Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

the good life

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One of the great things about living in and around Los Angeles is chances are you might know someone who owns a boat. It’s also likely you might have a friend staying at one of the million fabulous hotels in the greater Los Angeles area. This past weekend, we hit the jackpot and experienced both. Saturday was a rare child-free day spent on the water in Newport Beach and Sunday was spent in a cabana at the Ritz in Marina Del Rey. Mike and I got to play, the girls got to swim and we all got out of the brutal Valley heat and enjoyed a taste of the good life for a bit. Coco particularly enjoyed one of life’s great luxuries-the poolside lunch. Pool-pizza-pool-pizza-pool. Think we might have opened a can of worms. Or should I say caviar. Whether it’s splendid or simple, hope you enjoy your weekend as much as we did.

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bucket list

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The list of what I love about Pinterest is long, but on the top is the ability to organize your dreams. I know that sounds cheesy, but I’ve been dreaming of visiting these destinations for most of my adult life, and now they are all neatly organized on my new bucket list board. Sometimes I feel like the majority of my life is spent hunched over the kitchen sink, so to be able to quickly glance at these exotic locations really keeps me going. “Someday, someday,” I usually end up chanting to myself. Sure, I may be old and gray by the time I get there, but at least I’ll be there. So if you need a break and want to see some pretty places, check out my bucket list. What’s on yours?

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

last week of summer awesomeness

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Elle starts school on Tuesday so I was determined to pack this last week of summer with some serious fun and as you can see, mission accomplished. We hit the beach twice and yesterday we conquered the Las Casitas Water Adventure. Elle and her buddy Nate ran around like big kids on their own while the mommies supervised from lounge chairs in between inner tube rides. Wednesday night I enjoyed a nice dinner out at Mr.Chow for a friend’s birthday, so we definitely sent this summer out in style. I hope you’re enjoying the rest of yours with some fun in the sun and simple pleasures.

a day in the sun

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Yesterday was my mom’s birthday and per her request the entire family met at Zuma Beach for a day that turned out to be something Norman Rockwell couldn’t come up with. We filled the cloudy morning with Bloody Marys and a quick surf. Once the sun came out it was all about boogy boarding, sand castles and sand crabs. Special thanks to my godmother Mary for the kite, Elle’s first and as you can see not her last, and my brother Tommy for putting the plan together and as always, the entertainment.

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Yes, that’s my mom boogy boarding on her 67th birthday. May I have half her playfulness at that age, or any age for that matter. Happy Birthday Mom!

Some much needed r and r

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In case you’re wondering, this is what complete relaxation combined with total denial that it will shortly end looks like. Mike took this yesterday right before we left the incredible La Costa resort where we spent the weekend for a wedding. We had been yearning for a lounge on these hammocks outside our room all weekend, but didn’t get a chance until we were already checked out. The weekend was too short, but we packed it with the kind of fun that makes your cheeks cramp from laughing too hard. Two words-adult pool.

White walls, terra-cotta roof-my favorite!

This magic box arrived just in time to nurse our wounds. I loved this clever do not disturb sign courtesy of the adorable newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

The view from our room in the Plaza building.We arrived and were put in a room next to the kiddie pool. Had to pull the diva card here and have them move us to this more tranquil setting.

The entry way to the Plaza building. One of many gorgeous arrangements on the 400 acre property.

Sweater (similar), glasses (similar), tank top, necklace

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

 

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

poolside favors

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This weekend some friends and I treated ourselves to a mini-break in honor of another girlfriend of mine who’s expecting, this one having her third! When we asked how she wanted to celebrate, she said sleep. And so the greatest idea for a baby sprinkle was born-a day spent by the pool followed by a night of uninterrupted sleep at the Four Seasons. For favors we rolled up a bunch of our favorite magazines and decorated them with pink ribbons and our brave mommy’s favorite candy-Starburst and “It’s a Girl” Hershey’s kisses. They were a huge hit with the ten of us who spent the day flipping through them in between catch-up sessions and belly laughs. It was the perfect day and totally worth my severe sunburn. Base tan, check.

santa barbara mission

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We took our holiday photos at the Santa Barbara Mission last year, and I know family photos sometimes seem a little too perfect but I can honestly say this day was perfect. NOT the norm for us. We all drove up the coast to Santa Barbara and spent an hour running around the mission grounds laughing and playing in the sunset. Later Mike and I downed cold beers while the girls devoured their dinner in town and we daydreamed about living in Santa Barbara full-time. Fat and happy, they both slept all the way home while we recapped their cuteness from the day. On the hardest days when I’m so tired and frustrated with the kids I want to crawl into a hole, I look at these photos. Like most things in life motherhood is about the highs and lows, just a little bit closer together. It’s watching your child tumble around on the ground laughing, taking your breath away, then realizing she’s been laying in dog poop. It’s seeing these two little girls run towards me with open arms, making me burst with tears of joy, then watching them trip over each other and start screaming with bloody knees. It’s changing hats all day long-mother, wife, waitress, housekeeper, chef, lover, nurturer, disciplinarian, role model, protector, friend, partyer. OK, that last one might just be my thing. “The hardest job you’ll ever love.” I’m not so sure about that and frankly a lot of the really hard stuff is just not in the “Happy Parenting” brochure they hand you at your first born’s baby shower. But as Mike always says, “It is what it is.” And all in all, it’s pretty good. So I guess my motherly advice on the eve of this special weekend is this. Be good to yourself, be good to your kids, have wine handy, and watch out for dog poop. Happy Mother’s Day everyone.

Photos by Michelle Warren

hollywood bowl

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A sure sign of spring and a yearly tradition for Mike and I is seeing at least one show at The Hollywood Bowl. A starry night at the outdoor venue is always a favorite date night for us and this time was no exception with Coldplay giving a beautiful performance. I found myself skipping around like a kid-going to see some friends down in a box, then up to the terrace to see another group. Half the fun for me at the Bowl is walking around and people watching. It’s definitely a spot to see and be seen. The highlight of the evening was when the band charged the aisles to a mini-stage right in front of us to perform acoustic. Special moments like that is what the Bowl is all about. So glad even though I’m in the burbs, a night like this is only 45 minutes away-alright two hours with traffic, but totally worth it.