Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Everything But Water, a great online shop featuring swimwear, sundresses, cover-ups and accessories (including this cute beach bag). Today, they're giving one lucky winner the choice of her favorite swimsuit from the shop. Which would you pick? (I'd go for this pleated number.)

Bonus: They offer free shipping and exchanges, so you can try suits on easily at home, and they have lots of brick-and-mortar stores, including a new one in Manhattan.

For a chance to win, please visit Everything But Water and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: The winner has been emailed. Thanks for playing.

Beer's taste alone gets you a little high.

You know that moment when you sit down, take a sip of beer and instantly feel the stress melt off your shoulders? That feeling is biological. According to a recent study, "our brains start to release euphoric signals in response to the taste of beer, even before alcohol even gets into our blood," reports The Atlantic. "Our bodies anticipate the effects of alcohol by a conditioned response, like Pavlov's dogs."

File this under "I knew it."

P.S. How to keep lipstick off your glass, and 8 fun tips for drinking wine.

(Photo by Aya Brackett)

Homemade Magic Shell

Remember Magic Shell, the chocolate sauce that hardens over ice cream? It was such a delicious part of childhood. Well, my friend Ashley from Hither & Thither just learned how to whip it up at home with only two ingredients...Read More >

8 new rules for sunscreen

Growing up, I'd lie out on my dad's back deck and try to get tan (it never worked) or use fake tanner (which made me look orange and glittery). But two years ago, I finally embraced pale skin, and it has been easier and obviously much safer. So, I was glad to read the 8 new rules for sunscreen from the New York Times...Read More >

Celebrity look-a-likes

Do people ever say you look like someone else? Over the years, I've gotten Hilary Swank and Amanda Peet (we all have cheekbones and big teeth). Well, this slideshow of famous look-a-likes made me laugh. Here are Alec Baldwin and Millard Fillmore, the 13th President, and below are seven more (poor Kathy Bates!)...Read More >

Packing for the hospital

What did you pack for the hospital when you had your baby? For Toby's birth, we brought tons of unnecessary things—like a mix tape, a tennis ball for massaging, even a movie. You never know what you'll need, right?

But we didn't bring a few necessary things. After Toby was born, I just hung out in the hospital gown, but I felt a little naked in it. It would have been so nice to have something more comfortable to wear.

Well, the maternity collection HATCH just came out with a HATCH-to-Hospital Box, which is a gorgeous package of a soft nightgown, a cozy robe, a black brief, and cashmere socks. The pieces are so luxurious and would make you feel pampered during the hospital stay.
Wouldn't it be a wonderful baby shower gift from a few friends? You'd feel cozy and comfy, while you're resting at the hospital and taking care of your sweet little one.

P.S. All about pregnancy...

(Top photo from the first days with Toby. HATCH photos by Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo. Thanks, Julia! HATCH is one of my beloved long-term sponsors)

What should we name our baby?

Seriously. Our second baby is due in less than a month, and we're stuck. Will you weigh in?Read More >