A CUP OF JO

Have a great weekend.

2012-02-10T14:20:00.013-05:00

What are you doing this weekend? Alex and I are taking Toby to ride a miniature train and then going to a romantic dinner on Saturday night (no babies allowed:) I've already perused the menu and am going to get the lamb meatballs! Hope you have a relaxing weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

City silhouettes.

Four clever nail polish ideas.

This door sign made me laugh.

Chevron earrings?! Love.

This makes me want to go jogging.

Yummy easy dinner.

A nursery inspired by Steve McQueen.

On finding a career you love.

This work outfit makes me wish I had an office job (especially these).

Marble chocolate bars.

A new issue of Domino Magazine on April 17th!!!!

Heart earrings and a love necklace.

What a beautiful description of laundry.

Dogs barking the Star Wars theme.

Lauren Fleishman's photo series features New York couples that have been together more than 50 years. Inspiring. xoxo

(Photo by Sage Tails)

Valentine's Day flowers in NYC

2012-02-10T12:24:00.001-05:00

Instead of grabbing a bunch of flowers at a deli, check out these two Valentine's pop-up flower shops in NYC: one in Nolita, one in the West Village. What a brilliant idea from three talented flower stylists. Bouquets range from $25 to $75 for pick-up. I'd love to get a bouquet just for our house! xoxo

How to feel gorgeous on a date

2012-02-09T16:26:00.033-05:00

With Valentine's Day (and mating season:) fast approaching, let's chat about our beauty secrets when going on dates! Here's my little routine...
First, Bare Escentuals foundation with SPF has changed my life. It makes your skin look clean, pretty and glowing. Honestly, I've felt a little self-conscious about my skin as I've gotten older, but this foundation is a miracle. It covers everything beautifully, without looking like you're wearing makeup. It's my holy grail foundation, and I highly recommend it.
Second, I wear this Fresh Sugar Passion lip treatment when I'm on a dinner date or bike ride with Alex. The hint of bee-stung color brightens up your face, while the hydrating treatment makes your lips soft for kissing.

What makes you feel naturally beautiful? Please share your secrets...

(Photo of Gemma Arterton by Elle Magazine, via W&D)

A funny bedroom tip for Valentine's Day...

2012-02-09T12:25:00.008-05:00

A while back, I had dinner with friends, including an acupuncturist. We started talking about dating, and she revealed something surprising...
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Made me laugh.

2012-02-09T09:00:00.028-05:00

Hilarious. I felt like this for most of my twenties.

(Via W&D)

Wednesday giveaway!

2012-02-08T16:00:00.062-05:00

Today's giveaway is from Lookmatic, a fantastic, affordable online glasses store (formerly called Spex Club). Every pair of glasses is $88 or less, including prescription lenses. Wouldn't it be fun to pick out a cute new pair? Glasses really transform your overall look. (I got my own glasses here and love them.)

In honor of Valentine's Day, they're giving the winner TWO pairs of glasses--one for you and one for a loved one. (If you want, try on glasses with their virtual mirror.) For a chance to win, please visit Lookmatic and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Katelyn B. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.
(Photos from the Sartorialist and StyleMePretty)

Heart elbow patches

2012-02-08T13:00:00.016-05:00

How sweet are these heart elbow patches? The steps to make them don't actually look that hard! I'm the least crafty person ever, but I'd love to try it. They would make the most basic sweater instantly adorable.

Happy 60th birthday, Mommy!

2012-02-08T09:40:00.033-05:00

My mom turns 60 today. She is the most wonderful mother you could hope for--she always sounds happy when you call (even to talk about boring things), she somehow knows the definition of every vocab word (the only one that ever stumped her was friable!), she's always up for a stinky cheese and glass of white wine, and she's fascinating to talk to about anything and everything. And isn't she beautiful? To know her is to love her, and I could write about her all day. We're throwing her a big family party this May in NYC, and I cannot wait.
My mom when she was three, living in Manchester, England, with her mother, older brother and grandparents, while her dad was stationed in Korea...
At Catholic school in first grade...
A romantic photo my dad took when they were first dating in London...
With us twin babies in Paris ("We had lots of wild wallpaper, even on the ceilings!" she remembers)...
With me at our grandparents' house in Alabama...
With my sister in the Tuileries gardens in Paris...
With my brother (who I think looks just like Toby here!)...
With newborn Toby!

Mama, we adore you!!!!!!! Happy 6-0!!!!!!!

P.S. Babies in Paris:)

Tuesday giveaway!

