Have a wonderful weekend.

Thank you for such a great week talking about New York! I hope you enjoyed my guide; and thanks for leaving such great recommentions and funny comments. Have a wonderful weekend, and here are some New-York-City-themed links from around the web. Next week, we'll be back to regular scheduled programming! :)

Sounds of New York.

Skyline shower curtain.

If you live in New York, you'll end up crying in public.

Funny snow globe.

A candle that smells like the Times.

An I-Heart-New-York tee that's actually cool.

Taxi mittens.

New York City prints.

Speaking of where to live, here's a fascinating cost-of-living calculator.

And this Onion article made me laugh out loud.

A lego Empire State Building.

My friends are hosting a great event this weekend for moms and daughters.

A few past Cup of Jo posts about NYC:
* A subway poster.
* New Yorkers are nice.
* New York City Hall wedding.
* A wedding where the bride wore overalls!
* A genius hammock.
* What a hilarious book.
* Bill Murray being weird.

Also, we found a mouse in the apartment today, eeks. The perfect end to a week about New York City, haha! Have a good one. xoxo
(Photo by Andrew Carter Mace, cartoon by Marisa Acocella Marchetto)
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NYC Guide: 10 ways to not look like a tourist

Just for fun, here are 10 handy tips on how not look like a tourist (since my mom always asks:)...
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NYC Guide: Four relaxing mini-getaways

Living in New York can be great. But sometimes the garbage trucks are too loud, the streets feel too crowded, and the mice are too in-your-living-room. Meaning: You need to get out. So, here are four easy escapes from the city that feel a world away...
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NYC Guide: Three great bars

One of life's greatest pleasures is...a drink. A swanky evening cocktail, a glass of wine while watching the sunset, an ice-cold beer on a summer day. Here are our three favorite places to kick back...
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Thursday giveaway!

Oooh, today's giveaway is from Erstwhile, a beautiful jewelry shop based in New York. They scout antique and vintage pieces, including one-of-a-kind engagement rings. Today, they're giving away this beautiful 14k-rose-gold Victorian ring with Persian turquoise and natural pearls (worth $500). How gorgeous would this be to wear everyday? It would become a family heirloom!

For a chance to win, please visit Erstwhile and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck. xo Update: Jessi F. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.
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NYC Guide: My 10 favorite shops

One of the great things about visiting a new city is wandering around, getting lost and discovering things for yourself. For example, you head to Soho, Nolita, the West Village, Williamsburg, you'll find tons of boutiques that you'll love. That said, here are 10 amazing stores not to miss...
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New York dreaming

Cool pillows for grown-ups...
And an adorable blanket for babies.
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NYC Guide: 10 amazing ways to spend an afternoon

