today's giveaway is from SoYoung, a small company (owned by a mom) that makes diaper bags, lunch boxes and backpacks. Each diaper bag has a rugged canvas exterior, lots of wipeable compartments, a cell-phone pocket and even backpack straps. Bonus: They're unisex, so dads will be happy to carry them. They also have adorable kid backpacks, and one thing I find ingenious are the lunchboxes that attach to the backpacks. How cool for school lunches, right? Today, they're letting one lucky winner choose her favorite color waxed canvas diaper clutch with felt pocket, which is perfect for carrying the essentials—diapers, wipes, cell phone, mat—and can also double as a laptop case. Would you choose black or charcoal? Update: The winner has been emailed. Thanks for playing.
For a chance to win, please visit SoYoung and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!
Bonus for all readers: Click here for a deal exclusive to A Cup of Jo readers. Friday, 18 October 2013
What are your plans for this weekend? We're having a (chilly) picnic with friends, I'm taking Toby to a drumming class, and I'm planning to try plum lipstick. I'll show a before-and-after, unless it looks terrible, haha. Also, baby Anton is finally finally finally sleeping a bit better so I am starting to feel like myself again. Thank you again for all your encouraging comments, which really brightened my spirits on the toughest days. Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...Swiss cheesemakers in action!
Cute birthday cake.
Cool idea for when a candle is gone.
This girl called 911 about a massive freaking spider.
What makes Nacho Cheese Doritos so appealing.
A toddler's hilarious conversation with himself.
Design Within Reach is having their semi-annual sale.
What your drink says about you.
The greatest New York book!
How to create supermodel cheekbones.
Would you make salmon in a dishwasher?
Rents are officially nuts in San Francisco.
Three of the best flavors combined. No big deal.
Plus, three past posts you may have missed:
* Who's your celebrity crush?
* 101 best-written TV shows.
* Why kids cover their eyes when they're hiding.
(Spider and candle links via Swiss Lark)
Thursday, 17 October 2013
When the dating and relationships company HowAboutWe reached out to me about going on a NYC date, I really wanted to say yes. But the catch was: Alex and I are pretty homebound in the evenings. We typically put both kids to bed, then eat dinner and pass out ourselves. We miss date nights! We are so boring! We have watched so many 30 Rock reruns!
But then it occurred to me: What if we could have our date at home? I checked out their site, and then I saw it. AT-HOME COUPLES MASSAGES. SAY WHAT?!
Amazing, right?! Who knew that was even a thing?! We were pinching ourselves. Although HowAboutWe began as an online dating site, they've since launched HowAboutWe for Couples—where they help couples find awesome dates. You browse their list of dates, book the ones you like, and go. They take care of all the details. It's great for people who want to do exciting offbeat stuff but don't have time or energy to plan everything themselves.
After living in New York for twelve years, I thought I had figured out almost everything there was to do here. But I was surprised to see dates I’d never thought of: couples astrology readings, old-school Brooklyn food tours, gondola rides in the East River...and, of course, at-home couples massages.
So, after both boys were in bed, we cracked a bottle of rose and put out bowls of nuts, olives and kettle chips...
...and shoved the toys to the side of the room. :)
Two really nice and friendly massage therapists arrived and set up folding massage tables in our living room.
We provided our own sheets and towels, and they put on relaxing spa music with sounds of rainforests and ocean waves.
Needless to say, it was such an incredible date and definitely the coolest night we've had in ages. What a luxurious treat!!! I've been a basketcase recently with a toddler and newborn, so it was so amazing to do this for ourselves and then just roll into bed after the massage (next to Anton's co-sleeper, haha) instead of commuting home.
I'd highly recommend HowAboutWe for Couples, which has so many fun date ideas. You can sign up for free and browse their dates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle (and they're expanding to new cities soon). BONUS: Get $50 off your first date through this link, until December 31st. Thanks so much, HowAboutWe!(This post was sponsored by HowAboutWe, a service we now plan to use all the time. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make Cup of Jo possible. Photos by our friend Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo, who stopped by at the beginning and left once the massages started haha. Definitely one of the funnier/more surreal blogging photo shoots:)
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