Trusty rain boots

For the past few days, everyone in Manhattan has been walking around in rain boots. My trusty pair, above, are these Loeffler Randall booties. The great thing about Loeffler Randall boots is that they look like cool shoes, not clunky rainboots, so you can wear them to work or dinner. And they're small enough to take on trips. I'd highly recommend them. xoxo
P.S. These tall boots are also super cute.

Smitten Kitchen cookbook

Smitten Kitchen, the warm and wonderful food blog, just came out with a cookbook! Deb Perelman cooks fearlessly in her tiny kitchen in New York City and creates delicious and approachable recipes. (She's a firm believer that "there are no bad cooks, just bad recipes.") The book has 105 recipes (almost all are brand new), funny personal stories and a lay-flat binding so the cookbook will stay open on your kitchen counter.

Bravo, Deb! Cannot wait to get my hands on it. I have a feeling that it'll be one of those beloved cookbooks we'll not only use in the kitchen but also read in bed before falling asleep:)

P.S. Her lazy egg sandwich...

(Photos by Smitten Kitchen)

The Best Pumpkin Crème Brûlée You'll Ever Have

Happy Halloween! I have a treat for you today. Have you ever made creme brûlée? My mom recently had the great idea to serve the rich custard at dinner parties and then pass around a little torch so everyone can burn the hard caramel on top of their dish. It's a spectacle! Both grown-ups and kids adore it. Well, lucky for us, Karen Mordechai of Sunday Suppers has agreed to share her pumpkin-flavored recipe...
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Four-strand braid

On a much lighter note, I'm excited to share another hair tutorial today...
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Downtown Manhattan

Last night, after the power went out, this was the view from our window in downtown Manhattan. Eerie! You can barely see the buildings against the sky. The other odd thing is that our neighborhood was silent. Normally our street is very busy, and we can always hear cars driving by, honking, people chatting—all the normal sounds of a big city. But last night, it felt like we were sleeping in the middle of the woods; totally silent. How are you guys doing today? Sending our thoughts to you and your loved ones. xoxo

Monday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from SoYoung, a small company (owned by a mom) that makes amazing diaper bags and kids backpacks. (How cute are their lunch boxes?) Today they're letting TWO lucky winners each choose a favorite toddler backpack or kid backpack, which feature the sweetest illustrations, including robots, giraffes and scooters.

On a personal note: When Toby was nervous to start summer school, his own fun backpack actually got him excited to head out the door; and now he takes it to friends' houses and on trips, as well.

For a chance to win, please visit SoYoung and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Our two winners have been emailed. Thanks for playing.

Motherhood Mondays: 20 surprising parenting tips

Hope everyone is staying safe and dry! Over the past few years, I've heard some amazing (and surprising) parenting tips from friends that I've found really valuable, so I'd love to share them here (and hear yours!)...
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Have a great weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? Alex's birthday is TODAY (whoot whoot!), so Toby and I took him out to a yummy breakfast, and late tonight we're driving to Maryland to visit our cousins. We're all crashing at their house, so I see some sleeping bags in our future! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few great links from around the web...

A song for your weekend.

Art-inspired wedding cakes.

What a gorgeous nursery!!!

Sneak peek at Mad Men.

Survival dinner.

Holiday glitter.

Famous NYC apartments.

Are you smart enough for gifted kindergarten?

Beautiful print for charity.

No more snacking in Rome!

What pretty blue glasses.

How to blow up photos.

LOVE these children's clothes.

And I had an idea: If you'd like, post your photos of eating something new to my Facebook page and I'll feature a bunch on the blog next week. Would be fun to see everyone in action! Thank you so much, and have a great weekend! xoxo

Pumpkin carving

Toby goes to his friend's house every Monday, and recently they carved pumpkins. They scooped out the seeds and guts and helped hold the knife very carefully while the pumpkin was carved. But then suddenly Toby realized it looked like a face and shook his head and said, "Wee-odd" (=weird). Oh, Toby, I love you, you little nut!

