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-cotton flower brooches. Aren't they gorgeous?

Sarah Stephens - Benetton Campaign

Sarah Stephens, photographed by David Sims and styled by Karl Templer for Benetton's fall campaign, shot at Industria Studios in NYC.


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)

Introducing New Next Girls...

Alexa Chung (Next London)

As a model and music/fashion presenter, Alexa fronted "Popworld" for a year and a half, followed by "T4", "Frock Me", "The Wall", and "Freshly Squeezed". Alexa has recently moved to New York to present her own MTV show, "Its On With Alexa Chung," which is aired daily.

She is currently on the cover of British Harpers Bazaar, and has shot for American Vogue and British Vogue.


Alice Dellal (Next London, Next Paris, Next Milan)

Alice has modeled for Burberry, British Vogue, Dazed & Confused, and Agent Provocateur. She appeared on Vivienne Westwood’s Autumn/Winter 2009 catwalk. She has recently appeared on the cover of i-D magazine's "Most Iconic British Models" issue with Solve Sundsbo.


Clara Paget (Next Worldwide)

Clara has shot for Dazed & Confused and British Vogue. Clara is currently filming a lead role in an upcoming British movie.


Daisy Lowe (Next London, Next Paris)

Daisy's campaigns include Pringle of Scotland by Steven Meisel and Marc by Marc Jacobs by Juergen Teller. She has appeared in Italian Vogue and W, both shot by Steven Meisel, as well as the cover of i-D magazine's "Most Iconic British Models" issue shot by Solve Sundsbo. She will appear in the Autumn/Winter 2009 campaign for Anna Sui.


Imogen Poots (Next London)

Imogen's first movie was "V for Vendetta". She was subsequently picked for the starring role in "28 Weeks Later," playing Robert Carlisle's daughter, Tammy. She has appeared in "Cracks" starring alongside Eva Green and her biggest movie to date, "Solitary Man," where she stars opposite Michael Douglas, will be released later this year.


Lola Lennox (Next Worldwide)

Lola has shot for Vanity Fair and Jalouse magazine.


Pixie Geldof (Next Worldwide)

Pixie has appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue and in the Pringle of Scotland campaign shot by Steven Meisel. She has worked with Arena Homme Plus, Dazed & Confused, Self Service, and Love Magazine with Mert and Marcus. Pixie has recently shot for British Vogue with Alisdair McLellan and is the face of Giles Deacon’s new collection.


Polly Brown (Next Worldwide)

Polly Brown has shot the Religion campaign and has walked for Charles Anastase, Horace, and PPQ in London.


Portia Freeman (Next London, Next Milan)

Portia has shot for British Vogue with Mario Testino, Chanel, Dolce & Gabanna and walked exclusively for Louis Vuitton in Paris. Portia has recently appeared in W and Italian Vogue, both photographed by world-renowned photographer Steven Meisel. She has also appeared in campaigns for Alexander McQueen and Alberta Ferretti.


Tali Lennox (Next Worldwide)

Tali
Lennox has recently been photographed for British Vogue and French Connection. Tali has shot for Vanity Fair and is due to appear in NEO2 for a "Model of the Moment" fashion story.

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)