Have a fun weekend

My lovely readers, what are you doing this weekend? Alex and I are watching this chilling documentary and going free kayaking in the Hudson River. (It's awesome and not that scary.) Meanwhile, here are some great posts from around the web this week...

Vintage biology charts.

Oooh, fabulous wedding fans.

This photo is making me rethink long dresses.

What a lovely pregnancy portrait.

Love that Alan Dye's mac-n-cheese recipe calls for drinking Champagne while cooking.

Nice summer view.

A sweet mirror for your purse, and simple dresses.

Gorgeous business cards.

Floating camping. I don't get it...but I like it!

My summer wish list now includes everything in this ebay vintage shop.

Mmmm, this sandwich and this ice-cream.

Bloggers' book recommendations.

Splish splash, what a fun way to spend a weekend.

Thumbs up to silly happiness.

My favorite summer memory.

Also, three videos:

Funny People opens this weekend.

Mattress dominoes!

Humming along to this pretty song...

Have a great weekend, my darlings, and thank you for being so sweet, as always. xoxo

(Photos by Harpy)

Whoopie pies

My dolls, have you ever had a whoopie pie? At a party on Wednesday, my friend Allen walked up, held out an odd black-and-white cookie, and said, "Take a bite!" At first, I wasn't sure, but it turned out to be the most delicious, chocolate-y, marshmallow-y treat.

P.S. The NYTimes says whoopie pies are the new cupcake. Good to know!

Emerson Made

I'm loving Emerson Made's new handmade linen-and-flower flower brooches. Aren't they gorgeous?

The Hovey sisters

Porter and Hollister Hovey are two of the most amazing people I've ever met. They're warm, funny and ooze style. Well, today the Hovey sisters' Williamsburg apartment is featured in the New York Times. Isn't it fabulous?! Congratulations, Hoveys!
(Photo by Michael Weschler/NYT)

Polite umbrella

In New York, today felt like the apocalypse--yellow skies, pouring rain, giant thunder claps! It would have been a good time to carry the Polite Umbrella, which folds up when you squeeze past people on the sidewalk.

Watch the adorable video here.

(Via Yellowgoat Design)

Ten seconds

Every morning, I get so busy and sucked into my computer that Alex made a new rule: I have to take ten seconds to say goodbye to him before he leaves for the office. So, he'll walk up, wearing a crisp shirt and smelling of musk, and say, "Ten seconds." We'll smooch and hug and say goodbye for the count of ten, and then I'll go back to work. I've come to love those ten seconds.

It's exactly a month until our wedding day, and I love you more than ever, Alex.

Whispered marriage proposal

Jake wanted to propose to his girlfriend Kristina, so he started a whisper chain through 59 people, a new world record. His message ("Kristina, will you marry me?") slowly passed from person to person, around the crowded room, until it finally reached the last person: Kristina herself. Shocked, she jumped, shrieked and accepted. How cute is that?

(By Jake, via Swiss-miss)

Porter on Mad Men

AMC is having a virtual casting call for a walk-on role on Mad Men, and my friend Porter is currently in second place! She oozes 1960's style (just look at her haircut!) and is insanely excited that she might win.

Please vote for Porter here by giving her five stars!!! xoxo

Home Inspiration: Airy bedrooms

The weather has been so strange this summer: Rain, hail and boiling hot sunshine. Right now, I'm daydreaming about napping in an airy bedroom, with a gentle breeze coming through sheer curtains. Don't you love all the natural light in these photos?

(Photos by Laura Resen, via TinyK)

Swimsuits

I'm searching for a new swimsuit for our honeymoon, and Anthropologie has a sweet selection, including this floral maillot. (I also love my white bikini from J. Crew.)

New York City hammock

Alex and I were riding bikes around town, when we passed this guy Philippe relaxing in a hammock. Intrigued, we pedaled over and asked him where he found it. "Eastern Mountain Sports for $20," he said and explained that he simply ties it to two trees anywhere around the city. "I've been called a lazy bum, but I love it." What a genius idea!

(Excuse the crappy photos; they're from Alex's phone)

A puppy photo

Just 'cause.

