{"id":107794,"date":"2026-03-30T10:14:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/30\/what-to-wear-this-summer-how-to-comfort-a-friend-and-other-reader-questions\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T10:14:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:14:30","slug":"what-to-wear-this-summer-how-to-comfort-a-friend-and-other-reader-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/30\/what-to-wear-this-summer-how-to-comfort-a-friend-and-other-reader-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Wear This Summer, How to Comfort a Friend, and Other Reader Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Joanna<\/p>\n

Since Toby and I are visiting my sister<\/a> this week, I figured it would be fun to share a past post. Here is one from June 2023 that I think about sometimes. xoxo <\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve answered reader questions<\/a> in the past, and today we\u2019d love to do it again. Here are three more, including how to refresh your home on a budget and be a good listener\u2026<\/p>\n

Q. \u201cWhat are you wearing this summer? I liked last summer\u2019s post about what the CoJ team was into<\/a> and want to know what everyone\u2019s wearing this year, too.\u201d \u2014 Ursula<\/strong><\/p>\n

A.<\/strong> We\u2019d love to do an updated version of that post! But meanwhile, while looking through past photos (why does iPhoto always serve up the most heart-tugging memories?), I realized that every summer I have one MVP casual black dress that I wear over and over \u2014 to dinner with friends, on bike rides, at the playground, during trips, everywhere. I remember, in England<\/a> last summer, I felt sloppy and jet-lagged, and I changed into a black denim dress<\/a>, and my elegant aunt<\/a> said, \u201cJo, you\u2019re suddenly looking quite chic!\u201d Proof that a LBD always saves the day. Here are four that would feel great this summer: midi<\/a>, mini<\/a>, V-neck<\/a>, linen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Q. \u201cI love Cup of Jo house tours<\/a> and want our home to feel vibrant, but we don\u2019t have a huge budget. What are design ideas on the cheap that we can use to make our house feel more like \u2018us\u2019? I\u2019d be forever grateful.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Z.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A.<\/strong> Dear Z., allow me to re-introduce the fakeover<\/a>, aka a makeover you do simply by moving around things you already own. Consider turning your sofa to face a new direction, or swap artwork between rooms. I\u2019ve been amazed by what a huge difference a little futzing can make. Another way to make a home feel like you is to hang family photos<\/a>. They\u2019ll make you smile, and they\u2019re basically free!<\/p>\n

Or, if you\u2019d like to change colors or textures, go for new accents instead of new furniture. In the photos above, I took our grey sofa and added four pillows from Article<\/a>. Boom! The corner now feels super inviting for curling up with a book or having a long gossipy chat with a friend. Such an easy and delightful way to switch things up.Good luck!<\/p>\n

Q. Some of my friends have gone through hard times recently (pregnancy loss, divorce\u2026), and while I want to be there for them, I don\u2019t know what to say and end up acting awkward. Another friend told me in the past that I sometimes focus too much on the positive side during hard conversations. The last thing I want to do is make a friend feel unheard or unloved. Any tips for being a safe place would be greatly appreciated.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Beena<\/strong><\/p>\n

A.<\/strong> Oh, Beena, this is such a good question! And I\u2019d love to hear from the CoJ hive mind on what has worked for others. I would say that three phrases that always feel good to hear are: \u201cThank you for telling me\u201d and \u201cThat sounds really hard\u201d and \u201cTell me more.\u201d Often you simply want to share your thoughts and feel understood, and a listening ear is a gift<\/em>. When I called my dad<\/a> after my stepfather<\/a> died last December, and I burst into tears, he said, \u201cI understand\u201d in a gentle voice multiple times while I talked and cried. I honestly will never forget that call and how much it meant to me. Things doesn\u2019t have to be complicated to be meaningful. You sound like a good friend for just asking this question.<\/p>\n

Lots of love to everyone, and please weigh in below! Also, feel free to leave questions in the comments for future columns, if you\u2019d like. xoxo<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. More reader questions<\/a>, and five ways to be a good listener<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Living room photos by Christine Han<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like. Thank you so much.<\/em><\/p>\n

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