6 spring nail polish trends

My twin sister texted me from a San Francisco nail salon the other day. Standing in front of endless rows of polish, she had no idea which shade to choose. "Which colors are 'cool' right now?" she asked. Well, after our half-joking conversation, I researched this season's nail polish trends, and ever since I've been noticing (and admiring) these gorgeous colors on pretty girls around the city. Nails are on fire this spring!

Which color, below, do you like best? What color is on your fingers and toes as we speak? (My nails are currently orange, but my next color will be mint:) xoxo
Six nail polish trends: Very pale pink (or even beige), mint, lavender, bright orange, fuchsia and orange/red. (Find similar colors here, too.)

(Top photo of my sister and me. Polish layout by Em for Cup of Jo. Flower photos, cropped, by Paris Apartment, Flora Abundance, Kari Herer, Tongue in Cheek, Oh Happy Day and FlirtyFleurs.)

6 spring nail polish trends

My twin sister texted me from a San Francisco nail salon the other day. Standing in front of endless rows of polish, she had no idea which shade to choose. "Which colors are 'cool' right now?" she asked. Well, after our half-joking conversation, I researched this season's nail polish trends, and ever since I've been noticing (and admiring) these gorgeous colors on pretty girls around the city. Nails are on fire this spring!

Which color, below, do you like best? What color is on your fingers and toes as we speak? (My nails are currently orange, but my next color will be mint:) xoxo
Six nail polish trends: Very pale pink (or even beige), mint, lavender, bright orange, fuchsia and orange/red. (Find similar colors here, too.)

(Top photo of my sister and me. Polish layout by Em for Cup of Jo. Flower photos, cropped, by Paris Apartment, Flora Abundance, Kari Herer, Tongue in Cheek, Oh Happy Day and FlirtyFleurs.)

NYC Dates: Guggenheim and Meatballs

Since I did my Guide to New York City, a few readers have asked for more New York recommendations, and I'd love to share some ideas. So! I'm thinking of starting a new series of NYC dates, featuring activities to do with friends or crushes around town. What do you think? Does that sound fun/interesting/relevant to you? I hope you enjoy it, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations, too. (We're always looking for offbeat date nights.) First up...
Have you ever been to the Guggenheim? Alex and I went...
Read more »

NYC Dates: Guggenheim and Meatballs

Since I did my Guide to New York City, a few readers have asked for more New York recommendations, and I'd love to share some ideas. So! I'm thinking of starting a new series of NYC dates, featuring activities to do with friends or crushes around town. What do you think? Does that sound fun/interesting/relevant to you? I hope you enjoy it, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations, too. (We're always looking for offbeat date nights.) First up...
Have you ever been to the Guggenheim? Alex and I went...
Read more »

Five best board games

Do you like playing board games? I love having board games around the apartment for when people stop by or friends stay the night, since they instantly make an evening fun and funny. Here are my five current favorites...

Jenga gets everyone's heart racing. (Alex and I played it a lot when I was pregnant.)
Scattergories is perfect for quick-thinking wordsmiths.
Taboo always makes people laugh (especially with the buzzer).
Have you played with an Ouija board since you were 16? Turn off the lights, gather around and ask it spooky questions. (Bonus: The updated version glows in the dark.)
Mancala is the perfect game to play with a glass of wine in hand, and it's fun for both kids and adults (it gets harder as you get smarter!).

What games would you recommend?

(Layout by Em for Cup of Jo)

Five best board games

Do you like playing board games? I love having board games around the apartment for when people stop by or friends stay the night, since they instantly make an evening fun and funny. Here are my five current favorites...

Jenga gets everyone's heart racing. (Alex and I played it a lot when I was pregnant.)
Scattergories is perfect for quick-thinking wordsmiths.
Taboo always makes people laugh (especially with the buzzer).
Have you played with an Ouija board since you were 16? Turn off the lights, gather around and ask it spooky questions. (Bonus: The updated version glows in the dark.)
Mancala is the perfect game to play with a glass of wine in hand, and it's fun for both kids and adults (it gets harder as you get smarter!).

What games would you recommend?

