Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

Archives for December 2012

New year’s eve 2012!

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This year was the year of yes! In the beginning of the year what seemed like unlikely opportunities began presenting themselves to me and I quickly adopted the motto that I would say yes to all of them. Not always knowing where they would take me, I jumped in feet first and in return I gained new experiences, learned new skills, met some incredible people and most of all-had fun! This was also the first year of Coconut and Bean. Writing this blog has brought me so much joy and an invaluable platform of expression, I’m not sure how I survived without it. This year was also full of milestones and major growth for our girls Coco (2.5) and Elle (5.75), who first inspired this endeavor. Graduations, tooth loss, first days of school, potty training, swim lessons and the general awesomeness, and exhaustion, that comes with small children has all been documented here for posterity-the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m so thankful to have shared it with them and with all of you. Of course every year comes with struggles as well, such is life, and this year was no exception. But today I’m going to count my blessings rather than my misgivings, and I hope the same for you. Be safe, be happy and be together today-Happy New Year!!!!

 

 

holiday cheer

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Mike and I recently got a night out to dress up and play with grown-ups for a change. At the end of the night we took these fun pics (you can tell it’s the end of the night ’cause we can’t find the lens-hmmm hmmm) and I can’t stop looking at them. I haven’t seen these versions of us together in a while and it’s nice to be reminded that we’re still fun, still fabulous and still able to stay up past ten. Tonight will be a completely different scene as we put on our parent hats at our big family dinner and pass out presents to the littles. This time of year can feel more like a marathon than a holiday, and as we head into the final stretch I’d like to take the chance to say happy everything to you and yours. Whatever you celebrate and whoever you celebrate with, I hope you’re all enjoying each other’s company and well wishes. xo

Me: Jacket, dress, clutch similar

Mike: JCrew

do it yourself gift tags

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Remember that DIY urge I felt coming on the other day? Well here’s the result, my spin on the do it yourself gift tag. This was super easy to do and fun. Elle and her BooBoo (grandma) made it a playdate activity and I could not be happier with all their hard work. I chose these rustic brown bag type gift tags and stuck with basic black ink. I initially thought of doing red or green ink but wasn’t sure how it would look on the brown. White tags would probably be better for that. When I was shopping for the ink I learned they come in slow-dry and fast-dry. Even though I chose a fast-drying ink, it can get a little messy if it doesn’t dry all the way. Try to allow a few minutes of dry time and lay them out flat instead of stacked on top of each other to avoid smudging. Light a fire, brew some hot cocoa and have fun. Happy stamping!

Thoroughly wet stamp in ink pad and place stamp on far side of the tag to leave room for a greeting.

Thread the ribbon through the hole and grab a pen.

Fill in the blank.

Place it on a gift under the tree and pass out the love. Merry, merry!

All products purchased at Michael’s.

student of the month

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Last Friday morning The Chuthakieo family bundled up and headed to school early to honor one of our own. In front of the whole school at the monthly assembly our little Ellybean accepted the Student of the Month award for her Kindergarten class, in her pajamas wearing reindeer antenna. The pride was oozing out of me, literally I was a snotty emotional mess. She was so poised, so proud and so perfect I wanted to bottle the moment and save the feeling forever. After what seemed like a million hugs and kisses we said our goodbyes and walked home happier than we could imagine and with a very strong sense of community. We love her teachers and her school so much and we love her being there. What transpired later that day was unthinkable and I, like so many of us, am still unable to come to grips. The juxtaposition of the scene at our  elementary school that morning to the one of Sandy Hook on the news all day was surreal to say the least. Even as I looked through these pictures again, I started to lose it. I kept imagining a proud parent going through a similar routine in Connecticut that morning, not knowing what the unfair future held. This hit way too close to home for us, for the country, for the world. This blog has brought me so much joy and a huge part of that has been about my kids. I love having this digital scrapbook of them and their little lives. Even as I write this I’m unsure if I should have. Maybe I should have just kept it light, kept it sweet. Maybe. But if this is my time capsule of sorts, how could I not comment on such a day and take the opportunity to send my condolences to all involved. You are in our hearts, we will never forget. And to Elle and Coco, we love you and are so thankful for you every day.

holiday gift guide

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Beach City glasses by Sisters of Los Angeles. Don’t get too excited, not sure I can let these go.

No matter how organized I get over the holidays, I always seem to forget someone. So as I’m making my list and checking it twice, I try to stock up on a few little things I can A-gift in a jiffy or B-happily keep for myself if necessary. So the other day when I stepped into one of my favorite neighborhood boutiques, Soto Lifestyle, for a hostess gift I picked up these goodies. They’re perfect for the “just in case”, or “it’s all over and you totally deserve to keep this for yourself” occasion.

Love these simple pinky rings. Good gift for your teenage babysitter, teacher’s aide, niece or anyone looking for a little sweetness.

Totally stealing this idea for holiday tags, I feel a DIY coming on-ha!

The perfect camera case for your little point-and-shoot. Spoiler alert, Prof London this is coming your way-Happy Belated Hanukkah!

