Weekly Challenge #6

Have you ever meditated? I recently hung out with a new friend, Louise, who grew up in a Iowa town known for transcendental meditation. At just five years old, she was taught to meditate by repeating a mantra while she played with toys. At her high school, all the students would meditate for three hours a day. Amazing, right?

I've never been able to meditate. Funnily enough, I think it's because I'm too anxious. Alex and I once went to an evening meditation workshop for a story he was working on, and the whole time I sat there trying to figure out where we should go to dinner afterward. I'm pretty sure that wasn't the point.

But meditation can actually make you happier. According to a fascinating New York Times article, researchers have shown that daily meditation-like thought can shift brain activity toward "positive emotional states...that make us more likely to engage the world rather than to withdraw from it." In the study, participants were told to "relax with their eyes closed, focus on their breathing, and acknowledge and release any random thoughts that might arise," and voila! With as little as five minutes of meditating a day, "a happier outlook is yours for the taking."

So! Who wants to give it a go? This week's challenge is to meditate for 10 minutes a day. Because if it really makes you calmer and happier, then 10 minutes would be worth it, right?

Andy Puddicombe, author of Get Some Headspace: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life in Ten Minutes a Day, says it's best to meditate first thing in the morning, if possible, and in the same place every time. "Avoid judging your meditation," he told the Huffington Post. "It is tempting to think you are 'good' or 'bad' at meditation. In truth, there is no such thing...Taming the mind is a skill to develop over a lifetime."

What do you think? Have you ever meditated? Did you feel good afterward? Would you be up for trying it?

P.S. Are you too busy? Also, cat bounce.

(Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

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Weekly Challenge #5

How much do you know about your parents? Obviously, you know the basics, but how often do you really ask them about themselves? Here's the fifth challenge...Read More >

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Weekly Challenge #4

The other evening, we were hanging out, and Alex busted out the word "postprandial," as in "Let's take a postprandial walk with Toby." NICE. (This was my reaction.)

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that there's nothing more attractive than hearing someone use a vocab word in regular conversation.

So here's the weekly challenge: Choose a favorite vocab word and pepper it into conversation this week. Are you game? Here are the 250 most difficult SAT words, if you'd like inspiration. Peripatetic. Innocuous. Sycophantic. Taciturn...Which word will you choose? Let's nerd out!

P.S. British words and annoying words.

(Photo of Grace Kelly. Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

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The Best Broccoli Soup You'll Ever Have

Alex loves loves loves soup, and he always orders it at restaurants. (It's like his thing.) So when Momfilter wrote about this delicious broccoli soup that kids also beg for, we knew we had to try it (wouldn't it be perfect for winter lunches?)...
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The Best Homemade Doughnuts You'll Ever Have

Today, the lovely Rachel from Elephantine is sharing her recipe for homemade doughnuts (with two secret ingredients!). Take a look...
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Fall Challenge #3

The third weekly fall challenge is to eat something you've never tried before. For example...
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Fall Challenge #2

Our family used to drive six hours to visit our cousins for the holidays, and to help pass the time, my mom and I would nerd out and memorize poems. The first one we chose was this picker-upper from Emily Dickinson. I still remember every word.

So, for the second fall challenge, let's each memorize a favorite poem by next Thursday. How amazing to have beautiful words bouncing around your head. What do you think? Are you in?

P.S. Rudyard Kipling's If and Mary Oliver's Wild Geese are both beautiful...

(Photo by the wonderful Kari Herer; graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

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Who's game?

After watching the Happy documentary, I've been mulling over the idea of happiness. One evening, I was reading a magazine, and a single quote gave me a lightbulb moment...

"Happiness isn't being cheerful all the time," says John Sharp, a psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School. "It's being interested in things—finding out more about something, learning how to appreciate something better, incorporating something new that fits with what you already have."

So! Inspired, I decided to have more everyday adventures this fall. Then I wondered if I should make it a new series on the blog, since it's more fun to do things as a group. Would you want to join me?

How it would work: Each week, I'll issue a single challenge. (Think: learn to tell a great joke, write a handwritten letter, go see a movie by yourself.) The following week, we'll regroup and share our experiences! What do you think?!

The challenge for this week, should you choose to accept it, could be to not watch TV for a week. (Or, at least, cut way back.) And see what surprising things unfold in your life...

Thoughts? Are you in? Does this sound fun to you? Fingers crossed, I really hope so!!!

P.S. The no-complaining challenge...

(Photo by Christine Carreira. Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

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Favorite fall hair

Oooh, yes, middle parts, fishtails and tiny braids. That's my hair plan for the fall:) What's yours? Anyone getting a brave haircut or doing anything drastic?

P.S. 15 hair tutorials...

(Photos from Teen Vogue, Tory Burch, Holly Fulton. Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

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Paris daydreaming

Who's daydreaming of Paris this fall? The city feels extra dreamy when everyone's bundled up in wool scarves, ducking into cafes for thick hot chocolate. Well, here are seven pretty pieces to inspire some romance at home...

1. Eiffel Tower plush, $68.
2. Paris print, $30.
3. John Derian plate, $48.
4. Saint James shirt, made in Normandy since 1850, $90. (See one on a model here.)
5. Metallic flats, $125.
6. Tea candies, $14.
7. Map tote, $20.

(Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

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Dog design

Psychologists say that pets make people happier, but even if you don't have one, you can still bring dog design into your home to make you smile. Here are seven cute pieces...

1. Dog-walker mug, $10.95.
2. Dachshund bookends, $150.
3. Wallpaper, $180. (How amazing is this?!)
4. Dog print, $38.
5. Brass dog for your desk, $28.
6. Glass, $6.
7. Custom pet portrait, $225.

