Happy holidays, everyone! We wanted to take a second to thank you so much for reading, whether you check in every day or now and again. I can’t tell you how much we adore our readers and how grateful we are for this smart, funny community. (This post blew our minds.) We’ll be traveling over the next two weeks — and posting photos on Instagram — but in the meantime, here’s a look back over the past year on Cup of Jo…
Fashion posts, like pretty earrings, a French bra trick, the most flattering jeans and our new Week of Outfits series — like the adorable Lisa Fine, chic Mckenzie Raley and inspiring Dalila Shannon.
Beauty posts, such as what Megan learned as a beauty editor, Stella’s amazing eyebrow makeover, the five exercise classes I tried, and our beauty uniform series (with a restaurant owner, hair stylist and neuroscientist).
Food posts like a foolproof dinner conversation starter, the best Trader Joe’s meal hacks, a breakfast board, the five ingredients you always have, restaurant etiquette and how to crack an egg without shell.
Travel posts, including traveling alone to Paris, guides to five awesome cities, how to plan your best vacation, Toby and Anton’s guide to NYC, going to the White House holiday party and a romantic trip to England, gone awry.
Relationship posts, such as an ode to alone time, 10 wedding dos and don’ts, first date rituals, the secret to a good date, genius career advice, how to be happier and a hard part of weddings.
Design and decor posts, like beautiful ceramics, funny Instagram accounts, a European trick to sleeping better, how to decorate a small space and our house tour series (including my sister’s home makeover and an NYC apartment with a cabin vibe).
Culture posts, like the nutty behind-the-scenes of New York Times Magazine covers, eight favorite podcasts, on being a feminist, a pet peeve about sex on TV, six ways to follow the news, and coming together after the election.
Motherhood posts, such as 15 things I’d want to tell a new mother, a surprising way to stop tantrums, marriage after kids, on being a surrogate, raising race-conscious children, on single motherhood and going from one kid to two. Plus, our fourth year of Motherhood Around the World, including 15 surprising things about parenting in Iceland.
Thank you again for everything this year. Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing break. We’ll be back on January 3rd with a family house tour, five outfits from Nashville and Stella‘s post on making friends in a new city (it’s not easy!). Have a great holiday and a happy new year. Lots of love. xoxoxo
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Love following in conjunction with this blog during the last few years. I enjoy pouring a cup of espresso and catching up with all of the posts I missed.
Hope you had a great vacation. The top two pictures of your family are just beautiful. Happy New Year to you and your team!
My favorite was still – and may always be – the apartment redesign you did for you sister. I unabashedly ugly-cried at that one, and still think their book is the most important of 2016. I’ve given it as a gift at least 5 times, and will continue to do so…
I cannot wait for brand new posts! Hope you and the team had a wonderful celebration.
What a lovely collection of photos! I have loved reading your blog for such a long time (before kids!) and it’s been so lovely watching you and your sweet family grow! Wishing y’all a happy and healthy 2017! xoxo
a great post filled with great posts!
I want to say THANK YOU for all the wonderful posts and reflections that you have shared this past year. I was a new follower in 2016 and was immediately taken in by what was shared, which so aligned with my own thoughts and feelings, while exposing me to new outlets and ideas. From clothes, to children, to art I found a spot that I could regularly go to and find camaraderie and connection. I am looking forward continued reading in 2017!!
THANK YOU and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
thank you so much, meg! that means a lot. :)
Wishing you all a very happy holiday season! Thank you for being a light for me in what has been an insane year, in so many amazing and difficult ways. You guys are the best.
P.S. Revisiting your Trader Joe’s meal hacks right now – going today and buying ALL THE THINGS!
your blog has been one of my go-tos for the past few years, and i can’t wait to continue reading next year. happy holidays!
-kim
midnight snark
Thank you Joanna, happy holidays to you and your family! Looking forward to more posts in the New Year :)
http://www.pragueforlovers.cz/
Happy holidays and Happy New Year’s to the CoJ crew and your loved ones!
Thank you for you blog, you are the highlight of the internet for me. I read you almost everyday, even when on Christmas vacation in Colombia. :) I am inspired by your over-all style and the world vision that you present.
Can’t wait what you come up with next year!
