Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

coachella wish list-lounge

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Coachella-wishlist-lounge

Nail treatment, candle, top, hair ties, cocktail cards, sweats, game, speaker, face brush

One of the best parts of a girls trip  is the doing nothing part. One of my best was a 36-hour stay-cation in Lake Arrowhead with three of my besties and we did NOTHING. I mean, really-we talked, we ate and we watched 22 episodes of the first season of Revenge. I put a serious dent in the couch and laughed myself horse-it was rad. I know we’ll be more active next weekend at Coachella, but in between shows I’m looking forward to enjoying a little libation while sitting in my sweats, doing my nails, playing a game of Rummy and treating myself to a mini facial using all these goodies. And to keep the party going I’ll have my trusty Jambox for background noise, barely heard over belly laughs and gossip I hope. Happy Weekend!

coachella wish list-showtime

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Coachella-wishlist-show music festivals

Despite what this hilarious article says about Coachella, I’m stoked to go and I don’t care who knows it. Of course I’ll be taking in the music festivals fashions, but most importantly I’ll be hearing some great music. Artists I’m looking forward to seeing include Jurassic 5, The Lumineers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Of Monsters and Men, Phoenix, Allen Stone, Band of Horses, Franz Ferdinand, Hot Chip, Janelle Monae, Jason Bentley, Passion Pit, Social Distortion, Tegan and Sara, Two Door Cinema Club, Vampire Weekend, and Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. Rock, soul and hip hop oh my! This much good music in one place makes my heart race, and because of that I’ve been on a concert kick like I was a college student. Hello!?! I’ve got two kids-what am I thinking!?! I’m thinking-just say yes, and deal with the childcare later. (Thanks BooBoo aka grandma) Does that make me mother of the year, probably not. But I do know I’m a better and happier mom to my kids after having a few days aways from them, yeah I said it. It’s amazing how much more I enjoy them after a little break. Or maybe it’s not that amazing, makes perfect sense to me actually. Rest=inspiration and perspective=domestic bliss. For me anyways. How do you unwind and regroup?

hat, blankets, blouse, shorts, necklace, earrings, ring, belt, pouch, sandals, boots, iPhone case, earplugs

spring cleanin’ and threadflippin’

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SALE!

This time of year means a lot to me. I remember when Elle was born (end of February) we drove home from the hospital thinking spring had sprung overnight. Hills were green, skies were blue and everything was clear-literally. There’s nothing like that first drive as parents. Exhilarating, terrifying, wonderful. Elle’s birthday falls right before what I’m going to start calling California spring. It’s not officially spring yet, but it sure feels like it. This weekend we had the quintessential California spring experience complete with a nap in the sun, a nighttime bbq and the beginning of spring cleaning. My closet is always the first victim of my organizing wrath but this year there was an added twist thanks to Threadflip. I was recently turned onto this consignment site by my sister-in-law and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. It’s easy to list and the shopping is great too. Come check out what my springtime closet cleanse produced this year.

Mammoth Mountain

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Mammoth-apres-ski

One of my favorite places in the world is Mammoth Mountain. This weekend the stars aligned and Mike and I are getting up there for 48 hours of child-free fun. Insider’s tip: Super Bowl Sunday is THE best day to be on the slopes, there’s no one out and I get to play in the snow instead of watch football-yay! These are a few pieces I’d love to include in my dream wardrobe for Apres-ski. Rustic, comfy and styled just enough to stand out in this casual town where powder is king. Where do you like to play in the snow? Happy weekend!

Hat, glasses, watch, scarf, sweater, jeans, mittens, boots, bag, iPhone camera case

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

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Even though I spent another great day at the beach yesterday and it was 108 in the Val today, I can’t help but think about how this is the last week of summer for us (Elle starts Kindergarten NEXT WEEK, insert pathetic mom whimpering noises here). And even though the thought is depressing, it does mean new clothes and accessories which gets me through the day. Yes, I’m obsessed. One of my favorite combinations for fall, and always really, is black and tan. Yes-you can wear black with brown, in fact you SHOULD wear black with brown. It’s chic, classic and easy-almost everyone has something black and something brown in their wardrobe already. Bring some love to your closet and marry the two would ya!?! Here are a few of my faves. Yes, a couple are black and white rather, but they were too cute to leave out.

boots/two-tone bag/flats/leather tote/wallpaper/puppy/belt/cosmetics bag/bangle/scarf

https://www.coconutandbean.com/2012/08/08/black-and-tan/

red+white+blue

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This weekend I plan to celebrate the beginning of summer with my favorite summer activities-laying by the pool, bbqing with friends and watching the kids scream through the sprinklers in their skivvies. Of course I’ll be in my summer uniform of a white tee and jean shorts, but with a little red, white and blue to show my pride for the good ole USofA. How do you plan to kick off the summer?

sunglasses/earrings/bracelet/beer/tee/shorts/bag/booties/flip-flops

den.mbar

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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.

tennis anyone?

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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

lucky girl

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I saw this little guy the other day, and I couldn’t resist. Every time I put him on I smile-he’s so cute! I love it for so many reasons. One is that it’s the perfect length and weight-a statement piece, but a subtle statement. Another is that it’s lucky! In Thai culture an elephant with its trunk pointed up is a token of good luck. Wish I had him last week for the lottery. Maybe next time.

Lucky elephant

Lucky elephant

Necklace JCrew