Have a Delicious Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We’re visiting my twin sister (and sharing a few photos on Instagram). Also, did you watch the Democratic debates this week? Looking forward to talking politics this year. Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun links from around the web…

Looooove this spring jacket.

Self care tips for toddlers. “Get plenty of sleep. It might feel decadent to sleep when you could be screaming, but those 10 minutes in the car on the ride home from the grocery store will leave you refreshed for the next 10 hours.”

UNO for minimalists.

Three breakup hair makeovers. (Such fun before-and-afters.)

A map of the areas most often missed during handwashing.

A woman stopped in the subway does an amazing Shallow cover. Wow!

This advice column makes me laugh.

Did you know about the Pittsburgh parking chair?

Three vegetable-powered dinners.

I’m finally reading this book (Amazon, Books Are Magic) and loving it.

The ingredient that makes any cake look like it came from a bakery.

Plus, two reader comments:

Says Colleen on taking yourself on dates: “Solo movie burrito-eaters unite! I will always remember one Friday after a rough day at work, I went to see Trainwreck and snuck in a burrito. I was surrounded by couples on dates, and as I quietly ate the entire thing (WITH guac), I kept thinking ‘You guys are doing it wrong!’ Lol.”

Says Fernanda on on what do you like about yourself: “For the first time in my life, I am proud of myself. Fully. Without any excuses. I am 35 years old, I have a Ph.D., I am a lawyer and a mother. Married for 13 years. And I suffer from anxiety, depression and ADHD. I love cartoons and have piercings and tattoos. I read philosophy, but I also like to read about silly things. I wear the clothes I want, without worrying about social conventions. I’ve never felt so beautiful, enlightened and happy. And there are days that suck. But I fully accept myself, the good, the bad and the ugly. To be the best example for my two-year-old daughter: that she is her. And this is beautiful.”

(Photo by Yossy Arefi.)

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Leah

March 4, 2020 7:03 am

I grew up about 40 miles from Pittsburgh and the parking chair was also something everyone did. I think about this all of the time since I live in the DMV (WDC, Maryland, Virginia) and saving a parking space with a chair would never, ever be honored.

Lovely memory.

Maria

February 25, 2020 12:06 pm

So if Fernanda has an Instagram account, blog, or anything else to read and inspire, please share. I need more of her in my life.

ATudor

February 24, 2020 2:03 pm

I would love to hear more on politics, especially if it could be perspectives from both sides of the aisle :)

Rachel

February 24, 2020 11:35 am

yes! hi fellow Pittsburgh-er!

Sara

Reply to Rachel

March 17, 2020 10:23 am

the parking chair is very real and it makes me happy to see the recognition here on Cup of Jo. Dean Bogg’s neighborhood videos are excellent!

Rachel

February 24, 2020 11:34 am

A pittsburgh native chiming in here to say the Pittsburgh Parking Chair is not only common, but you NEVER move the chair to take a space. It’s not even questioned, especially in the winter if you dug that space out of the snow.

celeste

February 24, 2020 10:38 am

Love the hair makeovers, that book looks so good, and yes to turbinado sugar!
As a follower of politics, I’m finding summaries and bite size video clips make it fun and ease my anxiety a little bit. Seems the last debate was a lively one though.

Amanda

February 24, 2020 9:59 am

This morning I parked my car in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill and saw a woman out in her bathrobe arranging her parking chairs for the day. A totally normal part of a Pittsburgh morning!

Sharon

February 24, 2020 9:39 am

Parking chairs are a common sight in Baltimore City after a snowstorm. It is not legal…but that is not enforced. I don’t live in the city…but would never have the nerve to move a parking chair…

Sarah

February 23, 2020 5:45 pm

I was pretty suspicious of that hand washing map at first, but then I paid more attention when I washed my hands today and definitely missed the thumbs.

Also, “Looking forward to talking politics this year.” I wish I could say the same! Feeling mostly dread and unease when I think about it, especially the part that involves talking about it with others, specifically family. Know you’re inundated with post requests but would love any tools, literally any little thing, that could help me get through bad news and/or tricky conversations with people who have equally rigid and completely opposite perspectives.

February 23, 2020 3:36 pm

If you want something even more fun, google “Pittsburgh toilet” (it’s not gross, just bizarre).

