Happy New Year! Are you excited for 2012? I hope you have a wonderful year ahead of you, full of love, happiness and surprises. Let's take a quick look back over the past year, if you'd like...
Along with Jamie and Caroline, we did a series of 8 hair tutorials, and we'd love to do more this year! (Any requests?)
I launched the Motherhood Mondays series, where we've talked openly and honestly about everything about babies and new parenthood, from having a boy and how to talk to little girls to going outside all winter, a complete baby registry guide and kissing babies on the mouth (I have LOVED discussing all things baby with you; it has been so encouraging, eye-opening and amazing. Thank you for that)...
As part of Motherhood Mondays, I featured a weeklong series about work/life/baby balance -- a topic near and dear to my heart! -- from which I learned so much. (You are all such amazing women!!) We also shared dads' points of view, like 8 confessions of a new father, kissing your husband, and dads' birth stories.

After ten years living in Manhattan, I was thrilled to share my Guide to New York City, with my favorite places to eat, stay, shop and play, as well as how to flag a cab and how NOT to look like a tourist.
We talked about food, including the best chocolate chip cookie recipe, avocado popsicles and how to serve a perfect cheese plate...
...and how to drink wine correctly...
We started Relationship Thursdays, and discussed things like finding your soulmate, guys with beards, seeing movies alone, worrying too much, how to introduce people, first discovering sex and what guys think about while kissing...
...and, of course, weddings, like 10 unforgettable moments, genius proposals, simple rings and getting hitched at City Hall...
We chatted about fashion, like fall trends, tattoo girls and sunglasses...
Home decor, like ivy houses, throw blankets and our friends' rad apartment...
Beauty, like the magic of blush, nail polish and perfume...
Travel, like a gorgeous rental house, a Dutch subway slide, Breathless and our own vacations (during which we learned how to travel with a noisy baby)...
Personal posts, like birthday cheese, Toby's first steps and our date nights (including our very first date)...
Plus, I loved doing design round-ups, including 8 backpacks, 6 wedding rings, 5 books, 10 movies and how to buy houseplants...
...and Do or Don't posts, including surprise parties, false eyelashes and embracing pale skin (it was fun to hear your thoughts!)...


We ended the year with the 2011 holiday gift guides for men, women and little dudes......and, as always, had a bunch of just-for-fun posts, like funny comics, a trick for helping houseguests relax, winter blues and an idea for an Articles Club (starting this month!).
This year has been a wonderful gift, and I'm so thrilled to have such amazing women (plus a few guys!) reading the blog. You inspire me with your smart, funny and often profound comments everyday, and I can't express how grateful I am to have you here. Very much looking forward to exciting adventures in 2012. A kiss for all of you!
P.S. One year ago.



Happy New Year Jo and thanks for brightening up each day xx
ReplyDeletedid you take that first photograph? wow! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteReading your blog is like a breath of fresh air each and everytime . It's sweet ,simple and inspiring . Wish you and your celebrity family ( I m sure u d get recognised anywhere if not mobbed yet) a very happy exciting adventurous new year . Almost daily reader Mansi
ReplyDeletehappy new year! i love the photo of toby sitting on his changing pad. :)
ReplyDeleteMy sister introduced me to your blog this year, and I can't get enough! I've become addicted to blog reading, and have even started one of my own:) Thanks for the fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this! I just found your blog and now I have an easy way to catch up on some great posts!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
It has been so fun to read your blog this year! It gives me something to look forward to everyday no matter how the rest of life is going. I particularly loved the hair series and wear my hair in the French bun all the time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice wrap-up of your 2011 year of blogging! Your blog is great.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012!
How about some short hair tutorials!?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Love this and love your blog!
ReplyDeleteOne hair tutorial suggestion: maybe some for the short-but-growing out? I love the braids and long-hair ideas, but I'm not quite there yet and I'm always looking for inspiration for creative short-to-medium hair.
Happy new year to you and yours!
great wrap up! I am grateful for having YOU! I love my everyday Cup of Jo... Have the best 2012!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012! Thank you for enlightening the masses with your wit, charm and overall dose of daily wonderfulness!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun year I've had reading your blog! I went back and bookmarked many, many posts. Cheers to 2012 and wishing you all a prosperous year! I'm looking forward to continuing to read.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Joanna. I am psyched for 2012!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR to you Joanna!