(Layout by Em for Cup of Jo)

NYC Guide: Four relaxing mini-getaways

Living in New York can be great. But sometimes the garbage trucks are too loud, the streets feel too crowded, and the mice are too in-your-living-room. Meaning: You need to get out. So, here are four easy escapes from the city that feel a world away...
Read more »

NYC Guide: Four relaxing mini-getaways

Living in New York can be great. But sometimes the garbage trucks are too loud, the streets feel too crowded, and the mice are too in-your-living-room. Meaning: You need to get out. So, here are four easy escapes from the city that feel a world away...
Read more »

NYC Guide: Three great bars

One of life's greatest pleasures is...a drink. A swanky evening cocktail, a glass of wine while watching the sunset, an ice-cold beer on a summer day. Here are our three favorite places to kick back...
Read more »

NYC Guide: Three great bars

One of life's greatest pleasures is...a drink. A swanky evening cocktail, a glass of wine while watching the sunset, an ice-cold beer on a summer day. Here are our three favorite places to kick back...
Read more »

NYC Guide: My 10 favorite shops

One of the great things about visiting a new city is wandering around, getting lost and discovering things for yourself. For example, you head to Soho, Nolita, the West Village, Williamsburg, you'll find tons of boutiques that you'll love. That said, here are 10 amazing stores not to miss...
Read more »

NYC Guide: My 10 favorite shops

One of the great things about visiting a new city is wandering around, getting lost and discovering things for yourself. For example, you head to Soho, Nolita, the West Village, Williamsburg, you'll find tons of boutiques that you'll love. That said, here are 10 amazing stores not to miss...
Read more »

NYC Guide: 10 amazing ways to spend an afternoon

New York is packed with fun things to do, and you can't go wrong with the classic attractions: rowing boats in Central Park, kissing at the top of the Empire State Building, eating oysters at Grand Central. But I'd love to share a few twists on those adventures that we've discovered over the years...
1. Sunset sail. Feel the crisp wind on your face while sailing down the Hudson River on a classic 1890's style Schooner. The captain passes out wool blankets and serves wine, beer and Champagne, and you can bring snacks, if you'd like. (Think: Two lobster rolls from the nearby Chelsea Market.) Alex and I have been on these two-hour sails many times; they are always exhilarating, giddy and romantic. You sail right up to the Statue of Liberty (such a fun way to see her) and gaze at the sparkling city lights.
2. Kayaking. New York offers free kayaking, which is fun, beautiful and surprisingly not scary. On a sunny day, it's refreshing to be out on the river; and kayaking is gorgeous way to see the city (the skyscrapers look even taller from the water).
3. Chelsea art galleries. Put on red lipstick and a cute dress, and go gallery hopping! Chelsea galleries are easy to find; they're all clustered on the same few streets. (Here's a handy map.) Even cooler, go to gallery openings in the evenings. The website ARTCAT lists when each exhibit will have its opening party (typically Thursday evenings), so you can stop by to sip wine and rub elbows with downtown artists.
4. Murray's Cheese classes. During these two-hour classes, you taste stinky cheeses, drink wine, hear funny cheese-making stories and leave full and happy. What's not to love? (This would make a great date, don't you think?)
5. Drink wine on the Met's rooftop. Here's a (kind of) secret: Every year, from May to October, the Metropolitan Museum of Art features an amazing exhibit on its rooftop. Go to the back of the museum, take the elevator up, have a glass of wine, walk through the installation and look over Central Park. A perfect summer evening.
6. Upright Citizens Brigade's Asssscat show on Sunday nights. This side-splittingly hilarious (and kind of dirty) improv comedy show features uber-talented comedians from SNL, The Office and 30 Rock. Amy Poehler co-founded it, and she still hosts a show now and again. You buy tickets online ahead of time, then stand in line outside the theatre early the night of the show, to make sure you get a decent seat (the place is a total dive and if you're late, you sit on the floor...which is kind of fun, too). Highly recommended.
7. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (especially at sunset). The iconic Brooklyn Bridge takes my breath away every time I step onto it. You'll adore the skyline views of Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as sparkling water, sailboats and the sunset.
8. The Brooklyn Bridge Park. This small park in Dumbo (right across the Brooklyn Bridge) is spectacular. It's on the waterfront underneath the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, so the views are dramatic and amazing. Lie in the grass. Skip stones in the water. Fly a kite. Ride the carousel. Pick up an impromptu picnic with neighborhood pizza, ice cream and a giant chocolate-chip cookie. And if you're in a boat-y mood, you can take the new East River ferry back to Manhattan.

9. MoMA. Three words: Raddest museum ever.
10. The High Line. This new park runs along old elevated freight-train tracks. The incredible landscape architecture makes it appear as if wildflowers are sprouting up among the tracks. You can sit on the reclining wooden benches, stroll along the meandering paths, and take in the city views. Such a lovely place to...do nothing.
Bonus tip! As you're walking around the city, duck into one of the many cheap massage places around town. You'll spot neon signs with massage prices listed by the minute (usually $10 for 10 minutes), and you typically have to head down a few steps. Don't worry, though, most aren't sketchy! :) Inside, you'll see a row of massage tables, separated by a curtains instead of real walls; and the massage therapists will guide you to one. The massages are always surprisingly good, and it's an awesome way to sooth your sore muscles after walking around all day--or to relax before heading to dinner.