New York is packed with fun things to do, and you can't go wrong with the classic attractions: rowing boats in Central Park, kissing at the top of the Empire State Building, eating oysters at Grand Central. But I'd love to share a few twists on those adventures that we've discovered over the years...
1. Sunset sail. Feel the crisp wind on your face while sailing down the Hudson River on a classic 1890's style Schooner. The captain passes out wool blankets and serves wine, beer and Champagne, and you can bring snacks, if you'd like. (Think: Two lobster rolls from the nearby Chelsea Market.) Alex and I have been on these two-hour sails many times; they are always exhilarating, giddy and romantic. You sail right up to the Statue of Liberty (such a fun way to see her) and gaze at the sparkling city lights.
2. Kayaking. New York offers free kayaking, which is fun, beautiful and surprisingly not scary. On a sunny day, it's refreshing to be out on the river; and kayaking is gorgeous way to see the city (the skyscrapers look even taller from the water).
3. Chelsea art galleries. Put on red lipstick and a cute dress, and go gallery hopping! Chelsea galleries are easy to find; they're all clustered on the same few streets. (Here's a handy map.) Even cooler, go to gallery openings in the evenings. The website ARTCAT lists when each exhibit will have its opening party (typically Thursday evenings), so you can stop by to sip wine and rub elbows with downtown artists.
4. Murray's Cheese classes. During these two-hour classes, you taste stinky cheeses, drink wine, hear funny cheese-making stories and leave full and happy. What's not to love? (This would make a great date, don't you think?)
5. Drink wine on the Met's rooftop. Here's a (kind of) secret: Every year, from May to October, the Metropolitan Museum of Art features an amazing exhibit on its rooftop. Go to the back of the museum, take the elevator up, have a glass of wine, walk through the installation and look over Central Park. A perfect summer evening.
6. Upright Citizens Brigade's Asssscat show on Sunday nights. This side-splittingly hilarious (and kind of dirty) improv comedy show features uber-talented comedians from SNL, The Office and 30 Rock. Amy Poehler co-founded it, and she still hosts a show now and again. You buy tickets online ahead of time, then stand in line outside the theatre early the night of the show, to make sure you get a decent seat (the place is a total dive and if you're late, you sit on the floor...which is kind of fun, too). Highly recommended.
7. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (especially at sunset). The iconic Brooklyn Bridge takes my breath away every time I step onto it. You'll adore the skyline views of Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as sparkling water, sailboats and the sunset.
8. The Brooklyn Bridge Park. This small park in Dumbo (right across the Brooklyn Bridge) is spectacular. It's on the waterfront underneath the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, so the views are dramatic and amazing. Lie in the grass. Skip stones in the water. Fly a kite. Ride the carousel. Pick up an impromptu picnic with neighborhood pizzaice cream and a giant chocolate-chip cookie. And if you're in a boat-y mood, you can take the new East River ferry back to Manhattan.

9. MoMA. Three words: Raddest museum ever.
10. The High Line. This new park runs along old elevated freight-train tracks. The incredible landscape architecture makes it appear as if wildflowers are sprouting up among the tracks. You can sit on the reclining wooden benches, stroll along the meandering paths, and take in the city views. Such a lovely place to...do nothing.
Bonus tip! As you're walking around the city, duck into one of the many cheap massage places around town. You'll spot neon signs with massage prices listed by the minute (usually $10 for 10 minutes), and you typically have to head down a few steps. Don't worry, though, most aren't sketchy! :) Inside, you'll see a row of massage tables, separated by a curtains instead of real walls; and the massage therapists will guide you to one. The massages are always surprisingly good, and it's an awesome way to sooth your sore muscles after walking around all day--or to relax before heading to dinner.

What do you love doing in New York? Do you have any favorite tips? I'd LOVE to hear! xoxo

(Top image graphic design by HipHipGinGin for Cup of Jo. Globe, High Line and massage photos by Laura Ratliff, Murray's Cheese photo by Jamie Beck, Brooklyn Bridge photos by Philipp Klinger, Met rooftop and UCB photos by NYTimes, Hither & Thither, and Alex; sailing photos by Bart Stiller and Marvelous Kiddo; MoMA photos by MoMA; carousel photo by New York Magazine.)
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NYC Guide: How to flag a cab

My sweets, for anyone who doesn't know, here are five easy steps to flagging a taxi...
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NYC Guide: Our 10 favorite restaurants

New York has many fabulous restaurants, but, honestly, it also has some not-so-good ones, and at first glance, it's not always easy to tell the difference. You want those fantastic, giddy, transporting meals that you'll remember for years, not touristy overpriced places, of course. So, I'm excited to share our ten absolute favorite New York restaurants...
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NYC Guide: Five great hotels

My darlings, people always ask us where they should stay when visiting New York. So, here are five great places...
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NYC Guide: A hidden playground in Manhattan

I've lived in New York City for ten years, and I've had a baby for more than a year, but the other day I stumbled upon an amazing hidden playground that I had NO IDEA existed.
When you walk into Battery Park City, you see rows of tall apartment buildings. But if you walk behind the building 22 River Terrace, there's a cluster of big trees. They don't look like much, but if you head into them...
...you'll reach a clearing with a sandbox, splashy fountains, and giant slide! It feels like you're in the middle of a forest, and the 14-foot-tall slide feels surprisingly steep. Alex challenged me to slide down while holding my arms up (as if it were a roller coaster) and it was totally exhilarating. (I'd actually love to go back with grown-up friends sometime:) Toby adores it, too, of course, and I'd highly recommend Teardrop Park as a lovely little secret garden.

