coco aka dr laura??

Do you ever get tired of the waiting period? The weird in between of not quite there yet but not where you were? They say that your 20's are supposed to be trial based. Explore your options, feeling free to have no strings attached. I'm not only talking about the opposite sex but everything. Education, music preference, living situation, best friend, job choice, hair color etc. I feel so new to life that committing to one thing seems premature, almost naive. Yet, laying around making no decisions whatsoever feels counterproductive. Where is my happy in between? How do you move forward while standing still?

To a young mind, fast forwarding to the easy times sounds like the only solution. Oh, how I have wished for a machine to take me to when everything is settled. Life already laid out just for my living.  But that makes being stuck in the present almost a curse. Forced between four walls of the "now" that can't be escaped. That is when I realized that every day is slipping between my fingers without a trace of change. I am about to preach something that you have heard may times, but please stick with me. Appreciate the process. It is not about major moments but the small ones that weave it together. Looking forward can be motivating, but obsessing over what is to come can be ruining.

As a new believer in this "live for now" philosophy, I am still struggling. But viewpoint is everything! Even though I do not have have my career goals set, I have a bomb job at an amazing accounting firm that teaches me every single day. My music preferences and style choices are still all over the map, but I like to think that contributes to my carefree and spontaneous attitude (that is what i tell myself anyway *wink*). You will be pleasantly surprised at my hair color of the moment, because it's blonder than blogger has ever seen! Even enough to beg the nickname Snow White (compliment?). I definitely do not have it together by any means. But I think this time of try now, commit later will make having everything figured out just that much sweeter. I may be standing still, but I am going to enjoy the view while I am at it.

Snow White hair bc pic or it didn't happen. 

coco in colorado.

Everyone should be required to go to Colorado at least once in their lifetime. As I was whisked away on one of the most spontaneous trips of my life, I could not have even imagined the magnificence of the Colorado mountains. Not only in their size but also in their beauty! Even though I am definitely a beach vacation kind of lady, the excitement and glory of Colorado definitely stole my heart. I am counting down the seconds to my return. Until then, enjoy a photo gallery of my fun in Frisco. 

This picture was taken just simply driving down the road. 

  

My first snowboarding in action picture. I am 

pretty sure I fell not too long after it was taken. 

(above)

My long time friend Dionne was nice enough 

to stay with me on the slopes even though 

she could have lapped me four times on her

skis! And yet, I never heard a compliant

of my poor snowboarding skills or pudgy jacket look. 

I packed every flannel that I owned and drank my body weight in apple cider.

Saying goodbye to these Rockies was one of the hardest things to do. If you have not made your way west just yet, put that at the top of your to do list!

organization equals sanity.

{The Diary Of A Young Lady Of Fashion In The Year Of 2016}

My main goal for 2016 is to keep my life simple and organized. Just reading that statement makes it sound like a piece of cake. But decluttering your life and staying focused on important things is actually really really hard! It can become so easy for me to take too much on my plate and end up exploding not too long afterward. How can you find the right balance between busy and overloaded? How can YOU still take care of YOU between everything else demanding your attention? Keep reading for a few simple tricks and tips that go a long way for me!

1. Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize. I can't say it enough. Make a physical list of what means the most to you at the top and work your way down to the less essential things. Schedule the most time for your number one priority and less and less as you go down your list. That brings me to my next point.

2. Create a well balanced and regular schedule. Keeping a sane mind involves doing things that you know well. Take time early in the week to schedule what events, due dates, appointments, etc. will be taking place during that week. This is my biggest goal for 2016. Hence why I bought the cutest little agenda to help me along the way (pictured below).

3. Take care of yourself despite time restraints. Eat regularly, especially in the morning. Breakfast is a hard one for me because I hold on to every minute of sleep that I can get in the the early hours. But even something small will get your metabolism and your brain ready for the day! Another issue I have, get plenty of sleep! I am such a night owl but getting a full nights rest keeps your eye bright and your body energized. Most importantly, drink plenty of water. This sounds like a minor thing, but it is actually hugely important! Even as a coffee person, drinking plenty of water gives your body what it needs to preform at the speed that you need it to! I keep a 24 pack of water in my car to grab and go (just make sure your bottles say BPA free!!).

