DELIGHTFUL DOOR

A doorway from a covered patio into a home.  Everything about this semi outdoor space seems lovely to me.  The arched glass door, the weathered gray deck flooring, the built in bench seating.  The neutral color scheme and of course all of the natural light.  I love this.

Am headed to Chicago right now...am on the plane with TE and his son EE.  We are going to Chicago because TE is running the Chicago Marathon on Sunday!  Why would anyone want to run 26.2 miles?  I've spent the last 19 weeks of his training trying to figure it out.  It has been quite inspiring watching seeing him go out 6 days a week to run.  Whoa.  Amazing.  One weekend, I dropped him off to go run and he ran for 3 hours straight...20 miles.  During that time, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items for him (just a few) and then I went home and turned on my computer...just turned it on.  I certainly felt under accomplished when I picked him up and he asked me "What did you do while I was running?".

Anyhooo...back to this space...love it.

Will send pictures via COCOCOZY Instagram and COCOCOZY Twitter from Chicago...please follow me there.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

Read More »

Add Comment

AN arched doorway, covered patio, deck, dining room, doorway, outdoor living

SECRET GARDEN - WEEKEND PHOTO

Happened upon this pretty last weekend. A charming enchanting intriguing mysteriously beautiful garden door and gate. Was roaming through the streets of Charleston, SC with a large group of friends (we were all there for TF and KF's fantastically lovely wedding). CCF, DH and I were taking our time walking through the streets while everyone else barreled ahead towards the shops. The guys were checking out the plaques on all of the houses to find out which was the oldest...I was furiously snapping photos. Trying to take all of Charleston home with me in my little camera it seemed. I paused and looked up from the camera screen and I saw this. A breathtakingly sweet black garden gate door, surrounded by an ivy covered wall and it was wide open.  Behind the gate...a mossy brick covered patio, a fountain in the distance I think, some iron furniture and lovely cobalt blue pottery.  Felt like a dream.  Oh how I wanted to just open that gate, walk in and take a seat and enjoy.  I did not...don't worry...

So now, back in Los Angeles, this is my weekend photos.  Memories of a lovely weekend past.

Happy Sunday!

xo
Coco

Read More »

Add Comment

AN brick, door, garden, gate, ivy covered wall, outdoor living, WEEKEND PHOTO, white brick, wrought iron, yard

HAPPY LONG WEEKEND

It is early here in Los Angeles.  I have to go get a new car this weekend.  So I was doing a little research.  So looking forward to the long weekend.  I have JH working on my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills.  I came home late yesterday evening to find that the front of the house was repainted.  I didn't change the color.  The house is still green, white trim, shiny black doors...but after all of the construction from earlier this year, the exterior was war torn.  I exhaled when I saw the fix.

I have JF working on new cushions for the outdoor furniture, JH will paint all of the fences, sand the teak furniture, refinish the deck.  I need to find a new outdoor rug. Oh and we have to paint some outdoor furniture as well.

I just got a new COCOCOZY rug delivered for my bedroom...a COCOCOZY Fence rug in Natural Linen.  The only thing I didn't figure out was refinishing my bedroom dressers.  Too expensive.  See @COCOCOZY on Instagram to see a photo of one of the dressers in question.

Oh did I mention why I am doing all of this sprucing up?  Best of friend AM and her hubby JE and their two kiddies are coming to stay with me next week.  I just saw them a few weeks ago in NYC.  Am so excited.  Guests always give me a great excuse to get all that needs to get done around the house in one swoop.

