Have a lovely weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? I'm catching up with a long-lost friend tonight, and tomorrow we're hoping to take Toby to see children's book author Mo Willems read at the MoMA store! What about you? If you're in a blog-reading mood, here are a few fun posts from around the web...

A song for your weekend.

Colorblock dress for the spring.

A furry friend.

Did you know about this street on the Upper West Side?

10 bizarre professions you didn't know existed.

Who wants to whip up a batch of these?

Ahoy tattoos.

A virtual tour of the Grand Canyon.

Is this art?

Lamb sliders.

Hair crush: the middle part.

Made me laugh.

Food valentines.

Johnny Cash gets his own postage stamp.

This wedding book looks good.

FYI, The Honest Company, which makes our favorite natural diapers, wipes, lotion, shampoo, soap, etc., is offering free shipping with the code JoFreeShip3, until February 11th. xoxo

(Photo taken at Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon, by Ralph Morse, January 1942; via Vintage Ski, via Snippet & Ink. Grand Canyon tour via SwissMiss; Mo Willems reading via StrollerTraffic; stamp via Snippet & Ink)

Any book recommendations?

After seeing Argo last week, I was inspired to reread the fantastic graphic novel Persepolis, which tells the story of the author's childhood in Iran during the Islamic revolution. Her neighbors' homes are bombed, and her relatives are imprisoned. Her father considers fleeing to America, but then asks his wife, "I can become a taxi driver and you a cleaning lady?" As she grows up, the girl's rebellious streak endangers her life. Her personal story is gripping, heartbreaking and surprisingly funny. I devoured it in three days, and now I'm really looking forward to reading the authors' other two books, Persepolis 2 (the sequel) and Embroideries (about her female relatives' sex lives!).

Have you read any good books recently? I'd love to get your recommendations...

P.S. Four other great graphic novels.

Faux fur throws

This past weekend, we were lucky enough to visit our friends' cabin in Connecticut. Alex and I are usually huge wusses about winter, but, inspired by our friends, we decided to embrace it. We built roaring fires, ate French toast and bacon for breakfast, chopped wood, went cross-country skiing, threw the toddlers in the bath together, and later comforted crying kids on hikes because their hands were too cold and rushed them back to the warm car—all in all, a real country weekend:)

But the biggest surprise of the trip? Our friends' sofas were draped in these faux fur throws from Restoration Hardware, and they were soft and luxurious. We spent the weekend cuddled in them, and when we returned home on Sunday night, we immediately ordered one. I'd highly recommend them!
P.S. Love Alex's face while chopping wood!

(Photos by our friends, who are actually the designers behind Pinhole Press. Thanks, Ashley and Stefan!)

Coral & Tusk

The other day, I was browsing around the home shop John Derian, when I spotted this embroidered duck onesie. It was so intricate and beautiful in person, and I learned that it was hand-drawn and designed by Brooklyn designer Stephanie Housley of Coral & Tusk. She also makes embroidered pillows, aprons, tea towels and artwork. How gorgeous are they all?!

The video below gives a peek behind-the-scenes. "I identify with the fox a lot," says Stephanie. "He looks so cute and so funny...but he's also really sneaky." Find her online shop here, and watch a behind-the-scenes video here.

(Photos by Kate Lacey)

Have a beautiful weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We're excited to drive up to our friends' cabin in Connecticut...and are just praying that Toby's potty training will stick. Their daughter is Toby's exact age, so it's going to be a noisy one! They're making mussels (yay), so maybe we'll bring these. Have a relaxing weekend, stay warm, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

Alex and I saw Argo this week and loved it. Have you seen it?

The secret to perfectly cooked eggs.

Bridesmaids can now rent dresses!

A house in the forest.

Apparently some Italians fake their vacations.

The documentary Brooklyn Castle looks great.

A pretty top for dates.

If Dr. Seuss books were titled according to their subtexts.

This Valentine's Day card made me laugh.

Love these Valentine-y earrings.

What 13 people wore to an interview with Anna Wintour.

Who wants to play Downton Abbey bingo?

Constellation bracelet.

Last but not least, Google's female employees get 5 months maternity leave at full pay, and they can split up that time however they'd like. Bravo.

(Photo by Michael Graydon)

Return address embossers

Now that I spend my life typing on a computer, my handwriting has gotten pretty much illegible. So instead of scribbling your return address on a letter, wouldn't it be great to use these beautiful embossers, which leave a raised stamp of your address on envelopes? Easy and beautiful!

