Introducing Our New Babies & Kids Editor Joanna Goddard November 24th, 2010 By

A Screenshot of Joanna and Baby Toby!

Meet Joanna Goddard, our new Babies & Kids Editor.  Magazine writer and author of the style blog A Cup of Jo, she lives in New York with her husband and new baby boy, Toby.

beso would like to extend a warm welcome, and I’m pleased to share her answers to some of our most pressing questions:

Q&A:

beso: Can you share a little about your professional background as a writer and editor?
Joanna: After graduating from the University of Michigan, I took a deep breath and moved to New York in fall 2001.  I started out interning at Cosmopolitan Magazine, which was a great place to get a foot in the door.  (My main responsibility was to walk around Manhattan and interview cute guys on the street!) Since then, I’ve worked as an editor, writer and blogger for large and small magazines, including Glamour, Cookie, New York and Budget Travel.

b: How did you come to start A Cup of Jo?
J: I started blogging in January 2007 — almost four years ago, crazy! — as a fun way to stay in touch with my mom and sister, who live in Michigan and San Francisco, respectively.  I never expected it to become such a huge part of my life, but I’m so grateful that it has! I’ve really loved it and have met so many amazing people through the blogging community.

b: Are you settled in New York or do you think you might move again?
J: New York is such a fun place to live, and we might stay here forever.  But now that we have a baby, my husband and I daydream about where we might move next.  It would be awesome to have a backyard with a swing set and a hammock, as well as a quiet street where we could teach Toby how to ride a bike.  We fantasize about Maine; Portland; Cornwall, England.  Who knows? We might live in New York forever, but it’s always fun to daydream about other places over a glass of wine.

b: When shopping for baby clothing, what are some of the first things you look for?
J: Adorable patterns, like polka dots, stars and stripes!  And I look for how quickly I can put the outfit on — snaps are faster than buttons; leggings and leg warmers are easy.  Toby hates getting dressed (hates it!) so speed is essential.

b: I absolutely love your baby and kids winter picks on beso.  Is there anything you’re eyeing for Toby at the moment?
J: Thank you!  We just got an amazing stroller bag to keep him warm this winter.  We walk everywhere — so I was thrilled to find something that will keep him cozy on those bitterly cold January days.  It’s like a sleeping bag!

 

b: What is your go-to holiday party outfit?
J: A little black dress with red tights.  Simple and festive!

b: What is your favorite brand of jeans right now?
J: Good question! Gap Always Skinny jeans and the Stevie jeans by AG.  Both are super flattering.

 

b: What bag do you find yourself carrying most these days?
J: The Market Bag by Moop, which fits everything from my phone and wallet to Toby’s diapers and toys…but doesn’t look like a diaper bag!

b: What sunglasses do you find yourself reaching for most?
J: Ray-Ban Aviators.  They somehow make you feel cool, even when you’ve got a baby on your hip and haven’t showered in three days.

b: Any suggestions for fun, affordable holiday hostess gifts?
J: Saipua soaps are handmade in Brooklyn and Diptyque candles smell incredible, look gorgeous and last forever.

b: By the way, I think this Gap Shark hat from your Beso Baby Gifts section is hilarious.  Would you dress Toby in it?
J: Yes!  Animal hats are one of the best parts of being a mom :)

b: What are some of Toby’s favorite toys right now?
J: The Fisher Price Rainforest jumper.  It’s such an eyesore in our living room, but he totally adores it!

 

b: Any recommendations for cute baby bedding?
J: Dwell is my absolute favorite for baby bedding.  We have their chocolate dot fitted sheets, but I love all their patterns.  Also my friend has the polka-dot flannel crib sheets from Garnet Hill, which look lovely and cozy.

b: It seems as if the holidays always fly by.  What are some things you’re looking forward to in 2011?
J: Toby’s first word!  I’m secretly hoping it will be “Mama.” :)

b: me, too!  Thanks for the interview, Joanna.  I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy holiday season.

> check out the rest of Joanna’s picks

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5 Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet August 11th, 2010 By

Christine Cameron is a personal stylist, wardrobe consultant, and blogger.  She can be seen most recently in Glamour Magazine‘s September Issue.  Follow her fashion forays on My Style Pill.  Below, she exclusively shares her 5 Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet:

Christine Cameron of My Style Pill

1. Start by trying on everything in your closet.  However, before you begin, I recommend calling in a good friend who will be honest with you about what looks good and what doesn’t.  It will also help you spend less time on the items you wear every day (which should already fit well), and allow the focus to remain on the pieces that are tucked away in the back of your closet.

2. After you’ve tried everything on, you should be left with three piles.  One with the pieces you are going to keep, another with the items you are going to toss, and one with the pieces that need to be altered.  There are definitely articles of clothing that can be saved by just hemming a skirt or having a dress taken in or out.  It can really make all the difference in salvaging quality pieces, so don’t neglect that pile.

3. Once you have tackled your clothes, move on to your shoe collection.  As tough as this might be, throw away (or donate) any extremely painful shoes you own, or shoes you never wear, since the chance of you actually wearing them again is slim to none.  I know from experience that by hanging on to almost-never-worn-shoes for far too long, it only results in clutter. 

4. Donate.  Once you have completed the overall sorting process of your closet and have separated everything, I suggest donating items that are in good condition to The Salvation Army or the Goodwill.  Also, you can check your city’s listings to see if they have any other donation centers, and to see drop-off and pick-up times.

5. Put it all back.  Lastly, a large part of the overhaul process is how you put it all back in in your closet.  For me, organizing my closet by color makes the most sense to me.  But for others, it makes sense to divide closets by type of item, i.e. skirts, blazers, dress pants.  Do what works for you, but make sure you devise a system so that getting dressed becomes that much easier — and that much more fun!

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