Have a wonderful vacation! Your blog is one of the few that I always make a point to read and I’m excited to see what content you share next year!! xx yael
http://www.yaelsteren.com/blog/
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and everyone of y’all! I love stopping by this blog, it always seems to brighten my day. xx
thetearoomsblog.wordpress.com
Thank you for all that you do, Jo. I am a long time reader and love reading your blog posts everyday. They are always so timely, informative and create incredible discussions. Wishing you, your family and the entire Cup of Jo team a wonderful holiday season and an amazing start to 2017. :-)
I always enjoy your blog and the community you foster here! The content is always diverse and thought-provoking. I continually feel inspired and heartened by what I learn, and your voice undoubtedly shapes my own writing! Thank you! Happy holidays to you!
I love your blog and I’m so thankful for your fabulous content! I’m a new mama and your motherhood posts have been reassuring, affirming, and informative. I love that you showcase powerful, beautiful, and REAL women in the beauty posts. Every time I stop by your blog, which is just about daily, I end up feeling empowered and comforted. Thank you!
Jo, I love every aspect of your blog. I’m not a mama but enjoy the series that feature parenting around the world and so much more!
I also appreciate the courage it took to reveal your personal political stance. I think you did so respectfully, allowing for others who don’t share your (our) views to provide feedback and offer their opinion in a world where that’s challenging for all of us. Your voice is an important one to many and I for one, am so happy you used it in this way.
Have a lovely new year and thank you to you and all of your staff that makes this such a wonderful daily read.
Thank you JO and team, you are my morning cup of coffee: warm, never disappointing and giving me fuel for the day. Can not thank you enough. The quality of the topics, angles and writing is just perfect. Happy holidays to all of you, see you in 2017!
Thanks for this amazing post. :)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance :)
I am really a fan of your blog. :) I cant explain it in words how it helps me in everyday life. God Bless you.
Cheers.
http://onlyforbabies.com
Thank you to the Cup of Jo team for all of the hard work you put into opening our minds and making our days. You are all the BEST. Happiest of everything and many blessings to you and yours for 2017 and beyond.
Love following along with this blog over the past few years. I enjoy pouring a cup of coffee and catching up with all the posts I missed.
Your sisters home makeover was amazing! Thanks for all the amazing posts!
http://objectsicantafford.com
Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family! <3 xo
Thank you for your work. I am a stay at home mom in a new city with a 4 mo old and a 2 year old. I check Cup of Jo every day. It helps me feel connected to the larger world. Your posts in this year specifically have challenged my beliefs and inspired. When the election results came in I knew I could find community and strength here. As a rape victim I felt ignored by our socity when Trump was so supported after several degrading comments toward women. Reading helped me understand many people feel the same isolation and disappointment. I only have hope moving forward that this will be a wake up call. I am nervous for the upcoming political year. Please keep sending out your light to women everywhere!
thank you so much for your sweet and honest comment, anna. xoxoxoox
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Have fun.
I came across your blog this year Joanna, and I have SO enjoyed it. Thank you! Hope you and your staff enjoy the holidays and some time off!
Joanna, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to your family and the Cup of Jo team! Thanks for always keeping me inspired!
Thank YOU! Best Christmas wishes from Spain. Ifollow everyday and I feel conected and close to all of you. Thnak you for sharing!! :* <3
I have been reading A Cup of Jo for many years (before Toby was born!) and I have enjoyed seeing how your content has maintained such a high quality but continued to branch out and cover new topics.
I really really really (can’t even describe how much!) LOVE the motherhood around the world series. I’m not a mother, but I have lived in several different cultures and your series does such a fantastic job articulating tiny cultural nuances that can be hard to explain or understand. Please keep it up!
the same here!! I’m not a mom but I love the series too :) thank you for the wonderful blog.
I love your blog so much. You are so kind and genuine : ) Happy holidays!
Also-I found this video about a phone thief super intriguing: http://www.dailydot.com/unclick/find-my-phone-documentary-anthony-van-der-meer/?utm_content=inf_10_2862_2&cm=dd&type=cpc&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=jabra&utm_campaign=311204&tse_id=INF_13bbbd00c86d11e6a49ee98568f943c2
thanks, krista!