Reply to K

February 24, 2020 2:36 pm

Hahaha the Pittsburgh toilet! I know it exactly.

Anna | Yes Little Hummingbird?

February 23, 2020 2:12 pm

Turbinado sugar is the best, hands down. It’s so delicious, and has an amazing flavor. More people should use it! (also nice to know I’m washing my hands thoroughly, lol)

Jessica

February 22, 2020 2:38 pm

What a beautiful reader’s comment on liking yourself. Reading it made me realize I feel exactly the same way. And that made me proud because I am also trying to model healthy expectations for my baby daughter. I think as women, we often don’t stop to think about ourselves this way, but we really should!

Steph

February 22, 2020 1:17 pm

Dropping my thanks and gratitude here, as well, for including a link to an indie bookstore. I’m an author, and this means so much to me. It always matters where we spend our money. xo

Susan

February 21, 2020 11:32 pm

Thanks for giving an alternative to buying the book on Amazon! I gave up amazon this year and its ubiquity has been notable in links from blogs, newspapers, everywhere.

Annelise Pierce

Reply to Susan

February 22, 2020 11:30 am

Susan. Agreed! The first thing I noticed in this weekend’s Cup of Jo was the alternative to Amazon! Thanks Joanna!

Akshita Siddula

Reply to Susan

February 23, 2020 11:31 am

Yes!!! Chicago! One year my friend put out his suit of armor to save his parking spot and made the local news!

Joyce

February 21, 2020 9:18 pm

Pittsburgh!!! That would be a fun COJ city guide. :) A city where people drive so nice that it can sometimes be dangerous. Seriously, in my hometown (35 mins NW of the burgh), people will signal you to “let” you turn left in front of them…tough to explain but my Philly husband was like: WTF are these people doing?! :) And I’m like: “turn! They’re letting you go!!”

Can’t even imagine signaling for someone to turn left in front of you Brooklyn, where we now live. Haha!

Also, I love Dean Bog’s series on Pittsburgh neighborhoods!

Molly K

Reply to Joyce

February 22, 2020 11:07 am

This drives my husband nuts. If it causes an accident, the ticket will be his, because the other driver had the right of way. I always urge him to go, “They want you to go!” And every time he refuses. He’s stubborn and will wait them out.

Beth

Reply to Joyce

February 22, 2020 2:48 pm

My husband and I are both from Philly but went to Pitt. We recently spent a long weekend in Pittsburgh with our daughter and had a VERY tough time coming back to the traffic/chaos of Philly after the kindness of the Yinzers :)

Sasha L

Reply to Joyce

February 22, 2020 3:15 pm

In Montana people let drivers make a left in front of them all the time. It almost feels a little rude when someone doesn’t. You’ll hear “asshole, out of stater” lol.

Laura L.

Reply to Joyce

February 24, 2020 12:02 am

Yes!! It can be dangerous- haha- but is just another great thing about Pittsburghers.

A PITTSBURGH city guide would be awesome!!!!

Reply to Joyce

February 24, 2020 8:49 am

Oh my goodness, Pittsburgh is so kind! “Savesies” in Philly is legit neighbor-fight inducing and the police expect to be called to handle illegal parking spot saving! (<3 my crazy city.)

Olivia

February 21, 2020 9:17 pm

I grew up baking with my Swedish grandmother, who put pärlsocker (pearl sugar) on her cardamom buns. Now I put it on all my sweet baked goods, and it provides such a nice sweet crunch — and reminder of my Mormor.

Christina

Reply to Olivia

February 22, 2020 5:26 am

Yes! Pärlsocker is the best! :-) Such a sweet crunch, and it looks pretty too.

Daniela

Reply to Olivia

February 22, 2020 9:05 am

Mm, älskar kardemummabullar :)

Alexandra

Reply to Olivia

February 23, 2020 2:24 pm

Just wanted to say I grew up baking with my Mormor too and this made me smile :) (and crave a cardamom bun!)

Megan

Reply to Olivia

February 24, 2020 10:40 am

Not a Swede but must say hands down the best pastry in the world. . .I felt vindicated when Henry got a handshake for his in bake off last season :) Would love recs as to where to get the best ones stateside (and for those who find themselves in Monterrey, Mexico–check out the ones at Bread they are legit)

Erin

February 21, 2020 8:27 pm

Pittsburgh native, now living in Florida and I completely forgot about the parking chair! Thanks for the funny reminder.

