Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

outfit recipe-mocassin booties

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mocassin shoes

Only a Californian could feel the subtle signs we’ve been experiencing of Fall. A little darker in the morning, a little cooler in the evening and a few more leaves than usual on the ground. Of course it’s still gorgeous during the day, so to an outsider it may look like the endless summer that is California, but being a native I can safely say the change is coming. That means stocking up on a few items to keep me warm and toasty during those bitter 72 degree days and 60 degree nights. Insert rolling eyes from my New Yorker friends here. I picked up these cozy moccasins at a surf shop the other day and haven’t taken them off much since. Combined with these super soft Mother jeans it’s like walking around in sweats and slippers without having to look like it. A word about surf shops: I think they are such a great place to find fun, cozy and different clothing items at a great price point. Yes, I’m a Californian so I live in this stuff, but it’s also a great resource for sweaters, swimsuits and Uggs off-season, great unexpected vacation gifts and of course sweet smiles from cute surfer boy salespeople, not that I pay attention to that sort of thing-wink, wink.

womens shoes

womens clothing

jeans/booties/fleece lined version of booties/hat simliar (on sale 20%off )/necklace similar/tank top similar/sunnies similar/bracelet similar

Photos by Ashley Forchelli

outfit recipe-silk blouse

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womens clothing, clothing online, silk blouse

This weekend was a blur of activities. It started out celebrating one of my favorite ladies with a girls night out at one of my favorite restaurants. The next day was non-stop: birthday party, soccer game, family dinner out, catch up on Boardwalk Empire with the hubs then to bed way too late. Sunday was spent shopping and prepping for an afternoon BBQ I totally procrastinated on. The afternoon was swimming, lots of cocktails (in hind sight, too many), bathtime, bedtime, HOMELAND! and off to bed, still too late. So why am I giving you every detail of my weekend? So you’ll understand why I’m too tired to come up with something charming to say about today’s outfit recipe of jeans and a great new silk blouse from Zara. I can muster up that it is a great back-to-school night look (yes, I wear jeans EVERYWHERE) and that I think I’m going to start collecting silk blouses. They’re comfy, classic and very versatile. If this one was worn with black pants, a blazer, or both, it would be great for work. OK, I guess I’m never too tired to talk about clothes, thanks for sticking with me on that one. Happy Monday!

womens clothing, clothing online, silk blouse,blouse

blouse/jeans similar/belt similar/pouch/bracelet/ballet flats/glasses

Photos by Ashley Forchelli

 

outfit recipe-denim dress

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I’m a jeans girl. Scratch that, I’m a denim girl. I love jeans, chambray shirts, and I LOVE this Staci Woo denim/chambray dress. A friend gave it to me a few years ago and I don’t think she realizes what a hole she filled in my closet, and my life. OK, a little dramatic, but I really love this dress and I really love her. Anyways! One of my favorite things about denim is how easy it is to accessorize. Almost every color and material looks good with it, it can be dressed up or down just by changing shoes and it just feels cool. Here I threw on two of my old favorites, my Lovely Bird wide-brimmed hat and my favorite booties, and one of my new favorites, this awesome Madewell tote, my new “mom bag in disguise”, while exploring this gorgeous location in the West Valley. Sure, we may not have great night life, or the “cool” vibe LA is known for, but the scenery is tough to beat. (Plus we’re 20 minutes from the beach, just sayin’)

dress similar/bag/hat/booties similar/sunnies similar/ring

outfit recipe-white on white

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One of my best friends is from the east coast and the other day we were debating whether or not the “no white after Labor Day” rule still applies. (Yes, these are the pressing matters we’re addressing when we’re not talking about the kids, politics or world peace) She said it still does back east, whereas in California I say anything goes, pretty much anytime of the year. Reason 1,213 why I love living here. So here I am breaking all the rules wearing not only white, but white on white-scandalous! Plus it’s been about 1000 degrees here in the Val and it still feels like the blazing summertime, so maybe I’m in a time warp and not breaking any rules at all. Where do you stand on this important issue?

sweater similar/shorts similar/belt similar/bracelet similar

vintage purse similar/booties similar/sunnies similar

Photos by Ashley Forchelli

outfit recipe-summer plaid

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Plaid is one of my favorite patterns to wear. It’s so classic and if done well it can also be modern and stylish, not just cowboy and farmer. Not that I don’t love those looks, obviously. This one is super lightweight which makes it great for summer and paired with my trustee Sanuks I could not be more comfortable on this lazy summer afternoon.

