Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

outfit recipe-white leather jacket

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Zara leather jacket (old, options below), Jcrew jeans (ON SALE NOW), All Saints tshirt, Amanda Jordyn bracelets and necklace, Chucks

 

I know it’s hardly winter, especially here in So Cal, but I can’t help but already crave the season’s premium hue, winter white. I brought this Zara white leather jacket out the other day and it was the perfect layer to add for a slight chill but nothing major. Plus I love the way the white makes almost any outfit you pair with it stand out. A challenge for me on the motorcycle jacket front is all of the hardware that comes with it. I love to accessorize, scratch that I have an obsession with accessories, but with so much bling on the jacket I struggle with overdoing it. I also don’t like to mix metals usually (hello OCD) so this presents a challenge for me since I don’t own much basic silver jewelry. These wrapped beaded bracelets and horn pendant necklace from Amanda Jordyn have come in handy to strike the perfect balance. I love the way they feel and sound, they make a calming clanking noise, and they have been in permanent residence on my wrists and neck for a while now. Check out their new website (co-designed by moi) for more unique pieces made with Ethiopian beads and true gemstones. For more winter white wonderful, check out some of my favorite finds below. PS-how hysterical is my angry model face!?!

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Winter whites

Annarita N real leather jacket, $450 / Jane Norman pu jacket, $48 / Helmut Lang leather trim jacket / River Island leather flight jacket, $120 / Barneys New York leather bomber jacket, $110 / Topshop vegan leather jacket

ModCloth fall layering challenge

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Layer it on

 

 
I love fall for many reasons. Halloween, leaves on the ground, mom’s corn soufflé, the view from my kitchen, my birthday and of course the opportunity to bundle up. Although it’s still warm here in my hood, I visited Lake Arrowhead last month and jumped at the chance to bring out knits, scarves and hats. Sadly by noon it was pretty warm again but I was still able to embrace my inner mountain woman and indulge in all things Navajo, silver and rustic. When ModCloth, an interactive shopping site specializing in indie clothing, accessories and decor, asked me to pick three of my favorite fall layering pieces I used my trip to the pines as inspiration. With soooooo many options available it was really easy and really fun. The key to my layering success is a good tank top or camisole to start. I like this flowy option in black because it can add a layer of warmth without being too stiff underneath this polka dot blouse. This gets front tucked into my jeans with a belt and can be dressed up or down depending on accessories. Finally this graphic cardigan goes on to cozy up and pull the whole look together. I used to be a one patterned per outfit kind of gal, but lately I’ve been experimenting with combos. I usually keep to the same palette and pair a simple pattern with a bold one like the one on this cardigan. What I love most about shopping with ModCloth is the variety. There are just as many basics as unique pieces available and the Style Gallery shows lots of different ways to wear them. Warning-if you’re anything like me, you’ll go down the rabbit hole on this one. If you have somewhere to be at a certain time, set an alarm! Hope this inspires you as ModCloth inspired me. For more ideas to come, follow C&B on Polyvore and for more great sweaters for fall, make sure to check out the rest of ModCloth’s cozy cute options.

outfit recipe-white dresses, sun hat

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White dresses (similar), Billabong bikini, H&M hat 

So I’ve just returned from a very short but very needed trip to Mexico with the hubs and what can I say, I’m not that thrilled about it. I love being home with my girls and my puppies but you know, the ocean was not at the foot of my bed this morning ok? I mean how do you deal with going from a sandy beach to the 405? It’s cruel really. Thankfully I have lots of pics and Mexican pottery to bring me back to my happy place. Do you ever feel like when you leave everything happens? I’ve been collecting stories from my absence all morning and they’re kind of crazy. It’s not helping my control freak-ness at all. You know, that “Nothing is done right unless I do it” vibe. It is making me feel like what I do matters though. Even if sometimes all I do is clean up poop and play short-order cook, maid, taxi driver. I mean, my girls are fine-they had a blast with their grandparents. But I’ve been at home all day putting life back the way it’s supposed to be and putting out fires that arose over the weekend. Nothing serious. Just the little things that happen when mom’s not home. The misunderstandings, forgotten dates, and general to-do list stuff I happily checked out of this weekend. So I don’t know, there it is. Reality bites, but as far as reality goes mine is really good so I’m going to shut up now. One last thing, I mean can I wear this to school pick up or what!?! I want to live in a bathing suit, bare feet and cover up. Summer’s coming!!!!!!!!!!!!

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outfit recipe-baseball hat and jeans

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Billabong hat, sweater (similar), Hudson jeans (old), Havaianas, Stella and Dot necklace, Helen Ficalora “E” charm

Finding it hard to write, I mean this pretty much speaks for itself right? (Plus, it’s almost 1 am-Mike I love you, but roll over!) I mean what’s better than a baseball hat and jeans plus white anything on top? Especially when hair under said baseball hat has not been washed all week? Add some serious sunshine and bam-you’ve got it all! Wait, pause. Coco’s up. She’s in the bathroom!?! Oh lord, it’s a doozy. This is real-time action here folks. OK, back from the depths of mommy hero-dom. I won’t go into it but let’s just say I earned my stripes tonight or this morning. What time is it!?! Where am I? Go to sleep!