Roos

February 21, 2020 6:54 pm

The parking chair thing also happens here in Molenbeek/Brussels! Not just chairs though, sometimes it’s garbage bags filled with stones.. :/.

Emily R

February 21, 2020 6:38 pm

The chair in the snow is officially banned in the south end neighborhood of Boston. Thank God.

NIna

February 21, 2020 6:38 pm

Since birth Pittsburgher here. Yep, it’s a real thing and one of the many things I love about being a yinzer :). I also love french fries in my sandwiches as those from the ‘burgh can attest to the deliciousness.

Kristin Krebs

Reply to NIna

February 22, 2020 7:16 pm

Another born and raised Pittsburgher here. Do you love fries on salad too? I think there is nothing better, except for in sandwiches!!

Jules

Reply to NIna

February 24, 2020 9:35 am

So nice to see that other Pittsburghers are readers!! :)

Rachel

Reply to NIna

February 24, 2020 11:37 am

Pittsburgh COJ meet-up anyone??

jules

Reply to NIna

February 24, 2020 1:39 pm

Yasss. I’d definitely get in on a COJ Yinzer meetup!

Lauren E.

February 21, 2020 5:22 pm

Yeeeesssss Books are Magic!!! Thank you thank you thank you. As a soon-to-be author, I value my local indie bookstore so much. Once I walked in, placed an order for a book they didn’t have in stock, and literally got it the next day. Faster than Amazon. And I’m hoping one day they have me in for a reading :)

Reply to Lauren E.

February 21, 2020 10:26 pm

Yes! I still support the indie bookstore where I used to live. I ordered a book from them the other day and I happen to know the author. He’s doing a signing there in a couple weeks, which I can’t attend as I live 12 hours away, but they’re holding my order so he can sign my copy. He’s one of my favorite people so this delights me so much.

Cynthia

February 21, 2020 5:04 pm

Love the big pockets on the spring jacket and the green color.

Illana

February 21, 2020 4:51 pm

Omg “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” is so wonderful. So insightful, such an honest look at the beautiful, painful process of examining why we do what we do. I think that Lori Gottlieb writes with such exquisite compassion for herself and for all of us. I kind of wish she would just walk around insight my head and narrate my life for me. Enjoy!

Denise

February 21, 2020 4:28 pm

In Portland if you put a chair out, it’s free. So bye-bye chair. Also, I love the minimalist Uno, the Jamie Oliver Veg. Thanks for some fun gems this post & have a great weekend!

Deb

February 21, 2020 3:59 pm

Julie <3 <3 <3

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone is in my top 10 favourite ever because of Julie. Oof.

Shannon

February 21, 2020 3:57 pm

Thank you for including a link to a local bookstore as well as Amazon!

February 21, 2020 3:47 pm

Wow Meghan – awesome and so inspiring! Good luck!

Jessica

February 21, 2020 3:32 pm

In Chicago, the parking chair is called”dibs!”
https://www.wbez.org/shows/curious-city/to-dibs-or-not-to-dibs-the-essential-chicago-question/c36c6ddc-769e-4c09-b86e-2dd786f8b7b0

Kim W

Reply to Jessica

February 22, 2020 10:49 am

My favorite dibs set up ever was a card table covered with a black tablecloth & a plastic skull that flashed red eyes….Was living by Wrigley at the time. It’s like Malört …generally a dumb idea but you’d miss it if it was not an option …(and for the record I’ve done both once but never again)

Amy L.

February 21, 2020 3:11 pm

I grew up in Pittsburgh and the parking chair is totally a real thing. Moved to Cleveland and the idea would never fly here. You can spend hours digging out your car only to leave the spot for a fifteen minute errand and find yourself with no parking for days. :)

jules

February 21, 2020 2:44 pm

lifelong Pittsburgher here and the chair thing is REAL. Really nice if you get there first or its your normal chair-d spot, but can be a nightmare if you’re in a new area and can’t find a parking spot. Or if there’s a parade because the chairs are everywhere.