So much to do this holiday weekend. Oh shoot...and I have to remember...must go car shopping (that is a priority because my lease expired so I have to get a new car...driving my old car on borrowed time!)!!! In addition to all of the home sprucing up, must see my dear mom who just got back from two months in Paris (lucky her), go to a memorial service for a dear great aunt, meet TE's dad and wife for the first time (which means I also have to shop for a cute outfit), finish some legal work for COCOCOZY, exercise (low priority), hopefully BN/SN will call me and invite me to the beach (hint hint hint), oops I forgot to respond to JD who wanted to do something this weekend too.  Sis DS went off to Palm Springs this weekend...she wanted me to join her and her friend.  Had to decline.  Sorry DS.  Hmmm...I think I overbooked...even so, I cannot WAIT for the extra time off!  Will be nice.

What are your plans this holiday weekend?  Will you have a chance to take some time to take stock? Enjoy a nice meal overlooking a pretty view, take the time to enjoy the beauty around you, stop to smell the flowers?  I hope so!

Mr. Boo, my dog, just started barking.  I think JH is here to start day 2 of painting!  Woohoo!  Here we go.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Just wanted to say how lucky I am to have people like best of friend FF in my life. She is so sweet.  This week we have been chatting quite a bit and to be nice she sent me a little care package in the mail.  Love her.

P.P.S. Off to work.  Casual Friday.  Wearing some skinny J Brand jeans, a cute striped t-shirt and some Stuart Weitzman gladiator sandals I bought earlier this summer.  Love summer Friday casual!

P.P.P.S.  TE and I took a nice evening walk yesterday in Beverly Hills with Mr. Boo.  Pleasant summer evening stroll.  Need to stroll more!

Photos:  Katie Ridder; Coco of COCOCOZY

Read More »

Add Comment

AN al fresco dining, dining, outdoor living, teak furniture, view

BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL BEAUTIFUL - SCENES FROM A WEEKEND AFTERNOON

Had two lunches this past Sunday.  That's all I need.  Two lunches in one day when I am trying to get in shape for a beach vacation!?!? Well it was a long weekend...so who cares...right????

Let's see...the first lunch/brunch was at the Soho House with friends JTH and LH who were visiting from New York.  Soho House is a private club I belong to...it is gorgeous.  I wish I could take pictures of the Soho House spaces but it is not allowed - I don't want to get kicked out...I think even mentioning the Soho House in this post is risky...there is a no blogging rule! Note to self...stop mentioning the Soho House - just don't do it...stop. So... I took JTH and LH to the "club's" Sunday brunch.   JTH and LH were just married in December.  I couldn't make the wedding but I had so much fun catching up with them.  Met them at noon, we had a mimosa, brunch and a great conversation and was in my car by 1:50pm.

Second lunch was at the Beverly Hills Hotel with TE. I told him I would meet him at 1:45p. Needless to say I was about 15 minutes late to meet him.  You might ask...why wasn't TE at the first brunch?  Well TE is prepping for a marathon - so he did a 13 mile run while I was having my first meal and then he wanted me to join him for lunch a little later.  Who am I to say no to an afternoon date?  So, I went to both brunch and lunch in one day!

TE and I decided to have lunch at the pool restaurant at The Beverly Hills Hotel.  It was just lovely. The walk to the pool through the hotel grounds was so scenic, I couldn't help but take a million photos on my phone.  I had a skinny margarita, a side of fresh fruit and...wait for it...yes...a few french fries! I couldn't believe that I was eating again!  ARRRGHHHHH...

Anyhooo...double dining remorse aside...the afternoon at the hotel with TE was lovely.  Here are a few scenes from Sunday!

Love the pink contrast piping on the white cushions on this curved outdoor bench. (above)

A beautiful flagstone walkway lined with Birds of Paradise, banana trees and flowers. (above)

A green and white striped booth at the Beverly Hills Hotel poolside restaurant. (above)

TE took this photo of the pool area at the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. (above)

What do you think of this pretty pink hotel? Have you ever been? It truly is someplace to see if you come visit Los Angeles.