Have a magical (long) weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? After a day of potty training, Alex and I are hoping to sneak out for lasagna in the neighborhood. And will you be watching Girls on Sunday? Have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

A song for your weekend.

A recipe for just two chocolate chip cookies? Perfect.

IKEA bookshelves get an awesome makeover.

Well said, Tina Fey.

Six toddler games for lazy parents.

Wow, a neon gown!

Damaged hardwood floors? Just paint stripes.

Winter sun cocktail.

This packing list makes me want to take a trip.

Queen Elizabeth with 12 presidents.

Remember the controversial Vogue mom who put her daughter on a diet? Her book is out.

...And here's a Q&A with her.

Good parenting question.

Cute cups for picnics.

What a beautiful photo.

(Photo of the northern lights in Alaska by NASA)

Backyard dreams

Do you have a backyard? Alex and I have always lived in small apartments without outdoor space, but we daydream about having a yard (or a little garden, we're not picky!) someday. Here are 9 jaw-dropping backyards that would feel magical for reading the paper and sipping evening cocktails...
Read More >

Have a wonderful weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? First off, thank you again for the sweet response to our baby news. We're so excited. I can't wait to talk about pregnancy and babies, and, funnily enough, I feel like I have a surprising number of questions the second time around! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

Mini deep dish pizzas would be cute for a party.

The NYTimes gives the second season of Girls a thumbs up.

LOVE this peek of neon.

Cooking for one.

Will you be watching the Golden Globes? Tina Fey and Amy Poehler wrote a drinking game.

Good to remember.

How hot dogs are made. (Oh. My. God.)

What a lovely nursery.

Sweetest short wedding dress.

We've talked about vibrators, and this new one looks cool.

Breast pumps covered by insurance? Bravo.

Good news: Shopbop is having a huge sale.

And I'm excited to shop for maternity clothes:)

(Image by John Doe Worldwide)

Funny aprons

English designer Nicola Rowlands makes these awesome aprons for her etsy shop. I could wear the cheese one all day, every day. Which suits your personality best?

(Via Sho & Tell)

Do or Don't: Pedometer bracelet

Last weekend, I went to a baby shower brunch with a bunch of really cool women. One woman looked cute in a plaid dress, cool glasses and a black bracelet. She explained that her husband had given her a pedometer bracelet for Christmas—UP by Jawbone—which tracks your movement all day, so you can see if you're getting enough activity. You can also track your light vs. deep sleep. ("I slept terribly last night, apparently," she laughed.) If you want to take it a step further, you can set it for more specific things: to alert you after you've been sitting still for too long, say, or to wake you up after a power nap once you've been asleep for the optimal time (26.5 minutes). And you get all your results on an iPhone app. Cool, right?

Would you ever wear a pedometer bracelet? Alex and I are intrigued. I'm guessing it would motivate you to walk or take the stairs more often, and it would be fun to watch the numbers add up. What do you think?

Friendship bracelet tattoos

Tattly, the Brooklyn-based collection of temporary tattoos, just came out with friendship bracelets! Designed by Julia Rothman, each $5 pack comes with two: one for you and one for your buddy.

P.S. Thank you so much for your sweet comments yesterday. It was so fun to share the news with you:)

Have a lovely weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? I'm excited to take Alex to this swing art installation, and other than that, we'll be straight-up chilling. Next week, I'm looking forward to sharing our California photos. Have a great weekend, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

A song for your weekend.

Would you ever do a juice fast? This documentary looks compelling.

If only all clothing stores could be like this!

This book looks adorable.

The neuroscience of pickpockets.

Holy smokes! This bed is awesome.

What would you do if money were no object?

A bike bell that sounds like a car horn.

Cool way to get the look of wallpaper.

Apple cake looks delicious.

I've been eyeing these rad sunglasses for winter.

And I did a round-up of favorites at Darling Clementine. Thanks for having me!

(Beautiful winter style from Citizen Couture)

Have a good weekend.

Where are you heading for the holidays? We're flying out this afternoon to Palm Springs and LA, where we'll be visiting Alex's family. And this year, my dad, brother and sister are also joining, so it will be a fun, noisy group! Please wish us luck on the flight (gulp), and have a wonderful weekend. Here are a few great links from around the web...

A song for your weekend.

For people who love words.

Two appetizers for the holidays: Crispy goat cheese and brussel sprouts crostini.

Beautiful state necklaces.

Now that's a brave woman!

What a cool treehouse wedding.

Is this banana slicer for real?

Origami for beginners.

Seven pretty outfits.

A dad's pancake upgrade.

Chris Rock's hilarious stand-up is actually right on.