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: Memorize a poem (how'd you do?)

Last week, I suggested memorizing a poem, and you guys were so into it! I was thrilled. How did you do? Here's my recap....
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The Loneliest Planet

The Loneliest Planet is a new movie featuring an engaged couple—played by Gael Garcia Bernal and Hani Furstenberg—backpacking through Georgia's Caucasus Mountains. The synopsis: "The couple hires a local guide...Walking for hours, they trade anecdotes, play games to pass the time of moving through space. And then, a momentary misstep, a gesture that takes only two or three seconds, a gesture that’s over almost as soon as it begins...Once it is done, it threatens to undo everything the couple believed about each other and about themselves."

Fascinating, right? Will you see it? It's the first movie I've been really excited about for ages; it opens tomorrow and will be on demand on October 30th.

(Via MUG)

Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Terrain, the beautiful home and garden lifestyle shop based in Pennsylvania. Their store is all about simple pleasures, from decorating to cooking to gardening—plus, they have a fabulous holiday collection. They're an amazing source for gifts and entertaining. Today, Terrain is offering one lucky reader a whopping $250 gift certificate. What would you pick? (I'd go for this chalkboard map!)

For a chance to win, please visit Terrain and leave a comment telling us your favorite things from the store. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Sandy Y. is our lucky winner.

Bonus for all readers: Get 15% off and free shipping with the code CUPOFJO through October 31st.

Fall trend: Animal sweaters

I keep spotting pretty women around New York with animals peeking out from underneath their jackets—sheep, foxes, more foxes, owls, birds.. My favorite is this adorable dog sweater, which would be great to wear on fall days with jeans and moccasins.

Thoughts? Would you wear an animal sweater?

P.S. 5 other fall trends.

The Best (Buttermilk) Birthday Cake You'll Ever Have

What do you like to eat on your birthday? When we were little, my sister and I always begged for pumpkin pie (of all things) for our January birthday. But as an adult, I see the beauty of a classic cake with tall candles. Well, Nicole from Making It Lovely has agreed to share her recipe for the gooiest, richest buttermilk birthday cake...
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Cat Bounce

If you're feeling stressed, Cat Bounce is a good place to go. Seriously, try it out!

(Via Swiss)

10 favorite wallpapers

Our Brooklyn apartment hunt is slowing down (since apparently most people don't list their apartments before the holidays), but I've still been daydreaming about decorating! Wouldn't it be lovely to wallpaper just one wall in a bedroom or living room? Here are ten beautiful ones...

1. Paris. 2. Forest3. Blue feathers4. London gents5. Grey waves6. Sailboats7. Bookcase8. Owls9. Morning in Manhattan10. Animals

Aren't these pretty? Which do you like best?

P.S. Remember Hudson's tiny nursery?

(Top photo features wallpaper by Josef Frank from Lisa Grue's home. Graphic design elements by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

Husband moment

Alex just asked me—totally seriously—if he would "jinx" the game if he put on his SF Giants baseball hat.

#sportsmakepeopleweird

Motherhood Mondays: Paying for your parents

My Thai friend Joy, who lives in L.A., recently told me that in many Asian cultures, it's typical to honor your parents by giving them money and buying them nice gifts (even a car!) once you start working yourself. "Many of our American friends are shocked by this," says Joy, "but lots of my first-generation Asian friends continue the tradition." Here, I asked her about it...
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Personalized memory game

Pinhole Press, my friends' company which makes beautiful photo gifts, just came out with a personalized memory game! It's really easy to make: You just choose 12 favorite photos (of friends, family, pets, vacations, whatever you'd like), and Pinhole puts them on thick cards with graphic backgrounds. I'm looking forward to playing it with our family over the holidays. Wouldn't it make a wonderful gift?