ReplyDeleteKeep on inspiring us with your posts.
What a fabulous year you've had. Here's to many more and your lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteChristina
http://becauseofmadalene.blogspot.com/
Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteHow about a version of that first stunning photo I can use on my desktop (if that's available - so inspiring!!)
THANKS and Happy 2012!
Happy New Year :D
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! It's been wonderful following your blog through 2011!
ReplyDeleteI would second Danny's request for some tutorials for short hair. Thank you! xo.
Happy New Year Joanna! Your blog is the first I read everyday. Thanks for being tireless in posting interesting and inspiring posts - you are great! I wish you, Alex and Toby a wonderful 2012 xxx
ReplyDeleteAs I planned my nyc-trip for march last month I really loved your city guide series!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to explore the Grand Central mystery, High Line, lots of good food and so much more!
Thank you so much!!!
Best 2012 wishes from germany
happy new year Jo! great post, nice to sum up the whole year in one post. i love your blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://missmollyfashions.blogspot.com/
I love your family photos!
ReplyDeletewww.therecordologist.blogspot.com
Thank you Joanna! Happy New Year to you too!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012, Joanna! So excited for the articles club!!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!
ReplyDeletehAPPY nEW yEAR!
Happy New Year lovely lady! It's a daily pleasure to read your blog and I love the fact that you stay true to yourself despite your (massive!) growing popularity in the blogosphere. I don't know how you do it, but your blog seems to get better and better each year. You certainly are an inspiration for at lot of us. Meilleurs voeux pour 2012 from a fellow mama x
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog! You bring many inspiring ideas to your readers each week. One request for hair tutorials; can you include a few tutorials for women with shoulder length or shorter hair?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year everyone!
ReplyDeleteAnother request for shorter-hair tutorials please...mines just above my shoulders and doesn't work with any of the hairstyles you have posted. Thanks! xoxo
What a lovely year with A Cup Of Jo! Thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to your blog everyday and it will definitely be a part of my 2012. Keep up the wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteTurquoise & Lime
A Cup of Jo is one of my favourite reads every day! I'm really looking forward to the Articles Club... and all of the other genius things you're sure to post this year!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year, Jo! I haven't been following your blog for long but now that I've started I'm looking forward to following you well into 2012. You have some of my favorite articles and I think I'm definitely going to need to jump back into some of those old posts because they sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteJoanna,
ReplyDeleteI adore your blog to pieces, and the lovely advice you share about everything. I've always been curious (as I often am about New York mothers trying to balance it all) about your weekday go-to recipes. You've provided such wonderful tips on hosting and local restaurants; I've wondered about your strategies for eating "well" everyday.
Cheers,
Ashley
Happy New Year Joanna! Such a fan of the Motherhood Mondays posts! :)
ReplyDeleteJoanna! I stumbled upon your blog after a friend recommended your site to me as a daily read...and i just have to say that you inspired me to start a blog of my own! :) yay! Happy New Year! P.S. I love your first photo!!
ReplyDeleteI have loved checking in with you over the past year and I have just posted a link to you on my own site to spread the Cup of Jo word! Have a wonderful 2012.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanna, for creating and maintaining such a fabulous blog! I live abroad in Berlin and reading your posts provides me with a much-needed (especially when homesick) bit of New York :)
ReplyDeleteWarmest wishes for 2012!
Here's to love and happiness in 2012!!
ReplyDeleteA very happy new year to you Joanna- I look forward to see what you will be sharing with all of us into 2012! Your blog continues to be inspiring and entertaining all in one- keep up the fab work!
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne,
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog for years and I have come out of lurkdom to say thank you for your sincerity, optimism, and honesty. Reading your blog has brought me great sunshine and smiles while things were not so hot. Thank you and Happy New Year to you and your family. May all your dreams come true! and yes! more fabulous chic hair tutorials! Perhaps for gals with shoulder length hair? Or perhaps using accessories like flowers and gems for spring and soirees?
i started reading this blog in 2011 and am looking forward to reading more in 2012! thanks for always having something lovely to share (and being kind enough to share it). happy new year!