The Polar Bear Club is insane.

In case you've forgotten: how to eat dinner & how to drink wine.

Pete Souza has taken thousands of powerful photos of Obama, but here are some sweet and funny ones: one, two, three, four, five.

A reader also emailed me this etiquette question: "For the past two years, my boss has handed me an envelope (with a generous gift card inside). Not sure what to do, I've waited until afterward to open it. Is this appropriate or sketchy? I felt so awkward last year!" Thoughts?

Who do you look like?

For his series I'm Not a Look-Alike, Canadian photographer François Brunelle took 200 photos of people who look like identical twins—but actually aren't even related. How crazy is that?!

Do you look like anyone? Throughout the years, people have said I look like Amanda Peet, Hilary Swank and (back in the day) figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. Alex has ranged from Seth Rogan to a young Warren Beatty. And Toby has gotten Agyness Deyn!

See more jaw-dropping "twin" photos below...Read More >

Have a great weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? I'm going on a girl's night out tomorrow (whoot whoot!). They're pretty rare for me, so I'm really looking forward to it. We're also psyched about the new math museum opening in Manhattan; it looks incredible. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

A song for your weekend.

What a gorgeous wedding dress.

A gingerbread house? Nope, a gingerbread brownstone.

Smoking cocktail.

Would you wear a union suit?

Just a baby on the table. No biggie.

This tote made me laugh.

First snow in Berlin.

What a rad idea for a gift.

My friend wrote a book!

Who wants to stay in an igloo?

15 incredible photos of Hollywood heroines.

A guy's dream shop.

And the full Cup of Jo gift guide, if you need any final ideas.

Update: I just heard the news about the Connecticut school. Our hearts go out to the families and children affected. What heartbreak. xoxo

(Photos of skateboarding in NYC in the 1960s, via A Conversation on Cool, via Shoko)

Have a wonderful weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? I'm excited to just CHILL. Also, we're going to a Christmas party and I'm looking forward to wearing this little black dress (and these, haha). Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

Head's up: 25% off at J.Crew this weekend.

This New Yorker poem made me laugh out loud. (Busted.)

Chocolate-chip-peanut-butter-oatmeal cookies.

10 commonly misunderstood words.

Bravo!!!! Women are officially funny.

A ball of Christmas lights.

Pet peeves in a marriage.

Want a balcony? Add one.

Mathematics of elevators. (P.S. Freaks me out.)

Urban camping.

Interesting take on the Bachelor. Seriously.

Foldable Me made me laugh.

Slam-dunk cheap gift for guys, if you're still looking.

A coloring book I secretly want myself.

Awwww, teeny bow ties.

Cool photos of Will and Kate. And congrats to them!

And, of course, here's the complete Cup of Jo 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. Thank you so much for reading! xoxo

(Photo of Mick, inspired by 50 years of Rolling Stones style)

Gift Guide Part #7: Your Younger Brother Who Can Fly a Plane and Strike Up a Conversation with Anybody.

Colorblock sweatshirt for knocking around on lazy Saturdays, $168. (Here's another cute one for $59.50.)

Matchbooks to have around his apartment for candles/romance/easy decor. $5/each.

Slate cheese board, made in Brooklyn. $29 or $44. (The small size is sold out, but the others are in stock.)

Scratch map to record his travels, $16.49.

Good old-fashioned jacks to play over a glass of wine, $6.

Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost stories, $10.84. Dahl read 749 creepy tales at the British Museum Library before selecting the 14 that comprise this anthology. "Dahl's taste, it will surprise no one, is impeccable," says the Washington Post.

Moccasin slippers, for padding around his apartment, $49. (I have the girl's version and love them.)

Egg cooking spoons so he can make perfect soft-boiled eggs for the ladies. 10.50 Euro for a set of four.

Thermo Pot for bringing a warm lunches on adventures, $39.90. Keeps food hot for five hours, guaranteed for 10 years.

Knife skills class, prices vary.

Sifteo Cubes, $129.95. My sister's brother-in-law created this awesome award-winning interactive game system, featuring toys that talk to each other. The cubes communicate wirelessly and respond to each other and your gestures. They come with four pre-installed games, and you can download many more. (P.S. Their TED talk was rated one of the "top 5 most engaging TED talks" of all time.)


Damn Good Advice, $9.95, a genius and very opinionated handbook by George Lois, the original Mad Man. (I really want this myself!)

And, always and forever, the Icelandic Beard Cap, $79.

P.S. More gifts for brothers, and (finally) the complete 2012 gift guide!