Three Fun Things
Every summer, my sister, like clockwork, texts me to ask what nail polish she should get. For the past three years, my answer has been the same: Ballet Slippers for toes, and my forever favorite for fingernails (when I’m not biting them, gahh). What nail polish are you wearing these days?
Have you played Monopoly Deal? Unlike regular old Monopoly — which can drag on forever, until everyone drifts away — the card game version feels surprisingly exciting. In past comment sections, CoJ readers have described it as “fast,” “addictive,” and “the living best.” After the above photo was taken, Freddie and I lasted just 15 minutes until my cousin Jeremy crushed us all.
It’s the best time of year for tomato sandwich work lunches. That’s all.
What about you? What have you been into lately? Also, does anyone have a TV show rec? I’m in a serious rut.
P.S. Four funny scenes, and the darkly funny book I can’t stop thinking about.
Tags: fun things, personal
Comments
130 commentsCurrently wearing Manicurist Active Glow in Raspberry. It’s clear with color and my nails have never been in better shape. I swear that their nail Mask SOS has lessened the ridges I have had forever!
I love the Manicurist line! But the raspberry with my olive skin reminded me of spaghetti sauce stain on a storage container (ew) so I added a few drops of red to the bottle and wow it’s this gorgeous transparent watermelon now! I top it with the Manicurist gold sparkle. The result is like pink sparkle jellies for your hands!
We are absolutely hooked on Acapulco on Apple TV +! Totally fun to watch, and a fair amount of suspense wondering who/what will show up/happen next! And the singers…they are worth the price of admission alone : ) .
I love the Dior polish, but I feel like it chips so easily. Any top coat suggestions?
This summer, I really love to wear unusual nail colors, like deep sea green, deep blue or deep orange! Or also in love the Korean style, every nail is different yet matching, often highly embelished!
Over a decade ago, in my late twenties, I ditched painting my toenails. I enjoy taking great care of my feet with occasional pedicures and lots of pampering at home. But there is something quite freeing about zero-maintenance and zero-care. I keep a tiny bottle of vitamin E on my nightstand and love the ritual of painting the oil onto my cuticles at night. It keeps the nails in top shape!
My sweet husband introduced me to Monopoly Deal when we were dating and it is our favourite! We have taught many of our friends and hosted tournament game nights- We even had a tourney at our wedding with a bracket and a real deal title belt with the monopoly man!
Anya, Clambake is one of my favorites; they did stop making it, but I think they are making is again. Bright orange for toes is my favorite, so I have many variations. Currently wearing; Start signs only” Essie ( Joanna you recommended this, when did you go neutral? ) I also like “ Camden Chic” by Londontown. “ Capri” by Essie is nice too. I just looked at my bottle of Clambake and it’s seems more red than I remember. I’ve probably had a year or two. Red-orange. Anyway, still pretty!
This summer I’ve been obsessed with the Jelly line from Cirque. They have fun colors and people ask me all the time if it’s shellac. Highly recommend!
Joanna, I have to say that I feel a little torn about how much wonderful content is going onto Big Salad instead of CoJ! I love that you’re pursuing a new outlet, but I’m just not in a position to subscribe – and it kills me to miss out on things like Jen Mankins’s Swedish life update!
We give 30 comped subscriptions per month — just email newsletter@cupofjo.com to get on the list! Xoxo
our friends who love games as much as our family does JUST SENT US MONOPOLY DEAL IN THE MAIL. we can’t wait to try it!
My forever summer favorite for toes is Essie Marshmallow. The rest of the year, I usually choose a great neutral like OPI Barefoot in Barcelona (pinky brown) I also like Orly November Fog, (a dusky lavender gray, which is a bit outside my comfort zone) but only in the fall!
WATCH BIG BOYS ON HULU!! UK show about these two boys who become best friends despite being on kind of opposite ends of the masculinity spectrum. It’s SO precious and full of heart. 10/10 highly recommend!
