Coconut & Bean

Where family and style coexist

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

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.

blouse/hat similar/shorts similar/glasses similar

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

 

california graduation

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After putting this together, I stepped back to review and wondered, is that a graduation outfit or a trip to the beach outfit? In California the lines can blur a bit, but that’s one of the million things I love about it. I have been preparing for Elle’s preschool graduation like it was from Harvard Law. Reminding relatives, shopping for her graduation dress, getting end of the year teacher gifts, and of course obsessing over what I’m going to wear. I swear if I planned our retirement as far in advance as I plan my outfits we’d be moving to our paid-for-with-cash Mexican villa now. So this is what I came up with-a breezy skirt in a demure but flattering length, a fan and a great hat because these things tend to fall on the hottest day of the year, a water bottle and of course the tissues. Throw in some fun sandals, Ray-Bans and an arm party and wa-la! It’s a California graduation. Congratulations grads, don’t worry, we DO think you’re special.

skirt/shirt/bag/sunnies/bracelets/sandals/stud earrings/printed tissues/printed water bottle/fan similar/hat

mom

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My mom was my first and most influential style icon. Even today I go to her for outfit advice, and I can always see it on her face whether something is working or not. She doesn’t have to say a thing-a Leo lioness, subtlety has never been her strong-suit. Of course we don’t always agree. When I was growing up she always wanted me in something flowery or sequiney-I guess you can take the girl out of the go-go, but you can’t take the go-go out of the girl. I always went with the simpler choice, more comfortable. Not much has changed. She would cave and let me choose-knowing it was my own way of expressing myself even at a young age. And of course it all comes full circle. I want Elle in preppy JCrew khakis and chambray shirts, all she wants is the flowers and the sequins. She’s like her BooBoo that way. Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Whether you’re in your riding britches and a baseball hat or head to toe Gaultier-you and your style inspire me everyday. XO

Original photo by Judy Stabile

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

 

outfit recipe-black and white

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Outfit recipe-white jeans, black blazer

OK, two things about me. I don’t love having my picture taken (which is why half my face is cropped out here-that and my roots are WAY due for a touch up), and I love dressing up a bit when I’m not with the kids (which is why I’m in heels and costume jewelry just to get mexican food at a school sponsored “Parent’s Night Out”). I love black and white wardrobe combos, and this is one of my favorites. White jeans always make anything you wear with them pop, like this red clutch. And of course my trustee black blazer always makes me feel chic and comfortable. I like the way the snake-skin heels pull it together and give the outfit a little edge. Yes, I’m at parent’s night out, but that doesn’t mean I can’t rock it!

outfit recipe-white jeans, red clutch

outfit recipe-snakeskin heels

Blazer Elizabeth and James similar, shoes similar, jeans and bracelet Jcrew, belt Shopbop, clutch similar

Outfit recipe – dressed up jeans

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I LIVE in jeans-who doesn’t!?! But when I want to dress them up a little bit, this is what I do. A nice silk blouse, fancy flats and a great piece of jewelry always do the trick. Add a pop of color with a nice scarf, add sunglasses and off you go. Great for a day of shopping, parent-teacher, or brunch. Oh, how I miss brunch.

  

 Scarf, sweater, bracelet, necklace, shoes JCrew; Blouse Madewell; Jeans Hudson; Sunglasses RayBan; Bag Franklin Covey

Outfit recipe – Boots and blazer

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Two little facts about me-I have skinny calves, and I am always cold. For those two reasons, one of my favorite in-between-Winter-and-Spring ensembles is boots (which make my legs look more proportioned) and a blazer (which keeps me cozy). It’s one of my go-to uniforms for dinners out, date nights, and concerts (I ALWAYS wear boots to concerts-they keep my feet from getting beer spilled on them, and they make me feel like a rock star).

Earrings and boots JCrew; Necklace Helen Ficalora, Jacket (similar) Anthropologie, Pants Theory, Tank Hurley, Bag Marc Jacobs