Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

new food blog

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When it comes to cooking my belief is that it can absolutely be learned, but there are some people who just have that food “thing”. Do you know what I mean? That natural understanding of flavors and what works together. It feels like something they were born with because it comes so second nature to them. Liesl Maggiore is one of those people. She recently launched a new food blog called Lieslicious and all I can say is now my world is complete. Liesl and I became fast friends three years ago and I’ve pretty much been idolizing her ever since that fateful night we met smothered in margaritas. Long story, some other day… Lieslicious is a collection of simple recipes with a concentration on fresh, seasonal ingredients. What I love most about her recipes (besides how good they taste) is that a lot of them have as few as five ingredients. She is a busy working mom and knows complicated recipes crowded with twenty different ingredients is just not practical and not necessary. I also love that many of her recipes are accompanied by a video so it’s easier to grasp techniques like browning butter. I always thought it impossibly complicated, but after watching her do it I feel confident I can make it work. So do you and your stomach a favor and check out Lieslicous then subscribe, like, follow and enjoy. Bon appetit!

Photo by Liesl Maggiore

the best of times, the worst of times

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This morning was madness. Woke up late, had to take a shower (usually don’t get a chance in the morning, but I’m traveling today so I wanted to look nice), rushed the kids through the morning routine, packed them in the car, packed up the dog to drop at the kennel, met with the termite guy to receive not good news and rushed to get everyone dropped off in time for this, the Mini-Olympics at Coco’s camp. Elle hated this event when she was this age, but I thought since Coco is a lot more easy-going, she’d be into it. At first she was ok, but the second she saw Mommy it was over. I managed to get one shot of her not hysterical, but really the hysterical shot is better anyway. I mean, that’s what parenthood is all about right? Killing yourself to make everything perfect, get to every event and never miss a milestone just to be met by heartache while you watch your child come undone. Will she even remember I was there? Should I even have gone? Would it be better if I skip these things? No. Easier, yes. But I couldn’t do it. These things are the big payoff in my parenting, even if they don’t always go as I’d hoped. She’ll never remember I was there, just like I don’t remember crying through my entire Kindergarten graduation. Thankfully my mother reminds me, a lot. So I guess that’s what I’ll do too, remind Coco and Elle of these things, a lot. Because if I’m not witnessing and photographing it for them, what will they look back on? How will they know how they grew up? And most importantly, how will they be made to feel guilty for putting their poor mama through hell? Just kidding. Not really. Happy Friday everyone!

Sidenote-thank you random camp counselor for getting on your knees to comfort my child. I don’t know your name, but you made me feel I’m getting my money’s worth and that makes me happy.

baubles, babies and bubbly

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This week has already been filled with so much good stuff-a rekindled romance with silver, bubbly playdates courtesy of Sofia champagne (in a can-love) and the arrival of two of my besties’ baby girls, Lucy (left) and Morgan (right). Round that off with an early morning hike and some classic baked goods and I’d say not bad for a hump day. My friend Kari says she loves Instagram because it brings out the beauty in the everyday and makes you realize how lovely our little lives are. Looking at this roundup from my latest insta-pics, I have to say I agree.

highs and lows

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This weekend was filled with highs and lows. Low-waking up to the news of Friday’s horrific movie shooting, High-meeting all of Mike’s friends from work at a great BBQ thrown by his boss later that night. Low-potty training Coco without air conditioning in 100 degree heat, High-watching Coco use the potty after sitting with her on the bathroom floor for 30 minutes. Low-sitting in a movie theater hoping not to get shot, High-getting the news one of my besties is finally having her baby girl.

I start with the lows because I try to end things on a positive note, here and in life. Trust me, it’s not always easy. But what could be more positive than meeting great people, watching your child succeed and welcoming a new life into the world. To every thing turn, turn, turn. I credit my Zen-master husband with most of my positive thinking. He never wallows, whines or wastes time on being sad (like me). “It is what it is,” he says to me. It drives me crazy at first and then it makes me feel better, not sure how or why. It’s cliché, but I find most clichés to be true-life is short and you never know when it’s going to be over. So today, and as many days as I can, I’m trying not to waste it on fear, jealousy or sadness and do the best I can to make the choice to be happy. I hope you are too.

I discovered the photography of Gray Malin last night on Honestly WTF and an hour later I found myself still lost in his world of beaches from around the world. He shoots them from doorless helicopters, so cool. The colors and shapes were so relaxing and inspiring to look at, and all I can say is my bare walls are crying out for one of these bad boys below. The girls and I have been to the beach twice this summer and both days were cold and cloudy. Of course they still ran around in heaven, and fortunately I had my trusty beach sweater (yes, I NEVER leave the house without a sweater) to keep me warm, well sort of warm. We’re going again next week, wish us luck!

Photos by Gray Malin

 

little girls need to…

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When I began fundraising for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, my friend and longtime family photographer Michelle Warren was one of the first to respond to my letters and emails. A young mother herself, she understood why I felt compelled to be a part of this cause and how much I was inspired by my girls. Both of whom she’s photographed since they were babies. Michelle offered to donate her time and incredible talent to this shoot which is dedicated to all of the women and men fighting this brutal disease. Every three minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. Which means by the time you’ve read this post, somewhere in the US a mother, daughter, grandma or friend will tell her family she’s in a fight for her life. The funds raised for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer will provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures. I am very proud to be a part of this incredible event and to do what I can for the cause. If you would like to make a donation to my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and help me meet my fundraising minimum of $1800, visit my personal fundraising page and click the “donate now” button. Thanks again Michelle for your generosity and your beautiful vision. I love the way my life looks through your lens.