Chiming in with yet another vote for Pernille (and Somebody Somewhere, but I’m assuming you’ve already seen).
Some watch recs from our house: Slow Horses, Better Things (a Pamela Adlon creation, and so fabulous), The Detectorists – well worth watching, a true gem. For those who are ok with vampire movies, Sinners is a brilliant film. I am not in general a horror movie fan, but I highly recommend this one. In our house we are all looking forward to the upcoming Thursday Murder Club movie adaptation, which may not be able to compete with the high bar set by the books, but I will give it a shot anyway because Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.
I loved Better Things! It’s so funny and moving, and the soundtrack elevates the entire experience.
Sinners was so good!!! There’s a whole reddit subthread of how this champions women’s sexuality and promotes pleasure for women being a priority. Even besides that, it’s an excellent movie!
Literally *just* painted on my latest nail obession – opal nails. A slightly opaque pinky/nude base coat (tonight I’ve done Essie Fairy Tailor, but actually Ballet Slippers would be great too!) followed by an iridescent flakey glitter (I Scream Nails Opal Obsession) and top coat. Neutral but interesting, sparkly in the light, and oh so fun!
TV: Overcompensating on prime. It’s hilarious and a balm.
And then when you fall in love with Benito Skinner, listen to Ride the Pod, with Mary-Beth Barone (she plays Grace!). Its so special and hilarious and absurd. (anyone else here a Baronie!?)
J.Hannah polish in Eames for toes! I’ve worn this green polish for a few years now and it’s surprisingly neutral. Hope it never goes away, it’s become my signature. Also, not TV but Sorry, Baby was fantastic.
Hightown, currently on Netflix. 3 Seasons. Cape Cod crime mystery. Excellent lead actress. Plenty of plot twists.
Signora Volpe on Acorn, each episode is long and like a mini movie, beautiful Italian setting and she has the best clothes! For nails I did a gel French manicure and love how clean my nails look. Yummy sandwich idea – open faced with ricotta and fig and hot (spicy) honey on toasted sourdough baguette
TV shows I’ve binged this summer and highly recommend r: Ted Lasso’s (late to the party, I know) The Studio Deli Boys And I’m currently rewatching Only Murders In the Building -season 5 premieres September 9th- woohoo!!!
I made the viral TikTok feta, tomato pasta from 2021 for the first time last week. Great way to use up some cherry tomatoes from your garden. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/baked-feta-pasta-9867689
Or bruschetta… https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5718-basic-bruschetta I’ve made this version for years
I love Resident Alien on Sci Fi. So sorry it’s been cancelled. Alan Tudyk is a treasure!
The Hunting Wives on Netflix is a wild and crazy ride. OMG
Totally agree! It was batsh$% and very enjoyable.
I’m reaoxes of cute charms and create a bracelet or necklace!lly enjoying charm bars! So fun to did through boxes of cute enamel charms and create a bracelet or necklace!
Edited to say: I’m really enjoying charm bars! So fun to dig through boxes of cute enamel charms and make a bracelet or necklace!
I’m a big fan of essie’s ‘Mall Crawler’, which is in their expressie line. It’s a buildable, jelly-bubblegum pink. As it chips it doesn’t look noticeable, and as someone who nervously picks at their nail polish every day, I can easily repaint because it’s quick-dry. This nail polish helped me grow out my nails for a wedding.
Love on the Spectrum on Netflix! My coworker described it to me as the Great British Baking Show of romance reality tv, and that feels right to me. I read an interview with the creator and he said that when they do the matchmaking for the cast, they’re genuinely looking for a match. They’re not looking to create conflict or drama. The desire for the cast members to succeed and thrive is palpable. Highly recommend, even if you don’t usually go for reality shows!
I second. I think Love on the Spectrum just might be my favorite show ever
I’m usually a pedicure queen in the summer. This year I am drawn to a less shellacked and more natural kind of diy look. So, my summer color is been Eldridge by Ten Over Ten. It’s the prettiest sheer watermelon pinky color.