ReplyDeleteLOVE reading your blog each day. So great to read things on such great topics! I would love to see more tutorials on shoulder-length (or just above) hair...maybe how to do the cute curls, without looking like Shirley Temple! Thanks for the great thoughts on motherhood, work-mom balance and everything in between. Happy 2012!
ReplyDeletei started reading this blog in 2011 and am looking forward to reading more in 2012! thanks for always having something lovely to share (and being kind enough to share it). happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI discovered your blog in the last year and now read it every day and recommend it to friends all the time. You have an fun and natural way of presenting the best of what the internet has to offer and I love that the posts are generally fairly short and to the point. Your blog is kind of like those amazing second hand stores that weeds through all the junk that people donate and manages to find all sorts of interesting gems. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAs for hair tutorial suggestions, I'd love some short hair options! Maybe tutorials on how to secure flowers to very short hair or fun ways to make short hair feel dressier?
So glad I found your blog in 2011! Love the recap - makes me realize {again} why I love this blog!!
ReplyDeleteAs a new mama to be I am now reading though all your motherhood mondays posts with fresh eyes!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012 lady!
ReplyDeleteThanks for everything. Your blog is such an inspiration + joy to read.
ReplyDelete-Amanda
Happy New Year Joanna!
ReplyDeleteTo continue the topic of weddings which I LOVE, I want to share with you an amazing wedding site. Knot News is perfect for the newly engaged who are looking for inspiration. Amazing blogs, photos and ideas!
www.news.knotist.com
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful year to come and that it is full of joy!
ReplyDeletewww.balladsandbows.com
Love your blog Jo :) I read it weekly!!
ReplyDeletePlease follow me, xo
Happy New Year!!
Love your blog. You've definitely had a wonderful year. Best wishes for a lovely 2012!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Ellie
belovedlifeofmine.blogspot.com
wauw what a wonderful year it was , thank you for all the inspiration and a very happy new year to you and zhe family ;)
ReplyDeletedesiree
such a lovely year through your eyes! wishing you a fantastic 2012.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! I loved looking back at all these photos :)
ReplyDeletexx
www.queenoffunkydiy.blogspot.com
happy new yr! :)
ReplyDeleteWhoa!! Now THAT's a list of accomplishments to be proud of. :)
ReplyDelete...All the reasons I ready your blog! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletewww.thestorkandthebeanstalk.com
PS. I'd love if you did a series on different styles for short, shoulder length hair. I love all the ones you posted already... just makes me wish I had longer hair to do such fun things with... but my hair is too thin to grow out :(
ReplyDeletewww.thestorkandthebeanstalk.com
Happy New Year! I would love some tutorials for short hair - i adore your 8 hair tutorials, but I can't do any of them because my hair is too short!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jo,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog- it's well written and interesting, feels like chatting to a friend...
How about doing some short hair styles for 2012 hair styles? Short hair is really chic, but sometimes, I feel like I'm wearing my hair the same old way too much...
Here's to a great year!
Girl, you had quite a year! Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Here's wishing you peace and happiness in 2012!
ReplyDeletegemmifer-jennifer.blogspot.com
a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteand that photo of Toby's tuches kills me! so cute!
Happy New Year! For the hair tutorials: I would love to know how to make one of those upside down french twists (that end in a little ponytail), and also anything with braids.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you too. Totally stoked for 2012. And so happy about "Motherhood Monday." Love reading what other moms are doing.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thegirlieblog.com
Happy happy happy 2012, Jo! I hope it's a wonderful one for you and your lovely family. Thank you so much for your amazing blog, it inspires me every weekday I read it!
ReplyDeletei stopped reading this post at the cheese plate. must make a cheese plate.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsystalkers.com/
What a wonderful year it was! Your blog is a comforting read for so many, including myself, and I love the vast spectrum of topics you cover- thank you for all the motivation and inspiration! Here's to 2012!!
ReplyDeletewww.bluebonnetsforsal.com
I love your blog. Every Friday (at work - yikes) I look forward to your weekly wrap-up of fun things on the internet. If you were serious about suggestions for hair tutorials, I love all eight you have done so far, but I have the dreaded medium length hair. It isn't short, but it also isn't long enough to pull off these beautiful hair dos that you've done so far. Except the messy side pony, which I wear to work at least 3 days a week. Happy 2012!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Toby already has a celebrity doppelganger. I think he looks very similar to Miranda Kerr and Orland Bloom's baby.
