Which of these romantic trips would you take?

Trio of earrings

The Nova earrings set from Elephantine is so pretty. You get three pairs of tiny studs: white, blush and black. (There's something so sexy about little black earrings.) Wouldn't they be lovely to wear year-round, choosing the colors to suit your mood? xo

Motherhood Mondays: Maternity makeover

My friend Jenny is expecting her first baby (a little girl!) in September, but as her bump grew, she didn't know what to wear. So! Just for fun, we decided to do a little makeover...
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Summer wedges

Many days I wear flats, but they don't look that great with summer dresses. (My legs always feel short.) So, I recently got these peep-toe wedges. Wedges make your legs look long and lean, and this particular pair is super comfy. Also, they make me feel sexier when going out to dinner with Alex. Thoughts? (This yellow pair is cute, too.)
P.S. The Parisian wedges that started my love affair.

(Top photo by The Sartorialist)

Weekend bags

Our Chicago vacation photos are coming right up, but in the meantime, how pretty are these travel bags from Sweden? They're covered with Josef Frank fabric, which is so bright and pretty. (We have similar fabric in our bedroom.)

Motherhood Mondays: Mabo clothes

Mabo is a tiny children's clothing line focusing on natural fabrics by Utah designer Emily McMaster. Toby has a pair of her wool pants, which he wore almost every day this winter. How cute is her new summer collection?

P.S. The pants we first fell in love with (and Toby wearing them).

My new summer uniform

We were packing for Chicago this morning, and I was thinking about summer uniforms. What's yours this summer? I keep spotting beautiful women around town wearing white jeans with grey T-shirts. Fresh, clean, classic. Perfect for day or night. Here's how to get the look...
Grey tee: Get this one. People usually think of tees as basics that you can find anywhere—Gap, Old Navy—but not all T-shirts are created equal. Certain tees can be wildly unflattering. You want to stay away from fluttery sleeves (like this), high necks (like this) and any thick fabrics. Instead, find a thin tee with a lower crew neck or V-neck, which are soooooo much prettier.

White jeans: My favorite pair, hands down. The cut is fantastic. I bought these before a trip to Paris three years ago and have loved wearing them ever since.

(Photos by the Sartorialist and Boden)

Wedding ring

My friend Abbey went to a wedding recently and couldn't stop staring at the bride's ring. Don't you love this cluster ring?

How to do a perfect knot

When you're traveling or running to dinner, there's nothing sexier than twisting your hair into a top knot. It gives you the ease and nonchalance of a classic French starlet. Lucky for us, my hair-genius friend Caroline shares the steps below, and the fabulous Jamie Beck took photos...
Steps and "after" photos below...
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Midwest tee

Thumbs up for this rad Midwest T-shirt, which I've been wearing every weekend this summer. I'd like to bring it on our trip to Chicago, but can't decide if that's like wearing the concert T-shirt to the concert.

P.S. Midwestern dog.

Summer Essentials #7: Peach beauty

Peach makeup looks fresh and dewy for the summer, and I keep noticing pretty girls with peach blush, lipstick and toes. Toby and I stopped by the NARS store the other day, and I tried on a peach lipstick. Their Barbarella color was lovely and natural, and I've worn it almost everyday since! (I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for a flattering neutral.) Here are six peachy cosmetics to give you that sun-kissed glow...
1. Peach nectar lip gloss, 2. Barbarella lipstick, 3. Peach eyeshadow, 4. Nectar shimmer brick, 5. A Crewed Interest nail polish, 6. Peach blush.

(Graphic design by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor. Top photo of model Magdalena Frackowiak)

Great news

I rarely post about sales, but this is awesome: The rad British store ASOS has agreed to give Cup of Jo readers a whopping 20% off all full-priced items from today until next Monday, with the code ACUPOFJO20.

ASOS has such pretty outfits for summer vacations and honeymoons. I'm especially loving this striped skater dress and these uber-flattering jeans. And this white Chloe dress would make a beautiful daytime wedding dress. Thanks so much, ASOS. xoxo

(See all my picks here.)

(20% off full-price merchandise; U.S. orders only; single use per customer; code valid until midnight on Monday, June 25th)

What to wear on your honeymoon

Picture this: You're going on vacation to Italy. You want to relax and feel chic and timeless, a la Grace Kelly. These mix-and-match pieces would do the trick...(Of course, I'd also love to wear them in New York, too!)