Reply to jules

February 22, 2020 10:37 am

I may be among the few that did not enjoy Maybe you should talk to someone, until almost the end. As someone with trust issues I actually felt less trustful of therapy and therapists. I know rationally that we are all human and will have opinions, talk about people, have our own issues etc, I guess I just held therapists to some ridiculous level above all that! Often it read as a bit petty and waaay more focused on the author than I thought it would be. Almost like Eat, pray, love for therapists.

Caitlyn

February 21, 2020 2:40 pm

Baltimore resident here and I fully support parking chairs in the snow! You shovel the spot? It’s yours until the snow melts! This is highly contested in our city :)
To be honest, I kind of want to do parking chairs year round. Didn’t know Philly did this! I live across from two corner store so parking can get dicey. One of my neighbors uses chairs year round, but she kind of runs the neighborhood – no one messes with Ms. Foxy!

Alycia

Reply to Caitlyn

February 21, 2020 6:47 pm

I live in Philly and am so anti-parking chair/cone/cement bucket, even if it snows. If you leave for work at 8am, your “spot” is supposed to sit empty for nine hours?! No way. Get an official parking spot, live somewhere with a driveway, ditch your car for the bus, or move to the suburbs already.
I do love that our police department has a sense of humor about the whole thing: https://twitter.com/phillypolice/status/841319009626804224?lang=en

shannon

Reply to Caitlyn

February 23, 2020 10:58 pm

Pittsburgh has the parking chair… DEFINITELY not Philly!! You leave your spot, it’s up for grabs. Also if you leave a chair out it’s likely to be taken as a freebie. And, people reallllly hate contractors who will not only block off part of the street with a dumpster but also will leave heavy debris around to save additional parking spots. Not cool.

Meghan

February 21, 2020 2:39 pm

I LOVED Maybe You Should Talk to Someone on like – a cellular level. It kickstarted my long time dream of becoming a psychotherapist. I’m starting my Master’s in the fall. Eep! Lori Gottlieb also does a weekly ask-a-therapist column in The Atlantic, in case you want more of her insightful writing!

Laura

February 21, 2020 2:35 pm

The parking chair is very much a New England thing, not just Pittsburgh!

Becky

Reply to Laura

February 21, 2020 3:28 pm

It’s also a Philadelphia thing too. Chairs, garbage cans, whatever it doesnt matter.

Becky Glendening

Reply to Laura

February 21, 2020 3:29 pm

But I’ve only seen it in the snow. Same with New England.

Julia

February 21, 2020 2:22 pm

I really appreciate CoJ’s recent shift in book links so that there’s another option besides Amazon! It’s little things like this that *do* make a difference.

Isabel

Reply to Julia

February 21, 2020 4:01 pm

I agree – thank you, Cup of Jo!

Joaquina

Reply to Julia

February 21, 2020 5:16 pm

Hear hear!

Reply to Julia

February 21, 2020 6:02 pm

Same here. I love supporting indies. Another good option is Bookshop, which gives money to indies based on orders.

Meg

February 21, 2020 2:20 pm

Chicago is famous for ‘parking chairs,’ but here we call it ‘dibs.’ It’s just used in the winter to claim a freshly-shoveled street parking spot, and it is a hotly contested tradition. The weirdest dibs I ever saw was a Virgin Mary statue. No one was going to move it to claim that parking spot.

https://chicagodibs.tumblr.com/

Jodie

Reply to Meg

February 21, 2020 4:44 pm

I have seen a full on nativity scene and thought the same thing. No way anyone is moving that! Dibs cracks me up.

Sarah

Reply to Meg

February 21, 2020 9:08 pm

DIBS!!! It is selfish and entitled and hilarious and I AM HERE FOR IT. I love to drive around and see the sh*t people have put out and slow clap for their industriousness.

Kiley

Reply to Meg

February 26, 2020 4:26 pm

My neighborhood in Chicago is mostly stolen traffic cones and fake “no parking” signs mocked up to look like the ones the city posts for street cleaning. Way less hilarious than dueling vacuum cleaners :)

Rachel

February 21, 2020 2:01 pm

MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE…one of the best books I’ve ever read. So very thought provoking!

txilibrin

February 21, 2020 1:42 pm

I almost cried when I read the article “Self-Care tips for toddlers”. I’m sharing that with everyone I know. So good, so relatable :)
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