Thank you for your gift guides this year -- I used a couple of ideas and the gifts were so well received! Thank you thank you!
ReplyDeletewhat a fab wrap up! lOVE your blog, it's my favourite! happy new year!!! xx
ReplyDeleteThis year you (and your beautiful blog) gave me one of the best gifts I could ever imagine. You gave me a voice I never knew I had. And, I will forever be grateful. Thank you. happy new year! x
ReplyDeleteHow about some hair tutorials for shorter hair?? I have a bob and it can get boring wearing it the same way everyday!
ReplyDeleteCheers to a great year ahead, Joanna. I have been loving your blog for years now. It's structured like a lifestyle magazine, only more personal and friendly! I look forward to more beautiful and inspiring posts from you :)
ReplyDeleteThis article is a very valuable guide around NYC. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletewhat a great selection of pictures! my favourite is the one of naked Toby sit down with the light in the background, so sweet an nice :-)
ReplyDeletehappy 2012 to the three of you and big, big hugs!!!
Love, Ylenia | Longuette
I read always your blog,
ReplyDeleteyou wrote great posts full of love,emotions and sincerity.
I hope you have a wonderful year!!!
Thanks for all,
Ciao Melania.
I'm getting married this year, so you can imagine I'm REALLY EXCITED ABOUT 2012!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! Thank you and Happy 2012!
Ana
PS: Posts about weeding details such as guests' presents or funny ideas to decorate would be appreciated! :)
And i never missed one single post of it! Great job! Have a happy new year and keep us updatet! Lots of Kisses,
ReplyDeleteNadine
http://lifethroughthatlens.blogspot.com/
And we're very grateful to you Joanna for writing the blog, an all around joy to read. xxx
ReplyDeletehappy new year joanna! i look forward to following you during 2012! <3
ReplyDeleteYey for the articles club. Can't wait to start! Happy New Year and best wishes for 2012.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read some more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful blog! As a new mom I look forward to motherhood mondays and relationship thursdays! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year :)
ReplyDeletewww.pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com
Happy New Year to you and your family! I cannot tell you how much I love following your blog and everything that's going on with you and Toby. Thanks for writing with so much sincerity. It feels like we are old friends! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! :)
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog. I check it everysingleday and can't wait for new posts...
Hair tutorial - I like Catherine's idea of including medium length and shorter hair. My hair is growing out after a cut for locks-of-love and it is about shoulder length now. I would love some creative ideas on how to style it!
Best,
Jen
http://makesomerumi.blogspot.com/
Thank you for providing us with all the good reads :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you Jo! I can't wait to see what your blog brings this year. I make it part of my day to dip in and have a read - it's so very inspirational.
ReplyDeleteI started writing my blog www.buttercupdaysuk.blogspot.com in February last year and my ambition is to have just a fraction of the brilliance that your blog has ... I'm still working on it! You gave me some feedback on a post I wrote on Mother's Day. It was so lovely and did a lot to make me carry my blog forward. Thank you. x
Whispering in Grand Central by the Oyster Bar!
ReplyDeletewww.femmeetfleur.blogspot.com
Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to share all of this with you. Happy New Year Joanna!
ReplyDeleteThis post reminded me how much I love and enjoy your blog, though I am reminded every day.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Joanna and family! I'm looking forward to another year with you all.
Really random question, but looking through the hair tutorials again... do you know what eyeshadow Caroline uses? It's a sort of matt goldy peachy colour and I love it! I wear my make-up very like her but am still searching for my perfect eyeshadow. Everything loks too glittery on my!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Joanna! Thank you for producing such an inspiring blog! It's something I look forward to reading every day. :)
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness, thank you for all these lovely comments! and YES to short hair tutorials! good idea, coming up :) also to quick dinner recipes and all the other fun things you have suggested. thank you!!!!!
ReplyDeletecongratulations to those newly engaged readers and those expecting little ones! exciting!
ReplyDeleteanna, i asked caroline, and she said....
ReplyDelete"I actually wearing any eyeshadow for the tutorials. It's just my tinted moisturizer which was by Laura mercier. I have some peachy undertones to my skin, and I don't wear face powder on my eyelids, which allows the tinted moisturizer to stay a creamy texture. hope that helps!!"
xoxo
we ought to thank YOU for such amazing posts. As a newly mum, I felt most blessed to take part in the excelent debates you promoted in your blog. It made me think about a lot of funny/important/amazing things!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great 2012!!!
