NYC staycation

Our staycation in New York last week was really refreshing and relaxing. (Thanks again to Miss Moss for guest posting!) While my mom took care of Toby, Alex and I met up with friends, rode bikes to Williamsburg, went bowling (for real), got massages, sipped gin cocktails at this rad bar, saw The King's Speech, hit up the Guggenheim, and went ice skating in Central Park. It was so great to just be together and "knock around," as Alex says. We felt like tourists in our own city.

We also chilled with my mom and Toby, including brunch at a Mexican place in our neighborhood, where Toby thought the tablecloth was delicious. :) We miss you already, Mama!

God of Love

Yahoo!!! Our friend Luke Matheny's short film God of Love won an Oscar last night! (Well, he's actually a friend of a friend; but we've met him at parties:) I almost fell off the sofa when he got to go up on stage and accept his award.

God of Love is an amazing 18-minute comedy about a lounge-singing darts champ who receives a mysterious package of passion-inducing darts. Here's the trailer, below; you can download it (for $2!) on iTunes or watch it on the big screen at this New York theatre. Huge congratulations, Luke!

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Guest Post: Six ingredients for a good weekend

1. Go for a bike ride. Unless it's snowing wherever you are, in which case you're excused.
2. Watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. One of the funniest and most underrated movies of all time.
3. Make a gin cocktail. Gin is for grown-ups--so pass on those froofy drinks with the umbrellas.
4. Eat quality Camembert. Need I say more?
5. Drive a vintage car. Preferably slowly and through the countryside.
6. Dance to ABBA. You know you love them! Don't deny it.

Have a lovely weekend, everybody.

-- By Miss Moss

Guest Post: Things I Like Right Now

Here are six things I like right now...

1. Short hair & strong brows. I envy girls who can pull off this look.
2. Michelle. One of my favourite Beatles songs, it has been on repeat lately.
3. Odilon Redon. Seeing his work in person is something that has to be experienced.
4. Crumpets. Served hot with raspberry butter, mmm...
5. Steven Alan Fall 2011. Very ready for South Africa's winter to start--if only for the opportunity to dress like this.
6. Bicycle Portraits. A beautifully photographed and incredibly worthwhile project that hopes to promote cycling as a means of independent transport in South Africa.

-- By Miss Moss

Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Tastes Orangey, a gorgeous shop of original paintings and sewn prints by artist Clare Elsaesser. I'm in love with her romantic artwork with such beautiful figures. I'm daydreaming about painting our bedroom white and hanging a bunch of her paintings (especially these two). She's offering a lucky winner a $100 gift certificate to choose a few favorite pieces from the shop. Which would you choose?

For a chance to win, please visit Tastes Orangey and leave a comment below with your favorite print. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo

Update: Lauren A. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

Guest Post: Sophia's Palette

One of the many things I love about vintage Sophia Loren (besides the fact that she's such a babe) is that she's almost always in colourful outfits that perfectly reflect her wonderful character. Her palettes remind me of the work of Gustav Klimt.

Paintings, top to bottom: Houses at Unterach on the Attersee; Ria Munk On Her Deathbed; Fruit Trees; Flower Garden

-- By Miss Moss

Guest Post: Svpply Wishlist

Have you guys checked out Svpply yet? It's one of my favourite places to discover products online. The website recommends items that have been saved by people who you choose to follow, and also features handy gift guides depending on your theme or budget. You can follow my Svpply here.

Here are some things I've been coveting lately...

1. Q&A Journal / 2. Provençal Bag / 3. A.P.C Pullover / 4. Sailing Belt / 5. Serving Tray / 6. Naviglow Tape / 7. Chloë Sevigny Platforms / 8. Desk Organizer / 9. Etta James: Love Songs

-- By Miss Moss

Street Style

Just a lil dose:-)

London


New York

Paris

Expiration dates for YOUR beauty essentials

*Anti-aging and acne treatments: Three months to a year. Antioxidants are easily oxidized, so be on the lookout for any changes in color.
*Body lotion: Two to three years, particularly if it’s in a pump container.
* Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel: About three years.
* Bath oil: One year.
* Sunscreen: Check the package for an expiration date.
* Mascara and liquid eyeliner: Three to four months. Make sure you’re diligent about replacing these items to prevent contamination and infections.
*Eyeshadow: Up to three years.
*Concealer:Up to 12 months
*Make-up brushes: Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent.
* Eye and lip pencils: Three to five years. Sharpen them before each use as a way to preserve them and keep them clean.
* Lipstick and lip gloss: Two to three years.
* Foundation: About two years. Most bottles are designed to last that long. And if you don’t use it, chances are you didn’t love it to begin with.
* Perfume: About two years. To get more mileage out of a perfume, resist the temptation to display a pretty bottle on your vanity. Instead, stash it away in a cool, dark place.
* Nail polish: One year.
* Hairstyling products: Three to five years. Most are alcohol-based, which helps preserve the formula.
* Bar soap: Up to three years.
* Shaving cream: About two years.
* Deodorant: Up to two years.

Real eye opening info...You should totally bookmark this post!!!

Guest Post: Then & Now

Hey Cup of Jo readers! I'm so pleased to be guest blogging here while Joanna is on holiday, and I'm excited to share some of my favourite things with you this week.

I love this publicity photo of actress Joan Bennett in a casual menswear inspired outfit, taking a cue from her contemporary Katharine Hepburn (they starred in Little Women together) and of course echoed by a more modern day Annie Hall. Can you believe this was back in 1938? The high-waisted flared pants are especially great--if you're looking for a pair, make sure they sweep the top of your foot even when wearing platforms.