(Photo by Meredith Lou)

Have a great weekend

My dolls, what are you up to this weekend? Alex and I staying in tonight, and I'm going on a MoMA adventure with the beautiful Leigh tomorrow. I'm also secretly counting the days until Monday's Bachelorette finale. (I know.) Meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web this week...

A message in a bottle.

Beautiful soaps and beach beauties.

I didn't say she stole my money.

Teresa has such a cute haircut.

Planes! Eeps! (But don't worry too much, it was at an airshow.)

Can't wait for The Sartorialist's book. I'm already clearing a space on my coffee table.

Daily postcards.

One man's love of souvenirs.

Resolutions to remember.

Lost in space.

These rad bags are all the rage in Helsinki.

Pretty wedding hair and a smoking hot dress.

Sarah Palin's speech gets run through Vanity Fair's copy department.

A postcard-perfect Italian wardrobe.

Sylvia Plath's copy of The Great Gatsby.

Marilyn gets cheeky.

Weekend yumminess.

Plus, four videos:

Will Arnett talks to God.

When the bride is a designer and the groom is an animator, the save-the-date is guaranteed to be cute. (Thanks, Lana)

Seth Rogan is funny. I like his raspy voice.

This lovely girl Shelley has a great voice, too. (Remember that song from The Jerk?)

Finally, I watched Away from Her this week. Have you seen it? Such a sad, amazing movie about an older couple dealing with Alheimer's. Their relationship felt so authentic and slow-paced; I adored it. xoxo

New Zealand posters

Have you seen these replicas of the hilariously bad New Zealand tourism posters seen in Murray's office on Flight of the Conchords? Total genius.

(By Tim Denee, via House of Milk)

Feeling Smitten...

My dears, here's a weekly round-up from Smitten, my Glamour Magazine relationships blog...

Nathan and Katie's sweet wedding. (Remember his romantic proposal in a forest?)

Would you go on a silent date?

If you could have any accent, which would you choose?

Found! The sexiest swimsuit ever.

What's your dating status? Single? Dating? Living together? Married?

Poll: Would you kiss a guy on a first date?

True reader confession: "When I give birth, I'm taking my stuffed animal to the hospital."

Reader's dilemma: "My boyfriend is a bad kisser."

Wedding question: Who will walk you down the aisle? Your dad? Mom? Both? Someone else?

Four pretty summer outfits.

Reader's dilemma: "Help! My boyfriend is 14 inches taller than I am."

Poll: Do you sleep better or worse when someone else is in the bed?

As always, find much more on Smitten. Thank you! xo

(Photos of Nathan and Katie)

Would you like to advertise on Cup of Jo?

Would you like to advertise on Cup of Jo? I'm accepting ads for the rest of July and August. I have lots of lovely readers who shop online regularly, and my rates are created with small businesses in mind.

Please email me for details at joanna_goddard (at) yahoo (dot) com. Thank you so much!

(Layout by Ez)

Thursday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Jenny Lu of Albeit Jewelry, who designs gold pendant necklaces with letters and numbers. The lucky winner will get to choose her favorite necklace.

For a chance to win, please visit Albeit Jewelry and tell us which letter, number or symbol you'd like. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

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

(Thanks, Mint)

Happy birthday, Nick!

Happy birthday to Nick, the best little brother ever. He'll tell you jokes ("What's brown and sticky?" "A stick!"), take you on evening biking adventures and bring you cashews when you're sad. I love you, Nick, and I'm excited to hang tonight!

Dancing wedding entrance

What a genius wedding entrance. The guests must have been dying!

(Thanks, Stephanie)

Home Inspiration: Ship Paintings

This fall, we're planning to give our apartment a much-needed makeover, so I've been flagging inspirational home photos. For example, don't you love this ship painting? The water imagery is so calming. (The deer seems to like it, too.)

(Photo from Apt Therapy, via Auburn & Ivory)

Looking into the past

A clever series by Jason Powell.

(Via Mustard & Sage)

Summer reading

What are you reading this summer? I'm in the middle of The Memory Keeper's Daughter, and I'm loving it. It's all about a complicated family and the secrets they keep. It's not only suspenseful and compelling but also beautifully written, and I look forward to reading it all day. What are you reading this summer? Any recommendations? xo

Sex & the City debate

For the Sex & the City sequel, costume designer Patricia Field and Sarah Jessica Parker are debating whether Carrie and the girls' wardrobes should reflect the struggling economy.

