Have a great weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? Crazily enough, we're actually getting back on a plane to Atlanta for a long-awaited trip to visit Alex's sister! The weather forecast predicts storms, so bookstores and movies may be in order. If you're in a giggly mood, Demetri Martin's hour-long special premieres on Comedy Central this Saturday at 10pm. He's hilarious, don't you think? Hope you have a great one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

Sweet wedding moment.

The Queen talks back to her mom.

Fargo is becoming a TV series!

Antelope Canyon? Holy smokes.

What beautiful street style.

Daydreaming about these shoes.

Lasagna without noodles.

Cute birthday card.

Bill and Hilary's wedding day.

Choosing colors for your home.

What it feels like to fall asleep to a DVD.

Bravo! Diapers.com created a new site featuring only natural products.

Plus, three past posts you might have missed:
* Marshmallow willpower.
* Romantic comedies.
* Breastfeeding in public.

24 hours in San Francisco

This past Tuesday, I flew to San Francisco for 24 hours. The reason for my trip was to give a work presentation, but luckily my twin sister also lives there, so we turned it into The World's Shortest Vacation! Here's what we did...
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Marriage Do or Don’t: Changing your name

This past summer, I read a New York Times wedding announcement that made my eyes pop...
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Dog design

Psychologists say that pets make people happier, but even if you don't have one, you can still bring dog design into your home to make you smile. Here are seven cute pieces...

1. Dog-walker mug, $10.95.
2. Dachshund bookends, $150.
3. Wallpaper, $180. (How amazing is this?!)
4. Dog print, $38.
5. Brass dog for your desk, $28.
6. Glass, $6.
7. Custom pet portrait, $225.

Do you have a dog?

P.S. Puppy butt! Plus, dog names and more round-ups...

(Layout by Rachel for Cup of Jo. Brass dog photo from High Street Market)

The Best Potato Chips You'll Ever Have

Here's a bonus best recipe for today for anyone who loves potato chips (and who doesn't?). Nikole from Herriott Grace has discovered the best recipe for a homemade version—crispy, salty and perfect alongside any sandwich. And how great would they be at a dinner party? Here's the recipe...
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The Best Pesto You'll Ever Have

A few years ago, Alex made pesto for dinner from scratch. Until then, we'd only had pesto from a jar, which was dark green and tasty. But this homemade pesto took it to the next level. We couldn't believe how bright and vibrant it was, and it tasted like we were eating basil right out of the garden. So I'm thrilled that Kelly from The Best Remedy is sharing her favorite recipe (and it's easy!)...
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Dressing the part

Today I'm flying cross-country to San Francisco! I'll be giving a presentation on Wednesday morning, so my trip is just 24-hours long. I haven't taken a business trip in like five years, and it feels exciting. Also my twin sister Lucy lives there, so we'll be jam-packing some quality time into one evening together. (We're thinking Italian food and Mindy Kaling.)

If I could pack anything in my suitcase, I'd choose one of these shoes or bags. J.Crew has been nailing it with their new handbag and shoe shop. They'd transition well from work to play, and wouldn't they lovely for fall? See the full collection here.

Yahoo, San Francisco, here I come! (I've been told not to call it San Fran:)

(Top photo by Max Wanger; graphic design by Rachel for A Cup of Jo)

Encouragement

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed this week. Sometimes it's hard being a grown-up, especially an anxious one. But then my mom sent me this poem, and I'd love to frame it on my desk. It speaks so beautifully to the strength we can carry with us.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!
—Rudyard Kipling

How are you feeling these days, my loves?

P.S. Are you, too, a worrier?

(Banner from Secret Holiday & Co.; top illustration by Marc Johns, via Swissmiss)

My mom's tomboy style

My mom recently sent me some old family photos of our cousins, summer vacations, all sorts of things—but what stood out most was my mom's incredible style. She wore Wellington boots, flannel shirts and my dad's sweaters, and her pieces were loose and relaxed. Yet through her tomboyish style, she still exuded grace and femininity. I'm so inspired by these beautiful photos and am going to try to shop my closet to see if I can create some similar outfits. What was your mom's style like?
P.S. Having babies in Paris, and my mom on her wedding day.