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Atlanta Market Update - So relieved...I got a hotel room for my one night stay in Atlanta. I am going to Atlanta for the Atlanta Home Furnishings Market this week! I am going to show our COCOCOZY collection to buyers and to introduce a brand new collection as well. I was afraid I wasn't going to find a room. Lucky for me I'll be staying again at the Ritz Carlton downtown. It is the only hotel in Atlanta that I have found I like. I am very very picky about hotels fyi...!! :-)

P.P.S. NEW COCOCOZY -  Here is another one of our new lucite trays we are introducing at the Atlanta Market.  This color is actually somewhere between a peacock and turquoise blue...a fun cute decorative tray!

NEW - COCOCOZY Wauwinet blue lucite tray with removable insert. (above)

P.P.P.S.  ATLANTA LOCATION - Please stop by the Christian Mosso Associates (CMA) Showroom in Building #1, 9th Floor of America's Mart to say hi if you are going to market.  I would love to meet you.  I'll be in the showroom on Friday and Saturday.  You can also see our bedding collection there!

Photos:  Coco of COCOCOZY; TE

Read More »

Add Comment

AN Beverly Hills Hotel, decor, decorating, decoration, interior design, outdoor living, pink, pool, restaurant, stripe, wicker

FASHION FORWARD - ISABEL MARANT INTERNATIONAL BOHEMIAN STYLE

Isabel Marant, Summer 2013

Loving all things Isabel Marant. This season she's all about the international bohemian look with soft purples and yellows and lots of mixing of patterns...and lots of paisley.

For some reason this outdoor tiled daybed nook although it is entirely Moroccan in feel has that same pattern on pattern play going on. I like it!

Shayne blouse - $787 (above)

Studded shorts - $642 (above)

What do you think of this pattern on pattern look?  Does bohemian chic work for you?

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  TE is going to China for a week for work!  He's leaving tomorrow.  I'll miss him.  Maybe he'll email some pictures I can share with you!

P.P.S. So excited...am doing a public appearance next week and just got an email that someone is going to help me style my wardrobe for the event!  Need to lose 5lbs before going to try on cute clothes. Right?  Can a person lose 5lbs in two days?  Hmmm....

P.P.P.S. Happy Father's Day weekend to all of you dads out there!


Photos: Style.com; Ingerstedt

Read More »

Add Comment

AN bohemian, boho, daybed, FASHION FORWARD, isabel marant, moroccan tiles, outdoor living, paisley

WHERE LESS IS MORE - POOL PERFECT

Oh...designing a long weekend.  Let's see...my ideal weekend would include a little travel, a pool, a water view, good company of friends and family, yummy food, delish drinks, a little pampering (a massage or facial) and enjoying being outside!

I would love to be staying at this Shelter Island home...where my biggest worry would be what to wear by the pool.  A sleek infinity pool, a gray deck and a simple elegant sleek white dining table and signature classic Bertoia metal chairs over looking the water.  A modern outdoor delight I think!

This deck shows you that you don't need much to make a design statement.  Simple modern chic.

Well that is my dream weekend...my real life is a little different.

My long weekend will include none of the above...I'll be happy but my weekend will indeed be so much different than my dream weekend. I will be working quite a bit...catching up on all of the COCOCOZY business stuff that needs to get done over at COCOCOZY Headquarters in Beverly Hills - catching up on work will actually make me feel more relaxed if you can believe it! I know...bizarre.  Hopefully though my long weekend will also include a little rest and relaxation, some exercise (we'll see) and most importantly time with family, friends and TE too.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco


Photo: Architectural Digest

Read More »

Add Comment

AN backyard, deck, decor, dining, modern, ocean front, outdoor living, pool, Shelter Island, water view

OCEAN VIEW OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM IN THE MDR!

Mirrored wall hangings and an ocean view! (above)

This is TE's lovely ocean view deck...

So to make a short story long...a few weeks ago TE and I started sprucing up his outdoor decks.  He has a gorgeous ocean view in Marina del Rey (the MDR as I call it) - you can see the water view from not just one deck but two!  He is literally about a 1/2 a block from the beach. The sprucing was in preparation for some of his family members and guests coming into town.

