Here we go again with a chance to win a great piece from my closet-for free!!!! Watch this video from Kin for details and get going on this one-too cute to pass up!
For Mother’s Day Mike surprised me with a child-free trip to the den.mbar in downtown LA where we were both fit for a custom pair of jeans. Yes, my husband is rad. Honestly though, I don’t know who was more excited, Mike or me. The whole experience was a bit surreal actually, as I had no idea where we were going until we showed up at the storefront on 7th street. Once inside we were met by the owner Richard Wang, who we owe a big thank you to for opening the shop on a Sunday for C&B. We were instructed to pick out a style and fabric-I chose the skinny style and a thin dark denim with just the right amount of stretch. My favorite part was picking the accessories which included pocket lining, zippers and buttons. I could not resist the sweetheart button and matching bright pink hearts for the pockets. We go back in four weeks for a final fitting and I am beyond excited. Could my quest for the perfect jean be over? We shall see.
Last night was open house at Elle’s school and like most school-sponsored events with small children-it was a stress highway to hell! Sprinkled with a few moments of greatness, of course. Those moments include seeing Coco greet her soon-to-be first teacher with a high-five and watching Elle beam with pride as she led Mike around her classroom art projects. Art is her favorite activity and I’ve yet to see a tantrum a fresh pack of Crayons couldn’t fix. I’ve also yet to see a piece of furniture in my house without markings on it from said Crayons, but we must encourage the little darlings mustn’t we!?!
Some of her favorite supplies, here and here.
These pants were a little out of my comfort zone in terms of color but right on in terms of well, comfort. They are so soft and flowy that I feel like I’m still in my pajamas when I wear them, which is great for when it heats up out here in the Val. I usually pair them with a simple top in a neutral color to offset the brightness, but considering how good this pink clutch looks with them, I might have to go full-brighty next time.
Pants Anthropologie, shoes JCrew, t-shirt similar JCrew, clutch Soto, necklace vintage, wine Santa Margarita (my fave)
We took our holiday photos at the Santa Barbara Mission last year, and I know family photos sometimes seem a little too perfect but I can honestly say this day was perfect. NOT the norm for us. We all drove up the coast to Santa Barbara and spent an hour running around the mission grounds laughing and playing in the sunset. Later Mike and I downed cold beers while the girls devoured their dinner in town and we daydreamed about living in Santa Barbara full-time. Fat and happy, they both slept all the way home while we recapped their cuteness from the day. On the hardest days when I’m so tired and frustrated with the kids I want to crawl into a hole, I look at these photos. Like most things in life motherhood is about the highs and lows, just a little bit closer together. It’s watching your child tumble around on the ground laughing, taking your breath away, then realizing she’s been laying in dog poop. It’s seeing these two little girls run towards me with open arms, making me burst with tears of joy, then watching them trip over each other and start screaming with bloody knees. It’s changing hats all day long-mother, wife, waitress, housekeeper, chef, lover, nurturer, disciplinarian, role model, protector, friend, partyer. OK, that last one might just be my thing. “The hardest job you’ll ever love.” I’m not so sure about that and frankly a lot of the really hard stuff is just not in the “Happy Parenting” brochure they hand you at your first born’s baby shower. But as Mike always says, “It is what it is.” And all in all, it’s pretty good. So I guess my motherly advice on the eve of this special weekend is this. Be good to yourself, be good to your kids, have wine handy, and watch out for dog poop. Happy Mother’s Day everyone.
Photos by Michelle Warren
My mom was my first and most influential style icon. Even today I go to her for outfit advice, and I can always see it on her face whether something is working or not. She doesn’t have to say a thing-a Leo lioness, subtlety has never been her strong-suit. Of course we don’t always agree. When I was growing up she always wanted me in something flowery or sequiney-I guess you can take the girl out of the go-go, but you can’t take the go-go out of the girl. I always went with the simpler choice, more comfortable. Not much has changed. She would cave and let me choose-knowing it was my own way of expressing myself even at a young age. And of course it all comes full circle. I want Elle in preppy JCrew khakis and chambray shirts, all she wants is the flowers and the sequins. She’s like her BooBoo that way. Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Whether you’re in your riding britches and a baseball hat or head to toe Gaultier-you and your style inspire me everyday. XO
This weekend we hosted a Cinco de Mayo baby shower on the kind of sunny day only the party gods can grant. With couples invited and a taco cart, we put our own twist on the traditional shower. For favors we handed out pink maracas-it’s a girl! Instead of shower games there were tequila shots. For our mommy-to-be we served watermelon aqua frescas-so good, I shared the recipe below. They’re a little bit of work to make, but totally worth it. The colors of the holiday and the taste of our many margaritas kept everyone in a good mood (minus Elle’s occasional mood swings) throughout the afternoon and into the early evening. We finished the night off with a game of Rummytile and a nap for one of our pawed party guests. All in all our mission was accomplished-we gave a shower as fun as the mommy and daddy-to-be it celebrated.
A sure sign of spring and a yearly tradition for Mike and I is seeing at least one show at The Hollywood Bowl. A starry night at the outdoor venue is always a favorite date night for us and this time was no exception with Coldplay giving a beautiful performance. I found myself skipping around like a kid-going to see some friends down in a box, then up to the terrace to see another group. Half the fun for me at the Bowl is walking around and people watching. It’s definitely a spot to see and be seen. The highlight of the evening was when the band charged the aisles to a mini-stage right in front of us to perform acoustic. Special moments like that is what the Bowl is all about. So glad even though I’m in the burbs, a night like this is only 45 minutes away-alright two hours with traffic, but totally worth it.
I’ve had a running debate with some girlfriends of mine about tennis bracelets for a while-they love ‘em, I don’t. I mean, not that I would turn down a diamond bracelet (with a good exchange policy of course), but they’re just typically not my style. The traditional ones like this, while gorgeous, always make me think of that scene in Trading Places when “she stepped on the ball,” and the country-club snobbery that came along with it. Well after coveting my friend Kari’s arm party below, I knew I had to revisit them. Here’s a couple I’ve come across with a modern twist I think I could get behind. But I must admit, in looking for these I did begin to appreciate the beauty in the traditional, diamonds are diamonds after all.
Polyvore 1,2,4,5,6,8 Jaipur 3 JCrew 7
It’s been said when you wear a hat you become the dream that started when the hat was conceived. You discover a person you never suspected was there. Well, when I first tried on a Lovely Bird hat I discovered a laid-back style vixen ready for fun and adventure. I first wore it to a concert at The Hollywood Bowl and loved how mysterious I felt in it. So much so, it has become my go-to accessory for an outdoor show. This warm weekend was spent in my summer-time uniform of jean shorts and a white linen shirt, but in the cool evening I threw on this special hat for some warmth while we enjoyed a little libation, both did their job perfectly.
Hat Lovely Bird, shorts Madewell, shirt Old Navy, sunglasses Dita, clutch Soto
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.coconutandbean.com" title="http://www.coconutandbean.com/Uploads/2012/02/125x125.png" alt="Coconut & Bean" style="border:none;" /></a></div>