Patricia Field says no. ("I don't use the recession as a reference for my creativity.") SJP says yes. ("Carrie will have been affected, and she's not an idiot.")

What do you think?

(Via Lola)

Amsterdam street style

This new Amsterdam street-style blog shows cute faces + legs. (Doesn't it looks like a super hip version of the game Memory?)

P.S. I've always wanted to go to Amsterdam, haven't you?

Matchstick bermuda shorts

Every summer, don't you find that you have one piece of comfy clothing that you keep coming back to? My go-to shorts this summer are these J. Crew matchstick bermudas. I hope Alex likes them because I pretty much wear them every day (including while I'm typing this).

Just married bikes

After our wedding, Alex and I are hoping to ride our bikes instead of driving a getaway car, so I was thrilled to see this awesome elopement. "We rode to the Brooklyn Bridge Park and had a secret ceremony under the shade of a willow tree," says the bride Kortney. Behind their bikes, the happy couple tied Lone Star and Old Style beer cans, since they hail from Texas and Chicago. Adorable all around!

(Photos by Jonty Hampson, via Green Wedding Shoes)

Sky play

Let's play hooky today and do SKYplay. Aren't these photos clever? Below, he's doing a cloud jigsaw puzzle... :)
(All photos by Horst, via Double Takes)

Have a happy weekend.

My darlings, what are you doing this weekend? Alex and I are rolling up our sleeves and going to a Sunday Suppers cooking class. (I can't wait to see their fabulous tabletops in person.) I'm also going to see 500 Days of Summer tonight. Meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web this week...

Kid-friendly thank-you notes.

Tiny houses on tiny islands.

Emma Watson is too cool for school.

It's a tissue...it's a flower...it's tissue flowers!

A rad-as-hell bedroom poster that glows in blacklight.

Skinamarinky Dinky Dink-inspired artwork. Genius.

A subtle braid and a vintage nurse's uniform? Portland is officially awesome.

Vintage jewelry.

Wedding photographer Max Wanger does it again.

The Little Mermaid's wish list.

Wheeeee!!!! A gorilla slide.

Lovely camera bags and woven necklaces.

Fast food made fancy. (Via VSL)

Love this blog's header and this schmoopy wedding photo.

Honey, I shrunk the bike helmet.

What a great idea to draw on plates with a porcelain pen.

A moment in Iceland.

Ouch! Models falling. Also, intense.

These DIY outdoor lighting make me wish I could do-it-myself.

Constellation wall art.

Wedding do or don't: Tossing the bouquet.

These bird vases are too cute.

Plus, three videos:

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg get steamy.

My brother-in-law, who is a brain surgeon (seriously), sent this hilarious video.

And a SUPER cool video save-the-date. (Two former actors spliced together their reel footage, including a commercial they shot together with a fake wedding.)

Whew! That's all folks. Have a wonderful weekend.
(Photos by Max Wanger)

My wedding look

This morning, I rode my trusty bike to Cutler and Makeup Forever for my wedding hair and makeup trials. I was a little nervous, but I ended up having such a great time and was totally thrilled with how it turned out (especially the sweet little braid). Now I want to get married immediately.

More photos on Smitten...I really hope you like it :) xoxo

Cath Kidston wallpaper

Can you imagine a bedroom covered in this Cath Kidston floral wallpaper? It feels like a British country garden.

(Via Design*Sponge)

Post-It Love

How adorable is this story of an office romance? The girl looks like she could be Amelie's sister.

(P.S. I'm going to my wedding hair and make-up trials this morning, eeks. Wish me luck!)

(Via Le Love)

Bicycle flask

This beautiful bike is not only handmade from rare and vintage parts, it also has a hidden flask. Genius.

(Via Hollister)

A.P.C. Tube Dress

I sometimes look funny in tube dresses because I'm small on top, but this pretty dress looks universally flattering. What's on your summer wish list? xo

Wedding photo booth

How clever is this wedding photo booth? They covered wood with wallpaper, put vintage frames over the cutouts, and hung wedding photos from the bride's and groom's families.