(Photos above by Alpha Smoot, styling by Kendra Smoot. Pinhole Press is one of my beloved long-term sponsors)

Have a wonderful weekend.

What are your plans for this fall weekend? Our friend Rob recently directed a movie (a movie!), and we're going to see the rough cut tonight! We're supposed to give constructive feedback, although I'm sure we'll love it. Also, on the suggestion of a reader, I've been reading this funny, heartwarming memoir, and I'd highly recommend it, if you're looking for a new book. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

A moment of calm.

Unfinished portraits.

Hilarious opinions on the first lady debate (which never actually happened).

Perks of fall.

Goodnight kisses.

Twinkle curtain.

Oh, Mick, what a doll you are.

Holy chocolate pots!

As a woman in my thirties, I have to stop saying dude.

17 things Tina Fey and Amy Poehler should be in charge of.

Liz Lemon in a box.

The balance of being a mama.

Larry David (inadvertently) saves the day.

What an incredible website design.

Take photos WITH your kids.

Human communication.

And another amazing friends & family sale: Loeffler Randall is giving 20% off their gorgeous boots and shoes with the code LRFRIEND20, until Sunday night. Have a good one! xoxo

Pretty cardholder

This beautiful leather cardholder caught my eye this morning. Would be perfect for those times when you don't want to lug your whole bag with you; just pick a couple cards and you're good to go. (I also like how they describe it as "supremely cushy.")

A dating tip from Joan Rivers

Picture this: You're on a date with someone you really like, but...
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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)

Fall Challenge #1: No TV for a week (how'd you do?)

Last Thursday, I wrote about doing weekly fall challenges (think: write a handwritten letter, go see a movie alone) and was psyched that you guys were up for it. So, the first challenge was to NOT watch TV for one week. How did you do? Here's our recap...
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Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is a big one! NYC-based designer Alexis Russell makes handcrafted jewelry that feels raw yet elegant. (Aren't her rings beautiful?) Today she's giving one reader this gorgeous pavé diamond bracelet on a leather cord ($315). Wouldn't you love to slip it on your wrist and wear it all winter?

For a chance to win, please visit Alexis Russell's shop and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Miranda F. is our winner. Thanks for playing.

Funny app

You know when you have to pee at a movie theater, but you don't want to miss the movie? Well, RunPee tells you when to run to the bathroom without missing anything major and tells you what's happening in the movie while you're away.

My inner twelve-year-old boy can't stop laughing.

P.S. Do you pee in front of your significant other?

(Thanks, Dad!)

What are you going to be for Halloween?

This "school photo" Halloween costume made me laugh out loud. Her awkward smile is perfect. What's your plan for next week?

P.S. More genius Halloween costumes...

(Photo by Jessica Hische)

The Best Crème Caramel You'll Ever Have

Have you guys ever had crème caramel? The chilled custard flan (in a pool of caramel!) is a delicious French dessert, which my mom used to make every time we had guests. "When we moved to France, I took cooking lessons at a French woman's apartment, and she showed us how to make it," my mom told me. The recipe for crème caramel may look tricky but "it's really cool to know how," she says. "Once you master the caramel, it's not hard." Well, lucky for us, the gorgeous blogger Mimi Thorisson, who lives the French countryside with her husband, kids and fourteen dogs (!), agreed to share her all-time go-to recipe...
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Hitchcock movie

Have you guys seen the amazing trailer for Hitchcock? Hitting theaters on November 23rd, the movie tells the love story between Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville during the 1959 filming of Psycho. Anthony Hopkins (above, left) looks just like him! He really transformed himself. Will you see it?
P.S. Hitchcock stamps.

Motherhood Mondays: Dinner table manners

Did you have dinner-table rules growing up? My parents had one super strict rule...
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Toby takes ballet

We signed Toby up for a trial ballet class, and I was surprised (and secretly thrilled) by how much he loved it. His tippy toes and round belly were almost too much for this mama to handle. :)

P.S. Toby's first bike ride.