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outfit recipe-maxi skirt

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Me, my maxi and Jack. Even though we adopted a new little love last week (more to follow of course), he’ll always be my number one.

Zara skirt and sunnies, Alternative Apparel tank, Dolce Vita sandals, JCrew tote

Maxi skirts (and dresses) are one of those items I grab for every season. For colder months they are great with cozy sweaters and moto boots, and during heat waves like the one we had last week they’re cool and breezy with sandals and tanks. I feel like I’m wearing a nightgown when I’m in one and love that flowy girly feel when they blow in the breeze. This one is from Zara, and I loved it so much I bought it in two colors. I know some people scoff at that, but I’m picky-so when I find something I like, I stock up. They get so much use, that I feel very justified in doubling down. I also love this one and this one from Zara. Sadly those are about the only links I can put up right now because my internet is performing like a washed up lounge singer-slow and sad. Ugh, I LOVE/HATE technology. It allows for so much greatness but then my internet goes down and I feel completely useless. Think this must be the universe telling me to go outside and chill. Or god-forbid read a book. What internet provider do you guys use? Love? Hate?

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outfit recipe-graphic t-shirts

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Over-the-shoulder

Love Nail Tree t, Hudson jeans, JCrew jean jacket, JCrew snakeskin flats (similar), round neutral toned sunnies (similar), gold and beaded bracelets, hammered stud earrings

I’ve always had a special place in my heart for graphic t-shirts. I can still remember being obsessed with Stussy skater ts in high school. I was kind of preppy but when I wanted to show my tough side I went to my local surf shop and picked up the coolest print I could find. One I remember in particular was burgundy with two huge white dice underneath that familiar handwritten Stussy logo. Subtle. Not. Today I still reach for a good graphic t-shirt when I want to make a statement, or when I just want to be really comfortable. Which is a lot of the time. Lately I’ve been buying them in larger sizes to offset skinny jeans or leggings. When I found this one at Unique LA last weekend, I freaked. Beautiful color, great fit, and holla-LA represent! I may be a valley girl, but I LOVE LA!

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outfit recipe-white blazer and rocker t

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MOTHER jeans, Report flats, Love  Nail Tree tank, white blazer (similar), Golden Retriever fluff bucket 

As spring plays its nasty tricks on me-hot here, cold there, I find myself always confused and again ruled by the fear of being unprepared for a quick change in the weather (one of my greatest fears-ok that’s dramatic, but still-I fear it.) So the uniform of late has been comfy jeans, tanks and ts and this lightweight white blazer. I can tie it around my waist or stash it in my purse when it heats up but still fight an evening chill. (Side note to appreciate how absolutely lucky I am to live in California where a chill is 72). This one is an oldy but goodie, from Anthropologie a few years ago, but at this time of year white jackets like this one and this one are easy to find and also easy to wear. You can wear it with almost anything, and substitute it for your black blazer or denim jacket. It’s also great over a sundress, if you dare to bare in these unpredictable times. (Insert annoying sigh from midwest and east coast readers here).

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outfit recipe-Topshop

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Topshop skirt and t, Dolce Vita tennies

I’ve been yearning for Topshop‘s arrival to my local Nordstrom for some time now, feeling like a kid at the toy store window waiting for it to open. So when it final came last week, I jumped on it and got these two pieces which have been in heavy rotation ever since, collecting many compliments and surprise along the way. “Really? Topshop?” Yes, Topshop. Someone called out my skirt yesterday as “one of those pocket skirts” she’s been wanting. Pocket skirts? Is that a thing? I mean, yes it is-I’m always one step ahead of the curve, duh. I love this t, which I bought in an extra two sizes up to give it a baggy boyfriend feel and it’s been such a staple that I had to go get another one. Really I can’t have enough ts, deal with it. And yes, loving pocket skirts-gives me somewhere to put my hand in selfies-ha!

outfit recipe-black blazer, white t

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Sitting

Theory blazer, Report d’orsay flats (similar), Mother jeans, Gap white tank, Stella and Dot necklace and earrings, Claire Vivier clutch

A black blazer with jeans is my version of a super hero suit. It sits in my closet always ready to work its powers. It has many powers but my favorite is the ability to make me look chic and put together in an instant. Chic like, “Yeah, I’m chic, but I don’t try to be, it just is.”  A black blazer is a good piece to invest in. You can find them almost anywhere and at almost any price point, but to go the extra mile and get a good one will reward you ten fold. I’ve had this Theory one for over ten years now and it looks brand new and timeless. I can throw it on with Target ts and flip-flops and it still works its magic. Or I can dress it up over a cocktail dress with heels or punk it up with shorts, boots and lots of accessories. I always feel perfectly dressed in it. Karl Lagerfeld said “One is never over or under dressed in a little black dress.” I feel the same way about this blazer-little, black, bold, super. And for putting myself together for work or a meeting while getting the kids to school, well let’s just say I need a hero.

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