I just got so excited and had a look, tried to buy but they don’t ship to Australia! It looks like a great colour.
Former and you-never-know-when-it-might-begin-again nail biter here: Germanikure glass nail file + Bare Hands buffing kit have become a lil ritual for me. Keeping them short and shiny and unpolished has been helpful to minimizing biting. I live with my young adult kid and my much-younger-than-I-am boyfriend. We’re each quirky and on the judgy side, so it’s especially fun when we all love a thing. Lately, a few of those include: – the game Mystery Detective (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/283119/mystery-detective-vol-1-classic-cases) – Wildfish Cannery tinned salmon (omg the packaging and the smoked coho in birch syrup) – the show Black Doves
thank you!!
Thanks for the game rec, that sounds fun!!
I recently bought a bright blue nail polish and wore it on my toes on vacation and I loooove it. Strangely, it goes with everything! and it’s fun. Next I’m going to see if I like it on my fingernails – or will it be too much?
that sounds so pretty! do you know which color?
It was a big stretch for me to wear blue on my hands (or any color besides a shade of red or pink) but I got used to it & love it! Now blue is one of my top choices!
I’d add Slow Horses and Severance to the list. Both are so, so good. And completely agree with The Middle, The Diplomat, Hacks, Dept Q, Shrinking, and The Gilded Age. Yay to all the new TV recos.
TV for history buffs: Rogue Heroes
Andor and Mo were absolute masterpieces. I’m also really enjoying the new season of Wednesday on Netflix.
I absolutely LOVED Mo. I’ll check out Andor!
You and Freddie seem like Taylor and Travis. Very damn happy and celebrate each other. It’s so lovely and your happiness bounces through your posts! As a fun thing, I loved seeing Taylor announcing her album and the podcast interview, clearly with someone she trust’s wholeheartedly. My daughter and I watched the countdown before the announcement and we screamed so much our little dog jumped all over us with excitement too. It’s just joyful. Now my daughter has been sending me updates and TikTok’s of Swifties unpacking it all. Such a fun thing to share with my teen x
I can’t remember a new show I’ve watched all the way through since Gemma’s delightful Lady Jane Grey last summer! I recently reworked my way through The Good Place, my forever comfort show, and have a few backlogged episodes of After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson before I run out of those.
TV recc: North of North. You can thank me later!
Oooohhhhh, so glad to see someone recommend this!! Sweet and funny and such a great glimpse into the far north.
YES to North of North!!! Highly recommend.
Downton Abbey!!! Forever and always.
Yes, re-watching now! Recently watched North and South (Richard Armitage!) and loved it.
Highly recommend visitng Highclere, where they filmed! My bestie and I were SO excited and loved it so much!! Now every time I see a commercial, my whole household says yes, we know you’ve been there lol.
Yes, Downton Abbey. What a wonderful series. I recently rewatched the whole series. Honestly, I will probably rewatch it again in a few short years.
Jury Duty! The premise is so crazy – everyone is an actor except one person who believes it’s a real trial. It’s really funny and the last episode explains how they managed it
Jury Duty was SO good! I was massively impressed with all the actors, and the fact that they never broke character, not even during that scene where the guy is trying to use his standing chair invention in the courtroom.
Why aren’t we all talking about Dying for Sex?! It’s the most beautiful, breathtaking show. Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate forever and ever.
Absolutely agree. I wept so hard at the end.
We came so late to Gavin and Stacey and have savoured and adored it. Nothing like British television! For something more fast paced, Natasha Lyonne in Poker Face is also terrific.
I really enjoyed The Better Sister on Prime Video. I need Chloe’s (Jessica Biel) entire wardrobe.
I enjoyed that show too and went looking up all her outfits after. lol
I am painting my toe nails blue every summer and I love it: it is refreshing and brings the ocean right to my feet… enjoying the heat in Paris right now and swimming in the Seine…
I hear ya, and am a big fan of complimentray ocean toes. Shimmery gold also looks fantastic in sand. Give it a try on your toes next summer!
