Pregnant in Paris

This weekend, my mom dug out a bunch of old photos from when she was pregnant with Lucy and me. They were so much fun to see. My parents had just moved from the U.S. to France, and they thought they were having just one baby (they didn't expect twins!). My mom described what the experience was like...

"When we moved to Paris, I was already pregnant and very excited," my mom told me. "We went to French restaurants every night and explored Paris and surrounding towns on the weekends. During the day while Dad worked, I would walk through Le Vésinet, a beautiful residential district, to St. Germain en Laye, where I would have tea and a croissant and write letters home. Some days I would go swimming at a public indoor pool on the way back. I had a fitted black maternity suit--very sexy and French! Once on the way home, I was craving a hamburger, so I stopped for lunch. It was delicious. As I left the cafe, I saw a poster with an outline of a horse, saying that the special of the day was hamburger a la cheval!"

"During my pregnancy, Daddy and I called the baby 'Freddie' and whenever we visited a gorgeous French cathedral--Notre Dame, Chartres--we would always light a candle for 'Freddie.' "

"In early January, I was eight months pregnant. My belly was quite big, and my doctor was worried that something might be wrong. Dad was on a business trip, so I went alone to the Hôpital Américain de Paris for a sonogram...

"I was lying on my back with the cold jelly on my belly and the technician said, 'Je vois un bébé.' I smiled, and he kept working. Then he said, 'Ooh la la! Je vois deux bébés.' I was stunned! Twins! He kept working and then he exclaimed, 'Mon dieu, je vois trois bébés!' Triplets! He was a bit flustered and wanted a second opinion so said he was going to get a doctor and left the room. I lay there thinking, 'Hmm. I only have two arms, but I am going to have three babies!' When the two doctors came back, they took another look and finally said, 'Madame, you are definitely having two babies only!' I thought, 'Only two! That'll be a cinch!' Later I wondered if they had worked some clever psychology on me..."

"When I left the hospital that afternoon, I was so excited. I passed a little shop and spotted this cute mouse doll with two mouse babies! I bought it, and when I met Dad at the airport the next day, I gave it to him. He was perplexed and just looked at it (Why was I giving him a stuffed mouse?). Then it dawned on him, 'Oh my gosh! Are you serious?' He was shocked but thrilled. The next week we lit candles at a church for 'the Freddies!' "

(Next I'd love to share a few from after we were born, if you'd like to see...:)
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Happy birthday, Lucy!

My twin sister Lucy and I turn a whopping 32 today (eeps)! I wish I could beam myself to San Francisco to buy her some carrot cake.

(Photo from our wedding by Max Wanger)
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Have a fun weekend.

My lovelies, what are you doing this weekend? Alex and I are going to Upright Citizen's Brigade to see some improv comedy. Amy Poehler sometimes performs, I'm crossing my fingers! Meanwhile, Toby's new thing is to sit around holding his feet, like this guy. :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and thank you again for all your sweetness this week. Here are a few great posts from around the web... xoxo

Like every other blogger, I'm swooning over Steven Alan's spring lookbook.

Puppy love.

French striped baby pajamas.

Iceland wanderlust.

Grilling a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich? Why didn't we think of that sooner!

Bubbles around the world.

Vintage scribble dress.

Yummy, the Minimalist's 25 favorite recipes.

These make me want to play tennis or smoke.

Cutest duck booties.

Plus, a cute video about finding a roll of film in Brooklyn. (Thanks, tvmom)

P.S. Many lovely readers email me for advice on magazine writing or blogging or starting a business, and I'd love to recommend Oh Joy's services. Joy is warm and wonderful (as you probably know from her blog) and can offer genius expert advice on branding your business or growing your career. I'd definitely recommend her if you'd like a little guidance! xoxo

(Photo credit unknown)
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Friday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Nell's Compass, an amazing candle company run by a mother-and-daughter team in California. I love how the beautiful scents of their soy candles were inspired by their favorite places: South takes you to an aunt's flower garden; East transports you to an Italian hillside orchard, West is a masculine candle inspired by the great outdoors, and North is romantic for the winter, as if you're cuddling by a roaring fire. Alex and I were lucky enough to get these candles as a Christmas gift and love them; the scents are pitch-perfect and truly transporting, and they make the whole apartment feel cozy.

One winner will receive a full collection of Nell's Compass candles ($140 value). For a chance to win, please visit the Nell's Compass website and online store, and leave a comment below. Good luck, my sweets!

Update: Jacqueline B. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo
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Two pretty things

Oh, my darlings, thank you for all the sweet, sweet comments yesterday. A big kiss to you all! I don't know what I'd do without you. :) On a cheerier note, have you seen J. Crew's spring line? I'd love to nab that dress on the right for springtime picnics...
And wouldn't you like to curl up in this super rad bed? The headboard is made of solid walnut. Stunning.

Hope you're having a good day and have some fun plans for the weekend! xo
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Le sigh

My sweet readers, I have to say, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed today. Do you ever feel that way? What do you do when you're in a funk? I'd love to hear... xoxo

P.S. Winter blues and summery photos.

