Lovely dress shop

When Alex and I got hitched, Lovely Bridal Shop didn't yet exist. I wish it had! The bridal boutique is tucked into a West Village townhouse, and you can try on dresses in the airy former bedrooms, complete with antique sofas and fireplaces. Whenever friends ask where they should shop for wedding dresses in New York, I always recommend Lovely.

Well, I was excited to hear that they just launched an online shop—Shop Lovely—with party dresses under $100. Their little white dresses would be beautiful for date nights and fancy parties—or even as short wedding dresses. More below...

Summer vacation rentals

Are you going on a summer vacation? New York Magazine just featured a round-up of amazing rental properties, including a tiny lakeside cabin, working lighthouse and private island. Which would you choose?

P.S. Five weekend getaways from NYC, and my own travel fantasy.

Do you wax?

We've talked about a bunch of intimate stuff on Cup of Jo, so I figured I'd make a confession...

Wednesday giveaway

Today's giveaway is from Of a Kind, a Brooklyn-based site run by two amazing women. Each week, they choose an emerging designer with whom they collaborate on a limited edition piece. They sell these lovely pieces (think: bracelets, shirts, stationery) exclusively on their site until they sell out. Today they're giving away this handmade Bianca Rockwell ring, which would make your finger sparkle. Don't you love it?

For a chance to win, please visit Of a Kind's online shop (and consider signing up for their newsletter here) and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: The winner has been emailed. Thanks for playing.

Bonus for all readers: Get 30% off all jewelry from Friday to Monday with the code NOSWEAT.

What's your go-to comfort food? (And a crazy story)

The CRAZIEST thing happened at home yesterday...

The Best Kale Caesar Salad You'll Ever Have

Kale is a superfood. Kale is on every restaurant menu. According to a recent New York Times article, kale is hot in New York social circles. (Although this Onion headline made me laugh out loud.) Are you a fan? It's delicious and feels so healthy. Phoebe of Feed Me Phoebe has a killer recipe for a kale caesar salad. Who's in? Here's how to whip one up...

Summer denim

This spring, I keep spotting beautiful women around Manhattan wearing chambray shirts and dresses. There's something so flattering about denim—it's a little tomboy, while still being feminine. Here are a few pretty pieces...
Clockwise: Shift dress, campground shirt, pinafore, mini wedges and fold-over clutch. Thoughts? Which would you wear?

P.S. These espadrilles are cute, too!

(Top photo by Stockholm Street Style)

How to Piss Off Every New Yorker in 36 Seconds

Made me laugh.

P.S. How not to look like a tourist in NYC.

(Via Swissmiss)

Toby's 3rd birthday party (or, the Lazy Parent's Guide to an Awesome Party)

Toby's third birthday is next weekend, but since my mom is in town this weekend, we decided to have his party early. It was such a wonderful afternoon! Here are a few photos, if you'd like to see...

Have a great weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? My mom is visiting, and we're having an early birthday picnic for Toby tomorrow, complete with a doughnut cake and spiked OJ for the grown-ups. His birthday presents include a wooden plane and this awesome book. Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

A song to kick off your weekend.

What pregnancy brain feels like.

Peanut butter and pickle sandwich. Would you eat it?

Funny interview with Morgan from The Mindy Project.

Linen sneakers.

A moving Mother's Day story.

Blackberry pie bars.

Pie with a message. Made me laugh.

Do you wear maxi skirts?

10 ways to use a muffin pan.

High fives gone wrong (and a trick for getting them right).

These sunglasses are on my wishlist.

Kids rocking out in cars.

And why Angelina's Op-Ed matters.

Have a good one! xo