According to my grandmother: "Have your own life. Pursue your dreams and let your husband do the same. Being content with yourself makes you a better wife."
Grace + AC's secrets to a happy marriage:
Alex and I will be on our honeymoon for two weeks, so I've invited some of my favorite bloggers, designers and writers to share their secrets to happy marriages. Each day, these lovely people will be sharing their tips on Cup of Jo. I hope you enjoy them, and see you on September 14th!
My dear readers, I'm pinching myself as I write this: Alex and I are finally getting married tomorrow! My relatives arrived from England last night (with hats in their suitcases!) and we had a giggly pizza party. Tonight is the rehearsal and tomorrow is The Big Day itself. I can't wait to kiss Alex for the first time as my husband. My arms feel buzzy with excitement, and as Stephanie said, I just want to hug the world.
Bensimon shoes are the French girl's Converse. Aren't they cute? I packed a pair for my honeymoon, and I'm excited to wear them (they're also really comfy).
Many of you have been asking about our honeymoon, and I realized that we never shared our final plan! After our wedding this weekend, we'll be flying to Italy and Greece for two weeks. We can't wait. We're flying into Naples, then going to Positano for four nights, then Rome for three nights, then Santorini for four. It will be such an exciting, romantic, over-the-top trip! (Any last-minute recommendations? I would LOVE to hear. xo)
This schmoopy news story made me smile: Tom Shovelton has put a fresh rose at his wife's bedside every single day for the 60 years they've been married. Every morning, he kisses her when she wakes up, and every night he kisses her goodnight. "I love her to bits," he says. "I have done since the day we met." How sweet is that?
Oooh, there's a new headband shop in town! Shea and her mom just launched Old Soul, New Heart, a gorgeous handcrafted collection of vintage and feminine finds. "My mother always told me that the best thing a woman can do for herself is put on sparkles, ruffles or bows because they’ll put you on the fast track to feeling pretty," says Shea. "Thankfully, I listened."
P.S. The first headband shop we loved, Bando.
Today's giveaway is from Stephanie Tran, the designer behind Duskin. She's offering a gorgeous silk charmeuse wrap dress with a sexy unfinished hem. (The winner will be able to choose her size, of course.) Wouldn't this be perfect for a dinner party?
What a magical wedding photo by Max Wanger. Look those stars!
The other day, I was hanging out with my friend Jessa Blades, a natural beauty consultant and make-up artist. She always uses natural, organic products, and she explained that regular products often contain dangerous chemicals and harmful toxins. I was shocked. You can even check out your own makeup on Skin Deep. (Scary!)
On this busy morning, I'd love to take a moment to share these quiet photos of a Swedish forest. Aren't they calming? You can almost feel the cool moss.
My friend Geri recently went to Paris, and she rented an apartment through Haven in Paris. Browsing the photos feels like a vacation in itself. (Wouldn't it be fun to curl up in that little alcove?)
Oooh, wishing these Olive Juice clothes came in grown-up sizes. Aren't they adorable (and so Parisian-chic)?
My sweet readers, what are you doing this weekend? Tonight, Alex and I are going to our last dance class before our wedding. We haven't practiced very much (our living room is teeny and we keep bumping into the sofa), but it's exciting to (kind of) know how to do the foxtrot. Have a wonderful weekend, and meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web this week...
My dears, here's a weekly round-up of Smitten, my Glamour Magazine relationships blog...
Since New York has had a record-breakingly rainy summer, I was mentally preparing for a stormy wedding weekend. But I am in love with this 10-day forecast. Weather, you can do it!
A few months ago, at a dinner party, Alex and I were in a joking debate about one thing or another, and I insisted on my point: "But dolly, dolly!" Suddenly, I realized everyone was quiet. Was it weird that I was calling this bearded, deep-voiced man "dolly"?
Pick up Wood by Belgium designer Alain Berteau is a simple hanger hook; to finish it off, you have to take a walk in the woods and pick up a fallen branch. Love.
Today's giveaway is from Moop, a Pittsburgh studio that makes beautiful handmade canvas bags. They're offering one lucky winner the bag of her choice. Wouldn't these be perfect for work, weekend trips and galavanting around town? (My friends even use them as diaper bags!)
How lovely are these vintage dresses? My friend Megan started her etsy shop 13 Bees after working at Gucci, so she knows her stuff! P.S. I love the dresses' names, like the "He Stayed for Breakfast Dress" and "You Never Looked Lovelier Gown," all named after old movies.
Our wedding festivities start in ten days (!), so I've been daydreaming about weddings all day every day. This Australian wedding is especially adorable. The bride, Cassie, looks like a little pixie in her short dress by Carla Zampatti. And their fairy-light chandelier was from Ikea!
My friend Brooke is terrified of sharks. (She could barely swim in pools when she was little.) So she probably wouldn't wear this shark cardigan, but I think it's pretty rad, don't you?
My lovelies, what are you up to this weekend? Alex and I will be taking care of last-minute wedding details (only two weeks away, eeks!) and going on an adventure to this trippy Korean water spa, which Alex has been dying to try out for ages. It looks weird but fun. Hope you have a great break, and meanwhile, here are a few great posts from around the web...
