Storq giveaway

Today's giveaway is from Storq, a new brand I'm really excited about. Courtney Klein, who is expecting her first child, wanted basic maternity clothes in which she'd feel comfortable and beautiful. So she made them.

Storq offers everything you need for your pregnancy: four maternity basics—a dress, skirt, tank and leggings—as well as natural beauty and body products. (I love the nail polish!)
Today Storq is giving away a full basics bundle, which includes the dress, skirt, tank and leggings. Simple and brilliant, right? I would have loved this when I was pregnant!

For a chance to win, please visit Storq and leave a comment below. (And feel free to sign up for their sweet and funny newsletter.) A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Congratulations to all the expectant mamas out there! Update: The winner has been emailed. Thanks for playing. xo

(Photos by Noah Kalina for Storq)

HATCH fall collection

Confession: These first few months after having a baby have been a little wobbly. The newborn stage is magical and delicious, but I had forgotten what it's like to be so mind-numbingly tired. So, I've been trying to do a few things every day to feel like myself. I read the New Yorker on my phone. I chat with funny parents at the playground. I shower and blow dry my hair every morning. It's funny how those little things—especially, somehow, clean hair—can make a big difference to feeling centered and refreshed.

As for what to wear, HATCH just came out with their fall collection. I wore some HATCH maternity clothes when I was pregnant, and they made me feel beautiful. But a great thing about HATCH is that you can wear their pieces after pregnancy, too. The flowing styles are flattering to all body types, and I love how effortless they feel. (I'm eyeing this top for nursing, and how chic is this cape?!)

What do you do when you need a boost? Read a good book? Call an old friend? Sneak off for a pedicure? Drink a big glass of wine? I'd actually love some suggestions! :)
(This awesome little dude likes to party all night. Anton, go to sleep!)

(HATCH is one of Cup of Jo's beloved long-term sponsors. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make Cup of Jo possible)

Little Anton!

Late one night, I took these photos of Anton chilling on my legs. His little expressions kill me! It has been a pleasure getting to know him over the past three weeks. The other day, Alex and I were half-jokingly trying to spot personality traits, and I said that he seems like a hard worker. It sounds weird, but he really does seem to be concentrating so earnestly on figuring out how how to eat, sleep and generally be alive.

Oh, Anton. You have stolen my heart a million times over.

P.S. If you'd like to see more photos, I post them now and again on Instagram. xo

The Royal Baby

Last night, I was breastfeeding Anton and reading articles on my iPhone, when I came across this fascinating post about the dress Kate wore when the couple presented their baby to the world. "Kate’s unabashed baby belly busts the last taboo of pregnancy," wrote the Daily Beast.
When I saw the photo of her beautiful high-waisted dress, which unapologetically highlighted her postpartum belly, I was actually surprised to find myself flooded with relief. As a new mom, I found it enormously refreshing that she wasn't trying to hide her shape. You definitely still look pregnant for the first couple weeks after having a baby, and that's normal and healthy. Obviously, this shouldn't really be a big deal, but these days so many celebrities try to show how quickly they bounce back, and, here, Kate was more honest. The dress was definitely a thoughtful choice she made (versus wearing baggy clothes or holding the baby in front of her), since she's so careful about what she wears, and she knows how much scrutiny she's under, and I love her for that. What do you think?
P.S. On a lighter note, George Costanza's response to the baby's name... :)

(Photos by Scott Heavey and Peter Macdiarmid for Getty)

Toby meets Anton for the first time

Thank you again for all the sweet notes about the new baby! I'd love to share a few photos of Toby meeting his brother for the first time...Read More >