1. Maxi dress. The perfect sexy dress for relaxing at the beach, then heading to dinner.
2. Eyelet dress. Fresh and sweet.
3. Cashmere cardigan. Because red looks amazing in photos.
4. Denim jacket. Nothing looks cuter than a sunkissed girl in a denim jacket.
5. Gold bangle set.
6. Oversized straw tote.
7. Red bikini. (A cheaper one here.)
8. Sandals. I've spent months searching for summer sandals that are pretty and comfy. These, finally, are both. (And only $36!)
9. Negroni. A rich and bitter cocktail, best served in a little Italian fishing village.

What do you always pack for vacation? I'd love to hear any tips!

P.S. My friend Susan's genius honeymoon tip.

(Post by Joanna; photo by John Cullen; graphic design by Rachel from Elephantine)

Rope bun

Today I'm excited to share a hair tutorial that's perfect for traveling! When your hair is messy and sea-salty, twist it back into this nautical-inspired rope bun. Perfect for the beach, exploring around town or heading to dinner. My hair-genius friend Caroline shares the steps below, and the fabulous Jamie Beck took photos...
"I love this style when I want to keep my hair off my neck, but don't want to do the regular ol' topknot that I usually wear. It's great for summer weddings, too!" -- Caroline

1-2. Gather hair into a low ponytail on one side of your head.

3. Divide the ponytail into two equal sections.

4. Twist both sections of hair AWAY from your face (in a counter-clockwise direction).

5-6. Take the back section and bring it IN FRONT of the other section and repeat. Keep bringing the section that is in the back over and in front of the other section. This is how you make a rope braid. (You basically want to twist the sections in one direction, then wrap them around each other in the opposite direction.)

7. Tie the end of the rope braid with a rubber band. (You can stop here if you want, and just have a cute side rope ponytail!)

8. Wrap the braid in a circle around the top elastic until it becomes a bun, and pin the bun with bobby pins to secure. Don't forget to tuck the tail of the rope braid behind the bun to hide it.
Gorgeous! Thanks again, Caroline and Jamie. xoxo

Thoughts? Would you wear this? Will you be wearing it on summer adventures?

P.S. Ten more hair tutorials, and the secret to pretty hair when traveling.

(Photos by Jamie Beck for Cup of Jo. In the how-to photos, Caroline is wearing vintage jeans (similar ones here) and a polka-dot sweater from Cardigan--Cardigan is having a huge sample sale right now, and Cup of Jo readers get an extra 10% off with the code CUPOFJO. (Thanks, Cardigan!) In the outdoor shots, Caroline is wearing a striped top that's also from Cardigan, a men's jacket (similar one here) and shiny black loafers. Her jewelry is from her own line, Brvtvs, and will be available soon.)

Do or Don't: Bangs

The New York Times yesterday featured a funny piece about bangs. Apparently, 2012 is the "year of the bang," and you can wear them so thick you look "like one of the Beatles," or as short as "the mowed grass in Yankee Stadium." Do you have bangs? Do you want them? Bangs don't usually suit me, but I'm suddenly dying to go for it anyway.

Sleek parted ponytail

Summer is approaching, and we're in for some hot, humid days. What do you do with your hair on those sticky afternoons? A sleek ponytail with a sexy side part, naturally. My friend Caroline revealed how to get the look, and Jamie Beck took photos. Here goes...
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Cute T-shirt

I know at least one little boy who would like this T-shirt.

Summer Essential #6: Beach Blanket

A few years ago, we picked up one of these beach blankets. They're thin and lightweight, so you can carry them easily (or stuff one into a bag), and then spread them out for a grassy picnic or napping on the sand. We've used it a million times; I'd highly recommend them!

P.S. Five more summer essentials...

Summer Essential #5: A One-Piece Swimsuit

A swimsuit can say a lot about a woman, don't you think? Maybe it says she's laid back, or silly, or feminine, or in love with a past era. Whatever her personality, there always seems to be a swimsuit to match. Here are seven pretty one-pieces for the summer... --Rachel from Elephantine

1. Patchwork Maillot, $218.
2. Natalie One-Piece, $148.
3. Purple Bandeau Tank, $82.
4. Red Polka-Dot, $86.
5. Red Striped Halter, $208.
6. Blue Bandeau Swimsuit, $30.
7. Bustier One-Piece, $253. (So cute on the model.)

Which would you choose? (I also love this striped one and this seersucker one in yellow.)

P.S. More round-ups...

(Layout by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor)

Do or Don't: Colorful wedding dresses

Thursday pop quiz! What color wedding dress would you wear, if white weren't an option? Here are your choices...
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