Wednesday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Portland artist Lisa Golightly of Kiki and Polly. She's offering a large print of the Girl in the Yellow Suit. How sweet is that? The print would add a pop of cheery color to any room, from a foyer to a living room to a nursery. (I'd love to hang it above my desk.)

For a chance to win, please visit Kiki and Polly's etsy shop and leave a comment below. Good luck! xo

Update: Parker is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

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Espresso maker print

Sandra Juto's new coffeemaker print would look nice in a kitchen.

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Baby profiles

German photographer Bettina von Zwehl took this photo series of one-year-old babies at an instant of total (rare) concentration. Aren't they gorgeous? Von Zwehl used toys, dvds and eye contact to get the little guys to stay still. "They sat on a table, looking at me, and I took the picture with a long cable release," she says. Since many of the babes were still too wriggly to photograph, it took more than a year to get six final portraits. And the goal of the project? "I was hoping to present each baby as an intelligent human being," she says.

P.S. Baby mouths are so adorable.

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Fig wedding cake

I'm one of the few people out there who don't like regular cake (are you, too?), so I'm always secretly psyched when people serve alternative desserts at their weddings. Brooklyn couple Rae and Noah served a carrot cake with fresh figs! What a cool (and beautiful) idea, don't you think?

See more of their wedding here.

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Nursery inspiration photos

These days, nurseries are looking so amazing! I've been flagging inspirational images, such as the nursery of J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyon's son, above. Aren't the yellow stripes amazing, and who would think to paint a nursery wall black?
A polaroid heart from a grown-up bedroom in Paris...
And sweet details, like the knit blocks in the fireplace, love pillow and teeny yellow boots!
The giant giraffe is amazing, but my eye was immediately drawn to those red frames. What a great way to showcase artwork.
Decorating with maps = inexpensive and inspiring.
This photo is from Moomah's playspace. The white frames mimic a gallery wall, and that friendly bear print is totally amazing. (Does anyone know where to find it? Update: The Moomah bear print is by Jacqueline Schmidt of Screech Owl Design. Thank you, Sarah!)
The shades of blue in this room are lovely and calming, and the Tord Boontje hanging lamp looks magical. What nursery colors or special touches do you like? I'd love to hear... xoxo

(Photos from Domino Magazine, Cookie Magazine, Living Etc., Moomah, and others)

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A little love note.

Have you told bedtime stories lately? Pregnancy has made me super sleepy, and I've been conking out really early. So a little tradition has started, where Alex will put me to bed. After I brush my teeth, he'll say, “Ready for bed, baby?” and then come into the bedroom, lie down next to me (and my maternity pillow) and tell me funny stories about his childhood, early days in New York or old friends. I don't know how he comes up with them all (every single night!), but it's so cozy falling asleep listening to his deep voice and trying to stay awake to hear the ending. I love you, Alex.

(Photo by Max Wanger)

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Tandem tee

This tandem T-shirt is cute (and true). I'm too pale and British to wear red, but someone should get this. :)

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Have a magical weekend.

My darlings, what are you doing this weekend? Alex and I are having a Greek dinner tonight (with extra grape leaves) and going to a party tomorrow. I'm excited to squeeze into a purple Gap dress that wraps around my giant belly. Hope you have a wonderful couple days, and here are a few great posts from around the web...

Teeny apartment? Make a Murphy nightstand!

I left my heart in ____.

A bookish laptop cover (via Oh Joy)

Nautical finds.

A dreamy wedding in Vancouver.

Well, doesn't that look fun?

Chefs pencil set.

The insta-pocket is hilarious.

Living in the Coal Miner's Daughter. Such a great movie.

Keith Davis Young makes pretty prints.

Obsolete jobs from yesteryear.

Emerson has the raddest (and most fully stocked!) kitchen.

Five spring outfits.

Engagement photos on a ferry. (I love the windy shots.)

Dress like Bonnie and Clyde.

My nursery picks on etsy. (So many cute things over there, it was impossible to choose!)

Plus, five Cup of Jo posts you may have missed:
* Gorgeous wedding veil.
* The ultimate door chain.
* Lemonade stand cuties.
* Awkward family photos.
* Lipstick on your wine glass.

(Photo via Snippet & Ink)

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Magic juice

Mmm, this drink sounds so refreshing. (Also, cute hand-drawn font.)

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Simple pleasures

This week has been really busy (as all weeks-after-vacations are), so let's talk about simple pleasures. What are a few of your favorite things? Mine are avocado toast, linen sheets, Alex Baldwin on 30 Rock, and reading magazines in bed. I would love to hear yours. xoxo

P.S. Awesome that this photo is named "hammock bum."

(Photos by Julia Stotz)

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Thursday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Anna Bond from Rifle Paper Co., the amazing boutique stationery shop in Florida. She's offering a set of 50 personalized illustrated notes and calling cards. Get this: Anna will paint 1-2 whimsical portraits (in your likeness, and you can also add your fiance or puppy or whomever, if you'd like) and use hand-drawn lettering. How amazing would it be to have your own adorable cards and stationery?

For a chance to win, please visit Rifle Paper Co. and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck. xo

Update: Happenstance is our lucky winner. And a bonus for all readers: Rifle Design is offering 10% off the whole store from today until April 2nd. Enter the discount code CUPOFJO at checkout.

P.S. Anna designed our wedding program, too!

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Wedding rings

Speaking of weddings, aren't the rings from Brooklyn shop St. Kilda absolutely beautiful? That pink color is A-OK!

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Underwater wedding photos

These underwater photos of a bride and groom are so dreamy. They must have had an awesome time taking them (and be good at holding their breaths).