(Photos by Elizabeth Messina; created by Sasha Souza, via Melanie)

Monochromatic

Pretty. I heart her smile and ballet flats.

(Photo by the Sartorialist)

Tote

Love. Bring on the picnics.

(Via Marvelous Kiddo, via Camp Comfort, Via One Hot Child)

Frisbee wedding

Stephen and Katie's Knoxville wedding was heartfelt and lovely. They met while playing ultimate frisbee, so she designed personalized frisbees as their favors. (And what a beautiful dress! Oh, that bow!)

P.S. Psst, I finally chose my wedding dress! (Alex, don't peek)

(Photos by Kate Murphy, via Once Wed)

Avocado toast

Speaking of summer, our go-to snack these days is avocado toast. Simply toast a piece of wheat bread and slice half an avocado on top. (If you want to be super fancy, add lime and crushed red pepper.) Soooo good.

Summer Love

Tonight, I took a bike ride along the Hudson River. The sun was setting, and the boats were rocking on the waves. It was beautiful. Here are two pretty photos to celebrate the season...

How has your summer been so far?

(Photos by Christian Pitschl and Little Birds)

Seahorse tails

Such pretty hair.

Letter to Stephen Alan

Dear Steven Alan, Your ruffle panties are too cute for words. Would you please make swimsuits in this style? Thank you so much. Love, Joanna

Update: Score, this A.P.C. number is so similar.

Another update: YAY! Steven Alan says that he's working on a women's suit for spring.

(Photo from Spur)

The Sartorialist Guide

I live in the West Village, so now and again, I'll pass fashion photographer The Sartorialist on the tree-lined streets. In my jeans and T-shirts, I've never been snapped, but luckily Refinery 29 just wrote a cheeky guide about how to get photographed by him. Oh my goodness, I laughed out loud.

Read it here...

(Photo by the Sartorialist, of course!)

Have a relaxing weekend.

My lovelies, what are you up to this weekend? Alex and I are going to the Met's rooftop exhibit and ignoring stormy forecasts. Hope you have a fun few days. Meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web this week...

Bloomers? I'm kind of into them.

John Krasinski's new digs.

Splish, splash, vintage swimming photos.

Love this look in Berlin.

Have you heard about these mysterious letters?

Pretty packaging. (These will be my hostess gifts this summer.)

A quiet and sweet photographic dictionary.

A French-inspired summer outfit.

Eight great online vintage shops.

Brooklyn concert series at the Guggenheim. Bravo!

This wintery wallpaper is refreshing.

Airplane rings.

Ooh la la, loving this French countryside wedding. (Look at the trees!)

Illustrated spam.

Two short vintage wedding dresses.

Two delicious green pastas: here and here. (Via Design Crush)

Plus, a video: Amandine, a pretty Parisian, and her fiance attached this dreamy video to their wedding invitations. Congratulations!

(Photo by Ziasaurus, via Now Voyager)

Sleepy day

I'm so sleepy today and have been yawning my way through the morning. How are you feeling today? xo

(Photo by Keith Davis Young)

Wednesday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Amy Deaver of Lemon Bird Homemade Jams. Her jams feature seasonal fruits from farmer's markets, and the flavors are amazing--including strawberry with cinnamon, kumquat with dark chocolate, and blood orange. One lucky winner will get three jars in the flavors of her choice. Yum!

For a chance to win, please visit Lemon Bird Jams and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo

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

Heart earrings

How sweet are these vintage brass earrings from Steven Alan? They just made my summer wish list.

The September Issue

I can't wait to see The September Issue, the documentary about Vogue editor Anna Wintour. She's known for being tough as nails and cold as ice. It will be fascinating to learn more about her daily life.

(Via Lola)

Home Inspiration: Books as Art

Designer Michelle Adams has such a bright and pretty apartment. Wouldn't you love to spend an afternoon poking around her bookshelves? Books can be great decor pieces in themselves--especially when the covers face outward (like the fabulous John Currin painting on the book Painting People).

P.S. Remember this?

