Wise words

"Nine times out of ten, you probably aren’t having a full-on nervous breakdown—you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit."

— British writer Caitlin Moran in her hilarious, wonderful letter to her daughter

(Photo of me from a while back)

The Best Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

The first officially day of fall is September 22nd—less than three weeks away. Aren't you looking forward to cable-knit sweaters and orange leaves and cold noses? To ring in the season, Brenda of A Farmgirl's Dabbles is sharing her recipe for the best lemon poppy seed bread, all warm from the oven...Read More >

11 untranslatable words from other countries

Ella Frances Sanders illustrated untranslatable words from other languages, and they're so lovely...
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Home Inspiration: Big plants

How striking are these huge plants? They're like gorgeous green sculptures in each room. I've never met a plant I couldn't kill within a few days, but I'd love to try to grow one of these guys! The plant in the middle photo, above, is a fiddle leaf fig tree, and you can find similar ones at Home Depot. More photos below...
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Have a delicious weekend.

What are your plans for this weekend? My mom has been here for almost three weeks, and she's leaving this Sunday. We're so sad for her to go back to Michigan! I wish we lived closer. Anyway, hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

Am I too old to read this book?

Tomato sandwiches.

26 ingenious ideas for your home.

Commission your own painting.

What a cool apartment.

21 reasons to love IKEA.

The six years when parents are happiest.

The power of doing something meaningless.

A new airline class for the child-intolerant.

Wow, Europe and Russia aren't kidding around.

What a beautiful locket.

This woman lives in a garden.

A game about real life.

Haha, these are so weird!!!

Let kids help.

(Photo by Alexandra's Kitchen. American Dreamers link via Swissmiss)

Our fourth anniversary

Today is our fourth anniversary! Last night, Alex and I reminisced by looking through photos from when we were first dating...
This was the weekend he met my dad. How cute is he without a beard? (Although I'll never let him shave.)
Alex's old Brooklyn apartment had dark red walls in the living room, which I remember thinking was so cool and masculine when I went over there for the first time. We had a Friday night ritual of listening to music, watching movies and eating too much cheese.
Here we were at our friend's dinner party, looking out at the Manhattan skyline. How amazing was the view from their apartment?!
On our first trip together—to Berlin for ten days. I was so nervous that we'd run out of things to talk about! (We didn't.)
Visiting my grandmother in Cornwall...
...and on a walk with my family. (My grandparents' town is so small that if you send them a letter, you have to write "Polruan-by-Fowey" on the envelope so the mail carrier can figure out how to find it.)
Alex proposed on a sailboat in the Hudson River. The boat kept tilting from side to side, so I had to stick my hand into his backpack so he could put the ring on safely!
Saying our vows four years ago. Best decision I ever made.

Tonight we're sneaking away from the babies and going out to a neighborhood Italian restaurant, Gradisca, where the owner flies his mama in from Bologna to make pasta! And of course we'll meet there:)

Happy Anniversary, Alex! I love you.

What to say when there's an awkward silence

Fill the Silence is a tumblr of fun facts that you can bust out when you find yourself in the middle of an awkward conversational pause. Thumbs up.

P.S. Another dorky fun fact.

(Via Messy Nessy Chic)

United States cutting boards

AHeirloom, the Brooklyn-based etsy shop, makes fantastic United-States-shaped cutting boards. They have the whole country, individual states and other countries. Which would you choose? I'd go for England or Michigan...
They also have new monogrammed cutting boards and muddlers, which would make sweet wedding gifts, don't you think?

Today they're giving one reader a $150 gift certificate. For a chance to win, please visit AHeirloom and leave a comment below with your favorite item. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

Bonus for all readers: Get 10% off with the coupon code CUPOFJO, good through September 2nd.

Anton at eight weeks

Oh, that little face. Since I have to juggle Toby and other responsibilities, I haven't had as much quality one-on-one time with Anton as I had with Toby (aww, the fate of a second child). But yesterday, Anton and I walked over to the water by ourselves and just lay around on blankets together. It was such a sweet hour and just what we needed. I can't tell you how much I love this little man.
(He's really starting to develop a look!)

P.S. We're also trying to figure out how to encourage him to sleep for longer stretches at night. His longest stretch is about three hours. Any tips would be so appreciated! :)

The Best Homemade Pad Thai

This delicious recipe would make a perfect weeknight meal, and Jess from Cook Smarts says it's surprising easy to make at home. Here's how...
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Madewell's fall collection

Madewell's fall collection launched on their website today, and they nailed it. They're really coming into their own with this downtown girl look. I love the new direction they're going in. Everything feels urban, sexy and tomboyish, and the styling is more grown-up and laid-back. (And that messy hair!) See the full collection here. What do you think?
P.S. Their French knot skimmers are at the top of my wishlist:) Would look so great with jeans this fall.

Let's talk about books...

Awesome People Reading is an addictive tumblr.
My friend Samantha's book, Well-Read Women, comes out today! She illustrated fifty watercolor portraits of heroines from literature, including Anna Karenina, Daisy Buchanan and Wendy Darling.
Jane Austen's face is coming to British money.
11 authors who hated the movie versions of their books.
Home inspiration: Leaning artwork on bookshelves.
Mr. Boddington’s pretty book plates.
T-shirts with the text of classic books.
Sexy men reading children’s books. Made me laugh, they sound like stalkers.
A closet reading nook.
Bookworms are smarter in old age. Keep reading!

P.S. Round-ups of fashion, cheese and summer...and Roald Dahl mugs and stamps.

(Reading nook photo from Martha Stewart Living and leaning art photo by Victoria)

Ergobaby's new swaddler

When we were brand new parents, one of the best tips we got (from nurses, friends and this brilliant book) was that babies love to be swaddled. Wrapping them up tightly makes them feel safe and helps them sleep longer. We swaddled Toby as a newborn, and now we swaddle Anton. And it works like a charm. He sleeps much, much better when swaddled, since his wriggly arms don't startle him as a newborn.

Since Ergobaby makes one of our favorite baby carriers, I was psyched to discover that they now have a swaddler. It's ergonomic for newborns, and keeps their legs loose and arms tight. It's easy to do (I always found the basic blankets tricky) and Anton has been so happy in it (and doesn't bust out in the middle of the night, hurray). And during the day, as soon as he gets fussy, I bundle him up like a burrito and he calms right down.

Ergobaby is giving away two swaddlers, if you're a new or expectant parent or have a friend with a little one. For a chance to win, please visit Ergobaby and leave a comment below. Two winners will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Thanks, Ergobaby! Update: The winners have been emailed. Thanks for playing.
P.S. What to register for your baby.

(Photos by Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo)

12 Surprising Things About Parenting in Abu Dhabi

For our Motherhood Around the World series, our sixth interview features Kera Thompson, who lives in Abu Dhabi with her husband, McSean, and three kids, Owen, 6, Asher, 4, and Elena, 1. Here are 12 things that have surprised her about being a mom in Abu Dhabi...
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