Have a great weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? Crazily enough, we're actually getting back on a plane to Atlanta for a long-awaited trip to visit Alex's sister! The weather forecast predicts storms, so bookstores and movies may be in order. If you're in a giggly mood, Demetri Martin's hour-long special premieres on Comedy Central this Saturday at 10pm. He's hilarious, don't you think? Hope you have a great one, and here are a few fun posts from around the web...

Sweet wedding moment.

The Queen talks back to her mom.

Fargo is becoming a TV series!

Antelope Canyon? Holy smokes.

What beautiful street style.

Daydreaming about these shoes.

Lasagna without noodles.

Cute birthday card.

Bill and Hilary's wedding day.

Choosing colors for your home.

What it feels like to fall asleep to a DVD.

Bravo! Diapers.com created a new site featuring only natural products.

Plus, three past posts you might have missed:
* Marshmallow willpower.
* Romantic comedies.
* Breastfeeding in public.

24 hours in San Francisco

This past Tuesday, I flew to San Francisco for 24 hours. The reason for my trip was to give a work presentation, but luckily my twin sister also lives there, so we turned it into The World's Shortest Vacation! Here's what we did...
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Marriage Do or Don’t: Changing your name

This past summer, I read a New York Times wedding announcement that made my eyes pop...
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Dog design

Psychologists say that pets make people happier, but even if you don't have one, you can still bring dog design into your home to make you smile. Here are seven cute pieces...

1. Dog-walker mug, $10.95.
2. Dachshund bookends, $150.
3. Wallpaper, $180. (How amazing is this?!)
4. Dog print, $38.
5. Brass dog for your desk, $28.
6. Glass, $6.
7. Custom pet portrait, $225.

Do you have a dog?

P.S. Puppy butt! Plus, dog names and more round-ups...

(Layout by Rachel for Cup of Jo. Brass dog photo from High Street Market)

The Best Potato Chips You'll Ever Have

Here's a bonus best recipe for today for anyone who loves potato chips (and who doesn't?). Nikole from Herriott Grace has discovered the best recipe for a homemade version—crispy, salty and perfect alongside any sandwich. And how great would they be at a dinner party? Here's the recipe...
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The Best Pesto You'll Ever Have

A few years ago, Alex made pesto for dinner from scratch. Until then, we'd only had pesto from a jar, which was dark green and tasty. But this homemade pesto took it to the next level. We couldn't believe how bright and vibrant it was, and it tasted like we were eating basil right out of the garden. So I'm thrilled that Kelly from The Best Remedy is sharing her favorite recipe (and it's easy!)...
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Dressing the part

Today I'm flying cross-country to San Francisco! I'll be giving a presentation on Wednesday morning, so my trip is just 24-hours long. I haven't taken a business trip in like five years, and it feels exciting. Also my twin sister Lucy lives there, so we'll be jam-packing some quality time into one evening together. (We're thinking Italian food and Mindy Kaling.)

If I could pack anything in my suitcase, I'd choose one of these shoes or bags. J.Crew has been nailing it with their new handbag and shoe shop. They'd transition well from work to play, and wouldn't they lovely for fall? See the full collection here.

Yahoo, San Francisco, here I come! (I've been told not to call it San Fran:)

(Top photo by Max Wanger; graphic design by Rachel for A Cup of Jo)

Encouragement

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed this week. Sometimes it's hard being a grown-up, especially an anxious one. But then my mom sent me this poem, and I'd love to frame it on my desk. It speaks so beautifully to the strength we can carry with us.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!
—Rudyard Kipling

How are you feeling these days, my loves?

P.S. Are you, too, a worrier?

(Banner from Secret Holiday & Co.; top illustration by Marc Johns, via Swissmiss)

My mom's tomboy style

My mom recently sent me some old family photos of our cousins, summer vacations, all sorts of things—but what stood out most was my mom's incredible style. She wore Wellington boots, flannel shirts and my dad's sweaters, and her pieces were loose and relaxed. Yet through her tomboyish style, she still exuded grace and femininity. I'm so inspired by these beautiful photos and am going to try to shop my closet to see if I can create some similar outfits. What was your mom's style like?
P.S. Having babies in Paris, and my mom on her wedding day.

