I still remember the old post about Natasha, for some reason she really stuck in my head - maybe because of the single and no kids and being so gorgeous and cool.
The invitation to celebrate oneself is extremely timely for me. I ended an engagement/6-year relationship a few months ago, and after reflecting on how everyone was planning on buying me loads of stuff for my wedding (when I didn't need it) but I was on my own for this breakup (where my partner and I are splitting our stuff and I'm suddenly paying twice the rent), I decided to throw myself an "actually a bachelorette" party and create a gift registry. I am SO BAD at letting the people in my life celebrate things with me - I didn't go to either of my graduations, I told my friends and family not to come to my thesis defense, and I haven't thrown a birthday party for myself in years - so this feels like a very vulnerable thing to do, but also an important step as I venture into a new phase in my life!
Alyssa, this is incredible and so important! Our culture really struggles with celebrating/showing up for the difficulties in life, or when things don't follow that "picture perfect" timeline. I hope we can change that.
I'm wishing you a beautiful bachelorette filled with support and friendship!!!
Thank you so much msa. I was nervous to even share about it here for fear people would think it was silly or dramatic or or or. Thank you for your support!
... I knew I'd wind up upgrading to paid as soon as I read your Big Salad announcement email, but I'm 100% doing it now because of the commentary on that bananas NY Times headline.
YES! I loved the commentary on the article so much. It really made me see it in a new way and identified some of my feelings of discomfort. It also made me realize that on the blog, Joanna you have been HOLDING BACK. So excited to read more of your thoughts.
Hahah I don’t always want to share too much media gossip or criticism on the site because I can’t tell if most readers are interested or find it relevant to them and their overall lives. But! Big Salad feels like more of a slice of a slice, as we say, where the people who subscribe probably read a lot online as well and are maybe more interested/invested in that type of thing? That’s how we’ve been talking/thinking about it as a team at least!
Ohhh Joanna when you respond to a comment of mine it just makes my day. I know you are a kindred spirit. I respect you as an elder, a kind, disciplined and savvy one. People don’t talk enough about how much discipline, talent and hard work it takes to post wonderful content twice a day, every day. I have admired it always through the years. We are so lucky to have you.
Caroline, we have made so manty of your recipes in the couple weeks and we LOVE THEM. Jerk chicken with strawberry salsa, amazing. Crunchy tempura style salmon has replaced the unfortunate "famine salmon" we used to have ("famine salmon" is when we eat salmon and hate it but we happen to have salmon in the freezer and have no other choice), and I would eat the pork lettuce wraps literally every day. We will never make non-coconut rice again.
Oh my gosh, Anastasia, I commented earlier on your eloquently written essay! You made me feel seen and it truly helps to know another shares in that struggle. Sharyn (s + t)
I just wanna say that I LOVE the design elements of Big Salad! Feels frenchy, yet playful and fun. Harkens me back to the design elements of the OG Cup of Jo in the very best of ways. Happy to be here!
Anastasia Selby's essay wrecked me. At age 67, it is a forever struggle with my ED, Body Dysmorphia, and GAD (all not diagnosed until 2020 when I finally sought help) that began when I was 8. Medication and therapy are a saving grace for my mental health, especially as I now deal with the consequences of my disordered eating with a broken pelvis on Sept. 16th due to osteoporosis.
I will also add that COJ has been a balm for me. Hope remains that democracy will not be lost and climate change will be dealt with when I read about so many other people that share my values. Thanks for all you do and fostering a loving community!
Gah, I certainly didn't intend to be such a Debbie Downer with my response to Anastasia's essay. No wonder there are no likes ;)
Okay, this is the can opener of my DREAMS. I'm always on the hunt for beautiful, lasting versions of everyday tools, and this fits the bill. Also now plotting a rubber stamp design (what do I want to immortalize in ink??) Congrats on launch day! It's lovely and chatty and fun. Thanks for sharing so much goodness.
Love Big Salad already! I am definitely making that plum torte in the rainy weather this weekend, and thank you for pointing out that sexist NYT headline. How didn't anyone catch that? xo My favorite read of the week was the New Yorker profile of prolific children's writer Kate DiCamillo that made me appreciate her incredible work even more. The fact that she and Ann Patchett are best friends = mind blown.
I am spitting feathers about the NYT piece. It drips with condescension. The repeated “she said” is almost offensive in the way it casts doubt on her statements- this was a particularly egregious example “ .. Bali, where Ms. Allison lived for a year from 2017 to 2018 doing what she referred to as a “yoga and meditation sabbatical,” and which she said she paid for with earnings from her investments in cryptocurrency.” Ugh.
This newsletter feels intimate and comforting after a long work week. I'm looking forward to many more weeks and years of these "love" letters. Great work Kaitlyn and COJ team.
I still remember the old post about Natasha, for some reason she really stuck in my head - maybe because of the single and no kids and being so gorgeous and cool.
The invitation to celebrate oneself is extremely timely for me. I ended an engagement/6-year relationship a few months ago, and after reflecting on how everyone was planning on buying me loads of stuff for my wedding (when I didn't need it) but I was on my own for this breakup (where my partner and I are splitting our stuff and I'm suddenly paying twice the rent), I decided to throw myself an "actually a bachelorette" party and create a gift registry. I am SO BAD at letting the people in my life celebrate things with me - I didn't go to either of my graduations, I told my friends and family not to come to my thesis defense, and I haven't thrown a birthday party for myself in years - so this feels like a very vulnerable thing to do, but also an important step as I venture into a new phase in my life!
“Actually a bachelorette” party is genius. Leaving a relationship after years and commitment is so scary. You’re being really brave! I’m proud of you!