Top: Topshop / Pants: ASOS / Belt: Zara / Lips: MAC Dark Side / Shoes: Rachel Comey / Necklace: The Vamoose / Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

-- By Miss Moss

(Joan photo via Dr. Macro)

summer maxi dresses

Have an adventurous weekend!

My sweets, what are you doing this weekend? My mom is coming from Michigan to visit tomorrow, and Alex and I are taking a staycation in New York next week! Alex is staying home from work, and my mom will hang out with Toby while Alex and I go on adventures, like taking snowy bike rides, going to a speakeasy in Queens and having long dinners with friends. We're even considering staying in a hotel for a night (is that crazy?). I'm so excited for a breather and want to give my mom a huge kiss for letting us galavant around the city!

Meanwhile, one of my favorite bloggers will be guest posting next week. And here are a few fun posts from around the web...

Adorable family frame wall.

Tightrope walking sculptures.

Remember this pitch-perfect wedding? Well, Emma wrote a book!

A lovely way to spend a rainy day with a little dude.

How to look like Bonnie and Clyde.

Have you ever tried milk soap? It's on my wishlist.

Pixel pour = rad street art.

A treehouse bed.

Have a great weekend, and a big hug to you all!

(Photo of seriously brave painters on the Brooklyn Bridge.)

Pregnant belly and fruit

Photographer Carolee Beckham is expecting a baby and is doing a fun photo series: She takes a snapshot of her growing belly and the piece of fruit that corresponds to the size of her baby that week. Huge congratulations, Carolee!

P.S. Crazy to think that in the final photo she'll be holding a watermelon!

(Via Marvelous Kiddo)

I would reply, the fire

If someone wants to come into my house, he comes
If it pleases him, he stays
Myself, I refuse to plan ahead
And when I am asked
what I would take if my house was on fire
I would reply, the fire



j.c. la difficulte d'etre

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Back to the future

For her Back to the Future project, photographer Irina Werning, where she invites people to reenact their childhood photos. Awesome.

(Thanks, Raj)

Gifts for guys

Partners & Spade has the best stuff for dudes, especially these hand-painted ties and rolling salt-and-pepper shakers.

Tuesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Future:Standard, an online boutique that curates ethical clothing and accessories. They focus on fair trade and sustainable materials, and the shop is beautifully curated (I love these necklaces). They're offering one lucky winner this silk-cotton shirt dress by dace, which would be perfect for springtime adventures.

For a chance to win, please visit Future:Standard and leave a comment below. A winner will be selected at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo

Update: Meg C. is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing.

DIY headband

Loving Jenny's heart headband. So pretty!

maxi dress

Do you want makeup that looks good and is GOOD for your skin too?

Well...DuWop cosmetics was made with you in mind! I know that us gals have our own makeup dilemmas but mine is...RED LIPSTICK. I love red lipstick but I'm absolutely terrified of how it'll look on me. As a woman of color,I'm very concerned about drawing negative attention to my lips. Such effect will be called:CLOWN MOUTH,just tragic.

But DuWop is here to the rescue with their revolutionary lipstick "Private Red"!

Private Red is different from other lipsticks because it has "mood lipstick technology".Which always it to change color and complement YOUR skin tone.Thanks for solving my 3 year dilemma,DuWop:-) Not only that but Private Red contains nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E for conditioning and Henna for a non-fading pigment.It not only protects&conditions,smooth-ens but never fades! This isn't your mother's lipstick!

This is the lipstick of the new generation. It's a great buy that every trendsetter needs in her makeup bag. No more dry lips! No more weird smells! No more fading color! I'm a huge fan! I do not advocate anything I don't believe in so don't waste another dime on products that don't work.

XOXO

2011 GRAMMY FASHION WRAP-UP

I'm sorry but last night's Grammy awards was really boring. Don't even get me started on the winners...let's jump into the fashion. Shall we?

BEST DRESSED:

Kimmy K is really nice to look at. She looked like a bootylicious golden statue last night. Very circa 1997 J.LO


Miss Kidman looked absolutely amazing in Jean-Paul Gaultier. Now I see why she's obsessed with mermaid style dresses-instant curves for her boyish frame.


J...TO THE LO. Hell-lo. That's a throwback to an old J.Lo song for the youngins. I know if it was an inch or two longer-PERFECTION.Those Christian Louboutin shoes...give me life. Divine!


SELENA GOMEZ,you look amazing! She kept it very sophisticated,sweet&sexy.She's wearing a J. Mendel gown.


HAD POTENTIAL:

Yes,Ciara has a sick bod but the top portion of the dress is just wacky. It flattens her boobs it's just not flattering at all.There was too much going on with the cuts on the sides,the front detail,different patterns,the shoes,the train...just NO!


Miley looks so grown up. I wish she'll do something different with her hair.A messy updo would've done this dress so much more justice. The dress is very shiny and heavily detailed so she didn't need the bracelets.Maybe just a nice cocktail ring?!


I love me some Katy Perry!!! Her song are addictive,she's cute& all about girl power. Now,I wish I could have snipped that train off her dress. And pulled the skirt up a little more so we can't see any peek-a-boo skin. Love u Katy :-)



WORST DRESSED:

Nicki Minaj wins this. WTF ARE YOU WEARING HB? Anyone that knows me well knows that I LOVE NICKI MINAJ but I can't support this. This...this Givenchy Leopard atrocity.
Waaah :(

I want to hear your opinions,Comment xoxo
Follow me on twitter @thesymphony-life & you should totally check out Fashion Police on E! 2nite @ 10!