I am deeply in an escapist mode so What We Do In The Shadows is pretty much all I watch and laugh out loud funny. I will return to Reservation Dogs when I’m feeling more up for it. Also hilarious but covers some heavy topics.
I haven’t finished Reservation Dogs yet because I love it so much and I can’t bare to watch it end. On the other hand, I WON’T be watching the And Just Like That series finale because of how wrong the whole show did the girls!
CND’s Lobster Roll is my summer go-to for my tootsies. I don’t paint my fingernails because #farmlife. Tomato sandwiches for the win, though because #farmlife. Swings and roundabouts ;)
My daughter and I are thoroughly enjoying these newest seasons of “The Great British Baking Show.” We love how the bakers become good friends, help each other with challenges, are supportive and kind to each other and say some of the funniest things. We’ve been marathon watching this show for the past 5 days. I’ve also been enjoying the Diplomat on Netflix. If you love spy-type shows with strong female leads, this is your thing. The first season was good. The second season was excellent. The third season comes out this fall and I can hardly wait. So, so good.
My summer color is OPI cajun shrimp
Always and forever!!!!
Always and forever, Heidi!
LOVE Cajun Shrimp!
Except they changed it to be pinky instead of the fiery orange-red it once was, and I was heartbroken! Always my go-to before it changed.
Ha! On my toes now.
All summer long!! My bottle is getting thick sadly, so I stole my mom’s since she never uses it.
Dying for Sex on Hulu! It is funny and sweet and feminist and sad. Fair warning it gets heavy (and explicit, wouldn’t watch it with my parents, haha) but the tone is affirming and there are also laugh out loud moments in every episode. It’s about a woman who finds out she has terminal cancer and goes on a quest to have an orgasm with another person; there is sexual trauma alluded to in her past but the focus is more on how she gets in touch with her body and her desires. UGH I loved it a lot.
Oh here I am replying to my own comment because I remembered another show I enjoyed: the Devil’s Plan. It’s a Korean reality competition show with card games, strategy games, and board games, and the contestants are really smart. It’s fun to watch them figure it out.
I’ve been enjoying Olive & June nail polish. They have cleaner ingredients and some fun colors. Toward the end of each season I definitely start feeling the need for the next season’s colors. The fall colors are calling!!
I love Londontown for this very reason and their illuminating sheds are very unique. Dazzle Dry is amazing if you can find a salon that issues it ( they all should, it’s drys super fast and it’s clean). This is the clean , practically checmical version of gel. I wish my local salon would use it. They sell kits on Amazon, but I haven’t made the leap.
I’ve been liking Stick on Apple TV. It’s like Ted Lasso, but make it golf, and features powerful women who speak to men in ways that I envy because I didn’t grow up seeing that modeled for me, especially on tv! It’s heartwarming and endearing.
Marc Maron is so great in it. I loved it!!
My nail color was inspired %50 by the perfect nude manicure in a jewelry ad (pandora bracelets) and %50 by the name of the color I eventually landed on after sifting through the infinite nude and shell colors: Pearl Clutching Behavior by OPI, lol. It looks exactly like the ad, and I love that kind of minimal look, so, success!
I loved Pernille too. Quirky, light in some ways. I also just discovered Love Life on Netflix with Anna Kendrick. Its super fun!
I juat rewatched Somebody Somewhere and this is such a perfect show. I wish there was more. My husband and i have been watching The Wire – old cop show that’s more violent than we usually go for, but it’s good. I think I’m going to resubscribe to apple tv so we can rewatch Ted Lasso. We need more goodness and laughter.
Somebody Somewhere was such a healing story to witness. So thankful for the writers, creators and actors!
