Daydreaming

My lovelies, our babysitter called in sick today, so Toby and I are hanging out but I wanted to say hello! Hope you have a lovely afternoon and see you tomorrow. xoxo

P.S. Five daydreamy posts for a rainy afternoon: Paris, canoeing, Iceland, the ocean, smooches.

(Photo by Aya Brackett)
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Fabric hair tie

Since Toby arrived on the scene, I've worn a ponytail almost every day. So, in an effort to jazz things up, I was happy to come across this idea of using a piece of fabric instead of a hair tie. Simple and pretty, don't you think?
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Giant clothes pin

What a rad installation in Belgium!

(Via The Debonaire, via Milk)
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Have a cozy weekend.

My lovelies, what are you up to this weekend? Alex had to work today (drag!), but tonight we're having a few friends over, and tomorrow we're going sweater shopping. Most of all, I'm really excited for this coming week, when I'll be kicking off my holiday gift guide! Have a good weekend, my sweets, and enjoy the leftovers. xoxoxo

Sweet and simple birth announcement.

What a pretty idea to dress up chairs.

I forgot how good Nerd Boyfriend is. (Thanks for the reminder, Mary)

I'm loving the new Beatles ads.

10 perfect party dresses...

...and what to wear underneath.

This dessert table takes the cake.

Thumbs up for polar bear wallpaper.

Thanks for the amazing cookies, Amanda! We ate them in record time.

And, lastly, one of my sponsors, Merrymakers, is offering a 20% discount with the code CUPOFJO. They make funny dolls, including an awesome Abe Lincoln. And don't forget to order your holiday cards!

Have a good one. xoxo

(Photo by Rose & Crown)
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Friday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Simone Perele, a gorgeous lingerie company founded sixty years ago in Paris. They're offering one lucky winner a $200 gift certificate to splurge on pretty lacy things. They have great basics (such as strapless bras to wear under party dresses), as well as more romantic pieces to wear all on their own. (I have the Nina bra and love it.)

For a chance to win, please visit Simone Perele (and consider signing up or their newsletter), and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random on Monday. Good luck!

Update: Kay B. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo 
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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, my sweet readers! Have a wonderful break. We're going to our friends' house in Brooklyn; they have a fireplace and a backyard with a koi pond, which I'm excited to show Toby. And, just for fun, here are Gourmet Magazine's pumpkin recipes, since pumpkin is The Most Delicious Ingredient Ever. Have a delicious holiday! xoxoxo

P.S. On a similar note, loose pants.
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Mini street style

Aww, what a little cutie! It's not always easy being a fashionista. :) Still, I'm going to taking a tip from her and roll my jeans today.

(Photo by Stockholm Street Style, via Pinterest)
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Locket love

Artist Alyson Fox and jewelry studio Verabel have collaborated to make these a-maz-ing lockets. Aren't they beautiful?

(Via Lola is Beauty)
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Saturday morning

Toby had a bit of a tummyache on Saturday, so we spent the morning lounging around. It was really fun to lie around doing nothing except playing with his bird toy and giving raspberries.

P.S. You know when you were a little kid and your parents were your safe haven? It's strange/amazing to be that for someone now. Sometime I think, wait, I can't be a mom, I'm just a random person, I don't know all the answers! But I guess our moms were the same way? I still sort of think my mom knows everything.
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Have a cozy weekend

My lovelies, what are you up to this weekend? Toby had a tummy ache today, so we spent most of the morning cuddling with him in our bed. Thankfully now he's feeling better and sleeping peacefully (whew!), so Alex and I are going to make dinner and watch 30 Rock. Hope you have a great one, and here are a few great links from around the web...

A few sweet readers asked where I got these jeans; they're from Anthropologie. (I love them and highly recommend them.)

My other favorite pair of pants.

He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.

Very exciting about Will and Kate!

If you're in a laugh-y mood, this video is hilarious.

A peek at J. Crew's spring collection. (Via The Senses Five)

A great argument for living in Boise.

Baby legwarmers!

The genius of modern art.

What pretty vintage shoes.

An impressive pancake. Yes, pancake.

Excited for Matchbook Magazine!