(By Jessica Peterson, via Abby Sharp)

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Wednesday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Papermash, an amazing British shop with gifts and stationery from independent designers. They're offering two sets of these letterpress wine tags (wouldn't they be hilarious to bring to a dinner party?), plus a £30 gift certificate, so you can choose a few other treats from the shop. (I adore the lace tape, bike notecards and striped straws.)

For a chance to win, please visit Papermash and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck, my darlings!

Update: Anais is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo

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Same hill, different day

For two years, Chicago photographer Paul Octavious visited the same hill and took photos. "Each time, a new story is told, as if the hill is my stage and the locals are the actors in this daily play," he says. Awesome. (I'd want to go on the kite-flying day.)

(Via Krisatomic's always inspiring blog)

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Eat, Memory

My darlings, we're back from our California vacation and missing the sunshine! I'm excited to share photos soon (they're all on Alex's iPhone).

In the meantime, at the airport on the way home, I picked up a great little book: Eat, Memory, a collection of food essays from the New York Times. (It was edited by Amanda Hesser, who also wrote the awesome Cooking for Mr. Latte.) The essays range from a guy who hates ice cream to a couple's argument over a word game in a Paris restaurant to a chef trying like mad to invent something new. I'd recommend it, if you're in the mood for something fun and yummy. :)

Have you read anything good lately? xo

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Have a happy weekend!

My lovelies, have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. We're heading back on Sunday after a week in sunny California, and I'm excited to catch up with all your blogs and comments. xoxo (P.S. The first official day of spring is tomorrow!)

(Photo by The Sartorialist)

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Wise words

Yep, sounds about right.

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Maternity dress

How hilariously awesome is this expandable maternity dress?! The designer, Marisol Rodriguez, says she was inspired by origami. Thumbs up.

(Via Design Observer)

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Thursday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Forestbound, an etsy shop of bags and utility pouches, all made from found and salvaged materials. They're offering this gorgeous, one-of-a-kind bag made from a 1940's farm feedsack, with a striped lining and leather handles. I'm totally in love with its French/tomboy feel! (Can't you picture Charlotte Gainsbourg carrying it around Paris?)

For a chance to win, visit Forestbound and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

Update: Samantha F. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo

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Easter bunny

The Vosges toffee bunny might be the cutest chocolate ever. He's made of milk chocolate, butter toffee, and a touch of pink Himalayan salt. Yum.

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Kid wallpaper

Adorable wallpaper for little dudes.

(Via Oh Joy)

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Wednesday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Simone Richmond, a wonderful jewelry designer from Vancouver. She's offering her cumulus cloud necklace, which would be look adorable with a white T-shirt, a pretty braid, and a daydream. :)

For a chance to win, please visit Simone's shop, and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

Update: Ashley Elizabeth is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo

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Vertical gardens

Florist Flora Grubb created these vertical succulent gardens, and she sells kits in her San Francisco shop. Seems like a good time for the word "rad."

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Whale tea towel

Fun tea towels can really perk up a kitchen (and they make great presents wrapped around a bottle of wine). I like these friendly whales.

(Via Lena)

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Baby love

Now that we're so close to meeting our little guy, I've been gazing at babies on the street and looking up baby photos on flickr. I just can't get enough of babies! This flickr photo called "brushing our teeth" is so cute, it makes my heart hurt.

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Anchor tote

Love this anchor tote (and it's denim!). Only $20 from A.P.C.

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Foggy wedding

Everyone hopes for sun on their wedding days, but sometimes rain and fog can be even more romantic, don't you think? Emily and Jasen got hitched in the Hudson Valley on a foggy day, and their photos are magical.

P.S. A very rainy wedding.

(Photos by Our Labor of Love)

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Have an adventurous weekend!

My sweet readers, what are you up to this weekend? Alex and I are actually escaping to Los Angeles and Palm Springs for a week, for a final vacation before the baby arrives. We rented this cottage in L.A., and will be staying at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. I'm so excited to go swimming and just relax. Next week, I've scheduled some favorite photographs to post every day, so please continue to visit, if you'd like. Meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web...xoxo

Oh my goodness, this baby was born in a CAB!

Spring lip colors.

Yummy-looking sandwich.

Green postcards. (Just add water.)

Love this braid.

Funny cafe sign.

This post makes me so wanderlusty!

Pretty print.

This made me laugh.

"I'd Rather Be Thrifting." (I know about twenty girls who need that print.)

Cute sailing tee.

San Francisco is so gorgeous.

The Luther burger would give you a heart attack but it might be worth it.

What a playful wedding.

Bonus for all readers: Journelle, an amazing lingerie shop (and one of this month's sponsors), is offering 15% off with the code CUPOFJO.

Plus, five Cup of Jo posts you might have missed:
* Twenty-four different accents.
* Wedding makeup.
* Cacio e Pepe.
* Side knot.
* Seagull bag.

(Photo credit unknown)

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Baby belly

Since those Jenga photos a couple days ago mysteriously hid my giant belly, here's a shot that I took that same night to send to my mom. (I wasn't going to post it because I have a weird expression and the lighting is all yellow, but oh well, here you are!) I snapped it in our living-room mirror while Alex was cooking dinner.

Recently the baby has been kicking SO much, and it is ridiculously cute. He's so kicky that if I lean back while watching TV, my tummy will actually ripple, like waves in the ocean. It's really sci-fi and awesome to watch him bumping around, and, needless to say Alex and I find it endlessly endearing.

Thank you so much for being so sweet, as always; it's such a treat to share everything with you. xo

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