Motherhood Mondays: Princess crown braid

This month, I'm excited to feature back-to-school hair tutorials for girls every Monday. (And of course we grown-ups can wear them, too:) My friend Reagan of Hairdresser on Fire did a princess crown on adorable five-year-old Stella. What a pretty fall look, and I loved Stella's goofy personality! Here are Reagan's steps and more photos...
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Simply fabulous! NEW range for Spring 2013!

Simply Bows and Chair Covers have designed a new range for Spring 2013 that is an alternative to the Shabby Chic Collections that we saw in 2011/2012 and have created a range that is more elegant with opulence.  

Ruffle layered Chair Caps as seen above  have been created to tie in with the 1920’s style wedding dresses that appeared in New York BridalFashion Week. 

 

Beading and Crystals are to be big next year also and to compliment we will be launching Satin Bands to accessorise chair covers with crystal embellishments with Napkins ties to match.  

Organza Bows will still be in demand as there are many brides who love the traditional look, and to support this we will have a new range of vibrant colour's available in the spring....

Watch this space for more information and fabulous photos! :)

Have a great fall weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? Tomorrow is the first day of fall! Looking forward to crisp breezes, apple cider and wool sweaters. (Time to bust out the moccasins:) This weekend, we're also taking Toby to see Mary Poppins. It will be the first play he's ever seen, and I'm curious to see how he likes it. Thank you also for all the helpful feedback on the redesign; I appreciate your comments so much. Have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

A new movie about Detroit.

The best word ever.

French wedding dresses.

A fascinating article about a high-school cheating scandal.

Would you do spider lashes?

Peanut-butter-cup brownies.

Cutest rooms.

Wow, now that's a bike-riding mama!

Awwww, what a face.

Tomboy style.

How Toby feels about sandwiches.

This restaurant predicts your dessert with a magic trick.

If you're in a shopping mood, don't forget this.

And, on a more serious note, the wonderful Jenny has been in the hospital this week. Thankfully, I heard from her husband over email that she's getting much better every day. Sending lots of love her way. Update: Yay, a note from her!

(Photo by Nikole Herriott/instagram)

DIY: Colorblock ballet flats

If you have an old pair of plain flats in your closet, why not freshen them up? My friend Meg Allan Cole created this genius tutorial for making your own colorblock flats. Here's how to get the adorable look...
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Date night tip

I've realized something in my old age... Read More >

Simply Bows Real Life Bride: Lucy and her beautiful Wynyard Hall wedding

What are your first names?

Michael and Lucy (Summersgill)

Where and when did you get engaged?

July 7th 2010 in Altea, Spain. We went out for a lovely meal, there was a fantastic atmosphere in the town as Spain had just won their place in the World Cup final. When we got back to the villa, Mike walked me to the balcony, which had been decorated with lanterns and flickering candles. There was chilled champagne and chocolates waiting for me - the whole thing was completely unexpected!

What was your wedding date?

Saturday 19th May 2012.

Where did you get married?

Wynyard Hall.

                                                        

Why did you choose your venue?

My parents live at Wynyard, making Wynyard Hall the perfect location. No other venue was even considered! Mike knew that Wynyard Hall was the only place for us so when he proposed in Spain he not only presented me with a fabulous ring (from Green & Benz in Manchester), he also gave me an invitation to our wedding! He had asked for my Dad's blessing and together they secured a date at Wynyard. Victoria Kelley, one of the wedding co-ordinators at the hall, was fantastic and I would have been lost without her!

Did you have a “theme”?

Antarctica! Our table plan showed the route we took on our recent Polar Circle Quest. We named our 18 tables after the wildlife we saw and the various landing sites we visited in Antarctica. We used our own photographs on each of the tables.

What was your wedding colour scheme?

Sapphire - a month after we got engaged, I went to Dublin with my sister and spotted a pair of sapphire Manolo Blahniks... that was the colour scheme decided!

Why did you choose Simply Bows and Chair Covers and what were they like to work with?

An old friend from school (Lucinda Thompson) used to work for Simply Bows and Chair Covers and I bumped into her at a Wynyard Wedding Fayre. She mentioned that she worked closely with Adam Prest (who did our amazing flowers) and I was keen to have high-quality suppliers working together who actually knew each other. By the time our wedding came around she was no longer working for Simply Bows and Lesley Nockels had taken over. Lesley was fab - she met with me a couple of times; once at the hall itself and once at my parents' home to ensure everything was spot on. The Conservatory Room looked stunning on the day! We went for a mixture of blue organza and satin bows with silver brooches for the Wedding Breakfast and white organza bows on the pew ends in the chapel.