Have a great rest-of-the-weekend. xoxo

(Photo by Stephany Alves, via Most Beautiful Darling)
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Home inspiration: Brooklyn brownstone

My friends Mike and Emma shared photos of their Brooklyn brownstone on Design*Sponge this week, and it's as quirky and fun as they are. The coolest part? They have an actual Alex Katz painting in their living room. They found it on eBay for a deal, since it had a small tear in the corner. ("I could care less," Emma says.) Incredible.

And on their perfect paint color: "When we bought the house, the walls were orange—sherbet orange—it was very Santa Fe," says Emma. "We knew we had to get rid of the orange. We spent a lot of time thinking about blues and greys, and this is Wedgewood Blue."

P.S. Their awesome Manhattan wedding.

(Photos by David Land)
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Thursday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Attiser, a collection of beautiful linens made with handmade block-printed Indian textiles. (My sister's husband's family is from India, and ever since their wedding--with all the stunning saris--I've been enamored with Indian prints.) The shop is offering their amethyst amore quilt, which would work beautifully as a cozy bedspread or picnic blanket.

For a chance to win, please visit Attiser and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo Update: Jillian from Chicago is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.
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A study in brown

romper. Tomboy pajamas are so sexy.
A tote bag filled with delicious foods = fabulous and easy holiday gift. (New York Magazine has four yummy suggestions.)
A wooden mobile. This would look great in a grown-up room, too.
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Toby rides a bike

Alex, Toby and I went on a walk last weekend, and we couldn't help posing Toby on a rad Bianchi road bike. We just wanted to plant the seed. :)

P.S. Note the hilarious disproportion of his upper body and lower body. I love babies!!!
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Natural nursery

Textile designer Lena Corwin is putting together the loveliest nursery for her little boy. She pays great attention to natural materials (which she talks about on her wonderful new baby blog.) What a lucky little man!

P.S. The crib sheet is from Garnet Hill; the blue blanket is from Pendleton, and the fish mobile is by Flensted.
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Ban.do shoe clips

My dressy shoes are pretty ho-hum (black heels, black flats, pink heels), so I was excited to discover ban.do's new shoe clips. They'd be perfect for holiday parties!
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Pajamas

DwellStudio's new organic cotton pajamas are adorable. Oh, those little cars!

P.S. An enlightening article on babbling.
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Wedding locket

This bride Julia wore a locket featuring her parents' wedding photo from 34 years before. What a romantic idea.

(Photos by Our Labor of Love by Heidi, via Once Wed)
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Funny chocolate bars


This weekend, Alex, Toby and I walked by a new store, The Meadow, in the West Village. The shop sells chocolate, flowers and artisan salts (it's all about life's simple pleasures), and we splurged on these Komforte Chockolate bars. Aren't the flavors fun? They were really delicious.

P.S. They'd make cute stocking stuffers.
P.P.S. I'm so excited for this year's gift guide!
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Have a relaxing weekend.

My sweets, what are you up to this weekend? The weather in New York has been sooooo beautiful--sunny and cool and crisp and perfect. Toby and I have taken long walks with friends and spent tons of time at the swings lately. Looking forward to a long bike ride with Alex this weekend, and wishing you guys a wonderful break, as well. Meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web...

Impossibly cool icons.

The perfect holiday party nail polish.

Acks!!! Possibly the cutest Sartorialist photo ever.

A sagging bookshelf.

Why is everything cooler in Sweden?

What pretty rings from Mociun.

A monster spotting in London!

Great rug.

Remember Paris vs. New York? Here's a funny new one.

Cozy vintage coats for chilly days.

Typographic home decor.

Lovely motherhood advice.

Have a good one! xoxo

(Photo by the Sartorialist)
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Friday giveaway!


Today's giveaway is from Blue Hour Designs, a fantastic Colorado jewelry studio. They have beautiful handcrafted pieces and are offering two lucky winners $100 gift certificates to their shop. (I love these honeycomb earrings!)

For a chance to win, please visit Blue Hour Designs and their etsy shop, and leave a comment below. Two winners will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo

Update: Ellen from LA and Anna are our lucky winners. Thanks for playing.
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Apples + cheddar

My favorite fall lunch. P.S. Honeycrisp apples are the best.
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Hanging children's art

I'm not sure if this adorable elephant was actually drawn by a kid (the cheeky eyes make me think a grown-up was involved), but I love the idea of framing kids' artwork. I'm so excited for Toby to start drawing!