4. Remember to have fun! Don't let your days fly by with endless errands and to do lists. I do not want to look back on my 20s wishing I had stopped and appreciated where I am in life. Creating time to let loose and do something you love keeps positivity flowing through you! You need those "good vibes" to keep motivated to do the rest of the crap that actually has to get done. So please have some fun for me, will you??

I hope some of these little pointers actually help some of you relieve the stress life can drag on. I am going to use blogging as a relief for myself because it is something I genuinely love to do. But right now it is 1 a.m. and I am going against my own rules. Sweet dreams.

coco.

history at its finest.

Today is Tuesday and also a very needed lazy day for myself. These last few weeks have gone by in the blink of an eye, and I haven't even touched my homework let alone blogger. I thought I would take my down time today to post my first travel blog. Over the last couple weeks, I traveled to the east coast, where my sister had temporarily been living, to assist her in the move back to the Midwest. While I visited, we tried to stuff everything we wanted to do on the coast into the week time frame we had. And I have to say, we were pretty dang successful!

I flew into Durham, North Carolina, which was absolutely gorgeous this time of year. But the main part of the trip I would like to feature is our weekend get away to Washington D.C. It was about a four hour car ride from North Carolina, which we made at 2 am so as not to miss our White House tour. The first thing we learned upon arrival is that the traffic was out of control! We sat hours early in the morning just to get into the city! But we made it to our first stop right on time. 

Our self guided tour through the White House began at 8:30 am. After going through ridiculous amounts of security, we made our way around the bottom floor of the President's home. If I am being honest, it was a lot smaller than I expected. The decoration were beautiful and very ornate, but the size was disappointing. We also toured the Smithsonian and National Archives Building. Seeing the Constitution and  Declaration of Independence in person was unbelievable. Sadly, no picture allowed. We rested up in our hotel right in the heart of downtown before enjoying a delicious dinner at Blue Duck Tavern (I chose amazing crab cakes!). 

The next day was my favorite. Starting off at the Holocaust Museum was an amazing experience. We got to learn about our brothers who were persecuted and were amazed by their extraordinary faith. We were proud to wear our purple triangle! Afterwards we grabbed lunch food truck style and were off to the Lincoln Memorial. It was larger than life! I was amazed at the size. Of course, we also got to stand in the exact spot Martin Luther King Jr. stood when making his famous "I have a dream" speech. 

Of course every trip has to involve shopping, like it's me we are talking about. Georgetown was a very upscale, gorgeous part of town that provided all the shopping a heart desires. We shut most of the stores down before we headed back to NC.

All in all, I thought Washington D.C. was a very clean, beautiful (thanks to fall) and historic place to visit. I recommend it to anyone! I posted some photos of my trip below to show you the sites I described. What do you think of DC? Would you go back to visit? What do you think of my first adventure post?? Can't wait to hear from all of you again!! Have a happy lazy Tuesday from coco to you. 

coco.

You knew I would include at least one outfit post! 

Peaking through the changing leaves is The White House. 

grey cardigan (gap)

striped angle blouse (j crew)

blanket scarf (j crew)

ankle booties (forever 21)

Original painting in the East Dining Room of Mr. Abraham Lincoln himself. 

how to: shop thrift.

First and foremost, I want to inform everyone about the decision of advertising on allthingscoco. I do not believe my blog is ready to support such a privilege just yet. I want to make sure this page is exactly the way I dream it to be before I throw in another component. With that being said, I would like to start moving in that direction, so in the future I can take that step. My blog posts may become a little more broad, including different topics with fashion twisted within. There are a few more layout changes that need to be made as well. So for now, no advertisement will be featured on this blog. That offer is extended to me for the indefinite future and one day I will accept it. I want to take the time I have now to grow as a blogger and keep you amazing, faithful followers coming back. The show must go on! 

Thrift shopping is viewed one of two ways: as dirty hand-me-downs donated to those in need, or hidden treasures that need a little tlc. If you are not a thrift person, I totally understand the need to shop retail and you can leave my blog site now (even though I don't want you to go) because the topic of my post today is how to shop thrift. 

The very first thing to remember is fit first. This rule should be used when you shop anywhere. If it does not fit you well, who cares if it is Chanel? It will not look right and no one will appreciate the designer or quality behind it. I know oversized clothing is a big hit right now, but don't let oversized mean "fits like a box." Your body shape can still be flattering in an oversized item, it just takes the right one. 

