Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

slow down, you move too fast

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I took this on the girl’s first day of camp two months ago and I can’t believe next week will be Elle’s last day. Then she will be starting a new school and beginning Kindergarten! This summer was big-Coco is in the midst of potty training, Elle’s lost two teeth and hasn’t asked for her beloved stuffed animal/best friend/constant companion “Bunny” for the last three days, which is great because we can’t find him. (Honestly I think I’m more broken up about Bunny’s disappearance than she is.) They say in parenting the days are long but the years are short, or something like that. It’s so true. Everyday at 4 o’clock time completely stops and drags on for the longest five hours of my life until they are fed, bathed, and finally asleep. But then I look at this and can’t believe how much they’ve grown in only a couple of weeks. We’re going to fill this last week of summer with a trip to the beach, a water park, lots of lounging around and of course lots of ice cream and popsicles. I’ve also got another video from Kin coming soon, this one featuring my favorite date night outfit recipe and Mike’s long-awaited debut! So stay tuned and have a great weekend everyone!

 

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

 

 

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

 

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.

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Last night was open house at Elle’s school and like most school-sponsored events with small children-it was a stress highway to hell! Sprinkled with a few moments of greatness, of course. Those moments include seeing Coco greet her soon-to-be first teacher with a high-five and watching Elle beam with pride as she led Mike around her classroom art projects. Art is her favorite activity and I’ve yet to see a tantrum a fresh pack of Crayons couldn’t fix. I’ve also yet to see a piece of furniture in my house without markings on it from said Crayons, but we must encourage the little darlings mustn’t we!?!

Some of her favorite supplies, here and here.

 

https://www.coconutandbean.com/2012/05/16/look-what-i-made/

outfit recipe-pink jeans

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The other day on a hike with the kids, my good friend Kari took this sweet pic of me and Coco. I loved it so much and I thought it was hysterical we were both in pink, so I decided to make it into an outfit recipe. Now I’ve always loved pink, but since having two girls it has taken on new meaning. Pink is no longer just a pretty color to me, it is now the color of joy. The color of my two little girls (their favorite, of course) and the color of happiness. As in, “I’m so happy this XYZ comes in pink, I’ll take two.” I did the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Santa Barbara last year and I was incredibly inspired by pink once again. After seeing 2000 women, and men, walk around in pink for 2 days-I now know, anyone can wear pink! Coco and I are in two of my favorite combos-pink and grey and pink and brown, but almost anyway you dress it, I think pink is pretty.

Jeans Zara, jacket Sogno (old), necklace JCrew, sunglasses Dita, sweater Anthropologie, camera Nikon (old)

boo boo & pop pop’s hill

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Five years ago my parents moved out of my childhood home. Although they weren’t moving far, they’d actually be closer to us now, the emotional turmoil of making a change like that was not a small thing in our family. I was torn in so many ways-I was happy for them to be downsizing at this point in their lives to a simpler and more manageable lifestyle, but I wasn’t sure how they would handle that considering they’d been living on 2 1/2 acres of land for almost three decades. Then I saw their new home. Not only was it filled with light and “good vibes” as my once hippy mother would say, but it was set up against this hill. Now known as BooBoo and PopPop’s hill to the girls, it is a part of the Santa Monica mountains and it is accessible to the public through incredible hiking trails and splendid views. It has become a place of peace for the whole family, including our dog Jack and his cousins who get to run free along the fire road at the top of it. Yesterday I took some of my photog friends up there and they were blown away. It didn’t hurt that we were under incredible stormy skies with moments of sunshine breaking through.

 

early easter

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Easter is one of my favorite holidays-the colors, the candy, the joy on my girls’ faces when they find those eggs-it’s all good.  This year it came a little early. Egg hunt Thursday, baskets delivered Monday and yesterday was my favorite part-decorating the eggs. Between Mike’s work travel and my trip to San Francisco this weekend for Blogshop, we had to improvise. Yes, I’m feeling a little guilty, but look at these happy faces-I think I’m in the clear.

Elle with eggs

Dyed to match

Coco making Easter eggs

Elle making eggs

Elle making eggs

Easter eggs

Summer skiin’

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Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Some of the fondest memories from my childhood revolve around water skiing and the trips I’d take with my family to Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Sometimes we’d houseboat, other times we’d stay at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas and drive out to Mead every morning. We’d spend the day sunning and skiing, then drive back and stroll into the casino burnt and blown from the day, shower, sleep and do it all over again the next morning. We’d always go with the same family which was an extended part of our own and last year I got the opportunity to take Elle with me on a mini-trip to their competition lake outside of town. At one point I was skiing behind the boat watching Elle sit between the two people who taught me how to ski when I was her age-it was magical. She was pretty scared to get on the boat, but after some tender coaching she agreed and ended up loving it. Maybe this year, we’ll get her up on skis. Baby steps.

Elle in the bay

Elle and her muddy "dock art"

Collecting shells

Collecting shells

Elle's first ski boat ride

Elle's first ski boat ride. Rocky at first, but a thumbs up in the end.

Still got it

35 years, 2 kids, still got it!

A graceful finish

A graceful finish

Elle and I napping after a long day of ski

Pooped