2012-02-07T15:29:00.007-05:00

Today's giveaway is perfect for Valentine's Day! Eberjey is a lingerie line that makes beautiful pieces that flatter real bodies. (I wore their chemises on our honeymoon.) They're offering one lucky reader a $100 gift certificate, so you could choose a gorgeous set or robe or chemise to wear to bed every night...Everything is so soft and sexy!

For a chance to win, visit Eberjey and leave a comment below telling us your favorite piece. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Melissa T. is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Grapes wrapped in goat cheese

2012-02-07T12:30:00.031-05:00

The other day, I spotted this recipe for grapes wrapped in goat cheese. Intrigued, we made some last night, and, sure enough, they were creamy, sweet and delicious! What a cool little appetizer to serve when friends come over.

(Photos by Robert Thomas for A Daily Something)

Do or Don't: Leopard print flats

2012-02-07T09:22:00.013-05:00

I've always been hesitant when it comes to leopard print (too Mrs. Robinson), but recently I've spotted a few gorgeous women wearing leopard-print flats. They seem like a perfect subtle way to work a bit of sexiness into your ensemble. I'd love to wear them with regular jeans and sweaters this spring, and feel instantly womanly and alluring.

What do you think? Would you wear them? Here are five cute ones: Lola, Daniblack, Loeffler Randall, Cole Haan and French Sole.
(Photos by Mr. Newton, GastroChic and Leigh)

The Bachelor

2012-02-06T17:00:00.010-05:00

Have you been watching The Bachelor? I'm totally addicted. The show is pretty bad, but I've gotten sucked in. Even my mom watches it now. Do you watch it?

Ps. Kacie B. for the win.

Motherhood Mondays: Toby's lovey

2012-02-06T12:11:00.019-05:00

When Toby was teeny...
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Motherhood Mondays: Family travel

2012-02-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Since 2005, English photographer Tom Robinson has photographed his and his girlfriend's feet as they've traveled the world. (Remember this post?) Well, in 2011, they added a third set of feet: their daughter Matilda. How adorable and adventurous are these photos?

P.S. Tom's other genius project, I'm Going to Be a Dad.

(Via Double Takes)

Have a great weekend.

2012-02-03T17:05:00.012-05:00

My darlings, what are you doing this weekend? My twin sister is coming to visit to celebrate our birthday. I already got cheap Champagne from Whole Foods, and I'm excited to chat with her and catch up and do nerdy sisterly things like pluck our eyebrows (we've already planned it:). Have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

Slam-dunk bathroom makeover.

Would you get married at home?

After getting sick last week, this card made me laugh out loud.

How to make your ankles sexy.

Alex wrote a fascinating article about defriending.

Striped doormat.

Funny tip about baby names.

Beautiful business cards.

Hidden in paint.

Toby has watched this video about 8,000 times.

Watchin' Downton Abbey.

(Photo from The Godfather)

10 Valentine's Day gifts for men

2012-02-03T11:40:00.002-05:00

The Sisters Brothers. All my guy friends are obsessed with this page-turning thriller, which is described as a Coen Brothers film in novel form. Spooky. $16.
A John Derian tray for his desk, for keys, change and reminding him how lucky he is, $66.
In this 9-minute film, Rendezvous, a man gets into a sports car and drives at terrifying speeds around Paris. He actually runs red lights, dodges pedestrians and screeches around corners, then finally stops the car and meets a beautiful woman. The 1970s film is taken from the driver's viewpoint and was shot illegally early one morning; the director Claude Lelouch was rumored to have been arrested when it first aired. Trust me, you will be the coolest girlfriend ever if you give him this gift. $29.95.
If he's a foodie, get him something crazy obscure and awesome from Gilt Taste, like beer sausages, basil-fed snails or scotch and stout truffles.
A stinky cheese class for you to take together. New York or San Francisco, $75/person.
Artwork for your bedroom, to make him laugh, or smile. $20 to $60.
I Could Eat a Horse pasta measuring tool, plus a homemade pasta feast. $15.
Silver frame with a photo of when you first started dating, so you'll both remember falling in love and getting butterflies. (You can upload a photo and get the frame here.)
Temporary tattoos to wear on your shoulder when you go out to dinner that evening. $5/each.
A sweet love note and a kiss.

P.S. 10 Valentine's Day gifts for women, and many more gifts for guys.