Your blog is like comfort food, I always feel better after reading it. And I’ve been doing so daily for five years now! Happy holidays to you, your family and to all your readers.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year Joanna! Happy holidays to your team too! Scanning through the links made me realize, what a wonderful work you guys have done this year. It is very rare that I would want to read a pre-read link , usually it was 2-3 posts all these years, but I think, I can go through all of these many times more, for days my chai companion (cupofjo) is on hiatus :). Great work! (reader since ’09!)
Scanning = skimming :), this is what happens when you spend two weeks scanning visa documents!!
Joanna, your blog and writing reaches people across so many ages, cultures, values, and circumstances. I always look forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing so much with your readers! Also a note that I read your brother-in-law’s book this year and it’s in my top 5 favorites of all time. Although I was familiar with the story, I found myself sobbing through the last few pages on an airplane.
Anyway, happy holidays to you and your family and a very happy New Year!!
Happy Christmas to the whole team, just love the work you guys do ??
Merry Christmas and a happy happy new year to you and your families. I’ve loved cup of jo even more this year and spent hours reading up on all the motherhood post during those sleepless nights of pregnancy. You are the best blog out there. By far. I’m typing this as I lie next to my gorgeous gorgeous four-week-old who was unfortunately admitted to a hospital yesterday on Christmas eve’s eve. Precautionary because he has an RS-virus cold. Fingers crossed for going home tomorrow. So, the most important thing is wishing you all a healthy and loved new year.
Hope he’s doing well!
Thanks Ingrid! He’s getting there.
hope he’s back to his usual self, maryse!!! sending so much love your way.
Thank you so much, Joanna! I’ve been reading your blog for years now! Your posts are always inspiring!
A happy Christmas and a wonderful new year to you and your family!
Scrolling through those past posts makes me realize how amazing Cup of Jo is! Thank you for all the amazing content.
My favorite blog by far! Thanks ladies.
That’s an amazing family photo of you all. Been reading your blog for over six years. Thanks for writing inspiring posts on the regular.
Merry Christmas and happy new year to you, your lovely family, and the Cup of Jo team! I look forward to reading your blog every day, enjoy your break…
Thank you! I love your blog…the content is fun, informative, entertaining and thoughtful. My girlfriends and I often joke when we get something new/try something new/share something new…”cup of jo told me to and so I did!”
Love your blog!! Please never stop, it’s the only blog I read and im always surprised and delighted with how interesting and unique your content is, it makes me a more interesting person for having read it! Im always saying “…I read recently about…” (on A Cup of Jo!). Much love to your family, enjoy your time together, happy holidays from Brightwaters, New South Wales, Australia. Xx
Dear Joanna and the Cup of Jo team,
From a long time reader but a lazy commenter. ( The comment section is always AMAZING, love your readers!)
Reading your words of wisdom helped me out of my post election depression. ( Loved the boys bake sale!)
Thanks to you and your team for always providing such interesting, informative, intelligent and inspiring posts!
Enjoy the holidays with those adorable boys!!
Merry Christmas to the Cup of Jo team! I love this blog so much and I am always looking for other gems on the internet. Does anybody have any blogs that you love to read?
i really like kottke, dinner: a love story and miss moss. xoxo
Happy holidays to you and your team, Jo! Thank you for always providing us with such inspiring, beautiful content, my favourite post of yours from 2016 was definitely your sisters home makeover. xoxo
Love everything you guys do. From the beauty uniforms to the travel guides to the apartment tours – you guys are always one of reliable my go-tos in the oversaturated internet world. Happy holidays to you, your team, and your families! <3
http://www.wonderlandsam.com
Merry, merry!
You guys are an amazing slice of the internet. I will always keep coming back!
Xo, Brittany
http://Www.notablob.com
Have the best ones with loads of delicious food :)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Joanna to you and your family. I know you’ll have a blast with your boys. Your blog is a high point in my day, and I look forward to more good ones in 2017.
Thank you Joanna, for providing us a blog that is so inspiring. Cup of Jo tops my list of blogs I read everyday. Your 2 boys are adorable and I really enjoy your sharing them with us through this venue.
Wishing you, your family, and the rest of COJ writers and staff, the best of the season. Be blessed.