Photos by Michelle Warren

 

 

kin style-three ways to tie a sarong

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One of my favorite things about summer vacations is how easy it is to get dressed. No layers to worry about, big coats or jackets. Just throw on a dress or a swimsuit and go. To that point, there is nothing easier than a sarong. I love it for the beach, lunch by the pool or even dinner out. Here are my three favorite ways to wear it on your beach vacation or just lounging in the backyard by the pool. Are you going anywhere fun this summer? If you are, a-I want to hear about it, b-I’m extremely jealous!

makeup in minutes

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No matter how early I get up in the morning, I am always left with less than five minutes to do something with my face. After getting the kids ready, dog fed, tea made (but never enjoyed), lunches made, emails answered and the occasional newscast I’ve usually got to put my makeup on with the kids already in the car and me in the bathroom scrambling. I’ve tried coming home after dropping the kids off and get ready for the day then, but it never seems to work. I mean, I’m already out-gotta keep the momentum going, too much to do. The only benefit to this mad rush to beautify is that it’s forced me to simplify my routine. So, here it is…

I keep everything in one place so I don’t have to rifle through my bottomless drawers, and I limit my brushes to only what I need. It’s a good idea to invest in good brushes, I’ve had these from Mac for ten years and with regular cleanings they are still as good as new.

This daily moisturizer is super light, leaves a clean feeling on my face and has a decent amount of SPF-so careful around the eyes. I mix it with a tiny drop of the best foundation ever-Armani’s Luminous Silk. It’s pricey but it lasts forever and the coverage is unparalleled in my opinion. For evening I add two or three drops and apply with a foundation brush instead of my hands for day.

In my book, it goes like this for favorite inventions of all time. The epidural, the iPhone, and Benetint. It makes you look naturally flushed and you don’t even know you’re wearing it.

To erase the dark circles from staying up too late on the computer I use a swipe of Ooh la lift eye brightener to soften delicate under eye skin and lids. Then I pat on a few fingerprints of Time Balm concealer. If I need to matte or blend I use a simple makeup sponge like this one.

This looks adorable, but if left unattended it can get really messy really fast.

This shimmery brown shadow from Mac is great because it can be lightly sprinkled (day) or heavily lined (night). I recently purchased an angled brush at the recommendation of this Kin segment and I’m kind of obsessed with its accuracy.

Last but not least, this is my favorite mascara. I don’t wear it everyday, especially in the summer because of the pool, but I love this one because of its brush. It has really long thin separators that give a natural look for day and a wow look for night with a couple more swabs of it. Is that a word? I finish the whole thing off with a little Rosebud Salve and hit the road.

This all works great for day and for night I basically add more of the same, concentrating on the eyes with heavier shadow at my lash line and mascara, mascara, mascara!

You can see some more of this routine in action here.

 

 

photo 101, take two

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I  have studied photography on and off for most of my adult life and minored in photojournalism at SFSU, but for the last couple of years I’ve flipped the switch to auto and been focused on the kids and only the kids. Trying to document all of their firsts and every funny thing they do can be a full-time job, not to mention the effort that goes into organizing it all. But recently I’ve been inspired by photog mom pals Ashley and Kari. At least once a week we get together for an after drop-off playdate with the littles (our toddlers) and talk about nothing but photography. Equipment, locations, techniques, software-we geek out on it all. I swear Ashley could go head to head with the smuggest pro behind the counter at Samy’s with her grasp on the latest equipment. And it was Kari who introduced me to this class I just signed up for on tabletop photography, an art form I’ve always admired but never attempted. So as much as I love this photo of my gardenia, I hope to consider it a “before” and share with you many beautiful “afters” in the weeks to come. Happy Friday everyone!

family

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We’ve had a lot of life this week-Elle’s first ballet recital in a 1600 seat auditorium, her preschool graduation (above), the second phase of a kitchen remodel, a bon voyage, a memorial and an anniversary. I’ve been crying on and off for most of it, some tears of sadness but most of joy. Now on top of it all, Coco turns two on Monday and also starts her first day of camp/preschool leaving my home child-free for the first time in five years. A whole twelve hours a week! My cup runneth over is an understatement. I’ve taken a lot from all these events and celebrations, the jist of it is-family, family, family. It’s hard to keep it together and some days I wish I was an island, but when all is said and done if you don’t have your family, you don’t have much. So hug your kids, water your plants, kiss your partner, call your girlfriend, make a baby, take your pup for a walk, visit your neighbor. Whatever kind of family you have, nurture the hell out of it-no man is an island.

seven year sitch

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Originally Mike and I planned to wed at my parent’s home in front of our closest friends and family, friends from work, people we felt “needed” to be invited, our parent’s business partners, long-lost relatives we’d never heard of and the list of course went on. We were excited, but overwhelmed. We were going to cover a pool, re-landscape the whole property, bring in a tent-it just didn’t feel right, it wasn’t us. So one night after a few tears, and maybe a beer or two we thought, “What if we just went to Mexico?” So there and then the greatest idea we’d had in our lives up until that point was born. When all was said and done, we ended up with 55 guests, 162 tequila shots and the best night of our lives before kids. People who came as strangers left as friends, and instead of one night we had three amazing days and evenings with the people we love the most and it was an experience we will never forget. Seven years later we still find ourselves swooning over the photos and laughing over the stories from that weekend, now legendary in our little world. Happy Anniversary B, I love you madly.

Photo by Michelle Warren

Dress by Angel Sanchez