(Car in Paris photo via Yanidel)

10 Valentine's Day gifts for women

2012-02-02T12:00:00.019-05:00

The Miraculous Push-Up Bra, for obvious reasons. $58. (This is sexy, too.)
Cool heart hoops by Marc Jacobs, $48.
A gift certificate for a foot massage. Have you ever gotten one? Pressure points on your feet correspond to other parts of your body (your head, your arms, your back) so you leave feeling relaxed and floppy all over. Amazing and such a treat. $115 for an hour.
Flowers, and here's the kicker: Send them to her office. It's so much fun to get flowers at work! Her heart will secretly skip a beat when the delivery guy walks in and calls her name, and they'll look gorgeous on her desk for a week. (P.S. Skip the traditional dozen red roses and mix it up a little or a lot; and be sure the bouquet includes a vase. Call up a local florist, or Teleflora and Proflowers are great, too. xoxo)
Ampersand necklace to show your sweet connection. (The font was inspired by the alphabet magnets on everyone's fridges growing up!) $124.
Etta James CD, with classic songs to make her starry-eyed. $4.99.
Giant heart balloons to have waiting in the bathroom, bedroom, hallway and living room when she wakes up.
A notepad with your favorite schmoopy photo, $12.99.
A brownie of the month club. (This exists!!!) $65 for three months.
A good old-fashioned love letter, since that's all she really wants anyway.

What kinds of gifts do you like to get (or give) for Valentine's Day? I'd love to hear more ideas...

P.S. A men's gift guide coming up tomorrow! And past gift guides...

Valentine's Day card

2012-02-02T08:00:00.006-05:00

Sweet. :)

What's your relationship status these days? Single? Dating? New relationship? Old relationship? xoxo

Ombre balloons

2012-02-01T12:00:00.004-05:00

Our mom is turning sixty this year (!), so we're starting to brainstorm ideas for a family party. These ombre balloons are great, don't you think? You just blow up six balloons each of slightly different colors, that's it!

(Photo by Jenny)

Paris vs. New York

2012-02-01T08:00:00.029-05:00

Graphic designer Vahram Muratyan founded the rad website Paris vs. New York, where he compares the two cities in a cheeky way. Well, this week he came out with a book! I'd love to see all 100 illustrations.

Whose side are you on--Paris or New York? :)

Rainboots for everyday adventures (and traveling)

2012-01-31T12:30:00.007-05:00

Two weeks ago, we talked about the five best shoes for traveling. But! A few readers pointed out that Hunter boots are tough squeeze into a suitcase (true). Happily, I was able to find two easy-to-wear-pack boots, which I love...
Loeffler Randall makes the chicest rain boots. (I always spot gorgeous women wearing these around downtown Manhattan.) The bonus is, they look like cool booties even when it's not raining. So you don't have to switch your shoes when you get to dinner or work. They're a splurge, but you could keep them your whole life! I'm saving my pennies for these:)
Redfoot makes foldable rain boots! How genius is that?! You could just pop them in your suitcase. They're lightweight and waterproof, and have a fleece lining for warmth.

Which would you choose? Which suits your personality best? xoxo

Happy birthday, Lucy!

2012-01-31T09:00:00.004-05:00

Happy birthday to my twin sister Lucy, who's coming to visit this weekend! You have been the best to grow up with.

P.S. For her birthday, I got her this new book. Did you ever read this magical book growing up?! It was the inspiration.

Under the weather

2012-01-30T13:12:00.005-05:00

This weekend Toby and I came down with a 24-hour flu of some sort, and it was not pretty. I could barely move or speak and at one point actually thought I might be dying. Poor Alex spent the weekend tending to us, and instead of the romantic candlelit birthday dinner he had planned, he made me dry toast and read my book out loud until I fell asleep (which was romantic in its own way:)

The happy news is that...we survived! Anyway, still recouping, and I'll see you guys tomorrow. xoxo Hope you're all feeling well.

Have a great weekend.

2012-01-27T12:16:00.005-05:00

What are you doing this weekend? My birthday is coming up soon (eeks!) so we're having a cozy dinner at home on Saturday. I'm also getting a haircut today, and can't wait to get my hair washed. (I always half fall asleep:) Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

A cabin in Brooklyn!

Lace earrings.

Humblebrag is the funniest thing I've seen in ages.

How to create a smoky eye in 2 steps.

For when you're really, really hungry...

Homemade Skor bars.

NYC door knockers.

What a cute book--and reassuring!

Jenny is revealing her DIYs for our bedroom makeover. (She's a genius.)

Would love to try this restaurant.

Photo pillows.

How to throw yourself a pity party.

Now that's a tattoo.

Movies in a different era.

(Photo by Sharon Montrose)

Sh*t Liz Lemon Says

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

This video made me laugh out loud.

(My only question is, what about "nerds!")