What do you love doing in New York? Do you have any favorite tips? I'd LOVE to hear! xoxo

(Top image graphic design by HipHipGinGin for Cup of Jo. Globe, High Line and massage photos by Laura Ratliff, Murray's Cheese photo by Jamie Beck, Brooklyn Bridge photos by Philipp Klinger, Met rooftop and UCB photos by NYTimes, Hither & Thither, and Alex; sailing photos by Bart Stiller and Marvelous Kiddo; MoMA photos by MoMA; carousel photo by New York Magazine.)

NYC Guide: 10 amazing ways to spend an afternoon

New York is packed with fun things to do, and you can't go wrong with the classic attractions: rowing boats in Central Park, kissing at the top of the Empire State Building, eating oysters at Grand Central. But I'd love to share a few twists on those adventures that we've discovered over the years...
1. Sunset sail. Feel the crisp wind on your face while sailing down the Hudson River on a classic 1890's style Schooner. The captain passes out wool blankets and serves wine, beer and Champagne, and you can bring snacks, if you'd like. (Think: Two lobster rolls from the nearby Chelsea Market.) Alex and I have been on these two-hour sails many times; they are always exhilarating, giddy and romantic. You sail right up to the Statue of Liberty (such a fun way to see her) and gaze at the sparkling city lights.
2. Kayaking. New York offers free kayaking, which is fun, beautiful and surprisingly not scary. On a sunny day, it's refreshing to be out on the river; and kayaking is gorgeous way to see the city (the skyscrapers look even taller from the water).
3. Chelsea art galleries. Put on red lipstick and a cute dress, and go gallery hopping! Chelsea galleries are easy to find; they're all clustered on the same few streets. (Here's a handy map.) Even cooler, go to gallery openings in the evenings. The website ARTCAT lists when each exhibit will have its opening party (typically Thursday evenings), so you can stop by to sip wine and rub elbows with downtown artists.
4. Murray's Cheese classes. During these two-hour classes, you taste stinky cheeses, drink wine, hear funny cheese-making stories and leave full and happy. What's not to love? (This would make a great date, don't you think?)
5. Drink wine on the Met's rooftop. Here's a (kind of) secret: Every year, from May to October, the Metropolitan Museum of Art features an amazing exhibit on its rooftop. Go to the back of the museum, take the elevator up, have a glass of wine, walk through the installation and look over Central Park. A perfect summer evening.
6. Upright Citizens Brigade's Asssscat show on Sunday nights. This side-splittingly hilarious (and kind of dirty) improv comedy show features uber-talented comedians from SNL, The Office and 30 Rock. Amy Poehler co-founded it, and she still hosts a show now and again. You buy tickets online ahead of time, then stand in line outside the theatre early the night of the show, to make sure you get a decent seat (the place is a total dive and if you're late, you sit on the floor...which is kind of fun, too). Highly recommended.
7. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (especially at sunset). The iconic Brooklyn Bridge takes my breath away every time I step onto it. You'll adore the skyline views of Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as sparkling water, sailboats and the sunset.
8. The Brooklyn Bridge Park. This small park in Dumbo (right across the Brooklyn Bridge) is spectacular. It's on the waterfront underneath the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, so the views are dramatic and amazing. Lie in the grass. Skip stones in the water. Fly a kite. Ride the carousel. Pick up an impromptu picnic with neighborhood pizza, ice cream and a giant chocolate-chip cookie. And if you're in a boat-y mood, you can take the new East River ferry back to Manhattan.

9. MoMA. Three words: Raddest museum ever.
10. The High Line. This new park runs along old elevated freight-train tracks. The incredible landscape architecture makes it appear as if wildflowers are sprouting up among the tracks. You can sit on the reclining wooden benches, stroll along the meandering paths, and take in the city views. Such a lovely place to...do nothing.
Bonus tip! As you're walking around the city, duck into one of the many cheap massage places around town. You'll spot neon signs with massage prices listed by the minute (usually $10 for 10 minutes), and you typically have to head down a few steps. Don't worry, though, most aren't sketchy! :) Inside, you'll see a row of massage tables, separated by a curtains instead of real walls; and the massage therapists will guide you to one. The massages are always surprisingly good, and it's an awesome way to sooth your sore muscles after walking around all day--or to relax before heading to dinner.

What do you love doing in New York? Do you have any favorite tips? I'd LOVE to hear! xoxo

(Top image graphic design by HipHipGinGin for Cup of Jo. Globe, High Line and massage photos by Laura Ratliff, Murray's Cheese photo by Jamie Beck, Brooklyn Bridge photos by Philipp Klinger, Met rooftop and UCB photos by NYTimes, Hither & Thither, and Alex; sailing photos by Bart Stiller and Marvelous Kiddo; MoMA photos by MoMA; carousel photo by New York Magazine.)