Motherhood Mondays: Princess crown braid

This month, I'm excited to feature back-to-school hair tutorials for girls every Monday. (And of course we grown-ups can wear them, too:) My friend Reagan of Hairdresser on Fire did a princess crown on adorable five-year-old Stella. What a pretty fall look, and I loved Stella's goofy personality! Here are Reagan's steps and more photos...
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Have a great fall weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? Tomorrow is the first day of fall! Looking forward to crisp breezes, apple cider and wool sweaters. (Time to bust out the moccasins:) This weekend, we're also taking Toby to see Mary Poppins. It will be the first play he's ever seen, and I'm curious to see how he likes it. Thank you also for all the helpful feedback on the redesign; I appreciate your comments so much. Have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

A new movie about Detroit.

The best word ever.

French wedding dresses.

A fascinating article about a high-school cheating scandal.

Would you do spider lashes?

Peanut-butter-cup brownies.

Cutest rooms.

Wow, now that's a bike-riding mama!

Awwww, what a face.

Tomboy style.

How Toby feels about sandwiches.

This restaurant predicts your dessert with a magic trick.

If you're in a shopping mood, don't forget this.

And, on a more serious note, the wonderful Jenny has been in the hospital this week. Thankfully, I heard from her husband over email that she's getting much better every day. Sending lots of love her way. Update: Yay, a note from her!

(Photo by Nikole Herriott/instagram)

DIY: Colorblock ballet flats

If you have an old pair of plain flats in your closet, why not freshen them up? My friend Meg Allan Cole created this genius tutorial for making your own colorblock flats. Here's how to get the adorable look...
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Date night tip

I've realized something in my old age... Read More >

Dry shampoo trick

Dry shampoo has been part of my morning routine for ages, but here's a great new way to apply it. Rebecca recommends applying dry shampoo before bedtime to wake up with voluminous bedhead. "My theory is that either tossing and turning in the night rubs in the powder, or a full night's sleep allows the powder to completely soak in," she says. "Either way, it works."

Genius! I tried it last night. You wake up feeling like Anna Karina.

P.S. In the photo above, my friend Caroline hadn't washed her hair in over three days! But dry shampoo kept it looking beautiful and not greasy.

(Photo by Maya)

Cup of Jo gets a makeover!

As you may have noticed, A Cup of Jo stayed up last night and got a makeover! Two months ago, I asked you which of four redesigns you preferred and loved hearing your feedback. We've been working hard all summer, and you're looking at the final result!

You know when you get a haircut and look in the mirror and don't recognize yourself at first? That's sort of how I feel today, ha. But I am thrilled with how much cleaner the blog looks, and the header tabs are my favorite part. (Take a look above!)

On that note, HUGE thanks to the design firm Apartment One and the programmer Jay Johnson, with collaboration from Elihu Bogan. They were incredible to work with, and I'd highly recommend them all.

Anyway, I love you guys and really hope you like it. Please let us know if you spot any glitches; we're still doing final tweaks. Eeks! Thank you so much!!! xoxo

Emerson Fry

Emerson Fry's new fall collection has been all over the internet this week, but I can't help posting a few favorites. The shiny leggings would look rad on weekends, and the oxblood heels are beyond sexy. Thoughts?

Doggie bags

How cute are these dog totes? You can pick from nine adorable illustrations, or you can request a custom silhouette for an additional ten bucks. Too cute! Sigh, I'm becoming a dog person whether I like it or not.

(Top photo by Sharon Montrose)

The Best Cole Slaw You'll Ever Have

Cole slaw is often positioned as a side dish, and soggy cole slaw from a tupperware can be pretty grim. But food blogger Justina Blakeney makes an amazing Asian-inspired cole slaw that deserves center stage. Here's how to make it...Read More >

Great news

Great news: The rad British store ASOS is giving Cup of Jo readers a whopping 20% off from today until next Monday, with the code 20ACUPOFJO.