Shirt similar/ skirt similar/ shoes/ belt/ shades

Photos by Ashley Forchelli

 

outfit recipe-little black sundress

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Whenever I hear “little black dress” I think of a cocktail party, I don’t know why. It just sounds like something you’d wear to an important event-a cocktail party, a wedding, a job interview. But I realized recently how un-true that is. Especially when you consider the little black sundress. This outfit came as a result of “laundry day”, which basically means I hadn’t done the laundry so my usual go-tos were not available. I threw this on for a Sunday dinner out with the kids (hence the large “mom-tote“) and I felt casually put together. It’s nice to get out of the jeans once in a while and remember a time before constantly bending over to pick up the kids and wear a dress! Karl Lagerfeld said one is never over-dressed or underdressed with a little black dress, and I now agree. Let’s face it the man knows how to wear black.

bag similar/shoes similar/dress/cardigan similar

Photos by Ashley Forchelli

fourth fashions

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Too much? Yes, I did get a little carried away here but it was just too much fun. A-I love stripes, B-I love stars, C-I love red and blue, so it was tough to stop me on this one. Plus, what’s more American than a pair of classic Chucks and a Captain America bracelet-I don’t know! I’ll be spending my fourth with the fam and some of our best friends at a good ole fashioned BBQ, then hitting the high school for fireworks. I’m going to eat lots of these, drink some of this and enjoy as much I can of this. Whatever your plans are I hope you enjoy your midweek holiday and have a great time celebrating U-S-A!

earrings/sweater/scarf/bag/shorts/blouse/Captain America bangle/Chucks

outfit recipe-lightweight knit

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I love lightweight knits and I love the color cream, so when I found this top it was love at first sight. I’ve had a hard time taking it off since I got it because it goes with everything, is super comfortable and yes it keeps me warm during the summer eves (insert rolling eyes here). It can be layered with a collared shirt underneath, worn with shorts or rocked out a little bit like I did here. I dressed it up with my favorite pair of black jeans and my new/old favorite boots, added some chunky jewelry, tortoise sunnies and hit the road for this gorgeous sunset drive.

sweater similar/belt similar/jeans similar/boots similar/bag similar/bangle similar/sunnies similar

Photos by Ashley Forchelli

outfit recipe-white shirt

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You may ask yourself, “Has she ever met a white shirt she didn’t like?” The answer is yes, but not many. Nothing makes me feel fresher, more comfortable or classic than a good white shirt. I wear them with everything. Jean shorts, long skirts, black jeans, colored jeans, black pants and the list goes on. They’re also the ultimate blank canvas for accessories. This one has been in heavy rotation, and I predict it will be for the rest of the summer. The linen breathes so nicely, and the cut is as its namesake describes, perfect. Elle’s new favorite dress is from Target and Coco’s is from H&M. The kids DESTROY their clothes, so I still can’t rationalize spending a lot on their wardrobe. Elle’s silver slip-ons were a score from Nordstrom Rack, another great place to shop for the kiddos. They kept her comfy this whole trip around the Santa Barbara Zoo, from the otters all the way to the giraffes and back.

 

Me hat/sunnies similar/shirt/belt similar/jeans similar/bracelet/ring

Elle dress similar/shoes

Coco dress

 

outfit recipe-creamy coat

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As I’ve said before, my aversion to cold tends to dictate a lot of my wardrobe choices. I’m a born and raised Californian, which I take new pride in since this SNL skit, so besides the occasional ski trip or foggy beach-the cold and I are not friends. So, yes even in the beginning of summer I get cold. This light coat has been keeping me warm lately and even though I bought it for an evening wedding, I’ve yet to find something I couldn’t throw it on with to pull the whole look together. It’s color and light material make it really versatile for this time of year. Whether with jeans (of course my go-to) or dressed up with black pants or LBD, it’s making me quite happy these days as I drive down the 101, jump on the 405 and get on the 10 East to head into town.

Mango coat, Hudson jeans similar, Louboutin shoes similar, Sogno blouse, vintage clutch and locket.

Photos by Ashley Forchelli