Another plus of shopping thrift is finding vintage. Back in the day, clothes were made with real quality and effort. Instead of pumping out spandex minis that cost $100, clothes were actually worth the price you were paying for them. I love shopping for vintage because you can find timeless pieces at an affordable price. But please, please listen to this: there is a fine line between vintage and old. If there are holes, stains, tears or an overall smell to the garment, it is old. Not worth the time. When finding vintage, look at the detailing. Intricate beading or stitching will really set the garment apart. Play close attention to the material. If you see the word spandex, do me a favor and put that sucker back on the shelf. Read the care label. If it is dry clean only, you have a classic vintage on your hands. 

Finally, when thrift shopping, look at brand names. I understand some companies who are not as well known can make beautiful pieces, but let's play it safe here. Finding brands you know and trust will ensure the purchase is a good one. 

I want to take this paragraph to thank all of my readers for the support and feedback. I appreciate all of the emails, posts, and messages that has made blogging so enjoyable. Also, if you need a thrift shopping partner, coco is up for sale! 

coco. 

Here is my most recent thrift find. The white pearl beads on the collar coupled with the sky blue color of this sweater could not be more perfect. And for $2.99?? Deal!

Sorry, I was feeling way too 50's mod in this sweater not to selfie. 

cat-eye sunglasses (kate spade) 

pretty little things.

Most of my posts revolve around major purchases that I can't help but share. This post, however, focuses on the smaller side of things. Free people (one of my blog and fashion icons as you all know) has forever stated that fashion is in the details. As I start to evolve into my own style, I can't stress how much that statement is true. A few crucial stitchings here or there, a little bit of lace peaking through a garment, or a well arranged necklace combination all have one thing in common- they're smaller details that matter. As basic as this sounds, it will change your every day look. 

I want to show you a few of my favorite every day details that make me feel whole and unique. The first is a silver triangular hair pin that makes my white blonde hair really pop. This little pin is perfect to finish any braid or simply pull back hair away from the face. This little detail stands out as a bold accessory. And how simple this is to accomplish! Literally just pin and go. 

The next detail I want you all to see is a pressed flower double chain necklace. I actually stole this one from my mother a few weeks ago and haven't taken it off since. The silver chain coupled with the mute mustard color in the petals will make you feel fall appropriate in no time. 

Finally, these grey heathered socks are finished off with a tiny, white lace material. Wear them on lazy days around the house or show these comfy things off! Having the little lace detailing peak out of your fav booties will be that delicate touch your wardrobe was needing. 

Even though major purchases are important (and happen far too often for me) smaller detailing can be just as crucial. Find a few small rings that make your heart happy or a little hat to set off a bad hair day right. Remember those pretty little things. 

coco.

lapis triangle piece (aeo) 

antiquing in santa monica brought this little jewel to the family.

textured lace socks (aeo)

is it fall yet?

The title of this post seems to be a common sentiment of many recently. Where is that fall at??? The calendar and weather need to sit down and coordinate better because they are tricking everyone! I am already in full on fall mood and therefore going to talk about a fall wardrobe must have. 

The over the knee boot has always been a trend to sneak up in a colder season and then fall behind (pun very intended) for consecutive seasons until it is rediscovered once again. I have never owned over the knee boots, but only observed in awe as one of my fashion icons (and pseudo aunt) strutted her pair with full confidence. I was a little reluctant to buy my own only due to the boldness that this trend would require. Why is that so? Most outfits that are worn with these shoes are shorter to show a little skin on the lower thigh before the boots began on the upper knee. I do not know why, but this made me feel awfully scandalous. Realizing how ridiculous that was, I broke out of my shell and bought a pair of my own. I opted for a black suede version with a thicker heel and prominent stitching (as seen in pics below). My most comfortable self in these boots is with black skinny jeans and the new sweater I have been dying to wear despite the 80 degree heat. But I have pushed myself to wear a quarter-lengthed sleeve navy and black floral dress that hit a few inches from where the boot rim begins. And I am not going to lie, I love it. I will post pics of that ensemble in a later post due to the short amount of time I am writing today. I just had to get this trend out there so you can start to track down your own pair! 

I was looking at the weather for the rest of this week and October should be bringing some cooler temps with it (she says very hopefully!!!). Do you have any fall trends you are looking forward to wearing? Email me your ideas so I can post my own twist on them. I also want to see your over the knee boot outfits for my own inspiration. As they say, it takes a village to make a blog. Or something like that. 

coco. 

black suede knit boots (aldo)