My favorite colors this fall are black, white and burgundy (the hot color right now). See all my picks here, if you'd like.
And the Cambridge satchels are beautiful in every color, but the red would add a bright pop. Thanks so much, ASOS. xoxo

(Full-priced items only; U.S. orders only; single use per customer)

Brooklyn apartment hunt

We've been thinking about moving to Brooklyn for a while, and...
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What makes you happy?

Have you seen Happy, the new documentary about happiness? It's fantastic and makes you think about what really makes you happy. My list includes riding bikes on breezy days and singing lullabies to Toby at bedtime. Also, finding a really good book. And hanging out in the kitchen drinking wine when someone else is cooking:) What about you?

P.S. 10 best documentaries, and 5 best graphic novels.

Monday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Walnut Animal Society, a collection of quirky Wes-Anderson-esque stuffed animals, including a deer, fox, bear, raccoon and bunny. Each animal is lovingly handcrafted in the USA with soft brushed wool and stuffed with natural kapok. The animals would make beautiful gifts and keepsakes (I can imagine the fox perched on a bookcase), but they're also durable enough to spend years as a child's best friend.

Today Lauren is giving one lucky reader the animal of her choice. Which would you choose? For a chance to win, please visit Walnut Animal Society and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update Rachel F. from Indiana is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Motherhood Mondays: A brilliant way to help new parents

My friend just had a baby girl, and I heard about the most brilliant way to help new parents...Read More >

Motherhood Mondays: Heart braid

How gorgeous is this heart braid?! It would make everyone around you smile. My friend Reagan of Hairdresser on Fire came up with this back-to-school braid, and ten-year-old Vivian was our beautiful model. Here are the steps...Read More >

Have a wonderful weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We're having two friends over tonight for a homecooked meal, and then tomorrow we're going to this food fair in Dumbo, Brooklyn. I'm hoping the weather will cool off enough for jackets! Hope you enjoy the fall crispness in the air, and here are a few fun links around the web...

A song for your weekend.

In their eyes.

Glow-in-the-dark bike.

A road trip around Iceland.

Portrait of a mother.

Love these boots.

An interview with the brilliant Mindy Kaling.

Each of these paintings was done on a PENNY.

Will you see Wuthering Heights?

Photo tote.

Dinner: A Love Story is another cookbook we love.

These wedding photos are insane.

Cutest French kids clothes.

Eeps!

An adorable job listing (seriously).

My Berlin Kitchen. Congrats, Luisa!

If you're in a reading mood, find more on Pinterest and Facebook, if you'd like. Have a good one! xoxo

(Photo by Nicole Mlakar)

Playing guitar with Toby

Inspired by this banjo-playing mama, I’ve been trying to learn how to play guitar. But, funnily enough, Toby couldn't care less. Even when I just strum the strings, he's totally psyched. Here we are, singing about horses! We sound terrible! We love it!

Man, I adore that little guy.

(Leftover photo by Sarina Cass from this shoot; Toby's wearing Honest diapers)

Deer beds

Remember the deer bed photograph from my friend Abbey's beautiful home?

As I wrote years ago (when I first fell in love with these photos), photographer Katherine Wolkoff followed deer trails in Block Island to photograph deer beds. Apparently, deer press down the vegetation to make a sleeping place where predators won't see them. They never use the same bed twice, but the imprints can last for a few days. Katherine found the experience incredibly emotional, and she chose to make her prints 40x50 inches, almost life size. How moving.

Well, after I featured Abbey's house tour last week, so many readers wrote in about her deer bed photograph that the Sasha Wolf Gallery decided to offer Cup of Jo readers 15% off any of Katherine Wolkoff's photographs until September 30. (This is major!)

Thank you again, Sasha and Katherine!
(Top four photos by Katherine Wolfkoff, bottom photo by Seth Smoot for Cup of Jo)