I love this simple packaging, brown-bagging it dressed up!

For more gift ideas, make sure to visit my something-for-everyone holiday gift guide on The List Collective.

What is a stylist?

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It’s sometimes funny to me that people think the life of a stylist is glamorous. On the surface, I get how it could seem so. Cute clothes and accessories, lights, camera, action! But in reality it’s usually a lot of nomad like packing and unpacking of said clothes in and out of random locations. Then there’s the running around set trying to keep the talent from ripping, staining or forgetting their clothes. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, and I’m so thankful for the opportunities this work has given me. But some styling jobs can be grueling and soooo not glamorous. Like the time I found myself eight months pregnant dragging racks of fishing gear down the side of Kern River two weeks before Christmas. Or hosing down Green Day in a pop-up tent at midnight after shooting their American Idiot video. You know, the one wear they get drenched in green paint!?! Oh it was fun, but NOT glamorous. Then I get a project like the one I did with The Mowgli’s this weekend that makes me really love what I do-great people, cool clothes, and lots of music. And when Katie, the only girl out of eight band members, stepped out in her head-to-toe bohemian chicness, I did feel a waft of glamour come over us. Of course the waft was in a garage-office in the hills of Studio City, but glamour is glamour-no matter what shape or form.

Katie’s big reveal to the boys in the band and Luna, their manager’s pup.

Downtime

Michael on his guitar. One of my favorite things about working with musicians, there’s always music playing.

Our second look for Katie was this beautiful linen dress. I love the femininity of the dress mixed with the rugged booties from Forever 21. The band says it’s usually impossible to get a decent picture where all eight of them have their eyes open and smiles bright. This was candid, but we’ll still give props to Andy for taking one for the team. Sorry buddy, it was too cute not to share.

Have outlet, will steam. I’m IN LOVE with this Chelsea Flour blouse. So simple and modern, a clean palette begging for some bold accessories. Great with skinny jeans or black pants. PS-this E-steamer will change your life! It was gifted to me by a stylist who hung up her hangers and I truly cherish it. Simply unscrew the top, add water, plug it in and the perfect amount of steam appears in a few minutes. Steaming is the fastest, safest way to de-wrinkle clothes.

Photographer Emily Shur works her magic with the band on the LA River.

Katie: Forever 21 green blouse, fur vest, blue dress, leather jacket, brown booties, Lovely Bird hat, Love Sam dress, DL1961 black bell bottoms, Target black booties

Boys: Lovely Bird hat, Cult of Individuality white v-neck with eagle, Forever 21 cardigan, brown v-neck sweater, hoodie

I’ve been listed!

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I’m so excited to be “listed” on one of my favorite sites The List Collective, founded by the ever amazing Elaine Brooks, a fellow style-obsessed mom and dear friend. The List Collective is a collection of masterfully curated “lists” written by a compelling group of creative talent from a variety of cities. Fellow listers include Heidi Klum, Ann Sacks, Catherine McCord and Elizabeth Banks just to name a few. It is a daily read for me and it should be for you as well. My list is a holiday gift guide for online shopping with a little something for everyone. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed making it. Thanks again E, so much fun!

holiday cards keepsake

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Our first kiddo card.

It’s kind of ridiculous how much joy holiday cards bring to my heart. I love pretty much everything about them-making them, receiving them and displaying them. For years, I’ve been trying to put together a book of all the cards we’ve put out since our first in 2005 of our wedding. Considering how easy this was to do, I don’t know why it took so long. The hardest part was tracking them all down. Shot out to Auntie Kathy and Michelle Warren for providing the missing pieces to this puzzle and donating your copies. I used this Kolo Newbury album, my favorite, and chose holiday red, also my favorite. Another key piece is Kolo’s clear adhesive photo corners. (See video below) Someday my kids won’t be as willing to be in these family photos, and I probably won’t be as willing to get in front of the camera with them, so I’m glad I’ve got these put away for safe keeping. The album has 20 pages and right now I can’t imagine filling them all. How could my sweet babes ever be twenty-years-old!?! I put this together last night and I’ve already gone through it about twenty times. ‘Cause really what’s better than watching your family grow right before your eyes? Not much in my book, pun very much intended.

PS-no, I’m not peeking on eggnog, just having a good day. Hope you are too.

Every year I’ll change the cover to show that year’s card. Spoiler alert!

The clear corners disappear and allow you to take the card out to see the inside then put it back in place.

I love Kolo’s details. So simple and clean.

childrens rain gear

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Coco’s rain coat and boots from Gap (old), similar below.

As favorite things go, little kids in rain gear are pretty high up on my list. For me, there’s not much cuter than the girls splashing around in puddles and playing with their umbrellas. I swear that famous scene from “Singin’ in the Rain” was inspired by a child at puddle play. Last year I gave the girls matching rain coats and boots for Christmas. I was sad to see they still fit, since children’s rain wear is one of my favorite wardrobe staples to shop for. So I had to live through you all when I put these combos together below.  Happy hunting!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10