What sort of dress did you choose and where from?

I wore a Blue by Enzoani gown called Calistoga and I bought it from Dreamcatcher Bridal in Kirkham where Mike's sister bought her wedding dress back in 2006. It's an A-line gown with a 'fan' neckline and large details below the bust, on the hip and on the lower back. The ladies at Dremcatcher were fantastic and knew exactly what would work. When they picked my dress out, I didn't think it looked particularly special on the hanger but I decided to give it a go because it was clear that they really knew what they were talking about. As soon as I put the dress on I felt fantastic and when I walked out of the changing area it was great to see that everyone liked it as much as I did.

What did your bridesmaids wear?

My four bridesmaids wore floor-length, sapphire, satin Dessy dresses and they looked gorgeous. Two of them went for strapless and the other two went for a scoop neck. It took a little while to sort out as they are all different in height, shape and hair colour... but we got there!

Who was your photographer?

Rob Jones and Brian Holden of Holden and Jones photography. We couldn't have picked better photographers. They were so professional and they were friendly, putting us both at ease. A pre-wedding shoot was included in our package which meant we were able to get to know them beforehand and talk through everything in detail. Having two photographers meant that we could have photographs of both of us in the morning, which was really important to me. We are so happy with our photographs - Rob and Brian really captured the moment... without me even realising that they were in the room half the time!

What “special touches” did you add to your day?

We had a photobooth provided by Picture Blast, casino tables, a big screen showing the Champions League, the Aaron Bayley Band and fireworks through 21st Century Fireworks.  We had fantastic entertainment and a great crowd. The two really came together and created an incredible atmosphere, our guests really threw themselves into the day and embraced everything that was going on. This was so important to us because we always wanted our wedding to be about having fun and spending time with all of our friends and family.

What was your favourite part of the day?

Without a doubt, the London Community Gospel Choir singing O Happy Day and the vicar getting the whole congregation swaying and clapping! This was an emotional point in the day and made the ceremony so unique and personal to us. The choir sang 6 songs in total, all of which we chose. Their voices were unbelievable.

Where did you go on honeymoon?

Nowhere! I went back in to work on the Monday because I'm a (dedicated!) primary school teacher and it was term-time.

What would be your top tip for another bride to be?

It sounds like a cliche, but the day is ultimately about you and your husband-to-be celebrating your relationship, so it is bound to be a big day for the two of you. It's also a big day for your friends and family, so there can be a lot of (sometimes conflicting) ideas and opinions thrown into the melting pot. It can be difficult to consider everyone's view and ultimately you just have to go with whatever the two of you feel is right. Again, it is a cliche, but it was genuinely the best day of our lives... so we must have managed to get everything right in the end!

Dry shampoo trick

Dry shampoo has been part of my morning routine for ages, but here's a great new way to apply it. Rebecca recommends applying dry shampoo before bedtime to wake up with voluminous bedhead. "My theory is that either tossing and turning in the night rubs in the powder, or a full night's sleep allows the powder to completely soak in," she says. "Either way, it works."

Genius! I tried it last night. You wake up feeling like Anna Karina.

P.S. In the photo above, my friend Caroline hadn't washed her hair in over three days! But dry shampoo kept it looking beautiful and not greasy.

(Photo by Maya)

Cup of Jo gets a makeover!

As you may have noticed, A Cup of Jo stayed up last night and got a makeover! Two months ago, I asked you which of four redesigns you preferred and loved hearing your feedback. We've been working hard all summer, and you're looking at the final result!

You know when you get a haircut and look in the mirror and don't recognize yourself at first? That's sort of how I feel today, ha. But I am thrilled with how much cleaner the blog looks, and the header tabs are my favorite part. (Take a look above!)

On that note, HUGE thanks to the design firm Apartment One and the programmer Jay Johnson, with collaboration from Elihu Bogan. They were incredible to work with, and I'd highly recommend them all.

Anyway, I love you guys and really hope you like it. Please let us know if you spot any glitches; we're still doing final tweaks. Eeks! Thank you so much!!! xoxo

Emerson Fry

Emerson Fry's new fall collection has been all over the internet this week, but I can't help posting a few favorites. The shiny leggings would look rad on weekends, and the oxblood heels are beyond sexy. Thoughts?