P.S. 19 best NYC playgrounds.
P.P.S. Coming up tomorrow: Where to eat and sleep in NYC... xoxo

(Photos by Smith & Ratliff)
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Motherhood Mondays: Where would you want to raise your baby?

Alex and I have a recurring conversation topic; it comes up over dinner all the time: Where should we raise Toby?

We love New York and it has been an amazing place to fall in love and have a baby. But as Toby has gotten bigger, our apartment has started feeling smaller, and I have daydreams about having a backyard (and maybe even a grill or a hammock!).

And New York can be a tough place to live. It sounds silly, but I keep having a vision of trying to teach Toby how to ride a bike on the crowded Manhattan bike path, and having to yell to my sweet wobbly five-year-old, "Toby! Toby! To the right!!!" as groups of cyclists, rollerbladers and runners blast past. Ha, I can't get that image out of my head. Wouldn't it be nicer to learn to ride a bike in a sleepy subdivision or country lane? But then again, Alex and I are in love with the city; with some thought and practice, it could be a really rad place to grow up (I mean, there are 8,000 different kinds of pizza:).

So, I'd love to hear your thoughts: Where did you grow up? Where would you want to raise children? Your hometown? A certain city or state? Do you envision your children's childhood to be very similar to yours, or would you want it to be different? I am SO curious and would love to hear! (I always think Maine sounds amazing.)

P.S. A list of the 100 best places in the United States to raise a family.
(Top photo by Jenna Park of Sweet Fine Day; bottom photos of my sister and me growing up in England and Michigan)
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Cup of Jo's Guide to New York City

Yahoo! My sweets, I'm thrilled to be sharing a little guide to New York City this week. I'll be sharing our favorite places to sleep, eat and play--as well as the best lobster roll ever, a (very) romantic date idea, the attractions that are worth battling the crowds and how to not look like a tourist (since my mom always asks!).

You could write a book on New York City (and people have:), so instead of featuring an overarching round-up, this guide will feature Alex and my regular hang-outs, personal favorites and New York discoveries. I'd LOVE to hear your recommendations in the comments, as well. The guide will be posted in separate parts all week, and I really hope you enjoy it. xoxo Update: Read the complete guide here.

(Photo by Shannen Norman for Cup of Jo; graphic design by HipHipGinGin for Cup of Jo)
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Have a delicious weekend.

My lovelies, today really IS the first day of fall! This weekend, I'm really excited: I'm going to the two-day Blogshop workshop with a bunch of amazing ladies to learn Photoshop. (Berlin, Paris, Boston and New York have classes coming up, if you're interested.) And next week I'll be sharing my guide to New York City. What are your plans for the weekend? Here are a few great posts from around the web...

This cuddle mattress made me laugh.

Shatterproof wine glasses! (Good gift for new parents:)

Painting with plants.

Sexy pencil skirts.

50 fall foliage photos.

Amazing street art.

Found: The perfect fall sweater.

This new book looks romantic.

What lovely packaging for cider.

Sweetest baby books.

Who wants cinnamon brownies?!

We're going to this Harvest Fest next week, if anyone wants to come!

Dancing with the Hovey sisters. :)

Here's a video of Blogshop, doesn't it look fun?

(Top photo by Desserts for Breakfast)
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Friday giveaway!



Today's giveaway is from Kiki & Polly, the beautiful art shop by Oregon-based artist Lisa Golightly. Wouldn't her prints be sweet in a living room or nursery? (We have this adorable print in our apartment.) One lucky reader will receive a $100 gift certificate to choose a few beautiful prints. (I would go for a few of these.)

For a chance to win, please visit Kiki & Polly and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random on Monday. Good luck! Update: Catherine is our winner. Thanks for playing. xo
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