Somebody Somewhere was one of the best shows I have ever watched, and I think about it all the time. Have put Jeff Hiller’s (Joel’s) memoir (actress of a certain age) on hold at library and cannot wait to get my hands on it– need more fuzzy feels in my life!
lol at describing The Wire as an “old cop show” it’s one of the most acclaimed dramas OF ALL TIME! It’s often considered one of the greatest tv series ever made! I’ve watched it more times than I can count. It’s brilliant. (and yes, violent and heavy and heartbreaking).
If you resubscribe to apple, watch Stick! It’s definitely goodness and laughter.
Amber – It’s not often that anyone even knows what show I’m talking about when I mention The Wire. It is an excellent show with so many great characters. That’s what makes it worth the heartbreak and violence.
The Wire is one of the smartest shows written for television. Heartbreaking and heavy… but so, so good. I remember that Joanna loved The Sopranos… anyone who can handle the heavier parts of the Sopranos would enjoy The Wire!
Late to this but absolutely loved Somebody, Somewhere. Because of this blog, I decided to watch on a very long flight and binged the entire season – I was literally laughing out loud AND crying at other times lol – the airline staff and other passengers must have thought I was crazy! ;)
I recently became a hypnotist which is so fun, and because of it I no longer bite my nails!! I can actually wear nail polish!! It’s so exciting
Wait…can you hypnotize yourself?!
Love, love, love Somebody Somewhere and Call the Midwife. I’m also into cozy mystery shows- I’m currently watching Brokenwood.
Joanna, I love the look of pink nails but how do you keep Ballet Slippers from looking streaky/chalky? One coat is streaky but when I do a second or even a third, it becomes thick and chalky. Secrets anyone?
I thought this was just me! Short of doing 5 coats I just cannot nail it :(
Same here!
I get it done at our local nail place, so I haven’t done it myself! I usually treat myself to a pedicure a couple times a summer — right now my toes are bare :)
Hey Mary, try matte base coat to keep sheer polish from being streaky. No idea why it works but it does. Cheap stuff is fine!
I’ve been into the true story of Floyd Collins, a cave explorer who got trapped in a cave in 1925 Kentucky and started on of the first media frenzies! I read a book about him called Trapped!, saw the musical on Broadway, and now am listening to the newly released Original Broadway Cast Recording. Highly recommend a deep dive into this really intriguing and ultimately tragic event!
The Tunnel on Amazon Prime was so good. I’ve watched the very last episode three times now, and even though I know what’s coming, I continue to sob. The Chestnut Man on Netflix also is great, but a little creepy.We also watched Broadchurch on the PBS app, binging all the episodes over a couple of nights. So good.
Could you do a post about nail biting? After 35 years, I miraculously quit during Covid! But I started again this year, and I’m just so disappointed. I feel so embarrassed to still have this childhood habit that I just can’t kick. I would love some perspective- I can’t be alone, right? Or some tips that have helped others, either accept themselves as nail biters or manage to quit entirely.
I second this! As I recall, Jo mentioned in the past that she chipped a tooth from nail biting!
The only thing that has ever reliably prevented me from biting my nails in having them painted/looking nice. Before I had my daughter, that meant monthly gel manicures, but now this does the trick: Manicurist Active Smooth nail polish
You are definitely not alone. I was an indomitable nail biter for 30 years, with a few brief stops. Then around 33 I stopped and (mostly) stuck with it, around the time my son was born. 3 years later I sometimes get into a nervous jag and nibble/bite, but I usually can stop myself, file the crags and calm down enough to let them grow again. I don’t know if I’m permanently “fixed” my nailbiting habit, but I feel I have a bit more control over it and a better perspective about how to stop/recover if I do start biting again.
I started knitting (and always carry it with me) to prevent nail biting. I’ve also noticed that after being in therapy for 7+ years (off and on — sometimes weekly, for now we’re doing monthly) my mental health has greatly improved. I knit when I’m in meetings, listening to sermons, at small group, riding the subway.