This was such a kind comment, thank you!! Feeling that proud of you like a warm hug!
Alyssa, this is incredible and so important! Our culture really struggles with celebrating/showing up for the difficulties in life, or when things don't follow that "picture perfect" timeline. I hope we can change that.
I'm wishing you a beautiful bachelorette filled with support and friendship!!!
Thank you so much msa. I was nervous to even share about it here for fear people would think it was silly or dramatic or or or. Thank you for your support!
Aaaand after reading that NYT article, maybe I should change the title of my party to "34 and single, what has my life become??!!!"
... I knew I'd wind up upgrading to paid as soon as I read your Big Salad announcement email, but I'm 100% doing it now because of the commentary on that bananas NY Times headline.
YES! I loved the commentary on the article so much. It really made me see it in a new way and identified some of my feelings of discomfort. It also made me realize that on the blog, Joanna you have been HOLDING BACK. So excited to read more of your thoughts.
Hahah I don’t always want to share too much media gossip or criticism on the site because I can’t tell if most readers are interested or find it relevant to them and their overall lives. But! Big Salad feels like more of a slice of a slice, as we say, where the people who subscribe probably read a lot online as well and are maybe more interested/invested in that type of thing? That’s how we’ve been talking/thinking about it as a team at least!
Ohhh Joanna when you respond to a comment of mine it just makes my day. I know you are a kindred spirit. I respect you as an elder, a kind, disciplined and savvy one. People don’t talk enough about how much discipline, talent and hard work it takes to post wonderful content twice a day, every day. I have admired it always through the years. We are so lucky to have you.
Reading this felt like hanging out and chatting with girlfriends!!!!! So glad the boys liked the flautas 🥰🥰
Caroline, we have made so manty of your recipes in the couple weeks and we LOVE THEM. Jerk chicken with strawberry salsa, amazing. Crunchy tempura style salmon has replaced the unfortunate "famine salmon" we used to have ("famine salmon" is when we eat salmon and hate it but we happen to have salmon in the freezer and have no other choice), and I would eat the pork lettuce wraps literally every day. We will never make non-coconut rice again.
I am dead over famine salmon hahaha
This made me so happy. I'm so glad you're loving WTC 🥰
Joanna, thank you so very much for sharing my essay here! I feel honored and grateful and seen. Thank you!
Oh my gosh, Anastasia, I commented earlier on your eloquently written essay! You made me feel seen and it truly helps to know another shares in that struggle. Sharyn (s + t)
It's a mutual seeing. I didn't expect the response the essay has gotten, so it also helps me feel seen. Quite amazing, I think. Thank you <3
The Friday roundup emails on cupofjo are my favorite way to wind down a crazy week. I’m so excited to have something else to look forward to!
Same- I totally agree!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing <3
I just wanna say that I LOVE the design elements of Big Salad! Feels frenchy, yet playful and fun. Harkens me back to the design elements of the OG Cup of Jo in the very best of ways. Happy to be here!
so so glad!!! the design was led by Diana Moss (aka miss moss in the good old blogging days) xo
Anastasia Selby's essay wrecked me. At age 67, it is a forever struggle with my ED, Body Dysmorphia, and GAD (all not diagnosed until 2020 when I finally sought help) that began when I was 8. Medication and therapy are a saving grace for my mental health, especially as I now deal with the consequences of my disordered eating with a broken pelvis on Sept. 16th due to osteoporosis.
I will also add that COJ has been a balm for me. Hope remains that democracy will not be lost and climate change will be dealt with when I read about so many other people that share my values. Thanks for all you do and fostering a loving community!
Gah, I certainly didn't intend to be such a Debbie Downer with my response to Anastasia's essay. No wonder there are no likes ;)
Super here for your honesty and openness!!!
Thank you :)
Okay, this is the can opener of my DREAMS. I'm always on the hunt for beautiful, lasting versions of everyday tools, and this fits the bill. Also now plotting a rubber stamp design (what do I want to immortalize in ink??) Congrats on launch day! It's lovely and chatty and fun. Thanks for sharing so much goodness.
You absolutely need a stamp of your comic self 👀
Love Big Salad already! I am definitely making that plum torte in the rainy weather this weekend, and thank you for pointing out that sexist NYT headline. How didn't anyone catch that? xo My favorite read of the week was the New Yorker profile of prolific children's writer Kate DiCamillo that made me appreciate her incredible work even more. The fact that she and Ann Patchett are best friends = mind blown.
I am spitting feathers about the NYT piece. It drips with condescension. The repeated “she said” is almost offensive in the way it casts doubt on her statements- this was a particularly egregious example “ .. Bali, where Ms. Allison lived for a year from 2017 to 2018 doing what she referred to as a “yoga and meditation sabbatical,” and which she said she paid for with earnings from her investments in cryptocurrency.” Ugh.
Omg yes! Such a great observation. Double ugh.
This newsletter feels intimate and comforting after a long work week. I'm looking forward to many more weeks and years of these "love" letters. Great work Kaitlyn and COJ team.
Well this was just perfect
Thrilled to receive my first big salad. Not a read, but I was rapt listening to this podcast with Diane Jacob about AI and content creation, specifically in the food realm (she also talks about Substack): https://www.foodbloggerpro.com/podcast/chatgpt-substack-and-food-writing/
oooh can't wait to listen to this! thanks for the rec. AI stuff creeps me out and fascinates me in equal measure.
Oh my god I had exactly the same reaction about that nyt article (and that quote - blech) this morning!
Great first edition! Also -- your branding for Big Salad is so, so gorgeous and fun. Congrats!!
thank you!
PS our logo/identity was designed by the incredible diana moss (of Miss Moss blog fame!)