I'll be here, reading from Lisbon (Portugal)ilitesem
And please... keep posting/sharing Toby's development... He is such a sweet little boy.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDelete3rd photo down, not necessary respect for the child is
Gorgeous blog Joanna. Love seeing what catches your eye.. and all the goodies for the little man in your life.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to request a hair tutorial for women with shorter hair. I am (and have been trying to for years) growing out my hair. Its now just above my shoulders. Would love to see what you come up with for some fun 'dos. :)
Happy 2012.. Looking forward to your daily inspiration.
xxx sabrina
Would love to see a short hair (chin length) tutorial. Not enough of them out there!
ReplyDeleteA great post.. the pics are wonderful!
ReplyDeletei'm so glad i found your blog, it's an inspiration, Thank yoU!!! can't wait for another fantastic year.
ReplyDeleteI have a request for a hair tutorial!!! But how can I describe it? It's kind of an old fashioned look for long hair-- middle part-- and sort of flipped up at the base of the neck, but following the curve of the head... so if you looked at it from above, it would look sort of like you had a croissant at the nape of your neck, with the tips pointing up to your ears!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I'm sure you have no idea what the heck I'm trying to describe... boo hoo.
The look is sometimes combined with a circlet around the head that comes down on the forehead.
God, I saw a girl wearing this style at Crumbs bakery last week, why didn't I take a pic? It's such a timeless look and it's crying out for a hair tutorial! Ah well...
Sorry to be so hyper, but this has been driving me mad! :)
Just wanted to say that I recently got into following your blog (like just over this holiday season recent) and I love everything that you do with it! Especially seeing this recap- I hope you know not to change any of the great things you post. Hope you have a wonderful and happy new year!!
ReplyDeletehappy new year my lovex
ReplyDeleteI love love love the hair tutorials! I revisit them all the time. Happy New Year x
ReplyDeletei just discovered your blog a few months ago so this post helped me find some earlier ones that i loved! thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Love all of your posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great 2011, Joanna! I discovered your blog during my Christmas break last year, and you've established yourself as one of my favourite daily reads! Here's to a great 2012!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Joanna! Thanks for this roundup. You mentioned some of my favourite posts which I'm going to go back and re-read!
ReplyDeleteMaria xx
www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing, may 2012 bring you joy!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to following along in the new year as your blog is full of inspiration and its a blog that actually makes me feel good about life and myself.
ReplyDelete-Heidi
so stoked for the articles club! xo
ReplyDeletehttp://ajalake.blogspot.com/
I thoroughly enjoyed this re-cap of the articles. It's pretty funny that I remember where I was reading each one, too.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I CANNOT WAIT for Articles Club. :)
Really enjoy your blog and the photos! I would love to echo the suggestions for short-medium/shoulder-lenght hair suggestions, especially "messy hair" looks. I just moved to Paris, and my hair feels too "neat" next to all the stylish Parisiennes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspirations and I'm looking forward to your 2012 posts!
Happy New Year!
SHORT HAIR TUTES! THX :)
ReplyDeleteMy articles club is starting this month! I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteWow! Quite a list!! I'm a new reader so this is very inspiring to take a look back and see what you've discussed over the past year!
ReplyDeletePlease tell me where i can Find that perfect red and blue striped shirt? love your blog
ReplyDeletePlease do some tutorials for super curly/thick hair-do's. I'm at a loss with what I can do with mine haha!
ReplyDeleteWOW ! Well written post! I remembered my old days while reading your post. The photographs are so beautiful. You are looking gorgeous in every outfit.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you! May you and your family have the best new year celebration this year. And I agree with them, the photos are simply gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteCheers
New year Messages
Happy new year too all my dear blogger friends... this blog is such a amazing and funny great work you are doing...
ReplyDeleteSending and wishing new year wishes messages
Happy new year to all! Sending my warm and sincere new year wishes to all of you, readers and bloggers. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteAwww such a nice post. very cute and beautiful photos! Here's my warm new year greetings wishes for you and your family. Happy holiday!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cute post.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos used.
Happy New Year!
new year wishes sms