Definitely not alone! I bit my nails for 45 years until a couple years ago when I was absolutely adamant I needed to stop. So, I committed to manicures for a year. No excuses. I didn’t love the cost but the reward of having beautiful healthy nails was so worth it. I’ve completely stopped biting and get manicures fairly regularly now because I see it as a gift to myself after all those years of not having them!
I was a child nail biter. When I was a teen my best friend HATED my nail biting. Not that I’m recommending, but she would hit my arm, hard, every time she saw me do it, and we were inseparable. Cured. I know nail biting comes from differnt triggers/ reasons, I know for some it’s actual a medical/ mental health condition that can be treated with medication. For me, I can’t stand any little ragged bits, then once I start I nibble everything. But I ended up getting a mouth full of crowns many years ago and I can no longer bite little bits, my teeth are too thick and not sharp on the edges. I keep my nails as short as possible and trim away any bits of skin every time I trim them. If I do this, I don’t have any urge to bite. I’m also a bit germophobic, and the thought of hands in mouth is now pretty gross to me (thanks covid!). Nails themselves are a little gross too, I’m 100% not a long or painted nails person. Good for her, not for me.
The Inbestigators (on Netflix), while a children’s show, was an absolute delight!
There are so many good kid programs these days! Win or Lose on Disney+. Fantastic!
The Royals (Elizabeth Hurley version) for campy drama.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is giving me more joy than it needs to. When Conrad wipes Belly’s face with his white tshirt durinf the peach scene I squeeled with the biggest smile on my face.
Yesyesyes!
Platonic! I love seeing a man/woman friendship that isn’t about romantic tension and the shenanigans they get into it are so funny. Plus, I’ll never get over Seth Roger’s fits!
I just discovered Platonic and LOVE it!
Etoile on Prime! I feel like it got lost in the shuffle of summer shows but I LOVED it. It’s funny and weird and the dancing is so beautiful.
I binged Étoile this weekend. It was just what I needed.
ETOILE!! It was divine. Sadly it wasn’t renewed for a second season. I cannot imagine why… the writing is sharp, the actors are so fun, the scenery and choreography is amazing. A great watch, even with just one season!
Adults on Hulu (took me a few episodes to get into but ended up being really funny!) and Overcompensating on Amazon. Two light, easy watches!
We just started watching The Studio and it’s so much fun, and so funny! There are so many great cameos as well.
Agreed, I loved The Studio. Highly recommended
My 25-year old daughter and I watched both seasons of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading documentary. It’s so far from our lives…pure escapism, drama, talents, highs and lows, villains and heros.
DCC! I cannot say how far removed I am from this world (I truly don’t understand American football and am completely uninterested in learning more about it) and the only reality TV I consistently watch is GBBO, but I LOVED this series!!
The Detectorists!!! Takes place in a fictional town in Essex where i am determined to move. Pub trivia anyone?
Oh Yes! This has to be one of the best feel-good shows with superb acting and humour. We had to rewatch it during our long Canadian winter! Highly recommend at the end of a long taxing day!
Rivals on hulu!!! Total romp!
Amen to Pernille! Also, my go-to shows when nothing else works: This Is Pop (amazing Netflix series about pop music, featuring Boyz 2 Men, Shania Twain, and the little-known history of Sweden’s domination of pop music-making), Lenox Hill (another Netflix series about the doctors at that hospital, including a heartbreaking segment on COVID just as the pandemic was starting) and, last but not least, Miss Marple mysteries with the incomparable Joan Hickson on BritBox.
My daughter is a huge Brooklyn 99 fan (she even runs to episodes that have been turned into “podcasts” and uploaded on Apple Music). I finally got her to try AP Bio to mix it up a bit. She loves it. I do too. Paula Pell should be a MacArthur fellow. She is a straight up genius.
Love the patterns in the Swedish house tour! I especially love the botanical wallpapers (like this one! https://www.svenskttenn.com/us/en/range/wallpaper/patterned-wallpaper/wallpaper-eldblomman/107946/ ) any recommendations for similar brands I can get in the US?