Do you have a dog?

P.S. Puppy butt! Plus, dog names and more round-ups...

(Layout by Rachel for Cup of Jo. Brass dog photo from High Street Market)

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Travel beauty

Years ago I went on a business trip with a photographer, and she spritzed rosewater on her face during the flight. It was such a lovely (and fancy!) ritual, and after that, I was inspired to come up with my own trusty beauty arsenal when traveling. (I basically pare down my everyday makeup to the essentials.) Here's what I've packed every trip since...

1. Hair powder. Dry shampoo has changed my life, since you can skip showers and still have beautiful bedhead hair. This travel size smells like lavender and clary sage. $10.
2. Supercurl mascara. This mascara curls and thickens lashes so you'll look wide awake when you land. $20.
3. Chloe perfume is a fresh floral fragrance to keep you feeling pretty. $25.
4. Dopp kit. Unison Home has canvas toiletry bags in three different sizes to hold all those lotions and potions. $35.
5. Cucumber towelettes. I use these every night at home to wash my face (the lazy way!), but they're also perfect for traveling. The cucumber scent feels fresh and invigorating, $9.99.
6. Benetint gives your lips and cheeks a rosy glow, so it's my go-to cosmetic for a trip. (My sister actually wears this, and once I was raving about how pretty she looked, so she let me try it, and now I'm hooked:)
7. Muji Travel Pillow. This comfy pillow folds into a pouch and helps you actually sleep on a plane, $9.95.

(Plus, of course, I pack my face powder!)

What beauty products do you pack when you travel? I'd love to hear your tips...

P.S. Plane picnics (pack an orange!), and five best shoes for traveling.

(Post by Joanna. Layout design by Rachel from Elephantine for Cup of Jo. Top photo from Villa Brunella. I mentioned a couple of my travel staples on CNT, as well.)

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Fall trend: Polka dots

For the past couple years, we've talked about the fall trends, and first up this year: Polka dots! They're everywhere these days and look so cute, especially when mixed with tomboyish pieces, like jeans and sneakers. (This cozy sweater is my favorite.) Here a few pretty things...
1. Black belted dress, $55.
2. Cashmere sweater, $268.
3. Honeydew bralette, $34, and boyshort, $16.
4. Classic ballet flats, $135. (Or fancy heels.)
5. Clutch, $45.
6. Black jeans, $189.
7. Silk blouse, $70. (I also love this and this.)

Thoughts? Will you be wearing polka-dots on crisp fall days? Do they fit your style?

(Top photo by Stockholm Street Style. Post by Joanna; graphic design by Rachel/Elephantine for Cup of Jo)

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Summer Essential #5: A One-Piece Swimsuit

A swimsuit can say a lot about a woman, don't you think? Maybe it says she's laid back, or silly, or feminine, or in love with a past era. Whatever her personality, there always seems to be a swimsuit to match. Here are seven pretty one-pieces for the summer... --Rachel from Elephantine

1. Patchwork Maillot, $218.
2. Natalie One-Piece, $148.
3. Purple Bandeau Tank, $82.
4. Red Polka-Dot, $86.
5. Red Striped Halter, $208.
6. Blue Bandeau Swimsuit, $30.
7. Bustier One-Piece, $253. (So cute on the model.)

Which would you choose? (I also love this striped one and this seersucker one in yellow.)

P.S. More round-ups...

(Layout by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor)

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Cocktail style

A few years ago, for a dear friend's bachelorette party, I set up a "make your own mojito" table. Maybe the cocktails weren't so perfect, but playing bartender was half the fun. Ever since then, I've been fascinated with all the different tools and accessories out there for mixing drinks at home. These are on the top of my wishlist. -- By Rachel from Elephantine

1. Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, $13.
2. Dizzy Cocktail Glass, $2.50.
3. Bar Whisk, $5.
4. Wood Lemon Reamer, $9.
5. 101 Mojitos and Other Muddled Drinks, $11.38.
6. Formosa Tray Table, $49.95.
7. Elderflower Presse, $8.
8. Shake Rattle & Roll Cocktail Shaker, $38.
9. Canine Coasters Set, $18.

What's your "drink"? Do you make cocktails at home? Plus, more round-ups...

(Post by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor, who will be posting every couple weeks. Thank you, Rachel!)

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Motherhood Mondays: Summer kids clothes

Crewcuts summer clothes are totally adorable. These little prints are giving me baby fever. Take a look at the full collection here, if you'd like.

P.S. Don't you wish the clothes came in grown-up sizes? Especially that colorblock dress:)

(Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo; thanks to Crewcuts for being one of my April sponsors)

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Bathroom beauty

I once read that if someone stops by unannounced and you only have a few minutes to tidy up, focus on the bathroom. It's the only room where a guest will spend time alone, and consequently they'll pay more attention to their surroundings. A guest may not notice the vintage vases on your bookshelf, but they'll definitely see the hand soap by the bathroom sink. Here are seven favorite picks for that clean and pretty bathroom. -- By Rachel from Elephantine

1. Bird House Bath Tissue Holder, $12.99.
2. Robin's Egg Soaps, $24.
3. Wooden Toothbrush Set, $12.50. (See how the toothbrushes say "guest?")
4. Fog Linen Towels, $27 to $70.
5. Recycled Glass Canister, $29.
6. Sailor's Soap Dish, $20.
7. Ombre Bath Mat, $29.

P.S. More round ups...

(Post by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor, who will be posting every couple weeks. Thank you, Rachel!)

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