(Photos by Patrick Cline/Real Living)

Wedding makeup

Next Friday, I'm excited to have my wedding makeup trial at Makeup Forever. After looking through wedding blogs for inspiration, I've narrowed it down to two favorite looks: soft mauve (above) vs. pale skin and red lipstick (below). Do you prefer one over the other? xo
P.S. Do you think you'll cry at your wedding?

(Photos by J. Crew, Jenny Yoo, and Getty Images)

Popping bubbles

Richard Heeks takes photos of soap bubbles. Apparently they don't pop, but instead rip and tear. How violent! But still so beautiful.

(Via Happy Mundane)

Happy Fourth!

Happy fourth of July, my darlings. Have a wonderful weekend.

(Photo via 13Bees)

Have a great Fourth of July!

Have a very happy Fourth of July! What are you up to? Alex and I are visiting my sweet parents in Michigan and eating grilled shrimp on the deck. Yummy. A big kiss to you all, and in the meantime, here are a few great posts from around the web this week...

I'm scared of subways, but maybe swings would make them more fun!

Socks for your chairs.

Fun stationery article in the NYTimes.

LOVE the White House flickr stream. So down to earth.

Pretty polka-dot dress...and a toilet paper wedding dress!

The house that used to be there.

Le sigh. I miss Domino.

Now you can say "I do" at this Brooklyn bank. Gorgeous.

Awesome baby announcements by Mandate Press.

Cool-as-hell wedding.

Picasso plays with light.

Old Hollywood street style makes me swoon.

As a huge beard fan, I love this manly hair font.

Name tags, but way cooler.

A young designer slammed American Airlines for their poor web design, and he did a quick redesign. A seasoned designer at American Airlines wrote back a wonderful letter explaining what happens about big companies. I thought his response was brilliant.

Ballet dancing to Michael Jackson. xo

Feeling Smitten...

My dears, here's a weekly round-up of Smitten, my Glamour Magazine relationships blog...

At your wedding, would you wear your hair up or down? I LOVE this bride's hair...

Do you feel weird sleeping in a bed with a female friend?

On the Bachelorette, which guy should Jillian choose?

The most insane bridezilla ever!

Poll: Have you ever faked an orgasm?

Dating do or don't: Bangs.

Wedding do or don't: Inviting kids to the wedding.

"My most awkward sexual experience...at an airport."

Have you ever been on a really bad first date?

A genius tip for a long-distance relationship.

What was your bedtime when you were growing up? (Mine was insane.)

Which of these three summer dresses would you wear on a date?

Which terms of endearment do you use with your man? Honey? Sweetie? Dude?

What's your middle name?

A sexy sarong.

What's one thing that makes you happy? Dogs? Sandwiches? Dancing?

As always, find much more on Smitten. Thank you! xo

(Photo by Rachel Thurston)

Sarah Parrott

Sarah Parrott makes nice cards, including pretty flowers.

The Lost Tribes of New York City

Urban anthropologists Carolyn and Andy London animated street objects of New York using the voices of New Yorkers they had interviewed. Absolute genius.

(Even if you don't normally watch videos online, you should watch this.)

(Via This Branded Youth)

Wednesday Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Lynn Russell from Satsuma Press. She's offering two prizes: The first winner will receive 100 two-color calling cards. The second winner will receive 100 one-color calling cards. (Aren't the calling cards gorgeous? Wouldn't you just love to hand one out at a party?)

For a chance to win, visit the Satsuma Press calling card page and leave a comment below about your favorite design. Two winners will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo

Update: The first winner is Amy and the second winner is She. BONUS: All readers who left a comment can receive $25 off an order of 100 one-color cards and $40 off an order of 100 two-color cards until September 1st. Email Lynn directly at lynn (at) satsumapress (dot) com. EXTRA BONUS: Enter another Satsuma Press giveaway at Style Me Pretty!

The Ugly Truth

Not sure what's happening to me (I swear I love documentaries!) but I'm suddenly dying to see every romantic comedy this summer. The Ugly Truth, with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, looks hilarious. See the trailer here.

Stella McCartney

I'm loving Stella McCartney's resort 2010 collection. Not only do the clothes have wonderfully quirky shapes, but I love the photo shoot's balloons and bubbles! See more here.

(Via Simple + Pretty)