P.S. Also, natural art supplies.

(Via Merry Mishap)
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Funny posters

In my family, I'm kind of labeled as the wussy one. I'm scared of elevators, bears, and the dark, and when Alex and I went to Mexico, it took me an hour to get up the nerve to snorkel. I prefer things that aren't at all dangerous, like eating cheese or sitting still. So, needless to say, these hilarious posters were right up my alley.

(Via Happy Mundane)
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Morse code necklaces

I'm in love with these Morse code necklaces! They spell out things like "Mom," "Friend," "Love," even your name. What a brilliant idea.
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A Tuscan wedding

Lucky editor Danielle Pergament and magazine writer Devin Friedman are one of the funniest and most charming couples I know. Today they live in Brooklyn with their daughter--and are expecting a baby boy!--but three years ago, on a sunny July evening, they got hitched in Tuscany. Let's take a look...xoxo
Where exactly did you get married?
La Bandita, our friends' hotel in Pienza, Tuscany.
Did you walk down the aisle with Devin?
Yes, I grew up between New York and Sweden, so we did that the Swedish way.
Where did you find your beautiful wedding dress? (I'm obsessed with the tiny straps!)
This charming little Italian grandmother who lived outside Rome was going to make my dress. I chose everything—the fabric, all the details. But eight days before my wedding, I finally saw the dress and it was a total disaster. All this tulle, it looked like it belonged on the top of a wedding cake.

I was determined not to be That Girl, so I thought, 'It's OK, all my friends are coming, it will be fun, don’t worry.' I called my sister in New York. She was leaving for Italy the next morning. She works in fashion, and she said, ‘You know, I have this dress in my closet from the Ralph Lauren runway show. He sent it down the runway on Gisele, but they never manufactured it. Gisele is the only one who ever wore it. It’s literally one of a kind.’ So she brought it in her suitcase.

I loved that dress. I loved wearing it.
Your hair also looked incredible.
When I worked at Allure, I met Chris McMillan, Jennifer Aniston's hair stylist. We became friends over the years, and he came to our wedding. About six hours before the ceremony, we were sitting around the pool--I had sunscreen in my hair--and he said, 'What should we do with your hair tonight?' He put it up really quickly, just playing around, and I said, "Don't touch it, it's perfect!" So I sat around in my bathing suit all afternoon and then got married without changing a thing.
Where were the daisies from?
To this day, I have no idea. Chris looked at my hair and said, 'Hang on, it needs something.' He reappeared with these daisies. There were no daisies on the property. He's a miracle worker.
What’s the deal with the amazing accordion player?
We wanted to add a cheesy, red-sauce Italian restaurant element to our wedding. So we hired a local musician to play all the Italian folk songs that Americans want to hear when they come to Italy. We hung out around the pool having cocktails and hors devours.
You had so many guests! Did everyone fly over from the States?
We had 120 people. Everyone came a week before the wedding. By the time the wedding day came, there had already been hookups and breakups and everyone was friends. Everyone rented houses, instead of staying in hotels, so it was like a flashback to college. You'd recognize people in their cars on the road. It was so awesome.

Any tricky things about getting married in Italy?
The downside about getting married in Italy—especially when no one coming to the wedding speaks the language—is that you're pulled in a thousand directions. You’re dealing with the infrastructure of a tiny town thirty minutes from the airport, so every couple seconds, someone is calling you to say, "How do you say, ‘Can you please fill up my car?’"
What did you serve for dinner?
Steak Fiorentina. And my favorite pasta, Cacio e Pepe. But Cacio e Pepe is a Roman dish and our caterers were from Florence, so they had an attitude about serving Roman food. We finally convinced them to serve it, but it wasn't as good as it was supposed to be!
What was one of your favorite memories of the day?
You can’t tell from the photos, but there were fields on every side of us covered with sheep. I had always wanted a country wedding, and it really felt like that. We had a DJ playing loud music until nine in the morning, and we were in the middle of these huge fields.

Were the sheep staring at you?
I think the sheep had seen it all.

(Photos by Michael Edwards)
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