Bubbly?? Yes Please!!

Champagne glistens and sparkles like a million Swarovski crystals floating in a beautiful sea of gold! What is New Years Eve without a beautiful, delicious bottle of quality champagne?! Champagne is the choice drink of celebrations big, small, or just because its Thursday!! Life is ever changing, so why save your best clothes, or best bottle of champagne for big events?? Throw on that gorgeous Nicole Miller dress you have hanging in the back of your closet, put on those ah-mazing Jimmy Choos, and pour yourself a nice, dazzling glass of bubbly...seize the day! A toast to all of you!

Cheers!

Erin

Coco and Toast

My favorite Champagne..... Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label

10, 9, 8, 7.... Time to Sparkle!

With New Years Eve just around the corner, I wanted to share a few of my most favorite things...... Enjoy a little bubbly and let the Glam begin!!

xoxo,

Coco and Toast
ps. what will you be wearing???

1. Amanda Uprichard Penny Dress

2. J.Crew cuff

3.Black Diamonds Ring

4. French Connection, Penny Party Dress

That's One Classy Lady...

A few key pieces of clothing have outlasted the ever evolving, and revolving (uh, 80's again?) fashion trends of time. "Classic chic" is when pieces are pared down, simple, and elegant. Beautifully tailored dress slacks, a gorgeous, precise fitting little black dress, or an ever so sexy pencil skirt that hugs your tushie perfectly, are all great examples. A beautifully tailored jacket or blazer can anchor your entire wardrobe. The beauty of a blazer is that is does a tango between masculine and feminine, or formal and casual. Wear this 'mens' piece on top of your little black dress one night, then over a tank with your favorite pair of jeans the next! The key to finding a blazer that is perfect for you, is to make sure its elements are tailored to fit YOU. One must always take 'ill' fitting clothes to the tailor, it's like taking your sick child to the Dr.... It's a must! Sleeves classically fall at the heel of your hand, or for a trendier look, go for a three-quarter length sleeve. The front should lie smooth when buttoned, even if you plan to never button your blazer. And please... raise the roof, and reach out and hug your new best friend (your trusty tailor) while you are still visiting, the blazer should move with you while you are doing these, never pulling or bunching. Lastly, enjoy the "oohs and awes" while strutting down the street as if you were the ever so classy and stylish Jackie O. in her sweater set, or Carolina Herrera in her pristine white buttoned down shirt.

"Innovation! One cannot be forever innovating. I want to create classics." - Coco Chanel

xoxo,

Coco and Toast

A few style icons I adore...

Audrey Hepburn, (styleins wordpress ) Jackie Kennedy, (mischostyle.com photo)

Wow!! Christmas is over, my head is spinning from all that christmas "cheer" (ok, really all those Irish Coffees, hahaha!), and it's time to rally and do it all again next weekend... here we come 2011!! We're revisiting a post from the former "Crayons and Cashmere"....

That fabulous New Years Eve party is just around the corner, knocking on your closet door... What to wear, oh what to wear?? Yes, that LBD (little black dress) would work, or your sparkly sequined top.... but lets think outside of the box for a minute. Halloween isn't the only holiday where a great thrift shop comes in handy...... Yes, lets talk Vintage. Vintage items are a great way to showcase your individual style, and set yourself apart from the crowd. An advantage of buying vintage is that if you are lucky, you can find designer pieces at bargain prices! If you are up on your fashion history 101, you'll know a jewel of a piece when you find it. Hello gorgeous YSL tuxedo jacket... Good day beautiful Pucci print... Ah, the joy of the second hand store, it's like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. But wait, don't act so quickly! There are some pitfalls to be aware of when digging through vintage booty, for falling into one can make you go from 'vintage chic' to 'vintage cheap' in no time! When you are vintage shopping, be strict! The piece should be in almost, if not perfect condition. Stains, discoloration, and pulling strings can mean the difference from FAB to DRAB... ugh, we do not want that! Make sure the garment fits, or is in a position that it can be tailored to fit (your tailor is your beast friend!!). Too small is definitely a no, no (c'mon, you know you will be eating those Christmas cookies and drinking that bubbling champagne!). If vintage clothing is a fail for you, head strait to the sparkling beauties in the jewelry section. Jewelry will always be your best friend... Hello little darling (Vintage Chanel cuff) , I am here to rescue you, and take you to a nice, loving home...

xoxo,

erin

Coco and Toast

New Beginnings...

In anticipation of the new year to come, "Crayons and Cashmere" has now transformed into "Coco and Toast"...

In staring at my computer, with the blinking cursor driving me bah-nanas, I started reminiscing about a very dear cousin of mine, who is an AMAZING writer, and it hit me: Coco and Toast!! During my high school years, my cousin, Sean, decided to move to L.A., and into my parents home, to pursue his dream of being a writer. Honestly, I was so thrilled to have my cool, older cousin around! All of my girlfriends thought he was just the dreamiest! They would come over and stare at him in awe, as he sat at the dining room table, typing away on his lap top and eating his "cocoa and toast," a delicious mix of dipping peanut butter toast into hot chocolate.... a scrumptious Saiers family tradition. He used to be up all hours of the night, typing, reading, dipping.....typing, dipping, reading. His words that filled his computer screen were those of a genius.

Now of course,'Coco' and 'cocoa' differ a bit. Both are sweet, yet one is the ever so glamourous, Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, whom is a huge inspiration in my love of everything style/fashion. The pioneering French fashion designer whose modernist philosophy, and pursuit of expensive simplicity led to the creation of the "little black dress" and the ever so glamourous "Chanel."

So, Thank you Sean and "Coco" for inspiring me to write about what I adore.....

xoxo,

Erin

Coco and Toast