(Photo by Maple Syrup Only)
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The Old Red Hen

Just stumbled across the lovely vintage etsy store The Old Red Hen. (How beautiful are those horse bookends? Someone please buy them before I do!:)
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Wedding video


Ooh, what a dreamy wedding video. Also, the bride's veil is a-maz-ing.

(Thanks, Erica)
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Baby cheeks


To add some cuteness to your Wednesday.

P.S. More here.

(Photo by Philip Newton)
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Matchbook Magazine

Have you seen the new Matchbook Magazine? The first issue launched yesterday and features a bunch of awesome people, including Haley Boyd, the Brooklyn designer behind Marais shoes. Isn't she cute? I love her little black shorts and how she leaned silhouette art on her radiator. Double thumbs up!

See the full Matchbook issue here. Congrats, ladies!
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Sweatpants, let's do it!

New York is freezing this week, and I'm loving this cozy outfit, which manages to make sweatpants look cool. (Who knew?) J. Crew has some similar knit pants which look super soft and lounge-y.

Hope you're staying warm today! xo

(Photo by Heart Charlie)
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Love story, almost


Oh, this little video is really sweet. Go tell someone you love them!

(Thank you, Leigh)
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Icebreaker tags

Swissmiss came up with these amazing icebreaker tags. To help spark conversations at a party, you give your guests these tags, on which they write down their name and their answer to a quirky question. Then it becomes so much easier for everyone to mingle, since they have a reason to start chatting! (You can choose your own questions and print the tags here.) Isn't that awesome?
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Long dresses

Although I never wear long dresses, I'm really drawn to this one. She looks so ethereal. What do you think, my sweets? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

P.S. An adorable long maternity dress.

(Via Refinery 29)
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Have a sweet weekend.

My dears, what are you up to this weekend? My dad is coming to visit, and I'm soooo excited to hang out with him. He seems so debonaire that it feels odd to refer to him as "Grandpa," so we're trying to think of an alternative name for Toby to call him. What did you call your grandpa? Anyway, have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

Ha, well played, Domino.

Kate surprises her sister with a trip to Paris; here's her cute reaction.

Loving this shade of pink makeup...and here's Charlie wearing it!

Stunning photos of statues at the Met.

An adorable way to reveal a baby's gender.

Beer does a body good? Good to know.

Damn, those are sexy swimsuits.

Blue wish list.

Inspired by Harvey Faircloth's inspiration wall.

Ann Taylor, is that you?

Hang art without poking holes in it.

A chewing gum artist, of all things.

And a funny little video: Baby's first audition.

Have a good one! xoxo
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Friday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from The Vintage Pearl, a jewelry studio based in Oklahoma. The lovely designer Erin makes handcrafted, handstamped necklaces and bracelets with your loved one's names and initials. She's giving away a $100 gift certificate so the winner can pick out her favorite piece. Aren't they sweet?

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

Update: Melissa is our lucky winner. Thank you for playing. Plus, a bonus for all readers: Get 15% off your order with the code CUPOFJO.
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Giant flowers

This coming Tuesday, artist Will Ryman will launch an installation called The Roses on Park Avenue -- they're 38 giant pink and red roses, along with beetles, bees, ladybugs, aphids and thorns (which the New York Times says will "stir a sense of foreboding"). Twenty petals will also be scattered on the ground, six of which will double as lawn chairs. The flowers will stay up through May as "the artist's love letter to New York City." Can't wait to see it!

P.S. Remember these waterfalls?
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Photos of Toby


Just 'cause. :) He's almost eight months old, I can't believe it!
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French slippers


How adorable are these slipper socks for kids and grown-ups? They're made in a small village in France and would be perfect for padding around the house.

(Via Black Eiffel)
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Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Mini Mioche, a collection of eco-friendly organic baby clothes made in Canada. They're the kind of soft, comfy basics that babies will live in. And don't you love that they're organic? (Toby has their boogie pants!)

(On a personal note: Toby has a bunch of cute baby clothes that he just doesn't end up wearing, but these are the type of comfy basics that he wears everyday.)

They're giving away a $100 gift certificate, so you can treat your favorite little one to some cute things (or get some gifts for a baby shower). For a chance to win, please visit Mini Mioche and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

Update: Sarah B. is our lucky winner. Plus, a bonus for all readers: Get 15% off everything at Mini Mioche's online store by entering the code CUPOFJO15 through January 23rd.
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Dunton Hot Springs wedding

Remember Dunton Hot Springs, the Colorado ghost town tucked into an alpine valley? Well, lucky couple Victoria and Sean just got married there! Check out the amazing photos of their wedding, complete with a pig roast, hot springs, wildflowers and s'mores. And those views are incredible!

(Photos by the amazing Max Wanger, of course)
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Engagement ring

How *gorgeous* is this ring? Swooning.

I'd love to ask you, my darlings: What's your relationship status? Are you married, engaged, dating, single, it's complicated? Just curious. :) I'd love to hear...
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Old fashion/new fashion

Miss Moss has the raddest series of posts about how to get the looks of old-school movie stars, including Ava Gardner and Jane Birkin. How cute are these folded shorts and sandals?
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