I took these photos this morning.  We were up until 1am last night putting up the mirrored wall hangings and then enjoying a glass of wine and some music on the deck.  This morning while taking these photos I looked quite like a clown:  bleary eyed (with some residual mascara or eyeliner around my eyes), a night gown on, a hoodie over it, leggings, Converse sneakers and hair sticking straight up...but I didn't care if any of TE's neighbors saw me...I was doing my own private photo shoot!

Anyhooo...it was gorgeous up there on this ocean view deck this morning...with the sun rising and waves crashing in the distance.

TE's deck with a view of the beach in Marina del Rey! (above)

A planter filled with a gorgeous array of cactus and succulents - TE designed this himself (above)

Corner bench with gray seat cushions and coordinating navy blue and white pillows. (above)

A boxwood plant in a glossy ceramic pot sits on top of a square white garden stool (above)

Two chaise lounges are placed side by side in a nook to create an outdoor bed of sorts! (above)

This project is done...next design project...a little surprise for sis DS at her house and then my house needs to be addressed as far as decor!

To see the before photo of TE's deck...follow me @Nbaynadamas on either COCOCOZY Instagram or COCOCOZY Twitter.  I'll post a few photos in a bit...so follow along so you get the update in your feed.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Hope you have a great weekend!

Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

Read More »

Add Comment

AN deck, decor, decorate, furniture, home furnishings, ocean view, outdoor living, patio, water view, woven

SPRING BLOOMS IN MY HOME TOWN!

Went out to my hometown of Claremont, California yesterday for Easter.  Claremont is a small sweet Southern California college town.  Such a cute place it is...was happy to go home for the holiday.

Had a lovely Easter brunch with my very very nice sis DS (uh I add an extra very because I just found out my floors were done wrong at my cottage in the Hollywood Hills so I may have to stay with sis DS for two more weeks), my wonderful mother and the very sweet TE. We had a really nice time together. Good conversation and lots of warm laughter.

Before brunch, as TE and I drove into the little town square there we noticed a beautiful little park with gorgeous pink and purple flowering trees and plants. After our brunch, we stopped off to take photos. It was a bit of cloudy day and I was in light blue Easter dress and heels but I found myself somewhat inelegantly bending, stretching, standing with legs akimbo to get the best shot of all of the stunning blooms. It seems that TE is a better photographer than me though...for every 30 photos I took, he took one really beautiful one...hmmmm...note to self...take some photography lessons.  Anyhooo...here are some views of some lovely spring pink and purple blooms in the middle of Claremont. Some good ideas for my garden next spring!

I should dedicate this post to best of friend AM who loves the color pink and who has passed that love of all things pink onto her little boo boo daughter.  AM hope you enjoy this one!

 

Pink azaleas! (above)

Is this purple flower a lilac?  Please identify! (above)

I think the pink flowering tree is called an Empress tree....it was so beautiful. (above)

Hope you all had a nice weekend!

Happy Monday!

xo

Coco

P.S.  Have been eating non stop for the last 24 hours because Lent is over!  This year, I gave up corn, anything with flour, potatoes, sugar and dried mangoes for over 40 days.  Oy va voy.  This year was hard.  On Easter morning TE made me a cute basket complete with corn chips, an apple fritter, bundt cake from a delish bakery called Nothing Bundt Cakes, boxes of pasta, truffles, chocolate, jelly beans and a stuffed Easter bunny.  I spent the day nibbling at the basket and then finished off the day requesting pizza for dinner (which TE went out and picked up from a great place in Santa Monica).  Sounds crazy...I know...but 40 days without anything quite decadent in the food department would drive anyone crazy...right????  Or wrong???

Photos:  All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

Read More »

Add Comment

AN azalea, azaleas, bush, Empress tree, flower, flowering, garden, outdoor living, pink, plant, purple, shrub, tree